for thoughts and ponderings

From "The Valley of Vision" found at Banner of Truth:

O God,

Though I am allowed to approach thee

I am not unmindful of my sins,

I do not deny my guilt,

I confess my wickedness, and earnestly

plead forgiveness.



May I with Moses choose affliction rather than

enjoy the pleasures of sin.

Help me to place myself always under thy guiding

and guardian care,

to take firmer hold of the sure covenant that

binds me to thee,

to feel more of the purifying, dignifying,

softening influence of the religion I profess,

to have more compassion, love, pity, courtesy,

to deem it an honour to be employed by thee

as an instrument in thy hands,

ready to seize every opportunity of usefulness,

and willing to offer all my talents to thy service.



Thou hast done for me all things well,

hast remembered, distinguished, indulged me.

All my desires have not been gratified,

but thy love denied them to me

when fulfilment of my wishes would have

proved my ruin or injury.

My trials have been fewer than my sins,

and when I have kissed the rod it has fallen

from thy hands.

Thou hast often wiped away my tears,

restored peace to my mourning heart,

chastened me for my profit.

All thy work for me is perfect,

and I praise thee.

for judging not lest you be judged

I'm sure most Christians, at some point in their walk, have been exhorted with the words found in the the 7th chapter of Matthew. You know the one...about that log in your own eye and the speck in your neighbors? If not, it goes like this:

1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

...but does this truly say we are not to judge - in some degree - our brothers and sisters in Christ? What of Paul? Was he breaking a holy commandment when he said, "For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed."

How about Jesus? When he told the Pharisees to not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment?

It is time for the church of Christ to stand up and once again start using the Word for the purpose it was given to us. We need to stop listening to the vain philosophies of the world...including by not limited to Dr. Phil, Oprah, and the like...but listening to the very Word of God which was given not only to get to know God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ, but also for another very important reason - one that is oftentimes overlooked in today's society. The answer of course, is found, in the third chapter of 2 Timothy, which says:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Isn't that wonderful? I am incredibly blessed when a brother or sister comes to me with the living Word of the very God that I profess to love and live to correct and instruct me...why?...so that I will be thoroughly equipped for every good work!!! Love doesn't get more complete than that!

So, back to our judging. Are we called to judge each other. The answer the Scripture gives me says, 'You bet!'. However, I must remember that with the measure I judge others - this is the measure that the Lord will use on me. So, when I am 'testing myself - to see whether I am in the faith' - my prayer is I will use a harsher measure with myself, than when I approach a brother or sister in Christ in correction or instruction.

We need to be quick to listen and slow to speak. If someone comes to us - with an encouraging Word from Scripture, with a correction, or with instruction - let us take the time to search out the answer for ourself. Let us go to our wonderful Couselor in prayer and meditation. Let us not give the rash, 'Oh, judge not unless you want to be judged yourself. You're not God - only God can judge!' With prayer and supplication, let us take all our requests to God.

This brings another verse into a new light, as well. In the 15th chapter of John we are told that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for his friend. My comfort, what others think of me, what others will say about me - aren't those the things this world calls 'life'? But, when we step out and give holy instruction - we are risking this very life. In love, we are laying down what others will think, say, and do - to lead someone back to the Savior and His word. Which leads me to the conclusion of the whole matter...I can say with John that there truly is no greater joy than to hear that my children (my friends, my relatives, my neighbors) walk in truth.

What say you?

for a timely word on The Word

From an email newsletter from the folks at Shepherd Press:

People are concerned about food. The reality is that if we don’t eat we won’t live. However, the Bible says that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4). By making this comparison, the Holy Spirit shows the importance of Scripture. Moses and Christ both make the same statement: man does not live by bread alone. Christians sometimes mentally recast well known passages such as this one in more comfortable religious terms. For example, we might read this passage as though it said Christians do not live by bread alone. After all, the Bible seems to be less and less relevant to those outside the church community. But to read it that way would be a mistake. In reality, people who do not live by the words that proceed from the mouth of God are literally dead men walking.

We are comfortable thinking of the Bible as being important for church or for Sunday School. We can think of the Bible as being important for daily quiet times or for other religious activities. But it may be difficult to see the Bible as more important to one’s wellbeing than eating is—especially for those who are not Christians. But Christ is explicit—man does not live by bread alone. In I Timothy 6, Paul indicates that there is a life that is truly life. This means that sometimes death masquerades as life. True life is only accessible through the very words of God.

The grave danger that Christians face, as Paul admonishes in Ephesians 4:17, is to embrace the futile thoughts of the world and live as if those thoughts were the ones that really matter. In the everyday world of modern culture the Bible is not valued. For example, children often enthusiastically ask what’s for supper. But one seldom hears this: What’s for Bible study tonight? Someone might say, That’s not fair, you're comparing eating with looking at the Bible. My point exactly!

When supper is served, generally some care is given to how the food is prepared and whether the meal is served attractively. The plates and utensils used to serve supper are clean. The table is wiped clean before the meal is served. Even in a hectic home, there is some thought given to what food will be served and when. Meals are varied so as not to be boring. Shopping for meals may take place at several different stores. Recipes may be consulted to provide new and fresh ways to make meals attractive and enjoyable. Sometimes a friend might be consulted for a better way to prepare a particular meal. Now contrast this preparation for supper with the preparation used to serve God’s Word to families. Sitting down to read the Bible without advance thought and planning is about as appealing as sitting down to eat supper when all of the food and dishes from the night before have been left out on the table to be used again.

Use the above analogy and answer the question again – how important is the Bible? Certainly, for most of us it would be accurate to say that, functionally, we consider the serving and preparation of bread to be far more important than serving the Word of God. This distinction is not lost on children.

This challenged me...did it challenge you?

,a life-long season, to not waste your life

Don't Waste Your Life

Hook (Cam)

Don't wanna waste my life

Verse 1 (LeCrae)

I know a lot of people out there scared they gone die/
couple of em thinking they'll be livin' in the sky/
but while I'm here livin' man I gotta ask why,
what am here fo I gotta figure out/
waste my life?/ no I gotta make it count/
if Christ is real then what am I gone do about/
everything in Luke 12:15 down to 21/
you really oughta go and check it out/

Paul said if Christ ain't resurrect then we wasted our lives/
well that implies that our life's built around Jesus being alive/
everyday I'm living tryin' show the world why/
Christ is more than everything you'll ever try/
better than pretty women and sinning and living
to get a minute of any women and men that you admire/

ain't no lie/ We created for Him/
outta the dust he made us for Him/
Elects us and he saves us for Him/
Jesus comes and raises for Him/
Magnify the Father why bother with something lesser/
he made us so we could bless Him
and to the world we confess him/
resurrects him/

so I know I got life/
matter fact better man I know I got Christ/
if you don't' see His ways in my days and nights/
you can hit my brakes you can stop my lights/
man I lost my rights/
I lost my life/
forget the money cars and toss that ice/
the cost is Christ/
and they could never offer me anything on the planet that'll cost that price.

Verse 2 (Dwayne Tryumph)
(Note: verse 2 is not part of the music video)

Armed and dangerous
So the devil jus can't handle us
Christian youth them a stand wid us
Livin' n driven/ given a vision/ fullfillin the commission he handed us

London to Los Angeles
Da rap evangelist
Ma daddy wouldn't abandon us
"I gotta back pack fulla tracts plus I keep a Johnny Mac"
So are you ready to jam with us

So lets go, gimme the word an lets go
Persecution lets go
Tribulation lets go
Across the nation lets go
Procrastination bes go

Hung on the cross in the cold
Died for da young and the old
Can't say you never know
Heaven knows
How many souls are going to hell or to heaven so we gotta go in and get em

Verse 3 (LeCrae)

Suffer/ Yeah do it for Christ
if you trying to figure what to do with your life/
if you making a lot money hope you doing it right
because the money is Gods you better steward it right/

stay focused
if you ain't got no ride/
your life ain't wrapped up in what you drive/
the clothes you wear
the job you work/
the color your skin naw you Christian first/

people living life for a job/
make a lil money start living for a car/
get em a house a wife kids and a dog/
when they retire they living high on the hog/
but guess what they didn't ever really live at all/
to live is Christ yeah that's Paul I recall/ to die is gain
so for Christ we give it all/
he's the treasure you'll never find in a mall/

Your money your singleness, marriage, talents, your time/
they were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine/
that's why it's Christ in my rhymes/
That's why it's Christ all the time/
see my whole world is built around him He's the life in my lines/

I refuse to waste my life/
he's too true ta chase that ice/
here's my gifts and time cause I'm constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ/
If he's truly raised to life/
then this news should change your life/
and by his grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights

From: Desiring God

for Meteor Showers

Have you seen something odd in the nighttime sky? Something similar to a really bright shooting star? That's because the Perseid Meteor Shower has been warming up since late July getting ready for the big show on August 11th and 12th. So, plan a late night picnic with your family and get out and enjoy God's fireworks!

for thoughts and reflections

Recently I read the book, 'Shadow of the Almighty', which is the 'before' story of Jim Elliot. Excellent book which I would recommend every Christian (and non-Chrisian)to read. Over the next couple of posts, I will share some snippets from the book that really stood out to me.

The book was written by his wife. It is more of combination of journal writings and letters of Mr. Elliot with comments from her to fill it out. It is also divided by his age at the time. It is truly neat to see how this man of God grew over the years. It is humbling to see what grace and faith had been given to him at such a young age!

The first entry I noted was a quote by Spurgeon. Mr. Elliot was 21 at the time.

Little faith will bring the soul to heaven, but much faith will bring heaven to the soul.

Isn't that wonderful??? I have to say I have tasted this bit of heaven in my soul on occasion, but sadly - I often run my days with no conscious thought on little faith. I want to be so enamored with my Lord that every day is a day of great faith. My prayer is 'Lord, help my unbelief!'.

I often find myself questioning and then searching the Scriptures for the 'every day things' that I have learned to live by. So much of our life is learned behavior because of our culture and society. It is incredible the things we take for granted because 'this is the way it has always been done' or 'this is life' or some other idea of what life truly is. I take seriously - more so as I grow closer to my Lord that the chief end of man is to know God and to make Him known. For this reason, I have been prompted at times to really look at different areas and then take it to Scripture. I know one area the Lord worked on first with me personally was holidays and TV. Halloween was the first to go. Next came Santa. He is no longer welcomed in our home or our thoughts. Then...it was the TV.

Now, I am not bashing anyone that still celebrates Halloween or has Santa or even has TV...I'm just saying that I no longer have a desire to have any of those things in my life. While all things might be lawful, not all things are profitable.

This brings me to the next entry I recorded from pg. 77:

I am more convinced than ever that God deals with individuals as they individually respond to His word, regardless of their church association. So that I am beginning to think that the thing to be stressed is not the form of assembly worship, but eager searching and obedience to the Scriptures. Nothing else will make the man of God 'throughly furnished', fruitful in every good work.

This challenged me to spend more time in the Word. How am I to live for my Lord if I don't know what He wants from me? How can the promptings of the Spirit be put into action if I do not have communion and communication with my Savior through prayer and reading His word?

This idea of eager searching and obedience to the Scriptures is closely linked to a prayer he had from pg. 99:

Pray that I might not become so involved that I fail to apply myself to the Scriptures and apply all the Scriptures to myself.

I truly enjoyed learning from this man of God. He has given me good meat to chew and apply to my own life as I continually test myself to see if I am in the faith.

More to come from Mr. Elliot!

for going hard or going home!

Everyone should listen to this! I know some people don't think that music with a beat is God-honoring, but I challenge anyone to find fault in this artist's message or his passion. While 'rap' isn't my daily taste - I could listen to the music and read the lyrics of the young men from Reach Records every day and come away feeling challenged, encouraged, and exhorted. The message doesn't have to be given with a nasal tone while sipping Ovaltine! It just has to be given with a passion - and passion these boys have hands down.

Lecrae Story from Adamson.TV on Vimeo.

"I get excited about young people who are not only professing Christ with their lips, but shouting it loud with their lives"..."this is it man, it's Christ or nothing"..."that's how valuable He is, that's how worthy He is"..."give it all to Him. Go hard or go home."

for Freedom!

From an email newsletter from Providence Forum:

As we approach Independence Day it is a good time to reflect on just what this special holiday means and why we celebrate as Americans. Put as a question, we might ask, "Why all the fireworks?"

John Adams, writing on July 3, 1776 from Philadelphia to his wife, Abigail, eloquently and prophetically captured the mood that would accompany future anniversaries commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence:

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

His description sounds a lot like what the 4th of July has been for the last 233 years: parades, festivals, picnics, fireworks, music, celebratory gatherings. But if you look carefully at Adams' words, he does not tie the revelry to an excitement only about being a new nation - America - independent of Great Britain. He rightly understood the foundation of America, and that the fireworks and festivals also ought to include "solemn acts of Devotion to God Almighty" for "the Day of Deliverance."

The biblical imagery is unmistakable. Adams connected the biblical Exodus with American independence, revealing both a special providence for this newly formed nation, and a special responsibility. Writing prior to the years of bloodshed of the Revolutionary War, Adams continued his letter with full comprehension of the totality of what the emergence of our nation would mean:

"You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. - I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. - Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."

Thus, America was not to be a nation unto itself, a nation satisfied with its mere existence. Adams envisioned America as a nation comprised of "Rays of ravishing Light and Glory." Those "rays" mean many things to many Americans, including liberty, freedom, responsibility, and charity. These have been bought with the price of "Toil and Blood and Treasure." The Providence Forum, together with all Americans, celebrates our Independence Day this year because so many have sacrificed so much over the last two centuries to preserve America so that it can shine its light to the world, a light considered at its founding to be a solemn, providentially planned divine act of deliverance and freedom.


We wish you a blessed Independence Day!

Excellent!

for speaking the truth using the Truth

Pastor: Obama has no 'black experience' (OneNewsNow.com)

Shared via AddThis

for harsh words!

Another great post from the blog of Desiring God!

This is good food for thought!

(Author: Jon Bloom)

Missionary to India, William Carey, once exhorted a Baptist gathering in England by saying, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." I love that quote.

But we must heed the Bible's warning through Simon the Magician: if we attempt great things so that others will see us as great, we are in grave spiritual peril.

After Stephen had been brutally stoned to death, intense persecution broke out against the Christians in Jerusalem. Many were driven off to the towns and villages of Judea and Samaria.

Philip, Stephen's co-servant to the Hellenistic widows, landed in a Samaritan town and preached and performed signs and wonders there. Large numbers of Samaritans professed faith and were baptized. And Simon was one of them.

Simon was a local celebrity, a magician of sorts. He had mesmerized the locals with his arts. And they had given him the title The Great Power of God. And he loved it. He basked in his reputation and fed off the admiration and respect he received.

But when Philip arrived, the game changed. Simon watched with covetous awe as the real, great power of God flowed through Philip; a power that far out-classed him.

Then Peter and John showed up from Jerusalem. And when they prayed, people were filled with the Holy Spirit. This drew even more crowds. Everyone was talking about them. Everyone was mesmerized by them (or so it seemed to Simon).

No one was mesmerized by Simon anymore. He was a diminishing star. And like many who have once experienced the euphoric drug of other people's adoration, he wanted that rush again.

If he could somehow get this Jesus power, then once again he could be great. Once again people would hold him in awe. He was willing to pay a high price for that drug.

So at a discreet moment, he approached Peter and John with a proposition. If they would let him in on the secret they possessed, if they would share their power with him, a small fortune in silver would be theirs and no one would ever know.

In a split second Simon knew he had miscalculated. Peter's eyes seemed to burn right into his heart. And then Peter's words seemed to slice him open:

May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. (Acts 8:20-23)

Simon cringed and said meekly, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said will come upon me."

Peter's words to Simon might have sounded harsh. But they were full of mercy. The love of self-glory is an extremely dangerous cancer of the soul and is spiritually fatal if not addressed. This cancer requires a straightforward, serious diagnosis. Both Peter and John had benefited from the Great Physician's graciously severe rebukes. Maybe Simon would repent and be delivered.

The Bible does not tell us if he did. Early church literature suggests that Simon later became a heretic, which, if true, means he tragically ignored Peter's warning.

But God does not want us to ignore the warning. This account is in the Bible so that we will remember that God's power is not a commodity to be traded. It's not a means for us to pursue our own greatness or wealth.

We can all relate to Simon. We are all are tempted to pursue our own glory, even in the work of the kingdom. When we recognize that familiar craving we need to deal severely with it. We must confess it (often to others, not just God), repent, and resist. Because, if left alone, it can develop into a spiritual cancer that can blind us to real glory, and may ultimately kill us.

So, let us expect great things from God and attempt great things for God. But let us take Peter's advice and do so "by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 4:11).

for Operation Kid to Kid

Operation Kid-to-Kid Brings Comfort to Kids in Crisis



Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—What do think about when you read headlines about economic hardships, natural disasters, and politically charged conflict? Circumstances like these set families and entire communities reeling, and few people are affected as profoundly as the children involved. How do the littlest victims cope with the changes and uncertainty around them? And what can the church do to reach out specifically to these little ones?

Group Publishing, the premier publishers of children’s Bible curriculum including Sunday school and VBS, believes that some of the best ministers to children experiencing disaster and hardship are other children. That’s why they have created a program called Operation Kid-to-Kid (OK2K), which partners with nondenominational Christian ministries like International Bible Society and World Vision to provide opportunities for children in North America to share God’s love with other children in difficult or disastrous situations. Since its inception ten years ago, Operation Kid-to-Kid projects have impacted millions of kids all over the world.

“Operation Kid-to-Kid is a great way to teach kids compassion and service,” says Joani Schultz, cofounder of Group and OK2K. “Children learn by doing. It’s one thing to drop a nickel in the offering plate, but when kids make a gift with their own hands, when they can be creative and personal, this leaves a real impression on both the givers and the receivers.”

This year’s OK2K project features two easy to make (no sewing required) Comfort Critters—small plush turtles with a sewn in pocket for exchanging pictures or notes of encouragement and hope.




After they make the turtles, each child will keep one and send the other to a child in need. With a cute little turtle as a friendly and safe messenger, children will understand and communicate Christian compassion and the hope of Jesus. . . and they’ll have fun doing it. Group offers many other resources for OK2K initiatives, including an affordable booklet entitled The Survivors: For Kids in Tough Places.

Over the years, OK2K has become one of the largest forces mobilizing children in serving other children around the world through gifts of school supplies, Bibles, hygiene kits, Christmas gifts, Bible coloring books, and socks and shoes. Between recent natural disasters and the global economic crisis, there are more opportunities than ever for children to show the love of Christ to other children—and not just for a VBS event. Operation Kid-to-Kid can mobilize service projects any time of the year.

Group is also starting a new venture between OK2K and Lifetree Adventures, an organization that combines unique vacations with meaningful service projects. This new venture will be the “follow through” option for those who feel called to take the VBS OK2K effort to the next level. For 2009, Operation Kid-to-Kid will sponsor a trip to New Orleans for children’s leaders to deliver the Comfort Critter turtles to Katrina victims.

“There is still much to be done in New Orleans after the nation’s largest natural disaster. You saw the horror of Hurricane Katrina where over 1,500 people died,” says Group VBS Senior Editor Jody Brolsma. “But did you know Christians have led the way, quietly rebuilding and cleaning up after the disaster? Now you can help minister to the children of the 7th Ward, where flooding caused massive destruction. Take your passion for Jesus to kids who have lived through challenging times.”

This trip is open to adult volunteers, but space is very limited. Service activities will include painting, cleanup, and repair of a volunteer center and homes in the 7th Ward and connecting with kids after school.

Plan now to connect with Jody and reach out with love to the kids and families of New Orleans, November 8-13, 2009. Visit www.lifetreeadventures.com or call 1.800.747.2157 to review the itinerary and reserve your trip.


























Since 1987, The B & B Media Group, Inc. has used its broadcasting, marketing and advertising experience to provide the specialized and strategic publicity necessary to achieve the public relations goals of each client. The Barnabas Agency, a division of The B & B Media Group, Inc., is a proven provider of exceptional public relations and personal management services for authors, speakers, ministries and organizations.

for cartoons and such...

I saw this cartoon entitled 'Failed Gospel Tract' on the blog of the Contemporary Calvinist. I'll let it speak for itself.

for turning 42!!

Today is my birthday. Last night during my 'quiet time', I got to thinking about gifts. I love gifts, so feel free to send me one!, but as I sat there thinking over the things I want (like a new computer chair) and over the things I have received in the past, I realized again that my true gifts - my true blessings are from above. This prompted me to write out a 42-item list of the things for which I am thankful. There is no special order to the list other than the top 5. Here is my list:

I am thankful for...

1. God the Father - who sent his son...
2. Jesus Christ - who sent my helper...
3. The Holy Spirit
4. My husband
5. My children
6. my freedom to home school
7. my friends
8. the ability to read
9. the ability to write
10. our vehicles and other modes of transportation
11. water to drink
12. our home
13. our wonderful fireplace (and the wood that goes in it!)
14. the gift of sight
15. my digestive tract
16. the seasons - all of them
17. the ability to walk - especially since the broken foot!
18. good entertainment
19. my immune system
20. the wonderful herbs the Lord has given us
21. garlic - gotta love Garlic Tea and GOOT!
22. our animals
23. fresh eggs every day (from the chickens mentioned above)
24. mail delivery
25. email
26. long-distance phone calls (and local ones, too!)
27. Troy's profession
28. the privilege of being a wife
29. the privilege of being a mother
30. the privilege of being a friend
31. electricity
32. cookbooks!
33. Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
34. FIRST Wild Card Tours
35. blogs of godly women - most I don't even know!
36. the body of Christ!
37. our family's overall health
38. Azure Standard
39. a comfortable bed
40. my pillow
41. a hot shower
42. our stove

There are some 'little things' on the list and some 'big things', but truly, if I were to list all the blessings I have received from above, wow! it would take a lifetime to write! I usually reply with '...but for the grace of God that could be you/us' to the kids when they comment on a person or situation that they find undesirable. So, I am very thankful for everything on my '42-List' because 'but for the grace of God' some of them would not be on there.

So, I wish you, a very Happy 'un'-Birthday and this most wonderful day! As the Psalm I just memorized says in part...'I will praise you! Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well!'

for this week's Scripture Memory

Victoria encouraged me to memorize Romans 12: 1-2:

I beseech you, therfore, brethren
by the mercies of God,
to present your bodies
a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God,
which is your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Thanks, Sis!

I will now begin working on the verse shared by Beth.

for more Scripture Memory

The passage I have been working on this past week can be found in Psalm 139: 13-16

For you formed my inward parts,
you covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in secret,
and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in your book they were all written,
The days you fashioned for me,
when as yet there were none of them.

Do you have a favorite Scripture verse or passage? I would love for you to share it with me! I plan on 'collecting' favorite verses of other people, and while I work on memorizing them, I will pray for the person the verse/passgage 'belongs' to. Will you help me on my journey??

for memorizing

Our oldest daughter convicted me about Scripture Memorization. I know a fair amount of verses (in my own paraphrase) - but I don't always remember where exactly they can be found - or exactly what they say.

Last year we were memorizing Scripture as a family through a Scripture Memory program. I did really well sticking with it, but once we were through the initial book, we never went any further.

This year, I have decided to try and memorize the paraphrased verses (mentioned above) with their actual 'address'. I need to look up the verse about 'hiding the Word in my heart' (see, there is that paraphrase-stuff happening again!)

My first section of Scripture that I have memorized is Habakkuk 3: 17-19:

Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
and the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
and there be no herd in the stalls -
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
and he will make me walk on my high hills.

Now, I plan on moving into the Psalms and memorizing the verses about being 'fearfully and wonderfully made'.

Do you have some favorite Scriptures? If so, I would love to know the ones you have committed to memory!

for snow!

As I was driving into town today for my reflexology appointment, I couldn't help but notice the mounds and mounds of snow still on the sides of the road. We had A LOT of snow in December, but a warm Chinook came through and melted most of it away.

The plowed piles struck me. They are filthy. Some of them you could mistake for a pile of gravel - if you didn't know what was underneath.

When the snow fell - it was gorgeous! Incredibly white - and sparkly! In between storms, when the sun would peek through - the snow looked like a jeweler's case filled with diamonds. What a beautiful gift from the Father!!! I LOVED it!

This sort of struck of me. We are given the gift of life. If our parents do not 'train us up in the way we should go' we will accumulate so much sin, that goes unforgiven, that pretty soon we resemble the piles of 'snow gravel'. Now, I know, I know - we are all born sinners. A babe is no more innocent than a full-grown adult. However, our sins can move us further and further away from the Lord. I know. I was one of those gravel snow piles. Until He came in and washed me, you got it, white as snow! Now, I sparkle like the diamond snow - because of the blood of Christ Jesus.

I have been thinking a lot about parenting lately. You'd think, with an 18 year-old, I would have figured it out by now...but every day I learn something new. I have learned in the last 9 years how very important it is to teach our children, what I like to call, the 'secret to life' which can be found in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Do you know it? I didn't learn it until I was in my 30s. I was not taught it by my parents, nor was it shared with me by friends.

Now that I know it - I want my kids to know it. I want them to embrace it. I want them to know what it is like to be diamond snow. They will have their gravel snow moments - I know I still do - but I want them to sparkle because of the Lord, with the Lord, and for the Lord.

It's amazing the thoughts the Lord will give you, while driving to a reflexology appointment, down the road to town, in less than a mile.

for a follow-up to yesterday's commercial

(I wish President Obama, his wife, and daughters would watch both of these videos!)

for more questions....

Not long after my last post on what is going on in today's society, I picked up our local newspaper. To put it mildly , I guess you would describe what I am feeling as a confused conglomeration of disbelief and disgust.

I really, really would like your thoughts on this one. It is things like this that truly leave me wondering. Where is the line? When is enough, enough? My insides scream 'No, this can't be right!!!'...but from the editorial that says "None of us should do less than come out and participate in a spirit of solidarity and tribute...." to a pastor taking part in some of the festivities...well, I just wonder - am I off base?

Here is an excerpt of what is going on in our town. Let me know what you think...am I misguided into thinking this is wrong somehow? Especially since it involves those killed in an act of aggression - and in honor of those that are serving our country. Please let me know.

From our paper:

This Saturday a special commenmoration will be held to remember the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11, 2001. Owners of the _________ Saloon have announced a series of events that will take place throughout the day on Saturday in remembrance of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, as well as to honor the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who are still engaged in the wider war on terrorism.

So far sounds okay, right? Okay - so it's a bar hosting this event...it's still an honorable event, right? Isn't this what we are taught? No mention of God - just giving a memorial to those that were killed on that tragic day 7 years ago, and giving honor to those in the Armed Forces.

Keep reading....

In addition to remembering September 11, the honoring of a fallen soldier will now also be part of the schedule.

That's nice, right?

It continues with the list of events planned for the day...

In the parking area will be a 'burn-out pit' where interested bikers can spin their tires, a bike wash performed by girls in bikinis, a barbecue, and a blessing.

Yes, you read that correctly, a blessing.

...continuing on -

Inside the bar will be live music and dancing. ...At 5 p.m., Pastor ________ of _____________ Church will lead a moment of silence and conduct a special candle-lighting ceremony, remembering those who were lost on September 11 seven years ago.

Okay - so, am I getting old and grumpy? Should this upset me - to live in a town that professes to be a 'Christian' town and have an event that mixes bars, women in bikinis, and blessings - and a pastor taking part in all of it - and the editorial in the same paper encouraging me to go.

Tell me what you think.

I wish I had Paul Harvey's number so I could give him a call and he could tell me 'the rest of story'.

for questions and pondering...and yeah, a bit of ranting

Recently I received an email from a friend. I asked her for permission to share her thoughts here. She graciously allowed me to do so.

She said:

I would not call this a "rant," per se, just an observation of trends in the Christian community that disturb me.

1. Sarah Palin - The Bible says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." The word "vision" in this verse does not mean "a mental image of what the future could be." It means "a word from the Lord." In other words, where there is no word from God, the people perish. Christians today have a word from God, the Bible, but we do not allow it to inform our decisions.

Thus, we have conservative Christians across this country enthusiastically supporting Sen. McCain's VP choice even though, as a woman, she is biblically unqualified for that position. Furthermore, in supporting Palin, these Christians are endorsing McCain, who supports embryonic stem-cell research and who, as a senator, voted for pro-abortion Supreme Court justices Breyer and Ginsberg.

2. My husband and I had dinner with an evangelist Sunday afternoon who took homeschoolers to task for being "uncooperative" with their churches because they did not support the youth ministries. Only two days earlier, I had received an email from a youth pastor's wife who criticized homeschooled kids because they didn't "fit-in" with the other kids in the youth group. And this is a bad thing?) I would not be disturbed if it were emergent-church people or liberals or purpose-driven, mega church representatives making these criticisms. But these were conservative,
"Bible-believing" Christians. Again, where the Bible does not inform our thinking, the people perish.

3. I heard the above-mentioned evangelist speak over the weekend. Both of his messages included statements like "I do not believe in so-called 'evidences' of salvation." He elaborated that it is possible to be a Christian and not love the brethren, have no desire for God's word, never go to church, live immorally, etc. Really? Does not the Bible say that faith without works is dead? That a tree without fruit is dead? That you will know false-professors by their fruit? Certainly, Christians can and do sin, but every true believer will exhibit SOME evidence of salvation. These messages were preached in an "independent, fundamental, Bible-believing" church, and apparently, there were no "Bereans" present to search the Scriptures to see if these things were true. Again, where the Bible does not inform our thinking, the people perish.

4. Following the morning worship, members of the congregation lined up in the foyer to get the aforementioned evangelist to autograph their Bibles. Personally, I find the practice of autographing Bibles repugnant. How arrogant and presumptuous to sign one's own name to the Word of God. Does it not indicate that the people are following a man instead of Christ? This is like President of the United States sending you a personal letter, and you ask the mailman to autograph the envelope.

She makes some pretty good points. Now, I know many will say I'm 'backward' in my thinking - but I can find no evidence (in the Bible) to support many of the thoughts/actions in today's society by those professing Christ. I have been called 'legalistic' and 'judgmental' when asking tough questions - neither of which I want to be - nor think I am. I just want to live how we are exhorted to in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Other verses that spur me on are John 14:15, John 14:21, John 15:10, 1 John 5: 2,3, and 2 John 1:6.

With Paul I can say that I am chief among sinners. Being such, I cannot comprehend how we (in our society) choose this day to live.

Troy and I are watching some videos right now, and on one, the guy said the biggest lie that you will hear today about raising children is essentially that the 'typcial teen behavior of today is normal'. I have heard this many, many times. If the teen behavior goes beyond what in today's world is considered 'normal' - then some new syndrome is created to label the actions and/or attitudes. It has even started boiling over into adulthood-syndrome naming.

Do I have faults? You betcha. Do I have sin? More than I care to admit. With my faults and with my sin is a broken and contrite heart that runs the race described in 1 Corinthians 9 - sacrificing the ways of the world, being transformed by the Spirit and not settling for what has become the 'norm' or living to the world's expectations. Just because 'everyone is doing it' doesn't mean it is right - by God's standard.

The Lord's not done with me yet - and I fall woefully short of the prize - but that's why Christ went to the cross for me...because God knew I could never obtain it, but I still run the race and live a life according to the Word because that is what I am called to do.

Thoughts?