Would You Sacrifice Your Isaac?

I was thinking about this the other day. How did Abraham do it? How could he take that journey? How could he make those preparations? How could he nearly follow through?

This task was a rough one. This calling, an impossibility. And yet, there he was, trusting God as he went. Knowing full well that God would handle the situation, no matter the outcome. God said it and he obeyed. Blindly he obeyed.

I don't think I could. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Not if it were one of my children. Thankfully, only one time in the Bible did God ask for such a task. And he not only asked for it from Abraham, but actually offered it in His own son.

I sit here and I wonder, what are you asking of me Lord? Is it an Isaac? Is it something so big that I have said no and not looked back, not even trusting that you are in control and can handle it. Or will you ask something similar of me someday? Will I be able to handle it then?

Have you? Could you?

Do We Have Compassion?

We have been challenged. Challenged to think about people other than ourselves. Those who have no voice and no advocate. We've been given a charge, but will we accept?

"Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" Matthew 19:21

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." Matthew 25:35

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
1 John 3:17-18

I could list a number of other verses that implore us to take action. All around us people are in need. Every corner of the globe there are those who cry out daily for help, for compassion. Do we have compassion? Will we have compassion? Can you look into the eyes of one of these children and say yes? God has blessed us with much, now I encourage you to go and share that blessing with others.

If you cannot support financially, will you pray? Pray that God would provide sponsors for these beautiful children. Pray that God will uplift their pastors and the church volunteers who give to these kids daily. Pray that their parents can find stable jobs and homes, clean water and food. Pray for hearts to be turned towards Jesus. Pray for compassion.

Sponsor a Child

I Am...

I am feeling like there's more. More that I should be doing, and praying that I can figure out what that is.

I am hoping that when I get to heaven, God will say that I completed at least most of the things He called me to do, and that I didn't tell Him "no" more often than I said "yes".

I am praying that my children will seek God with all their hearts.

I am in love with my husband. Day in and day out he's the man for me.

I am exploring writing.

I am setting goals.

I am trying to get my eyes off of the world and more on God. But reality shows me I have a lot to quit focusing on.

I am listening to our 22 year old cockatiel chirp and cannot believe I've had him since I was twelve! :)

I am trying to get more organized and failing horribly.

I am playing fantasy football again this year and hope to do better than last year.

I am glad the school year has started, but sad at the same time. Life just got a whole lot busier!

I am glad reading the book of Joshua and thinking, if it were possible to do it right, it would make for a great action mini series.

I am done with this post. :)

Compassion Blogging

I just signed up to blog for Compassion International this month. I'm not sure how much help I will be, since I just started this blog a few months ago and I haven't really posted much. Maybe this will help get the writing juices flowing and also help some kids at the same time.

My family and I love Compassion International and what they do to help children in need. We sponsor two children who are the same age and gender as our own children. We have recently set a goal to write to the kids each month. My children love this part and look forward to the letters from the kids we sponsor.

We often will look at a map to find the child's country and will sometimes look up information about their countries as well. This gives us something to ask questions about later. My kids are also learning in the process, but shhhhh... don't tell them that.

We have learned that drawings and pictures of our family are important to these kids so we will be doing our best to include these things in our letters as well. Getting to know these children through their letters and prayer requests has been a blessing to our family and it can be to yours as well.

Check out Compassion's blog here and see who you might be able to help today!

She Challenged Me

She didn't come right out and challenge me, like I had did or said something wrong. But her beliefs challenged me. Why? Because they were different from my own. And while I am okay with people believing differently, it bothered me tremendously that I could not form words for my own convictions.

And why is that? The Bible says that I should be ready to give an answer for what I believe. But I couldn't. And it shocked me. And frustrated me. And pushed me. And challenged me.

So shaking off the rust and I researched and pushed and pulled and read and read some more until I was certain about what it is I believe on the matter. And now I am looking into knowing exactly why I believe other things about my faith. Do I believe it because it was told to me and that is all? No.

I believe what I believe because of what the Bible says. I believe what I believe because of experience and how the Holy Spirit leads me. I believe what I believe not because I've been told to, but because it's truth, living and active and pure.

And the next time I am challenged? Well, I hope I am prepared. But if I am not, then another lesson shall be learned I am sure.

What about you? When your faith is challenged are you ready to give an answer? And if no answer comes to mind, do you seek that answer out until you know what it is you believe and how to back it up?