Dead Fish Swimming

People have asked me repeatedly why this blog is called "dead fish swimming"

It is a long answer - so here goes nothing

About 2 years ago Randy Sparks, Ann Scarberry, Drason and I were discussing one of Noel's messages - it was a particularly good one, about going with God, and not always fighting for your own way.

At the time Drason and I had been struggling with the decision for me to quit my job, about our children being homeschooled or sent to private schools - and several other big decisions in our lives. As we stood there talking to friends I realized that the reason some of the decisions in my life were difficult to make had little to do with God's leading and more to do with me not really liking the direction He was going.

"Here is a trick question. Have you died yet? I am not talking about a near-death experience. I am talking about a theological statement made in the Bible and what it means. In short, if you are a Christian, you have died. Please consider the following Scriptures: "Now if we have died with Christ..." (Rom. 6:8); "If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world..." (Col. 2:20); "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3); "It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him" (2 Tim. 2:11).

Our death in Christ is a death to the old self, the old ways, the sinful life. It is a reality and a hope. It is truth as well as life. Jesus so completely represented us on the cross that, when He died, it is said that we died. This is why Paul says in Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry." You are to mentally reckon, intellectually acknowledge, meditate on, think in such a way as to consider yourselves dead to sin.

Of course, we Christians know that we struggle with sin, that it is not dead in us, that we fail, and continually come to the Lord Jesus and ask for forgiveness. We Christians know what we are inside. We know we are not perfect and that many of the thoughts of our mind would terribly embarrass and shame us if they were publicly spoken. Such is the reality of our fallen selves. Yet, we are to consider ourselves dead to sin. We are to think of ourselves as dead to sin.

The reason we can do this is because of Jesus and what He did on the cross. Only through Jesus can we be delivered from sin. Only through the shed blood of God the Son can our lives be made right before God the Father. The reality of the crucifixion and of Jesus' bearing our sins, all of them, in His body, is realized in the acknowledgement of our deadness to sin. This is an important truth that God wants us to understand. But, understanding it isn't enough. You must practice it. This does not mean, however, that you ignore your sins, or say you have none, or claim perfection. Rather, it is an admission that you are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus and that you are "in Christ" and reckoned as dead to sin because of Jesus. Your mind is an important battleground in the war of sanctification and it begins with your own death. If you are a Christian, then you have died to sin because of your relationship with Jesus. Therefore, consider yourselves dead to sin and alive in Christ. Turn from the deeds of the flesh and seek Jesus." (Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry)

And in the priceless words of Randy Sparks - "Even a dead fish can swim down stream"

That still makes me laugh!

Amanda

God answers prayers =]

There have been several things I have been praying about and today I looked back though and found some awesome things that God has done in answering our prayers. I am just going to list them here. If you have a prayer that has been answered - feel free to leave it as a comment and I will publish it.

• Mason's head looks healthy - he had a spot on his head for several months - it has finally cleared up =]
• Diane's surgery went well - we were very concerned about her going under anesthesia because of her health - but she was just fine!
• Aunt Alyce had her refrigerator and her well pump blow up on the same day - thank God she had both donated to her within about 24 hours - what would have cost thousands, only cost the gas to go pick things up.
• Alyce also had a sick pony whom she had to take to rodeo - the pony did just fine and is feeling much better now
• AND in all Alyce's and her families trips this summer - there have been no accidents and everyone has been safe - transporting horses is very dangerous - this is a major big deal that they have been protected!
• Some friends of ours were going through a rough time - it seems that God has worked in their lives to heal them - both physically and spiritually - and bring them closer together
• We have been and will continue to pray for a little girl whose eyes aren't so good - it seems her mother has to take her to the doctor fairly frequently - we asked about this a few weeks ago - and the mom said they have not had to go back to the doctor yet - so that is good - we will keep praying =]

There is more that I could put here - but some things are just personal, or maybe shouldn't be shared because we have not asked the person - but - if you have an answered prayer - feel free to leave it here.

Acts 2:46&47

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.