II Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

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!

3 comments:

home4mk said...

i am so bad the other day i realized i was listening to Fergie and my Madelyn (4 yo) asked *mommy what is a london bridge?* then she started singing the song. i was mortified! we listen to A LOT of christian stations and this really was my first time listening to a CD in the car that wasn't kid appropriate but i just couldn't believe that i had let that happen i guess in my mind i was thinking she wouldn't catch any of the words just the beat of the music BOY WAS I WRONG!

thanks for the encouraging words!

smiling's my favorite said...

You Go PREACHER!!! Thanks for the insightful encouragment. You must be a "visual learner"... good job painting the picture of Joel's illustration. I fully intend on downloading the message. BTW- Don't be too hard on yourself. If Brooklyn doesn't hear it when she's with you, she's going to hear it somewhere else. In certain instances, I have found that it's better these things come up in a "controlled environment" where I am right there to discuss the content of the "questionable" lyrics, content of certain tv shows, behavior of children who may be a bad influence on my child etc. I am with you though, I definately try to screen everything and now a days, you just never know.

Anonymous said...

JEN! i love this blog! I am soo happy for you! and no holiness does not mean perfection... its resting in the fact that JESUS was holy and You dont have to be perfect like he was. You just do what you know is good, and REST in the fact that because YOU are saved when GOD looks at you HE sees You covered in JESUS' blood and that makes you HOLY and RIGHTEOUS in HIS sight!!! Its doesn't matter how man sees you.. but ONLY how GOD sees you!! Im proud of you! :) miss you! kendra