It's strange how my life today looks wildly different from the way it was in the beginning of my Christian walk. My spiritual life cooled after being burned by a fellow Christian a few years back. Then, unthinkable challenges, such as adultery and divorce, came my way. I became someone far different from the bible believing, Jesus freak I thought I was.
Recently, I opened my bible and read verses I hadn't read in years. I hardly recognized myself. I felt so far off from God and it made me afraid, very afraid. Suddenly, I was in a crisis. A crisis that left me with only two options. The first, completely turn my life upside down and take drastic, tragic measures to make my life look more godly, or never, ever open that book again!
I decided, in a moment of panic, I couldn't live up to God's instruction. I decided I need to live in the world. I needed to be a casual believer-believing, but not searching God's word for more, or seeking God deeper. Because when I search for more, or I seek deeper, I only see my horrid state. Sadly, I was, for the moment, misled by a successful tactic used on much of the world.
When I read my bible that day, I used the verses I read to condemn myself. I let the verses tell me God is too strict, harshly expecting me to be perfect, to live perfectly. This is wrong. I should have allowed his words to convict me.
I took the map God gave me (my bible) and when the map showed I needed to be in one place (righteous), but because I was in another (unrighteous), I wanted to rip up the map (my bible), fall to my face, curse, and doom myself because I wasn't on target. Imagine I did this. I would have been doomed, but by my own making. What if, or when, I decide to pick myself up? How will I find the right road when all I have is a ripped up map?
I misread God's intentions for giving me this map. I thought for a moment it told me I am damned, worthless, useless. Yet God's map was for direction, for conviction, to convince me of my misdirection, so I could make my way to the place he wants me to be.
God hands us the map, points, and says lovingly, "Look at where you are compared to where you should be, where I want to get you to. Now ease your way there. And by the way, here, I'll walk with you and help you along your way. You know I have told you no matter where you go, how you get there, regardless of how far off the path you wander...I will never, ever leave you!" (see Hebrews 13:5)
This is what the LORD says- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." - Isaiah 43:16, 18 and 19
Tiffany Twist is the author of two books, TIFFANY TWISTED: exposed, unraveled, rewritten (June 2004 by Expert Publishing Inc.) and SOME DANCE: Hey Bartender, I'll take a decade of marriage on the rocks, a therapist straight up, and a fantasy guy with a twist (April 2005 by et al Publishing)
Tiffany has filmed for E! Television and Style Network's top rated "Diary of an Affair" to air in April 2005 and has currently been contacted by producers from both Oprah and Dr. Phil.
For more info visit http://www.tiffanytwist.com
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..Are you facing some challenges in your life right now?... Read More
I am disturbed by the tendency of some people to... Read More
When the Bible makes reference to a "yoke" it is... Read More
Since my departure from the traditional "Corporate Life" almost 8... Read More
Now, we all know that we shouldn't be lead by... Read More
Picture this state of existence in your mind by closing... Read More
I thought I would draw this article up as a... Read More
The second verse of Amy Grant's song, "Angels Watching Over... Read More
I am a Falun Dafa practitioner. Maybe you've heard... Read More
I started reading the book "The Purpose Driven Life" about... Read More
INTRODUCTIONSpiritual affirmations are positive, statements of intention, that facilitate manifestation.... Read More
Sometimes showing up for life can seem like a major... Read More
In the movie "Forest Gump" we see Forest succeed in... Read More
How do we feel the fullness of life itself?We have... Read More
Before we tread into the domain of Past Life... we... Read More
Sometimes, in traveling a path, we discover a short-cut, and... Read More
Imagine for a moment. It's Tuesday night about 7pm. You... Read More
What really binds us to any negative emotional state in... Read More
One cannot ask why bad things happen to good people... Read More
Whadda ya know?Seriously. With absolute certainty, what do you know?... Read More
Paul's encouragement to the Philippians is also our encouragement. Consider... Read More
Our Creator is an infinitely loving and generous provider -... Read More
Actually, loving does not take any great effort on our... Read More
Many of our great religions hold that numbers contain hidden... Read More
Greetings my Dear Beloved SoulsWe have heard your cries, your... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..While it isn't my intention to insult anyone (Alright, for... Read More
In the spring of 2003, I spent three weeks in... Read More
Of the many individuals who were touched through the ministry... Read More
Your mind-body team is made up of your mind and... Read More
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More
One thing that Jesus was NOT - was flashy. When... Read More
A feeling of fulfillment is something we all seek. Here... Read More
Before we dwell on the subject of Self Realization we... Read More
If you spend a hundred bucks and buy the right... Read More
Last NAN I explained how to petition the female Saints... Read More
In the year 2000, I went on a mission trip... Read More
Remember me! It's me! Joseph here in touch with you... Read More
There is no such thing as a coincidence. Albert Einstein... Read More
Anyone who tells you that the path to self-actualization is... Read More
New Age Spirituality is all about getting back your power.... Read More
We desire to understand the world by giving names to... Read More
There is no shortage in the abundance of blessings we... Read More
It has long been surmised that emotional trauma can lead... Read More
I love rivers. I have for many years lived away... Read More
Imagine yourself marooned on a vast deserted island. You have... Read More
As a child growing up, whenever I was worried about... Read More
One of my favorite movies is "The Green Mile". A... Read More
Echo was a flea-bitten gray horse, with brown speckles everywhere,... Read More
The concept of integrity has arisen often in discussions of... Read More
A while back the Lord had given me this message... Read More
Spirituality |