The Fashionable Fanatic

I was listening to the radio the other day and I happened to hear an interview with a famous pop icon. Having known about this man since I was very young, I was interested to hear what he was doing now. The interview became boring as the man touted his own accomplishments and praised himself over and over again. I was only halfway listening when I heard the interviewer ask a question about religion. I heard the man say, he'd "always been religious, just never talked about it until it became trendy". Are you kidding me?
I really couldn't believe that someone could make the claim to be "religious" and then make an excuse why no one knew it. Ned told me that when he worked in the factory, he worked with several elders of the Lord's church for many years. It wasn't until he, (Ned) became a Christian that he even knew they were Christians. Is that not one of the saddest indictments you've ever heard? I mean, its not like we live in a country where being a Christian is punishable by death. We don't have to hide our faith in order to preserve our very lives so why hide it at all?
It is true that "spirituality" is becoming very "fashionable"---movie stars, politicians and newscasters talk about their "faith". Politicians use it to beat each other up and build up their own reputations. Criminals use it as a get of jail free card. Anti-war militants use it to promote their political views. Tabloids twist it to sell magazines. I think I think it is wonderful that so many are thinking about "spiritual things." The problem I have with a fashionable faith is that it comes from society. Faith is "in" simply because society says so. And a faith that is recognized by society is usually a faith that is shaped by society--and therefore flawed. This flawed faith then becomes trendy. It is the tool, the filter if you will, through which we view the entire world, including our obligations, our duties and even our worship.
So now I guess what I want to know is what happens to their faith when spirituality goes out of style?

Blessings,
Neva

BAD BLOGGER, BAD, BAD BLOGGER!!!!!!!!!

I have not been posting lately. I have no less than 18 posts in my queue, all in various stages of completion. I have little notes with titles for blogs all over my desk---and I absolutely love blogging. So why haven't I been here? I only have one excuse----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LIFE !
Between family concerns, health problems and plain old busyness, I have neglected my blog. But, now I have repented--so look for a new post tomorrow and thank you all for being so faithful.

Blessings
Neva

Showers and Shadows

It is not like me to go so long between postings. To my loyal readers, I apologize. It has been a rollercoaster ten days. There were so many blessings, it was truly more like a deluge than a shower. Just when I thought, things could not be better, they got better. I felt like I was walking on air with a perpetual smile and a song that burst forth at every breath. I am excited to share these things with my friends.

• We have been very very busy! We have Bible studies three nights a week and Ned has several during the daytime. It has been truly wonderful to watch as the power of the Word becomes evident in the lives of those who are in it.
• Two weeks ago Sunday, one of the dear sisters we have prayed for over the past ten years came forward, tearfully requesting to be welcomed home!
• Then my new Christian sister, Staci and her boys were here for the weekend. A youth activity had been scheduled and so we all went bowling with the teens. Then 20 of the group came over to the house for pizza, cokes and Wii games. The last one left just after midnight! Love, laughter and fun flowed freely throughout the day.
• Sunday afternoon, we had two baptisms. One was a college girl whose parents and Christian family had spent many hours praying for her commitment to Christ. She returned to Harding a saved young woman--a woman with a future. The other baptism was her brother, now in high school. This young man had been thinking and talking about giving his life to Christ for some time and after listening to the discussions with his sister about the decision she was making, he decided he was ready to make the same commitment.
• Later in the afternoon, we received a text message from one of our kids at York. He texted to tell us he was getting married. He has always been such a special kid and we have watched him grow and mature in the Lord. He will make a wonderful Christian husband.
• That evening at church, we were excited that one of our former teens was at church. This young lady has been walking a pretty rough path and has made some very poor decisions. She has not been coming to worship even though her parents have been bringing her little daughter. Both mother and daughter are precious souls. I was so happy to see this lost sheep--I have prayed for her fervently. She has agreed to have dinner with me and I am looking forward to a chance to minister to her and encourage her.
• The next day, it was announced that another of our young couples is expecting a child. Both his parents and his grandparents worship with us. They are all very excited as is the entire church.
• Our elder's wife got the results of her biopsy to find that her breast cancer had not returned.
• This Thursday, an old friend of mine and her daughter came to spend the weekend with us. We have been friends for about 19 years. I was the caregiver for this girl and her twin brother for the first year or so of their lives. While he could not come, I enjoyed visiting with his mother and sister. I was so proud of them as I looked over their Sr pictures. They are beautiful and I am ever grateful to be their "other mother."
• The deluge continued with another friend telling us he is going to propose to his girlfriend and one of our studies telling us he is thinking seriously about being baptized.

Can you imagine how busily blessed the past two weeks have been? We have been overjoyed. Everytime we thought it could not be better, God showed us that it could indeed. We waited with joyful expectation. However, that robber of joy, satan, could not stand God's people being so happy and grateful. Friday evening, we were given the news that a family is under attack. A father, a mother, and three beautiful boys, are all being bombarded by the devil. He is working in their lives, trying to destroy their family, the marriage and the hearts of all who love them. My heart breaks for this family. I cry for the husband, he knows his place in my heart. I cry for the wife and the hurt she feels. I weep for the for those precious little boys and the confusion that surrounds them. How I would love to be able to comfort them all.

And so tonight, I ask you, my blogging friends, to share the shower of blessing with me. Rejoice over these blessings, praise God for His care and guidance. Weep with me over this shadow. Pray for this family, for strength and comfort and guidance. Pray that God will build a hedge around them and that they will safely make it to the other side of this storm. Thank you for being such wonderful and understanding friends. I love you all.

Blessings

Neva