by | Life Application
this is a guest post by brian williamson of testimony and tunes.
It was one of my proudest moments as a father. I was playing Barbie’s with my youngest daughter when she asked me if I liked one of her dolls.
I said, “She’s really pretty.” She responded, “All girls are beautiful, Daddy!”
When I told her I was happy she said that, she replied, “God is proud of me.”
I pray to God that my daughters always have that attitude. In the book, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters they mention that girls who have strong relationships with their fathers have greatly reduced chances of having low self-esteem, being in abusive relationships and developing eating disorders.
Our society has done girls an incredible disservice. They airbrush photos, put makeup osn kids on television and create such unattainable images that it’s not surprising that stress levels in children are at an all-time high, especially girls.
As parents, we talk about wanting to lose weight, get implants or facelifts. As men, we watch pornography, look with lust at cheerleaders and treat women as objects.
Our church recently hosted an event called “The Hollow Project” which featured the work of Jen Morrow’s book Hollow: An Unpolished Tale.Morrow talks of her struggles with self-esteem and body image issues. The event also included the music of the band Daniels’ Window.
We need to reclaim our values and stand BOLDLY in defiance to the deception that ruins the self-images of our daughters. In doing so, we’ll be fighting for our children. That most likely will also involve looking in the mirror and getting help in dealing with our own issues.
Brian Williamson is a Christ-follower, husband, business guy and freelance writer. His focus is helping people find their way back to God through Testimony and Tunes, where everyday people share lessons learned through faith, and artists can share tunes that reflect their faith.
![Is Accountability Really Necessary?]()
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
The answer is simple: ABSOLUTELY!
King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, knew very well about the power of accountability.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
I never understood until recent years how important accountability was. First of all, I didn’t want to admit I needed help. I could handle things just fine on my own. Welcome pride. I was 330 lbs. of mess, but I was handling things just fine.
Secondly, I didn’t want people to know my secrets. The moment I became accountable to someone they would know the real me, and that just couldn’t happen. Welcome shame.
And thirdly, I couldn’t let people get inside my heart to know the real me. What if they knew too much? What if they would leave? What if they would stop loving me? Welcome fear.
Can I just say I, without a doubt, I HATE fear, shame, and pride? They are not of God!
Lysa TerKeurst tells us in Made To Crave, there are three important reasons for having accountability.
- There is help to recover from failure.
- There is comfort and companionship in adverse conditions.
- There is help in defending against attacks. (Remember, “two can stand back-to-back and conquer.”)
I don’t know about you, but I know without a doubt that I must have accountability in my life. The moment I start to think I don’t, I quickly face the
reality that Satan is trying to fill my head with lies. Recently my eating was getting out of control and I was not happy with where I was heading. Food addiction has always been one of my biggest struggles, and the last place I want to be, or ever get close to again, is the 330 lb. sad soul that I once was. One of the ways I keep myself on track, is first and foremost, going to God with my problem. Then I make sure safe people in my life know of my struggles.
This last week in the midst of my struggle, I cried with a friend. I asked for prayer from three close friends I know without a doubt I can trust. Then, I started making a food log and sending it to them. They didn’t ask me to – I just did. Whether they read it or not isn’t as important to me as someone else simply knowing what’s happening. If I have someone to be accountable to, I am going to make wiser choices. And if those choices aren’t so wise I can trust those friends to call me out on it with love.
Be accountable. I promise it’s worth it. Swallow your pride. Toss the shame aside. Get rid of the fear. Be accountable.
Do you have someone in your life you can trust and be accountable to?
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Have you met my friend Jennifer yet? If not, you’re missing out. I’ve written about her a few times. She’s got a list of talents hidden under her Texas-sized hair. Friend. Mentor. Sister. Writer. Blogger. Social Media Guru. And now she’s adding speaker to that list.
She recently spoke some great truth to the women at Coffee Conversations, a monthly women’s ministry held at Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson, Missouri.
Do you ever feel like you are not enough? Well, guess what? You’re not. The good news, however, is that is OKAY!
Sit back for the next 15 minutes and enjoy this truth from Jennifer. You’ll be glad you did.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlBC4CkvIFo]
How do you feel knowing we are not enough?
by | Life Application
Don’t you love that when God begins to change our hearts, old habits and behaviors start to dissappear? You celebrate and rejoice that the old things in you that weren’t so appealing have vanished. But then… one day that old you peeks around the corner for a minute and takes you by surprise.
Joyce Meyer recently said something that fit this well: “That old man dies and we think we got him buried, but we still drag him around in a coffin just in case we need him.”
Do we ever really get rid of the old us, or do we just bury it until we think we need him? The other day the old me popped up and frankly, I didn’t like it. I opened the wooden box, let the old man out and bam! When all was said and done, I was not impressed. As a matter of fact, I felt like a fool.
A few days later I was processing with a friend and she told me that “I hadn’t made for a nice SJ.” Those words I could handle, but when she told me I had lost my gentleness, I stopped in my tracks. My heart hurt. Working to be gentle has been a struggle throughout my life, and to know that I failed at doing so saddened me. It saddened me because my lack of gentleness hurt others.
Honestly, grace and mercy are not my strongpoints. I am a rough around the edges kinda gal, but God has turned me into a teddy bear. However, when the old man came out of the coffin, the teddy bear was gone. I’m not okay with that. I’m not okay with letting the “old man” creep up. Her words brought me back to the reality that I’m a work in progress – a constant work in progress. We all are.
But, as Joyce says, “I’m not where I need to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be.”
Have you experienced the old man coming back?
by | Life Application
Wouldn’t you agree?
I recently visited a newly built apartment complex in Branson, and was excited to take a tour. However, my excitement quickly went away.
As my mom and I walked into the lobby of the office, we stood waiting to be greeted while the young lady behind the desk glanced up quickly, then looked back at the people sitting in her office and continued to talk. Red Mark #1.
We sat on the couches waiting, and waiting some more. After the individuals left, surely you would assume we would be greeted. I am learning to never assume. From across the lobby as the Property Manager sat in her office and we sat in the hall, she shouted, “Can I help you?” She didn’t get up out of her chair; we went to her. Red Mark #2.
After my mother gave me the “calm down” look we toured the model. Impressed with the layout and all the ammenities that went along with it, I was still turned off by the initial greeting from none other than the person hired to manage and market these newly designed apartments. If I’m going to pay you almost $1000, would it kill you to greet me with a smile? Just curious.
Does customer service exist anymore?
by | Life Application
So, I want to tell you about a new ministry launching soon. It’s called LeadHer. The name itself catches your attention eh?
Here’s the mission: to encourage, educate, equip, and exemplify biblical leadership for women so they can have a stronger impact within their spheres of influence.
What’s exciting about this new ministry, which officially launches in May, is that there are some amazing Godly women involved, a few I happen to have the privilege of walking with in my faith.
Here are just a few:
Christi Love, the Executive Director/CEO of LeadHer, and time management expert. Christie was a guest on the Living Truth Radio Show, where she shared her time management expertise with us.
Jennifer White, who serves on the marketing team for a Christian publishing company, comes on board as a speaker and writer. I’m thrilled beyond words how God will use her to impact the lives of others. She is a picture of God’s grace to all who meet her. I recently blogged about God’s love shining through her here.
Lyn Smith, Bible teacher, speaker, writer, and co-host of our Living Truth show, will be speaking and writing about God’s truth as well. It’s gonna be exciting!
The list doesn’t stop there. Visit the LeadHer Facebook page for more information and updates on what’s happening in this unique ministry.
It was one of my proudest moments as a father. I was playing Barbie’s with my youngest daughter when she asked me if I liked one of her dolls.
