Tuesday, January 20, 2009

YIPPEE... I actually posted TWO days in a row! ;-)

Okay, seriously now... I said I wanted to share something that I learned about GOD recently and I just couldn't wait to share it. (Maybe it'll keep some of you from experiencing unnecessary guilt)



See, I'd always heard that we should "give thanks" for everything. Here's the scripture... (It's AMAZING how ONE little word can change the WHOLE meaning of a sentence)




1 Thessalonians 5:18
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.




See, I'd been thinking I was having a rebellious attitude towards GOD for not being thankful for the path my life has taken. (Losing Brent, you know? I mean, we have been thankful for many things during this trial, but not for the very act of losing him or for the way he suffered)

Well, you may have heard me mention that I don't put a lot of faith in what other people tell me about the Bible. Not immediately anyway. See, there are SO MANY scriptures that we've found over the past 3-4 years that have been TERRIBLY misquoted... so if I hear something I go and look it up for myself.

ANYWAY... all of that to say that I was in my room folding clothes one night and the TV (itself) changed the channel from what I was watching to a pastor that I used to LOVE to listen to. (It was Tony Evans... I suppose I had set the thing to change itself when he came on)

Now, I've not heard Mr. Evans preach anything that didn't line up with scripture.. but there are MANY others that I have. (Thus my check it for yourself attitude... PLEASE, if you find a preacher on TV that tells you GOD wants NOTHING but GOOD for you.. change the channel.. that's JUST NOT SCRIPTURAL! The Bible tells us to EXPECT trials.. oh well, that's another post)

So, I don't remember the theme of what Mr. Evans was preaching but I DO remember him using 1 Thessalonians 5:18. I listened closely as he explained how we don't HAVE to be thankful FOR everything.. but we are to be thankful IN everything. See, I KNEW I was NOT thankful for losing our son and watching him suffer the way he did. HOWEVER, IN those circumstances.. (we have learned) some came to accept JESUS as LORD of their lives. Now THAT my friends is something to be THANKFUL for!


So I don't have to thankful for all of the TERRIBLE things that have happened since October of 04 (the year we learned Brent had cancer), but IN those trials we were and ARE thankful for MANY things in CHRIST JESUS! (We were always looking for SOMETHING to be thankful for.. You know.. even in those last days, the CREATOR of ALL allowed us to witness "conversations" between HIMSELF and Brent as HE prepared him to go HOME! Again, THAT is something to be THANKFUL for!)


You see what I'm saying?? We're NOT thankful for sin, but in this sin-filled world, we ARE thankful that GOD'S own SON came to pay for our sins. (So in that sense we ARE thankful "IN" everything, but not necessarily FOR everything.


I can't tell you the burden that knowing this lifted from me!




Okay, now on the day to day stuff...

For our History class yesterday we watched the 44th Presidential Inauguration. I explained to the boys that THIS was history in the making for so many reasons. I also told them that we need to pray for him just as we did for President Bush. I explained that we need to PRAY that our new President will seek the HEART of GOD in EVERY decision he makes and if he's not saved, that he will be. (You know, because the Bible says we will be know by their "fruits" Matthew 7:20) I know that he was elected (by some) because he's so liberal in areas like abortion... but it's in THOSE VERY AREAS that I PRAY that he will KNOW GOD'S HEART and will not allow countless babies to be killed every day. Okay... all of that has been debated over and over BEFORE the election... I won't drag you though it again today. See, I'm ADHD like that. It only takes a second for me to get off track. LOL!!

I guess that's it for me today. It's time to wake the little people and get them ready for school. I hope you all have a WONDERFUL day!


14 comments:

Melanie said...

I love this post, Tonya! So much truth is told in that one little word "in". "....in everything give thanks..." I think the pastor you were listening too hit the nail on the head! I don't think God would expect us to be thankful for losing a child or whatever other situation we might encounter, but I would certainly think He would expect us to remain thankful for all the good in our lives! What a message you have shared with us today... keep preachin' it, girl! ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Tonya,
I must confess when I saw your name was Tonya I decided to follow your blog. What a blessing for me!
Thank you for sharing your life. Keep the faith!

He & Me + 3 said...

Thank you for sharing everything. I am so glad that the preacher spoke the word & it was able to lift a burden for you. God is good!

Davisix said...

Wow, what a post Girl! Powerful and very well said. I LOVE Tony Evans...he's amazing! Love you too...and have missed you like crazy. HUGS! Ang

Pam D said...

Don't you love it when the Word of God speaks? The more often I read it, the more clearly I hear it. AND.. the more I want of it, too! What a beautiful post, Tonya, and certainly something to not only share but to shout from the rooftops. So many need to hear what you just said. (or rather, what God laid on your heart to say..) Blessings in abundance and joy beyond measure is what I wish for you, my dear bloggy friend!

Susan said...

AMEN and AMEN!!

Keep preaching sista, we're all listening and learning from your wonderful example!!

Sending lots of HUGS to my best buddy♥

Beth E. said...

Great insight, my sweet friend! I know all too well how people will "speak the Word" over you...trouble is, it's THEIR word, not GOD'S! We have a great Sunday School teacher who, as he teaches our lesson, says, "Don't take MY word for it...read it for yourself and decide!" This is a great post.

Please keep me in your prayers. Read today's post on my blog for details.

Love you...

Word verification: holy (WOW!)

Jennifer said...

What a thoughtfilled and thought provoking post...one of those AHA moments, I like to call them. Truly we can be thankful IN everything - and, yes, doesn't that lift a huge burden. Thanks so much for sharing!!

Reba said...

I have heard that before about being thankful IN and not For. But it is one of those things I forget. Thank you for reminding me.

I am glad to see you posting again...

Anonymous said...

I was telling one of the parents at the bus stop the other day about how meeting Brent led me to Jesus. I told him how the presence of God was so strong in that room and that I want to feel that presence in my eternity. I really believe I was in the presence of God that day because I have never felt anything like what I did while I was there before or since! I finally found a great church that walks the walk and we love it. Also, I read a book called "When God Sends An Angel" that I got from Avon, it is an awesome read that I really think you would enjoy. It comes as a set with a journal.

I hope Obama does follow God's ways and change his position on abortion but I heard today he plans to send money to other countries to help provide abortions elsewhere as well as here. I just dont understand that on sooooo many levels! Our country is in financial crisis, and those are babies! I will pray for a change of heart for him as well.

Greg P. said...

Tonya:

Thank you for the warm comments you left on my blog. It is so wonderful to be able to bond with other Christians who share the same values.

I'm so happy for you also that some things are being made more clear for you to understand about our God.

You are an inspiration and I will always lift up you and your family in prayer. God blessings and the peace of Christ be upon all of you.

Anonymous said...

So good seeing you posting again! You're spoiling us!
Continuing to lift up prayers!
Psalms 34:17-19 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Prayer Bears
My email address

BethanyM said...

Such a great post. That verse makes so much more sense now--thanks!

Lakeville Vertical said...

Thanks for sharing this. I have never thought of it that way before. You are wonderful to my soul. :)