When we aren't getting a clear enough picture

One of the main things I desire to teach my children is that the accounts that we have in the Bible are not just good stories.  They are not even just good stories meant to simply teach us a moral lesson.  We learn about our great and awesome God through these accounts!  I want them to understand that the people that we read about were just like us.  They struggled with sin.  They struggled to trust God and love him with their whole heart.  Agreed, they didn't have the internet and video games but they had things that distracted them from thinking about God, spending time with him and getting to know him better.  We may think we have more challenges these days to living a godly life but the fact is, sin and it's desires are nothing new.

I have often been concerned about the tendency that people can have of misunderstanding what God was doing through his people in the Old Testament.  I'm sure Daniel knew that God was able to save him from the lions but that does not mean that he didn't feel any fear.  Remember, he didn't know exactly how things were going to turn out.  And just imagine if you were lowered into a den of lions.  Wouldn't you be scared? Wouldn't your heart be pounding?  Daniel was resolved to trust God through it but he didn't know that God would prevent the lions from tearing him to shreds.  We don't know what God is going to do.  We just know he is able to do all things.  That is where our trust is.

We have to be careful that we don't make a caricature of these people.  Sometimes children's Bible Story books do this.  I believe that it is possible for us to be somewhat blind to certain things that are right under our noses.  Sometimes our heart can be in the right place concerning teaching our children what is right yet the images around them convey a different message.

Have you ever sat down and really studied the pictures in children's Bible Story books?  If you haven't lately, take some time to look at them and ask if that is how you want your children to see those people. Sometimes, the pictures can say even more than the words.  But even the words are sometimes not accurate.  Watch out for the subtle twists that authors superimpose into the story.  Watch out for the subtle influence of their opinion that is not Bible truth.  It happens a lot in Bible movies but it also happens in Bible Story books.

I can't tell you how many I have rejected because of the strange and unrealistic artwork they are illustrated with.  For example, either Noah is depicted as some wild man with his long gray hair in disarray or he looks goofy and childish as though he's lost his mind.  Sometimes, the characters are depicted in such a way that they look scary or on the opposite side of the spectrum, they look cartoonish (or they look like vegetables! Does anyone else think this may not be a good idea?). I don't think all this helps with our children developing the understanding that these were real people.  These were people who laughed, cried and lived.  These were people who feared, failed to trust and got distracted. These were people who had a strong faith in God, though sometimes it wavered.  People just like you and me.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  Romans 15:4

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did...

1 Cor. 10:6

Be careful, our children are not the only ones in danger of having a poor understanding of the Old Testament.  Many who have grown up hearing these stories either every day of their lives or at least once a week in Sunday School, have a tendency to think that they know all there is to know.  They "know" all of the stories about Abraham, Noah and King David like the back of their hand.  The question is do they know God better because of the way in which God worked in the lives of those people?  Have the things that the people in the Bible experienced in their walk with God been brought to bear on the way they live today?  Have they been "instructed" by it as it says in Romans 15:4?

In contrast, there are those who came to know the Lord later in life.  This is my category.  I pretty much avoided the Old Testament for years.  I thought it would be too hard to understand and would be way over my head.  The New Testament seemed so much easier to grasp and, well...NEWER!  I felt as though the Old Testament was a mountain I shouldn't dare to climb.  I later discovered how much I was missing.  Things like reading the very words of God spoken through the prophets.  I was also missing out on knowing God better through the way that he worked in others lives.  It is a book full of testimonies!  We also learn more about ourselves as we see how people responded in different circumstances.  And we find that we often respond in similar ways.  Please don't skip out on reading the Old Testament.  The gospel and God's plan to redeem us are displayed from cover to cover.  

Read and be encouraged.  God is working in your life as intimately and carefully as he worked in theirs.  He is not overlooking any of the details.  Even through hardships and difficulty his desire is for you to know him more and to grow in your faith.  Just like the people we read about in his Word.  May God bless you as you seek to know him through its pages and to teach your children about his awesome deeds.

Why I write {writing prompt}

My desire to write is very strong.  I daydream about it, I long for it, I look forward to it.  Putting my thoughts into words makes me happy.  

When at first I begin to form words with my pen or with clacking keys, I do not always know where I will end up.  At least, not at first.  But once I set out on the course, it's like a gate opens up for me.  It is so exciting to feel as though I am running through that gate toward my prize.  It is a feeling of victory as the words I am longing to communicate freely flow.

Each post, to me, is like a mini-masterpiece.  Not trying to sound boastful, just being honest.  Yes, I am sure that I make my share of grammatical mistakes and that my writing is not without it's flaws and annoying quirks.  I will probably never be considered an amazing writer or have an impact on the lives of thousands...but even just one life?  That is what keeps me going sometimes.

You see, for a large portion of my life I have influenced people in ways that were not good for them or for me.  It is something that grieves me now in very profound ways.  The choices that we make in life are a tremendous responsibility we must bear...whether we realize it or not.  Yes, there is forgiveness in Christ and yes, there is cleansing when we turn to him but the lives of others are influenced in ways that we cannot erase.

All that to say I have a passion for the truth to be made known.  The truth about who God is, what he has done and what he is doing.  And part of what he is doing, wonder of wonders, is actually within my very own heart.  Maybe, just maybe, something He has taught me will encourage someone else along the way.  

I really do enjoy writing (blogging) but it does take a level of sticktuitiveness (I think that's a word! ;) to keep at it.  It is a commitment.  Sometimes writing is not always like charging through the opened gate at full speed.  Sometimes I am nowhere near the gate and it takes days to figure out how to get there. 

It is only because I love writing and because I love to share my heart that I continue to keep my eyes open--searching for that gate and running as fast as I can when it opens up for me.  To me, that is one of the most amazing experiences ever.

Linking up for the writing prompt here: http://www.ellenstumbo.com/why-i-write/

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{P.S.  I really, really want to focus more on photography 

and have more fun with my camera.  I'm making plans...} ;)

Written, but regretted

I have a lot on my mind lately.  I almost feel like I could write a post about each and every thing, but that would probably result in me blabbing too much...and I've already had the feeling that I did that recently.  For that reason, I totally revised a recent post of mine ("Busyness and the message we are sending").  It was something that I wrote and posted fairly quickly and positively hated later.  I knew it was just full of things that needed to be changed and I hated the thought that I probably came across like I was rambling on and on about busyness like I had nothing better to do! Ha!  Really, I am simply making an attempt to write out the intricate workings of my mind.  That is not always an easy task. ;)

I was so "bugged" by that post that I started up a conversation about it with Amera.  She asked if she could read it and then we set to work revising it together.  I was thankful for a fresh set of eyes to read it and help me evaluate it.  And yes, it was a bit humbling.  I had to laugh at myself as I was then able to see my obvious errors that needed to be fixed.  This is where I'll take the opportunity to say thank you, dear readers, for bearing with me and all of my grammatical errors.  I am definitely a work in progress.

There is something else that I have evaluated in hindsight. . . I recently posted an article from another blog (Desiring God // "Teach children the Bible is not about them") on my wall on Facebook.  I posted it because I wanted people to read it, evaluate it, and see the concerns I had with it.  I was hoping that it would edify other believers.  Personally, I enjoy the exercise of trying to understand and discerning more about what the Bible teaches and doesn't teach when I read an article.  I consider it a strengthening exercise.  But in hindsight...I hoped that I did not come across like I had a problem with the person that wrote it or with the children's Bible that she wrote.  I honestly began to question if I had handled things appropriately by posting the link.  There wasn't any way that I could leave the author of the post a comment on the blog...but I began to think of myself in the same position.  What if someone disagreed with something I posted on and instead of contacting me and telling me, just started pointing out the flaws all over Facebook?  Yes, I stand for truth and yes I want to warn people...but I don't know.  I'm not so sure if I did things right.  Do you ever feel like that?  I'm just not sure if it was the best thing to do.  I welcome any thoughts you may have on that.

Anyway, it's kind of nice to have this space where I can come here and fess up a bit.  Where I can share with you that I don't always feel so great about everything I do.  I think it can serve as a reminder that most of us are like that.  And because of that, how there is much need for us to have gracious and forgiving hearts toward one another.  Recognizing that, as believers, we are all growing up in the household of faith.

If I could change one thing... {writing prompt}

A little less than two years ago, I had no idea what a blog was.  Seriously.  I didn't really use the internet that much.  I didn't know that people even had blogs.

I didn't consider myself a writer.  Sometimes I still have hard time saying that I am, because I know how much I need to improve.  But the beautiful (yet slightly embarrassing) thing about having a blog, is that I can look back and see some improvement.  That is encouraging to me because change can be so gradual that you don't always notice it happening.  Just knowing that I can improve if I keep doing it and learning is such a thrill to me.  I find that now, writing is almost like breathing to me.  I would be very sad if I couldn't do it.  It amazes me that something so important to me now was not a part of my life two years ago.

If I could change one thing...it would be to give other women the courage to try new things.

I am not some sort of professional at the things I do.  I am in the process of learning and I know that there are people who do it all better or maybe I should say differently than I do.  I think we have to remember that God made each of us unique and he has worked in our lives in unique ways.  We've got to stop thinking that since other people are doing a fine job we have nothing to add.  After what I've learned in the past couple of years I realize how much we limit ourselves.  Because I am certain that we possess God-given abilities that we may not even realize we have.

It has come up in conversations I've had.  Women who have always wanted to be a writer, but they doubt themselves and they don't think it is something that they can learn.  YOU CAN LEARN.  Just try it.  What will it hurt if you click on that Blogger icon and with a few clicks, open up a blog for free?  You don't even have to tell anyone about it if you don't want to.  Maybe you could keep it private for a while and just try writing...see what happens!  You may end up just as surprised as I was that there is whole lot on your heart just waiting to be expressed and maybe even shared with others.  I want to encourage you to give it a try.  What have you got to lose?


I am happily linking up here: http://www.ellenstumbo.com/if-i-could-change-one-thing/

moving posts from one blog to another

When I made the decision to have one blog instead of two, it felt like I was abandoning all of my writing on "Growing in Grace".  There were posts that I had thought deeply on and poured my heart into.  I knew that if I left them there, they would probably never be read again.  

I decided to give them new life and to bring them here to this space.  I treasure them and I want them to be shared rather than forgotten.  So here they are!  I hope that you are encouraged to grow in the Lord right along with me.  Blessings!

Facebook // the blessings are just a click away

{Follow this link to read part one: Facebook // Facing our sin head on}

Could Facebook really be something that enriches your life?  

Could it actually be a valuable tool to strengthen relationships rather than weaken them?

My answer to both is a resounding yes!  We can connect with people in amazing ways with Facebook.  We can connect in ways that telephone, email and even face to face cannot provide.  Does that last statement surprise you?  Don't worry, I'm not saying that Facebook can replace face to face interaction.  But it can definitely enhance it as we get to know a little more about the people in our lives currently and the people we used to know.

I understand that in addition to what I wrote in my last post, that there are other negative aspects of Facebook.  Maybe you're thinking about all the things you would rather not have known about people.  Like  the sad pictures you see of young girls trying to look sexy and alluring with their lips puckered for a kiss.  Seriously?  Do they realize how pitiful this is?  Or the conversations that go from bad to worse as people argue to make their point, or maybe just get one up on the other person...yes it can get ugly.  But you know what?  This is life.  There are things that grieve us outside of Facebook.  They are sad realities that Facebook seems to magnify.  Because it's so easy to throw it out there from the privacy of your own home.  It certainly gives us plenty to pray about.

I could go on about the issues, but this post is supposed to be about the good things, right?  But before I get to that, I have a confession to make.  Ready?  Ok, here goes...before I started using Facebook, I thought I was more spiritual than people who did.  Here's another confession...after I started using Facebook, I thought I was more spiritual because I didn't spend as much time on it as so and so seems to spend.  You know that little "judge 'o meter" we have that makes us think that we know how much time people spend on Facebook because it seems like they are always on there.  Or they respond to our messages right away.  Or they post three times a day...whatever it is that tips us off and we think we've got them pegged.  

Whether you use Facebook or not, please don't make general judgements and think that everyone who uses it sits around idly clicking away while ignoring the rest of the world around them.  Yes, it happens, but we are working on getting that under control, right?  We all have to learn when enough is enough and when we need to log off.  But the misconception that it is a complete waste of a person's time needs to be cleared up.  There are a great many ways to use our time and this is just one of them.  Anything good could get out of control...you could even spend too much time on housecleaning!  My point is that Facebook can be a good thing that we use wisely, we just have to learn how.  

If all I could do on Facebook is mutually share photos, that would make it worth it.  I love that photos can be quickly shared and family and friends can comment.  That is so awesome.  That blesses me.

But there are other things.  Such as messaging.  You know the thrill you get when you've got a letter in the mail?  I know people think that electronic communication is not the same, but I love "getting mail" on Facebook too.  Blesses me a ton!  And I love to send messages from time to time too.  Honestly, I was a terrible "snail mailer".  Facebook is something I can easily access and I don't even need a stamp.  (Yes, I agree, snail mail is still very special and in a class of its own.) 

Some examples of private messages include: 

~old friends and acquaintances who have questions about God or want to share how God has been working in their life.

~fellow moms asking "mommy" questions. 

~a friend apologizing for a little thing they regret (it's not always easy to meet face to face, especially for those "small" things).  

~a family member is just thinking of you and wants to see how you are doing.

~an invitation for a cup of coffee

~an offer from a college student to babysit.

~an offer for help when we are facing a trial

~a reminder that they are praying for you

Some examples of status updates include:

~wedding pictures, even old ones where men and women thank God for their marriages

~pictures of special moments in people's lives

~pictures of neat things people see

~pictures of kids and growing families

~links to articles that have blessed, encouraged and edified

~and sometimes people post things that make you chuckle or laugh out loud (LOL!)...we all need a good laugh sometimes don't we?

~and of course when people let you in on a challenging situation they are facing, you can pray for them.

Maybe you can think of more?  I probably could.  But for now I will end with something that has blessed me and that I would like to see more of.  Older women encouraging younger women.  Discipleship.  It's happened and I hope that it happens more in the days to come.  From sharing helpful articles, to posting things from their heart...we see their testimony online.  When little messages are sent and they encourage us that they are praying.  It's priceless.  And I think Facebook makes it really easy to do.  I love to see the older women online setting an example.  I hope to see more older women getting involved in this way.  Can you imagine the possibilities?

As with anything else we have to set parameters for ourselves for our Facebook use.  Be thoughtful about it.  Be purposeful.  Decide when you will check it and post on it and how long you will spend on it and stick to it.  It's a constant work in progress for me.  I have decided what I want to see in my news feed.  Sometimes I pop in and pop right back out if I don't have any messages.  Like anything else, I am trying to keep it under control.  Sometimes you can even scroll through your friends list and pray for people.  And then you can send them a message to let them know!  

Facebook does take a significant amount of time to set up when you first get started.  But in my opinion it is definitely worth it.  There is so much that we can do to encourage and edify one another.

Facebook // "Facing" our sin head on

For a long while before I set up a Facebook account--I wasn't so sure it was a good idea.  

Those were the days before I had a blog.  My husband was a seminary student and the only electronic communication  I had (besides a home phone) was email.  We didn't even have cell phones!  We are living proof of what Americans can live without if they have to.  :)

At that time in my life, I didn't really understand how Facebook worked.  To me, it seemed invasive to privacy.  I remember looking around a bit at a few profiles.  The "friends" lists gave me the impression that people were boasting about their friends or being exclusive.  As a Christian in the body of Christ, this made me uncomfortable.  Was favor and partiality being publicly displayed?  I felt like I was knowing too much about people.  It seemed like I was seeing too much of their personal, private lives.  I wasn't sure I wanted to get wrapped up in all this online relationship.  Wasn't face to face always better?  Wouldn't this take away from that?  I really had no idea what it would be like.

I also felt the concern that it would take too much time.  That is still a concern.  But really, as with anything we spend time on, we have to be careful and mindful about it.  In other words, I decided that I shouldn't just avoid it because it was a potential time waster.  I should learn to use it wisely.

The reason I wanted to write about Facebook is because I have experienced being on both sides of the fence.  I've gone from being an opposer to a supporter and I'd like to share why.

I've already shared why I opposed it at first.  But before I get to where I am at currently, I'd like to guide you along a few bumps in the road.  

I've been through some ups and downs with Facebook.  I have experienced some "lows" and questioning it's value and nearly giving it up altogether.  I'd like to share some of the emotions and responses I have experienced and you see if maybe you can relate.  Here is the list and the things that have gone through my mind while logged in to Facebook.

I have been negative and critical..."She's bragging about the flowers her husband gave her (eye roll).  Really?  Are we all supposed to be jealous that you have the perfect husband who does sweet things for you?...Wait a second!  Shouldn't I be rejoicing that she has received a blessing?  

I have felt the sharp twinge of jealousy..."I wonder why I didn't get invited to that party"...which turns into self-pity... "Looks like they had fun without me"...and then comes resentment..."Shouldn't they be more sensitive to the fact that not everyone was invited and these pictures just make us feel like we missed out? 

I have judged motives..."She's just trying to show off.  Posting about how she read a Bible story to her kids.  I didn't do that with my kids today and now I feel guilty.  She's probably a better mom who never forgets to do those things."

I have fallen into the trap of comparing..."Their life seems more adventurous than mine.  People comment on their posts more than mine.  She looks better pregnant than I did and everyone else seems to think so too"...what ways have you compared?

Those are some pretty unloving responses, all taking place in the privacy of my own home and in my heart.  Does any of this sound familiar to you?

Let's face it, Facebook brings some sinful attitudes to the surface.  But wait...before you deactivate your account...are you willing to admit that?  I know I had to.  I had to recognize that sometimes I was NOT responding in love.  And God noticed.

See, I think that because it's just us, all alone with the computer screen that we react and we stew on things.  And it can even cause us to get a little depressed.  This is NOT the outcome that God desires.

I am not going to say that everyone ought to be on Facebook or that a person should never deactivate their account.  If you have done that, I respect your decision.  I'm just saying that I do not think that we should be quick to run away from a tool that can be used in a profitable and God honoring way.  We will have to deal with our sin and face it head on.  But we shouldn't be so quick to say that it is Facebook's fault.  We just have to learn to respond in a way that honors God.  We have to respond with the love of Christ.

In my next post, I'll share some of the bright side of Facebook and how it has contributed to my life.

Love is patient and kind;

love does not envy or boast;

it is not arrogant or rude.

It does not insist on its own way;

it is not irritable or resentful;

it does not rejoice at wrongdoing,

but rejoices with the truth.

Love bears all things, 

believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things.

Love never ends.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Follow this link to the next post: Facebook // the blessings are just a click away

movies // my experience from every angle

We mommies pride ourselves on being discerning and wise about what our children watch.  We have our standards and our opinions about things.  We have our Bible knowledge.  We have boundaries that we have set.  The challenging thing is that we have set them in different places.  What one person allows, another person objects to.  And I understand that even though I consider the things that I watch  to have "passed the test", some people might object to it.  And I can usually tell what those objections might be.  And I may still choose to watch it anyway.

So we go through this process of watching, evaluating, saying "No, we won't be watching that and here's why".  Or we don't even attempt to watch it at all because we know there are certain objectionable elements in it.  Or, on the flip side, we might conclude that it is mostly a very good movie, "but these are the issues kids"...

I'm just going to come right out and say it...this whole movie thing has been HARD for me.  I went through a VERY picky period with movies.  I would shun things with the slightest problem.  I grew weary of discerning and evaluating everything.  So one by one, movies got the boot.  And let me tell you, we weren't left with much.

Oh, it was a very thoughtful process.  I could articulate why and what the problems were.  It wasn't totally mindless and unreasonable.  But I do think I was a little too quick to judge.

This is my heart...I want to be wise, I want my children to be influenced in good ways.  I teach them about Christ.  My greatest heart's desire is to be like Him and for my children to learn his ways.  Sometimes it feels like I am swimming upstream.  Especially when you throw movies into the mix.  I have often felt like movies were working against me.  Exposing my children to things I didn't want them exposed to.  I mean, even in Sleeping Beauty, she meets this guy for the first time, alone in the woods, and suddenly begins to dance with him...both of them professing their love!  Seriously?!  Are you really being a wise young woman Aurora?  I mean, I'm not against love but would we want our daughters to act like that?  Or our sons?  Just sayin'.

That is just one example of things that go through my mind, even from some of the most widely accepted movies.  Sometimes I am pretty good at picking them apart.  Though I admit, not always.  There is probably a whole lot I miss.  But I try.

I consider myself to be a very conservative movie viewer.  I try to be very careful about what we watch in our home.  I recognize the profound impact that movies and television had on me growing up and in my early adulthood before I became a Christian.  I have gone from a "no boundaries" philosophy to a "we better be careful and honor God with this" philosophy.  And it has not been an easy transition. It is a great challenge to find movies without any objectionable material.

After becoming a Christian and considering the impact that movies could have on me and my kids, I was sobered.  I felt the tremendous responsibility of leading my children down the right paths.  I noticed objectionable things in movies.  I thought, "I don't want them to say that, act like that, think like that!"  I felt afraid of things that would be subtly or overtly taught to my children.  I lamented that they seemed to be like sponges, soaking up everything they laid eyes on.

While I still firmly believe that I need to be a vigilant parent, and that we need to set boundaries in our family, I am gradually moving the markers a little.  I have actually discovered that there are some good stories out there, though rarely without some aspect that I don't like.  There are movies that I completely rejected at one point and now decided to give it a try and I find that it's actually a good story, even with some noble qualities.  Who knew?

Is it wrong for me to overlook an objectionable element here and there?  I'm struggling with this.  Because I know I could easily go off the deep end and allow for a great many things and where will I draw the line?

If there is something wrong, I am recognizing it for what it is and I am thinking about what God says about it and I am agreeing with him.  I am trying to teach my children to do the same.

But we can only go so far with this.  There are things that will not flash on our screen.  There are things we will not listen to.  It doesn't matter how "realistic about sin" it is.  We will not subject ourselves to it.

I'm learning to go through a process.  I often read reviews before sitting down to watch a movie, but the other night I neglected to do this and regretted it.  We sat down to watch a highly recommended "family film" and we were bombarded by immorality and children dishonoring their parents.  It was Disney.  It was PG.  I admit it's tough to know exactly when to stop the film.  Different people have set different barometers with this.  I am trying to figure out where mine is.  I used to get very uncomfortable with the slightest show of a poor attitude or disrespect, but sometimes I find that if I keep watching, it can actually turn out really well and the person learns an important lesson.  The question is...is the bad behavior being glorified or presented as a good thing?  And how does it turn out?

But when do you stop the movie?  After the first, second, or third...offense?  The really challenging thing is when the movie is funny.  "But it's so funny!"  True, but at what expense.  The movie we watched the other night, played for about 45 minutes.  And it was funny, though sometimes very crass.  But there came a point where we could not go on.  We were getting bombed.  And we turned it off.  And while I don't always want to go through this process with my kids, I think it's good for my kids to see problems with some things.    To learn to look at things through a biblical lens.  And to see (from their parents) what it's like to act on convictions.  Even if it means stopping a movie.  And don't be afraid to do so.  And don't be afraid to say that something has to go.  You are the parent, you decide what gets watched in your house.

Most of the time, if there is a movie we want to see, I "screen" it after the kids go to bed.  It's been neat to have my sixteen year old join my husband and I.  I just have to make sure I have enough energy to stay awake!  This gives us an opportunity to evaluate it together and to discuss it from every angle.  We determine if the movie has worth.  It may have a few slightly objectionable elements, but overall what good qualities does it possess?  Later, my husband and I discuss if we want to share it with the whole family...will it be a "watch it once" but not have it be a regular part of the diet movie?

This is why I rarely purchase movies.  I prefer the library.  First, it's free.  Second, the movie goes back when we're done.  It only comes back into our house if we really want it to.  If we change our minds about it (which we have done many times) we can just take it back.

After we watch a movie with the kids, we have casual talks about it.  We ask them questions in order to get them to think about what they have seen.  We talk about how the characters handled situations and how God would have wanted them to handle it.  I enjoy these talks, I try to engage them as much as I can and I teach them through it.  I confess, sometimes I feel inadequate and I struggle (in my mind) with how I am going to explain something to them.  But I keep trying.  I attempt it.  I share my heart with them.  I try to set an atmosphere where they are encouraged to ask questions.

Often, I will hear my children discussing an element in a movie among themselves while I am fixing dinner or something and I tell them "That is an excellent topic to talk about over dinner".  And we do.

And that's where I'm at.  Making decisions one movie at a time.  It's not easy, but I've decided I don't want to give up all together.  To me, a good family movie that we can laugh or cry with and be impacted by it's powerful story, is worth the hunt.

I hope this post wasn't confusing.  I tried my best to articulate something that I have deeply struggled with and even cried in frustration over.  I only hope that what the Lord has taught me up to this point can in some small way help someone else who is facing the same things.  I am travelling along this road full of dangerous detours just like you are.  Thankfully we have God to lead us and teach us his ways.  Let's just make sure that our movies never become more valuable and desirable to us than our God.

What struggles have you had with movies?  I'd love to hear your perspective.

"Real" Facebook statuses

As a blogger and Facebook poster, I recognize that there is so much that I could say that I don't say.  So much that I could say that you probably don't care to hear.  I would probably sound like I'm complaining.  You might think poorly of me, you might feel sorry for me...and so I report the good news.  The things I want to be known for.  I give you a glimpse into my life.  I even try to be careful about these positive updates...wouldn't want anyone to think I'm bragging about how good I have it.  And sometimes I am "real", but not completely.  Because there is a whole lot that most people just don't want to know.

I wonder what it would be like if every time something happened in the course of a day it were automatically posted on Facebook.  It might look something like this...

Marisha:

I just got irritated with my toddler.  I'm trying to potty train him and he's just not getting it folks.  He even pulled off his soiled training pants and threw them onto his bedroom floor carpet...and here I am scrubbing...and let me tell you it reeks!  Bigtime!

or, 

Marisha:

My baby has spit up on me no less than 4 times in the past hour.  I keep changing her clothes and mine and I am beginning to think it is an exercise in futility.

or, 

Marisha:

Why aren't my children understanding that it is not ok to get so upset, burst into tears and raise their voices with one another...have I been raising my voice today?

or,

Marisha:
I just had to slip into my room and close the door for a few minutes.  I'm so overwhelmed and I felt my temper rising within me.  So much is happening today.  It seems like every time I turn around there is another issue I have to resolve or discipline my children for.  I came in my room and balled my eyes out, begging God for strength and grace.

or maybe a little deeper...

Marisha:
I am so upset right now.  How is it that yesterday my husband and I were getting along so well and now we just had an argument.  I said some things I shouldn't have...I just wish he would understand why I feel so hurt about this!  No one ever told me marriage would be so hard.

I'm sure you can think of many other things that could be posted from your life too.  And I'm not advocating that we do this...but could you imagine?  I know you may not need me to tell you this, but please don't let Facebook deceive you.  Your friends are not living perfect, problem free lives.  They go through hard things, they cry, they hurt, they feel lonely, they don't always get along with their spouse in a marriage relationship of perfect love and respect, and their kids are not always happy and well-behaved.  How do I know?  Because it's not like that in my life and I know that everyone else is human just like me.

Maybe you've sat in front of that screen about to update your status with something good and you think "this is just one small piece of my puzzle...one little tidbit from the complexity of issues that I am dealing with..."  Yeah, me too.  But let's just face it, there are some things that Facebook is just not meant for.  I think that is something that most of us are learning.

And so we share.  We share these little glimpses into the lives we are living.  We pick and choose what we want to put on display.  And most of it is good, just like the photo albums we put together before Facebook existed.  After all, who wants that picture of a wailing baby or a grumpy child to grace the pages of the album?  We want to remember the good stuff.

Have you struggled with this thing we call Facebook?  Are you questioning if it's worthwhile?  I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. :)