1.  Still here, I promise!  Just wanted to let my readers know (in case I actually have any faithful readers out there) that I apologize for the lack of updates and here are my three reasons why it has been hard for me to write for IPF lately. 

2.  Happy Mother's Day!  I am humbled and blessed to have a very God-fearing mother in my life who made sure to give every ounce of her strength into raising my brothers and me in the ways of Christ.  She was and is a true example of a prayer warrior while also demonstrating Christ's sweet love to others.  She taught us to fear God and at the same time, she showed us that we can find comfort at His feet. 

To any woman who is a mother, to any woman who is trying to be a mother, to any woman who feels a calling to be a mother one day, to any woman who lost a mother - my prayers go out to you, especially this Sunday!

3.  Are you missing something?  I have it!!!   If you feel there is something missing from your diverse music collection, then take a moment to listen to a few samples from this prolific and engaging new artist, James Dering. You can find his amazing bio and listen to samples from his debut album "Sketches" at his website:  www.jamesdering.com/music. When you discover that this is just what you need to complete your music collection, then buy a copy of his album. Quantities are limited, so
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4. Courage To Be Christian, Part I   I've been meeting with a group of women from church for a bi-weekly Bible Study/Prayer Group.  For the last several weeks we've been focusing on a very thought-provoking and profound book called, "Courageous Virtues: A Bible Study On Moral Excellence For Women".  This book is written by Stacy Mitch who also wrote "Courageous Women" and "Courageous Love".  

This past week we discussed the chapter on the virtue of courage.  The chapter started off with a history lesson retelling the accounts of martyrs and how they literally were persecuted and killed for their faith.  "These martyred men and women bore witness to the power and authenticity of their faith by a courage that enabled them to face death and pass through it to the gates of heaven."  It continues on to say, "Fortitude -- commonly called courage -- is the virtue that has not only helped Christians become martyrs, but also has transformed sinners into saints.  The virtue of courage enables us to feel and cope with our fears of physical, spiritual, and emotional suffering so that we can do the will of God even in the face of our fears.  . . . Courage is necessary not only in the 'lion's den,' but also in the home, supermarket, and even when facing ourselves." (Mitch, 37-38)

Several questions that followed this lesson really got me thinking about why do I, or anyone else for that matter, call themselves Christian?  Do I have the courage to be Christian?  Without the courage to protect your faith, then are you really a Christian? 

In this country it seems to be in vogue to be a Christian.  I have come across many Christians who define that word "Christians" as "one who believes in Jesus."  But it is hard to endure the sufferings that come with being a Christian.  One may not be killed in this country saying he or she is a Christian, but if that person were to really and truly follow the footsteps of Christ and really have the courage to be as Christlike as possible, then it's very possible that such a person could be emotionally harmed or even physically killed for their beliefs.  

Are you a Christian by name or are you a Christian by your actions with the virtue of courage? 

For example:  Do you attend church regularly?  Are you pro-life?  Are you openly anti-abortion?  Do you pray in public? Do you read the Bible regularly?  Are you hurting your body with drugs?  Are you saving yourself for marriage? 

Allow me to say here that I am NOT condemning any one person or persons.  I'm simply sharing something that I have discovered in my own Christian journey.

Let's go back to that list of questions.  Let's take that first question for now.  I'll save some of the other hot button issues for future "Courage To Be Christian" segments.  I've heard some Christians argue that they don't see why they should demonstrate their devotion to Jesus simply by going to church on Sunday.  I've even heard this argument go as far as Christians saying God can see their hearts and He knows they love Him so it doesn't matter if any leader of the church says you should go to church, God will understand. Right? Wrong!!  It is a burden and sacrifice to get up early on Sunday and attend church and to hear the Word of God.  Most likely the message from the pulpit will be contrary to the teachings and lifestyles of the world and therefore hard to hear, tough to bear.  But this isn't a message from man.  This is a commandment from God!!  Go to church!  Yes, it's true that God sees your heart.  But what is your heart really saying when He desires that we go to church on Sunday and we refuse?  Is this the attitude of a true Christian?

If you feel compelled to call yourself a Christian, then you should also feel compelled to honor and love Christ.  This, according to His word, means to obey Him.  And if He asks you to go to church, then that's it.  A Christian goes to church. 

It's easy - too easy - to simply say "I am Christian."  But it takes courage to stand up and proclaim your Christianity through your words and it takes even more courage to demonstrate your Christianity through your actions.   Can a true Christian be pro-choice? Can a true Christian not read the Bible?  Can a true Christian hurt themselves with drugs?  Can a true Christian not save himself or herself for marriage?

There's a fear of being ostracized or ridiculed for being a true example of Christ.  The author Stacy Mitch writes, "Enduring suffering for the sake of the Cross is an important part of the Christian way of life.  It is by the virtue of courage that we face and endure suffering." (39)

If we are TRUE Christians then we should not only expect the suffering but we should desire it and want it. 

To be continued.  Feel free, in the meantime, to post any questions or comments on your thoughts of what it means to be a Christian.

5.  It's been a long time since I've had to write a term paper so I'm not sure if I have given the proper credit to Stacy Mitch's work.  Sorry for any mistakes with giving her proper credit.  :)  Don't want to pull a "Kaavya Viswanathan".  Don't know what I'm talking about?  Google her name.  You'll see. 

Thanks for reading!  God Bless!

I have tasted God's unconditional love for me.  As a Christian, I long to return that perfect love to Him and to the people in my life.  As a spouse, my husband and I work to see the beauty in each other especially in moments when all our human eyes find is the other person's flaws.  As a parent, I work to embrace my children with love even in those seemingly frequent moments when they disappoint or struggle to do good in my eyes.  As a friend, I work to accept the love given to me and to cherish it with no expectations and no limits. 

What amazes me is I am so human, so imperfect - I am a disappointment, a failure -yet God, so perfect, loves me.  He has blessed me with a loving, compassionate husband, three beautiful, smart and adoring children, and countless friends who are closer than family and a family who I can call my dear friends. 

What have I done to deserve all this?  Nothing.  I'm still indebted to my God, my Savior who SAVED me. 

Happy Valentine's Day!  I love you in the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and my one true love.  Hope you have a blessed day filled with His unconditional love!

P.S.  Of course, it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without something sweet, so here's some very sweet eye candy.