Did that get your attention? It sure gets mine! We were at the air show and in front of us was a Mennonite family. They were dressed in a way that was different from the world, plain, modest clothing. Their haircuts and head coverings also gave way to the idea that they were 'religious' folks. But their actions and language proved different. They didn't act like they read or live by God's word. And I was surprised at how hypocritical it seemed to me.
I so desperately wanted to ask them if they knew how to get to heaven? Maybe they thought that if they dress a certain way or do certain things this will bring favor from God. Isaiah 64:6 "But we are like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Maybe they had just done what their parents had told them and didn't have a need to understand the why?
When I worked as a bank teller they taught us how to look for counterfeit money. Interestingly enough they didn't show us all the different ways that people have frauded money, they taught us how real money was made. We learned what it feels like, what it's made of, the designs, numbers and everything that made a true bill. So I associated this with Christianity. We learn truth, from reading the Bible, so we know what it means to be a Christian. We try to be that example for our children, so that they see truth, because kids pick up on it so quickly. I believe that hypocrisy is the seed to rebellion in children. But God sees the heart of every one of us! And each of us will have to stand before Him one day.
The experience has been hard to get out of my mind, and I am constantly thinking about how and in what areas in my life I appear hypocritical. I pray that I am humble enough to do as 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourseles, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" Because Matthew 12:33-37 says, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
LOVE!
1 Corinthians 13:13 "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Love is one of the greatest things we can leave behind. It has eternal value. And when the day comes when we no longer need faith or hope, love will abide.
Everyone wants to be loved, feel loved and know that they are loved! Some will go to extremes to find it. Some will even sin to get a glimpse of it.
So how can we love? Well, first we need Christ. We need to be born again to understand what true love is. It's then that we can love in a way God designed it to be. It's then that we can love others in a way that passes all understanding. Love is selfless. Love is serving. And the rest of 1 Corinthians 13 explains in detail what love is.
We have established some habits that have allowed love to blossom. It blesses my heart when I see it in my children, caring for each other, hugging each other. Every morning, afternoon, and evening I like to kiss and hug my husband and each of my children and tell them that I love them. Also when anyone leaves, because we just never know if God will allow another meeting.
We can show love by serving joyfully and giving generously, and that's easy to do on special occasions but harder in the day to day moments. I have purposed to not show discontent when a 'hey Mommmm!' may interrupt me. I want a smile to be the first thing my child sees when I turn to them. I want to put my arm around them and fluff their hair to let them know that I'm happy to have them by my side. I want to let them know that I'm listening and what they are saying is important to me. I want them to know that when they are with their dad and I they are safe, will always hear the truth, and are loved!
It's that love that builds the relationship, forms trust, and allows family to withstand trials. It lessens the blow when you have to tell them something they may not want to hear. They know that you are always in their court, and willing to do whatever it takes to make their life holy and happy.
I am so thankful to God for changing my heart's desires, and allowing me to love others in a way that He has loved me. If I leave anything to my husband and children, I want them to know that I loved them! Study this chapter and learn to love on those close to you like God may not give you tomorrow to do so!
1 Corinthians 13:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clangy symbol. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [fn]
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Love is one of the greatest things we can leave behind. It has eternal value. And when the day comes when we no longer need faith or hope, love will abide.
Everyone wants to be loved, feel loved and know that they are loved! Some will go to extremes to find it. Some will even sin to get a glimpse of it.
So how can we love? Well, first we need Christ. We need to be born again to understand what true love is. It's then that we can love in a way God designed it to be. It's then that we can love others in a way that passes all understanding. Love is selfless. Love is serving. And the rest of 1 Corinthians 13 explains in detail what love is.
We have established some habits that have allowed love to blossom. It blesses my heart when I see it in my children, caring for each other, hugging each other. Every morning, afternoon, and evening I like to kiss and hug my husband and each of my children and tell them that I love them. Also when anyone leaves, because we just never know if God will allow another meeting.
We can show love by serving joyfully and giving generously, and that's easy to do on special occasions but harder in the day to day moments. I have purposed to not show discontent when a 'hey Mommmm!' may interrupt me. I want a smile to be the first thing my child sees when I turn to them. I want to put my arm around them and fluff their hair to let them know that I'm happy to have them by my side. I want to let them know that I'm listening and what they are saying is important to me. I want them to know that when they are with their dad and I they are safe, will always hear the truth, and are loved!
It's that love that builds the relationship, forms trust, and allows family to withstand trials. It lessens the blow when you have to tell them something they may not want to hear. They know that you are always in their court, and willing to do whatever it takes to make their life holy and happy.
I am so thankful to God for changing my heart's desires, and allowing me to love others in a way that He has loved me. If I leave anything to my husband and children, I want them to know that I loved them! Study this chapter and learn to love on those close to you like God may not give you tomorrow to do so!
1 Corinthians 13:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clangy symbol. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [fn]
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving
I'm not sure where I heard it, but I've found the saying, "A thankful heart is a happy heart!" to be true. Kids who are grumpy, complaining, contentious, and surly are not mindful of their many blessings. They don't seem to have any idea what other, less fortunate kids experience.
I have found my responsibility to be two fold in this area. Show them how to be thankful, and teach them about those less fortunate. Well, maybe three fold, because my example plays a huge part in all of this since; 'children more attention pay, to what you do than what you say'!
The teaching comes up in many conversations throughout our day. As we make a bed we can talk about how God has blessed us with our beds and how some children may not have something so nice to sleep on every night. When we put our clothes away, how blessed we are to have clothes and a dresser. When I can sit on the couch and read a book to them, how many children aren't able to be with their mommy while she works. When Jeff does his nightly bible studies, how some children don't even know who their daddy is, let alone see him every day. And the list goes on and on...cars, a home, groceries, books, homeschooling, etc., etc.
They need to know about, and be exposed to, children/people with such illnesses that they are in hospitals on holidays and birthdays. They have to have shots and medicines on a regular basis. Some may not have arms and legs that work or even the ability to breath on their own. There is always some one in a far worse situation than we could ever complain about!
Then to show them how to be thankful. I make a point of showing them little things done for them throughout the day to be thankful for. If someone gets them a drink or does something out of their way for them, I want them to be sure to tell them 'thank you!' to acknowledge their efforts. I talk about how nice their sibling is to have done that and how much they must love them! When they are little I will tell them (teach them and train them) to go tell them 'thank you!' and give them a hug! We thank God for our meals and thank the person(s) who helped perpare them. This isn't something that I have to nag them to constantly do, it's been habbit.
I like to write thank you notes for any kind deed or gesture, and then have all the kids sign the card on their own. Even if they are too little to write I will trace their hand and talk to them about what we are doing and why. We pray for people who have blessed us, thank God for bringing them into our lives, and for God to bless them in return. I teach them to verbally express their thankfulness, and it's just not acceptable to have an unwilling, flippant attitude in doing so. (That's selfishness and rude and is disciplined promptly!)
I pray that we are mindful of others, thankful for family and friends that God has brought in our path. That thankfulness becomes a habbit, so that when hard times and trials come, which they will, it is our first inclination to still be thankful! That no matter what our situation is, we can always find many blessings to count!
James 1:2-5 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Psalm 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
I have found my responsibility to be two fold in this area. Show them how to be thankful, and teach them about those less fortunate. Well, maybe three fold, because my example plays a huge part in all of this since; 'children more attention pay, to what you do than what you say'!
The teaching comes up in many conversations throughout our day. As we make a bed we can talk about how God has blessed us with our beds and how some children may not have something so nice to sleep on every night. When we put our clothes away, how blessed we are to have clothes and a dresser. When I can sit on the couch and read a book to them, how many children aren't able to be with their mommy while she works. When Jeff does his nightly bible studies, how some children don't even know who their daddy is, let alone see him every day. And the list goes on and on...cars, a home, groceries, books, homeschooling, etc., etc.
They need to know about, and be exposed to, children/people with such illnesses that they are in hospitals on holidays and birthdays. They have to have shots and medicines on a regular basis. Some may not have arms and legs that work or even the ability to breath on their own. There is always some one in a far worse situation than we could ever complain about!
Then to show them how to be thankful. I make a point of showing them little things done for them throughout the day to be thankful for. If someone gets them a drink or does something out of their way for them, I want them to be sure to tell them 'thank you!' to acknowledge their efforts. I talk about how nice their sibling is to have done that and how much they must love them! When they are little I will tell them (teach them and train them) to go tell them 'thank you!' and give them a hug! We thank God for our meals and thank the person(s) who helped perpare them. This isn't something that I have to nag them to constantly do, it's been habbit.
I like to write thank you notes for any kind deed or gesture, and then have all the kids sign the card on their own. Even if they are too little to write I will trace their hand and talk to them about what we are doing and why. We pray for people who have blessed us, thank God for bringing them into our lives, and for God to bless them in return. I teach them to verbally express their thankfulness, and it's just not acceptable to have an unwilling, flippant attitude in doing so. (That's selfishness and rude and is disciplined promptly!)
I pray that we are mindful of others, thankful for family and friends that God has brought in our path. That thankfulness becomes a habbit, so that when hard times and trials come, which they will, it is our first inclination to still be thankful! That no matter what our situation is, we can always find many blessings to count!
James 1:2-5 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Psalm 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Say what you mean, mean what you say!
It's much harder than one might think! I struggled with this a lot when I was a younger mom. I thought it was a good idea to 'keep 'em guessing' or 'on their toes' never knowing what angle I'm going to use next. I would waver over such things as petty as a piece of gum! "Can I have one?" "No." I'd say. "Why not?" Well, I wasn't sure. I didn't really have a good reason and really didn't think it through.
Then I came across the verse in Matthew 5:37 "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No', 'No'. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."
So I knew I had to get it straight and not allow Satan any more entertainment! It seemed like it was a couple of weeks where I would have to tell the children to wait a moment for a response, until I thought it through enough to give the right response with the right results. Now, since I've had LOTS of practice, it seems normal. And my kids have learned that when I answer something that's it, well at least in a perfect world!
Since our world isn't so perfect, sometimes a child will try to discuss and persway my vote in a different direction. I'm usually open to discussion if it's a new topic, but I'm on to the ones trying to sneak something by me! And sometimes I'm just wrong, didn't think it through, didn't weigh all the options, and took a wrong turn, it's okay to humbly ask your children for forgiveness! They are always so willing and quick to do so!
I always try to say yes if I can. I always look them in the eye. And if they are close enough I always like to put my arm around them, wrap my hands arounds their cute, pudgy cheeks. And smile! Even if they get a 'No!' they walk away knowing that it's the best answer for them because they are loved so much!
Then I came across the verse in Matthew 5:37 "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No', 'No'. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."
So I knew I had to get it straight and not allow Satan any more entertainment! It seemed like it was a couple of weeks where I would have to tell the children to wait a moment for a response, until I thought it through enough to give the right response with the right results. Now, since I've had LOTS of practice, it seems normal. And my kids have learned that when I answer something that's it, well at least in a perfect world!
Since our world isn't so perfect, sometimes a child will try to discuss and persway my vote in a different direction. I'm usually open to discussion if it's a new topic, but I'm on to the ones trying to sneak something by me! And sometimes I'm just wrong, didn't think it through, didn't weigh all the options, and took a wrong turn, it's okay to humbly ask your children for forgiveness! They are always so willing and quick to do so!
I always try to say yes if I can. I always look them in the eye. And if they are close enough I always like to put my arm around them, wrap my hands arounds their cute, pudgy cheeks. And smile! Even if they get a 'No!' they walk away knowing that it's the best answer for them because they are loved so much!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
One of my favorite quotes is from C. H. Spurgeon:
"There must be a willingness to obey the Lord in all His commandments. It is a shameful thing for a man to profess discipleship and yet refuse to learn His Lord's will...or dare to disobey when that will is known. How can a man be a disciple of Christ when he openly lives in disobedience to Him? If the professed convert distinctly and diliberately declares that he nows his Lords will but does not mean to tattend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your DUTY to assure him that he is not saved."
"There must be a willingness to obey the Lord in all His commandments. It is a shameful thing for a man to profess discipleship and yet refuse to learn His Lord's will...or dare to disobey when that will is known. How can a man be a disciple of Christ when he openly lives in disobedience to Him? If the professed convert distinctly and diliberately declares that he nows his Lords will but does not mean to tattend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your DUTY to assure him that he is not saved."
Monday, August 23, 2010
Love and Marriage
This is a tough topic for parents of adult children. There are many books and advice available and I've read most of them. One of my most favorites is in the form of a film, "Pamela's Prayer". Jeff and I watched it when our kids were little and it has become our prayer for many years. Then as a few of them have become old enough we watched it with them and thankfully they have shared our enthusiasm and have adopted such values as their own.
It expresses saving oneself for their husband or wife, and not allowing anyone else to share your heart or anything physical. I know it's a radical thought in this day and age! In the film, they even save their first kiss for their wedding ceramony. I've been to a couple of weddings where the bride and groom have done this and it's a beautiful thing! They certainly have no regrets, no baggage, and no memories to fall back on!
We have hit our kids pretty hard with the importance of this! Because who you marry is the second most important decision you make in your whole life! Deciding to be born again is the first! (See John Chapter 3) So just like when you go to the store to buy a candy bar, you don't want to buy one that has the seal opened, or maybe even one with a bite already taken out of it! You want the one that is the least handled, the least touched, and protected from all outside elements! We tell our kids that their future spouse will want the same thing!
Purity matters to God! And we as mothers and fathers need to take it seriously and share the importance of it and it's consequences with our children. It involves more than just praying about it, and it may be as simple as watching a movie together to get the conversation in that direction.
It expresses saving oneself for their husband or wife, and not allowing anyone else to share your heart or anything physical. I know it's a radical thought in this day and age! In the film, they even save their first kiss for their wedding ceramony. I've been to a couple of weddings where the bride and groom have done this and it's a beautiful thing! They certainly have no regrets, no baggage, and no memories to fall back on!
We have hit our kids pretty hard with the importance of this! Because who you marry is the second most important decision you make in your whole life! Deciding to be born again is the first! (See John Chapter 3) So just like when you go to the store to buy a candy bar, you don't want to buy one that has the seal opened, or maybe even one with a bite already taken out of it! You want the one that is the least handled, the least touched, and protected from all outside elements! We tell our kids that their future spouse will want the same thing!
Purity matters to God! And we as mothers and fathers need to take it seriously and share the importance of it and it's consequences with our children. It involves more than just praying about it, and it may be as simple as watching a movie together to get the conversation in that direction.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
The B.I.B.L.E.
I just got a new Bible! It's an ESV (English Standard Version) and I LOVE it! It's so easy to read! I spend longer doing my devotions and understand the context so much better! I spend no time reading 'man's' commentary trying to explain the old English of a KJV.
I don't have anything against the KJV, I liked it when that was the Bible I was reading, but I like the ESV so much better!
There is a following of "KJV only" where some believe that if you're not reading the KJV you're not even saved. Any translation from the original transcript is just that - a translation. And how do KJV followers explain such translations in other languages than English? Is God able to work through a German translation to save people? And what did people read before 1611?
Now, I am concerned with some translations. Any translation that has added books to the Bible, or any that are translated by one person scares me! The Bible speaks to such things in Revelation 22:18 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book." And in Proverbs 11:14 "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
So take your pick, but the best Bible around is the one you are reading!
I don't have anything against the KJV, I liked it when that was the Bible I was reading, but I like the ESV so much better!
There is a following of "KJV only" where some believe that if you're not reading the KJV you're not even saved. Any translation from the original transcript is just that - a translation. And how do KJV followers explain such translations in other languages than English? Is God able to work through a German translation to save people? And what did people read before 1611?
Now, I am concerned with some translations. Any translation that has added books to the Bible, or any that are translated by one person scares me! The Bible speaks to such things in Revelation 22:18 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book." And in Proverbs 11:14 "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
So take your pick, but the best Bible around is the one you are reading!
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