Comments on: Brave Obedience

By: TheNorEaster

TheNorEaster — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:06:33 +0000

I was arrogant, impatient, self-righteous, and unmerciful. In my anger, I sinned.

The end does not justify the means.

My sinful nature twisted my hunger and thirst for righteousness, which led to anger instead of mercy and a pure heart.

(You can read more about this kind of thing in Archives: Nov 2007: When Lightening Strikes. Sorry for not leaving a link: BlackBerry, and all that.)

By: Sarah Markley

Sarah Markley — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:48:07 +0000

i don’t think that’s disobedient at all…

By: TheNorEaster

TheNorEaster — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 12:27:59 +0000

It has occured to me that I really ought to explain my courageous disobedience.

When my grandmother was near the end of her life, she couldn’t get around so well. Time does that. Some people in my family got, well, rather impatient with her. But I love my grandmother with all my heart. So I didn’t like it very much that people were not treating her with the respect she deserved — and had earned. So I let them know that I wasn’t very happy about the way they were treating her. When they got upset, in a “mind your own business” manner, and called to let me know just how upset they were, I said that she deserved better.

That was the first, and only, time I ever hung up on my father.

He got the message. And so did my stepmother, of course, who I think was the catalyst behind all the negativity.

So I suppose, in my infuriation, I was disobedient to my father by sticking up for my grandmother.

Seven months after that, she passed away.

On my birthday.

I’m not sure, but I think that was her way of honoring me…

By: TheNorEaster

TheNorEaster — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 07:24:03 +0000

Yes. And I have been disobedient when it took courage to do so.

By: Mary B

Mary B — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 05:11:21 +0000

I grew up in an abusive household. My father was an alcoholic who sexual abused me. My mom “suspected things”, but never stepped in to protect me. After a couple years of good counseling and some long talks with God, I was able to forgive my father – for everything! I know my dad is really sorry (I confronted him several years ago before I had children to set some boundries). I knew since I was able to forgive these things that God wanted me to tell my dad what I had done. Telling my dad that I forgave him was even harder than actually forgiving him. He actually cried and let out a huge sigh. It was like a physical weight had been lifted from him. I told him that I want him to forgive himself and ask God to forgive him, so he could drop the baggage and move on. I know he carries lots of other weights around, but it felt good to invite him to free himself from this bondage. Because of God’s amazing grace, my dad and I have the ability to experience true freedom!

By: Debbie Feller

Debbie Feller — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:51:26 +0000

Thank you for our prayer today, to be brave in our obedience to Him. Obedience requires trust, doesn’t it? So I better pray for more of that too! God bless you and your obedience today! deb

By: How has having lots of children improved your life and marriage and the lives of your children?

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:12:47 +0000

[...] Brave Obedience | Sarah Markley [...]

By: JC

JC — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:50:55 +0000

*thank you* really needed to hear this as today I reached saturation point and wanted to give up!

By: Sara

Sara — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:42:00 +0000

That whhhyyyy sound is a common occurence in my house. I find it hard to stay patience xxx

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:25:23 +0000

Yes! Obedience does take a step of faith and strength from the Lord. I love what Nikki said about God honoring obedience. I forget that sometimes. I think GRACE and use that as a means to stay in my state of rebellion…

One of the more recent times of obedience in the wee hours of the morning…well, like 6 a.m. (which is wee hours to me!)…my husband was getting ready for work and I’m usually in pleasant, cozy slumber but I couldn’t sleep.

“Go to your husband”…”Really, God? I’m tired!” I didn’t want to crawl out of bed. I didn’t want to face the music. I didn’t want to talk. “Go to your husband.” After a few more times, I couldn’t resist.

I went downstairs and said “God told me to come down here!”

It ended up being a bitter sweet time as we discussed past hurts and pain…things weighing heavy on my husband’s mind…things he kept locked up inside…

I was so tired and out of energy…I just listened! What a concept! And that’s exactly what he needed…

Even the smallest step of obedience can reap bountiful blessings…