Sister Socialist

God promises to provide your need.

But the Bible doesn’t provide your dreams.

You need to work for them.

Greg Laurie

For even when we were with you,

We gave you this rule:

“The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

2 Thessalonians 3:10

My alarm woke me up to Greg Laurie’s teaching this morning. His focus was about realizing our dreams and how to work toward them dispelling the notion that God owes us fulfillment as we sit and wait for them to magically appear. Oh, the black and white Bible teachings of Greg Laurie!

I remember the scene in my living room when I hosted a women’s event from my church. My close friend, Jan, was there. Tension entered the room when Carol voiced her repeated mantra of how we Christians have it all wrong. She packed all her socialistic theology in one verse in the New Testament where it talks about Christians sharing their stuff and no one owning anything so everybody’s needs are met. (Acts 2:44, 45)

Jan tensed up because she often was Carol’s target for some reason. Carol had a hard life with horrendous doctor bills due to her husband’s fatal disease. Many from church helped Carol, including Jan, with transportation for the kids and paying bills. It was never enough. But we were growing tired of manipulation and inflicted guilt, why: because we had steady incomes?

I was glad Carol was the last to leave my house because I was able to speak to her hurt, calling it a root of bitterness. I’ll never forget the look on her face, not of anger or defense, but of surprise. Bitterness and resentment, really? I know just how she felt having been there a time or two myself. I remember feeling like I was in a maze and asking: “How did I get here?” Bitterness poisons our thinking sending us into a whirlwind of crazy theology!

I cringe to think of what my life would be like without my Christian family. We are to pull each other out of the fire and help each other stay on the sure narrow path. I bet Carol would agree.

This post links to the writers at Tell Me A Story.

Marriage Tip #44: Do What He Wants

I thought about our upcoming anniversary. I prayed one morning for the marriages in my family, and a sentence about my own dropped in my spirit: “ Do What He Wants .” I paused, “Really?” He’s his own man. What if I end up in the wilderness camping by night and target shooting by day? What if a coyote decides to have me as a late night snack? We celebrated our anniversary early this year, Before the kids come next week. And we did it his way . This is how it happened. I never asked him about a plan or even mentioned our day. I remember how it all unfolded at the roundabout just as we drove into Sedona. He asked me if I would like to go to a baseball game. I responded excitedly, “Yeah!” Before the day was over, he purchased tickets for a Diamondbacks home game. He printed them out. He booked a hotel room so we wouldn’t have to drive home from the city after the late evening game. ...

The Daisy House

I work at my desktop with the children at my feet. A makeshift area rug made of white butcher paper lines the floor where the baby, crayon in hand, imitates her big sister. Sister focuses on the finishing touches of the house she designed. The catchy children’s song, Wheels of the Bus, blasts from the Toddler Station on Pandora Radio. Six year old Sookie unveils her masterpiece and I ooh and awe at the sketch. “It’s a daisy house!” I exclaim. “I love the colors. I wonder what the inside looks like.” Without hesitating, Sookie describes each room. “There are five rooms and they are all different colors. One is Mint Chip, another Strawberry. There is a Vanilla room, and a Cookies & Cream room and the last room is Rocky Road. You have to wear a sweater inside because it is very cold.” “A house made of ice cream,” I reply. “It sounds heavenly!” I dug into my Bible readings that morning ...

The Final Chapter

Are you like me when you join a new group of people? Do you navigate the crowd wondering where you fit in the best? I felt insecure when I joined Word Weavers, a Christian writing group in our town. Liz and Tony welcomed me with their accepting smiles. It meant a lot. I sat with Liz in a small critique group one week. I leaned in close so we could share a writer’s paper together. She mentioned she would passively kick back and listen because she felt sick that day. Tony kept his eye on her walking over with a plate of cookies and a hug for his wife. But Liz did not eat. Last week, Liz passed away. I attended the memorial service where I learned that Liz was a dreamer and fought for her dreams up to the very end! Liz’s dream, her third book Jamie , came true. The publisher approved her manuscript and moved heaven and earth to get the story printed in book form and delivered to Liz. ...

DeniseApril 10, 2013 at 3:30 PM
Bless you dear sis, love you.
http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/April 10, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Isn't it the truth! It's a sneaky little tool in satan's toolbox, the bitterness wedge.

I also love Greg Laurie's teaching, have loved he and cathe for years. :)
AndreaApril 11, 2013 at 4:42 PM
AMEN!

Hope you are doing well. Continuing to pray for you and yours!

Hugs,
andrea
DeeApril 12, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Bitterness is one of the most deep rooted of emotions and hard to get rid of....I am sure that is why the Lord warned us not to go to bed angry. I almost let my anger grow a deep root but like you did for your friend someone brought it to my attention. Just in time.
Susan Marlene April 12, 2013 at 7:37 PM
You hit the nail on the head with this. I've witnessed two situations -- one lady is willing to do the work the Lord opens the door for and one who is not. We should always look to seek what pleases the Lord and I believe if He makes us capable then we will find joy in serving or doing whatever we can! That bitter root is a sneaky devil. Thank you for this post!

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