When I was growing up, I was asked again and again what I wanted to be when I grow up. I quickly learned that "a mommy" was not an acceptable answer, but saying something like "an astronaut" or "a veterinarian" brought admiration. Now that I've grown up to be a mommy and wouldn't change a thing, I look around and realize that many of my friends went through great struggles to decide to devote themselves to their families. For me, it was not as big an issue. My mother stayed home with us and gave us a delightful, secure childhood and I always wanted to be a homemaker mother like her! When she and Dad started a business and she began working, Ed and I went to work with our parents, so Mom continued focusing her Passions on her family. I grew up with a high value of womanhood and recognizing that a woman could use her talents to the fullest in the home and in the family business.
Our society doesn't value those things in women, though. Thanks to feminism, women are only respected when they act like men. It's not necessary for women to act like men to impact the world! Proverbs 31 describes a virtuous woman whose children rise up and call her blessed. She is busy in the management of her home, the discipleship of her children and her interaction with the world -- get to know her here.
Today I read the story of a lady who is a fierce warrior in the fight against terrorism -- from her home! May the Lord give her victory in battle - a true mamahadeen!
H/T WorldNetDaily and The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
The Death of the Episcopal Church
How do you write a requiem for a church - a whole denomination? I am heartbroken to find out that the Episcopal Church has openly denied Christ. Yesterday they voted 645-242 against even considering the following resolution:
Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church declares its unchanging commitment to Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the only name by which any person may be saved (Article XVIII); and be it further Resolved, That we acknowledge the solemn responsibility placed upon us to share Christ with all persons when we hear His words, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No-one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6); and be it further Resolved, That we affirm that in Christ there is both the substitutionary essence of the Cross and the manifestation of God's unlimited and unending love for all persons; and be it further Resolved, That we renew our dedication to be faithful witnesses to all persons of the saving love of God perfectly and uniquely revealed in Jesus and upheld by the full testimony of Holy Scripture.
A Christian church who can not affirm that salvation is through Christ is no church at all. In case you were wondering if there was something procedural that kept them from considering this, VirtueOnline reports the position of those opposed to the resolution: "McDowell explained that how one lives his life is the more important issue than whether one affirms Jesus as Lord. " making it clear he has no understanding of:
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
McDowell, Canon Theologian for the Diocese of North Carolina, further embarrasses himself and his church by comparing the proposal to the Nazi doctrines that lead to the Holocaust, according to VirtueOnline.
Is this a church anymore? Not a Christian one, anyway. May God protect and provide for the brothers who sought to have their denomination bow to Him to whom everyone will one day bow. May He give them wisdom as they lead their churches -- hopefully out of this false communion.
H/T WorldNetDaily and VirtueOnline
Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church declares its unchanging commitment to Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the only name by which any person may be saved (Article XVIII); and be it further Resolved, That we acknowledge the solemn responsibility placed upon us to share Christ with all persons when we hear His words, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No-one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6); and be it further Resolved, That we affirm that in Christ there is both the substitutionary essence of the Cross and the manifestation of God's unlimited and unending love for all persons; and be it further Resolved, That we renew our dedication to be faithful witnesses to all persons of the saving love of God perfectly and uniquely revealed in Jesus and upheld by the full testimony of Holy Scripture.
A Christian church who can not affirm that salvation is through Christ is no church at all. In case you were wondering if there was something procedural that kept them from considering this, VirtueOnline reports the position of those opposed to the resolution: "McDowell explained that how one lives his life is the more important issue than whether one affirms Jesus as Lord. " making it clear he has no understanding of:
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
McDowell, Canon Theologian for the Diocese of North Carolina, further embarrasses himself and his church by comparing the proposal to the Nazi doctrines that lead to the Holocaust, according to VirtueOnline.
Is this a church anymore? Not a Christian one, anyway. May God protect and provide for the brothers who sought to have their denomination bow to Him to whom everyone will one day bow. May He give them wisdom as they lead their churches -- hopefully out of this false communion.
H/T WorldNetDaily and VirtueOnline
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
A Proper Education
Today at lunch, I could not restrain an exclamation of disgust as I read the news. Matt Henry asked what I had read and I told him that the U.N. was holding talks calling for global gun control. Matthew responded, "But, mom, how will they overthrow tyrants?" Ah... the glories of a proper education.
H/T Lucianne and CNS News
Monday, June 19, 2006
Differentiation
I have been noticing an increasing misapplication of Scripture that leads to serious consequences. Have you heard those who oppose war arguing that Jesus said to "turn the other cheek," or to "be at peace with all men," therefore our government has no right to pursue war? They have misunderstood Scripture. These commands are to us individually, in our own relations with other men. The responsibility of those in authority is different. The government is to "bear the sword" for the punishment of evildoers, not to turn the other cheek.
The obligation is if you are offended personally, then you should respond to the clear command of scripture and forgive those who have sinned against you, as often as necessary. However, if you are in authority over those in sin, you have a different obligation. You have an obligation to confront sin, restrain those you have authority over from sin, punish sin as you are able, and to lead those who follow you to righteousness. As you have power, you also have the obligation to protect the weak who are being attacked, even those weak not under your direct authority. The Bible gives responsibility with authority. To use the authority and reject the responsibility causes us to partake of the sin of those under us, whether our children, employees, congregation or citizens.
Let's be careful to use Scripture in a way that is warranted by the text.
The obligation is if you are offended personally, then you should respond to the clear command of scripture and forgive those who have sinned against you, as often as necessary. However, if you are in authority over those in sin, you have a different obligation. You have an obligation to confront sin, restrain those you have authority over from sin, punish sin as you are able, and to lead those who follow you to righteousness. As you have power, you also have the obligation to protect the weak who are being attacked, even those weak not under your direct authority. The Bible gives responsibility with authority. To use the authority and reject the responsibility causes us to partake of the sin of those under us, whether our children, employees, congregation or citizens.
Let's be careful to use Scripture in a way that is warranted by the text.
Monday, June 12, 2006
A Sad Truth
This weekend I had an altercation with a brother in the Lord. What amazed me is that he would neither apologize nor accept my apology. I don't understand this at all. How can we reconcile with others if we refuse to apologize and ignore the apologies of others? I can only hope that it is because he has never been taught Biblical reconciliation.
I fear, though, that we are going to see more and more Christians without even the basic tools of living the Christian life. I hear about churches that are limiting their sermons and avoiding the music of the church in order to be seeker-friendly. Folks, if a sinner is comfortable in the church, the church is not preaching the Word of God. Romans 9:23 says, “ Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Have you ever heard of anyone who says they were saved because they felt so comfortable? When the Lord saved me, I was miserable over my sin!
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." I Corinthians 1:18 If we try to avoid that teaching which the lost will not understand or be offended by, we will also avoid the power of God. The really sad thing is that not only will we see little true fruit of this kind of preaching (That is, many may join such a church, but how many are joined to Christ?); but we will also fail to disciple those who do know Christ in the church. "For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe." Hebrews 5:13
And so, it's a sad truth that there are an increasing number of Christians who may not even know "And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us." Luke 11:4 and therefore not realize that forgiveness is not an option, but an obligation for the Christian.
The best way we can be seeker-friendly is to point them toward what they are seeking:
"For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:13-14
I fear, though, that we are going to see more and more Christians without even the basic tools of living the Christian life. I hear about churches that are limiting their sermons and avoiding the music of the church in order to be seeker-friendly. Folks, if a sinner is comfortable in the church, the church is not preaching the Word of God. Romans 9:23 says, “ Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Have you ever heard of anyone who says they were saved because they felt so comfortable? When the Lord saved me, I was miserable over my sin!
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." I Corinthians 1:18 If we try to avoid that teaching which the lost will not understand or be offended by, we will also avoid the power of God. The really sad thing is that not only will we see little true fruit of this kind of preaching (That is, many may join such a church, but how many are joined to Christ?); but we will also fail to disciple those who do know Christ in the church. "For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe." Hebrews 5:13
And so, it's a sad truth that there are an increasing number of Christians who may not even know "And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us." Luke 11:4 and therefore not realize that forgiveness is not an option, but an obligation for the Christian.
The best way we can be seeker-friendly is to point them toward what they are seeking:
"For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:13-14
Early Homeschoolers
May 26, 2006
Last night during the keynote at the NCHE conference, I was grumpily chasing our toddler. Grumpily because I really wanted to hear the keynote session, but she was coming unglued. It was one of those divine appointments times, though. I met a wonderful young mother who was at the conference with her eldest and only child - who was three! I told her coming to conference would help her make the decision. She said, " Oh no! We've made the decision. We're going to homeschool." What a blessing to meet families that are so committed to discipling and teaching their children at home that they've come to spend a whole weekend at this conference! May the Lord raise up a whole generation like that.
BTW, I could kick myself for walking out without my camera phone last night. I first saw this mother and daughter when I saw them skipping together in a dark hallway. She said her daughter had just that moment learned to skip. What a sweet picture. Too bad you can't see it :-)
Last night during the keynote at the NCHE conference, I was grumpily chasing our toddler. Grumpily because I really wanted to hear the keynote session, but she was coming unglued. It was one of those divine appointments times, though. I met a wonderful young mother who was at the conference with her eldest and only child - who was three! I told her coming to conference would help her make the decision. She said, " Oh no! We've made the decision. We're going to homeschool." What a blessing to meet families that are so committed to discipling and teaching their children at home that they've come to spend a whole weekend at this conference! May the Lord raise up a whole generation like that.
BTW, I could kick myself for walking out without my camera phone last night. I first saw this mother and daughter when I saw them skipping together in a dark hallway. She said her daughter had just that moment learned to skip. What a sweet picture. Too bad you can't see it :-)
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