Compromise

Not all compromise is bad - for example if my husband and I are undecided in our choice of movie for a date night, he may compromise and see a chick flick because he knows it would make me happy, even though he would rather see an action flick.

However, compromising on our core spiritual values will not have the same beneficial effects. To illustrate, let's look at Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 1.  For three years, Daniel and his friends were in training, being indoctrinated by King Nebuchadnezzar.
They were 4 areas were Daniel and his friends were challenged, and in one of them he did not compromise (v 4-8):

1. Their language was changed  - they learned a new language.
2. They served King Nebuchadnezzar - Nebuchadnezzar was considered a political genius of his time so this became beneficial to Daniel in the long run.  This is similar to working in Corporate America and learning the ins and outs so that you can eventually branch out on your own.
3. Their names were changed - They accepted their new and it's how we commonly refer to them.
4. Eat the king's meat - this seems like the easiest thing on the list, but this is where they would not compromise. Apparently in ancient times, food was sacrificed to false gods before it was eaten by the Babylonians. To Daniel and his friends this would be akin to worshipping false gods, or serving another god besides the true God. So on this point they said no.

This no was not easy, but very hard and potentially life threatening. Instead Daniel suggested that they would eat vegetables and drink water for ten days. In the compromise, they had favor with the official who handled the food (v 9). God intervened.

At the end of ten days here's what happened:

• They received knowledge and wisdom - they were 10x better than all the king's magicians.
• Daniel was blessed with the ability to understand visions and dreams
• They were elevated to a position of power
• Daniel was granted long life
• In addition they were fitter and stronger than the men who had eaten the kings meat. Eating vegetables and water for 10 days will not build up muscle and make you bigger - it was a supernatural intervention.

Many people resolve to be different or better at the start of the new year. We're well intentioned and, this time we won't fail. But what happens? If we say we're going to lose weight we start off well and eventually we compromise the foods we're eating and before we know it we're back at square one.

As Christians, we sometimes compromise the core values of our faith. God loves me and He died for me but He's not serious about me not gossiping, lying, fornicating, sowing strife, being involved with an unbeliever in serious dating relationship, or a host of things that we think are harmless but really aren't, is He?

Don't compromise on the core values of your faith; be like Daniel and his friends who became ten times better than all the learned men. This didn't happen over night; it took three years, but it was worth it.

What areas will you choose not to compromise in? Do you know the core values of your faith? How will you strengthen your faith this year?


PS - my pastor taught this message on Sunday and I had to share it with you as it really blessed and challenged me.

Blessings - Giveaway (CLOSED)

It is with great excitement and hesitancy that I'm doing my first giveaway.

From a child, I've been blessed by the daily devotionals in Our Daily Bread.

Discovery House has offered one  reader a copy of  Our Daily Bread 2012 Devotional Collection. This daily devotional with selected readings encourages the reader to spend time with God each day - praying, reading the Bible, and reflecting on how His Word applies to everyday life. It is small and elegant enough to be carried with you on a daily basis.

Basic giveaway information: 

1. Follow this blog (optional) and 
2. Leave a comment telling me how you would use this (required); be sure the comment includes your email address.

I will pick a winner using random.org on December 31, 2011, so please get your entries in before then. Winner will be notified and have 48 hours to respond to the e-mail or another winner will be chosen.

I know the winner will absolutely enjoy this gift throughout the year.


The winner of the giveaway is Tina Shoulders.  Thanks to all who stopped by, it's much appreciated.
Have a wonderful New Year when it comes.

Secret Santa Made Me Smile

THANK YOU!

I think I know who it is - Mrs. TDJ!!!

A Day or Two in My Life...

For the past week I've dealt with the flu - I don't know if that what it is, but I seem to have all the symptoms.  On Thursday I went to the doctor as it seems I was getting worse, not better. He prescribed a very strong cough medicine and some eye drops for my eyes.  The medicine was supposed to knock me out, but for whatever reason, I could not sleep. By Thursday, everyone was home from college and I'm officially sick.
Thursday night, we sat and talked, reminisced and prayed. It's great to see children maturing.

During this sickness, I've been trying to work from home - some days were better than others.
On Friday in the middle of the day, I heard my doorbell ring and then quick footsteps. By the time I answer the door, my neighbor is running away in a state of panic. She yells out my name and said she thought someone was trying to break in to her house as she was entering, so she grabs me to come home with her. When I answered the door, I had no shoes on and I still had on my pajamas. I go outside with her, and she is beyond panicked.  We're all standing around because everyone is afraid to go in the house.  I call my husband, who is also home - because I know he's not afraid.  He's not afraid of most things. He was on a very important call for work that just ended.  So he rushes over.  He goes in the house, with my neighbor and I stay outside, keeping an eye out for what, I'm not sure.  In the midst of all this excitement, I remember that the little one is home (now by herself), so I run back home, put on shoes and tell her what's going on.  It turns out that it was a false alarm, but I was glad that she remembered that we were neighbors at this pivotal time. I didn't even know that she knew how to pronounce my name!

The day continues uneventfully and finally on Friday night, the narcotic qualities of the cough medicine kick in.  I sleep until 11:00 am on Saturday, which is unheard of for me.  I wake up to the smells of big breakfast - that's what the children like to do when they come home - pancakes, hash brown, bacon and eggs.  Someone makes me a cup of tea and back to bed I go.

As I'm preparing to go back to sleep my husband says - can I come to the front to talk, it's good news.  My son, home from college announces that he's getting baptized on Sunday.  Just like that.  I don't have too much to add to the conversation, so I go back to bed.

I have a conversation with a friend, and said something that may have offended.  I could blame the medicine but I won't.  Recognizing, what I did, I apologized.  I had a long conversation with another friend, and while on the phone an older friend from the church I used to attend calls just to bless me.  She wanted to bless me with good health and to let me know that she prays for me and my family regularly.  I couldn't believe it.  She couldn't believe I answered the phone. She called it a Christmas Miracle!

At some point I decided to watch my wedding video from 22 years ago.  It still makes me smile in a good way - but the fashions - why did I do that to my bridesmaids??? All the children commented that my husband looks completely different.

My parents are coming in next week, and while attempting to fall asleep (again) the phone rings.  It is now 11:00 pm. My brother is  calling to tell me about their itinerary and plans for the trip. And then we get to talking about relationships and marriages - in particular our parent's marriage. His observation is that he thinks my mom is not often recognized for all the work she does, in particular by my dad.

I eventually went to sleep, so I could wake up for the baptism today. Of course, we were running late. And as we're running late, my husband tells me how he's glad and happy that he married me! I thought it ironic, since he was not aware of my conversation with my brother.

We get to church in time for the sermon, my son walks forward to prepare to be baptized, and the service ends with his baptism. Of course they were tears in my eyes. Happy tears.

And that's why our family motto is:  Never a Dull Moment!!!

The tree will go up and the house will be decorated, but more importantly we're all together at home for Christmas. Home is wherever we all are.

Are you enjoying the holiday season? What's your family motto?