Monday, September 29, 2008

Spiritual Amnesia

http://maxlucado.com/fearless/message01.html

Do you ever suffer from spiritual amnesia? Sometimes I do. Sometimes I forget how God has loved me and cared for me all my life, I forget to be thankful for the deliverance of the past - and then doubt the deliverance of the future.

Check this out - I forget that God answered the most important prayers I ever prayed -

the ones I prayed since the days my children were born, that they would be healthy - check

How about the ones I prayed that God would show me how to be a better parent, give me the ability to do this, even when I feel like a failure - I think He answers this one every day

Do these seem trivial? Too spiritual?

How about the thousands I prayed for Drason - and every time - no matter what the job, and when other husbands and fathers didn't, he always came home, and usually in one piece.

How about all the times I prayed that God would keep us safe? Didn't He do that? When our house burned down, we were over at His house.

But do I even have to ask for His protection? Is this some kind of guessing game, hope you pray for the right stuff so that God will deliver you when the time comes? Not a chance.

How about one January on my birthday when it was icy and snowy outside and I lost control of my car on route 16 in the middle of traffic, and when the car slammed into the concrete median - somehow I was fine, and no other cars were involved.

Or what about father's day 1997, I was driving too fast on a dirt road and rolled my car over and slammed it into a tree - the state trooper asked me if anyone had been in the car - I think his jaw hit the ground when I told him I had been. ( In my defense I was 17 and stupid)

What about September 1998 - When I met the man I had been praying to meet, and even though I was running away from God's plan for me as fast as I could, He had more mercy than I could have imagined, and still put me where He wanted me.

What about the day when He delivered me from abuse? November 27, 1998 - some dates you just remember - that was the last day anyone ever punched me.

The days that my children came to believe in Christ - now those were big days - I did pray for those, and I still pray for them to know Him better,and to have a relationship with Him.

But you know what, the thing I had never prayed for was the thing I needed the most.

God knew before hand that I needed it, In fact He knew since the beginning of time that I needed it, and I never knew right up until the day that I prayed He would save me that the one thing I needed more than anything else was Him.

If there was one thing I should remember, despite my spiritual amnesia, I should remember that, right? I should remember " I will never leave you or forsake you." or the one my kids remember "For God so loved the world..." or the one a friend told me " you are ever before me"

I may think he is sleeping - but in reality he is providing ballast for the boat - and the fact that he isn't worried, might be an sign that I shouldn't be either.

Do you ever suffer from spiritual amnesia?

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Football games

So I meant to blog this last week and I forgot - I think that I can blame that on the power being out (Thanks Randy)

Anyways we had a great time at the Osu party last weekend, with the exception of how OSU played , but they redeeemed themselves this week.
We had lots of friends from church over and a few friends that we would like to have at our church.

Most of you probably know each other, but there were a few people you may not have recognized

Jessica - my friend since high school - the last time I saw her was about a year ago when she got married, even though we have different beliefs we have managed to stay friends - which is a good thing.
If you care about the people you love keep them in your life and keep praying for them - even if you disagree about your faith. If you exclude them from your life you make the selfish choice to keep the good news all to your self so that you will be more comfortable. (stepping down from that soap box)
I think many of you met Mark Barker - his son Ian is on Mason and Marshal's football team and Ian came to Awanas a few times last year - we will have to invite him again. Mark said that he and his wife Jennifer are looking for a church - they have a daughter as well, I think she is about 10 or 11? So pray that Mark and Jennifer will find a church home, they have visited our church at least once.

Football is in full swing here at the Sillin house, Marshal and Mason play for the Jets, Drason is the coach and so far they are undefeated. Macguines plays for the Packers - he plays tackle this year so he is in full pads - they are 1-2. Macguines' coach is a yell at the refs, throw a fit, scream at people kind of coach - I'm not sure how much longer he will be playing, I am sure that I plan to be at his every practice to keep an eye on this guy and what he is teaching my son.

Just to brag on Drason a little bit - he is the coach of Marshal and Mason's football team - we see other coaches every week - they get mad at bad calls they argue with the refs, then the parents of the kids on that team argue with the refs, people get thrown out of the games, it is awful! The kids learn to be disrespectful and to blame their troubles on others. Drason doesn't argue, ever. I can tell when he is mad about a call, when he thinks something is unfair,( I think this is because we have been married almost 10 years) and occasionally he will ask a ref in a respectful way to explain a call, or how he can have his kids do better, but he never yells, or throws a temper tantrum. Several of the parents of the kids on our team have commented on how calm Drason is.
While I would like to think that this is all because Drason is such a great guy - because he is a great guy - I think it might have something to do with how he starts every game. After the team has warmed up, before the coin toss, the kids all "take a knee" and he prays with his team - seeing 14 kindergarten, first and second graders bowing their heads to pray is enough to make you tear up. He doesn't pray to win, but he prays that everyone will be safe, no one will be hurt on either team, and that everyone will do their best and have a good time. The parents of these kids - none of them complain - they come up to him afterwards and thank him for being a good coach - this isn't a Christian league - it is as secular as it comes - but they see something different, and they see the results in their children. I don't write this to say how great Drason is - but to encourage you to have faith and courage. How easy it would be to allow the devil to tell you that "someone might be offended" or " we can't do that here" and keep your faith under wraps - have courage this week to share your faith, even in a very small way, you might be surprised about the impact it has.

good night
Amanda

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Issues of our time

I saw on the news that Sarah Palin has come under attack for the same issues that our pastor referred to as the issues of our day: abortion and homosexuality. I have to say that I wasn't surprised that she was being attacked for her beliefs, but I was surprised to hear her church referred to as a " sect" of the evangelical church.
Always before this type of language has referred to a very negative thing - think about where you have heard this word used - ever heard of a "polygamist sect" yeah - me too, of course we don't think polygamy is correct, even main stream mormons don't believe in that. So sect is a word used to describe a radical group of people who are dangerous to society as a whole - polygamist sects are dangerous - we all saw them on the news in their cotton candy colored dresses marched up and down the court house stairs - children were abused, women were abused - all in all it was sickening.
Where else have you heard that word used - ever heard of a "radical muslim sect" that means those people are terrorists - they believe in a war to be waged on innocent people - again they are a danger to society as a whole.
So does speaking against sin make you a part of an "evangelical sect"? If you do share your beliefs are you a danger to society as a whole? Is the day coming when Christians will be arrested for their beliefs?
Check out the links to this story
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/050210a.aspx

This has taken 4 years and a ton of money to resolve

http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/416533.aspx

This didn't happen in China, not in Russia, not even in Europe - this happened in the USA

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Lunch Bunch is back


After a summer hiatus - the Lunch Bunch is back. Lunch Bunch is for ladies to meet, eat, and fellowship. This is a great way to meet new friends, and fellowship with ladies. All ladies are encouraged to attend - however please RSVP by calling, emailing, or leaving a comment on this blog. We will meet on Saturday Sept. 13th at the Olive Garden in Heath at 12:30pm. Hope that you can be there AND for all the OSU fans ( Go Bucks) the game against USC will air on ABC at 8:00pm this day so an early lunch should be ok with the hubby.Hope to see you there and feel free to bring a guest!
See you soon,
Amanda