The Testimony of A Liar

This is not my testimony... but one I made up ;) the sole purpose of this is to show two things:

1. Testimonies aren't always true nor worthy of sympathy -  the sort of sympathy that makes you consider changing your views.

2. You have to be very careful when people use verses to back up their claims. Because more likely than not, they may be using this verse to fit their testimony instead of molding their life to fit God's word.

Also, I hope you may find many opportunities to laugh in this. :D After reading the article check out the following verses: Proverbs 12:22, John 8:44, Exodus 23:1, and Colossians 3:9.

Originally posted here. 

Growing up was very hard for me, because I was living a lie - not who I was at heart, a liar. 

 I had a decent family, yes. I even grew up in a great church family, and was saved at an early age. If it wasn't for my faith in God I don't know how I could have lived through my childhood. Because even though my family and church was great they were more of legalistic judgers rather than lovers.

 Lying is just who I am...even back when I was a small child. 

I crave and need the attention I receive from my lies. 

But people, mostly adults including my parents, would not accept this from me. They said I was being naughty. Childish. 

 They said it wasn't right. That God forbade lying.

 I was devastated that I could be so evil. I tried so hard to stop lying - but it was a part of my nature - 

I was born to lie. 

 I felt so terrible during the last few years of my childhood, and even during my teens. I tried hard to conform to what my family and peers wanted. But sometimes my true self would slip out. I would question my place in life. 

Why did God create such a person as I? Why would he put a nature in me that was one He hated? On top of doubting my own worth I began to even doubt God's existence and love. 

 It was after I had left home. Living on my own hasn't changed anything. Others still judged me.  I always felt so broken and alone. 

Belittled and abandoned. People would spread falsehoods about my lying. 

 One day I could take it no more. I closed my door to the world, sat myself down and took only my Bible. "Father," I cried. "I am tired of living this life you have forced upon me. Why should I be this way if it's wrong? Show me what to do - or end my life." 

 Immediately I opened my bible to the ten commandments. It was because of these commandments, people told me, my life was condemned. 

 My eyes at once saw Exodus 20:16. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." But I did not feel ugly. I never felt ugly when reading scripture, because God does not use it to judge us, but guide us. On top of that, for the first time I read this verse with sincerity. 

Wow. I had never before seen this. It does not say "Thou shalt not lie"....but that "Thou shalt not TELL LIES ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS TO HARM THEM." 

 And even though my nature is a lying nature I have never said something untrue to hurt someone. Never. You have no idea how fulfilled this verse made me feel. 

I started looking up other verses, and all seemed to be calling out to me to embrace the person God had created me to be - a Liar. 

 It was hard at first to show others who God wanted me to be, and even though God is with me, certain individuals still aren't. But this being hard has proved to me even more that lying is right for me - for nothing easy can be right or satisfying. 

 Almost as much as I love living out who I am I love sharing my testimony. The only thing that saddens me is when people don't believe it. But what encourages me more then that is God knows that it is true. 

 And so I live happy and free! 

  ~ The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Encouragement

Alright, well first off apologies for not getting this posted earlier today. Things have been quite out of control over in my little corner of the world. I've been studying for my second round with the SAT and I've been over all stressed about my scores and how they will effect my scholarships. It seems like every time that much needed money comes into view and then all of a sudden another mountain rises up out of nowhere to cut me off. This past week I realized that this constant battle between what I need, what I have, and what I want was pulling me away from God. Then I realized that I'd become so stressed that I'd failed to even rely on God. There was a reason I wasn't getting anywhere. I had been so focused on me getting things right, so focused on me getting ahead, so focused on my own strength that I'd completely pushed aside the power of Jesus. Obviously realizing this was a good thing, but it also made me feel even worse about myself. I'd wasted time, I'd been foolish thinking this was something I could do on my own. In my eyes I'd already failed and let everyone down. Of course this was silly. Jesus, wasn't mad, he wasn't standing there shouting at me for being so stubborn. No, that was all me. He was patiently waiting, ready to give me the strength I so desperately needed. Since then I've been making it a priority everyday to put aside the math books, the vocabulary flash cards, and practice tests to spend some much needed time in the Word. Some verses spoke specifically to me these past few days, encouraging me, and renewing me. I want to share some of those verses with you.

Matthew 6:31-34

 "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

Isaiah 41:9-11 

"I took you from the ends of the earth

from its farthest corners I called you

I said, ‘You are my servant’;

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;  

will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

All who rage against you

will surely be ashamed and disgraced;

those who oppose you

will be as nothing and perish."

James 1:3-9

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."

Timothy 1:6-7 

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."


I pray these verses that speak of worry, fear, patience, and love are as encouraging to you as they were to me. Prayers for myself would be much appreciated as well. I'll be taking my SAT test next Saturday and Lord willing my score will be high enough to

get me a wonderful scholarship. Until then all I can do is place my trust and hope in His hands.

 

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Hello everyone, let me first say how excited I am to be writing for A Pinch of Classy.  I’m Sierra Kay (or just Sierra if you wish) and I am the seventeen-year-old homeschooled daughter of a pastor, eldest of three girls, an avid reader of classics, aspiring author, amateur musician, and an addicted horseback rider. Well, that just about sums me up in one long run on sentence. 

                                           

Since this is my first post I want to go ahead and talk about modesty. I don’t want to talk about what modesty is, but instead why we find modesty to be so important. Just what is this ‘why’ about?  That’s exactly what I’m going to tell you.    

   With each new generation modesty seems to become even more and more rare.  I've even found that the older I get the more people question my choices of dress, friends, and actions. They always seem to be asking me why. 

“Why, do you dress like that?”…”do your parents make you?”…”why don’t you act like other teens?”…”are you some kind of religious nut?”…and on it goes. You’ve all been there right? If not, one day you probably will be.  

See, in our day and age modestly sticks out among the low cut shirts, short dresses, and sagging pants. People seem to take notice of the girls who wear tasteful clothing. Clothing that doesn't seem to show every inch of their body as possible. They take notice of the clean cut boys who understand what a belt was originally designed for. Our actions are often compared to the majority of teens in America who party and spend their time involved in endless high school drama. Now, some of people will look at these young adults who aren't conforming to the world and think ‘these are respectful, conservative, trust worth kids’ whereas others will look and say ‘how old fashioned and backwards!’  

  Now you might be asking where this is all going. What does this have to do with the ‘why’? 

You see, because of the fact that modesty in dress, actions, and words have become so rare in America they’re noticed more than immodesty.  Sad isn't it? However, this can be used as a way to reach people. Others are curious about why we don’t just go with the flow.  This is the reason we should ask ourselves why. Is it only because its what our parents say is right? This isn't a bad thing of course.  I’m thankful every day that my parents have set high standards for me in all aspects of life.  Is modesty only important because your pastor, religion, or Christianity says so? Once again this isn't a bad thing. Christians should challenge others to me modest.  But should either of these be your foundation for modesty?  If you think the answer is no then good thinking!

Your ‘why’ should be that you are a beloved daughter or son of the King of Kings! Jesus Christ died and shed his blood on the cross for our sins.  So shouldn't we strive to honor and glorify Him in everything that we do? 

In John 14:15 it says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” 

Isn't modesty a commandment? 

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” –I Timothy 2:9 

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” –I Corinthians 6: 19-20 

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” – I Peter 3: 3-4 

These are all verses which talk about Jesus Christ being your ‘why’.  As daughters of the King we are supposed to be a mirror image.  In Christ Jesus we are made a new man.  So should you only be modest to please others or to praise the God who has fearfully and wonderfully made you? Ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly. That way the next time someone asks you the ‘why’ question you will have an answer that will show them the awesome power of Jesus.
 

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”  - Psalms 139:14

 

A Story of True Beauty

Sherry went to high school during the ‘70s in Artesia, New Mexico. She wasn’t an overly pretty girl. She wasn’t ugly; she just didn’t fit the world’s idea of beautiful. She had freckles, a round face, and while Sherry wasn’t fat, she was big boned. She had a stocky, more masculine looking figure. Over all, Sherry was just kind of plain and ordinary.

You might say, “Well, she must not have been very popular!” But this was hardly the case. You see Sherry may not have been the prettiest girl on the block, but she was vivacious! She was fun! The guys like her; the girls liked her. She had her share of dates though high school. The reason was as simple as brownies and ice cream! Sherry chose to be beautiful on the inside. She kept herself clean and neat, but she didn’t make her outward appearance her main focus. She didn’t spend hours in front of the mirror trying to find just the right outfit to make her look slender; she didn’t hide her freckles under layers of foundation, or spend all her allowance on hair products. She simply decided she was going to be happy with the way Yahweh had made her, and see that she was as pretty as she could be on the inside.

Sherry had a classmate named Vicki. Vicki was a cheerleader. She had a clear complexion, beautiful blond hair, and a super model figure. She had everything: guys, friends, attention; you name it, she had it. Don’t think that because of this Vicki was a snob, she wasn’t. She was a nice girl, people liked to be around her, but her beauty was earthly. She didn’t realize that she needed more than just good looks to get through life. She didn’t know that her own choices would decide if she was popular or not, regardless of whether she looked flawless or if she was fat and had pimples on her face.

Let’s fast forward a few years. My dad, the person who told me this story had gone away to college, met and married another beautiful woman and later moved back to Artesia. One day he walked into a laundromat to see a young woman, grown old before her time doing laundry for several small children. Her name was Vicki. He remarked to me that this woman who had once been one of, if not the prettiest and most popular girl in school was now simply ugly.

Vicki had loved a good looking, popular football player who also seemed to have everything. Not long into their marriage she found that not only was he lazy and irresponsible, but he was violent and dangerous. Finally he had left her for another woman and she was now trying to provide for her 3 young children alone. She had chosen to focus on outward beauty instead of cultivating inward beauty and growing in wisdom. Her choices continue to effect her today.

Later he was shopping in another store when a gorgeous brunette walked in the door! It seemed like the whole place lit up the moment she entered! Sherry had grown more and more beautiful as she got older because she made the right choice.

After chatting with her, my dad found that she also had married. Her husband was not as popular as Vicki’s; he was an ordinary, hardworking, farmer’s son. My Dad had never met this man, but he could plainly see that Sherry was happily married to someone who must have been, and still is a wonderful man!

 

This is a true story and one that happens all the time. May we be like Sherry and seek the true beauty that comes from serving Yeshua!

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."-1 Peter 3:3-4