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| One of the beautiful evenings we have had lately ... |
All right.
This really cannot get anymore awkward than it is!
I have not posted anything in for a very long time. I am very sure you guys have given up on me, and yet here I am.
Let's fill in some gaps.
My family and I have been making some changes in our home. As in ... getting closer to the Lord ...praying together more ... studying the Bible ... watching less movies and having more time for family .... and just building Christian character in general.
And it is not easy.
And it never will be "easy" to take a stand in what you believe when so many others do the opposite. And one of the things I want to be able to do is not let what others are doing to come between myself and my parents, and my God.
For a long while I have been very concerned about what people think of me (and I know that I will always have that struggle no matter what) ... it has been the question of, "Should I do this even though it is wrong?" or, "I think this will go against what I know is right ... but I am going to see what happens anyway because "they" [yep ... that nerve racking word "they"] are doing it".
The list goes on.
I have a problem with being determined in something I am going to do or something I have wanted to NOT do. It is something I struggle with and with God's help I will overcome it. So I have come up with this list that I am going to refer to, to answer the questions I have in everyday life.
It is not exactly a formal list but just one that I believe will help me with some everyday struggles I have. It is based on what little bit I know of what God wants me to do ... I am still learning and growing in the Lord, with the help of my wonderful parents. :)
(1. Would I do this if Jesus was right here watching me?
(2. Am I doing this just because someone else is doing it ... and will it lead someone else (or myself) into bad influences?
(3. Will what I am doing encourage myself and/or others to honour God?
(5. Is what I am thinking, thoughts I would be perfectly fine with sharing with my family and/or parents?
(6. Do I abstain from the appearance of evil when I am on the computer, on the Internet, or in a mall or store (that has trashy signs, papers, or magazines)?
(7. Have I read my Bible and/or prayed today?
There are a lot more things I could add to this and I probably will add to it.
I am not just writing this for a good post or anything. These things are things I want to do or refrain from doing.
I want to stand up for what I know is right without being afraid that people may shun me for doing it ... and really if they do shun me for doing what I know is right, that would only prove that they are not really interested in me as a person (and Christian) but in what I participated in with them as their "buddy".
That is not always going to happen I know but I just want to be ready if/when that happens. I want to get my shield (Jesus and my parents) ready and up so when that happens people's comments and actions will not injure me. Sure it will hurt ... but it will not "injure" me as in leading me to think, "Well, maybe I should have just gone along with the sin [or whatever it maybe] to keep the peace with so-n-so over there."
It may happen in forty years from now, it may happen next week, but I want to be ready when any struggle may come up. I am not ready for a lot of things. Hey, but it is great to know that I've got my parents and my Jesus to help me through it all. :D
Also, I would be greatly encouraged and thankful if you guys would pray for me in my battle.
I hope this post didn't get too much. :P
Have a great weekend -
P.S. If you guys have anything to share please feel free. :)
P.S.S. OH! And I am hopefully gonna post a review on Monday.
