False Teachers Already Condemned

I have to admit, I read 2 Peter 2 and I feel disturbed. And yes, I know...that's a feeling and Jim says the bible says feelings can be controlled and stopped therefore I need to explain better what I mean and THINK! :)

Peter is talking with his audience about false teachers and how they will arise among the peoples of God. They will come in sneakily. They will come in and get people to follow them. They will cause the way of God to be blasphemed. They come in and they exploit.

He is also very clear about the end result for these folks ... they will bring "upon themselves swift destruction" and "their destruction is not asleep". This tells me that God is still in control.

That doesn't mean that the good people mixed in will be destroyed.... for proof of that we just need to see the examples of the Flood (Noah and his family) and Sodom and Gomorrah (Lot and his girls) and such like. As God's word says :

9the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.

I suppose that's what these false teachers are really doing isn't it.... they are indulging in the "the lust of defiling passion" and they "despise authority". The ultimate authority being God.

How does God describe these false teachers?

12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. 14They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 15Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, 16but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."

Strong language. False teachers are born to be destroyed. They have made choices that turn them away from God, even as they pretend to be of God. They are enslaved by their own corruption, overcome by their passions. I have to admit, there are people out their selling their 'religion' under the guise of it being the Christian faith. They make us look bad, but I don't really think about them too much. I don't have to listen to them. I don't have to think about them. I leave that to brighter minds than mine. But I have to admit, I've never thought of them as I really should...liars out to destroy the church simply because they think they can.

The bible makes it clear. These folks know what they are doing. They are caught up in it. I guess what I am disturbed by is the depth of it. These folks know that they are lying (yet you wouldn't catch them saying so). It's the magnitude of the lie that bothers me.... they hurt folks just because they can.

I know...I shouldn't be surprised by this. I know that the devil wants people to not follow after God. And that smooth as silk lying is an effective tool in his arsenal.... but somehow the depth of the lie, and God's reaction to it, is just disturbing me this morning. And I don't know what I can do about it. Or even if I should do anything. All I can do is be clear about the gospel that I know. Be responsive to teaching. Be willing to accept correction if it is called for. But just show forth what God's word really is. Is there anything else I should or can do you think?

I can take comfort in the fact that when God brings them down, when he destroys them and their followers, that he will separate out the godly from among them. This is God's job...not mine. Yes, I can warn people against something if I know it to be false. But I am not responsible for the actions of false teachers and what happens to them. All I can do is continue to point people to God's most holy word.

Prophesy with lyre, harp and cymbals

In 1 Chronicles 25 I read these verses:

1David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. .......5All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the LORD, all who were skillful, was 288. 8And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

What does that mean? Prophesied with lyres, with harps and with cymbals?

I know that to prophesy one is giving the word of the Lord.
But how does one do that with musical instruments? Can the music we sing be a real form of prophesying the Word of the Lord?

Is it just poorly translated or is my early morning brain missing something here?

Matthew Henry tells us this :

Observe, I. Singing the praises of God is here called prophesying (v. 1-3), not that all those who were employed in this service were honoured with the visions of God, or could foretel things to come. Heman indeed is said to be the king's seer in the words of God (v. 5); but the psalms they sang were composed by the prophets, and many of them were prophetical; and the edification of the church was intended in it, as well as the glory of God. In Samuel's time singing the praises of God went by the name of prophesying (1 Sam. x. 5; xix. 20), and perhaps that is intended in what St. Paul calls prophesying, 1 Cor. xi. 4; xiv. 24.

That tells me that what is meant here "Prophesied with lyres, with harps and with cymbals" is more than just the instruments .... it's the words that go along with it. Than that makes sense to me.

It also tells me that not all music then is "speaking forth the Word of God". These folks were particularly picked to do this work. So not random, not just let's sing this song, but intent that God's word be sung and that his people be edified through it, and that God's glory be shown.

Makes me again see the value in watching what we sing more carefully.

It also points out that more than just a piano or organ can be used in worship music.... stringed instruments (harp and Lyre), wind instruments (horn, ASV seen in verse 5) and instruments that one bangs (cymbals) are used in worship in the Old Testament. So expanding what we use in worship of God is not a unbiblical thing to do. It is reclaiming for God what the world uses for it's own. I was helped in the Formation of that thought by Jamieson's commentary :

Here were, in compliance with the temper of that dispensation, a great variety of musical instruments used, harps, psalteries, cymbals (v. 1, 6), and here was one that lifted up the horn (v. 5), that is, used wind-music. The bringing of such concerts of music into the worship of God now is what none pretend to. But those who use such concerts for their own entertainment should feel themselves obliged to preserve them always free from any thing that savours of immorality or profaneness, by this consideration, that time was when they were sacred; and then those were justly condemned who brought them into common use, Amos vi. 5. They invented to themselves instruments of music like David.

Of Heman (the father), we learn this from Wesley:

The king's seer - He is called the king's seer, either because the king took special delight in him; or because he frequently attended the king in his palace, executing his sacred office there, while the rest were employed in the tabernacle. In the words - To sing Divine songs as were inspired by God to the prophets or holy men of God. The horn - To praise God with the sound of a trumpet or some other musical instrument made of horn, which being a martial kind of music, might be most grateful to David's martial spirit: tho' he was also skilled in other instruments of music which he used in the house of God.

A skilled workman in the art of music. Used his skill to further develop God's people. God's word was given through his music.

Might that we all do the same.

Oh Canada --- and these types of emails ;)

I have to admit, I Struggle with what to do with emails like this one the follows. What should my response as a Christian living in a land that is hostile to my faith. How do I show that I want Canada to be Canada. yes, a melting pot of the world, but still a predominately English with some French thrown in for good measure. A country where folks are expected to fit in with who we are, and that yes, we'll make some accommodations for you...after all we ARE Canadian that's part of who we are...but at the same time...we want you to know that you are living in Canada, not where-ever it was that you came from. Adapt to us and we'll accommodate where we can. BUT is that the response I should have? I don't know.

So do I delete these emails? (because I'm not sure if I agree with it all) Forward them? (because I agree a fair bit) or ??????? What do you think?

Here's the email:

OH CANADA - OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM

Boy do I ever agree with this one---Keep it the way it was written--- English period, no exceptions!!!!!!

I am sorry but after hearing they want to sing the National Anthem in Hindi - enough is enough. No where did they sing it in Italian, Japanese, Polish, Irish (Celtic), German, Portuguese, Greek, or any other language because of immigration. It was written in English, and should be sung word for word the way it was written.

If this offends anyone too bad - because this is MY COUNTRY!!! -
IF IT IS YOUR COUNTRY, SPEAK UP ---- please pass this along~

I am not against immigration -- just come through like everyone else. Get a sponsor; have a place to lay your head; have a job; pay your taxes, live by the rules AND LEARN THE LANGUAGE as all other immigrants have in the past -- and LONG LIVE CANADA!

PART OF THE PROBLEM
Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone-----YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM !!!!

Will we still be the Country of choice and still be CANADA if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came to live in CANADA because it is the Country of Choice??????

Think about it!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT CANADIAN'S, MUST ADAPT.

It is Time for CANADIANS to Speak up. If you agree -- pass this along; if you don't agree -- delete it!

A Lawyer and A Newfie

NOTE: I've seen this one done in a variety of ways. usually a Lawyer with what is generally thought a "less-bright" individual. The Lawyer always sends being shown up.

Subject: A LAWYER AND A NEWFIE

A lawyer and a Newfie are sitting next to each other on a long flight.

The lawyer asks if the Newf would like to play a fun game.

The Newfie is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines and tries to catch a few winks.
The lawyer persists, that the game is a lot of fun. "I ask you a question, and if you don't know the answer, you pay me only $5; you ask me one, and if I don't know the answer, I will pay you $500."
This catches the Newf's attention and to keep the lawyer quiet, agrees to play the game.
The lawyer asks the first question. "What's the distance from the earth to the moon?"
The Newfie doesn't say a word, reaches in his pocket pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer.
Now, it's the Newfie's turn. He asks the lawyer, "What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?"

The lawyer uses his laptop, searches all references. He uses the Airphone; he searches the Net and even the Library of Congress. He sends e-mails to all the smart friends he knows, all to no avail. After one hour of searching he finally gives up. He wakes up the Newfie and hands him $500. The Newfie pockets the $500 goes right back to sleep.
The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the Newfie up and asks, "Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?"
The Newf reaches in his pocket, hands the lawyer $5 and goes back to sleep.

"Lucky" a dog story

I have no idea if this story is true or not. Could not locate it. I've read stories before though of some of the amazing and interesting things our pets can do.

A wonderful dog story . .

Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and may decide you need one.


Mary and her husband Jim had a dog, Lucky.

Lucky was a real character.

Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy.

Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease, she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.

The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky?

Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought.

He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.


The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.


Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand
what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!

While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every night.

It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free.

Lucky?

He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.


Live everyday to the fullest. Remember it is a blessing from God.

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.

......They're the ones who care.



"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Live simply. Love generously Care deeply.

Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

Single Black Female

Though according to Snopes, it is uncertain whether this is true or not, it is funny. Though like snopes, I have a hard time believing that a shelter would do this because of the risk of getting a bad name for themselves.

This has to be one of the best singles ads ever printed. It is reported to have been listed in the Atlanta Journal.

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I' m a very good girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy, I'll be waiting....

Please scroll down ....

Christian One-Liners

Christian One Liners

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

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Some people are kind, polite, and Sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

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Many folks want to serve God, But only as advisor's.

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It is easier to preach ten sermons Than it is to live one.

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The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

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When you get to your wit's end, You'll find God lives there.

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People are funny; they want the front Of the bus, the middle of the road, and The back of the church.

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Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

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Quit griping about your church; If it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

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If the church wants a better pastor, It only needs to pray for the one it has.

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God Himself does not propose to judge A man until he is dead. So why should you?

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Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

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Peace starts with a smile.

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I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

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A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" Are just sitting on the premises.

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We were called to be witnesses, Not lawyers or judges.

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Be ye fishers of men. You catch Them - He'll clean them.

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Coincidence is when God Chooses to remain anonymous.

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Don't put a question mark Where God put a period.

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Don't wait for 6 strong men To take you to church.

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Forbidden fruits create many jams.

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God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

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God grades on the cross, not the curve.

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God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

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God promises a safe landing, Not a calm passage.

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He who angers you, controls you!

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If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!

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Prayer:

Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

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The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

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The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

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We don't change the message, The message changes us.

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You can tell how big a person is By what it takes to discourage him.

This would freak me out

I have to admit, this would freak me out if it happened to me.

11Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. 13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. 16Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and "God has visited his people!" 17And this report about him spread through the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country.

Which is probably why I've never seen a miracle such as this in my life.
If I knew that someone was dead and now they have come to life again...... I would freak out.
It would take me a decidedly long time I think to praise God.
Would I have a deepened fear of God? For sure.
Would my praise and worship of God be deepened? Most definitely.
Would I realize in a really tangible way more about the power of the Lord that I serve? Oh man...would I ever.

But first I would have to get over being freaked out.

But just stopping and thinking about what this would mean already fills my mind with more of who God is.

• The power to bring dead folk back to life - none else can do this.
  
• The depth of his compassion for his people - his concern that she not weep
  
• How easy it was for him to just say "young man, arise"
• and the man got up! He even started talking!
  

Totally cool. Totally awe-inspiring. Once again, may all the praise be to him!

Stop fighting, get what you truly desire.

I went to bed last night considering this passage. Felt weird reading my bible just before bed, but the boy was in bed, I had slept in, in the morning so that was what was available to me. Must say though, it was nicer waking up with James' words in my head rather some other stuff. Makes me think I aught to do this more often. :)

Anyways, these words sat with me all night:

1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"? 6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Consider it: it is our passions that cause problems between us. Our sinful desires. Whether it be selfishness, pride, envy, covetousness, or whatever. We want, we don't have, so we do stuff we aught not in order to try to get what we want.

Hmm... therein lies what I've been hearing on messages lately about Psychology and religion (from Sovereign Grace Ministries) Why they don't mix. Psychology blames the wrong things, whereas the bible points to the heart of the matter. Psychology would blame our past --- how we have unresolved conflicts, bad upbringing etc. The bible here states it plainly, you want something, you don't have whatever it is, so you fight to get it thereby causing problems with other folks about it.

So what does God say we aught to do about it? If we want something, what should be do?
- stop wanting our own stuff so much
- submit to God
- draw near to God
- resist the devil
- humble yourself before God
- "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

We seriously need to consider this: submit, draw near, humble yourself, cleanse yourself, and purify your hearts. This is how you will get what you truly desire.

So just what then does that mean for folks who've been scarred by their upbringing, or other life experiences?
Turn to God. Realize that yes, you had some bad life experiences, but GOD is bigger than that. God can heal those hurts, God can fill that void in your life, God kept you alive through it all so you don't have to be trapped by the devil in the pain/sorrow/hatred of it. God can handle it all, and through his working, make you into a better person who brings glory to his name. God is just so much bigger than all of our "stuff". He really is.

Praise be to his name, and for the abundance of his word given us.

I've liked these posts. :)

First off, I liked a couple of posts by JD over at Voice of Vision. The Avenue of Oaks. Too often the older members of our churches are forgotten and passed over. We aught not do that. and then this one on An Increased Faith. Good posts both of them.

Holly has had her baby!!!!!

Justin is quite positive that Toby cat has NO head. We've been having to go to other Toby cat pictures just to see that Toby cat does indeed have a head. :) Jen note this :) ...NEW PICTURE NEEDED if only to keep a small boy child happy. :)

Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength gives us this one on Righteousness by Faith. Good read. I learned something new.

Have to admit, I read this post simply because I wanted to know what he'd have to say about the movie The Golden Compass. Lots of fuss being made about this movie. Should a Christian choose to see this movie or not? Sun and Shield doesn't really tell us if we aught to see this movie or not, but he does clearly state the author's position, and where his position fails itself. Found it interesting reading.

Seeking the Lord Continually

Hmmm.....I read these words today and had to ask myself, Annette...do you do this?

8 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
9Sing to him; sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
10Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
11 Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13O offspring of Israel his servant,
sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

This is a song that David had sung by Asaph and his brothers.

Do I seek the Lord continually?
Is he the first thing that I look for?

To my sorrow I have to admit, I often don't. I often see other stuff first.
NOW...if I've a mind to, I can see God in all sorts of ways. I can see him at work in how my hubbie preaches, I can see the changes that he has wrought in me over the years, and so forth.
I have learned the importance of coming to him first thing in the morning, even though sometimes I don't get here.
BUT do I seek him continually?
No
I should.
I need to.
If I don't, how will I continue to get to know him better? And in knowing him better be changed more and more into his likeness?
I need to cultivate an attitude of seeing God first. Of seeking him all the time as I go about my daily business.
Not entirely sure what that means, or how it looks, but it is an attitude I will build.
How about you?

PhysioTherapy for my back

So I was at the Physiotherapy today. Christine seems like a competent PT.

Anyways, she gave me some new exercises for my back. For the list of the old ones, go here. I'm to continue doing those, but add these to the regimen 1-2 times each day. NO less than four times per week.

Anyways, the new ones are as follows: They are called back stabilization exercises. And this page actually shows two of them. Quadriped progression: actually harder than it looks. One must keep ones back from twisting. It must be kept level. She wants me to hold one arm forward for five seconds. Guess what...I can, at this point, hardly do it for 2 seconds. Weak back muscles eh? The second is called a Bridging progression. This one too I should hold for 5 seconds and I'm lucky just to lift up! :) ALL I'm to do is step one at this point in my life.

Must strengthen my back. I must! Boy..I feel like a total weakling trying to do these.

The other one I"m to do is kinda like a hamstring pull, but without being up against a wall. Trick is to hold one's back straight while putting one foot forward and slowly bending both knees. I'm not too good at this one yet either. BUT! It will come! :)

She once again taped up my sore foot for me, the one with Plantar Fasciitis. Surprised me last week when she did this at how much it helped me. I hope it will do the same this time around. She's also been ultra sounding it. Doesn't seem to hurt it until the last 10 seconds or so I figure why not. :)

As I searched for pictures of back stabilization exercises I found this page. I don't have to do all the exercises here, but I liked the page and this way I can find it again. :)

Oh I suppose i should add for those who know: my scratched eye hardly hurt at all today. Should be getting better now I think. :) I have to learn to be more careful around those spike plants! They just got too ornery when you over winter them. :)

James

The book of James has been one of my favourite books to study for along time. Not entirely sure why, but I suspect it began in College when on my teachers taught us how to study the bible primarily using the book of James.

I just LOVED the class. Liked the prof and how she taught the class too. But loved what I learned from James. I continue to learn much from the book. Anyways, my bible reading plan has us starting this book today. When I saw that I just smiled, it was like seeing an old friend again. :)

In James 1 I found these verses that struck my heart today:

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

This is how I feel ever so often. Like I lack real wisdom. I find myself needing to turn to God and say, hey...what do I do with this?

My problem lies with "let him ask with faith". I do believe in God. I believe that he loves me, he died for me, that he created me with a purpose. I still always have this hesitation inside of me...this sin that I battle and battle and battle. This week I decided that I am TIRED of having that battle inside of me. I just want to know deep in my guts that God loves me and that's enough. I don't have to "do" anything. I am tired of always wondering in the back of my head if I'm somehow just fooling myself. That thinking of ... but what if what I believe isn't really so. I believe that God sent his son to die for me and that I've accepted Christ into my heart.

But see I always have this lingering..... But what if I don't believe this enough? What if I don't confess this with all of my being?

It's STUPID! God's word says, if one has faith the size of a mustard seed it is sufficient. Trust me, on many days...that's the size of my faith.

I am so sick and tired of this lingering sin in my life.
This lingering doubt. This constant feeling of instability that rests in me.

So I finally got this brain-storm and said you know what girl? You can ask God to deal with this. you can. And then I read James this morning...the whole lack of doubt thing and I have to admit. I feel a bit stymied.

I ask God to remove doubt and just let me trust him and live for him etc. (not wording that right but I think you get the gist) but part of me continues to have some doubt. What do I do with that?

Anyways,.... I know my confession in God is true. A core in my being knows this.
Please pray with me that I can just rest in God. Knowing that he knows me, loves me and holds me close regardless. Thanks.

Family Posts

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Check it out. It's fun. :)

The boy's sense of humour.

The Penny

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.
He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the m an's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words " United States of America"
"No, not that; read further."
"One cent?" "No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it a s if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient..

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
1 cross
+ 3 nails
--------
4 given

Psalms 148-150

One of the things that I struggle with in my life is that I am easily distracted. There are times when it is situational and with a bit of effort or intelligence (i.e. note-taking in church) that it is very manageable.

There are other times when I can't focus on what I'm supposed to be doing it seems for the life of me, or at least without a huge amount of effort. I find this particularly frustrating when it happens when I'm trying to do my devotions or just simply to pray to my heavenly Father. Makes me want to just scream ARGH!!!!!!!... Mind you, doing that in a quiet house, early in the morning would lend itself to other frustrations..... But we won't go there. :)

This was the situation this morning, still having a hard time focusing on what needs to be done, and what I need within me to do (my devotions). So I will choose this morning to not force myself to think too deeply but rather share these Psalms with you.

I read through these this morning....several times I might add before it was like...oh...these are Psalms of praise. The book of Psalms closed off with three lovely songs of praise to our Lord God.
148 seems to focus on his creation.
149 seems to focus on his people
150 seems to focus on God and how we can praise him through music

I know, not a lot of depth this morning, but God's word is more important than mine anyways.
Enjoy his word. :)

Psalm 148

1 Praise the LORD!Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
2Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!

3Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
4Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.
6And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

7Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
8 fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!

9 Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
10 Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!

11Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
12Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
14He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 149

1 Praise the LORD!Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
he adorns the humble with salvation.
5Let the godly exult in glory;
let them sing for joy on their beds.
6Let the high praises of God be in their throats
and two-edged swords in their hands,
7to execute vengeance on the nations
and punishments on the peoples,
8to bind their kings with chains
and their nobles with fetters of iron,
9to execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the LORD!

Psalm 150

1 Praise the LORD!Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
2Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!

3Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

Things I don't want to forget Justin saying

Justin's latest "look net"...followed by me saying "look mommy" followed by "mommy look net!" :) This boy is NOT supposed to start calling me 'net. :) I'm MOM (yelled) or Mommy (spoken). Perhaps maybe he is mimicking his father????
Jim mentioned just as we were going to bed last night that Justin was walking through the house today saying 'Net? Where 'Net? He didn't realize until he read my blog that Justin was looking for me. :) Very silly lad. Hope he stops calling me 'Net soon.

A while back Justin yelled, in response to me asking him what he wanted: "want chocolate milk from Zehrs". We burst out laughing. We had just introduced the boy to chocolate milk...it was an instant hit. But we had only bought it once from Zehrs as there are none close to us. We still laugh when we remember that yell.

There are others but my tired boy needs me apparently...so I"m off to help him out. :)

Another one: Justin, for the last week or so, seems to be figuring out family relation stuff. Everything he plays with is Mommy this, or Daddy that, and Baby this. He has 5 thomas the trains... New mommy thomas, an other Mommy thomas, Happy daddy thomas, happy baby thomas, and Mad thomas (this one changes from mommy, to daddy, to baby). Even his beloved Tagu becomes a mommy tagu sometimes... and when he introduces them or has them say hi you have to call them "mommy or daddy or baby" or he just isn't satisfied.

Children..... they serve a useful purpose in keeping a person smiling. :)

Our Vacation - November 2007

For those interested who normally don't read our family blog. Our recent week away is posted up over there, complete with pics of us having fun. (well mostly the boy child).

Here's the link.

He is perfect

I find these verses comforting:

26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

They come from Hebrews 7 where Paul is teaching about Christ being of the order of Melchizadek (in the area of being a priest)

Why do I find them comforting?
In this day and age of "I can do it" or "I'll do it my way" or "we can do it as long as we are a good team" and having all those me-centered ways being so prone to failure, it's a comfort to know that Christ is SO much bigger than I am.

Christ was appointed by God to be perfect. He is the perfect sacrifice. Despite my sin, and my proneness to failure, he makes it all alright. It's all him. It's not me, I don't have to depend upon myself. I don't have to depend upon my hubbie. I don't have to depend upon anything human...it's ALL God!

That is just WAY better than anything, just way better.

Jim wants to see this movie

My hubbie wants to go see this movie called theGolden Compass. Looks somewhat interesting. He has to wait until December to see it though. It will probably be a "date night" for us. :)

God does it

I was reading from Hosea this morning, and the opening verses of chapter 11 struck me.

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more they were called,
the more they went away;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals
and burning offerings to idols.

How often am I like this? God calls to me, he encourages me to walk his way, I just keep doing my own thing. And God's response is:

3Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them up by their arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of kindness,
with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and I bent down to them and fed them.

God cares for me none-the-less. He keeps reminding me that I am his. He keeps calling me back, and caring for me. I have to admit, I don't get it. God's grace in my life just astounds me sometimes, it makes me see his awesomeness all the more clearly.

7My people are bent on turning away from me,
and though they call out to the Most High,
he shall not raise them up at all.

8How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9I will not execute my burning anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.

I am so thankful that God continually calls me back to him. That he continues to teach me through the work of the Holy Spirit what is right and what is wrong, that he sent his Son to die, to be a living example to me. It is God and God alone who enables me to be faithful to him.

May all the praise be to him!

Thoughts on Being Thankful

Rebecca is collecting posts on thankfulness this November.

Over the past few days my hubbie has been away. I am thankful that he can do that. :) No, don't get me wrong, I don't deliberately send him away (as in drive him away) but I like that am I confident enough, strong enough that he is able to go away confidently, knowing his wife can cope. So I am glad that he is able to just go and not worry about things on the home front.

I am thankful for my mom-in-law. She is a nice lady. She makes me laugh sometimes at her vagaries of being human...but then again...she laughs at mine too! :) She just adores her grandson. And she is good with him.

I am thankful for my parents. Good folks they are. Open arms, willing hearts, strong Christian witness and just good solid people. I have learned, and continue to learn much from them. They are an important and integral part of my life.

I am thankful too for my church. This past Sunday I took too long walking Sassy (our dog) in the morning, so the service I planned to go to (1000 a.m. at the CRC) I couldn't make so I went to a different church instead. I could make a 1030 service at another local church.

• Though I enjoyed singing fun worship music again, I realized that I enjoy the corporate aspect of worship that our church encourages. We have music that accompanies us singing, not a band that we can hardly hear ourselves much less our neighbour singing along with. Not a problem in my church at all. :) We have Teo....whose enthusiasm for praising God in song often picks us when we falter. I have learned to truly enjoy this communal, corporate worship.
  
• We have a minister who opens God word up for us... he reads a passage and then actually explains it...sometimes in high detail! :) he doesn't pick a passage and use it as a jumping off point for something unrelated. Even though the message I heard was good and made me think... I left feeling somewhat dissatisfied that I didn't actually hear God's word expounded.
• For the most part, people arrive on time for church. They see the value in all aspects of the worship service. They don't straggle in. They act like worship is important.
• I am thankful for people who make newcomers feel welcome. Two ladies at this church made me feel as if I truly was welcomed to come in and join their service. One of the men that I have chatted dogs with in town gave me this huge grin when he saw me. Welcoming. Really appreciate that.

So all in all, much to be thankful for. :)

Oh and one more thing..... I am thankful that for three days I get to leave this house behind and go away with my family. Royal Winter Fair... here we come! ;)

Today Jim and Justin Come home

Yes I know....what do I mean "and Justin comes home"?

Well...let me explain.
yesterday was a a busy day, turning compost, showing Harry's children how to care for the critters, cleaning the house etc... interspersed throughout the day was a little boy saying "go Gramma's house? go Gramma's house now?" accompanied by occasional dashes to the front door.

So we called Gramma. She wasn't home. We left a message 'go Gramma's house".

Gramma thought, since she hadn't seen this boy child for almost two weeks, that she would come down and visit with him and leave just after he went to bed. It would also save me having to trundle him off to London when I had things I wanted to get finished around the house.

Well...she never should have opened her mouth in front of the boy child. Go Gramma's house, go Gramma's house NOW! was the demanded response. Trying very hard to open the locked front door.

He was being very cute and funny. VERY determined to go to Gramma's house. When I told him he needed clothes first, he toddled upstairs to find them. Mental note: don't ask a toddler to find clothes..... you'll find them strewn about the floor you just cleaned! :)

He ran around the house all excited as we got things ready for him to go. Wipes, diapers, clothes and his church mini m&m's. boy oh boy...going Grammer's house! Going grammer's house now!

He played in Gramma's car while we moved the car seat, almost crammed his foot into his shoes in his eagerness to go. When they left I heard, going Gramma's house, Going Gramma's house! Such excitement.

Mom called when they got home, she had forgotten her glasses. In the background I heard a still excited little boy. I do so hope he settled down quickly so he could go to bed. Such fun, such excitement. :)

So he's going to go to church with her this morning. I'll drive up later to pick him up.

Jim is hoping to get home before supper tonight, so I need to figure out something to serve. Will be nice to have the whole family back together again.

Grace of God

I like this:

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

God's grace....that's what changes my life.

Not much more I can add to that. Oh...it comes from Titus 2.

Day two without Jim

So I was up this morning at 630. Not quite what I had hoped for but obviously what God wanted from me. :) ah well....

Bunny that we got from the folks in Kitchener...NASTY little beast. Not pleased with her attitude toward life at all. She'll need some gentling that one will (in other words, needs to learn some manners). One of our other does (which I believe to be pregnant) is visiting our nesting box more frequently. Would be nice to have little ones. :) Of the two littles we had from dwarf bunny, the brown (a male) is significantly bigger than the black one which appears to be female. Hoping to sell black baby for $10.

Tried watching "the nativity". WAY to intense for a curious toddler. The way the movie started had Justin looking distressed saying bad man, bad man. I said, told him yes, that man was bad. Fast forwarded and watched a bit here and there, but just overall not something to watch with a toddler up and about, so turned it off and since I didn't want to pay additional rental on it, just returned it.

Justin went to Margaret's for the time I was working. Got there a bit early, so Justin could chill out and play with toys and such like. Then I left. Wondered how he would do, work (Subway) was very busy today so didn't have much time to wonder. Back to pick him up, Margaret told me that Justin was such a good boy. no crying, just lots of playing. Helped her husband Gabby do some wood and played in the sandbox.

We accidentally left "tagu" behind so we drove out to get him. Justin fell asleep before we got there. He slept in the car while mommy retrieved the wee beastie (Sassy guarded him) and then home. I worked in the gardens while he slept. even got the lawn mowed. At 6 I said, enough of this, this boy needs to get up if I'm ever to get to bed tonight. That took 1/2 an hour.

But he ate fairly well tonight. Ice-cream and mommy's green beans (for her supper), then later on (after our walk) some summer sausage, more beans with applesauce, and popcorn. A good meal overall. :) I would have liked to convince him to eat some of my meatloaf, but he's just not into that. Right now his protein sources are milk, summer sausage and eggs. We'll work with that for now. :)

We had a nice walk with Sassy, stopped at the store for mandarin oranges --- 5 lbs for $3. not bad I thought. Wish they tasted better..... :( also had chicken for 79Cents a pound. Good deal so I bought some.

Home, watched Thomas the train, some generic TV and then I finally convinced the boy at 940 that bed was good. :) I made a few phone calls...returned one to mom that no I didn't have her computer cables etc, confirmed with Jen that we can stay at her place next week when we are the GTA, and called Eva to confirm Sassy coming over to her place next week and that's about it.

so I've "peed" Sassy and now I'm off to bed as well. Keep well all! :)

A day without Jim

So Jim left to go camping with "the men" late on Wednesday night. He drove for a while, found what he thought was a quiet country road and bedded down. Turned out not to be so quiet (argh) but he got some sleep and then arrived at Algonquin early so he had the whole day of Thursday to enjoy by himself. The other men should have started joining him late last night.

Yesterday Justin and I had a quiet morning at home.
We walked Step Up (a movie about dancing). Fairly predictable, not a bad moving though.
We cleaned the kitchen and the living room.
Then we headed out for Kitchener around 1245. Justin fell asleep five minutes out of town, slept in the car until almost 4 p.m. I parked at national grocers so he could sleep without being bothered by anything. Anyways, his sleeping so soundly nixed my plans of stopping at the market for strawberry butter. Ah well. :) I at least manged to finish my book. :)

We had a lovely visit with Phyl and Barry. Justin played with trucks and read a book with Phyllis. We even managed to convince Justin to eat a bit of supper --- the joys of frozen raspberries that'll nab a boy child every time. :) and Barry makes a good waffle! We got a new rabbit from a lady in Kitchener whose son was highly allergic to it.

Then off to visit with Jo a bit. hard to find her place in the dark. Shame on me not bringing good directions. After a nice visit there (about 45 minutes or so) we headed off home.

Justin kept saying "go home now" "going home". Very talkative happy lad.

At home he helped me unload the bunny and then we RAN around the church twice to give Sassy a bit of a walk. Sassy, I think, thought we were nuts. At least she kept looking at us oddly :)

Then Justin thought the table needed clearing. I disagreed with him and told him that Mommy was not happy with all that mess. I went to the living room for something and when I came back he picking up stuff and putting it back on the table. GOOD BOY! :)

Then off to bed for the both of us. It was late, we were both tired.

UP again at 630, oh joy....did I ever want to sleep in. Ah well..... life as the parent of a toddler. :)