First things first: I am not debating “which day” we celebrate Sabbath.
Yet there is an experiment on my heart. I’m not sure if I’ll be successful, so I’m blogging as I think out loud so to speak. And generate some conversation and maybe even put myself “out here” for the sake of accountability.
My desire is to put aside all forms of online social communications for just one day a week to focus on simply assembling with the saints, worship and family. Maybe even attempt to shut down the computer all together; however I’m not going that far yet as I think I’d be setting myself up for failure. {I do use my computer to read my Bible and to watch movies etc. just sayin’}
More like shutting down communications via the web for one day per week. No email, no twitter, no blogging, no facebook.
After church I mentioned to Tommy that I was considering doing this and he said “You aren’t going to start today are you?” “Ha”! I said, “Of course not; I’ll need to blog about the idea today!” I honestly believe that he was a bit concerned. I mean he’s likely planning on watching races or something on television that I could totally distract him from if I weren’t involved online.
I’m addicted and mostly totally engaged in online social interaction. Checking facebook and twitter incessantly not to mention e-mail and reading blogs etc.
What kind of change would this place on my day? Would I indeed benefit from the simplicity of life without these things on Sunday? Would my relationship with my Lord and my family be enhanced? How hard will this be for me?
I’m going to give this an attempt and I’m really interested in your thoughts. Today I’ll be checking in to see what you think ~smile~. And I’ll let you know how my experiment goes when I actually attempt it.
“ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”
Found my diary entry from July 31, 1978! I’m leaving the spelling and grammar as it was written:
“Yes its true. I have accepted Jesus as my Saviour!”
I have very mixed emotions about this. Although deep down I know I’m glad and at peace about this decision. But on the outside I am a little scared and skeptical. I will pray that this decision will not hurt my family. Tom is scared too. I can see it- he’s afraid I’ll get too involved and freak out like Danny *his brother* or our neighbors- Mary & Dave. But I feel this will be a very personal thing for me. I believe I will be a better person with my new found faith in Christ.
Today was a very trying day after making this decision. Tony’s cutting teeth and I’ve just been worn out emotionally.
I’m going to pray that I will be able to cope with these children better. And I am going to be a better person. I know I may sound crazy, but I think this is what I’ve needed. It’s just all so new & strange to me. I’m excited and afraid at the same time. I know things will change. I know it’s for the best. I’m confident that Tom will soon convert or see the light and then I’m sure life will be richer for all of us. He’ll have to make the decision on his own, so I will not push him.
Today I believe I was a bad example of a newly saved Christian. Only because I was excited, confused and emotionally tired. But I’ve prayed tonight and feel much better about my decision.
I knew this would be a special day for me. I knew I’d likely accept Jesus today. I know it sounds strange and you must think that someone has “gotten to me”, but I’ve done this all on my own. We did visit a church last weekend. It was all young people in blue jeans or whatever. They looked like regular freaks. But they were so sincere and into it. No one in this church pushed Jesus on us. They weren’t totally crazy like those Penticostals. They were real down to earth.
Last night I started reading the book 666 by Salem Kirban. Corky gave it to me a couple weeks ago. Its all about the revelation and the rappture and the tribulation times to come. I’m actually believing these things to be true. Something is impressing “truth” in my heart.
I’m not going to flip out and start preaching to everyone (although I really hope Tom will see these things also).
So at the end of the book there is this “invitation” asking you to pray and recieve Jesus as your Saviour. Believing that He is real and that He died for you and bled for you and then rose again to live evermore at the right hand of God. It said if you believe this is true in your heart then you need to ask Him in your heart.. asking Him to forgive you for your sins and give you new life eternal in Him.
Well I did it! I knew I should. I don’t know what the future holds.. but I know it is about Jesus Christ and living forever.”
He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. Isaiah 53:5
When he died, he died once and for all to sin’s power. But now he lives, and he lives for God. Romans 6:10
For in Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28
God is enthroned above the earth, and those who live on it are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the sky like a canopy and spreads it out like a tent to live in. Isaiah 40:42
The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble. He is enthroned over the angles. Let the earth quake Psalm 99:1
I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, John 11:25
Then Jesus said loudly, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me. John 12:44
Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. John 6:47
As the Scripture says, “Streams of living water will flow from deep within the person who believes in me” John 7:38
We believe that Jesus died and came back to life. We also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring back those who have died. They will come back with Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:14
Brothers and sisters, whom God loves, we know that He has chosen you. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9
Dear friends, if this is the way God loved us, we must also love each other. 1 John 4:11
No one can come with you
Although others may sense your pain ~ they cannot feel it. Nor should they.
Shedding of tears is indeed a spiritual experience. For only my God knows and holds my every drop.
My heart can only empty upon Him who is my portion.
Loneliness is selfish indulgence.
God has not called us to dwell on ourselves, but to esteem others more highly than ourselves ~ Yet it is alone we are birthed, and it is alone we suffer, and alone we die.
Thy Word assures me that the creator of heaven and earth, has known me from before my beginning, before I was formed in my Mother’s womb He knew my name.
He knows my comings and my goings. He is aware of my most inward parts. His mercies are new every morning. I cry out!! He alone hears!
My help comes from the hills.
My hope is in the Ancient of days both now and forever!”
