"Honor thy Mother and Father," even when it's difficult

SO...

An issue we've been facing lately as a couple is: how do we honor our parents while still honoring God?
Moreover, if we disobey our parents' wishes in a way we think honors God, is that breaking the commandment of honoring our parents?

Mike McQuitty, our pastor here at school, gave some good advice.  Basically we have to honor them in the sense that we are making the most well thought out, mature decision based on prayer and dependence on God. By honoring our heavenly Father's wishes, we are honoring them as well in a way that they should see as right. And maybe they won't realize it now, and maybe they might never realize it, but we have to just rest in the fact that God is sovereign and He will change their hearts if that is in His plan.

Another good tidbit of reassurance we got was from God's Word in our devotion today-


Job 38: 1-18

"Then the Lord  answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

  2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
 3 Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.

 4 “Where were you when I  laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
 7 when the morning stars  sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

 8 “Or who  shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
 9 when I made clouds its garment
and  thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your  proud waves be stayed’?

12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of  the skirts of the earth,
and the wicked be  shaken out of it?
14 It is changed like clay under the seal,
and its features stand out like a garment.
15 From the wicked their  light is withheld,
and their uplifted arm is broken.

16 “Have you  entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have  the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of  deep darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
Declare, if you know all this."

We'll let that speak for itself :)

Blessings,

Caleb and Alexa

The Burden we Must Bear

Finally, we have gotten around to actually launching this blog. :)
I have some thoughts for this school year for my fellow students that I would like you to meditate on.

Firstly, let us be sure that we aren't letting our schedules get in the way of God. After all, He is the One who has total control over our schedule and future anyway.  Don't get caught up in academia and forget why we are truly here. It's about balance and priority.  Make sure that you balance academics with fellowship and God time, and prioritize, make Him your first priority rather than barely and afterthought.  I know y'all have probably heard these things already, but I feel like we must keep reminding ourselves to check our priorities.

Secondly, replace feelings of judgement with love, and feelings of annoyance with peaceful prayer.  We are in an environment absolutely drenched and consumed with sin, people who live in a culture that totally opposes our lifestyle and our calling.  Remember the calling that we have. Rejoice in suffering for the gospel's sake, even if you are unpopular and uncool in the world's eyes.  All that matters is what God sees. He is the judge.  Which leads me to my other point...Resist the temptation to judge ANYONE.  Whether it be fellow Christians, or those who are not believers, do not judge or ostracize anyone. God is the only true judge . We all are imperfect, even those called by God. Pray for and pity those who have gone down the wrong path. Be sure to differentiate between genuine concern and playing God.  Don't play God...none of us can make anyone turn away.  We must go to people with a humble and gentle spirit and tell them who God is and what His word is as we are called.

Well that's all for today.  Feel free to respond, or correct me if I stray from God's true message.

In His love,
Alexa