What's the first thought you have?
(and if you say this has never happened to you, pretend it did! then answer)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 30, 2006
And what would YOU think?
So, you're cruising through the blogosphere in a rather aimless direction, just enjoying catching up on some blogs you haven't read in a while. You happen along one you really like but haven't been to in months, only to find out the blogger has de-linked you.
What's the first thought you have?
(and if you say this has never happened to you, pretend it did! then answer)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
What's the first thought you have?
(and if you say this has never happened to you, pretend it did! then answer)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Continuationists & Cessationists?
As a former charismatic (now cessationist), I've often wondered how cessationists would explain their participation with charismatics in such endeavors like conferences, seminars, etc.
When Pastor John MacArthur's name showed up alongside CJ Mahaney's name on the T4TG promotional media, there were more than a few of us cessationist that gave a collective "hmmm" as we wondered about this.
In the charismatic church I was a part of in the mid 90's (during the height of the "jumping in the river" and the "catch the fire" phenomenon), the Christian experience was just that, based on experience. It was emotionalism, feelings, experiences & manifestations. Over and over again, any time anyone was questioned about how they knew something of their Christian experience to be true, those questions were answered the same way.
I experienced this...
God spoke to me and said...
The feeling I had was...
I had a vision and this is what I saw...
The answers always started out with a subjective personal experience, then went on to explain what happened to cause them to believe this or that. Often, a verse from Daniel, Acts, or Revelation was added to back up the experience, feeling, or emotion.
It never made sense to me. I never understood why, in the charismatic church I was in, everyone based their Christianity on their experiences first, then looked for Scripture ( in many cases Scripture was optional and often the statement "well you can't put God in a box" or "the Holy Spirit is moving in a new and fresh way" was good enough) to explain why they believed what they believed.
In this particular church, there were plenty of other things that never made sense to me as well.
Eternal security was solely based on YOU and not God. Your eternal security rested on you, for if you walked away from God He was powerless to keep you saved. You'd have to get saved again & stay saved, to be assured of eternal life. God was able to keep you saved, but only if you allowed Him to.
Speaking in tongues was not an evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as in the book of Acts, it was the evidence. If you claimed to be saved, you had better be speaking in tongues. If you didn't, it was a sure sign that you didn't have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Many (who knew more about all that than I did) would go further and question if you were really saved. You didn't dare tell anyone that you didn't desire the gift of tongues, as that would on lead to more questions about your salvation. Under the emotional pressure, many people faked speaking in tongues.
Being slain in the spirit was a good thing. If you were to go forward at an altar call, and didn't fall down when prayed for, you were resisting the Holy Spirit and in open rebellion. Plenty of people faked that one too. Who really wants to stand in front of their church and confess they are in open rebellion against God, especially when they know they're not? No one that I know. So they faked it and fell down.
It was also common for someone (man or woman) to stand up at any given time during the service (worship in song, passing the collection plate, the middle of the sermon, it didn't matter) and begin "prophecying a message in tongues". Sometimes it might only be a minute or two, other times it might have been 10 minutes or longer. More often than not, no one stepped forward to translate. In all the years I was there, I only recall a translation being given twice. Once by a man, another time by a woman.
So this was the charismatic church I was in for nearly four years. This was my own personal experience with the charismatic movement. The holy laughter, personal & private revelation of God, word of knowledge, prophecy (in tongues or in English), speaking in tongues, barking, twitching, flailing arms & screaming, running around the sanctuary, heaving, groaning, pounding the floor... all present and accounted for. Every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, every Wednesday night, and every revival service. Without fail.
Yes, it was an Assemblies of God church. The same denomination of the Brownsville AoG in Pensacola Florida, that men & women from around the world flocked to as a means to "catch the fire" and bring it back to their own local churches.
It was only after a friend sent me Arthur Pink's The Sovereignty of God and I began to read it, that I began to seriously question all those things I just described going on in my church (and more). The more I read Pink's book, the more I studied Scripture. The more I studied Scripture, the more questions I had. The more I questioned my pastor, the more annoyed with me he became. I had questions he either couldn't answer, or didn't want to answer. He didn't answer most of them, but lovingly patted me on the head and told me to run along and stop being such a doubting Thomas.
It wasn't long after that that it occured to me (like a ton of bricks) that I could no longer remain a part of this church. When I finally left (I just stopped going), not one person from that church ever called me, came by, or contacted me in any way. No one ever asked "where have you been?". That part of it was almost as sad as the reason I left to begin with.
Fast foward ten years later. Continuationist is now the word many use, instead of charismatic. Many continuationists don't want to be associated with the more flamboyant charismatic stereotypes (and who can blame them?). "We're not like that" they say. I should certainly hope not.
Add to continuationist, the label of "Charismatic Calvinist" or "sovereign grace continuationist" and more than a few former charismatics are left scratching their head and going "huh???". For many of us, it just doesn't make sense. One friend has often said "how can you have sola Scriptura in this corner, and prophecy in the other corner, and make them square up??". I don't have an answer to her question. For me, they simply do not add up at all, no matter how many times I've read what charismatic Calvinists have to say.
Of course I realize that some of the most well-liked and well-respected men in our day call themselves continuationists. That alone puts me (and others like me that just don't "get it") on the outs with many people. I'm okay with that. I can't embrace or endorse that which I don't understand, or don't agree with. I'm more concerned about being Biblical.
I also realize that my own subjective experience with the charismatic movement may certainly have swayed my thinking when it comes to this. I've tried very hard to set "experience" aside and compare just the teachings I was once under, with the Bible's teachings. Speaking in tongues, being slain in the spirit, word of knowledge, prophecy and visions. In all the years since I left the AoG church, I have purposely and willfully attempted to unlearn what I was taught and be re-taught by the study of the Scriptures. In the vast majority of instances, I have come to the conclusion (or been brought to the conclusion) that what was taught there, is indeed not Biblical at all, but a very powerful emotional & experiential phenomena.
I realize that this will float like a lead baloon with many who call themselves continuationists, or charismatic Calvinists. Those that are big fans of people like Piper, Grudem, Mahaney and others. Please know this - just as much as I was blessed by my former charismatic pastor, I have also been blessed by the likes of Piper, Grudem and Mahaney. I just believe in this particular area of Christianity, that they are wrong.
Further, I also realize that my own personal experience with the charismatic movement may not necesarrily accurately represent the position of all continuationists, or charismatics. I certainly do not wish to misrepresent anyone's position, so I wanted to make that point clear. It would seem in our day that there are nearly as many flavors of charismatics are there are Baptists.
When Pastor John MacArthur's name showed up alongside CJ Mahaney's name on the T4TG promotional media, there were more than a few of us cessationist that gave a collective "hmmm" as we wondered about this.
In the charismatic church I was a part of in the mid 90's (during the height of the "jumping in the river" and the "catch the fire" phenomenon), the Christian experience was just that, based on experience. It was emotionalism, feelings, experiences & manifestations. Over and over again, any time anyone was questioned about how they knew something of their Christian experience to be true, those questions were answered the same way.
I experienced this...
God spoke to me and said...
The feeling I had was...
I had a vision and this is what I saw...
The answers always started out with a subjective personal experience, then went on to explain what happened to cause them to believe this or that. Often, a verse from Daniel, Acts, or Revelation was added to back up the experience, feeling, or emotion.
It never made sense to me. I never understood why, in the charismatic church I was in, everyone based their Christianity on their experiences first, then looked for Scripture ( in many cases Scripture was optional and often the statement "well you can't put God in a box" or "the Holy Spirit is moving in a new and fresh way" was good enough) to explain why they believed what they believed.
In this particular church, there were plenty of other things that never made sense to me as well.
Eternal security was solely based on YOU and not God. Your eternal security rested on you, for if you walked away from God He was powerless to keep you saved. You'd have to get saved again & stay saved, to be assured of eternal life. God was able to keep you saved, but only if you allowed Him to.
Speaking in tongues was not an evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, as in the book of Acts, it was the evidence. If you claimed to be saved, you had better be speaking in tongues. If you didn't, it was a sure sign that you didn't have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Many (who knew more about all that than I did) would go further and question if you were really saved. You didn't dare tell anyone that you didn't desire the gift of tongues, as that would on lead to more questions about your salvation. Under the emotional pressure, many people faked speaking in tongues.
Being slain in the spirit was a good thing. If you were to go forward at an altar call, and didn't fall down when prayed for, you were resisting the Holy Spirit and in open rebellion. Plenty of people faked that one too. Who really wants to stand in front of their church and confess they are in open rebellion against God, especially when they know they're not? No one that I know. So they faked it and fell down.
It was also common for someone (man or woman) to stand up at any given time during the service (worship in song, passing the collection plate, the middle of the sermon, it didn't matter) and begin "prophecying a message in tongues". Sometimes it might only be a minute or two, other times it might have been 10 minutes or longer. More often than not, no one stepped forward to translate. In all the years I was there, I only recall a translation being given twice. Once by a man, another time by a woman.
So this was the charismatic church I was in for nearly four years. This was my own personal experience with the charismatic movement. The holy laughter, personal & private revelation of God, word of knowledge, prophecy (in tongues or in English), speaking in tongues, barking, twitching, flailing arms & screaming, running around the sanctuary, heaving, groaning, pounding the floor... all present and accounted for. Every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, every Wednesday night, and every revival service. Without fail.
Yes, it was an Assemblies of God church. The same denomination of the Brownsville AoG in Pensacola Florida, that men & women from around the world flocked to as a means to "catch the fire" and bring it back to their own local churches.
It was only after a friend sent me Arthur Pink's The Sovereignty of God and I began to read it, that I began to seriously question all those things I just described going on in my church (and more). The more I read Pink's book, the more I studied Scripture. The more I studied Scripture, the more questions I had. The more I questioned my pastor, the more annoyed with me he became. I had questions he either couldn't answer, or didn't want to answer. He didn't answer most of them, but lovingly patted me on the head and told me to run along and stop being such a doubting Thomas.
It wasn't long after that that it occured to me (like a ton of bricks) that I could no longer remain a part of this church. When I finally left (I just stopped going), not one person from that church ever called me, came by, or contacted me in any way. No one ever asked "where have you been?". That part of it was almost as sad as the reason I left to begin with.
Fast foward ten years later. Continuationist is now the word many use, instead of charismatic. Many continuationists don't want to be associated with the more flamboyant charismatic stereotypes (and who can blame them?). "We're not like that" they say. I should certainly hope not.
Add to continuationist, the label of "Charismatic Calvinist" or "sovereign grace continuationist" and more than a few former charismatics are left scratching their head and going "huh???". For many of us, it just doesn't make sense. One friend has often said "how can you have sola Scriptura in this corner, and prophecy in the other corner, and make them square up??". I don't have an answer to her question. For me, they simply do not add up at all, no matter how many times I've read what charismatic Calvinists have to say.
Of course I realize that some of the most well-liked and well-respected men in our day call themselves continuationists. That alone puts me (and others like me that just don't "get it") on the outs with many people. I'm okay with that. I can't embrace or endorse that which I don't understand, or don't agree with. I'm more concerned about being Biblical.
I also realize that my own subjective experience with the charismatic movement may certainly have swayed my thinking when it comes to this. I've tried very hard to set "experience" aside and compare just the teachings I was once under, with the Bible's teachings. Speaking in tongues, being slain in the spirit, word of knowledge, prophecy and visions. In all the years since I left the AoG church, I have purposely and willfully attempted to unlearn what I was taught and be re-taught by the study of the Scriptures. In the vast majority of instances, I have come to the conclusion (or been brought to the conclusion) that what was taught there, is indeed not Biblical at all, but a very powerful emotional & experiential phenomena.
I realize that this will float like a lead baloon with many who call themselves continuationists, or charismatic Calvinists. Those that are big fans of people like Piper, Grudem, Mahaney and others. Please know this - just as much as I was blessed by my former charismatic pastor, I have also been blessed by the likes of Piper, Grudem and Mahaney. I just believe in this particular area of Christianity, that they are wrong.
Further, I also realize that my own personal experience with the charismatic movement may not necesarrily accurately represent the position of all continuationists, or charismatics. I certainly do not wish to misrepresent anyone's position, so I wanted to make that point clear. It would seem in our day that there are nearly as many flavors of charismatics are there are Baptists.
So back to my original reason for writing about this today. Many people have wondered how John MacArthur could partner with charismatics, especially given his very well known position on this subject. Well, that question has been answered here by Nathan Busenitz of Faith & Practice.
At this year's Shepherd's Conference, Nathan gave a seminar on this very topic, and his notes from that seminar are now online here, as well.
You may or may not agree with his position, or mine, or anyone elses. Nevertheless, for those with questions, at least this is a start to getting to some answers.
As for me, I keep listening to the answers, and trying to understand.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 29, 2006
Red Roses
I just finished making this. I used to make birthday cakes this way for every birthday, but I sort of got lazy in the last couple of years and started decorating with fruit toppings & whipped cream. It's easier, and probably much more healthy, but the roses sure are fun to make. My handwriting is getting kinda rusty too. I should write longhand more often, eh?I'm going to sneak away for a rest now before everyone gets here to celebrate Jennifer's 20th birthday.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Genuine Christian Humility
What does that mean, genuine Christian humility?
Well, some of you folks have better Greek understanding than I do, I'm sure, but the word as it's used in Scripture is tapeinophrosune (do NOT ask me to pronounce that, but here it is for your phonetic entertainment: tap-i-nof-ros-oo’-nay) .
According to my notes here, the word means quite literally, having a deep sense of ones own moral littleness.
Think about that for a minute.
Genuine Christian humility means you're honestly aware of your own shortcomings and 100% dependant on God's grace, wisdom, mercy, guidance, strength, etc.
It means the exact opposite of being boastful, arrogant, prideful and conceited. Something we all know a bit about, since every human being that has ever lived, is living, or will ever live in the future, will battle pride in one exteme or another. Christians are far more aware of this beast of pride within us, because by His Holy Spirit He sees to it that we are made aware.
Several years ago, my former pastor preached a message about having a teachable spirit, and being accutely aware of the leading of the Holy Spirit. Granted, the pastor was charismatic, so the message was awfully steeped in emotion & experience, but it was still a good message.
For some reason, that message really stayed with me. Maybe it's because I've always been rather independant, with a pretty wide rebellious streak. As a kid I was one of those "leave me alone I can do it myself" sort of kids. As I grew up, that attitude stayed with me. There were a lot of things I could do on my own without any help, but when the time came that I needed help, it was a huge pride issue for me to ask for it. I didn't want anyone to know I couldn't do it on my own, or figure it out without help.
I also didn't want to be corrected. If there was one thing that annoyed me more than anything else, it might very well have been to be told by someone else, "you're wrong about this". I was about as teachable as a stump. Interestingly enough, when someone is that full of themselves, a stump is just what they are, since they can't possibly grow if they already know everything.
It has occured to me on many occaisions that there are a lot of people out there who think they are above correction, above being taught. Do they come right out and say "you can't teach me anything, I know it all"? No, but they might as well. They say & do other things that make it quite clear that being genuinely humble and teachable, is not their goal. They might react in a defensive way when questioned, as if they were being challenged, or doubted. They might go further and become insulting or slanderous toward the person who questioned them. Sometimes they go even further than that and flat out lie about the person who questioned them.
And these are Christian people I'm talking about, folks.
Pride is a horrible, wicked, deceptive & destructive thing. It causes us to be self-centered, it causes us to push people away, and it causes us to be in active rebellion against God. It hurts other people, it destroys character & credibility (our own and that of others), and strings us along by the nose telling us that we're just fine & it's everyone else's issues, not our own.
When I first sat down to write here about humility, I have to be honest and tell you I thought about other people. I thought about all the people I know or know of, that call themselves Christians that have seriously monumental pride issues. I guess it's just easier to see it in other folks.
Fact is, being genuinely humble doesn't mean "always looking at other people's lack of humility". It means being deeply aware of our own moral inadequacy. While that certainly does not preclude the act of holding one another accountable when they fall into this sin, it does mean that we'd better remember we're not sinless ourselves. Therefore, whenever we do call someone out on their actions, we ought to be doing it with as much grace as we can muster. Remembering we too, are prone to acting this same way.
There are a lot of verses in Scripture about being humble. I could sit here and list them all, but I really don't think I need to do that. Any real Christian knows that this is the way we're supposed to be.
What we do about it, is often and sadly a different story.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Well, some of you folks have better Greek understanding than I do, I'm sure, but the word as it's used in Scripture is tapeinophrosune (do NOT ask me to pronounce that, but here it is for your phonetic entertainment: tap-i-nof-ros-oo’-nay) .
According to my notes here, the word means quite literally, having a deep sense of ones own moral littleness.
Think about that for a minute.
Genuine Christian humility means you're honestly aware of your own shortcomings and 100% dependant on God's grace, wisdom, mercy, guidance, strength, etc.
It means the exact opposite of being boastful, arrogant, prideful and conceited. Something we all know a bit about, since every human being that has ever lived, is living, or will ever live in the future, will battle pride in one exteme or another. Christians are far more aware of this beast of pride within us, because by His Holy Spirit He sees to it that we are made aware.
Several years ago, my former pastor preached a message about having a teachable spirit, and being accutely aware of the leading of the Holy Spirit. Granted, the pastor was charismatic, so the message was awfully steeped in emotion & experience, but it was still a good message.
For some reason, that message really stayed with me. Maybe it's because I've always been rather independant, with a pretty wide rebellious streak. As a kid I was one of those "leave me alone I can do it myself" sort of kids. As I grew up, that attitude stayed with me. There were a lot of things I could do on my own without any help, but when the time came that I needed help, it was a huge pride issue for me to ask for it. I didn't want anyone to know I couldn't do it on my own, or figure it out without help.
I also didn't want to be corrected. If there was one thing that annoyed me more than anything else, it might very well have been to be told by someone else, "you're wrong about this". I was about as teachable as a stump. Interestingly enough, when someone is that full of themselves, a stump is just what they are, since they can't possibly grow if they already know everything.
It has occured to me on many occaisions that there are a lot of people out there who think they are above correction, above being taught. Do they come right out and say "you can't teach me anything, I know it all"? No, but they might as well. They say & do other things that make it quite clear that being genuinely humble and teachable, is not their goal. They might react in a defensive way when questioned, as if they were being challenged, or doubted. They might go further and become insulting or slanderous toward the person who questioned them. Sometimes they go even further than that and flat out lie about the person who questioned them.
And these are Christian people I'm talking about, folks.
Pride is a horrible, wicked, deceptive & destructive thing. It causes us to be self-centered, it causes us to push people away, and it causes us to be in active rebellion against God. It hurts other people, it destroys character & credibility (our own and that of others), and strings us along by the nose telling us that we're just fine & it's everyone else's issues, not our own.
When I first sat down to write here about humility, I have to be honest and tell you I thought about other people. I thought about all the people I know or know of, that call themselves Christians that have seriously monumental pride issues. I guess it's just easier to see it in other folks.
Fact is, being genuinely humble doesn't mean "always looking at other people's lack of humility". It means being deeply aware of our own moral inadequacy. While that certainly does not preclude the act of holding one another accountable when they fall into this sin, it does mean that we'd better remember we're not sinless ourselves. Therefore, whenever we do call someone out on their actions, we ought to be doing it with as much grace as we can muster. Remembering we too, are prone to acting this same way.
There are a lot of verses in Scripture about being humble. I could sit here and list them all, but I really don't think I need to do that. Any real Christian knows that this is the way we're supposed to be.
What we do about it, is often and sadly a different story.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 28, 2006
Why Expositional Preaching is Particularly Glorifying to God
Why Expositional Preaching is Particularly Glorifying to God - by John Piper
I've heard (read) quite a bit of buzz about this message at the T4TG conference. I wanted to let my readers know it's available as a single message CD for $5.00. Go here to get a copy.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
It's the end of the week as we know it...
By great big C. (Carla that is)
Well let's see here, I think I'll wrap up a few thoughts for the week.
• Mom went home last Friday & the place just isn't the same without her. Seriously. I know a lot of adults that just don't get along well with their parents & that's really a shame. Mom and I get along great, and having her here for 10 days made me miss her alot more, when she left. We sewed together, had long long talks, went shopping, and she even went to the dentist with me. Okay fine she waited in the van with her crossword puzzle book, but at least she was there, lol.
• Yesterday when I read the news of the rabbi that spoke at Liberty University, I sat back in shock. Everyone I shared that link with reacted the same way. More or less they all said "what!!!???" I'm sure there are some who think it's no big deal, or somehow see some kind of academic benefit to the whole thing. Me? I find it utterly inexcusable for a man to be given a platform in a Christian college to encourage students to be accepting of homosexual marraige. Simply unthinkable. But hey, welcome to 2006 where the only people who find such things wrong, are us rabid fundies that are so narrowminded we actually still call sin, sin. I know, we've got some nerve. We're full of hate, afterall. (I do still expect to see more blogger's thoughts on this, so if you're one of them, let me know & I'll link you up on my entry from yesterday).
• I made another dress this week. I know for some of you that's not news, but it turned out really nice & fits the girls very well. I have one more cut out to sew up (mom cut out two more for me while she was here) and after that I'm going to use the same pattern to make a few tops/capris outfits. While it doesn't cost less to make the girls clothes than it does to buy them, I certainly can make them cute summer gear that is far more conservative than what you'll find in the stores (for the most part). The added bonus is, they're still young enough to really enjoy all their new dresses.
• Well the weather stunk this week. Most of the week it was chilly and rainy & the kids were stuck inside. All you parents out there with kids stuck inside due to weather, know exactly what I'm talking about here. Kids inside due to rain = the house not staying clean & little people with "nothing to do". My idea of cleaning the messes up that they made, for something to do, didn't go over so well with them.
• I heard some rather disturbing news this week. A man with 40 years on the job was let go during a company ownership change-over. Because the legal/financial aspect of the ownership transaction is in some kind of bankruptcy protection, the man was let go without any kind of severance pay. It was intentional, as he was let go 4 days shy of the new owners taking over. Had he been kept on for 4 more days, legally he'd be due a severance package if they were to let him go. How cut-throat is that?
• I went with my second oldest yesterday while she registered for school. After goofing off so much during highschool & then becoming too old to go back (she turns 20 on the 30th) she finally realized it's time to get back on an academic track. I am so proud of her! She registered with a transition school that helps her get back into focusing on getting her highschool credits & then they gave her the first two English lessons to complete at home. The program is offered through the school district & it's pretty much like homeschooling. Each credit requires 20 lessons, and the kids do them at home on their time. After completing each lesson they turn them in to be graded & get the next set of lessons. She has a lot of work to do to finish her highschool credits, but she's really looking forward to it. When I dropped her off at home she was excited to get started on the lessons they gave her. :o) Thing is, academically she always did very well in school, she was just too easily distracted as a teenager and that left her studies in the dust. Things are different now & I'm really glad she's going back to school.
• I was told recently that WalMart is the store of satan. Not that he shops there or anything, but if you do, you're likely a spawn of satan himself. Well, I shop at WalMart. What's more, I like shopping at WalMart. And I hate shopping, so that's really saying a lot. I don't get myself all caught up in the political issues surrounding demonic WalMart, I just like that they have a clean store, wide aisles, and low prices on a wide selection of the stuff this mom shops for. In fact, Kev's doing school with the kids this morning so that I can actually go to WalMart and get a few things we need. So there ya go.
More or less, that was my week. I'd be a very bad blogger however, to omit any mention of Tim being down in KY covering the T4TG conference (and doing a great job, as usual), and that he also unveiled a brand spanking new Discerning Reader this week. I was impressed that he bought that domain name, it actually made me lol for real. Tim's a busy guy, and I guess being Tim "The World's Most Famous Christian Blogger®" requires being so busy. Please keep Tim & wife Aileen in your prayers, their baby is due any time.
And with that, I'm off to WalMart.
Have a great Friday. :o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Well let's see here, I think I'll wrap up a few thoughts for the week.
• Mom went home last Friday & the place just isn't the same without her. Seriously. I know a lot of adults that just don't get along well with their parents & that's really a shame. Mom and I get along great, and having her here for 10 days made me miss her alot more, when she left. We sewed together, had long long talks, went shopping, and she even went to the dentist with me. Okay fine she waited in the van with her crossword puzzle book, but at least she was there, lol.
• Yesterday when I read the news of the rabbi that spoke at Liberty University, I sat back in shock. Everyone I shared that link with reacted the same way. More or less they all said "what!!!???" I'm sure there are some who think it's no big deal, or somehow see some kind of academic benefit to the whole thing. Me? I find it utterly inexcusable for a man to be given a platform in a Christian college to encourage students to be accepting of homosexual marraige. Simply unthinkable. But hey, welcome to 2006 where the only people who find such things wrong, are us rabid fundies that are so narrowminded we actually still call sin, sin. I know, we've got some nerve. We're full of hate, afterall. (I do still expect to see more blogger's thoughts on this, so if you're one of them, let me know & I'll link you up on my entry from yesterday).
• I made another dress this week. I know for some of you that's not news, but it turned out really nice & fits the girls very well. I have one more cut out to sew up (mom cut out two more for me while she was here) and after that I'm going to use the same pattern to make a few tops/capris outfits. While it doesn't cost less to make the girls clothes than it does to buy them, I certainly can make them cute summer gear that is far more conservative than what you'll find in the stores (for the most part). The added bonus is, they're still young enough to really enjoy all their new dresses.
• Well the weather stunk this week. Most of the week it was chilly and rainy & the kids were stuck inside. All you parents out there with kids stuck inside due to weather, know exactly what I'm talking about here. Kids inside due to rain = the house not staying clean & little people with "nothing to do". My idea of cleaning the messes up that they made, for something to do, didn't go over so well with them.
• I heard some rather disturbing news this week. A man with 40 years on the job was let go during a company ownership change-over. Because the legal/financial aspect of the ownership transaction is in some kind of bankruptcy protection, the man was let go without any kind of severance pay. It was intentional, as he was let go 4 days shy of the new owners taking over. Had he been kept on for 4 more days, legally he'd be due a severance package if they were to let him go. How cut-throat is that?
• I went with my second oldest yesterday while she registered for school. After goofing off so much during highschool & then becoming too old to go back (she turns 20 on the 30th) she finally realized it's time to get back on an academic track. I am so proud of her! She registered with a transition school that helps her get back into focusing on getting her highschool credits & then they gave her the first two English lessons to complete at home. The program is offered through the school district & it's pretty much like homeschooling. Each credit requires 20 lessons, and the kids do them at home on their time. After completing each lesson they turn them in to be graded & get the next set of lessons. She has a lot of work to do to finish her highschool credits, but she's really looking forward to it. When I dropped her off at home she was excited to get started on the lessons they gave her. :o) Thing is, academically she always did very well in school, she was just too easily distracted as a teenager and that left her studies in the dust. Things are different now & I'm really glad she's going back to school.
• I was told recently that WalMart is the store of satan. Not that he shops there or anything, but if you do, you're likely a spawn of satan himself. Well, I shop at WalMart. What's more, I like shopping at WalMart. And I hate shopping, so that's really saying a lot. I don't get myself all caught up in the political issues surrounding demonic WalMart, I just like that they have a clean store, wide aisles, and low prices on a wide selection of the stuff this mom shops for. In fact, Kev's doing school with the kids this morning so that I can actually go to WalMart and get a few things we need. So there ya go.
More or less, that was my week. I'd be a very bad blogger however, to omit any mention of Tim being down in KY covering the T4TG conference (and doing a great job, as usual), and that he also unveiled a brand spanking new Discerning Reader this week. I was impressed that he bought that domain name, it actually made me lol for real. Tim's a busy guy, and I guess being Tim "The World's Most Famous Christian Blogger®" requires being so busy. Please keep Tim & wife Aileen in your prayers, their baby is due any time.And with that, I'm off to WalMart.
Have a great Friday. :o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 27, 2006
30 Hour Famine - our decision
For the regular readers here, you might be interested to know that Kev and I have decided to allow our 15 yr old to attend the 30 Hour Famine that I wrote about here (and last year, here).
After much consideration regarding all the good, all the bad, and all the educational potential, we have come to the conclusion that this will be a good thing for Jessica to observe, partake of, and come away from with a better understanding of all the issues involved.
Recently Jessica also attended a "girl's retreat" which included some good teaching, some really bad teaching, and some great music. She made us very proud when she described them all, and told us why she thought they were either good, bad, worthwhile or worthless. It's not easy for a mother to let her little girl begin to spread her wings, but it's something we all have to do, sooner or later. Jessica will be 16 this summer, and so far we're fairly comfortable with her discernment abilities.
So, her youth group begins their 30 hour famine at noon tomorrow. If you would all kindly remember Jessica and her group in your prayers during this time, it would be most appreciated. My hope for her (and the group) is that they take this seriously, and focus far more on the real life issues, than the "fun & games" they have scheduled. I just hope they all realize with a very sobering reality, that famine stricken countries are anything but being about fun & games. I hope also that they might somehow be more aware of what Jesus taught us about "doing for the least of these".
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
After much consideration regarding all the good, all the bad, and all the educational potential, we have come to the conclusion that this will be a good thing for Jessica to observe, partake of, and come away from with a better understanding of all the issues involved.
Recently Jessica also attended a "girl's retreat" which included some good teaching, some really bad teaching, and some great music. She made us very proud when she described them all, and told us why she thought they were either good, bad, worthwhile or worthless. It's not easy for a mother to let her little girl begin to spread her wings, but it's something we all have to do, sooner or later. Jessica will be 16 this summer, and so far we're fairly comfortable with her discernment abilities.
So, her youth group begins their 30 hour famine at noon tomorrow. If you would all kindly remember Jessica and her group in your prayers during this time, it would be most appreciated. My hope for her (and the group) is that they take this seriously, and focus far more on the real life issues, than the "fun & games" they have scheduled. I just hope they all realize with a very sobering reality, that famine stricken countries are anything but being about fun & games. I hope also that they might somehow be more aware of what Jesus taught us about "doing for the least of these".
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Liberty University hosts Rabbi preaching 'gay' marriage (what?????)
Watch the Christian blogosphere blow up over this one.
If it doesn't, everyone is in a coma.
Liberty University hosts Rabbi preaching 'gay' marriage
LYNCHBURG, Va., April 26 (JTA) — The band praised Jesus, the pastor prayed for the unsaved and the rabbi preached understanding for gay unions.
In what Jerry Falwell said was a first in the 32 years of his Liberty University, a rabbi helped the controversial televangelist deliver the weekly convocation Wednesday in the packed campus stadium.
UPDATE:
I do suspect there will be others blogging on this very soon, so as I am made aware of them, I'll link them here:
Tom Ascol - Founders Ministries Blog
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
If it doesn't, everyone is in a coma.
Liberty University hosts Rabbi preaching 'gay' marriage
LYNCHBURG, Va., April 26 (JTA) — The band praised Jesus, the pastor prayed for the unsaved and the rabbi preached understanding for gay unions.
In what Jerry Falwell said was a first in the 32 years of his Liberty University, a rabbi helped the controversial televangelist deliver the weekly convocation Wednesday in the packed campus stadium.
UPDATE:
I do suspect there will be others blogging on this very soon, so as I am made aware of them, I'll link them here:
Tom Ascol - Founders Ministries Blog
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
The perils of online forums
(Disclaimer: This ongoing drama is a work of fiction. "Dear friend" is a completely fictional character and BaalYap is a completely fictional online forum. Any similiarity of any character, living, dead, living dead, spiritually dead, demented, deformed, reformed, redefined or reprogrammed or otherwise, is purely coincidental.)
I received the following message from a dear friend yesterday who frequents an online forum called BaalYap, where you can converse in real time with other folks all around the world. Based on the tone of her message, you can surely see why I'm concerned:
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
I received the following message from a dear friend yesterday who frequents an online forum called BaalYap, where you can converse in real time with other folks all around the world. Based on the tone of her message, you can surely see why I'm concerned:
Last night something strange happened here to change my whole worldview. There was a humming noise over the roof. After experiencing a tingling sensation I felt my body lifted to a hovering light. There I encountered Aaron & his gray gang . They tried to implant me with a potato chip.Obviously, online communications have a dark side. Especially if you're easily persuaded. So just a warning to folks, don't be like dear Ninise.
They force fed me a revised & illustrated WCF and held my eyes open with toothpicks & forced me to read blogs. All the while the smallest gray guy chanted "For your pleasure silly woman".
I repent in sackcloth any comments I've ever made about anyone named Brian M. and Brian B. and will be sending off for the cult notebook from a well known apologist.
And for those who have nothing better to do than read my blog , post my url & comment in obscure corners, I have now decided to string my own rosary, and dedicate a bead for each of you.
Relevantly yours,
Ninise Schtick
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 26, 2006
Dental Adventures
Have you ever had your upper lip pulled out about a foot from your face, then twisted so tight you thought it would snap off, then suddenly the force holding it out lets go and it spins around and snaps back into your face?
Me either, but I did get about 6 novacaine shots today all in the upper-frontal section of my mouth, and once it started to wear off a little bit, I think the lip-pull-spin thing is pretty accurate. It was not a bit pleasant, and I have 4 more of these visits before I'm done. Not looking forward to that at all.
Sorta hard to concentrate on more important things when your lips go missing, ya know?
Maybe they'll return tomorrow & I'll be back to normal.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
And a few more thoughts...
Yesterday's post here started some pretty interesting conversations, in other formats. Email, private messages, and chat. Someone even mentioned another blog post about it somewhere. It was interesting in that regardless of the fact that I really didn't want to discuss infant salvation, that's where the topic kept going. My interest was in this so-called special saving grace that God allegedly extends to adults. One friend said yesterday that any time anyone is saved, it is God's special saving grace. I liked that.
I appreciate all of you who took the time to comment on this yesterday, it gave me a lot to think about. One of those things was the "age of accountability" v. "the condition of accountability". I clearly understood why John MacArthur prefers to use condition as opposed to age. It makes a lot of sense.
I'm still mulling over the accountability part, however. My whole life the only folks I've ever heard use this phrase were free will believers. Since I know many of the folks who commented here deny this in favor of unconditional election, It has caused me to think a little deeper.
It seems like what's being said is this:
Once you arrive at the age whereby you can hear, understand and react to the gospel message, you are held accountable if you do not act in an agreeable manner. Obviously once a human heart is (at whatever age God has preordained) regenerated, quickened, replaced with a heart of flesh, that person does respond in an agreeable manner, with the gospel.
So then the flip side of that would be those who are at that age/condition to respond, and do not. They are then accountable for what they have rejected.
So then... where does that leave those that have never heard and never rejected what they did not hear? If only those that have heard and have rejected are held accountable by God for rejecting Christ are judged according to that, then what of the others? Can we logically conclude that they have never reached the "condition of accountability" and are therefore somehow outside this judgement in the same way?
In short, NO.
I believe that the Bible clearly teaches divine election. I believe that the gospel will be heard and responded to by every single person He has predestined to hear it. No matter their geographical location, religious or non-religious upbringing, social or economical status, or any other human circumstance.
I also believe the Bible is very clear about what that gospel message is, that will be responded to. One friend of mine yesterday mentioned 2Peter 3:9 and wondered how this fits in with this subject:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
If the Lord's return is contingent on the very last believer in this world to be regenerated and come to Christ ("all should come to repentance"), and I do believe that's what this verse says, then we have even more evidence that the gospel of Christ must be heard, believed, and acted on by those who would call themselves after His name.
If there is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved, apart from the name of Christ...
if there is no salvation in any other...
if no man comes to the Father but through Jesus...
if our hearts must be changed to enter heaven...
if faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God...
if the gospel that Paul preached (which was received, believed, and was that by which men were saved) contained the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus...
Then to me this says, it is absolutely impossible for any man, woman or child to be saved any other way. This is the only "special saving grace" I can find in Scripture.
I'm still looking at Romans 1:18-20 to see how this fits with this very topic. That was another issue brought up yesterday as a result of the post.
All in all, I'm glad I posted that. The comments and the conversations that have followed have caused me to dig a little deeper into Scripture. That's always a good thing.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
I appreciate all of you who took the time to comment on this yesterday, it gave me a lot to think about. One of those things was the "age of accountability" v. "the condition of accountability". I clearly understood why John MacArthur prefers to use condition as opposed to age. It makes a lot of sense.
I'm still mulling over the accountability part, however. My whole life the only folks I've ever heard use this phrase were free will believers. Since I know many of the folks who commented here deny this in favor of unconditional election, It has caused me to think a little deeper.
It seems like what's being said is this:
Once you arrive at the age whereby you can hear, understand and react to the gospel message, you are held accountable if you do not act in an agreeable manner. Obviously once a human heart is (at whatever age God has preordained) regenerated, quickened, replaced with a heart of flesh, that person does respond in an agreeable manner, with the gospel.
So then the flip side of that would be those who are at that age/condition to respond, and do not. They are then accountable for what they have rejected.
So then... where does that leave those that have never heard and never rejected what they did not hear? If only those that have heard and have rejected are held accountable by God for rejecting Christ are judged according to that, then what of the others? Can we logically conclude that they have never reached the "condition of accountability" and are therefore somehow outside this judgement in the same way?
In short, NO.
I believe that the Bible clearly teaches divine election. I believe that the gospel will be heard and responded to by every single person He has predestined to hear it. No matter their geographical location, religious or non-religious upbringing, social or economical status, or any other human circumstance.
I also believe the Bible is very clear about what that gospel message is, that will be responded to. One friend of mine yesterday mentioned 2Peter 3:9 and wondered how this fits in with this subject:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
If the Lord's return is contingent on the very last believer in this world to be regenerated and come to Christ ("all should come to repentance"), and I do believe that's what this verse says, then we have even more evidence that the gospel of Christ must be heard, believed, and acted on by those who would call themselves after His name.
If there is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved, apart from the name of Christ...
if there is no salvation in any other...
if no man comes to the Father but through Jesus...
if our hearts must be changed to enter heaven...
if faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God...
if the gospel that Paul preached (which was received, believed, and was that by which men were saved) contained the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus...
Then to me this says, it is absolutely impossible for any man, woman or child to be saved any other way. This is the only "special saving grace" I can find in Scripture.
I'm still looking at Romans 1:18-20 to see how this fits with this very topic. That was another issue brought up yesterday as a result of the post.
All in all, I'm glad I posted that. The comments and the conversations that have followed have caused me to dig a little deeper into Scripture. That's always a good thing.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 25, 2006
Salvation without Jesus?
Last night I had the opportunity to learn that God imparts a special, saving grace to those who have never heard the gospel and know nothing about sin.
This position was stated by someone who believes in the age of accountability. The reasoning went pretty much like this:
There cannot be any babies in hell since babies have no willful exercise of sin. God imparts a special saving grace to them, so they're all in heaven. He imparts the same special saving grace to all adults who also have no willful exercise of sin, because they've never so much as heard of sin, or the gospel therefore they're in a different category than adults who have heard the gospel and have knowledge of sin.
If this is true, then wouldn't it stand to reason that missions is in part, a deadly occupation? If these adults that have never heard about sin, nor the gospel, are in a special category to receive special saving grace, it would only be to their doom to send out missionaries to preach and teach Christ to them. Then, they would have heard, and then that special category they were in would be ripped out from under them. If having heard the gospel, and rejecting it, the missionary who delivered it to them would actually be responsible in a way for having sealed that person's eternal condemnation.
Now let me say a clearly as I can, I have no idea where babies (who pass) are. I don't believe the Scriptures are as clear on this as we'd like them to be. I'd like to believe they are all in heaven, but the bottom line is I simply trust that the Lord has dealt with them with righteousness and mercy.
However, the teaching of the age of accountability, followed out to it's logical conclusion (for some anyway) extends a second way to heaven, devoid of Christ. If babies receive a special saving grace, to be consistant they have to say adults do too, who are in a similar situation as babies (adults who know nothing of sin or the gospel).
How is that possible?
If there are people in this world that need no knowledge of Him, need not repent, need not believe the resurrection, to be saved.... then why are we wasting so much money on missions?
It doesn't add up.
Does the Bible actually teach that there is salvation outside of Christ?
Why do we evangelize and tell only some people that they must believe on the person and the work of the Lord Jesus, if that's not actually true for all people?
I realize this is a HUGE can of worms and a very sensitive topic for a lot of people. I don't mean to be insensitive about it at all, but there are things here that just don't add up for me.
What do you think?
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
This position was stated by someone who believes in the age of accountability. The reasoning went pretty much like this:
There cannot be any babies in hell since babies have no willful exercise of sin. God imparts a special saving grace to them, so they're all in heaven. He imparts the same special saving grace to all adults who also have no willful exercise of sin, because they've never so much as heard of sin, or the gospel therefore they're in a different category than adults who have heard the gospel and have knowledge of sin.
If this is true, then wouldn't it stand to reason that missions is in part, a deadly occupation? If these adults that have never heard about sin, nor the gospel, are in a special category to receive special saving grace, it would only be to their doom to send out missionaries to preach and teach Christ to them. Then, they would have heard, and then that special category they were in would be ripped out from under them. If having heard the gospel, and rejecting it, the missionary who delivered it to them would actually be responsible in a way for having sealed that person's eternal condemnation.
Now let me say a clearly as I can, I have no idea where babies (who pass) are. I don't believe the Scriptures are as clear on this as we'd like them to be. I'd like to believe they are all in heaven, but the bottom line is I simply trust that the Lord has dealt with them with righteousness and mercy.
However, the teaching of the age of accountability, followed out to it's logical conclusion (for some anyway) extends a second way to heaven, devoid of Christ. If babies receive a special saving grace, to be consistant they have to say adults do too, who are in a similar situation as babies (adults who know nothing of sin or the gospel).
How is that possible?
If there are people in this world that need no knowledge of Him, need not repent, need not believe the resurrection, to be saved.... then why are we wasting so much money on missions?
It doesn't add up.
Does the Bible actually teach that there is salvation outside of Christ?
Why do we evangelize and tell only some people that they must believe on the person and the work of the Lord Jesus, if that's not actually true for all people?
I realize this is a HUGE can of worms and a very sensitive topic for a lot of people. I don't mean to be insensitive about it at all, but there are things here that just don't add up for me.
What do you think?
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 24, 2006
Blogspotting - sorta
You really ought to read this: Showdown in Satellite City
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
And then, add this link to your favorites for the next time blogspot bites the dust. At least having this in your favorites will give you an idea of what in the world of blogging, is going on. (Caveat on this link, there is some off-color language there within some of the posts & replies)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Does God change His mind???
This past weekend, James Spurgeon, TeamPyro member posted this:
I, Jehovah, I Change Not
It’s a good post and I would highly recommend it. I would also recommend you read through the comment section to see where this is going.
James’ ends his post with this:
One of the commenters asks:
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
I, Jehovah, I Change Not
It’s a good post and I would highly recommend it. I would also recommend you read through the comment section to see where this is going.
James’ ends his post with this:
Does God never change his mind? To be continued . . .
One of the commenters asks:
“You have not brought into the equation that God expects us to interceed for those he is angry at, and through our intercession we can cause God to change his mind.”And that, is exactly where this is going. This should be interesting. To say the least.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Routines for Good
Everyone has one. They can change from time to time, and they can even remain the same for many years without ever changing at all.
Like many people, my morning routine sets the pace for the rest of the day. If I wake up late, some of my morning things go undone as I tend to feel rushed to get the day started. If I wake up early however, I tend to feel pretty good about getting some of those extra things done before the kids wake up.
One of the things I try to do every morning is listen to the daily teachings of Pastor John MacArthur. I started doing this several months ago, and I'm really glad I did. Pastor MacArthur quite often speaks directly to an issue I'd been thinking of, or recently discussed with someone. On more than a few occaisions in the next day's teaching topic, he even spoke about something I'd blogged about, and used the same verses & the same humorous comment that I'd made. I jokingly told some friends I think he's reading my blog. Yes, that is a joke, I have no reason to think I have ever inspired John MacArthur. It's quite the other way around. Spending the 30 minutes each morning listening to the topics & Biblical teachings is a real blessing to me, and sets the tone of the rest of the day.
One of the other morning routines that I did recently change, was something I read about at the FlyLady's site. She recommends getting up and getting dressed immediately, right down to your lace up shoes. I had to laugh when I read that because it was something I used to do every morning, years ago. I'm not sure how or why that routine changed, but for many years I'd be sitting at the pc reading my morning news & email in my jammies & slippers. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, some of you are reading this in your jammies and you know it.
:o)
There is a real benefit to not coming to the kitchen for that first cup of coffee, until you're fully dressed and ready to take on the day. It really does change the way you start the day.
So, I would just encourage you, if your mornings are feeling sorta "blah", do something about it. Shower & dress before you grab that first cup of java. Pick your favorite online sermon/teaching site and give a listen each morning. Fill your ears & mind with good stuff, first thing in the day.
It will set a pace for you that will change your routine for the good.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Like many people, my morning routine sets the pace for the rest of the day. If I wake up late, some of my morning things go undone as I tend to feel rushed to get the day started. If I wake up early however, I tend to feel pretty good about getting some of those extra things done before the kids wake up.
One of the things I try to do every morning is listen to the daily teachings of Pastor John MacArthur. I started doing this several months ago, and I'm really glad I did. Pastor MacArthur quite often speaks directly to an issue I'd been thinking of, or recently discussed with someone. On more than a few occaisions in the next day's teaching topic, he even spoke about something I'd blogged about, and used the same verses & the same humorous comment that I'd made. I jokingly told some friends I think he's reading my blog. Yes, that is a joke, I have no reason to think I have ever inspired John MacArthur. It's quite the other way around. Spending the 30 minutes each morning listening to the topics & Biblical teachings is a real blessing to me, and sets the tone of the rest of the day.
One of the other morning routines that I did recently change, was something I read about at the FlyLady's site. She recommends getting up and getting dressed immediately, right down to your lace up shoes. I had to laugh when I read that because it was something I used to do every morning, years ago. I'm not sure how or why that routine changed, but for many years I'd be sitting at the pc reading my morning news & email in my jammies & slippers. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, some of you are reading this in your jammies and you know it.
:o)
There is a real benefit to not coming to the kitchen for that first cup of coffee, until you're fully dressed and ready to take on the day. It really does change the way you start the day.
So, I would just encourage you, if your mornings are feeling sorta "blah", do something about it. Shower & dress before you grab that first cup of java. Pick your favorite online sermon/teaching site and give a listen each morning. Fill your ears & mind with good stuff, first thing in the day.
It will set a pace for you that will change your routine for the good.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 23, 2006
My conversion to Christ
How do you start out a blog entry that will be the recounting of the single most important event of your lifetime? I guess you just do it...
February 1991 - my late husband Ben was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was given 8 weeks to live. Ben was 30, I was 28. With 4 little kids at home, and being so young, this was the kind of news you never ever want to hear.
Ben was offered a clinical trial at the time, and since he had nothing to lose, literally, he agreed to it. After the first cycle worked (it had never worked before on any cancer patient) he opted to go through another cycle. The second cycle worked as well and he was officially in remission.
For the next three years, we dealt with cancer treatments (some traditional some clinical trials), surgeries, some failures and many successes. Both of us were unsaved and neither of us ever gave God the glory or the thanks He was due for keeping Ben alive. We both prayed, but what we didn't realize at the time was that our prayers were empty.
By the spring of 1994, treatments weren't going so well anymore. New tumors were developing all the time for Ben, and his body was breaking down, and almost wore out from all the aggressive treatment. He'd gone through brain surgery to remove one tumor, and he never recovered 100% from that. Then another brain surgery that severely incapacitated him for many months afterward.
His step-uncle Danny had invited him to church many times over the years, but Ben always politely declined. That spring, Danny called and invited him again, for Easter Sunday. Ben agreed for the first time, and that morning Danny came over from Seattle and they went to a local church together.
I stayed home with the kids, and when Ben got home I immediately noticed something different about him before he ever spoke a word. When he did speak all he said at first was "I'm now saved, and set free". I only had a slight understanding of what he meant, so he elaborated.
He began to use words that he never used before, and explained that somehow, God did a work in his heart and caused him to see that he was headed straight to hell without faith. He instantly believed on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and knew that He died for his sins. He knew and believed the only way to the Father was through the Son. He basically sat there and preached a mini-gospel sermon to me. I was beyond shocked, I was speechless.
I grew up in a Free Methodist church, and then spent a good part of my teenage years in a non-denom church, but had long since drifted from that community of believers. Several times I had mentioned to Ben that we should go to church, but he always said no. I didn't argue it, I just let it go. Oddly enough all the kids were in church every week with Ben's dad. He was faithful to come pick up the kids every single Sunday and make sure they were in church with him.
So all these years I had been mentioning church to Ben, and being turned down everytime... then he suddenly goes and becomes a Christian. In a very odd way, I was offended. I was angry that he was now saved and I wasn't. I know that sounds weird, but it's the way I felt. I was glad for him but mad at him at the same time.
He went back to that same church the next Sunday, and invited the pastor and his wife to come to our home for a visit. I said NO WAY, and the day of the visit I purposely did a lot of extra dirty work in the garden, and didn't clean the house. When they arrived I was in my garden covered in dirt & smelling of bat manure. I think I was trying to be offensive (and stinky) enough to run them off.
It didn't work. They stayed & had coffee and much to my chagrin were very nice people, with a great sense of humor. They weren't supposed to see through my act, and I was not impressed. They invited me to church the following Sunday and I accepted for no other reason than to see them leave. Ben laughed at me, and I shot him a dirty look. I was so full of pride I'm still not convinced it was the bat manure that stunk so badly.
That following Sunday night, we attended a church service. The kids were all very excited to go with us, only because they were glad mom & dad were finally going to church WITH them. We sat in the third to last back pew. I'm pretty sure that was my choice, I'm very uncomfortable with crowds.
I need to explain at least some of the things that went through my mind that week as I mentally prepared for this church visit. I knew Ben was dying, and so did he. I also knew that I needed a strength in my life that I simply did not have. Intellectually I believed the only place that could possibly come from, was God. Intellectually I also knew I was a rotten sinner, and needed forgiveness in Christ. I just didn't know any of those things from a spiritual perspective. I didn't understand repentance and I knew almost nothing about the Bible, regardless of the fact that I had spent so many years in church when I was young. I really wanted to be there that night, I just didn't want anyone else to know I wanted to be there.
So I sat and listened to every word the guest evangelist was preaching. Providentially he was speaking on repentance and godly sorrow. He preached the gospel, and affirmed the only way to eternal life was through Christ. Then he said and did something I had never heard of before. He gave an altar call.
He simply said (paraphrased) "if you need prayer, please feel welcome to come to the front of the church". He added something about "if you don't know Jesus and you believe He is calling you to Him, don't hesitate, but come and we'll pray with you". I didn't even realize I was already crying, but I turned to Ben and said "he's talking to me". Ben agreed, and said "I know". Then I did something I had never done in my entire life.
I stood up, stepped out of the pew in front of nearly 300 people and began to make my way to the front of the church. You have to understand dear reader, this is nearly comparable to the sun rising in the wrong part of the sky, and the moon setting in your backyard. It just does NOT happen. I become a bumbling ball of nerves in front of people that I do not know, especially if the attention is on me, specifically.
As I walked to the front of the church however, I didn't even notice the other people there. I heard things like "amen" and "praise the Lord" and "bless you child" on my way down there, but those voices seemed a thousand miles away. I only had one thought, and that thought was "I need Christ in my life, and I don't know how to pray".
I reached the front and stepped up to the evangelist and said "will you help me pray, I want to come to Christ". He was crying already as he saw me coming. He was the same man that just 2 weeks earlier prayed with Ben when he came to Christ. He already knew our family's story, and when he saw me come down the aisle, I can only imagine his heart was overjoyed. He stepped aside and announced to the church that I had just said I wanted Christ in my life. I heard more crying that was not my own, and I heard a sea of voices rejoicing.
He prayed with me, thanked the Lord for my salvation, and honestly I don't recall anything else he said. All I was thinking and experiencing was that 1. I was a vile sinner and 2. at that moment in time, all I knew aside from that was that Christ was my only refuge, my only safe place to be. I couldn't have articulated that if forced, but those were the thoughts.
I kneeled and thanked the Lord for His forgiveness through Christ, and just stayed right there and rejoiced in His grace, for a long, long time.
That was the night everything changed.
Over the next two years, life became suffocatingly painful in ways I never imagined. Ben passed the following year, and being (almost completely) overcome with pain and grief, I made one horrible mistake after another, in trying to adjust to life with Ben gone. I didn't know what I was doing, and folks that knew me then who still know me now, have commented that at the time, it was as if I were a different person completely, much of the time. I honestly don't remember a lot about that time, except it was brutally painful. I cried almost all the time, prayed every time I was alone (even silently when I wasn't alone) and at times just longed to be asleep, so I wouldn't have to process the pain. It was a very difficult time for the girls, with dad gone and mom so out of it.
The Lord however, was ever faithful to bring me and the girls through it all and teach me so much about holy living. Those lessons are just as fresh in my mind today as they were then.
It was less than 7 days after the Lord wiped away all the confusion, pain and sorrow, guilt and grief that Kev and I met. To be sure there was still some amount of grief for Ben's passing, but it was the "healthy kind" that I was able to handle in prayer.
What I didn't know at the time of meeting Kev, was that he was converted to Christ on the very same day I was brought out of my 2 year period of confusion and pain.
Kev and I became fast friends, and married a year later. That was 8 years ago this past winter.
I've left a lot out of this, but I guess that's common with so many life-events that take place over the course of 12 years. My spiritual birthday was 2 Sundays after Easter, in the spring of 1994. That's next Sunday, by my count.
It's been a most blessed 12 years, and I still thank Him for His grace and mercy, every single day.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
February 1991 - my late husband Ben was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was given 8 weeks to live. Ben was 30, I was 28. With 4 little kids at home, and being so young, this was the kind of news you never ever want to hear.
Ben was offered a clinical trial at the time, and since he had nothing to lose, literally, he agreed to it. After the first cycle worked (it had never worked before on any cancer patient) he opted to go through another cycle. The second cycle worked as well and he was officially in remission.
For the next three years, we dealt with cancer treatments (some traditional some clinical trials), surgeries, some failures and many successes. Both of us were unsaved and neither of us ever gave God the glory or the thanks He was due for keeping Ben alive. We both prayed, but what we didn't realize at the time was that our prayers were empty.
By the spring of 1994, treatments weren't going so well anymore. New tumors were developing all the time for Ben, and his body was breaking down, and almost wore out from all the aggressive treatment. He'd gone through brain surgery to remove one tumor, and he never recovered 100% from that. Then another brain surgery that severely incapacitated him for many months afterward.
His step-uncle Danny had invited him to church many times over the years, but Ben always politely declined. That spring, Danny called and invited him again, for Easter Sunday. Ben agreed for the first time, and that morning Danny came over from Seattle and they went to a local church together.
I stayed home with the kids, and when Ben got home I immediately noticed something different about him before he ever spoke a word. When he did speak all he said at first was "I'm now saved, and set free". I only had a slight understanding of what he meant, so he elaborated.
He began to use words that he never used before, and explained that somehow, God did a work in his heart and caused him to see that he was headed straight to hell without faith. He instantly believed on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and knew that He died for his sins. He knew and believed the only way to the Father was through the Son. He basically sat there and preached a mini-gospel sermon to me. I was beyond shocked, I was speechless.
I grew up in a Free Methodist church, and then spent a good part of my teenage years in a non-denom church, but had long since drifted from that community of believers. Several times I had mentioned to Ben that we should go to church, but he always said no. I didn't argue it, I just let it go. Oddly enough all the kids were in church every week with Ben's dad. He was faithful to come pick up the kids every single Sunday and make sure they were in church with him.
So all these years I had been mentioning church to Ben, and being turned down everytime... then he suddenly goes and becomes a Christian. In a very odd way, I was offended. I was angry that he was now saved and I wasn't. I know that sounds weird, but it's the way I felt. I was glad for him but mad at him at the same time.
He went back to that same church the next Sunday, and invited the pastor and his wife to come to our home for a visit. I said NO WAY, and the day of the visit I purposely did a lot of extra dirty work in the garden, and didn't clean the house. When they arrived I was in my garden covered in dirt & smelling of bat manure. I think I was trying to be offensive (and stinky) enough to run them off.
It didn't work. They stayed & had coffee and much to my chagrin were very nice people, with a great sense of humor. They weren't supposed to see through my act, and I was not impressed. They invited me to church the following Sunday and I accepted for no other reason than to see them leave. Ben laughed at me, and I shot him a dirty look. I was so full of pride I'm still not convinced it was the bat manure that stunk so badly.
That following Sunday night, we attended a church service. The kids were all very excited to go with us, only because they were glad mom & dad were finally going to church WITH them. We sat in the third to last back pew. I'm pretty sure that was my choice, I'm very uncomfortable with crowds.
I need to explain at least some of the things that went through my mind that week as I mentally prepared for this church visit. I knew Ben was dying, and so did he. I also knew that I needed a strength in my life that I simply did not have. Intellectually I believed the only place that could possibly come from, was God. Intellectually I also knew I was a rotten sinner, and needed forgiveness in Christ. I just didn't know any of those things from a spiritual perspective. I didn't understand repentance and I knew almost nothing about the Bible, regardless of the fact that I had spent so many years in church when I was young. I really wanted to be there that night, I just didn't want anyone else to know I wanted to be there.
So I sat and listened to every word the guest evangelist was preaching. Providentially he was speaking on repentance and godly sorrow. He preached the gospel, and affirmed the only way to eternal life was through Christ. Then he said and did something I had never heard of before. He gave an altar call.
He simply said (paraphrased) "if you need prayer, please feel welcome to come to the front of the church". He added something about "if you don't know Jesus and you believe He is calling you to Him, don't hesitate, but come and we'll pray with you". I didn't even realize I was already crying, but I turned to Ben and said "he's talking to me". Ben agreed, and said "I know". Then I did something I had never done in my entire life.
I stood up, stepped out of the pew in front of nearly 300 people and began to make my way to the front of the church. You have to understand dear reader, this is nearly comparable to the sun rising in the wrong part of the sky, and the moon setting in your backyard. It just does NOT happen. I become a bumbling ball of nerves in front of people that I do not know, especially if the attention is on me, specifically.
As I walked to the front of the church however, I didn't even notice the other people there. I heard things like "amen" and "praise the Lord" and "bless you child" on my way down there, but those voices seemed a thousand miles away. I only had one thought, and that thought was "I need Christ in my life, and I don't know how to pray".
I reached the front and stepped up to the evangelist and said "will you help me pray, I want to come to Christ". He was crying already as he saw me coming. He was the same man that just 2 weeks earlier prayed with Ben when he came to Christ. He already knew our family's story, and when he saw me come down the aisle, I can only imagine his heart was overjoyed. He stepped aside and announced to the church that I had just said I wanted Christ in my life. I heard more crying that was not my own, and I heard a sea of voices rejoicing.
He prayed with me, thanked the Lord for my salvation, and honestly I don't recall anything else he said. All I was thinking and experiencing was that 1. I was a vile sinner and 2. at that moment in time, all I knew aside from that was that Christ was my only refuge, my only safe place to be. I couldn't have articulated that if forced, but those were the thoughts.
I kneeled and thanked the Lord for His forgiveness through Christ, and just stayed right there and rejoiced in His grace, for a long, long time.
That was the night everything changed.
Over the next two years, life became suffocatingly painful in ways I never imagined. Ben passed the following year, and being (almost completely) overcome with pain and grief, I made one horrible mistake after another, in trying to adjust to life with Ben gone. I didn't know what I was doing, and folks that knew me then who still know me now, have commented that at the time, it was as if I were a different person completely, much of the time. I honestly don't remember a lot about that time, except it was brutally painful. I cried almost all the time, prayed every time I was alone (even silently when I wasn't alone) and at times just longed to be asleep, so I wouldn't have to process the pain. It was a very difficult time for the girls, with dad gone and mom so out of it.
The Lord however, was ever faithful to bring me and the girls through it all and teach me so much about holy living. Those lessons are just as fresh in my mind today as they were then.
It was less than 7 days after the Lord wiped away all the confusion, pain and sorrow, guilt and grief that Kev and I met. To be sure there was still some amount of grief for Ben's passing, but it was the "healthy kind" that I was able to handle in prayer.
What I didn't know at the time of meeting Kev, was that he was converted to Christ on the very same day I was brought out of my 2 year period of confusion and pain.
Kev and I became fast friends, and married a year later. That was 8 years ago this past winter.
I've left a lot out of this, but I guess that's common with so many life-events that take place over the course of 12 years. My spiritual birthday was 2 Sundays after Easter, in the spring of 1994. That's next Sunday, by my count.
It's been a most blessed 12 years, and I still thank Him for His grace and mercy, every single day.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Go Ask Alice
Call me a skeptic, but... Motley Crue was one of the first bands I quit listening to after I was converted to Christ.However, Cooper enjoys them. (hello??)
Yep, he's got the whole "I love baseball & believe in the whole God & Devil" thing going on.
I'm not convinced this is the kind of example Christ called us to be. And this is coming from a former Cooper fan. Yep, it's true, I was a huge Cooper fan for much of my life.
Alice... I love baseball too, but come on. A smart guy like you ought to be able to figure out that life with Christ doesn't mean you get to dabble in the things of the world while claiming the get-out-of-eternal-condemnation-free card.
The standard is much, much higher.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Military Send Off
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Regular readers here will remember that last winter, February 2005, my step dad Jasper passed away. When my mom was here just recently, she brought a dvd with her that the Navy had provided her, of Jasper's burial at sea.
For those of you who are interested, there are a few shots here of that actual Military send off, from last summer. Jasper's last tour of duty was the Navy Sub USS Pennsylvania, in July of 2005.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 22, 2006
Rambling, musing & lame church signs
Well, I'm so behind the times I didn't even notice that 4 posts ago, I passed the 1,000 blog entry point, for this blog. I guess that's sort of cool, right? Either that or I'm just really long winded? :o) I'll let you decide.
I had a lot of time to reflect today on life, relationships, and how the Bible is proven true over and over and over again. As believers we already know this, but it's interesting how unbelievers simply find this truth to be useless, empty, and not "for them" or their lives. If nothing else, it's certainly proof of human beings, being spiritually dead and incapable of spiritual discernment.
I drove past a reformed church (and I use that term loosely) today that had one of those catchy little messages on their signs. The sign read "There is wisdom in following the one who knows the way".
Instantly I recalled how I would have reacted to that message, 20 years ago. Yeah, yeah... whatever, corny sign, lame message, whatever. That would have been my general reaction. I think I might have seen some amount of truth in it, but obviously not given it a whole lot of thought or consideration. It was just another one of those goofy little Christian-feel-good messages that really didn't apply to me.
While I was thinking of that, I remembered who I was and how I lived years ago. I was headed to Palm Springs to start my own business. Yep, I was going to conquer the world, more or less. But something happened within the next year that really made me begin to question that age old question "what am I here for?".
Watching a day time talk show with the topic of child abuse, I was horrified to see a 12 yr old boy that had been so severly abused, that he looked more like a two or three year old. He was deaf, blind, unable to walk or talk, and would never develop past the age of two. All of his physical and psychological issues were a direct result of abuse.
I watched and I cried. I went in and hugged my 4 year old, then hugged my 1 year old and told them how much I loved them. I was a young wife & mother with 2 kids, and suddenly that moment it really hit me just how important this job really is. Thoughts of that, caused me to think of how hard my own mom tried to raise her own kids - and how horrible I made it for her for a period of years in my mid to late teens.
Out of nowhere came thoughts of motherhood, honoring parents & raising kids the right way. It overwhelmed me that I had never really thanked my mom for being a such a good mom, especially during my uber-rebellious teenage years when I made her life miserable. The high responsibility and thankless job of motherhood just blew me away.
So that night after the girls were tucked into bed, I sat up almost all night and penned a handwritten, eleven page letter to my mom. If nothing else, I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her, and how much I aspired to be a good mom like her.
It occured to me today, that even with that sudden realization of "truth", I was still spiritually dead and entirely incapable of understanding spiritual truths. I might have seen a catchy little church sign in those days and even while knowing it was true, I would have still rejected it.
I was suddenly, but selfishly idealistic without even knowing why those ideal were so important.
These were the verses that came to mind today as I considered all of this:
Scripture is quite clear that foolish, disobedient, self-centered children will be a shame to their parents. The question then that we have to ask ourselves is WHY does the Scripture stress this so much?
It's simple, it's a sin against God Himself, to sin against one's own parents. To bring them shame and humiliation, to disrespect them and give them no honor, is a direct and most foul rebellion against God Almighty.
God has established an order of authority in all familial relationships. The children in a family (even grown children) are to honor and respect the parents as direct authority in their lives. Period, no out clause. Violation of this is sin against God.
When I recall how so many years ago I had this suddenly acknowledgement of the importance of parenthood, I didn't really know why it was so important. I only had a partial grasp of it. The part I didn't understand and was incapable of understanding was the spiritual aspect of why.
Looking back at that time, it's easy to see how God was working in my life even then. That's when I began to pray, although I had no idea what I was doing. That's when I began to seek God's wisdom for raising my girls, but I missed entirely the whole understanding of repentance and holy living. I was spiritually dead but trying to live a "spiritual" life.
Not so uncommon, millions of people try to live this way every day, all around the world.
Clearly, the lense I view this subject through now, is the lense of a believer. Knowing why it's so important to parent Biblically, is the part that was missing for so long. Once I understood that, once my perspective changed, everything else changed as well. My motives, my methods, my compassion, discipline, etc. For all the effort I gave to living "spiritually", I was spiritually blind and had no ability (or understanding) to live Biblically.
So... in conclusion:
Pithy church signs are catchy, but who's really reading them? I read them and openly mocked them as an unbeliever. It doesn't mean they aren't true, even if some of them are extremely corny, but it just seems to me like if you're going to have a church sign, put something on there that REALLY gets attention.
Something like:
Without faith it is impossible to please God (and stress impossible in red letters)
or
Authentic spirituality (minus sign) repentance (equal sign) God being unimpressed
I dunno, I guess there's a good reason I'm not a church sign person?
Just some rambling thoughts tonight...
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
I had a lot of time to reflect today on life, relationships, and how the Bible is proven true over and over and over again. As believers we already know this, but it's interesting how unbelievers simply find this truth to be useless, empty, and not "for them" or their lives. If nothing else, it's certainly proof of human beings, being spiritually dead and incapable of spiritual discernment.
I drove past a reformed church (and I use that term loosely) today that had one of those catchy little messages on their signs. The sign read "There is wisdom in following the one who knows the way".
Instantly I recalled how I would have reacted to that message, 20 years ago. Yeah, yeah... whatever, corny sign, lame message, whatever. That would have been my general reaction. I think I might have seen some amount of truth in it, but obviously not given it a whole lot of thought or consideration. It was just another one of those goofy little Christian-feel-good messages that really didn't apply to me.
While I was thinking of that, I remembered who I was and how I lived years ago. I was headed to Palm Springs to start my own business. Yep, I was going to conquer the world, more or less. But something happened within the next year that really made me begin to question that age old question "what am I here for?".
Watching a day time talk show with the topic of child abuse, I was horrified to see a 12 yr old boy that had been so severly abused, that he looked more like a two or three year old. He was deaf, blind, unable to walk or talk, and would never develop past the age of two. All of his physical and psychological issues were a direct result of abuse.
I watched and I cried. I went in and hugged my 4 year old, then hugged my 1 year old and told them how much I loved them. I was a young wife & mother with 2 kids, and suddenly that moment it really hit me just how important this job really is. Thoughts of that, caused me to think of how hard my own mom tried to raise her own kids - and how horrible I made it for her for a period of years in my mid to late teens.
Out of nowhere came thoughts of motherhood, honoring parents & raising kids the right way. It overwhelmed me that I had never really thanked my mom for being a such a good mom, especially during my uber-rebellious teenage years when I made her life miserable. The high responsibility and thankless job of motherhood just blew me away.
So that night after the girls were tucked into bed, I sat up almost all night and penned a handwritten, eleven page letter to my mom. If nothing else, I wanted her to know how much I appreciated her, and how much I aspired to be a good mom like her.
It occured to me today, that even with that sudden realization of "truth", I was still spiritually dead and entirely incapable of understanding spiritual truths. I might have seen a catchy little church sign in those days and even while knowing it was true, I would have still rejected it.
I was suddenly, but selfishly idealistic without even knowing why those ideal were so important.
These were the verses that came to mind today as I considered all of this:
- Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
- Proverbs 15:20 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
- Proverbs 19:26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
- Proverbs 20:20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
- Proverbs 28:24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
- Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
- Proverbs 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
Scripture is quite clear that foolish, disobedient, self-centered children will be a shame to their parents. The question then that we have to ask ourselves is WHY does the Scripture stress this so much?
It's simple, it's a sin against God Himself, to sin against one's own parents. To bring them shame and humiliation, to disrespect them and give them no honor, is a direct and most foul rebellion against God Almighty.
God has established an order of authority in all familial relationships. The children in a family (even grown children) are to honor and respect the parents as direct authority in their lives. Period, no out clause. Violation of this is sin against God.
When I recall how so many years ago I had this suddenly acknowledgement of the importance of parenthood, I didn't really know why it was so important. I only had a partial grasp of it. The part I didn't understand and was incapable of understanding was the spiritual aspect of why.
Looking back at that time, it's easy to see how God was working in my life even then. That's when I began to pray, although I had no idea what I was doing. That's when I began to seek God's wisdom for raising my girls, but I missed entirely the whole understanding of repentance and holy living. I was spiritually dead but trying to live a "spiritual" life.
Not so uncommon, millions of people try to live this way every day, all around the world.
Clearly, the lense I view this subject through now, is the lense of a believer. Knowing why it's so important to parent Biblically, is the part that was missing for so long. Once I understood that, once my perspective changed, everything else changed as well. My motives, my methods, my compassion, discipline, etc. For all the effort I gave to living "spiritually", I was spiritually blind and had no ability (or understanding) to live Biblically.
So... in conclusion:
Pithy church signs are catchy, but who's really reading them? I read them and openly mocked them as an unbeliever. It doesn't mean they aren't true, even if some of them are extremely corny, but it just seems to me like if you're going to have a church sign, put something on there that REALLY gets attention.
Something like:
Without faith it is impossible to please God (and stress impossible in red letters)
or
Authentic spirituality (minus sign) repentance (equal sign) God being unimpressed
I dunno, I guess there's a good reason I'm not a church sign person?
Just some rambling thoughts tonight...
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Getting back to the regular routine...
Well, mom went home yesterday. :o( I think it's going to take a few days to get used to mom not being here. It was a great visit, and everything that could go right, did (as opposed to Murphy's law). The weather was perfect (not a drop of rain the whole 10 days she was here), the kids were pretty well behaved, the late night talks were fun and enlightening, and I could go on and on about how good this visit was.
It's just been too long since I've seen mom & too long since we talked the way we did. I told Kev I think I've talked more in the last few days than I have in the last few years combined. There are very few people in the world that I can unwind with and just say it like it is, and mom has always been one of those people. It was good to talk to mom. We more than made up for all those long distance calls we couldn't afford to make, lol.
There are more pics from mom's visit over here, if you'd like to go have a look. I think I uploaded them in a format a little too large because some of them look distorted, but you'll get the general idea, I'm sure.
Happy Saturday!
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 21, 2006
Something rather pointless
It has been brought to my attention (in several ways) that the camisoles I have for sale in my online store have generated a little bit of a smarmy-buzz among those who have obvious motives to slander my character. Pffft.
Let me explain something folks. It should be obvious but for those that are confused:
I opted to include these tops for various reasons. They make for a great layered look, for example to be worn UNDER a nice color coordinated blouse. They're great casual wear for kicking around the privacy of one's own house on a hot summer day. They also make great summer sleepwear.
If you are a lady who enjoys wearing camisoles under a blouse (and millions of us do), or enjoys light summer sleepwear like this (and millions of us do), these tops are NOT an issue.
If however, you're prone to ill-thoughts and character slamming, these shirts make great blog-gossip-fodder.
I have no problems whatsoever offering these tops for sale for those who enjoy this kind of clothing. Some of the most godly, well-dressed young women I have ever known wear these kinds of tops under a lovely blouse, and they were actually what motivated me to offer them. Therefore, if you bloggers that want to keep up this smear campaign can't see that, I suggest you take a closer look at the way conservative ladies dress this spring and summer.
Oh... and by the way, the gossip has actually increased hits and sales at my store. So I guess in a way I should be thankful? I do appreciate all my customers, no matter what reason they shop there.
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Let me explain something folks. It should be obvious but for those that are confused:
I opted to include these tops for various reasons. They make for a great layered look, for example to be worn UNDER a nice color coordinated blouse. They're great casual wear for kicking around the privacy of one's own house on a hot summer day. They also make great summer sleepwear.
If you are a lady who enjoys wearing camisoles under a blouse (and millions of us do), or enjoys light summer sleepwear like this (and millions of us do), these tops are NOT an issue.
If however, you're prone to ill-thoughts and character slamming, these shirts make great blog-gossip-fodder.
I have no problems whatsoever offering these tops for sale for those who enjoy this kind of clothing. Some of the most godly, well-dressed young women I have ever known wear these kinds of tops under a lovely blouse, and they were actually what motivated me to offer them. Therefore, if you bloggers that want to keep up this smear campaign can't see that, I suggest you take a closer look at the way conservative ladies dress this spring and summer.
Oh... and by the way, the gossip has actually increased hits and sales at my store. So I guess in a way I should be thankful? I do appreciate all my customers, no matter what reason they shop there.
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
That Christ fellow?
So, I'm reading Frank's blog yesterday and see a link to an article by Ann Coulter. Now, I like Ann Coulter. One of the lady Christian bloggers out there (I can't recall offhand where it is) has a blog description that reads "because Ann Coulter shouldn't have all the fun". Coulter says the things a lot of us are thinking and/or talk about amongst ourselves, and she makes no apologies for it. Could she be a bit more gentle? Sure, but that's kind of obvious, I think.
I noticed after Frank linked to her article several others in the Christian blogging community did as well. It's a good article, I think... worthy of linkage.
However (and you knew this was coming, didn't you?), she wrote something that didn't sit well with me at all. When I read it outloud to Kev, it didn't sit well with him either.
At the end of her article, after doing a most excellent job of defining the real issue behind social ills (sin), she offers the solution according to liberalism, Islam, Jewish custom and Christianity.
Of Christianity Coulter writes:
I thought the article rocked, until I read that last sentence. That Christ fellow?
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "oh come on, why are you so critical!?" and you're also probably thinking "you're making more of this than you ought to!", and someone is bound to be thinking "you missed the WHOLE point of the article you ninny!".
Am I?
Maybe. Maybe not. I didn't miss her point, it was an excellent one. I will say again, I like her, and I like her delivery. She's got moxie, and she's got courage to say what millions wish they had the opportunity to say, and be heard (maybe why blogging is so appealing?).
How about "the big guy upstairs" or "the old man in the sky" or "Jesus is my homeboy" or the ever popular "Jesus is my boyfriend"? How does it make you feel when you hear someone refer to our Sovereign Lord as some sort of neighborhood pal you go to baseball games with?
I have no idea what Ann Coulter was thinking when she wrote this, so I'm not going to assign motives to her, that would be unfair & unkind. I am however going to say without apology, that calling God in the flesh "that Christ fellow" rings extremely hollow for me, and sort of took the wind out of the sails of the article.
I just can't help but wonder if the lack of reverence for Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, isn't so prevelant in our day that maybe others just looked right past that description of Him in Coulter's article?
I haven't read any of the comments at the various blogs about this article, so maybe I'm wrong about this and maybe others did notice that description of Him as well. Maybe I'm not the only one that it bothered? I dunno.
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts though.
I'm taking my mom to the airport today to wish her farewell after her 10 day visit here. It was a wonderful visit, and I'll miss her when she goes home.
I look forward to your thoughts when I come home tonight.
Have a great Friday.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
I noticed after Frank linked to her article several others in the Christian blogging community did as well. It's a good article, I think... worthy of linkage.
However (and you knew this was coming, didn't you?), she wrote something that didn't sit well with me at all. When I read it outloud to Kev, it didn't sit well with him either.
At the end of her article, after doing a most excellent job of defining the real issue behind social ills (sin), she offers the solution according to liberalism, Islam, Jewish custom and Christianity.
Of Christianity Coulter writes:
"The Christian answer is: I can never pay this back, but luckily that Christ fellow has already paid my debt."
I thought the article rocked, until I read that last sentence. That Christ fellow?
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking "oh come on, why are you so critical!?" and you're also probably thinking "you're making more of this than you ought to!", and someone is bound to be thinking "you missed the WHOLE point of the article you ninny!".
Am I?
Maybe. Maybe not. I didn't miss her point, it was an excellent one. I will say again, I like her, and I like her delivery. She's got moxie, and she's got courage to say what millions wish they had the opportunity to say, and be heard (maybe why blogging is so appealing?).
How about "the big guy upstairs" or "the old man in the sky" or "Jesus is my homeboy" or the ever popular "Jesus is my boyfriend"? How does it make you feel when you hear someone refer to our Sovereign Lord as some sort of neighborhood pal you go to baseball games with?
I have no idea what Ann Coulter was thinking when she wrote this, so I'm not going to assign motives to her, that would be unfair & unkind. I am however going to say without apology, that calling God in the flesh "that Christ fellow" rings extremely hollow for me, and sort of took the wind out of the sails of the article.
I just can't help but wonder if the lack of reverence for Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, isn't so prevelant in our day that maybe others just looked right past that description of Him in Coulter's article?
I haven't read any of the comments at the various blogs about this article, so maybe I'm wrong about this and maybe others did notice that description of Him as well. Maybe I'm not the only one that it bothered? I dunno.
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts though.
I'm taking my mom to the airport today to wish her farewell after her 10 day visit here. It was a wonderful visit, and I'll miss her when she goes home.
I look forward to your thoughts when I come home tonight.
Have a great Friday.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 20, 2006
Quote of the day
Now this made me laugh:
You have to appreciate the cut to the chase, no candy-coated honesty there, eh? :o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
"I am henceforth to be known as ThirstyDavid when I comment on Blogger blogs. A while back, my wife informed me that a Google search for my name produced quite a number of hits. I didn't care much for that, but I figured if you're going to tell someone they're an idiot on an internet forum, you should at least be man enough to use your real name" ThirstyDavid
You have to appreciate the cut to the chase, no candy-coated honesty there, eh? :o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 19, 2006
A nice meme
I'm so behind on blog-reads I didn't even know I was tagged for a meme on Monday! I like this one so when I read that Kim tagged me, I figgered "why not?".
Name 10 of life's simple pleasures:
If anyone else wants to consider themselves tagged, feel free & let me know in the comments, this is a nice meme.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Name 10 of life's simple pleasures:
- eating chocolate
- sewing
- reading
- hearing celtic music
- laughing at a child's joke
- hearing "I love you"
- reading a verse of Scripture that suddenly comes alive for you for the first time
- sunrises
- sunsets
- the call of a songbird
- listing more than 10 on a list of 10 meme
- holding a sleeping kitten
- watching a baby take his first steps
- potato chips
- naps
- blowing soap bubbles
- a warm, sunny day
- watching snow fall
- email from friends who make me laugh
- email from friends who make me think
Yep, that was 20 instead of 10. I'm a rebel, we all knew that. :o)
I almost never tag anyone because folks are picky about memes. So I'll tag people that either never read my blog or would never in a snazillion years do a meme on their blog:
Phil
Tim
Paul
Michael
James
Vincent
If anyone else wants to consider themselves tagged, feel free & let me know in the comments, this is a nice meme.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
What's missing from this picture?
It's been a busy time for me offline for the last week. My mom is here visiting and we've had a super-terrific time. I'm really going to miss her when she goes home at the end of the week.
Due to spending less time online, I'm a bit late in the game on blog reading and commenting. One blog post I did read this morning however, was this one over at PyroLand, written by Dan "don't call me Dave" Phillips. It's quite possible after this post & all the comments Dan may be henceforth known as Dan BOOYAH Phillips. In any event...
In light of NT Wright's view of Christianity, (that Wright is even involved in this issue will be a red flag to many) Dan asks:
Then came 182 comments, and counting.
Folks, this is a no brainer. For the record I'm not big on that term, but I couldn't think of another one that says it more clearly.
Last year I dealt with this topic (here, here, and here) and was surprised to find out there are many who believe you can either deny the resurrection with knowledge of it, or deny the resurrection as a result of ignorance, and still call yourself a Christian. You can hear of it and deny it, or you can be ignorant of it and deny it - either way, you're in a position of NOT believing the resurrection, and still calling yourself a Christian.
I don't believe either is possible, and I don't believe the Scriptures teach us either is possible.
Must the gospel message contain the resurrection of Christ?
YES
Must this message be believed?
YES
Can you deny the resurrection and be a genuine believer?
NO
Can you deny the resurrection even in ignorance (never having heard of it) and still be a genuine believer?
NO
To me it's quite simple. You cannot take the resurrection out of the gospel message that proclaims the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you do, you have no good news at all, and the message you preach that is received is NOT the gospel. The man "receiving" this message has not received the gospel but a lovely story about how Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. It's a nice story, but there is no good news if He is not risen from the dead.
Are there many who disagree with this?
YES
Is this in part, what is so messed up about Christianity in our day?
YES
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Due to spending less time online, I'm a bit late in the game on blog reading and commenting. One blog post I did read this morning however, was this one over at PyroLand, written by Dan "don't call me Dave" Phillips. It's quite possible after this post & all the comments Dan may be henceforth known as Dan BOOYAH Phillips. In any event...
In light of NT Wright's view of Christianity, (that Wright is even involved in this issue will be a red flag to many) Dan asks:
"One must seriously ask the question: if Wright has a view of Christianity that pencils in the bodily resurrection of Jesus as an optional add-on, and embraces Marcus Borg as a "passionate" lover of Jesus... can there possibly be any doctrine that isn't optional?"
Then came 182 comments, and counting.
Folks, this is a no brainer. For the record I'm not big on that term, but I couldn't think of another one that says it more clearly.
Last year I dealt with this topic (here, here, and here) and was surprised to find out there are many who believe you can either deny the resurrection with knowledge of it, or deny the resurrection as a result of ignorance, and still call yourself a Christian. You can hear of it and deny it, or you can be ignorant of it and deny it - either way, you're in a position of NOT believing the resurrection, and still calling yourself a Christian.
I don't believe either is possible, and I don't believe the Scriptures teach us either is possible.
Must the gospel message contain the resurrection of Christ?
YES
Must this message be believed?
YES
Can you deny the resurrection and be a genuine believer?
NO
Can you deny the resurrection even in ignorance (never having heard of it) and still be a genuine believer?
NO
To me it's quite simple. You cannot take the resurrection out of the gospel message that proclaims the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you do, you have no good news at all, and the message you preach that is received is NOT the gospel. The man "receiving" this message has not received the gospel but a lovely story about how Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. It's a nice story, but there is no good news if He is not risen from the dead.
Are there many who disagree with this?
YES
Is this in part, what is so messed up about Christianity in our day?
YES
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 18, 2006
What would you do?
I wonder about something. Take a look at these 2 passages:
What I wonder about is simple, and complicated at the same time. In a most general way, let me just ask this question:
If a man (or woman) were to publicly slander you, lie about you, accuse you of things that were patently false - with the intention of bringing shame and disrepute to your name and your testimony for Christ... would you:
Be happy?
Be not afraid?
Feel blessed?
Rejoice?
Be exceeding glad?
Or would you make an effort to publicly clear your name and set the record straight?
I look forward to your insight on this.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
1Peter 3:
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
What I wonder about is simple, and complicated at the same time. In a most general way, let me just ask this question:
If a man (or woman) were to publicly slander you, lie about you, accuse you of things that were patently false - with the intention of bringing shame and disrepute to your name and your testimony for Christ... would you:
Be happy?
Be not afraid?
Feel blessed?
Rejoice?
Be exceeding glad?
Or would you make an effort to publicly clear your name and set the record straight?
I look forward to your insight on this.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 17, 2006
The Mom Chapter
It occured to me over this past weekend, that I have a most precious opportunity. Well, let me clarify that and say it didn't just occur to me this past weekend, but it did just hit me how significant this opportunity is.
For the last several years as my older girls grow into adulthood and begin their seperate lives out from under our roof, the idea that they were no longer my baby girls, slowly sank in. I'm certainly not the first mom to have a bit of a hard time not wanting her girls to grow up and move out, but it tends to happen whether you want it to or not. :o)
No matter if you want it to happen or not, they do spread their wings, and leave the nest.
This month it's been 2 years since my oldest daughter moved out, and a year and a half since my second oldest daughter moved out. Both have been on their own long enough now that they've already begun to establish who they are in the "real world". Both have been well on their way for a while now, into getting along in the "real world".
It occured to me this weekend with both of them here and spending hours talking with them, that I'm no longer secretly wishing they were little girls again and back home with me. I'm glad for them, and excited for them that they are where they are. (Now I'm going to cry, as I'm publicly confessing that my baby girls are no longer baby girls).
This is my time to still be mom but be in the Mom Chapter that answers the phone and fields cooking questions, medical questions and "okay gotta go mom, love you" statements from the other end of the phone. I've been in this chapter for a while now but for some odd reason it just really sank in deep this past weekend, that this is the beginning of the rest of my life as their mom, and that I like it.
It's been sort of strange adjusting to this since I still have little ones at home. It's felt like juggling two different mom-rolls for a couple of years now. While one is needing a diaper change, another is calling to ask about making potato salad. I guess this is normal in a large family with kids spread out in age as far as mine are (there are 20 years difference between our oldest and youngest).
This Mom Chapter will change even more as I become a grandmother in just a few short months. Mom and I are going shopping tomorrow for my mom to pick out a gift for my second oldest's baby. My oldest went shopping last week for her, and instead of squabbling, competative sisters they've blossomed into adult friends.
I like this chapter. If this were a book, this is one of those chapters you'd read twice just because it's so good.
Have a great Monday everyone.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
For the last several years as my older girls grow into adulthood and begin their seperate lives out from under our roof, the idea that they were no longer my baby girls, slowly sank in. I'm certainly not the first mom to have a bit of a hard time not wanting her girls to grow up and move out, but it tends to happen whether you want it to or not. :o)
No matter if you want it to happen or not, they do spread their wings, and leave the nest.
This month it's been 2 years since my oldest daughter moved out, and a year and a half since my second oldest daughter moved out. Both have been on their own long enough now that they've already begun to establish who they are in the "real world". Both have been well on their way for a while now, into getting along in the "real world".
It occured to me this weekend with both of them here and spending hours talking with them, that I'm no longer secretly wishing they were little girls again and back home with me. I'm glad for them, and excited for them that they are where they are. (Now I'm going to cry, as I'm publicly confessing that my baby girls are no longer baby girls).
This is my time to still be mom but be in the Mom Chapter that answers the phone and fields cooking questions, medical questions and "okay gotta go mom, love you" statements from the other end of the phone. I've been in this chapter for a while now but for some odd reason it just really sank in deep this past weekend, that this is the beginning of the rest of my life as their mom, and that I like it.
It's been sort of strange adjusting to this since I still have little ones at home. It's felt like juggling two different mom-rolls for a couple of years now. While one is needing a diaper change, another is calling to ask about making potato salad. I guess this is normal in a large family with kids spread out in age as far as mine are (there are 20 years difference between our oldest and youngest).
This Mom Chapter will change even more as I become a grandmother in just a few short months. Mom and I are going shopping tomorrow for my mom to pick out a gift for my second oldest's baby. My oldest went shopping last week for her, and instead of squabbling, competative sisters they've blossomed into adult friends.
I like this chapter. If this were a book, this is one of those chapters you'd read twice just because it's so good.
Have a great Monday everyone.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 16, 2006
An open letter to all my fellow Christian bloggers...
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
over the last several days I have not really had the time I normally have to sit and write every day. As a result of that I have had more of an opportunity to read, and skim over several blogs & websites. I can read much faster than I can write, so I've been able to take in quite a bit of the former.
This past week, as we approach the most wonderful day ever celebrated by believers, the thoughts of your hearts has been on the blessed resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As the critical importance of this event has been dwelling on your hearts and minds, you have written, and reflected and spoke of the glory of God in ways so rich, so deep and so inspiring, more than once I have been brought to tears to read what has come from you. Writing this to you now brings tears to my eyes as well.
You cannot possibly know how much you have blessed me, and encouraged me.
I'm not going to link to the articles & blog posts I'm referring to, for a few reasons. First, I've read so many and without making a note of where they all were, I don't want to leave anyone out accidentally. Secondly, if you've written on this subject you already know who you are anyway, and likely so do the majority of the readers here as well. Thirdly, even if you haven't written specifically on the resurrection, it's been apparent that the significance of this event has influenced your thoughts in other ways, and you've written richly, and powerfully on what it means to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
As I've gone through my regular blogs over the last 4 days, I have been blessed, inspired, encouraged and deeply moved by so much of what I have read, it's hard to put into words how it's affected me. Many times I've walked away from the computer thinking "now THIS is what a Christian blogging community is all about!".
Normally, this time of year the critical importance of the resurrection of Christ compels me to write my thoughts out in this same manner. What it means to me, what it means to Christianity, how it affects our faith, why it affects our faith, our hope & assurance because of the resurrection, and other thoughts along this line. Yet as I've read through blogs & sites this past week, the thought occured to me that this year will be different. So many of you have contributed so much writing on this already, that instead of me making the time & adding to it, I chose to sit and just read what others had to say. I am so glad I did that.
Fellow believers, I want you to know how grateful I am to you that you've focused your hearts and minds on this subject, and poured out in your writings the reason behind your faith. Giving your answer to the hope that lies within you, with meekness (gentleness) and fear (reverance).
I know many of you routinely write about politics & social issues. Many of you write about your kids, your hobbies and sports. As Christian bloggers we all write about life, and how life as a believer works. I enjoy reading about your kids, your worldview on politics or social issues, and I hope that doesn't change (and doubt it will). This is not to say "stop writing about trivial things and start writing more about the deep things of God!" These are not trivial matters at all, they are what makes the Christian blogging community so fascinatingly diverse & fun.
This is to say however, that I see such an ability within so many bloggers to really and truly bless people with rich writing on the things of God, that I sure would like to see more of that. More meditating on the doctrines of Scripture that shape who we are, more exploring the text to compare this verse with that one, and more willingness to boldly proclaim your faith to a watching world. It's in you to do, I've seen it in abundance this week from so many of you.
In closing, this open letter is really two-fold. Mostly it's a long thank you for blessing me this week. But it's also a gentle encouragment to hopefully challenge you to higher things, and more often. I see such strong faith and powerful skill to communicate that faith in the form of the written word, that to not encourage you to more of that, would be a shame.
May the Lord richly bless you today this Resurrection Sunday.
over the last several days I have not really had the time I normally have to sit and write every day. As a result of that I have had more of an opportunity to read, and skim over several blogs & websites. I can read much faster than I can write, so I've been able to take in quite a bit of the former.
This past week, as we approach the most wonderful day ever celebrated by believers, the thoughts of your hearts has been on the blessed resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As the critical importance of this event has been dwelling on your hearts and minds, you have written, and reflected and spoke of the glory of God in ways so rich, so deep and so inspiring, more than once I have been brought to tears to read what has come from you. Writing this to you now brings tears to my eyes as well.
You cannot possibly know how much you have blessed me, and encouraged me.
I'm not going to link to the articles & blog posts I'm referring to, for a few reasons. First, I've read so many and without making a note of where they all were, I don't want to leave anyone out accidentally. Secondly, if you've written on this subject you already know who you are anyway, and likely so do the majority of the readers here as well. Thirdly, even if you haven't written specifically on the resurrection, it's been apparent that the significance of this event has influenced your thoughts in other ways, and you've written richly, and powerfully on what it means to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
As I've gone through my regular blogs over the last 4 days, I have been blessed, inspired, encouraged and deeply moved by so much of what I have read, it's hard to put into words how it's affected me. Many times I've walked away from the computer thinking "now THIS is what a Christian blogging community is all about!".
Normally, this time of year the critical importance of the resurrection of Christ compels me to write my thoughts out in this same manner. What it means to me, what it means to Christianity, how it affects our faith, why it affects our faith, our hope & assurance because of the resurrection, and other thoughts along this line. Yet as I've read through blogs & sites this past week, the thought occured to me that this year will be different. So many of you have contributed so much writing on this already, that instead of me making the time & adding to it, I chose to sit and just read what others had to say. I am so glad I did that.
Fellow believers, I want you to know how grateful I am to you that you've focused your hearts and minds on this subject, and poured out in your writings the reason behind your faith. Giving your answer to the hope that lies within you, with meekness (gentleness) and fear (reverance).
I know many of you routinely write about politics & social issues. Many of you write about your kids, your hobbies and sports. As Christian bloggers we all write about life, and how life as a believer works. I enjoy reading about your kids, your worldview on politics or social issues, and I hope that doesn't change (and doubt it will). This is not to say "stop writing about trivial things and start writing more about the deep things of God!" These are not trivial matters at all, they are what makes the Christian blogging community so fascinatingly diverse & fun.
This is to say however, that I see such an ability within so many bloggers to really and truly bless people with rich writing on the things of God, that I sure would like to see more of that. More meditating on the doctrines of Scripture that shape who we are, more exploring the text to compare this verse with that one, and more willingness to boldly proclaim your faith to a watching world. It's in you to do, I've seen it in abundance this week from so many of you.
In closing, this open letter is really two-fold. Mostly it's a long thank you for blessing me this week. But it's also a gentle encouragment to hopefully challenge you to higher things, and more often. I see such strong faith and powerful skill to communicate that faith in the form of the written word, that to not encourage you to more of that, would be a shame.
May the Lord richly bless you today this Resurrection Sunday.
April 15, 2006
A life of crime
Once upon a time there was an unsuspecting paper sack. Minding it's own sack-business, one day this sack was accosted by a 10 year old boy and was skillfully transformed into the world's most advanced disguise kit.
When my brother and I were little, we were the greatest detectives the world has ever known. Part of the way we uncovered clues and solved the cases we were on, was through our disguises that allowed us entry into the most high security locations - such as grandpa's garage, and the other side of the fence where the blackberry field was. One of our other most important pieces of equipment was grandmas oversized magnifying glass. You cannot solve a crime without one.
Our disguises were top notch. We had moustaches of all shapes & sizes, beards, fake moles, various sets of eyebrows and even a few jagged scars. Strategically applied with assorted sizes of masking tape on the back, at any given time we might resemble a little oriental man, or maybe even a Groucho Marx look-alike. Armed with crime-fighting determination and grandmas magnifying glass, we solved some of the biggest crimes Olympic Avenue had ever known.
We were even trained in the fine art of fingerprint analyses. We knew how to dust for prints long before CSI was ever thought of, and we even knew how to compare prints and eliminate suspects.
Ah... youth! :o) How many kids today know how to fight crime like that?
The amazing thing is, we really were trained in fingerprint analyses. Our grandpa taught us how to do it. I think we just assumed because he was grandpa and the smartest man in the world, he knew what he was talking about. He did seem to know things about fingerprinting that we'd never heard of before or ever saw on a tv crime show (then again, this was the early 70's, so you have to keep the era in mind), so we were fairly certain he was the smartest man in the world.
What we did not know then, and I did not know until last night, was that my grandpa actually was a trained fingerprint expert. Not only was he trained, he was a federal agent at one time. Not just any ole federal agent, but an agent with the Secret Service!
He'd left the SS long before my brother and I were ever born, but he did still have a small fingerprinting kit that he would take out once in a blue moon and let us look at. It never occured to either my brother or I, why grandpa would have one of those. Maybe we just assumed all grandpas had those?
At any rate, what those two little crime fighting experts did not know at the time, was that while they were assuming it was just for fun, they were really being trained by a professional.
This is so cool to know. It's also interesting that my brother grew up and became a cop, and I grew up and was headed into criminology, long before CSI ever existed.
I think I'll go play with the magnifying glass and the dusting powder. I might even have a paper sack around here somewhere...
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 14, 2006
Sewing Frenzy
I just wanted to show off this pretty new dress. It's not completely finished but it's close. I'd never done a ruffle before so my mom showed me how with one section and left me to finish the rest of it. It should be done by tomorrow, and now the girls are practically demanding I sew non-stop and make more and more of these! LOL. They really love this dress and I had a great time making it.
I have enough different prints to make 12 of these in all, and I suppose I'll make all 12 of them one right after another. The girls are set for summer dresses this year!
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
And... it's a wrap!
It's been a long week. A lot of out of the ordinary things went on around here this week and I'm glad the week is over. The kids have known all week that this is the last week before spring vacation, so attention spans have been a little shorter this week than usual. I wrote & then pulled 2 posts in one week & that's something I never do. In both cases that had everything to do with not being focused & taking a proper amount of time to effectively express myself. Clearly my attention span wasn't up to par this week either. My mom arrived from WA & that's been great - and I close the week with one less tooth than I started out with. Not at all big on losing a tooth at 41, I didn't even get to bring it home for the tooth fairy to compensate me for it!
Certain events transpired this week however, that have really caused me to think about deep doctrinal issues that I haven't considered in a while. There are so many teachings in Scripture that (while this may sound strange) it's good to go back and do a self-exam on where you stand on certain things, when you haven't really looked closely at them for a time. It's good to do that for me, because almost always when I do that I often come away with "I understand that a little differently now" or "I understand that better now". This is a blessing to me, it shows me that the Lord is growing me up in Him and in the things that matter.
I hope to be able to sit down here soon and really go into some of those things that caused me a self exam this week. It's been both good for me, and humbling.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 13, 2006
Dental Humor?
Actual conversation in the dental office today:
Dentist: well, the bad news is, you've got a fracture I can't fix. The tooth has to come out.
Me: okay
Dentist: I'm going to numb you up but I want you to promise me something.
Me: okay
Dentist: you will feel pressure, but shouldn't feel any pain - if at any time you feel pain, raise up your hand.
Me: okay
Dentist: if you raise up your hand and I don't see it, raise it up higher and double your hand into a fist. If I still don't see it, swing your fist around and clock me in the forehead.
Me: (laughing) um... okay
Dentist: I shouldn't say that, someone is going to actually do it someday and then I'll be sorry.
I guess if you have to go to a dentist and get a tooth pulled, going to one with a sense of humor is a good option.
When he finally did pull it, he shouted to the assistant "It's a BOY!" which made me laugh even more. I have another one that is also fractured beyond repair, that has to come out next week. I hope the dentist is in an equally jovial mood, it really made all the difference in the world.
But now the novacaine (6 shots in all, yay) is wearing off and it sort of feels like my head has caved in, so now is prolly a good time for a snooze. For those who knew I was having this done today, thank you for your prayers, I really do appreciate them.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Dentist: well, the bad news is, you've got a fracture I can't fix. The tooth has to come out.
Me: okay
Dentist: I'm going to numb you up but I want you to promise me something.
Me: okay
Dentist: you will feel pressure, but shouldn't feel any pain - if at any time you feel pain, raise up your hand.
Me: okay
Dentist: if you raise up your hand and I don't see it, raise it up higher and double your hand into a fist. If I still don't see it, swing your fist around and clock me in the forehead.
Me: (laughing) um... okay
Dentist: I shouldn't say that, someone is going to actually do it someday and then I'll be sorry.
I guess if you have to go to a dentist and get a tooth pulled, going to one with a sense of humor is a good option.
When he finally did pull it, he shouted to the assistant "It's a BOY!" which made me laugh even more. I have another one that is also fractured beyond repair, that has to come out next week. I hope the dentist is in an equally jovial mood, it really made all the difference in the world.
But now the novacaine (6 shots in all, yay) is wearing off and it sort of feels like my head has caved in, so now is prolly a good time for a snooze. For those who knew I was having this done today, thank you for your prayers, I really do appreciate them.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
It's only words...
For some reason (that I can't really explain) twice this week I've put up blog posts that I've since pulled. In all the time I've been blogging I've only done that twice. Both were this week. Maybe it means it's spring and I'm stir crazy? Maybe it means I'm rushed, or not taking the time I should to properly express myself? I don't really know for sure but as I was falling asleep last night the thought occured to me that all I have is words. Which made me think of a an old Bee Gees song "it's only words, and words are all I have...".
But words are powerful, aren't they? They can build up, tear down, make us laugh, make us sit back and think "wow!" and they can make us cry. Words can make us angry and they can make us rejoice. They may be only words, but they're pretty powerful little things.
Which of course leads me to the book of James. I recently wrote that since it is spring, it's time for me to sit on the deck again and read this book. This is something I do that I guess I need to do, since every time I read it again, it makes me go "wow", desire to be less like me and more like Christ.
I think I would like to blog through the book of James once I do begin. I learn something new every time I go through it, and maybe I can go slow & bless someone else as well.
Sitting on the deck with the sunrise, my morning coffee and the book of James will not happen today however. I have to leave in an hour to visit the dentist. Eww. Dental visits rank right up there with removing one's own pancreas with a rusted fork. Not exactly an event I look forward to.
As for my post about God's love, I haven't yet decided if I will re-write & re-post, or just leave it aside for now. It's one of those topics that tends to bring out the best & worst in people and I really don't know why. For the record, none of the public comments were what upset me, you were all fine. It was my own lack of clarity that upset me more than anything else, and the potential I caused for offense.
Have a great day!!
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
But words are powerful, aren't they? They can build up, tear down, make us laugh, make us sit back and think "wow!" and they can make us cry. Words can make us angry and they can make us rejoice. They may be only words, but they're pretty powerful little things.
Which of course leads me to the book of James. I recently wrote that since it is spring, it's time for me to sit on the deck again and read this book. This is something I do that I guess I need to do, since every time I read it again, it makes me go "wow", desire to be less like me and more like Christ.
I think I would like to blog through the book of James once I do begin. I learn something new every time I go through it, and maybe I can go slow & bless someone else as well.
Sitting on the deck with the sunrise, my morning coffee and the book of James will not happen today however. I have to leave in an hour to visit the dentist. Eww. Dental visits rank right up there with removing one's own pancreas with a rusted fork. Not exactly an event I look forward to.
As for my post about God's love, I haven't yet decided if I will re-write & re-post, or just leave it aside for now. It's one of those topics that tends to bring out the best & worst in people and I really don't know why. For the record, none of the public comments were what upset me, you were all fine. It was my own lack of clarity that upset me more than anything else, and the potential I caused for offense.
Have a great day!!
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 12, 2006
Post on hiatus
For those wondering where the Does God Love All Men post went, it's on the back burner for now. It hasn't been deleted, just set aside for the time being.
Some of the feedback was rather upsetting to me and that was the last thing I had in mind when I posted that this morning. In fact, it was the very thing I had hoped to avoid. To be completely honest, I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight knowing this post was still up without further clarification & explanation and I just don't have the time and energy to devote to it tonight.
Again I apologize for any confusion or offense, and I do appreciate those of you who took the time to respond with your insights.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Some of the feedback was rather upsetting to me and that was the last thing I had in mind when I posted that this morning. In fact, it was the very thing I had hoped to avoid. To be completely honest, I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight knowing this post was still up without further clarification & explanation and I just don't have the time and energy to devote to it tonight.
Again I apologize for any confusion or offense, and I do appreciate those of you who took the time to respond with your insights.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
My mom's here!
Well, my mom arrived event free & we drove through a pouring rain storm nearly all the way home. Only half the tribe was here to greet her, the rest will be here on Sunday.
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Gonna be a busy day...
I'm going to the airport today to pick up my mom!! I'm very excited, as are all the kids and Kev too. It's been way too long since we've seen her. The last time was in July of 2001 when we took a 3 week road trip out to the west coast. Driving from here to there takes about 4.5 days (even with no real speed limit through parts of Montana).
You'd think a van filled with 6 kids for 10 days would be a recipe for disaster, but it was one of the most memorable trips of my lifetime. The kids were great, the scenery was incredible, the weather was perfect - all the way out, the whole time there, and all the way back - and the visit was great.
So mom will be here for the next 10 days and our first big event will be her going with me to the dentist tomorrow! How exciting for her, it's been years since mom has been able to accompany me to the dentist, so I'm sure she's really looking forward to that, lol.
Did you happen to see that picture of me from last night? Well, that brilliant idea was my friend Darlene's. I know she doesn't really like having attention to herself, but I do want to tell my readers that today is her birthday!! So everyone has to leave a comment and wish her a wonderful birthday today.
Come on, everyone sing with me! :o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
You'd think a van filled with 6 kids for 10 days would be a recipe for disaster, but it was one of the most memorable trips of my lifetime. The kids were great, the scenery was incredible, the weather was perfect - all the way out, the whole time there, and all the way back - and the visit was great.
So mom will be here for the next 10 days and our first big event will be her going with me to the dentist tomorrow! How exciting for her, it's been years since mom has been able to accompany me to the dentist, so I'm sure she's really looking forward to that, lol.
Did you happen to see that picture of me from last night? Well, that brilliant idea was my friend Darlene's. I know she doesn't really like having attention to herself, but I do want to tell my readers that today is her birthday!! So everyone has to leave a comment and wish her a wonderful birthday today.Come on, everyone sing with me! :o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 11, 2006
No Clown Zone
This afternoon I layed down to have a bit of a nap, and when I woke up I felt a strange sensation in my ear. I reached up to find out what it was, only to discover I had a ladybug IN my ear. Yes, I flipped out, but that is besides the point.When I told my friend Darlene about it, she offered this solution for sleeping. "Just put footie socks on your ears!".
Darlene is a genius, and she's funny too. I say she market this idea, she'd make a fortune. Plus, we'd all look like elves, and who wouldn't enjoy that?
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Further thoughts on boldness
This morning I posted about boldness in Christ. I went back and re-read that post and realized a couple of things.
1. I should never hurry myself up to finish something like that.
2. I didn't even really address the topic the way I wanted to.
When I sat down here this morning to write about boldness in Christ, what I had in mind was more of a contrast between boldness in personality (assertive, aggresive, being an extrovert, courageous or adventurous) and the boldness we have as believers.
The boldness we have as believers comes in the form of assurance.
It comes in the form of faith, and trusting in the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we kneel and pray we do so with the confidence and the assurance that because of Christ, we can come to the Father in prayer.
When we're hurting, scared, confused, angry or frustrated, we have assurance because of Christ, that our Heavenly Father will give us wisdom, guidance, clarity and peace.
When we're filled with joy, humbled, thankful & grateful, we have assurance that when we whisper in our hearts "thank you Lord for your never failing hand of provision and grace" that He hears us.
When we don't understand a teaching, or a verse, or a theological viewpoint, we have the confidence that we can open our Bibles and will be led into a deeper understanding of these things.
When someone asks us "why do you believe this?" we have the assurance of faith that allows us to testify of God's grace in our lives.
This is the kind of boldness I wanted to convey this morning. For some reason I didn't quite get there, and for that I apologize. It's a precious topic that should never be rushed through the way I did, and one that each member of the household of faith should spend some time in study with.
Especially in light of what is becoming more and more accepted in our day of this revelling in doubt & mystique. While some amount of doubt is quite common for every believer, there is also clarity for us in these things if we are diligent to study His word, pray, and persue it.
There are also many doctrines of the Christian faith that leave no room whatsoever for doubt.
Don't fall into the well of doubt & assume it's "authentic Christianity", it's not. It's just a well of doubt that will stop us from digging deeper into the word to find the clarity and understanding of the things we're unsure of.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
1. I should never hurry myself up to finish something like that.
2. I didn't even really address the topic the way I wanted to.
When I sat down here this morning to write about boldness in Christ, what I had in mind was more of a contrast between boldness in personality (assertive, aggresive, being an extrovert, courageous or adventurous) and the boldness we have as believers.
The boldness we have as believers comes in the form of assurance.
It comes in the form of faith, and trusting in the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
When we kneel and pray we do so with the confidence and the assurance that because of Christ, we can come to the Father in prayer.
When we're hurting, scared, confused, angry or frustrated, we have assurance because of Christ, that our Heavenly Father will give us wisdom, guidance, clarity and peace.
When we're filled with joy, humbled, thankful & grateful, we have assurance that when we whisper in our hearts "thank you Lord for your never failing hand of provision and grace" that He hears us.
When we don't understand a teaching, or a verse, or a theological viewpoint, we have the confidence that we can open our Bibles and will be led into a deeper understanding of these things.
When someone asks us "why do you believe this?" we have the assurance of faith that allows us to testify of God's grace in our lives.
This is the kind of boldness I wanted to convey this morning. For some reason I didn't quite get there, and for that I apologize. It's a precious topic that should never be rushed through the way I did, and one that each member of the household of faith should spend some time in study with.
Especially in light of what is becoming more and more accepted in our day of this revelling in doubt & mystique. While some amount of doubt is quite common for every believer, there is also clarity for us in these things if we are diligent to study His word, pray, and persue it.
There are also many doctrines of the Christian faith that leave no room whatsoever for doubt.
Don't fall into the well of doubt & assume it's "authentic Christianity", it's not. It's just a well of doubt that will stop us from digging deeper into the word to find the clarity and understanding of the things we're unsure of.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
A few thoughts on boldness in Christ
In 1994 when I was a brand new Christian, I was not unlike many brand new Christians. There were a lot of people on Christian television and Christian radio that were mocked and ridiculed by unbelievers, and I didn't want to stand in the same company with those who were mocking them. I'd already done that as an unbeliever, but now things were different.
I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to look past the obvious, "worldly" reasons to make fun of these people (flamboyancy, namely) and hear for myself what they were really saying.
One day during a trip to the grocery store I had the local Christian radio station on in the van. One of the famous "name it and claim it" televangelists also had a radio show, and his show was on. He was talking about being bold. Now let me stop right here and tell you the reason this came to mind, was because of what Tim wrote yesterday about how blessed he was in church Sunday morning worship.
Most of my readers I'm sure already read Tim's blog, but what he said was so good I'm going to repost just this part:
I think many will relate very well to Tim's words about such a blessed moment. Tim was overwhelmed with gratitute toward our Lord for what He did for us. In humility and thankfulness, Tim cried and thanked our Lord.
Now let's back up to 1994 once again. As I parked the van in the grocery store parking lot, I was listening to this radio show I mentioned. The speaker was on about the topic of boldness, just like Tim wrote about yesterday. Well... not exactly like Tim wrote about yesterday.
He was telling a story about how once when he was younger, working and going Bible school, he got sick. He and his wife prayed and prayed and he didn't seem to be getting any better. At some point during one of his conversations with his wife during this time of illness, they had come to a conclusion about this verse:
The conclusion that they came to was astounding for me to hear. The televangelist said that this meant, he could BOLDLY march into the throne room of grace and DEMAND from God that he be healed of his illness right then and there, no questions asked. He went on to say that the Bible teaches us this that this boldness is our right, and God must comply with any request we have. He added, that the reason so many Christians are sick, poor, stressed, or have any other issues they struggle with is because they don't understand this right we have to tell God what we need and have Him supply it. He stressed again that it's our right to demand from God what we need.
I've emphasized certain words in that last paragraph because that's how this televangelist emphasized them. Only... he was much louder.
I turned off the radio at this point and sat there, probably with my mouth hanging open. I was stunned, and quite honestly felt like I had just been caught stealing cookies or something. I was so disturbed by what I had just heard, as I did my grocery shopping I couldn't get his statements out of my mind. Twelve years later, they are as fresh in my memory as if I had just listened to this program yesterday.
Clearly, the boldness spoken of in that verse in Hebrews does not mean we have any sort of right to demand anything of God at all. It also does not mean that once we place our demands on the table that God is in any way obligated to meet them. How dare we, mere men, be so arrogant as to even consider for a fraction of a second that we have any position to tell God what He must or should do for us?
I thought of this, like I wrote earlier, due to the way Tim wrote and described boldness being our birthright.
While I do not pretend to be a Greek scholar, and all I have to use is the Strongs, I want to take a moment to look at this word (boldly) parrhesia.
This is the way the Strongs defines this word:
It did not escape me, in light of the fact that Tim was writing yesterday about the intentional ambiguous approach Brian McLaren uses, that the definition in 1b says "without ambiguity or circumlocution".
Tim wrote yesterday of his observations at the Q& A session with McLaren on Saturday:
Years ago when I heard the televangelist use the verse in Hebrews I went home and looked that verse up. Then I looked up all the other places that same word parrhesia is used to see if it actually meant what he said it meant. At the time I didn't do this because I wanted to prove him wrong. I did it because I was afraid he was right. I was a new believer and wanted to really know what my Bible said.
It didn't take long for the pattern to emerge that showed me this boldness meant openness, freedom, confidence and assurance. It's not a worldly boldness at all, such as you might consider when a man is being arrested for a civil violation and might shout out "I have my rights!". This is an inner boldness. This is a spiritual assurance that we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That in Him we have rest, we have truth, mercy, help in time of need. A reading of Hebrews chapter four spells this out quite clearly.
A proper understanding of this boldness is important. I did notice that at least a couple of people responded to Tim's post yesterday asking the question "if you have this boldness, why be shy, why didn't you ask McLaren any questions?". Boldness in Christ does not mean He instantly changes our personality and turns a quiet man into a vocal man. It doesn't mean He takes an introspective man and create a public speaker out of him. Although He can and does do this, this is not what boldness as our birthright means.
I believe this is the boldness that brings grateful, thankful and humbled tears to our eyes, when we stop and consider what Christ did for us:
Hebrews 10:
I emphasized that section of verse 22 for a very good reason. In verse 19 the word parrhesia is used again and it means exactly what verse 22 says "a true heart in full assurance of faith".
In this day in Christendom where doubt, unknowing, mystery and mystique are so highly lauded as some sort of form of "humility", let's not forget what the Scriptures teach us about these things.
Let's look a little closer at what true Christian faith really is.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to look past the obvious, "worldly" reasons to make fun of these people (flamboyancy, namely) and hear for myself what they were really saying.
One day during a trip to the grocery store I had the local Christian radio station on in the van. One of the famous "name it and claim it" televangelists also had a radio show, and his show was on. He was talking about being bold. Now let me stop right here and tell you the reason this came to mind, was because of what Tim wrote yesterday about how blessed he was in church Sunday morning worship.
Most of my readers I'm sure already read Tim's blog, but what he said was so good I'm going to repost just this part:
(In regards to singing a song during worship) "To be honest, I heard little of the rest of the song. I was just overwhelmed by that one word: bold. I was moved almost to tears. No, let's be honest. I was moved to tears by that simple word. I stopped singing and just thanked and praised God for the boldness He gives. I stopped and thanked Jesus for the boldness He won for me through His sacrifice. It was a blessed moment."
I think many will relate very well to Tim's words about such a blessed moment. Tim was overwhelmed with gratitute toward our Lord for what He did for us. In humility and thankfulness, Tim cried and thanked our Lord.
Now let's back up to 1994 once again. As I parked the van in the grocery store parking lot, I was listening to this radio show I mentioned. The speaker was on about the topic of boldness, just like Tim wrote about yesterday. Well... not exactly like Tim wrote about yesterday.
He was telling a story about how once when he was younger, working and going Bible school, he got sick. He and his wife prayed and prayed and he didn't seem to be getting any better. At some point during one of his conversations with his wife during this time of illness, they had come to a conclusion about this verse:
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
The conclusion that they came to was astounding for me to hear. The televangelist said that this meant, he could BOLDLY march into the throne room of grace and DEMAND from God that he be healed of his illness right then and there, no questions asked. He went on to say that the Bible teaches us this that this boldness is our right, and God must comply with any request we have. He added, that the reason so many Christians are sick, poor, stressed, or have any other issues they struggle with is because they don't understand this right we have to tell God what we need and have Him supply it. He stressed again that it's our right to demand from God what we need.
I've emphasized certain words in that last paragraph because that's how this televangelist emphasized them. Only... he was much louder.
I turned off the radio at this point and sat there, probably with my mouth hanging open. I was stunned, and quite honestly felt like I had just been caught stealing cookies or something. I was so disturbed by what I had just heard, as I did my grocery shopping I couldn't get his statements out of my mind. Twelve years later, they are as fresh in my memory as if I had just listened to this program yesterday.
Clearly, the boldness spoken of in that verse in Hebrews does not mean we have any sort of right to demand anything of God at all. It also does not mean that once we place our demands on the table that God is in any way obligated to meet them. How dare we, mere men, be so arrogant as to even consider for a fraction of a second that we have any position to tell God what He must or should do for us?
I thought of this, like I wrote earlier, due to the way Tim wrote and described boldness being our birthright.
While I do not pretend to be a Greek scholar, and all I have to use is the Strongs, I want to take a moment to look at this word (boldly) parrhesia.
This is the way the Strongs defines this word:
1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech
1a) openly, frankly, i.e without concealment
1b) without ambiguity or circumlocution
1c) without the use of figures and comparisons
2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
3) the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity
It did not escape me, in light of the fact that Tim was writing yesterday about the intentional ambiguous approach Brian McLaren uses, that the definition in 1b says "without ambiguity or circumlocution".
Tim wrote yesterday of his observations at the Q& A session with McLaren on Saturday:
"Throughout the evening, boldness was absent. The faith of the emergents, the postmodern faith, is a faith that is devoid of boldness before God. It is timid, angry, tentative, questioning. It is not a faith of assurance and boldness. It emphasizes the unknowability of God more than what God has revealed to us about Himself. The faith McLaren commends is a faith that always questions, always doubts. It seems that the only faith McLaren hates is the faith of a person who knows what he believes and is convicted by Scripture and by plain reason that what God has revealed is truth--true truth. "
Years ago when I heard the televangelist use the verse in Hebrews I went home and looked that verse up. Then I looked up all the other places that same word parrhesia is used to see if it actually meant what he said it meant. At the time I didn't do this because I wanted to prove him wrong. I did it because I was afraid he was right. I was a new believer and wanted to really know what my Bible said.
It didn't take long for the pattern to emerge that showed me this boldness meant openness, freedom, confidence and assurance. It's not a worldly boldness at all, such as you might consider when a man is being arrested for a civil violation and might shout out "I have my rights!". This is an inner boldness. This is a spiritual assurance that we have in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That in Him we have rest, we have truth, mercy, help in time of need. A reading of Hebrews chapter four spells this out quite clearly.
A proper understanding of this boldness is important. I did notice that at least a couple of people responded to Tim's post yesterday asking the question "if you have this boldness, why be shy, why didn't you ask McLaren any questions?". Boldness in Christ does not mean He instantly changes our personality and turns a quiet man into a vocal man. It doesn't mean He takes an introspective man and create a public speaker out of him. Although He can and does do this, this is not what boldness as our birthright means.
I believe this is the boldness that brings grateful, thankful and humbled tears to our eyes, when we stop and consider what Christ did for us:
Hebrews 10:
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 ¶ Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 ¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
I emphasized that section of verse 22 for a very good reason. In verse 19 the word parrhesia is used again and it means exactly what verse 22 says "a true heart in full assurance of faith".
In this day in Christendom where doubt, unknowing, mystery and mystique are so highly lauded as some sort of form of "humility", let's not forget what the Scriptures teach us about these things.
Let's look a little closer at what true Christian faith really is.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 10, 2006
Monday Thoughts
It's been said, that Charles Haddon Spurgeon's life came to an abrubt end, due in large part to his anguish and stress over the decline of Biblical Christianity, in his day. While I do not know if this is true, I do know that studies have proven time and time again that stress (and large amounts of it) can quite literally destroy you.
If you have any number of pre-existing conditions, adding stress into your life can aggrivate those conditions. Even if you are in good health, introducing stress into your life can actually cause stress-related health issues. However our hearts and minds deal with stress, it still has a tendency to render a person right into the hands of ill health.
A couple of things led me to think about this today. One was a statement I heard last night in chat about the US government being an entire facade for the real government behind the scenes... the Illuminati. This person who made the statement is a professing believer in Christ, and he went on to describe this satanic, secret power behind the US government. He appears convinced that we've all been duped by secret, satanic societies. Just for the record, none of these 'secret societies" are a secret. Most people have heard of them, heard about what they do, who's involved, and what their agenda is. It's a little hard to have a secret society when the "secret" is somewhat common knowledge.
What's more, the ones that do exist for purely self-centered purposes, only exist and have as much power as God lets them have anyway. So for anyone to get themselves all worked up over the whole issue seems to be a relatively large waste of time.
Another reason this came to mind this morning is due to an email I received about the content of Emergent No. The closing line in the email really made me shake my head:
ENo is just one site/blog out there among thousands now, that are addressing the dangers of the ECM, day in and day out. On that one site, over the last 13 months there have been nearly 250 posts put up. Of all of those posts, many are in long, drawn out detail explaining from the Scriptures, the dangers of the ECM. This reader that emailed me has learned from that blog, "absolutely nothing" about these dangers.
To me, this would be like giving my 8 year old 250 lessons in math facts and at the end of the 250 lessons her turning to me and saying "mom, what is two plus two?". If she didn't know the answer to that question at the end of 250 lessons, it certainly wouldn't be my fault for the lack of instruction.
So how does all this tie in with stress induced illness?
Easy, it makes me sick. Literally and physically sick. Not that I would ever dare compare myself to the likes of Spurgeon, but if his wrestling with the garbage in his day was in fact a contribution to his early death, I can sure understand why. I can only imagine that he must have felt like he was at times banging his head against a brick wall, speaking to a stump, or just wasting precious time with people that refused to hear. All at the same time as he grieved over people who had fallen into deception and enjoyed it, while they mocked and made him the butt of jokes.
I've considered closing ENo many times. I've talked to Kev about it, I've talked to friends, my pastor, and others who run similar sites. I've prayed about it, considered the usefulness of the site, and at times it's been rather overwhelming. The only reason I don't close it and wash my hands of the whole vile mess (and yes friends, it IS vile), is due to the emails I get at least once a week that thank me, Denise and Nina, for having this blog open, and exposing what the ECM is all about.
People who are at a loss in how to deal with this or what to think, because their own church is headed this way. People who's husbands, wives, kids, friends, siblings or former church members have begun to embrace this new "movement". People who were once involved in it themselves, that began to read some of the things we had to say at ENo, and then prayed, compared what we said to Scripture, and were convicted. I cannot tell you how those emails cause me such tears of thankfulness to the Lord.
I know that what I do at ENo is a teeny, tiny borderline insignificant thing, compared to so many other ministries out there, but it's those emails from people who express a genuine, heartfelt thank you, that actually keep that blog going. They matter, and they matter a lot.
So I would just ask that you pray for me, Denise and Nina. Dealing with the teachings & the people who support the ECM is not easy - not by a long shot. It is incredibly stressful, and while I do my best to "turn it off" and think on these things (Philippians 4:8), sometimes the very idea that so many people are so eager to embrace such unbiblical doctrines and methods, is just a bit much to be able to simply "turn off".
Just a few thoughts this morning.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
If you have any number of pre-existing conditions, adding stress into your life can aggrivate those conditions. Even if you are in good health, introducing stress into your life can actually cause stress-related health issues. However our hearts and minds deal with stress, it still has a tendency to render a person right into the hands of ill health.
A couple of things led me to think about this today. One was a statement I heard last night in chat about the US government being an entire facade for the real government behind the scenes... the Illuminati. This person who made the statement is a professing believer in Christ, and he went on to describe this satanic, secret power behind the US government. He appears convinced that we've all been duped by secret, satanic societies. Just for the record, none of these 'secret societies" are a secret. Most people have heard of them, heard about what they do, who's involved, and what their agenda is. It's a little hard to have a secret society when the "secret" is somewhat common knowledge.
What's more, the ones that do exist for purely self-centered purposes, only exist and have as much power as God lets them have anyway. So for anyone to get themselves all worked up over the whole issue seems to be a relatively large waste of time.
Another reason this came to mind this morning is due to an email I received about the content of Emergent No. The closing line in the email really made me shake my head:
"If your goal is to preach to the choir, you've done very well. I have learned absolutely nothing about the dangers of the ECM whatsoever."
ENo is just one site/blog out there among thousands now, that are addressing the dangers of the ECM, day in and day out. On that one site, over the last 13 months there have been nearly 250 posts put up. Of all of those posts, many are in long, drawn out detail explaining from the Scriptures, the dangers of the ECM. This reader that emailed me has learned from that blog, "absolutely nothing" about these dangers.
To me, this would be like giving my 8 year old 250 lessons in math facts and at the end of the 250 lessons her turning to me and saying "mom, what is two plus two?". If she didn't know the answer to that question at the end of 250 lessons, it certainly wouldn't be my fault for the lack of instruction.
So how does all this tie in with stress induced illness?
Easy, it makes me sick. Literally and physically sick. Not that I would ever dare compare myself to the likes of Spurgeon, but if his wrestling with the garbage in his day was in fact a contribution to his early death, I can sure understand why. I can only imagine that he must have felt like he was at times banging his head against a brick wall, speaking to a stump, or just wasting precious time with people that refused to hear. All at the same time as he grieved over people who had fallen into deception and enjoyed it, while they mocked and made him the butt of jokes.
I've considered closing ENo many times. I've talked to Kev about it, I've talked to friends, my pastor, and others who run similar sites. I've prayed about it, considered the usefulness of the site, and at times it's been rather overwhelming. The only reason I don't close it and wash my hands of the whole vile mess (and yes friends, it IS vile), is due to the emails I get at least once a week that thank me, Denise and Nina, for having this blog open, and exposing what the ECM is all about.
People who are at a loss in how to deal with this or what to think, because their own church is headed this way. People who's husbands, wives, kids, friends, siblings or former church members have begun to embrace this new "movement". People who were once involved in it themselves, that began to read some of the things we had to say at ENo, and then prayed, compared what we said to Scripture, and were convicted. I cannot tell you how those emails cause me such tears of thankfulness to the Lord.
I know that what I do at ENo is a teeny, tiny borderline insignificant thing, compared to so many other ministries out there, but it's those emails from people who express a genuine, heartfelt thank you, that actually keep that blog going. They matter, and they matter a lot.
So I would just ask that you pray for me, Denise and Nina. Dealing with the teachings & the people who support the ECM is not easy - not by a long shot. It is incredibly stressful, and while I do my best to "turn it off" and think on these things (Philippians 4:8), sometimes the very idea that so many people are so eager to embrace such unbiblical doctrines and methods, is just a bit much to be able to simply "turn off".
Just a few thoughts this morning.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 09, 2006
Clowns on Blogs
I'm going to preface this post with the fact that I don't feel good today. If you read anything here today that doesn't make sense, blame that.
Now, on to bigger and better things:
In blogland there is so much disagreement & arguing (or so it seems?) that it's easy to get burnt out on discussions very quickly.
So, when someone comes along who is clearly more studied in the Scriptures than you are, and agrees with something you've written, it's quite refreshing. Like this:
Frank asked this question:
at Team Pyro and I answered this way:
Okay, it's small, miniscule, a microbe on a microbe of something microscopically small... but I'm claiming it, and you can't stop me.
At least I didn't get clowned.
Yet.
*gulp*
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Now, on to bigger and better things:
In blogland there is so much disagreement & arguing (or so it seems?) that it's easy to get burnt out on discussions very quickly.
So, when someone comes along who is clearly more studied in the Scriptures than you are, and agrees with something you've written, it's quite refreshing. Like this:
Frank asked this question:
"Does any person who ought to be condemned to hell escape because God is somehow not concerned or involved enough about sending them to hell that they escape his wrath? For example, is it possible that, in the final account, Judas will be judged by God worthy of hell but will escape God's wrath and spend eternity in heaven with the saints?"
at Team Pyro and I answered this way:
"In a word:NO".Steve Camp apparently saw my astounding wisdom in such a deep answer, and felt compelled to use my same answer.
Okay, it's small, miniscule, a microbe on a microbe of something microscopically small... but I'm claiming it, and you can't stop me.
At least I didn't get clowned.
Yet.
*gulp*
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Free Indeed
At the encouragment of a friend, the header pic on the blog is now available in a few different formats at my store, Reflections. The options are:
• 2.125” x 3.125” rectangle magnet (shown here, single or 10 pack)
• 6"x6" Cherrywood framed, decorative wall tile
• standard 6"x4" postcards (pkg of 8)
• 19" x 11" framed print
As with all products at Reflections, we have a 100% money back guarantee on all products. You can shop from home with the comfort of knowing that your order is backed by a 100% Money Back Guarantee. This 30-Day Guarantee gives you plenty of time to check items for color, high-quality, and size for yourself, family and friends. If for any reason you need to return or exchange an item, just contact our Customer Service department and you're done!
For those of you that have never browsed or shopped our store, our business philosophy is pretty cut & dried: provide high quality products & spread the Word of God. We take a special interest in creating products ideal for the home, office & gift giving. We do have a few whimsical "Just for fun" items as well. :o) And clothing lines for him, for her, boys, girls and babies.
You can even sign up for our monthly newsletter for email notifications of new products, sales, upcoming contests & information on our store, just by entering your email address in the Shop Newsletter field, on the front page of the store.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 08, 2006
The Doctrinal Midway
When I was little and my mom would take us kids to the county fair every year, there were certain rides on the midway I just loved & waited in line to ride. Certain ones I hated and would never go on, and then there were the ones I really never gave much thought to.One of my favorites was The Zipper. I think it was the first ride I lined up for, every year. The last time I ever went to a fair or carnival when I went on this ride, I was 14. My best friend Marlyne and I broke our our record of consecutive spins in our car, and lost momentum at 29. It was SO cool!
What made me think of this today, was the way sometimes certain theological or doctrinal topics seem to re-surface around blogland, forums and chats. Like a thrilling midway ride, a lot of people line up to take a spin. Some people seem to never leave the ride, and others show up with a knock-out post that breaks all prior records and stands out to most people.
The way this all came about was sort of odd. It started with one topic and quickly shot off in a new direction, with a new topic.
Ingrid at Slice of Laodicea was the first person I noticed to write about a new dvd on the market, promoting contemplative prayer. I also wrote about it here and over at ENo.
One of the people in the dvd is Beth Moore. You can read all the hoo-haa on that controversy over at Slice.
In any event, the very fact that Beth Moore is on this dvd motivated more than a few women bloggers to really take a close look at Moore's ministry, and ask themselves some very pertinant questions in regards to women being in spiritual authority over men. One such conversation is over here at Lisa's place. (I know I left a comment there today, but for the life of me I cannot find it now! I hate when that happens).
This very topic, is the doctrinal equivalent of The Zipper. Some people love it, others hate, from some you will hear screams, and still others might even get sick. But this ride is always open, and new riders show up all the time. Others walk right past & head straight for the merry-go-round and pretend this ride doesn't even exist. I must warn you, do NOT eat a corn dog, scone, cotton candy & large coke before entering this ride. You'll turn green and be of no use to anyone. Besides, you'll muss your lovely blouse.
So, I found it rather interesting that this topic came up again last night in chat. Even more interesting were the comments of one lady chatter who apparently has some rather serious issues with lady bloggers. Hmmm... were her comments directed at me personally? I have no idea, she never really said, and I was just sitting there listening and reading the text, rather than doing much participating.
It seemed to this lady chatter, that lady bloggers fall into the same dangerous category as women pastors & teachers - those with authority over men. She went on to say that lady bloggers should NEVER be critical of men leaders in the church (she worded it a little differently but that's what she was saying) and that lady bloggers should also never be confrontational in this same vein.
She made a most interesting observation that I found quite curious. She said that if a woman of God has small children in her home, and is a stay at home mother taking care of her kids, home, and her husband, then she has no business being on chats all day, or blogging all day. If she does this, the lady chatter reasoned, she's negelcting her home and her family.
I couldn't agree with her more. If a lady blogger is spending all her time on her blog, or in chats or forums, then she is most definitely guilty of neglecting someone, or something in her life. (And we all know lady bloggers that we admire that have toned down or hung up the blog shingle all together, for this very reason).
I think what stood out to me more than anything else though, was the fact that for this lady chatter to know other lady chatters are online all day - she herself would also have to be online all day to be able to monitor other people's online habits. I found that a most ironic thing.
In any event, my point here is that everyone's got an opinion on this. Some are passionate & reasoned from the Scriptures, others are equally passionate and argued from emotions. Then there are all sorts of others in between. Some just like to make catty-jabs at other women, some have good thoughts but haven't really given it a lot of thought as they don't see the big issue that it is to others. Some actually believe the Internet to be "church" while others find that description most ludicrous.
Due to this coming up again, I re-read something I'd written on this last year. Because I am a woman online, and a Christian woman that desires to be in obedience to the word of God, it's a topic that I can't afford to ignore. So last year I took the time to write out my thoughts in Women of Faith Online. (See the sidebar under Favorite Posts).
Instead of adding anything new to this current discussion taking place (that tends to cover women's roles in varied formats - church, online, authors, etc.), I just thought I would remind my fellow sisters in Christ of one thing.
Far too often a passionate conviction for doctrine can be mistaken for overt obnoxiousness. We have to be extra careful in how we word our thoughts, because being lax in this department often adds more heat than light, in these conversations.
I know you already knew that, I just thought a reminder was in order. :o)
Currently not reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 07, 2006
Narnia
Well... I must say, The Chronicles of Narnia is just a really great movie. Sure I'm a day late & a dollar short... sure you all saw it months ago at the theaters so to you this is old news... and sure there's bound to be varied opinion, but hey, when the almost the entire family is moved to tears TWICE in a movie, it's a great movie and that's all there is to it.
And yes I clapped when Lucy received her crown. Not a bit ashamed to admit it. So there.
Kev says "now this is a movie that every Christian family needs to buy, and watch with the whole family". There you have it.
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
And yes I clapped when Lucy received her crown. Not a bit ashamed to admit it. So there.
Kev says "now this is a movie that every Christian family needs to buy, and watch with the whole family". There you have it.
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Friday Stuffage with 11 essential vitamins and minerals
Well... it's been a most interesting 24 hours. Oddball emails, computer problems, tech support people who don't know what they're talking about (why is this so common?) and lions, a few tigers and at least one bear. Oh my. And me without my ruby slippers!
It's funny how things come back to "haunt" you sometimes. This is sort of a girlie-thing, so you guys might just want to skip right past this one (although the lesson learned is really applicable to both genders).
For over 20 years, I honestly believed that the "hormonal fluctuation" that causes the emotional rollercoaster for women during a portion of the month, each month, was actually a lot of hooey. You know what I mean, the mood swings, the losing of the temper at the drop of a hat, laughing one minute crying the next - all that sort of thing that is said to accompany that few days each month as the female body does this unusual hormonal dance that turns a rational, analytical woman into Babs the Banshee-Girl.
I had known so many women who were prone to the Drama Queen side of life, that I didn't really think it was as legit as it was made out to be. Sadly as a result of that, I became rather insensitive toward those ladies who claimed to have this "condition". Not mean or anything, just incredibly indifferent - and really no compassion at all, since I figured it was more melodrama than anything else. Melodramatic, overly emotional people tend to aggrivate me.
However, after the birth of my youngest daughter almost 3 years ago, things changed. I mean things changed like a BIG dog, and suddenly I was Molly Melodramatic myself. "How can this be!?" I asked Kev. He just gave me this sympathetic look (actually I think he was terrified to really say anything) and said "I guess it's more real than you might have realized?".
In any event, I found out it's true. All of it. The mood swings, the irrational emotions, the temper switch that seems to short out at a moment's notice, the tears over nothing at all... the whole thing. All true, all ugly, all no fun. So there ya go. True story.
So here's a funny little rabbit trail that made me laugh. Just for kicks I looked at my site meter last night and saw that someone landed on this blog after doing a search for images with my name, at google. They didn't use my correct name, but ended up landing here anyway. So I went to google images and using my full name, did a search myself. I only vaugely recalled Frank posting this so I had to click over there to remind myself. It was good for a laugh to see that at google, and it was good for a laugh to re-read what he posted about himself alongside that picture. Go read it, you'll laugh too.
When I did that search, I also found something else I had long forgotten about. It's a website called The Doctrines of Grace Reformed Internet Radio. You may already know about it, but if not, I thought I'd mention it here. 24/7 sermons from pastors who hold to the doctrines of grace. They also play hymns too. How cool is that? The site launched 2 years ago, and on a whim (and with a bad cold, mind you) I did a station id recording for them, and they decided to use it. I looked over the site and sure enough, they still use that station id spot from time to time. They added some background music to my recording (prolly to drown out my voice) but you can still hear me. Last night when I popped over there they had a sermon from Pastor Albert Martin playing. It was really good but it was also really late, and I was too sleepy to stay up and listen to it. So anyhoo, go take a listen.
And with that, it's time to make oatmeal.
Have a great Friday - it's pizza/movie night in Rolfeland, and we're all excited to be watching The Chronicles of Narnia tonight. We don't do movie theaters, so this is our first viewing of it. Yay!
Oh... and one more thing. Today is Kev's last day of work before he goes on TWO WHOLE WEEKS of vacation, as my mom is coming out here from WA state for a visit, next week. Almost always, when Kev's got a vacation coming up, his last day of work is exceptionally brutal. So if you would remember him in prayer today, that would be great.
Okay - oatmeal it is!
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
It's funny how things come back to "haunt" you sometimes. This is sort of a girlie-thing, so you guys might just want to skip right past this one (although the lesson learned is really applicable to both genders).
For over 20 years, I honestly believed that the "hormonal fluctuation" that causes the emotional rollercoaster for women during a portion of the month, each month, was actually a lot of hooey. You know what I mean, the mood swings, the losing of the temper at the drop of a hat, laughing one minute crying the next - all that sort of thing that is said to accompany that few days each month as the female body does this unusual hormonal dance that turns a rational, analytical woman into Babs the Banshee-Girl.
I had known so many women who were prone to the Drama Queen side of life, that I didn't really think it was as legit as it was made out to be. Sadly as a result of that, I became rather insensitive toward those ladies who claimed to have this "condition". Not mean or anything, just incredibly indifferent - and really no compassion at all, since I figured it was more melodrama than anything else. Melodramatic, overly emotional people tend to aggrivate me.
However, after the birth of my youngest daughter almost 3 years ago, things changed. I mean things changed like a BIG dog, and suddenly I was Molly Melodramatic myself. "How can this be!?" I asked Kev. He just gave me this sympathetic look (actually I think he was terrified to really say anything) and said "I guess it's more real than you might have realized?".
In any event, I found out it's true. All of it. The mood swings, the irrational emotions, the temper switch that seems to short out at a moment's notice, the tears over nothing at all... the whole thing. All true, all ugly, all no fun. So there ya go. True story.
So here's a funny little rabbit trail that made me laugh. Just for kicks I looked at my site meter last night and saw that someone landed on this blog after doing a search for images with my name, at google. They didn't use my correct name, but ended up landing here anyway. So I went to google images and using my full name, did a search myself. I only vaugely recalled Frank posting this so I had to click over there to remind myself. It was good for a laugh to see that at google, and it was good for a laugh to re-read what he posted about himself alongside that picture. Go read it, you'll laugh too.When I did that search, I also found something else I had long forgotten about. It's a website called The Doctrines of Grace Reformed Internet Radio. You may already know about it, but if not, I thought I'd mention it here. 24/7 sermons from pastors who hold to the doctrines of grace. They also play hymns too. How cool is that? The site launched 2 years ago, and on a whim (and with a bad cold, mind you) I did a station id recording for them, and they decided to use it. I looked over the site and sure enough, they still use that station id spot from time to time. They added some background music to my recording (prolly to drown out my voice) but you can still hear me. Last night when I popped over there they had a sermon from Pastor Albert Martin playing. It was really good but it was also really late, and I was too sleepy to stay up and listen to it. So anyhoo, go take a listen.
And with that, it's time to make oatmeal.
Have a great Friday - it's pizza/movie night in Rolfeland, and we're all excited to be watching The Chronicles of Narnia tonight. We don't do movie theaters, so this is our first viewing of it. Yay!Oh... and one more thing. Today is Kev's last day of work before he goes on TWO WHOLE WEEKS of vacation, as my mom is coming out here from WA state for a visit, next week. Almost always, when Kev's got a vacation coming up, his last day of work is exceptionally brutal. So if you would remember him in prayer today, that would be great.
Okay - oatmeal it is!
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 05, 2006
30 Hour Famine - 2006
I'm in a quandry over something. I don't like quandries.
Last year at this time, our teenage daughter was invited to participate in something called The 30 Hour Famine. I suspect some of you have heard of it, maybe even belong to a church that gets involved every year?
I wrote about my concerns last year, here, and have re-read my own thoughts on it, a year later. I have to say, I still feel exactly the same way about it.
At the Canadian website for this event, there is much information for participants and leaders alike.
In the "I'm a Leader" - "Planning your event" section, here's one idea for leaders:
Now, I want to make it really REALLY clear that there are some really good learning opportunities associated with this thing. For example, you can learn about global issues such as hunger, poverty & disease. The actual source of this information is something to be up for discernment, but the issues themselves are certainly addressed. This is a good thing.
Before I go on about the 30 hour famine, I would like to point out this is a program put on by World Vision. An organization that lists as their #1 core value that "We are Christian. From the abundance of God's love, we find our call to ministry." Oddly enough, a search of their entire site yields only 3 references to Jesus. Here, here and here.
In the first link, it's a story about the CEO of World Vision Canada, Dave Toycen "whose life and works are motivated by his personal devotion to Jesus."
In the next link you'll find book recommendations from the CEO and President Dave Toycen. His number #1 book recommendation? (This is actually the way it reads at the site) "A Generous Orthodoxy (Zondervan) By Bruce McLaren
Dave says: Uncomfortable, edgy, yet full of the Jesus Spirit." His #2 recommendation is Living the Message: Daily Help for Living the God-Centered Life (HaperCollins Canada) By Eugene H. Peterson.
In the third link, you'll find a letter from President Dave Toycen praising the late pope John Paul II saying "We are deeply saddened that the world has lost such an outstanding leader and servant of Jesus."
Those are the only 3 references to Jesus on the entire site. A site that lists as it's #1 core value, that they are Christians. (And no, it actually did not surprise me to read the #1 book recommendation from the president of this organization - McLaren's influence is far reaching).
I also did a search for the gospel, and found only 2 references to it (but no gospel message) and 2 references to WV partners that are Christian recording artists, that won awards.
I found that incredibly striking for a monumental organization like this that calls itself a Christian organization.
Now... on to the famine.
For all the hype surrounding this "famine", it would certainly seem that the famine is actually NOT the focus.
There is more focus on having fun, playing games, keeping busy, entertainment, and prizes - than anything else. Oh and yes, all pledges go toward a worthy cause - but don't forget to have LOTS of fun and stay busy during the 30 hours. Fun is critical, or everyone will be bored and not want to come.
You think I'm exagerrating? Read this from the "Recruitment & Motivation" page:
So, it's going to be a lot of fun, there's going to be games & entertainment, and the more you raise in pledges the more chances you'll have for bigger prizes for being a part of this. There's a ton more info at the Canadian website. Concerts, t-shirts, media kits, tattoos, etc.
Our daughter wants to attend again this year, like she wanted to attend last year. Kev and I both said no last year, as we were both rather offended about the whole "fun & games & competition" thing. (You might want to read my post on that from last year to get an idea as to why we were put off by the whole thing).
Her reasons for wanting to participate this year? The youth leader has assured her it's going to be SO much fun, the girls will all be sleeping over in the youth group house, tons of games, etc... and oh yeah, it's for a worthy cause. Fun came first, and the promise of fun & lots of socializing, was the reason the youth leader gave her for wanting her to come.
Do you see my concern? For Kev and I, the focus is totally off.
The questions that begs are these:
IF there were no fun & games, no prizes, no incentives (other than knowing you did something self-less to feed a hungry child), no t-shirts, no concerts, tattoos, speakers... would the kids still do it?
IF the 30 hour event was held in the hot summer sun, or the pouring rain, in more extreme weather conditions like real famine ridden countries deal with and the kids had to sleep on the ground with no pillow, no blankets, no proctection from the weather or bugs... would the kids still do it?
In other words, if the kids were going to be absolutely miserable, cold, hot, wet, tired, hungry, desperate for clean drinking water or medicine... would they still do it, for NO OTHER REASON than to take 30 hours of their lives to live like real famine sufferers, to raise money to alleviate their miserable living conditions?
Probably not. In fact, it's highly unlikely you'd be able to "motivate and encourage" nearly anyone to join you in something like that, let alone teenagers.
So, do you see my quandry?
Do we want our kids to be aware of poverty, disease & famine? Absolutely.
Is this the real reason kids are going to this? Absolutely not.
It's a social event with the underpinnings of "worthy cause". I suspect there are kids who attend that come away with a profound education on these issues, but is this just another example of pragmatism in our churches? Whatever happened to "do this because it's right and what Jesus taught us to do" as an incentive to give to those in need? Is that no longer incentive enough, for the local church to be teaching our young people? Did Jesus give out tattoos & hold concerts to get people to listen? (As you see, I have lots of questions on this one).
I welcome your thoughts. Kev and I will be having a long talk with our teenager about this, but I'd really like to see what others have to say as well.
Fire away. :o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Last year at this time, our teenage daughter was invited to participate in something called The 30 Hour Famine. I suspect some of you have heard of it, maybe even belong to a church that gets involved every year?
I wrote about my concerns last year, here, and have re-read my own thoughts on it, a year later. I have to say, I still feel exactly the same way about it.
At the Canadian website for this event, there is much information for participants and leaders alike.
In the "I'm a Leader" - "Planning your event" section, here's one idea for leaders:
"You'll need to plan for both meaningful AND fun activities to do for 30 hours if you want to attract participants. Our sample schedule will give you several good ideas on what other groups have done in the past." (source)
Now, I want to make it really REALLY clear that there are some really good learning opportunities associated with this thing. For example, you can learn about global issues such as hunger, poverty & disease. The actual source of this information is something to be up for discernment, but the issues themselves are certainly addressed. This is a good thing.
Before I go on about the 30 hour famine, I would like to point out this is a program put on by World Vision. An organization that lists as their #1 core value that "We are Christian. From the abundance of God's love, we find our call to ministry." Oddly enough, a search of their entire site yields only 3 references to Jesus. Here, here and here.
In the first link, it's a story about the CEO of World Vision Canada, Dave Toycen "whose life and works are motivated by his personal devotion to Jesus."
In the next link you'll find book recommendations from the CEO and President Dave Toycen. His number #1 book recommendation? (This is actually the way it reads at the site) "A Generous Orthodoxy (Zondervan) By Bruce McLaren
Dave says: Uncomfortable, edgy, yet full of the Jesus Spirit." His #2 recommendation is Living the Message: Daily Help for Living the God-Centered Life (HaperCollins Canada) By Eugene H. Peterson.
In the third link, you'll find a letter from President Dave Toycen praising the late pope John Paul II saying "We are deeply saddened that the world has lost such an outstanding leader and servant of Jesus."
Those are the only 3 references to Jesus on the entire site. A site that lists as it's #1 core value, that they are Christians. (And no, it actually did not surprise me to read the #1 book recommendation from the president of this organization - McLaren's influence is far reaching).
I also did a search for the gospel, and found only 2 references to it (but no gospel message) and 2 references to WV partners that are Christian recording artists, that won awards.
I found that incredibly striking for a monumental organization like this that calls itself a Christian organization.
Now... on to the famine.
For all the hype surrounding this "famine", it would certainly seem that the famine is actually NOT the focus.
There is more focus on having fun, playing games, keeping busy, entertainment, and prizes - than anything else. Oh and yes, all pledges go toward a worthy cause - but don't forget to have LOTS of fun and stay busy during the 30 hours. Fun is critical, or everyone will be bored and not want to come.
You think I'm exagerrating? Read this from the "Recruitment & Motivation" page:
Excitement is contagious, so do everything you can to create a buzz and let people know about your 30 Hour Famine event and why they should join your group. Here are some ideas on how to spread the word around your school or church:And this from the Incentives page:
• Put up the posters and message clings provided in your kit around your school or church
• Drop flyers into every student locker
• Organize an assembly to let everyone know what the 30 Hour Famine is all about.
• Invite a World Vision Famine Rep to give a motivational presentation
• Set up a sign-up table in high-traffic areas—make sure you have lots of information about your event and how you plan to make it a fun and meaningful 30 hours
• Wear the tattoos to get others curious
• Challenge other schools or churches in your area and convince students in your school or the youths at your church to join in a friendly competition (source)
We have some great incentives for you and your group if each person raises at least $90. Make sure you submit your group's donations and forms by June 20, 2006, or while supplies last.
• Raise $90 and you've fed a child for three months. You'll receive a handcrafted bracelet from one of our World Vision projects in Nicaragua.
• Raise $180 and you've fed a child for six months. You'll receive the bracelet and a baseball cap.
• Raise $360 and you've fed a child for one year! You'll receive the bracelet, the baseball cap, and a hooded sweatshirt.
• If your group is one of the top 10 fundraisers in 2006, as a leader, you'll receive an Apple iPod Shuffle.
So, it's going to be a lot of fun, there's going to be games & entertainment, and the more you raise in pledges the more chances you'll have for bigger prizes for being a part of this. There's a ton more info at the Canadian website. Concerts, t-shirts, media kits, tattoos, etc.
Our daughter wants to attend again this year, like she wanted to attend last year. Kev and I both said no last year, as we were both rather offended about the whole "fun & games & competition" thing. (You might want to read my post on that from last year to get an idea as to why we were put off by the whole thing).
Her reasons for wanting to participate this year? The youth leader has assured her it's going to be SO much fun, the girls will all be sleeping over in the youth group house, tons of games, etc... and oh yeah, it's for a worthy cause. Fun came first, and the promise of fun & lots of socializing, was the reason the youth leader gave her for wanting her to come.
Do you see my concern? For Kev and I, the focus is totally off.
The questions that begs are these:
IF there were no fun & games, no prizes, no incentives (other than knowing you did something self-less to feed a hungry child), no t-shirts, no concerts, tattoos, speakers... would the kids still do it?
IF the 30 hour event was held in the hot summer sun, or the pouring rain, in more extreme weather conditions like real famine ridden countries deal with and the kids had to sleep on the ground with no pillow, no blankets, no proctection from the weather or bugs... would the kids still do it?
In other words, if the kids were going to be absolutely miserable, cold, hot, wet, tired, hungry, desperate for clean drinking water or medicine... would they still do it, for NO OTHER REASON than to take 30 hours of their lives to live like real famine sufferers, to raise money to alleviate their miserable living conditions?
Probably not. In fact, it's highly unlikely you'd be able to "motivate and encourage" nearly anyone to join you in something like that, let alone teenagers.
So, do you see my quandry?
Do we want our kids to be aware of poverty, disease & famine? Absolutely.
Is this the real reason kids are going to this? Absolutely not.
It's a social event with the underpinnings of "worthy cause". I suspect there are kids who attend that come away with a profound education on these issues, but is this just another example of pragmatism in our churches? Whatever happened to "do this because it's right and what Jesus taught us to do" as an incentive to give to those in need? Is that no longer incentive enough, for the local church to be teaching our young people? Did Jesus give out tattoos & hold concerts to get people to listen? (As you see, I have lots of questions on this one).
I welcome your thoughts. Kev and I will be having a long talk with our teenager about this, but I'd really like to see what others have to say as well.
Fire away. :o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
"Be Still" - or Be Biblical?
You're going to hear about this sooner or later, and maybe you already have.
I refer to the Be Still dvd released just yesterday. This is a dvd that is being endorsed & promoted by such people as Max Lucado, Beth Moore, and others (please see the update below!). There is some amount of confusion as to whether Dr. Charles Stanley really had anything to do with it or not, but his name is in fact listed in the credits as well.
I've written a bit about this here, and I just wanted to re-post at Reflections. You may have nothing to do with the "emerging church" business, but you'd be well warned to pay attention to what's coming down the pike, under the guise of "contemplative prayer". Well advised also, on just who's promoting it, practicing it, and teaching it.
I said 18 months ago that the very same influences that are shaping the EC are finding their way into more conservative circles. In fact, I said it again yesterday. I was "poo-poo'd" by a lot of people 18 months ago, who have now said "whoa, I wish you would have been wrong".
I wish I would have been wrong too.
UPDATED:
It would appear that the "confusion" may not exactly be accidental. Some very interesting developments on this dvd are coming to light faster than I can keep up. Please take the time to visit Ingrid at Slice, for developing information.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
I refer to the Be Still dvd released just yesterday. This is a dvd that is being endorsed & promoted by such people as Max Lucado, Beth Moore, and others (please see the update below!). There is some amount of confusion as to whether Dr. Charles Stanley really had anything to do with it or not, but his name is in fact listed in the credits as well.
I've written a bit about this here, and I just wanted to re-post at Reflections. You may have nothing to do with the "emerging church" business, but you'd be well warned to pay attention to what's coming down the pike, under the guise of "contemplative prayer". Well advised also, on just who's promoting it, practicing it, and teaching it.
I said 18 months ago that the very same influences that are shaping the EC are finding their way into more conservative circles. In fact, I said it again yesterday. I was "poo-poo'd" by a lot of people 18 months ago, who have now said "whoa, I wish you would have been wrong".
I wish I would have been wrong too.
UPDATED:
It would appear that the "confusion" may not exactly be accidental. Some very interesting developments on this dvd are coming to light faster than I can keep up. Please take the time to visit Ingrid at Slice, for developing information.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Ch-ch-ch-changes... again
(header pic: taken off my deck at 7:30 am April 5, 2006)
'Tis the season to...
Be woken up by the sunrise washing my bedroom in a glowing orange hue
Do a lot of spring cleaning
Re-arrange my living room furniture
Open the windows more often
Take a lot of photographs that most people will never see
Sort through heavy winter gear & lighter summer gear
Start putting the winter boots & coats away
Buy charcoal for the kettle grill
Get creative with salads
Start a fire in the furnace a little less often
Watch for spring migrant songbirds
Take more pictures than most people will ever see
Change the header pic on my blog quite frequently
Spend more time outside weeding, mowing, planting, listening to birds, relaxing
Watch the spring lightning storms
Unplug my modem at least twice a week
Read the book of James again, while sitting on the deck
We had a light snowfall last night, and it's quite likely the very last snowfall of this season. We've been spending more and more time outside, and I'm really enjoying that quite a bit.
Here's an interesting coincidence (that has nothing to do with Spring at all)...
Just yesterday I posted on fearing God. This morning, on Grace to You Daily, pastor John MacArthur is quoting the very same passage I quoted in that post Matthew 7:24-27 - and the topic is Empty Words, in the Salvation Survey series. He goes on to also mention the "Jesus, didn't we do this, that & the other in YOUR name?" Just like I wrote on yesterday. How coincidental is that? Maybe Pastor MacArthur has been reading my blog? ROTFLOL, yeah, because I'm uber-influential that way. Uh huh.
He's speaking of those who believe themselves to be Christians, but are not, and are deceived. I would highly recommend this audio lesson.
Have a great Wednesday!
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
'Tis the season to...
Be woken up by the sunrise washing my bedroom in a glowing orange hue
Do a lot of spring cleaning
Re-arrange my living room furniture
Open the windows more often
Take a lot of photographs that most people will never see
Sort through heavy winter gear & lighter summer gear
Start putting the winter boots & coats away
Buy charcoal for the kettle grill
Get creative with salads
Start a fire in the furnace a little less often
Watch for spring migrant songbirds
Take more pictures than most people will ever see
Change the header pic on my blog quite frequently
Spend more time outside weeding, mowing, planting, listening to birds, relaxing
Watch the spring lightning storms
Unplug my modem at least twice a week
Read the book of James again, while sitting on the deck
We had a light snowfall last night, and it's quite likely the very last snowfall of this season. We've been spending more and more time outside, and I'm really enjoying that quite a bit.
Here's an interesting coincidence (that has nothing to do with Spring at all)...
Just yesterday I posted on fearing God. This morning, on Grace to You Daily, pastor John MacArthur is quoting the very same passage I quoted in that post Matthew 7:24-27 - and the topic is Empty Words, in the Salvation Survey series. He goes on to also mention the "Jesus, didn't we do this, that & the other in YOUR name?" Just like I wrote on yesterday. How coincidental is that? Maybe Pastor MacArthur has been reading my blog? ROTFLOL, yeah, because I'm uber-influential that way. Uh huh.
He's speaking of those who believe themselves to be Christians, but are not, and are deceived. I would highly recommend this audio lesson.
Have a great Wednesday!
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 04, 2006
Downgrade 2006?
With all the reading I've done over the last 18 months, I have to say I sense a HUGE shift coming to local churches. I believe it's already begun, but I don't think we've seen the full impact of it yet. I think that's coming, and very soon.
More and more I read of pastors & church leaders that would never in a trillion years endorse any kind of postmodernistic and/or mystic philosophies & teachings - yet now they're beginning to go soft in certain areas of doctrinal issues (such as the atonement and justification). They're beginning to change their positions on certain pastors, teachers, authors & speakers. They're beginning to change up the way they "do church" (preaching, praying, teaching & fellowship), the music they use to worship, and the very language they use. They're beginning to welcome in, that very thing that they once stood firm on, and renounced.
While this is disheartening, I can only be encouraged that this is exactly the way the Lord has ordained things to come to pass.
For those that get bent out of shape when I don't "name names so people can defend themselves against your ambiguous accusations" - I don't need to name names or make this about personalities at all.
All I can say is take a look around & you'll see what I mean. Authors that are influencing your pastor & other church leaders. Conferences your church is supporting, hosting or endorsing. Ministy affiliations, blog & website links.
I know I'm not the only person that has noticed this, and I know it's not the first time in history this has happened in the Christian church. Spurgeon went on about it long before we ever came along.
But it's happening again in our time. We'd be fools to pretend it's not happening.
We'd be wise to be on our knees diligently seeking His wisdom & sharp discernment.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
More and more I read of pastors & church leaders that would never in a trillion years endorse any kind of postmodernistic and/or mystic philosophies & teachings - yet now they're beginning to go soft in certain areas of doctrinal issues (such as the atonement and justification). They're beginning to change their positions on certain pastors, teachers, authors & speakers. They're beginning to change up the way they "do church" (preaching, praying, teaching & fellowship), the music they use to worship, and the very language they use. They're beginning to welcome in, that very thing that they once stood firm on, and renounced.
While this is disheartening, I can only be encouraged that this is exactly the way the Lord has ordained things to come to pass.
For those that get bent out of shape when I don't "name names so people can defend themselves against your ambiguous accusations" - I don't need to name names or make this about personalities at all.
All I can say is take a look around & you'll see what I mean. Authors that are influencing your pastor & other church leaders. Conferences your church is supporting, hosting or endorsing. Ministy affiliations, blog & website links.
I know I'm not the only person that has noticed this, and I know it's not the first time in history this has happened in the Christian church. Spurgeon went on about it long before we ever came along.
But it's happening again in our time. We'd be fools to pretend it's not happening.
We'd be wise to be on our knees diligently seeking His wisdom & sharp discernment.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
To fear or not to fear?
Several years ago in a conversation, someone asked "what is the most frightening thing you could ever hear someone say?". I hadn't really thought about it for more than 2 seconds but this was my answer:
This of course, is Jesus speaking to those who thought themselves to be His followers. These were people that will say to Him "But Jesus, didn't we do this in your name, that in your name, and this other stuff in your name?!"
Jesus will respond and say "I never knew you".
He goes on to explain why in the next passage. It's a great passage too, this was one of our Scripture memory verse projects, about a year ago:
Jesus, being the rock of our salvation, is who our faith must be founded on. If our faith is not in Him, but in our misconceptions of what a Christian is to begin with (evidenced by the "look at all the good works we did in your name!" in the prior passage), we are on dangerous ground.
I cannot imagine a more fearful thing to hear, than for someone to spend their whole life thinking they are a Christian because they're doing noble & charitable deeds, only to come to the end of their life and hear "depart from me, I never knew you" from Jesus Himself.
To this end, I believe the Scriptures give us ample warning to constantly be examining ourselves, to see if we really are in the faith, and founding that faith on Christ and nothing else.
The reason this all came to mind recently was due to a discussion in a comment thread at Camp On This, Steve Camp's blog. In this particular comment thread, the topic of fearing God came up, and it made me think of how the fear of God is all but gone in the minds of so many professing believers.
With so much emphasis on the "Jesus is my boyfriend" mentality, the healthy, reverential fear of God seems to have fallen by the wayside. I recently read of one ministry that in an effort to make a point about purity for teenage girls, came up with one of those popular latex wrist bands that actually says "God is my boyfriend". I looked for the link and couldn't find it, so if anyone cares to locate it, please leave a comment.
While it is absolutely true, that we can have complete assurance of our salvation - it is also absolutely true that we are to fear (reverence) God all the same. This may sound like a contridiction in terms but it certainly isn't. Scripture is filled with exhortation for us, believers, to fear God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Do we believe that?
Do we really believe that our whole duty, is to fear God and keep His commandments?
Do we stand in awe, do we reverence, honor and respect our Heavenly Father?
Do we really believe like it says in Psalm 111:10, that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom?
Do we really believe like it says in Psalm 112:1, that blessed is the man that feareth the LORD?
Or...
Did we somehow, somewhere along the way, literally adopt the slogan we've seen so many times on merchandise that tells us quite the contrary?
I could sit here all day and list all the verses and passages that exhort believers to fear God - there are so many, it would take months for me to really go over them all and even begin to expound on them (in a most feeble attempt, I might add).
The bottom line is simply this, we are to fear God, period. If we don't, something is dreadfully wrong.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
"I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
This of course, is Jesus speaking to those who thought themselves to be His followers. These were people that will say to Him "But Jesus, didn't we do this in your name, that in your name, and this other stuff in your name?!"
Jesus will respond and say "I never knew you".
He goes on to explain why in the next passage. It's a great passage too, this was one of our Scripture memory verse projects, about a year ago:
Matthew 7: 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Jesus, being the rock of our salvation, is who our faith must be founded on. If our faith is not in Him, but in our misconceptions of what a Christian is to begin with (evidenced by the "look at all the good works we did in your name!" in the prior passage), we are on dangerous ground.
I cannot imagine a more fearful thing to hear, than for someone to spend their whole life thinking they are a Christian because they're doing noble & charitable deeds, only to come to the end of their life and hear "depart from me, I never knew you" from Jesus Himself.
To this end, I believe the Scriptures give us ample warning to constantly be examining ourselves, to see if we really are in the faith, and founding that faith on Christ and nothing else.
The reason this all came to mind recently was due to a discussion in a comment thread at Camp On This, Steve Camp's blog. In this particular comment thread, the topic of fearing God came up, and it made me think of how the fear of God is all but gone in the minds of so many professing believers.
With so much emphasis on the "Jesus is my boyfriend" mentality, the healthy, reverential fear of God seems to have fallen by the wayside. I recently read of one ministry that in an effort to make a point about purity for teenage girls, came up with one of those popular latex wrist bands that actually says "God is my boyfriend". I looked for the link and couldn't find it, so if anyone cares to locate it, please leave a comment.
While it is absolutely true, that we can have complete assurance of our salvation - it is also absolutely true that we are to fear (reverence) God all the same. This may sound like a contridiction in terms but it certainly isn't. Scripture is filled with exhortation for us, believers, to fear God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 says "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Do we believe that?
Do we really believe that our whole duty, is to fear God and keep His commandments?
Do we stand in awe, do we reverence, honor and respect our Heavenly Father?
Do we really believe like it says in Psalm 111:10, that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom?
Do we really believe like it says in Psalm 112:1, that blessed is the man that feareth the LORD?
Or...
Did we somehow, somewhere along the way, literally adopt the slogan we've seen so many times on merchandise that tells us quite the contrary?
I could sit here all day and list all the verses and passages that exhort believers to fear God - there are so many, it would take months for me to really go over them all and even begin to expound on them (in a most feeble attempt, I might add).
The bottom line is simply this, we are to fear God, period. If we don't, something is dreadfully wrong.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 03, 2006
On being a published author :o)
Excuse me... recognize anyone's name here???Courtship and Dating: So What's the Difference? - Dennis Gundersen Paperback 95 pages Grace & Truth Books
Pre-publication offer on this long-awaited title! Includes material on courtship by authors Dennis Gundersen, Kim Shay, Martin Luther and the well-known "Modeling Modesty" by Mary Mohler (wife of Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary). Expected to be here and ready to ship on or about April 5th. "When someone asks me about materials on courtship, my first recommendation is Dennis Gundersen’s. It is a well-reasoned and well-balanced approach which gets the reader thinking in all the right directions." -- Harvey Bluedorn, Trivium Pursuit
________________________
Now just how cool is that, eh?
Good job Kim, I'm very proud of you!!
:o)
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
Advice needed - big time
Monday April 3, 2:46 am. I'm awake, and I should not be awake. I'm having the worst toothache pain I've ever had in my life. I've tried every home remedy available on the google search, and nothing has worked. I'm maxed on my "safe dose" of advil, and there is no relief in sight.
If this doesn't stop soon, there's a brick on the deck with my name on it.
Yes I will be going to the dentist asap, but until then, HELP! Advice, remedies that really work, prayers, whatever you have to offer consider it as precious as gold to me.
I have to be up in 4 hours with the kids and I haven't been to sleep yet. This is not a good thing.
UPDATED: The pain medication finally kicked in about ten after three, so I thankfully did not have to go out on the deck and introduce myself to Mr. Brick. I did manage 4.5 hours sleep, so we'll see how this works out today. The soonest I can see the dentist will be next week, as Kev's work schedule this week makes it impossible. Until then, please send along those home remedies for toothache pain - I'll try pretty much anything at this point.
UPDATED AGAIN: Once I had been awake for 90 minutes this morning and was still having a hard time keeping my eyes open, and realized that the pain medication had actually made me sick, I knew I was done for. More loopy than a chihuahua in a helium factory, I put Jessica in charge while I staggered my way back to bed. Three hours later I think I feel about 50% better. I think(?). We'll be attempting some basic school subjects as soon as this coffee kicks in.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
If this doesn't stop soon, there's a brick on the deck with my name on it.
Yes I will be going to the dentist asap, but until then, HELP! Advice, remedies that really work, prayers, whatever you have to offer consider it as precious as gold to me.
I have to be up in 4 hours with the kids and I haven't been to sleep yet. This is not a good thing.
UPDATED: The pain medication finally kicked in about ten after three, so I thankfully did not have to go out on the deck and introduce myself to Mr. Brick. I did manage 4.5 hours sleep, so we'll see how this works out today. The soonest I can see the dentist will be next week, as Kev's work schedule this week makes it impossible. Until then, please send along those home remedies for toothache pain - I'll try pretty much anything at this point.
UPDATED AGAIN: Once I had been awake for 90 minutes this morning and was still having a hard time keeping my eyes open, and realized that the pain medication had actually made me sick, I knew I was done for. More loopy than a chihuahua in a helium factory, I put Jessica in charge while I staggered my way back to bed. Three hours later I think I feel about 50% better. I think(?). We'll be attempting some basic school subjects as soon as this coffee kicks in.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 02, 2006
Watching our Ps & Qs
Many years ago I began adminning and co-hosting different Christian chat rooms and discussion forums. I immediately noticed that among those who disagree on doctrine, something unusual would happen. I found it unusual because it was something I’d never seen face to face, in person – only on the internet.
For some odd reason that I’m sure someone could explain better than me, the idea that “it’s just a computer” or the anonymous aspect of the whole thing, seemed to feed the idea that it was perfectly okay to conduct one’s self like a complete buffoon, and fire off personal attacks against people that disagreed with you. And this was among professing believers! It was quite a disappointing shock to watch believers treat each other this way.
In April of 2001 I got sick of the whole mess and decided with the help of a friend, to start my own forum, and my own chat room, where that garbage would not be allowed. Disagreements would be allowed, but angry, hateful attacks would NEVER be allowed. We wanted a place where folks could come and ask questions and discuss doctrine where they would not be called names, made fun of, or made to feel unwelcome.
For the next four years, it worked and worked quite well. I cannot begin to tell you how blessed I was by the friendships created in that 4 years. People that came to Christ, people that came to a fuller understanding of the doctrines of grace, people who got married, people who passed away and went home to Jesus, babies born, kids that grew up and left home… and on and on it goes. We became a family, and like families do we looked out for each other, we sometimes fussed at one another, but the goal and the standard was always Sola Scriptura and at the end of the day what mattered most was “did we glorify the Lord today?”.
Last year about this time, things began to change and within a few months many of the people involved in the chat & forum began to be led of the Lord into other places. Other ministries, other projects, etc. The forum archive still exists, filled with almost 8,000 posts spanning a 4 ½ year time frame. By today’s standards, that’s a pretty insignificant amount, but we were a small, close-knit community. Many of us even traveled across the states & Canada to visit each other & worship together in each other’s churches.
The name of the chat room has changed, but we still open it from time to time and every time we do, it’s a huge blessing and the standard still remains SOLA SCRIPTURA, and glorifying God in what we do & say there.
The reason I thought about all this today and wanted to write about it, was because of the admin/chatter guidelines we had in place. I, along with all the other admins were dogmatic about enforcing these guidelines. It might sound odd to have to have a list of rules for Christians to follow that basically could be summed up by saying “act like a Christian”, but the nature of the Internet proved to me that a list like that had to be put into play so people could easily understand what was expected.
Part of what was in that document was a section on our conduct in chats & forums. This section applied to both admins and guests, and it was critically important to adhere to. This is part of the reason the room remained open for as long as it did. Our standard was high and our chatters appreciated that. Although it did quickly earn me the reputation as “the mean admin”. I didn’t care. I still don’t. Some things never change, eh? ;o)
What I did and do care about is what the Scriptures have to say about the way we’re to conduct ourselves. Both toward unbelievers and those among the household of faith. Below is the section of our guidelines for the chat room and forum, only slightly edited. I originally wrote this in 2003 and I would like to edit it now after a few years of learning a bit more:
Below are the Scriptures we had in mind, when crafting the guidelines for our community, and chat room. We believe there is a Biblical way to govern the way we treat other people, and speak to other people. While the lost are not our brethren, there can be no excuse for treating them with anything less than compassion and care, as we proclaim the truth of the Scripture. Anyone using the example of Jesus calling people vipers, etc., as a free pass for insults & name calling, should also remember Christ had perfect discernment into men's hearts, while we do not. Christ had no errors in His doctrine in any form, while even the most learned men, do.
There have been more than a few times when those of passionate convictions have tried to use those convictions to beat another chatter or forum guest over the head with doctrine. This is wrong, every time. Stating your convictions and stating why you believe what you believe, is fine. Using Scripture to back up your position is preferred. Using Scripture to point out why you disagree with a teaching is also preferred. Using the “I’m right and you’re wrong you moron” approach is unacceptable, 100% of the time.
If we are to dare proclaim the unfathomable grace of God, we also must strive diligently to
be examples of that grace, that by that same grace, the lost may see Hishandiwork in us, and the brethren who err in doctrine, may receive what we have to say, and come to sound teaching.
How can we dare proclaim His grace and not live it, at the same time?
Please consider these passages as you admin the chat, moderate the forum, and conduct yourselves in either format:
Col. 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.1Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
2Peter5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
(end of guidline excerpt)
It’s been a long time since I read that, and I’m glad I re-read it today. This reminder was a really good one for me, and it certainly applies to blogging & blog commenting, just as much as it did and does, to chatting & forum participation. For Christians, it applies 100% of the time, no matter where we are or who we’re conversing with.
In my own critique of the ECM and other liberal, ungodly teachings finding their way into local churches, it also applies. I strive to present the facts and back my position with what the Scriptures say. There are times however that I fall short of my own “guidelines”. I know that, and I’m diligent about doing it less often.
I hope this post was a beneficial reminder for you too. We have a high and holy standard as it pertains to our conduct. I’m convicted to try harder to meet it.
Currently reading: Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 01, 2006
Worship (style) Matters
Like many other people, I find history fascinating. What I find even more interesting is how sometimes some of the most world-changing, life-changing events have happened on the same day in history. Clearly this is the providential hand of God working here - even in ways we cannot begin to fully comprehend. Even in the tragedies. Anyone who’s not been living under a rock for the last 20 years knows that the list of events in history listed here, are all on or about April 20th.
For this cause, it didn’t escape me that another very significant event happened on April 20th. This one went under the radar of the mainstream media, and the world at large, but it’s been significant in the lives of many people all the same.
This was the date the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals released The Cambridge Declaration. If you’ve never read it, I would encourage you to do so. This document was written and signed 10 years ago, and it’s just as timely (if not more) today as it was then. It addresses the very same issues right now in evangelicism that many of us bloggers write about on blogs such as PyroManiacs, fide-o, Running Well, Slice of Laodicea, Emergent No, Challies, Apprising Ministries, Pastor Ron Gleason, and others.
The reason I mention this document is because of what it says about Sola Scriptura. The fact is, there are a lot of Christians out there that have no idea what Sola Scriptura means, and/or have never even heard of it. They may even actually hold to it themselves, without even knowing it has a “label” such as this. It’s not at all uncommon to meet fellow believers that already hold to this, without ever having heard about “Sola Scriptura”. To me, this is a great testimony to the power of God in a believers life, giving them such firm assurance of the authority of His word.
It’s the grave misunderstanding of what this means, that I would like to address.
A commenter at ENo, responding to a post showing why contemplative spiritual practices are unbiblical, responds in disagreement, insinuating that those of us that hold to Sola Scriptura are actually being hypocritical:
“How is this off point? It's a post about contemplative prayer and practices being unbibilical. Okay, then Christmas isn't Biblical either. My point is at some point Church Tradition is important to you. Sola Scriptura is logically inconsistent with the arguments you make.” (source)
He goes on then to argue that if us Sola Scriptura adherents celebrate Christmas, attend church on a Sunday, or have a regular course of events in church such as hymns-sermon-offering-hymns, then we’re really more about holding to church tradition, than Sola Scriptura.
He believes Sola Scriptura is logically inconsistent with the arguments we make, for only one reason. He, like many others, doesn’t understand what it actually means.
Here’s a quote from the Cambridge Declaration:
“Thesis One: Sola ScripturaWe reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation,which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured.We deny that any creed, council or individual may bind a Christian's conscience, that the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, or that personal spiritual experience can ever be a vehicle of revelation.”
Let’s “unpack” that, shall we? (Regular readers will forgive me I’m sure, for my flippant use of trendy-lingo).
Celebrating Christmas as a family tradition has absolutely nothing to do with Sola Scriptura. Nor does celebrating a family member’s birthday, or Thanksgiving, the 4th of July or Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday, period. It’s not a church mandate that we partake of it, nor is it a “church tradition” that trumps what the Scriptures teach about the birth of Christ. Not in the evangelical church, anyway.
Sola Scriptura means simply this; we consider the written word of God to be the final word in all matters of our faith, and practice.
In faith: The who, when, what, how, where and why, of what we believe about the Lord, salvation and the life to come after this one. This covers an extremely extensive amount of information as it pertains to Biblical doctrine.
In practice: this includes among many other things that more brilliant minds than mine have ever addressed – prayer, worship, study, gathering ourselves with other believers, local church government, discipline, missions work and more.
In both of these main categories and every sub-category that they cover, the Scriptures are not only our final authority, but as Paul said in 2Timothy 3:15-16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. They are complete in all we need to be thoroughly equipped.
There are many Christians that have amassed for themselves great personal libraries. They have spent countless blessed hours reading the writings of other believers, that were equally blessed and wrote all about it. In our own home, we have so many bookshelves filled with just these kinds of books, that I cannot even begin to estimate how many we have. Yet, if tomorrow morning we woke up and every book we had was gone, except for one Bible, we would have all we need to not only learn about our Lord (who He is, why the atonement was required, what justification is, etc.) but read His word to us as it pertains to how we are to worship Him. That one book is all the information we need, because it is the infallible, inspired word of God to His people. The final authority.
With the rise of acceptance of “contemplative spirituality” it is more important than ever to understand what Sola Scriptura really means, as it pertains to how we are to worship the Lord according to His word.
The pastors at fide-o have addressed this, and I hope they will continue with this very important topic. I think we’d all be better off if we approached this topic with a humble heart and prepared to be instructed according to the Scriptures, rather than being mentally busy preparing our rebuttal or defense. I look forward to what they have to say on Monday.
Currently reading:
Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
Total Truth By Nancy Pearcey
tags: Biblical Christianity
The Jesus Papers?
I would like to draw your attention to this news article that came up in my newsfeed this week. Not only will the content disturb you as a Christian, but you'd be well advised to see what's coming, along with the release of The DaVinci Code.
Click here to read this article.
Currently reading:
Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
Total Truth By Nancy Pearcey
tags: Biblical Christianity
Click here to read this article.
Currently reading:
Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
Total Truth By Nancy Pearcey
tags: Biblical Christianity
April 1, 1997
Today being April 1st, we're all going to read of references to April Fool's day. We'll read jokes or hear them, and in the community of Christian bloggers we're going to see a good bit of reference to what the Scriptures say about fools.
Nine years ago today for my husband Kevin, there were no jokes. It was quite literally the most transforming day of his life.
I have to back up a few years prior to that however, to paint the picture of events that led to that day. In 1994 he was hired at his current place of employment and met a man there named Tom. Kev and Tom hit it off right away as they had much in common. One of the things they had in common was their particular sinful lifestyles. Oddly enough, of the other things they had in common was their belief that the Bible was true. Although neither of them were saved, they both hade family backgrounds that included believers.
Kev and Tom hung out together outside of work, and spent a lot of time indulging in the the (temporary) pleasures of drugs & alcohol. At the same time, they spent a lot of time in conversations about God, the Bible, the current state of world politics at the time, and how that all fit in with the Bible as well. One day about a year later, quite to Kev's shock and surprise, Tom contacted Kev and told him that God had granted him repentance, and he was now saved. Not only was the gift of life given to Tom, but also to his wife Sandi and their two girls - their entire family had been sovereignly transformed. He wanted to share this joy with Kev but Kev was mortified. Tom and his family would not see Kev in their home for 2 more years.
As the date of April 1, 1997 approached, Kev became increasingly tormented every single day. After he'd get off work he'd turn on Christian television and watch them preach. He'd pull out his Bible that he'd secretly bought a few months before, and sporadically read. He knew something was happening but he fought it, denied it, and tried his best to run away. He knew the life he was living was destroying him, but he wasn't prepared to give it up, or give it over to anyone, including God.
During this time period Kev was working the midnight shift, and when he'd get off work he'd spend a little time in the morning talking with his sister's boyfriend who he was living with at the time. This particular morning of April 1st, their conversation turned to Jesus, the Bible, and how all that fits in with every day life. When the conversation ended he went off to bed. He says that that particular morning was just like the 3-4 weeks prior to it, in that as he was trying to relax and fall asleep, in the quiet of his room - that was when the thoughts of his sinful life would resound as booming echos in his mind. Over and over again for hours at a time, he would be bombarded of thoughts of dying in his current state and being eternally condemned to hell. He knew he was a sinner and he knew he needed Christ's forgiveness - he just wasn't ready to confess it. He literally fought back against God and pleaded with Him to leave him alone.
After spending hours trying to sleep but not getting any rest from these thoughts, on the morning of April 1, 1997 Kev got up from his bed and got on his knees. Through tears and shame, guilt and hope, sorrow and repentance, he confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and sought His forgiveness.
He vividly recalls the sun being brighter that day, colors being more colorful, and all his senses being suddenly more acute than ever before. He rejoiced alone, in his room. Praising God and spending ample time in prayer. He knew there was one person he needed to see right away.
Later that day when his friend Tom got off work and came home, Tom found Kev's car in his driveway. Tom didn't even have to ask why he was there, as soon as he saw him he knew. There are precious few other kinds of reunions to rejoice about, than the kind this one was. Two friends formerly united in the common bond of sinful pleasures, now united in brotherhood in Christ.
I didn't know Kev when all this happened. We didn't meet until one week later. The following winter, we were married.
That was nine years ago today. Since that time Kev's life has been filled with spiritual highs and lows, just like we all have. Times of struggles and times of great rejoicing, times of doubting and times of assurance. The Lord was pleased to put Kev and I together, and just shy of a year after his conversion to Christ, Kev was now married with a houseful of little girls. The Lord then saw fit to add to that number, as we all know. Kev had a crash-course in Godly parenting, and I must say he's passing the course with flying colors. He's a great dad, and more importantly he's a Godly dad.
A little over a year ago he gave his conversion testimony in our former church. It was only the second time he ever spoke in public that way, his first time being the mini-sermon he preached right before he was baptised a few months prior (that he wasn't baptised after conversion is a completely different story than this one). He read from his notes more than anything that night, being quite nervous, but church attendance that night was at an almost record high for a Sunday night.
Ruth was being fussy so I had to take her down to the nursery to play and I listened to him through the speaker in the nursery. I have never been more proud of him than I was that night, hearing him testify of Christ in front of so many people. I listened to his testimony again this morning and got rather choked up again as he described his conversion - much like I'm getting choked up right now, writing about it. Being aware of the mighty, providential hand of God on an unworthy sinner (me, Kev, you, all of us) is a most humbling awareness.
So as you go through the day and hear or read of references to April Fool's jokes & pranks, I hope you will allow the conversion testimony of one man, to stay fresh in your mind as well, and to bring a smile to your face that no April Fool's day joke can compete with.
To God be all the glory!
Currently reading:
Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
Total Truth By Nancy Pearcey
tags: Biblical Christianity
Nine years ago today for my husband Kevin, there were no jokes. It was quite literally the most transforming day of his life.
I have to back up a few years prior to that however, to paint the picture of events that led to that day. In 1994 he was hired at his current place of employment and met a man there named Tom. Kev and Tom hit it off right away as they had much in common. One of the things they had in common was their particular sinful lifestyles. Oddly enough, of the other things they had in common was their belief that the Bible was true. Although neither of them were saved, they both hade family backgrounds that included believers.
Kev and Tom hung out together outside of work, and spent a lot of time indulging in the the (temporary) pleasures of drugs & alcohol. At the same time, they spent a lot of time in conversations about God, the Bible, the current state of world politics at the time, and how that all fit in with the Bible as well. One day about a year later, quite to Kev's shock and surprise, Tom contacted Kev and told him that God had granted him repentance, and he was now saved. Not only was the gift of life given to Tom, but also to his wife Sandi and their two girls - their entire family had been sovereignly transformed. He wanted to share this joy with Kev but Kev was mortified. Tom and his family would not see Kev in their home for 2 more years.
As the date of April 1, 1997 approached, Kev became increasingly tormented every single day. After he'd get off work he'd turn on Christian television and watch them preach. He'd pull out his Bible that he'd secretly bought a few months before, and sporadically read. He knew something was happening but he fought it, denied it, and tried his best to run away. He knew the life he was living was destroying him, but he wasn't prepared to give it up, or give it over to anyone, including God.
During this time period Kev was working the midnight shift, and when he'd get off work he'd spend a little time in the morning talking with his sister's boyfriend who he was living with at the time. This particular morning of April 1st, their conversation turned to Jesus, the Bible, and how all that fits in with every day life. When the conversation ended he went off to bed. He says that that particular morning was just like the 3-4 weeks prior to it, in that as he was trying to relax and fall asleep, in the quiet of his room - that was when the thoughts of his sinful life would resound as booming echos in his mind. Over and over again for hours at a time, he would be bombarded of thoughts of dying in his current state and being eternally condemned to hell. He knew he was a sinner and he knew he needed Christ's forgiveness - he just wasn't ready to confess it. He literally fought back against God and pleaded with Him to leave him alone.
After spending hours trying to sleep but not getting any rest from these thoughts, on the morning of April 1, 1997 Kev got up from his bed and got on his knees. Through tears and shame, guilt and hope, sorrow and repentance, he confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and sought His forgiveness.
He vividly recalls the sun being brighter that day, colors being more colorful, and all his senses being suddenly more acute than ever before. He rejoiced alone, in his room. Praising God and spending ample time in prayer. He knew there was one person he needed to see right away.
Later that day when his friend Tom got off work and came home, Tom found Kev's car in his driveway. Tom didn't even have to ask why he was there, as soon as he saw him he knew. There are precious few other kinds of reunions to rejoice about, than the kind this one was. Two friends formerly united in the common bond of sinful pleasures, now united in brotherhood in Christ.
I didn't know Kev when all this happened. We didn't meet until one week later. The following winter, we were married.
That was nine years ago today. Since that time Kev's life has been filled with spiritual highs and lows, just like we all have. Times of struggles and times of great rejoicing, times of doubting and times of assurance. The Lord was pleased to put Kev and I together, and just shy of a year after his conversion to Christ, Kev was now married with a houseful of little girls. The Lord then saw fit to add to that number, as we all know. Kev had a crash-course in Godly parenting, and I must say he's passing the course with flying colors. He's a great dad, and more importantly he's a Godly dad.
A little over a year ago he gave his conversion testimony in our former church. It was only the second time he ever spoke in public that way, his first time being the mini-sermon he preached right before he was baptised a few months prior (that he wasn't baptised after conversion is a completely different story than this one). He read from his notes more than anything that night, being quite nervous, but church attendance that night was at an almost record high for a Sunday night.
Ruth was being fussy so I had to take her down to the nursery to play and I listened to him through the speaker in the nursery. I have never been more proud of him than I was that night, hearing him testify of Christ in front of so many people. I listened to his testimony again this morning and got rather choked up again as he described his conversion - much like I'm getting choked up right now, writing about it. Being aware of the mighty, providential hand of God on an unworthy sinner (me, Kev, you, all of us) is a most humbling awareness.
So as you go through the day and hear or read of references to April Fool's jokes & pranks, I hope you will allow the conversion testimony of one man, to stay fresh in your mind as well, and to bring a smile to your face that no April Fool's day joke can compete with.
To God be all the glory!
Currently reading:
Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
Total Truth By Nancy Pearcey
tags: Biblical Christianity
Nothing to see here...
No one should be blogging at 1:30 am. Let's just establish that right up front, okay? However, I stayed up late to watch a movie then I had to wanted to check a few blogs before I turned in.
Lots of good reading material out there, but I must say... I want these nails. You really should read the blog entry attached as well, it's good stuff.
I do have a real blog post (as opposed to this one, which is not real) in mind for tomorrow (later today?) which is April 1st. And no, it has nothing to do with April Fool's day - but it's a most amazing story about spiritual awakening. You'll have to tune back in tomorrow to read it.
I'm taking my unmanicured nails to bed now.
zzzzzz........
Currently reading:
Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
Total Truth By Nancy Pearcey
tags: Biblical Christianity
Lots of good reading material out there, but I must say... I want these nails. You really should read the blog entry attached as well, it's good stuff.
I do have a real blog post (as opposed to this one, which is not real) in mind for tomorrow (later today?) which is April 1st. And no, it has nothing to do with April Fool's day - but it's a most amazing story about spiritual awakening. You'll have to tune back in tomorrow to read it.
I'm taking my unmanicured nails to bed now.
zzzzzz........
Currently reading:
Losing Our Virtue By David F. Wells
Total Truth By Nancy Pearcey
tags: Biblical Christianity
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