Scripture Memory Challenge!

For the next two weeks, I’m going to attempt memorizing Psalm 19. I used to know this one by heart, but since I’ve gotten away from memorizing (after I did the 1,000 verses last year, I quit). I need to relearn it! I’m hoping you’ll do it with me! There are 14 verses, one a day.

I’m going to begin this tomorrow (Friday) because we don’t need to wait until a certain day to do things.

Some might say “Why not wait until Monday?”

Start whenever you can! I’m learning how to do this with all sorts of tasks. For example, when I need to do my laundry, I think to myself it has to be done in the morning; so when my mom asks me to start it at 3 or 5 in the afternoon I feel that it’s doing laundry the wrong way! The “start now” attitude goes beyond ministry and school! If you want to wait until Monday, go ahead, but I’d encourage you to start when you can.

Psalm 19

¹The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

²Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

³There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

⁴Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

⁵Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

⁶His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

⁷The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

⁸The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

⁹The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

¹¹Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

¹²Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

¹³Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

¹⁴Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

This is an adoration of the glory of God, a prayer to long for His word, and plea to serve the Lord with a ready heart. God uses those who are ready!

Though it’s not necessary, you can share if you’re doing the challenge with me as well as your progress via comments on this post or on your blog.

Romans 8 (and what I’ve learned about the nature of God and the nature of me)

There is something about this chapter that draws me back to it over and over.

1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This whole chapter tells us who we are as Christians. If I ever successfully lead someone to Christ, and they ask “Then what?” I would take them through a study of Romans 8 then Ephesians. Hey, now that my book is in oblivion, I could start writing a study on this…

Anyway. ahem. I’ve come to realize yet again the only way to be genuinely content, happy, and Christ-centered is when I’m not pursuing things I want.

I’ve been learning a lot about prayer recently, too; and the verse about the Holy Spirit making known our requyests without even saying them eloquently makes me want to burst with peace and assurance! Since we are saved to do good works, and we cannot lose our salvation; we should constantly be seeking things above. Sometimes, sin distracts us, though. It doesn’t take much to pull us away from Christ, but sadly, it happens. We become a little more carnally minded than we should. We fall into a great heap of trouble and see no way out. I am so thankful for a God who loves me, but hates my sin with a holy passion! He opens my eyes to breaches in my wall, to echo Nehemiah’s dilemma. I am determined to not let the wall of my fellowship Christ around crumble or be diminished by anything of the Father of lies. 

That’s why I went through this process recently. Christ has become more real to me. I feel light, clean inside and out. Even if you’re not a set-apart “girl,” you warriors could benefit from taking a step back and examining your life, too. We’re all human. We all sin. Princess or Warrior, lady or gent’a'man, I hope you click on the link and take a look at what “Cleaning Out the Sanctuary” really means.  I dare you. Click on it!

Hyper-patriarchy vs. Biblical-patriarchy

Hyperpatriarchy is a type of demanding fatherhood and husband-hood ( ) that requires nothing less than exact obedience all the time- even on minute issues. Hyperpatriarchs like to dictate what his daughters and wife wear, what they do, and where they go. They like to be in complete control and have the final say. They often ignore what their family has to say and go with what they want.

Reading an independent-fundamental-Baptist-Reformed local magazine for women that somehow ended up on my desk; I was shocked at the articles on submitting to your husband/father. Some quotes from this magazine:

“You must let a man be man. (nothing wrong with that) If you interfere with any situation, even if it is sin, better to leave him alone for fear of ruining his testimony.” (Sounds faintly of Muslim honor and strongly of letting someone live knowingly in sin)

“When a woman shares her opinion, she is sharing the true heart within her. This nasty heart in manipulative and wants to see her husband’s ruin. Better to keep her mouth shut.” (So women cannot share opinions wit their husbands???)

“Your husband did not have to marry you. Do not complain about his strictness in keeping you in when he goes out. Being married is enough for him, why push him to do something you want when it is his turn to have fun?” (It’s the woman’s fault he’s angry/disinterested in her?)

I agree with being thankful for what we have, letting men be men, and that the human heart is sick. But when a woman has no say whatsoever, has to live in fear for her husband’s spiritual well being (because she can’t call him out on sin); and has to avoid dealing with even petty problems… that’s hyperpatriarchy.

I was accused once of being a victim of hyperpatriarchy. I bought a lovely maxi-dress recently at a store called Forever 21. I tried to wear it to church the next Sunday; and dad ended up telling me he didn’t like the cut. It emphasized the wrong parts of my body, and he didn’t want that at all. (“Not even a hint” as I like to put it) I really wanted to wear the dress, but obeyed. At church, my friend asked if I was wearing the dress I’d bought. I said “No” and explained the situation. She shook her head and said “That’s no way to live. Your dad is a total hyperpatriarch…”

Let’s take a look at Biblical patriarchy:

Christ is masculine. God is masculine. God so loved the world…HE… gave HIS SON. God is also the ruler of everything, but a gentle one at that. He doesn’t want harm to come to us, but sometimes obedience can cause suffering in some way from others. God is not a cruel taskmaster. He very nature is love. Christ is love. The man of the house represents Christ.  Both man and woman are made in God’s image and are both called to exercise dominion over the earth. They share an equal worth as persons before God in creation and redemption. The man is also the image and glory of God in terms of authority, while the woman is the glory of man. (Gen. 1:27-28; 1 Cor. 11:3,7; Eph. 5:28; 1 Pet. 3:7) God has also ordained gender roles. Adam already had headship over Eve before sin entered the world. (Gen. 2:18)

God has placed authority of fathers and husbands to be useful and good in direction family. There is a limit on a man’s power. He must be in the Lord. When a man is outside of God’s will or word, he is not leading well. When in sin, there is hardship for the man to lead. The same goes for a woman when she will not submit. A man’s authority should be exercised with grace and love as a servant, priest, and leader; following the example of Jesus Christ. Leadership is a stewardship from God. (Mal. 3:17; Ps. 103:13; Col. 3:21; 1 Pet. 3:7) A man should also be subject to the laws of the government. (Romans 13) The man and wife, (and hence kids) should also submit to each other and respect opinions, tastes, and views, as long as they are of the word.

The woman is called to be keeper at home- meaning she is to run the household in domestic affairs: cooking, cleaning, teaching kids (primarily- I want my husband to be fully committed to teaching our kids at home and pray he would want to take part in that); basically becoming more like a Proverbs 31 woman every day. This doesn’t mean she can’t “have a job”  it simply means her #1 priority should be home. My mom is really a Proverbs 31 woman! My mom and I have a business of sorts- every Tuesday we make 14 dozen cookies and my dad sells them at work. It’s extra income. It’s “working willingly with our hands”. My mom gets up early to start the laundry and she often stays up late to finish things. She is known for her artistic ability (especially working on VBS decorations, where she happens to be right now), her cooking, her get up and go spirit. People at church talk about her highly. She is frugal with our money, so much so, we have surplus of things. That frugality leads us to never do without (we are the thrift store junkies, but we have the nicest, largest, CHEAPEST wardrobes around, I’d say) I could go on, but you probably get the point. She is very submissive to Dad, her hubby, whom she’s been married to for over 20 years. Aww…

*ahem*

Father/husbands should oversee the family well; and do so biblically, gently, and firmly. He must also realize that everyone has an opinion, and his opinion may not line up the wife’s or kids’.

Now, back to the story I was telling about the dress. If my dad would have said “I don’t like that pattern on you, it looks outdated…” It would have been a matter of personal preference, and hyper-patriarchy if he told me to obey immediately without protest. But since he directly said “I don’t like the cut of the top part and how it draws attention to your bust,” I knew right away what exactly was wrong- and that it wasn’t right. Since my dad noticed something I’d overlooked completely, I figured the other guys at church would probably notice, too. I didn’t want to “accidentally” ”entice” a dude when I knew I shouldn’t be even wearing something enticing. And, since the Bible tells us women to be modest and cover up what should be covered ,-and I knew I shouldn’t cause any brother in Christ to lose sight of Christ if I could help it- I decided to do what I knew was right. I changed my outfit.

So, was my dad a hyperpatriarch or a biblical patriarch?

You can’t expect to submit to your husband one day if you can’t submit to your dad now. It’s not always going to be that BIG thing. It will more than likely be a small thing.

Dilluted and Disillusioned

We can’t water down the gospel. Of course, we need to feed babies milk. We need to feed adults meat. However, a lot of what we’re being fed is milk. We’re not being fed much of spiritual meat; because we’re too busy debating milky things.  We avoid strength and distinction because that is being critical.

 ”We must have options.”

“We must have uniqueness. ”

Says whom?

  We must take the gospel as it is. And it does have distinction.  Christ rose from the dead. Buddha didn’t. Christ fed 5,000 people from a kid’s dinner. Rajneesh didn’t. Christ ascended into heaven. Ghandi didn’t. Christ fulfilled all the prophecies to the letter- so far. He was predicted. He was anticipated.

To debate that is to be foolish.

He’s done so much more than any person of any religion ever did.

“If people see we’re really different, they will run away… We’re weird. We’re not like them. We scare them.”

When people want something different, they look for someone different.

Ever see a druggie wanting to quit drugs walk up to a person smoking hashish and ask “Hey man, I need to quit this habit I have…”

They do say that.

But that can’t.

So they talk about it.

 We must make them realize we have something different. By offering them ear-ticklers and music like theirs (only with different, tamer lyrics), they will give up and think mediocrity is all there is to life.

No hope.

To be open-minded is to have no hope, and to offer no hope. Instead of sitting around and spinning our wheels talking, let’s start doing. It’s great to debate, don’t get me wrong, but we seem to throw around the idea of doing in our debates so often it becomes routine. “Should we? What if we offend someone?” “Why should we do anything about this? It’s too controversial.” “Can we pick something else to do? I can’t take sides on such a debated issue.” “Well I can’t take sides on the issue you’re suggesting…”

  To not join in this kind of debate is to become a nobody. It seems seeking is all the rage. When do these seekers ever find? But when you’ve found something you know to stick to (truth, Christ) , it becomes uncool. Have you ever noticed God uses nobodys? The disciples were a majority of fishermen without formal education.

  Why have church at all if nothing is different?

  It’s amazing when some one from the “world” (as in unsaved) comes into church, gets their life in order and accepts Christ as savior. But that’s not the norm. Personally, I’ve heard of more people being saved from people going out to the world and telling them. Isn’t that what we are supposed to do? It’s the essence of the great commission.  That’s not to say people can’t come into our church, but maybe the church was designed to go into the world. That’s why we’re not supposed to forsake assembling. We can encourage each other and pray for each other right on the spot if need be. Can you imagine the unbeliever doing this? Perhaps the church was indeed designed for the believers in mind. I know it was. I’m not against inviting the lost to come to church. In fact we have a neighbor kid who comes with us to the teen group every week. But I wonder why he hasn’t gotten saved yet. He seems to come just to get out of his house. He has questions, and we have answers, but he just flounders around when he’s asked if he knows for sure if he wants to go to heaven. My brother and the youth leader have been talking with him, but he doesn’t want to know for sure. I fear for this young man’s soul. I’m afraid he’s coming for a temporary escape from his house. He knows there is something different, but doesn’t want to hop on. Yet. I find the best time to minister to him is by asking him to join us for dinner, to talk walks with us to the park, to play basketball with my dad and brother. Fulfilling the great commission in some minds is standing on a corner in front of an old brick building, standing on a wooden crate, wearing a bowler hat with tracts in it; shouting about hell and damnation. You can fulfill the great commission by talking with a neighbor kid.

Church tends to take on routine. In our church, we are helplessly stuck in a rut. We open the service with the same theme prayer, sing three songs total, the choir sings, “special” music, 40 minutes of preaching. Once a month in the evenings, we observe communion and sing the same hymn on the way out.  If I were to suggest moving communion to once a week, I’d get accused of being weird. No where in the Bible does it say “have communion at the end of your service once a month at the start of the month.” Ha! That’s how it ends up getting done. I can not remember if we ever had the communion service in the morning service. Why not have a special foot-washing ceremony? (“Groan…” “Laura!” “Why did you say that?”) It is hard to break tradition/routine.

Routine makes us feel complacent. It makes us uncomfortable when new ideas come forth. It also makes us unhappy to comply to new rules- as little they may be.

  When people come into the church from the world, some things without explanation may seem a little weird. Why have an organ? What’s up with the hymns? I don’t understand this language. They are so used to their flesh being coddled 24/7 they can’t stand quiet. To sit still for an hour is nearly impossible. You can’t be checking your Facebook, your email, listen to music. It’s quietness. They have to think. Two things people are afraid of!

To have something different will create either a total rejection or a thirst. If the difference is rejected, obviously people weren’t as open-minded as they thought they were. If they begin to thirst, they will obviously have a need for discipleship from someone who played a part in creating it. Giving them something solid to chew on will help.

The thirsty person will end up wanting more and more… but the dissenters will think you’re foolish.

  Again, the cross of Christ is going to offend people.

But, you will reap the benefits.

A strong example, a strong testimony, a strong track record. You will have answers to questions some people are still debating. Most people are followers. They need a leader.

You’ve created a contrast. You’ve set a new standard, opened a new way.  To quote Eric Ludy once more:

“When the open mind is allowed to run wild and unrestrained, truth loses its definition. When truth loses its definition, we lose all perspective on what truth is even supposed to look like lived out in the world. And when we forget what truth looks like, we have no other standard to look to but ourselves. We rarely rise to a higher standard.”

5 common questions:

Why am I here?

Who is God?

Who is this Jesus and why is He the only path to salvation

Why the Bible and not the (insert the book of choice)?

Why should the Bible be the authority in my life… not me?

 Answer these Biblically and you’ve created some thirst. Some want to find deeper meaning.

The Sunday school materials we still use are outdated. They aren’t thirst creating. They don’t provide answers. Like I said in my first post, they treat the Bible as a story. They don’t have a real backbone.

It’s time we stopped treating all kids the same as the times before and giving them some answers.

Other thoughts I didn’t quite fit in as I was writing, and thought of afterward:

Mark 7:6-8

2 Cor. 11:3 Attacks are coming, and we will have to fight to hold onto the simple gospel

“Ever since the perfect image of God was ruined when sin entered the Garden of Eden, mankind has been attempting to recreate God in his own frail image. Being incurably religious, we want a God we can comprehend and neat, finite, human terms. We want a God we can understand. A God we can predict and figure out… we want ‘religion lite’.

All this reminds me of the Kyoto, Japan temple where worshippers can literally choose their own deity. The temple is filled with more than 1,000 Buddhas, each one a little different than the rest. Worshippers can choose which one they like best.

We are giving God a makeover ourselves. We have made Him into a user friendly God who makes allowances for our sins and excuses for our backgrounds.”

Greg Laurie

—

Recommended Reading and Listening:

Why We’re Not Emergent

The Bravehearted Gospel

The Great Compromise

The Weight of Glory

Already Gone

Plastic Jesus

Sermons by V. Baucham, H. Mally, and K. Ham

The Message?

The more I read it, the more I find I have a huge problem with The Message translation- it’s too loose and rather dumbed down; so much so, the power of God is almost… neutered. I use that word carefully.  This morning I searched through the translations in my laptop’s Bible software, and the devotional was Psalm 28. I accidently hit “The Message” as the translation I wanted to use. Soon, I was fascinated with the translation- comparing it to the KJV and pulling up the Hebrew roots as well. (I’m sort-of studying Hebrew)

It went like this:

Don’t turn a deaf ear when I call you, God.
   If all I get from you is
      deafening silence,
   I’d be better off floating 
      in the Black Hole.

I’m letting you know what I need here,
      calling out for help
   And lifting my arms
      toward your inner sanctum.

Don’t shove me into
      the same jail cell with those crooks,
   With those who are
      full-time employees of evil.
   They talk a good line of “peace,”
      then moonlight for the Devil.

Pay them back for what they’ve done,
      for how bad they’ve been.
   Pay them back for their long hours
      in the Devil’s workshop;
   Then cap it with a huge bonus. 

 Because they have no idea how God works
      or what he is up to,
   God will smash them to smithereens
      and walk away from the smoldering ruins.
Blessed be God—
      he’s heard me praying to him.
   He finally proved he’s on my side;
     So I’ve thrown my lot in with him.

   Now I’m jumping around for joy,
      and shouting and singing my thanks to him. 

God is all strength for his people,
      ample refuge for his chosen leader;
   Save your people
      and bless your heritage.
   Care for them;
      carry them like a good farmer.

I don’t know about you, but it almost sounds humorous. God smashing people to smithereens?  He will destroy evil with hellfire- but not smashing them into smithereens. And since when did farmers carry people? Perhaps it’s a loose translation of shepherd?

The Message makes God a big mockery- and if some person who did need the gospel ‘dumbed down’ were to read it, I can’t imagine them thinking of God in a very good way.

The Message also makes it sound as though life were all about us. Some say the gospel restores us. I say the gospel makes us MORE human- it shows we have a need we can’t fulfill on our own.

What translation do you use?

 I use ESV, KJV, and Holman Christian Standard- all solid versions of the Bible. Some say KJV is the only great version, and I agree it’s the most accurate, but ESV certainly sheds light on some passages and makes them more meaningful, whilst the HCSV makes application easier.

Bottom line: don’t dumb down the gospel. It’s power is enough on it’s own- and the Holy Spirit is enough to move a heart toward salvation.

Next up- Rastafari, Mormonism, Cao Dai, and Catholicism

:..The Game of Memory Just Became A WHOLE Lot Easier..:

Early on in the year, I had a challenge issued to my readers:

Memorize as many verses as you can in 2011. Though three people (including me) took up the challenge, I believe having a binder (or, notebook or 3 ringer) full of verses to memorize is a good thing to keep around. It’s cool to have a hard copy to study when riding in the car, sitting around bored, waiting for a n appointment… Regardless of your goal- if you have one. Just try a bit at a time and see how many verses you can memorize.

This is my binder, it’s one inch thick.

To the left, you see my highlighter, that’s what I use to mark the verses I know. It has a ring on the cap for looping to the binder rings. Of course, you mainly see the title page, where I put some inspiring Churchill quotes and a ‘return to me if lost clause’.

After the title page, I made two pages of columns with a check list. I’m the type of person who feels like they’ve done something amazing when checking things off. :-p

Highlighted= memorized

I copied and pasted KJV text from the internet, and gave each passage  a number, which is why 38 is in front of Ephesians 1:1-11. I count how many are in each section.  Section 38 has 11 verses. See what I mean?

 I really don’t go in order “cover to cover”. I skip around to whateve I feel like doing. I guess that means I’m a free spirit who doesn’t like routine. haha 

I keep a litle notebook in the back of the binder to write out verses in, so I see if I have it down word for word.

 

For The Sake of Transparency?

For The Sake of Transparency:

Let’s let the emotions run high as we outpour our deepest desires and disappointments in front of the group. Let’s be honest and open and vulnerable to everyone so they can feel and understand our pain. Let’s tell everyone how we got into such a state, and how sorry we feel for ourselves. Let’s rant and rave about the bratty kids we babysit, the goofy husbands we married, and the other annoyances we find so hard to cope with. Let’s share how being a Christian is SOOOOOO hard and not at all like the lovely life you had before you converted. Let’s talk about our defeated feeling and share tips about how to deal with our pride being hurt. LET’S COMPLAIN TIL WE TURN BLUE!!!

And go home feeling… worse than ever, our problems not solved; yet comforted in the fact someone listened to us.

Just let others see through your skin to the real you! It’s okay to cry as long it helps your group “purify” themselves of their guiltiness of not measuring up. It’s okay to drone on to make your point- as long as they see the real you!!! Let’s discuss what that new Christianologist (‘Christian’ psychologist) said about our mind and emotions. It’s okay to veg out and indulge, find time for yourself every day. It’s certainly alright to feel defeated.

THAT’S NORMAL!

If you’ve ever been to a Bible study, youth group girl’s meeting, or a special seminar, you’ll hear that sort of message that “tickles the ears” and leaves you even more bitter and frustrated than before. The idea of being transparent and open and honest for the sake of bragging, complaining, and feeling good is not at all Biblical. God does not command us to tell everyone about ourselves. We should, according to Ephesians, chapter 4- a)speak things that administer grace to the hearers b) speak that which is edifying c) say what we say with love d) speak nothing corrupt. Corrupt here is from the Greek word “sapros” not meaning “dirty” or “bad” as the dictionary says: sapros means not useful, very worthless, not powerful, or even hollow. The idea of being open and honest is a good one, but very easily damaged by selfish motives and Satan.

  When we talk about how our defeat is pulling us down, it may make us seem holier and pious. How Christians began to equate weakness and defeat to spiritual maturity, I have no idea. Christians should not be the ones walking around crying “Woe is me, I have a tinful of problems.” The following is what I wrote in my journal after one experience of a complain fest disguised as a “youth group discussion time”.

  The only thing we studied tonight was narcissism, communication; perhaps even how to justify bitterness at God… I think… that a Christian shouldn’t plan these meetings because they lead to deeper self-worship. “Making time for yourself” isn’t what Christ would ask us to do. I can’t recall Him ever complaining he had no time for himself or that he needed to spend some hours relaxing and getting in touch with His thoughts and desires. As Christians, I also think…we are mirrors. When people look at us and talk to us, the reflection they see should be Jesus. We shan’t talk of all our problems- rather about how God is working through the problems. We shan’t talk about who annoys us- only how we can minister and pray for them. We shan’t gossip, we should keep our mouths shut. The heathen and pagans should see our actions as victory- living evidences that there is a God. A Christian that mumbles about defeat and wants to make time for herself is not a witness.

Christians- triumph! We can’t do anything, including getting the victory over trials, unless we pray. Life would be a bunch of complaining and selfishness if we didn’t live for Him. Stop living like He doesn’t exist: surrender your entire self to Him: your body, your mind, your actions, your thoughts, your words.

 Maybe leave that Bible study, too.

And start your own- with the purpose of growing, not griping.

Pressure to Be Attached

People call me crazy. People also call me stupid. Let me explain:

A smattering of guys have, at one time or another, confessed their undying, hormone related affection for me. I don’t want any of it. It’s distracting, and once these young men started hinting blatantly at liking me, the friendship hurled went downhill. I still have a good friendship with one, but it is because of being careful. I don’t reply to flirtatious comments, look at him when he sighs loudly, or tell him if I like him back. For the most part, he understands. I think. I spend a lot of time praying about “Alexander” but he is not the foremost of my thoughts. People usually tell me to go after him, because after all, I’m nearly of marriageable age, and of course, they only want me to be “happy.” When I say that I’m happy without a boyfriend or the prospect of getting one, most pat me on the arm and say I’m deceiving myself and someday that will change. Ha. Far from it, folks.

Marriage is a beautiful thing, and I sure would like to be married sometime in my life. But God has given me a greater desire, a desire stronger than having a husby or a bunch of kids. That desire I have is from Him and for Him. God’s will takes over any thought I may have over Sir Charming the Gallant. If only more girls would stop playing the dating game and learn that contentment in Christ is the key to life!

“Who is this?” asked an old man of a 20-something woman.

“This is my boyfriend… Charles” the girl declared proudly.

It was amazing how much was said in those few words. This girl had been involved in my youth group for several years, all the while encouraging us not to seek after a guy but follow after the Lord. She should have led by example. While declaring she was not looking for a relationship, she started a singles group, researched ‘singles explosions’, and went to every event she could find where available men were. After three years, her search was successful. She has a boyfriend, and she talks of him all the time. Her identity is not in who she is in Christ, it’s who she is with her boy. You see, the young lady equates being fulfilled and human with being attached. Not so! What makes us human (profoundly human) is the Gospel! It makes us see our enormous need for help…and makes us become fulfilled after we’ve let Jesus fill that need. The Gospel is enough to satisfy. Stop living like it isn’t.

Those who “date around” want to have a great marriage someday, that’s unanimous! But, when it comes down to who they date, the standard is set quite low. Over the years, missionary dating has become popular at my church. It started with one couple, then it snowballed. Another couple started, and another, and then, this aforementioned girl found herself an unbelieving boy. The first relationship that started it all sadly ended when they found the “converted” girlfriend was fooling around at college.

It seems that dating is like a snowball. It starts out with a faithful Christian girl and a guy. She is serious about her walk with God, and every day is like a mountaintop experience. They date, get involved, and break up. The girl blames God for her problems, and starts look for another guy. The cycle repeats with several more guys, adding baggage, making the process of “backsliding” go faster. Things gain momentum. The snowball builds up more ‘junk’ and keeps rolling… downhill… faster and faster… until crash! The whole thing blows up in her face and her life is at the bottom of the hill. In order to get back to the top, she must get serious and start depending on God again for everything! Only then can she have a deep relationship with God and get back on the victorious mountaintop.

The reason for unbalanced relationships is the preset standard (or the lack thereof). Most people have no standard or even the slightest idea what they’d like to see in Prince Charming. As young women, we shouldn’t swoon over what our dear Johnny should look like. We should be praying for his character, his strength, and his spiritual well-being!

As I looked into qualities of husbands, I found absolutely no standard of any sort out on the Internet. Not even a bare minimum or a few requirement ideas. Sure, every girl is different, but there’s the need to set a standard and a few expectations to get her thinking about the kind of man she’ll marry someday.

Hence the big surprise. (No, it’s not that I’m getting married, but thanks anyway to those who asked!!) It’s a list of potential qualities that you should think about. This isn’t final gospel, and I’m only a weak, finite human, so it’s not a law to follow. Rather, this is a list to get you thinking. Take ideas from this list and start building your own. Tell me about some of the qualities you came up with on your own!

Check it out- The List  

This list will only be up for the week of Valentine’s… (February 14th-February 19th)

On My Heart Imprint Your Image {and other lyrics}

(Thomas Kingo)

On my heart imprint Your image,

Blessed Jesus, King of grace:

That life’s trouble’s or it’s pleasures

Never may your work erase.

Let the clear inscription be

Jesus crucified for me!

He’s my life, my hope’s Foundation;

All my Glory and Salvation,

My Glory and Salvation!

Near the cross oh! Lamb of God,

Bring it’s scenes before me;

Help me walk from day to day

 With it’s shadows over me

On my heart hear imprint your image

Blessed Jesus , King of grace

(David Angerman)

How Marvelous Are the Works

How marvelous are the works of the Lord

How excellent are His ways

How wonderful is His glory and fame,

     ever the same, great is the name of the Lord!

Great is the God of Israel!

Great are the works of His hands

He alone is the King of Kings

Creation bows at His command.

Great is the God of Abraham 

 Perfect is His law

In majesty and in holiness

He rules, Lord of all!

Written in Red

In letters of crimson God wrote His love

On a hillside so long, long ago

For you and for me Jesus died

And love’s greatest story was told

 

CHORUS

I love you, I love you

That’s what Calvary said

I love you, I love you

I love you written in red

 

Down through the ages God wrote His love

With the same hands that suffered and bleed

Giving all that He had to give

A message so easily read

Oh precious is the flow

That makes me white as s

No other fount’n I k

Nothin but the blood of Jesus

 

I love you, I love you

That’s what Calvary said

I love you, I love you

I love you written in red

__________________________________

The above are some of the songs our choir is working on right now. Thought you’d like to read them!

Today, my brother was doing his spelling lesson, and the words on the list had silent letters. Surprisingly, some were “palm” “often”"almond”  “sandwich” “balm”  “folk” “talk” “walk” and “learn”. Are they supposed to be ‘pom, offen, ahmond, sanwich, bom, foke, tawk, wawk and luhn’? Haha. That was the laugh of the day. My name might as well be

I am pleased to announce that I am *ahead* on my memorization! It’s taking a lot more work than I thought it would. If I stay on track I will be done by November! Maybe I shall shoot for 1,500? Hmm, we’ll see!

Psalm 107:1-9 ESV

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
   for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
   whom he has redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
   from the east and from the west,
   from the north and from the south.

 ^Some wandered in desert wastes,
   finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
   their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
   and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
   till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
   for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
   and the hungry soul he fills with good things

Make Them Believers

From Vision Forum’s “How To Think Like A Christian”  {paraphrased}

You have arrived at college and are walking around campus. Suddenly, a masked man jumps out in front of you and says “Your money or your life.” He points a knife in your face, waiting for you to act or refuse.

Well, knowing you would have days like this, you remember you have a loaded gun on your person. So, you say to your would be mugger “I’m sorry, but I have a gun, and I will shoot you.”

To this, the mugger says “Well, I belong to a knife club and I don’t believe in guns!”

So, you put the gun away and he takes your money and runs away.

Sound ridiculous?

Okay… let’s try this scene:

You have arrived at college and are walking around campus. Suddenly, a masked man jumps out in front of you and says “Your money or your life.” He points a knife in your face, waiting for you to act or refuse.

Well, knowing you would have days like this, you remember you have a loaded gun on your person. So, you say to your would be mugger “I’m sorry, but I have a gun, and I will shoot you.”

To this, the mugger says “Well, I belong to a knife club and I don’t believe in guns!”

So, you tell him to wait and you scramble to find all sorts of information about how guns usually kill and that 90 some percent of people die after being shot and how effective guns are…

But he doesn’t listen and mugs you anyway.

Okay, that’s not realistic either.

Try this scene:

You have arrived at college and are walking around campus. Suddenly, a masked man jumps out in front of you and says “Your money or your life.” He points a knife in your face, waiting for you to act or refuse.

Well, knowing you would have days like this, you remember you have a loaded gun on your person. So, you say to your would be mugger “I’m sorry, but I have a gun, and I will shoot you.”

To this, the mugger says “Well, I belong to a knife club and I don’t believe in guns!”

Pull the trigger and make him a believer!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the same way it sounds ridiculous to banter with the mugger, or just give up and let the guy win, think about who the mugger is and who you are.

Mugger= Humanist/Unbeliever/Atheist

You= The church

The church is afraid to stand up for what they believe! They try to be nice and not hurt the unsaved’s feelings, or read books about the Bible without reading the Bible itself, but they never use the Bible (gun) directly. The truth is, the Church is afraid of “legalism” “being radical” or “offending” someone. Well, hear this: God’s Word is unchanging. It won’t change the truth to “appeal” to people. It will offend those who fear being holy in the light of it’s radical stance. They usually aren’t offended by you. It’s the message you bring.

Can you imagine God changing his Word every other year to update it and bring it to date? Doing that would make it unreliable. The Bible is reliable no matter how you look at it. Historically verifiable prophecies, little details and parallels that cannot be ignored, and wonderful teachings that still ring true for us make relaibility a fact! So why are Christians so afraid of using it? Maybe they don’t really know what the Bible really says. Maybe they are afraid of being hurt or getting embarassed. God will give you the strength you need- not a textbook about God!

Though I don’t advocate shooting at unbelievers, please use the Bible when witnessing and arguing. Not Wikipedia.

Don’t give up!

Never ever ever!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last night, I cut out the pattern for my sewing project. Here is the material I’m using. It took me about an hour to decide on the fabric at Hobby Lobby~ they must’ve thought I was a very indecisive young woman… I think I’ll have to make a bunch more aprons so I can use all the pretty material!

It looks a li’l yeller, but that’s because I didn’t change Herbie’s settings

And the pattern: we got it on sale for $1.99!

I’m using the one on the far left, with the lobster fabric. I’m not doing the frilly edging on the hem and neckline, nor the pockets.

I’ll start sewing soon, Lord willing. (sigh)

Also, my mom and I made cookies on Sunday, and here is how they turned out~ 

We were trying to imitate SweetHearts from Necco, and I’d say (other than the smooshed writing from being stacked on one another) they came out pretty well!

My mom has a cookie business that she uses to bring in extra income. We bake nearly 200 cookies every Tuesday and package them into 3′s- and sell the packs of threes for $1. My dad actually takes them into work and his coworkers buy them! We usually sell about 60 packs a week. We save up the money and use it for hotel rooms whilst travelling, curriculum, savings, etc. It’s an easy way to save up extra money!

Have a wonderful day!