Money Money Money

Seriously, as part of the economic stimulus package, there is earmarked $350,000,000 for prevention of STD's. Each American citizen should be responsible for their own body. On the one hand, the government thinks they should pay for abortions so people who cannot control their passions don't have to suffer with an unwanted baby. The proponents of abortion have a slogan against the anti abortion movement ~ "Stay out of my womb". Yet, these same people would be in favor of the government spending all that money to prevent STD'S! Where is self regulation? This is an outrage.

I have seen first hand how these programs work. The teen centers are advocates of teens in trouble. They feed them, offer counseling, etc. Some centers will not allow runaways in - unless they speak with a counselor and go through the motions of wanting to make their lives right. These kids learn how to play the game for free pizza and free condoms - with a variety of choices. That is, they offer them choices of different kinds of condoms, since most people would not appreciate basic condoms. How nice......thank you tax payers.

Oh well, my life will not end over this - I hope.

Without Complaint or Dispute

Philippians 2:14-16 (New King James Version) 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

The sermon was on this text - the significant aspect is that the historical rebuke for this very thing came first to Israel. They had been given a God appointed leader in Moses, were led out of Egypt, had all their substances provided for, and looked forward to the promise of the land which they were journeying to. BUT instead of seeing God's provision and hand in their lives, they complained about their leader, their food, and why they had to be in a no-mans land. They would rather be slaves in Egypt! We think this is ridiculous that a people could be so ungrateful. Yet, we are in our wilderness until the day Christ returns. He is our God appointed leader, He provides our every need, and He has set us free from the bondage of sin. Hahah - you would that would be enough for us.

No, we complain that we don't have enough money, that our homes are not up to standard, that we are barren, that we have allergies or illness, that the pains in our bodies make it difficult to live for Christ, that the trials of this life are too difficult. Just as Israel refused to be united with Moses in purpose and self sacrifice, we too, refuse to be united to Jesus in the same. We truly do live in a "crooked and perverse generation". As believers, we can all look back to the grace that He has given us - and that should push us on towards our goal. That same saving grace is the sustaining grace that we have now in Christ. From saving grace to sustaining grace.

This week I will endeavor to be intentional in my "grace recollections", knowing that the same grace that saved me will also sustain me, and lead me into the heavenly of heavens.

Does this mean that our ailments are nullified? No - we are to share one anothers burdens. Our attitude is what makes it complaint or concern.

In my life time, I have had my share of "undesirable journeys". I was nearly disowned by my dad for being a Christian, I was falsely accused by the head of a mission where I taught music, I had 3 miscarriages, I held a newborn dead baby in my arms, I almost lost every pregnancy that DID make it to term, I spent a total of 2 1/2 years in bed in those pregnancies, I had an adopted child leave our family after ten years saying she did want us to be her family, I have severe degenerative disc disease, I have no cartilage in my left thumb joint, but the WORSE is that I have very fine and thin hair!

My mom is such an example of how we are to live. She struggles with every single thing in her day- even sleeping is a struggle! Does she complain and grumble? No - she keeps on keeping on, knowing that God has His purpose for every thing in her life. I pray that I will be half the woman she is (actually I would like to be all the woman she is, but even if I was only half, I would be far from where I am) She is such a blessing to me!

We all have our wilderness stories - but as believers OUR stories differ from those of the world. OUR stories have a purpose and a goal - to honor and glorify God! May we always praise Him in our wilderness. I think it kind of funny how people pay money to go on "wilderness excursions" when we ARE on them! Hey - if anyone wants to pay me for one, I can take you on a ride you won't forget - it is called LIFE. We can either go through it or cop out of it. We can pretend we are someone else, or we can be who we are in Christ.

This is an example of being someone other than we are:

Did I say......?

That my mom is my hero?

Before and After

We hear this a lot in life - before and after marriage....before and after children....before and after plastic surgery.....before and after remodeling....before and after storms....before and after working out.

What does before and after Christ mean to us? What does it really really mean to be before and after in Christ? It should be as drastic as any of the above mentioned things, only more powerful. Before and after life, and before and after death are the all important driving factors for us to consider as far as who we are in Christ Jesus. Before I realized the saving power of Jesus Christ, I was dead in my sins. After He regenerated my heart to believe in Him, I was alive! Before I was saved, my death would surely bring me to eternal damnation and hell. After salvation, my glory awaits me in heaven with Christ! Oh! May we always be acutely aware of our before and after!

Contrast

Black and white, right and wrong, hot and cold, light and dark, fat and thin....you get it. Contrast - opposites. The world has to have contrast.



Art utilizes and even requires contrast. Notice when you look at a pencil drawing how very important shading is in order to show the subject. The lights and darks make the drawing have depth and life.

In music, there is contrast. Loud/quiet, fast/slow, dissonance/resolution - without it it would be nothing. These contrasts elicit an emotional response from the listener.

Books and stories have the same elements to draw the reader into the story, painting the verbal picture of the surroundings, characters, and emotions. There is happiness and sadness, love and hate, good and bad characters.

In movies, the same contrast principles apply, but with the added burden of ensuring that the visual experience connects with the intended purpose.

OK - you get the contrast principle and how important it is in life. The Bible in it's very entirety has the contrast principle. There is life and peace in God, and torment and death apart from God. There IS heaven, and there IS hell. There is Redemption, and there is Judgement. The believer rejoices in Redemption, and the unrepentant sinner should (and will) quiver at the horror judgement.

So many pastors today are choosing to not speak of the judgement of God, saying that it "will take away from the grace of God" - far be it from the truth! In leaving out and ignoring the wickedness of sin and it's consequences of death, one is actually diminishing the saving grace of Christ in redemption! The contrast principle applies so beautifully here - because of the wickedness of my heart apart from Christ, I am all the more thankful for redemption through grace.

On a lighter note - I think it is wise for wives to cook some really bad meals once in a while so that our good meals will be noticed more :)

Happy New Year Church Family

We made this for our pastor for 11 years of ministering to us. We are all so unique, yet are one in Christ - a mystery that still baffles me and brings me to the throne.