Thursday, December 9, 2010
Verses on Raising Children
Luke 2:52 - Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, in favor with God, and in favor with man. We should help our children do the same. Romans 12:11-18 - We should model to our children the concepts in these verses. We shouldn't do things slothfully; we should do our best and be fair. We should be hopeful even when life brings trials. We should help others and show hospitality. Don't speak ill of our enemies, but pray for them and do good to them. Share with others - be happy for the great fortune of others, and cry with those whose hearts are breaking. Don't show favorites based on status. Don't try to get revenge. Live in peace. These are ways we can live Deuteronomy 6:7 as training being something we do all the time. Remember, your children see you, and they are listening...
Saturday, September 18, 2010
What Do You Think About?
Can you quote pieces of movies? Can you sing along with the radio on practically every song? How does your movie knowledge compare with your knowledge of Scripture? How often do you quote from God's Word? How often do you sing hymns or spiritual songs? Are your friends mainly Christians, or are they people of the world?
The things we allow into our life are the things we dwell on. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. -Philippians 4:8 What knids of thoughts are you having when you watch a movie, listen to the radio, or even read a book? I'm not saying they are all bad, but lots of them have at least some questionable content. These are the things on which we are allowing ourselves to meditate. It only stands to reason that if we are meditating on questionable things, then we aren't meditating on the things we should. What do you tend to talk about with your friends? Matthew12:34 - ...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. This is a good indiation of what our hearts are thinking.
Is it wrong to watch a movie or television, listen to the radio, read a book, or whatever else you do for entertainment? No, it doesn't have to be. We are to diligently guard our heart against the wiles of Satan. Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Satan has blatantly satuurated our entertainment, and if we're not careful, it is no longer wholesome. It is no longer wholesome if we have to rationalize it in any way. "Just ignore the _____." You can fill in the blank with profanity, violence, sex, nudity, bad attitudes, immodest clothing, disrespect, etc. All Satan needs is a single foothold, and that's what these are.
We are to take captive every thought we have and make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10:4 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. We can't do that if we are filling our hearts with worldly ideas. We will reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7-8 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. What will you reap?
The things we allow into our life are the things we dwell on. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. -Philippians 4:8 What knids of thoughts are you having when you watch a movie, listen to the radio, or even read a book? I'm not saying they are all bad, but lots of them have at least some questionable content. These are the things on which we are allowing ourselves to meditate. It only stands to reason that if we are meditating on questionable things, then we aren't meditating on the things we should. What do you tend to talk about with your friends? Matthew12:34 - ...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. This is a good indiation of what our hearts are thinking.
Is it wrong to watch a movie or television, listen to the radio, read a book, or whatever else you do for entertainment? No, it doesn't have to be. We are to diligently guard our heart against the wiles of Satan. Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Satan has blatantly satuurated our entertainment, and if we're not careful, it is no longer wholesome. It is no longer wholesome if we have to rationalize it in any way. "Just ignore the _____." You can fill in the blank with profanity, violence, sex, nudity, bad attitudes, immodest clothing, disrespect, etc. All Satan needs is a single foothold, and that's what these are.
We are to take captive every thought we have and make it obedient to Christ. II Corinthians 10:4 - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. We can't do that if we are filling our hearts with worldly ideas. We will reap what we sow. Galatians 6:7-8 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. What will you reap?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Announcing...
Thomas Donovan Segerson! He was born April 1 at 3:31 p.m. He was a whopping 6 lbs. 15.8 oz. ( I say that sarcastically) and 19 3/4 inches long. He has brown hair, dark blue eyes, and already has a darker tan than me (from his daddy's side).
At first, his name didn't seem to really fit, and I was thinking of going back to my previous choice of Joseph. But now he seems to be growing into it or we seem to be getting used to it. He's nursing very well, and the Lord has blessed me with a very good milk supply.
Sorry it's taken so long to post even this much. The birth did not go the way I expected or wanted, and it's taking me a while to deal with it. I remember everything before we went to the hospital very well, and the same for the pushing part, but almost nothing in between except for terror, sadness, and tears. So when I can, I will write the birth story based on Dh's notes.
At first, his name didn't seem to really fit, and I was thinking of going back to my previous choice of Joseph. But now he seems to be growing into it or we seem to be getting used to it. He's nursing very well, and the Lord has blessed me with a very good milk supply.
Sorry it's taken so long to post even this much. The birth did not go the way I expected or wanted, and it's taking me a while to deal with it. I remember everything before we went to the hospital very well, and the same for the pushing part, but almost nothing in between except for terror, sadness, and tears. So when I can, I will write the birth story based on Dh's notes.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Funerals
I'm always so saddened to go to funerals, extra especially the ones for loved ones. This week, I attended the funeral of a brother in Christ. He will be so missed by his family and friends!
I am looking forward to being reunited with Christians who have passed on in paradise. But even more than that, I am looking forward to heaven, where there will be no more pain, death, or mourning.
I am looking forward to being reunited with Christians who have passed on in paradise. But even more than that, I am looking forward to heaven, where there will be no more pain, death, or mourning.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wanted: Preacher
While looking for a preacher for a congregation, so many people won't even consider a man unless he has a college degree from a Christian University. They feel a preacher must be adequately trained in preaching God's word. What ever happened to the way it was done in the first century church? It wasn't just "preachers" who were told to go into all the world and preach (Mark 16:15). It wasn't just "preachers" who were told to visit the sick and those in prison (Matthew 25:33-46) or to take care of the widows and orphans (James 1:27). Those are jobs that were only given to specific people, and it wasn't preachers. Get this: Those jobs were given to Christians. Do you want to know something else? All Christians are also told to teach Christ to others too. We're all to get out there and do these things. Even if we've never been "trained". There was no religious training even available for centuries after the church began. Because God's strength is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). And even though we may think God's methods are too simplistic for modern times, the most simplistic of God's ways is way better than the most sophisticated method any person can come up with. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), but they certainly are better!
And where did the bragging come from? "Our preacher graduated from _____ University. You know all the best preachers come out of there!" "Really, well ours was trained at _____School of Preaching. They specialize in preachers who are sound." This is so frustrating for me to hear because nowhere in the Bible does it even hint that a Christian must be educated at all before sharing the gospel. I don't think it's bad for someone to go to a Christian University or such for training, but I certainly don't think it should be part of a congregation's qualifications! Furthermore, it doesn't make someone any better of a Christian to go to one of these schools. And I went to a Christian University! I chose the one I attended because it had a reputation for being a strong, sound-in-the-faith school. "Good preachers come from there." And while all of these assertions were true, it's also true that just because a student got their degree from there didn't mean they were sound. There was mandatory chapel every day and mandatory Bible classes for every student, regardless of major. These can be good things. But what was taught in these Bible classes that made them so special? Bible, yes. And the opinions of approved textbooks, commentaries, and professors. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that textbooks, commentaries, or professors are bad. My point is that the Bible is completely equipped to give us all the training we need as Christians. While commentaries and the such can be helpful, we need to remember they're not inspired or infallible because they're man-made. So are Christian schools. While they can be very beneficial, we need to keep in mind that it is still a man-made institution, run by men, and subject to all kinds of things.
Apparently (according to modern tradition), a good sermon follows a very precise formula:
Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate what is important and put our priorities in order. Are we putting our faith in things from above or in the traditions of men?
And where did the bragging come from? "Our preacher graduated from _____ University. You know all the best preachers come out of there!" "Really, well ours was trained at _____School of Preaching. They specialize in preachers who are sound." This is so frustrating for me to hear because nowhere in the Bible does it even hint that a Christian must be educated at all before sharing the gospel. I don't think it's bad for someone to go to a Christian University or such for training, but I certainly don't think it should be part of a congregation's qualifications! Furthermore, it doesn't make someone any better of a Christian to go to one of these schools. And I went to a Christian University! I chose the one I attended because it had a reputation for being a strong, sound-in-the-faith school. "Good preachers come from there." And while all of these assertions were true, it's also true that just because a student got their degree from there didn't mean they were sound. There was mandatory chapel every day and mandatory Bible classes for every student, regardless of major. These can be good things. But what was taught in these Bible classes that made them so special? Bible, yes. And the opinions of approved textbooks, commentaries, and professors. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying that textbooks, commentaries, or professors are bad. My point is that the Bible is completely equipped to give us all the training we need as Christians. While commentaries and the such can be helpful, we need to remember they're not inspired or infallible because they're man-made. So are Christian schools. While they can be very beneficial, we need to keep in mind that it is still a man-made institution, run by men, and subject to all kinds of things.
Apparently (according to modern tradition), a good sermon follows a very precise formula:
- It should consist of no more than 4 points (and that's pushing it) that all support the main point.
- You should be able to put an outline of it on the bulletin.
- It should fit within a specific time slot, never going over into lunch.
- It should be pleasing to the ears of the audience and make them feel good.
- It should generate enough energy to bring in more people.
- The person delivering it must wear the proper suit and tie.
Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate what is important and put our priorities in order. Are we putting our faith in things from above or in the traditions of men?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Things That Are Right
So many times, things go wrong, and that's all we seem to focus on. There isn't ever an end to the bad news. Today, I want to tell you about things that are not bad - these are things that are just right.
I enjoy my children and being around them and watching them learn and grow. This morning, I snuck in on them, and they were all snuggled up together fast asleep, holding hands. They have this love for one another, and I hope they never lose that.
I am so grateful that I have a husband who loves us and wants to take care of us and will go the extra mile for us. He wants to do special things for us, and he often does the little things that mean the most. He works to make sure we have a comfortable home. O.k. I better quit talking about him or he's going to not let me blog anymore.
I have been blessed with the relationship that I have with my in-laws, which I often forget are in-laws unless someone points it out :) Before we got married, I had heard so many horror stories about in-laws that I was frankly scared. But I have always felt absolutely loved and cherished by all of my husband's family. Every time I hear of someone getting married, I always pray they have a good relationship with their in-laws like I do.
I get to be a stay-at-home wife, mother, homeschooler, whatever you want to call it. I wouldn't trade it for the world!
When we had a roof put on our house this past summer, it is under warranty. Yay!
We had just enough snow to be fun, but not enough that any damage was done. The anorexic snowman in the yard might disagree... But he can get his own blog!
My ob says the bun in my oven is healthy and happy. God is forming this little babe with love and care and attention. Only 3 more weeks to go until they think it's safe to have this little one. 7 weeks until they predict it will be. ? longer until God says this baby will come. It's all in God's hands, and we aren't going to rush anything. God knows better than any person when it's time.
My children pray every day for all kinds of things. They pray for things adults would never think of and delight in doing this, just as they should. And my oldest likes to prove what people say in the Bible. If you tell him something's right or wrong, you better be prepared to tell him a book, chapter, and verse. We're working on tact.
When I do go into labor, my daughter says she's going to brush my hair, and my son says he's going to paint my toenails :) I'm going to thank God for every contraction and do some very hard work.
We're all sick, and my husband just called to tell us he's taking us to supper tonight so we don't have to stand up and cook. I had to sneak this one down here so he wouldn't realize I'm still talking about him :) My family eats together. We're not all rushed to the 4 corners of the earth trying to do a million things at once. We just sit down and eat together. And enjoy each other. And when we eat out, we still do it all together. And enjoy each other.
My cats are good mousers. And they leave me presents every once in a while. See how much they love me! They like to snuggle me too. Except the youngest one. He still likes to play the "kill the eels wiggling under the covers" game. And they all like to help me crochet. I don't think I know what it would be like to crochet without them attacking the yarn and making everyone laugh.
2 words - wooly kisses. That's when you get one of those little tickly kisses that make that funny sound that makes your skin feel like it's got wool, and you can't help but laugh. And giving them makes your lips itch. I'm laughing just thinking about them :D
What are some good things that happen to you that you see are just little blessing from God that get unnoticed by most folks? Things God does specifically for you.
I enjoy my children and being around them and watching them learn and grow. This morning, I snuck in on them, and they were all snuggled up together fast asleep, holding hands. They have this love for one another, and I hope they never lose that.
I am so grateful that I have a husband who loves us and wants to take care of us and will go the extra mile for us. He wants to do special things for us, and he often does the little things that mean the most. He works to make sure we have a comfortable home. O.k. I better quit talking about him or he's going to not let me blog anymore.
I have been blessed with the relationship that I have with my in-laws, which I often forget are in-laws unless someone points it out :) Before we got married, I had heard so many horror stories about in-laws that I was frankly scared. But I have always felt absolutely loved and cherished by all of my husband's family. Every time I hear of someone getting married, I always pray they have a good relationship with their in-laws like I do.
I get to be a stay-at-home wife, mother, homeschooler, whatever you want to call it. I wouldn't trade it for the world!
When we had a roof put on our house this past summer, it is under warranty. Yay!
We had just enough snow to be fun, but not enough that any damage was done. The anorexic snowman in the yard might disagree... But he can get his own blog!
My ob says the bun in my oven is healthy and happy. God is forming this little babe with love and care and attention. Only 3 more weeks to go until they think it's safe to have this little one. 7 weeks until they predict it will be. ? longer until God says this baby will come. It's all in God's hands, and we aren't going to rush anything. God knows better than any person when it's time.
My children pray every day for all kinds of things. They pray for things adults would never think of and delight in doing this, just as they should. And my oldest likes to prove what people say in the Bible. If you tell him something's right or wrong, you better be prepared to tell him a book, chapter, and verse. We're working on tact.
When I do go into labor, my daughter says she's going to brush my hair, and my son says he's going to paint my toenails :) I'm going to thank God for every contraction and do some very hard work.
We're all sick, and my husband just called to tell us he's taking us to supper tonight so we don't have to stand up and cook. I had to sneak this one down here so he wouldn't realize I'm still talking about him :) My family eats together. We're not all rushed to the 4 corners of the earth trying to do a million things at once. We just sit down and eat together. And enjoy each other. And when we eat out, we still do it all together. And enjoy each other.
My cats are good mousers. And they leave me presents every once in a while. See how much they love me! They like to snuggle me too. Except the youngest one. He still likes to play the "kill the eels wiggling under the covers" game. And they all like to help me crochet. I don't think I know what it would be like to crochet without them attacking the yarn and making everyone laugh.
2 words - wooly kisses. That's when you get one of those little tickly kisses that make that funny sound that makes your skin feel like it's got wool, and you can't help but laugh. And giving them makes your lips itch. I'm laughing just thinking about them :D
What are some good things that happen to you that you see are just little blessing from God that get unnoticed by most folks? Things God does specifically for you.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Agape Love
In the Bible, there are several kinds of love. I once heard a description of agape love that really stuck with me. Agape love is deciding to give of ourselves for the good of the other person and expecting nothing in return.
This is definitely something that is missing in lots of marriages today. This is one of the things the Love Dare is all about. Putting this kind of love into practice has put many Christian counselors into business! But this is also missing in friendships and how we treat other Christians. It's not one of those character traits we can choose to ignore.
It's a decision, not an emotion. You don't have warm fuzzy feelings about your enemy, but we're told to love them. Matthew 5:43-44, 46 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you... For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Just like we're told to love our neighbors. Sometimes our neighbors aren't the nicest people. Matthew 19:19b - Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Romans 13:10 - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
This is the love we should have for all Christians. John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. I Peter 2:17 - Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
We should be willing to go the distance. John 15:12-13, 17 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends... These things I command you, that ye love one another. We will get out of our comfort zone and help one another out and serve one another. Galatians 5:13 - For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 1 John 3:16-18 - Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
This is how a husband is supposed to love his wife. You can read the whole chapter, but the verses specifically on this are Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself... Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Colossians 3:19 - Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Agape love is how God loves us and how we are to love Him. These verses sum it up better than I can. 1 John 4:7-12, 16-21 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us... And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, perhaps we should focus more on developing agape love in our lives rather than on the chocolate and roses aspect of it all.
This is definitely something that is missing in lots of marriages today. This is one of the things the Love Dare is all about. Putting this kind of love into practice has put many Christian counselors into business! But this is also missing in friendships and how we treat other Christians. It's not one of those character traits we can choose to ignore.
It's a decision, not an emotion. You don't have warm fuzzy feelings about your enemy, but we're told to love them. Matthew 5:43-44, 46 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you... For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? Just like we're told to love our neighbors. Sometimes our neighbors aren't the nicest people. Matthew 19:19b - Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Romans 13:10 - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
This is the love we should have for all Christians. John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. I Peter 2:17 - Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
We should be willing to go the distance. John 15:12-13, 17 - This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends... These things I command you, that ye love one another. We will get out of our comfort zone and help one another out and serve one another. Galatians 5:13 - For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 1 John 3:16-18 - Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
This is how a husband is supposed to love his wife. You can read the whole chapter, but the verses specifically on this are Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself... Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Colossians 3:19 - Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Agape love is how God loves us and how we are to love Him. These verses sum it up better than I can. 1 John 4:7-12, 16-21 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us... And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, perhaps we should focus more on developing agape love in our lives rather than on the chocolate and roses aspect of it all.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Giving
We all know about giving to the Lord. It can be done in lots of ways. Some are the money that we give to the Lord's church, we can give our time, of our things. Jesus even gave His life (Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28). No matter the method we are using to give, "...God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7) God wants the sacrifices and offerings we make to be free will offerings. When we are grudging, it ruins it. Without the love in our attitude, our giving is meaningless (1 Corinthians 13).
It's the same thing with our children. They have chores and tasks they are expected to complete. But we want them to do it with a good attitude and willingly. If they grumble and complain, it's ruined. The grumbling and complaining removes the beauty of their sacrifice.
In Matthew 10 Jesus sent out the 12 apostles. He was giving them their instructions. The last part of verse 8 applies to us as well "...freely ye have received, freely give." God has given to us bountifully! Think of all the things we have that we take for granted every day. Some things we never even think about until they're gone. Even our friendships are a gift from God. It's God's good pleasure to give to us extravagantly (Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.). He's sure not giving grudgingly! O.k. I'm getting off the topic.
Luke 6:30 talks of giving to all who ask (Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.). But then it goes on to say in verse 32 (For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.) that you're doing this because you love them. It's not something you do grudgingly. It's not something you go and brag about ot your friends. See the reward listed in verse 38 (Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.). God's not after a sacrifice we check off our list, or he would have accepted the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.
This is just my thought here, but I've often thought this might be why God doesn't tell us to tithe in the New Testament. I'm not saying tithing is wrong. It can be a very good idea. But we're not bound to tithe as the Old Law bound tithing. See 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 again. We are to think about it in our heart. Give from our heart, not from a list and not so we can complain, but cheerfully. We are to give. There's no doubt about it. God just wants us to watch our attitudes and give with a glad heart and willingly. It's the difference between getting someone a gift because you kow it's expected and getting a gift for someone because you love them and really want to find the right gift and are excited to give it.
Imagine this: A little girl has been playing outside on a warm and sunny morning. She runs inside all breathless and excited. Her cheeks are positively pink with pleasure. "Look, look! I got them just for you!" At this proclomation, she lets her skirt tail down and proudly displays her treasure - a whole big bunch of dandelions. Then she proceeds to empty her pockets too. Those dandelions are the most beautiful boquet a mother or grandmother could hope for! Every one was picked with love and excitement and joy. The kitchen is so much brighter now, and the table is full of cups that have been transformed into vases. There is no way you can see them and NOT smile!
Let your giving be like this. This pure, uncomplicated, worry-free giving. It will be hard not to do it with a hop and a skip in your step. But maybe you shouldn't stifle the urge...
It's the same thing with our children. They have chores and tasks they are expected to complete. But we want them to do it with a good attitude and willingly. If they grumble and complain, it's ruined. The grumbling and complaining removes the beauty of their sacrifice.
In Matthew 10 Jesus sent out the 12 apostles. He was giving them their instructions. The last part of verse 8 applies to us as well "...freely ye have received, freely give." God has given to us bountifully! Think of all the things we have that we take for granted every day. Some things we never even think about until they're gone. Even our friendships are a gift from God. It's God's good pleasure to give to us extravagantly (Luke 12:32 - Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.). He's sure not giving grudgingly! O.k. I'm getting off the topic.
Luke 6:30 talks of giving to all who ask (Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.). But then it goes on to say in verse 32 (For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.) that you're doing this because you love them. It's not something you do grudgingly. It's not something you go and brag about ot your friends. See the reward listed in verse 38 (Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.). God's not after a sacrifice we check off our list, or he would have accepted the Pharisee in Luke 18:11-12.
This is just my thought here, but I've often thought this might be why God doesn't tell us to tithe in the New Testament. I'm not saying tithing is wrong. It can be a very good idea. But we're not bound to tithe as the Old Law bound tithing. See 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 again. We are to think about it in our heart. Give from our heart, not from a list and not so we can complain, but cheerfully. We are to give. There's no doubt about it. God just wants us to watch our attitudes and give with a glad heart and willingly. It's the difference between getting someone a gift because you kow it's expected and getting a gift for someone because you love them and really want to find the right gift and are excited to give it.
Imagine this: A little girl has been playing outside on a warm and sunny morning. She runs inside all breathless and excited. Her cheeks are positively pink with pleasure. "Look, look! I got them just for you!" At this proclomation, she lets her skirt tail down and proudly displays her treasure - a whole big bunch of dandelions. Then she proceeds to empty her pockets too. Those dandelions are the most beautiful boquet a mother or grandmother could hope for! Every one was picked with love and excitement and joy. The kitchen is so much brighter now, and the table is full of cups that have been transformed into vases. There is no way you can see them and NOT smile!
Let your giving be like this. This pure, uncomplicated, worry-free giving. It will be hard not to do it with a hop and a skip in your step. But maybe you shouldn't stifle the urge...
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Low Iron?
Both children and my husband have all had strep throat this week. So far, the Lord has spared me, and I'm so grateful! When we found out my daughter had strep, we also found out she's a little low on iron. Now there are all kinds of non-fun ways to raise your iron levels. But here's a fun way:
Molasses Cookies
3/4 c. real butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. blackstrap molasses (the blackstrap molasses is where the iron comes from)
2 c. wheat flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. sea salt
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground cloves
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 c. sugar
In a mixing bowl, mix butter, 1 c. sugar, and egg till smooth. Stir in molasses. It helps if you grease your measuring cup for the molasses first. In another bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients except the sugar.
Preheat oven to 375. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and roll them in the rest of the sugar in a bowl. Put on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, only until the tops crack. Cool on wire racks.
Store tightly covered with a slice of bread to keep them nice and soft.
Molasses Cookies
3/4 c. real butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. blackstrap molasses (the blackstrap molasses is where the iron comes from)
2 c. wheat flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. sea salt
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground cloves
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 c. sugar
In a mixing bowl, mix butter, 1 c. sugar, and egg till smooth. Stir in molasses. It helps if you grease your measuring cup for the molasses first. In another bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients except the sugar.
Preheat oven to 375. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and roll them in the rest of the sugar in a bowl. Put on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, only until the tops crack. Cool on wire racks.
Store tightly covered with a slice of bread to keep them nice and soft.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Except the Lord Build the House
This was written by my friend Lisa Sipper. I feel she did a superb job of putting this into words.
On Anastasia Island in Florida, there is a little fort which can be toured by taking a ferry across the Matanzas Inlet. In the 1740s, Fort Matanzas was the watchtower for what was known as the “backdoor” of St. Augustine for enemy forces borne by ship, looking to infiltrate the city by surprise. This small, temporary residence was manned by seven soldiers at a time. Their duties were to watch for invading troops, warn the city, and resist the enemy’s invasion by canon fire and musket fire. Within the fort was room for the soldiers to keep their provisions and ammunition, while working in shifts to ensure the safety of the inhabitants within the city of St. Augustine.
Fort Matanzas is not a very imposing fort. It isn’t pretty, and is situated in the middle of nowhere. What soldier would have wanted to be assigned for any length of time in this secluded structure, as opposed to the grand, well-defended Castillo de San Marco in the heart of St. Augustine? Yet, the soldiers who were watchmen for the city knew that standing guard in that tiny fort off the Matanzas Inlet was a serious undertaking. If the job was neglected, St. Augustine would be under surprise attack and the lives of men, women, and children would be lost.
The Bible speaks of the watchman and his role throughout the Old Testament. The word “watchman” is also translated “keeper” in some passages, such as II Kings 11:5, speaking of the “keepers of the watch of the king’s house,” and Esther 2:3, when it talks of Hegai, the “keeper of the women.” The Hebrew word is shawmar. It means to guard, hedge about, and protect. It also includes taking heed to oneself, being aware of the surroundings, and looking about carefully and circumspectly. Being a watchman or keeper requires full attention and alertness. A watchman is responsible for the lives of those for whom he watches.
In Psalm 127, this idea is given in a spiritual sense: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
For Christians who are part of the heavenly city, the Church, these are encouraging words. The watchmen of God do not need to worry or be troubled, for God will provide rest and give His soldiers comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Yet, the remaining verses in the Psalm seem unrelated to the first two verses: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
This brings a greater meaning to the passage and presents what is at the heart of the Church, the Christian home. Just as the Church is the spiritual city of God, so each Christian family is a bastion built to withstand the forces of a spiritual enemy. Just like the Church, the builder of the Christian family is God. Without God as the designer and maker of the fortress of the home, it is vulnerable and only waits to be infiltrated. The duty of each individual family member is to submit to the Designer’s guidance found in His commands and examples in the Bible. God has designed roles for each family member to see to the needs of that spiritual city. If those roles are neglected, the city will not be able to withstand attack, as God, the master builder, designed it to handle.
Psalm 127 also gives ways to prepare for any spiritual attack. One is to be watchful, guarding the inhabitants of the city from spiritual assault. This requires watching for things that might be introduced into the hearts and minds of the family members which are not conducive to a moral, godly standard of living.
As mentioned earlier, the heart and mind shouldn’t be hampered by sorrow or sleeplessness, brought on by worry, when faced with the threat of the fiery darts of the wicked one. Trusting in God’s protection is so vital. It is also lack of faith which prompts the worry; and many times it causes rash, detrimental decisions to be made, keeping the family from trusting in God to see them through.
Another part of preparing for an attack is the training and instruction of the children. Have you ever considered your child as a weapon? What kind of blow is a misdirected arrow going to have in comparison with the arrow that is handled by the God-directed marksman? The marksman prepares and guides the arrow for shooting. We are aiming our children toward the mark of obedience to God. This task requires teaching righteous living and the consequences that come from disobedience. Children must be taught self-discipline in order to follow God’s laws. A child who won’t obey parental authority is going to have greater difficulty being obedient to God. Parents are held accountable for the training that goes on in the home!
Brief detour here: There is an undermining philosophy among families today that incorporating spanking into a child’s training does not teach a child the importance of making the right choices. While there are children with serious disabilities that the above philosophy may apply to, there are overwhelming numbers of families who make excuses, disobeying God’s words of wisdom. Spanking is not enjoyable. It is not an outlet for anger. It is a means to succinctly apply the understanding that there are consequences for bad actions. (Proverbs 23:13-14)
Lastly, Psalm 127 presents the children of the Christian home as speaking to the enemies at the gate without being ashamed. The word for “ashamed” (Hebrew word, boosh) means to become pale with confusion, to be confounded. This implies the children are given instruction within the city on how to speak with the enemy. Children of the Christian home are to be taught what the enemy will tell them and how to respond. When the time comes for them to combat the weapons thrown at them, they will not bow the head and hesitate about how to address what is wrong. They will confront it boldly with knowledge of the power that the builder of their city possesses.
Your Christian home is like Fort Matanzas. It is a small fortress guarding the Church from the backdoor attacks. You have been designated as the watchman! It is your duty and your defense is crucial. Don’t let your guard down; that is the way the city of God gets infiltrated. Don’t neglect your role! Don’t devalue it by the standards the world shoots at you. God has chosen your family to this task. He will protect and provide everything, everything you need, but you must defend His cause by building up your Christian home in obedience to Him!
On Anastasia Island in Florida, there is a little fort which can be toured by taking a ferry across the Matanzas Inlet. In the 1740s, Fort Matanzas was the watchtower for what was known as the “backdoor” of St. Augustine for enemy forces borne by ship, looking to infiltrate the city by surprise. This small, temporary residence was manned by seven soldiers at a time. Their duties were to watch for invading troops, warn the city, and resist the enemy’s invasion by canon fire and musket fire. Within the fort was room for the soldiers to keep their provisions and ammunition, while working in shifts to ensure the safety of the inhabitants within the city of St. Augustine.
Fort Matanzas is not a very imposing fort. It isn’t pretty, and is situated in the middle of nowhere. What soldier would have wanted to be assigned for any length of time in this secluded structure, as opposed to the grand, well-defended Castillo de San Marco in the heart of St. Augustine? Yet, the soldiers who were watchmen for the city knew that standing guard in that tiny fort off the Matanzas Inlet was a serious undertaking. If the job was neglected, St. Augustine would be under surprise attack and the lives of men, women, and children would be lost.
The Bible speaks of the watchman and his role throughout the Old Testament. The word “watchman” is also translated “keeper” in some passages, such as II Kings 11:5, speaking of the “keepers of the watch of the king’s house,” and Esther 2:3, when it talks of Hegai, the “keeper of the women.” The Hebrew word is shawmar. It means to guard, hedge about, and protect. It also includes taking heed to oneself, being aware of the surroundings, and looking about carefully and circumspectly. Being a watchman or keeper requires full attention and alertness. A watchman is responsible for the lives of those for whom he watches.
In Psalm 127, this idea is given in a spiritual sense: Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
For Christians who are part of the heavenly city, the Church, these are encouraging words. The watchmen of God do not need to worry or be troubled, for God will provide rest and give His soldiers comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Yet, the remaining verses in the Psalm seem unrelated to the first two verses: Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
This brings a greater meaning to the passage and presents what is at the heart of the Church, the Christian home. Just as the Church is the spiritual city of God, so each Christian family is a bastion built to withstand the forces of a spiritual enemy. Just like the Church, the builder of the Christian family is God. Without God as the designer and maker of the fortress of the home, it is vulnerable and only waits to be infiltrated. The duty of each individual family member is to submit to the Designer’s guidance found in His commands and examples in the Bible. God has designed roles for each family member to see to the needs of that spiritual city. If those roles are neglected, the city will not be able to withstand attack, as God, the master builder, designed it to handle.
Psalm 127 also gives ways to prepare for any spiritual attack. One is to be watchful, guarding the inhabitants of the city from spiritual assault. This requires watching for things that might be introduced into the hearts and minds of the family members which are not conducive to a moral, godly standard of living.
As mentioned earlier, the heart and mind shouldn’t be hampered by sorrow or sleeplessness, brought on by worry, when faced with the threat of the fiery darts of the wicked one. Trusting in God’s protection is so vital. It is also lack of faith which prompts the worry; and many times it causes rash, detrimental decisions to be made, keeping the family from trusting in God to see them through.
Another part of preparing for an attack is the training and instruction of the children. Have you ever considered your child as a weapon? What kind of blow is a misdirected arrow going to have in comparison with the arrow that is handled by the God-directed marksman? The marksman prepares and guides the arrow for shooting. We are aiming our children toward the mark of obedience to God. This task requires teaching righteous living and the consequences that come from disobedience. Children must be taught self-discipline in order to follow God’s laws. A child who won’t obey parental authority is going to have greater difficulty being obedient to God. Parents are held accountable for the training that goes on in the home!
Brief detour here: There is an undermining philosophy among families today that incorporating spanking into a child’s training does not teach a child the importance of making the right choices. While there are children with serious disabilities that the above philosophy may apply to, there are overwhelming numbers of families who make excuses, disobeying God’s words of wisdom. Spanking is not enjoyable. It is not an outlet for anger. It is a means to succinctly apply the understanding that there are consequences for bad actions. (Proverbs 23:13-14)
Lastly, Psalm 127 presents the children of the Christian home as speaking to the enemies at the gate without being ashamed. The word for “ashamed” (Hebrew word, boosh) means to become pale with confusion, to be confounded. This implies the children are given instruction within the city on how to speak with the enemy. Children of the Christian home are to be taught what the enemy will tell them and how to respond. When the time comes for them to combat the weapons thrown at them, they will not bow the head and hesitate about how to address what is wrong. They will confront it boldly with knowledge of the power that the builder of their city possesses.
Your Christian home is like Fort Matanzas. It is a small fortress guarding the Church from the backdoor attacks. You have been designated as the watchman! It is your duty and your defense is crucial. Don’t let your guard down; that is the way the city of God gets infiltrated. Don’t neglect your role! Don’t devalue it by the standards the world shoots at you. God has chosen your family to this task. He will protect and provide everything, everything you need, but you must defend His cause by building up your Christian home in obedience to Him!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Being Beautiful
My dh asked me last night if there was anything special I wanted for my birthday. I thought about it for a long time, and I don't think I ever came up with anything I could tell him. Being pregnant and, well, rather whale-shaped, I have decided if I could have anything I wanted for my birthday, I would like to feel absolutely, stunningly beautiful. Don't get me wrong - he tells me I'm pretty and all that sweet stuff. I just want to be able to look in the mirror and feel pretty. Or leave my house and not feel like a cow just getting in and out of the car. And it's not that I dislike being pregnant or want it over with. There are beautiful pregnant women out there. Just not me.
So after feeling sorry for myself for a while, I figured I'd better pull myself together and consult the manual. What does the Bible have to say about being beautiful and attractive?
The famous woman of Proverbs 31 teaches us that seeking physical beauty is vain in verse 30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Instead, we are to fear the Lord.
Beauty can be only skin deep. Matthew 23:27 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. We can't be hypocrites and be truly beautiful. God knows how we really are, even if we manage to fool everyone else. We can't fool God.
Romans 10:15 says the feet of those who bring the Gospel of peace to others are beautiful. It won't make my swelling ankles go away, but it will make them beautiful in God's eyes.
Psalm 149: 4 - For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. This verse goes even further and states that we become beautiful through salvation. We are all sinners and in need of salvation to be beautiful to God. We are to worship God in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 - Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.) We're told to be holy many times (I Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.), but now we find it makes us beautiful too.
There are other verses along the same vein all throughout the Bible, but the message is clear. Seeking after physical beauty is a waste of time. I guess some people are blessed with it and others are not. What I should be spending my time on is making myself spiritually beautiful and sharing that with as many as I can.
So what am I going to tell my dh I want for my birthday? I really have no idea. Do you?
So after feeling sorry for myself for a while, I figured I'd better pull myself together and consult the manual. What does the Bible have to say about being beautiful and attractive?
The famous woman of Proverbs 31 teaches us that seeking physical beauty is vain in verse 30 - Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Instead, we are to fear the Lord.
Beauty can be only skin deep. Matthew 23:27 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. We can't be hypocrites and be truly beautiful. God knows how we really are, even if we manage to fool everyone else. We can't fool God.
Romans 10:15 says the feet of those who bring the Gospel of peace to others are beautiful. It won't make my swelling ankles go away, but it will make them beautiful in God's eyes.
Psalm 149: 4 - For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. This verse goes even further and states that we become beautiful through salvation. We are all sinners and in need of salvation to be beautiful to God. We are to worship God in the beauty of holiness. (Psalm 29:2 - Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.) We're told to be holy many times (I Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.), but now we find it makes us beautiful too.
There are other verses along the same vein all throughout the Bible, but the message is clear. Seeking after physical beauty is a waste of time. I guess some people are blessed with it and others are not. What I should be spending my time on is making myself spiritually beautiful and sharing that with as many as I can.
So what am I going to tell my dh I want for my birthday? I really have no idea. Do you?
Testing the Spirits
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
II Corinthians13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
I John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
In all these verses, the word underlined comes from the same Greek word (which I have no idea how to pronounce or spell - I'll leave that to Greek scholars). But it's talking about looking at things and being able to know if they are good or bad, right or wrong. Sometimes it's translated "prove", "try", "qualify", or "allow". But often it's translated as "test". And we really must look at every single thing we believe and test it to see if what we believe is right.
Our word "test" comes from the Latin word testum. It was an earthenware pot or vessel. Later, it came to refer to a vessel or jar used in refining, to separate pure gold and silver from any impurities. Does that remind you of Zechariah 13:9 (And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.)? What about Malachi 3:3 (And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.)? We are to test like this - to identify and remove anything that is impure.
Logically, this means there has to be a standard as to what is right or wrong, pure or impure. It's not up to what each person thinks is right or wrong. There has to be a standard, and that standard is the Bible. Cooks use measuring cups and spoons to cook. Builders use plumb lines when they build. Teachers have answer keys. Tailors have patterns. Religion is where some people draw the line and say it's o.k. to believe whatever you want. That is just not true! God's word is TRUTH (John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.). It is absolute truth. It has to be. If God's word is not absolute truth, then there is no truth at all.
If we are going to test our beliefs and ideas against the standard, then we must know the standard. If you don't know what is right, how will you know what is wrong? You can't test your beliefs if you don't know the standard. Get in the Bible and read it. Read it every day. If you don't have a quiet time for Bible reading, or if you have small children at home, it makes it more challenging to find a good time to do this. But it will be more than worth your effort! Just pick up your Bible and read 5 pages a day. That's not very much to read. I've even known some who read the Bible in the bathroom since that's the only place they can get away from their children. Try one page every time you go. Some people have family members take turns reading it before supper to the rest of the family. I like to get up earlier than my children and use that quiet time. It doesn't matter when you do it or where. But you should read your Bible! After all, there will be a test...
Friday, January 29, 2010
Fond Childhood Memory
As my husband and children are playing out in our whole 3 inches of ice and sleet, I took advantage of the momentary quiet and started another load of laundry. As soon as I started the drier, I remembered something nice from my childhood I'd forgotten.
When it was cold outside and we would go out to play, Mama would always start the drier. The vent led into the back yard, and when my sister and I got cold, we would go stand under the vent to get warm. We would stand under it and let it blow our hair everywhere. Sometimes we would pull our coats out and let it puff them out. That drier vent just made it all funner :)
Hope if you are outside in the winter weather you are enjoying yourself. Be careful and don't forget to come in eventually and get warm!
When it was cold outside and we would go out to play, Mama would always start the drier. The vent led into the back yard, and when my sister and I got cold, we would go stand under the vent to get warm. We would stand under it and let it blow our hair everywhere. Sometimes we would pull our coats out and let it puff them out. That drier vent just made it all funner :)
Hope if you are outside in the winter weather you are enjoying yourself. Be careful and don't forget to come in eventually and get warm!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)