Peace...God's gift to us

This post is all over the map because I just started typing everything that's rolling around in my mind.


I read a something that makes a lot of sense: "Don't worry about what you do not understand of the Bible. Worry about what you do understand but do not live by." I read this in a book by Corrie ten Boom (my hero). This makes so much sense. In a way it took a burden from me. I get so wrapped up in "is this right, is that right, would God approve, etc." While I'm pondering over such things, I'm not doing the things I KNOW is Biblical and I know is right!!! God knows our hearts. He knows if our desire is to please Him. We may not know all the answers to the questions we have about the Bible, but we do know that God will help us. God will guide us. If we pray, walk with him daily, do our best to honor Him, we do not need to worry so much about what we don't understand. I believe also that God will reveal Himself to us...He will reveal truth. We can never rely on our own wisdom and understanding - we must rely on Him.

The world has a way of making God very small. The world has answers to all of your questions, but, according to the world, God's opinion is just that - His opinion. The world does not see one Truth. The world sees "my truth" and "your truth." We as Christians (I am saying this to myself more than anyone) need to start ignoring the world and its views and start living according to God's Truth. The world has a lot to offer. God has more to offer, but most of us don't want to take that step of faith to find that out. Most of us would rather enjoy the comforts of this world we know, and not take a chance on God. His plans may be different from mine. He may want me to do something I had not planned to do. I may have to step on someone's toes. I may have to spend more time with the people I don't spend much time with and less time with some of the ones I spend more time with. What I'm getting at is this: In my life, the times I've grown more as a Christian and closer to God are the times when I left what I wanted to do and did what He wanted me to do. I chose step outside my comfort zone. I chose to do what I know is right. I did not let my emotions take control of me. When this way of life becomes habit, we are growing closer to God's will. When we start ignoring God and trying to take control of our own lives, we are drifting away from His will. I've asked myself many times, "What is God's will in my life?" If I am not seeking His will then I cannot possibility expect an answer. I can't just expect him to whisper in my ear, "My will for you is..." if I am trying to control my life, my circumstances, my family's circumstances, etc and making God a small part of the process. Peace comes only from God. Trying to find peace any other way is a waste of time - not only my time but the Lord's time - time I could be using to glorify Him.

My Resolution

I was reading 2 Peter tonight for no specific reason when I came across exactly what I want this new year to be about. Here is what I read:

...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV 2 Peter 1: 5-8)


The sequence that God listed explains a lot of things in my life. I lack knowledge in many areas which I think explains why I struggle with self-control, perseverance and godliness. I needed these verses tonight. God knew I needed them. I have been relying too much on other sources to get my information about God. I'm asking everyone but God what the answers are to questions I have. I've not settled on a church because I don't know what doctrine is best. I listen to countless preachers which I'm not knocking because I've always believed I can learn from preachers of all denominations. The point is, I should be putting the focus on what I learn from my personal relationship with God, with what He reveals to me through spending time reading His Word. I guess I've lost faith that God will reveal things to me. I've started relying on other people too much and not relying on God as much as I should. It took reading those verses to make me realize how weak my faith is sometimes. I am ashamed to admit that. Having said that, I still think it's important to seek the wisdom of Godly people. I can't count the number of times I've asked my dad or mom things, and was really blessed with a better understanding.

I'm ready to print those verses in 2 Peter and put them on my refrigerator. I haven't done that in a while. I need to be reminded daily. As many times as I go to the fridge, I'll be reminded MANY times a day!

Thoughts for today...

I feel like this blog has drifted away from what I originally planned for it to be about, but that's okay I guess. It's become more of a "random thoughts from Allison" blog. With the new year, I've gone back to my first few posts. I realize that I have not been as faithful to the steps I listed as I should be. Like I said before, I believe in being honest. I have let other things take priority. I was consumed in my school work last semester and my Bible actually collected dust. BIG MISTAKE! When will I ever learn? Well, this is what new beginnings are all about. I'm about to start another semester of school so I know what I'm up against. I am determined to make more time for God. I pray continuously and I always have, but I know I need to be reading and studying the Bible more. I need to be spending QUALITY time with God. I remember Joyce Meyer said one time (and this is great) - We all have calendars and schedules and we try to fit God in there somewhere. What we need to do is put him there first, and figure out where to put the other stuff! Of course, Joyce explained it MUCH better than me.

Home for Christmas

It's that time of year again. Christmas is so fun for me. I still have a hard time not buying too much. I worry that my kids are focusing too much on Santa and not Jesus. I wish there was a way to get them as excited about Jesus as they are about Santa. There are some similarities in Santa and Jesus I observed while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" today. When I was a little girl I always thought that was the real Santa. I have always pictured Jesus being a lot like that particular Santa. He was kind and it showed in his eyes. He understood each individual child's needs and desires. We don't know how he does all he does on December 24th, but we don't ask - we just believe. We don't how God does all He does, why things happen the way they do, what He has in store for us next...but we believe He is perfect and He is good. What are we without faith? Sometimes I hear people say "as long as you believe in something and it makes you happy, it's okay." How can you just believe in anything? Who ever said we had to be happy all of the time? There's a difference in being at peace and being happy. I'll take peace any day. When I think of my relationship with God, it's not some religion that I claim - it's a true faith in Him. God reveals himself daily to me. He is never far away, and I can feel it. His presence means everything to me. To me it's not hard at all to believe in Him. I know that I am nothing without Him. I don't even pretend I could make it on my own! I've tried that route before, and it doesn't work. When you know to Lord, when you've had a relationship with Him, if you start going your own way, it doesn't take long to get homesick. He is my home.

The Search

It's been a while since I've posted. The past month and a half my family and I have been visiting churches. It is amazing how many churches are around, and how different they are from each other! In a way, it's a disadvantage to visit too many churches. You start to get picky! I noticed that after the first couple of churches, I would say hmmm...I like this one but I don't know about being here for two services, plus group meetings. The next one I'd say, let's find a church that starts at 10:00 so that we get out earlier! The next one, we'd say hmmm, I wish there were more people our age. The list goes on and on. I've come to realize that thought it is almost possible to have a "custom made" church now, it's not wise to try to try to find the "perfect" church with the perfect people, the perfect service times, etc. Lately, we've been focusing on the doctrine, the belief in eternal salvation and the pastor first, then the overall feel of the church. Do we feel welcome? Are there ministries available for our kids? Is there a music ministry? These are important. What's not important is what the sanctuary looks like, what time we get out of church, etc. I think we've narrowed it down now to two churches. They are very similar in some ways, and different in others. We are going to attend these two for a little while and hopefully decide on one soon! Basically, what I am saying is not to be too picky about choosing a church. If you are, you may never settle on one. Besides, church is for God, not for us.

The Shack (con't)

Ok - I've had a couple of days to process everything. I do want to be clear about something. I do believe there is a lot of truth in this book, but that doesn't mean I agree with EVERYTHING. Many things do NOT line up with scripture, so I do see this book for what it is -a fiction book. What made me feel closer to God was seeing the relationship one can have with Him (or the Trinity). Also, the question "why do bad things happen?" was in some ways answered. The main character did not want to forgive the man who killed his daughter, but God says He must in order for God to redeem Him. The main character can't see the killer through the eyes of God. So, there are good parts and misleading parts to this book (In my opinion). I've read a lot of bad reviews from the Southern Baptist church, and I understand why. The Word of God is the Bible, not The Shack. I do trust, believe and will always stand by that. When I said many people put "God in a box," The box wasn't the Bible, but just so many people's perceptions are of Him. Sometimes I think we put limitations on God because we just don't understand just how loving and powerful He is. So, by no means am I saying that this book is the gospel. There is only one gospel. The whole conversation between Jesus and the main character about religion is interesting. I've always believed God was not interested in religion, only personal relationships with him. There is a difference though between "religion" and "church." I think there are some churches out there that are just "religious" but I also know there are whole lot out there that are not. There are a whole lot of churches out there that are all about serving others and worshipping the Lord, and everything a church should be according to the Bible. I think a lot of things can be perceived in different ways in the book. For instance, the "church" isn't always referring to a building where people go. It is also the believers in Christ as a whole. So, I'm no expert. The book did move me. It made me feel really loved by God. That can't be a bad thing. It's not some "Oprah" or "new age" book. The author and main character clearly love all parts of the Trinity - Jesus, The Father, and Holy Spirit. It is unique how he describes their relationship to us as well as to each other. I think one has to overlook some of the negatives of the book to really see the overall picture - which is God wants to be with us always, every second, every minute of every day. What more could we ask for?

By the way, I read some negative reviews about God being portrayed as a black woman. I don't think the author is saying God is a black woman. He made himself into the image a woman for the purpose of healing the main character. He even says he can take on the image of anyone or anything He wants. Besides, later the book he was in the image of a white man. I think it's obvious the author is not saying God is a woman.

Speechless...well, almost!

Well, I just the read the book, The Shack, and I must say, I have never been so touched and felt so close to God in all my life. Actually, I'm a little speechless right now (Ha! -that's a first!). No, really, something deep down in my soul knew that there is truth is this book. I know this book will be controversial because in so many ways it goes against what we as Christians have been taught about God and even church. We tend to put God in a box and say this is what God is and this is what we are supposed to do. I'm not going to comment on all that yet. I really need time to collect my thoughts. All I can say is I feel lighter since reading the Book. I feel like I've put too many expectations on myself. Somehow I felt like if I was not doing everything just right, I would not experience a good relationship with God. It really changes, in some ways, what it means to be a strong Christian. All the things I've talked about are important, are good, and are things I'll still strive to do, but I left out the most important thing - allowing God to not be a part of my life, or the biggest part of my life, but taking Him with me many in EVERY part of my life. What is a "strong" Christian anyway? Are any of us really strong compared to Him? The most well known song of all time "Jesus Loves Me" even says, "They are weak, but he is strong...". Being weak isn't always bad. Sometimes it makes us lean on our Rock, our Strength, our Refuge, our God.

Hmmm...I may rename this blog soon...maybe to "My Walk With God"