475 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ
*Modern Day Sharing*
Let the one who boast, boast in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 10:17

We are absolutely in a time in history when it seems all about self. Between selfies, tweeting and keeping up with the Trends, that now come and go so quickly, it's easy to get wrapped up into this selfish culture.
I have been working diligently to go with the grain instead of against it.  If selfies, tweeting, live videos and staying up with trends captures an audience then I say if you can't beat them join them.
This is where it has gotten tricky. I've joined the movement in order to share Christ in a new modern way that many can understand. I'm sharing in this familiar way that our modern era has created; Hated by a few, Odd to some yet appreciated by many.
God said toward the end of days the gospel will be shared throughout the entire world! The time is here! The time is now and I'm thrilled to be a part of the movement of average everyday people being called to share Christ through social media! This my friends is not about self but all about giving the glory over to our father! If we boast we boast in our Lord!
The Challenge:
Are you called to boast about Gods word on social media?  👀 Hmmmm......

474 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ
*Living Out-loud*
Though they stumble they will not fall for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalms 37:24 NLT

This week I'm dealing with challenges I've faced all through this journey but never ever wrote on the subject.

I still do not know the answer but I can give you a peek of the instant message I sent to my friend who is a current Christian author. Figured she could help!

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"You know as a blogger and author of life experiences, it's hard to be honest with life experiences because I write on a feeling to help others...  but then family and friends in my life read as though it's about them or applies to them.  So that's my challenge. Sometimes it does but most the time it does not. I write in a way that helps others struggling with similar topics on a whole. I'm simply inspired by life events that move around me.
I'm not writing for selfish reasons (some may  think) but its my calling to sort through these earthly woes others too face.  Gets tricky...  Worrying about how all read my writings blocks me from being honest with my journey which is the entire purpose of the process...  Honesty! Not Plastic! Is in fact the goal.  People watching a real person with real problems, while learning to walk with God.
It's important for others to see the real challenges a new Christian walking in the spirit deals with.  I'm trying to be me and not live carefully but others often have issues with that, but it's also me putting God first.  Very very Tricky....   Any tips or advice would be appreciated.
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My friend wrote back and expressed she too faces this very challenge. It's a challenge that most Authors, Writers, bloggers and even comedians face. Felt good to know that other witers have the same challenges.
The Challenge:
Living out loud is not easy but when you do you learn so much about yourself and quickly! You learn the fleshy flaws you still need to work on and you learn about those who are willing to accept you just the way you were made!
*Always Remember*
If you look for the bad you will find the bad! If you seek the good you will SEE the BEAUTY!!

Good night 💜

473 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ
*Faith in His Answer*
But truly God has listened; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Psalm 66:19

This is a story about just how funny our Lord can in fact be. I was having cabin fever and needed to get out of the house Friday night.  In my old life when I felt stressed from my week I would go have a few drinks at a bar. Many times more then a few. I'll be honest the way I was feeling I was craving that drink, that release and that feeling of letting go.
So I drove to a local chain steak restaurant. As you all know I'm trying  to give up weekend drinking and drinking in general for now.  I bowed my head and said, "Dear Lord,  I miss you and want to know your with me. Please show me something. If you do not want me to have this drink then let me know."

I then proceeded to walk into the steak house. As I opened the door an awful odor was release. It was awful!! Smelled like flatulence! I immediately felt like leaving but figured it was just in the one area. As I sat in the bar area to eat I began to feel like I was going to gag. The odor was getting worse. I thought should I stay or should I go? Hmmmm... The smell continued to get worse and smelled like a stink bomb mixed with sewage. When I mentioned it to the manger I couldn't help but laugh. It was embarrassing to discuss but I soon realized what was happening. It was a gas leak. Scary stuff but now a days they put odor into gas so it's no longer a silent killer. They called on someone to fixed the problem.
As my asthma began to act up I packed my food up, still gaging and laughing all at once. Laughing because it's quite possible the Lord made me nauseous so I would not buy that drink that I asked him about! I was obedient never got the drink and laughed so hard all the way home. God knew deep belly laughs were what I really needed to satisfy my spirit for the night.
The Challenge:
Our prayers get heard; pray always! Pray and the Lord will lead you. He simply wants you to have faith in how he answers your prayers!

472 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ
*Teach!*
Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15

For thousands of years most people have known that the greatest way to learn a concept is to teach it.  Author Anne Murphy Paul wrote in 2011, "Students enlisted to teach others, researchers have found, work harder to understand the material, recall it more accurately and apply it more effectively."
I cannot agree more with Anne Murphy Paul's findings. I had this revelation this week.  This is indeed one of many reasons why God wants us all to share the gospel! In sharing the gospel with others it in return makes concepts more clear for our own understanding. Reasons why I love sharing the good news! It has truly inspired me and gives me so much passion to continue learning, take my daily bread and share my discoveries.
The Challenge:
Read a gospel this week and then teach a friend about what you learned. This will in return help you grow in your faith and get you closer to understanding our precious savior.

471 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ
*Eyes of Beholder*
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

When I first started dating my husband he was so proud to show me off as the new woman in his life, which was sweet. One night he was talking to an older man at a bar.  He said, "This is my girlfriend isent she so beautiful." The man paused then said, "Well, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." We still laugh to this day as we weren't quite sure what he was thinking but it didn't matter his philosophy was right on.

If you want your partner to be beautiful towards you then Love and treat them as if they are beautiful. Why would we ever expect beauty from someone you think and/or speak Il of?  I see many relationships fail because they stopped seeing the beauty in each other. They only chose to see the flaws. If you don't see beauty in your partner you'll never get or see the best parts of them in return.  Their best parts will begin to hide from you!
The Challenge:
Not being treated the way you want to be treated? Are you seeing the beauty in that person? If you see NO beauty then of course all you will get in return is their defensive ways and negative fleshy energy. Choose to behold your partners beauty and see them change simply because your perspective about them is refreshed.

470 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ
*Do Not Stir*
Don't worry about anything; instead pray for everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT

My son had a bloody nose this early am so I of course couldn't go back to sleep. As I laid in bed things were stirring in my head I kept going back and forth on a subject of should I try harder or just let it go in some friendships. This is absolutely no task my fleshy self could handle, so I looked up to my father.
I was not sure what to say or pray for but just pressing into God brought a surge of clarity to me. The Lord said, "Do not stir and with grace it's time to move on." There it was the answer to what I was stirring about.
The Challenge:
Instead of stirring over things give it to our father so your clarity will flow. Even when you don't know what to pray for in that moment you'll begin to learn the deeper desires of your heart.

469 Days Saved - A Walk with Christ
*Casted Stones*
"Let he who is with out sin cast the first stone." John 8:7

Why do we point out the flaws of our fellow brothers and sisters but pretend we ourselves are sinless?
Jesus gave the perfect example of his grace when the gospel of John shared about this very topic.
The story is about a woman who commited adultery.  Jesus was teaching a group of people in the temple when all of a sudden the scribes and Pharisees brought in a woman. They said to Jesus in front of everyone, "This woman here has committed adultery." Jesus felt for the woman as they were judging the woman in front of all to see. They said, "shall we stone her? That's what Moses said to do." Jesus wrote in the dirt and tried to ignore the men but then stood up and said this. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." John 8:7.
When no one cast a stone Jesus told the woman you are forgiven go and sin no more.
The Challenge:
The next time you feel like casting a stone upon a sinner think about what Jesus would say! Jesus says we can only cast a stone if and only if we are sinless ourselves. This gives you the Lords answer. Since we are all sinners we shall cast no stones!