Goldfish and Pure Living

So, I can’t believe I did it, but I got the boys two goldfish. Now, I don’t know anything about taking care of fish, but they begged every time we went to the store, so today I just gave in. We now have two new family members: Striker and Speedy. I was getting their bowl ready and there are a lot of steps to take before you can put those little guys in there! I thought you could just fill it up with water and then pour the fish in. Oh no! You have to clean the bowl and everything that goes in it, then you have to purify the water with this special stuff, then you get to put the fish in. And you have to feed them twice a day, but not too much. Whew! This is a lot more work than I thought it would be. So, getting all this work done got me to thinking about our Spiritual lives. I mean, if I will go through all this work for two little fish that cost 38¢, why do I not take that much care with my Spiritual life and that of my children? Don’t get me wrong here, I read the Bible, and pray with my kids and try to only watch TV shows that are not too bad. But, is my house pure like the fish bowl? I went to extreme measures to make sure that there was no impure thing in Striker and Speedy's bowl. Have I gone to the same extreme to make sure there is no impure thing in my home? Have you? Think about this: “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” –Romans 12:1-2
Shanna

Who Am I?

“Who am I?” This is the question that Merrill is answering while at camp in Alaska. It is the theme of the camp. It’s all about teaching kids who they are in Christ.
I got to thinking about this myself. And thinking, and thinking, and thinking. And the conclusion I have come to is….do I really know who I am in Christ? I mean, I know what the Bible says. I know that I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. I know that I am an heir to the throne. I know that my Father is the Creator of everything. I also know that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now resides in me. Glory!
I know all these things, but….
Ah, yes. The infamous “but”. I know all of these things, but do I live like I believe them? As Christians we know what the Bible says about us, but I wonder how many times we live like we are defeated? It seems so easy to let the devil defeat us. When things don’t go our way, or when it seems as though our prayers are unanswered, doesn’t it seem to get easy to forget who we are in Christ? Let this be a challenge to you and me both. Don’t ever forget who you are and what Jesus did for you. To say that we are anything less than that would be calling Him a liar. Praise God I am a daughter of the King!!
Shanna