50 Shades of Red!!!

After hearing the title, I'll be honest "Fifty Shades of Grey" sounded like a decorating book! I thought, " Awesome! Gray is my favorite!" But, to my disappointment, after doing a lot of research, guess what...it's anything but decorating!

With the release of 'Fifty Shades' and 'Magic Mike' my heart has been deeply saddened by the state of our christian woman.  If our 'Men of God' ( as we claim to be 'woman of God') where reading something like 'FS' we would be quick to call alarm and slap 'Porn- O' on it, and if they where to attend a movie like 'MM' ( only for MEN about WOMAN)  we would throw a fit and tell them they where filling their minds with filth.

But, then...why is it ok for us ladies to indulge?

Truth is...it's not.

Now, what I'm about to write comes with a ( few!) warnings! I write this to  woman of the Church, who claim Christ as their savior. To any one else, they do not know better, but a Christian woman who has shielded her heart with the bible, studies its words and holds close Christ virtues, DOES know better. I'm not trying to step on toes and I do this in love, to refocus us, and am NOT pointing fingers at anyone

I've been thinking about this blog for awhile with the release of these two particular media drenched, over publicized, WAY over hyped 'entertainment' pieces.
And it really hit me as I was reading my bible one night and came across this verse,
( For the easily convicted...TURN AWAY!)

2 Timothy 3:1
" But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents ( Must be the last days at my house!). ungrateful ( Yep!!!) , unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness, but denying it's power. Have nothing to do with them. ( Here comes the STINGER!) They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak willed woman ( oUcH! I'm hardly what I'd call 'Strong!') , who are loaded down by sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. ( Double OuCh!)

What are we gaining by watching MM or reading FS? Does it grow you spiritually? Did it help you to be a light to the lost? Did it further your testimony? Did it give you patience and encouragement doses that brought you through another day? Did it bring you closer to your creator?

Over and OVER AND OVER again in the bible, it talks about restraining from sexual impurities.

1Thes 4: 3 "..you should avoid sexual immorality".
Eph 5:3 "...But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality or of any kind of  
                impurity.."
Galatians 5: 19 "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: Sexual immorality...impurity...orgies...( I forgot to tell you this verse was RATED! Hehe!) .."

There are two many verses to sight. Yet, I hear the argument from woman, ' I don't get turned on by watching Magic Mike." Really? You went for the great acting and the amazing story line? ( sarcasm!)

Or.." Fifty Shades is just a book, fiction...there's nothing wrong with reading it."

Hmmm... There are a lot of other fiction books out that I am pretty sure would be more
safe to read than this one. Chose carefully. Infact the bible ( Which isn't even fiction! )
say's in Hebrews 4: 12 That Gods word is ALIVE and ACTIVE. Sharper than a two edged SWORD and penetrates to even dividing the soul and the spirit! WOWZA! Thats a book I wanna read! Something ALIVE! Not something that's going to make me blush 50 shades of RED!

Some have even claimed that FS is riddled with pedophilia. I haven't read the book. Just reviews and blogs and commentaries on it, so I couldn't claim that, but here is an interesting link to an article that might make you think twice before you decide its 'O.K.'

www.theulstermanreport/fiftyshadesofgrey.com

I'm not your Holy Spirit. Just a sister in Christ who wants you to know you where made for more than this ( smut! ) and your heart is the wellspring of life. What life is it giving out, if it's giving out the darkness the Bible warns us about?

Here's a CLUE if it's not heart worthy:

Phil 4: 8 " Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Colossians 3: 1 "...Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

Lead the next generation of Christian woman by being the example, who PUTS OFF the worlds desires and lust and PUTS on all things excellent and praiseworthy!

Love ya sisters!

SInner? Guilty AS charged!

Recently I have caught a little slack from some friends about an event I planned. I won't go into details. For the most part I understand where they are coming from and I appreciate the accountability, but then there are those who have been bible thumping me in the head till I can't see all the fallen angels spinning around it clearly! I have prayed, prayed and prayed about this & I can't shake the feeling that God is awesome and will finish the good things he starts in us.

Tonight when I was reading with our girls before bed, we read the story of Zacchaeus. And let me tell, God spoke volumes to this heart!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story, you can read it in Luke 19:1-10. I'll try to break it down for ya!

Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector. Not a popular gig and the way he went about it, made him the little bitty bully no one liked! Being that he was the Chief tax collector, he was wealthy...taking money and keepin' some. Maybe some extra than he ought.

Zacch heard Jesus was coming through Jericho, and he wanted to see Jesus. But since he was too short to see over the crowd, he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore fig tree. 

When Jesus came to the tree, he looked up and said, " Zacchaeus, come down from that tree, for I must stay at your house today!" ZAcch was SO happy, he welcomed Jesus gladly! But...this is where we come in ( christians)...

Everyone following Jesus seen this and they started to mutter and say, " He is gone to be the guest of a sinner!" 

OH! The humanity! A...a...sinner?!! Well, thank heavens I can read this and know I am NOT a sinner and I am PERFECT! ( *insert sarcasm*) Dirty little Zacchaeus! What with all his sins! Jesus could have went to any of those perfect, wonderful, apple pie in the oven, macaroni casserole on the table, button up - turtle neck, bible totin' christians houses! But to chose a sinner! Come on, Jesus! Really?!?

Yes. Really.

There are so many amazing things in just these TEN verses, I can't even write a short blog! SO bear with me!

Zacch was a sinner...and believe it or not, no matter how hard you try and 'pretend' to be flawless...you too are a sinner ( hopefully saved by grace!).

Zacch, not knowing Jesus, was EAGER to see him. He ran ahead and climbed a tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus Christ. Love.

And in walks our savior. He lovingly chose a sinner. Not just Zacch, but all of us. He longs to come into our hearts and homes and be a guest. Not for us to be perfect, but for us to be eager to see him and gladly welcome him in.

Jesus didn't just sit in the temple, doors locked, in his weekly bible study, worrying about the next church activity, or what color to paint the walls. Jesus went out. He walked among us. Yes...sinners. He didn't shy away from those he died to save. He walked with them, showing love and teaching about his Father. He did so in a way that even a ruthless man, like Zacch would seek him out.

Who's seeking you out?
Have you been Jesus in how you love others?
Have you popped your christian bubble and stepped out into the world to be that love to someone? The love that could lead them to Jesus?
Or are we too afraid to get 'sinner' on us?

After Zacch heard what everyone was saying about Jesus going to a sinners house, he proclaimed he would give half his possessions to the poor and if he cheated anyone, he would give back FOUR TIMES the amount he took!!

Zacch was so thrilled and fired up about the thought of Jesus coming to his house, he stopped doing evil and made right what he had done wrong!

I love that passion! How many times does Jesus knock at our doors heart and we say, " Not now Lord...I'm in the middle of a good sin right now!" 

Zacch was an example. He stopped immediatley and turned from that which was wrong. I LOVE THIS GUY! 

Jesus reached out to his heart and Zacch saw that. Jesus didn't slam the door in his face and mock him with the word 'sinner'. Jesus asked to be his guest!

Am I being Jesus? Am I staying away from people that just want to be invited in? Am I getting out of my box labeled " Sunday School Only" and going to where the people are? Am I being Jesus to someone who would do anything just to know God is head over heels - madly in love with them?

Simple fact ( I made up!) : Probably about 98 % of the lost will not walk into your church, come up to you and say, " Hey! How do I have a relationship with Jesus?" 

That's why you have to be Jesus to all the Zacchs.