Women Living Well Blog

Thursday, April 8, 2010

No Guilt - No Regrets

Hebrews 12:1b "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Recently I was reading some blogs that were convicting me. Or should I say they were making me feel guilty. Guilty for using facebook, twitter and blogging. Guilty for the time I use on technology. So I had to sit back and ask myself - why am I blogging? Is it a selfish pursuit? Is it causing damage to my family?

And then like a wave rushing over me, my very next thought was - because I have ONE life - I'm living it full throttle for Jesus!

Blogging is hard work. The late nights writing and answering emails are not for the weary at heart! Women Living Well is not about me. It's about my passion - my mission - my burden for my weary sisters in Christ!!!

I have one life and I'm living it full throttle for Jesus! I'm giving my all! I'm not gonna rust out sitting on my duff watching reality television! And I certainly don't want to burn out, due to my failure to depend on God's strength. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, I desire to simply be a light on the hill (Matt.5:14) burning faithfully till God calls me home.

I must lean hard on Jesus. Do you feel like respecting and submitting to your husband is so hard? Lean on Jesus for strength and go for it full throttle! Give it your all!

Do you home school and feel exhausted? Stop doing it in your own strength - call on Jesus and stay in the game - full throttle!

Are you exhausted in ministry with people's troubles, back biting, complaining or lack of support - take your eyes off of your troubles and put them onto your worthy Savior and do it full throttle for him.

Reading our Bible's daily, respecting our husbands, training our children, creating homes that are havens and reaching a lost world is NOT an easy to-do list - but we must give it our all. Not in a selfish way to receive something but for Jesus.

I'm reminded of missionary and martyr Jim Elliot's quote "Where ever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Why do I bother to blog, facebook, youtube and twitter? Because that is where the next generation of ladies are at and I want to make an impact there. Where has God planted you in this season of life? "Be all there, live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God"! "Run with perseverence the race marked out for you." (Heb.12:1b)I only have one life and I'm living it to the hilt -full throttle - no guilt, no regrets - join me!

Walk with the King!

Labels: Guilt, Perseverance, Regret

30 Comments:

Stacey said...: I love this and have been writing a similar post in my head! Well said and keep running well!

Looking forward,
Stacey; April 8, 2010 at 8:03 AM
Daughter of the KING said...: One of my favorite scriptures - "Press toward the mark"

All God has ask us to do is share the "good news". I do what I do in spite of who I have a natural tendency to be (aloof, uncaring) but that person must die to the flesh and press to the mark in which God has called her.

Thank you for giving of your time and heart. We may never know the woman whom life was changed because of one post.; April 8, 2010 at 8:07 AM
gini4kids said...: I truly needed to hear my voice speak that outloud this morning. Thank you for your post. Many blessings to you and your family; April 8, 2010 at 8:15 AM
erin plus two said...: i can not believe anyone would make you feel guilty for doing this ! firstly, it hurts no one, and more impotantly I find your blog really uplifting !; April 8, 2010 at 8:26 AM
Jen said...: I really appreciated this post. Not only did I appreciate you sharing your heart, but I appreciate the fact that you took some time to self reflect in regard to your motives. I think it is so healthy for us to make sure we are operating with glorifying God as our primary objective. That being said, I am also glad you came to the conclusion that your heart is right where it needs to be. :) I will echo the comments of others that have been inspired, encouraged and convicted through your blog. Thank you, again, for being willing to be used of the Lord through various forms of media. We are blessed because of it! I truly look forward to sitting down and reading your blog.; April 8, 2010 at 8:39 AM
Ingrid said...: Well said! I had some family recently poo-poo FB and the internet but they watch a ton of TV. I told them I basically gave up TV a year ago because I wanted to be able to spend a guilt-free hour a day FBing, which keeps me so connected to my church family and is a way to be a light to unsaved friends, and reading blogs (like this one!) which encourage me in my faith.; April 8, 2010 at 8:57 AM
Anonymous said...: Dont let people guilt you. This is your work for the kingdom. I myself have been reading your blog after seeing you on R Ray show. We had been saved for 11 years and going to church but fell away from the church. I want to go to church but for respect to my husband had stop going . When I read your blogs to my husband his heart change and we have been going to church practacing and the children are back in programes. So you see you are the fingers (the blog) that God uses to get to people heart thank for your hard work.(Sorry about the speling Im french)Have a good day.; April 8, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Courtney (Women Living Well) said...: Thank you all for such generously kind feedback!!!

Keep pressing on and running the race hard with me! We have just one life - let's use it for his glory!!!

I love you guys!
Courtney; April 8, 2010 at 9:54 AM
Daina said...: I love this blog. Thank you for your faithfulness and obedience. Praying for you and your family. You are a great Titus women!; April 8, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Anonymous said...: Courtney,
I agree with all of the wonderful comments here. I think sometimes when someone is feeling guilty of their own shortcomings, they have a tendency to try to project that guilt onto someone else for "something they do". Anyone who reads more than 10 minutes here will know that you put so much time and effort into your faith, your marriage and your family that you are not neglecting them by keeping up this blog.

Blessings to you and keep on keeping on, girl!

Yvonne; April 8, 2010 at 10:06 AM
Southern Girl and family said...: Your blog has been a HUGE inspiration and motivation to get things straight in my life and my marriage!! I love your blog and your faith!!

YOU ROCK and so Does your blog!!

:) Kelly; April 8, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Anonymous said...: I can't tell you how much reading your blog inspires and encourages me. You are absolutely right that this is where the next generation is and being able to access your blog in some down time is a blessing. Keep on keeping on!!; April 8, 2010 at 12:05 PM
Karen said...: I just recently found you, and I want to tell you that you have made a huge impact on me. I haven't finished going through your previous posts yet, but I am learning so much. I want to live my life fully for Jesus -- in all areas. Since He keeps giving me babies at unexpected times I feel I should really honor Him with my home and the life He has chosen for me. Thank you sweet sister - xoxo and blessings to you1; April 8, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Kristine McGuire said...: Wow I really needed to read this post today. Thank you for the encouragement!; April 8, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Amy said...: Courtney--you are doing a great job! I just started reading recently, but it has been a great encouragement to me! I have two little ones --ages 1 and 3--and I love to get on here during nap time for a little inspiration from a sister in Christ! I'll be honest--your topics sometimes make me squirm and even feel a bit naseauous at times (I was saved at 25 and married at 27---I had a lot of time to become very opinionated about what it meant to be a strong independent woman---read: selfish and stubborn). I love God and love my husband and love being a stay at home mom-- but I still seem to get that uncomfortable feeling when it comes to the topic of submission--this is a topic I definitely need God to soften me in!!--I believe that the more often we see this lived out in a Godly marriage and the more we see the blessings that come from obedience to God's word, the less scary this topic will be! Thank you for being transparent and for encouraging us even in those tough areas!!; April 8, 2010 at 2:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Courtney, You are an inspiration to me and I am sooo thankful and appreciative of your blog:-)))). As you know, a "Walk with the King" is one of "No Guilt and No Regrets". Keep doing what you have been called to do:-).

ProFundity; April 8, 2010 at 2:20 PM
Angel said...: God used your words to challenge and inspire me to live life more fully. I was so moved, it prompted me to write my thoughts and link to your post from my blog over at www.FindingTheInspiring.blogspot.com.

Thanks so much for your faithfulness to write the truth and be an encouragement to others.

Angel; April 8, 2010 at 3:55 PM
Stephanie Wilson said...: God is using you in this ministry. He has blessed you with the ability to even be able to have the time to minister in this unique world of technology. Don't think of quiting because what you are doing is eternal. I believe God is working through you. Keep it up girlfriend!; April 8, 2010 at 6:21 PM
Michelle said...: Hi Courtney,
First off, I must say I love getting on your blog everyday. It has helped me to strive to be a better christian,wife and mother. That said-I was on fb. For almost a year. I must say it became an obsession to me. I go to church and had alot of church friends on there... I tell you it seemed everyone was obsessed with fb!!(and still is!) I think it can be a form of gossip. Also, I would know way to much about people that I really didn't need to know. I even know a few MARRIED people who have talked to their ex's! I felt like God was telling me to get off there. I needed to spend my time more wisely. I have been off since Nov. and I'm proud of myself for that. But it seems like its everywhere...I think the devil can use it for his plan too. I'm not saying your wrong, b/c it works for you. I'm just saying it wasn't for me. I just feel you need to follow what God wants you to do. I really do appreciate what u do for women. Now I just check my email, get on your blog and I'm off! Just wanted to give my opinion.
Thanks for all you do! :); April 8, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Carly said...: Courtney-
I am sure you were writing with the intention of encouraging your readers, but I think this post calls for encouragement for you! I know many of your readers would agree with me that you are truly a blessing to us, a faithful accountability partner at times, faithful to speak the truth even when it is hard to do, and ultimately you have in mind to bring all of us closer to walking with God every moment of every day. You cannot be made to feel guilty for this.
Thanks and God bless,
Carly; April 8, 2010 at 6:51 PM
BeechemBrightSpots said...: I love reading your blog! It's so encouraging! I echo all of these comments that you are doing a great job of inspiring us! Keep it up!; April 8, 2010 at 11:01 PM
Traci Michele said...: Don't ever feel guilty about spreading the love of Christ and encouraging other women to do the same.

It's only when we let it get "out of control", ya know...

Always okay to recheck our priorities with the Lord.

I link loved you here:

http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2010/04/get-dressed-challenge-link-up.html

Love you! I appreciate all you do. I'm praying about sponsorship for the Relevant Conf. Will you join me in prayer about this?

Thanks girlfriend!

Traci; April 9, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Jill Knapp said...: I have been a reader of your blog and read the message boards often. I never comment but I just love this post. Very well said!!
You have a beautiful family and a great site!! :-); April 9, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Courtney (Women Living Well) said...: Wow! You have all been so encouraging - thank you!!!

Michelle - I appreciate your heart and your sensitivity to the dangers of the web, facebook etc. Yes, there is a danger lurking with both gossip and time being wasted. I appreciate your strength to know that you need to walk away and to follow through with it!

For me, it is a matter of guarding my words and my time - and thus far, I have felt at peace about it and have really enjoyed the connection.

If I ever feel at any point it is hindering my walk with my Savior or friends, I will follow your lead on this!!! Thank you for being a woman of conviction!

Much Love,
Courtney; April 9, 2010 at 10:37 PM
Phil and Pattie said...: Hi there Courtney. Just visited your blog for the first time because of the mention of it on one of Moody's recent e-mails. I too went to Moody and remember seeing you but did not know you well. Thank you so much for investing in this blog. I have already been encouraged by it just in the few things I have had a chance to read. I look forward to reading more when I can. Pattie; April 9, 2010 at 11:26 PM
Michelle said...: Thanks, Courtney! I feel you have to do whats best for you and if your at peace with it thats great. FB became an idol for me and though I tried to watch my "time" I never did very well! A friend of mine from church, Misty (who introduced me to your blog!!) also felt as I did from the Lord. We have both seen his blessing from obeying and though it is hard-its worth it. Though we're about the only ones from our church NOT on there-its ok!! LOL.
God bless you!

ps-we're ohioans too from the Hamilton/West Chester area.

pps-made your resurrection rolls with my kids on Easter morning-they were a hit!!; April 10, 2010 at 4:14 PM
Kristy K said...: Thank you for this! A few months ago, I got wrapped up in doing all the follows and getting more readers. Then I got a really sweet email from a woman who said something I wrote actually touched her. I realized then that I can reach people with this blog if I stayed focused on God. It was an eye opener. I can promote myself all over the place or I can spend time praying and researching my posts.

You do such a great job here!; April 12, 2010 at 10:03 AM
Teri Lynne Underwood said...: Thank you! Well said ... and I needed to read this ... to be reminded that these days of little ones at home and wide-open living are fleeting. The days will come when aging body and slipping mind keep me from doing all I do in this stage of life. "Taking every opportunity" ... and living "to the hilt" ... not only online but IN LIFE ... and praying every step of the way!

Teri Lynne; April 12, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Anonymous said...: I hope Courtney you get this message,as I want you to encourage on continuing your site as there are lot of us, christian women, outside America, who simply are very alone with the issue of home keeping (I come from Europe). Your website has been the very friend I have needed and It has been more helpful than I could explain in short lines. The websites I visited prior to yours, were just too weird, legalistic, but yours is very sober and has the right attitude of loving God, not the (christian)culture/rules you are accustomed.; November 6, 2010 at 8:24 AM
Courtney (Women Living Well) said...: Dear Anonymous! I did receive this comment in my inbox and it was so timely and encouraging! Thank you so much for taking the time to tell me. You are such a blessing and though we are far apart - you are a sister in Christ - so we are close at heart!

Keep walking with the King!
Courtney; November 6, 2010 at 9:22 AM

Women Living Well Blog

: Name: Courtney (Women Living Well); Location: Ohio, United States

I am a stay-at-home home schooling mom of 2, a son (age 8) and a daughter (6). I have been married to Keith, my high school sweet heart, for 13 years. My passion to know God and share him with others led me to the Moody Bible Institute where I graduated with a degree in Evangelism and Discipleship. Last year, I appeared on the Rachael Ray Show as a 1950's Housewife. To learn more about me visit my "About Me" page.

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Thursday, April 8, 2010

No Guilt - No Regrets

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