Celebrate our Freedom and Support our Troops
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Disputable Matters
It seems I'm often called to mediate between "camps" in the christian circles. I've said over and over that we need to be careful that when people look at our lives they see CHRIST FIRST and not our PERSONAL convictions. If you've read this blog for any length of time you have most likely heard me say something like this. {g} I feel so strongly about this because I PERSONALLY know many who were repulsed from the church and Christ because of Christians who communicated that "REAL Christians" belong to a certain political party, a certain denomination, eat certain ways, parent certain ways, school certain ways....and it angers me. Christ came to save sinners....we seem to think He came only for those with convictions like ours. {sigh} My email tag line these days speaks to this "Molds are for Jell-o; not lovingly created Children of God".
Of course we are meant to HAVE personal convictions - but the cross of Christ - Christ Himself MUST be the central focus of my life....HE must be what others see first so that they are transformed to HIS image and not to mine!
Imagine the balm to my spirit when I read these quotes by Nichole from Girl Talk. I disagreed with some of the thoughts shared on putting children on a routine. But I loved the post that began this discussion....and since I'm still up with nothing to do in a quiet house....I'll share them. {G} These are just a few excerpts - this really is good enough to click here and read the whole entry for yourself.
Epidural vs. Natural Child Birth. College vs. No College. Breast-feeding vs. Bottle Feeding. Courtship vs. Dating. Child Immunizations vs. Homeopathic Medicine. Home Schooling vs. Private or Public Schooling. Birth Control vs. No Birth Control. Organic Food vs. Processed Food.
Have an opinion, anyone?
If you’re a woman and you’re alive, at least one of these words probably triggered a visceral response. You instinctively reached into your mental files for the appropriate legal brief, fully prepared to argue for the prosecution or the defense.
Mention a topic such as this and—cue the super-hero music please—we morph into “Super-Lawyer-Woman,” {snip - many good thoughts snipped for reasons of space}
As D.A. Carson observes:
“So many Christians today identify themselves with some ‘single issue’ (a concept drawn from politics) other than the cross, other than the gospel. It is not that they deny the gospel. If pressed, they will emphatically endorse it. But their point of self-identification, the focus of their minds and hearts, what occupies their interest and energy is something else” (The Cross and Christian Ministry, p. 63).
This reminds me that I'm still waiting for several books from D.A. Carson over at Paperback Swap. I may need to actually BUY a book soon.{G}
It seems I'm often called to mediate between "camps" in the christian circles. I've said over and over that we need to be careful that when people look at our lives they see CHRIST FIRST and not our PERSONAL convictions. If you've read this blog for any length of time you have most likely heard me say something like this. {g} I feel so strongly about this because I PERSONALLY know many who were repulsed from the church and Christ because of Christians who communicated that "REAL Christians" belong to a certain political party, a certain denomination, eat certain ways, parent certain ways, school certain ways....and it angers me. Christ came to save sinners....we seem to think He came only for those with convictions like ours. {sigh} My email tag line these days speaks to this "Molds are for Jell-o; not lovingly created Children of God".
Of course we are meant to HAVE personal convictions - but the cross of Christ - Christ Himself MUST be the central focus of my life....HE must be what others see first so that they are transformed to HIS image and not to mine!
Imagine the balm to my spirit when I read these quotes by Nichole from Girl Talk. I disagreed with some of the thoughts shared on putting children on a routine. But I loved the post that began this discussion....and since I'm still up with nothing to do in a quiet house....I'll share them. {G} These are just a few excerpts - this really is good enough to click here and read the whole entry for yourself.
Epidural vs. Natural Child Birth. College vs. No College. Breast-feeding vs. Bottle Feeding. Courtship vs. Dating. Child Immunizations vs. Homeopathic Medicine. Home Schooling vs. Private or Public Schooling. Birth Control vs. No Birth Control. Organic Food vs. Processed Food.
Have an opinion, anyone?
If you’re a woman and you’re alive, at least one of these words probably triggered a visceral response. You instinctively reached into your mental files for the appropriate legal brief, fully prepared to argue for the prosecution or the defense.
Mention a topic such as this and—cue the super-hero music please—we morph into “Super-Lawyer-Woman,” {snip - many good thoughts snipped for reasons of space}
As D.A. Carson observes:
“So many Christians today identify themselves with some ‘single issue’ (a concept drawn from politics) other than the cross, other than the gospel. It is not that they deny the gospel. If pressed, they will emphatically endorse it. But their point of self-identification, the focus of their minds and hearts, what occupies their interest and energy is something else” (The Cross and Christian Ministry, p. 63).
This reminds me that I'm still waiting for several books from D.A. Carson over at Paperback Swap. I may need to actually BUY a book soon.{G}
SILENCE
Since I'm sharing thoughts I've gleaned on the web.....here's a devotional that I have shared with a few others. We've all found it meaningful. A disclaimer...I find much I agree with and much I disagree with when reading Nancy Campbell's website and studies. Basically I agree with many of her convictions but I personally feel that she rips many verses completely out of context to prove her point. As a long time inductive student of Scriputure that GRATES on my spirit. I simply share that as my observation. I believe you WILL find much of benefit on the Above Rubies site. I suppose my main "beef" with Nancy Campbell (other than the context thing) is that there seems to be an attitude that "all Godly women will live life with my convictions" and I so believe that God deals with us as individuals. We won't all be cookie cutter women, wives, mothers..... Since I DO share many of Nancy's convictions, I've enjoyed surfing this website for practical ideas and encouragement as I walk out my convictions.
In this devotional (and all the devotionals I've read have been excellent - there is a giant list that I've not even begun to scratch the surface of) Nancy teaches on SILENCE. She shares three times for us to be silent....in times of unbelief, in times when you think it's not fair, and in times of persecution and ridicule. This was a challenging and encouraging read. Of course, I also think there are times when we are to speak up - and that would be where walking daily by the Spirit becomes crucial.
Exodus 14:14 Knox, “It is the Lord that will do battle for you; your part is silence.”
Since I'm sharing thoughts I've gleaned on the web.....here's a devotional that I have shared with a few others. We've all found it meaningful. A disclaimer...I find much I agree with and much I disagree with when reading Nancy Campbell's website and studies. Basically I agree with many of her convictions but I personally feel that she rips many verses completely out of context to prove her point. As a long time inductive student of Scriputure that GRATES on my spirit. I simply share that as my observation. I believe you WILL find much of benefit on the Above Rubies site. I suppose my main "beef" with Nancy Campbell (other than the context thing) is that there seems to be an attitude that "all Godly women will live life with my convictions" and I so believe that God deals with us as individuals. We won't all be cookie cutter women, wives, mothers..... Since I DO share many of Nancy's convictions, I've enjoyed surfing this website for practical ideas and encouragement as I walk out my convictions.
In this devotional (and all the devotionals I've read have been excellent - there is a giant list that I've not even begun to scratch the surface of) Nancy teaches on SILENCE. She shares three times for us to be silent....in times of unbelief, in times when you think it's not fair, and in times of persecution and ridicule. This was a challenging and encouraging read. Of course, I also think there are times when we are to speak up - and that would be where walking daily by the Spirit becomes crucial.
Exodus 14:14 Knox, “It is the Lord that will do battle for you; your part is silence.”
The Book we Dare Not Lay Aside!
Laura has this quote on her blog too...so I debated putting it HERE...but I realize that I have different folks who read my blog...so here's another great quote from Girl Talk ...btw I don't agree with all they write. {g} This one did cause me to consider my reading habits. I love the Horatius Bonar quote.
But there is one book we cannot afford to lay aside--that greatest of all books, The Bible. When we talk about reading, there are really two categories: the Bible, and everything else. While the great works of men certainly reflect our Lord’s creativity, the Bible contains the very Words of God. Wow. That’s why the psalmist appropriately gushes, “More to be desired are they than gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).
And that’s why Horatius Bonar warns: "See that your relish for the Bible be above every other enjoyment, and the moment you begin to feel greater relish for any other book, lay it down till you have sought deliverance from such a snare, and obtained from the Holy Spirit an intenser relish, a keener appetite for the Word of God (Jer 15:16)."
Laura has this quote on her blog too...so I debated putting it HERE...but I realize that I have different folks who read my blog...so here's another great quote from Girl Talk ...btw I don't agree with all they write. {g} This one did cause me to consider my reading habits. I love the Horatius Bonar quote.
But there is one book we cannot afford to lay aside--that greatest of all books, The Bible. When we talk about reading, there are really two categories: the Bible, and everything else. While the great works of men certainly reflect our Lord’s creativity, the Bible contains the very Words of God. Wow. That’s why the psalmist appropriately gushes, “More to be desired are they than gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).
And that’s why Horatius Bonar warns: "See that your relish for the Bible be above every other enjoyment, and the moment you begin to feel greater relish for any other book, lay it down till you have sought deliverance from such a snare, and obtained from the Holy Spirit an intenser relish, a keener appetite for the Word of God (Jer 15:16)."
I've been enjoying a blog called girl talk. Here's a quote taken from their thoughts on reading. Obviously, I don't think Paul or Mr. Spurgeon were thinking about Tamar Myers or *House* with these words. Quite probably two other books I'm working on would fit the bill: *Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough* and *Age of Opportunity*. {G} The entry below this one or maybe it's two below has some great quotes about how to fit reading time into your plan. There are a ton of great quotes at this site...I may have to post a few more...since I AM awake and Stacia went back to sleep. {G}
Quote from Mr. Spurgeon:
“When you [Timothy] come bring the cloak which I [Paul] left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments" (2 Timothy 4:13).
"He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He has had wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up in the third heaven, and had heard things unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He has written a major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every Christian, ‘Give thyself to reading.’ The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves he has no brains of his own.”
Quote from Mr. Spurgeon:
“When you [Timothy] come bring the cloak which I [Paul] left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments" (2 Timothy 4:13).
"He is inspired, and yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He has had wider experience than most men, and yet he wants books! He had been caught up in the third heaven, and had heard things unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He has written a major part of the New Testament, and yet he wants books! The apostle says to Timothy and so he says to every Christian, ‘Give thyself to reading.’ The man who never reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains proves he has no brains of his own.”
Mike’s Grand Day Off
The Wing Commander declared 3 July to be a “family day”. This means that only essential personnel had to go to work today. Mike took the day off. With a whole, wonderful, day off to play we had to consider options. This is what we settled on.
Strange fish
We were going to simply say “Mike went fishing” to tease Josiah…but he probably won’t read the blog while on the mission trip – so we’ll tell him that if he calls again but put all the facts here.
Mike found these fish while out on a run. Jared, Nolan, Arielle and he then rode their bikes back to look at them. Anyone know WHAT kind of fish they are. They have a long snout with a ton of teeth in them.
After lunch, Mike suggested we go view the movie CARS. Mike does not usually suggest we go see movies in a theater and we all jumped at his suggestion. It was a CUTE movie. We thought it was very well done and we all greatly enjoyed it. We had planned to go swimming at 6:00 p.m. but we didn’t get out of the movie until 6:30. We knew that it would be 7:15 – 7:30 by the time we got home, got swimming stuff, changed, drove to the pool and the pool closes at 8:00. We moved on to plan B.
New Bike
Arielle had been given the options of a new bike or a sewing machine for her birthday. Her birthday was May 23rd. She decided on a new bike. She has outgrown hers and it needs some repairs. We had heard that Academy had reasonably priced bikes so we checked them out. She got a really nice bike – a couple of sizes bigger with SPEEDS and hand brakes for $58.00.
We had planned to tie dye red, white and blue shirts today. I checked out the instructions on line and we decided it was far more involved than we could tackle in the a.m. The kids said their last year Old Navy shirts would be fine for the 4th. I found a $5 tank top at Academy that will work for me. MY Old Navy shirt fits an 8 month pregnant De’Etta.
New Fish (Photos by Jared)
The little ones had been begging for some new fish. As we were in the general vicinity of Petco, we stopped in and picked some out. We purchased 3 Dalmatians and 3 large Tiger Barbs for the tank. We don’t think the giant scum sucker will eat them….I think the catfish must have eaten the others. I specifically stayed away from guppies as the older kids thought it was too traumatic for the little ones to have to deal with all the babies. No matter how quickly we isolate many of them seem to get eaten too. Jared, our 12 yo, wondered if the Dalmatians would be
like our hamsters. “Will we wake up in the morning and have 101 Dalmatians?”
Fireworks
Stacia was awake at 3 a.m. Monday morning (and this a.m. in fact). Mike suggested I keep her home, get her in bed and then go to bed myself. I agreed. He took Jared, Arielle, Nolan and Zander to find a good view of the city fireworks. Not sure WHY but our fireworks are on the 3rd of July here. I had just begun to get Stacia in bed when they all trooped back into the house. RAIN – the fireworks display was rained out. I have no idea if they will try to reschedule for today or what. This happened last year as well.
Krista called earlier in the day. We gave her a call back and we all got to chat with her for a bit. We’ll try to reach Bre today. The boys called on the 2nd and we should probably not expect many more calls from them while they are gone. {G}
During our car time Mike and Jared discovered that Stacia would quit crying when the camera was pointed at her. This resulted in about 30 pictures of Stacia in her car seat….many not smiling at all. (Photo won't upload)
The Wing Commander declared 3 July to be a “family day”. This means that only essential personnel had to go to work today. Mike took the day off. With a whole, wonderful, day off to play we had to consider options. This is what we settled on.
Strange fish
We were going to simply say “Mike went fishing” to tease Josiah…but he probably won’t read the blog while on the mission trip – so we’ll tell him that if he calls again but put all the facts here.
Mike found these fish while out on a run. Jared, Nolan, Arielle and he then rode their bikes back to look at them. Anyone know WHAT kind of fish they are. They have a long snout with a ton of teeth in them.
After lunch, Mike suggested we go view the movie CARS. Mike does not usually suggest we go see movies in a theater and we all jumped at his suggestion. It was a CUTE movie. We thought it was very well done and we all greatly enjoyed it. We had planned to go swimming at 6:00 p.m. but we didn’t get out of the movie until 6:30. We knew that it would be 7:15 – 7:30 by the time we got home, got swimming stuff, changed, drove to the pool and the pool closes at 8:00. We moved on to plan B.
New Bike
Arielle had been given the options of a new bike or a sewing machine for her birthday. Her birthday was May 23rd. She decided on a new bike. She has outgrown hers and it needs some repairs. We had heard that Academy had reasonably priced bikes so we checked them out. She got a really nice bike – a couple of sizes bigger with SPEEDS and hand brakes for $58.00.
We had planned to tie dye red, white and blue shirts today. I checked out the instructions on line and we decided it was far more involved than we could tackle in the a.m. The kids said their last year Old Navy shirts would be fine for the 4th. I found a $5 tank top at Academy that will work for me. MY Old Navy shirt fits an 8 month pregnant De’Etta.
New Fish (Photos by Jared)
The little ones had been begging for some new fish. As we were in the general vicinity of Petco, we stopped in and picked some out. We purchased 3 Dalmatians and 3 large Tiger Barbs for the tank. We don’t think the giant scum sucker will eat them….I think the catfish must have eaten the others. I specifically stayed away from guppies as the older kids thought it was too traumatic for the little ones to have to deal with all the babies. No matter how quickly we isolate many of them seem to get eaten too. Jared, our 12 yo, wondered if the Dalmatians would be
like our hamsters. “Will we wake up in the morning and have 101 Dalmatians?”Fireworks
Stacia was awake at 3 a.m. Monday morning (and this a.m. in fact). Mike suggested I keep her home, get her in bed and then go to bed myself. I agreed. He took Jared, Arielle, Nolan and Zander to find a good view of the city fireworks. Not sure WHY but our fireworks are on the 3rd of July here. I had just begun to get Stacia in bed when they all trooped back into the house. RAIN – the fireworks display was rained out. I have no idea if they will try to reschedule for today or what. This happened last year as well.
Krista called earlier in the day. We gave her a call back and we all got to chat with her for a bit. We’ll try to reach Bre today. The boys called on the 2nd and we should probably not expect many more calls from them while they are gone. {G}
During our car time Mike and Jared discovered that Stacia would quit crying when the camera was pointed at her. This resulted in about 30 pictures of Stacia in her car seat….many not smiling at all. (Photo won't upload)
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