Have I told you how scary FB is? Wow, I mean to say, that is the devil's playground. I don't know what possesses me to think that Christians can operate in the mainstream business world without repercussion, but let me help you out with that.
They can't.
Over some bigtime fussing over whether to or not to post the color of the bra that you are currently wearing, lines were drawn and sides taken.
Now I can argue any side of a debate. It almost doesn't matter which side either. It just doesn't REALLY matter that much. But after some BASIC BASIC talk about WHY such a thing isn't a good idea from a Christian standpoint...guns were drawn.
It was a really interesting commentary on Christians and their walks. I noticed that the Christians backed down, as usual...which to me was likely the better thing. But the other side gained momentum. I knew most of the people there and saw that they were the new age, do whatever you want, what is WRONG with you Christian types anyway but the surprise came from the mouths of Christians themselves...vulgarity, cussing, the F word, flippancy and more.
No matter of "discussion" went on at all. For all the hate that others claim Christians spew, I saw none of that from the Christians but plenty of it from the other side. A LOT of hate directed at anyone who did not agree.
Good discussion is good for the Christian, but there is something to be said about being evenly yoked when discussing some issues. Otherwise, you are just looking for a fight.
I was disappointed but not surprised at the number of Christian women who IGNORED scripture- writing it off as fun, harmless, etc. While it's not a salvation issue, it goes to the every day walk of they "typical" christian from the "typical" church...no one held to any kind of standard at all anymore and everyone shouting "Judgement!" when they are.
I had it by then and revamped my account, deleted posts, and am now operating as a stand back business person in the community. I am afraid I may have lost my fight. I thought about standing on the other side as I had just been a commenter on most things but you know, I eventually make a pretty easy target so held back on what I REALLY thought. But I don't want to be a target since I was there for business.
So where's the line? Do you stand or defer? Do you care or let it go? It seems that it was never a question of right or wrong...that is a no brainer to any Christian...it seems that sin is just so easy to participate in all in the name of "harmless, fun".
I guess it's harmless to (possibly)incite lust in men's minds...it's harmless to show younger woman the harmlessness of brash, vulgar public activity, it's harmless to be immodest in front of pastors, husbands, children, business people...it's harmless to set the example to non Christians about what Christians consider proper behavior. That is the danger of social media...you do not know how far reaching it is...
you can't possibly grasp it. No worries, it's harmless.
It wasn't about being offended. But that is what everyone was saying...."whoever is offended, get a life." type thing. But I didn't see a lot of people offended, just stating their own side of it and being shot down for it. I personally wasn't OFFENDED by it, I don't think anything much offends me anymore...I think that comes with age...when you are offended, you think you have the "right" to something and as Christians, you give up your rights. But it is clearly, clearly wrong. Not in a legalistic way, in a scriptural way.
I admit I am disillusioned with people and the world right now. With myself and what is good, right and true. It seems a hopeless fight for the Christian and any kind of decent Christian upbringing. The power that families have over their own legacies is so grossly underused that I can only shake my head anymore. Nothing seems to matter to anyone about behavior and the affect it has on others.
I like good harmless fun, I like private girl fun too...I like pushing the edge along with anyone else too but how, where, when, what and why are important questions to be asked before I do. I mess it up all the time. But when we, as Christians can blatantly show off our sin, blatantly ignore the Truth all in the name of "fun", then like it or not, some spiritual self examination should occur.
It's true that it's better to stand alone and be right then stand with the multitudes and be wrong but it's a lonely place to be. The one or two against the multitudes immediately got shot down and then shut down.
Sin is sick and we are all sick with it. But when we refuse to confess and repent, when we refuse to be teachable and grow...then we risk the basic scriptural principle of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins...so go and sin no more.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
In Christ Alone
1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV) For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?
I suspect Paul only had one resolution on his list: "I resolve to know nothing but Christ and him crucified"
Paul's message is radically simple: Salvation is in Christ alone. What does this mean?
It's not Christ plus your good behavior.
It's not Christ plus the number of Bible verses you memorize.
It's not Christ plus your tithe or the church you attend.
It's not Christ plus wisdom from the latest Christian seminar, class, book, friend, teacher or small group.
It's simply Christ plus nothing. Christ and Christ alone.
Now that makes for one Joyful New Year.
How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?
I suspect Paul only had one resolution on his list: "I resolve to know nothing but Christ and him crucified"
Paul's message is radically simple: Salvation is in Christ alone. What does this mean?
It's not Christ plus your good behavior.
It's not Christ plus the number of Bible verses you memorize.
It's not Christ plus your tithe or the church you attend.
It's not Christ plus wisdom from the latest Christian seminar, class, book, friend, teacher or small group.
It's simply Christ plus nothing. Christ and Christ alone.
Now that makes for one Joyful New Year.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
My Utmost for His Highest
Intercessory Prayer
. . . men always ought to pray and not lose heart —Luke 18:1
You cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not believe in the reality of redemption.
Instead, you will simply be turning intercession into useless sympathy for others, which will serve only to increase the contentment they have for remaining out of touch with God.
True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance.
Intercession means to "fill up . . . [with] what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" ( Colossians 1:24 ), and this is precisely why there are so few intercessors.
People describe intercession by saying, "It is putting yourself in someone else’s place." That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and His perspective.
As an intercessor, be careful not to seek too much information from God regarding the situation you are praying about, because you may be overwhelmed. If you know too much, more than God has ordained for you to know, you can’t pray; the circumstances of the people become so overpowering that you are no longer able to get to the underlying truth.
Our work is to be in such close contact with God that we may have His mind about everything, but we shirk that responsibility by substituting doing for interceding. And yet intercession is the only thing that has no drawbacks, because it keeps our relationship completely open with God.
What we must avoid in intercession is praying for someone to be simply "patched up." We must pray that person completely through into contact with the very life of God. Think of the number of people God has brought across our path, only to see us drop them! When we pray on the basis of redemption, God creates something He can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.
. . . men always ought to pray and not lose heart —Luke 18:1
You cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not believe in the reality of redemption.
Instead, you will simply be turning intercession into useless sympathy for others, which will serve only to increase the contentment they have for remaining out of touch with God.
True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance.
Intercession means to "fill up . . . [with] what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" ( Colossians 1:24 ), and this is precisely why there are so few intercessors.
People describe intercession by saying, "It is putting yourself in someone else’s place." That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and His perspective.
As an intercessor, be careful not to seek too much information from God regarding the situation you are praying about, because you may be overwhelmed. If you know too much, more than God has ordained for you to know, you can’t pray; the circumstances of the people become so overpowering that you are no longer able to get to the underlying truth.
Our work is to be in such close contact with God that we may have His mind about everything, but we shirk that responsibility by substituting doing for interceding. And yet intercession is the only thing that has no drawbacks, because it keeps our relationship completely open with God.
What we must avoid in intercession is praying for someone to be simply "patched up." We must pray that person completely through into contact with the very life of God. Think of the number of people God has brought across our path, only to see us drop them! When we pray on the basis of redemption, God creates something He can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Saturday Haps
Kate had a playdate with Sari today...poor Sari, she didn't want much to do with Kate, (Aim-I think Kate is too young for her?) but Sari was SUCH a joy to have. She loved crafts and was wary of me but you know, I hold nothing back. I am the SAME with your kids as I am with mine. Sloan was like "Mom, you are too scary."
Why? says I.
No one treats other kids so...normal...when they are at their house.
Really? says I.
Well, THAT IS WHY kids LOVE me!
On an errand later, I ran across a yard sale...and you KNOW how I like yard sales, even in the raining, freezing weather, lol.
I got these gems for Kate for a mere $2.50 total. NO haggling either, which is strange for me because I always haggle....but this was so worth it. (long skirt for Kate for buck fifty and cool hat for a dollar!
Why? says I.
No one treats other kids so...normal...when they are at their house.
Really? says I.
Well, THAT IS WHY kids LOVE me!
On an errand later, I ran across a yard sale...and you KNOW how I like yard sales, even in the raining, freezing weather, lol.
I got these gems for Kate for a mere $2.50 total. NO haggling either, which is strange for me because I always haggle....but this was so worth it. (long skirt for Kate for buck fifty and cool hat for a dollar!
Friday, December 4, 2009
December Issue of LFM
Well, we ventured outside of the comfort zone this month after consulting with the LFM board and I think I'm gonna like it! This is our first sibling GROUP. Is that or is that not one HECK of a good looking magazine? I tell ya' for someone with NO publishing experience, I think we are doing a pretty good job! Go ahead, don't hold back...I know..it's beautiful!
Happy December ya'll!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
My God, My God how beautiful you are!
Ah, God made this saint SOOOOOOO incredibly! His words are like a shoot off of the gospel itself. This one is a wonderful explanation of salvation...Enjoy dear one!
December 1, 2009
The Law and the Gospel...by Oswald Chambers
Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all —James 2:10
The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral.
The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same.
The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity.
If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died" ( Romans 7:9 ).
The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless— ". . . sold under sin" ( Romans 7:14 ).
I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God— it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!
We only begin to realize the power of the moral law once we see that it comes with a condition and a promise. But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone.
Whenever God’s will is in complete control, He removes all pressure. And when we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His almighty power.
December 1, 2009
The Law and the Gospel...by Oswald Chambers
Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all —James 2:10
The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral.
The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same.
The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity.
If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died" ( Romans 7:9 ).
The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless— ". . . sold under sin" ( Romans 7:14 ).
I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God— it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!
We only begin to realize the power of the moral law once we see that it comes with a condition and a promise. But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone.
Whenever God’s will is in complete control, He removes all pressure. And when we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His almighty power.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Little late with the pics, but since I am in blogging mode here, here ya' go. We seem to always do Holidays alone since we moved here regardless of the fact that we DO invite people. Lol But we LOVE it also. No hostessing- any gal can be thankful for that. I finally ramble into the kitchen to begin cooking when honestly? Lately I just feel like I was on a desert island alone...but you know, the KIDS and all that....lol
And Jeff has all the potatoes peeled and the eggs boiled and peeled and well, he is just that kinda guy. We are under some of the worse stress of our lives right now and he is still peeling potatoes. Sigh. Dinner came out great and at .40/llb for that bird, who can complain. Our turkey only cost us 6 bucks and was DE-lish!
We always let the girls have sparkling cider on this day and New Years eve. They love it.
Lauren and Jeff made those little napkin holders in the morning with a glue gun and everything! GO best Daddy of 4 girls!
And Jeff has all the potatoes peeled and the eggs boiled and peeled and well, he is just that kinda guy. We are under some of the worse stress of our lives right now and he is still peeling potatoes. Sigh. Dinner came out great and at .40/llb for that bird, who can complain. Our turkey only cost us 6 bucks and was DE-lish!
We always let the girls have sparkling cider on this day and New Years eve. They love it.
Lauren and Jeff made those little napkin holders in the morning with a glue gun and everything! GO best Daddy of 4 girls!
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