What it means to know God as my Father!
What does it mean to KNOW God as my Father? As it has been said and sung, "to KNOW Him is to LOVE Him"! How do we get to know Him? We must first experience Him!
O Father! My life is a mess! My marriage, a shamble! My life unbalanced, my heart, shut off! My heart like broken glass is full of sharp, painful shard! What do I do God? It's so still, so quite. I can't hear you! Aren't you listening? I need you! I stumble forward, slowly drifting. Angry! Father, are you not speaking? "I am, but you're not obeying!" Fine! then leave me alone! Just give me what I want! Sadness...my Father's heart is broken, torn. He loosens the reigns, he knows he can't force his will, can't make my choices. My Father watches in agony with eyes of love and compassion as I create an even bigger mess. He knows he will have to clean up my mess, but he never complains, he just keeps gently calling, calling my name. He keeps instructing, "that's far enough, turn around." I glare at him with disdain and toss my head with a haughty laugh! How I must have hurt him, but he continues on with me, fighting demons I know nothing about! Anticipating my return. He knows it will be hard though, for I have so much pride, such a stiff-neck! My Father though, he never stops getting in the way! Providing a way, a way back home! He laid the paths before me. Oh, but I was the smart one! After all, I'd watched all kinds of movies like CSI! Ha, I was good at hiding, running, escaping the flame! I won't get caught! At least that's what I thought!
The time had finally come, my Father had had enough! Again, he put a roadblock before me, a sign saying, "daughter, come home!" With arrogance, a dead heart and a wild spirit I relented. I was not repentant, no not yet, but oh my Father, how he rejoiced in just that one step! He's not worried for he has great faith in me! He know's my heart and he knows how to fix it! Isn't that truly what every daughter wants? Oh, daddy, please just fix it! Time slowly continues on...
My God, my Father, always by my side, always with a plan.
Rebellious, black sheep gone astray; testing you, pushing the limit.
Do you still love me? If you do then you would...but you said, "because I love you, I won't!"... My soul so weary, worn out! My heart broken into a million teeny, tiny, beautiful, stained glass pieces. Rejection, abandonment, used, scarred and tainted, all blanketed with my sin! Unconditional love, forgiveness, and acceptance, offered and rejected. Your Father heart heard my desperate, confused cry; you wept for me, with me, as a Father does. My God, My Father, I'm knocking on deaths door! I want it, I need it! If you loved me you would..."Because I love you, I won't!"... To my every plea for death, you answered, "My grace is sufficient for YOU!" I can see your big hand reaching down for me into the ravishing pits of sorrow, but I cannot reach it, not even the tip of your finger! You answered me, " just be still, I'll stretch further! I won't let you fall!" I love you Father, but can you still love me? I'm afraid! Send me a way out, a different way, my way! "I want to" you reply, "but not that way, I know what's best! You must trust me! Haven't I proven myself yet? I will do it again because I love you, I forgive you! I will carry you, I will get you through this mess! You will sing again, you will dance, you will twirl, you will run, you will be successful in my purpose because I love you! I love you with my very life!" Trust? No! God you know that was stolen from me long ago! I can't! If you loved me you would..."Because I love you, I won't!...Take my hand, I'll lead you home! Come to me! Let me comfort you! I feel your pain! You have nothing to fear, I am here and I will never leave you! The road will be hard!" My Father, he's so honest! "You will turn back to me many times and many times I will forgive you."
His grace reaches me! My Father, God, has never broken a promise! My plans are not His plans nor are my thoughts greater than His! "To know, know, know you, is to love, love, love you...and I do, yes I do!"
Stephanie Goode © May 20 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
I am so laughing at tomorrow!
Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
This verse came to me the other day while I was driving and it was as if I had just read it for the first time. An understanding came to me. She can laugh at the days to come? I've often wondered, "how"? Well, the answer stared me in the face as I realized I was becoming that verse. Now, no, I don't laugh at everything, but more and more I find myself not worried about what is ahead and how, when and where! Why? Because, God is in control and he knows what's best and would never harm me! For me it's taken years to actually believe that, completely! I still doubt, I still struggle because I'm human, but because my faith has increased through trials I've learned that it's easier to let it go and trust in His plan.
Why can she, the proverbial woman, laugh at the days to come?
Because she knows who holds tomorrow, she knows He has a plan
and that no weapon formed against her can stand.
She knows in whom she has believed
and in Him she has put her trust.
She laughs for she has hope because she knows
He is able to do far more than she could ever imagine!
She holds dear those things which He has promised,
to never leave her nor forsake her.
She knows that He fights for her,
that He sings love songs over her.
She laughs at wanting poverty
for she knows He provides for all her needs.
She knows to whom she belongs,
that she is His most treasured possession.
She can laugh because her strength comes from The Lord
and in His love there is no fear.
She walks in dignity with her Father, the King of Kings,
for He has taught her that laughter is good medicine,
health to her bones.
She can laugh because she knows
that joy comes in the morning.
The days ahead do not scare her
because she knows He is faithful. He is just.
She laughs in the face of adversity for what can
man do to her that He does not see?
For her soul belongs to Him!
She can laugh for she has cinched her waist with truth
and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
She laughs for she carries a sword that divides even bone and marrow.
Her feet are steady like a deer.
She presents a shield of faith, full of fiery arrows.
She laughs for her mind is set on Him,
He protects her with His helmet of Salvation.
She laughs, she does not worry about tomorrow
for tomorrow will have its day.
But for today, she lounges in the garden of His laughter,
and sleeps in the lap of His safety.
For she knows who holds tomorrow,
and she knows He holds her hand.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock,
in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
I am starting to understand this and it gives me great hope for each day!
Stephanie Goode © June 17, 2014
This verse came to me the other day while I was driving and it was as if I had just read it for the first time. An understanding came to me. She can laugh at the days to come? I've often wondered, "how"? Well, the answer stared me in the face as I realized I was becoming that verse. Now, no, I don't laugh at everything, but more and more I find myself not worried about what is ahead and how, when and where! Why? Because, God is in control and he knows what's best and would never harm me! For me it's taken years to actually believe that, completely! I still doubt, I still struggle because I'm human, but because my faith has increased through trials I've learned that it's easier to let it go and trust in His plan.
Why can she, the proverbial woman, laugh at the days to come?
Because she knows who holds tomorrow, she knows He has a plan
and that no weapon formed against her can stand.
She knows in whom she has believed
and in Him she has put her trust.
She laughs for she has hope because she knows
He is able to do far more than she could ever imagine!
She holds dear those things which He has promised,
to never leave her nor forsake her.
She knows that He fights for her,
that He sings love songs over her.
She laughs at wanting poverty
for she knows He provides for all her needs.
She knows to whom she belongs,
that she is His most treasured possession.
She can laugh because her strength comes from The Lord
and in His love there is no fear.
She walks in dignity with her Father, the King of Kings,
for He has taught her that laughter is good medicine,
health to her bones.
She can laugh because she knows
that joy comes in the morning.
The days ahead do not scare her
because she knows He is faithful. He is just.
She laughs in the face of adversity for what can
man do to her that He does not see?
For her soul belongs to Him!
She can laugh for she has cinched her waist with truth
and put on the breastplate of righteousness.
She laughs for she carries a sword that divides even bone and marrow.
Her feet are steady like a deer.
She presents a shield of faith, full of fiery arrows.
She laughs for her mind is set on Him,
He protects her with His helmet of Salvation.
She laughs, she does not worry about tomorrow
for tomorrow will have its day.
But for today, she lounges in the garden of His laughter,
and sleeps in the lap of His safety.
For she knows who holds tomorrow,
and she knows He holds her hand.
Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock,
in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
I am starting to understand this and it gives me great hope for each day!
Stephanie Goode © June 17, 2014
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Is it ok?
Ok, something I've been pondering on for a few days...movies! I love them! Most of us do, but are they ok for Christians? Here's why I ask: movies contain a lot of things that the Bible speaks against and yet we fill our minds and hearts with them.
Here's a few things to consider:
Murder-Exodus 20:13, Matthew 15:19
Sex- Premarital, outside of marriage, all kinds of sex and sexuality, seduction-Ephesians 5:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 5:9-12
Language-Cursing, foul, degrading, crude, God's name in vain or irreverence-Exodus 20:7, Leviticus 9:12, Colossians 3:8
Revenge, hatred-1John 3:9, Leviticus 19:18, 1John 2:9, Proverbs 10:12
Drunkenness-Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 23:21
Disrespect towards each other, towards elders and parents, dishonor-Exodus 20:12, 1Peter 2:17, Romans 12:9-10, Ephesians 6:2
Lying, deceit, slander, gossip-Exodus 20: 16, Leviticus 19:11 & 16,Psalm 34:13, Titus 3:2, Proverbs 16:28, Galatians 6:7
Stealing and cheating-Exodus 20:15,Matthew 19:18
Adultery, fornication, infidelity, swapping partners, lust-Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:28, Proverbs 6:25, Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:5, 1 John 2:15-17,Hebrews 13:4, Proverbs 6:32-35
Divorce & remarriage-Malachi 2:13-17, Matthew 19:3-9, 1 Corinthians 7:10, 27, 1 Corinthians 7:39, Luke 16:18
Worshipping other gods, including satan, cults, witchcraft, idols(even money)-Exodus 20:3-4, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 6:3-5
Homosexuality-1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Romans 1:25-27, Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, 1 Timothy 1:9-11, Genesis 2:18-25, 19:1-29, Psalm 81:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7
Jealousy, covetousness-Exodus 20:17, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:19-20, Proverbs 27:4, 1 Samuel 18:8-11, Genesis 4-Jealousy caused murder, Deuteronomy 4:24, 1 Corinthians 3:3
Galatians 5:19-21, Romans Chapter 1 & 13-
This sounds an awful lot like the Ten Commandments right, Exodus 20?! Well we aren't acting in these ways! Aren't we? Are we being stumbling blocks and false leaders? I say yes, guilty! I can say personally that watching some of these things have affected my life and my thinking. It certainly gave me unrealistic expectations in my marriage. Has it become the ruler to measure our lives by? It has become that way rather than the Bible being our measuring stick. Now I'm not saying there aren't some good qualities in movies as well.
Sure, I've seen for instance:
Kindness-Galatians 5:22-26
Love-Romans 13:9- the whole Bible!
Forgiveness
Mercy
Grace
Hospitality
Giving
Worshipping God
Serving others
Laughter
Happiness
Truth
Respect and honor
I kind of feel it not necessary to list all the scripture for this list because these are the one's we know. We prefer to focus on these. Its the list above that we choose to ignore! I hope you will not just read over this, but as a true follower of God and truth seek out each verse and allow God to lead you through his infallible word. You decide with God in fervent prayer what is true about what we allow into our lives and I will do the same. These kind of changes once we've become accustomed and conditioned to them are not easy to change. It takes a great love for The Lord and His commands and obedience!
Now here's my question about the second list...In Christian or Bible based movies, there are still actors and actresses who are married to other people and yet in the movies because they play a specific role they are kissing another person. Or even wholesome movies that speak real life situations into existence such as rape, infidelity, etc and of course they have to act these parts out. Is this wrong for Christians to watch? Is it wrong for Christians to act out these roles? I don't know, I'm asking! My immediate reaction is Yes! But then that means I'm in the wrong. If God were to reveal to me that yes these things are wrong and I should not be watching any of them and then convict me to not watch movies I will be honest and say that that would be a really hard thing for me to be obedient in. I mean what life do we have without them? Would we spend more time in our Bibles or with our family? Books can bring us all the same things movies do, so again, we need to be careful what we fill our hearts and minds with. What do y'all think about this? I'm asking not accusing or judging!
Point to remember: Psalm 11:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men. May we pray for each other as I know that as Christians we desire as it says in Hebrews 13:18 to live honorably in every way.
SG © 6/10/14
Here's a few things to consider:
Murder-Exodus 20:13, Matthew 15:19
Sex- Premarital, outside of marriage, all kinds of sex and sexuality, seduction-Ephesians 5:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 5:9-12
Language-Cursing, foul, degrading, crude, God's name in vain or irreverence-Exodus 20:7, Leviticus 9:12, Colossians 3:8
Revenge, hatred-1John 3:9, Leviticus 19:18, 1John 2:9, Proverbs 10:12
Drunkenness-Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 23:21
Disrespect towards each other, towards elders and parents, dishonor-Exodus 20:12, 1Peter 2:17, Romans 12:9-10, Ephesians 6:2
Lying, deceit, slander, gossip-Exodus 20: 16, Leviticus 19:11 & 16,Psalm 34:13, Titus 3:2, Proverbs 16:28, Galatians 6:7
Stealing and cheating-Exodus 20:15,Matthew 19:18
Adultery, fornication, infidelity, swapping partners, lust-Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:28, Proverbs 6:25, Colossians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:5, 1 John 2:15-17,Hebrews 13:4, Proverbs 6:32-35
Divorce & remarriage-Malachi 2:13-17, Matthew 19:3-9, 1 Corinthians 7:10, 27, 1 Corinthians 7:39, Luke 16:18
Worshipping other gods, including satan, cults, witchcraft, idols(even money)-Exodus 20:3-4, 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 6:3-5
Homosexuality-1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Romans 1:25-27, Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, 1 Timothy 1:9-11, Genesis 2:18-25, 19:1-29, Psalm 81:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7
Jealousy, covetousness-Exodus 20:17, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:19-20, Proverbs 27:4, 1 Samuel 18:8-11, Genesis 4-Jealousy caused murder, Deuteronomy 4:24, 1 Corinthians 3:3
Galatians 5:19-21, Romans Chapter 1 & 13-
This sounds an awful lot like the Ten Commandments right, Exodus 20?! Well we aren't acting in these ways! Aren't we? Are we being stumbling blocks and false leaders? I say yes, guilty! I can say personally that watching some of these things have affected my life and my thinking. It certainly gave me unrealistic expectations in my marriage. Has it become the ruler to measure our lives by? It has become that way rather than the Bible being our measuring stick. Now I'm not saying there aren't some good qualities in movies as well.
Sure, I've seen for instance:
Kindness-Galatians 5:22-26
Love-Romans 13:9- the whole Bible!
Forgiveness
Mercy
Grace
Hospitality
Giving
Worshipping God
Serving others
Laughter
Happiness
Truth
Respect and honor
I kind of feel it not necessary to list all the scripture for this list because these are the one's we know. We prefer to focus on these. Its the list above that we choose to ignore! I hope you will not just read over this, but as a true follower of God and truth seek out each verse and allow God to lead you through his infallible word. You decide with God in fervent prayer what is true about what we allow into our lives and I will do the same. These kind of changes once we've become accustomed and conditioned to them are not easy to change. It takes a great love for The Lord and His commands and obedience!
Now here's my question about the second list...In Christian or Bible based movies, there are still actors and actresses who are married to other people and yet in the movies because they play a specific role they are kissing another person. Or even wholesome movies that speak real life situations into existence such as rape, infidelity, etc and of course they have to act these parts out. Is this wrong for Christians to watch? Is it wrong for Christians to act out these roles? I don't know, I'm asking! My immediate reaction is Yes! But then that means I'm in the wrong. If God were to reveal to me that yes these things are wrong and I should not be watching any of them and then convict me to not watch movies I will be honest and say that that would be a really hard thing for me to be obedient in. I mean what life do we have without them? Would we spend more time in our Bibles or with our family? Books can bring us all the same things movies do, so again, we need to be careful what we fill our hearts and minds with. What do y'all think about this? I'm asking not accusing or judging!
Point to remember: Psalm 11:8 The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men. May we pray for each other as I know that as Christians we desire as it says in Hebrews 13:18 to live honorably in every way.
SG © 6/10/14
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