I just ran across a most amusing editorial about the Intolerance Police and one man's private stand. Enjoy.
We wish you a merry Christmas. A very merry Christmas - as you remember that we are celebrating the birth of the Saviour who has taken away our sins and made us able to approach the Maker with joy:
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever. Amen.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
The Christian and the Government
There is no doubt Biblically that we are to be subject to the authorities over us. This is not an absolute command, though. Scripture makes for some serious exceptions: When the authority forces us to violate the commands of God, we are to obey God rather than man. Also, there are examples of appealing to higher civil authority.
I have been hearing lately a lot of discussion from fellow believers that is greatly concerning to me. They state very clearly that they believe we should comply with any request made by a government official as long as it does not ask us to violate a command of God. It is my belief that they misunderstand both the American system of government and the application of God's word.
Our country is plainly founded on the principle of Lex rex - the law is king. This is a radical departure from the majority of governments at the time, most of which believed in the divine right of kings, which was a justification of Rex lex - the king is law. The principle of lex rex was the foundation of the American Revolution -- that King George was in violation of the Magna Carta and other laws to which even he was subject, therefore he was a tyrannical ruler in violation of the law and should be resisted. I fear we no longer understand these principles.
The Constitution of the United States serves the role of the king or final authority in our nation. This is such a blessing as we are not subject to the whims and prejudices of a human ruler. All other laws are therefore subject to the Constitution, and all officials are subject to both. The government officials we deal with are the messengers of King Constitution and they themselves are personally subject to it as well. Therefore, when they act in violation of the Law, then they are false messengers and should be held to account. This is not disobedience or rebellion, but rather obedience to the higher power. Now, I am not advocating disorder or disrespect - they are still the duly constituted power and therefore deserve the respect of their positions. In our country, we have a variety of ways to hold government officials to account in an orderly, peaceful way: we can appeal to their authority by referencing the authority of the law, we can respectfully refuse to comply with "requests" as not bearing the force of law, we can appeal to the authority they directly report to, we can appeal through the judiciary, we can vote them out or insist on their removal by those we can vote out, and we can and should pray.
The Scripture does not forbid us to appeal to authority! Rather, Paul, when being treated highhandedly by the local authority reminded them that he was a Roman citizen and had certain rights which they must respect. Read about Paul's trial and successful appeal. Scripture also expects us to choose the leaders we follow carefully and hold them to account for their obedience to the law of God. Read the entire Old Testament to see God's judgement on those who chose and followed wicked leaders. When we exercise our rights and privileges as American citizens to insist our leaders follow the law which makes them leaders, we are being subject to the authorities over us as Scripture commands.
There would have never been an American Revolution if the ideas I'm hearing held sway over our forefathers. Think about that.
I have been hearing lately a lot of discussion from fellow believers that is greatly concerning to me. They state very clearly that they believe we should comply with any request made by a government official as long as it does not ask us to violate a command of God. It is my belief that they misunderstand both the American system of government and the application of God's word.
Our country is plainly founded on the principle of Lex rex - the law is king. This is a radical departure from the majority of governments at the time, most of which believed in the divine right of kings, which was a justification of Rex lex - the king is law. The principle of lex rex was the foundation of the American Revolution -- that King George was in violation of the Magna Carta and other laws to which even he was subject, therefore he was a tyrannical ruler in violation of the law and should be resisted. I fear we no longer understand these principles.
The Constitution of the United States serves the role of the king or final authority in our nation. This is such a blessing as we are not subject to the whims and prejudices of a human ruler. All other laws are therefore subject to the Constitution, and all officials are subject to both. The government officials we deal with are the messengers of King Constitution and they themselves are personally subject to it as well. Therefore, when they act in violation of the Law, then they are false messengers and should be held to account. This is not disobedience or rebellion, but rather obedience to the higher power. Now, I am not advocating disorder or disrespect - they are still the duly constituted power and therefore deserve the respect of their positions. In our country, we have a variety of ways to hold government officials to account in an orderly, peaceful way: we can appeal to their authority by referencing the authority of the law, we can respectfully refuse to comply with "requests" as not bearing the force of law, we can appeal to the authority they directly report to, we can appeal through the judiciary, we can vote them out or insist on their removal by those we can vote out, and we can and should pray.
The Scripture does not forbid us to appeal to authority! Rather, Paul, when being treated highhandedly by the local authority reminded them that he was a Roman citizen and had certain rights which they must respect. Read about Paul's trial and successful appeal. Scripture also expects us to choose the leaders we follow carefully and hold them to account for their obedience to the law of God. Read the entire Old Testament to see God's judgement on those who chose and followed wicked leaders. When we exercise our rights and privileges as American citizens to insist our leaders follow the law which makes them leaders, we are being subject to the authorities over us as Scripture commands.
There would have never been an American Revolution if the ideas I'm hearing held sway over our forefathers. Think about that.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Marie Antoinette and John Edwards
John Edwards' staffer's hilarious gaffe in asking the Raleigh Wal-Mart for an early PS3 for the Edwards family brought us all a good laugh, but I really don't think it means all that much. Having a housefull of young staffers, I know they can go off half-cocked in an effort to get the job done. What really gets me is Edwards' response:
Well, well, well. The child of a millionaire mocks a classmate for wearing shoes bought at Wal-Mart. Did that little six year old make an informed decision to shop at the despised store? Or did his mother try to make the family's hard-earned dollars go a little farther and buy her little one Wal-Mart shoes? If John Edwards wants to teach the morality of caring for the less fortunate, let him start with his own children: Polite, kind people do not mock or criticize the clothing of those less fortunate than they. No doubt John Edwards' son thought the little boy ought to wear D&G instead -- on sale for only $109!
John Edwards reminds me of Marie Antoinette. When told the peasants had no bread to eat, she proved her complete lack of understanding of the lives of her subjects: like an early John Edwards, she replied "Let them eat cake!"
In the call, he repeated a story about his son Jack disapproving of a classmate buying sneakers at Wal-Mart. "If a 6-year-old can figure it out, America can definitely figure this out," Edwards said.
Well, well, well. The child of a millionaire mocks a classmate for wearing shoes bought at Wal-Mart. Did that little six year old make an informed decision to shop at the despised store? Or did his mother try to make the family's hard-earned dollars go a little farther and buy her little one Wal-Mart shoes? If John Edwards wants to teach the morality of caring for the less fortunate, let him start with his own children: Polite, kind people do not mock or criticize the clothing of those less fortunate than they. No doubt John Edwards' son thought the little boy ought to wear D&G instead -- on sale for only $109!
John Edwards reminds me of Marie Antoinette. When told the peasants had no bread to eat, she proved her complete lack of understanding of the lives of her subjects: like an early John Edwards, she replied "Let them eat cake!"
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Election Prognostication
Well, I've finally had it enough to creep out of my corner and state it publically: I don't think the Republicans are going to lose on Tuesday. The mainstream media is just so certain this will be a bloodbath for the Republicans that I'm starting to get suspicious. This is beginning to look like one of those liberal attempts to create a reality by reporting that it already is. We'll see.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
A Proper Apology
After watching John Kerry flounder around all week pretending to apologize, I thought he and others could use a short course in apologizing. First, do not: blame others for being offended, pretend you didn't really do it, say it's not all that important, say you were misunderstood, or any other weaselly attempt to sing and dance your way out of trouble.
You see, a real apology is a wonderful thing. It is an almost foolproof way to restore a broken relationship and that is an incredibly valuable thing. A proper apology begins with the hardest thing of all: acceptance of responsibility and guilt, "I was wrong to do _____." It continues by communicating repentance. Now, repentance is not merely being sorry, but being sorry enough to change your course of action, "I should have done _____ and I will do that in the future." Finally, it ends only one proper way, a request not for understanding or for forbearance, but "Will you forgive me?"
These three simple steps are very seldom completed and it's a shame. I've found that being quick to forgive and even quicker to ask forgiveness will keep you at peace with most men. Give it a try.
You see, a real apology is a wonderful thing. It is an almost foolproof way to restore a broken relationship and that is an incredibly valuable thing. A proper apology begins with the hardest thing of all: acceptance of responsibility and guilt, "I was wrong to do _____." It continues by communicating repentance. Now, repentance is not merely being sorry, but being sorry enough to change your course of action, "I should have done _____ and I will do that in the future." Finally, it ends only one proper way, a request not for understanding or for forbearance, but "Will you forgive me?"
These three simple steps are very seldom completed and it's a shame. I've found that being quick to forgive and even quicker to ask forgiveness will keep you at peace with most men. Give it a try.
Nailed!
We woke this morning to find a wonderful bit of vandalism to our front door. In the night, some wag posted the Ninety-Five Theses to our door -- with a note saying, "You've been nailed! Happy Reformation Day!" and some treats. Thankfully, they used tape not nails, but what a delightful reminder that we are not alone, that others are remembering the great debate and rediscovery of the gospel, too. Thanks, friend!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Reformation Day
I find it hard to understand that there are Christians who celebrate Halloween - a celebration (or propitiation, depending on your beliefs) of evil and death, yet I used to do it myself. Why did I? I was living an unexamined life. Once I began to examine everything by the light of the Word of God, it became impossible for me to continue a practice that did not bring glory to our Lord and Father but rather glorified evil spirits, death, and evil -- even in jest.
I was not much happier with the harvest festivals held by so many churches. They seemed to be just a G-rated version of the world's festival: Halloween-lite. Can the church do nothing better than imitate the world?
Yes, it can! And it has! For nearly 500 years, faithful protestants have remembered a real encounter with the forces of darkness: in 1517, on October 31st, a monk named Martin Luther nailed an academic call to debate on the doors of Wittenberg Cathedral. That debate shook the world and rang out from the halls of academe to the plowboys in the fields. As a result, the gospel was rediscovered and the Word of God was translated into the languages of people's hearts, their native tongues. For centuries, the church celebrated Reformation Day in gratefulness for God's hand in the life of Luther and his contemporaries and the glorious results it has had not only in the church, but in the history of the world (I'll deal with that at a later date - I'm looking forward to it.)
Our family has celebrated Reformation Day for many years. We nearly always watch the terrific old black and white movie, Martin Luther, unmatched in stirring historical accuracy by the flashier modern versions. We always eat foods of the countries of the Reformation: cheese fondue from Switzerland, bratwurst, sauerkraut and hot German potato salad from Germany or some other Germanic delight. We play Reformation games like "95 Theses" in which blindfolded folks stick their post-it-note theses to a big paper cathedral door with candy rewards listed in each panel. We joyfully tell the stories to our children of those who stood for right and scripture before us, hoping that one day, they too will be able to stand. It's a day our children eagerly look forward to -- whether we celebrate with dozens of friends or just our family. In fact, they can't figure out why a Christian would do anything else. And neither can I.
I was not much happier with the harvest festivals held by so many churches. They seemed to be just a G-rated version of the world's festival: Halloween-lite. Can the church do nothing better than imitate the world?
Yes, it can! And it has! For nearly 500 years, faithful protestants have remembered a real encounter with the forces of darkness: in 1517, on October 31st, a monk named Martin Luther nailed an academic call to debate on the doors of Wittenberg Cathedral. That debate shook the world and rang out from the halls of academe to the plowboys in the fields. As a result, the gospel was rediscovered and the Word of God was translated into the languages of people's hearts, their native tongues. For centuries, the church celebrated Reformation Day in gratefulness for God's hand in the life of Luther and his contemporaries and the glorious results it has had not only in the church, but in the history of the world (I'll deal with that at a later date - I'm looking forward to it.)
Our family has celebrated Reformation Day for many years. We nearly always watch the terrific old black and white movie, Martin Luther, unmatched in stirring historical accuracy by the flashier modern versions. We always eat foods of the countries of the Reformation: cheese fondue from Switzerland, bratwurst, sauerkraut and hot German potato salad from Germany or some other Germanic delight. We play Reformation games like "95 Theses" in which blindfolded folks stick their post-it-note theses to a big paper cathedral door with candy rewards listed in each panel. We joyfully tell the stories to our children of those who stood for right and scripture before us, hoping that one day, they too will be able to stand. It's a day our children eagerly look forward to -- whether we celebrate with dozens of friends or just our family. In fact, they can't figure out why a Christian would do anything else. And neither can I.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Amazing Lack of Perspective
This past week, a number of North Carolina homeschoolers received a letter (once on the page, hit refresh to view) from the state oversight agency requesting them to bring their children and records to the local police station for inspection. There's only one little problem: the statute authorizes no such thing.
NCHE, our state homeschool organization, issued an alert encouraging non-participation with this extra-legal request. There are several amazing things here:
1. How in the world could anyone who has ever studied history or even current events think that the police station is an appropriate venue to ask people to come to for these record reviews? How could they think you would choose to bring your children into this situation? This appears to be an innocent mistake, yet I am totally flummoxed that anyone could be clueless enough not to realize this would be seen as pure and simple intimidation.
2. Homeschoolers are such nice folks that they really, really want to comply with the law such that some folks don't seem to care that this is way beyond the law and are thinking of participating. Beats me.
3. Some of the veteran homeschoolers among us don't seem to understand what is the big deal. Dear husband says it's the methadone effect[1]: the situation was so awful when they started homeschooling, that anything less than that seems just fine. However, this is a step towards less freedom, not more.
Here's the big deal: When we willing and voluntarily submit ourselves to government requirements beyond the law, we place ourselves in the position of providing an excuse for more regulation ("We're already doing it anyway. What's the big deal?") Loss of freedom is always a big deal and freedom relinquished is seldom regained. That's why the fight to regain freedom to direct your child's education was and is such a battle.
Samuel Adams said it well. Freedom costs, chains are free. Which do you want?
[1] methadone effect - Our family's term for something that is a step in the right direction for some, but the wrong for others. Methadone is a step in the right direction for heroin addicts, but for non-addicts, it would be a step toward addiction. Always move in the right direction.
For one year after the testing, all records shall be made available,
subject to the provision of G.S. 115C-196, at the principal office of such
school, at all reasonable times, for annual inspection by a duly authorized
representative of the State of North Carolina. (1979, c. 505; 1981, c. 423, s.
1.)
NCHE, our state homeschool organization, issued an alert encouraging non-participation with this extra-legal request. There are several amazing things here:
1. How in the world could anyone who has ever studied history or even current events think that the police station is an appropriate venue to ask people to come to for these record reviews? How could they think you would choose to bring your children into this situation? This appears to be an innocent mistake, yet I am totally flummoxed that anyone could be clueless enough not to realize this would be seen as pure and simple intimidation.
2. Homeschoolers are such nice folks that they really, really want to comply with the law such that some folks don't seem to care that this is way beyond the law and are thinking of participating. Beats me.
3. Some of the veteran homeschoolers among us don't seem to understand what is the big deal. Dear husband says it's the methadone effect[1]: the situation was so awful when they started homeschooling, that anything less than that seems just fine. However, this is a step towards less freedom, not more.
Here's the big deal: When we willing and voluntarily submit ourselves to government requirements beyond the law, we place ourselves in the position of providing an excuse for more regulation ("We're already doing it anyway. What's the big deal?") Loss of freedom is always a big deal and freedom relinquished is seldom regained. That's why the fight to regain freedom to direct your child's education was and is such a battle.
Samuel Adams said it well. Freedom costs, chains are free. Which do you want?
[1] methadone effect - Our family's term for something that is a step in the right direction for some, but the wrong for others. Methadone is a step in the right direction for heroin addicts, but for non-addicts, it would be a step toward addiction. Always move in the right direction.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The Marriage Vow
In an age when the divorce rate among Christians differs in no respect from that of unbelievers, to the shame of the church, we seem to have forgotten what a vow is. This weekend I had the privelege of seeing what it means to an older generation to promise "For better or for worse."
The story of the marriage of my grandparents is not a happily-ever-after one. My grandfather was an extremely difficult man to live with in his youth - a wild and angry man. Then after he repented and settled down, my grandmother suffered repeated cancers and back surgeries. They did not abandon each other through these challenges, though. They did their duty. Paid their vows - for themselves, for the Lord, and for us. They have lost almost all of their many siblings to death, helped a daughter through becoming a young widow, and loved and shepherded us all through heartbreaks, health breakdowns and job losses. Now in their eighties, Papa Ray has Alzheimers' and his health has declined to the point that he needs constant help.
Nana kept him at home as long as she could, but she was unable to pick him up when he kept falling down. Now he's at a nursing home going through rehab. And yet the wife of his youth has not abandoned him in his old age. She is there every day - to feed him, to take him to the bathroom so he doesn't need to lose his dignity, to bring him treats and happiness. What a lovely sight, to see her tender devotion to a man who no one would have once faulted her for running from. To see his once strong arms reach in trust and need to his wife, "Are you coming back soon?" To see her save him a piece of cake, "I'll take this to Ray later. He always loved red velvet cake." To see him cared for and clean and well-fed when so many were so lonely.
When I told Nana what a blessing this was for me, she told me how he had taken her from doctor to doctor and hospital to hospital when she had cancer, how he'd cared for her when she couldn't. I thought of Ecclesiastes:
Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
I commend to you Christian marriage. We are called to be a living picture of the eternal love between Christ and the church. Does it seem impossible to you? How can you love and sacrifice through all the hurt and hard times of this fallen world? I would recommend you see that your marriage is one of three strands: the two of you and He is who is able to make us able to keep our vows.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Intolerant Tolerance
I am shocked to read that Great Britain literally has tolerance police. I've said for many years, that when we start on the slippery slope of limiting free speech in order to be "tolerant", we will fall headlong into tyranny. Speaking of a Christian arrested for handing out leaflets at a public park:
Well, that's certainly provocative - and dangerous - someone quoting Holy Scripture! Handing out quotes from the Bible can now subject you to arrest in that so-called free nation. How much longer will we Christians be able to speak out about any sin, about salvation in Jesus Christ alone? The freedom to even quote the Word of God on the issues of the day is evidently gone in the U.K. How much longer will we have it? Up camels, mamahadeen, and speak up before you can't speak out at all.
Just in case you think this is spin-doctored, read the whole thing.
H/T WorldNetDaily
A spokesman for the police said the campaigner had not behaved in a violent
or aggressive manner, but that officers arrested him because 'the leaflet
contained Biblical quotes about homosexuality'.
Well, that's certainly provocative - and dangerous - someone quoting Holy Scripture! Handing out quotes from the Bible can now subject you to arrest in that so-called free nation. How much longer will we Christians be able to speak out about any sin, about salvation in Jesus Christ alone? The freedom to even quote the Word of God on the issues of the day is evidently gone in the U.K. How much longer will we have it? Up camels, mamahadeen, and speak up before you can't speak out at all.
Just in case you think this is spin-doctored, read the whole thing.
H/T WorldNetDaily
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Why Mamahadeen?
I thought the name Mamahadeen was pretty witty when I first registered it, but unfortunately, only one single person outside our family has gotten the joke (at least, has confessed to getting the joke.) This week another friend asked "What's that?" So, here goes:
Well, it's kind of complicated. The Islamic jihadists call themselves Mujahadeen -- holy warriors in Arabic. When folks started blogging, the mainstream media got bent out of shape and basically said "Are you gonna believe a bunch of crazy conservatives, typing in their pajamas or are you gonna believe us -- apostles of truth like Dan Rather?" Then some wiseacre called the bloggers "pajamahadeen" because they caused such a ruckus in the mainstream media. I took off on that and called myself Mamahadeen -- the mama in pajamas causing a ruckus for a holy reason -- got it?
Well, it's kind of complicated. The Islamic jihadists call themselves Mujahadeen -- holy warriors in Arabic. When folks started blogging, the mainstream media got bent out of shape and basically said "Are you gonna believe a bunch of crazy conservatives, typing in their pajamas or are you gonna believe us -- apostles of truth like Dan Rather?" Then some wiseacre called the bloggers "pajamahadeen" because they caused such a ruckus in the mainstream media. I took off on that and called myself Mamahadeen -- the mama in pajamas causing a ruckus for a holy reason -- got it?
On Cooking and Costs
I've noticed sadly that many of the young mothers I talk to have even less idea how to run a household than I do. Now, that's pathetic, because I grew up in a family business. Literally. We came home from school to the store and stayed there til it closed. I felt like I had to learn how to be a housewife "on the job" but with no training. I'm still not terribly good at it. Compared to the generation of mothers just starting out, though, I'm a wiz. Many of them had working mothers and all of them were fed frozen dinners and McDonald's predominantly. I was told by one friend, "I only make one meal from scratch -- Hamburger Helper." Seriously.
The really sad thing is that their lack of training makes it so much harder for them to make it financially on one income so that they can stay home with their little ones or homeschool. For example, when they want a pie, they buy a frozen one ($3-5) and put whipped topping on top ($1-2). It's so easy to make a pie if you've been taught -- and inexpensive. Even if you buy the crust ($1) and use Jello pudding and pie filling ($0.80), but then make meringue ($0.20).
Dorothy Sayers in Murder Must Advertise once said that we pay extra to have our food prepared and stripped of all natural fiber and vitamins and then buy the fiber and vitamins on the side, keeping the wheels of commerce constantly turning. Well, folks, don't let those wheels run you down: Get a good cookbook like The Joy of Cooking [Nota Bene: Buy only this edition (1975) or an older one - The All New... has removed all that made The Joy of Cooking the one cookbook Julia Child would have on her shelf if she could only have one] or Mennonite Country-Style Recipes and teach yourself to really cook. Or better yet, make friends with an older woman who loves to cook and ask her if you can "come help" and she'll help you!
The really sad thing is that their lack of training makes it so much harder for them to make it financially on one income so that they can stay home with their little ones or homeschool. For example, when they want a pie, they buy a frozen one ($3-5) and put whipped topping on top ($1-2). It's so easy to make a pie if you've been taught -- and inexpensive. Even if you buy the crust ($1) and use Jello pudding and pie filling ($0.80), but then make meringue ($0.20).
Dorothy Sayers in Murder Must Advertise once said that we pay extra to have our food prepared and stripped of all natural fiber and vitamins and then buy the fiber and vitamins on the side, keeping the wheels of commerce constantly turning. Well, folks, don't let those wheels run you down: Get a good cookbook like The Joy of Cooking [Nota Bene: Buy only this edition (1975) or an older one - The All New... has removed all that made The Joy of Cooking the one cookbook Julia Child would have on her shelf if she could only have one] or Mennonite Country-Style Recipes and teach yourself to really cook. Or better yet, make friends with an older woman who loves to cook and ask her if you can "come help" and she'll help you!
Monday, July 24, 2006
Remarkable Providences
The incredible thing about the Christian life is that trials are often great blessings. Four and a half years ago, after the 9/11 business bust, dear husband was out of work for some time. When we told the children that Daddy no longer had his corporate job and it would be a long, precarious time until the business began to pay, the older children began to encourage the younger children to trust God by telling them many stories of God's providential provision for us four years ago. What a blessing!
Our dear Lord has already begun to show his love and provision for us:
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. I John 3:14
Immediately after reading the prayer request we sent out on our local homeschool loop, a dear sister emailed, saying that she and her husband were grateful for the service and encouragement we had given as homeschool leaders and they committed to bringing us a bag of grocery essentials every Friday for nine months! Can you believe that? What sacrificial love! What commitment! I pray that we will not need this provision, but to know that they are there is an incredible comfort. May the Lord bless them a hundredfold.
For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8
Last week I received a very hurtful letter from an old friend and in the same mail a great encouragement: A letter from friends saying that they were grateful for our ministry to homeschoolers and wanted to encourage us in a tangible way. It was a very tangible way, a $500 check! We rejoiced at the provision and at the kind way they had helped us without referencing our need, even making it sound like it was something we deserved -- which we do not, we deserve hell, but have been given all this (and heaven, too, said the wise man). Last night we wrote them a thank you note and this morning they told us they had only found out last night about our need -- nearly a week after the check had been sent. They had been thinking of doing this for weeks. Our dear, precious Lord, knowing the coming need had prepared their hearts and provided an answer before we even asked. Blessed be His name! May these saints be blessed beyond measure!
How could we fail to trust Him? How could we doubt when we see such remarkable providences?
Our dear Lord has already begun to show his love and provision for us:
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. I John 3:14
Immediately after reading the prayer request we sent out on our local homeschool loop, a dear sister emailed, saying that she and her husband were grateful for the service and encouragement we had given as homeschool leaders and they committed to bringing us a bag of grocery essentials every Friday for nine months! Can you believe that? What sacrificial love! What commitment! I pray that we will not need this provision, but to know that they are there is an incredible comfort. May the Lord bless them a hundredfold.
For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8
Last week I received a very hurtful letter from an old friend and in the same mail a great encouragement: A letter from friends saying that they were grateful for our ministry to homeschoolers and wanted to encourage us in a tangible way. It was a very tangible way, a $500 check! We rejoiced at the provision and at the kind way they had helped us without referencing our need, even making it sound like it was something we deserved -- which we do not, we deserve hell, but have been given all this (and heaven, too, said the wise man). Last night we wrote them a thank you note and this morning they told us they had only found out last night about our need -- nearly a week after the check had been sent. They had been thinking of doing this for weeks. Our dear, precious Lord, knowing the coming need had prepared their hearts and provided an answer before we even asked. Blessed be His name! May these saints be blessed beyond measure!
How could we fail to trust Him? How could we doubt when we see such remarkable providences?
OUR World Turned Upside Down... Or Right Side Up
News Flash: Escape from Cubicle Nation!
An acquaintance of mine uses a great tagline for her email account: "Whenever I sit down and relax in a comfortable chair, a bar falls across my lap and I hear a voice saying, "Keep your hands and feet in the car at all times. Enjoy your ride!" This is our life!
Many of you know that dear husband was involuntarily transferred from a field engineering position to Cubicle Nation nearly two years ago, and the long hours, long commute, and isolation -- people emailed from cubicle to cubicle (really!) -- did not make for a happy assignment. Well, dear husband has had an unexpected opportunity to escape from Cubicle Nation!
We have been talking for a year about the possibility of going into business with my brother and mother to provide a stateside sales office for the Chinese manufacturing concern run by my sister-in-law and brother. We worked on a business plan last month and were getting pretty excited about the possibilities, but knowing that it would take nine months to see any money, it just seemed like a pretty big cliff to jump off of.
Well, here we go: The rollercoaster has reached the top of the hill and Whoosh! we're headed down the drop off. I can't wait to see what the Lord does next!
An acquaintance of mine uses a great tagline for her email account: "Whenever I sit down and relax in a comfortable chair, a bar falls across my lap and I hear a voice saying, "Keep your hands and feet in the car at all times. Enjoy your ride!" This is our life!
Many of you know that dear husband was involuntarily transferred from a field engineering position to Cubicle Nation nearly two years ago, and the long hours, long commute, and isolation -- people emailed from cubicle to cubicle (really!) -- did not make for a happy assignment. Well, dear husband has had an unexpected opportunity to escape from Cubicle Nation!
We have been talking for a year about the possibility of going into business with my brother and mother to provide a stateside sales office for the Chinese manufacturing concern run by my sister-in-law and brother. We worked on a business plan last month and were getting pretty excited about the possibilities, but knowing that it would take nine months to see any money, it just seemed like a pretty big cliff to jump off of.
Well, here we go: The rollercoaster has reached the top of the hill and Whoosh! we're headed down the drop off. I can't wait to see what the Lord does next!
Monday, July 10, 2006
The World Turned Upside Down
For many years, I've enjoyed reading the wedding announcements in the newspaper. An incurable romantic, I enjoy reading all the details! In recent times, I have noticed a worrisome trend and I invite you to test it out yourself. In nearly all new marriages in the paper, the wife is substantially better educated than the husband. Now, please understand, I do believe that women should be well-educated, particularly if they desire to be true helpmeets to their husbands and teachers of their children. However, I think that, generally, people should marry those of like religion, values, and education. I worry about those marriages in which the wife is so much better educated than the husband. How will he have the courage to lead his family if he questions his ability to interact with his wife intellectually? Will they both face pressure for the wife to continue working even after the children are born if she is earning a great deal more than he is? It happens. I saw a friend in Wal-Mart the other day who is expecting her second. She badly wants to come home and raise her children, but she's a nurse and she makes so much more money than her husband that they can't imagine making it on his salary.
The New York Times confirms that it's not just my imagination in a very disturbing article about not only the predominance of women on college campuses, but the failure of the men who do make it to college to compete in any real way with the women. How can this be for the "favored male" we've heard so much about? Well, how can it not be, with the constant stream of "Taking Our Daughters to Work Days", the constant encouragement of girls to be ambitious and "do something with their lives", with the death of boy-friendliness in the culture and in the schools? When boys who are perfectly normal are drugged into passivity for being too active, when a boy dares not defend the weak with his fists, when his only heroes are sports stars and gansta rappers? When military heroes are portrayed as evil oppressors, not the geniuses they once were?
Manhood is in trouble in our culture. It's been going on a long time and the alarm has been thoroughly sounded before. Now we are going to see the consequences: God's design for families turned upside down. The really sad thing about it is that no one is happy with the results. Men desire to lead, women desire to nurture, all are told that their natural God-given desires are unworthy of them. How incredibly pathetic.
Do you believe that those who have been fighting and fighting to remedy "discrimination" against women will be concerned about men's under representation in higher education? I don't. If they decide to pretend concern for other reasons, I predict that their solution is to make the men more like the women, just like feminism's solution was to defeminize women. The enemy always, always tries to destroy what God has wrought. Oh, that at least the church would value manhood and womanhood as God has designed it!
H/T The Drudge Report and The New York Times
The New York Times confirms that it's not just my imagination in a very disturbing article about not only the predominance of women on college campuses, but the failure of the men who do make it to college to compete in any real way with the women. How can this be for the "favored male" we've heard so much about? Well, how can it not be, with the constant stream of "Taking Our Daughters to Work Days", the constant encouragement of girls to be ambitious and "do something with their lives", with the death of boy-friendliness in the culture and in the schools? When boys who are perfectly normal are drugged into passivity for being too active, when a boy dares not defend the weak with his fists, when his only heroes are sports stars and gansta rappers? When military heroes are portrayed as evil oppressors, not the geniuses they once were?
Manhood is in trouble in our culture. It's been going on a long time and the alarm has been thoroughly sounded before. Now we are going to see the consequences: God's design for families turned upside down. The really sad thing about it is that no one is happy with the results. Men desire to lead, women desire to nurture, all are told that their natural God-given desires are unworthy of them. How incredibly pathetic.
Do you believe that those who have been fighting and fighting to remedy "discrimination" against women will be concerned about men's under representation in higher education? I don't. If they decide to pretend concern for other reasons, I predict that their solution is to make the men more like the women, just like feminism's solution was to defeminize women. The enemy always, always tries to destroy what God has wrought. Oh, that at least the church would value manhood and womanhood as God has designed it!
H/T The Drudge Report and The New York Times
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
A Real Life Mamahadeen
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
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
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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