'Burned them in the sight of all'

I am currently reading through the book of Acts. I recently read 19:19-20 "Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." These events took place as Paul ministered in Ephesus. The magicians heard the gospel and by the sovereign working of the Holy Spirit, they repented. What also amazes me however, is the extreme way in which they testified this 'new birth' to those around them. Verse 19 states that they brought their books and burned them in front of everyone! This helped to prove the genuineness of the magicians repentance. These were highly expensive books, which without it would be very difficult (if not impossible)for them to continue practicing magic. This gives a clear example of repentance. A true act of 'turning away' from sins, not merely apologizing and continuing in a depraved lifestyle. I encourage you to look at your walk with the Almighty. Have you truly repented and turned away from your old lifestyle by His power and through His Son? Does your life look different than when you started claiming to be a 'Christian'? It should. These magicians literally burned their previous way of life. We must constantly make war with sin and trust in the awesome strength of Christ to 'finish the good work He started'. Their MUST be evidence of your salvation and repentance in order to truly be a child of the King. So what have you burned in the sight of all lately??

"Good girls don't dress like that!"

The last week of this past semester at MTSU I walked in one of the lunch rooms to enjoy a quick snack before my next class. I walked into the KUC anxious to find a seat by the window so I could enjoy the view of the beautiful weather. Almost immediately after sitting down I couldn't help but over hear the loud converstaion a group of young men were having about 5 ft from my table. There sat about 6 or 7 young men. They looked like they ranged in age from about 19-23. What would proceed from one young man's mouth will live with me forever. A young lady walked by...I could literally see the boy's eyes moving up and down as they "checked her out". The young man said loudly to his friends "Man did you see those legs??" The others smiled and discussed this young womans body as if she were an object, rather than a human. One boy quickly spoke up, "I know of her, she is actually a pretty good girl." Then, it was said "Good girls don't dress like that!!" The other boys agreed, discussing how it was not possible for her to be a "good girl" based on the clothes she was wearing.
She was wearing a low cut tank top and very short shorts. This made me immediately examine my outfit. I began skimming over the clothes I owned in my head questioning "would this shirt make a man believe that I was not a "good girl." A few days later when I had the time I went through my wardrobe, and indeed, I had to throw away a few items.
I long to present my body as an acceptable example of a daughter of Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states " Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."
I encourage you to remember the present world in which we live as you dress each day! If you have to" call into question" a certain top or bottom my suggestion would be to just not wear it at all. Your appearance does matter!

Blogging

I often have a desire to write about various subjects, people, places, or things that move or interest me. However, I have never taken the time to actually sit down and share these thoughts. For more than one reason, I have decided to change this. I hope this site is a place for people wondering or struggling with the same things I do to be encouraged. One of the most influential pastors in my life, John Piper, wrote once about 'Immeasurable Moments' people can have by reading the shortest verse, book, or even having a small converstaion. This is what I desire for this site, for each to have immeasurable moments that can help them along this journey called life. Enjoy.