According to the numbers, here are the top ten most viewed posts on girltalk in 2012. Some of these made us laugh and some made us scratch our heads. But most of all this list makes us grateful. Grateful, and still a bit amazed, that you all would read our blog through another year. Grateful for children and photography and soup. Grateful for God’s sustaining grace.
After three kiddos- lunch on the floor instead of plates- no big deal.
As a mom with two boys I’m always eager to point them to godly men, starting with their dad, who make the lessons we teach them “come to life.” Today my brother has an article about Tim Tebow and the recent attacks on his character. A great tool for parents to use with their children (and a great example for parents too!):
Proverbs 22:1 says: “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”
This verse explains what the media doesn’t seem to get about Tim Tebow. Character is more important to Tebow than being a starting quarterback. Honoring God means more to him than having a successful season.
“Ultimately, character is more important than reputation” explains John Kitchen in his commentary on Proverbs. “You can control your character (by God’s grace), but your reputation is not always within your power.”
Wise words from Mr. Kitchen. By God’s grace Tebow has been giving attention to his character since he became a Christian. And he will need God’s grace as talking heads, fueled by anonymous sources, continue to try to claw away at his reputation.
I’m sure Tim Tebow would be the first to admit that he is not flawless. He knows he is a sinner in need of a Savior. You don’t need anonymous sources with Tebow. Just ask him straight up. But Tebow has conducted himself impressively as he has been mistreated and maligned by the Jets and by the press.
No doubt these “phony as a three-dollar bill” type attacks will continue. But as Tebow continues to walk in integrity, by the grace of God, he will prove the attacks, and not his character, to be phony.
May God give him grace to continue to display true character, only possible because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We’ve all made our New Year’s resolutions: Spend (a little) less money on shoes, organize the kitchen cabinets, dig out the exercise DVD from under the bed, check the Facebook feed fewer times per day.
But wait. Have we resolved to do the one thing that is necessary in 2013?
Donald Whitney in his book, “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” challenges us to pursue godliness and holiness: “without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).
“Our purpose in life—if we have the Holy Spirit” he says, “is godliness: you want to be like Jesus, and you want to be with Jesus.”
And there’s only one way for that to happen.
By practicing the spiritual disciplines.
By sitting at Jesus’ feet.
“Godly people are godly people primarily because they are disciplined people. And it has always been that way” insists Dr. Whitney:
“You can go all the way back through the history of the church and all the famous heroes of church history. You can be sure that all those men and women became godly men and women – not because God zapped them in some way that he hasn’t zapped you….Those great men and women of faith became more like Jesus the same way you and I do: by means of sustained, unspectacular, routine discipline. Godly people are godly people because they are disciplined people. It’s always been so.”
We want to urge you to read Dr. Whitney’s book, especially chapters 1-4,13. It will strengthen your desire and resolve to be more like Jesus and be with Jesus more often in 2013.
Let’s sit in the new year together.
