How many times do we reserve God for Sundays, only taking him out of His of box (which we made especially for Him, btw) at church. We wear our “Sunday Goodness” like a badge of honor to impress Rev. James, his wife, and all the members we come across along the way. Then, as easily as we got Him out, we put Him right back in and live as if we are ashamed of Him or have no recollection of our relationship with Him the other six days of the week.
Holy Crap. That is what it is. Holy Crap.
Or we put on a face of religious rituals, thinking that we must be able to get into heaven because after all, we did X and we did it well, ignoring the part of the bible that says “No one comes to the father except thru Me”
Holy Crap.
How many of your friends, in your weekly life, could you tell that you are sold out to Jesus, heart and soul. How many would be shocked if they knew that you were a Christian? Or, more direct, how many of your friends are Believers themselves? How many of your week day friends would die of laughter at the way you “put on the show” every Sunday morning?
Lets take that a step farther. What do you think it does to the heart of God?
God is not a puppet. He is not a lucky charm, or a “just in case” memento. He wants demands all of our hearts. Not just the parts that we deem Him worthy to have, not just the parts that we want to show Him, but every.single.aspect. of our hearts and lives. How can you deny Him access to your pain when He is already right in the middle of it. He is just waiting for you to, ya know, ask Him for help.
He knows that you have a depression problem. He knows that you can’t stand your body. He knows that you have anorexia/bulimia. He knows that you cut yourself to just feel something. He knows that you had an affair. Whatever it is….
He knows.
How can we think that the God that created the universe is oblivious to our hearts problems. And how can we deny him access to those situations which he already knows about? That is like trying to ignore the big elephant in an elevator. No matter where you turn, the elephant is still there, still present, still out of place.
Jesus wants to help put your life back together again. He longs to.
Stop hiding behind the “Holy Crap” and come experience the goodness that God has in store for you. Ill let you in on a little secret that I have come to realize over and over again. Life is not fair. But despite its unfairness, it can be marvelously wonderful. It can be so much more for you than what it is.
It holds so much more than “Holy Crap”.
So Much More….
Awesome. Exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks, Heather.
So true.
Heather,
I know exactly what you are saying… we have had a hard time finding a church since we moved to PA (4 years ago) because it is really hard to find a place where the theology and the reality meet. Most times we find it is just a big social gathering, no meat, no substance. I find we do better just being “church” at home.
You are on my mind and in my prayers, a lot.
Angie
A beautiful post. Thank you for writing it.
You remain in my prayers.
Excellent post and I’m so passionate about what you wrote myself.
I enjoyed my time at the WOF Conference, and perhaps I am just in a different place right now, but I was looking for more conviction. I wish you would have been one of the speakers as I just know you would have brought the house down and we would have felt God’s presence even more. God is working mightily within you, Heather. Write that book!
Very well said – gave me goosebumps!
This was a great post, Heather.
I hope you’re feeling well today.
Heather, God is using you mightily. This is some good stuff. I hope you have a blessed Sunday.
Great post Heather and something we all need to be reminded of! We need not only be reminded, but we need to be broken over it and then act!
AMEN!!!
this was really a great post. Thank you! Exactly what I needed to hear~
Wowsers. So good, I’m just speechless.
I love how you just say it like it is. I needed that!
Heather thanks for bring this up. I was just talking to someone who is on show all the time. I to was wondering how she can do this when God is so wonderful and with us all the time. As you said the *holy crap* Its Sunday so she will get dressed up in her best garb and head to church. Then she will walk out the door and forget what was talked about.
Your right He Knows all. He knows without us having to think or open our mouths. He is there for us always.
Your right *Life is so unfair*, But then without some of our experiences and lessons we have learned. Would we have that experience of knowing God is right there for use every second of our lives?
Faith is awesome it grows and grows. Thanks for sharing Heather.
Lifting you up in prayer..Kerry
It is true that God knows everything. Sometimes, it freaks me out a little. Even when I’m lying to myself (like saying I skipped church just this morning because I didn’t really feel well enough to go), He knows the truth (that I’m embarrassed to blow my nose in public). That’s silliness, I know, but He KNOWS everything that’s in my heart and mind–even when I think I don’t know. There’s comfort in that.
Amen! What a great post Heather!
Hugs!
Kat
The clarity with which the brevity of life allows you see is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing, Heather. Praying for you today.
Great post!! Wonderfully said and received! Prayers are with you always!
Uhmmm..WOW! You reiterated what dh preached this morning and restated what I needed to hear both times! Might I have your permission to reprint this post in its entirety on my blog? Wow….that just cut right to the heart of the matter, didn’t it?
Love you girl!
My pastor just talked about this yesterday… about how there are so many “believers” in Jesus and so few “disciples” of Jesus, how so many claim His teachings but don’t actually follow the Jesus way… very powerful and convicting.
Thank you for these sometimes hard to hear words. I sometimes forget that HE KNOWS. I have read your blog off and on, but never commented. I heard of you from Boomama and have been trying to follow your story. Thanks for your honesty.
This post really spoke to me, Heather. Thank you. It’s easy to shy away from matters of faith when you put on your “work hat” or your “out with friends” hat. But God’s there no matter what and we shouldn’t be afraid to share His love with others.
Amen sister! Amen! You’re in my thoughts and prayers! As well as praying that I don’t get caught in Holy Crap!
Preach it sister!! I love it! Thank you for speaking truth and honesty…..which could be spoken of any of us at any given week….its convicting…as it should be.
And, I thank you!!
I pray you have a wonderful week Heather.
I pray for you so many times during the week.
You bless me always~
Fran
Very well said Heather.
and who doesn’t need this reminder?
blessings,
k
What bothers me are the people who live their lives without reverence during the week, assuming that He will forgive them no matter how much they sin. They “turn it over to him” and take no responsibility for their own choices or behavior. I keep thinking, God helps those who help themselves, and although we have free will, we should always be thinking of Him and what he would think of our actions. We have become spoiled little children, throwing tantrums and getting away with murder (sometimes literally), because we know Dad loves us and will always forgive us. We should set a good example, and be respectful, and of course celebrate our relationship with Him.
Hey Sistah!!! (((( HUgz)))) I have to admit when I first saw the titile of your post I was taken back a lil. lol, But girlfriend let me tell you that was the best Sunday sermon for me this sunday since I couldn’t make it to church.. That was meat for the soul..okay in my case since I am hungry the most expensive steak dinner.. lol you always make my heart
*smile*. you go girl~~~ Hugz Joy
Preach it, Sister!!!! I love powerful posts like this! I prayed right in the middle of it. Thanks for the encouragement.
Amen!
And thank you!
“He knows that you have a depression problem. He knows that you can’t stand your body. He knows that you have anorexia/bulimia. He knows that you cut yourself to just feel something. He knows that you had an affair. Whatever it is….”
Thank you so much for sharing this post Heather. The last two years of my life I have dealt with a lot of issues like this. Dh and I hit rock bottom on Saturday, and through the miracle of prayer, I think we’re going to be able to recover. It will be a long process, but I believe we’ll be okay in the end. I think one day we will be able to look back on this as the turning point.
Amen….just stumbled across your website….wonderful!!
AMEN!!!!
AMEN! That is absolutely true, wonderful and so well-said. Thank you!
Wow! What an excellent post… girl, you can preach!!!
Amen!
Heather-
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! Beautifully written! I have learned many lessons from my journey through cancer and one was to “keep God out of the box” everyday and let Him guide and direct my life. He doesn’t need my help.
Love you and always praying,
Shari
Amen, Heather, we all sin and fall short, praying that this post touches many hearts for God.
How are you feeling during this chemo session, continuing to feel better?
Hugs ‘N Prayers,
Norma
So. Very. True. Again, I am blessed by you.
Excellent exhortation! Preach it girl!
I am so glad my church allows human beings like me — the IMPERFECT Christian who needs to hear the word, who does not expect perfect of anyone including the pastor and his family….
I don’t understand a lot of people, how they behave or anything else… But God does. He knows their hearts and my job is to encourage them and pray for them to grow in love and knowledge of who our Savior is.
Excellent and you are in my prayers!
This is a fabulous post – it speaks to all of us. Well put – God is smiling . . .
Just catching up on your blog…WOW! What a post and message!! The best! I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for putting it so well for all of us.
You must be feeling pretty well or it was the Holy Spirit that wrote that posting. My prayers continue for you.
Thank you for this. Powerful. And real. You should be writing a book!
What a powerful post, Heather!
Well said Heather, moving along as well towards the goal.
Thanks for the reminders.
Praying for you,
Amen sister!!