"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Thy wonders." Psalm 9:1
This week I am thankful that thru seeking the Lord more in my daily life and striving to walk closer with Him that I have grown as a Christian and in my relationship with the Lord.
This morning on my way to work I was listening to my Philips, Craig, and Dean Greatest Hits CD. One of the songs on this CD is "I Am Proud to be a Christian". I have always liked this song.... it is upbeat, fun, and always gets me moving. However, this morning I really focused on the words and their meaning. I played it over several times really listening and examining myself. Am I really proud to be a Christian? Am I willing to tell others how proud I am to be a Christian
The answer was Yes, I am proud and Yes, I am willing to share with others. No, I will never be a person that just shouts it out loudly or sings it from the mountaintops.... that just isn't my personality. But, I am willing to talk about my beliefs with friends and acquaintances. I am willing to talk about attending church and activities I am involved in there. I am willing to share with others what the Lord can do in their lives.
About 10 years ago, I'm afraid I couldn't answer this question quite as easily. While I was very active in church and sought a relationship with God, I would not readily admit that I was active in church around non-believers. I would never deny it, but I didn't offer it up either. I remember many times sitting at work and listening to others discuss weekend activities. I would always join in with what I was doing, but would leave out the part about attending church on Sunday morning and any other church related activities for the weekend. I worried too much about what they would think or if they would challenge my beliefs.
Since that time I have learned so much about trusting God in these situations and understanding that I must be willing to share in order to be the Christian that God would have me to be. I have learned that the reason we were placed on this earth was to be living testimonies for God and to be witnesses to all around us.
So, this week I am so thankful that God has given me strength, courage, and understanding that allows me to willingly discuss Him and all that I do for Him. I thank Him that He has guided me in my growth so that I am ready, willing and waiting to "...tell of all Thy wonders."
This week I am thankful that thru seeking the Lord more in my daily life and striving to walk closer with Him that I have grown as a Christian and in my relationship with the Lord.
This morning on my way to work I was listening to my Philips, Craig, and Dean Greatest Hits CD. One of the songs on this CD is "I Am Proud to be a Christian". I have always liked this song.... it is upbeat, fun, and always gets me moving. However, this morning I really focused on the words and their meaning. I played it over several times really listening and examining myself. Am I really proud to be a Christian? Am I willing to tell others how proud I am to be a Christian
The answer was Yes, I am proud and Yes, I am willing to share with others. No, I will never be a person that just shouts it out loudly or sings it from the mountaintops.... that just isn't my personality. But, I am willing to talk about my beliefs with friends and acquaintances. I am willing to talk about attending church and activities I am involved in there. I am willing to share with others what the Lord can do in their lives.
About 10 years ago, I'm afraid I couldn't answer this question quite as easily. While I was very active in church and sought a relationship with God, I would not readily admit that I was active in church around non-believers. I would never deny it, but I didn't offer it up either. I remember many times sitting at work and listening to others discuss weekend activities. I would always join in with what I was doing, but would leave out the part about attending church on Sunday morning and any other church related activities for the weekend. I worried too much about what they would think or if they would challenge my beliefs.
Since that time I have learned so much about trusting God in these situations and understanding that I must be willing to share in order to be the Christian that God would have me to be. I have learned that the reason we were placed on this earth was to be living testimonies for God and to be witnesses to all around us.
So, this week I am so thankful that God has given me strength, courage, and understanding that allows me to willingly discuss Him and all that I do for Him. I thank Him that He has guided me in my growth so that I am ready, willing and waiting to "...tell of all Thy wonders."
30 Thoughts Shared:
Melanie,
Yes, I am proud and Yes, I am willing to share with others. I know exactly how you felt. I wish I had been bold when in High School. Great post. Happy TT to you.
Such an honest, sweet post.
Great post,I like your honesty and your testimony thanks for sharing. Isn't is great to show and share Gods love with others and not be a shamed of it.
That's a great testimony, that God has given you pride!
Hey Melanie,
This was great! I'm so blessed you took that time to really listen to those lyrics and see how far God has brought you over the years.
Isn't He wonderful? I'm so blessed He's been patient with me. I'm learning to be more bold too.
Blessings♥
I was the same way in high school. I just didn't talk about going to church. I like you never denied it ....just didn't bring it up. I am so glad that God has brought us through that time.
Thanks for sharing!
Let's keep pressing on!!
Thank you, Melanie for your boldness. For driving your stake in the ground and saying, "Yes, I'm PROUD to be a Christian!" It's so unpolitically correct today here in America. May you continue with great boldness to proclaim our Savior.
Have a blessed weekend.
Melanie,
Thank God for guiding you and enabling you to grow in Him. May you continue to be a living testimony of His grace that the people around you may seek to know our Lord Jesus Christ too.
Thanks for all your encouragements! Blessed Thankful Thursday.
Nancie
I love your first point and am reminded that I should be aiming for that to be on my list EVERY week.
Girl...
I'm with you..I've been where you were as well...
It took some doing and some stepping out of the boat!
I'm a work in progress...but daily...girl, daily I move toward HIM....
(I'm with you....the photoshop is about killing me...I need 2 weeks to just figure it out...so I figure by about 92 I should be good to go!!:))
lori
I just love hearing your heart. I love how real and transparent you are. The Lord does give us more of Himself when we seek Him!
God bless your honesty and sincerity. I love reading how you've matured in Christ.
Great post.
Those moments of revelation are Godsent. It is a symptom of our times that people who believe in GOd should be hiding their faith. When I had turned my back on Christ I wasn't ashamed to speak up about paganism or buddhism, but for being Christian, I was ashamed when people were looking at my cross pendant and had to take it off.
With God's mercy, I feel different now,and I am grateful that God is taking care of His lost sheep.
God bless you.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us. I remember, years ago, I had a dear and older friend who was like a mentor to me. Whenever we went out for lunch, she would pray. I was a little uncomfortable. Now, it is so natural for me to do this that I don't think about it.
Blessings,
Mama Bear
Great post! Thank you for sharing how God has worked in your life over the last year.
what a great reminder. I too have grown in my ability to just talk about my faith and His impact in my life.
Great post! God has often used music, specifically lyrics to challenge and speak to my heart. Isn't it awesome how the more you talk about the Lord, the more comfortable and natural it comes?
Blessings,
Tracy
Thanks for sharing your thankful heart. Have a nice day and happy TT! TC
Mine is here
I am sort of a quiet person and am learning to be more bold for the Lord too. Thank you for this TT post.
Gina @ Gina's Public Diary
I'm happy for you; it is my sincere desire to grow as a Christian. I am proud of being a child of God, but I'm shy so I pray for courage to speak about His love wherever, whenever.
sharon
http://thereservoir.wordpress.com/
Yes, MELANIE and what an aMazing and excellent post of an AWESOME THANKFULNESS & GREAT GROWTH in your WALK. You have truly delighted the Lord in making this profession of your FAITH in HIM here and with others. You are commended for stepping out of your comfort zone and being not ashamed.
I was BOLD in High School and now find myself wishing I could be that way as easily because when I went home last summer & attended my HS Reunion, many are non-believers and not walking with God!
My heart ached! Gotta go listen for that favorite song of yours!
KEEP TELLING of ALL HIS WONDERS and how HE has BLESSED YOU! Peggy
Melanie: I used to have a hard time freely sharing I was a Christian. I think part of growing in the faith is being totally comfortable in your "faith" skin. It's evident that Jesus is at work in your heart, just look how far you have come. Now that I'm married to a pastor, people figure it out pretty quick. Sometimes it opens doors, others get slammed. God's in it all.
Thanks for your kind comment on my blog! I feel like you and I have a unique friendship since both of our children had eye surgery. While I know it could be something so much worse, that was a scary time last week. I wasn't prepared for how red his eyes would be after the surgery. Were your daughter's that way? When I took him back last week, the other kids were afraid of him!! We go back tomorrow for another check. God's hand has been in this. One way I know is that he used you to comfort me right before surgery. Stay tuned...I might need that again!!
Have a wonderful weekend friend!! You deserve it!!
You are always a pleasure to visit, on your blog that is. Thanks for you post and so much truth.Blessings to you
Great post Melanie! Yes I am proud also. We need to let our light shine! Happy TT
WOW Melanie, this is such a great TT post! I love that you even gave God the credit for the fact that you are not ashamed. Without Him and His power we are powerless to even be in relationship with Him!!
Have a great weekend and thanks for the blessing of your words today!
Melanie,
That is awesome Melanie. I think I was the same way then. Maybe from immaturity? But, also now I have a stronger desire to "be like the Lord."
Thanks for the kind words. And, please remember Jan and our family.
Blessings!
Cheryl
I love PHillips Craig and Dean! Ihad several of their CD's and when April was a senior---she took my CD case to school (left it in her car) and it was kidnapped. The whole case! What the napper got was a case full of Christian music that "MAYBE" turned his/her life around! ANYWAY, slowly building my collection of music back and I did get me another PC&D!
This was a goooood---vibrant---cheery post! Very encouraged!!!
You are always such a blessing to me Melanie!
Oh Yes Melanie I can relate. I have struggled with this on and off for years. I thought I was at a good place with sharing my faith, until I started my current job this school year. But it has been a good growing experience. Thanks for sharing your heart on the matter. I can relate. :)
Sandy @ Jesus and Dark Chocolate
What a great post, thanks for sharing for your heart...
I know in my life as I have grown closer to the Lord and am more consumed with Him rather than with earthly things, it seems that it just comes naturally to talk of the Lord and what He is doing in my life.
But sometimes that pride thing or fear of man creeps in and I am quiet when I should talk, and then I always feel like I missed an opportunity to brag on my God.
Have a great weekend!
I love your honest heart in this post. Yes, sometimes we are afraid of what others might think about our involvement in church and our beliefs. But God will always give us the right words to speak and when we need to be quiet.
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this past week.
Blessings to you and yours...
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