Joshua Steven Eddy, Go with God

 On May 5, 2012, the Lord called 19-year-old Joshua Steven Eddy Home. He was the second oldest of 9 children. He was a faithful servant of Christ. He had just graduated from the International ALERT Academy & wanted to be a EMT/Paramedic. He was an avid photographer & was filming his first film, with his brother & best friends. He was going to be the best man in his brother's upcoming wedding. They had just purchased their tuxedos.

 "Do not let anyone look down on you, because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech,
in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

- 1 Timothy 4:12

But all of that changed on May 5th. On a hiking trip with friends, along the Rouge River (Raine Falls) in Oregon, Josh decided to snap a photo on the edge of the gorge. He slipped, lost his footing & fell to his death.

The photo above was taken on the hike, just minutes before his death. He was about to turn and aim for the shot that would be his last. He was a minutes from death, and he didn't know it. He was ready... are you?

" He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
& death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning,
nor crying, nor pain anymore,
for the former things have passed away.”

- Revelation 21:4

I didn't know Josh & had never heard of him before his passing. But his testimony has greatly impacted my life in this past month. His story has given me a LOT to think about.

Namely, he was so young when he died. Yet he had accomplished so MUCH for the Lord. And his testimony has affected so many people. He was living a righteous life, right til the end. What will my testimony be, when my time has come??? Him dying so young has also reminded me- we don't know the time nor the hour of our passing (James 4:13-14). Our time on this earth is short. Don't wait until it's too late to repair that broken relationship. Don't put off salvation til you've had your fun. "If you tarry till you’re better/ You will never come at all..." The time is now. What are you waiting for??? Don't become the tragedy of a WASTED life. 

"So we do not lose heart.
Though our outer self is wasting away,
our inner self is being renewed day by day. 
For this light momentary affliction is preparing
for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
as we look not to the things that are seen
but to the things that are unseen.
For the things that are seen are temporal,
but the things that are unseen are eternal."

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Josh lived & died to glorify God. His death was not in vain. He will not be forgotten. And his legacy will continue to inspire people around the world, for years to come... RIP Joshua Steven Eddy. 

"For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also."
- Luke 12:34

 In Josh's honor, his sister Mariah wrote a song in his honor called "To Surrender a Precious Dream." His good friend Ariel recorded it soon after his passing. Hearing it made me cry... WOW. It's so raw, fresh & passionate... I can only imagine what his sister & dear friend were feeling when they wrote/sang it... You can hear the song & view the lyrics here- http://arielstrom.bandcamp.com/ . All proceeds from the song go to Josh' ALERT scholarship fund. 

 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been Called according to His Purpose."
- Romans 8:28

For more information about this great man of God, please visit-

His facebook tribute page- https://www.facebook.com/JoshuaSEddy
His Blog- http://joshyeddy.blogspot.com/
A tribute by his (soon to be) sister-in-law- http://tiannalovesandrew.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-brother-joshua-eddy.html

Another tribute- http://ghettotime.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-tweeted-recently-about-my-boss-loss.html
A local news article- http://www.rogueriverpress.com/archives/RRP05092012.pdf

 "To surrender a precious dream is a fearful thing, but to pursue anything but the full measure of the glory of God's love is a wasted life." - Josh Eddy 

 "For I know the plans I have for you,'
declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you & not to harm you,
to give you a future and a hope."
- Jeremiah 19:11

* Note: All photos courtesy of the Eddy family (taken from Josh's facebook tribute page)

Thank You

"Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It’s a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others. It’s a day to be with the family and remember... Thank all of you, and God bless you, and have a day full of memories." - President Ronald Reagan, 1986 (Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery)

 

  To our veterans, past & present: THANK YOU for protecting our way of life & all that is dear to us! To the military families who have a lost a father, brother, or son- Their sacrifice was not in vain. We remember.

 

 Today, in the midst of the barbecues, family celebrations, fireworks, games, corn on the cob, baked beans & memories, I pray that you take the time to remember our nation's heroes- the men & women who have given their lives serving our Country in the line of duty. 

 Remember- freedom isn't free!

 

What is "True Modesty"? Part II

 Modesty seems to be the new topic to discuss, especially if you're a conservative, Christian, homeschooled young lady. At times, it seems like everyone is discussing it, talking about it, reading about it, trying to implement it into their lives... And everyone seems to have an opinion on the topic. And this is mine. 

Disclaimer #1: I'm not going to give you a fix-everything list of rules & regulations. I don't think that is what is needed here. That will fix nothing, as they're not all applicable to all of us. So I'm going to use a lot of Scriptures & references & leave you to work out the implications in your own life.

Disclaimer #2- This is mainly written towards my female friends, although I would hope some of the young men can glean from it also.

Caution- So many times, we as humans, think "Oh! I wish so-and-so could read this!" or "[That person] really needs to apply this to her life" instead of seeing that it is really us that needs to hear the Word in the first place! So, I strongly encourage you to pray through this, asking God what you can learn from this, what He's trying to teach you through this...

Alrighty, that aside, jumping in, feet first:

What is "True Modesty"?

What does Modesty "look" like?
(Part II) 

 This is not something that I approach lightly. I have been reading on the subject of modesty, man & woman's God-ordained roles, dating versus courting etc for many years.
 
1) Modesty is relevant to us today.
 
Otherwise I wouldn't be writing this article in the first place! I think that modesty should be even more important to us today, than possibly ever before in history. Because we live in such a sensual, sexual, over-exposed, desensitized nation. And because we are Called to something Better. (1 Peter 1:15-16).


2)  "How close can I get to the line [of compromise] without actually crossing it?"


I think some of my readers are asking questions like "Okay, so how little modesty can I exhibit in my life & still have fun in life?" That appears to be very similar to asking the question, "What is the least I can believe & still be a Christian?" [which is a real title to a real book. View my response to that book here]. It's like asking "How close can I get to the fire & not be burned?" (Proverbs 6:27-28) Or "How far is too far?


To me, those are the wrong sort of questions to be asking. We should instead be asking "How much can I glorify God with my life? What areas do I need to grow & change in, to become more like Christ?" And I think that modesty is one of those areas that we can grow in.


3) So what do you believe?


Personally, I say the more modesty, the better! I mean, think about it: "Can one really be too modest?" And what consequences would there be in that? More holiness? More godliness? Yikes! Such scary things to behold!


 Now, I'm not saying that we all need to don a hajib or a burka. Or dress like the Amish do or the Puritans did. Although I will say that my natural inclination is towards more conservativeness than liberality, especially when it concerns dress.


4)  Beauty was created by God!


Nor am I saying that beauty (or a natural desire or inclination towards it) is a bad thing. Beauty was created by God! And blessed by Him (Genesis 1:31)! If anything, we should be striving to be more beautiful, to better glorify our Creator!


5) Inner beauty is more desirable than "outward adornment."

"A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more desirable than rubies..." - Proverbs 31:10

God judges our heart. He doesn't look at the things man does (1 Samuel 16:7). For more reading, please see 1 Peter 3:3-4, Proverbs 31:30, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 5:8, Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 etc)


6) You can wear modest clothing & still have a very impure heart.


I have seen this portrayed in my own life (& those of others around me). The clothes that you choose to wear can oftentimes cover a very black, sinful heart.


"Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks..." - Luke 6:45b

So,what do your words, attitudes & actions portray about the state of your heart?
If people didn't know that you were a Christian, what would they think based on how you live?

 7) No Condemnation

 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." - Matthew 7:1-2

 Although I am more conservative myself, please understand that I am not judging your dress or attitudes. I am just examining my own soul & am making this information available for contemplation & dialogue.

Why Modesty? Part I

 Modesty seems to be the new topic to discuss, especially if you're a conservative, Christian, homeschooled young lady. At times, it seems like everyone is discussing it, talking about it, reading about it, trying to implement it into their lives... And everyone seems to have an opinion on the topic. And this is mine. 

Disclaimer #1: I'm not going to give you a fix-everything list of rules & regulations. I don't think that is what is needed here. That will fix nothing, as they're not all applicable to all of us. So I'm going to use a lot of Scriptures & references & leave you to work out the implications in your own life.

Disclaimer #2- This is mainly written towards my female friends, although I would hope some of the young men can glean from it also.

Caution- So many times, we as humans, think "Oh! I wish so-and-so could read this!" or "[That person] really needs to apply this to her life" instead of seeing that it is really us that needs to hear the Word in the first place! So, I strongly encourage you to pray through this, asking God what you can learn from this, what He's trying to teach you through this...

Alrighty, that aside, jumping in, feet first:

Why Modesty?

Why should I be modest?
(Part I)

1) I believe that everything we think, speak & do should be for God's Glory. 

  "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17, 23

That pretty much sums up my stance on it all. If it's not God-honoring, then why are you doing it?

2) I believe that we are Called for something Better. 

"But as He who Called you is Holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,  since it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”- 1 Peter 1:15-16

Immodest dress & behavior does not honor God nor bring Him Glory.

3) I believe that we're Commanded to live Holy, Righteous Lives

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality & all impurity, as is proper among saints..." - Ephesians 5:3

This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. Just ask my friends, I quote it all the time. We were Called for something Better! Immorality, sin & immodesty have no part in that! See also 2 Timothy 2:22 & Philippians 4:8

4) Immodesty is a "Contradictory Witness"

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), & try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.  But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.." - Ephesians 5:8-13

We were once in darkness, but now we are in light. We once were sinful, but now we are Saved. Why then do we want to live like the World??? Go & sin no more!

5) I also believe that we're Called to set an example for those younger than us.

"Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12

I once heard a pastor give a sermon about how young people often grab a hold of the first part of that verse, saying "Yes! Don't look down on me!" but fail to apply the second half. We are Called to set an example for the young & older folks. How are you doing in that area???

6) It is for our own good (not drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves).

"Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." - Proverbs 4:23

Immodest clothes & actions draw unnecessary attention to ourselves. Not really something I'd like to attract... What about you?

7)  We are Called to keep our brothers from stumbling.

"But take care that this "right" of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you...will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your "knowledge" this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." - 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

*Note: In the above passage, Paul is instructing the new Corinthian Church concerning eating food that has been previously sacrificed to idols. So this subject doesn't directly deal with modesty. But it does talk about not causing your brother to stumble. You get the idea...

 I have heard a lot of young ladies say that "It isn't my job to keep him from falling." This is not true. While, I do agree, yes, that it is the young man's responsibility first to guard his eyes & mind, it is also our job to help them in this. This is one way that we can serve our brothers in Christ (1 Timothy 5:1-2). Looking out for each other. This is one way God designed the Church family to function.

Contentment

We all go through a period of WAITING in our lives. Waiting on people. Waiting on different events to take place. But how do we usually react to these events & circumstances, I wonder?

Oftentimes, I think that us humans think in "if...then" statements. Let me explain. "If I was _________ [insert your definitive here], then I'd be happy." Or "If I had ______________, then I'd be happy."

What are you waiting on? Insert your own word above- Marriage, children, an answer to prayer, healing, more money, a new truck, a bigger home, children moved out (shame!), kids married, grandchildren, retirement, Heaven... whatever it might be.

A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking about contentment ("Am I really content with where God has me right now?") I verbally said, "Yes, Lord, I think I am content." [Like I'd mastered that character trait- Yeah right!!!] It was as if the Lord said "Oh, you really think so, do you? Well, we'll see about that..."

These past 3 weeks have been very hard. It seems like it's been one trial, test, doubt & affirmation after another... God has been SO Faithful through it all. He's been revealing character trait upon Truth upon attribute after another... It's been hard (to be sure!), but it's been SOOOOO GOOD at the same time!!!

This is what I feel like God has been teaching me. I hope this is a blessing to you!

1) My Strength, satisfaction, joy, peace, identity & happiness is found in Him ALONE. Nothing else will fill my insatiable desire for Him, no matter how hard I might try to pursue other, lesser things than Him. Searching for lesser things to fill the void only leaves me more empty, drained, frustrated & depressed. It isn't worth it.

2) "God is most glorified when man is most satisfied in Him." - John Piper. This statement works both ways- "Man is most satisfied when God is most glorified."

3) God has not failed me yet. Why do I doubt Him now?

4) God's Plan is SO much bigger & better than anything I could ever think up. His ways are Higher. He has a Plan & Purpose for all of this. Why can't I just trust Him in this???

5) I needed a fresh Perspective- A reminder of how GREAT God is & how utterly small I am. A reminder of His attributes, character, Promises & Truth. What a better place to find these things than in His very own Word to us??? I also needed to spend more time in communion with Him, namely in prayer.

6) I had to cease striving in my own strength. It wasn't until I stopped trying, sat silently before Him & waited patiently for His response before I heard Him speak.

7) I found out very quickly that I am NOT ready for the "next step of my life," as I had (mistakenly) previously thought I was. There is still much work for God to do upon my heart, mind, words & actions.

Next, some questions-Are you content?What are you waiting on God for?Are you "ready to wait"?What is stopping you from waiting on Him?Where do you desire God to act in your life?Do your desires line up with God"s desires for your life?Do you trust that He has your best in mind- for your good & His glory?Are you listening to His voice & following His direction?

Lastly, some Scripture to encourage us. God is bringing to mind specifically:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been Called according to His Purposes." - Romans 8:28

"Delight yourself in the Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

"Be still & know that I am God..." - Psalm 46:10a

"For everything there is a Season & a Time for everything under Heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

"Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My flesh & my heart may fail, but God is the Strength of my heart & my portion forever." - Psalm 73:25-26

"I wait patiently of the Lord, He will turn to me & hear my cries. He will lift me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud & mire. He will set my feet on a Rock & give me a firm place to stand. He is putting a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will SEE & fear & put their trust in the Lord." - Psalm 40:1-3

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer & petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

"Wait for the Lord, be strong & take heart & wait for the Lord." - Psalm 27:14

"He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the Day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6

"It is in Christ that we find out who we are & what we are living for." - Ephesians 1:12

"Seek His Will in all you do & He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:6

"For My Thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways & My Thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Other Scriptures for meditation: Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Colossians 3:2, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 12:1-3, Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 2:3-5, Lamentations 3:21-23, Mark 8:36, Matthew 6:21, Colossians 3:17, Psalm 34:17-18, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 84:10-12, Isaiah 54:10, Habakkuk 3:17-18, Hebrews 13:5-6, Matthew 28:20, Isaiah 30:15, Psalm 62:1-2, 1 Peter 5:10, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 37:7, John 16:33, 1 John 5:14-15, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 36:5-8, Isaiah 40:28-31, Isaiah 65:24, Hebrews 12:11, Hebrews 4:16 etc.

Now, on this side of the trial, I can now say I AM CONTENT with where God has me right now. God is Faithful. And He is Good.