Friday, December 28, 2012

Life in light of pain

Recently some friends of mine were discussing unanswered prayers, trials, tragedy, and how God sees and cares for people, especially his children.  After reading and re-reading their discussion, I feel that the essence of their questions flow from an eternal question of truth. Can God be both loving(faithful, sacrificial, and deserving of our trust)  and authoritative (just, Holy, sovereign, all powerful, beyond time and space ) and what does this look like?

I believe that God created the earth as perfect place.  Genesis says God looked at creation and it was good.  Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden with God and were friends of God.  They walked with him in the Garden of Eden, learned from Him, fellowshipped with Him.  This demonstrates that God cared for them. We were not equals, but we were loved.  Then Adam and Eve sinned, and from that point on their line, all of their descendants were sinners.  God then kicked them out of the Garden, removed them from his presence, demonstrating His ultimate authority.

Now all humans were forced to live away from God, think this of it like a foreign country. Mankind lived in 'Sin'  much like I live 'in Ohio'.  It doesn't make me a bad person to live in Ohio, it simply makes me a resident.

Sin isn't a nice place to live.  In Sin-ville some pretty horrific things happen.  People are slain for no reason, people fight, cheat, steal, lie, manipulate, and people are infected with diseases, they work and toil their whole lives, and every man, woman and child eventually dies.  Sin is a terrible place.
Who would want a loved one to grow up in this place? I certainly would not. 

So then why did God kick us out of the Garden? That seems all authority and no compassion, but this is not the case.  The punishment for sin is death.  Had God wanted to scorch Adam and Eve on the spot he would have been well within His authority to do so.  Instead he showed mercy and allowed them to live, even planning a way that they, and all of their sin infected offspring, could rejoin Him.
God is not willing that any should perish, and so he decided to allow every single person in Sin-ville a chance to live somewhere else. 

God gave His Son, so that we could live somewhere else.  All sacrifice, and all authority, are summed up in this one action.  This may seem elementary to you, but Christ came to earth, lived and died,to reconcile us to God.  He came so that we no longer have to be afraid of death, we can have life and have it more abundantly, free from fear.  God sacrificed a part of Himself so that we could be with him again demonstrating His love in that while we were yet sinners Christ died from us.   He then exercised all authority by defeating Death, and breaking the chains of our enslavement as residents of Sin-ville.  We who believe in Him, trust Him, are no longer residents of Sin-ville, we are residents of Heaven.

Unfortunately, we are still stuck in Sin-ville as aliens.  We don't belong here, we feel out of place and in our hearts we long for Heaven.

It is what comes next that is a struggle....

So if we belong to God, then why do schools get shot up?  Why did my friend die of cancer? Why did my husband lose his job? Why did that person claiming to belong to God hurt me?

For the unbeliever the question is 'If you are real, why don't you do something?'

The rain falls in the just and the unjust - life isn't fair, we all know that.  But if God is real, and if we are all trapped in Sin-ville, the question becomes less about what isn't fair NOW and more about what hasn't been fair since the Garden of Eden, and what won't be fair forever.  None of us picked this place, we were born this way, we couldn't help it.  In most people's minds the goal of this life  is to be happy, be loved, have prosperity, peace and joy.  What if God has a different goal?  What if His goal isn't about your happiness for the 70ish years you will spend in Sin-ville, but is about your happiness for the rest of forever, wouldn't that change things? Would children die before they understood sin so that they would spend forever in Heaven, happily reunited with their families?   Take that a step further, what if it wasn't even about just your happiness, but every single person on the planet's happiness?  So that even the 'bad' people would have a chance to change and come to know God.  What if God loved us so much that he would allow all of us to make all of our own choices, even terrible choices, so that we would have the chance to know God?  This sounds like all sacrifice and no authority, but God's authority still stands. His is the final authority, punishment for the evil, and Life for those who trust in Him.

For the believer the question becomes 'God, I trusted you.  How can you be all loving and all authoritative and do nothing?

The two ladies who were having this discussion are both mature sisters in Christ.  They agree that God is all authoritative, and all loving, but they disagree on how that might look here on earth.  In modern theology there seem to be two points of view.  A-  as a New Testament believer, you can 'name and claim' the things that you desire- or - B-God already has the plan and our actions, faith and prayers do not really do much to affect Him, only to affect us. I believe that BOTH of these theologies are based on half truths.

Again going back to the nature of God, we know that God sees time as we see a book (part of his authority).  He can read the beginning, middle and end of the book, but we see time as if we were a character in that book, we see page 127, then 128 - time unfolds slowly before us revealing many twists and turns along the way.  If as a believer we see turmoil in our lives, illness, job loss, tragedy, should we clench our fists and shake them at the Author, or should be agree with His sovereignty?  Another thought, is there something we could do about it?  Could we have prevented events with more faith, more prayer, more spiritual acts? or is the story written in such a way that nothing we do really matters?

A few things to think about...

God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. New Testament or Old Testament, God is the same. Moses prayed and God changed His mind.  I have prayed the prayer of Moses, and begged God to change His mind and I believe that He did.  Moses came to God and spoke to Him as a friend.  Moses' attitude was not one of resignation to God's ordination of suffering, but one of desperation, claiming through his friendship with God that he could not go on without deliverance. Begging God for this deliverance.  Jesus said 'No one comes to the Father, except through me' so even though Christ had not yet come physically to the Earth, Moses came boldly before the throne of Grace and in his attitude and heart, fully dependent on God, claimed deliverance.  I do not like the theology that has been twisted from this truth, but this is still true.  Moses did not 'name and claim' his deliverance, but deliverance was given to him in part because he understood his own relationship to God and that without God's help, there was no hope.  God clearly changed His mind towards Moses, and this is within His authority.  So Moses' actions did affect God's decision, and so the theology that nothing we do will change God's mind so we must accept everything is clearly false.  We are not ants beneath God's feet, we are His beloved.

Paul prayed for deliverance that never came.  Jesus said that the disciples would do 'even greater works than these' but almost all died gruesome deaths.  God does allow suffering into our lives - check out Job, all the apostles, every prophet - all experienced suffering, all prayed for deliverance, many times deliverance never came.  The most stark example of this is John the Baptist.  John was stuck in jail, facing death, and sent his servants to Jesus to ask - 'Aren't you the Messiah?'  Even John the Baptist had trouble reconciling that Jesus is the Christ, and that he would allow John's beheading.   If there was ever a person who could name it and claim it, it was Elijah (John had the spirit of Elijah) - have YOU ever called down fire?  But after God's power is demonstrated for all to see, Elijah runs away, cries out to God and winds up hiding in a cave.  You see it wasn't that these people did not have faith, it was simply that their lives were pre-ordained.  Paul says that as Christians God preordained us for good works.  God has a plan, submission to this plan is not necessary, it will happen regardless of our approval or designs. 

Is there anything I can say or do to have a better life here on earth?

Yes and No.

No, you will not escape all troubles here on earth, in fact the residents of Sin-ville will pretty much hate you.  No one loves an eternal optimist, no one loves the person who can be calm and joyful in the midst of sorrow.  This strength comes from the knowledge that Christ has redeemed us, redeeming our lives is not a problem for Him.  He is sovereign. The residents of Sin-ville do not understand your behavior, they will think you crazy.... and some will want to know your secret... and then you can tell them.... I am not really a resident of Sin-ville anymore, I am a resident of Heaven.  I am redeemed. This is where name it claim it IS true - in that we have deliverance from sin.  When we are tempted we can escape temptation!  Try saying this the next time you are tempted "Sin is not my master"  Because sin is not your master, if you are a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells you, you have a NEW master - His yoke is easy and His burden is light, you are no longer a slave. Because we have been slaves for so long, we often fall back into old habits - but we can escape those habits and live with a renewed Spirit.  Recognize your sin, Repent, Reclaim your position - you are not a slave!

Yes, you will escape many of the troubles of Sin-ville.  You have the ability to not sin.  This is foreign to many Christians, but you are NOT a slave to sin.  You CAN resist the devil and he will flee.  Walking in sin has some natural consequences, so when you avoid sin, you avoid the consequences of sin.  Now that you realize that sin is not your master, you can replace that with "Christ is my Hope" and put on the attitude of Christ.  When everyone worries, you wait.  When others stockpile earthly goods, you are storing up treasures in Heaven.  Your priorities are different, your perspective is changing and this isn't because you said a few magical words this morning, or claimed a blessing, it is because Grace and Mercy have been sung over you and woven into your life.   You see the spiritual implications of the physical world and your mind begins to align with the mind of Christ.  Jesus said ask for anything in my name and I will give it to you.  He follows that up with saying that we do not understand, so we don't ask for the things that we should. Aligning your mind with Christ produces a heart like Moses'.  Moses clearly asked for what he should, and received what he needed, not because Moses was Holy, but because he was being remade into the likeness of Christ.  We have been set free from the slavery and oppression of Sin-ville and we need to remember that we wrestle not against flesh and blood - keeping this in mind will help us to recognize and live as people who understand Christ's authority. In addition, as people understanding this authority, we should also accept that the things that come into our lives, while a result of a fallen world, come into our lives with God's full knowledge. 

So then why does God allow suffering? Here are some quotes from someone far more learned than I:

1- “Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free-wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself” 2-“Love, in its own nature, demands the perfecting of the beloved.” 3-“Love may forgive all infirmities and love still in spite of them: but Love cannot cease to will their removal.” 4-“The human spirit will not even begin to try to surrender self-will as long as all seems to be well with it. Now error and sin both have this property, that the deeper they are the less their victim suspects their existence; they are masked evil. Pain is unmasked, unmistakable evil; every man knows that something is wrong when he is being hurt.” 5-“We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain


I am going to ask you to use your Holy imagination, picture yourself standing next to God.  It is just the two of you and you are looking down at the book we call time.  You can see all of eternity spread out before you like a map on the table - and you see your own course through time, you see the good and the bad things that entered your life here on earth and you see the ripple of effect that they had throughout your life, your children's lives, your spouses life, your extended family, your close friends, the people that you work and play and worship with, your acquaintances, your facebook friends of friends, even the lady behind you in the checkout line or the man you passed on the street - seeing all of this, and seeing God's action, or non-action, on your behalf.
Should I ever see this,  I believe that I would agree that the joy, the loved ones, the triumphs, as well as the heart break, the tragedy, and even my darkest days, were all worth it, all part of the plan, and that God's plan was good. 

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Borrowed from a friend....

This is borrowed from a friend who blogged it some time ago....

As we look forward to the new year and the resolutions that accompany it, here are some words of wisdom from the Good Book. 


Accountability to Others / Taking Advice
Proverbs 10:17 NLT People who accept correction are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray.

Proverbs 12:15 NLT Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.

Proverbs 13:10 NLT Pride leads to arguments; those who take advice are wise.

Proverbs 13:13 NLT People who despise advice will find themselves in trouble; those who respect it will succeed.

Proverbs 13:14 NLT The advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

Proverbs 13:18 NLT If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you will be honored.

Proverbs 15:10 NLT Whoever abandons the right path will be severely punished; whoever hates correction will die.

Proverbs 15:12 NLT Mockers don’t love those who rebuke them, so they stay away from the wise.

Proverbs 15:22 NLT Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.

Proverbs 15:31 NLT If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

Proverbs 15:32 NLT If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.

Proverbs 18:2 NLT Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.

Proverbs 19:20 NLT Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life.

Proverbs 19:27 NLT If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you have turned your back on knowledge.

Proverbs 20:18 NLT Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without the advice of others.

Proverbs 24:5-6 NLT A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man. 6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many counselors.

Proverbs 25:11-12 NLT Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket. 12 Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made from finest gold.

Proverbs 27:17 NLT As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 29:1 NLT Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair.


Admonishing a Fellow Believer
Proverbs 9:8-9 NLT So don’t bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all the more. 9 Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more.

Proverbs 12:26 NLT The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.

Proverbs 17:10 NLT A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

Proverbs 25:13 NLT Faithful messengers are as refreshing as snow in the heat of summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.

Proverbs 27:9 NLT The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

Proverbs 27:17 NLT As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.


Bad Company Corrupts Good Character
Proverbs 1:10-15 NLT My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! 11 They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Let’s ambush the innocent! 12 Let’s swallow them alive as the grave swallows its victims. Though they are in the prime of life, they will go down into the pit of death. 13 And the loot we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all kinds of things! 14 Come on, throw in your lot with us; we’ll split our loot with you.” 15 Don’t go along with them, my child! Stay far away from their paths.

Proverbs 13:20 NLT Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 14:7 NLT Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge there.

Proverbs 20:19 NLT A gossip tells secrets, so don’t hang around with someone who talks too much.

Proverbs 22:24-25 NLT Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Proverbs 23:20-21 NLT Do not carouse with drunkards and gluttons, 21 for they are on their way to poverty. Too much sleep clothes a person with rags.

Proverbs 24:21-22 NLT My child, fear the LORD and the king, and don’t associate with rebels. 22 For you will go down with them to sudden disaster. Who knows where the punishment from the LORD and the king will end?


Benefits of Fellowship
Proverbs 13:20 NLT Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 15:17 NLT A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

Proverbs 18:24 NLT There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.


Careless Speech
Proverbs 11:9 NLT Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly.

Proverbs 11:11 NLT Upright citizens bless a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

Proverbs 11:12 NLT It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent.

Proverbs 12:18 NLT Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Proverbs 13:3 NLT Those who control their tongue will have a long life; a quick retort can ruin everything.

Proverbs 15:28 NLT The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.

Proverbs 18:7 NLT The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into trouble.

Proverbs 21:23 NLT If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble.

Proverbs 25:18 NLT Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

Proverbs 26:18-19 NLT Just as damaging as a mad man shooting a lethal weapon 19 is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”

Proverbs 29:20 NLT There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.


Controlled Temper
Proverbs 12:16 NLT A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

Proverbs 13:3 NLT Those who control their tongue will have a long life; a quick retort can ruin everything.

Proverbs 13:16 NLT Wise people think before they act; fools don’t and even brag about it!

Proverbs 14:17 NLT Those who are short-tempered do foolish things, and schemers are hated.

Proverbs 14:29 NLT Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.

Proverbs 15:1 NLT A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.

Proverbs 15:18 NLT A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them.

Proverbs 15:28 NLT The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.

Proverbs 17:27 NLT A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 19:11 NLT People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.

Proverbs 20:22 NLT Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.

Proverbs 26:4-5 NLT When arguing with fools, don’t answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are. 5 When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation.

Proverbs 29:11 NLT A fool gives full vent to anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 29:22 NLT A hot-tempered person starts fights and gets into all kinds of sin.


Criticism
Proverbs 3:30 NLT Don’t make accusations against someone who hasn’t wronged you.

Proverbs 11:12 NLT It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent.


Encouragement
Proverbs 12:25 NLT Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 27:17 NLT As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.


Fairness
Proverbs 24:23 NLT Here are some further sayings of the wise:It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.


Forgiveness
Proverbs 17:9 NLT Disregarding another person’s faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends.

Proverbs 19:11 NLT People with good sense restrain their anger; they earn esteem by overlooking wrongs.


Friendship
Proverbs 18:24 NLT There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 25:17 NLT Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.

Proverbs 27:10 NLT Never abandon a friend – either yours or your father’s. Then in your time of need, you won’t have to ask your relatives for assistance. It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.


Gossip
Proverbs 11:13 NLT A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

Proverbs 16:28 NLT A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

Proverbs 17:9 NLT Disregarding another person’s faults preserves love; telling about them separates close friends.

Proverbs 18:8 NLT What dainty morsels rumors are – but they sink deep into one’s heart.

Proverbs 20:19 NLT A gossip tells secrets, so don’t hang around with someone who talks too much.

Proverbs 25:23 NLT As surely as a wind from the north brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

Proverbs 26:20 NLT Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

Healing Speech
Proverbs 12:18 NLT Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Proverbs 12:25 NLT Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Proverbs 15:1 NLT A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.

Proverbs 20:15 NLT Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies.

Proverbs 25:15 NLT Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition.

Proverbs 27:9 NLT The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.


Kindness
Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.

Proverbs 3:27-28 NLT Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. 28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

Proverbs 11:17 NLT Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.

Proverbs 11:25 NLT The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Proverbs 14:21 NLT It is sin to despise one’s neighbors; blessed are those who help the poor.

Proverbs 15:1 NLT A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.

Proverbs 17:17 NLT A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.


Loyalty
Proverbs 3:3-4 NLT Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.

Proverbs 17:17 NLT A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Proverbs 19:22 NLT Loyalty makes a person attractive. And it is better to be poor than dishonest.

Proverbs 20:6 NLT Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?

Proverbs 27:10 NLT Never abandon a friend – either yours or your father’s. Then in your time of need, you won’t have to ask your relatives for assistance. It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.


Reconciling Broken Relationships
Proverbs 18:19 NLT It’s harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars.


Sowing Discord / Arguing

Proverbs 6:16, 19b NLT There are six things the LORD hates – no, seven things he detests: … a person who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 17:14 NLT Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Proverbs 17:19 NLT Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who speaks boastfully invites disaster.

Proverbs 18:6 NLT Fools get into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.

Proverbs 18:19 NLT It’s harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars.

Proverbs 20:3 NLT Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.

Proverbs 22:10 NLT Throw out the mocker, and fighting, quarrels, and insults will disappear.

Proverbs 22:24-25 NLT Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

Proverbs 26:17 NLT Yanking a dog’s ears is as foolish as interfering in someone else’s argument.

Proverbs 26:21 NLT A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Clean up

The school year is about to start at the Sillin house.  The coursework has been planned, the pencils have been sharpened, the rubbery smell of new erasers and the crisp white sheets of fresh notebook paper await our arrival at the first day of school.  But something else has to happen before we can get started.  Call me old fashioned but late every summer, we spend about a week cleaning out the house.  Call it the last step before a fresh start. While the work is hard, the payoff is substantial.  I need to know that my house is in order before I can move into the next season. 


Tonight I, with my three helpers, cleaned out my two youngest children's room.  When I started I really didn't think it was that messy but in the process of cleaning we discovered:

57 assorted pens/pencils/markers/other writing utensils
25 batteries of various sizes (watch all the way to D cell)
2 bags of trash and a dresser that could no longer be justified as use able
1 basket of clothing that doesn't fit anyone
6 pairs of shoes (and a pair of cleats) that do not fit anyone
18 books
1 bag of goodwill toys
9 large toys that still have all their parts, but no one plays with any longer that I am permitted to sell.

Amazing how there IS room in there for them and ALL of their belongings
My youngest son says to me "Wow mom, my room seems a lot bigger."  Ya think?!?! I can't believe they were living with all that clutter. 

But isn't this what we all do?  First one thing out of place and then another, and before you know it the whole place is cluttered up.  It didn't seem so bad at first, just a few things out of place, but before you know it, you're feeling awfully crowded.  I'm not talking about your desk, or your nightstand, or even the dreaded junk drawer (which I confess occasionally overflows onto the counter at my house!)  No,  I am talking about the heart. 

There was that one small thing out of place, maybe it was a goal that you never accomplished, or a letter never written, a thank you overlooked, or an apology overdue.  Somehow that little bit of something out of place, has a way of becoming a room full of clutter. 
We could all probably root out a couple of bags of trash and an old dresser if we tried hard enough!  And that is the point, isn't it?  Before moving into the next season, the old has to go to make room for the new.   The cobwebs of the heart, the clothing that is too small, that old pair of cleats, (and who needs 57 things to write with?!?!)  ALL of that has to be moved out, packed up, sold off, and sometimes put out to the curb, before life can resume. 

Lessons from cleaning the room?  It's hard work, and it took longer and was more laborious than I thought it would be.   It was made much easier by having some good helpers.  The time when we wanted to quit the most was about 20 minutes before we actually finished.  There were some surprises along the way, both good and bad. 

Mason said he would sleep better tonight in his clean room.  Wouldn't we all sleep better with a clean room?

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Go




I saw this today and I was surprised...and then I was not surprised. 

So many nice little sayings and thoughts are posted all over the Internet, and this one seems like such a good idea, but it isn't.

Frankly, this is one of those things that seems good, but is really evil.  Think about this practically...I would like to tell you a story.

Kasandra is on Facebook, one of her friends posts this pic to their status and she sees it in her feed.
As soon as she sees it, her friend, well sort of friend, DeJa, comes to mind.
Several weeks ago Kasandra had a falling out with her friend DeJa.  At first she thought it would blow over, but something has changed and every time she sees DeJa at her church or home group she feels an uncomfortable tension.  Kasandra has thought about talking to DeJa, but she has heard some gossip about DeJa and feels like the relationship may be too hard to fix right now. She thinks about DeJa, the woman who she used to be close to, and the strife between them.  Kassandra starts to feel angry at DeJa all over again. While Kassandra sits at home she begins to rehash the incident with DeJa in her mind over and over again.  The more she thinks on this, the angrier she becomes.  Then, with a great effot, Kassandra prays for DeJa.  She prays God will help straiten DeJa out, she may not even be a Christian if she acts like that! and she prays that God will reveal to others in their circle the truth (or the truth according to Kassandra - that she was right and DeJa was wrong!)  She prays God will show DeJa her error, and help DeJa to be a better person in the future.
Kassandra clicks the 'like' button and moves on, feeling better about herself, confident she has just done DeJa a great favor by praying for her.

Please don' be Kassandra.

Instead pray Psalms 139: 23 - 24
Search me, God, and know my heart;  test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Humble yourself.  Romans 15:1-3 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

Call the person and eat some crow, apologize, mend fences.  Ephesians 4:1-3
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Take an eternal perspective - Will it really matter in Heaven? 

Matthew 5:22-24
"But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Save money Eat organic part 1

So, a few of you have asked me how it is we can afford to eat organic, and how we got started on this crazy kick, and if I have really noticed any difference - so I thought I would blog about how we have SAVED money by eating organic foods, and with three growing boys - we need to make our food dollars stretch farther than ever!

For dinner tonight we are having chicken nuggets =)  YUM!  I can buy a bag of chicken nuggets, ready made, processed garbage, for about $13.00 - this would be the big 60-70, 67oz  nugget bag.  OR

I can buy a bag of organic flour, organic butter, and antibiotic/hormone free chicken tenders.
The flour, which I will also use for a thousand other things, costs $4 for a 5 pound bag, and the chicken $5.79 a pound, and organic butter - $3 per pound, I use about 2 tbsp.  

Their cost  = $13.00
My cost = $ 0.40 for the flour, $0.20 for the butter,  and 11.58 for the chicken (2 lbs) TOTAL - $12.19- it was actually cheaper for my family to eat organic!

Now, you are probably thinking - the big nugget bag was 67oz and she only made 32 oz ?? How does that work out to savings? 

It works out in 2 ways
First - for some odd reason, I can make 60 good sized nuggets from 2 lbs of chicken, without it weighing 67 oz - and my kids are full. 

Second - my kids are full!  The other nuggets are gone in 30 seconds and then the kids are begging for more food - you just ate 15 chicken nuggets, how can you be hungry??? 

The answer to this conundrum is simple - my nuggets have a very light coating of flour, they are not fried in grease, they are baked in the oven, they are juicy, and all chicken.  The other nuggets are pressed into a roundish shape by a machine, they were precooked shredded chicken, combined with corn, flour, and other fillers to make the chicken go farther, then pressed into a shape, covered in more bread, and fried.  One meal is mostly fried bread, the other is mostly baked chicken. 

popcornchickensm.jpg VS.

How to save by eating organic tip #1 - Buying organic usually means you have to buy the ingredients to make dinner - there really aren't a whole lot of prepackaged, ready made foods that are organic - this method of cooking lends itself to being much less expensive than buying prefab food.

This inevitably leads to the 'but I don't have time to make everything from scratch' statement.  Well, I can't blog about everything - but I have a fellow blogger who is doing some experiements in this area - like timing herself making brownies from a box vs brownies from scratch - and SHE can make them both in almost the same amount of time =)  Here is her blog, she is also a wonderful resource for recipes.
 http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/the-brownie-experiment-which-takes-longer-to-make-boxed-or-homemade
Happy Shopping and Cooking =)
Amanda

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Yummy and organic chicken pot pie

People think organic food either tastes like cardboard, or is so difficult and expensive to make that it isn't worth the work. 
Well, people think a lot of things, don't they!

This is a new venture for me - I don't think I have ever posted a recipe on my blog before - but here goes.  There is one thing about organic from scratch that is different than other cooking from scratch - recipes often have interchangable ingredients.  This means you could use ingredient A, or B, or C (not all 3!)  and it is up to you to make it, decide if you like it, tinker with it if you want, and make it again =) When there are alternatives I will mark my choice with stars ****, but still list the other choices. 

Organic Chicken Pot Pie  (feeds 5 at my house  - I think you could probably feed 6-8 if you didn't have 3 growing boys in your house!)

Crust (takes about 15 minutes - this makes 2)
2 Cups organic whole wheat flour
2/3 cup**organic butter**, OR organic non-hydrogenated coconut oil, OR spectrum shortening (made from palm oil)
1tsp sea salt
up to 6 tbsp water - LESS IS MORE =) 

Combine salt and flour, cut in butter with a pastry mixer, until pea sized.  Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl ( until the crust sticks together somewhat, but is flakey. Don't add too much water or your crust will taste like rubber)
With your hands, gather pastry into a ball, divide in to 2 parts.  Work with each half on a floured surface, rolling each into a large circle with 1/4 inch thickeness.  Slide one into 9" pie pan - crust should over lap the sides of the pan - and prick profusely with a fork
Set the other crust aside for now.

Insides (takes about 15 minutes)
1/2 lb chopped organic baby carrots
4 ribs chopped organic celery
1/2 a package of Cascadia Farms organic peas thawed and as dry as possible
1/2 a package of Cascadia Farms organic corn thawed and as dry as possible
1/2 a package of Cascadia Farms organic green beans thawed and as dry as possible
(Any of these items can be ommited - just make up the volume with veggies you like, you could also use fresh veggies from your garden, or home canned veggies, or rehydrated veggies)
1 pound of chicken, cut into bite sized peices
1/2 - 1 cup organic whole wheat flour
3 tbsp organic butter
3/4 cup organic/raw milk

1. Brown chicken chunks in a  large skillet (mine is about 14" around and 2 1/2" high)  do not over cook, simply cook until there is no more pink. 
2.  Once chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan, but do not wash pan or drain chicken, keep any juices.
3.   In the same pan add butter and milk and allow to simmer, whisk in flour 1tbsp at a time until a THICK gravy forms.
4. Add chicken and veggies to the large skillet, stir until evenly mixed
5. Dump contents of skillet into pie crust in pie pan
6.  Cover with the other 1/2 of your pie crust.
7. Crimp edges of bottom and top crust together. 
8. poke several holes in the top crust with a fork.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes - until crust is golden brown







Sunday, May 27, 2012

The cure for the insecure

In my last post I explained a little bit about a bible study I am doing on relationships.  I emailed 10 people personally - so far I have gotten 4 responses, 4 promises to respond, and 2 non - responses.
I have had some great encouragements, a few surprises, and yes, even a thing or two that hurt my pride.

Everyone is insecure about something. One reason why a few people may not have responded to my request is because they KNOW that I have some insecurities, or because they themselves are insecure. They know that whatever they say it will be filtered through all of those insecurities and could possibly cause an issue in our relationship, OR because they are insecure, they are afraid of rejection.

What is it like to be around an insecure person? An insecure leader is impossible to follow - they are blown about by every wind.  An insecure spouse is difficult to love - you feel like you are always walking on egg shells, you never know what you will say that will set them off, cause a fight, and nothing you do is ever good enough to prove your love. An insecure friend is draining - they are always worried about what others think, they call constantly, they gossip, they cry, they manipulate. And the way we know all that is because we ALL know some insecure people.
We all struggle with insecurity.

Look at the Barbara Walters show - about three fourths of the way through the show the guests always start crying, why? They have everything! These are the rich, the powerful, the amazingly beautiful or successful - so what on earth are they crying about? They are insecure.   Insecurity is one of the biggest influences on that climate. Throughout life we have failures and difficult experiences, and we hear negative comments from people who are important to us. They stick to us - comments, failures, success, everyday things, these things feed our insecurities until it feel like we are carrying the world on our shoulders!  Everything someone says to us, everything they do, the look they have on their face, the way they fold their arms - we start to see all of this through the lens of our own insecurities.  So how do we deal with this?

Take a look at Paul.

Phil 3:3-14

3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!   12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Boast about nothing else but the label that God has given us. 
Paul lists a list of labels that in our culture would be like saying I have millions in the bank, I have super model looks, a big beautiful house, a shiny Lamborghini -and whatever were gains to me I consider a loss - I consider all these things garbage - that I may gain Christ - this is the only label that I want.  

What labels do I want? Do I want the label super mom? or better yet super homeschooling mom?
Do I want the label of popular? the label of successful? the label of beautiful? the label of nice house, nice things, nice cars? Do I want the labels of perfect kids? Perfect husband? Perfect marriage?

Would I lay down all of these to gain the label of   'This belongs to Christ' ?

The kicker is I don't even have those labels - the things that I so desperately seek - the things that I want to be seen as above all else, I can never fully achieve. Only with the label of 'Christ's' do I even come close.

Paul really puts the cherry on top when he says:  Phil 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'

We love this verse, everybody loves this verse. We all love the first part - but it is really the second part where the power is - through Christ.

God sees us through Christ.

At the heart of insecurity is the FEAR of rejection - God has not given me a spirit of FEAR - I need to reject those fearful thoughts at the door!

Acceptance is the cure for insecurity. God has accepted me and given me his spirit. God unconditionally loves me. He accepts me. Through Christ I have been accepted. When you see yourself the way that God sees you - it changes all the insecurities that you have - they go away.

The climate of your relationships improve when you see yourself as God sees you. Seeing yourself as God sees you gives you strength to do whatever it is that you need to do. God accepts you. God accepts you. God accepts you.
God sees you and he accepts you just as you are. He doesn't just accept you - GOD LOVES YOU.

Whose acceptance are you trying to achieve with all the labels that you seek? Because God doesn't see you through the lens of the world, the standard of beauty, the standard of living, the standard of (fill in your own blank here) God sees you THROUGH CHRIST.

Seeking after all these other labels - means we give our time, our energy, the best parts of ourselves seeking to find peace with our idols. This is wreaking your health, your family, and we are trying to earn other peoples acceptance, and not living in the acceptance of God.

James 1:8 says " A double minded man is unstable in all his ways"

A double minded man - The word here used, δίψυχος dipsuchos occurs only here and in James 4:8. It means, properly, one who has two souls; then one who is wavering or inconstant. It is applicable to a man who has no settled principles; who is controlled by passion; who is influenced by popular feeling; who is now inclined to one opinion or course of conduct, and now to another. (Barnes Bible Commentary)

What labels has the world given you? What labels has God given you? Of these two, which one do you want to live with? Do you want to live with the labels of the world? If so keep seeking them, keep foolishly following after the things you will never gain. Or you could take a rest. You could rest in the labels that your Heavenly Father gives you. Rest and live in peace and the assurance of God's love and acceptance for you.

  1. What's something you're really good at? Do you do it because you love it or because it wins you acceptance from others?
  2. What is the one thing you'd most like to change about your emotional climate? Why?
  3. Why is it difficult for us to believe that God accepts us?
  4. How would your relationships change if you stopped seeking the acceptance of others because you knew you already had God's acceptance?

We work for acceptance, yet we already have the acceptance of the one who matters most: God. The climate of your relationships will change when you see you as God sees you.

Write down the words of one of the scriptures below and carry them around with you this week. Use them to help you remember whose acceptance matters most.

I can do all this through CHRIST who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
 James 1:8

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

James 4:8

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Climate Change - it's not what you think =)

A Bible study that I am doing has some homework this week

The homework is simple: Ask 10 Christian friends, whose opinion you respect -

"What it is like to be in a relationship with me?"

The second part of the homework is this no matter what they say - I can not get angry or upset about it.  The information as they present it will be neutral to my life.  What I do with that information will be the positive or the negative.

Some of the people I am asking I have known a long time, some not so long, some are my friends, some I work with (ie home school stuff) some are my family.   Some,  I am not really sure I want to know their answer. I know that there will be things people say that will encourage me, that will surprise me, and even that might hurt my pride. 

I can not stress enough how much I really did not want to ask!!!
  It would be much easier to just say, 'Everything is fine, of course!' But that is like using your credit card and never opening the statement but telling yourself, "Everything is fine, of course!"  Saying it doesn't make it true!
  We would look at the person who never opens their credit card statements as a complete fool, immature, incapable of being a responsible person.  But in light of eternity, how important is it that you open your credit card statements vs. say, opening your relationship statements?  Is Jesus in heaven running a credit check?  Is he running a relationship check?  Ouch!

It takes a lot to ask this question.  Why is it so important?  A friend of ours used to say 'We see ourselves in light of our intentions.  We see others in light of their actions.'  How true this is, and furthermore, others see us in light of our actions.  Our perception of ourselves can be very different than the perception that other have of us. 

Now I am certainly not saying that we should throw ourselves on the alter of perceptions, worship the polls of public opinion and mold ourselves into a more pleasing likeness of who knows what to make the people in our lives happy.  BUT if I can ask people whose opinion I highly respect, and seek guidance from other believers, then I am not molding myself into some worldly creation - but rather using their wisdom and insight to mold myself into a closer representation of Christ, while working on improving something that Christ highly values, relationships =) 

Christ doesn't just value His relationship with me, but also my relationships with others.  Over and over again Christ tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to encourage other believes to good works.  The premise of this study is Climate.  Every relationship, every interaction with others, has a climate, and is that climate a warm sunny blessing, or a dark dreary curse?  I desire that my life be a blessing to those around me, so I had better open up those relationship statements do the relationship checks that keep me, and everyone around me, healthy and happy.



  Thank you for helping me with my homework =)

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Best Sermon Series EVER - part 2

Best Sermon Series - I had a blog post about a year or so ago about my all time favorite sermon series.  It was absolutely clear, God inspired, and amazing. Here is the link to my post http://sillinfam.blogspot.com/2010/05/blog-post.html

Unfortunately, the Pastor who preached this series no longer works at the church where he preached it - and as such they have removed ALL of his sermons. 
Anyhow, it seems God's spirit will not be quenched  so another pastor is preaching a very similar series RIGHT NOW =)

His series is entitled 'Christian:It's not what you think!' and if you call yourself a Christian, a Christ Follower, a Disciple of Christ - or if you don't care one fig - take the time to listen to what he has to say - it will rock your world!

The Pastor's name is Andy Stanley and he is pastor of North Point Community Church in
Alpharetta, GA.

Here is the link - there are 8 parts so you can click through them once you follow it =)

#1 - Brand Recognition http://www.northpoint.org/messages/christian
#2 - Quitters
#3 - Insiders Outsiders
#4 - Showing Up
#5 - When Gracie met Truthy
#6 - Angry Birds
#7 - Loopholes
#8 - Working it out

Wellspring

I have to admit that the past year has been quite the blur!  When I think about it, I can't remember a lot of the specifics, just generally running around!

We are do-ers.  We like to be busy, we like to be active.  The kids play sports, Drason and I volunteer, and the time flies away!

As this past January rolled around, we were exhausted, and very much in need of some family time.  February came and even though Drason was still job hunting, we were able to take a much needed family vacation!  The week we spent in DC went WAY too fast, but it gave us time to renew our spirits together, to draw closer to each other, and to draw closer to God. Sometimes it takes stepping away from the din of every day life to hear that still small voice calling to us.....

....look how big your kids are getting, they are growing into young men
....your family likes having your attention, they need it even
....remember what it was like to be responsible for this family first, and others families second

As the months rolled on, more and more I became convinced that maybe it wasn't healthy to always be on call, to be a go to person, or at least not to be that way for a long period of time.
 It also occurred that we had allowed some unhealthy thinking to wiggle into our lives.  Thoughts like, 'I am personally responsible for every one's happiness, every one's ability to get along, every one's attitudes and actions.'  How easy it is to get sucked into this kind of thinking, which leads to wanting to control, wanting to 'fix' and wanting to 'help'.  Both Drason and I began to consider these things, and prayerfully consider where we could help, how we were spending our time, and where our time was best spent in service to God and to each other!

Just by chance a good friend of mine hosted a Bible Study about healthy ways of thinking, and I somehow found the time to go (or perhaps it was by Design? =)   As we worked through the weekly assignments this winter and spring, I began to see and hear what she, and others were saying!  "Do you really need to be involved in everything?"  I heard her ask one evening.   Ouch, that stung! I have to admit I left in a huff that night, but during the week her words kept coming back to me over and over again.  Every good reason I had, every logical choice, crumbled under the words she had spoken and caused me to look at whether or not I felt I did need to always be the go to person, or did I have worth beyond what I could do for others? I thought so, my friend thought so, would other people think so?

This was a hard thing to grasp.  I am certainly not suggesting that we all live as moochers for our entire lives, and let others take care of us while demanding their affections.  But sometimes it is enough to do your best, play your part, and then step aside so that others may play theirs.  It is only pride and fear that keep us center stage.  Either the belief that only we could ever do a job well, or the belief that if we stop, no one will ever start up again, that strokes the ego and makes the heart haughty.  Combine those dysfunctional thoughts with fear, 'Will people judge me if I stop?' or 'Will all this work mean nothing?' and you get a fearful temperament to boot! 

Fear and pride, twin roaring lions at the door of my thought closet, (their group also occasionally hosts anger and self doubt), roar day and night.  And when surrounded by the business of life, these messages can be convincing and terrifying.

Again and again I have to come back to some key verses to tame these lions.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14

Stop those thoughts in their tracks and rely on my Father for my provision, my strength and my salvation.

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Teach my thoughts to obey! Deny access to accusations, fear, pride, doubt, and focus instead on some of the promises of scripture.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2Tim1:7
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:38-39

My own personal KO for those roaring doubts and roaring fears?  Substituting Me and I in a scripture promise, what a difference it makes : Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? My own master will judge whether I stand or fall. And with the Lord's help, I will stand and receive His approval. Romans 14:4

Why are these things important?  Why is it so important to guard the door of your heart and mind and extinguish the fiery darts of the devil before they can take over? 

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
My heart is the wellspring of my life.  Another versions says: Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.  And yet another version Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

My heart (my thoughts, feelings, emotions, longings, desires, dreams, ambitions, priorities and responsibilities) determine the course of, and the issues of, and the sustaining power of, my life. 
That is so important to realize!  It sounds so simple, but oh! how often I forget. 

As summer comes, I am finally stepping away from a few things.  Countless hours have been spent in prayer over these decisions, and peace, assurance and relief come mixed with renewed vigor for the callings my Father has placed in my life.  There is more time for family dinners, and baseball games, and gardening and simply living life!

Knowing these decisions have been bathed in prayer allows me to be confident and more committed to my family and to places where God has given me permission to serve, and clarity in all matters. 

From the heart flows the wellspring of life.  Amen!

ps - ELCC is one of those special areas where God has given us permission to go all out!  Love lavishly, serve selflessly, and be ridiculously real =)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Hunger Games

I have a good friend who went to Kenya with me a few years ago - she was so dedicated that she learned to speak Swahili. We went to Kenya and she could communicate with the locals - I stood there feeling mostly foolish, asking for someone to communicate for me!
How do you reach the lost and the dying if you can't even speak their language?

She could sing their songs,she understood when they said they were happy, or sad, or hurting.  She is such a good communicator that she was able to get beyond the words they were saying and understand the meaning - the cries of the heart, so to speak. 

She pointed out to me when the lady we were staying with was upset about something, but Toni had heard not only what she said, but how she said it.  She was able to communicate so much more that I could. I wished I could go back in time and force myself, push myself beyond what was comfortable and learn Swahili, but it was too late. 

Now I see a similar thing happening all around me, I don't know when so many of my brothers and sisters began chanting, "Close yourself off from the world"  but this isn't what the Bible teaches. 
Paul said he became all things to all men so that he might win a few.  On a roof top, the Lord told Paul to eat what was 'unclean' because God was able to redeem it - God cleansed it so that Paul could do his job, winning others to Christ!

I recently read the Hunger Games books, and my breath was literally taken away by the depth of hopelessness experienced by the characters.  The torment of war is one thing, but the hopelessness of the plight of the people was so terrible that I could not imagine living in a world like that.  But when I read, I read with my filter in place, I don't shut off my brain and ingest entertainment.  And so as I read those pages, something occurred to me,  I don't live in a world like that, and I never will.  I don't mean that my family will never be destroyed by war, or that my life will always be happy and easy and comfortable - in fact I mean just the opposite.  I expect life to not be comfortable, I expect life to be difficult to deal with and I struggle to understand the haves and have nots - but I am never hopeless.  I have Christ - He is my eternal hope.

Here is my filter:
 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:38-39 NIV

A friend commented that his daughter read these same books in the public school at 15 or 16 - and I thought to myself - I wonder what kind of weirdo spin they put on these, because they certainly didn't teach a Christian world view.  How do public school educators teach hope in a hopeless world?

I started looking online and here are some 'teaching tips' that I found:
Explore humane vs inhumane treatment.  Evolution leads to globalization and interdependence,  in order for our species to survive. Any group that thinks they should be free from a global system is the cause of division, strife.  Close minded teachings and 'propoganda' of religious groups and specifically the Bible, are what leads to hate.

Talk about needing a filter! I pray that his daughter has a good one and that he read these books with her and explained them from a different perspective. 

 Several other friends said that Christians should limit the books they read, and that they should not read this book. Personally, for my family, I think this is a good thing to 'expose' my children to these kinds of books so that they will learn the differences between them and the world (and why those are important).  I also want them to learn how to be all things to all men, while they is still at home and can bounce those new ideas off mom and dad, and without losing sight of who they are and who they are in Christ. 

Does this mean that I think I should expose my children to all sorts of things?  Should I take them to a club and tell them to saddle up the bar so that they can be all things to all men?  Absolutely not!  Reading about depravity, and acting depraved are two completely different things!  It would be absurd to suggest that I take my children to a bar, or a strip club, or a war zone, for them to have a more complete understanding of the world.  Reading a book, with their parent, after the parent has screened the book, about these topics is a very safe and controllable way to educate my children, without exposing them.  Because they understand this is a book we are going to be discussing together, they tend to bring up the topics in this book for discussion, on their own.

 My oldest began talking to me about love  (he was literally holding the book in his hand when he brings this up) and how the characters in the book don't even understand it, much less have it. This is one of those mom moments when you hold your breath and pray!!  His heart was broken for them and he starts to talk about why they act so hopeless, why they don't care about other people.  This opened the door to conversations about what love really looks like, and why lots of people don't understand love as anything more than a physical attraction.  This leads to me being able to point out why he would want to marry a Christian girl because she will understand love the way he does, and not the way this book does (ie - love for self and survivalism)

This well written book also allows for a peek into the minds of the very lost.  Hopelessness in the face of everyday life - I can tell him, churches can preach it to him, but seeing this understanding bloom in him, on his own, through reading a fictional book - is an amazing thing. 

Some day someone will start talking about these books (or some other pop culture reference) and my children will have something substantive and relevant to add to that conversation.  They have the knowledge to share that allows the hope of Jesus Christ to bloom in someone's mind.
I am reminded that we are to be Be in the world and not of the world.  

And right here is where I and a lot of other Christian homeschooling families differ, I believe that you teach the same curriculum with a Christian world view.  My children can and will be able to explain evolution with the best of them - because how can they debunk it, if they don't understand it?

When we shelter our kids, and teach them the christianese that comes so easily to those who isolate themselves from the world, in direct conflict and disobedience to the Bible, and to the detriment of the image of Christianity all over the world, we raise a generation of children that can not speak their cultural language. 
 
So, how do you reach the lost and the dying if you can't even speak their language?
You don't.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Find your happy place

These past few weeks have been completely draining.  Physical illness and injury, combined with some troublesome relationships, constant car troubles, a FULL work load with many hats, a kid who is determined that he HATES math, and an ever growing stack of papers to grade..... I could go on.

I went to Bible study last night feeling completely drained, I needed to de-funk!  I had such a great time with that group of women.  They are so tuned in, God is using them to speak wisdom, healing, and health over my life and it feels wonderful!
Then today I learned that my Aunt had passed away last night.  Sometimes life feels like a roller coaster and all I can do is hang on. 

With so much going on it is hard to find time to be still.  But here is is 2am, and finally I feel still.  Be still and know that I am God.  Still.  still.

Someone asked me why I didn't sing anymore.  I told them I didn't know, it really puzzled me. IT wasn't that I didn't want to sing, I just didn't feel like I could.  Why?  It requires me to be still. If I can't be still I can't hear the music, I can't quiet my thoughts to really hear the music. I have to be still to sing. 

My happy place has always involved singing.  When I was little I would sing at the TOP of my lungs in our backyard.  I would swing on the swing set with my head thrown back, my eyes squeezed shut, and just SING.  I felt Him there, even then, such peace, such comfort, so still, so so still. 



Just listening to the music on my blog, (and adding a few accidental favorites) helped me tonight.  And thank you to my two dear friends who were so kind to intercede for me today.  I really needed that!!!

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy is unfailing
His arms, a fortress for the weak
Let faith arise
Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, you are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
That you are faithful God, forever


Be still
There is a river
That flows from Calvary's tree
A fountain
For the thirsty
Your grace that washes over me
Let faith arise
Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, you are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful God, forever.

I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, you are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful God, forever.

Let faith arise,
Let faith arise.
Open my eyes,
Open my eyes.


I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, you are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful God, forever.
Goodnight,
Amanda