Chastisement

I was listening to our local Christian radio station the other day and I heard the lady say "When you hear little voices singing along in the back of the car...it makes it easier to choose a radio station, doesn't it?"

Boy is that EVER true!

It really hit home for me because I didn't realize how much non-Christian music I listened to until I heard Brooklyn singing along to some not-so-uplifting songs the other day. I thought--"How in the WORLD does she know all the words to that song?" But I know it's gotta be from me running the radio all the time in the van. Sometimes when I can't even hear it (because I'm talking to someone or on the phone) she can still hear it. Who knows what comes on during those times! Yikes!

Then the other day someone gave me a scripture. A scripture that they felt was "just for me." It was 1 Peter 1:16 which says "It is written, Be holy, for I am holy."

OOOOOOOOOOUCH!

I'm not sure what that was supposed to mean exactly...where I am concerned...but it certainly pricked my heart in a certain few areas where I feel a little un-holy. I am trying to not over-analyze it though either. My first thought was that holy means perfect...and so God is telling me to try harder to be perfect!!?????????? But I don't think that's right....

Anyway, on top of it all, I watched Joel Osteen the other day...just by chance...and it was the best message I have ever heard (for me) in my life. I've watched it 3 more times now and I can't help but tear up. The message is called "You are God's Masterpeice" and just as an example of what it's talking about...he says he was once at a persons house who had this ugly, boring painting hanging on the wall. When he asked about it he found out that it was an original Picasso painting worth $1,000,000. Then he reminded us that we are God's craftsmanship...His masterpeice. Our worth isn't found in us (the painting) but in the creator or painter (God!) That same painting could have been done by someone else and would be worth nothing...but because it was painted by Picasso..it was worth a TON!

Wow! It is just such an awesome message and I would GREATLY ENCOURAGE you to go to his website at http://www.joelosteen.com/ and download the podcast to your Ipod. I promise you, it'll be worth it!