This is our last night in the old place.
Tomorrow night will be in our new home.
It looks good... actually great since Laun, her Dad and friend Janice stayed there all day until late tonight to finish it. This is how good people have been to me. I don't even know Janice... well, I do now!! She has been so generous to me and I am humbled by such help.
The girls room is sweet. They didn't want to leave today. The boys can't wait to see how their room looks... I can't either since it wasn't done when I had to leave today.
Joy, Laun's mom, baked cookies, a pie, a cake, a casserole, made sandwiches... yum, yum... I love other people's cooking!!
Tomorrow we will take whatever we can fit in the car and then Dave will bring the rest out little by little.
I think we have almost everything we need.
I'm excited... and very sad.
This was not what I had planned... to move on without Dave.
I can't let myself be sad though. I'm choosing to trust that God knows what is best for me even when the world isn't making sense. I have a Bible study called "Trusting God when the world doesn't make sense." Dave bought it for us to do in January and then didn't have time to do it with me. Now I will be happy to have it and do it myself.
I will learn many new things this year, including how to run a wood furnace.
Never done that.
I will learn how to manage 24/7 on my own. This is scary.
I can do this.
I need to go to bed earlier.
I need curtains... or else we will be going to bed when the sun sets!!
Tomorrow I'm picking up curtain rods... tonight would have been more convenient except that everyone who is everyone took today off for dinner.
Thanksgiving is everyday, but our feast will be in a week or 2.
We are too tired to cook a turkey dinner... that was a Victorian we, meaning me.
Mom tried to convince me to drop everything, play hooky and eat turkey with them... but I'm glad I didn't. The work is done (not much thanks to me!) and tomorrow starts a new adventure.
G'night and God bless,
Martha
Monday, October 08, 2007
Saturday, October 06, 2007
On the MOVE!!
I am taking a break from packing!
This has been a crazy couple of days of packing, lugging, sorting, trucking, unloading, moving, moving, MOVING!!
I commented (rather vainly) two days ago how good my nails were looking. My fingernails almost never look good so I was pretty impressed.... I now have ONE fingernail left and its discoloured from when I got my hair dyed this week!
So much for vanity.
On Friday Pastor Steve and Arthur (with the help of Chester's truck) moved ALL my beds for me to the new house. Thanks guys... not that you ever read blogs, but you are thanked all the same.
Andrea came up and helped all day yesterday and today.
Laun and Jodie came up yesterday... brought a ton of stuff with them!!! ... and thoroughly cleaned the new place.
Andrea's husband Andrew came up today with his truck.
My brother Jeff brought up his truck and my nephew Trevor.
Last but certainly not least, my friend Pat brought over her wonderful new truck (its a Chevy Avalanche and its loaded.. that's who I drove with!!) and helped a bunch. Then she went home and bought a bunch of Greco pizzas for supper.
Do I have great friends or what??
I do need to mention Eugene. He is the angel I'm buying this house from. Not only is it a superb deal and he's holding the mortgage for me, he is constantly at the house putting on new trim, doors, siding, etc.. He is giving us the history of the house and the low down on the town, making me feel like this is my home. He is essentially giving me roots.
He wants to put some extra shelving for me when he's done his work.
He looks like Santa...
We had a few mishaps... somehow I was expecting to chase down baby clothes on the highway... and wasn't disappointed!!! Though I wasn't expecting to see the wicker bookshelf fly off Andrew's truck and over our truck.... I needed the exercise though to chase down my stuff and pick up pieces of this and that off the new super duper twinned highway!!
Jeff and Trev got their pictures taken by the big axe.. that was a thrill... ha! ha! I'm expecting to be sent those pics if Jeff can get them off his phone.
I have more stuff to pack here. The old house is a disaster, which is pretty amazing given all the things that were taken out of here!! How could it possibly look messier than on Weds??
I am at a loss.
There is a mouse in the back of my stove making terrible clicking noises... at least it was until I kicked the oven door a few times... right after telling Connor not to kick it. He doesn't think this was fair, but it is my stove after all, at least until Tuesday.
On Tuesday we move!!! Yep out the door and into Canterbury.
Dave is helping us finish moving Monday.
That will be weird... my husband finishing moving us out of his home.
Oh well.
He will be getting back from Atlanta tomorrow night. I wanted to be out before he got back, but just couldn't do it.
He is most likely getting the biggest award he will ever achieve in his career this weekend.
It the PMI award for Professional Development of the Year. He is accepting the award with some people from Global Knowledge. He is the only one accepting for Skillsoft. Skillsoft and Global Knowledge won it together for the Project Manager Development program that Dave headed up the creation of.
I am trying to be happy for him. This was one of the major things that Dave put in front of his family and makes him happy. We are in the way of his career. Its so sad. He thinks he'll be happy... he's not so far.
Right now he's out to some fancy dinner with the others from Global.. its a Brazilian Restaurant.
I'm wondering what Brazilian food is.
The mouse is acting up again. Our cat is a waste of time and airspace. It couldn't catch a mouse to save its hide... unless its bringing one in from outside... or killing one beside the dinner table when I am at dinner.
And people wonder how I'm losing the baby weight so fast!
I'm off to do more packing. I'm going until I'm out of boxes. Tomorrow is my day off. Monday we move these boxes, unpack some at the other house and then bring more back to pack.
Its almost over.
It will be nice to be done.
This has been a crazy couple of days of packing, lugging, sorting, trucking, unloading, moving, moving, MOVING!!
I commented (rather vainly) two days ago how good my nails were looking. My fingernails almost never look good so I was pretty impressed.... I now have ONE fingernail left and its discoloured from when I got my hair dyed this week!
So much for vanity.
On Friday Pastor Steve and Arthur (with the help of Chester's truck) moved ALL my beds for me to the new house. Thanks guys... not that you ever read blogs, but you are thanked all the same.
Andrea came up and helped all day yesterday and today.
Laun and Jodie came up yesterday... brought a ton of stuff with them!!! ... and thoroughly cleaned the new place.
Andrea's husband Andrew came up today with his truck.
My brother Jeff brought up his truck and my nephew Trevor.
Last but certainly not least, my friend Pat brought over her wonderful new truck (its a Chevy Avalanche and its loaded.. that's who I drove with!!) and helped a bunch. Then she went home and bought a bunch of Greco pizzas for supper.
Do I have great friends or what??
I do need to mention Eugene. He is the angel I'm buying this house from. Not only is it a superb deal and he's holding the mortgage for me, he is constantly at the house putting on new trim, doors, siding, etc.. He is giving us the history of the house and the low down on the town, making me feel like this is my home. He is essentially giving me roots.
He wants to put some extra shelving for me when he's done his work.
He looks like Santa...
We had a few mishaps... somehow I was expecting to chase down baby clothes on the highway... and wasn't disappointed!!! Though I wasn't expecting to see the wicker bookshelf fly off Andrew's truck and over our truck.... I needed the exercise though to chase down my stuff and pick up pieces of this and that off the new super duper twinned highway!!
Jeff and Trev got their pictures taken by the big axe.. that was a thrill... ha! ha! I'm expecting to be sent those pics if Jeff can get them off his phone.
I have more stuff to pack here. The old house is a disaster, which is pretty amazing given all the things that were taken out of here!! How could it possibly look messier than on Weds??
I am at a loss.
There is a mouse in the back of my stove making terrible clicking noises... at least it was until I kicked the oven door a few times... right after telling Connor not to kick it. He doesn't think this was fair, but it is my stove after all, at least until Tuesday.
On Tuesday we move!!! Yep out the door and into Canterbury.
Dave is helping us finish moving Monday.
That will be weird... my husband finishing moving us out of his home.
Oh well.
He will be getting back from Atlanta tomorrow night. I wanted to be out before he got back, but just couldn't do it.
He is most likely getting the biggest award he will ever achieve in his career this weekend.
It the PMI award for Professional Development of the Year. He is accepting the award with some people from Global Knowledge. He is the only one accepting for Skillsoft. Skillsoft and Global Knowledge won it together for the Project Manager Development program that Dave headed up the creation of.
I am trying to be happy for him. This was one of the major things that Dave put in front of his family and makes him happy. We are in the way of his career. Its so sad. He thinks he'll be happy... he's not so far.
Right now he's out to some fancy dinner with the others from Global.. its a Brazilian Restaurant.
I'm wondering what Brazilian food is.
The mouse is acting up again. Our cat is a waste of time and airspace. It couldn't catch a mouse to save its hide... unless its bringing one in from outside... or killing one beside the dinner table when I am at dinner.
And people wonder how I'm losing the baby weight so fast!
I'm off to do more packing. I'm going until I'm out of boxes. Tomorrow is my day off. Monday we move these boxes, unpack some at the other house and then bring more back to pack.
Its almost over.
It will be nice to be done.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Bloggin' again!!
This will have to be quick, as I really should be getting lunch... tuna melts today and my stomach can't wait!!
After the summer hiatus from this thing, I am ready to be back. I really didn't want this blog to be negative and really had to deal with a bit of an attitude problem on my part before I could really be positive.
This summer has been really, really good and really, really horrid.
I have a wonderful new son who is a blessing to all of us... and when I have friends over I only get to see him to feed him... thankfully I'm nursing him!
The gross thing is off my finger!!! YEAH! The stitches have finally dissolved and I'm sure the feeling in it will right itself in time.
My husband has decided he no longer wants to be a husband to me or a good Daddy for his kids. I have found out there have been MAJOR problems that I was unaware of and feel rather like an idiot about that BUT its ok. God is in control of the situation and He knows what I can handle and what I need.
In fact, I am in the process of buying a new house... new to me at least. Its 30 years old, 1500 sq ft, 3 big bedrooms, living room is 19 by 19.5 feet, all new wiring, plumbing, insulation and decks... and its $35000. Yep, it will be paid off in 2 years!!
Tomorrow we go to paint. A few good friends are coming to help. The paint is in the van, ready to go. Caitlyn and her friend Daniella are coming too. They will paint A LITTLE, just to make them happy. They will really be taking care of the baby so I can really paint up a storm.
The stroller is also in the van so I don't forget.
My fridge went on sale yesterday for $800 off. Mom found that out a few days ago. It has now been ordered and will come the 3rd of Oct. My new phone has been ordered as well.
The kids are doing school very well. They are zipping through the work. We are finishing up from last year as the end of the year/summer was shot for schoolwork. They are looking forward to starting their new work... At least some of them are!!!
Caitlyn is off to get milk and eggs. Justin is crying for her. They have a connection. He actually stinks so I should go change him.
If anyone wants to help paint tomorrow....
Martha
After the summer hiatus from this thing, I am ready to be back. I really didn't want this blog to be negative and really had to deal with a bit of an attitude problem on my part before I could really be positive.
This summer has been really, really good and really, really horrid.
I have a wonderful new son who is a blessing to all of us... and when I have friends over I only get to see him to feed him... thankfully I'm nursing him!
The gross thing is off my finger!!! YEAH! The stitches have finally dissolved and I'm sure the feeling in it will right itself in time.
My husband has decided he no longer wants to be a husband to me or a good Daddy for his kids. I have found out there have been MAJOR problems that I was unaware of and feel rather like an idiot about that BUT its ok. God is in control of the situation and He knows what I can handle and what I need.
In fact, I am in the process of buying a new house... new to me at least. Its 30 years old, 1500 sq ft, 3 big bedrooms, living room is 19 by 19.5 feet, all new wiring, plumbing, insulation and decks... and its $35000. Yep, it will be paid off in 2 years!!
Tomorrow we go to paint. A few good friends are coming to help. The paint is in the van, ready to go. Caitlyn and her friend Daniella are coming too. They will paint A LITTLE, just to make them happy. They will really be taking care of the baby so I can really paint up a storm.
The stroller is also in the van so I don't forget.
My fridge went on sale yesterday for $800 off. Mom found that out a few days ago. It has now been ordered and will come the 3rd of Oct. My new phone has been ordered as well.
The kids are doing school very well. They are zipping through the work. We are finishing up from last year as the end of the year/summer was shot for schoolwork. They are looking forward to starting their new work... At least some of them are!!!
Caitlyn is off to get milk and eggs. Justin is crying for her. They have a connection. He actually stinks so I should go change him.
If anyone wants to help paint tomorrow....
Martha
BACK!! for a freebie
Enter to win the complete set of Terrestria Chronicleson the HSB Company Porch!
This looks like an amazing book series that I would love to have... and intend to for Christmas!!
Take a look!!
This looks like an amazing book series that I would love to have... and intend to for Christmas!!
Take a look!!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Yes, I'm still here!!!
This has been a wild few weeks. Not that pleasant actually. My mother-in-law has been diagnosed with cancer around her eye and has her first round of chemo. Thankfully it went very well. The combo of steroids and chemo has already made a very noticeable difference in the size of the tumors (there are several) and the irritation level in her eye. 2 rounds to go then radiation and she may lose the sight in that eye, but she can at least open her eye again and we praise God for her great attitude and His healing. They believe this is the primary source of the cancer and they will get it all.
I have also had this ridiculous, large, raw, open growth on the end of my left ring finger. It has been so painful that I could not type (its the e-s finger y'know!).
I have had my first biopsy. First cauterization, and actually found out that that means BURNING YOUR FLESH and not what I had thought it meant.
I also found I have a place at the end of my left ring finger that is resistant to freezing. That means when you chop off something on the end of your finger and then torch it you find you can make a noise that you never thought possible.
This thing seeps stinky ooze through 3 or 4 bandages a day and hurts like fury if touched. Today I learned its benign which is wonderful. None of the doctors have seen anything like this before and they are all looking forward to seeing what it is. I personally don't care what it is (as long as its benign) I merely want it to go away.
Then, to top it off we are having some really wretched family issues going on here.
But ...
DO YOU KNOW WHAT????
This is very important. Please listen carefully.
Satan can attack and attack and attack. He can hurt you, distress you and keep coming back with more attacks BUT .... HE CAN NEVER, NEVER WIN!!!
God is bigger that all of this. His love is greater far than whatever hate Satan can come up with and His faithfulness endures forever.
Regardless of anything else God chose me and drew me to Himself. His son died for my sins. He has bought me with His own blood and marked me with the seal of His Holy Spirit that guarantees me an inheritance as His precious and well loved child.
Do you know what else matters?? NOTHING!
My thought on the book of Judges for the past weeks I have missed.
God uses whom He chooses. He allows all kinds of bad stuff to happen so that He may be glorified. Whether its a cowardly Benjamite whom God chooses as His mighty warrior, a mother in Israel who is a prophet and warrior, a woman with a tent, a glass of milk and a tent peg, a son of a hooker or a foolish and blind strong man. God's chooses whom He chooses for His own reasons.
Why has God chosen me for the particular path I'm walking today? I don't know. I'd sure love too though!! He chooses whom He will and my job is to be faithful and obedient. I've had it worse before and God has been faithful. For a little while the other day I was questioning if God remembered me at all, but still faithful He gave me someone to encourage and uplift me.... thanks Ang!!
God is good. Very good. He is absolutely worthy of our trust and praise. He is ever faithful and loving to us. He will never forsake me. I can fully rest in Him.
I have also had this ridiculous, large, raw, open growth on the end of my left ring finger. It has been so painful that I could not type (its the e-s finger y'know!).
I have had my first biopsy. First cauterization, and actually found out that that means BURNING YOUR FLESH and not what I had thought it meant.
I also found I have a place at the end of my left ring finger that is resistant to freezing. That means when you chop off something on the end of your finger and then torch it you find you can make a noise that you never thought possible.
This thing seeps stinky ooze through 3 or 4 bandages a day and hurts like fury if touched. Today I learned its benign which is wonderful. None of the doctors have seen anything like this before and they are all looking forward to seeing what it is. I personally don't care what it is (as long as its benign) I merely want it to go away.
Then, to top it off we are having some really wretched family issues going on here.
But ...
DO YOU KNOW WHAT????
This is very important. Please listen carefully.
Satan can attack and attack and attack. He can hurt you, distress you and keep coming back with more attacks BUT .... HE CAN NEVER, NEVER WIN!!!
God is bigger that all of this. His love is greater far than whatever hate Satan can come up with and His faithfulness endures forever.
Regardless of anything else God chose me and drew me to Himself. His son died for my sins. He has bought me with His own blood and marked me with the seal of His Holy Spirit that guarantees me an inheritance as His precious and well loved child.
Do you know what else matters?? NOTHING!
My thought on the book of Judges for the past weeks I have missed.
God uses whom He chooses. He allows all kinds of bad stuff to happen so that He may be glorified. Whether its a cowardly Benjamite whom God chooses as His mighty warrior, a mother in Israel who is a prophet and warrior, a woman with a tent, a glass of milk and a tent peg, a son of a hooker or a foolish and blind strong man. God's chooses whom He chooses for His own reasons.
Why has God chosen me for the particular path I'm walking today? I don't know. I'd sure love too though!! He chooses whom He will and my job is to be faithful and obedient. I've had it worse before and God has been faithful. For a little while the other day I was questioning if God remembered me at all, but still faithful He gave me someone to encourage and uplift me.... thanks Ang!!
God is good. Very good. He is absolutely worthy of our trust and praise. He is ever faithful and loving to us. He will never forsake me. I can fully rest in Him.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Happy Mother's Day!!
This would not be a special day in 2007 if things went as normal!! I woke up in the morning with a wicked sore throat and NO VOICE...nope.. couldn't even croak until after supper!!
Connor made me breakfast in bed... It didn't hurt to eat, thankfully. Justin was coughing up a storm, so we stayed home from church. I was very happy when he decided that he needed a nap very soon after everyone left. I napped too!!!
The kids made pearl bracelets for me in church. I'm told they brought flowers home too, but I haven't seen any!!
It was a very quiet day!!
Dave had cleaned out the porch on Sat. as I had this vision of sitting serenely on the screen porch, cross stitching, babies playing at my feet, bigger kids playing happily in the yard where I could hear their laughter and enjoy the games....
It was not to be.
It was freezing on the porch as I was running a fever.
Dave watched the kids out there with the babies at his feet as he worked on his laptop... we love our wireless Internet!!
I stayed in the dining room, alone.. where I could see Dave and the babies on the porch between dozing, cross stitching and tons of hot green tea and Halls cough drops.
It was actually kinda nice.
The kids have run to the store for more cough drops.
We made it to the next pay day!!
Justin seems better.
I'm able to croak a bit today... just not enough to carry on a decent conversation. A few words and its major coughing time.. not much fun in your 3rd trimester when you know too much coughing can be terribly hard on your belly!
At my last Dr appt I had lost a pound.
Just had to fit that in. I don't think I was supposed to, but I spent a lot of last week sneezing and guzzling green tea.
Didn't keep me from getting sick though.
Molly wants to see her name in type.
MOLLY... is so much fun!
MOLLY SUSANNE PERRY.... yup, that's my name!... she says.
Off to reality.
Connor made me breakfast in bed... It didn't hurt to eat, thankfully. Justin was coughing up a storm, so we stayed home from church. I was very happy when he decided that he needed a nap very soon after everyone left. I napped too!!!
The kids made pearl bracelets for me in church. I'm told they brought flowers home too, but I haven't seen any!!
It was a very quiet day!!
Dave had cleaned out the porch on Sat. as I had this vision of sitting serenely on the screen porch, cross stitching, babies playing at my feet, bigger kids playing happily in the yard where I could hear their laughter and enjoy the games....
It was not to be.
It was freezing on the porch as I was running a fever.
Dave watched the kids out there with the babies at his feet as he worked on his laptop... we love our wireless Internet!!
I stayed in the dining room, alone.. where I could see Dave and the babies on the porch between dozing, cross stitching and tons of hot green tea and Halls cough drops.
It was actually kinda nice.
The kids have run to the store for more cough drops.
We made it to the next pay day!!
Justin seems better.
I'm able to croak a bit today... just not enough to carry on a decent conversation. A few words and its major coughing time.. not much fun in your 3rd trimester when you know too much coughing can be terribly hard on your belly!
At my last Dr appt I had lost a pound.
Just had to fit that in. I don't think I was supposed to, but I spent a lot of last week sneezing and guzzling green tea.
Didn't keep me from getting sick though.
Molly wants to see her name in type.
MOLLY... is so much fun!
MOLLY SUSANNE PERRY.... yup, that's my name!... she says.
Off to reality.
Friday, May 11, 2007
BRF -- 1 Corinthians 13-16
Plenty of familiar verses this time around. ch 13... memorized... ch 15 full of AWANA verses that I go over regularly with the kids.
Plenty of relatively unfamiliar verses as well.
How can people read chapter 14 and believe that tongues are the be all and end all of gifts?
How can the pentecostal churches allow tongues with no interpretation in their services?
I was in a service palm Sunday where there were tongues with no interpretation and yes, Paul is right, they seem like they are out of their minds!!
However, tongues are not obsolete like some Baptists like to preach! It is a viable gift for a specific purpose. Even Paul spoke in tongues!
"Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues, Let all thing be done decently and in order." ch 14: 39-40
We need to find a balance. So far, I have not seen a church where this is balanced. Its everyone c'mon and speak in tongues!!! Whoo hoo!! or Tongues?? Never happens!!
My roommate in University... good Baptist gal... went to Bolivia on a mission trip. While there she was given the gift of praying in tongues. It was a beautiful experience for her to pray and have the interpretation there with the ladies she prayed with.
Then back to Canada, where she hardly dared admit she prayed in tongues. Its not done you see. I do not have this gift. I believe many have it and don't dare admit it. "Do not forbid to speak with tongues" is what scripture says.
"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' Awake to righteousness and do not sin." 15:39-40 This is the crux of a lot of problems. For instance, there are 3 boys in this neighborhood who aren't saved, could care less about spiritual things and have ungodly home lives. In the past few years Matt has tried to tell them about the Lord and has prayed for them. We encouraged Matt to reach out to them, BUT they still aren't saved, Matt no longer witnesses to them and Matt's attitudes and actions have been coming down to where they are. This is not good. We were deceived. Yes, these boys can come to know the Lord and we can't shun them... but now its hard to get rid of them!! I don't want Matt with them all the time. Matt is not allowed to go to their homes.. we foolishly let him try that once last year and once this year.. neither time was a blessing.
Sometimes, I think God made a mistake in giving us kids... they get hurt from our mistakes and when we try to backpedal, they just get confused. Who can blame them? Where are the christian kids?? The ones we know are worse than the non christian ones here and my kids are getting weary of being different than EVERYONE else.
15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain..."
I am where I am because of the grace of God. Loving that!! He has never expected me to be the perfect one who made it through life without ever messing up. Perfection in parenting was not expected either. Its by His grace that I can experience forgiveness, daily fresh starts... multiple new starts each day and direction for our family.
15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
In the light of everything we've read in 1st Corinthians, this verse means much, much more than it has in the past. In the light of all we have learned, we need to stand on this scripture and not budge. We need to know the gospel of Jesus Christ WELL... If you don't remember it go back over ch 15... we need to be truly discerning.. we need to judge sin in the church and not back down from it... we need to truly love... we need to not be deceived when it comes to choosing friends... we need to KNOW we have victory over sin and death... we need to stand against sin and not be moved!!! If we "get" the church doctrine here and live it we will have plenty of work to do!! We will be abounding in work!... If we are labouring for the Lord, it may be tough, but it will NEVER be in vain. People may not like us too much.. some may slander us, tell us off, stone us or have us flogged or jailed... who cares? Look at Paul. He stood for what was right. Plenty of folks loved him and did everything they could for him. Plenty of folks didn't like what he had to say.. in and out of the church, but did he change his message? Did he compromise? Did he tactfully change the subject and try to make them feel ok about their sin? No
We do.
One more thing... about giving. Note Paul makes a request for a gift for the Christians in Jerusalem who were desperately needing funds. Did Paul ask for them to tithe a gift for the collection? Nope. Does Paul ever ask the church to tithe?? Nope. Neither did Jesus.
The more I study, the more I see we are duped on tithing.
Remember back in Haggai?? We all were really feeling like we had been stealing from God. Lets get back to reality. What was the temple of the Lord then? What is it now? A church building?? NO!! We are the temple! God does not dwell in houses that men build.. He dwells in US!!
What was a tithe in the OT?? Money?? NEVER!! It was grain, food, oil... for the priests!!! Only a Levitical priest could accept the tithe as this was his sustenance. They were not landowners. They didn't grow crops. This was the sustenance for his family. God never said to give them any money.
In fact the only time money and tithing are mentioned together is when the temple is too far away for you to take an offering, you are to convert your offering to money and then when you get to the holy city you are to have a grand ole time, spending it on whatever your heart desires, feasting with your family. Then keep some extras on hand for those who God brings to you to feed.
We are to give cheerfully to those in need. Our money should not be wasted on new pews or overhead projectors or programs.... especially those that would elevate women and children over men which would be.... almost all of them!!
We need to take care of our pastor. We work them to death!! I keep looking at Paul though. He preached and travelled and never took a penny from those he preached to. He always worked as did his companions.
Look how far we have strayed from the model of the church. I see no record of building plans for larger sanctuaries or gymnasiums... not because they didn't have them back then... the pagans had them.. not the Christians. Their money went to take care of their families, widows, orphans and those in need. Yet, we are guilted into thinking God wants a monetary tithe from us when he doesn't!! He wants us to give as He gives to us. Is it honoring to God to get into debt to pay the church what He doesn't ask for?
Its not honoring to spend, spend, spend and never give either. We need to spend more time in prayer about where God wants our money than listen to more words of men.
We need to be in the loop so we know men who are really godly and those who aren't. We also need to treat all of them the same. None higher than others. Paul wanted Timothy, Apollos and whoever else may come to Corinth treated in the same loving way as he. We shouldn't treat some visiting missionaries with red carpet treatments and then barely entertain others as though they were less important. I've seen some people come to the church and are put in hotel rooms, potlucks are put on in their favor... everyone wants to host them for dinner!! and then... some are basically left on their own. It isn't right. Some are given both services to speak at and some are given 5 min in the morning and an honorable mention at night. Not right.
So... how do you get a church where sin isn't tolerated, everyone loves each other, gives to those in need, makes wise decisions, doesn't ask for what isn't their due, has pastors and teachers who are self sufficient??? AAAGGGGHHHHH! Mind boggling! Read the book!
By the way, guilted isn't actually a word (like AAAGGGGHHHHH is!!).. I just couldn't think of how to properly phrase that sentence so I used creative liscense there. Just because I can cuz its MY BLOG!
Plenty of relatively unfamiliar verses as well.
How can people read chapter 14 and believe that tongues are the be all and end all of gifts?
How can the pentecostal churches allow tongues with no interpretation in their services?
I was in a service palm Sunday where there were tongues with no interpretation and yes, Paul is right, they seem like they are out of their minds!!
However, tongues are not obsolete like some Baptists like to preach! It is a viable gift for a specific purpose. Even Paul spoke in tongues!
"Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues, Let all thing be done decently and in order." ch 14: 39-40
We need to find a balance. So far, I have not seen a church where this is balanced. Its everyone c'mon and speak in tongues!!! Whoo hoo!! or Tongues?? Never happens!!
My roommate in University... good Baptist gal... went to Bolivia on a mission trip. While there she was given the gift of praying in tongues. It was a beautiful experience for her to pray and have the interpretation there with the ladies she prayed with.
Then back to Canada, where she hardly dared admit she prayed in tongues. Its not done you see. I do not have this gift. I believe many have it and don't dare admit it. "Do not forbid to speak with tongues" is what scripture says.
"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' Awake to righteousness and do not sin." 15:39-40 This is the crux of a lot of problems. For instance, there are 3 boys in this neighborhood who aren't saved, could care less about spiritual things and have ungodly home lives. In the past few years Matt has tried to tell them about the Lord and has prayed for them. We encouraged Matt to reach out to them, BUT they still aren't saved, Matt no longer witnesses to them and Matt's attitudes and actions have been coming down to where they are. This is not good. We were deceived. Yes, these boys can come to know the Lord and we can't shun them... but now its hard to get rid of them!! I don't want Matt with them all the time. Matt is not allowed to go to their homes.. we foolishly let him try that once last year and once this year.. neither time was a blessing.
Sometimes, I think God made a mistake in giving us kids... they get hurt from our mistakes and when we try to backpedal, they just get confused. Who can blame them? Where are the christian kids?? The ones we know are worse than the non christian ones here and my kids are getting weary of being different than EVERYONE else.
15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain..."
I am where I am because of the grace of God. Loving that!! He has never expected me to be the perfect one who made it through life without ever messing up. Perfection in parenting was not expected either. Its by His grace that I can experience forgiveness, daily fresh starts... multiple new starts each day and direction for our family.
15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
In the light of everything we've read in 1st Corinthians, this verse means much, much more than it has in the past. In the light of all we have learned, we need to stand on this scripture and not budge. We need to know the gospel of Jesus Christ WELL... If you don't remember it go back over ch 15... we need to be truly discerning.. we need to judge sin in the church and not back down from it... we need to truly love... we need to not be deceived when it comes to choosing friends... we need to KNOW we have victory over sin and death... we need to stand against sin and not be moved!!! If we "get" the church doctrine here and live it we will have plenty of work to do!! We will be abounding in work!... If we are labouring for the Lord, it may be tough, but it will NEVER be in vain. People may not like us too much.. some may slander us, tell us off, stone us or have us flogged or jailed... who cares? Look at Paul. He stood for what was right. Plenty of folks loved him and did everything they could for him. Plenty of folks didn't like what he had to say.. in and out of the church, but did he change his message? Did he compromise? Did he tactfully change the subject and try to make them feel ok about their sin? No
We do.
One more thing... about giving. Note Paul makes a request for a gift for the Christians in Jerusalem who were desperately needing funds. Did Paul ask for them to tithe a gift for the collection? Nope. Does Paul ever ask the church to tithe?? Nope. Neither did Jesus.
The more I study, the more I see we are duped on tithing.
Remember back in Haggai?? We all were really feeling like we had been stealing from God. Lets get back to reality. What was the temple of the Lord then? What is it now? A church building?? NO!! We are the temple! God does not dwell in houses that men build.. He dwells in US!!
What was a tithe in the OT?? Money?? NEVER!! It was grain, food, oil... for the priests!!! Only a Levitical priest could accept the tithe as this was his sustenance. They were not landowners. They didn't grow crops. This was the sustenance for his family. God never said to give them any money.
In fact the only time money and tithing are mentioned together is when the temple is too far away for you to take an offering, you are to convert your offering to money and then when you get to the holy city you are to have a grand ole time, spending it on whatever your heart desires, feasting with your family. Then keep some extras on hand for those who God brings to you to feed.
We are to give cheerfully to those in need. Our money should not be wasted on new pews or overhead projectors or programs.... especially those that would elevate women and children over men which would be.... almost all of them!!
We need to take care of our pastor. We work them to death!! I keep looking at Paul though. He preached and travelled and never took a penny from those he preached to. He always worked as did his companions.
Look how far we have strayed from the model of the church. I see no record of building plans for larger sanctuaries or gymnasiums... not because they didn't have them back then... the pagans had them.. not the Christians. Their money went to take care of their families, widows, orphans and those in need. Yet, we are guilted into thinking God wants a monetary tithe from us when he doesn't!! He wants us to give as He gives to us. Is it honoring to God to get into debt to pay the church what He doesn't ask for?
Its not honoring to spend, spend, spend and never give either. We need to spend more time in prayer about where God wants our money than listen to more words of men.
We need to be in the loop so we know men who are really godly and those who aren't. We also need to treat all of them the same. None higher than others. Paul wanted Timothy, Apollos and whoever else may come to Corinth treated in the same loving way as he. We shouldn't treat some visiting missionaries with red carpet treatments and then barely entertain others as though they were less important. I've seen some people come to the church and are put in hotel rooms, potlucks are put on in their favor... everyone wants to host them for dinner!! and then... some are basically left on their own. It isn't right. Some are given both services to speak at and some are given 5 min in the morning and an honorable mention at night. Not right.
So... how do you get a church where sin isn't tolerated, everyone loves each other, gives to those in need, makes wise decisions, doesn't ask for what isn't their due, has pastors and teachers who are self sufficient??? AAAGGGGHHHHH! Mind boggling! Read the book!
By the way, guilted isn't actually a word (like AAAGGGGHHHHH is!!).. I just couldn't think of how to properly phrase that sentence so I used creative liscense there. Just because I can cuz its MY BLOG!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
sometimes God gives you cool things to say
Someone asked me today what was the catalyst to make the decision to make wholehearted decisions for God. I wish I could remember exactly how she worded her question, but we had systems failure and my memory is... 3rd trimester pregnancy... yeah.
This is my answer.
When I KNEW who Jesus really is and what He really did for me, what choice did I have?
I was saved at 4 and knew that Jesus died for my sins. When I was older and KNEW what He did for me, and saw who and what I was... a sinner who actually sinned... not a good kid... a SINNER!! How could I not choose to run with all my heart towards Him?
A speaker today told the difference between running to and running from. I'm no longer running from hell and the consequences of sin... I am running as hard and as fast as I can towards my Saviour and the lover of my very soul. Sometimes I fall. I get hurt. I get bashed, bruised and bloody but I CAN'T stop running.
Others may laugh and tell me its easier to stroll and picnic along the way, but I can't. I NEED to be near Christ. I am running towards the Father... Jesus is running with me, picking me up, cleaning the wounds with His word... still running. Jesus never says slow down, this
is a race.
When I am tired, hungry or thirsty HE gives me rest, food and water... its all Him.
How can I stop?
I can't. If I slow down, will one of my dear running mates kindly kick me in the rear and get me moving again.
Thanks.
The room is back up.. what timing... back to the conference!!
This is my answer.
When I KNEW who Jesus really is and what He really did for me, what choice did I have?
I was saved at 4 and knew that Jesus died for my sins. When I was older and KNEW what He did for me, and saw who and what I was... a sinner who actually sinned... not a good kid... a SINNER!! How could I not choose to run with all my heart towards Him?
A speaker today told the difference between running to and running from. I'm no longer running from hell and the consequences of sin... I am running as hard and as fast as I can towards my Saviour and the lover of my very soul. Sometimes I fall. I get hurt. I get bashed, bruised and bloody but I CAN'T stop running.
Others may laugh and tell me its easier to stroll and picnic along the way, but I can't. I NEED to be near Christ. I am running towards the Father... Jesus is running with me, picking me up, cleaning the wounds with His word... still running. Jesus never says slow down, this
is a race.
When I am tired, hungry or thirsty HE gives me rest, food and water... its all Him.
How can I stop?
I can't. If I slow down, will one of my dear running mates kindly kick me in the rear and get me moving again.
Thanks.
The room is back up.. what timing... back to the conference!!
For DAWN and ANDREA and anyone else who stumbles upon this
I am relinking this very cool
and yet controversial post on tithing. What is it? Do we actually believe what the Bible says about tithing? Where does God ask for money?
You girls go and read!! Pray for wisdom and discernment and let me know what you think.
ps BRF is late because I am at the Ultimate Homeschool Expo and having a ball. I will post tonight or tomorrow.
Gotta run..
TTFN!!
and yet controversial post on tithing. What is it? Do we actually believe what the Bible says about tithing? Where does God ask for money?
You girls go and read!! Pray for wisdom and discernment and let me know what you think.
ps BRF is late because I am at the Ultimate Homeschool Expo and having a ball. I will post tonight or tomorrow.
Gotta run..
TTFN!!
Monday, April 30, 2007
I have obviously failed
I have failed at my job. My kids do NOT understand their own mother tongue... English. A simple request brings on a "I don't know what you mean!" type of response.
Please wash the dishes... brings "What ME wash dishes?? You don't mean the dishes on the kitchen counter? Me?? You mean someone else. I'll just go read a book!!"
Please bring down the books on poetry off the shelves upstairs... "Huh? What's that? Yeah, I know what a poem is, duh!! Yeah, I know what a book is. A book with poems in it? I don't think we have those. I don't know what you mean!"
I think I'm going nuts.
This is ridiculous!!
Feed the dog please... an hour later?
Did you feed the dog yet?
Oh, did you mean me? You looked at me when you asked but you didn't SAY MY NAME so I figured you didn't really mean me.
Was I this stunned as a child? No I didn't ask them that question.
They would tell everyone I said they were stunned. That they would remember!!
I'm going to pray now.
Should have done that before ranting!!!
Please wash the dishes... brings "What ME wash dishes?? You don't mean the dishes on the kitchen counter? Me?? You mean someone else. I'll just go read a book!!"
Please bring down the books on poetry off the shelves upstairs... "Huh? What's that? Yeah, I know what a poem is, duh!! Yeah, I know what a book is. A book with poems in it? I don't think we have those. I don't know what you mean!"
I think I'm going nuts.
This is ridiculous!!
Feed the dog please... an hour later?
Did you feed the dog yet?
Oh, did you mean me? You looked at me when you asked but you didn't SAY MY NAME so I figured you didn't really mean me.
Was I this stunned as a child? No I didn't ask them that question.
They would tell everyone I said they were stunned. That they would remember!!
I'm going to pray now.
Should have done that before ranting!!!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Another Sunday towards peace?
This was another weird one for the record. I really want to remember the steps we are taking to get through this church mess.. for lack of a better word.
We went back to our church.
The pastor's message was great. He is in 2 Corinthians as opposed to our BRF 1 Corinthians.
The sermon was on chapter 2 dealing with forgiveness, repentance and restoration. How apropos. It was hard hitting but left us with what do we do if no repentance is offered. You can still forgive and not trust y'know. Forgiveness is what we are called to do. Trust without seeing repentance on the other side is just plain old stupid!! Yet, we can be nice at the same time.
To begin this little story with... I'm not a really touchy type of person. I like my space. If I give a hug its gotta mean that I am completely comfortable with someone and genuinely like and trust them. I very rarely have ever spontaneously hugged my mother. I will hug her because that is something she seems to need... but its not real natural. I don't hug men that aren't my husband... and hate it when men seem to think that touching someone else's wife IN ANY WAY... except a quick hand shake.... is appropriate. Dave had to speak to someone about that this winter. This other man hugs all the ladies and was shocked that I would find it offensive, but he was sensitive enough to know that I don't hate or even dislike him. It ended well.
I love to hug my children, on the other hand. Almost any child. Definitely my husband!!! The occasional friend on special occasions.... not many.
Therefore...
It nearly bowled me over when the woman who has been slandering us, whose husband told us royally off, who had us pretty near blacklisted, who caused all the problems for us in the church, who I most definitely do not trust and am NOT comfortable with... ran down from the choir and made a big show of giving me a hug during the handshake/welcome/family of God time.
Dave admits I looked as repulsed as I felt. It was like hugging a snake.... rephrase.. being hugged by a snake. I didn't hug her back.
This was not what I bargained for. Who hugs people they have seriously wronged?
This was not an apology.
Remember waaaay back in high school when some guy you weren't remotely interested in, but were nice to cuz you were nice to everyone (yeah..), asked you out and you got that queasy sick feeling in your stomach cuz you felt on the spot in a bad way?
That was this morning in church.
In front of everyone.
With my husband laughing.
When she left I could laugh too.
None of the kids got what we were laughing at and hate that Dave and I have our little private jokes.
Not that this is all out...
Nothing else can floor me at church now. I hope.
I can now naturally counter the "Oh, you're back. We thought we'd lost you." comments with a smile and a "Nope, we are still at the same address and phone number. Sorry we missed your call." without missing a beat.
We have an answering machine and call display.
There haven't been calls.
It sure ends the conversation quickly!
I hope that isn't mean. "The kids have grown so much!!" is another comment. Its been 2 months they haven't grown that much!!
I haven't noticed that any of the other kids in the church have changed so much so I'm assuming mine haven't either. They haven't changed hair colour or styles. Same wardrobes. Same faces. We still aren't ready for evening service. That used to be my fave. Testimony and sharing times are sweet fellowship times. This is where the 2 things I actually shared in the 2.5 years we were there were twisted completely around and thrown back in my face.
I am waiting for healing from the Lord from that one.
I don't usually share in public either. Its my private space issue. All those people hearing my private thoughts is intimidating.
Its much easier to just blog everything and then let half the world ... including complete strangers READ my private thoughts.
Yep, I'm not making sense anymore.
Blogging is done for the day.
G'night.
We went back to our church.
The pastor's message was great. He is in 2 Corinthians as opposed to our BRF 1 Corinthians.
The sermon was on chapter 2 dealing with forgiveness, repentance and restoration. How apropos. It was hard hitting but left us with what do we do if no repentance is offered. You can still forgive and not trust y'know. Forgiveness is what we are called to do. Trust without seeing repentance on the other side is just plain old stupid!! Yet, we can be nice at the same time.
To begin this little story with... I'm not a really touchy type of person. I like my space. If I give a hug its gotta mean that I am completely comfortable with someone and genuinely like and trust them. I very rarely have ever spontaneously hugged my mother. I will hug her because that is something she seems to need... but its not real natural. I don't hug men that aren't my husband... and hate it when men seem to think that touching someone else's wife IN ANY WAY... except a quick hand shake.... is appropriate. Dave had to speak to someone about that this winter. This other man hugs all the ladies and was shocked that I would find it offensive, but he was sensitive enough to know that I don't hate or even dislike him. It ended well.
I love to hug my children, on the other hand. Almost any child. Definitely my husband!!! The occasional friend on special occasions.... not many.
Therefore...
It nearly bowled me over when the woman who has been slandering us, whose husband told us royally off, who had us pretty near blacklisted, who caused all the problems for us in the church, who I most definitely do not trust and am NOT comfortable with... ran down from the choir and made a big show of giving me a hug during the handshake/welcome/family of God time.
Dave admits I looked as repulsed as I felt. It was like hugging a snake.... rephrase.. being hugged by a snake. I didn't hug her back.
This was not what I bargained for. Who hugs people they have seriously wronged?
This was not an apology.
Remember waaaay back in high school when some guy you weren't remotely interested in, but were nice to cuz you were nice to everyone (yeah..), asked you out and you got that queasy sick feeling in your stomach cuz you felt on the spot in a bad way?
That was this morning in church.
In front of everyone.
With my husband laughing.
When she left I could laugh too.
None of the kids got what we were laughing at and hate that Dave and I have our little private jokes.
Not that this is all out...
Nothing else can floor me at church now. I hope.
I can now naturally counter the "Oh, you're back. We thought we'd lost you." comments with a smile and a "Nope, we are still at the same address and phone number. Sorry we missed your call." without missing a beat.
We have an answering machine and call display.
There haven't been calls.
It sure ends the conversation quickly!
I hope that isn't mean. "The kids have grown so much!!" is another comment. Its been 2 months they haven't grown that much!!
I haven't noticed that any of the other kids in the church have changed so much so I'm assuming mine haven't either. They haven't changed hair colour or styles. Same wardrobes. Same faces. We still aren't ready for evening service. That used to be my fave. Testimony and sharing times are sweet fellowship times. This is where the 2 things I actually shared in the 2.5 years we were there were twisted completely around and thrown back in my face.
I am waiting for healing from the Lord from that one.
I don't usually share in public either. Its my private space issue. All those people hearing my private thoughts is intimidating.
Its much easier to just blog everything and then let half the world ... including complete strangers READ my private thoughts.
Yep, I'm not making sense anymore.
Blogging is done for the day.
G'night.
Friday, April 27, 2007
BRF -- 1 Corinthians 5-8
These are some tough chapters. Some of the issues here are heatedly disputed in the church and I have been called a legalist for going with some of it. I believe Paul is being extremely clear in these chapters of EXACTLY what he is speaking of. Those who say these are gray (or grey) areas are perhaps just looking to continue on with the status quo.
You can not act on 1 Cor 5-8 while still being tolerant of sin or politically correct. Its time to choose your side... or don't bother reading.
1 Corinthians 5:9-12 (New King James Version)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?
We are to stay away from those who are sexually immoral and claim to be brothers. We aren't even to eat with them. (No pot lucks or home visits!!)
This is something "loving" Christians these days refuse to do. There is one "couple" at our church who are living together while waiting for each of their divorces to go through and then will get married and expect everyone to congratulate them... and people will!! They thought it would be wonderful to get to know Dave and I better and have invited us into their home for dinner. He is a Bible school/seminary graduate and happens to be familiar with this text. He is actually rather on the brilliant side. By getting us to eat with them we are also committing a sin. We declined the dinner invite. They are not upset as there are others who will go.
The general consensus to these type of situations is that in a few years everyone will forget that they had chosen this route and will just treat them as any other married couple in the church. In this case each of them has a daughter with the same name so there will always be questions from new people!!
The Bible says clearly... STAY AWAY!!!
We have no call to hold the world to our standard... that would be ridiculous!!! We need to be reaching out to those who are lost and in sexual sins.
We have every reason, even a mandate to recognize this in the brethren and expect them to wise up and be holy... not to make a mockery of God's holiness.... even if it isn't what the church people call "loving."
When you bring this up in your church.. and we must... and people say "We can't do anything. To not even eat with them is unloving." Tell them to take it up with God and His word... which is perfect and infallible!! What if some of these people are your best friends? Remember Jesus said He came not to bring peace but a sword. If we aren't willing to choose Him first, we show we hate Him and are friends of the world.
Also, those in sexual sins certainly know it and they KNOW there are always repercussions for the choices they make. We need to be wise enough to be able to judge these situations according to God's word.
In chapter 6 Paul is reminding us that we are going to be judging the world someday. We need to show discernment in judging now. Ch 6 vs 2b ".. are you not competent to judge trivial cases?" When Paul gives us an open and shut case for what we are to do, it should be a trivial matter to simply follow directions. Not even a lot of gray matter used here.
We also need to be able to judge disputes between the brethren. I love Ch 6 vs 5 probably because we have been looking for a wise person to help mediate the problems at the church and have come up pretty empty handed (though we may have found one this week, praise God!!)
"I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?"
Can we all hang down our heads and admit that this is true? Are we wise enough? By God's grace soon we will have a resounding "YES!!!" from some ladies who are taking God's word seriously! We need to be wise. Our men need to be wise, not just in their individual business worlds, but in the Word of God. We need men that can stand up and say "Enough!! This is wrong and this is why. You can't do this and claim to be a disciple of Christ!!"
Someone who actually gets vs 12 ""Everything is permissible for me" -- but not everything is beneficial."
I've heard people quote the everything is permissible for me phrase... how many of them know that Paul was quoting what the believers in Corinth were saying and HE wasn't saying it I'm not sure. Yes, we have freedom in Christ. Freedom from the law. Freedom for what we eat, etc...
God still has reasons for laying things out the way He did though and we really should pay attention. For instance, God forbade eating pigs. It is not absolutely permissible to eat pork in any form. This is definitely NOT a sin. However, it is really hard on your body. We don't eat pork because it literally makes us ill. Ever tried the pouring coke on the pork roast and see what happens?? Little worms will make their way out!!
I guess we do eat some pig. We do enjoy ham.
Just not pork roast, loin or chops.
Definitely not chops.
How bout the shellfish thing? Another no-no according to the OT law. Those creeping things that creep on the bottom of the sea (lobster, crab, etc..) feed on dead flesh. Yep, if another creature dies, they are the vultures of the sea. Remember the Swiss Air flight that crashed off the coast of NS a few years back? That was also a bumper year for lobster. No joke. Dave still eats it, I am thankfully allergic and don't offend anyone at the dinner table by just sticking with the allergen thing. No one who just paid $30 for lobster in a restaurant wants to be told that they are eating sea vultures.
Moving on. (Thank goodness?)
Chapter 7
No one likes discussing this chapter with me... especially those who are in or have been in divorce proceedings. I simply don't care what their station in life is.. If I'm asked I state what I believe to be true.
Before Paul gets in to talking about marriage and when its ok to let your spouse go (very few reasons I might add) he gives this disclaimer.
Please read carefully.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (New King James Version)
10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
The Lord is commanding us not to divorce, but even if it happens (the next few verses say when it can happen with no guilt) we are to remain unmarried.
vs 39 states the ONLY exception to this rule... death of the spouse.
This corresponds exactly to what Jesus says in Luke.
Luke 16:18 (New King James Version)
18 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.
I've been waiting for someone preaching on remarriage/adultery to connect these 2 verses. No one has while I've been sitting in the pew... but here ya go folks...
It doesn't matter if you do the divorcing or are on the receiving end of the divorce. If you remarry, you commit adultery. That is where the sin part comes in. Some reasons for divorce can leave you completely in the clear as far as sin goes, why mess it up by committing adultery afterwards?? Another marriage while the first spouse is alive is called adultery. Jesus said it. Paul (though not using the word adultery) makes it clear this is not to happen.
Chapter 8 and the weaker brother and I'm done.
Once again ... how did this get so long??
Vs 9 "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."
The youth pastor who has no problem with having a beer on the patio of the pub along the waterfront on a hot summer day.
The couple who make wine in their basement.
The woman who wears what she considers warm weather necessities such as tube tops and backless halters.
Camping every weekend in the summer so you become a 3 season church attender.
Are these sins? Probably not. Can they become a stumbling block for another and cause some to fall? Absolutely yes.
Lets just not go there.
There are so many really great things to do with the freedom we have in Christ.... like...
Actually visiting people on the Sabbath.
Resting when you can instead of having a prescribed day for it.
Speaking to others of different backgrounds and being allowed to go into their houses.
Not kissing your fingers to a wooden box every time you walk in and out of your house!!
Talking to God face to face.
Reading God's word and discussing it with fellow believers.
Having God speak directly to us as we open His word.
Having the Holy Spirit guide us to a divine appt with a stranger that changes your life.
Meeting strangers and finding them friends.
Having forgiveness from our sin and starting every day fresh.. and sometimes every minute!
Why go out of our way to do something that can cause a brother to fall?
That's my BRF for tonight. BRF could also stand for BRIEF... Not on this blog!!
Now I can read all of yours.... YEAH!!
You can not act on 1 Cor 5-8 while still being tolerant of sin or politically correct. Its time to choose your side... or don't bother reading.
1 Corinthians 5:9-12 (New King James Version)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?
We are to stay away from those who are sexually immoral and claim to be brothers. We aren't even to eat with them. (No pot lucks or home visits!!)
This is something "loving" Christians these days refuse to do. There is one "couple" at our church who are living together while waiting for each of their divorces to go through and then will get married and expect everyone to congratulate them... and people will!! They thought it would be wonderful to get to know Dave and I better and have invited us into their home for dinner. He is a Bible school/seminary graduate and happens to be familiar with this text. He is actually rather on the brilliant side. By getting us to eat with them we are also committing a sin. We declined the dinner invite. They are not upset as there are others who will go.
The general consensus to these type of situations is that in a few years everyone will forget that they had chosen this route and will just treat them as any other married couple in the church. In this case each of them has a daughter with the same name so there will always be questions from new people!!
The Bible says clearly... STAY AWAY!!!
We have no call to hold the world to our standard... that would be ridiculous!!! We need to be reaching out to those who are lost and in sexual sins.
We have every reason, even a mandate to recognize this in the brethren and expect them to wise up and be holy... not to make a mockery of God's holiness.... even if it isn't what the church people call "loving."
When you bring this up in your church.. and we must... and people say "We can't do anything. To not even eat with them is unloving." Tell them to take it up with God and His word... which is perfect and infallible!! What if some of these people are your best friends? Remember Jesus said He came not to bring peace but a sword. If we aren't willing to choose Him first, we show we hate Him and are friends of the world.
Also, those in sexual sins certainly know it and they KNOW there are always repercussions for the choices they make. We need to be wise enough to be able to judge these situations according to God's word.
In chapter 6 Paul is reminding us that we are going to be judging the world someday. We need to show discernment in judging now. Ch 6 vs 2b ".. are you not competent to judge trivial cases?" When Paul gives us an open and shut case for what we are to do, it should be a trivial matter to simply follow directions. Not even a lot of gray matter used here.
We also need to be able to judge disputes between the brethren. I love Ch 6 vs 5 probably because we have been looking for a wise person to help mediate the problems at the church and have come up pretty empty handed (though we may have found one this week, praise God!!)
"I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?"
Can we all hang down our heads and admit that this is true? Are we wise enough? By God's grace soon we will have a resounding "YES!!!" from some ladies who are taking God's word seriously! We need to be wise. Our men need to be wise, not just in their individual business worlds, but in the Word of God. We need men that can stand up and say "Enough!! This is wrong and this is why. You can't do this and claim to be a disciple of Christ!!"
Someone who actually gets vs 12 ""Everything is permissible for me" -- but not everything is beneficial."
I've heard people quote the everything is permissible for me phrase... how many of them know that Paul was quoting what the believers in Corinth were saying and HE wasn't saying it I'm not sure. Yes, we have freedom in Christ. Freedom from the law. Freedom for what we eat, etc...
God still has reasons for laying things out the way He did though and we really should pay attention. For instance, God forbade eating pigs. It is not absolutely permissible to eat pork in any form. This is definitely NOT a sin. However, it is really hard on your body. We don't eat pork because it literally makes us ill. Ever tried the pouring coke on the pork roast and see what happens?? Little worms will make their way out!!
I guess we do eat some pig. We do enjoy ham.
Just not pork roast, loin or chops.
Definitely not chops.
How bout the shellfish thing? Another no-no according to the OT law. Those creeping things that creep on the bottom of the sea (lobster, crab, etc..) feed on dead flesh. Yep, if another creature dies, they are the vultures of the sea. Remember the Swiss Air flight that crashed off the coast of NS a few years back? That was also a bumper year for lobster. No joke. Dave still eats it, I am thankfully allergic and don't offend anyone at the dinner table by just sticking with the allergen thing. No one who just paid $30 for lobster in a restaurant wants to be told that they are eating sea vultures.
Moving on. (Thank goodness?)
Chapter 7
No one likes discussing this chapter with me... especially those who are in or have been in divorce proceedings. I simply don't care what their station in life is.. If I'm asked I state what I believe to be true.
Before Paul gets in to talking about marriage and when its ok to let your spouse go (very few reasons I might add) he gives this disclaimer.
Please read carefully.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (New King James Version)
10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
The Lord is commanding us not to divorce, but even if it happens (the next few verses say when it can happen with no guilt) we are to remain unmarried.
vs 39 states the ONLY exception to this rule... death of the spouse.
This corresponds exactly to what Jesus says in Luke.
Luke 16:18 (New King James Version)
18 “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.
I've been waiting for someone preaching on remarriage/adultery to connect these 2 verses. No one has while I've been sitting in the pew... but here ya go folks...
It doesn't matter if you do the divorcing or are on the receiving end of the divorce. If you remarry, you commit adultery. That is where the sin part comes in. Some reasons for divorce can leave you completely in the clear as far as sin goes, why mess it up by committing adultery afterwards?? Another marriage while the first spouse is alive is called adultery. Jesus said it. Paul (though not using the word adultery) makes it clear this is not to happen.
Chapter 8 and the weaker brother and I'm done.
Once again ... how did this get so long??
Vs 9 "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."
The youth pastor who has no problem with having a beer on the patio of the pub along the waterfront on a hot summer day.
The couple who make wine in their basement.
The woman who wears what she considers warm weather necessities such as tube tops and backless halters.
Camping every weekend in the summer so you become a 3 season church attender.
Are these sins? Probably not. Can they become a stumbling block for another and cause some to fall? Absolutely yes.
Lets just not go there.
There are so many really great things to do with the freedom we have in Christ.... like...
Actually visiting people on the Sabbath.
Resting when you can instead of having a prescribed day for it.
Speaking to others of different backgrounds and being allowed to go into their houses.
Not kissing your fingers to a wooden box every time you walk in and out of your house!!
Talking to God face to face.
Reading God's word and discussing it with fellow believers.
Having God speak directly to us as we open His word.
Having the Holy Spirit guide us to a divine appt with a stranger that changes your life.
Meeting strangers and finding them friends.
Having forgiveness from our sin and starting every day fresh.. and sometimes every minute!
Why go out of our way to do something that can cause a brother to fall?
That's my BRF for tonight. BRF could also stand for BRIEF... Not on this blog!!
Now I can read all of yours.... YEAH!!
Ultimate Homeschool Conf
I am a new member of the Ultimate homeschool Conference and I'm lovin' it!!
For $25 American I can actually listen to many, many sessions on my own free time, read amazing articles, learn about new ways of teaching, get AMAZING free ebooks and treasures (even a lapbooking unit study on sled dogs the kids will love as they had their first sled dog ride ... mushing experience this winter) and lots more. There is still time to sign up if you are interested at Ultimate Homeschool Expo Ticket.
The $25 is if you sign up with a friend. Otherwise its $35. The site will be up indefinitely so you can have encouragement all year round.
I also found this article. I'd love to know what everyone thought of it.
Its a little long and a lot controversial and might just shake up one of our biggest "Traditions of man" beliefs that we have. Hope you are interested enough to take a look.
My BRF is gonna go on late when the kids are in bed.
I know I didn't BRF last week, I did read ch 1-4 several times though... more than I read the 5-8 that I will be posting on.. go figure!!
For $25 American I can actually listen to many, many sessions on my own free time, read amazing articles, learn about new ways of teaching, get AMAZING free ebooks and treasures (even a lapbooking unit study on sled dogs the kids will love as they had their first sled dog ride ... mushing experience this winter) and lots more. There is still time to sign up if you are interested at Ultimate Homeschool Expo Ticket.
The $25 is if you sign up with a friend. Otherwise its $35. The site will be up indefinitely so you can have encouragement all year round.
I also found this article. I'd love to know what everyone thought of it.
Its a little long and a lot controversial and might just shake up one of our biggest "Traditions of man" beliefs that we have. Hope you are interested enough to take a look.
My BRF is gonna go on late when the kids are in bed.
I know I didn't BRF last week, I did read ch 1-4 several times though... more than I read the 5-8 that I will be posting on.. go figure!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
home again, home again, jiggety jig
Well, I'm back from the big city!!
Cities I should say... lots of buildings, more cars, parking garages that never end...
Ok, how many people when they travel actually get to have a really good tour of a parking garage?? Not many.
Ang not only showed me around the parking garage but showed me how to play a GREAT game of Scavenger Hunt meets the Amazing Race.
We got a clue... a partial clue... and a panic button for the car and off we went to discover... we can't read a ticket for the garage which apparently tells you where to go and Ang is as blind as a bat regarding the huge cement posts in the parking garage. But that's ok, cuz we got to play this neat new game and she did, after all, carry the big suitcase!!
Aunt Anne, Angela and I had the most amazing time at the Kay Arthur conf. It was so far beyond anything I've ever been to. I don't know enough Bible. Simple as that. I have some new precept studies for me, the kids... oh and a few for Dave. We can get more later.
Thanks to A. Anne for the complete works of John McArthur in a box... Logos for the computer which also has a complete pastoral reference library.
Dave is gonna be cookin' smart!!!
We will be switching our reading programs to precepts studies beginning almost immediately. I need to order a few more things. They have an amazing kids line already and they are, of course, pumping out more studies faster than you can blink.
They have 4 studies to do the book of Genesis, 3 on the book of John, a couple on Revelation.. more to come there.. Jonah, James, Who is God?, How to Study the Bible for kids, on and on...
As a homeschooling Mom I have the rare privilege of having my kids study well what is important. Some of the precept upon precept studies are of post university quality. In those studies the book of Rev. takes over 2 years to complete. This is an exhaustive study!!
Of course most of them won't take that long.
You can also get studies that are 20 min per day and then some that are 40 min a week... one lesson with no homework that are wonderful for Sunday School classes.
http://www.preceptministries.ca/
This is the link to find out more info.
I'm not making so much as a penny for this blurb!!! I think its important.
Time is short. We need to prioritize.
Other than that. I ate too much this weekend. Lots too much!! Way to many desserts and that's ok!! I'm home now... except Dave was getting food for the weekend. Way to many unhealthy snacks at my home right now. I'm gonna weigh a ton when I have this kid.
Gwen and Luke are doing great. We are going up for a birthday party this weekend and I will get to meet the little(?) guy!! I'm wondering if he's getting enough attention... first boy... 4 older sisters.... maybe!
Hopefully Gwen gets her turn to see the wee man!!
Dave has toddled off to bed...
I must go too.
Cities I should say... lots of buildings, more cars, parking garages that never end...
Ok, how many people when they travel actually get to have a really good tour of a parking garage?? Not many.
Ang not only showed me around the parking garage but showed me how to play a GREAT game of Scavenger Hunt meets the Amazing Race.
We got a clue... a partial clue... and a panic button for the car and off we went to discover... we can't read a ticket for the garage which apparently tells you where to go and Ang is as blind as a bat regarding the huge cement posts in the parking garage. But that's ok, cuz we got to play this neat new game and she did, after all, carry the big suitcase!!
Aunt Anne, Angela and I had the most amazing time at the Kay Arthur conf. It was so far beyond anything I've ever been to. I don't know enough Bible. Simple as that. I have some new precept studies for me, the kids... oh and a few for Dave. We can get more later.
Thanks to A. Anne for the complete works of John McArthur in a box... Logos for the computer which also has a complete pastoral reference library.
Dave is gonna be cookin' smart!!!
We will be switching our reading programs to precepts studies beginning almost immediately. I need to order a few more things. They have an amazing kids line already and they are, of course, pumping out more studies faster than you can blink.
They have 4 studies to do the book of Genesis, 3 on the book of John, a couple on Revelation.. more to come there.. Jonah, James, Who is God?, How to Study the Bible for kids, on and on...
As a homeschooling Mom I have the rare privilege of having my kids study well what is important. Some of the precept upon precept studies are of post university quality. In those studies the book of Rev. takes over 2 years to complete. This is an exhaustive study!!
Of course most of them won't take that long.
You can also get studies that are 20 min per day and then some that are 40 min a week... one lesson with no homework that are wonderful for Sunday School classes.
http://www.preceptministries.ca/
This is the link to find out more info.
I'm not making so much as a penny for this blurb!!! I think its important.
Time is short. We need to prioritize.
Other than that. I ate too much this weekend. Lots too much!! Way to many desserts and that's ok!! I'm home now... except Dave was getting food for the weekend. Way to many unhealthy snacks at my home right now. I'm gonna weigh a ton when I have this kid.
Gwen and Luke are doing great. We are going up for a birthday party this weekend and I will get to meet the little(?) guy!! I'm wondering if he's getting enough attention... first boy... 4 older sisters.... maybe!
Hopefully Gwen gets her turn to see the wee man!!
Dave has toddled off to bed...
I must go too.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
BRF Jonah and Kay Arthur
All I have to say about Jonah is that it really bothered me.
After Jonah did the rebellion thing and the near drowning thing he was miraculously saved AND KNEW IT. Then he did his little messenger thing and threw a sulk fit that was worthy of any middle schooler. No offense kids, you can't help puberty!
Was Jonah 12?
Did he really through a snit fit at God?
God really can use anyone!!
However, we just finished up the most wonderfully awesome precept study conference weekend with Kay Arthur where we studied Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation, Hosea, Isaiah and Zachariah. I can not describe to you how incredibly real those sessions were and how the Bible came alive.
I purchased some of the precept studies and will be praying for an opportunity to share the word with more people.
It was amazing the people that I met, the divine appointments God had in store for me and some of the wonderful women that facilitated the appts and encouraged me. I do NOT believe in coincidences... one woman met me who upon finding out I was from NB absolutely had to have me meet a woman she just met from Halifax, who just happened to be sitting in the same pew as me in this ginormous church, who also happened to be staying with friends in Guelph, who also just happened to be going through a horrific time at her church even though she and her husband are standing firmly on God's word, who just happened to know the new pastor at the church that has really hurt us this winter and could offer the most amazing encouragement to me and could also give a good character reference to Pastor Chris and Sandy about us.
Do you think this is a coincidence??
We met in Brampton where neither of us had even stopped in before.
This appt was definitely set up by God.
If anyone EVER has a chance to go to a Kay Arthur or precept seminar GO!!!
Do not hesitate.
If anyone is looking to get to know the Bible better, get yourself a good precept Bible study. They have them on about every book of the Bible in weekly SSchool type studies, Inductive 15 min per day studies, and lets get down and dirty into the word with our sleeves rolled up precept upon precept study.
The time we have is short.
We need to prioritize.
As Kay said, "Instead of fighting the war we are in we tend to stay home and weave daisy chains."
This woman is 73 years old and gives everything of herself to see that as many people as she can in countries all over the world learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.
She has written about 100 Bible studies and books, learned the Bible like no one else I've ever seen, constantly travels around encouraging others to study and share, gives her best to the people at the conferences (she spoke for a total of 7 hours today... at 73!) and more.
What are we doing for the Lord?
Where is our energy going?
What are we teaching our children?
As homeschooling moms is the Bible our primary focus?
Is the study of God's Word more important than Math, science, history??
Why are we buying readers and other books to learn reading from when we can teach them with God's word?
If the knowledge of God's word is the most important subject they can learn, do we show that with the amount of time we spend in the word daily with our children?
They have treasure seeking kids Bible studies for kids. They are amazing!!
They will also be what my kids will be doing for reading from now on. There are so many studies we will not run out.
My kids need to be ready for service.
So do I!
Watch out world... here we come!!!
After Jonah did the rebellion thing and the near drowning thing he was miraculously saved AND KNEW IT. Then he did his little messenger thing and threw a sulk fit that was worthy of any middle schooler. No offense kids, you can't help puberty!
Was Jonah 12?
Did he really through a snit fit at God?
God really can use anyone!!
However, we just finished up the most wonderfully awesome precept study conference weekend with Kay Arthur where we studied Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation, Hosea, Isaiah and Zachariah. I can not describe to you how incredibly real those sessions were and how the Bible came alive.
I purchased some of the precept studies and will be praying for an opportunity to share the word with more people.
It was amazing the people that I met, the divine appointments God had in store for me and some of the wonderful women that facilitated the appts and encouraged me. I do NOT believe in coincidences... one woman met me who upon finding out I was from NB absolutely had to have me meet a woman she just met from Halifax, who just happened to be sitting in the same pew as me in this ginormous church, who also happened to be staying with friends in Guelph, who also just happened to be going through a horrific time at her church even though she and her husband are standing firmly on God's word, who just happened to know the new pastor at the church that has really hurt us this winter and could offer the most amazing encouragement to me and could also give a good character reference to Pastor Chris and Sandy about us.
Do you think this is a coincidence??
We met in Brampton where neither of us had even stopped in before.
This appt was definitely set up by God.
If anyone EVER has a chance to go to a Kay Arthur or precept seminar GO!!!
Do not hesitate.
If anyone is looking to get to know the Bible better, get yourself a good precept Bible study. They have them on about every book of the Bible in weekly SSchool type studies, Inductive 15 min per day studies, and lets get down and dirty into the word with our sleeves rolled up precept upon precept study.
The time we have is short.
We need to prioritize.
As Kay said, "Instead of fighting the war we are in we tend to stay home and weave daisy chains."
This woman is 73 years old and gives everything of herself to see that as many people as she can in countries all over the world learn the gospel of Jesus Christ.
She has written about 100 Bible studies and books, learned the Bible like no one else I've ever seen, constantly travels around encouraging others to study and share, gives her best to the people at the conferences (she spoke for a total of 7 hours today... at 73!) and more.
What are we doing for the Lord?
Where is our energy going?
What are we teaching our children?
As homeschooling moms is the Bible our primary focus?
Is the study of God's Word more important than Math, science, history??
Why are we buying readers and other books to learn reading from when we can teach them with God's word?
If the knowledge of God's word is the most important subject they can learn, do we show that with the amount of time we spend in the word daily with our children?
They have treasure seeking kids Bible studies for kids. They are amazing!!
They will also be what my kids will be doing for reading from now on. There are so many studies we will not run out.
My kids need to be ready for service.
So do I!
Watch out world... here we come!!!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Welcome Baby Luke
Welcome to the world Baby Luke McQuarrie.
Luke Gordon was born today at 1:29 pm.
He is already half grown at an amazing 11 1bs 12.5 oz.
Can we say OUCH!!
Gwen and Luke are doing fine.
I can't wait to meet him!!!!
Make that he was born yesterday April 11th as I see it is past midnight!
Luke Gordon was born today at 1:29 pm.
He is already half grown at an amazing 11 1bs 12.5 oz.
Can we say OUCH!!
Gwen and Luke are doing fine.
I can't wait to meet him!!!!
Make that he was born yesterday April 11th as I see it is past midnight!
Monday, April 09, 2007
Don't even feel you need to read this... its really nothing!
3 more days until takeoff!!!!
Caitlyn and I just folded an enormous pile of laundry which everyone helped put away.
One load in the dryer, one in the washer and we are caught up until at least suppertime!!
Caitlyn is making lunch... she's sure I'm never gonna get to it.. it is 2:00 after all.
I think the kids will all be going outside after lunch.
Except for the ones that are going down down for a nap.
Courtney is sweeping.
Justin is sleeping.
Jack is happy squawking.
Lunch is ready.
This has been a productive day.. so far.
I'm even having time to blog about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!
Caitlyn and I just folded an enormous pile of laundry which everyone helped put away.
One load in the dryer, one in the washer and we are caught up until at least suppertime!!
Caitlyn is making lunch... she's sure I'm never gonna get to it.. it is 2:00 after all.
I think the kids will all be going outside after lunch.
Except for the ones that are going down down for a nap.
Courtney is sweeping.
Justin is sleeping.
Jack is happy squawking.
Lunch is ready.
This has been a productive day.. so far.
I'm even having time to blog about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Not yer typical Easter Sunday Morning
I really have to blog this Easter Sunday morning... when I should be in church... and am NOT!
You see, my boys have this tendency to dig big holes. I do not like this tendency at all. They are worse than the dog.
They dug a big hole in the driveway. I told them in no uncertain terms (insert yelling like a maniac) that this was dangerous and not in the least acceptable and they were to fill it in immediately.
They filled all right... with water.
This iced over and then snowed over and it appeared that the hole was taken care of.
Not.
Dave had taken the boys and Courtney to church in the car and I was going to follow a little bit later with the 2 girls that need to look perfect before they leave the house. I must admit they did look pretty good!!
We backed up the van and as I was about to go forwards the ice under the front wheel broke and down we went into the hole. That hole is pretty deep. The van is sitting on this sick little tilt and Caitlyn, Molly, Justin and I are not going to go anywhere!!
Molly and I have had our cry. She loves church. Easter morning happens to be my favourite service and we were not happy campers.
So we suck it up and decide to make our table beautiful and put together the most wonderful roast beef dinner that we can get up.
We even have Velveeta cheese to make sauce for the veggies... and new potatoes...
I wish church were closer so Dave could have come back to get us, but its 1/2 hour away and the service would be over before we got there.
I guess I should get the veggies prepared.
Happy, happy day!!
You see, my boys have this tendency to dig big holes. I do not like this tendency at all. They are worse than the dog.
They dug a big hole in the driveway. I told them in no uncertain terms (insert yelling like a maniac) that this was dangerous and not in the least acceptable and they were to fill it in immediately.
They filled all right... with water.
This iced over and then snowed over and it appeared that the hole was taken care of.
Not.
Dave had taken the boys and Courtney to church in the car and I was going to follow a little bit later with the 2 girls that need to look perfect before they leave the house. I must admit they did look pretty good!!
We backed up the van and as I was about to go forwards the ice under the front wheel broke and down we went into the hole. That hole is pretty deep. The van is sitting on this sick little tilt and Caitlyn, Molly, Justin and I are not going to go anywhere!!
Molly and I have had our cry. She loves church. Easter morning happens to be my favourite service and we were not happy campers.
So we suck it up and decide to make our table beautiful and put together the most wonderful roast beef dinner that we can get up.
We even have Velveeta cheese to make sauce for the veggies... and new potatoes...
I wish church were closer so Dave could have come back to get us, but its 1/2 hour away and the service would be over before we got there.
I guess I should get the veggies prepared.
Happy, happy day!!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
BRF -- Galatians
Nothing too earth shattering this week.
I really enjoyed Galatians.
I love the way Paul doesn't beat around the bush... he jumps right into why he's writing this letter.
Greetings, blah, blah, blah... vs 6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- (7) which is really no gospel at all."
Hi guys WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU THINKING?
vs 10 really sums up how Paul is. "Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
I don't think anyone would accuse me to be a pleaser of men. I have plenty of problems, but I really could care less what anyone thinks of me. But I'm not so bold as Paul. He stood up to the core of Jesus' disciples, now the apostles. I love when he says that Peter was clearly in the wrong so he rebuked him in front of everyone. If you sin in front of everyone I guess being rebuked in front of all of them is fair. I just don't think I would ever do that!
The prophets of old rebuked in front of audiences.
Remember Nathan rebuking David about the Bathsheba/adultery/murder/cover up thing?
Maybe its loving to confront someone openly knowing they have 2 choices... hate you for life or repent publicly. Ouch.
Its so hard to not get caught up in the law. Freedom in Christ is a wonderful thing. Having the heart of Christ is a wonderful thing. Knowing the law helps to understand the holiness of God. The balance is being Christlike in His holiness and still free from the law. That is, for me anyway, a tough call sometimes.
I don't want to be burdened by a yoke of slavery, but what all is the law?
What are we free from? What about tithing? Is that part of the law? Is that still required today or is that the church trying to finance itself. If you are part of a home church do you still tithe? and to who? Is giving the way we are to go now? Does percentage matter? or does whatever we can give matter? Jesus said the woman with the 2 mites gave more than the Pharisees with their tithes. Did she give a tithe or what she had left from her meager store after she paid her rent and bought the groceries? Is all that she had everything until her next "paycheck" or all that she was ever going to have forever?
Sometimes all that I have is literally dumping out the change from my purse knowing that is it until the next pay... and it hasn't been a tithe. Thankfully we have had pay raises since. Where exactly is the freedom here?
Is it more important to give our tithe to the church for the newest gadgets they will be purchasing or to get christian curriculum for our kids to teach them at home? Does giving to registered charity make it a tithe and giving to an unregistered charity such as our homeschool make it not part of giving to the Lord.
Where does freedom come in and following the law go out?
I know that finances are not exactly what Paul is going with here, but this is the area of freedom vs the law that we keep struggling with. Everything we have is God's. We have a home to raise the children He gave us to raise, to offer hospitality to others in and to learn His word in. Our van is to not only schlepp our family around in, but to visit others and maybe even schlepp them around in. Everything we have is to be used for whatever purpose God has given them to us for. Most of all is to take care of and train our children to be warriors for His kingdom.
These are our busy at home with small children years which may not seem as productive as our get out and minister actively in the community years were (and will be again), but no less important. This is also the time when we have less money for tithing as the kids, bless their hearts, require a lot of upkeep!!
Freedom... law... freedom... law...
As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
This is the heart of the book. Chuck the law. Stop picking on the other believers... just do good to them... even the ones that are nasty to us.
Oh boy. That opens a new can of worms. What about those who have spent a good deal of the past year slandering us? What about the ones that have believed the slander and told us off and ignored us? How on earth do we do good to them?
Jumpins!! Wish I hadn't had that thought! Now I may have to go waaay outside my comfort zone and start actively loving some "enemies" that I don't even like.
I'm going to need some prayer for this one girls.
Did anyone notice this Bible just keeps getting sharper and sharper??
I really don't want to change... but how can I grow closer to the Lord and not change?
Ideas... anyone?
Did I say nothing too earth shattering this week? I feel like my world is about to be turned upside down.
I really enjoyed Galatians.
I love the way Paul doesn't beat around the bush... he jumps right into why he's writing this letter.
Greetings, blah, blah, blah... vs 6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- (7) which is really no gospel at all."
Hi guys WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU THINKING?
vs 10 really sums up how Paul is. "Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
I don't think anyone would accuse me to be a pleaser of men. I have plenty of problems, but I really could care less what anyone thinks of me. But I'm not so bold as Paul. He stood up to the core of Jesus' disciples, now the apostles. I love when he says that Peter was clearly in the wrong so he rebuked him in front of everyone. If you sin in front of everyone I guess being rebuked in front of all of them is fair. I just don't think I would ever do that!
The prophets of old rebuked in front of audiences.
Remember Nathan rebuking David about the Bathsheba/adultery/murder/cover up thing?
Maybe its loving to confront someone openly knowing they have 2 choices... hate you for life or repent publicly. Ouch.
Its so hard to not get caught up in the law. Freedom in Christ is a wonderful thing. Having the heart of Christ is a wonderful thing. Knowing the law helps to understand the holiness of God. The balance is being Christlike in His holiness and still free from the law. That is, for me anyway, a tough call sometimes.
I don't want to be burdened by a yoke of slavery, but what all is the law?
What are we free from? What about tithing? Is that part of the law? Is that still required today or is that the church trying to finance itself. If you are part of a home church do you still tithe? and to who? Is giving the way we are to go now? Does percentage matter? or does whatever we can give matter? Jesus said the woman with the 2 mites gave more than the Pharisees with their tithes. Did she give a tithe or what she had left from her meager store after she paid her rent and bought the groceries? Is all that she had everything until her next "paycheck" or all that she was ever going to have forever?
Sometimes all that I have is literally dumping out the change from my purse knowing that is it until the next pay... and it hasn't been a tithe. Thankfully we have had pay raises since. Where exactly is the freedom here?
Is it more important to give our tithe to the church for the newest gadgets they will be purchasing or to get christian curriculum for our kids to teach them at home? Does giving to registered charity make it a tithe and giving to an unregistered charity such as our homeschool make it not part of giving to the Lord.
Where does freedom come in and following the law go out?
I know that finances are not exactly what Paul is going with here, but this is the area of freedom vs the law that we keep struggling with. Everything we have is God's. We have a home to raise the children He gave us to raise, to offer hospitality to others in and to learn His word in. Our van is to not only schlepp our family around in, but to visit others and maybe even schlepp them around in. Everything we have is to be used for whatever purpose God has given them to us for. Most of all is to take care of and train our children to be warriors for His kingdom.
These are our busy at home with small children years which may not seem as productive as our get out and minister actively in the community years were (and will be again), but no less important. This is also the time when we have less money for tithing as the kids, bless their hearts, require a lot of upkeep!!
Freedom... law... freedom... law...
As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
This is the heart of the book. Chuck the law. Stop picking on the other believers... just do good to them... even the ones that are nasty to us.
Oh boy. That opens a new can of worms. What about those who have spent a good deal of the past year slandering us? What about the ones that have believed the slander and told us off and ignored us? How on earth do we do good to them?
Jumpins!! Wish I hadn't had that thought! Now I may have to go waaay outside my comfort zone and start actively loving some "enemies" that I don't even like.
I'm going to need some prayer for this one girls.
Did anyone notice this Bible just keeps getting sharper and sharper??
I really don't want to change... but how can I grow closer to the Lord and not change?
Ideas... anyone?
Did I say nothing too earth shattering this week? I feel like my world is about to be turned upside down.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Just another Monday
Today we watched Dave sail into the bright gray yonder...
He's off to Chicago!!!
Thankfully the rain and snow held off until after the flight took off.
We were able to stay outside and wave as the plane took off and became a tiny speck in the sky.
Then, off to Wendy's for a drive through dinner and then to AWANA.
Last week Molly told her cubbies leaders that Mommy is having a baby and SHE is going to be the Mommy when its born.
The secret is out.
I am a surrogate mom for my 4 year old daughter.
She is "practising" with her dolls to feed it.
Yeah.
We have some interesting kids.
Everyone went to bed well tonight.
Even Justin only cried for a minute.
They all are hyped about our cleaning day tomorrow.
Whats up with that?
Matt has us on a schedule that he found in his reading book that has him sleeping for 9 hours, doing chores for 5 1/2 hours, eating for 2 hours, exercise for 2 hours, hunting relics for 2 hours, hunting and fishing... etc...
He's taking the hunting and fishing hours as free time.
Reading for 1 1/2 hours... that would be school work. If it goes over the 90 min he will take it from the choring hours.
He believes we all need to be up at 6am to take up our new lifestyle.
Oh yes, devotions after breakfast for 1/2 hour... "Do we have a bell? It would make it easier?"
Yesterday he grumbled about helping clean up for 15 min and he is now wondering how he can fill 5 1/2 hours with chores?? Think of the spit spot house I would have... inside and out.... if everyone did 5 1/2 hours of chores cheerfully every day.
Ok... I'll see how tomorrow goes. Even a few days of this could make a big difference!
I'd best get to bed and set the alarm for 7:30 am.
I refuse to get out of bed at 6am for no good reason.
Not only that..
Dave is calling me when he gets to his room tonight... er tomorrow morning between 1 and 2 am!! Hopefully I will answer the phone before it wakes all the kids!
g'night!
He's off to Chicago!!!
Thankfully the rain and snow held off until after the flight took off.
We were able to stay outside and wave as the plane took off and became a tiny speck in the sky.
Then, off to Wendy's for a drive through dinner and then to AWANA.
Last week Molly told her cubbies leaders that Mommy is having a baby and SHE is going to be the Mommy when its born.
The secret is out.
I am a surrogate mom for my 4 year old daughter.
She is "practising" with her dolls to feed it.
Yeah.
We have some interesting kids.
Everyone went to bed well tonight.
Even Justin only cried for a minute.
They all are hyped about our cleaning day tomorrow.
Whats up with that?
Matt has us on a schedule that he found in his reading book that has him sleeping for 9 hours, doing chores for 5 1/2 hours, eating for 2 hours, exercise for 2 hours, hunting relics for 2 hours, hunting and fishing... etc...
He's taking the hunting and fishing hours as free time.
Reading for 1 1/2 hours... that would be school work. If it goes over the 90 min he will take it from the choring hours.
He believes we all need to be up at 6am to take up our new lifestyle.
Oh yes, devotions after breakfast for 1/2 hour... "Do we have a bell? It would make it easier?"
Yesterday he grumbled about helping clean up for 15 min and he is now wondering how he can fill 5 1/2 hours with chores?? Think of the spit spot house I would have... inside and out.... if everyone did 5 1/2 hours of chores cheerfully every day.
Ok... I'll see how tomorrow goes. Even a few days of this could make a big difference!
I'd best get to bed and set the alarm for 7:30 am.
I refuse to get out of bed at 6am for no good reason.
Not only that..
Dave is calling me when he gets to his room tonight... er tomorrow morning between 1 and 2 am!! Hopefully I will answer the phone before it wakes all the kids!
g'night!
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