Archive for April 8th, 2008
4 Minute Devotions: Starting Over
I love being a Christian. I love the experience of being a sinner saved by Christ. Without Christ’s grace and mercy, I don’t know where I would be right now. Without God’s compassion, I don’t know where I would end up.
Christianity is a beautiful faith. It makes us recognize that we are all imperfect (John Calvin would say ‘depraved’ and ‘fallen.’), but it doesn’t leave us there. We are given a wonderful life changing opportunity to come to Christ, in order to be forgiven, restored, and renewed. And it’s not just a once in a lifetime experience. We can go back to Jesus time and time again, confessing our mistakes and asking for pardon. We can begin again. We can have hope again. We can start our lives over again.
Bible Verse of the Day
Psalm 103:4 …who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
Throughout the years, I have seen many people, including myself, be transformed by Christianity. The Spirit of Christ has a power that is unequaled in this world. I have seen addicts cured. I have known sinners regain respect. I have experienced dysfunctional families rediscover their love for one another. It’s an amazing process and I thank God each day for His work in my life.
I am far from perfect and, like everyone else, I have my moments of foolishness, selfishness, and unholiness. But when I am weak, Christ is strong. When I fall, He stoops down and lifts me up. It’s a beautiful faith and a wonderful way of getting through life. And that’s why I want to share it with everyone. That’s why I want family and friends, neighbors and co-workers, acquaintances and strangers to learn about Jesus. For Christ is the Only One who can redeem us out of the pits of despair that we dig, by lifting us up with His love and crowning us with His compassion.
Perhaps you’re at a low point in your life and you feel that everything is pointless. Or maybe you know someone who is going through a lot of trouble, sickness or worry. Jesus is the key to lifting you or your loved ones out of that rut, and he is willing to do so, even now. Just ask Him for help and you’ll find that He cares.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are times in our lives when we regret the past and fear the future. There are moments when we feel isolated and insecure, insignificant and unimportant. When we experience those things, lift us up and help us to begin again. Grant us Your love and compassion, Your healing and strength. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
A Muslim Swimsuit for Miss Indonesia
Sonya Chaterina loved swimming as a child, but the fun stopped when she reached puberty.
‘Then we to had to cover our arms, legs and our hair,’ said the Indonesian Muslim. ‘A bathing suit was from then on no longer an option. I was very disappointed.’
For millions of Muslim women like Chaterina swimming is more complicated than just jumping into the water.
Though most Indonesians practise a tolerant form of the religion, which sometimes incorporates Hindu and animist beliefs, women are still obliged as Muslims to cover their bodies, leaving only their face and palms of their hands exposed.
A regular swimsuit is too skimpy and is considered a violation to Islamic teaching.
Chaterina, 29, a housewife and mother of two, was frustrated at becoming her husband’s deposit counter, caring for his glasses and wallet, while he swam with their kids at one of Indonesia’s many water parks.
Then she met Ait Djajaleksana, a young mother with the same dilemma of not being able to join her daughters in the swimming pool. Djajaleksana, frustrated that she couldn’t find a conservative swimsuit in the stores designed a ‘from head to ankle’ spandex Islamic bathing suit.
‘When my wife and I started making this swimsuit, it was merely for personal purposes,’ said Anom Djajaleksana, 45, who lives in south Jakarta.
‘I didn’t want to be the one who always has to take our kids to the swimming pool,’ Anom said laughing, ‘I want my wife to do the chore also.’
Ait’s design proved to be a hit, and orders for the suit started to flow in.
