A Letter to My Over-Churched Sister

So I've been carrying this weight around. Jesus told me to empty my pockets the other day and I didn't realize what he was talking about.

Religion rocks, my dear, I've come to find out.

You see, I grew up in a Christian home. Then, Jesus saved me. So if the Devil can't get me with drugs or abuse, he'll get me with rules and regulations until I'm weighed down, unable to move.

"Don't you dare lead on a man, young lady."

"Be a submissive woman."

"Dress appropriately."

"Christian women are quiet."

"Christian women blah blah blah."

Actually, my western-Christian-world view friend, Christian women LOVE Jesus. That's it. Those many sermons I've heard over the years on godly femininity evoke wisdom, but they are not my identity or salvation--no matter how many times I've read Proverbs 31.

I realized I was putting all my bets on a lifestyle instead of a Savior when God brought about circumstances that seemed "out of the box". In fact, according to my Christian-culture standards, Ruth still would have NO BUSINESS on that threshing floor with Boaz. I won't ever claim to have the answer to every particular situation (God knows, ask Him!), but I can only cry out and ask that Jesus would come and have full-reign over our hearts and that our spirits would be sensitive to His.

"Jesus, have your way--in or out of the box!"

"I'm in love with God and God's in love with me. This is who I am and this is who I'll be, and that settles it...COMPLETELY."

Comments

Tucker's Birth Story

Tucker Jason Rhys was born on October 30th, 2023 at 3:18pm in the afternoon though I say his birth story started four months earlier in June. In June we were packing up our family and lives in Africa to come back to America for a year. With two small kids and me being six month pregnant, Steven and I still thought it would be worth the effort to stop in Paris for a layover and do a couple Frenchy things like eat a croissant and see the Eiffel Tower. It’s a “perk” of the job I tell myself—every flight path inevitably goes through Europe. We booked tickets that took us through Paris and then onto America. After booking everything we hit a snag—Farrah’s passport was set to expire in September and apparently France requires three months of validity left on a US passport before giving a visa to visit their country. She only had two months left before she needed to renew hers. (I'm getting to the birth, I promise…) Up until that last week on our island as we were packing our bags ...

In Case You Were Curious

The feat of writing a post and explanation for what happened this past weekend has kept me from even attempting it for some days now. How do you describe miracles but not as to cheapen the treasure of their testimony? First I must begin to explain who this man Steven is, and who he someday will be. Skeptical, I have been for some years now which is why I categorize his existence as a miracle. He is strong. Meek. Authoritative in speech, and yet the most gentle of men. He hates all the usual things like Wal-Mart and loves all the usual authors like G.K. Chesterton. His brokenness before the Lord was what set him apart from the crowd for me. I honor this man with words of encouragement. "Steven, you are dearly loved and anointed by Jesus. Not because you have done great things for Him, but because your heart longs to make Him the focus. You know He is good even in the desert seasons. You have chosen Jesus. You have a ...

Let's Run!

I am tired of making the Christian life look good. I might as well wear the t-shirt that says "Christians have more fun". When Jesus said we could have life to the full (John 10:10), I am told He was not wearing the t-shirt. If anything His shirt would say "fullness of life found here". It's futile of me to think we Christians need to persuade the world that we love our lives. In fact Paul said, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."--1 Corinthians 15:11 If indeed Jesus has been raised, then my living is not empty. I fix my eyes on the prize. That prize is not less drinking, fewer swear words, and a "good job" from morality at the end of the day...it is El Shaddai, God all sufficient. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to ...

Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it

Search This Blog