There is something I've just got to talk about...
Last night on the news, I watched the story of a 17 year old uncle and two of his friends teaching his two preschool nephews how to smoke pot. The older boys made a video of this lesson, and were heard laughing in the background while the viewer (me, in this case) watched a two year old and a five year old smoke pot. That was disturbing, but the video wasn't what has completely perplexed me.
The news reporter interviewed the 17 year old. He had been arrested and charged with child endangerment. The boy said that he was sorry, but he really didn't see what the big deal was. He continued to say that he had been around "weed" his whole life and that it wasn't as bad as giving them meth or ice like some other people did to their kids. What he thought he did wrong was video tape the incident. He then went on to say that, at some point in their lives, these little boys would try "weed", so what's the big deal about having it now? Then when asked about his punishment, he said, "Prison is out of the question, maybe some probation or community service, but not prison."
HELLO!!!! What's the big deal?!!! Probation?!!!! Community service?!!! (Hear me screaming at the TV)
Then it hit me. This type of behavior was "normal" to him. This boy was completely bewildered about why this was a big news story. He has probably seen more crime and abusive behavior in his 17 years than I can even imagine. He didn't even realize he was hurting those children.
How did he get like that? When he was young, did a caretaker give him drugs? At what point in his life did the need to be high become so important that he lost all sense of rational thoughts? Can this 17 year old, high school drop out, drug user and dealer ever change? Can his "normal" change? How many generations will continue to live out this kind of hopeless, destructive behavior? Who or what is going to make a difference in this boy and boys like him?
OK, I know what your thinking. Probably what I'm thinking. We know the "Sunday School Answers" to these questions, but for me, those answers are just not enough. I have no doubt God is able to do anything he desires, I know that His power is limitless, I know He is the Redeemer. I know all that. I must admit though, that I feel a bit like the man in Mark 9:24. "I believe. Help now my unbelief."
How cool would it be to see God really move in this boy's life? I don't even know this kid, but he needs Jesus. His family needs Jesus.... not the pretty Jesus we find in pictures or storybooks but the Jesus who met with tax collectors, prostitutes, the demon possessed, and the outcast. He needs the Jesus that bore his sin on the cross and stands ready to receive him. He needs Jesus to be big. This boy needs the author of Truth to be light on the deception in his life. He needs his eyes opened. He needs to know that he is not unredeemable, that God knows the plans He has for him, plans for good, not evil. Imagine how much this boy's life would change if he truly knew that he was God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
I'm praying that God will draw this boy to Himself and change him from the inside-out. I am praying this boy becomes a leader to younger children rather than their destruction. I pray this boy surrenders to the call of Christ.
Will you pray with me?
--Ruthie
Showing posts with label Ruthie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ruthie. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Freedom
"Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance...
I just want to praise you, I just want to praise you"
I love that song. It is about freedom. Even as I type the word- freedom-something happens in my heart.... my lungs swell, my pulse races, and a great sense of relief comes over me. There was a time in my not so distant past, that I knew only the dictionary meaning of this word, but not the experiential meaning of freedom. In my 20's and early 30's, I was shackled by so many chains, it is a wonder they were not visible. I was consumed by feelings of guilt, shame and fear. I desperately sought others approval to somehow compensate for my own feeling of inadequacy. This need to be "liked" or the "center of attention" became yet another shackle around my feet. To beat all, I strove to portray the image of a young woman that was confident, Godly, and "put together". Trying to live this way entangled me in more chains. Inwardly, I was a mess.
"But God".
God stepped in and drew me to Himself. Through the in-depth study of His Word, He began to open my eyes to the prisons and pits that I was living in. He graciously showed me my weaknesses and allowed me to experience His power. Slowly and deliberately, He worked with me to set me free. Free to love Him and others, free to be who He created me to be, free to dream of how He could use me for His glory, free to be transparent, free to share with others how good He really is.
Last Saturday was a celebration for me personally. I, along with 230 other women, attended the Beth Moore simulcast at the BX. The simulcast was shown throughout North America at 500 different sites with an expected attendance of 150,000 women. That's HUGE! Beth talked about freedom in Christ. She shared so much of what I already knew, but needed to be reminded of . Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free". Jesus sacrificial death not only pays our sin debt when we die, but as we live. It is through His blood that we are set free to live victoriously and abundantly. Wow!
Throughout the conference, worship was led by Travis Cottrell. He said something that has come back to my mind countless times this week... He said, "We sing over and over 'How great is our God', well ladies, how great do you need God to be in your life?"
I don't know about you, but I need Him to be as Great as He can be. My freedom depends upon Him. And what brings tears to my eyes is the fact that He has never let me down. He truly is, "my strength, my rock, my fortress and my rock... He is my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold". (Ps. 18)
As I finish writing this, I am searching my i-tunes for just the right song... I feel the need to dance.
-Ruthie
I just want to praise you, I just want to praise you"
I love that song. It is about freedom. Even as I type the word- freedom-something happens in my heart.... my lungs swell, my pulse races, and a great sense of relief comes over me. There was a time in my not so distant past, that I knew only the dictionary meaning of this word, but not the experiential meaning of freedom. In my 20's and early 30's, I was shackled by so many chains, it is a wonder they were not visible. I was consumed by feelings of guilt, shame and fear. I desperately sought others approval to somehow compensate for my own feeling of inadequacy. This need to be "liked" or the "center of attention" became yet another shackle around my feet. To beat all, I strove to portray the image of a young woman that was confident, Godly, and "put together". Trying to live this way entangled me in more chains. Inwardly, I was a mess.
"But God".
God stepped in and drew me to Himself. Through the in-depth study of His Word, He began to open my eyes to the prisons and pits that I was living in. He graciously showed me my weaknesses and allowed me to experience His power. Slowly and deliberately, He worked with me to set me free. Free to love Him and others, free to be who He created me to be, free to dream of how He could use me for His glory, free to be transparent, free to share with others how good He really is.
Last Saturday was a celebration for me personally. I, along with 230 other women, attended the Beth Moore simulcast at the BX. The simulcast was shown throughout North America at 500 different sites with an expected attendance of 150,000 women. That's HUGE! Beth talked about freedom in Christ. She shared so much of what I already knew, but needed to be reminded of . Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free". Jesus sacrificial death not only pays our sin debt when we die, but as we live. It is through His blood that we are set free to live victoriously and abundantly. Wow!
Throughout the conference, worship was led by Travis Cottrell. He said something that has come back to my mind countless times this week... He said, "We sing over and over 'How great is our God', well ladies, how great do you need God to be in your life?"
I don't know about you, but I need Him to be as Great as He can be. My freedom depends upon Him. And what brings tears to my eyes is the fact that He has never let me down. He truly is, "my strength, my rock, my fortress and my rock... He is my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold". (Ps. 18)
As I finish writing this, I am searching my i-tunes for just the right song... I feel the need to dance.
-Ruthie
Friday, February 2, 2007
"Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow..."
Our family life is full of winter traditions... matching pj's at Christmas, the BCS, the kick off of American Idol, and tons of extended family events. But this week, one Panni tradition blessed all Chattanooga!
Whenever the weather report predicts snow, ice, or a "wintry mix", our children know instantly to wear their pajamas inside out! While meteorologists have multiple computers, satellite imagery, and radar, our family has the sure fire way to make the snow fall. At bedtime, or before, depending on the urgency of the need for snow, our children put on their pajamas-usually the matching sets from Christmas- inside out. All tags and seams must be visible. If the need for wintry weather is extremely important, we wear our pajamas inside out and backwards. We reserve this more intense version of the tradition for times when homework is not completed or a test is scheduled for the next day at school.
Well, Wednesday night was no exception. After hearing the forecast for snow on all four local channels, then confirming it with weather.com, we decided it was indeed time to flip the pj's! We headed to bed full of anticipation with hopes that Thursday would be filled with hot chocolate and snow men. From looking at your own backyard, our deeply scientific method worked!!
Now, I know you may be doubting the effectiveness of our input in the weather, and your probably also doubting our parenting skills by encouraging this for our kids. Let me put your mind at rest... At about 5:30 a.m., our middle son, who had been up through out the night conducting "ground checks" for winter precipitation, had come and gotten in bed with us. He and his dad had seen the snow hours earlier, but I guess he just had to be sure. As he lay beside me, I said, "Well, our inside-out pajamas worked this time." He then put his arm around me, and said, "Mom, you know, God is the One who made it snow. He did it all by Himself." At that, he closed his eyes and rested.... until the sun came up.
-Ruthie
Whenever the weather report predicts snow, ice, or a "wintry mix", our children know instantly to wear their pajamas inside out! While meteorologists have multiple computers, satellite imagery, and radar, our family has the sure fire way to make the snow fall. At bedtime, or before, depending on the urgency of the need for snow, our children put on their pajamas-usually the matching sets from Christmas- inside out. All tags and seams must be visible. If the need for wintry weather is extremely important, we wear our pajamas inside out and backwards. We reserve this more intense version of the tradition for times when homework is not completed or a test is scheduled for the next day at school.
Well, Wednesday night was no exception. After hearing the forecast for snow on all four local channels, then confirming it with weather.com, we decided it was indeed time to flip the pj's! We headed to bed full of anticipation with hopes that Thursday would be filled with hot chocolate and snow men. From looking at your own backyard, our deeply scientific method worked!!
Now, I know you may be doubting the effectiveness of our input in the weather, and your probably also doubting our parenting skills by encouraging this for our kids. Let me put your mind at rest... At about 5:30 a.m., our middle son, who had been up through out the night conducting "ground checks" for winter precipitation, had come and gotten in bed with us. He and his dad had seen the snow hours earlier, but I guess he just had to be sure. As he lay beside me, I said, "Well, our inside-out pajamas worked this time." He then put his arm around me, and said, "Mom, you know, God is the One who made it snow. He did it all by Himself." At that, he closed his eyes and rested.... until the sun came up.
-Ruthie
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