Authenticy in our Lives

I appreciate Valerie's words on freedom as breaking free from my bondage is something I have been dealing with lately. As I start my 2nd year teaching in Ecuador, God has really spoken to me about the idols in my life that are distracting me from pursuing a deeper relationship with Him. My eyes have been opened through Beth Moore's study "Breaking Free." Yesterday I just rid myself of an idol that has been keeping me in chains for 6 years. But I know that the decision to do this is just the beginning. God will be putting me through a process of rebuilding that I am honesty scared of right now. Galatians 5:1 says its possible to return to something that held us in bondage even after we have been set free. But dear fret not of that creeping bondage.

However, just now, I have been given some encouragement of why I need to go through with this. Beth Moore talks about generational sin and the effect that our sin can have on our generations to come. Now this is kind of hard to imagine seeing as how I don't have any children and can't see it happening for many years. But this doesn't mean that what I do with my life doesn't affect other people. We have the power to have a positive influence on anyone's life, especially for me now starting a new school year with 15 10- year- olds all day. I think of the kind of role model I want to be for them. Do I want to pass on my low self esteem, past idols that haunt me, or teach them how to reach wholeness and a secure identity in Christ?

But wait! First, where am I going to find that, how can I become that person? Exodus 20 says that when we sin God will curse us to the 3rd or 4th generations. However, when we do obey God, He will bless thousands of our generations. I have never been good at math, but I know 1000 is a better number than 3 or 4 (in this situation). I must show God I love Him by obeying Him and following His commandments. And I trust that when I do this, He will show His love and mercy on me. So now I must think, "I am free from my bondage. Can I help someone else break free from theirs? If I do my part for one generation then He will do His part for thousands." And we all must think, "Are we allowing the next generation, or the people around us, too see this authenticity in our lives?"

PS I feel this is a jumbled mess. But that's how my head has been the past few weeks. I'm looking forward to having a new venue to sort this out.

Thought I would share...

I've been reminded a lot lately about the freedom in Christ we have. But lately, it's been from the perspective of the freedom to let things go and trust God. He is the only one who truly understands me, but that also means he is the only one who understands other people as well. He is the only one who truly knows where their heart is at, or where they are in their faith. And in that it is freeing. I can stop trying to worry or try to change another person. Instead I can turn to Christ.


"I must leave him his freedom to be Christ's ...Spiritual love recognizes thhe true image of the other person which he has received from Jesus Christ: the image that Jesus Christ embodied and would stamp on all men." -Bonhoeffer, "Life Together"



"We cannot encourage, teach, urge, (...) we are powerless to force spiritual understanding on another person" - Beth Moore, "Daniel"

I'm Emily and I'd like to talk about being naked with God.

My hope for this blog is that it can a be place for us to come to request prayer, share writings, upload pictures of our art, share about books - any creative or practical ways that God has been speaking in, to, and through us! I'm really looking forward to seeing what God does through this little "community", if you will.

One scripture that stood out to me as I was thinking about this blog was Hebrews 4:13. It talks about how everything in our lives "... is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him...", the "him" being God. For some reason this verse made me think of being naked in front of someone -vulnerability, trust and knowing. That's how I want God to know me, and that's how I pray that you let him know you as well! It's a little risque, I know, but kind of exciting! I hope this blog can be a part of that process of knowing Him and being known for who you truly are.

Thanks for joining Valerie and me in this spiritual journey. We welcome your thoughts, posts and questions!

Emily

I feel like I've been blessed with great friendships over the years. Truly. I've found myself wishing I could still share in fellowship even though I now live far from many of them. This is something that's been on my mind for a few years now.

So, Emily and I had the amazing chance to be a part of a Bible study in Colorado Springs where we got to become good friends. However, this summer we both were moving away from that town and the Bible study. Emily and I were talking one day about ideas of ways to stay connected even though we were both moving to new towns and the idea of the blog formed!

Essentially, this is just intended to be a place to share what God is doing and teaching you in your life. As my old camp director always asked..."Is there anything bubbling out?" If you have something you are just so excited to share that is bubbling out of you, share it here.

thanks!
-valerie