Reality Check #2

Yet something else that I struggle with. This is a blog that I have been following for a while now. She is a wonderful writer and seems to always post something that I need to hear! (she also has the cutest kids ever!) Anyway, if you struggle with an untamed tongue and a critical spirit, read what she has to say.

Buy A Cute Shirt....

Support a good cause. Please check out this website and look at this totally cute shirt. I have been going to buy one for the past two years (the designs are different every time) but always waited too late. They sell out quickly! But I am going to try and get one this time!

Reality Check (sermon notes from Johnny Fain, FBC Dothan)

This morning Dr. Fain had a wonderful message and one that I needed to hear. One that I needed to hear about 8 or 9 years ago, and for the last two years and probably many other times in my life. His sermon was on bitterness. I do not like to be bitter. I do not like to be around those who are bitter. They are quite unpleasant! Yet I have been that person so many times. I have also allowed others to affect me. And I hate to think that at times my bitterness has more than likely rubbed off on others. I don't want to be that kind of person. If this subject hits home with you too, please keep reading.
The sermon was taken from Acts 8:9-25 about Simon. Here are my sermon outline notes:

Notice how he was not right with God. There were two things that showed how serious his condition really was.
1. Simon was full of bitterness (v. 23)
What is bitterness?
An unpleasant taste, poison.
Bitterness is one of the post crushing problems that a person could ever deal with.
Several things about bitterness:
A. It shows itself in different ways:
jealousy, resentment, revenge, hatred, self pity, a critical spirit, vindictiveness, etc. (and the list goes on. I am adding unforgiveness to the list. All of these make me cringe because I know I have felt/done these things)
B. Bitterness always causes harm in relationships.
C. Bitterness goes much deeper than what you see.
Bitterness has a root.
2. Simon was in bondage to sin.
Bitterness is a stronghold.
Question Comes: How can one be delivered from this stronghold of bitterness or any other stronghold?
Here are some important steps that will help lead to deliverance:
1. Ask God to search out the roots of bitterness.
2. Acknowledge it when it is revealed.
3. Admit that you are captive and in bondage in this area.
4. Confess the area revealed as sin.
5. Ask God to forgive you and fill you with His Holy Spirit.

I Am Utterly Disgusted and Appalled

Ok, so I don't have kids but I do always have an opinion on parenting. I know all you moms are laughing out there and thinking just wait. But I feel certain that you will all agree with me on this one.
So, last night I am flipping through the channels and I stop on TLC because there is a show about pageants. I like pageants. Maybe not all aspects of them, but I do. Jeremy does not. He hates them in fact. However, I would never make my child enter one and probably wouldn't even encourage it. I would let her decide. Anyway, I didn't get to see the whole episode and Jeremy said I shouldn't have even been watching it because in doing so I was supporting something ridiculous.
The show was called "Toddlers and Tiaras" and this pageant was for babies up to teenagers I think. The pageant is Universal Royalty. Well, not only was I appalled at mothers who entered their babies who couldn't even walk into a pageant (boys too!), but I was utterly disgusted at the mothers who allowed their older girls (and by that I mean starting around age 3 and 4) to wear heavy, heavy makeup, false eyelashes, huge, dangling earrings, and hair pieces!!!! There was also a swimsuit category for all ages!! And there were mothers in the audience gyrating their hips for their little girls to mimic while on stage in their swimsuits!!! What is wrong with people?!
TLC talked to some of the girls and here are a couple of comments from them:
"I just want to win the money"-That came from a 6 or 7 year old. Well, we can see what she learns at home.
"I won the money back" (as she is crying)- That was from the same age group I believe. So she has heard her crazy mama talking about how much money it costs to be in these insane pageants and is just glad she won some money to help out! Basically, a first grader is now feeling the pressure to provide financially for her family.
Ok, I am getting angrier as I type and as you can tell, I could go one about this for a while. But I will stop now and let you all tell me your opinion. And if you want to waste some of your precious time, please watch this the next time it comes on TLC!