I have twenty-one minutes left to join hostess, Sonya, and all the other thankful bloggers in sharing thankfuls on Thursday.
#1. I just returned from an Avalon/Selah concert. I wasn't sure if I would like the new female singer for Selah, who actually joined the group in 2006. I haven't been paying much attention to the new albums. I love the older ones with Nicol, sister of lead male vocalist, Todd Smith. Well, I found that not only can Amy Perry sing, she had something to say that carried a message just for me.
She shared about her lifelong struggle with her weight and how her family and a particular old boyfriend had always made snide remarks about how she really needed to drop some pounds.
Hard stuff. Hurtful. Wounding.
She talked about how, with the encouragement of love from her husband, she learned to believe that God created her in His own image and gave her special gifts and talents that she could use to praise and worship Him. So, though she does the torturous workouts in an attempt to battle the bulge- she lives with confidence, in joy, knowing that the God who created all things good, loves and cares for her just as she is.
Her testimony challenged me to think about it. All people are created in the image of God, are his handiwork and loved by him. I cannot say I love Him and then have prejudices against those, whom he created! I want to love, just as I want to be loved, not for how I look, but for what is inside of me- a heart that yearns to follow Jesus, to love and care and show compassion for others. I want to share the hope I have in Christ- just as Amy did so beautifully tonight!
Thanks, Amy!
#2. God is challenging me to consider the truth of his word, the whole word and nothing but the word. A friend of mine recently shared about a ministry she is involved with, whereby she and others pray with people who are troubled by demonic activity. Wow. It sounded like something out of a sci fi flick.
BUT. I go to the word of God and I read about Satan and the forms he takes in the world.
I grew up in a denominational background that did not discuss Satan or hell, but rather talked about these words as being universal language that just stood for anything evil. Nobody from the church of my youth went to hell, because if there was such a place (and the teaching was there wasn't) Jesus would be the first one there to catch that poor, unfortunate soul and carry it off to heaven.
Very confusing, in light of the word.
So, I'm thankful for the challenges that cause me to think and re-think and read, read, read the word of God!
#3. I'm thankful that the blog meme's allow for a little leeway. Because I'm not posting five today, but 3.
It may be a broken road, but if it leads us straight to Him- it is one worth traveling.
8 comments:
Thank you for sharing. That is a beautiful song and message. It is always so nice to stop the self condemnation and accept and be happy with who we are.
I had to learn that I could not change until I acknowledged where and WHO I was ... It was painful, but then I was able to move ahead.
On the weight note... I also struggled so much. I finally realized that I had "dieted" so much that my metabolism was out of whack. I needed consistency in the way that I ate. Once I began to eat 3 meals a day (even began to eat something every 2 hours) I noticed a difference. Then, I could cut back on the amount I was eating and the weight began to normalize.
I also realized that we are not all created to be skinny as a rail and if we are a column, it is okay... God loves us and that is ALL that matters in the long run!
Blessings... thanks so much for sharing!
I love Selah and I'm so glad you were able to go to that concert. I wanted to go too, but it didn't work out.
I have this beautiful song on my blog. It is so powerful and uplifing:-)
So glad I stopped by today to read your list. I understand about the weight issue - God has been teaching me a great this year as I have worked to drop 40 pounds (still a way to go, but I'm gonna get there!) It is not about the weight - but what it represents . . . many lessons I'll be sharing through my writing and my ministry.
OOh I love Selah and that is definitely one of my favorite songs they do!
I have been seeing in an incredible way this week how God knows my needs, and how He provides for them everyday. How AMAZING is that? We serve a Good and Perfect God.
Wednesday night I went to sleep feeling so discouraged, and Thursday morning I received an encouraging email from a friend that writes to me very rarely. That was only the first of 4 or 5 encouraging things that happened yesterday, and I know it was God using others to lift my spirits.
Just thought I would share that little testimony of thanksgiving with you. :)
Thanks for stopping by my page! I loved at the end of the book, reading about Narnia reaching it's perfected state when great Aslan returned to the land. Reminded me of the glory and perfection that will be Heaven when Jesus returns!!
I love that song! She has a gorgeous voice! Yay that you got to go to that concert. I bet it was a great time!
I love what God showed you about the spiritual battle. It is very real.
You are a very special lady too! Did I ever mention that I have family in Michigan who want me to come and visit? When I do, I will have to plan some bloggy visit time. Of course that won't be in the cold, snowy, winter! Nothing personal. :)
Love ya!
Love your thankful post today. So glad you were able to go to see Selah! I love them!
Have a fabulous weekend!
I understand your comments on Satan and evil, though I always believed that there was a hell and not everyone is saved. I do believe that The Almighty is MORE than capable of saving anyone and everyone, but with free will...not everyone 'gets' it. The B-i-b-l-e, yes that's the book for me...keep reading.
I absolutely LOVE that song. It is one of my favorites, as someone who has walked down the broken road.
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