I am Afraid, but I Will Not Hide

As I look around our society, I struggle not to be afraid.  Afraid not only for myself, but even more so for my children.  I often wonder, what will their future be?  Will they ever know the great country that was founded under God?

I am overwhelmed by the immorality that surrounds us daily.  We slaughter babies by the millions, and call it a right to choose.  Really?  We celebrate perversion, and say that is the way God made us.  Again, really?  We claim we have a relationship with God, yet we have no reverence for Him or His word.  Once again, really?  How can this go on?

Admittedly, I have been ready to throw in the towel.  Not give up and accept what is going on.  No!  Instead, I have been ready to gather my family and go into hiding somewhere.  I have been ready to shut the world out and protect them from what is going on around us.  

One night as I was thinking of this... several verses came to mind in rapid fire motion....

Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7 

The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ Matthew 25:23   

But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 1 Peter 3:14 

Wow!  I knew what it was to be humbled before the Lord.  So then I began to apologize to the Lord, and ask for His guidance.  That's when a new series of verses began to flood in... (see what hiding His word in your heart can do for you?)

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 

At this point, I began thanking God, and praising His name.  After a few minutes, I asked God, what will you have me do?  And again, God answered in verses...

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 

So, here is where I am now... yes, I still get afraid, but my hope is in the Lord.  I will not go into hiding.  I will not concede to the world's way of thinking.  I will continue to follow God, and raise my children to do the same.  And I will pray for a Great Awakening for our great country.

A Real Super Sunday

I am sitting here on Super Sunday wearing my Dallas  Cowboy shirt.  Yes, I know the Cowboys are not in the Super Bowl this year, but no one ever accused me of being a fair weather fan. As I think about the upcoming game, I realized that I can't remember who was in the game last year.  Now I realize that many people can quote stats from many years past... but not me.  I enjoy the game, and then I move on.  

There is one Super Sunday that I will always remember, and it has nothing to do with football.  Eight years ago, Super Bowl Sunday 2005, my son was 4 years old.  We went to church that morning, and was spending a quiet afternoon at home.  I was pregnant with our daughter, and had laid down for an afternoon nap. Ethan came to me and told me that he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart.  He had done this several times in the previous weeks, but Jason and I kept putting him off because he was 4.  So, once again I told him that I was glad he was thinking about this, and when he was older we would talk more.  

It was at that moment that Ethan stomped his foot and said something I will never forget.  He said, "I have done some wrong things, and if you don't let me ask Jesus into my heart, I can't ask God for forgiveness."  Nap time was over!  I said, "Go get your daddy, we need to talk."  Jason joined us, and that afternoon Ethan prayed to receive Jesus as his Savior.  That night at church he went forward and made a public profession, and later followed through with believers Baptism.  Now that made for a REAL SUPER SUNDAY. 

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14