Some thoughts...

I would like to share my heart if I may. I am deeply saddened by our world today. It breaks my heart to see how much we have allowed sin to become apart of our culture and world...and how accepted it has become. I feel that God has called me to be different. He has opened my eyes to the world as He sees it. He is showing me how slowly our world is allowing sin to be acceptable, even in the Christian world. We fill our minds with tv, books, movies, music, and the Internet that portray sin as acceptable and even "cool", and yet struggle to find time to spend reading God's Word. I am saddened by how girls and ladies dress in order to be "trendy". How bikinis, low cut tops, short skirts and shorts, and all around tight clothing have become the norm. I am saddened at how we are trying to turn our little children into "mini teenagers" by how we dress them and allow them to act. I am saddened by how in effort to "bring the world in" we are becoming more like "the world". I am saddened by how much the world has turned from God, that I fear for my children all the evil this world has to offer. I hurt for people that are so blinded by their sin and they don't see it for what it is. As Christians, we are to be set apart and seek the high standards of living that God desires for our lives. We are to desire to grow in Him daily and to teach our children about His love, grace, hope, mercy, etc. Yet, we spend our days busying ourselves with worldly things and worrying so much about how we look to others, that we forget that God's opinion of us is the only one that counts.
When I said earlier that God has called me to be different, I want you to know that this is a life process. I struggle daily with pride and envy of others. I worry about things before I remember to give it to God. He is molding me into the person He wants me to be, but I can guarantee that I have a lot of work still to be done. I do not write this to condemn, but to share God's Truth. He has laid it on my heart to share this with my friends, and all that I can do is obey...not judge. I know that this world is full of sin, because Satan is very present. But as Christians, God does not want us to forget about the details of our lives. He wants us to live for Him, not this world. I pray that God can purify your heart as He is desiring to do with mine. I love you my friends.

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
Philippians 4:8 (Life Application Study Bible)
"Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." 1 Timothy 6:11
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139; 23-24