http://allenbwest.com/2015/06/
Monday, June 15, 2015
A Little Ray of Encouragement
Just a little reminder that there are still believers in the world...
http://allenbwest.com/2015/06/
http://allenbwest.com/2015/06/
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Modesty Does Not Equal Shame (the dress code controversy, part 1)
Today a school newspaper came out. I enjoy reading these, shaking my head at the silly topics of some of the articles, agreeing with others, and sometimes disagreeing, so I always get one.
As I was reading, something on the third page caught my eye. It was a sidebar with the title: "Students React to the Dress Code".
If you go to public school, maybe this has been controversial at your school as well. I don't know. But at my school, threats to start enforcing the dress code have become a regular topic of conversation among students.
Most people disagree with the dress code, saying that girls should be able to dress how they want. One quote in particular caught my eye in the newspaper. It said, "I find it appalling how men and women are held to different standards and how women are supposed to be ashamed of their bodies."
We're supposed to be ashamed of our bodies? According to who?
I don't dress modestly because I'm ashamed of my body. Dressing modestly does not mean you want to cover up, to hide from eyes because you are insecure and don't like yourself.
I dress modestly because we are called to save our bodies for our future husband or wife. I dress modestly because I don't want to show myself off to just anyone.
I read a great analogy on another blog: just like you wouldn't use nice china to feed the dogs, so you don't show off the temple God has given you to anyone who wants to look.
Modesty is not a way of showing that you are ashamed of your body; modesty is a way of showing that you value it too much to throw it away.
As I was reading, something on the third page caught my eye. It was a sidebar with the title: "Students React to the Dress Code".
If you go to public school, maybe this has been controversial at your school as well. I don't know. But at my school, threats to start enforcing the dress code have become a regular topic of conversation among students.
Most people disagree with the dress code, saying that girls should be able to dress how they want. One quote in particular caught my eye in the newspaper. It said, "I find it appalling how men and women are held to different standards and how women are supposed to be ashamed of their bodies."
We're supposed to be ashamed of our bodies? According to who?
I don't dress modestly because I'm ashamed of my body. Dressing modestly does not mean you want to cover up, to hide from eyes because you are insecure and don't like yourself.
I dress modestly because we are called to save our bodies for our future husband or wife. I dress modestly because I don't want to show myself off to just anyone.
I read a great analogy on another blog: just like you wouldn't use nice china to feed the dogs, so you don't show off the temple God has given you to anyone who wants to look.
Modesty is not a way of showing that you are ashamed of your body; modesty is a way of showing that you value it too much to throw it away.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Sermon Recap: Supernatural Good (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
This is a new thing I'm starting on the blog: each Monday I will post a summary of the sermon my pastor preached the previous Sunday. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: Remember that, while the article is for the most part in my own words, the ideas are my pastor's, not mine.
In the past, it was common for a man who felt that he had been wronged to challenge the one who offended him to a duel. This was considered a good thing, to avenge yourself and reclaim your honor.
Often, even now we feel that we have to get revenge on those who do something that hurts or offends us. We want to repay harm for harm, feeling that it is our right. But is this Biblical?
1 Thessalonians 5:15 says, "See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."
That doesn't seem to give many grounds for revenge. Our response to others should not be determined by what has been done to us, but what God calls us to do. We are called to be a source of supernatural good to the world.
Do Not Repay Evil for Evil...
Our natural instinct as fallen creatures is to want revenge. We feel that we are justified to cause harm to someone else if they have caused harm to us first. Because this is such a human tendency, it has become looked on as culturally acceptable to seek revenge.
This is even looked on as a good and honorable thing, as shown in the example of dueling. It is expected, even socially required of us to vindicate ourselves if we are criticized or offended in any way.
...Seek to Do Good
However, we as Christians are called to seek to do good in our lives. This does not mean that we ignore evil, but rather that we hate it and take care not to fall into it ourselves.
The ultimate example of good is the Lord himself. He has revealed to us in His Word what this supernatural good looks like; we can read the Word to learn more about His goodness.
Our Witness to the World
This goodness comes from the heart through the power of the Spirit. As we learn more about God, we become more like Him. The Holy Spirit works in us to make us love good and want to see it in the world.
This is how we can glorify God before unbelievers; often, this simple kindness is a better witness than telling someone the gospel directly. Through this we can show God's love.
Application Points
Disclaimer: Remember that, while the article is for the most part in my own words, the ideas are my pastor's, not mine.
In the past, it was common for a man who felt that he had been wronged to challenge the one who offended him to a duel. This was considered a good thing, to avenge yourself and reclaim your honor.
Often, even now we feel that we have to get revenge on those who do something that hurts or offends us. We want to repay harm for harm, feeling that it is our right. But is this Biblical?
1 Thessalonians 5:15 says, "See that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."
That doesn't seem to give many grounds for revenge. Our response to others should not be determined by what has been done to us, but what God calls us to do. We are called to be a source of supernatural good to the world.
Do Not Repay Evil for Evil...
Our natural instinct as fallen creatures is to want revenge. We feel that we are justified to cause harm to someone else if they have caused harm to us first. Because this is such a human tendency, it has become looked on as culturally acceptable to seek revenge.
This is even looked on as a good and honorable thing, as shown in the example of dueling. It is expected, even socially required of us to vindicate ourselves if we are criticized or offended in any way.
...Seek to Do Good
However, we as Christians are called to seek to do good in our lives. This does not mean that we ignore evil, but rather that we hate it and take care not to fall into it ourselves.
The ultimate example of good is the Lord himself. He has revealed to us in His Word what this supernatural good looks like; we can read the Word to learn more about His goodness.
Our Witness to the World
This goodness comes from the heart through the power of the Spirit. As we learn more about God, we become more like Him. The Holy Spirit works in us to make us love good and want to see it in the world.
This is how we can glorify God before unbelievers; often, this simple kindness is a better witness than telling someone the gospel directly. Through this we can show God's love.
Application Points
- This goodness begins in the heart. If you allow revengeful, resentful thoughts in your heart, you will not be able to outwardly restrain yourself forever.
- In order to have our hearts changed, we have to pray that God would teach us His goodness, and strive to learn more of Him through His Word.
- Whenever you come in contact with a person, get in the habit of asking, "What good can I do for this person?"
- Remember that your efforts may not always be appreciated; that shouldn't stop us, and that doesn't mean that God is not glorified.
- Can you think of a time when you have sought revenge in your life? How might the situation have turned out differently if you had repayed evil with good?
- How can you do good to others in the week to come?
Thursday, June 4, 2015
How I Enjoyed Reading Deuteronomy
A little while back, I decided that I wanted to read through the whole Bible. No schedule, no obligation, no finishing date, just me reading straight through, as much or as little as I wanted, finishing when I wanted.
I started in Genesis, and was happily reading along. Then I hit the middle of Exodus and things started to get rough.
It must have taken me several months to get through Leviticus and Numbers. I struggled, often simply skimming the tedious passages of Hebrew law just for the sake of having "read" them so I could move on.
And then, as I began Deuteronomy, I decided to try and find passages that I could apply to my life, even when it seemed like there was nothing. And guess what? I found tons of them! Little tiny nuggets of truth that could mean something to me.
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Guess what? This verse applies to all of Scripture, not just the things that seem like they directly apply to us. These verses apply to Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy too.
There will always be something to learn from the Bible, but you have to be actively engaged in reading, looking for the connections and lessons. You can't just skim.
Something that has helped me with this is starting to write in my Bible, underlining things and jotting my thoughts in the margins. I love going back and looking at things I've written, and it helps me to stay focused on reading.
So, don't give up on the hard passages of Jewish law. Just because they're challenging doesn't mean they aren't worth reading. There's always more to learn! And when you find those things that apply to your life, you will discover that the reading is much more enjoyable.
I started in Genesis, and was happily reading along. Then I hit the middle of Exodus and things started to get rough.
It must have taken me several months to get through Leviticus and Numbers. I struggled, often simply skimming the tedious passages of Hebrew law just for the sake of having "read" them so I could move on.
And then, as I began Deuteronomy, I decided to try and find passages that I could apply to my life, even when it seemed like there was nothing. And guess what? I found tons of them! Little tiny nuggets of truth that could mean something to me.
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Guess what? This verse applies to all of Scripture, not just the things that seem like they directly apply to us. These verses apply to Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy too.
There will always be something to learn from the Bible, but you have to be actively engaged in reading, looking for the connections and lessons. You can't just skim.
Something that has helped me with this is starting to write in my Bible, underlining things and jotting my thoughts in the margins. I love going back and looking at things I've written, and it helps me to stay focused on reading.
So, don't give up on the hard passages of Jewish law. Just because they're challenging doesn't mean they aren't worth reading. There's always more to learn! And when you find those things that apply to your life, you will discover that the reading is much more enjoyable.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
I Surrender All
Do you ever have those times where you feel listless, unable or unwilling to do anything, not motivated, and you can't help but think that your life is a big mess, even if nothing abnormal is going on?
Do you feel like there's no point in praying, because God is too far away?
How can we find hope in times like this? How can we pull ourselves out of this sadness and depression and find the joy and peace that God promises us?
I'm such a good Christian! we cry. I do all of the right things! I pray and read my Bible and go to church and act selflessly and work hard. Why don't I feel joy?
We try to be perfect, believing that if we can just work harder at following God's commands that everything will come right.
But is it always that easy?
Does joy and peace come from following all of the rules?
Or does that just lead to stress and anxiety?
The only way to feel the peace of God is to give our anxiety and sadness to Him. Surrender our lives to Him. Let Him know that we trust Him in everything. Give Him the front seat and let Him lead us wherever He desires.
Succumbing to pointless sadness does nothing for our lives. It doesn't make anything better. It hinders our work for Him and makes us unable to see past the everyday.
Our cry every day, instead of Lord, I don't deserve this! should be Lord, lead me and help me to trust you more!
Whatever a day may bring, we have to learn to trust that God has everything in His hand. He knows what we need most, and He will provide.
Trusting is hard. Trusting sometimes feels like more effort than it's worth. It can seem easier to stay in our sadness, crying and moping and persuading ourselves that there's nothing worth doing.
But is the easier way always the best way?
My prayer is that God would help me to trust, help me to surrender my wishes to His, help me to realize that His ways are better than my ways.
Only when we can trust God fully will we receive true peace.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
Do you feel like there's no point in praying, because God is too far away?
How can we find hope in times like this? How can we pull ourselves out of this sadness and depression and find the joy and peace that God promises us?
I'm such a good Christian! we cry. I do all of the right things! I pray and read my Bible and go to church and act selflessly and work hard. Why don't I feel joy?
We try to be perfect, believing that if we can just work harder at following God's commands that everything will come right.
But is it always that easy?
Does joy and peace come from following all of the rules?
Or does that just lead to stress and anxiety?
The only way to feel the peace of God is to give our anxiety and sadness to Him. Surrender our lives to Him. Let Him know that we trust Him in everything. Give Him the front seat and let Him lead us wherever He desires.
Succumbing to pointless sadness does nothing for our lives. It doesn't make anything better. It hinders our work for Him and makes us unable to see past the everyday.
Our cry every day, instead of Lord, I don't deserve this! should be Lord, lead me and help me to trust you more!
Whatever a day may bring, we have to learn to trust that God has everything in His hand. He knows what we need most, and He will provide.
Trusting is hard. Trusting sometimes feels like more effort than it's worth. It can seem easier to stay in our sadness, crying and moping and persuading ourselves that there's nothing worth doing.
But is the easier way always the best way?
My prayer is that God would help me to trust, help me to surrender my wishes to His, help me to realize that His ways are better than my ways.
Only when we can trust God fully will we receive true peace.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
Friday, May 29, 2015
Songs, Books, and Summer
Only three weeks of school left for me! To be completely honest, I'm ready to be done. I can't give up on school quite yet though, because I have standardized testing next week and finals after that. And then, summer and freedom!
What Happened
As summer approaches quickly (and for some of you it's probably already here), I have a challenge for us all. Don't waste your summer.
It doesn't matter what you do, and it can certainly be enjoyable! All I mean is that summer is not meant to be three months where you watch TV and YouTube and surf the internet all day.
Read some good books if you don't have time during the school year. Get a job. Do a summer camp or workshop that fits your goals. Get in some quality time with family, train hard for a sport, volunteer somewhere. Learn a new hobby or skill.
Try to plan ahead of time what your goals for the summer are and how you are going to achieve them. That way you will be less tempted to resort to technology to entertain you for the next few months.
Join me in attempting not to spend my entire summer online. Will you accept the challenge?
What Happened
- I got to go back to dance this week after my toe was broken!! Even painful pointework felt good after several weeks of no dancing; do any fellow dancers know what I'm talking about?
- No school on Memorial Day...always nice :)
- Lots of time to read...also always nice.
- This incredible song that my chorus is singing at our concert next week. Go listen to it right now (hint: the best part starts halfway through the song).
- Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer, a quick but emotionally compelling novel about a sixteen-year-old waitress and her aunt, a cook, who come to work at a diner in a quirky small town. The twist is that the owner has cancer...and he decides to run for mayor. Such a good book!
As summer approaches quickly (and for some of you it's probably already here), I have a challenge for us all. Don't waste your summer.
It doesn't matter what you do, and it can certainly be enjoyable! All I mean is that summer is not meant to be three months where you watch TV and YouTube and surf the internet all day.
Read some good books if you don't have time during the school year. Get a job. Do a summer camp or workshop that fits your goals. Get in some quality time with family, train hard for a sport, volunteer somewhere. Learn a new hobby or skill.
Try to plan ahead of time what your goals for the summer are and how you are going to achieve them. That way you will be less tempted to resort to technology to entertain you for the next few months.
Join me in attempting not to spend my entire summer online. Will you accept the challenge?
Thursday, May 28, 2015
A Challenge to Shift Your Mindset
At church on Sunday, someone mentioned something that I thought was a great tip for changing the way we look at things in the Christian life.
It's very simple.
Instead of thinking that you have to do something, think that you get to do something.
So...
Instead of "I have to dress modestly", think "I get to dress modestly to honor God and my future spouse."
Instead of "I have to be thankful", think "I get to be thankful for all of the gifts God has given me."
Instead of "I have to be patient", think "I get to be patient to show God's love to others."
Instead of "I have to read the Bible", think "I get to read the Bible to be encouraged and learn more about my faith."
Do you get the picture?
If we made an effort to think like this, it would have a radical effect on our happiness. You can apply this in every area of your life, not just your faith, and watch your attitude improve.
Will you give it a try with me?
It's very simple.
Instead of thinking that you have to do something, think that you get to do something.
So...
Instead of "I have to dress modestly", think "I get to dress modestly to honor God and my future spouse."
Instead of "I have to be thankful", think "I get to be thankful for all of the gifts God has given me."
Instead of "I have to be patient", think "I get to be patient to show God's love to others."
Instead of "I have to read the Bible", think "I get to read the Bible to be encouraged and learn more about my faith."
Do you get the picture?
If we made an effort to think like this, it would have a radical effect on our happiness. You can apply this in every area of your life, not just your faith, and watch your attitude improve.
Will you give it a try with me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)