The Lord’s Name is HOLY!

I feel like the commandment “do not use the Lord’s name in vain” is the commandment that gets dealt with most light heartedly. I don’t know what to say to help others see how Holy the Lords name is! There are not words to describe. I do not think we realize how much power and meaning there is in His name. We get this attitude that “it’s just a name”. He is the one. He is Jesus. He is the LORD. There is might in his name.

"Keep my commands and follow them. I am the LORD. Do not profane my holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites. I am the LORD, who makes you holy.” - NIV Leviticus 22:31-32

“No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won't put up with the irreverent use of his name.” - Message Exodus 20:7

I think it’s also important to realize that scripture doesn’t only talk about the Lord’s name in reference to misuse but also the power it has when we use it correctly.

“When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,” – NIV 1 Corinthians 5:4

“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” – NIV Acts 3:16

and her fortress was built, brick by brick

I recently finished reading Wild at Heart by John Eldridge. There was one chapter where he spoke of a man's need to be a hero and woman's need to be rescued. In order to do that "Adam" will have to tear down the walls that have been built around "Eve's" heart from her past. He says that by the time this moment comes those walls may have been multiplied into a fortress. At first I thought that my walls would never amount to a fortress. I've never been physically abused, my parents are still married and love each other, I'm still a virgin and for the most part have dated good guys. I started to think of the problems I do have as minor compared to those of others. But that is exactly what Satan wants me to believe isn’t it? That my problems are nothing and I’m making a bigger deal out of it than it really is. Right? I don’t really know.
I do know that I FEEL like there is a fortress being built. All 5 boyfriends have left their own wall. The world has broken me and built others. My flesh fights me and I build another. I’m tired and worn… and I’m only 20. I fight for purpose, but can’t seem to find any. I don’t want to let anyone in, but I do. I fight for control even though I know it’s not mine to control.


“When Eve was deceived, the artistry of being a woman took a fateful dive into the barren places of control and loneliness. Now every daughter of Eve wants to “control her surrounding her relationship, her God.” No longer is she vulnerable; now she will be grasping. No longer does she want simply to share in the adventure; now she wants to control it. And as for her beauty, she either hides it in fear and anger, or she uses it to secure her place in the world. “In our fear that no one will speak on our behalf or protect us or fight for us, we start to recreate both ourselves and our role in the story. We manipulate our surroundings so we don’t feel so defenseless.” Fallen Eve either becomes rigid or clingy. Put simply, Eve is no longer simply inviting. She is either hiding in busyness or demanding that Adam come through for her; usually, an odd combination of both.” -Wild at Heart

He pinned me exactly. So what do I do about it? How do I let go of the need to control? How do I trust that man will fight for me? What if no one ever will fight for me?

Adventures with my Lord and Savior

These past couple weeks have been so hectic in the preparation for the end of the year. Right now, I sit in a practically empty dorm room. Tomorrow my freshman year will officially be over after my 8 o'clock final. Crazy. I need a vacation. ha Freshman year was not what I expected. Extreme loneliness. Tough classes. Heartless people. Good and bad relationships. A broken heart and pride. Self-esteem struggles. I've taken the road less traveled at Harding University and it's taught me much. I am better because of these struggles. The tears have made me stronger.

When first looking back on this year I had a moment of heartbreak because it seemed at first glance like a complete waste. Yes, I've made friendships and had many fun times... but I could have had so many more. Did I waste my freshman year because of shyness and self-esteem issues? Not at all. The struggles I experienced were REAL. They taught me something. However, from here on out living life to the fullest will have a new meaning. There are people to meet. Mountains to climb. Adventures with my Lord and Savior.

The Lord has great plans for me. :) And I'm excited to experience them.

Struggle with Compassion

“This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3

I have struggled lately with compassion. I decide to give it to some, even most, but not all. I think it is safe to say that most Christians tend to have compassion for their fellow Christian but struggle in giving compassion to the ‘sinner’. I seem to have switched this normality. More often than not I give compassion to the non-Christian. I also give compassion to the Christian that will admit they do wrong, be open about their mistakes, and genuinely try to improve. But for those Christians who do not grow and ignore their sin… I have trouble giving them compassion. I get angry because I feel they affect the way I am perceived by non-Christians and screw up the chances I may have in helping someone to know Christ and the amazing love he gives. In talking with one person about this problem I got the response that I am judging my fellow Christian and it’s not my job to do so. I disagree with this idea. The Lord clearly says that you will be able to tell a Christian by their fruit. I will hold people to their good or bad fruit. Period. And I don’t believe that to be judging. I just need to learn to share those views with compassion and love for that person. In talking with a second partly about my outlook I got the response that I am picking and choosing who to give compassion to and that is not fair. The Lord does not do that and neither should I. The Lord has compassion for everyone. Even those who have wronged him and will not get to spend eternity with him… he still loves them and has compassion for them. The fact that I disagree with hypocrite’s actions is not the problem. I need to remember that I am no better. Also, realize that having love and compassion does NOT mean I can’t tell them what the scriptures have to say about their actions. Jesus was quite blunt and up front with the Pharisees. Anyway, that’s some of the latest thoughts. ☺

Boxing with Satan

This first year of college has been the hardest thing I have yet to encounter in my young life. Making friends was something I thought I could handle, but apparently its harder than I expected. I think a large part of it is Satan wanting me to believe I'm alone, because I've made friends but I often feel like I don't have close friends that understand me. Once Satan gets his foot in the door by making me believe I'm alone he starts to work on my self-esteem. He does his very best to convince me that I am of no worth at all and that I will be alone for the rest of my life. But it's all a lie! He wants to keep me from serving and worshiping the Lord. I am determined to not let the devil have his way. I'm up for the fight. Round one may not have been what I thought it was going to be. And round two I'm struggling to breath. I may be knocked down and so bruised. But I'm here to tell you...I MAY BE KNOCKED DOWN BUT NOT FOR THE COUNT. I'll come out swinging. I'm telling you now, I'm not going to lose this. He's messing me up, but I'm still here. I am not defeated, though you cannot see it, I have never won a battle on my own. The GOD ALMIGHTY is on my side!

Compare Game

Lately I have found myself playing the compare game. Some girls just have such unique styles. Earthy, sporty, classy, vintage, girly, indie… whatever. I don’t feel like I have one and it bothers me sometimes. While I don’t really feel like sharing my whole story on how this has been occurring lately in my life… I am definitely willing to share my revelation God has given me about it.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

Those “styles” that we all like so much… are worldly. Plain and simple. And what is of the world doesn’t matter. God looks at the heart.

The Bible tells of the time that Samuel was searching out Israel’s king with the guidance of the Lord. God had narrowed it down to Jesse’s sons (David’s father). When Samuel was meeting with Jesse’s son to pick the king he quickly laid eyes on Eliab because he was good looking, “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”’ (1 Samuel 16:7)

So, yes, some man may pick another girl over because she carries a presence and style that is enjoyable and beautiful by earthly standards. But I love the Lord. And if that is not the most important, attractive, characteristic to him, then I deserve someone better. And the same goes for the MANY other girls who I know have struggled with self-esteem. God adores you. :D He loves you.

Rapha

There is two kinds of brokenness I want to talk about. 1) Holy brokenness 2) Worldly Brokenness

Holy Brokenness.

"Concerning the prophets:
My heart is broken within me;
all my bones tremble.
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the LORD
and his holy words."
- Jeremiah 23:9

When praying lately I have started to ask God to break my heart over the things his heart breaks for. He has answered that prayer and continues to every day. I ached and broke when that junior higher told me he didn't want to be christian because he wanted to have sex before he was married. I ached and hurt when I learned that a beautiful girl I see every week cuts herself. My body physically, spiritually, and mentally hurts when I realize that have yet again I have sinned against the one God that will always love me.
I hope I never become numb to that realization. I think we do sometimes, I think family is a great example of this. All day long we give our very best to our colleges, peers, and the rest of the world... but then when we return home, to the people who love us most... they get whatever is left. The stress, the frustration, the anger, the complaints... it's all taken out on the ones we love most. Why? Because we know that they will always love us. If we were to act that way to our classmates... we would quickly loose popularity. I think we often do the same to God. We know he will forgive us, so it doesn't always bother us as much as it should when we continue to make the same mistake over and over. We can't let that become an excuse to become hard-hearted or to sin more.

Wordly Brokenness.

The world breaks me too, but not in a way that produces anything of value. It wears us down, it lies to us, and constantly tempts us without relent. The world tries to tell me that if that one mortal man doesn't want me... then that makes me less. How silly! God alone decides my worth!!! and he's already told us that we are worth more than pearls or rubies. But despite that reassurance we still ache don't we? It still hurts when a friend turns away from you. It still hurts to be rejected or ignored by a parent. There is hope though... God heals. He is Rapha. He is the healer.

"He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave."- Psalm 107:20

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."-Psalm 147:3

"Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."-Psalm 103:2-5

Let him heal you. :)