The Pineapple Pundit

Scary Bedtime Prayers

2009-06-04T10:07:00.001-05:00

This is hysterical.

Are you a Jackie? a Marilyn? Or someone else?

2008-10-28T16:25:00.002-05:00

Just for fun!

It is uncanny how a silly little quiz can be so right on the mark. Funny...people in real life haven't been able to peg me as well as this quiz did.

Let me know how it works out for you!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Grace!

You are a Grace -- "I need to understand the world."

Graces have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

How to Get Along with Me

* Be independent, not clingy

* Speak in a straightforward and brief manner

* I need time alone to process my feelings and thoughts

* Remember that If I seem aloof, distant, or arrogant, it may be that I am feeling uncomfortable

* Make me feel welcome, but not too intensely, or I might doubt your sincerity

* If I become irritated when I have to repeat things, it may be because it was such an effort to get my thoughts out in the first place

* don't come on like a bulldozer

* Help me to avoid my pet peeves: big parties, other people's loud music, overdone emotions, and intrusions on my privacy

What I Like About Being a Grace
* standing back and viewing life objectively
* coming to a thorough understanding; perceiving causes and effects
* my sense of integrity: doing what I think is right and not being influenced by social pressure
* not being caught up in material possessions and status
* being calm in a crisis

What's Hard About Being a Grace

* being slow to put my knowledge and insights out in the world

* feeling bad when I act defensive or like a know-it-all

* being pressured to be with people when I don't want to be

* watching others with better social skills, but less intelligence or technical skill, do better professionally

Graces as Children Often

* spend a lot of time alone reading, making collections, and so on

* have a few special friends rather than many

* are very bright and curious and do well in school

* have independent minds and often question their parents and teachers

* watch events from a detached point of view, gathering information

* assume a poker face in order not to look afraid

* are sensitive; avoid interpersonal conflict

* feel intruded upon and controlled and/or ignored and neglected

Graces as Parents

* are often kind, perceptive, and devoted

* are sometimes authoritarian and demanding

* may expect more intellectual achievement than is developmentally appropriate

* may be intolerant of their children expressing strong emotions

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Who Wears the Pants?

2008-09-02T09:30:00.003-05:00

This song is hilarious but there is a deep truth in it. At the very least, I hope it brings a smile to your face. If not, you might need to check your sense of humor and see if it needs a tune-up. Is marriage all about "who wears the pants"? Or is it about sacrificial love and put the other first?

H/T: Gem via Dale Fincher's blog.

Happy 18th Birthday, Arielle Faith!!

2008-08-27T18:25:00.003-05:00

Our second oldest turned 18 today. Not only is she beautiful but she is intelligent and loves the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul. We are so proud of her and we couldn't ask for a more wonderful daughter!

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man.....

2008-07-16T09:36:00.012-05:00

Recently a young girl of 16 wrote about feminine modesty on a blog.

"My mother and I were looking through the JCPenney fall/winter catalogue we got in the mail today. It was so saddening seeing beautiful females cover up their femininity in men’s clothing! There was a beautiful lady wearing a jacket that looked like it could have come from my father’s closet along with cargo pants that looked like men’s as well. It was really sad! This women had beautiful feminine hair and a pleasant face. But when you looked at her clothing, that’s where all the gorgeous beauty ended, because her femininity wasn’t there. She looked androgynous-her hair was feminine, her clothes weren’t. This is why I’m so passionate about this subject. It was tragic to see women cover up their God-given beauty of femininity. Likewise, it would be tragic to see a man walking down the street in a floor-length gown! This is not the way God designed it. In whatever culture or country you’re in, He wants women to be feminine and men to be masculine, whatever that looks like in that particular country."

It was really sad? I could hardly say that this is a reasonable reaction to this picture. Sad? No, not so much.

I wanted to see what she was referring to so I got out my Fall/Winter JCPenney Catalogue and looked for the picture of the beautiful woman wearing men's clothing.

I don't know. That is an outfit I would wear. Actually, I wouldn't mind getting it if the jacket weren't so much money.

I sure hope her dad wouldn't wear the jacket because it is quite feminine...3/4 sleeves, notched cuffs, short cut. At least I would hope he wouldn't wear such a jacket. I really don't think any man would dare to be caught dead in it.

And, cargo pants, depending upon the occasion and setting, could be very appropriate. I personally like them and I have never been accused of being androgynous (indeterminate sex) and I hardly think it is accurate to say that about this model.

Now, look at the picture. Is this an androgynous looking person? Would she be the next "Pat" in the Saturday Night Live sketch? Does her "gorgeous beauty" end at her neck? Is she covering up her God-given femininity? Is it really anyone's business to foist upon others their own personal definition of what a female should look like?

When I look at the picture, I think that this woman likes the outdoors and that she is adventurous. She is beautiful and sporty and she is every ounce a woman even in her cargo pants and her houndstooth jacket.

Deuteronomy 22:5 says this:

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

When looking up the Hebrew, it is not talking about clothing. In that time, men and woman both wore robes. The Hebrew seems to be using words that mean "instruments, utensils, apparatus" when it says "that which pertaineth" and the Hebrew word for "man" is not the usual word for man but it is "geber" which means "warrior". And when this verse speaks to the man, it is speaking more in terms of putting on actual clothing. It is not saying that pants belong to a man, especially since pants weren't even around when this verse was written.

Basically, it is saying that the woman should not be taking up arms and becoming a warrior in battle and a man should not be putting on the garments of women. It is not saying that there are no similarities between the garments of men and women, either. Also, there is nothing wrong with a woman using an "implement" in order to protect herself and her family. I believe the general gist of this verse was speaking against cross-dressing (for men) and women going out and picking up implements in order to be warriors. Darn! That means no more Xena, Warrior Princess for me?????

The mindset among some is that this verse is forbidding a woman from wearing pants. And as we know Scottish men have worn kilts and still wear them. This same young lady claimed that if all the men in Scotland wore kilts, then the women cannot wear skirts/dresses. She said that they would have to wear pants in order to not be "sinfully androgynous". So, according to her understanding (one has to wonder whose teaching she has been sitting under????), it is a man and the culture NOT the Bible that dictates to women what she may or may not wear. As we all know that is a totally false understanding of Scripture.

Todd Bentley: The Violent Healer?

2008-07-06T00:46:00.004-05:00

What gets me are all the people laughing at this maniac. He is obviously insane but what is their excuse?

He chokes people, he beats their limbs on platforms, he kicks them in the face and he claims that the Holy Spirit/God tells him to do these things.

And all the while people in the audience laugh as he relates these stories.

I would like to claim that God is giving me the urge to do the same to all of them but that would be blasphemy.

If the above video was not disturbing enough, watch this video clip with Bentley and a little girl. And a little child will lead them.......(Isaiah 11:6)

I am just sickened that these sorts of things go on and that these children are subjected to such evil being masqueraded as Light.

H/T: Paula

Mandles

2008-06-27T13:31:00.005-05:00

This is a little late for Father's Day but if you are looking for that perfect gift for the manly man in your life, look no further.

H/T: Cindy Kunsman

Barack Hussein Obama

2008-06-22T15:38:00.006-05:00

Please watch this video.

Then go to this link and read the "Jihad Candidate" by Rich Carroll.

I think every American should be very concerned. But, maybe that is because I am just a "typical white person"?

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice.
But when the wicked are in power, they groan.
Proverbs 29:2 NIV

H/T: Lindon

The Church of Oprah?

2008-04-06T21:45:00.006-05:00

Some scary stuff!

I would suggest that Christians start investing in good books on apologetics and really study their Bibles in order to counteract this false doctrine. And don't forget to pray. Pray for Oprah's eyes to be opened to the truth. Pray for her viewers who are being led astray. Pray for the false teacher who is getting so much airtime on her show.

Here is a good site that has a lot of resources.

Also, I love Ravi Zacharias' writings, sermons and website. I just purchased his new book, Beyond Opinion- Living the Faith We Defend, and it is very good.

It is time to be disciplined and trained in sound doctrine. The only way we can combat untruth is by knowing the truth. And we must study to show ourselves approved. It is truly sad when those who are in cults are more knowlegeable about their beliefs than Christians. Those in cults spend hours and hours every week studying their false doctrine. How many hours do you spend studying your Bibles every week? And I mean REALLY studying your Bibles? Not just to learn about your own personal pet doctrine but to take in the WHOLE counsel of God's word?

Do you want to hear this at the end of a long day?

2008-04-04T21:46:00.003-05:00

"Mom, someone pooped on the laundry room floor."

So, You Had a Bad Day?

2008-03-29T01:05:00.002-05:00

"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!"

2008-03-23T15:18:00.003-05:00

John the Baptist was sent by God to be a witness to the true Light of the world.

John 1:6-13

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

John was baptizing in Bethany across the Jordan when he saw Jesus walking towards him and said:

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

Act 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

1Pe 1:19 But [we have been redeemed, not with gold or silver] with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

The book of Revelation depicts Christ as the Lamb of God approximately 26 times.

He was the perfect, spotless Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. He laid down His life in order that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Rev 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Rev 21:9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

Rev 21:27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Jesus is the Lamb of God, the propitiation for our sin.

John 1:35-37 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

Will you follow the Lamb of God today?

A Feel Good Video

2008-01-28T13:07:00.000-06:00

Shooting Rampage in Colorado

2007-12-11T01:27:00.000-06:00

Addition: Link

From the article at the above link:

"The gunman was identified as Matthew Murray, 24, who was home-schooled in what a friend said was a deeply religious Christian household. Murray's father is a neurologist and a leading multiple-sclerosis researcher.

Five people — including Murray — were killed, and five others wounded Sunday in the two eruptions of violence 12 hours and 65 miles apart.

The first attack took place at Youth With a Mission, a training center for missionaries in the Denver suburb of Arvada; the other occurred at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, where Murray was shot to death by a security guard. The training center maintains an office at the 10,000-member church."

"A real hero", Jeanne Assam, church member, shot and killed Murray. She rushed toward the scene and shot and killed him. It was said that she probably saved over 100 lives!

"The gunman opened fire at 12:30 a.m. at the Youth With a Mission center. Witnesses said the man asked to spend the night there and opened fire with a handgun when he was turned down. They described him as a young man, perhaps 20, in a dark jacket and cap.

Later, at New Life Church, a gunman wearing a trench coat and carrying a high-powered rifle opened fire in the parking lot and later walked into the church as a service was letting out.

Jeanne Assam, a church member who volunteers as a security guard, shot and killed Murray, who was found with a rifle and two handguns, police said. The pastor called her "a real hero."

"When the shots were fired, she rushed toward the scene and encountered the attacker there in a hallway. He never got more than 50 feet inside our building," he said. "There could have been a great loss of life yesterday, and she probably saved over 100 lives."

Boyd said the gunman had a lot of ammunition and estimated that 40 rounds had been fired inside the church, leaving what looked like a "war scene.""

Church Sign Smack Down

2007-12-05T11:03:00.000-06:00

Can you relate? Have you ever been in a discussion that ended up like this? Just click on the title!

H/T: Cheryl

The God Who Really Sees

2007-12-04T20:10:00.001-06:00

"To the outcast on her knees, You were the God who really sees"

I love that song written by Michael Card, 'El Shaddai'. It so reminds me of my early days as a believer where everything was so new and fresh. I still love to sing that song as I go about my daily work in my home.

El Roi is one of the names for God and it literally means the "God who sees".

You can find the usage of this word in Genesis 16:13 where Hagar, Sarai's maidservant, runs into the wilderness and is met there by God, Himself.

Not once, but twice, God meets a lowly slave at the hour of her need. He sees her pain and He gives her the strength and hope she needs to face her situation.

Sarai had given Hagar, her maidservant, to her husband, Abram, as his wife so that he could have children with Hagar. This was an ancient custom in the Assyrian culture and it is found in the "Code of Hammurapi". This law was there to ensure the birth of a male heir. Sarai was old and beyond the years that women normally conceived. Hagar, being a slave, was not in a position to say "no". She was a piece of property to be used as sees fit. As a slave, she knew that once her baby was born onto her mistress's "knees", it would no longer be her baby any more.

After Hagar had conceived, Sarai noticed that Hagar began to despise her. So, Sarai, in turn, treated her harshly. Hagar ran into the desert, presumably to die, for no one in that culture would run into the desert thinking that they would survive very long. The angel of the Lord spoke to Hagar and Hagar told him why she fled. The angel of the Lord told her to go back to Sarai and submit to her authority. He also told her that her descendants would be so great that they would be too many to count.

The next time we see Hagar is in Genesis 21.

We see Sarah, whose name has been changed, conceiving and giving birth to a son of her own. Ishmael, Hagar's son, is now 15 years old. When Isaac was about 2 or 3 years old, Sarah noticed that the son of Hagar was mocking her son, Isaac. She ordered Abraham to drive the maid out and God told Abraham to do what Sarah has said.

Abraham, rose early in the morning, and took some food and water and gave it to Hagar. He sent them out into the wilderness. When Hagar ran out of water, she left the boy under one of the bushes and she sat down opposite him about a "bowshot" away. "Do not let me see the boy die." She then lifted up her voice and started to cry.

We learn that God heard the boy crying and the angel of the Lord called from heaven to Hagar and said to her, "What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him."

Then God opened up her eyes and she saw a well of water and she gave her son some to drink. And they lived in the wilderness of Paran and he became an archer and Hagar took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

"Thrown out! Like a soiled, worthless rag! Used for another's pleasure and then mistreated. It was too much; she couldn't handle it. She felt like an outcast.......Have you ever been thrown out, cast away? You fulfilled someone's pleasure, and then you weren't wanted anymore? Did you run away? Or were you unjustly cast out? Do you wonder if somehow you failed or were inadequate? Maybe if you had behaved differently, maybe if you had been more than you were, maybe if only you....speculations go on." Kay Arthur, "Lord, I Want to Know You"

God knows your pain. He sees your pain. He knows the sin that was committed against you. If you know Him as your Savior, then you need to trust that He will use any mistreatment for good. He is the God who turns ashes into beauty.

Psalm 9:10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Me Church

2007-12-02T02:37:00.000-06:00

Would you like a church that revolves around you? Do you believe that others were created to cater to your needs? Then I have a place for you! Just click on the title!

British Teacher in Sudan Jailed for Naming of Teddy Bear

2007-12-01T16:26:00.000-06:00

It seems that Gilliam Gibbons, 54, asked a young Sudanese boy what he would like to name his teddy bear and he told her "Muhammad", which is his own name. The 7 year old boy is defending his teacher, saying that this had nothing to do with the Prophet Muhammad or insulting religion.

"If charged [with the abuse of religion] and convicted of insulting Islam, Gibbons could be sentenced to 40 lashes, six months in prison or a fine, lawyers said."

"The case brought widespread calls in Britain for her release. The Muslim Council of Britain calls upon the Sudanese government to intervene in the case.

"This is a very unfortunate incident and Ms Gibbons should never have been arrested in the first place. It is obvious that no malice was intended," said Muhammad Abdul Bari, the council's secretary-general.

British opposition Conservative party lawmaker William Hague called on the British government to "make it clear to the Sudanese authorities that she should be released immediately."

"To condemn Gillian Gibbons to such brutal and barbaric punishment for what appears to be an innocent mistake is clearly unacceptable," he said.

Omar Daair, spokesman for the British Embassy in Sudan, said embassy officials were in touch with Sudanese authorities and had met with Gibbons. He said he expected authorities to decide whether to bring her to court, and on what charges, within a few days. "Her lawyer is trying to get her released on bail in the meanwhile," he said."

40 lashes and six months jail time for allowing a student to name his teddy bear after himself? Words escape me.

Please join me in prayer for Ms. Gibbons.

Blown about by every wind of doctrine......

2007-11-30T14:30:00.000-06:00

"I believe this quote from Dr. Jay Adams, in his volume “Grist from Adams’s Mill”, addresses this illegitimate use of Matthew 18 in an attempt to censure public criticism:

“Any Christian who sets himself up as a teacher in the church of Christ and publicly teaches anything thereby opens himself up for criticism by others (cf. James 3:1). If they think what he is teaching is harmful to the church, they have an obligation to point it out just as widely as it was taught. Such public warning or debate on the topic should not be considered a personal attack at all. The teacher’s plea that a critic should first have come to him about his disagreement on the basis of Matthew 18:15 does not hold. This passage has to do with personal wrongs known only between the two, who should privately discuss the matter that separates them. What a critic of a public teaching does in pointing out his disagreement with that teaching has nothing to do with personal affronts or lack of reconciliation; he is simply disagreeing at the same public level as that on which the teaching was given in the first place” (pg. 69)."

1Th 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.

Eph 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

H/T: Karen

Papa Pilgrim Gets 14 Years for Abuse

2007-11-29T01:37:00.000-06:00

Here is a bit from this news article:

"ANCHORAGE — Robert Hale, a self-styled mountain man who took his family far away from modern civilization to raise them by the Bible, was sentenced Tuesday to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a daughter.

Judge Donald Hopwood imposed the sentence after more than a dozen heart-wrenching victim-impact statements were delivered in court, including from his wife and many of their 16 children, who told horrific stories of physical and mental abuse.

Their message was clear: Send the 66-year-old Hale to jail for a long time because they feared what would happen if he were to be released.

Hopwood called it "one of the worst cases of domestic violence I've seen.""

Matthew 18 says this:

"The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7 “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell."

"Hale received 10 years for sexual assault, and two years each for incest and coercion.

Hale insisted that he had a perfect spiritual understanding, his wife, Kurina Rose Hale, testified Monday."

I bet he did.

Men in Tights

2007-11-28T14:44:00.000-06:00

Real Persecution

2007-11-22T22:49:00.000-06:00

There is something that really bothers me about many Christians and that is their claim that they are being persecuted for righteousness' sake when it really is the result of their own behavior and/or false teachings they are experiencing. When I read other believers so tritely claiming they are being persecuted for being righteous, I get a bit irritated. Why does it irritate me? Well, it is making a mockery of all those believers who are truly being persecuted for righteousness' sake!

I remember once driving with a Christian woman and she had her high beams on in the middle of the city. People were flashing their brights at her and flipping her off. She was so incensed by the things these people were doing in order to get her attention. She explained to me that since we had been to a conference and she was living a godly life, that this was just persecution for righteousness' sake. I tried to tell her that they were only REACTING to her blinding high beams and that she should really turn them off; that is all anyone wanted from her. She became angry and told me that she couldn't see if she turned off her high beams! I couldn't believe it. She didn't realize that her behavior was causing these reactions and she felt entitled to have her high beams on but was outraged that others would do the same to her.

If you really want to read about TRUE persecution, subscribe to the "Voice of the Martyrs". Reading that publication will lift anyone out of their self-pity.

Some people whine and express self-pity whenever they are questioned or held accountable. This is not persecution. This is just part of being a mature adult. Being held accountable for public teachings by other Christians is not "persecution" unless you also admit that you frequently persecute others you hold accountable for their public teachings. Consistency is a very important thing. For example, if you have ever Matthew 18'd your pastor, you are then guilty of persecuting him for righteousness' sake. You cannot, then, turn around and accuse others of persecution when they merely question your teachings when you have been much more aggressive in your criticism of others. If you have ever written a negative book or blog review, then you cannot complain you are being persecuted if others negatively review your book or blog. You cannot claim you are being persecuted because of your "ISM" when you constantly go after other people's "ISMS".

This is a tactic of spiritual abusers. They silence discussion and any challenge to their teachings by accusing others of slander and gossip and then they make a plea for prayer for all of the suffering and persecution they are undergoing all the while doing the very thing to those they disagree with!

In my experience, those who complain the most about being persecuted are actually the ones who are guilty of the very thing they complain about.

James 3:1 tells us that not many should presume to be teachers because they will be held to a stricter judgment. If you want to be a teacher and you want to put yourself up in order to be followed, you must make yourself accountable. You cannot have one without the other. The Church is overrun by Lone Ranger teachers who do not know how to submit themselves to their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If you see a leader who has a history of not being able to submit to their authorities and who leaves whenever it comes to a minor disagreement, then you see a big red flag. There are many Lone Rangers who have basically self-ordained themselves and have taken on the mantel of authority that was not conferred upon them by the body of believers. These are usurpers of unlawful authority and they should be marked and avoided and exposed.

Galatians 2 tells about Paul and how he persecutes others, er....exposes false teachings in the Church.

"Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

Are you frustrating the grace of God with your false teachings? Do you think of yourself as a leader? Do you teach the traditions of men as the very precept of God? Do you think that you have the corner on the market of Truth? If your answer is "yes" to any of these questions, your "suffering" is not because of righteousness' sake. What you are experiencing is accountability and this is what you should expect if you presume to be a leader of God's children.

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

2007-11-21T17:52:00.000-06:00

The year that is drawing toward its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watching providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and provoke their aggressions, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised not hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

---Abraham Lincoln

A Recipe for Christmas JOY

2007-11-14T22:53:00.000-06:00

Just click on the title of this blog entry and it will take you to a brand-new eBook written by a homeschooling mom of 6. I plan on getting a copy. It looks great and I am always looking for ways to make the Christmas season less stressful and more JOYFUL!

Here is a blurb from that website:

"This book is called A Recipe For Christmas JOY ($9.95) and is literally every bit of Christmas wisdom I have gained through my years of being a mom striving to keep Christ at the center of our celebration and having fun while doing so. Here is the introduction:

Are you searching for some Christmas JOY? Do you long to find peace and happiness in the midst of the crazy busyness that is the Christmas season?

This book is meant to help you do just that! It is filled with ideas for

balancing your commitments

organizing your holidays

creating memories with your family

celebrating with great food

not blowing your budget

(most importantly) keeping your focus on Jesus

JOY: A Simple Recipe

You have probably heard it said that JOY means Jesus, Others, and Yourself—in that order. But what does that look like at Christmas? This book is filled with thoughts on how to include all three components— including making time for yourself! I hope that by using this “recipe” throughout the Christmas season, you will find true JOY and your family will reap the benefits."

H/T: Lindsey@enjoythejourney

Serving it up HOT in Chicago!

2007-11-08T17:03:00.000-06:00

This really has me at a loss for words, which is hard to do.

HT:Provocations&Pantings

Who rightly classified this as "Ecclesiological Prostitution"

My new favorite kitchen gadget!

2007-06-22T11:03:00.000-05:00

The Pampered Chef "Mix n Chop". Wow! When I make ground beef, I make ground beef, if you know what I mean? I make at least five pounds at a time. I also buy very low fat meat so it is less easy to make it crumbly. Well, I just ordered this from Pampered Chef. I am not a sales person but I am a Pampered Chef addict. I have one of almost everything.

I made tacos last night and I got out my "Mix n Chop" and it was a breeze to get the ground beef evenly browned and into perfect little crumbles. Without it, the ground beef would cook into dried out "chunks" at the bottom. Yuck!

I am for anything that makes life in the kitchen more enjoyable and less of a hassle. I love to cook but if you don't have the right tools, you don't really enjoy it as much.

Get one and tell your Pampered Chef consultant that Corrie sent you!

Disclaimer: That is a picture from the Pampered Chef catalogue. I WISH my nails looked that good! But, since they are in hot water and soap almost all day long, they are not as glamorous.

Happy Fathers Day!

2007-06-16T15:24:00.000-05:00

I realized that I saved this post as a draft and I didn't publish it. I apologize to all the wonderful fathers out there!

So, as I did for Mother's Day, I have a poem from one of my favorite poets for Father's Day.

I hope you were honored and loved and appreciated!

Only a Dad
Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959)

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

Bravo, Paul Potts!

2007-06-16T15:10:00.001-05:00

Paul Potts, cell phone warehouse employee, sings Nessun Dorma on the "Britain's Got Talent" show with Simon Cowell.

All I can say is that listening to this guy brings me to tears every time I watch him. I will be standing in line to buy his first c.d.
Just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover. Simon and the other judges did not expect this man to sing like he did. You could tell by their faces that they were bracing themselves for a poor performance after he mentioned he would be singing an opera song.

I Owe My Mother

2007-05-22T19:31:00.000-05:00

Can anyone relate to the following "momisms"? I sure can. I have probably said at least half of them!

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3 My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION .
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think
you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite:

25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you."

H/T: Thanks, again, Mom!

"It's Pat!"

2007-05-19T21:06:00.000-05:00

Many of you might not be familiar with the Saturday Night Live character named "Pat". This was a character that was sexually ambiguous.

Here is a quote from the above (click on the title of this post) link:

"The sketches always involved the celebrity guest hosts of the show playing everyday people who encounter Pat and then go to great lengths to discover Pat's true sex without being so rude as to actually ask (since Pat can be short for either "Patrick", a traditionally male name, or "Patricia", a traditionally female name). Pat remained completely oblivious, endlessly frustrating the questioners with answers that leave the character's sex vague."

I recently came across this post on the Bayly blog and a person by the name of "Pat Brown" was responding to the blog post. It apparently was driving some people to frustration that they did not know whether this person was a male or a female. I don't know whether this person was a male or female, either, but I definitely saw the humor in all of it and it reminded me of the Saturday Night Live skit featuring Julia Sweeney. He or she was very clever in proving a point if that is what he or she was trying to do. Should gender matter when discussing issues? Why would it matter ("it matters") as the blog owner says it does? Some were driven to distraction and refused to interact with Pat until he/she told them what gender he/she was.

What bearing does a person's gender have on whether or not a person decides they are worthy of a proper response? And does this attitude belong in the Church? What if Christ had this attitude towards the people He conversed with? He seemed to treat all with the same respect and He didn't seem to give much heed to whether or not they were a female or male when answering them.

Mother's Day

2007-05-13T10:40:00.000-05:00

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49:15-16

Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Luke1:38

Here is a poem from one of my favorite authors. They are a bit "sappy" but they are endearing nonetheless.

I was trying to find his poem entitled "Little Women" and I can't find it in the six books I have. If anyone knows it, please send it to me.

The Spirit of the Home
by Edgar Guest

Dishes to wash and clothes to mend,
And always another meal to plan,
Never the tasks of a mother end
And oh, os early her day began!
Floors to sweep and the pies ot bake,
And chairs to dust and the beds to make.

Oh, the home is fair when you come at night
And the meal is good and the children gay,
And the kettle sings in its glad delight
And the mother smiles in her gentle way;
So great her love that you seldom see
Or catch a hint of the drudgery.

Home, you say, when the day is done,
Home to comfort and peace and rest;
Home, where the children romp and run-
There is the place that you love the best!
Yet what would the home be like if you
Had all of its endless tasks to do?

Would it be home if she were not there,
Brave and gentle and fond and true?
Could you so fragrant a meal prepare?
Could you the numberless duties do?
What were the home that you love so much,
Lacking her presence and gracious touch?

She is the spirit of all that's fair;
She is the home that you think you build;
She is the beauty you dream of there;
She is the laughter with which it's filled-
She, with her love and her gentle smile,
Is all that maketh the home worth while.

What American accent do you have?

2007-05-09T14:14:00.000-05:00

It is true. We just moved down to Missouri and people ask me all the time if I am from Wisconsin (which I am). We lived in Northern Illinois for the last 8 years and everyone said "pop" for soda. We didn't. But, I did call drinking fountains "bubblers" and everyone in Illinois looked at me like I was weird.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Northeast
The Midland
Philadelphia
The South
North Central
The West
Boston
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

A letter to the Global Church from the Protestant Church in Smyrna

2007-05-03T01:21:00.000-05:00

I recieved this letter via email today and then I saw it again at TulipGirl's blog. Just click on the title to read.

After I read this letter, I was reminded of this scripture:

"Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs

9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed."

Happy Birthday, Levi!

2007-05-02T22:58:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of my little sweetie (our 10th). He just turned a year on April 27th. How time flies! He is a such a sweet, little man. It seems like yesterday that I had just given birth to him and I was holding him close and nuzzling his little head. Ahhhh!! Someone needs to bottle that newborn head smell! :-)

Also, a big Happy Birthday to my mom whose birthday was on the 26th of April.

Why didn't someone stop Cho?

2007-04-28T16:47:00.000-05:00

That seems to be the question of the day. I have read through many blogs and comments at blogs where people are asking and answering the same question.

Click on the above link and read some good thoughts by a former Marine.

Also, I was just reading about one more survivor of the VT massacre. A girl was shot through the hand as she held shut the door to the German class so Cho couldn't come back in again. I am sure that there are many other brave and heroic actions people took and I am hopeful they will begin surfacing in the next few weeks as more and more survivors are able to tell what happened. Another thing, it took Cho less than 9 minutes to kill and wound all the people in Norris hall. It seems that these students didn't have the luxury of getting their wits about them in order to stage an organized attack. (Some like to use the example of Flight 93 but they curiously do not use the examples of the two other planes that did hit their targets.)

I truly believe they did what they could and many of them died fighting for their lives. I don't believe these students died passively. I believe that they actively tried to avoid being shot. Some of them didn't even know what hit them.

I have a real problem with people who posit that this happened because schools are teaching our children to be passive and not to fight back. I don't remember anyone saying that during Columbine or any of the other school shootings. I don't remember anyone saying that when workplaces are places of mass shootings. In fact, there seems to be a LOT of talk about our culture being one of learning how to be aggressive and violent and that there is way TOO much violence in our schools and in our neighborhoods. I am getting mixed messages here. I think there is still a lot of examples of aggression on our college campuses.

And, let us remember the Amish. Why didn't anyone go after the Amish for being passive and non-resistant? Why didn't they come under such heavy criticism? In fact, two of the girls asked to be shot first. You see, passivism and bravery can go hand in hand. You don't have to fight to prove you are brave. There is nothing wrong with rushing a gunman or fighting off an attacker and if that is what that given situation allows for, go for it. I do believe that we can teach our children these things. I also think that colleges and places of work can do much in the way of putting together a plan if a gunman ever comes. I know it has made me think what I could do if I was ever faced by an intruder in my own home. But, greater love has no man than he who lays down his life for his friend. Those two girls were shining examples of this biblical principle.

Could it be that there were students who put themselves in between others and the bullets to try and save lives? We don't know but I think it to be very premature to be labeling those students cowards and calling them passive. We were not there and we do not know.

Are we not to give others the benefit of the doubt and treat others the way we want to be treated? I am really ashamed that many of my fellow conservatives took this viewpoint. In my opinion, it is short-sighted and not comprehending of reality.

Not Quite What They Expected.....

2007-04-28T15:05:00.000-05:00

Probably not the kind of virgin they had in mind, hey?

H/T: Thanks Mom!

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

2007-04-23T20:52:00.000-05:00

James 2

5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"[a] you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery,"[b] also said, "Do not murder."[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

I have often found this scripture intriguing. What does it mean when it says that "mercy triumphs over judgment"?

I think it is interesting that the believers were giving seats of preference to the rich based on their nice clothing, nice jewelery and outer appearance and slighting the poor based on their shabby appearance all the while the rich were exploiting them.

It seems that we do that as believers? We give preference to those who hurt us and exploit us and we discriminate against those who are not like us and who don't measure up to the picture that pleases us but they have never done anything to harm us.

We are to speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom. What law is that? What law gives us freedom? What is that freedom?

We do that because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. That is something that we need to meditate on.

And then that statement that continues to intrigue me because I don't fully understand what it means:

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

How do we apply that? Shouldn't that be the mark of the true believer? After all, God is always merciful and His mercies are new every morning.

What do you think this means?

A time for everything......

2007-04-23T14:16:00.000-05:00

The above link takes you to some interesting conversation concerning the Virginia Tech tragedy and the viewpoints of Doug Phillips. Basically, Doug Phillips believes that this is God's judgement on the land because some send their children to government schools, the abortion industry and we have broken "covenant" with God. I happen to disagree.

Yes, abortion is horrible but it is nothing new. All throughout history people have been aborting their young and sacrificing them to false gods. I truly wish we could legislate abortion right out of history but I have a feeling that only the heart changed by Christ will make any difference in how a person looks at this issue.

We are to mourn with those who mourn and we are to comfort those with the comfort we ourselves have been comforted.

We are not told to go around, speaking for God, while we point the finger and tell those who are grieving that this is God's judgment. Anyone who speaks for God needs to know that they are in danger of making God angry. A man's mind is not like that of our Lord.

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News. The Good News is that there is hope.....in Christ. That Christ is our only answer. But, even before we give them the Good News, we must meet their physical needs. We must comfort them, come alongside of them, feed them, give them refreshment and rest. God set this example over and over again throughout scripture. Elijah was fed by God and he received refreshment from God's hand before God preached to him.

The philosophy that all we have to do is kick people in the pants, tell them the truth and not make "sad eyes" at them is not really what I am reading in scripture. It concerns me that Doug's followers tend to have the same hard-nosed attitude towards those outside of their own little "fold". Yes, preaching is great but what are we preaching? The "turn or burn" tracts put out by Chick are preaching but they are not edifying, especially to those who are lost.

Here is what the author of the above blog says:

""making sad eyes at one another won't do a bit of good.""

I disagree. I also think this is condescending to those who feel genuine sympathy and grief and who are mourning with the VT families. It is a trite and, I must admit, really astonishing thing to say. I wonder what a VT family needs right now? Someone with "sad eyes" or a finger pointed in their face telling them to "turn or burn" and telling them that this is the judgment of God? I am a pretty tough cookie and don't often cry at the drop of a hat but this seems hard-hearted and unloving. What exactly are "sad eyes"? I would ask on that blog but the comments are closed.

I don't really disagree with the theology behind much of what is said but something is lacking. The grace of God. The compassion. There is a time for hard-nosed debate about things but this is NOT the time. The bodies of those students and teachers are barely cold.

Eccl. 3:17:

"I thought in my heart,
"God will bring to judgment
both the righteous and the wicked,
for there will be a time for every activity,
a time for every deed.""

It is God who will bring judgment. That is not our job. Nor is our job to think we know the mind of God beyond what is specifically revealed in scripture.

We need to follow Jesus' example. When Martha told Him about her brother, He didn't launch into a stern sermon about how her brother deserved death just like she did and that death is the judgment of God because of public colleges, abortion and covenant breakers. (BTW, can anyone tell me which covenant that was that we have supposedly broken? I am not aware of a covenant that God made with America's founding fathers. ) He WEPT. In other words, He made "sad eyes" at her.

There is a time for everything. Right now is the time to mourn and to weep. It is not the time for people to point their fingers and make guesses that come out of their own deep-seated agendas.

I wonder if Doug is willing to send his words of "encouragement" to the Dean at VT to be distributed to all of the families and if he would be then willing to listen with an earnest heart to the reponses from those families? (I shudder to think that any family associated with this tragedy would read his words at this time!)

Is he accountable to anyone? Would it make a difference if his words were doing more harm than good?

VT Massacre

2007-04-20T10:42:00.000-05:00

I am still trying to come to grips with the horrific events this past week at Virginia Tech University. My heart goes out to all the parents and students and faculty, especially those who were directly affected by the tragic events.

I am also trying to understand all these armchair quarterbacks who are now pointing their fingers at the men in this school who didn't try and stop the gunman. It is easy to sit there and talk about what you would have done if confronted by Cho, isn't it? I mean, I could imagine myself some sort of Elektra who would have went all "postal" on his person, too. I could imagine playing the hero and saving the day. But, then, most people would have come back to reality and realized that they haven't walked in the shoes of the faculty and students at VT and we pray we never have to. Don't you think these VICTIMS of this violent crime are second-guessing themselves? Usually it is the VICTIM and the surviving one at that that is the MOST hardest on his or her own self. But, then we have a bunch of cowardly men sitting behind keyboards, eating donuts, telling people to man up and grow a pair. Nice. Can you wait until the dust clears to start examining whether or not people were brave enough? Nothing like spitting on some grave of the person who just died a tragic and what some of you call "passive" death. Yes, people have written that the victims at VT were "passive" and just "passively" accepted their fate and died "passively".

There were many acts of bravery when people had the time to take action. The people who were slaughtered had no time to think. Cho entered the room and emptied his guns. They didn't have a chance.

Did these people who wax eloquent concerning the supposed wimpiness of the men at the VT campus ever rush a deranged, psychopath with two guns, all the while unarmed? Before they ever reached him, they would have had a bullet or two or three between the eyes. Heroism at its greatest, right?

How do you know that no one tried to rush the gunman at VT? Were you there?

Yes, there is a time to fight, like many did do and then there is a time to take cover and rely upon God's mercy. Apples and Oranges. Two different situations.

Doug Phillips expounds upon his belief that this is God's judgement on America because we have sacrificed our children to the government schools and we literally sacrifice our children to abortion.

I am very against abortion. But, this is not the time or place to be playing God. I do not claim to speak for God, either. How does Doug know that God was judging VT because of abortion and government schools?

Doug Phillips:

"Second, we must acknowledge that the rise of community violence is a judgement of the Lord. Our nation has broken covenant with the God of our fathers. We have forsaken the law of God and have worshipped before false idols. We have sacrificed our children, not only spiritually and intellectually to the high priests of a new secular religion in our government schools, but have quite literally sacrificed baby boys and girls to the gods of convenience in the abortuaries of America."

He also tells us that every Christian man should carry a gun so these things don't happen. Really? We need a bunch of Christian men who think they know when to shoot and who the bad guy is before a situation arises armed with a gun in our schools? I remember Jesus telling His disciples not to take swords and to turn the other cheek. Oh, yes. Here is where some will vociferously remind me of the time that Jesus overturned the tables, as if that was the defining instance of all manhood. But, for the most part, Jesus didn't resist those who were out to kill and destroy. In fact, He hid himself from those who wanted to murder Him at times. (Some people are cutting on those who "played dead" in the VT classrooms!) When Peter took out his sword to defend Jesus, Jesus rebuked him and healed the ear of the soldier. It seems that some people only like some parts of the Bible that suit their own agendas.

I am not against guns and I am not a pacifist. I am a fighter who would fight to the death for the life of my children and my family. I am someone who gets involved or takes action and doesn't always think about the dangers that it causes. But, in some situations, when there is NO REACTION TIME (do these men understand this at all?????), sometimes all we can do is hide, cooperate or play dead.

Doug Phillips:

"Third, the worst response to school murders that our politicians could make would be to further disarm the American citizenry. The heavy death toll may in part be attributed to past legislation making it difficult for citizens to carry sidearms. But, if even one of the students in that university had been armed, Cho Seung-hui could have been stopped. A strong case can be made that in a violent society like our own, it is the duty of every Christian man to be armed such that he is ready, willing, and able to come to the immediate aid of his neighbor in the face of the ruthless behavior of lawless men. We have one of two futures — a police state full of regulation and controls, where only the state and criminals have access to guns, thus leaving most women and children defenseless to evildoers, or an informed, well-armed citizen population, which is, to my mind, the surest safeguard against lawless men."

Could have, would have, should have. Yes, a person with a gun could have stopped Cho. But, it is equally as possible that Cho would have taken him out or the person who has the firearm could have killed an innocent person while trying to put down the madman.

Also notice that in Doug's world only Christian men have the duty to be armed. But, who was Cho's first victim? A woman. Why wouldn't a Christian woman also be mentioned? Women are perfectly capable of shooting a pistol, are they not? I know that there are many women who are very good shots. Maybe a woman with a gun scares some men? Maybe it is because Doug is against sending daughters to university and he believes a daughter is to stay in her father's home until he hands her over to her husband and she stays in her husband's home from then on.

Really, I do not like the idea of every Christian man being armed and ready to shoot. Do we want our sons carrying guns around with them at school? Training them to shoot at would-be ruthless and lawless men? That just doesn't jive with a lot of what the Bible teaches nor is it safe. There are too many bravado types who imagine themselves a quasi-Rambo but the Rambo-like qualities only exist in their minds. Too many times a gun is used against the person who is carrying it or it is used to hurt someone in the home of the one who owns the gun. Maybe armed officers IN the buildings? Maybe a few, carefully screened armed teachers?

Cho was deranged and psychotic. Cho was a stalker of women. Cho was paranoid. Cho was mad at the "rich". Cho had problems since he was a boy.

And right now isn't the time to start playing the "blame the victim" card. I would have expected that would have come a little later. Timing is everything, people. And not every tragedy is an opportunity to get on your soap box and pummel the secularists, government schools, pacifists and feminists.

How about a much more honest and deeper look into the minds of these men who commit such atrocities? I was just reading about other school shootings.

I came across one that I had not heard of. The Montreal Massacre at an engineering school called "Ecole Polytechnique" where the wife-beating gunman hunted down female engineering students and killed 14 of them and wounded others. It seems that all of these school shooters have one thing in common- the are not rational people.

It is so easy to sit here and speculate what you or I would have done with our 20/20 hindsight. But, that is neither reasonable nor fair. I sure hope that these same people who sit there and criticize the male students for not being manly enough or brave enough or criticize those who send their children to government schools never have to experience such a nightmare and then listen to people blaming them for a madman's actions.

Female Officer Arrests Drunk Driver

2007-04-09T23:55:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while we need to laugh at ourselves. Every once in a while we need to laugh....period.

During a discussion at the Baylyblog.com, a pastor posted how it is against God's word to have female police officers because no where should a female have any type of authority over a male. He stated that anywhere you find a male and a female, you will find the principle of the authority of the male and the submission of the female. He stated how he would "gnash" his teeth after being pulled over by a female officer but, in this fallen world, men are still to submit to this unbiblical authority.

We could get into all the theology or lack thereof to support such a claim but I thought this video was priceless. It is my contention that female police officers are necessary. Not only for rape victims and victims of violent crime where only a female can comfort and speak to another female who has been violently assaulted sexually and physically but to add a little fun to the routine of pulling over drunk drivers. And, if you watch it to the end, you will see that she gets the unsuspecting cowboy to admit that he is drunk! :-)

You can go to graceindelible.blogspot.com for discussion on the finer aspects of theology and practice concerning female police officers.

That Mom Podcasts and Blog

2007-03-15T09:55:00.000-05:00

Karen Campbell launched her podcast/blog this month and I would strongly urge you to visit it and listen and read her entries. What a great encouragement Karen is to homeschooling mothers. It is a cup of cool water in a dry and weary land. She has really encouraged me. I have felt like throwing in the towel many times, especially lately.

We are in the middle of moving to the St. Louis, MO, area. We will be moving next week. So, now we are packing and sorting and purging and getting all the necessary paperwork in order. It is a full-time job.

Karen opened up a can of whoop@#$.....I mean worms! Spanking...

2007-02-10T16:48:00.000-06:00

Karen commented about spanking in the thread on "Purity Balls" and I thought that this would be a good idea for a blog post all on its own.

She mentioned Clay and Sally Clarkson's book, "Heartfelt Discipline: The Gentle Art of Training and Guiding your Child". I have read that book and it has really caused me to think. I have always taken it for granted that what I was being taught in so many Christian circles concerning spanking is *the* biblical approach. Any questioning of spanking means that you are not thinking biblically. Clay Clarkson sets out to show what scripture says about the rod. His book has given me great pause and has caused me to really think about this issue. I just love the Clarkson's materials on family and children and I really respect them.

I always wondered why the rod verses in Proverbs used to show that spanking our children is a biblical practice didn't sit well with me. First off, those verses talk about the rod being for the backside of a fool. And Proverbs defines a fool by saying it is someone who says "there is no God". How many times do we see Christians promoting spanking an adult for being a fool? Why aren't we spanking the adult fools in our churches? Why is the only spanking used on young children when Proverbs seems to be addressing people old enough to say "there is no God"?

Most of what is taught concerning spanking (ala Michael Pearl in "Train up a Child") is focused on little children and using spanking as the main tool for training. He even compares spanking children to training animals. I really don't like the sound of that. I feel it is very humanistic and it is no different than secular behavior modification techniques.

We have all seen the episodes of "Lucy" and "Bonanza" and the John Wayne movies and the "Taming of the Shrew" where the guy takes a "sassy" woman over his knee and spanks her. That makes for hilarious viewing or does it? It seems like spanking adult women was kind of typical, especially when we look back in history and when spanking women was more politically correct. But, where do we see true applications of the verses in Proverbs? Only women and young children seem to come under the spanking applications.

Below is Karen's comment. I haven't done any research on the history of spanking but I am going to try. I am a little afraid of what I might find. :-)

What are your thoughts on the "rod" in scripture? Do we apply these verses in the way we see scripture applying the "rod"? Is it a literal rod? What happened in our culture that we no longer see men spanking women in our movies and in our literature? Is it the feminist's fault? Karen asks some good questions, too.

"Well, she said, opening a can of worms on someone else's blog...

You can google the phrase "history of spanking" and get the drift. There are all sorts of sites given to the current lifestyle of those who practice husbands spanking their wives. I have put in a word to a friend of mine who has done alot of research on the word "rod" and what it actually means. Once you start understanding the concept of "spanking" and then you look at who the biggest advocates are for spanking today, you can see that there are some parallels that need to be re-examined.

Here is one thought....where are parents "commanded" to spank their children? And do the big corporal punishment gurus today have an age limit in mind?

To be honest, these are all fairly new ideas to me, new as in the last 3 years. But I have been reading credible people like Clay Clarkson who does not spank his own children.

When the lack of command is combined with the attitudes toward women and the idea that slavery was/is "biblical" combined with the daughters grooming their dads, having dates, dads being keepers of their daughter's virginity, etc., it all is a creepy picture to me.

Now that I have opened up this mess here, aren't you glad you invited me, friend?"

Purity Balls

2007-02-08T13:32:00.000-06:00

Jamie at "more than stone" is talking about this trend of having father/daughter purity balls. She makes some very good points. I have long been concerned about some of the aspects concerning this practice. Many of my concerns are hard to put into words. Many are born out of real life experiences that have happened in the lives of many who are close to me.

Here is a link to an article on this growing trend.

Just the picture gives me some pause. Are daughters to be dating their fathers and making a pledge to their fathers who will someday be allowing them to make that same pledge to their future husbands? Where are the mothers and why isn't this a parent/child thing? Is this healthy? Could this be a cover, in some cases, for evil? Bill Gothard once told a group of people that mothers often get jealous of their daughters because they are younger, sweeter, more submissive versions of themselves and these young girls remind their fathers of how their mother used to look. Therefore, the father enjoys spending time with his daughter. He spoke about how moms should not be jealous. I think it is kind of creepy and wrong. Fathers do not have a sexual, in any way, relationship with their daughters and they should always approach their daughters as a parent and not in "pursuit" and "wooing" them romantically as some teach fathers should do.

"The older girls at the Broadmoor tonight are themselves curvaceous and sexy in backless dresses and artful makeup; next to their fathers, some look disconcertingly like wives. In fact, in the parlance of the purity ball folks, one-on-one time with dad is a “date,” and the only sanctioned one a girl can have until she is “courted” by a man. The roles are clear: Dad is the only man in a girl’s life until her husband arrives, a lifestyle straight out of biblical times. “In patriarchy, a father owns a girl’s sexuality,” notes psychologist and feminist author Carol Gilligan, Ph.D. “And like any other property, he guards it, protects it, even loves it.”

When it’s time for dads and daughters to take the pledge (some informally exchange rings as well), the men stand over their seated daughters and read aloud from parchment imprinted with the covenant: “I, [father’s name], choose before God to cover my daughter as her authority and protection in the area of purity….” The men inscribe their names and their daughters sign as witnesses. Then everyone returns to their meals and an excited buzz fills the room."

I really agree with the first sentence of the above paragraph. I have been kind of amazed that these balls are about purity but the girls are dressed to the hilt in dress that convey a VERY sexual image. Also, I have heard many women say that they will not allow their husbands to change their daughter's diapers because he may be tempted (???!!!!) but then they turn around and they allow their husbands to date their daughters and center whole evenings around their daughter's sexuality?

I am all for purity and father/daughter bonding time. I think fathers should be affectionate with their daughters. I think there is a fine line betwee showing affection to one's daughter and taking her out on a date when she is dressed up like a 30 yr old WOMAN and the whole evening surrounds her sexuality and virginity. I think it should revolve around common interests and their faith. Mothers and daughters for thousands of years have been discussing sexual purity and the like. I do wonder why they don't have a similar one for boys? Why aren't the boys pledging their virginity to their mothers? Why don't we find balls where boys are dancing comfortably with their mothers? Maybe that is to creepy to think of a mother dating her son and her wearing a beautiful, sexy dress (like the ones in the picture) and their sons dressed in handsome, manly tuxedos? I wonder why? I do think it sends a message of a double standard. Is the father/daughter relationship somehow more special than a mother/son relationship? More intimate?

I think father/daughter dances are fine as long as they are not called a "date", that is what spouses do and that is a sexually charged word. A date is something that happens between two people who are physically attracted to each other and who want to get to know each other better and maybe it will lead to marriage. I also think it ironic that these are called "dates" when these families don't allow their daughters to date but will only allow supervised courtship. :-)

I don't agree with everything in the article that is linked above but I do think it really shows what these balls entail.

I could be all "wet" on this one and I would enjoy your feedback. Does anyone have concerns about the ceremony or anything else connected with a purity ball? Does this objectify our daughters? What about healthy boundaries?

Well, the baby blew through his diaper and I need to go change him! :-)

Christian Polygamy

2007-01-18T14:27:00.000-06:00

As my introduction to this blog says, I sometimes like to talk about things that are theologically disturbing.

Here is one of them. If you go to the above link, you will notice that they have some very "cute" graphics. It is very flattering to their male egos, I am sure. At the top, their logo depicts a well-dressed man surround by seven curvaceous women all in differing submissive poses. Then, on the left-hand side, they have some cute little graphics of a woman on her knees with her head cocked to the side and her hair flowing. These little women are next to each subject that these Christian polygamists discuss and when you run your cursor over her, she bows her head. How sweet. To think that one was born to have the entire female sex kneeling at your feet and bowing to your every wish. Hey, that IS a nice fantasy in an egomaniacal sort of way.

And what is their solution to all these manly men's fear of not having a mate that satisfies them in every way and of being lonely? It is that men are to take a sufficient number of wives that are able to satisfy their deep sexual cravings and loneliness and to keep them from stumbling into temptation.

After all, the Christian life is all about them and their passions and getting their "needs" met! Forget the cross, just give me lots of curvaceous women who will give me all the sex I need. Yes, Jesus did promise every man 7 virgins and unbridled nights filled with lots of warm female bodies!

Their masthead contains the scripture from Isaiah 4:1 as a depiction of heavenly bliss for all men. Seven women will take a hold of one man and they will tell him to give them food and clothing if only they can be called by their name! I wonder if that scripture is being taken out of context?

And these poor fellows are suffering persecution from their very OWN wife! Poor guys. Can you imagine a wife having a problem when her husband comes home and tells her that he wants to take another wife? What a horrible thing these men have to suffer through. What persecution!

But, do not fear, here they give some words of encouragement:

"If you have endured this kind of persecution then you know that it is more painful than if you had been put in stocks in the public square. You have been looked upon with hatred by your wife and been told that you must pretend that your God given urges, which you're convinced can only be righteously satisfied by having more than one wife, are dirty. Maybe this is not you. Maybe you have kept a painful silence or maybe you're simply seeking the truth. Whatever your situation, we are here to lend support and Biblical doctrine that can help you."

"On the other hand, men who seek polygamy but whose wives are hostile to the idea, are isolated, alone, and often distraught. This ministry is for them. Such men typically have wives whose reaction to the concept of polygamy is so great that they never broach the subject again. Many have lived in nearly intolerable marriages since the moment they brought up the concept of polygamy, even in theory. They often fear the loss of their wife, children, and even their business, in the event of a civil divorce. It is sad that marriage has come to mean submission to women in today's world."

Distraught? Poor dears. What evil women they are shackled to who will not even bend to their husband's desire for more women to be added to their bed! And I don't know what he means by the last sentence? Anyone?

(Addendum: I GET IT!!! He means that men are now having to submit to women in marriage instead of the other way around! Bwahahahahahaha Yes, he is right. The wicked feminists have taken over the home and are forbidding their husbands from taking another wife to satisfy those God-given urges of having many women to have sex with! Priceless! If I was married to such a man, I might encourage him to take another wife, too! And then I would get forever lost on one of my outings to the coffee shop.)

And please don't miss the picture on the upper left hand side after you click on the "Future Wives" category! You won't want to miss these two very happy smiling beauties all cuddled up with one another! (Don't worry, no pornography!) Look how these wives are so happy! Women, what are you afraid of? You, too, could wear that ecstatic smile on your face as you watch your husband say goodnight to you while he goes off to bed another wife! I might recommend each wife to invest in a good set of ear plugs. That way your husband and his other wife can have some much needed privacy!

And here IS the clincher for me!! I think I am sold on this concept! I don't want to be one of those wives who persecute my husband! After all, the Christian walk is all about his happiness and satisfying those primal urges of his!

"Maybe you're from the Brethren, Mennonites, Anabaptists, or a woman that simply has conservative values. If so, you're likely more suited than you think to be part of a polygamous household. Women such as yourself find it a comfort knowing that they don't have to complete college to be accepted as "real women" and they can enjoy the freedom that is the envy of women's libbers. Imagine being part of a household that includes more women than men. You can leave your children for the day without worries. You can spend an afternoon at a coffee shop or the mall without any worries about the well being of your children. In general, women in polygamous households have fewer responsibilities than women in "nuclear two parent families." Obviously it is much easier to cook dinner or do the laundry if you have help and in a polygamous household there is plenty of help. Are you such a woman?"

What glory! What freedom! I can have someone do my laundry and take care of all my children while I sit at Barnes and Noble! Hey? What if I meet a guy while I am out gallavanting about town while my sister wives are taking care of my home and children? What if my fears of not having all my needs met are suddenly realized and I want to bring home another man? Oh? It doesn't work that way? Women don't have any of those fears or longings. Okay. All my needs are met in meeting the desires of my husband and making sure that I don't stand in his way of taking more wives. Thanks for setting me straight!

I wonder if I can get some cute little Chippendale dancer graphics for my blog?

HT: Julie

Helping those who want to adopt

2007-01-10T23:20:00.000-06:00

A woman in our large homeschool co-op started a fundraiser selling Gold Canyon candles to help the families in our co-op who were going through the adoption process. We do it a couple of times a year. Whoever wants to participate gets an order form and sells as many candles as they can. I think half of the money goes towards the fundraiser with the other half going to pay for the candles. We have raised thousands of dollars and this money is divided up between two or three families to put towards the expenses involved in adopting. The children love to be involved and it is great to be part of helping these famlies. And is is exciting to finally get to meet the new children who are adopted into these families. The candles are yummy smelling, too! I am burning Mrs. Klaus's Kitchen and it smells so wonderful!

There are so many little costs involved in the process of adoption and every little bit helps. I have never adopted but I am excited when I can take part in another family's adoption efforts.

Maybe this is something you can do for the people who are adopting in your own little part of the world?

Help Save Nazanin

2007-01-09T18:28:00.000-06:00

UPDATE: Nazanin has been freed!!!

HT: Lynn

Please keep her in your prayers for safety and for true spiritual freedom now that she has been released from her physical bonds.

I was just watching the Glenn Beck show and saw this situation being talked about.

Nazanin is a young girl in Tehran, Iran, who was sentenced to death by hanging for stabbing a man in self-defense when she and her 16 year old niece were attacked by three men who were attempting to rape them. The man later died in a hospital. She is accused of murder.

If you can, please go to the above site and sign the petition. She has been in jail for almost two years and for right now, her execution has been stayed since the public is protesting and petitioning the court.

There is some video of her mother talking to her on the phone among other things at the site. I cannot imagine the nightmare she is living. Here she is innocent and rotting in a prison because she dared to protect herself against publice menaces who wanted to rape her. Why don't they put the real criminals in jail? You know, the ones who rape. Now, I wonder what would have happened if she didn't defend herself and she was raped by these three men? She would have had been hung for “acts incompatible with chastity” (see below). I guess a woman in this situation is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't.

Read the following news report at the Iran Focus-News website.

The details are truly shocking in so many ways. These two girls were with their boyfriends when they were attacked by these other three men. It started with these men throwing stones at the group. Their boyfriends quickly fled the scene to safety as they left the girls behind to suffer their fate.

Bravery at its finest. And people wonder why women don't always trust male-run systems? People wonder why there are those naughty little feminists? (Could this be part of the problem? Maybe?) Maybe it is because so many women have been abused and then blamed for the abuse?

I am wondering what happened to the other two men who tried to rape them? Are they in jail? Are they being punished? Do rapists get punished in these sorts of systems where women are not valued?

Here is a quote from the article that highlights two other cases of injustice against female victims:

"Last week, a court in the city of Rasht, northern Iran, sentenced Delara Darabi to death by hanging charged with murder when she was 17 years old. Darabi has denied the charges.

In August 2004, Iran’s Islamic penal system sentenced a 16-year-old girl, Atefeh Rajabi, to death after a sham trial, in which she was accused of committing “acts incompatible with chastity”.

The teenage victim had no access to a lawyer at any stage and efforts by her family to retain one were to no avail. Atefeh personally defended herself and told the religious judge that he should punish those who force women into adultery, not the victims. She was eventually hanged in public in the northern town of Neka."

What happened to the man, the other side of the equation, in these acts "incompatible with chastity"? He received 75 lashes and then let go. A grown man forcing sex on a 16 year old and he receives a lesser punishment and hers is a greater crime? By the way, Atefeh received 100 lashes several times. 100 lashes for each man she was accused of having sex with. She was a mentally ill girl and practically an orphan who was abused by a male relative while growing up and then taken advantage of by grown men as a young teen.

If you want to know more about Atefeh go here.

Yes, Atefeh was correct. Why don't the judges punish those who force women into adultery? I wonder if it has to do with how they view women in their religious systems? Maybe it was her "sharp tongue" that earned her the noose?

Added: Here is a quote from the last link I provided and I guess my "tongue in cheek" remark about Atefeh's sharp tongue getting her the noose was right on.

"I should add that this Mullah was not only the Judge but also the executioner and he proudly hung the noose around her neck himself. After her execution, he said publicly that her punishment was not execution but he taught her a "lesson" because of her sharp tongue."

Here is another news article concerning Atefeh.

Also, there is some good information in this article about Atefeh's plight.

Maybe they think that it is the woman's fault for tempting the man to rape her? Maybe, like some women I personally know, they are accused of making their husbands angry enough to beat them? And this comes from their religious leaders after these women have sought help by the people who are supposed to be there to help her. After all, men don't beat their wives or get angry with them unless they are provoked or the woman is doing something wrong.

Here is a quote from the above link:

"Zand-Bonazzi: Well, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran's interpretation of the Shari'a (I don't know how it's interpreted or done in Arab countries) a woman is automatically the seductress, however young and innocent. According to them, a man, no matter how old and promiscuous, is considered to be a "victim." "

I guess I wasn't too far off the mark?

It reminds me of how a popular religious leader in Christian circles blamed Tamar for her rape. If you know the story, Tamar's brother (both children of King David) raped her. This religious leader posits that Tamar hadn't cried out. If she had cried out, someone would have come to her rescue. Yeah, we can see that happens, just look at the above instance where the guys stay and fight to the death in order to save the women. Wait, they ran away. Never mind. But, this wise religious leader forgot that Amnon plotted with his friends to guard the door so he could do his dirty little deed. I don't understand why these pesky little details get forgotten when these things are being discussed but they often do. I guess it messes up the premise that women don't get raped unless they were asking for it or that they were out from under their father's protection (Meaning: a woman should never be out unless she is accompanied by a male. Again, see above to see how failproof that philosophy is)

It is time for men and women to rise up against these abuses and let their voice be heard.

Please sign the petition. Please educate yourself. Please do not think that these attitudes are held by a very small minority of people. Please do not fool yourself into thinking that abused women are getting the help they need by their religious leaders. Yes, there are some who do a good job but I have heard too many horror stories about how various situations are handled.

I am a little worked up about this. Some of you may chalk it up to my "latent feminist tendencies". That may well be the truth. But, does that change the horror? Does that change the fact that we should be outraged against these atrocities? Or are we too afraid to show shock and horror and concern when these things happen because it might score a point for the feminist's side? And we certainly can't blame this on the evils of feminism as some are so quick to do. Remember Lot? Remember the protection (NOT!!) he gave his two virgin daughters under his own roof? He offered his daughters up for the gang of perverts to do with whatever they so wanted as long as they didn't touch his male guests. This sort of attitude has existed since the early stages of humanity.

What are we going to do about it?

I'm Hooked!

2007-01-03T21:31:00.000-06:00

I am a big Lost fan but Heroes is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Not having a lot of time for TV, it is nice that I can catch up with the first season right on the web with very little commercial time. I watched half an episode on Monday night and I went online to start at the beginning. The second season is starting next week so you have time to catch up, too! ;-)

Worship Dancing?

2006-12-21T00:54:00.000-06:00

This is video shot at Saddleback Church.

Oh my!

Finally Got Them ALL in One Place

2006-12-09T12:24:00.000-06:00

Here is a picture of all the children. It is NOT easy to get them all in one place at the same time. My oldest is in college so it was great to nab him while we could. As you can see, we have one "clown". I took a bunch of pictures and this is the picture that is the least clownish of him. EVERY picture I take shows him making some sort of weird face. And that is NOT an exaggeration.

The Nativity

2006-12-08T01:16:00.000-06:00

I just went to see this movie with some friends tonight. It was a great movie. The setting was very real and you get an accurate sense of just how life was 2000 years ago. The movie stayed very true to scripture and that was refreshing (except the end part where they sped up Joseph and Mary's escape to Egypt). I loved the Magi; they were wonderfully portrayed. They were very funny, too. Joseph was easy on the eyes and a man you could really respect. He even had a great sense of humor but you have to see the movie to see what I mean. Mary was equally as well portrayed and her role was believable. She was perfect for the film. The scenes of Elizabeth and Mary giving birth made me bawl like a baby. It brought me back 7 months ago when I gave birth to my precious son, Levi. The music was lovely. Herod was portrayed as an evil man in a very controlled way. The scene where Herod ordered the slaughter of all the male children 2 and under brought the horror of that reality to life. It was a real, down-to-earth portrayal of the months leading up to Christ's birth. This movie really cannot compare to the Esther movie at all. This is a quality film and there was nothing cheesy about it. I highly recommend seeing it and it is suitable for tweens and up.

Doublespeak

2006-12-04T23:45:00.000-06:00

Author of Doublespeak, William Lutz, wrote:

"Doublespeak is language that pretends to communicate but really doesn't. It is language that makes the bad seem good, the negative appear positive, and the unpleasant appear attractive or at least tolerable. Doublespeak is language that avoids or shifts responsibility, language that is at variance with its real or purported meaning. It is language that conceals or prevents thought; rather than extending thought, doublespeak limits it."

Ever dealt with someone who mastered in doublespeak? It is like trying to grasp the wind or trying to nail Jello to the wall. You will never know where you stand with such a person. You will be hard-pressed to get the truth.

Wiggling her butt from side to side.....

2006-11-30T00:29:00.000-06:00

Something to make you smile. This is an actual voice mail. Make sure to listen to the "remix" after you listen to the voice mail.

Am I thankful?

2006-11-10T12:17:00.000-06:00

This was truly sobering. It was interesting and was a springboard for many thoughts.

Much Needed Laugh

2006-11-09T22:48:00.000-06:00

If you need a good laugh, please click on the above link.

Warning: Swallow your Diet Coke first!

Also, if you have an incontinence problem, please take appropriate measures. Don't say I didn't warn you! ;-)

Quit Ye Like Men

2006-11-09T21:57:00.000-06:00

I just stumbled upon some writings on this blog. I usually go there to read what they have to say about the latest "Lost" episode. It really is hysterical because the guy blogs what he is seeing while watching the episode.

They address some of the very things that I have addressed on my blog. They touch on the alleged "feminization" of the church.

here

here

here

They also have an article by Peter Leithart on "Farting and the Worship Wars"

It does my heart good to know that there is still a remnant of real men in the church. I was really despairing at the end of the day.

Life Changing

2006-11-08T16:36:00.000-06:00

Seeing these two realities side by side seriously affected me on so many levels. I am spoiled.

Advice on Advice

2006-11-08T12:54:00.000-06:00

I guess this is the week to show me just how much I do NOT know in our evangelical circles.

I didn't know who Ted Haggard was and I was quite unfamiliar with Mark Driscoll and his ministry. I happened upon Mark's blog via another blog.

Mark gave some very good advice to pastors in light of Ted Haggards fall from grace. But, right up at the top of his list was this bit of advice:

Most pastors I know do not have satisfying, free, sexual conversations and liberties with their wives. At the risk of being even more widely despised than I currently am, I will lean over the plate and take one for the team on this. It is not uncommon to meet pastorsÂ’ wives who really let themselves go; they sometimes feel that because their husband is a pastor, he is therefore trapped into fidelity, which gives them cause for laziness. A wife who lets herself go and is not sexually available to her husband in the ways that the Song of Songs is so frank about is not responsible for her husbandÂ’s sin, but she may not be helping him either.

It doesn't fit. Here Mark is speaking directly TO pastors about protecting themselves from sexual sin and now he says this? How is this bit of sage advice going to help a man who is faced with sexual sin? And, imho, this is highly inappropriate to say at a time such as this. After all, he was addressing the Ted Haggard scandal. If I was Gayle Haggard or any other woman who has recently had a husband fall into adultery, it would have been insult to injury.

Here is how I think he should have given this bit of PASTORAL advice. After all, a pastor should be marked by humility, grace of speech and compassion and sensitivity. He should be able to think through things before he speaks. He should know that this sort of thing is not as simple as being fat and lazy. That relationships are pretty complicated and he never touched on the very fact that a husband's lack of love and attention can be contributing to his lousy relationship with his wife and his lousy sex life. Many men think that once they are married, all the "work" is done (the wining and dining and being sensitive and caring) and then they can coast. They have done their part. They don't think they should have to put any more work into the relationship. They are confused by why their neglected wife is repulsed by the idea of sex with them or that she self-medicates with food to fill that void of being alone or that she runs off with the UPS man. The poor guy is scratching his head in amazement because he can't figure out what went wrong.

So, here is how I think that Mark should have worded his advice TO men about their marital relationship. I won't pretend to be a martyr and take one for the team on this one.

"Men, how is your relationship with your wife? Are you attentive to her or have you neglected her and put her last on your list of people who need you? Are you giving her the better part of yourself? Does she feel lonely and neglected? Is she starting to exhibit addictive behaviors like over eating, smoking, drinking, watching too much TV or the like? Has she tried to talk to you and you rebuffed her with an accusation of being a "nag" or "too demanding"? How is your sex life? If it is suffering, look in the mirror. You, as the man, must take responsibility in this. A woman doesn't have a problem with wanting to have sex when she feels loved, cared for, appreciated and made a priority. Is sex enjoyable for your wife? Does she get pleasure from it or does she do it out of duty? Maybe your technique is lacking? She may enjoy sex more if you would commit to being the kind of lover that Solomon was in the Song of Songs. Are you a "wham, bam, thank-you maam" type of lover? Or are you gentle, considerate, wanting to please? Do you approach sex with the attitude of thinking that it is something that you deserve and it is something for your pleasure? Or do you have the attitude that sex is all about pleasing your wife? 1 Corinthians 7 tells us that intimacy is important in our marriages. Too many women are being neglected and then expected to perform like women we see in the movies or women we have seen in porn. Men, you cannot allow your ideas about sex to be defined by this culture and this world. We cannot afford to be selfish in our approach to sex and we cannot afford to neglect our wives. After all, if we cultivate our gardens, will they not bear delicious fruit?

Men, marriage reflects Christ and His love for the Church. Christ is not selfish and He is not a clod. He is a thoughtful, sensitive, doting lover of our soul. Shouldn't we strive to reflect His love to the lost and dying world? I believe that men are the ones who initiate and women are responders. We see this in the Church and how God set up these gender distinctions to show the world something of Himself. Christ initiates and we respond. Right?

If your woman is not responding to you, then you need to take a good look in the mirror. You are the one responsible for your marriage as the head of your home. If your wife is being sinful and neglecting you in spite of you being a good husband, then go find help. Your marriage depends upon it. "

This is how pastoral advice to men should look like. This is how it should sound.

There is a time for sarcasm and maybe even a time to be crass. But, this is not one of them.

In the same advice, further down, Mark talks about how attractive women have accosted him. It seems that women are the problem according to Mark. Either they aren't sexy enough or they are too sexy. The message comes across as warning men to beware of the temptresses that abound. How can there be so many temptresses when there are so many women who have let themselves go and aren't wanting to have sex?

I think the issue is a LOT more complicated than Mark lets on. He states that MOST pastors he knows do not have good sex lives. Hmmm. I wonder who those pastors are. Since most of them have lousy sex lives I would expect it wouldn't be hard to know whivh ones he is talking about. Maybe one of these many pastors can blog about the problem?

We Christians already look like idiots to the world. We are first class hypocrites in their eyes. Comments like those of Mark Driscoll only serve to blaspheme the name of our Lord in the world's eyes.

Let us take time to think things through. Let us not spew out everything that is in our heart, especially when it is not godly and consistent with our doctrine concerning gender roles. I have noticed that men who believe in male leadership (as do I) in the church are hypocritical when it comes to taking any bit of responsibility for the direction the church or their marriage has taken. You cannot have one without the other. Yes, it is nice to have our cake and eat it, too. You can't claim authority and then blame it on the feminists and wives if things don't go well. If we are inconsistent in the messages we give, no one will listen to us.

Take a look around on the web and see what unbelievers are saying about this advice. Part of being a mature male is taking responsibility. It isn't feminism that is the problem in our churches. It is the lack of accountable and responsible men. I will take one for the team on that statement.

Appealing to the masses

2006-11-05T12:50:00.000-06:00

I like this quote from Don Miller from "Blue Like Jazz". I agree with it.

Whoa! Wake up call!

2006-11-05T11:04:00.000-06:00

In light of the recent events surrounding the scandalous behavior of a leading, well-known evangelical pastor of a mega-church in Colorado, watch this video.

The situation surrounding Ted Haggard is truly sad. I don't think I had even heard of him before this. I am praying for him and his wife and for the church he pastored. For the grace of God go all of us. The proper response to this should be hearts that are breaking and heeding the warning. Not puffing up our chests and proclaiming how much above this messy stuff we really are.

It just shows that NO one is above grievous sin.

Last night I listened to his sermon he preached this past Sunday. Again, it is quite profound in light of what was revealed this week.

This is the second pastor in a week that has been revealed to be leading a double life in Colorado. Maybe it is the state? The water? The mountain air? Too close to "Brokeback Mtn"? I mean, these guesses are just as reasonable as some of the ones I have heard. Maybe his wife let herself go and she wasn't putting out? (She looks quite beautiful to me and if one would ask Christy Brinkley why her husband cheated on her with an 18 year old, maybe one would get to see that this reason is just another grasp at straws and placing the blame where it doesn't belong) Maybe it is his Arminian theology? After all, we Reformed folk don't do THAT sort of thing. We are not big sinners like THAT. People are trying to find out the "why" for why Ted Haggard bought meth and had an affair with a male prostitute but their ponderings are not grounded in scripture.

What is the answer? Is it more rules? More hedges? Blaming outside sources? What does the Bible say? Now is the time to get out our Bibles and do some soul-searching. Ask the Lord for Wisdom. Everyone seems to have an opinion or a theory for why these sorts of things happen. Most of them miss the mark.

I don't know Ted Haggard's heart. I don't know why he did what he did. All I know is that he OWNS his sin and Romans 1 says he is without excuse. We are all without excuse. I do know that I sincerely grieve for his family- his wife and children. They are going down with the ship because they are chained to its captain. Sin isn't just about you and me. It ravages the lives of others around us.

James 1:14-15:

But each person is tempted when he(she) is lured and enticed by his(her) own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (Please excuse my neutering of this text by including the feminine pronouns. I will try not to pervert scripture again with such liberal use of pronouns. I just wanted to make it very certain that I include myself in that verse.)

Our *own* lust (or desire) lures us and entices us.

I think when we get caught in sin, our natural sinful, fleshly response is to be like our father Adam and blame someone else.

The Bible doesn't allow for that especially in sexual sin. When the Bible speaks of sexual sin and lust it never speculates as to how others have caused the sinner to sin. It always lays the blame fully on the sinner.

We should take heed lest we also fall. We are not above this sin. Our beautiful, fit and sexually available spouses and our properly reformed theology will not save us from being lured into this sort of sin. The Bible clearly tells us that it is what is IN us that causes us to sin. Unless we train our minds and constantly renew our minds and commit ourselves daily to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, we are not very far from slipping into the mire that Ted Haggard has found himself in.

The Christian life is about personal responsibility and owning our sin. It is not about pride in our own selves that we have not fallen nor is it about making more rules and placing more burdens on others to protect us from our own selves.

Say it isn't so...Pretty please?????

2006-11-03T01:25:00.000-06:00

I hate to sound like I am bragging but I told you so.

Go to the above link and read while I try and pick my jaw up off of the floor. What are these people smoking? Inquiring minds want to know.

Then when you are done with that link, if you still don't understand this new "manful" religion, go here.

For real.

And then you can't miss this link where Bill Kinnon cuts through all of the smelly stuff.

I really like his idea for a t-shirt for these "Godmen": "Jesus was a Man, Dammit, AND SO AM I!!"

This really sounds like the created worshiping the "creature" instead of the Creator. Idolatry.

All this hooey was spawned from the book "Why Men Hate Going to Church" by David Murrow where he bemoans the churches being taken over by women. Church isn't appealling enough for men. They should call their pastor a "coach" and high-five each other and make grunting sounds in agreement during the sermon. According to Murrow, churches cater too much to women and children and not enough to men. Really? Does he want a little cheese to go with his whine?

I wrote about this book last year in various places because of its ridiculous assertions. And now we see the fruit. Oy!

Here is a quote from the Newsweek article:

During a talk on Saturday titled “Jesus—A Very Bad Christian Man,” Coughlin spoke while a projector beamed a “Wanted” poster of Jesus behind him “The idea that Jesus was always meek and mild is as fictitious as anything you’ll find in Dan Brown’s books,” he told the crowd. “Jesus was mighty disrespectful toward authority.” Then Coughlin riled the audience up: “You will never be able to be a warrior of light, to really fight on behalf of justice, if you think you have to be nice all the time!”

Hmmm? I suppose that doesn't go for women, right? I mean, it is okay for men to be disrespectful to authority and not be nice all the time but not for women? Women are to always obey authority and be nice or else we are...well, you know. I wonder if it is okay for women to mimic this "bad ass" type of Jesus that the Godmen promote? Naahhh! We can only mimic His meek and gentle side while they can mimic is "kick-over-table" side. Btw, guys, Jesus only kicked over the tables one time and you are not God. :-) Jesus was angry because people were making a mockery in HIS Father's house. I think that this is being taken out of context. But, that is just my meek opinion.

But, hey, with sermon titles like "Training the Penis", who am I to throw a wet, cold blanket on all this testosterone-loaded fun!

Let us close with a chorus from this new praise song called “Grow A Pair!”:

“We’ve been beaten down/ Feminized by the culture crowd,” they sang. “No more nice guy, timid and ashamed/ We’ve had enough, cowboy up/ In the power of Jesus name/ Welcome to the battle/ A million men have got your back/ Jump up in the saddle/ Grab a sword, don’t be scared/ Be a man, grow a pair!”

White and Nerdy?

2006-11-03T00:51:00.000-06:00

Need a good laugh? Click on the link above. Be warned: It might hit too close to home for some of you! I know it did for me.

"Go Cards!!!"

2006-10-28T12:37:00.001-05:00

My husband was able to go to the World Series down in St. Louis (lucky dog!!!). He does a lot of work in the St. Louis area and he was able to get some tickets (not scalped) and he took out some local business men. He originally went on Wednesday and he stood around with his friends for many hours waiting for the rain to subside. He then was able to go on Thursday night. He took a lot of pictures and video and when he got home he treated us to a slide show on the living room wall. He brought all sorts of memorabilia back for the children, too. He even brought me back a St. Louis Cards World Series kitchen towel. What a guy!

We are from Milwaukee so we were brought up going to see the Brewers play. We never became Cubs or White Sox fans much to the dismay of our friends in Illinois (where we are now living). Now, we are attempting to sell our home and move down to the St. Louis area so my husband can work down there full-time. I can easily see me becoming a Cardinals fan.

"One Night With the King"

2006-10-19T11:27:00.000-05:00

Did you see this new movie about Esther? I saw it with my two oldest girls (14 & 16) the night it came out. It was interesting. And we did a lot of giggling. Kind of like the giggling I used to do with my girlfriends when male strippers would be dancing at the bar we were hanging out at. Giggling that came from an embarassment felt for the dancers. The scenery was nice and the actress that played Esther was good in the role albeit a little flighty. I liked Queen Vashti. She was strong and regal and composed and not all gushy and ridiculous. It showed her as smart and intelligent. I believe that is how she really was. I don't think that Vashti was some rebel as some have put her forth. That point came across in this movie. If I was Queen Vashti, I would think it would have been a mercy of God to get me the heck out of that palace and away from the stable of sex slaves. I thought King Xerxes was portrayed as a cry-baby. He wore eye-liner and when he spoke to Esther he whimpered and whined a lot. The Hegai, the eunuch, was much more manly than Xerxes. If I had to pick a man to marry and be attracted to out of this movie, it would have been Hegai the eunuch.

I also do not like stories like this being presented as some childhood fairy-tale, all santized and sweet-smelling. I think this movie was put forth more like Cinderella finds Prince Charming than a gaggle of virgin girls being kidnapped and forced to be a sex slaves to the King. This was not a nice story. It was a story about whoever could sexually please the king the most would wear the crown. It wasn't a story about reading books to the king. This is not some dream of every little girl to be dragged out of her house by some pagans in order to be the newest sex toy for the king. And not only were you a sex toy but you were just one of many sex toys the king used for his own pleasure. Just think: Osama Ben Laden conquers America and sends his terrorists out to your homes to seize your virgin 14 yr-18 yr olds for sexual trysts with Osama and you will never see them again. That is the story of Esther. Obviously, the truth doesn't make for good movies.

To me, Esther is a story of a woman who made the best out of her situation. I often wondered why Mordecai didn't refuse to the point of death? Why were Mordecai and Esther hiding their beliefs? Why weren't they more like Daniel and his three friends who refused to bow down and who refused to stop being Jews? Why were they still in Persia when all the Jews were supposed to go back to the Promised Land? Mordecai and Esther were just like the pagan culture around them and they kept their Jewishness a secret much like many Christians in America. But, God still used them in spite of their compromise. This movie fell far short of portraying the actual biblical account. This is a fairytale story not a story about biblical and historical truth.

I found Hegai, the royal eunich, to be a sympathetic character. I probably liked his character the most. He also had the biggest arms I ever saw! Wow! I truly felt for him and he exhibited a godly spirit in spite of his circumstances. Also there was another boy (Seth?) in the story. It seemed that Esther and this young boy like each other and they were going to go to Jerusalem together. That was before the royal guard was dispatched to get the goods for the King's bed. This boy was captured and rounded up with other young men and they were made eunuchs to care for all the new virgins that were kidnapped. I really felt that this was a good point to make in the movie. It was one of the real parts. It is also one where true emotion (as opposed to fake and forced) was shown. Here these young men were emasculated and forced to serve the king. I didn't like that Esther seemed rude to her former boyfriend once she was in the palace. I didn't see any sympathy towards him. Here he was castrated and looking horrible and she was too busy getting oil and beauty treatments to be sympathetic.

Also, another real part of the movie is when they first brought the girls to the palace. One of the young women was afraid and lamenting the fact that she would never see her mother or father again. Then Esther comes in as Pollyanna and acts as if they were given a golden ticket to a Broadway show with backstage passes. It kind of blew the moment for me.

Young virgin girls do not relish the idea of having sex with a man who could be their father. How old was Xerxes anyways when this happened? I am trying to figure it out. I think he was in his 40's. If the producers of this movie wanted to be biblically accurate, they would have made Xerxes a lot older and ickier. There was one part of the movie where the King was having a dream (presumably from God) and just a white sheet was covering his "area". His shaven chest was heaving and his washboard abs were gleaming. He was sweating, adding to the Fabio moment. He awakens and says "Chronicles!" in a breathless sort of icky sexy way.

Today, if there was some 40 something year old man having sex with young teenage girls we would call him a pervert and throw him into jail and rightly so. But, as Christians, we have this compulsion to turn these stories into fairytales so they are more palatable. Some even make this story of Esther into a picture of how a wife should approach her husband! Truly. I am not kidding. And I still have to talk about the image of the "sword" written about by a pastor on his blog. I wonder if he shouldn't have used the image of a "sceptor" instead?

I do not like that the story of Esther is put forth as just another Walt Disney fairytale. It bothers me because the story of Esther is not anything like the story of Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty.

The movie was okay. It was nice and irritating all at the same time. I am just not one to like overly emotional and syrupy sweet love stories. I like reality. I like truth. This was mostly fiction. I had to restrain from mocking King Xerxes a lot. A guy who wears eye-liner is just asking for it, imho. And Haman was a deranged madman in the fashion of Ted Bundy or Son of Sam. Haman's eyes looked as if he were crazy. He gave me a good laugh. And, Haman, what is up with the weird voice? I guess portraying Haman as some deranged serial killer was okay. After all, he wanted to completely wipe out the Jewish race because his little overinflated ego was damaged.

I also like Mordecai's character. I thought that the actor picked to play him was a smart choice and he was believable.

I don't mind filling in the blanks but I do mind when people change the biblical story. Xerxes was not some simpering, hopeless romantic. He was an evil man. The movie stayed with the biblical account and it didn't. I don't know why they had to change the ending. They made it look as if Haman was not thrilled to be banqueting with the Queen but the Bible shows Haman to be quite flattered to get an invite. Also, they only showed one night of feasting with Esther instead of Esther asking Haman and the King to come back the next.

Oh, also the whole thing about the necklace with the stars. My girls and I broke down laughing at the end when Xerxes came back and said "I saw them." It was so predictable. Right before he said that, I said those exact words while dramatically imitating Xerxes.

I saw a preview of a movie about Mary and Joseph and the birth of Christ that is coming out in December. That looks very promising and realistic.

Real Men don't use :-) (smiley faces)

2006-10-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

I came across this post on another blog. Scroll down to February 7, 2006 and you will see the post "C.J. Mahaney is wrong-->:^(".

Here is what C.J. Mahaney says:

"Somehow this reminded me of a rule I want us to adopt for our blog. No smiley faces allowed! Real men do not use smiley faces on e-mails! This is fine for the ladies, but not the men. Real men communicate humor effectively without having to use a smiley face and real men can discern the presence of genuine humor without seeing a smiley face. So let our blog be free from all wimp-like communication!"

I am not sure what his point is? Dan Phillips makes some good points about the above statement on his blog but he missed what I am seeing as a glaringly obvious put-down of women.

I have to wonder why using emoticons is fine for the ladies but not for the men? Real women cannot communicate humor effectively so we need to use wimpy emoticons? It seems that this is what he is saying. And real women can't discern genuine humor unless it has a smiley face attached? Is he serious? Oh, that must prove his point. I can't detect humor since I am not a "real man". And then he tells his readers that he wants his blog to be free from all wimp-like communication.

Hmmm? It seems pretty wimpy to say such a thing. It seems pretty shallow to think such things. It seems worldly and silly. Since when is letting other people know that you are joking a wimpy thing? Since when do "real men" have a leg up on the rest of us- women and wimps- when it comes to discerning the presence of genuine humor? Since when do "real men" have the upper hand in communicating humor effectively over their weak female and wimpy male brothers and sisters?

And this isn't really what I found to be the bad part.

He references an article written by Al Mohler. Here we see C.J. Mahaney quote from Al Mohler who quotes from Terrence Moore's essay, "Wimps and Barbarians":

"And finally Al’s “President’s Journal” column titled “The Boy Problem, Then and Now” is an insightful summation of Terrence Moore’s essay, “Wimps and Barbarians: The Sons of Murphy Brown.” Here's a great quote from Al’s column:

“Wimps, on the other hand, look to women for emotional support, consider girlfriends to be conversational partners and look to women for pity.”"

So, this is what real men truly think? I think we are in trouble. And I wonder which scripture verses they use to support their "real man" theology? After all, they are never short on verses when it comes to women being in submission.

Why did God create Eve if it wasn't for emotional support and to be a conversational partner? What was the purpose of the creation of women according to these real men's views? Obviously women aren't to be looked to for emotional support or conversation. So, what exactly should men look to women for? Sex? Clean laundry? Meals? Clean homes? As long as he doesn't look to her for emotional support and conversation, he is not a wimp.

Wow! The misogynistic thoughts really run deep, don't they? Here we are being told by Christian male leaders that a man is a wimp if he looks to a woman for emotional support and conversation? I guess it was bad for Adam to be alone because he was never meant to do his own laundry or make his own meals. After all, he could talk to himself or the animals and get his needs met that way. He didn't want to be a wimp and go to Eve for emotional support and deep and meaningful conversation. When he had an urge for sex he could turn to Eve because that is what real men do.

I really do wonder what Bible some people read. My translation is so very different. But, what do I know? I am not a real man and I use emoticons to get my point across at times. I care too much about people and that they don't take me the wrong way. I guess if I were a real man, I don't have to worry about conveying the wrong idea. Wimpy men worry about that sort of thing. Wimpy men care about other people. Wimpy men turn to their wives for emotional support and conversation.

I am glad that I have been set straight by these real men. :-)

"Blue Like Jazz"

2006-10-18T14:09:00.000-05:00

I am really enjoying a book I just picked up in our church library on Sunday. It was a hidden, well-read, little gem just lying there on the shelf.

Not only am I laughing profusely all through the book, I can really relate to what Mr. Miller writes about life and his thoughts on life.

I am looking forward to reading more of his books. I really think that this sort of reading is very needed at this time in our church history.

The chapters pretty much stand on their own so it makes for a book you can pick up, read one chapter, get a LOT out of it and put it down in order to do 10 loads of laundry, 2 hours of ironing, 5 hours of teaching and playing referee and nurse to a tribe of little ones. Even though I am teaching chemistry and algebra, it feels good to be able to escape from all the business of my life and be challenged in my thoughts on life.

Power, Control, Authority

2006-10-15T00:22:00.000-05:00

It is interesting to me to see this lust for power displayed in so many Christians. I was wondering if you know of anyone who lusts after serving? Lusts after being the least of all? Lusts after washing the feet of the saints? Lusts after giving up one's own life in love for another? Lusts after "one anothering"? I read my Bible and I see over and over again where we are warned against seeking after power and authority. Authority is not to be like the Gentiles' view of authority. Authority is serving not lording. Authority is empowering others to use their gifts for the service of the Lord not using other's gifts to pursue one's own agenda. Authority is turned upside down in the kingdom of God.

Matthew 20:24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slaveÂ— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Shouldn't we much more desire that God will exalt us? Doesn't our focus on our own power and authority OVER others prove that we do not possess the mind of Christ? That we are not filled with humility? That we think too highly of ourselves?

Honor rightly belongs to God. Why do some talk about honor due them? Is that something the Bible tells us we should be concerned about? Should we be constantly reminding others that they owe us honor? What does this desire for power over others show about our hearts and spiritual condition? Aren't pagans concerned about having power and authority over others? Why is having authority over someone else so important to a Christian? What do they have to gain by constantly reminding others of their alleged authority? Isn't this self-serving?

This pursuit of power and authority over others is a corrupting influence in our church. Wouldn't it be much better to be concerned about how we may serve others and die to self? Doesn't this attitude line up with the attitude of Christ?

I believe we need to stay away from the power junkies. Stay away from movements that are based on exalting and elevating one's power over others. If that is the focus of such a movement, it is NOT in accordance with scripture.

True authority is not concerned with one's self or what is due. True authority is concerned with serving others and emptying one's self of any notion of exaltation over others. True authority does not insist on titles and receiving better treatment. True authority doesn't insist that one has a moral failing if one disagrees.

We have come so far from the basics of our faith and we do not even see it. We are so wrapped up in the latest and greatest craze sweeping through the church that we take our eyes off of Jesus and His word. We read the latest book and promote that instead of the pure, unadulterated word of our Lord.

Let's get our eyes off of ourselves and what is due us. Let us remove our backends from the "seat of Moses" and get on our knees in humble submission and service to others.

I'm a hermaphrodite?

2006-10-06T12:20:00.000-05:00

I think I have discovered my problem with this alleged "gender war". I see the "gender war" as a symptom not as a problem.

I hate the put-downs and stereotypical comments by people who should know better concerning women. The women I know are calm, rational, logical, reasonable, strong, brave, loyal, etc. I don't know many neurotic and irrational and illogical types but when I do see them, they seem to come equally in male and female packages. Yes, yes, yes,.....I totally know that there are differences between men and women. I SEE it clearly!!! Believe me! I am married to a man and I have 6 girls and 4 boys. I have enough variety around here to make some keen observations regarding the differences. I do see God's design and purpose in these differences. But, these so-called qualities of reason, logic, intelligence, strength, courage, theological understanding are not masculine qualities but gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is neither feminine or masculine but available to any believer who is willing. Anyone who can read, has the Holy Spirit and seeks to study scripture can be just as wise and theologically minded. God is no respector of persons when handing out the Holy Spirit. We are all transformed at the time of our new birth and made into a new creature. So, if you are neurotic, overly emotional or lack self-control don't blame God, He didn't make you that way. And don't blame your hormones, either.

This women are a "mystery" stuff is an excuse. Most of the women are quite clear on what they want and they articulate it quite well. When someone says "women are a mystery" in response to a clearly articulated comment by a woman, I have some suspicions that the person is just making an excuse.

I also do not like the stereotypical slams against men. There are many men who exhibit that these stereotypes are false and it makes me angry to see many fine and godly men reduced down to some stereotype that doesn't exist.

Maybe it is just who I choose to surround myself with?

So here is the test.

Your Brain is 47% Female, 53% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female
You are both sensitive and savvy
Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed
But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

"Because I'm the Pastor, That's Why!"

2006-10-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

"Authority insisted on is usually authority lost."

The above comment was posted by a pastor on his blog recently.

I thought it ironic that this was posted on this blog when these two pastors frequently like to remind people of their authority and how others are to submit to that authority, even if they aren't members of their church.

It brings up many questions in my mind.

Just who is it, that we believers, have to submit to? If it is to *all* pastors, then I think we would find ourselves in a schizophrenic sort of mind. Benny Hinn can tell me to submit to him and that my disagreement with his teachings are proof of my rebelliousness. Then, another pastor comes along and tells me to submit to him and his teaching and that if I follow Benny Hinn's teachings, I am following false teaching. And on and on it goes and where it stops nobody knows. No wonder so many Christians have checked out and feel that the study of doctrine is left for the "big guys".

I also see that good Bereans are being scolded and rebuked for being good Bereans. Discussion is called "barking". Asking questions is called "subverting". Disagreeing with said teaching, even when one is armed to the gills with scripture, is seen as proof of our current age and a deep-rooted spiritual problem.

I also see where many of these same men resort to telling bloggers who disagree or discuss their particular teachings as "having too much time on your hands".

Hmmm? So, which scripture do I obey? Do I submit to anyone who calls themself a pastor and not discuss what is being taught on a public forum? Or do I behave as any good Berean and thoroughly search the scriptures to test and see if what is being taught is in line with scripture? Do I just bury my head in the sand? Do I put my Bible away and just open my mouth for the pablum I am supposed to be ever so grateful to have jammed down my throat without nary a hint that I may not like it because the Holy Spirit does not confirm the food that I am being fed?

I agree with the quote that I started this post with. It is true in the church, it is true in the home and it is true in business. True spiritual authority comes from the word of God and whenever any believer is correctly dividing the scriptures they are exhibiting true spiritual authority whether they know it or not. Hopefully, they do NOT know it and are not striving to be an authority because I think that is the beginning of one losing one's authority. It is kind of like humility. When one prides themself on being humble they have already proved they are not.

I have seen pastors who rebuke those who do not address them with a certain title. After all, we must show respect to their office and who does Joe Believer think he is when he calls me by my first name when we are sitting around a campfire talking about the building project. (Yes, this really happened. The pastor pulled a kind, meek, humble man aside and rebuked him for referring to him by his first name in a conversation among a bunch of other men around a campfire. It was NOT a church setting.) I have seen men who constantly seek to remind those of their supposed authority as a elder in God's church and they tell those who disagree with them that it is proof that one is rebellious and not submissive. (Yes, I have experienced this on some internet groups by men who are elders in their churches.) They think so highly of themselves that they forget that the Bible mentions that characteristic as sin.

This was said by the Internet Monk at Boars Head Tavern (here):

"Writers- especially critics- are always faulted for having too much time on their hands. They need it to listen to/read all the brilliant things preachers say. (jn) I find it fascinating that preachers are taken aback- even offended- that people hear what they say and actually think/talk/write about it. Shocking. Can'’t the barking little people and their blogs go away? I'’m being facitious, but apparently the response to any conference is supposed to be a kind of grateful silence, followed by interviews."

How True. John Piper just told Mark Driscoll in an email exchange that bloggers must have too much time on their hands. This was said because of some discussion concerning a statement that Driscoll made at a recent conference. If you are interested in this discussion, it would be well worth checking out. I know you wouldn't want to be accused of having too much time on your hands, so proceed with caution.

I would like to recommend a book on this subject. It is called "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" by Jeff Van Vonderan. Here are some quotes: "Trust is not something that can be demanded or legislated." "Even if you don't agree with a person, or you don't affirm their ideals, there is something trustworthy about a man or woman who is "straight" with you. You know where you stand. It feels safe. It's even safe to disagree." "The way you can spot a false system is that the leaders require the place of honor. It is our belief that the less secure a leader is, the more important titles will by to him or her." "The "Wizard" is in fact a power abuser. He controls the whole city with a facade that postures power and punishes people for noticing. In a kingdom where the problem was that the Wizard couldn'deliverer, Dorothy and her crew became the problem for noticing there was a problem." "It is sad to think how often religious power-brokers control their spiritual kingdoms with power facades. They rain Bible verses on people about authority, submission, judgment, prosperity, or the end times. They penalize people for noticing that "the man behind the curtain" is just human, with no authenticity or authority at all."

We are led (like dumb sheep because we are told that it is baaaad to comment and in order to comment one has to study scripture and it would be wrong to see false teaching and not correct it) to believe that a pastor's words are from the mouth of God. To question or disobey him means that we are questioning and disobeying God. "Touch not the Lord's annointed" is often their motto. Anyone who suggests that something is wrong is the problem. The Pharisees thought that they had authentic authority because they had seated themselves in the "chair of Moses". Discussion is bad and means that one doesn't use his/her time wisely. Huh? I guess the Bereans were the laziest bunch of believers and not the noble people that scripture has led us to believe they were?

Van Vonderan states, "Because Scribes and Pharisees have no real authority, they have to assert their position. They forget or ignore the model Jesus provided when He simply came and spoke the truth. They forget that the basis of His authority was clearly not an office, role, or position, because He had none of these things. Whenever or wherever we see a system or a person posturing or assuming a position of authority based on solely role, office, or position, we are dealing with a false basis of authority. If a person's spiritual authority rests on the sole fact that "I am the pastor, there is a good chance they have taken that posture because they have no real authority."

So, will you be an annoying, little barking sheep or will you be someone who unsheaths their sword (more about this little euphemism later!) and studies in order to be a workman approved by God?

What is going on?

2006-10-03T23:32:00.001-05:00

I just came across this here at Internet Monk. I am speechless. My heart goes out to these families. So much wickedness in this world. A 32 year old man, father of 3, married to a woman very active in her local church, took 10 Amish schoolgirls hostage, bound them up, lined them up against the chalkboard and proceeded to shoot them execution style. He killed 5 girls and 5 of them are critically wounded and then he killed himself Here is another link to this incident: here. He apparently had elaborate plans to sexually assault these girls. Among the items found with him were two bottles of KY Jelly and a board with ten large hooks so that he could keep them in one place while he sexually abused them. In his suicide note, he said he was going to get revenge. I wonder what this revenge has to do with girls? Some think it has to do with his anger towards God because he had lost a daughter nine years earlier. She had been born prematurely and had only lived 20 minutes. Who knows? It makes no sense. His wife is totally shocked. She describes her husband as a very loving and supportive man.

This is the second such incident (a grown man goes into a school, dismisses all males and adults and holds young girls hostage with the intent to sexually abuse them) in a week. The other shooting happened on 9/27. A 53 year old man took 6 girls hostage and released 4 of them. The girls that were released reported to the Swat team that he was sexually assaulting the girls. The Swat team decided to storm the school in order to save the girls before the 4:00 deadline that was given to them by the perpetrator. The man shot one 16 year old girl in the head and then killed himself. Here is a link to this incident: here.

Here we such depravity, such evil. Is no one safe? It would be one thing if these perverts had a horn growing out of their heads, an eye bulging out from one of their sockets and were hunchbacked and drooling. At least we would know who to stay away from. But, it is quite another thing when this sort of evil masquerades as "light" in our very own neighborhoods and churches in seemingly normal appearing men.

In Romans 1 we see the reason for such evil in this world. Thank God that His restraining hand is still upon this world or else this sort of thing would be happening multiple times a day along with other unspeakable forms of evil. It is obvious that these two men are perfect examples of a depraved mind, filled with every type of perversion. How many times a day does God protect us from such individuals by His restraining influence?

Give your children a hug tonight. Thank the Lord and honor Him. And pray for these poor families as they are in the middle of this horrible tragedy. Pray for the five girls still in critical condition in the hospital. Pray for our nation and for the safety of our children. It appears that children are the natural and preferred prey of the depraved mind. God have mercy on us.

Fresh Flowers

2006-09-21T23:45:00.000-05:00

While we are trying to sell our home, I thought it would be nice to have fresh flowers to add to the ambiance of our home. I don't usually have fresh flowers in our home. I am a pretty practical kind of person and flowers always represented "waste" to me. When my husband and I were first married, he would bring me flowers and inside I would be worrying about all that money that was going to waste. We were pretty poor and every cent really counted. He is a true romantic and really thought that flowers would show how much he loved me. He still brings me flowers and I really appreciate them but he knows the way to get to my heart- taking out the trash. :-)

So, now I have these gorgeous roses in my bathroom! I bought them at Walmart for half price. And they have lasted for over a week. I have a beautiful fall bouquet on my dining room table. I had read that the European women had flowers built right into their budget. To them, it was a necessity to have fresh flowers in the home. I am coming to see that they may have something there. I do think that I might continue buying flowers for the home even after we are moved.

I look at those flowers and I am reminded of God's love and just how awesome he created this World of ours just for our enjoyment. Those flowers remind me to stop and enjoy God's creation. They are a reminder that He loves us and He made these beautiful things just for us. It is an amazing thought. God created us to have fellowship with Him. Adam and Eve lived in a beautiful garden created just for their pleasure and His and to be enjoyed in His presence. It really is mind-boggling but somehow a couple of vases of flowers in my home helps me to remember things like this.

I don't stop and smell the roses enough but if I keep up this habit, I just may.

Light Morton

2006-09-19T01:56:00.000-05:00

There is far too much mud-slinging amongst those who call themselves followers of Christ. I happened upon a blog where I witnessed a woman being treated in a manner that was disgraceful. I witnessed her being falsely accused and having her words twisted and having words put into her mouth. She never failed to be gracious in her response. I have learned a lot from her by watching how she responds to such uncharitable treatment. I got a taste of what the atmosphere was probably like during the Salem Witch Trials. The verbage is right off the pages of such accounts. And how many innocent people were put to death because the religious leaders just knew that they were right and righteous in their judgments?

I don't know much about her at all. I do know that she is a Christian, that she is a wife and a mother to many. I do know that she cares deeply about others. She cares about me and I am a total stranger to her. I want to honor her with my words here since she has been so dishonored elsewhere.

When she is mocked, scorned and has scathing pronouncements made concerning her standing with Christ, she has not returned kind for kind.

I am reminded that even Christ was accused of being of the "evil one" by the religious leaders because He confronted their hypocrisy and lack of love.

When compassion, love, humility, gentleness, kindness, submission and meekness is scorned as being the stuff of females and concepts of the "feminized church", I am reminded that Christ was all of these things. These qualities are "weak" according to some. These qualities are the stuff of females. Meaning, anything feminine is weak and lacking. We are told that "manful religion" isn't bothered by these things. I don't know what manful religion is but it is a worldly concept. If anything, we are told to be like Christ and have a "Christ-ful" religion.

I may disagree with Light on a couple of things but these are not things that would cause me to utter such contemptable judgments as I have witnessed uttered against her and the state of her soul. These are not things that would cause me to break fellowship with her as a fellow sister in Christ. These are not things that should elicit such hatred and mockery. Instead of answering her questions with scripture, she has been lambasted and mocked by those who call themselves leaders and officers of Christ. Ad hominem attack follows red herrings followed by more ad hominem followed by poisoning the well and begging the question.

Light is not filled with darkness. She is not an agent of the evil one. I am sure that her fruit will bear this out.

The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. I know some are cringing at this list of weak, feminine qualities but we cannot deny what scripture says in favor of our own religion made with our own human hands. All Christians, men and women, are to possess this fruit.

Light has no problem with anyone confronting what they feel is error in what she writes. But, up until this point, no one has bothered to confront any error in what she has posted. Instead of answering her questions, they call her names and mock her.

The fruit of righteousness is peaceable. They will know we are Christians by our love. (Yes, that is a biblical concept. Just read 1 John to see that love for the brethren is a true test of being a child of God.)

There is nothing new under the sun. Religious leaders of Jesus' day persecuted Him for pointing out their man-made (manful) doctrines and religious leaders still are with us today, persecuting those who dare to point out their man-made doctrines that have roots in the traditions of men and not the word of God.

Christ was surrounded by faithful women who He used in mighty ways. In fact, He appeared first to a woman after He rose from the dead and told her to go tell His disciples. They were hiding in fear and confusion. Christ said that Mary's extravagant love would be a memorial for all times. How dare Martha's sister, Mary, break tradition and sit with the men to be taught instead of working in the kitchen where women belonged! That feminist! And just look at Ruth taking the initiative with Boaz! Doesn't she know that men always initiate?! And then there is Rahab, Boaz's grandmother, who saved *her* whole household and extended family by sticking her neck on the line. And Abigail saved her whole household and spared the life of her undeserving husband who everyone called "Fool" by putting her very life on the line, too. I believe if we would look at scripture more closely we would see how Jesus used the examples of brave, strong, courageous, fearless women to confound the religious leaders and to rebuke and teach skeptical disciples. These women did not care what others accused them of because they knew that Christ was all that mattered and it was to Him that they entrusted themselves to be judged righteously.

Submission wasn't a mark of religious leaders and neither was "teachableness". They remained stubbornly entrenched in their long standing opinions and traditions. They were right in their own eyes. Jesus was annoying them with the facts and they had already made up their minds. So, they decided to shut Him up by inventing false and twisted accusations. They would rather have let a convicted criminal go free than allow Him to go free. He really must have hit them right where it counts to get such a reaction.

We are nothing if we do not have love. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Anyone who thinks he is something when he is not is deceived. These are all gospel teachings but somehow they got lost in all the jockeying for power, control and position.

I think that if we all just focused on the instructions that were made specifically to us in scripture, this current problem wouldn't be in existence. But, it is much easier to focus on what is due us than what we are commanded to do for others. Whole movements are predicated on what is due rather than on what is owed. These things shouldn't be happening in the church and the leadership of our churches should be setting the example.

Jesus left us an example of how we are to treat others. He got down on His knees and washed the filthy feet of those He came to die for. Jesus told us that we should not be like the Gentiles who lord ourselves over others but we should be like Him: humble, meek and serving. I have seen a lot of lording over the past week or so. That is opposite of what Christ teaches. Husbands are told to love their wives like Christ loves us. Husbands are to imitate Christ in His love. The Bible does not say "Husbands lord your wives as Christ lords the Church" but there are some teachings that forget what exactly it was that husbands were supposed to imitate.

The Christian life isn't about who has the authority and who "wears the pants" in the family. That is the stuff of Gentiles and that is what Gentiles concern themselves with.

Yes, headship and submission fit into the picture of marriage but there is much more to the Christian life than "Wives submit to your husband as unto the Lord".

Maybe we just need to read the rest of the Bible to get a bigger and more accurate picture? We have a bad case of myopia when it comes to some hot buttons in the Church.

Open House

2006-09-17T20:15:00.000-05:00

Our home is for sale and we had our first open house today. I was able to bask in the pleasure of a clean home for about........60 seconds. :-/ I actually had to windex and vacuum my way out of the house. Everyone had to go to the van and wait. Then, someone needed to use the bathroom and it wasn't a problem with me until they told me that they had to go "#2". :-) I told them that they had better hold that thought.

There is something about a perfectly clean home that is so satisfying to me. My flesh would want this pristine cleanliness every single hour of the day. Candles burning, flowers in the bathroom and dining room, vacuum marks in the carpet.......Ahhhh.

But,

Proverbs14:4 Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue (and mess!) comes by the strength of the ox.

Knowing that the perfectly pristine cleanliness and order of my home will not last I must also realize that moments with my children are flying by very quickly. The "Martha" in me wants to fuss about all my service in keeping my home clean but the "Mary" in me wants to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him. There is a war going on inside and I must choose what is important if I am to finish this life well. So many demands, so little time. I pray I choose well.

Limbo

2006-09-13T00:31:00.000-05:00

Right now we are living in a state of "limbo". It is not easy. Anyone ever been there? Kind of like you are in the middle of a dust-storm and you can't see the end from the beginning? I just keep on taking one step forward and trusting that God has plans for us and that He can see the end from the beginning. I pray for God's direction and then when it happens, and sometimes I don't recognize it as such because it isn't the way I would be doing things. The Lord is faithful and disciplines His children. I am learning. That is what counts, right? Remembering that God loves me and my husband and my children and that His plans are the best. Remembering that I cannot lean on my own understanding especially when things are not clear.

I am looking forward to coming out of this time of not knowing...of waiting.....of expecting....of hoping and I can't wait to see what the Lord has prepared for us. But, one thing I know is that I need to trust Him and to wait upon Him. My natural inclination is to run ahead of Him and make things happen.

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5

What has love got to do with it?

2006-09-10T19:34:00.000-05:00

Love has become a dirty word to some who call themselves Christians. I don't understand it and I don't know why but it has. Whenever someone mentions "love" to these people, they have a fit. Love is "weak", love is for females, love reminds them of softness and butterflies and rainbows. The mention of "love" to these people means that the person mentioning the word "love" is rebellious to authority and exhibiting the feministic spirit of our age. I am told that "manful" religion isn't about love. This new religion sounds like a cult.

Hmmm? Shall we look at scripture?

God is love. Those who are Christians are known by their love for each other. God tells us that if we don't love one another we are not His children.

Jesus gave up His own life and He did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped because of love. That doesn't sound weak at all! That sounds strong to me.

Why is love equated with weakness and femininity? Why is femininity considered weak? Why are the practices of kindness, compassion and tenderness considered feminine and weak when Christ, Himself, was the embodiment of these three things? Does it bother anyone that femininity is being equated with bad things? That using the word feminine is a euphemism for weakness and spinelessness? It bothers me. It bothers me because being a female is being strong, courageous, bold, taking the initiative to do what needs to get done, tender, loving, caring, compassionate, etc. All these qualities are qualities that Christ has commanded us to have.

Why are men who are gentle, kind, compassionate, tender and loving considered wimpy, weak and ineffective? Are not these men more like Christ than blustering, angry, harsh, rude and despotic tyrants?

Anyone ever put "one another" into their Bible software search engine and see what comes up? It is amazing and overwhelming. If we just camped out on those verses and made it our goal to obey those verses we would have enough to keep us busy for a lifetime. And what a wonderful example of Christ we would be to this world! Instead, some people choose to focus on issues that the bible doesn't even focus upon. I will tell you that love is the theme of the New Testament. Along with love the theme of redemption stands out to me. Why are we spending so much time on talking about things that the Gentiles grasp at? Things that Christ has warned us NOT to do? For instance, He told His disciples to NOT be like the Gentiles who lorded their authority over others but instead, in humility and submission, follow His lead and wash the feet of others. Foot washing was considered the lowliest of jobs. The Jewish slaves were not even allowed to go that low. That was reserved for a slave that was of the lowest rank. That is what Jesus told us to be- a slave of such a low rank that we are assigned to foot washing. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. This is what Christ told His disciples when they were arguing over who would be the greatest in His kingdom. Why do some spend so much time talking about how they are greater in God's kingdom and how they are over others when Jesus told them that both of these things are not to be done?

1 Cor. 13 tells us what love is. It is a description of love. If this is the definition of love and God is love then God is 1 Cor. 13.

So, what does this passage say?

If we do not have love we are NOTHING. Do we hear that? We are NOTHING if we do not have love.

What is love? It is PATIENT AND KIND. It rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.

What is love not? It is NOT RUDE, JEALOUS, ARROGANT. Love does NOT SEEKS ITS OWN. This is especially important to remember when we think that the world should revolve around our needs, our wishes, our desires and our own self-perceived importance in the kingdom of God. Love is NOT self-serving and it doesn't expect others to serve but serves others. Love does not brag. Love does NOT act unbecomingly. Love is NOT easily provoked. Love does NOT keep a record of wrongs.

Love NEVER fails. Out of the concepts of faith, hope and love, the greatest of these is LOVE.

The Bible tells us to love our enemies. It tells us to turn the other cheek.

How can we love our "neighbor" as ourselves when we think that we are better than our neighbor?

Jesus tells us that the world will know that we are disciples if we have love for one another.

Eph 4:32* Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

The Bible makes it clear that both men and women EQUALLY are to posses the mind of Christ and follow in His ways. That means we are to be kind, tender and forgiving. These are not weak, "female" qualities; these are Christlike qualities.

And men who are pastors especially need to have these qualities:

2 Tim: 24 The Lord'’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Gentleness? I have seen men who claim that gentleness is for sissies and women. No, they may not say it like that but whenever anyone calls them on their rude behavior and ill manners and obstinance they get an earful about how kindness, love and gentleness are soft, mushy and feminine. They are men, after all, and love, gentleness and kindness is for weak women. We are told by these men who love to quarrel that "manful" religion is militant and hard and it is not wrong to call people names and falsely accuse them in the name of their religion. They actually believe they are doing God a favor by making rash judgments and calling names. And this is done to fellow believers!! How is the world going to see Christ when we have such a lack of love among the brothers and sisters?

I don't think God needs such "favors".

We are not to promote feminism any more than we are to promote masculinism. There is no male or female in Christ. Neither are to take precendence over the other. Both display the image of God. We are to promote Christ. Anything else is a false gospel. God tells us to mark those who cause divisions and avoid them. You shall know them by their fruit. Just look at the fruit. And what is the fruit? Well, I am afraid to say that it is just more "mushy, sentimental, butterflies and rainbows and puppy-dog tail" feminine softness.

Gal. 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Hmmm? I thought that we are supposed to be militant and have an "IN YOUR FACE" attitude when it comes to those we disgree with?

Gal 5:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Wow! It seems like we need to be careful of thinking so highly of ourselves, don't we? It is a mark of deception.

James 3:17-18 says this:

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.

They are verses that are written to ALL MEN (human beings whether they be male or female) (2:11) And I would think before anyone starts reproving anyone they would make sure they were obeying Titus 3:1 themselves before they opened their mouths.

So, the next time someone who is teaching that being loving and kind is mushy-gushy stuff for females and not for big, manly men, tell them they need to read their Bibles more carefully. Femininity is NOT weakness, it is strength. After all, we as believers are the BRIDE of Christ. What gender is a Bride? Yes, you are right. A bride is a female. That means that in relation to Christ we are all feminine. :-) That might be a little hard to swallow for my brothers who equate everything bad, wimpy and weak with being a female. I get the feeling when I read some of their writings that being female is detestable and leaves a bad taste in their mouths. Kind of like the Pharisees that would thank God that He did not make them a woman.

I am happy to say that I know many wonderful men and women who do exhibit the love of God in their lives. They are strong in my eyes. Those who think love is for sissies are weak.

The Apostle's Creed

2006-09-09T02:15:00.000-05:00

I have just been thinking back over the years since I became a believer on June 28, 1989. I will NEVER forget that day when God opened my eyes and Jesus took away ALL of my sins. I am remembering my First Love and returning to the deeds I did at first. I love that verse in Revelation where the church is instructed to do this very same thing. I am in the same boat as the Apostle Paul- I am a chief of sinners. I am saved completely by the Grace of God. There is NOTHING good in me that I may boast. In fact, I boast about my weaknesses in order that the glory of the Lord may be revealed. I am truly weak. All I have and anything worthwhile I do have come from the Lord.

I was thinking of this creed and thought I would post it. I was raised in the Catholic church and we said this creed (or something very much like it) at mass every Sunday. Little did I know what I was saying. It wasn't until the facts made it down to my heart that I was able to truly understand what Christ has done for me. I related very well to Mary Magdalene. I have been forgiven much therefore I love much.

I am owned by Christ. I have been bought with His blood. And NO ONE can take that away from me. I am securely imprinted into my Father's palm and nothing can separate me from the love of God. In that I can trust. In that I can rest.

That is probably what was going through the minds of many believers when they were being falsley accused by the religious leaders of their day and even some of them were sentenced to death for daring to think differently than the establishment. Because of these brave men and women who dared to stand for the Truth, I am able to read my Bible whenever I want and I do not have to go through a mediator in order to get to Christ and His word.

Thank you Lord for what you have done for me. I do not deserve any of it. I am grateful for all of it. I am grateful for the good times and the bad; the pain and suffering and loss encountered in this life; for all the wonderful blessings you have bestowed upon me. I commit my life, my heart, my life, my all unto You. I need You more each passing day. Give me wisdom, Lord, this I earnestly pray. Give me love for the brethren, a heart of compassion, a gentle and meek spirit and the boldness of a lion when it comes to what is important to You.

"I know whom I have believed
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day."

The Apostles' Creed

The basic creed of Reformed churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles' Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

Permanent Magic Marker

2006-08-12T23:09:00.000-05:00

I find it kind of ironic that I have a pair of black pants that have some bleach "splatter" marks on them and I took a black permanent magic marker and *purposely* colored in the spots but the marker color comes out during every wash. I keep on coloring on my pants with that marker but it keeps on coming out. (I just don't have the time to dye them but I did buy the dye!) But, when I or one of the children gets permanent magic marker on my/their clothing by *accident* it will not come out in the wash.

I really don't have any insightful comments to make about this at all. I just find it "funny". It is one of those things that just makes one wonder. :-)

His Righteousness

2006-08-02T23:23:00.000-05:00

How many years have I walked with Christ and I still am not really getting this? It is not my effort to do good. I can get up every morning and promise the Lord that I will do better but that is just not quite........right. I must rely on His work for me, already completed on the cross, rather than my effort to do better. I will never be "good enough" to be able to stand in His presence on my own accord. It is only because of His work on the cross and His redemption of my life that I can come before Him. There is no condemnation for those who are IN Christ Jesus.....How many times have I thought that I must first get it right before I am good enough to fellowship with Christ. I have it backwards so many times. I must first fellowship with Him and then He will give me the power to get "it" right. It is all Him...from glory to glory. Anything that I do that has any value is from Him; works that He has ordained for me to do. I just need to know that I am secure in His love, forgiven because of His shed blood and I am transformed by His Holy Spirit. I am a new creation.

Weird Moth!

2006-08-01T00:03:00.000-05:00

Isn't this about the weirdest moth you ever saw? It is the color of pink and yellow sherbet. I kid you not! The belly is a fuzzy yellow and its legs and antennae are pink. It was so cool to look at and just marvel in the colors of this little creature. My son, Seth, kept on calling me...Mom....Mom....Mom....Mom....

I felt myself getting annoyed because I was being a Martha as usual and very busy with my work. Then, I felt a gentle nudge from the Lord to go see what Seth wanted to show me. I am glad I did. I would have missed that special moment of amazement that I shared with my 8 yr. old little boy.

It's HOT!!!!!

2006-07-31T23:50:00.000-05:00

Yikes! It is hot out there. I am so thankful for air conditioning. I am thankful for air conditioning in my house and in my car. How did I make it until I was almost 30 without any air conditioning in any of the homes I lived in? I think I was about 23 before I had a car that had air conditioning. Why didn't I suffocate in the back seat of my parents' car because of the heat and the cigarette smoke? I do remember having my legs stick to the leather (or make that vinyl) seats. My children don't know how good they have it. I try and tell them that they have it really good but I don't think they truly believe me.

I am guilty of not being grateful for all that I have in my life and for all the Lord has given to me and for all He has done for me. I am realizing that I need to cultivate AND practice thanksgiving on an ongoing basis or I will turn into an ungrateful brat who just wants more and whines and complains about little things.....like the heat. :-)

I just came home from Walmart (it is after 11 p.m.) and when I was there I saw an older man with a little child buying a fan and a wash cloth. He was in the check-out next to me. I started to cry. He obviously didn't have air conditioning in his home. He had such a kind smile. I made some inane comment about trying to stay cool. He didn't complain. He just smiled and said "Yes Ma'am". Lord, bless that man and that little child. Bless them in a way that is tangible and real. Make Yourself known to them.

I am thankful for air conditioning and so many other trivial things. I suppose air conditioning is not so trivial to those who are going without. I pray the Lord will show me how I can practically minister to those around me who are in need.

I am thankful for the Lord's work in my life and that He has not given up on me. He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. Sometimes that promise just seems impossible because I am impossible but that is what God's word says and I need to believe it.

Levi

2006-07-30T22:41:00.000-05:00

Yes, it has been a long time....

I have enjoyed reading all the other blogs out there but I have not been posting on my own. I have been busy and lazy. :-)

Levi was born April 27th. He was 9 lbs. 9 oz and 20 inches long. Long labor but that is the usual for me. Nothing really comes easy. He is a deliciously, edible, chubby guy! He has a LOT of hair.

I am not bouncing back as fast as I normally do. Physically and emotionally I am a bit slower. I turned 40 in December, so that might have a bit to do with it? We have had a lot go on over the past year which could all be affecting me in various ways. We are looking for a home in the St. Louis area because my husband's company wants him to go there to develop business. I am trying to get ready to home school the children in a few weeks all the while not knowing whether I will be packing to move. I am torn between wanting to remain in the comfort of the known and wanting to set out on a new adventure. I am praying for God's will to be done.

I just finished reading the book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" and it was VERY good. We did it as part of a study with a small group of women this summer. Just to know that our relationship with Christ is the most important thing and to be reminded of it was so good. I know...very basic but for me, that is where I am at this point in time. I am such a Martha and that is not a bad thing but something that I need to be aware of so that I can make sure I take time to sit at Jesus' feet and learn and not be just all about work. I have always thought Martha gets a bad rap in many teachings. Martha, after all, was merely do what all good women did in that society. Martha was where she belonged or so she thought and was taught. What was her sister thinking? Mary broke some serious taboos when she sat at Jesus' feet and dared to think she could learn along with the men. That was unheard of and very wrong in that day. Women didn't learn with the men. Women didn't sit with them and certainly not in such intimate proximity. Martha was not understanding the big picture and Jesus gently showed her the better way. Jesus was also teaching His followers something, also. Mary was very brave and very bold to do what she did. And as we later see in scripture, her act of generosity and worship is remembered for all generations to come.

Are you taking time to sit at Jesus' feet and learn from Him?

Weakness

2005-09-30T10:51:00.000-05:00

I have not written in well over a month. I have had good intentions, though. :-) I apologize for not writing sooner. I have been checking in on many of your own blogs and I always enjoy what you are talking about.

I am almost at the end of my first trimester and I am hoping that heavy fog of tiredness and nausea will clear away soon. I have also started back at school and everything else that starts up in the Fall. I was also in charge of our neighborhood Oktoberfest celebration which took place last weekend.

I do have a problem saying "no" to things but I have promised myself that I will not say "yes" to any major undertakings until school is over. I will make sure and report to you how successful I am at keeping that promise to myself! :-)

2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Isn't this a wonderful promise to us? The more we realize how truly weak we really are, the more of Christ's strength will be made perfect in us. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to admitting our weakness. :-)

Do you boast in your infirmaties or do you boast in your strengths? Isn't it interesting how the teachings of God are usually directly opposite of those of the world? The world tells us to boast about our strengths and the Bible instructs us to boast about our weakness in order that Christ's power may rest upon us!

I am weak in many ways. I am not physically weak or infirm. I am actually quite strong and healthy, praise the Lord. I am from some very sturdy, healthy German stock. :-) But, my flesh is quite weak. I want to do the right thing but many times I end up doing exactly what I didn't want to do. :-(

When we are weak, we need to rely on Christ for *His* strength. He is what makes us strong. We are completely dependent upon Him for every ounce of resistance to sin and temptation. Without Him, we can do nothing to fight this ever present battle against the flesh.

1Pe 3:7* Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

The Bible also tells us women that we are the weaker vessels. Now, some will teach this means more than physical strength and that it also means mentally and emotionally and spiritually. I disagree. I believe this is referring solely to physical strength. We are *weaker* than our husbands (for the most part, there are always exceptions) when it comes to muscle mass and upper body strength.

John MacArthur say this about this verse: While she is fully equal in Christ and not inferior spiritually because she is a woman (see Gal. 3:28), she is physically weaker, and in need of protection, provision, and strength from her husband.

I have seen some people say that the proof that women are weaker than men in the areas of mental, emotional and spiritual is that they cry easier, they are more compassionate and they are more tender-hearted. That when men encounter certain trials they get angry, break furniture, withdraw or get drunk.

Now, I ask you, which scenario is weakness? :-) Certainly compassion, tender-heartedness and the ability to empathize with tears is NOT weakness for if it were, then Christ, Himself, was very weak. No, these are actually strengths. It is not weakness to be these things at all. There are many men who possess these qualities, too, and I daresay that they are the "butts" of many a macho joke since some mistakenly believe these are weak and feminine qualities. They are godly qualities.

Here is what Adam Clarke says about this passage (he lived in the 1700s):

As the weaker vessel: Being more delicately, and consequently more slenderly, constructed. Roughness and strength go hand in hand; so likewise do beauty and frailty. The female has what the man wants-beauty and delicacy. The male has what the female wants-courage and strength. The one is as good in its place as the other: and by these things God has made an equality between the man and the woman, so that there is properly very little superiority on either side.

We complement each other, do we not? It is sad when some take the Bible and misuse it to cause even more problems between the sexes. One gender wants to prove they are better than the other gender when the Bible says that we are equally sinful and depraved and that we are equal in Christ. Any such movement to outdo the other gender which proclaims "I am better than you" is not of God and is not consistent with the teachings of the Bible.

Debi Pearl wrote in her book, Created to Be His Help Meet, that Satan had to wait until woman was created in order to cause the creation to Fall. As if God had created something deficient in the woman? No! God said that His creation was VERY, VERY GOOD. We don't know why Satan approached Eve first and Debi Pearl's words are just pure speculation and based on her own prejudices. I have another theory but I will save that for another post. :-)

Many times this world will prey upon and exploit the weaker individuals and this is very sad. But, God forbid, that we, the Church, do the same thing.

It is only Christ who makes us strong mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Without Him and without depending upon Him, we are ALL equally weak. It is His power in our weakness that makes us strong.

So, next time you are tempted or experiencing trial, remember this wonderful promise from our loving and faithful God:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Things that make you go "huh?!"...

2005-08-22T15:03:00.000-05:00

I just read this amongst all the glowing testimonies concerning the Created To Be His Help Meet book by Debi Pearl. You can find the testimonies here at the new website devoted to this book:

http://www.createdtobehishelpmeet.org/testimonies

Where does the Bible teach that women "are a step removed"? Is this like the evolutionist's theories? God made women's personalities "muted" compared to men's personalities? Does that mean the Jezebel personality in her book is really a muted version of Mr. Command Man (aka Mr. Controlling)?

If we really want to be consistent, Adam is actually a muted version of Eve. Eve is considered the glory of the creation of man. She was created after man and if we are thinking in evolutionary terms as is Mrs. Pearl (ie., "step down" and "muted") then the last thing created is the more complex version of that creation. The first thing created is the more simple and more muted. Mrs. Pearl makes it seem as if Adam was in the garden for quite some time before Eve came along. Mrs. Pearl makes us believe that Adam is quite self-sufficient and she "proves" her statement by saying that God gave Adam the job of naming the animals. I believe that animals and humans were all created in the same 24 hour time period. That means, Eve was only created a few hours after Adam was created. The theology in this book is actually quite scary.

BTW, we were NOT created in Adam's image as Mrs. Pearl falsely teaches. The *Bible* specifically tells us that God created human beings- male AND female- in THEIR (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) own image. It NEVER, I repeat, never says that Eve was created in Adam's image. That is just not orthodox Christian teaching. It does say that the woman is the glory of man (in 1 Cor. 11) but that has nothing to do with whose image she was created in.

The Bible already tells us that woman was created in God's own image. (I highlighted the word bible because, after all, many people are forgetting to read their Bible when reading this book. If they did read their Bibles they would be catching these things. I don't really mean to step on any toes or be offensive! I am just saying it like it is and I know so many appreciate that about Mrs. Pearl. But, maybe my "saying it like it is" isn't as refreshing as her "saying it like it is". At least I didn't call anyone a name.)

Six CASES????? :-) WOW!! Can you imagine if these women would do this with a copy of the BIBLE???? I wonder if all these women who are buying cases of this book concerning a woman's opinion on marriage actually feel this excited about God's word/the Bible? All these women buying cases of these books while the rest of the world goes to hell in a handbasket! Huh?

I am worried about this faddish trend I see amongst my brethren. People who promote the latest book and are so enthusiastic about its powers to change others but I see no enthusiasm when it comes to rightly dividing the word of God. This is no different, imho, than the Purpose Driven Life hubbub.

“ Thank you for your wonderful book 'Created To Be His Help Meet'! We’ve ordered 6 cases, so far, and they are spreading around our church and beyond. What has really amazed me is the realization that my marriage is to be a heavenly pattern of Christ’s submission to the Father. What a revelation it has been to me. A question: Do you have any insight on ‘types’ of women (like the three types of men)? Or are we more general, and our differences are how we respond in the flesh? ”
~ K.R.

Debi answers:
“ Eve was created with Adam’s flesh, and in his image. We are a step removed, and thus, our types are more muted"

Wow! I am really worried for the church if this is what it finds to be theologically accurate.

I think I am going to go out and buy a case of Bibles and try to balance out all of this nonsense.

Ladies, get out your Bibles and study on that book day and night! You will not go wrong. Get excited about your Bible and all these things shall be added unto you!

I promise. That is my guarantee. And I am not even making any money saying this.

Psalm 42

2005-08-10T23:39:00.000-05:00

I can really relate to the Psalmist who wrote this Psalm.

He starts out with a very strong desire for the Lord and he compares it with that of a deer that pants for water. His souls thirsts for God.

I pray for desire like this! It is only God who can give us the desire to desire Him. It is ALL of Him. From beginning to end, everything we have is a gift from Him. We cannot take any credit for those gifts He gives us.

Then, the Psalmists talks about his tears being his food day and night. It seems that people are mocking him and saying things about him that are not nice.

Then he starts talking to himself. I mean, this is the part I can REALLY relate to. I talk to myself, too. I guess now I am discovering it is Biblical. :-)

He asks his soul some pertinent questions:

Why are you downcast?
Why are you in turmoil within me?

Then he answers himself.

Hope in God!

Do you find yourself talking to yourself and then answering yourself?

It seems that this Psalmist is on to something here. He desires God. He states that his tears have been his food day and night. This Psalmist is quite emotional and is not afraid to express those emotions for fear of what some might think.

He then asks himself some questions and then answers his own questions with this answer:

Hope in God.

When our souls are cast down within us.....Hope in God! Talk to Him about it. Tell Him about your turmoil and troubles. Tell God what is causing your soul to be cast down within you. He wants you to come to Him no matter the size of your sorrows.

The Psalm goes on. It seems to go back and forth from despair to affirming the truths about God.

Can you relate? Have you ever been there? Despairing one minute? Trusting God the next? Seeming to waffle back and forth from victorious faith and despairing defeat?

This Psalm tells us that by day the Lord commands his steadfast love and at night his song is with us.

Can you hear His song? Do you believe that He loves you with a steadfast love?

Do you think God has forgotten you? Are you mourning because of the oppression of an enemy? Are people wounding you with their taunting and unkindness?

Hope in God; for you shall again praise Him. He is your salvation and your God.

So, don't fear! Next time you strike up a conversation with yourself and answer your own questions, you are not crazy but you are being very biblical!

Got Maid?

2005-08-08T19:05:00.000-05:00

I am thinking that it would be nice to have a maid. On Friday is our once a month "Bunko" night. It just happens to be at my house. I chose August about 10 months ago. Back in November it seemed a far ways off. Well, now it doesn't seem that far away.

So, I scrubbed the grout in my kitchen and steam cleaned my living room carpets. I still have to clean my wood floors. I wanted to paint my living room and family room since everything is still white. I have been wanting to paint for about 6 years now. Boy! Time does fly, doesn't it?

I am glad to be getting these big jobs out of the way because school is starting soon. It will be nice to start with these jobs out of the way. Once school starts, there is very little time for anything.

We bought a new front door but it was the wrong size. It was supposed to be in a few weeks ago. It will be in on Saturday, at least that is the plan this week. I can't wait to replace the old door. The new one is beautiful with a stained glass insert. We remodeled our kitchen 2 years ago and the door is one of the last things to do to complete the remodeling project.

Why do I feel the need for everything to be perfect? Who am I kidding? I mean, 9 children live in this house! I am a perfectionist by nature and it is a hard addiction to quit. I would like everything perfect but I have given up trying. I used to drive myself crazy (and the rest of my family) trying to get the illusive "Better Homes and Gardens" home. Now I will settle for clean with some clutter. You can't avoid clutter when you home school! I have so many books that I am thinking about building a library on the property!

Ever watch the show "Monk"? It is about a private detective who has OCD? I can really relate to that show.

My daughters are a big help to me but it is almost the end of summer so they are busy doing all those things they have to do before school starts.

I know the ladies will come here on Friday and we will all have a great time. There will be good food and great fellowship and some needed "R&R" for these busy moms to relax and recharge. Why do I care what people think about me or think about my house? There is a lot of pressure for women to be perfect. I read books on decorating and I get frustrated because I do not have the budget or the TIME to do all that I am "supposed" to be doing. I need to have the perfect body in order to keep my man. I need to respond perfectly to everything around me. I am really finding the value in the idea behind the "Stepford Wives". I mean, someone just ZAP me and I won't know any better!! Somedays I wish I were a robot. Robots are programmed to do, not to think.

I really respect and admire my female friends that don't get caught up in this trap. I have a lot to learn from them.

No wonder scripture tells us not to compare ourselves to each other! It is a deep pit that is almost impossible to crawl out of once you start comparing yourself to another. Whether it be marriages, homes, personalities, children, etc., we all can find someone who does it better or has a better situation. But, we don't see everything going on in the lives of those we compare ourselves to, do we? All I need to do is turn on the TV and see the atrocities being committed in other parts of the world and I am firmly spanked! I just saw some "Doggy Resort" the other day and those dogs live better than probably most people will ever know!

Gratefulness! I need to be grateful for all I have.

I want to cultivate admiration for those things that other women excel at and I do not want those things to threaten me in any way. God gifts each one of us so differently. Let us enjoy each other's gifts. Let us appreciate how differently God made each one of us. Once we let go of our own insecurities we won't be afraid or jealous or anxious about what others have and what we do not have. We will be free to bless other women with our own special gifts from the Lord instead of being bogged down by our hang-ups.

So, maybe I don't need a maid? Maybe I just need to relax and not get so uptight about my grout and carpet fibers. I will turn down the lights, make some delicious foods, put on some good, soulful music and be a relaxed and confident hostess.

They came to see *me* after all, not my house, right?

What Makes a Good Marriage?

2005-08-05T17:11:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about the "ingredients" that go into making a good marriage. My thoughts are actually quite simplistic and nothing revolutionary. People will not be flocking to buy my ideas and sell them to all of their friends. I do not promise a happy ending nor do I promise a "heavenly marriage". I don't think ANYONE has any business promising those things in the first place. Just like our Heavenly Father doesn't promise us ease and perfect relationships in this life on earth. He does promise us joy in spite of our circumstances and He promises to be with us no matter what situation we go through in this life. He doesn't give us any magical formulas to follow. He actually tells us that because of His Son we will have relationship problems! So, we need to expect problems because we live in a fallen world, we deal with fallen spouses and children and relatives, and we know from scripture that Jesus told us we will have trouble because of Him.

So, here is my advice:

* Consider your spouse better than yourself.
* Put your spouse ahead of your own needs.
* Do the things that will help your spouse be the best they will be in this life for God and fellow man.
* Truly love your spouse in the way that love is defined in 1 Cor. 13 (now that is a challenge!).
* Respect and honor your spouse with your words, thoughts, and deeds.
* Prefer your spouse and make it your goal to do the things that please your spouse.
* Overlook your spouse's irritating habits.
* Determine that your happiness and peace is NOT dependent on how your spouse behaves.
* It is not your job to make your spouse behave through manipulation and desperate measures. Do what you know is right and leave the rest to God.
* Forgive your spouse from your heart.
* Be honest about your feelings and thoughts. Do not hide your feelings, thoughts or opinions from your spouse because you are afraid how your spouse will react. It is dishonest to pretend to be something or to go alone with something that you are against. Our spouses need to know that we will be honest with them no matter what.
* And most of all, love God with your whole heart, soul and mind and put God first in all
things, even ahead of your spouse and all those other things will be added unto you.

I know this is rather sophomoric advice but I can't help but wonder if it is better to keep it simple? People don't make money off of "simple", I know that, so I understand why simple isn't very popular. Jesus' words are free and if we truly believe from our hearts and follow what He says, we will NEVER go wrong.

May God richly bless all of you and your marriages and relationships with others. May He give you peace, courage and love in and through all situations and trials.

First Post

2005-08-04T12:27:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of me and some of my little ones:

It is a little small but hopefully after I figure this thing out I can make it a little larger. :-)

Welcome to my blog. This is my first post. I started this blog so I don't take up so much room on other people's blogs.

Right now I am reading through "Created To Be His Help Meet" by Debi Pearl. I have found some good things in this book but I have a problem with the applications of some principles, the advice given to people in dangerous situations, and how scripture is not accurately taught in this book. Call me "skeptical". My radar goes off when people are buying cases of a book and giving it to all their friends.

There are a couple of good sites to discuss this book with objectivity. That means, it is "okay" to disagree with how scripture is used without being labeled "rebellious" or "Jezebel" or "angry" or "wanting to pick a fight". There are some blogs where it is NOT okay to say anything negative about this book. It is okay for Debi Pearl to say negative things about the people who write to her and ask her for advice. She then publishes their private letters and real names in her book. It is okay for her to say negative things about people she sees in her church and when she is shopping because she is just "telling it like it is".

Hey, I have no problem with getting to the point but I don't find anything Titus2ish about calling a woman "lazy" because she writes in and asks for advice on what to do about her husband who does nothing around the house. I don't find anything Titus2ish about calling people "fat" or "ugly". If someone could kindly show me where we are supposed to be calling each other names, I would appreciate it. And don't give me the Bible verses that show that Paul was being sarcastic. I have no problem with sarcasm when appropriately used. Just show me the Bible verses that jump to hasty conclusions without all the facts and that show people referred to as "ugly".

Then, I will show you the Bible verse where the young boys called Isaiah a "baldhead" and he sigged some bears on those boys and they were ripped to shreds. Let our speech be gracious and let not everyone want to become a teacher since they will incur stricter judgment.

It is not okay to say anything negative about this book. It is not okay to respectfully disagree with what someone says about this book. It is not okay to surmise why this book may be helpful to *some* people. The only surmising that can be done is by Debi Pearl and those who love her book.

There is somewhat of a double standard when it comes to discussing this book and THAT is an understatement.

I view this book as just another fad sweeping through Christendom. It is being touted in the way the peddlers of old sold their "snake oil". "It will save your marriage." "It will cure everything that ails you." "It is God's way to a heavenly marriage." It is yet another book that tells us to follow its formulas and the magical answer will be found. I disagree. The results will be short term at best because it depends on human effort and not trusting in God or relying on Him.

Here is a link to Keer's blog:

razorbackmama.blogspot.com

She is doing an excellent job at reviewing this book.

Here is a link to SpunkyHomeSchool's blog:

http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot.com/

She has also done an excellent job at showing the errors in this book.

Here is a blog that supports this book:

http://threepennies.blogdrive.com/

Here is a discussion board that talks about this book and is supportive of the book:

http://choosinghome.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=16