I'm recapping what is happening on Facebook for those of you who do not have a Facebook account. So far my challenge of using social media for spending God's story and being open about my personal relationship with Him (struggles and all) is going well. So many people that don't usually "like" status are liking them. Some people I didn't even know believed in God liking things I write. Maybe they don't, but it's ministering to them anyway, you knows. It's also helping me grow. I want to continue this beyond Easter as much as possible.
Here's the things I put up on Facebook.
Today I reflect on another prefect timing moment. In all honesty, I was scared out of my mind to give birth. Any time I thought about all the things that could and would happen, I would cry. I didn't plan my pregnancy. God did. God's got my back like always. My best friend, Brittany, just became pregnant as well (within a month of me). She was first, so she experienced many things before me and then guided me through when it was my turn. I don't know how I would have kept sane without her. We did it together. My very best friend. The one I trust and love so much. I wasn't alone. It kept me from having a lot of dark moments. Now we are raising two beautiful boys together. AND not only did God provide Britt, my other two dear friends Ann Mae and Christine became pregnant for the first time as well. My whole wedding party (beside my little sister) was pregnant!!! All within 2012 (March, May, Sept. and Dec.), all four of us were blessed with our first born.
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Jeremiah 29:11-13 I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart. (GNT)
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I'm reading "Forgotten God" By Francis Chan. I just started it, but it does reflect some of the things I've been feeling lately. I want my life to reflect God's love. I want to love others more than myself. More external than internal.
"Yet when those outside the church see no difference in our lives, they begin to question our integrity, our sanity, or even worse, our God. And can we blame them?"
This is a conversation that formed by the above statement.
- Roshni Murali Genevieve, I have to start by saying that I've really enjoyed reading your posts lately, and I admire the honesty with which you describe your relationship with God (I remember this about you, even way back in high school). It's beautiful that you find such meaning in your life and that this gives you such hope. You have a beautiful family (your new one, as well as the old!), and you must be so grateful-- I'm so, so happy for youAnyway, I just wanted to share my thoughts because of your own exploration and spirit of sharing... Again, I've appreciated reading your story, and I look forward to hearing more. I do love you, lady.
Like you said, it's so hard to share and be so personal, but your post today made me want to be honest myself. I am not a believer, and I have never found a place for religion in my own life. It's probably partly due to my parents having to assimilate not only their culture but also their own religion with everything they found once they came to the U.S., but their own religion never stuck for me, and neither did anything I learned about as I grew up.
As upsetting as that fact is for many people, there are several things I did learn about from my parents, despite their more secular ways, that to me embody what I imagine God to be for you: a love for the people around me, and an ability to forgive and forget; a love for people I don't even know and a compulsion to give my self and my life to helping them; a belief in people and what they are capable of... I, too feel so fortunate in my own life, and though I don't believe in God, I remain a loving, giving, forgiving, and ever-hopeful and positive person.
My own disbelief does not stem from my questioning the morality and authenticity of people who call themselves religious but don't show it in their actions (although that is certainly disheartening)-- on the contrary, it's the similarities between us that make the "difference" so interesting... - Genevieve Morris Roshni, Thank you so much for sharing! I'm so glad that you enjoy reading my posts. I think every human being, Believers or non-believers, understand right from wrong. We were all created by God, we understand that it feels good to love, share, and help others. And you're right, a lot of times both Christians and non-Christians look and act the same... having the same values and morals. I think what I'm trying to say is that I want to go beyond basic ideas about love and service. To live Christ-like. I think a lot of us are missing the point of this life. Take Mother Theresa as a example of living a life outside of ourselves. To be a servant to helping others. Living completely selflessly. That's a scary thing... which is why I think many do not do it. But think about how much good it would do... and how much purpose life would have. More community than going about things as an individual. I hope this makes sense.... I'm still processing all of this. Thank you for challenging me to examine my faith more.
- Roshni Murali I'm so glad to be having this discussion-- I knew you would be interested in my thoughts, and that's gave me the confidence to share
I agree, the examples set by people like Mother Theresa are beyond words, and that kind of sacrifice is truly inspiring... It's obvious that modern society, among other things, has done a number on the ways we think about and relate to one another. But no matter how times change and how much our society values individualism over community, I, too, find comfort in the inevitable human tendency toward other people, and it's what brings meaning to my own life. Perhaps that's my God, at least at this point in my life. I'd be interested to read the book you mentioned, and the quote certainly got me thinking!***********This is my post today with some pictures I posted on instagram:When Jed and I got married the pastor said he felt anointing over us that brought him to tears. Through all of his many weddings, he hardly cried. He felt the Lord at our wedding. Our marriage was destined for great things. I'll be honest, when I really think about it, it scares me. For some reason I feel like the valley has to come before our mountain. More than not, greatness comes out of suffering. Am I ready to sacrifice whatever is needed for that purpose? This whole lesson in trusting God just took a step up....




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