Distractions

I've been trying to decide whether to address this or not. In one sense, making any sort of comment about what happened this week could potentially just be fuel for more unhealthy discussion but on the other hand, many of you saw the comments that were made this week which I'd like to address.

I am choosing to say a few things from my heart and then I will say no more, moving on to better things. First, I know that whether you are typing your heart out on a blog, a note to someone or even talking about choices you make in passing to friends or acquaintances opens you up to all kinds of criticism. It's risky business letting people know where you are at or what you are thinking. We all are different. We think differently. We act differently. We choose differently. God does not have the same path set up for you or for me. So, to sit here and judge someone based on what you think that person should do puts you in the place of God.

Criticizing each other and talking behind people's back about how wrong we think they are and how horrible that person is for making the choices that they are making is very sad. It creates dissent and chaos. Not one person on this planet is perfect nor are their decisions. The majority of us are making decisions based on what we believe is the best way to go. Those of us who are believers ask God fervently to help us make wise choices, that those choices will be in alignment with God's Word. If we believe that people are honestly seeking out the wisdom that comes from our God, then why, oh why do people scorn us when it's not the way they would do it? Wouldn't you cheer them on to keep making those choices based on what God has placed on their hearts and encourage them to continue seeking His will?

Secondly, the complete hatred that was expressed in one of the comments kind of made me laugh. It was so apparently clear to me what all that was about. How can someone who is from the Portland, Oregon area, who only knows the bits and pieces of things that I place on my blog have such disgust for me?. So here is my thought on that. God has placed a fire in the heart's of this family to preach God's truths through every avenue we have available to us. Through our blogs, through the actions we take, which includes homeschooling, (and no, I did not choose to homeschool because I had a bad experience in school myself,) through every way our lives intersect with others. We will not be silent.

When we choose to live our lives surrendered to the Lord God Almighty, something happens in the spirit. Those who do not know God personally hear the truth and their spirit either longs to know more or it cries out in agony. Man was created for companionship with God and completely for His Glory, but God gave us free will to choose. When we choose to deny ourselves the One who created us, our souls are missing an imperative piece that gives us the Life that was originally intended for us by God, leaving us empty and unfulfilled. Satan hates, hates, hates it when we choose to live our lives God's way. He knows the end is near and I believe he's kicking up his attacks to the millionth degree leaving many believers suffering.

I believe that much of what is happening are distractions to get our eye's off of what God has put before us, in an attempt to make us ineffective. I refuse to let what happened here in the comments remove the intention of my posts. Therefore, I removed those comments from view. For now, I will be moderating them as they come in. Those that are full of things that are pure, lovely and of good report will only be approved. I thank you, in advance, for your understanding in this area.

We are trying to live our lives the best we can according to what we believe God has placed before us. We do not have all the answers. Much of it is unknown but we are moving forward in faith and believing that God will direct our steps, as He has promised. We are choosing to be purposeful in building those around us up and placing our focus not on what this world has to offer, but what God has to offer in strength, in courage and sharing His most prized gift, eternal life.

I refuse to be distracted by someone's spirit screaming out at me because the choices we make are based on a moral and scriptural basis. I know that by being fully surrendered to God, there will be persecution coming against me. I am prepared for that and also know my place in God's kingdom. The ONLY one who I am responsible to is God and I will only answer to Him for the decisions I've made. He has already won this victory.