Justin made us laugh

Our boy Justin is getting to be quite the talker. He's also developed quite the taste for cookies.

Yesterday when we were getting ready to go the Pinery, due to one little boy saying I don't have to sleep!, anyways, we heard "cookie monster coming, cookie monster coming too".

Jim and I just burst out laughing.

Hmm....think I need to stop calling him a cookie monster.

What do you think?

Test Yourselves Therefore

Today as I was reading in 2 Corinthians 13, I came across these words: 5

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.

This verse is found in the closing remarks of Paul to the Corinthian church. The first few verses dealt with how to establish charges. The need for there to be two or three witnesses to make a charge stick.

Then Paul says they need to examine themselves to see if their faith is real.

I have to admit, I struggle with my faith. So often I think to myself, I'm just playing a role. Verses like this I actually find a comfort, because I can look to myself and I can test myself. Do I know that Christ is within me? Can I see the results of his action on my life? But the ultimate test is... do we realize that Christ Jesus is in us?

This is also what the Corinthians, in their struggles to accept Paul had to look for. Was Christ in Paul?

Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.

Paul knew his faith. He knew how the Corinthians struggled. His prayer was for the Corinthian church to do what was right, and to grow strong as a church of God.

7But we pray to God that you may not do wrong—not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 10For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.

I look at Paul's assurance of his faith, and how he acted upon it, and it encourages me, with my struggles to keep doing what I know is right. To test myself so that I know that Christ dwells within, to keep praying for the needs of others, and to do what is right. This is how I can build up the church of God.

Worldview approach?

So I was over at Seeking Faithfulness the other day, reading a post called Absent Morals, we get a cesspool. I agree with Holly in this:

I am sickened by this, because this is a conscientious decision by “grown-ups” that children are not worthy of protection from the worst that the literary world has to offer. They desire to throw horrible material out there, then claim no responsibility when horrifying crimes are committed against children because someone was inflamed to act upon their deviant lusts by library materials. The removal of morality does not create a vacuum. It creates a cesspool.

And I agree with Holly that our children need to be protected, and that we should point these things out to town councils, store clerks and owners. We should do these things, it helps people to live the way that GOD wants them to, but... I felt a bit out-numbered at Holly's blog as most people saw it as a protection issue. That children need to be protected from this stuff and that, that is the big point.

UPDATE: do let me emphasize this point. I do believe that children need to be protected and that we aught to do what we can to protect them. BUT I do believe the issue is bigger than this. Our children first and foremost need to learn how to biblically approach the world that they live in. They need to learn that God is in control They need to learn that God's glory should be first and foremost their aim in all that they do.

I was talking with Jim about it a bit and he helped me put into words better what I was thinking (he's ever so good at that!) I am SO blessed. :)

My approach to this stuff is that it's there, it's out there, and it's likely not to change. What I want to do as a parent is teach my boy how to deal with it. To answer his questions if he has them, but moreover to point him to how God says we're to deal with these things. That sex outside of marriage is wrong, REGARDLESS of what other folks say about it, what God says is... sex belongs inside a marital relationship. it is part of the symbolism of God's relationship with his people.

Jim calls it a "reformed" approach, I call it, I want my boy-child to learn good discernment and to have an excellent bible-centered world-view.

Yes, I will shelter him from stuff he doesn't need to know about it, but I have NO desire to not take him with me places because I am overly concerned about what he will see. I don't have that strong concern. To me that's not the issue. The issues goes beyond the here and now to the then and future. How will he as a Christian young man deal with the world? (at least I'm praying that God will so touch his heart to love him) How will his world-view impact on how he sees the things that go on around him?

Oh how I want to nuture that. Oh how I fear that I won't know how to do a good job of it! But With God's grace, he will learn it. :)

Capture those thoughts

reading today in 2 Corinthians 10.
Paul writes to the Corinthian church. Some have accused the brothers of "walking according to the flesh". Paul denies this accusation saying the following:

1I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 2I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 3For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

We are in a battle you know. A battle that yes, has been won by the Lord already, but a battle none-the-less. We are in earthly bodies, on a world that has been fully impacted by sin. WE are impacted by sin in all that we do. We can't escape that. All we can do is make our "thoughts captive to obey Christ".

If we capture how we think, we are better able to live in this world the way Christ wants us too. Think about that a bit. How we think influences how we act.

Paul defends himself saying he's not living according to the world, but in fact he is taking his thoughts captive and arguing against those in the world who would deny the truth of the gospel.

Lately Jim and I have been listening to audio from Sovereign grace ministries. EXCELLENT resource by the way. Anyways, been listening to a series by CJ Mahaney on the Idol Factory. Wow.... a man who really makes you think about how you think and how it influences our actions. I have felt convicted more than once.

I want for my life, to be as Paul says it is to be...

17"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." 18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

That means I have to look to myself. I have to capture my thoughts. I to have to see what separates me from God and from doing his will. I have to find the idols in my life and repent of them and become what God wants me to be.

Only then can I be approved of by my Lord and Saviour. Otherwise I'm living a life that doesn't show Christ, and that's what I want to live.

I'll stop blathering here. You go listen, you go read. See what God wants of you. :)

Mish Mash of Devotional Thoughts

I have to admit, I had a hard time focusing on my bible reading this morning. All kinds of non-devotional thoughts kept intruding on my mind.

My readings today came from various passages. the first passage is 2 Samuel 16. In this passage David is traveling with his men. First he is honoured by Ziba, and then later is he is cursed by a man of King Sauls' household. Blessing and cursing in the same passage, and David accepts both as given by the Lord.

Later on in this passage we learn that while David was out, his wayward son Absalom, on the advice of Ahithophel, "went in" to David's concubines. Not exactly the appropriate thing to do. A good way to make yourself a stench to one's father. What I found interesting in these verses was this:

Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

It struck me at how easy it would be for a man of God to, if he turned from God, to continue to influence people. It was so easy for Ahithophel to give advice to Absalom, and then for Absalom to take it. After all, Ahithophel was a godly advisor so why not take his advice?

Something to wary of.

My Next passage was from 2 Corinthians 9. Paul is commending the Corinthians for their readiness to give to brothers in Christ needing help. He reminds us that

6The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

God gave us all that we have. Giving back to him is something we should want to do freely, and this giving to God helps to spread the good news, and shows our gratitude to God.

Then I read Ezekiel 23. Now I have to admit, I did NOT like reading this passage. The images of how Samaria and Jerusalem played the whore, and God's response of disgust towards them bothered me. As God says:3

5Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring."

Yes, they got what they deserved, and yes, God gave them oodles of chances to turn back to him, and he gave them what they repeatedly showed him they wanted. But it just sat ever so poorly with me this morning. Not a passage I will return to quickly, it just really bothered me.

The last passage was from the Psalms, chapters 70-71. Both these Psalms speak to how God will come and help us if we call upon him. From Psalm 71:

1 In you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame!
2In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me, and save me!
3Be to me a rock of refuge,
to which I may continually come;
you have given the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

If Samaria and Jerusalem had turned from their wickedness events would have gone so much better for them. But they persisted in their evilness, and God let them get caught up in it. Oh that I may not be like them. May I be like David and call out to God to rescue me, even if sometimes it's just from myself.

Achy Breaky Heart

Now this was just FUN to watch. :)

Mission Impossible

Now.... if I could learn how to do this, wow... I would be impressed with myself! :)

Mercy Extended

I still find it very cool when I read 2 Samuel 9. In a day and age where the come practice was to put to death all members of the previously ruling family, David does not.

He remembers his friendship with Jonathan, you can read about it in 1 Samuel 17-19. Jonathan incurred the wrath of his father King Saul, in order to help David not be killed by him.

David asked this question:

1And David said, "Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?"

He wanted to show kindness. So he finds an old servant, and this servant had the answer that he wanted. yes, there was family left.

"Are you Ziba?" And he said, "I am your servant." 3And the king said, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet." 4The king said to him, "Where is he?" And Ziba said to the king, "He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar."

And so Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan was brought before him (King David).

Mephibosheth was scared. He more than likely did not know what to expect from David. Would he die? Would he be expelled? What would truly happen to him?

And David bids him not to fear.

7And David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always." 8And he paid homage and said, "What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?"

Mephibosheth, goes from having nothing, to having land and servants. David showed him mercy because of the friendship he had with Mephibosheth's father.

Isn't that cool?

The hatred that Saul had for David did not replace the love that was shared between two young friends. Love remembered.

Hmm... as I write this I am drawn to think of how God extends mercy to me. Me, who does stuff that should so much incur his wrath, but God instead calls me child. God shows me mercy, why? Because his son died for me. He called me to be his own and loves me despite all the enemy does to pull me away from him. What David did with Mephibosheth is just a small glimpse of what God has done, is doing and will continue to do for me.

Diagnosis!

Yes, I actually got a diagnosis.

My back problem is real! Not in my head. A doctor actually found a real reason for the pain that I have experienced for a great deal of this summer.

Seems that my lower back L2-L5 and so surrounding areas, have moderate to severe bulging of the discs between the vertebra. The vertebra themselves are fine and alignment is good. But the discs bulge out. that's puts pressure on my spinal cord, which causes my hips to be sore and to be generally sore all through that lower region. Spinal cords don't like pressure being put on them.

the doc said my back is like that of 70-80 year old woman.

Surgery is an option, but not one that she recommends at my age (42). Leads to more surgery and more surgery to remove scar tissue. And gee....hmm...what's the point of that? So we need to hold off the surgery option for as long as possible.

With that said, what can I do?
1. Get better physio exercises for good back care
2. Lose the weight that I put on since Justin was conceived. :)
3. Get my foot in better shape so that doesn't make the problem worse

And that's about it.
My back will continue to be a problem.
All I can do is manage it and cope.
And try VERY hard to avoid the surgery aspect of things.

Since I now know that "it's officially not all in my head", it's somehow better. :)
I'll take my pain meds (tyelnol or advil) to help me sleep because they'll be helping with something real, and more sleep keeps me less grumpy and better able to cope with the overall pain of life - that being mostly my back)

cheers!

Fear and Rejoicing

2 Samuel 6 brings us a whole range of emotions - fear, anger, rejoicing, disdain, and determination.

David had built up his city. Things were secure. Time now to bring up the ark of the Lord God from where it was sitting in Abinadab's house.

New cart, ox, things were ready to roll.

3And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, 4with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. 5And David and all the house of Israel were making merry before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

They were making merry. This was a happy, carefree time for them. And then....

6And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.7And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Uzzah should have known better. His father's house had kept the ark of the Lord safe. He knew then how to act around the ark, even if one's intentions are good (prevent the ark from falling) one does not presume to lay a hand on the holiness of God. So God's anger burned against Uzzah and he died for it. David's merri-making turned to anger and then fear. How could he presume to bring up the ark to the Lord to his city? And so David had the ark of God installed in the house of a it Gittite.

8And David was angry because the LORD had burst forth against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah, to this day. 9And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and he said, "How can the ark of the LORD come to me?" 10So David was not willing to take the ark of the LORD into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11And the ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

That worked out well for Obed-edom the Gittite, for God blessed his household. So David, seeing this learned that he could bring up the ark of God to his city. But he did so differently this time. No merry-making, this time there were sacrifices to the Lord. And David danced with joyful abandon before the Lord. The whole of Israel rejoiced with him. When the ark had been brought to it's resting place (a specific tent) then David sacrificed again, and gave the people a gift of a "cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one".

12And it was told King David, "The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. 13And when those who bore the ark of the LORD had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. 14And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

David's wife Michal was unimpressed with David dancing. She saw him and merely had disdain for him. God's word says that she "despised him in her heart".

I have to admit, I loved David's response to his wife. "

It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD—and I will make merry before the LORD. 22I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes.

David didn't let Michal's opinion of him stop him or change his attitude in regards to how to praise the Lord. He had danced in joy before the Lord, and he would do it again!

God's response to Michal was to not bless her with children to the day of her death.

But David's response.... that is what I learned today.
To not let the opinions of others influence how I praise the Lord or how I act before the Lord. This is a thing that I need to remember. And it is good to so be reminded.

Sin and Obedience

Today I was reading in 2 Samuel:4-5.

I found it interesting. David is very much a man of God. He longs after God. The Psalms are filled with hymns of praise to God. He seeks to do the will of God. David knew that God wanted him to be king

12And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.

And yet, in the midst of it all, he sins, and it seems such a casual thing:

13And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he came from Hebron, and more sons and daughters were born to David.

And God continues to help him and aid him and guide him. It just surprises me. Not that God helps him, but just the very casualness of it. Granted, these were all women from among Israel's own. Not women taken from foreign nations and so forth. Maybe that made it okay because in those days men often had multiple wives.

It still somehow seems wrong to me. But that just might be my sensibilities kicking in. :)

But isn't it amazing how David seeks after God?
The Philistines come up against him.

19And David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?" And the LORD said to David, "Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand."

They were defeated, but thought they would try again:

And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, "You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines." 25And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

God answers David, and he answers in a clear, specific manner.
David obeys.
And victory is assured!

Rather neat isn't? That despite our sin, if we earnestly seek after God, he will meet us and help us. And if we obey him, marvelous things can happen. I'm so glad that God is God.

Subway Restaurant

Today I re-embarked on my "career" as a subway artist.

Yes, that's is what a clerk for the Subway Restaurant chain is called. I am a subway artist from 1100 - 300 pm every Friday. I help cover the lunch crowd.

Jim watches Justin. Today they played in the sandbox and then Justin had a nap. I was let off a bit early which I didn't mind because my foot had gotten quite sore by 230. Jim was surprised to see me home already. it gave me a chance to walk the dogs before Justin got up.

I had fun. :)

Won't get paid a lot, but the little I make will go a fair ways. :)

Head coverings, our position in the body

Did you know that equality doesn't mean sameness? this is a continued discussion from here and here.

Just because we are equal in Christ doesn't mean that our roles are the same.

In chapter 11 Paul explains how roles are different and how they are played out.

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

Women in those days, if they had their hair cut short where seen as prostitutes, women of ill-repute. Paul paints a strong picture for us here. Women who speak (prophesy) or pray during worship need to have their heads covered. It shows their observance of the way God set things up. Christ is the head of the church, men are subject to him, they show Christ's glory. Women show the glory of man. That's how God set things up. If women fail to show their observance of that fact, then they should shave their heads and be seen therefore as a woman of ill-repute. That's the picture that Paul paints for us here.

Of course, this puts me in a bit of a quandry. MOST of the women that I know are observant of the fact that men lead things in worship. It's part of running in conservative circles. I would not call them unobservant of God's order to things, BUT they don't wear head coverings in church, and many of them have shorter hair styles. So what do I do with that? Do I say, well, practices have changed now-a-days, and as long as one is observant of conservative practice (as in recognizing the headship that God has given to men) then one is still doing what is right? OR do I say, well..they aren't observing strict biblical tradition therefore they should shave their heads and be seen as women of ill-repute? That doesn't seem right either..... not be a long shot.

And yet there are some women that I know who think that to give headship to men is so very wrong. We are created equal is the cry! And that's is so antiquated! And God didn't really say that. and so on and so forth. Some are very fervent in their thinking and are positive that they are right. These are women who in so many ways strive after the ways of God. But the very idea of showing submission (in this way) is abhorent to them. What do you do with those women? I don't know.

AH!!!! T'is indeed a tough one to sort out. :)

I must say though...in my research on this I came across this quote that I liked.

The woman is the glory of the man There is no doubt that the woman is a distinguished ornament of the man; for it is a great honor that God has appointed her to the man as the partner of his life, and a helper to him, — “To be a companion to the man, to live with him, and to aid him.” and has made her subject to him as the body is to the head. For what Solomon affirms as to a careful wife — that she is a crown to her husband, (Proverbs 12:4,) is true of the whole sex, if we look to the appointment of God, which Paul here commends, showing that the woman was created for this purpose — that she might be a distinguished ornament of the man.

That more women would really see how God sees us. God has appointed us to a particular role.... we shouldn't be ashamed to play that role well.

Perhaps that's what it really all comes down to...... not being ashamed to play the role that God has given us well. What do you think?

Continued Ponderings on 1 Cor 11

I've continued throughout these past 24 hours to ponder what I wrote for yesterday's devotions. You can find those here.

Anyways, as my tired mind has thought about this passage, I kept being drawn back to the opening verse of Chapter 11: Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

This verse says alot.

It makes me ask the question: do I live my life in such a say to show that I am of Christ? And if so, would my words cause people to ponder what they are doing?

If I am acting in an argumentative manner, am I showing that I imitate Christ?

I'm sure that some churches decided that some of the traditions that Paul was encouraging to maintain thought there was no point to it. I think that based on the reading of these verses.

13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

People did need to think about these things. To weigh out the merits. BUT they weren't to be contentious about it. (as in argumentative) If they judged it immaterial (unimportant despite teaching to the contrary) that was fine, but it was not what the church of God taught.

But according to some of the commentaries I found, the reason people wanted to make changes in how things were done was based on the misreading of scripture. God created us all equal so therefore what one does we all should be able to do in whatever method WE deem appropriate. Not exactly a God-centered approach is it? Not exactly an approach that shows one imitating Christ does it?

So that leaves me thinking..... Paul doesn't want contention to fill the church. If people judge (for whatever reason) that God-honouring traditions are not to be followed, then perhaps then they should leave. The act of leaving would end being argumentative. Staying would require silence, which of course would also be an option. :) I tend to think that the latter option needs to be exercised more in the church today. Too many unnecessary divisions in the visible church of God already today.

When it comes down to it, tradition or not, this just might be a God-honouring thing to do (to wear a covering on my head). Query though..... for wherever i.e. at home when praying or reading scripture/doing devotions/praying with our son at night, or just at church?

Head coverings - biblical or cultural?

Passages like this one in 1 Corinthians 11 really have to make me wonder.

2Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 3But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head. 7For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. 8For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 13Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, 15but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

Are they really cultural practices, are are they really things that God himself wants us to do within the church today?

And I have to admit, I don't know. I don't always get the logic behind what is deemed cultural and what isn't. It does help give me understanding to those church who follow this practice - of women maintaining long hair and wearing some sort of head covering when in church. It doesn't help me understand the viewpoint of the different styles of head covering allowed that....that to me, is a man-made requirement. But the head covering itself is biblical.

I would find this hard to do.

I grew out my hair because it's what my hubbie likes. And it's a small way that I can make him smile, so why not.

But the head covering thing....that I would find hard. BUT should I do so anyways? Would it be like a small way to (in essence) make God smile? Doing something that is hard to do is not always such a bad thing. It would show that that I am cognizant of the fact that my husband is the glory of of God and that I am the glory of my husband. Has nothing to do with equality, and everything to do with God and his establishment of how things are to be.

Sometimes I wonder if this fighting over the cultural or the biblical/spiritual is just another way for women to fight against the order that God has put into place, and yet another way for Satan to call Christians into disrepute. And it is, in essence within the church, a little thing. It's hair and clothing, and how can hair and clothing be such a big deal? But somehow it's gotten tied up as a status thing, and I don't think, within the church that it should be a status thing.

What does status have to do with following the will of God?

I don't have the answers, perhaps you, my reader, have one that can help?

Tim Challies Giveaway

Tim Challies is doing a give away. Check it out.

Help me get more chances to win by using my referral id code. :)

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Anyways, the books look good. Monergism books looks like a good place to stop by at. So check them out too. :)

God is our Refuge

Reading this morning from Psalm 46, and these verses just popped out at me.

1God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Selah

God is our refuge and strength regardless of the fearsomeness of life that goes on around us.

God is our very present help in trouble. He is present when there is trouble. He is a help when there is trouble. Not only is he a present help, he is a very present help. It is like saying that he is "just so there" when we need him.

That is God!

The Bell

The Bell
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child ( John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt. 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom.8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-! 21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good ( Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit ( John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (Jn 15:1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor.3:16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col.3:3). I have been justified (Rom5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor.3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph.2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil.1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col.1:1 4). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph1:5)
I belong to God

Do you know
who you are!?
Keep this bell

ringing !!!

Make Another Stumble

I have to admit, I find this passage in 1 Corinthians a difficult one to figure in real life. yes, on paper it makes sense to me. Makes perfect sense, don't do stuff that makes living the Christian life harder for someone else.

Paul starts off this chapter 8 off reminding us of the importance of love. That love is more important than knowledge, for knowledge can puff a person up, while love builds up.

1Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But if anyone loves God he is known by God.

So remembering that all things are to be based in that...in love, perhaps in practicality this chapter will be more workable. Have to admit, I've oft missed (as in not paid close enough attention) that opening verse.

So here is the problem facing the Corinthians

4Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." 5For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"— 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 7However, not all possess this knowledge.

See, not everyone gets it! They don't. They don't see the difference between GOD and gods and lords. Even though we know it, doesn't mean that everyone does. Doesn't mean that everyone in the church understands this to the same level.

But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

They see idols, they see food and they think it is real. They are so new in their faith, or so weak in their understanding, that they just don't get it.

8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.

Not everyone understands this though. This leaves us with a question: what do we do about it?

Remember? what is the basis that Paul is starting from? Love, not knowledge, Love.

9But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

So we need to take care of our weaker brothers in Christ.

So who are these weaker brothers? This is an area that I find confounding. People that I find are mature believers have their areas of weaknesses, things that they don't do because they don't see GOD, they see stuff. They just don't get it. And I don't get that they don't "get it". Makes me thing that they are just being stupid. I don't tend to have alot of patience with just being stupid. Fortunately as I continue to mature, I have learned the art of asking more questions, and not letting people think that I think they are just being stupid (good thing huh?)

I'm sure I have areas in my life that I don't get either, and I would hope that someone wouldn't throw the "knowledge thing" in my face (unless I'm just being really stupid). But would sensitive, loving toward the fact that for me to do something would be wrong in my walk with the Lord God.

I still find it hard though. Hard to balance not doing something because it can be damaging to one's ability to worship and serve God, and just saying enough of this, you are being stupid, God's word says _____________ and then just get on with it. Not the most loving approach.

So how does one balance out being sensitive to anothers' lack of faith and the need for them to just mature more in a particular area? Where teaching might help, but sometimes is just more a matter of trusting God in something more?

Any help out there?

Purge the evil person from among you

these verses are quite relevant I think for this day and age.

9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."

Paul was writing to the Corinthian church about things they were allowing to occur within the body of Christ. And they were proud about it! They even allowed the type of sexually immoral conduct that would give pagans pause!

1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2And you are arrogant!

I read these words and I am caused to think of the church today. We allow some pretty nasty things in our churches. There's one church I read about that has even allowed an open atheist to be part of its membership. That to me makes no sense. And look at all the discussions on homosexuality that go on within churches and denominations. It's not right. Paul says, in essence, "STOP IT!" (Thinking of the Newhart counselling video)

But what really struck me with this passage was the injunction to not judge those in the world around us. That's not our job. It's GOD'S job. Just as we learned a few days back that God sees the heart (we don't). God is also the one who sees those outside the church. Our part of this job is to not associate with those who claim the label Christian and yet act very contrary to God's word.

So what then does that mean? We don't worship with them, we don't celebrate the Lord's supper with them, we don't let them serve on committees or teach Sunday School and so forth. It does not mean that we turn our backs on them walking down the street, or that we can't enjoy them as people. The whole purpose of not associating with them (bringing them under discipline) is to reunite them with Christ. Love them as people created in the image of Christ, but don't let those "non-believers who claim the name Christian" be a part of the body of Christ. Draw the line and say struggling with sin is good, it's part of life, but living in sin, living deliberately with what you know is contrary to God's will is not.

We need to do this! The world is watching us. If we allow people within our body to live wrongly, we are giving the world something to censure us for. THAT is not our task. We are, I am, to be, an example of Christ to the world. A king's child, called to a higher way of life. Let's live that way and hold our sisters and brothers accountable to the same.

We Got our books! :)

Our books from the Desiring God Sale arrived today. YEAH!!!! :)

For Justin:
Most of All Jesus Loves you.

For me:
Faithful Women and their extraordinary God
Devotions for Ministry Wives

For Jim:
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
Life as a Vapor
Future Grace
The Dangerous Duty of Delight
Preaching the cross
Battling Unbelief
What Jesus Demands of the world

For us:
Building strong families
Recovering biblical manhood and womanhood

My Parents:
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God

Now comes the "fun" of entering these books into our library and labeling them all.

Oh..and of course the reading! :)

My Health - Plantar Fasciitis

Okay, so I've been diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis.

I have to wear something on my feet ALL the time. This shall kill me. :) I HATE wearing stuff on my feet. Absolutely detest it. My feet get hot, they get itchy, it's a bother, i get more clumsy and so forth. ARGH!!!!!! I don't wanna! (yes, it's my blog I am allowed to occasionally whine).

I get to do exercises. I even found a couple of pages on line that describes some of them. It's here and here.

I have to make an appointment to get a CT scan of my lower back as my back problem has been nasty for the last three months. I need to go in for an x-ray of the same as well. Neither has been booked yet.

I've been told to take a tylenol or something for pain every night as well, as being able to rest really well will help. ARGH... don't like that either. I'll give it some thought tonight about what I want to take. Forgot to take something last night, but I slept fair well so not to concerned about it.

Oh... there is one good thing about this all. Jim has had this too so HE has given me decent advice about it all which is way cool. :)

Ah well..... one must indeed trust the medical professionals as much as possible right? I still feel very ARGH inside about it all.

A new King

Reading this morning in 1 Samuel 16 about where David is chosen of God to be the next King of Israel. Note Saul is not dead yet. He is still alive and doing relatively well.

God is straight-forward with Samuel, asking him how long he will be sad about how things have gone with Saul. In fact, he says Samuel, get over to Jesse's place because I have chosen who the next King of Israel is to be.

Samuel of course is somewhat unsure about that... how can I go? If Saul finds out, I'm a dead man! I read that, and thought, how like us, how like me..... to know that we should obey God right off, but finding reasons not to do so.

God, as he does, provided the perfect excuse for Samuel. Just say that you are there to offer a sacrifice to me. Read it here:

2And Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you." 4Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, "Do you come peaceably?" 5And he said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

All these boys of Jesse came to Samuel, and as they passed, Samuel would see what nice lads they were and thought to himself, this is the one. But God would say no

"Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

This is something I need to learn to do better. To see as God sees. To not just see the outside stuff, but to search the heart - well, at least as best I can. :)

All the boys until there were none left. Samuel asked Jesse, are there any other boys? And discovered that yes, the youngest was out watching the sheep.

And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here." 12And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he." 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers.

David, the youngest of the lot, not the one who would have first been chosen by Samuel, but he was the boy that God wanted to be King.

Most of us reading will know the story of David, and how he became the best King that Israel had. For those of us who don't know the story of David, I invite you to read through the Old Testament - Psalms, Samuel, Kings and so forth. Read of this man who loved God passionately. This man who sinned significantly but loved greatly.

Laughter

My boy made me laugh.

After a busy three days of volunteering at the nationals for the AAC (boy I had fun). I saw some really, really good runs. I saw some.... okay...this run is not so .... well... not so good. :) I heard comments of... but "AH!!!! My dog is 9.5 years old and has never been a tunnel suck! Why is she a tunnel suck today?!!!!!" and "I'm really happy with how he ran that course" (handler talking about her dog) and "nice run". Comments of "thank you for volunteering" where much appreciated as well.

Anyways, I stopped in at my parents to pick up Justin. As we were getting ready to go home, I asked Justin if there was anything he wanted to bring with him.

He immediately responded with "Oma, Oma coming?"

Made all three of us adults just laugh.

You'd almost thing this boyo had a good time at his Papa's and Oma's house. :)

Disappointment and Sadness

So yesterday morning I went to a church that I used to attend as a 20 something year old. It is part of the same denomination I am in now.

I left feeling saddened and VERY disappointed.
Jim called and asked me my thoughts of the church service and my first response to him was I would not choose to attend this church. That the sermon didn't make sense. That I liked his preaching way better.

Numbers wise about the same number as what go to our church. Many more children which was really nice to see. A pastor that greets newcomers (have to admit, as a visitor I really liked that personal touch), and who has obvious expectations for his church (to be the fastest growing church) - which I wasn't so keen on as churches shouldn't be in competition with each other and that's how his statement seemed to me.

I have always disliked children being sent out of the service, and this church does that. It does, I think, a disservice to both children and adults when they are sent out. Though perhaps in this case, they might have actually learned something more than they would have in the service.

I know, that sounds awful doesn't it?

I DO NOT fear for the Christians in this church that are well-established in their faith. I don't. They can wait this pastor out. But newbie Christians? Oh my...they are NOT learning the true word of God here. They aren't, at least if this service is true to how things are in this church and from reports from older members there, it is. So are they Christians? or are they thinking they are Christians while believing a lie ever so carefully hidden?

I was telling my parents that
1. the sermon made no sense to the scripture
2. statements were made that were close to the truth but somehow rang in my head as "off". Could I always tell what was off? no, but I"m sure my Jim would have said right off the top of this head... THIS IS WRONG.

As I have pondered this I have these additional thoughts:
3. I felt "odd" in this church. Like I was sitting through something that was felt pretend, and that was so very sad to me.
4. half of the sermon felt "stolen" to me. Like I had heard these words used somewhere else, in a different context or something.

I'll take my church of old folks any day over a church filled with young folks because it doesn't feel pretend. I know that people truly do want to worship God here even if they struggle with it sometimes, it does feel real most Sundays.

I don't know, perhaps I am spoiled by having a pastor who preaches in a logical manner, whose passage ALWAYS fits the message that he preaches. He generally doesn't make me go "HUH?" And when he does, it is either my lack of attention OR he goes on to further explain what he means so the HUH? goes away. :)

But I am ever so disappointed and so sad for this church. Yes, it's profile has changed from being predominately old to be predominately younger. But at what cost? It's has lost some solid Christian members to other churches, it has gained youth, but the messages given is a bunch of slop. So in the end, has it really gained? What has it really gained?????

AAC Nationals 2007

I am leaving Jim alone at home with our two dogs and other critters.

My boyo is going to visit Papa and Oma (my parents) for the weekend.

I am going to go play with other dogs and their people. Sassy would be SO jealous if she knew. :) I am staying with friends in Guelph overnight.

Held in Halton Hills, the agility association of Canada is having the 2007 national championships.

if you live in the area, feel free to drop by. It's a lot of fun, watching dogs having fun! :)

My schedule:

Your scheduled activities and shifts are:
· Friday August 17th, 2007
  · 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM: Ring Crew - Ring 6
  · 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Ring Crew - Ring 5
  · 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM: Ring Crew - Ring 5
· Saturday August 18th, 2007
  · 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM: Gate Steward - Ring 1
  · 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM: Gate Steward - Ring 1
  · 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM: Gate Steward - Ring 1
· Sunday August 19th, 2007
  · 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM: Steeplechase Final Ring Crew
So I will be kept busy.  :)
I am SO looking forward to it.  

I get to watch good dogs run!  :)  

Highlight of the weekend will be steeplechase finale.

Israel Gets it's own Way

But we want to be like everyone else!

Common thing isn't it. To want to be like your neighbours, to have what they have, to be able to do what they do and such like. It's a common thing.

Israel was no different than we are. We are no different than Israel.
BUT like Israel we are supposed to be different, that is, if we love the Lord God.

God is our king. Wanting to be like everyone else, is a way of rejecting his kingship in our lives.

Israel, in 1 Samuel 7-8 wanted to be like the nations surrounding them. Predicated by the dislike of the Samuel's sons being judges over them, they came to Samuel and said

"Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations."

Samuel was exactly thrilled with this news. He went to God with it, and God said

"Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. 9Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."

The people rejected God's kingship. They weren't rejecting Samuel, they were rejecting God.

Samuel warned the people what would happen if they chose to have a human king, but they refused to listen.

How often do I do this?
See what someone else is able to do and think to myself...I would like to do that. From shopping on Sundays, to running agility trials with my dog, to skipping church, to not praying at meal times or before bed or..... a whole host of things. Because no one else has to do these things! And they get to, so what's the big deal if I do it too?

Rather me-centered isn't it?
I want to do this. I want to do that.
My faith is in God is not to be me-centered. It is to be God-centered. Focused on who God is and what HE has done for me. All what I do is supposed to bring him praise and glory and showcase who he is. That is what Israel was to be.... a showcase of who God is and all he is and can be and so forth. They forgot that, I don't want to.

I will be away for the next couple of days at this event, so if you don't already know who was chosen, read on in Samuel to find out. :)

Humiliation Meme (So i'm told)

Humiliation Meme

Oh, look, Jen has sent me another meme!Apparently this one has the potential for creating in one some humiliation. :) Gee... Thanks Jen. :)

So here goes..........

my worst post - My hubbie tends to think that my worst posts are the one that are sappy email posts. So... here's me picking one of them at random (actually it's the one he's complained about most recently). :) $20.

my best post - Ah...now that's a hard one...but if I have to chose, it would be this one, My Girlie Rocks!

post on which I have changed my mind - don't really think there is one. I mostly blog on my devotions or my family, I add some of the emails that I get, but other than that, I don't tend to do a lot of extras. If I change my mind on something I read in the bible I call that growing more in knowledge and needing to refine my position as opposed to "changing my mind" so much.

my post that generated the most comments - this one. Kim had put out a call for dog pics so.... I answered that call. So thanks Kim for helping me generate comments. :)

Suffering, to complain or not

Last Sunday, Jim preached on some passage, 2 Corinthians I think, anyways, one of the things he mentioned was that when we complain in our suffering we are saying that God doesn't really know what he is doing. That has stuck like a burr in my head all week.

So when I read from Romans 5 this morning, these verses made me think about that again.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Do you see the result here of suffering? Suffering leads to endurance, which leads to character, which leads to hope. HOPE does not put us to shame because God's love has been given to us, POURED into us by the Holy Spirit.

So should I complain when I suffer? Even when my body is achy and sore and doesn't work the way I want it to? Absolutely not! In fact I should rejoice in it. This suffering has good side effects! :) I must say, it is hard to rejoice.... but to not rejoice means that I am not giving the glory to God in all things. And that too, is something that I am to do.

Being reminded of my fraility is not a bad thing. It does force me to do rely on God all the more. It does force me to be able to emphasize with others who are in pain. It does lead me to handle pain better and so on and so forth.

So!!! No more complaining! Just praise God and move forward. See the good! Rejoice in what I am learning, and what is being produced in me. :) yes, I know.... easy to day than to do, but I will learn and I will get better at it. :) God's help don'tcha know.

Run, Run, Prizes, Get Prizes!

For a couple of cute videos of my boy child, go here.

First one shows him with run, run, prizes, get prizes.
the second one is him deliberately running over his beloved "tagu".

Gleanings from the Word of God

So I was reading through my devotional passages this morning, and when I finished I thought to myself, so what should I focus on?

My mind, being the tired mind that it is, couldn't resolve what most to focus on, so I have instead chosen to go with gleanings....short bits of insight from the passages that I read.

First up: 1 Samuel 4. This is a story about a battle between Israel and the Philistines.

3And when the troops came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies." 4So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

I read that and thought, hmm.....God is being used as a good luck charm here. We lost so I wonder if our fortunes will change if we bring the covenant of God with us. The very act of bringing to covenant among them, and the good cheer that it raised, actually inspired the Philistines to fight harder. I found that interesting.

Then to read in Romans 4 what is the justification for faith. I may have worded that poorly. :) Abraham was not justified in faith for being circumcised, for doing 'good work' for God, or for any outward thing. He was justified because he believed and trusted in God. That was it. I really liked these lines:

20No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

Those lines remind me of the importance of not wavering in my faith. Of my need to just hold to God despite the "stuff" around me. I need to remain fully convinced of God and his promises and HIS ability to carry me through. As I do this, I can praise God and give him the glory and that will help my faith to grow stronger. It's one of the good circle things. :)

In Jeremiah 42 we are reminded that our safety and security comes from God. Israel was used to running to Egypt for help when things got tough. God tells his people in this passage, don't go running off to Egypt. If you go there, bad things will happen to you BUT

10If you will remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down; I will plant you, and not pluck you up; for I relent of the disaster that I did to you.

And then finally in Psalm 18 I read these closing words

46The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock,
and exalted be the God of my salvation—
47the God who gave me vengeance
and subdued peoples under me,
48who delivered me from my enemies;
yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
you rescued me from the man of violence.

49 For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations,
and sing to your name.
50Great salvation he brings to his king,
and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
to David and his offspring forever.

God is our salvation.

God is the one in whom we should put our trust.

All praise and glory and thanks belong to our God! It is him I put my trust. :)

Whoooohoo!

Yeah! Whooohoo! The kidney stone that my hubbie has been fighting with has passed through his system. It was NOT a happy time for him (that passing that is) but it is now a happy time for him (and he got to have a thoroughly good look at that little pain bearer).

For more on this topic, check out his blog, he has a pic of it posted too. Now if that doesn't fill you with eagerness to check it out, I don't know what will! :)

Thanks to all who prayed.

My Birthday

Can you believe it?

Today is my birthday.

I have lived for 42 years.

Boy...have I learned alot.
Boy...do I ever have a lot to learn yet!

My mom and dad came up for lunch. Justin had a lot of fun playing with Papa and Oma.
Jim's had another kidney stone attack today so he's a bit under the weather.

We had three cheese hamburgers for lunch with corn on the cob. Cupcakes for dessert as per Justin's request. We all ate good.

No Scanner hooked up so I can't put in "this is my changing life" pics for your viewing pleasure. Hmm... perhaps a sigh of relief! :)

Cheers all!

I know that you believe.

Reading from Acts 26 this morning, finding Paul standing before Agrippa.

One of the most important people in that age, King Agrippa was deserving of respect. And Paul treats him that way. After receiving permission to state his defense, he begins this way:

2"I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

Paul lists his credentials - people know who he is. They've known him since he was little, a Jew living among Jews. In fact...he became a Pharisee. But he is on trial because he believes in God! He believes indeed in Christ crucified. And he asks....

8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

That's a good question don't you think? Why is it so incredible to think that the God of the Old Testament who can do so many marvelous things, can raise the dead? God who created the earth, God who can take men to heaven without then dying first, God who can help his people win improbable battles etc. Why is it so incredible to think that he can raise people from the dead?

Paul preached Christ crucified and raised from the dead!

Paul somewhat understands the mindset of those persecuting him, afterall, he used to be one of them. He was very zealous for the cause.

9 "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

But then he learned differently, and Paul told the story of his conversion, wherein he states he purpose for which he now lives.

And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

So Paul is doing what he is supposed to be doing ... told by the Lord himself! And that is precisely what he has been doing since then.

Festus who was there with them, hearing Paul testimony, interrupted Paul's discourse saying :

"Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind."

Which leads to my heading ... Paul's rebuttal is that is he not out of his mind...and that he is speaking

true and rational words. 26For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."

Agrippa knows this stuff. He knows it to be true. At least that is what Paul tells us.I read those words, and I think....how often am I bold enough to use that argument. You know this is true, so why don't you believe it?

To be bold enough to say like Paul

I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am

I have a friend who is a lapsed catholic....reading this emboldens me to be able to say... ______, you know the bible is true, so what's stopping you from really believing it? Ah, to have the forthrightness to do so. Pray for me will you?

Rechabites, an example

Jeremiah, a prophet, living in troubled times. Foreign nations attack the people of God. The people of God are not acting like the people of God. So what does God do? He gives them a tangible, right among them example of obedience. From Jeremiah 35 we learn about the Rechabites. I have to admit, though I've read through the bible more than once, I missed this section.

Who are the Rechabites? According to Wikepedia they are:

Rechabites - the descendants of Rechab through Jonadab or Jehonadab. They belonged to the Kenites, who accompanied the children of Israel into Palestine, and dwelt among them. Moses married a Kenite wife (Judg. 1:16), and Jael was the wife of "Heber the Kenite" (4:17). Saul also showed kindness to the Kenites (1 Sam. 15:6). The main body of the Kenites dwelt in cities, and adopted settled habits of life (30:29); but Jehonadab forbade his descendants to drink wine or to live in cities. They were commanded to lead always a nomad life. They adhered to the law laid down by Jonadab, and were noted for their fidelity to the old-established custom of their family in the days of Jeremiah (35); and this feature of their character is referred to by the prophet for the purpose of giving point to his own exhortation.

They obeyed. They were a people surrounded by cities, farms, wine drinkers etc. And this group within a group held to the ways that their father had set before them. They didn't get hung up on a mindset of "but everyone else is doing it". They simply obeyed.

This is what God wants his people to see. That simple straight-forward obedience.

It is what I need to see as well.

Parallels?

I know that I am perhaps treading on thin ground here, but when I read this passage from Judges this morning, it brought to mine the fighting that goes on within churches and denominations. It made me think how hard it is sometimes to fight for what is right.

Here in Judges 20 the men of Gibeah who were part of the tribe of Benjamin killed a man's concubine. They shouldn't done that.

4And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, "I came to Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. 5 And the leaders of Gibeah rose against me and surrounded the house against me by night. They meant to kill me, and they violated my concubine, and she is dead.

This needed to be avenged, punished.

So by lot, the rest of Israel decided they would go up against these men and punish them for their actions. They didn't just willy-nilly decide to attack their brothers, the tribe of Benjamin, but rather went among them and asked them to give up the evil-doers.

12And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, "What evil is this that has taken place among you? 13Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel."

Benjamin refused to do so.

But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. 14Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the people of Israel.

Before Israel would fight Benjamin though, they went before the Lord.

18The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, "Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?" And the LORD said, "Judah shall go up first."

The first day, Israel lost the battle.

The second day, they asked the Lord again, weeping at their losses

"And they inquired of the LORD, "Shall we again draw near to fight against our brothers, the people of Benjamin?" And the LORD said, "Go up against them."

Once again, the Lord said, go fight them. Once again, they lost the day's battle.

26Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the LORD and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 27And the people of Israel inquired of the LORD (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, 28and Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, ministered before it in those days), saying, "Shall we go out once more to battle against our brothers, the people of Benjamin, or shall we cease?" And the LORD said, "Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand."

The third day was the day of victory for Israel. Benjamin was thoroughly punished for harbouring evil within.

I read over this account and I just keep thinking, we can't harbour evil within us. Even if our losses are great, we need to keep fighting for the Lord. Israel fought for three days against Benjamin, losing great numbers of their men, but they continued to

1. go before the Lord and ask what to do
2. remain consistent in their regard for the Lord
3. mourn their losses and
4. continued the battle

Isn't this what we need to do today? To continually go before the Lord, prepared to fight for what he wants us too? Even if the battle is hard and we lose people in the battle, God's way is what we must fight for. We must keep fighting, but only as the Lord wants us to. Only HIS way will get us through.

News

Update on Jim
- kidney stone has still not passed. Has times of REALLY bad pain. Was unable to preach today... that's always a good indicator of just how awful he feels because Jim LOVES to preach. :)

Bittersweet news.
- F. Scott Petersen of Ars Theologica lost his battle with cancer and has passed on to glory. A man that I enjoyed how he thought and learned from through his blog. To read more about it all, please visit the blog at Second Reformed Church.

Prosperity Gospel

I have to admit, I don't tend to follow trends in the church so much, unless I find myself directly impacted by them.

So while I hear of things, I don't always care about them unless they surprise me by creeping in somewhere. For instance, this whole Prayer of Jabez thing that goes around, or the prosperity gospel. To me that you the same thing. I am surprised when, what I consider a good church -- as in solid, evangelical, knows the word church, starts to espouse the principals of it. I often wonder, where are these folks coming from.

Why am I mentioning this? These thoughts came to my mind as I was reading in Jeremiah 29 this morning.

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

See how is says, believe in my fully and I will restore your fortunes?

People read that and think....oh...if I believe in God I will be rich! (which is what the prosperity gospel message teaches correct?) It seems to me that these different 'messages' that people preach from the gospel are just over-emphasis's on ONE part of the total message of God, and a lack of taking things into proper context.

Yes, when we believe in God our fortunes increase...we have GOD on our side. In the Old testament that often pointed to material possessions. Not always though, particularly if you look at the dependence and love that the David had for God in the Psalms.

So even if our material life seems really icky...our fortunes have still increased because now we have a way, a reason, a method for getting through those icky times. We know that God is working it all for good. Maybe not our immediate good, but for our long term good and for the long term good of our now extended family (that being the family of God).

God tells the people in Jeremiah... believe in me. Pray to me. Seek after me, you will find me. Don't listen to false teachers. Hear me, says God.

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Don't settle for anything less than all of God. Just don't do it.

for a boyo having fun.. go here :)

We interrupt this devotional moment to point to you some fun pictures of Justin at the splash pad. A boyo having TOO much fun. :)

Jim in Hospital

Just so you all know, my Jim went to hospital last night with what he thinks is a kidney stone attack. He went in at 330, expected to call me to pick him at by 8, hasn't done so.

Soon the boy child will be up and we'll walk up with the dogs to see what all is going on with him.