It is so funny to me that this is the topic At the Well.
Do you find yourself taking part in godless living and sinful pleasures?
If so....What steps are you going to take to gain strength in wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God?
I was planning on doing a post about something Brian and I were convicted of, but who is all that excited to write a post about our sin?
A couple of years ago during the summer, we started watching reruns of a network TV show. (I don't think we really watch any network shows, mostly things like Food Network and TLC.) It wasn't the cleanest, actually, it was pretty bad, but we (I) got sucked in. When the new season started, we began watching it. We knew it didn't feel right, but continued none the less, mostly because of me.
Well, at the same time it was getting even raunchier, I read a devotional about the ermine. Are you familiar with the ermine? It is apparently a pure white coated animal that does all it can to keep pure and clean. Hunters trick it by 'muddying up' its home while it is out and then unleash the dogs to chase it. When it returns home and sees all the filth, it chooses to die rather than risk its purity. (OUCH!)
Yes, the devotional goes on to say how the act of the ermine condemns us. We are made in the image and likeness of God, with minds and immortal spirits; yet, how often, in order to obtain something we desire, our character is sacrificed on the alters of worldly pleasure, greed, selfishness!
Keep thyself pure!
We were convicted and I must say it was hard to not watch it. My flesh was really battling me on this, but we held each other accountable and didn't watch anymore.
This summer comes around, what do we do? We start watching, again, at my lead. So it was with great anticipation that we started watching the new season. We only got one show in though, and I read that same dad-blasted devotional again! The really bad thing is, I recognized it and tried not to read it knowing what it would mean. Can you believe that???!!! The long and the short of it is we repented and refuse to watch it. We are so thankful for His mercy for giving us another chance to obey.
Keep thyself pure!
Every thought, every word, every deed, even the motive behind the deed--all, ermine-pure.
I do believe accountability is very crucial.
BTW, my husband wanted me to add that he was very convicted of being 'Adam' as Eve offered the forbidden fruit. He recognizes that as the leader of the home he should have put his foot down and not let us watch it.
(psst, aren't I blessed?)
9 comments:
That was an AWESOME post. What a great reminder and encouragement. I didn't know that about ermines.
SO TRUE! What a blessing your honesty is to my own heart! It's easy in the "blog-world" to keep our distance and just portray ourselves as we want to without getting REAL. We all struggle with those besetting sins and the Lord is SO incredibly gracious and tender with us, isn't He? He knows we are but DUST! But as Romans 6 teaches us we are not to continue in sin or live in sin...easy to say but hard to do. HE IS ABLE to do in us what we are unable to do in ourselves...what a GREAT GOD we serve! Thanks for the encouraging post Michelle!
Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Camille
Thank you for sharing such an honest and convicting post. Thank you for identifying conviction and pointing out God's mercy and a new resolve to purity!
This is an aside question, but do any of you know much about hard anodized cookware? Is it safe or as bad as Teflon?
Great post! I love the comment your husband made at the end. Just last night I was watching a movie that I got from Netflix that looked harmless enough. It was a really stupid story, but I just kept thinking it would get better and towards the end it got a little raunchy. After I watched it, I was so mad at myself for wasting my time with stupid trash. I should have just turned it off!
Hi Connie, I did some research and couldn't find a ton of info, but I did find this link that might help.
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/01/safe-cookware-for-your-family.html
I personally have a hard time considering anything but stainless steel and cast iron, because I just don't know what chemicals they say are safe today only to find our tomorrow they are not. If someone gave me a pan I might use it, but I would have to think long and hard to purchase. This of course is just my opinion, I don't know all the ins and outs. Hope that helps. One thing I did read is that to make sure that it is not a non-stick hard anodized cookware, as the non-stick might have chemicals. I think Calphalon makes both a non-stick hard anodized and one that is not non-stick.
Hope that helps.
Connie, here is one more link from somebody I respect.
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/safe-cookware/
Thanks so much Michelle. Congrats on 100 followers! You are an encouragement to many.
Good Stuff Michelle! I experienced the same conviction. About 3.5 yrs ago I was alone, very comfortable with pillow and blankie on my sofa and I had put in this movie. It was a good movie had only 1-2 bad words and they were not the worse of the bad so that made it ok, ;0) : the blind massage therapist and the young lady met and withing just a few days they were intimate...now it was not anything visual, only kissing, and no nudity...but the scene touch the imagination and we finished the act within our own mind...and I was watching them gently cascade down to the bed...when the LORD spoke to me...the act that they are doing is it wrong? Of course I said, Yes Sir, he said to me, did my son died for this very sin to set me free? I said Yes Sir, then he said ' WHY DO YOU USE THAT WHICH MY SON DIED FOR ENTERTAINMENT ' ? OUCH....I did not have an answer other than repentance and I got up and took the movie out and immediately went through all of my videos to discard...I found I had lots of space left....sold them in a garage sale...$66.00 worth! Now when I watch anything this thought remains in my mind....
Enjoyed your blog so much this morning Michelle...and even got a good giggle out of "Adam" poor ole Adam....still putting the blame on someone else....! ;0)
God bless you and your family....I love visiting your blog...it is always encouraging and so "down to my life". Be blessed Adam and Eve ...! ;0) big hugs
Post a Comment