Episode 4: Cursing

I recently heard a sermon by a very good preacher on Colossians 3:8. He did a great job with the first four things we are to put-off, but when he came to “offensive language”, he lost it. His point was that we should not use cuss words because they were offensive. The problem was he mad a general assumption that everyone is offended by cuss words, and this is just not true. I know quite a few people who are not at all offended by a swear word here or there, or swear words at all for that matter. If I were around a person or group of people that regularly used curse words, it would make sense that I could use the same language without being sinful.
My mom is offended by the word “stupid” and “butt,” so when I am I should avoid these words as well as what our culture considers cuss words.
Since my newfound discovery, my vocabulary has expanded just a bit.
Now if you know of any verses that would point to specific words that are wrong to say, please let me know.

06.25

In honor of the fifth anniversary of being Mrs. Adrian here is a little more from John Piper. Him and his wife used the same scripture in their wedding as Josh and I did in ours.

Habakkuk 3
Although the fig tree blossom not,
And all the vines of our small plot
Be barren, and the olive fail,
The sheep grow weak and heifers frail,
We will rejoice in God, my love,
And take our pleasures from above:
The Lord, our God, shall be our strength
And give us life, whatever length
On earth he please, and make our feet
Like mountain deer, to rise and cleat
The narrow path for man and wife
That rises steep and leads to life.

Interruption

I interrupt this series for a few words from John Piper

"A Season That Will Pass"

When God is over all the year,
White snow and virgin grass,
We know that ice will disappear,
And winter soon will pass.
When God is over all the year,
And lakes are crystal brass,
We know the melting too is near,
And frozen spring will pass.
When God is over all the year,
And trees are dipped in glass,
Each twig will shed its April tear,
And icy wind will pass.
When God is over all the year,
And March is dark, alas!
We know that dismal skies will clear,
And darkness too will pass.
When God is over all the year,
And wintry days harass,
We need not dread nor need we fear
A season that will pass.

Episode 3: My Helpers

There are really three people in my life who helped me to evolve.

The first is my friend Jenni. I think she reads this blog. Jenni, I am so thankful that you showed me that you can glorify God in breaking the rules! You took this girl who didn’t know what the world was like and with grace beyond yourself helped me to see God through lenses that I didn’t even know existed. You helped me to think about God in a totally different way. I think you awakened my rebellious side.

The second is my husband. Before I knew him he hosted a “drink to the glory of God party.” He showed me that sin is not about actions as much as it is about the heart. A single action can either be good or bad depending on the heart issues. (I say this recognizing that there are certain things that God specifically says are not appropriate and He cannot be glorified in) He drank (not to get drunk), he smoked (a pipe on rare occasions), and he cussed (without being offensive). (Dad, he is still a great husband). Never in my life did I think I would marry a man that did any of these things, but I am so glad I did.

The third is my friend Alicia. I don’t think she reads this blog. I may send her a link so she can read her impact on my life. Alicia, you gave me my first sip of wine and I will be grateful until the day I die. You think about an issue and develop an opinion that is in line with what God teaches in His Word. You epitomize grace and truth. When I use the term “gracefully blunt” I say that with admiration because that is what God calls us to. You are able to say what you feel and can call people out without sounding prideful (you may have pride in your heart, but God works allows it to come out beautifully).

And I have to give credit to The Masters College. I don’t think they set out to teach me to be rebellious, but I have learned through them that if it is not biblical it is not a cross on which to die.

Episode 2 Why Not?

Why not be a goody two shoe?

I had a lot of subconscious pride when I looked down on people whose actions did not align with what I considered “good.” My thoughts were sinful because of the way I was raised to think about things such as drinking, drugs, and sex. Because I was so concerned with the action I was not being full of the Spirit.

Romans 8:1-2 says “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death”

What should be our focus? The law of freedom in Christ or the law of sin and death? And what about “not condemnation for those who are in Christ?” This isn’t saying that I can do anything I want and glorify God, but when we do sin that we should not be overwhelmed by guilt. Jesus’s blood took away that guilt. So if we aren’t stuck in a pit of guilt, why should I want other people to be?

One Bad Shoe

Get it, goody two shoe? One bad shoe? If anyone got the joke of my title before I explained it, please let me know. I am genetically cursed to enjoy bad jokes.

I am going to try to do a blog series on my transformation from a goody two shoe to "one bad shoe". My prayer is that God will allow me to use this topic to express grace and truth with my words.

Welcome to episode 1.

In high school I was definitely a “good girl” and I was proud of it. But honestly, it was easy. God blessed me with an incredible group of friends who did not fit the mold of a normal teenager. Our idea of a fun night was just hanging out and talking or watching a movie. Really, that’s not normal and I recognize that now.

In college I found a few really good friends who didn’t fit that mold that I was used to. They respected my decisions and welcomed me into their group and their parties. I have fond memories of having cooking night with my friend who was a trained chef.
These people opened up my minds to how to love people that were different from me. They didn’t provide me with community, but I had that in my roommates.

After graduating and my Christian bubble deflated I slowly grew to seek that I wanted to surround myself with a diverse group of friends. I need people in my life that will love and encourage me in my faith, but I also needed people that I could love and share Jesus with.

It has been at least half a decade of seeing myself not as a goody two shoe, but as one bad shoe.