Holly's latest piece is now on Kyria.com:
Who Am I? I Forgot ...
When we let important stuff slide, our true identity slips away.
(If you're not able to access this, email me at contacthnt@gmail.com.)
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Power of Positive Spanking
I haven't posted on my personal blog for a couple months, and (thankfully, I guess) a few folks took notice, asking, "No bloggy? What gives?"
For starters, the magazine I regularly blogged for (Today's Christian Woman) folded a couple months ago. But I'd be lying if I said that's why I haven't written anything lately.
I'm also finishing up a master's degree in Christian Apologetics--I'm set to graduate next May. But I'd also be lying if I said that's why I haven't written.
In truth, the well has been dry. And not because I didn't want to write.
My Source had cut me off.
For the past few months, I've been focused on everything except God. I still knew I loved God, but my identity in Christ had gotten mushed down beneath the busy work of everyday life. Every prayer was beginning with the phrase, "I'm sorry I haven't spent time with you, God." And ending with the words, "I'm going to make time for you, real soon. Just not right now."
I do believe God takes away a person's ministry if they're not focused on him. (After all, if you're gonna be in the position of telling other people about God, you've got to be dedicated to knowing him yourself, right?) I've seen God give me a "time out," time and time again. And I've seen God do this to other folks.
I knew I was being disciplined, and that I should recognize. But frankly, I wanted to be naughty. I was enjoying a period of having every thought in my head be about ME. I was focused on the things I thought I wanted to accomplish. Thinking about how to make the future a happy one for myself. And patting myself on the back for what I've done in the past. In short, I'd mentally made myself the center of the world.
Fortunately, my Father is willing to dish out some tough love. He sent some folks to spiritually smack me upside the head (and I doubt they even knew they were doing so). And he reminded me that I don't know what's best for me--my goals, I realized, really didn't suit me at all. He showed me that my self-centered, self-congratulatory attitude was causing me to look inward for community (um, it isn't there), and to pull away from authentic relationships. God once again proved that my idea of "happy" was making me miserable.
I'm beginning to deeply appreciate God's discipline. I know that if he didn't love me, he'd let me wander off. But he seeks me out and draws me back every time. As CCM artist Michael Tait once put it in his song, God's love is "stronger than gravity," ever pulling us back to the Source of everything that's good.
And I'm learning discipline isn't just about punishment. God has taken me through some emotionally difficult times so I'll learn to trust and rely on him. He's put circumstances in my life to teach me how to be more Christ-like. I've experienced his love as my patient schoolmaster.
Next week, I'll post the link to an article I wrote for Kyria.com on H-n-T. It explains a bit more about these spiritual struggles I've been having. Please pray with me as I wait on God for his direction, and for me as God cleans me up from the mud puddle o' self-centeredness that I've been rolling around in.
For starters, the magazine I regularly blogged for (Today's Christian Woman) folded a couple months ago. But I'd be lying if I said that's why I haven't written anything lately.
I'm also finishing up a master's degree in Christian Apologetics--I'm set to graduate next May. But I'd also be lying if I said that's why I haven't written.
In truth, the well has been dry. And not because I didn't want to write.
My Source had cut me off.
For the past few months, I've been focused on everything except God. I still knew I loved God, but my identity in Christ had gotten mushed down beneath the busy work of everyday life. Every prayer was beginning with the phrase, "I'm sorry I haven't spent time with you, God." And ending with the words, "I'm going to make time for you, real soon. Just not right now."
I do believe God takes away a person's ministry if they're not focused on him. (After all, if you're gonna be in the position of telling other people about God, you've got to be dedicated to knowing him yourself, right?) I've seen God give me a "time out," time and time again. And I've seen God do this to other folks.
I knew I was being disciplined, and that I should recognize. But frankly, I wanted to be naughty. I was enjoying a period of having every thought in my head be about ME. I was focused on the things I thought I wanted to accomplish. Thinking about how to make the future a happy one for myself. And patting myself on the back for what I've done in the past. In short, I'd mentally made myself the center of the world.
Fortunately, my Father is willing to dish out some tough love. He sent some folks to spiritually smack me upside the head (and I doubt they even knew they were doing so). And he reminded me that I don't know what's best for me--my goals, I realized, really didn't suit me at all. He showed me that my self-centered, self-congratulatory attitude was causing me to look inward for community (um, it isn't there), and to pull away from authentic relationships. God once again proved that my idea of "happy" was making me miserable.
I'm beginning to deeply appreciate God's discipline. I know that if he didn't love me, he'd let me wander off. But he seeks me out and draws me back every time. As CCM artist Michael Tait once put it in his song, God's love is "stronger than gravity," ever pulling us back to the Source of everything that's good.
And I'm learning discipline isn't just about punishment. God has taken me through some emotionally difficult times so I'll learn to trust and rely on him. He's put circumstances in my life to teach me how to be more Christ-like. I've experienced his love as my patient schoolmaster.
Next week, I'll post the link to an article I wrote for Kyria.com on H-n-T. It explains a bit more about these spiritual struggles I've been having. Please pray with me as I wait on God for his direction, and for me as God cleans me up from the mud puddle o' self-centeredness that I've been rolling around in.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Too Sexy for Church?
Holly's latest blog entry on Today's Christian Woman magazine's website is now up:
Too Sexy for Church?
Struggling with the "appropriateness" of my outfits
Ever have one of those days where you open your closet, and there isn't one appropriate outfit to wear? That's been my experience every Sunday morning for the past month. Suddenly, I can’t seem to find anything to wear to church. Skirts that I've worn for months or years now seem too short, too tight, too thin, or too flashy. Every top seems either to show too much skin, or have too much detail around the neckline, or just to fit me a little too nicely. And in my mind, my shoes are either too high, too strappy, or too revealing, what with my heel being exposed and all. I’ve also eschewed wearing anything with sequins, beading, lace, bows, ruffles, or elaborate stitching—because in my mind, these trims now scream, “Look at me! I’m excessive and flamboyant!”
In short, I’d concluded I didn’t have any “appropriate” worship-wear. Just as I planned to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe, a thought hit me: What has happened that’s made me now perceive my clothes as too showy and sexy? ...
FULL STORY: http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/07/too_sexy_for_church.html
Too Sexy for Church?
Struggling with the "appropriateness" of my outfits
Ever have one of those days where you open your closet, and there isn't one appropriate outfit to wear? That's been my experience every Sunday morning for the past month. Suddenly, I can’t seem to find anything to wear to church. Skirts that I've worn for months or years now seem too short, too tight, too thin, or too flashy. Every top seems either to show too much skin, or have too much detail around the neckline, or just to fit me a little too nicely. And in my mind, my shoes are either too high, too strappy, or too revealing, what with my heel being exposed and all. I’ve also eschewed wearing anything with sequins, beading, lace, bows, ruffles, or elaborate stitching—because in my mind, these trims now scream, “Look at me! I’m excessive and flamboyant!”
In short, I’d concluded I didn’t have any “appropriate” worship-wear. Just as I planned to run out and buy a whole new wardrobe, a thought hit me: What has happened that’s made me now perceive my clothes as too showy and sexy? ...
FULL STORY: http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/07/too_sexy_for_church.html
Monday, July 06, 2009
A Christian Sense of Humor
Holly's latest blog entry on Today's Christian Woman magazine's website is now up:
A Christian Sense of Humor
When others insult Christianity, should we laugh, be silent, or get mad?
FULL STORY: http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/07/a_christian_sense_of_humor.html
A Christian Sense of HumorWhen others insult Christianity, should we laugh, be silent, or get mad?
Did you hear about the so-called Christian group that’s protesting the upcoming video game “Dante’s Inferno”? Claiming they were from a church in Ventura County, California, about 20 members of S.A.V.E.D. (an acronym for “Salvationists Against Virtual and Eternal Damnation”) handed out pamphlets outside of the Los Angeles Convention Center during the Electronic Entertainment Expo last month and held picket signs that read, “Hell is not a game” and “Trade in your PlayStation for a PrayStation.” The group also posted a website and YouTube videos.
I should tell you right now: The whole thing is a publicity stunt for the video game company Electronic Arts. Yet two reputable newspapers, the Los Angeles Times and the San Jose Mercury-News, initially reported this “protest” as actual, factual news. Online posts and blogs on the topic indicate a number of folks are taking it seriously. Regardless of whether they’re in on the joke or not, many are offering the same comment: “Can’t Christians take a joke?”
Once again, Christianity’s been portrayed as laughable. ...FULL STORY: http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/07/a_christian_sense_of_humor.html
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Ultimatum to the GOP
Holly's latest blog entry on Today's Christian Woman magazine's website is now up:
Ultimatum to the GOP
Liberty University boots Democratic club; inspires Holly to take a stand.
I’m publically issuing this ultimatum to the Republican Party: Take a pro-life stand in a big, visible way, or I’m leaving.
TCW readers will recall that just two months ago, I suggested Christians reserve discussion on abortion for the right time and place. I’m seizing the opportunity presented by a Gallup poll conducted this May, which found 51 percent of surveyed Americans identify as “pro-life,” while 42 percent identify as pro-choice. Get this: It’s the first time there’s been a pro-life majority since Gallup began conducting the poll in 1995. ...
FULL STORY: http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/06/ultimatum_to_the_gop.html
Ultimatum to the GOPLiberty University boots Democratic club; inspires Holly to take a stand.
I’m publically issuing this ultimatum to the Republican Party: Take a pro-life stand in a big, visible way, or I’m leaving.
TCW readers will recall that just two months ago, I suggested Christians reserve discussion on abortion for the right time and place. I’m seizing the opportunity presented by a Gallup poll conducted this May, which found 51 percent of surveyed Americans identify as “pro-life,” while 42 percent identify as pro-choice. Get this: It’s the first time there’s been a pro-life majority since Gallup began conducting the poll in 1995. ...
FULL STORY: http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/06/ultimatum_to_the_gop.html
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A Time to Mourn
Holly's latest blog entry on Today's Christian Woman magazine's website is now up:We laugh together, play together, and celebrate together. Why is it so difficult to cry together?
Within the past week, I lost two friends. One was a Christian, a member of my church. She committed suicide. The other was an atheist, a high-school buddy. I found out that she died of a drug overdose.
Mourning is a struggle for me, primarily because it’s difficult to tell others I’m sad. I’m afraid they won’t understand or won’t care. So I’ve been walking around with a pleasant expression on my face, telling people “I’m fine” when they ask, “How are you doing?”
I’m not fine. I’m angry with my friends who took their lives. Why did they give up? I’m angry with myself. Was there something more I could have done? I’m angry with God. Why, God, did you allow their pain to become unbearable? Why didn’t you send more help? Why didn’t you intervene? ...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A Church Without Issues
Holly's latest blog entry on Today's Christian Woman magazine's website is now up:
A Church Without Issues
Which political or social issue should we rally around? Maybe none.
A Church Without Issues
Which political or social issue should we rally around? Maybe none.
If you could pick one issue for the Christian church to represent, what would it be? Abortion or same-sex marriage? Environmental stewardship or poverty? Morality? ...
FULL ARTICLE:
http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/03/a_church_without_issues.html
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Journey from Fear to Faith: Christina DiMari profile
Holly's profile of Christian author Christina DiMari is now online:
Christina DiMari bolted up the stairs with her siblings, desperate to reach the safety of the family's third-floor bathroom. She laid down next to her three sisters and her brother, all of them trying to press their bodies flat against the cold bathroom floor. They listened for their father's thudding footsteps, terrified he would burst in with his gun and threaten to shoot them, as he often did when he was drunk. Violent noise drifted up from their living room two floors below: screams and swearing, the crash of breaking glass. Two gun shots. The children trembled. Was their mother dead? Would their dad kill them next?
FULL STORY:
Journey from Fear to Faith
Abused as a child, Ocean Star author Christina DiMari shares her troubled past in hope others will find healing.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/peopleoffaith/profiles/journeyfromfeartofaith.html
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Republicans Need to Support President Obama
Holly's latest blog entry on Today's Christian Woman magazine's website is now up:Divided, We Fall
Republicans need to get over their loss and support our new president.
http://blog.todayschristianwoman.com/walkwithme/2009/02/divided_we_fall.html
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