tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503172873524400303.post3070531819965545485..comments2010-08-13T13:58:56.050-07:00Comments on His Beloved: Brutal HonestyBethanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03694052884777510821noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503172873524400303.post-78362950709061001132009-11-28T14:19:04.907-08:002009-11-28T14:19:04.907-08:00Sorry for the length - I get on a role and stuff j...Sorry for the length - I get on a role and stuff just comes out.<br /><br />Just so you know, being able to write that was a blessing to me because it reminded me of some things, some truths, I wasn't living with.<br /><br />God bless you and your family.Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07265212303320244235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503172873524400303.post-43279324150653835052009-11-28T14:17:37.277-08:002009-11-28T14:17:37.277-08:00I think it is a healthy sign when we see the flesh...I think it is a healthy sign when we see the fleshly way we live with open eyes. It can be condemning. And I am still fighting to hold on to the truth that there is absolutely completely and utterly NO condemnation for me, even though I continue to be selfish, to be self centred, to lust, to be self righteous and judgemental, to be critical, and to do all the things that the flesh does to carve a space for itself in the world. But it is so important to finally agree with God that all of that doesn't define you, doesn't limit His life in you, doesn't stop Him loving you. It is also important to apply the forgiveness and cleansing that God has promised. It's paid for, so I might as well use it, hey?<br /><br />I think that what you are going through is so very wonderful. I know it doesn't feel like it, but you are being honest with God that what you are seeing and experiencing and what you understand to be His way is not lining up. I think that sort of honesty is so powerful. God cannot transform our masks. While we are trying to be good Christians, while we are trying to "go out and make disciples", while we are trying to love others as ourselves, we are living out of masks. We are trying to be what we are not (at least not yet). Because we are "trying", it is our strength and energy that is being used up (and doesn't it run you into the ground? sheesh!) But Jesus tells us that it will no longer be I who live but Christ who lives in me. And when we come to Him warts and all and offer who we truly are - selfish, doubting, weak, still battling with the flesh - then He comes. In my weakness He is strong.<br /><br />And you've seen the truth of this. You and Tim. You have both ministered to people through your honesty, your encouragement. In ways you had no idea you were even doing. That is Christ living His life in you. And it is beautiful (and at times very confusing I find!).<br /><br />If God is convicting you about loving others then what I am learning about dealing with that is to be more aware of the sin in my life. That allows me to confess it to Him, and others, and to apply the forgiveness and cleansing that Christ paid for through His sacrifice. It's not about "trying" to be different. Transformation comes not through our individual efforts but through the life of Christ in us expressing itself (if that makes sense). We are transformed as we look upon His glory as in a mirror (and by glory it means His good name as well as His might and majesty - so that comes back to your point about faith; you just need to remind yourself who God is and that transforms you). We are never transformed through striving to be better. We cannot be better. We can look better. But the only real better is when we no longer live but Christ lives in us.<br /><br />So please forgive yourself. God forgives you. Recognise when you are not being who God wants you to be. But confess it and let it go quickly. Just continue to be brutally honest about what you want and what you feel bad about. He can take it. Actually I think He absolutely loves it (maybe that's the key message behind Abraham and Moses arguing with God). Forgive yourself when you aren't the perfect wife and mother. Forgive them for not being perfect husbands and children (well, Tim if you read this I'm sure you are almost the perfect husband mate, just like I am *rolls eyes and grins*).<br /><br />God loves the real you. He knows you so deeply that it makes you cry to think about it. And He loves you unceasingly. It's going to be alright.<br /><br />Shalom Bethany - wholeness and peace I pray for you. AmenBrendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07265212303320244235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503172873524400303.post-17943549398633691562009-11-28T14:17:09.576-08:002009-11-28T14:17:09.576-08:00Hi His Beloved
What a tough place to be in. Feeli...Hi His Beloved<br /><br />What a tough place to be in. Feeling like you have no answers. Feeling like what you think is true is slipping away and that the lies stick like glue. I think though that just because something is true doesn't always mean it's true for an individual at a point in time. Try and be gentle with yourself if you are not finding yourself living what you think God is putting in your heart. It is more important to just remain close to Him and be brutally honest about how your are doing than to be doing something for Him. As you've noted, He works His life through you, even if you aren't aware of it. It may be that the people in your life who haven't given their lives to Christ will be most impacted by watching you struggle with Him, watching you continue to hold tight to your faith despite the evidence of your situation. Sometimes I think the church has tried to put across that it has all the answers and has it all together, when it has been obviously untrue. Watching the brutal honesty that you are talking about may have more evangelical impact than any amount of seeking out the lost.Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07265212303320244235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503172873524400303.post-45186495665243204462009-11-24T05:29:43.048-08:002009-11-24T05:29:43.048-08:00Let me try this again...
Bethany...I'm here.....Let me try this again...<br /><br />Bethany...I'm here....praying for you and Tim.<br /><br />I have sent him my number hoping that we can connect.<br /><br />~jo~johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04394765289347375840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6503172873524400303.post-89284987829162651722009-11-24T01:14:34.142-08:002009-11-24T01:14:34.142-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.~johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04394765289347375840noreply@blogger.com