Perseverance

Dicionary.com defines perseverance as a "steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement."

This week I've realized that I haven't learned to persevere. My sister and I began the Susie Magazine 30 day challenge on May 9th. This challenge stipulates that we must:

• Walk 30 min-5 times a week


• Jog 20 min- 3 times a week


• Jump rope 20 min-3times a week


• Eat one fruit and one vegetable ever day


• Read 5 Psalms every day


• Write in a prayer journal every day


• Be kind to a neighbor 3 times a week


• Read the gospel of Mark


• Tell someone verbally about Jesus


• Read "Hind's Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard


• Read "The Case for a Creator: Student Edition" by Lee Strobel

This is just a few of the things we must do to complete the challenge. At first, when my sister suggested we participate in this challenge I said "No way!" I knew that when it came to exercise I'm a wimp. I'm not afraid to admit it. But then she showed me we would get a cool t-shirt after completing the challenge. Well, I'm a sucker for t-shirts, so here I am beating my body into submission and wishing I had learned to persevere earlier.

Romans 5:3-4 says "we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;and character, hope."

Right now exercise seems a lot like suffering so maybe after this 30 day challenge I will have finally produced some perseverance, character, and I hope that I will think hard before entering into a challenge in the future.

Lost Innocence

It amazes me how young women in our culture welcome the loss of their innocence. Perhaps they feel they will gain something from it...attention, love, fame. What brought this to mind was a review I read about Miley Cyrus' new music video, "Can't Be Tamed." Gone is the sweet Miley from the Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana, and in her place is a young woman trying to go along with the crowd i.e., Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Christina Aguilera. What is their message? "I have something to offer." But it isn't their talent or brains. They are offering their bodies.
I don't recommend you watch Miley's latest video. Not only does the young singer offer her audience an immodest view of her body, but she engages in sexual poses with both female and male dancers. Her eyes are shaded with midnight black and blue eye shadow and her lyrics continually sing/scream, "I can't be saved." What a hopeless message to send her young audience who have followed her through the Hannah Montana years. What a sad message of the lost innocence of another pop singer. I pray that she doesn't take her fans with her.

Long Walks and Talks

Yesterday afternoon I had to make a hard decision. A decision to turn my back on the past and take hold of the future. To get up the courage to make my choice I took a walk in our pasture. It was around 5 o' clock so the sun wasn't as hot as usual, which made for a nice walk. Walking briskly, I set out to find some peace from the emotional turmoil inside my heart. After I had walked far enough away from our home and our neighbors, I talked aloud to God. I asked Him why this valley I have been in is so long. I had thought I was coming out of it, but once again I found myself face to face with my hurt.
It is amazing how a long walk and a long talk with your Heavenly Father, puts everything into perspective. I am reminded over and over again of His faithfulness through the valleys and His unfailing love.

After walking and talking with my Father in Heaven. My dad asked me why I hadn't told him I was taking a walk. He had wanted to look at the progress of some work he has been doing in the pasture. So I suggested we walk anyway.
Now, I had recognized my time with God, out there at the bottom of our pasture, as a great blessing, but here I was being blessed again. I was able to tell my earthly father about what was going on in my life. Once again I was reminded that not only am I blessed to have a faithful Heavenly Father, but my dad is also faithful. He is faithful to encourage me and his love for me, also, never fails.

No matter what I go through or what I've done I have two great fathers who will always be there for me and I am so thankful for them both!