Ok girls, LYWB is finally back online! I owe you an apology and an explanation. So, first, do forgive me for this time lapse. Secondly, the only explaining I can do is to say that during the very busy book business season it was decided that we would be moving to Sarasota FL! It was a long process but we are here and unpacked. It was an extremely difficult move to say the least. God has pulled us through and we are slowly getting back to normal.
Anyway, I’m working on my senior year in high school and I don’t know about you guys but it’s hard! Hehe. It definitely keeps me busy. I would love to know how all of you are. Feel free to e-mail me or leave an informative comment. Lol! My e-mail is faith@faithfulbookshop.com or italiamae@verizon.net
All right- down to business. Get your “Truth” caps on ladies- lets go!
This next lie is a real toughie for me. Its super convicting and some of you may not even agree. It took me several days to fully understand and start believing the truth!
“I’ve never been exposed to satanic activities”, is a statement no one in this day and age can really make. Well… maybe there’s one exception…perhaps if you are Amish and live in an Amish village. ;) However most of us live in a pretty worldly area.
Check out these Qus from the book-
Have you ever looked at or read your horoscope?
Have you ever participated in psychic activities?
Have you ever had your palm read?
Have you ever played a video game or watched a movie that portrayed demonic forces or witchcraft in a positive way?
Personally, the first three- although serious, didn’t really apply and I quickly started to assume this section wasn’t for me. Duh! I was committing the lie right as my eyes read the page!
Read the fourth ‘Have you?’ again carefully. I cannot speak for you guys but I have done that. We know that God detests witchcraft and such and it is easy for me to say ‘I would NEVER try calling on the dead or any of that!’ However, what about Pirates of the Caribbean? Demonic voodoo is portrayed as no biggie. Matter a fact all three movies are filled with it. It is most of what makes up the story line! Don’t get me wrong I LOVE Captain Jack, Barbossa and witty humor. This is why it was so hard for me to except that there is a huge difference between Lord of the Rings and Pirates…or even Harry Potter. In Lord of the Rings when witchcraft is used we know that it is bad and the bad guys are using it. Don’t confuse this with magic. We are talking satanic here. Voodoo, cults, Ouija board, living dead etc…
In Deuteronomy is says not to practice witchcraft so what’s wrong with being entertained by it? This is where your relationship with Christ comes in. God uses the word “detestable” to describe His view on these things. If God Himself, who tolerates quite a bit of stuff from us, cannot tolerate demonic practice OR influence than should we not be extra careful?
Some of you ladies might be doing fine in the ‘keeping away from evil’ command. However, I would challenge all of us to watch out for anger, bitterness, un-forgiveness and rebellion against authority. These dangerous attitudes, which I have definitely fallen in to, open the door to Satan. That’s scary. I need to be under God’s protection every day of my life.
I think it’s worth giving up Captain Jack’s cute remarks, the most recent video game or the new 'in' T-shirt line.
Pray about it gals. You make the choice…or better yet, just obey what God tells ya.
Love you all! Will update again soon.
Faith Mae <><
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Everything bad that happens is spiritual warfare.
There are two statements from 'Lies Young Women Believe.' that I will copy here which will counteract lie number five.
The first- 'Many bad things that happen are brought on by our own choices.' For example, I read in the book that when entering college you are presented by credit card companies all this cool free stuff along with making an account with them. After a few years, because of your decision to buy things you can't afford, the debts are looming. This is not Satan zapping us with evil dust! If I choose to not apologize to my mom because it's not a 'big deal' and then I get in even more trouble later I can't blame my parents. I brought strife upon myself! I am my own enemy.
The second- 'Sometimes the bad things that happen are brought on by the influence of the fallen world in which we live.' There are three sources we have to battle. Satan, our own flesh, and the world around us. Satan is directly attacking when we experience unusually fearful thoughts, intense temptation, and making us feel like dirt before we show a good example for God. Satan doesn't want us to spread the word of Jesus's love and he will do anything to get us to doubt ourselves and God.
Our flesh is evil in every way. We are like everyone else except we have the Holy Spirit whisper into our ear. I cannot trust myself and to do so would be total folly. We shouldn't leave choices up to our own desires!
As for the world we live in....well I can't even drive down the road without seeing a sick billboard! All three of these things are tied together but to throw our hands up and say it's all 'spiritual warfare' as if we didn't do anything is wrong.
We have a personal responsibility. If I am subjected to evil God will ALWAYS give a way out.
It's taking that 'way' or traveling the easier path that is the real choice not whose fault it is.
In most cases I have found that my own pride and selfishness causes the turmoil I so easily blame on others.
Faith Mae
The first- 'Many bad things that happen are brought on by our own choices.' For example, I read in the book that when entering college you are presented by credit card companies all this cool free stuff along with making an account with them. After a few years, because of your decision to buy things you can't afford, the debts are looming. This is not Satan zapping us with evil dust! If I choose to not apologize to my mom because it's not a 'big deal' and then I get in even more trouble later I can't blame my parents. I brought strife upon myself! I am my own enemy.
The second- 'Sometimes the bad things that happen are brought on by the influence of the fallen world in which we live.' There are three sources we have to battle. Satan, our own flesh, and the world around us. Satan is directly attacking when we experience unusually fearful thoughts, intense temptation, and making us feel like dirt before we show a good example for God. Satan doesn't want us to spread the word of Jesus's love and he will do anything to get us to doubt ourselves and God.
Our flesh is evil in every way. We are like everyone else except we have the Holy Spirit whisper into our ear. I cannot trust myself and to do so would be total folly. We shouldn't leave choices up to our own desires!
As for the world we live in....well I can't even drive down the road without seeing a sick billboard! All three of these things are tied together but to throw our hands up and say it's all 'spiritual warfare' as if we didn't do anything is wrong.
We have a personal responsibility. If I am subjected to evil God will ALWAYS give a way out.
It's taking that 'way' or traveling the easier path that is the real choice not whose fault it is.
In most cases I have found that my own pride and selfishness causes the turmoil I so easily blame on others.
Faith Mae
Monday, June 2, 2008
God should fix my problems. God is just like my dad.
Hope everyone is doing well! I decided to write on two lies in one post this time.
It is ironic how we want God to help us out and yet we state that 'God isn't really involved in our lives.'
Most of us know already in our heads that we should not just ask for things in prayer. How many of us actually play it out? Who prays for the Glory of God not just "Lord I need your help, I need, I feel, I want"? It's really tough to put ourselves aside and give everything to Him. Spending time everyday praising Him doesn't mean strict on your knees praying. It could be any activity where we stop, contemplate, listen and lavish out thanks on Him!
When I was younger my mom taught me a simple way to pray. Not that there is a 'way' to pray but when you are trying to make something a habit easy steps seem to help.
ACTS-A- Adoration
C- Confession
T- Thanks
S- Supplication
When my brother and I first started this there was no mistake which letter we were on. Now I don't need to think it through, I can feel a check in my spirit when the rantings of my life spill to heaven and I forget to adore. God doesn't need to 'fix' anything. Everything is planned and you and I are protected by the King. "Lord, what do you want of me?"
On to lie number 4.
Yes, God is your father. However I think you'll find out that he's not like any man you've ever known. Getting to know Jesus through our Bible will clearly show us that He is all powerful and all knowing. I don't know about you guys but my dad certainly isn't either. He is a blessing to me in a million ways but Jesus is the LORD. How do we dare utter His name? Earthly fathers are our gifts from God but if yours happens to be a lousy dad then all the more reason to cling to Jesus!! Forgiveness is huge when it comes to parents. They all sin and mess up. So do you and so do I. Alpha and Omega died on a cross made of wood for you so you could forgive! Let us not forget who He is and who gave us parents. There is a glorious reason why we have the dad we do so let us serve and love him.
Hebrews 1:3
When you see Christ as He is, it will be harder to believe things about God that aren't true.
XoXo
Faith Mae
It is ironic how we want God to help us out and yet we state that 'God isn't really involved in our lives.'
Most of us know already in our heads that we should not just ask for things in prayer. How many of us actually play it out? Who prays for the Glory of God not just "Lord I need your help, I need, I feel, I want"? It's really tough to put ourselves aside and give everything to Him. Spending time everyday praising Him doesn't mean strict on your knees praying. It could be any activity where we stop, contemplate, listen and lavish out thanks on Him!
When I was younger my mom taught me a simple way to pray. Not that there is a 'way' to pray but when you are trying to make something a habit easy steps seem to help.
ACTS-A- Adoration
C- Confession
T- Thanks
S- Supplication
When my brother and I first started this there was no mistake which letter we were on. Now I don't need to think it through, I can feel a check in my spirit when the rantings of my life spill to heaven and I forget to adore. God doesn't need to 'fix' anything. Everything is planned and you and I are protected by the King. "Lord, what do you want of me?"
On to lie number 4.
Yes, God is your father. However I think you'll find out that he's not like any man you've ever known. Getting to know Jesus through our Bible will clearly show us that He is all powerful and all knowing. I don't know about you guys but my dad certainly isn't either. He is a blessing to me in a million ways but Jesus is the LORD. How do we dare utter His name? Earthly fathers are our gifts from God but if yours happens to be a lousy dad then all the more reason to cling to Jesus!! Forgiveness is huge when it comes to parents. They all sin and mess up. So do you and so do I. Alpha and Omega died on a cross made of wood for you so you could forgive! Let us not forget who He is and who gave us parents. There is a glorious reason why we have the dad we do so let us serve and love him.
Hebrews 1:3
When you see Christ as He is, it will be harder to believe things about God that aren't true.
XoXo
Faith Mae
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
God is not really involved in my life.
Some of what was written in lie #1 applies to this lie as well.
God is so big. He has so much to take care of with wars and natural disasters and stuff like that. I find it hard to believe that He cares about what is going on in my life.
My family and I travel quite a bit for six months out of the year. Recently we took a trip to Alabama for business. Some of you might know of the terrible storm over there and over into Georgia. After a nine hour work day we drove to Walmart for milk and such. We could hear the tornado siren going of for the fourth time that day. So we hurried. The minute dad pulled the truck up and we were heading out of the store a lady with a Walmart apron started directing everyone back in side to the center of the store! My mom ran out and got my dad inside before they locked the doors. For the next 45 minutes we sat staring at the men's jean section listening to the whirling wind and buckets of rainfall. I don't know about you but I've never been stuck in a store before. Not cool.
We stayed at a hotel planning on driving home the next day. At about five in the morning we lost power. We could here the storm raging outside and to think that we just got the outskirts! On the highway we couldn't see much damage at all except some bent trees. However the further we went the worse it got. Trees were torn limb from limb, exit signs ripped from the ground and wrinkled like foil! That's when I knew we were looking at a tornado path. The road was barely cleared and yet to our left we could see a horrible trail through the forest where the monster had traveled. It hit a small exit with a hotel and I saw people with bags over their shoulders bearing glum faces. All this only an hour from our very own hotel. God protected us. I knew without a doubt that the same storm that killed 20 people in Alabama and Georgia passed over us with harmless growl!
God not involved? No, if He seems far from us it is because we have grown away from Him.
Everyone has their story of God's provision. It's those times I need to be dwelling on when I can't see the answers. When my passions are cut short because of circumstances I can rely on myself, not God who I believe is to big for this stuff or I can realize that my attitude towards my mom right at the moment means just as much to Him than anything!
Imagine for a moment the man you will marry or your spouse. Think of their love and then magnify it for eternity. Impossible right? That is Jesus's adoration for you!
Oh the times we don't recognize His hand in all the little details.
We believe in a BIG God right? So lets not shrink Him into man's perspective.
Faith Mae
God is so big. He has so much to take care of with wars and natural disasters and stuff like that. I find it hard to believe that He cares about what is going on in my life.
My family and I travel quite a bit for six months out of the year. Recently we took a trip to Alabama for business. Some of you might know of the terrible storm over there and over into Georgia. After a nine hour work day we drove to Walmart for milk and such. We could hear the tornado siren going of for the fourth time that day. So we hurried. The minute dad pulled the truck up and we were heading out of the store a lady with a Walmart apron started directing everyone back in side to the center of the store! My mom ran out and got my dad inside before they locked the doors. For the next 45 minutes we sat staring at the men's jean section listening to the whirling wind and buckets of rainfall. I don't know about you but I've never been stuck in a store before. Not cool.
We stayed at a hotel planning on driving home the next day. At about five in the morning we lost power. We could here the storm raging outside and to think that we just got the outskirts! On the highway we couldn't see much damage at all except some bent trees. However the further we went the worse it got. Trees were torn limb from limb, exit signs ripped from the ground and wrinkled like foil! That's when I knew we were looking at a tornado path. The road was barely cleared and yet to our left we could see a horrible trail through the forest where the monster had traveled. It hit a small exit with a hotel and I saw people with bags over their shoulders bearing glum faces. All this only an hour from our very own hotel. God protected us. I knew without a doubt that the same storm that killed 20 people in Alabama and Georgia passed over us with harmless growl!
God not involved? No, if He seems far from us it is because we have grown away from Him.
Everyone has their story of God's provision. It's those times I need to be dwelling on when I can't see the answers. When my passions are cut short because of circumstances I can rely on myself, not God who I believe is to big for this stuff or I can realize that my attitude towards my mom right at the moment means just as much to Him than anything!
Imagine for a moment the man you will marry or your spouse. Think of their love and then magnify it for eternity. Impossible right? That is Jesus's adoration for you!
Oh the times we don't recognize His hand in all the little details.
We believe in a BIG God right? So lets not shrink Him into man's perspective.
Faith Mae
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
God is not enough.
Okay so here is lie number one.
When I first started reading 'Lies Young Women Believe' I was truly shocked at these first couple of of points! Lies about God? hm.
I need my friends more than God.
Always or sometimes agree- 88%
Never agree- 12%
Emotionally we as people rarely can imagine our lives without something. Ipod, friends, TV, music, fun, money, sleep, sugar, Internet etc...But when you narrow it all down it comes to one thing. This 'thing' can be disguised very easily- social life, texting, e-mail, phone, companionship, feeling valued. Did I miss any?
If only...
If only...
If only...I had my friends and God!
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
Psalm 73:25
How many of us have felt that? Really felt it. Where giving up everything worldly from people to stuff travels to solitude and contentment!
How important are the girls and guys around you? Many of us don't think of our companions (family as well) as idols but oh how even the smallest crossing over boundaries can diminish our power to fight back!
Listen girls, I'm writing this Blog because I am so faulty. I want to be admired and loved just as much as you. I desire it in all the same ways. Shall we continue to fill these holes with...our idols?
Our friends? Our loves? Our pleasures?
Just the other day I was feeling out of spirits and I could almost picture Jesus shaking His head at my sin. I realized that my Saviour adores me. He loves me enough to sacrifice His son! Who among us would sacrifice EVERYTHING for the sinners around us?
A teen said "God is so big. He has so much to take care of with wars and natural disasters and stuff like that. I find it hard to believe that He cares about what is going on in my life."
Think about that. We believe in this all knowing God and yet the fact that our hormones float up and down and we tend to mess up doesn't concern Him? He's to big for us?
This is what Jesus says- Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them forgotten by God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
I was having a discussion with my mom one day and she was correcting me on something I honestly didn't understand. What was I doing wrong? We were interrupted for a few minutes and while I sat there fuming about how unfair she was being I received a thought. What if I could be different? What if I could stand for what I know is right and stop acting like all the other teenagers on the planet? What if I could act like Jesus? Girls, don't we love to be unique? What better way is there then to shake our disdain for conflict and difficulties and face them like women...?
God is enough. We just have to take the time to snap out of our little worlds of comfort and ease.
Please take the time to pray, confess and adore our Father!
Faith Mae
When I first started reading 'Lies Young Women Believe' I was truly shocked at these first couple of of points! Lies about God? hm.
I need my friends more than God.
Always or sometimes agree- 88%
Never agree- 12%
Emotionally we as people rarely can imagine our lives without something. Ipod, friends, TV, music, fun, money, sleep, sugar, Internet etc...But when you narrow it all down it comes to one thing. This 'thing' can be disguised very easily- social life, texting, e-mail, phone, companionship, feeling valued. Did I miss any?
If only...
If only...
If only...I had my friends and God!
Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
Psalm 73:25
How many of us have felt that? Really felt it. Where giving up everything worldly from people to stuff travels to solitude and contentment!
How important are the girls and guys around you? Many of us don't think of our companions (family as well) as idols but oh how even the smallest crossing over boundaries can diminish our power to fight back!
Listen girls, I'm writing this Blog because I am so faulty. I want to be admired and loved just as much as you. I desire it in all the same ways. Shall we continue to fill these holes with...our idols?
Our friends? Our loves? Our pleasures?
Just the other day I was feeling out of spirits and I could almost picture Jesus shaking His head at my sin. I realized that my Saviour adores me. He loves me enough to sacrifice His son! Who among us would sacrifice EVERYTHING for the sinners around us?
A teen said "God is so big. He has so much to take care of with wars and natural disasters and stuff like that. I find it hard to believe that He cares about what is going on in my life."
Think about that. We believe in this all knowing God and yet the fact that our hormones float up and down and we tend to mess up doesn't concern Him? He's to big for us?
This is what Jesus says- Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them forgotten by God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
I was having a discussion with my mom one day and she was correcting me on something I honestly didn't understand. What was I doing wrong? We were interrupted for a few minutes and while I sat there fuming about how unfair she was being I received a thought. What if I could be different? What if I could stand for what I know is right and stop acting like all the other teenagers on the planet? What if I could act like Jesus? Girls, don't we love to be unique? What better way is there then to shake our disdain for conflict and difficulties and face them like women...?
God is enough. We just have to take the time to snap out of our little worlds of comfort and ease.
Please take the time to pray, confess and adore our Father!
Faith Mae
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