Author: jill autrey dorman

Getting “likes”…

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I am passionate about the following:  my relationship with Jesus Christ, my marriage and family, friends, my nursing career, and last but not least my writing and other arts.

It is the world of the internet and social media that has prompted me to examine the reports from the creators of Facebook and other mediums  in regards to the human need to be heard and apparently ” liked. ” These young men and women stated they they knew when they designed facebook, twitter, etc.,  they would be tapping into the actual chemical function of the human brain. There is an effect on our brains when we get likes on any media, selfies, blogs like this, twitter, instagram, and on it goes. I do not believe wanting to be liked is something to be ashamed of. It is in fact the core element in our being that connects us to God and others. However true self worth comes from our identity in Christ if we are his followers. This longing to be accepted wains as one ages so now days I am not so bothered by likes or dislikes…

To be validated about something I am passionate about, a gift or talent that I long to share is not wrong but I can see many have been manipulated by these companies which can be easily observed by the crazy things people will do to get “like”. 

Here is how I know if what I am doing is going down an ego rabbit hole. The Bible teaches us that the things from above, in other words Godly goodness is easy to recognize.  Godly wisdom, Godly gifts and “likes” are first pure (no other motive), peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full or mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.  James 3:17

 

 

 

Did you like the snow

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  • Photo by Jedypictures










Did you like the snow when you were here or





when the harvest moon filled the atmosphere?





What about the summer sea





when you walked in Galilee?










I can see you everywhere I go





in the moon light and the snow





I see you by the summer sea





walking on the water you rescued me.


























			

	


			
				


			
				


	

							
At Street Level
						

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  • Photo by Josh Hild 





…at street level, the life of faith is always a matter of Trust. I am always reminded of this when I look around in a world I barely recognize. I desire Truth in my soul just like I need air to breathe.





…what is the power of this longing that this world cannot satisfly? It is the longing God placed in us for “paradise complete” and the “not yet”.





…at street level, the life of faith is always a matter of Trust.










“For we live by faith, not by sight.”





2 Corinthians 5:7

			

	


			
				


	

							
The Terror of The Thirties
						

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woman wears black top close up photography
Photo by lilartsy 


The Terror of The thirties,  so say the Russians of old.


The Law of the first of December and  no one could escape the woes.


Hundreds of thousands upon thousands dead in the snow.


The Linengrad devil tried to steal their souls.


Randomly killed for a quota and no outcry could be heard.


Stalin killed his own family just to feed his evil rage.


Rivers of  blood shed we never seen to learn.


The terrors of the thirties let us turn the page.

			

	


			
				


			
				


	

							
The One who leads me…
						

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  • Photo by Ekrulila 










The day to day distractions or the earth shattering illness, the lost career or the loss of a beloved wife or friend,   their hearts and minds away from us.





Obedience is a loving, trusting response to God. God doesn’t desire for us to just conform to some rigid list of moral standards. He desires for us to walk with Him in love and trust. His ways are a compass that guides us into loving response to the God who loves us. So, in what way did Jesus learn obedience? While He was perfect and continually in fellowship with the Father and the Spirit, an obedient response in the context of His humanity was something that had to be learned, or experienced. In the wilderness. Jesus’ responsiveness to God the Father was tested and it is no coincidence that in each of the three temptations He responded with Scripture.





Hebrews 4:15 tells us we have a great high priest who has been “tempted just as we are” … tempted to take matters into His own hands, tempted to escape the wilderness, tempted to define His life outside relationship with the Father. Make no mistake, for Jesus the 40 days of wilderness were a time of vulnerability and danger. Mark 1:13 notes that Jesus “was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to Him.” He was fasting during this time as well which would have had its own sense of vulnerability. 





When we are in a wilderness season, God’s heart is that we would “learn obedience” as well, that we would experience a deep sense of trusting responsiveness to Him.  Our responsiveness is tested significantly when we are left without our usual resources for making life work. Whether a health crisis, a relational crisis, or perhaps a financial crisis, one of the temptations is to redouble our efforts … to go to those old ways of managing life once again, trying harder.





The reality is that all of our efforts don’t solve the problems…





Zephaniah 3:17) The one who is leading us is the One who is always present … always loving … always speaking to us.