Pursuing Micah 6:8

Thought from Tina for Today

2010-02-01T06:59:00.001-08:00

The grace of God teaches us, by His Word and through His Spirit and brings truth that changes our hearts. Our hearts are transformed living in the light of His grace. We are the privileged recipients of His grace daily as we seek to walk humbly with Him, abiding and resting in His presence and Christ's finished work on the Cross. --Tina

A Place Called Grace

2009-12-29T23:57:00.001-08:00

I want to let you all know that I am starting a new blog and will no longer be posting on this one. The new blog is called A Place Called Grace and the link is www.aplacedcalledgrace.blogspot.com

I feel the Lord leading me to focus this blog on two specific things: God's unconditional LOVE and His GRACE. I am praying this new blog will be a place of comfort and rest for all who read it. I hope to be truly led by His Spirit on what I post each time, hopefully daily, and the posts will include a variety of things from book excerpts, famous quotes, verses and devotions, and thoughts written by me as well.

Please begin to follow my blog there, and I look forward to talking with you and for us to walk this journey of grace together!

Shalom and hope to see you at A Place Called Grace!

So Funny!

2009-12-15T11:46:00.001-08:00

Throw Everything Off and Run!

2009-11-30T10:07:00.000-08:00

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
-Hebrews 12:1

This passage in Hebrews 12 follows after what is known as the “hall of faith” chapter. In this chapter, many of the OT saints and NT saints are mentioned for their faith, as well as many down through the ages who remained unnamed. So many believers have gone before us to show us the way, to build up our most holy faith, to spur us on in our “good works” for Christ. How wonderful that our Father did not leave us to ourselves to live out this crucified life, but provided us with countless and myriads of faithful believers to whom we can look for encouragement and strength!

As I read this verse, many things strike me, the first being that we are “surrounded.” We are encompassed by a heavenly cheerleading section! They are thrusting us forward through their testimonies which still speak down through the centuries. I feel like David when he said that such things were simply to high and lofty for him to understand.

Paul is counseling us here. He is encouraging us to 1) throw off anything and everything that hinders us. What is it that hinders your walk with the Lord? Is there a relationship in your life that is causing you to be distracted from your devotion to God and His will for your life? Is there a career that is taking so much of your time that you cannot pursue Him as you want or need to?

Hindrances, as we see from this passage, are a separate issue that sins. Hindrances may not be sinful necessarily. They are just distractions, detours on the path God has already marked out for us. Isn’t it awesome and amazing that God has ALREADY marked out a path for our lives? I am reminded of a marathon or triatholon where the little flags or other markers show the runner the way to go. It has already been mapped out ahead of time. This is just like our path or journey with Him. He has it prepared! He has it marked out! Our part is to seek which path we are to take and simple follow it. Follow Him! He has already gone ahead of us and forged the way!

We are admonished to “throw off” hindrances and sins. This is a rather violent reaction. We cannot be passive about these things. We must actively seek to “throw” them off and out of our lives. Is there a wound you are carrying in your heart from your broken past? Is there a place so deep from childhood, a fear, an insecurity, a habit, that is so engrained that you cannot escape it? Do whatever is necessary for healing in this area. Seek wise and godly Christian counseling. Let the Lord shine His light of hope and love on whatever darkness you may have within. When it is exposed, that is half of the battle my dear friends!

Habitual sin is an area that will ensnare and entangle our lives so that we will not run the race we were destined for. Jesus came to set the captive free. He came to bring us liberty. True repentance of sin of any kind involves a turning away and a forsaking of that sin, whether it be pornography or other sexual addiction, gambling addiction, adultery or fornication, gluttony, lying, etc. We must confess these things kept in darkness to one another and to God. We must bring them into His light so He can then heal us.

It is painful to get UNsnared and Untangled sometimes. The thorns that have wrapped around us for years may prick, pull and rip at our flesh as we pull them off. The pain is real, but once we are free, we can run that race Unhindered and with a pure heart before God.

Be encouraged, my brothers and sisters. The race He has for you is not the RAT race of this world. It is not filled with heavy burdens which we put on ourselves. It is not filled with yokes of our own making. God's race involves divinely resting in His goodness, His love, His provision, His protection, and His grace. Although the path with God is not the "easy" road and it is true you will endure hardships and persecution, God's grace will be sufficient and your joy in Him will remain when you know that you are in His perfect will for your life.

You are not on your own! Don't believe the deist or agnostic lie of a far-away and distant God somewhere up in the sky who set the world in motion and left you to do it all. He is beside you and with you by the power of His Spirit every step! We also have a “great cloud” surrounding us and angels to minister to us as well. Accept it now by faith! Begin to walk by faith and take your place in Hebrews 11, in the hall of faith. Run your destined path for God and do all of His will!

Heavenly Father, I pray for all your people reading this today. I pray they will receive your wisdom and revelation from your Word for their lives. May we do as Paul admonished us to and be free to serve you and the world you love and died for. I love you, Lord Jesus, Amen.

What Do You Believe?

2009-11-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

Take a moment to watch this powerful video. It may provoke you to thought about your beliefs. It may stir your faith and encourage you. May the Spirit use this message in your life to bless you in whatever way you need.

More Thoughts on Self-Worth...

2009-11-22T14:51:00.000-08:00

So I am still thinking about where my value and identity as a woman truly comes from...and learning slowly that it is ONLY from God. My identity can only be found in Him, because anything else I build my value or self-worth upon is like the man who built his house upon the sand...and the rain came tumbling down...and his house went SPLAT!

We are so caught up in titles. Maybe it is a Western mindset, I'm not sure, but all I know is that my having an MA in English may sound really snazzy, but all it basically provides is a foot in the door to a job. That's all, because quite frankly, I remember next to zero of what I actually learned during that time. Instead of the MA in English, I should have probably received an MA in B.S.! That's basically what I did!

Now, am I saying that I am not grateful to have had the opportunity to obtain this degree? Not at all! I am very grateful, yet what I am saying is that the degree itself doesn't prove a thing about me or my value as a person at all. Some may say that indicates that I was a more driven or intellectual person, yet I beg to differ. I don't think I am alone in saying that I went BACK to school to earn another degree because I didn't know what else I wanted to do with my life. So, hey, I'll just go back to school some more and stay out of the real world!

Ha! I've got to laugh. I'm sorry, but it's true. I am not against obtaining degrees, please don't misunderstand me. But a degree doesn't give you any value in and of itself. Alone and apart from God's leading in that degree, it is vanity in a high form. So, let me say again, I am not against college degrees. As a matter of fact, I am thinking of pursuing some type of degree in Christian or biblical counseling at some point, But the difference is, this time I feel truly led by the Spirit to do this. This time I will hopefully know that my value or my worth, none of the above is based upon what I DO in my life. My value is intrinsic and comes from the fact that I am created by the LORD and made in His Image. ALL human life has value, regardless of how "productive" in the world's eyes it may be.

A pre-born baby certainly seems unproductive in the world's view, and totally helpless as well. Even a nuisance to a mother who doesn't want to be bothered. Yet, this life has intrinsic value apart from "what it does." There are people all over this world who can't read, can't write, don't work, don't even speak much, yet are they less valuable than anyone else? Are they less valuable than the doctor with the lengthy credentials or the entrepeneur who spends 80 hours a week working? Are they less valuable than the pastor with a divinity degree or the salesman with thousands of high-retail clients? My answer isn't hard to figure out!

Well, just more thoughts on this subject. Feel free to comment...

Thoughts on Self-Worth

2009-11-19T10:35:00.000-08:00

Having more random thoughts today...I guess I shouldn't say "random" as they are like ongoing thoughts that I am both praying and sorting out in my head. I am thinking that my blog is going to be a type of journal for me, so, if you care to know what goes on inside of my brain, just check back often. Although I will warn you, it isn't always going to be pretty! I am just feeling that I need a place to just express, ya know?

Today's thoughts are centering around self-worth, namely mine. Lately, I have been really restless. I've been trying to find a writing job online or something that I can do to earn some extra money and utilize my skills. I've also been considering online classes in counseling as well. Yet, it seems that today I find myself asking, "What is your motivation, Tina?" (Or, maybe this is really the Holy Spirit prompting me to ask this of myself.)

It seems that lately I am living with this sense of guilt over not having a "job" of some kind. Maybe it is because my sons are in school now and my daughter Ellie goes to preschool 3 days a week. Even this is a source of guilt for me, that my daughter is in preschool. I never thought I would send a child so young to preschool, especially since I am at home. But, in reality, my daughter begged to go and just assumed she would since her brothers do. She actually gets very upset on the days that she doesn't go! She wakes up in the morning ready to go somewhere, if not to school, then to the Y. She just enjoys it and is learning so much.

Yet, there is the condemning guilt that hangs over me sometimes. "You have no children at home with you, and you still don't work! You are useless." There is mixed with this guilt another accompanying guilt, and that is that I actually enjoy the alone time. Eeek! I said it. On the other hand, I truly think it is the peace that God has given me in knowing that my children are where they need to be at this time in our lives.

Honestly, my dream/desire is for our family to be in full-time ministry together; in the mission field in some fashion. I believe it would be ideal to work with my husband and for our children to be with us as well, working and serving the Lord by ministering to others. I wouldn't have a problem with homeschooling whatsoever if we did it as a family in that type of lifestyle. But, to homeschool with the sole responsibility being upon me just isn't feasible or ideal at all. Frankly, I don't even consider it extremely healthy for my children to homeschool in that fashion and our lifestyle at this time. I am just very grateful that we have been blessed to have the option of sending our children to a private Christian school, even though it is still not my ultimate dream or desire for us. I know it is where they need to be for the time, as they are thriving and growing both academically and spiritually as well.

I got off on a bit of a rabbit trail there, but back to self-worth and where it derives. I remember when I did homeschool, I could at least say "my job is that I am a homeschooling mom." In other words, "I pull my load. I don't waste my time. I'm with my children all day, etc." Likewise, when my children were little babies, I could say "I am a nursing mom. I stay-at-home with my babies, etc." I have realize that this gave me a sense of self-worth. I didn't know it, but I was deriving my value from what I did, not who I was or more importantly whose I was.

It happens so subtlely. You don't know you are doing it. I didn't know. As the famous song says, "I once was blind but now I see." I see it clearly, yet what am I to do about it? I guess that is where I'm at. I have nothing from which to derive my sense of value or self-worth. I'm not teaching my children academics. I'm not pursuing or working in a career. I have no babies to nurse. Yes, I'm still doing laundry, that never ending duldrum. Oh, and I'm still cleaning and Facebooking. Should I begin to derive my value from the quality of my blog posts now or the way in which I fold my towels? Professional towel-folder. Okay, I'm drifting again...

I am reminded of the scripture in which Jesus is teaching his disciples and basically telling them to let go of their pride and their man-made titles. He tells them to call no one rabbi or father on this earth. In a way, Jesus just wasn't into titles. I think probably our best title should be that of "child of God" or "disciple of Jesus." From this alone I must learn to derive my self-worth, my sense of value.

Could I go out and find a full-time job outside of the home? I guess so. Do I want to? No. If it was imperative for me to do that for financial reasons, then I certainly would, but that's not the case. Do I want serve and live for the Lord in a mighty way that touches many lives? Yes. But what is even more important is that I want to desire my relationship with my Lord and Savior more than all of that. I believe He must be teaching me to put all my faith and trust in Him, not in man or myself, or what I even do for Him for that matter. To not be concerned of my reputation or the way others may view me. Maybe I need to learn the value of just "being."

I certainly saw the value of just "being" when I was in Ethiopia. We met a handsome young man named Korsa who exemplifed the beauty of "just being." His duty was as a guard of the guesthouse we stayed in. He slept in a tiny room the size of a trailer closet with one little bed and a light bulb hanging from the ceiling, and all he did day after day was open the gate and close the gate for the cars to come in and out. But, the godliness of this fellow was radiant showing in his face at all times. The pure joy of the Lord oozed from every pore. It was supernatural shalom and peace to be with him. (Ah, thank you for this memory, Lord, of Korsa. Make me like him, Lord.)

Things that make me go "ummmm." Will continue later...please feel free to post any comments you might have, encouraging or not. I'd love some input...

Rambling Thoughts Today

2009-11-17T16:43:00.000-08:00

I've been pondering a thought today, and I want to write about it a little bit. The thought is mainly directed toward my fellow sisters in Christ, and it goes like this:

Submission to your husband doesn't get you off the hook from hearing from the Holy Spirit yourself.

Hmmm... Let's think about this thought for a minute. You might be asking, "What do you mean, Tina? I don't understand what you are saying here?" Well, let me explain a little bit more about my thought. And please, if you have any comments to share or thoughts, feel free to post a comment to me about this. I welcome your thoughts.

There seems to be an internal mentality or belief system in many Christian circles on the topic of submission which plays out in the woman's head something like this:

Husband: I want you to do such and such...

Wife: (smiling) Okay. (internal conversation: "I think this is the wrong approach and I have told him, but I need to submit to what he says regardless. Ultimately, he is the one who will stand before the Lord and be responsible for me and our children. It's not going to fall on me. It's not going to be my fault. My only duty as a wife is to submit to his authority as my husband. If I submit and just pray for him, God will work it all out without me having to stand for what I believe is right. Whew, that takes the pressure off of me!)

Can anyone out there in Netland identify with this, or am I the only one? Maybe I am the only one who has had this internal conversation and this belief, but I am highly doubtful of this. As a matter of fact, I had a close friend recently jokingly express this very thing to me. She basically said, "I have to admit, I have kind of liked the fact that I could pass the buck to my husband!"

The fact is Galatians 3:26-28:

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Let me make a statement here as well. Ladies, our husbands are not our saviors. They are not now, and they never will be. In the spirit, we are all the same in God's eyes. We can be every bit as gifted spiritually, and we can hear every bit as clearly what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. And the Holy Spirit's number one message to married women is not "submit to your husband!" The Holy Spirit's message to us is unique in each woman's life and in each individual circumstance or situation. The Holy Spirit is not limited to a box in the ways He chooses to speak to a person. That is legalism, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty! The only thing He will never do is to contradict the spirit of the law, God's revealed Word.

I know this is a somewhat deep and controversial subject, but just something that is rambling around in my head today. Inevitably, there will be some who might want to accuse me of rebellion against my husband or some other such thing, yet this is not my intention at all. I will state emphatically that I love and respect my husband and honor him as the one whom the Lord has chosen for me to share this life with. Yet, as the Holy Spirit leads, I believe we are to help our husbands in whatever way the Spirit leads us, and sometimes that is the way of choosing to follow the Spirit's lead over the husband's.

More to come later... Blessings!

Setting Our Love Upon Him

2009-11-13T09:29:00.001-08:00

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
--Psalm 91:14-16

What beautiful promises are contained in this passage of Psalm 91. This is one of my favorite Psalms in the Bible. As I was studying some of the Hebrew meanings contained in this scripture, I wanted to share them with you.

First, to set your love upon something means to "cling to" or "to desire" that thing. The Lord says that when we set our love upon HIM that he will deliver us. To deliver means to strengthen something or to pull out of something. To honor means to promote or favor or bestow glory upon someone. And to have long life means to "live forever."

Knowing the meaning of these words a little more deeply, how does this describe our lives with God? Have we truly "set our love" upon Jesus? Are we clinging to Him daily, desiring Him above all else in life? I think most of us could honestly say that we often fall short of this kind of love and devotion to our Creator. Frankly, we expect His deliverance, His help, and His benefits without fulling devoting our lives in every way and in every aspect to Him.

The truth is that God's love toward us is UNconditional, but His promises coming forth and being appropriated in our lives are based upon the choices we make while on this earth. They are CONditional. We can choose the way of agape love toward God and toward others, or we can choose our own way. When we walk our own way, we forfeit many of the promises that could have been ours in this life.

Have we truly "known his name?" Do we know the name of God for ouselves, in our own hearts, in our motivations? The meaning of "to know" describes an intimacy that is like what should be experienced within the marriage relationship, a sexual "knowing." Would this type of intimacy describe our relationship with the Messiah? Or would our relationship, our knowing, be more formal, as in an acquaintance or an employer/employee relationship?

Ah, that we would truly long for and desire and cling to our Lord and Savior above all other passions! He said in the first commandment that we are to have no other gods before Him; not the god of career, not the god of church ministry, not the god of materialism, not the god of a good reputation, not the god of living a moral life, not the god of temporal pleasures, not the god of man-made traditions, not the god of entertainment, not even the god of a good marriage and healthy children, but Him and Him alone! When we live in this way, the world at large will shun us, but the covenant promises that He has made to us will come forth and be manifested in our lives. We will shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life!

May you be blessed today as you read and meditate on Psalm 91. May we come before the King of Kings and say, "I choose to set my love upon you, my Master and my Lord! I choose to cling to YOU above all others and to follow your ways! Teach me to love you and walk in your paths, to call upon you daily, and to abide in you always, to forever life with you! Amen!"

Setting Healthy Boundaries

2009-11-12T11:52:00.001-08:00

I've been thinking about boundaries today, specifically boundaries within the marriage. First let me define boundaries.

"Boundaries are the personal property lines which define who we are, what we are responsible for, and where we have limits and limitations." (Boundaries in Marriage by Cloud and Townsend).

So often (and this has definitely been the case for me many times) we as believers have a very difficult time setting up boundaries, especially in our marriage for fear that we are being selfish, unloving, or unsubmissive. It tragically affects the most sincere, devout of Christians who earnestly desire to follow the Lord with their whole hearts. There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of Christian books which perpetuate this attitude that to set boundaries is to be rebellious or divisive in some way.

Yet, I am beginning to realize that healthy boundaries within all relationships is something that God himself put within us. His value for us is so great that He desperately wants us to value ourselves enough to have certain boundaries in place within our lives, yes, even within the marriage. The only boundary that we are never to set up is a boundary between us and the Holy Spirit. This boundary involves sin and will quench His Spirit within us. We belong to the Lord, therefore every part of our lives belongs to Him, and we should strive to follow Him with obedience and love in every way.

I came across these boundary myths and thought they were particularly well-written. I believe these are taken from the book "Boundaries Within Marriage" by Dr. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. I have not read this book yet, but it seems to me it is one that is going to make its way to my wish-list very soon. In today's post, I would like to include the first two myths of boundaries, and I will continue to post them in subsequent posts.

Common Boundary Myths

It should be now be understood that setting boundaries is important both for the development of individual persons and for growth in a relationship. Nevertheless, many Christians have severe difficulties with setting and maintaining boundaries, partially because they believe boundaries to be directed against all Christian values and partially because they are afraid of the consequences. Therefore we have to deal with some common myths about boundaries, that sound so true but nevertheless have little to do with reality.

Myth 1: If I set boundaries, I am being selfish.

This objection against setting boundaries is raised by Christians who fear being considered as self-centered, interested only in their own concerns and not those of others. They rightly point out that we are to be loving people, concerned for the welfare of others. In fact, the love for one another is the number one hallmark of Christians, as pointed out in the Bible over and over again (Matthew 19:19 & 22:19, Luke 10:27, John 13:35, Romans 13:10, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8). Don't boundaries turn us away from that ideal toward self-centeredness?

Quite the opposite is true. Appropriate boundaries actually make us able to care about others. In fact, people with highly developed limits are the most caring people in the world. How can this be?

Basically it is because they experience that their own needs are taken care of, so they have plenty of energy to care about others.

We all have needs, desires, and wishes. Selfishness only looks at our own wishes and desires, but not at what we really need. As a consequence, we lose balance and our focus on healthy goals and our responsibility to love others. For instance, some may desperately need help with the fact that they are terrible listeners or that they cannot share their possessions. But they may not desire this. God is much more interested in meeting our needs than granting all our wishes.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

That doesn't mean our wishes are ``all bad''. God will meet many of them but they are certainly less important.

Nevertheless, although God takes care of our need, he expects our participation. It is our responsibility to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7), before we can receive, find, and get doors opened. There will be little spiritual and emotional growth if we do not bring our needs before God and do everything we can to get these needs fulfilled. Taking care of our own life is stewardship, not selfishness, because because we properly manage this precious gift from God instead of neglecting it due to a lack of boundaries.

Myth 2: Boundaries are a sign of disobedience and unsubmissiveness.

Quite a few Christians fear that setting and keeping limits is a signal of rebellion and disobedience. They believe that saying no to something good is an expression of an unresponsive heart, so they participate in almost every Church activity that comes along. But in fact, doing so has no genuine spiritual or emotional value. If we don't give freely and cheerfully but rather out of a sense of duty, our heart is not in it and this is not what God wants (recall 2. Corinthians 9:7).

What do we achieve with complying outwardly while becoming resentful on the inside? What is the value of a half-hearted yes where we would love to say no but are afraid to do so? God is much more concerned with our heart than with our outward compliance.

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6)

Outwardly saying yes when we really mean no is the same as lying. There will be no blessing on what we do then, because we do it half-hearted anyway. It is better not to do it at all.

Can boundaries be a sign of disobedience? They sure are, if we say no to good things for wrong and selfish reasons, and therefore we should always check our motives for saying no. But a lack of boundaries is even worse, because it leads to dishonesty and resentment and ultimately to disobedience and rebellion.

http://www.cs.cornell.edu/Info/People/kreitz/Christian/Boundaries/all.html

Rest for the People of God

2009-11-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:9-10

by me, Tina...

A year or so ago, my husband and I were led by the Spirit to begin incorporating a Shabbat or sabbath night into our lives. We incorporated this night beginning Friday evening and continuing through Saturday night. This has been a special night to us which includes a special meal together by candlelight, songs and music together, praying and reading the Scriptures, watching a movie either together or the children by themselves, often friends coming over for prayer and fellowship. This has been a very special time of "rest" for us after a long week. We love to guard our time in this night, as it is very dear to us.

While studying Hebrews 4 tonight, Nami and I began to learn even more about the true rest that Jesus brings in our lives. The word rest in the Greek means to "repose" or lie down. I believe the rest which is described in these passages involves more than a physical lying down of our bodies, but a spiritual lying down as well. The rest we have been given as believers in Christ is a rest that is continual, it is a state of "being at rest." We are not striving or working our way unto salvation; we are resting in that salvation, the finished work of Christ.

Regardless of the circumstances, there is a rest for us who believe, for us who are His children. In addition to the blessing of a day of physical and spiritual resting that the Lord provides for us, there is that shalom, that peace that passes understanding that we can have as we learn to rely upon and be led by His Holy Spirit. We are like a painting I once saw of a little bird in a nest amidst a great tempest whirling all around. Yet, the bird was snug in its nest, fast asleep.

This rest also reminds me of Jesus sleeping on the boat in the midst of a great storm at sea when all of His disciples were thrashing about, fearful and angry that Jesus was sleeping. How could He sleep, or "rest" at a time like this?! It was so unordinary, so unnatural, that they couldn't comprehend it. The same goes for us.

There have been times lately when I should have been upset. Yes, really, I could have easily been angry, upset, or fretful. But what happened instead? I had such a peace and "rest" within me that I could not even force myself to be angry! It is so amazing when this happens that it can only be the "rest of God" that is at work! It is so supernatural.

The good news is that we can walk in this rest every moment of every day as we surrender to Him and abide in Him. I firmly believe this. We don't have to wait for a certain day to be at rest, whether it be Friday, Saturday or Sunday. We don't have to fret, worry or stress the week away and then come to the end and say "Whew, now I can rest!" No! We can rest in Him now. Rest in His love. Rest in His goodness. Rest in His protection and provision. Don't try to work for His love. That is legalism. Obey Him out of love for Him, out of a heart truly at rest, not out of compulsion or some other motivation. He loves a cheerful giver! A cheerful giver who is at REST in HIM!

Cease from your own works. Cease from doing good deeds out of the flesh. Learn to rest in Him alone and wait upon Him. Labor in the word of God to be closer in fellowship to Him. This is the only labor that is fruitful for learning to rest in Him, following the Spirit and the Word.

Ah, Lord, teach me to find my rest in you alone, in your atonement for me, in your love for me. Help me to trust you enough to rest that your grace is sufficient for me in all things and at all times. Amen.

Togetherness of the Church

2009-11-01T18:38:00.000-08:00

Thought-provoking statement for us today...

Edward Schweizer, in his description of early Christian worship, writes:

The togetherness of the church and its services is not that of a theater audience, where one or several paid actors act on the stage while everybody else is looking on. Each one takes part with his special gift ... . the body of Christ is not a body of soldiers in which one sees at best the neck of the preceding man ... it is a body consisting of members living in their mutual addressing, asking, challenging, comforting, sharing of Christ and His gifts ("The Service of Worship," Neotestamentica [Zwingli: Zurich, 1963] pp. 335-336).

More Thoughts on Absolute Surrender

2009-10-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

Oh, how true these statement are! That we could receive this truth deep within our hearts. Lord, make this truth come alive in my heart! May we seek you and Your divine will above our own!

In Absolute Surrender, Murray writes:

Oh, we find the Christian life so difficult because we seek God's blessing while we live in our own will. We desire to live the Christian life according to our own liking. We make our own plans and choose our own work. Then, we ask the Lord Jesus to come in and make sure that sin will not conquer us too much, and that we will not go too far wrong. We ask Him to come in and give us so much of His blessing.

But our relationship to Jesus ought to be such that we are entirely at His disposal. Every day we are to come to Him humbly and straightforwardly and say: "Lord, is there anything in me that is not according to Your will, that hs not be ordered by You, or that is not entirely given up to You?"

Oh, how if we could wait patiently, I tell you what the result would be. A relationship between us and Christ would spring up. It would be so close and so tender that afterward we would be amazed at how we formerly could have lived with the idea: "I am surrendered to Christ." We would feel how distant our fellowship with Him had previously been. We would understand that He can, and does indeed, come and take actual possession of us, and give us unbroken fellowship all day. The branch calls us to absolute surrender.

Get Yourself Some Haverim

2009-10-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

I want to share some interesting insights from a book I am currently reading: Sitting At The Feet of Rabbi Jesus by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg. Learning these things is so exciting and liberating to me, that I just can't keep it to myself. I hope this enlightens you as well. I will begin with the definition of a haver or haverah in the Hebrew.

Haver, Haverah -- a haver (plural, haverim) is a male student who partners with another student to enhance learning. Together, haverim study and discuss the religious texts. A female study partner is a haverah (plural, haverot).

As critical as it was to study with a rabbi, it was considered essential to have one or two people who could learn right along with you. Fellow students could ask each other questions that they might be too embarrassed to ask their teachers. Also, partners could learn from each other.

Was Jesus aware of this approach to studying Scripture? Consider the words of the early rabbis, who said: "When two sit together and exchange words of Torah, then the Divine Presence dwells among them." Now listen to the words of Jesus: "Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20). You can hardly miss the similarity. Like other Jewish teachers of his time, Jesus affirmed his followers' need for community.

Our Westernized minds may struggle with this idea. We tend to believe the only way to deeply encounter God is through solitary prayer and study. But Jesus implies that his presence will be felt most often in the presence of a small group of haverim.

Also, it's impossible to be a good haver if you hold onto an extreme sense of privacy about spiritual matters. Plenty of study groups never move beyond superficial, impersonal conversation. Haverim need to learn to trust one another, openly expressing their thoughts and feelings, confident that what is shared within the group will not go beyond the group. They must also learn the art of respectful disagreement, challenging each other when necessary. Remember, debate was a normal part of the life of disciples, an essential way to learn.

Becoming each other's haverim is an effective way to fulfill Jesus' command to raise up disciples. Rather than viewing ourselves as the "rabbi" and others as our "disciples," becoming haverim allows us to take on the role of "co-disciples." We can help others grow by learning right alongside them.

(Tip from the end of the chapter)

If you don't yet have a study partner, a haver, ask God to send you one. Perhaps your spouse can be your haver or haverah. Whether you are single or married, look for another person in your neighborhood, your church, your workplace, or among your circle of friends who shares your interest in Scripture. Make sure you haver is someone capable of challenging you to go deeper rather than someone who will simply agree with everything you say. Remember, debate is a helpful method for learning.

Who's Leading?

2009-10-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

So many things are swirling through my head these days. Where to begin? Well, the Spirit is definitely showing me that He is my all-in-all on this earth. He is the one whom I must seek first in all areas of life. Why must I view the Holy Spirit in this way? Explore this with me…

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:14)

This is a “wow” statement to me. The Word tells me that I must be “led” by the Holy Spirit. So who am I to follow first, man or the Spirit? I believe we must first follow the Holy Spirit in our personal lives in all things. He is the one who is called to lead us, and we are individually chosen to follow His leading.

Would the Holy Spirit ever lead us in a direction that the “group” or the “body” or the “shepherd” in our lives is not leading us? Would the Spirit of God ever tell a person to follow Him over his “appointed leader” or would God’s Spirit always coincide with the thoughts, wishes, and goals of your particular pastor? Is the Spirit bound or confined to work only within the confines of man’s delegated authority or does the Bible say that we can hear the Holy Spirit directly for ourselves?

The Holy Spirit’s direction would never veer us away from God’s Word and what it teaches. Never. Yet, 2 Corinthians 3:17 says:

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

In Romans 14, Paul reiterates the liberty that we have as believers to follow the Spirit in all things as He leads us. We are to have grace for one another’s preferences and understanding of it, without judging each other over those particular viewpoints. What the Spirit is leading me to do may not necessarily be the exact way He is leading someone else in their life at that moment. Not a problem for the Lord! Only a problem for us humans who like everyone to conform to our personal convictions and standards.

I am learning so much about the liberty and the freedom we truly have in Jesus. I believe so many of us have barely tasted this freedom for many reasons. One reason is a lack of knowledge of what the Scriptures are really saying. Hosea 4:6 says:

…my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.

Many of us are not truly seeking to know God intimately for ourselves. We are content to go to “church” and hear a sermon from the pastor and digest it as the truth. We are not searching out the Word on our own and asking the Spirit to guide us in discerning what He is speaking to us through it. We are hearing the letter of the law without the Spirit of the law. Galatians 5:17 says,

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

In regard to this verse, what happens if you are not “led” by the Holy Spirit but are instead primarily led by a man? It seems to me that you would still be “under the law.” What does being “under the law” mean? It could likely mean that you are still ruled by “legalism,” that you are being ruled by man-made authority and not the Spirit of God.

Just some thoughts. To be continued for sure in this saga of life…

T

Covering: A Covenant Word

2009-10-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

COVERING: A COVENANT WORD
Genesis 3
By Gay Anderson (God's Word to Women)

It all began in the Garden of Eden. As we look upon the two fallen ones, gripped by the guilt of sin, and faced with a broken relationship with the Creator God, we declare: How great was the fall of man! The consequences of disobedience are in full view, for we see Adam and Eve attempting to hide and to cover themselves with fig leaves. They had lost their covering! Created in His image after His likeness, spirit people covered in his glory, filled with His power, shining in the likeness of His person--holy, but now, they stand in a covering produced by their own hands. The candle of man, his spirit, has been snuffed out. The likeness in which they were created is tarnished, no longer holy--Ichabod! The glory of the Lord is departed! What deception to ever imagine they could provide a sufficient covering for their sin!

We see the heart of a loving God reaching down, coming to make provision for the highest of His creation. The Adamic Covenant is the covenant God made with Adam and Eve after the entrance of sin. Here they lost their relationship with God, corrupted their character, lost the dominion they had been given, and caused their children to come under the dominion of sin and death. (I Cor.15:45-49 and Romans 5:12). Their merciful Creator came to reveal His provision and to restore that which was lost. Often called the "book of beginnings," Genesis is the beginning of the covenants of a redeeming God.

What a forgiving God, coming to provide the way back to Himself! He slays the animal and makes coats of skin to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness. No man-made covering could meet the demands of a holy God. Man could never provide an acceptable covering for his sin. The blood of an innocent animal was slain, which introduces a substitutionary death to cover man's sinfulness. This covenant sacrifice was the first of all blood sacrifices for fallen man and pointed to the New Covenant sacrifice at Calvary-- the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Within the Body of Christ today a doctrine has crept in, teaching that we all need a "covering" in order to minister in our gifts and callings. The question is continually set before us," Who is your covering, and under whose authority are you?" Again, "To whom are you accountable?" Indeed, we all must be accountable, but that is specifically and initially to the Lord Jesus Christ, who causes us to walk in the light as He is in the light. Shouldn't our response be that the blood of the Lamb covers us? Men without a covering are labeled rebels having "Ahab" spirits. Likewise, women are instantly placed in the "Jezebel Camp" with all the unsubmissive, controlling, manipulative and usurping ones possessed by a Jezebel spirit. What a sad estate.

In Exodus 26:15, 29 and Exodus 36:20, 34, Moses is told to overlay (cover) (1) the boards of shittim wood in the tabernacle with pure gold. Is that not what Jesus did for us when He grafted us into Him and we became living stones in the temple of the living God? Wood is a type of humanity. The gold suggests that God covers (clothes) us with His own nature. Surely we are made partakers of His divine nature and are clothed, covered in His righteousness. When a principle is established in Scripture, why must we succumb to a doctrine of man, which Jesus hated? (Revelation 2:6,15)

When Aaron and his sons were called by God to the Levitical priesthood, they were commanded to wear white linen trunks to cover their nakedness. (Exodus 28). Now, we see the final and last priesthood, which is the Church of Jesus Christ! In Revelation 19:8, His bride is clothed and covered in fine (radiant) linen--dazzling and white, for the fine linen is. . .the righteous deeds of the saints. Ephesians 2:10 tells us these deeds (works) were prepared for us (by God Himself) to walk in before the foundation of the world was laid. Tell me, where did the idea ever come from that we need any covering other than the Lord Jesus Christ Who called, covered, confirmed, ordained, sanctified and commissioned every believer to be His representative king and priest on this earth?

One isolated passage in I Corinthians 11:5-6, which was and is based on Jewish law,

5. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head; for she is one and the same with her whose head is shaved. 6. For id a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 1 Cor. 11:5-6 NAS

will not suffice for those who have become sons and daughters of the free woman.(2) In Galatians 4: 21, Paul asks: "Tell me, you who are bent on being under the Law, will you listen to what the Law (really) says?" Read on and savor what Calvary purchased for every blood-bought child of God! The Apostle Paul wrote the church in Corinth that he did not come to take dominion over anyone's faith (II Corinthians 1:24). Many saints have been hindered by false teachings on covering and have not been permitted to go forth into the work of the ministry. God forgive and set us on a new path of liberty in His Spirit.

God's word to Moses in Exodus 33:22 reads: "And while My glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand until I have passed by." The word cover here signifies: to cover over, to protect, defend, hedge in. God covered the tent or tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) with a cloud, which was His very Presence. In Psalm 91:4, the Lord's care, protection and love flows out as He promises to cover His people with His feathers. Psalm 105:39 tells us He spread a cloud (His presence) for a covering.

Tracing and highlighting the words cover, covered, covereth, covering in the scripture, God, the Almighty, reveals Himself as The One Who covers. Our Lord Jesus Christ is our covering, and His presence in, upon and over all believers is sufficient in every respect. The blood covering provided for every believer, whether Jew, Greek, slave, free, male or female, far surpasses the blood of bulls and goats, which only covered sin in the Old Testament. But now, the blood of Jesus does more than cover. It completely washes all our sin away.

Beloved of the Lord, male or female, we must return to Biblical foundations.

Jesus said, "And when one is fully taught, he will be like his teacher." Who do we want to be like? Do we wish to be like a person or institution that takes the place of Jesus, or to become like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit resident within us?

Some years ago, I chose to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my complete COVERING. May I share with you how the Lord brought me under His covering? For many years I taught Bible studies in my home and in the church. I'm sorry to say that I taught a mixture of God's Word and the doctrine of men. A deep desire to please my husband and those who were supposedly my covering brought me to the realization I was walking in a futile attempt to serve two masters.

Once I was invited to teach in a church. When I approached the pastor, who was our covering in a home Bible Study group, he saw no problem in my going provided my husband went along to be my covering. My husband said he felt no responsibility for that church and declined to go. Therefore, I told the church I could not come. Needless to say, the Spirit of God within me was deeply grieved, and I began to seek the Lord for His wisdom and light. This hunger to know truth began to expose the error and bondage in which I walked. How lovingly and gently He showed me Covenant love and that He alone is my covering.

I heard my Lord, my covering, ask clearly and distinctly, "Who called you to teach?" My response was, "Lord, You did." He replied, "Then go teach." That is exactly what I've done ever since in total liberty and joy! My soul escaped out of the snare of the fowler. I had to follow up with those to whom I had taught error through the years and ask their forgiveness. I removed a number of books and articles from my home and never embraced or taught from them again.

Knowing that He has called and overshadowed us with His mighty love, that He alone is our covering, and that He has set us under His holy name to give account to Him, let us walk in the liberty of the wonderful COVERING of His presence devoid of all flesh.

What Language Does Your Church Speak?

2009-10-21T00:34:00.000-07:00

What Language Does Your Church Speak?

The Language of Abusive Churches and Groups
by Bill Newcomer
http://batteredsheep.com/church-speak.html

Please read this first: This list is a compilation of words and phrases used by abusive churches and religious groups. Please note that this list is not about how these words and phrases may be properly used, but it is about how these words and phrases are misused by abusers to manipulate and control in an un-Biblical manner.

How does your church or group use these words and phrases?

I want to acknowledge the many contributions to this list that have came from other spiritual abuse survivors, especially those at the Spiritual Abuse Forum at Spiritual Abuse Recovery Resources.

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Accountable: Members of the church or group should be "accountable" to the pastor or elders, and get "godly counsel" on all personal and family decisions even when those issues are (1) none of their business and (2) the pastor or elders have zero competency in the area involved. Also see "oversight".

Angry: What a person is deemed to be when they tell the truth about something that has happened. Because you are "angry" and have a "bitter spirit" your legitimate concerns and issues can be written off and ignored. After all, "you are the one with the problem", not the actual offender, especially if the offender is a pastor or elder.

Apostate: A derisive comment made about anyone who will not swallow the party-line hook, line and sinker. Often used when speaking of those who have left the church or group. In some churches or groups this word is to be said in a manner that reminds everyone of the "fact" that even the devil himself is less evil than an apostate.

Backslider: (1) Someone trying to be active in the church but just can't seem to get it together... through no one else's fault but their own, of course! (2) A person who has left the church or group. Also see "apostate". (3) Someone who finds it impossible to keep all the man-made rules peculiar to the church or group.

Bad Attitude: (1) "This was usually the first step to "disfellowshipping". If we didn't agree with the minister, we were classified as having a bad attitude. If we didn't repent and agree with the minister we would be likely disfellowshipped. Also see "Critical spirit". (2) People who have left the church or group left because they had a "bad attitude" and were "troublemakers".

A Bitter spirit (variation "Don't be bitter"): (1) The charge made against a person because that person still stands by what they first said. (2) Former members who say anything negative about the church or group are charged with having "a bitter spirit", so what they say is not given any credibility and ignored even though it is factually true. (3) "Don't be bitter." Said by the truly unkind in order to deeply wound, for (spiritually abused) survivors aren't bitter--we just hurt... a lot! Said to shame, usually in a very public venue and/or in front of other kind people or, worst of all, in front of the "Undecideds" who, upon hearing this condemnation, decide that yes, the (spiritually abused) survivors are indeed "bitter", when all we are doing is hurting... a lot!

Black sheep: see Apostate

Congregationalism: "Congregationalism" is the thing in which you are guilty of in an elder-ruled church when you try to hold an elder (or elders) accountable for how they are lording it over and abusing the sheep. For you to be guilty of "congregationalism" means that the elders can ignore and dismiss your legitimate concerns regarding how they are ruling the church.

Critical spirit: If you think about the pastor's sermons to see if they line up with Scripture, you have a "critical spirit". " I was approached by an elder who said, "You're thinking about the sermons I preach, aren't you?" When I replied that I was just doing what Paul commended the Bereans for doing, he told me I totally misinterpreted that passage, and I was not to "judge" his sermons." Also see "Divisive".

Disfellowshipping: (1) "This was the very last thing any of us wanted. It meant that we were now in jeopardy of losing our Eternal Salvation. Only those who were part of the "Only True Church" would be given Eternal Life. It was like a death sentence to us and the ministers knew that and always hung this over our heads like the sword of Damocles' if we didn't agree and obey them." (2) What in some churches is called "excommunication".

Dissident: A term for someone who was against us. It was the old "them against us" attitude. See also "circle the wagons".

Divisive: (1) What a person is called because some people actually realized what that person said was the truth so the church is split. (2) A term used of someone who doesn't swallow the party-line hook, line, and sinker. See "Apostate".

A Family matter: When the church leadership doesn't want the embarrassment of public disclosure in the community at large regarding a scandal in the church, that scandal becomes a "family matter" and is not to be discussed with people outside of the church or group. That the community at large has a vital and legitimate interest in the matter is ignored, even when the matter involves wrong-doing such as criminal sexual conduct, child or wife abuse, a suspicious death and so on. In such cases the primary reason for something to be "a family matter" is so the leadership or church can "save face". See also "Tell it not in Gath".

Free Will: (1) Everyone has it, everyone knows that everyone has it, so why can't you stop eating that entire carton of ice cream? Why can't you just put it back in the freezer? All it takes is "Will Power". (2) Said from the pulpit: "You're well taught and you know what to do, so WHY DON'T YOU DO IT!"

"Because I'm the pastor, that's why!" (Variation: "May I remind you I am the pastor!") "How dare you doubt me!" "Are you questioning my authority?" "Don't be a troublemaker." "Keep the peace." "Submit to your elder."

This type of thinking is a symptom of living under leadership that legislates and demands obedience to their authority. It rests upon a false basis for authority. The sole basis on which they grasped this authority was because of their rank as ministers alone. In other words, their authority was NOT founded on the fact that they were wise, discerning and true. It was based solely in the fact that they were in charge.

In the new covenant, we see that Jesus established a new basis of authority. It was no longer age, gender, or race. It is now based on the evidence of the Holy Spirit within you. Attributes like maturity, wisdom, genuine holiness, and real knowledge are required in order to evidence Jesus' brand of authority. "Because I said so" does not work anymore. "Because I'm the pastor" does not cut it. So if my basis for authority is solely that I hold an office, I have a false basis for authority.

We do not have authority in God's eyes simply because we are named the pastor, the elder, or the chairman. We are going to have to speak the truth to have real authority. We are going to have to be sensitive to the Spirit to have authority. We are going to have to be wise, and seek to know and say what God says clearly and accurately." (Excerpts from the book "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse".) (See also "Touch not the Lord's anointed.")

A Jezebel Spirit: (1) A term used specifically to describe a woman who is "unteachable". See also second entry for "unsubmissive".

"Lord's Day Bible Institute Classes" (also known as "Sunday School", in some groups and churches called "Sabbath School"): "Mandatory meetings where attendance is strictly recorded and the peculiar doctrines held by the church are repeated numerous times over many years until your brain is numb with boredom and you are thoroughly convinced that there can be no other truth and you have begun to lose the ability to think for yourself. To miss one of these meetings is a grave sin and indicates that you may be 'apostate'."

Love Gifts: (1) TV Preachers remind us to send in them "LOVE GIFTS". I can feel the "Anointing" now! Something's got a hold on me! (2) You've given the first tithe. Many of you have given the second tithe. Some of you have even given the third tithe. Now, on top of all the tithes, prove how "spiritual" you really are, and support "the work" by giving those "love gifts".

We are a "nondenominational" church: So we're not accountable to anyone and if you don't like the way we run roughshod over you and your family, that's tough. After all you need to be "submissive" and "accountable". Also see "We are an independent church".

Oh, they just use the doctrine of men: Used to disparage other churches or groups that don't dot all your "I"'s and cross all your "T"'s. Of course only your church or group has it all together and has the "full truth".

You need to be "Open and transparent": (1) ...and tell the pastors what you're thinking or struggling with so they can jump down your throat, and berate and scream at you for not "measuring up", especially during "oversight". (2) What the leaders publicly berate the congregation about while at the same time withholding from the congregation relevant information regarding church matters or problems in the personal lives of a leader that would actually disqualify said leader from his leadership position.

Oversight: Mandatory meetings where an elder or elders come to your home and ask you personal and intimate questions about things that are not really any of their business in the first place. (Example: How often do you and your spouse have sex?) Oversight is also used as a time for incompetent pastors or elders to give incompetent and bad advice that causes disruptions in family relationships, most often between spouses, but also parent-child relationships, and extended family relationships. Refusal to have, or a negative attitude regarding "oversight" is sign of being "rebellious", and an indication of "backsliding" and "unsubmissiveness", and may lead to "apostasy".

Don't be Petty: A phrase used to effectively dismiss your legitimate concerns regarding issues in the church as they relate to the heavy handedness of the leadership or imbalance in the ministry. By this phrase you are being told you are being "selfish" and you need to have a bigger vision of "the work". A variation of this word is used very effectively in public prayer. "Lord, deliver us from pettiness... yada, yada, yada..."

Prodigal son/daughter: see Apostate

Rebellious, as in "a rebellious spirit" or "a rebellious heart": (1) When a young person in the congregation or group asks the pastor or leader an honest question about the justification for a peculiar practice or belief of the church or group, and the pastor is unable to answer the young person's question with an open Bible, then that young person has a "rebellious spirit" or heart. (2) Also used as another term for anyone, who is "unsubmissive", most especially a wife who is "unsubmissive". See also "a Jezebel Spirit". (3) What a person is when they are "unwilling to reconcile". (4) Anyone who doesn't get with "the program".

Singleness: (1) "An undesirable temporary state, not conducive to "spiritual growth" or "church fellowship". People who choose to remain in this state for an "unnatural" length of time are likely "rebellious" and in a "dangerous spiritual condition", not to mention just plain "strange" and unworthy of "fellowship". (2) The state of a young person after they grow up seeing so many unhappy marriages in the church, including his/her own parents, that were aggravated by the inept counseling and meddling of incompetent pastors whose struggles in their own marriages was carefully hidden from the congregation.

Slander: to say anything negative about the church to anyone outside the church. "I asked a Christian friend I respected for a recommendation for a church I could attend. The only words I said to her about my previous church was, "Something awful happened at my church and I had to leave." My friend asked a deacon's wife what was going on that I would leave the church, the deacon's wife reported it to the elders, and I got a visit from the elders of my former church that evening. I was accused of slandering the church."

The Truth is here: ...and nowhere else, so if you leave and go to another church you are leaving the "truth".

This is a safe church: But then you find out it's not safe. That was just the pastors trying to convince themselves or someone else. It means they are too lazy to make sure it's safe. A place that is really safe doesn't have to spend a lot of time talking about it trying to convince people it is.

Teachable: You are "teachable" when you passively accept what you are taught without questioning the exegesis or logic. (See "unteachable")

Troublemaker: (1) Someone who has the audacity to think the elders should be effectively accountable to the congregation. (2) Anyone who had the nerve and gall to see through the pastor's slipshod exegesis and pseudo-scholarship, and as a result refuse to accept the pastor's interpretation and application. (3) People who have left the church. They were just "troublemakers" so we don't have to give any serious thought or care as to why they left. (4) Anyone in a business meeting who asked critical questions the elders didn't really want to have to deal with even though the questions were very relevant to the issue at hand. (5) Anyone who voted "no" on a proposal or matter the elders favored. (6) Anyone who said anything that was in any way negative about the church. See also "slander".

Unteachable: (1) You are "unteachable" when you have the audacity to go home and study an issue for yourself from the Bible, and come to a different conclusion then what you were taught. The sin in doing this is you're exposing the teacher or preacher's flawed exegesis and sloppy scholarship. (See "teachable" and "unsubmissive") (2) Also used to describe "not getting it". "I was supposed to "get it" when the elders asked me to "resign" from being deacon. I am guessing that what I was supposed to "get" was that "it was all my fault", and the actual offending party had no responsibility whatsoever. In that group of churches to be labeled "unteachable" is equivalent to a "death sentence". Someone who is "unteachable" is on the road to excommunication; they have committed the highest offense a Christian can commit." (3) Also used to describe those who visit the church for a period of time, but then cease coming and go to another church.

Unsubmissive: (1) When you follow your own conscience in the light of your own understanding of Scripture instead of doing what the pastors or elders told you to do, you are "unsubmissive". (2) When a godly Christian wife refuses to tolerate the outrageous, dictatorial overbearing abuse of her husband, then she is an "unsubmissive" wife. See also "a Jezebel Spirit" and "Rebellious".

Unwilling to reconcile: What a person is when they will not accept the pastor's non-negotiable version of what took place and agree to back his version.

The "Work": (1) "This was the Ultimate goal of all of the church members; to back the leader with our tithes, offerings and time. We were to sacrifice to keep the TV show, radio program, college and all the things considered part of "The Work". There would often be sent out a members letter asking us for a special emergency offering because of "The Work". We would be asked to sacrifice and even take out loans if we didn't have anything to send in. Some people mortgaged their homes and delayed some necessary purchases such as new car so that they could give. As a result, some lost their homes and drove wrecks. This caused a huge financial burden for many." (2) The pastors' or elders' agenda for making a name for themselves in the particular movement, association, or denomination they are a part of. This agenda is often fueled by a certain degree of megalomania that is not satisfied with controlling and abusing one's own people, but wants to also control and exert power over other pastors in a wider sphere of church relationships . Also see "Protestant papal syndrome". If you do not wholeheartedly support "the work", then you are being "petty" and lack "kingdom vision".

The "World": "The classic, them against us attitude. It was often used when we would do something that some took as "worldly"; watching certain TV programs, or too much TV, buying an expensive car, suit etc. The lists could go on and on, and it was always up to those in authority to interpret it the way they wanted to. We were never totally sure what was worldly or not. Usually, it was the unspoken rule that we should all know. It led to a lot of conformity to this image of what was part of the "World" and what was part of the "Church". So we were always second-guessing all the things we did. It left one with a certain uneasiness, knowing that we were always wrong in certain areas and slipping up. Kept us on the endless treadmill of perfectionism to work at our own salvation. This contributed to never measuring up and was the cause of depression and in rare cases, leading to suicide with a few. I know personally one of my friends who committed suicide. He was always going over the deep end in this area."

"We Don't" phrases:

•We don't do things that way: So stop rocking the boat and upsetting the "status quo". Besides, we don't want to change our leadership style, even if you think the Bible is clear we should. You're just being a "troublemaker".
•We don't want to overreact: So we will not act at all to correct the excess or extreme.
•We don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water: So the dirty bath water will never get thrown out at all.
•We don't want to take sides: This phrase is used to avoid making any decision at all which would deal with the abuse which was taking place in the situation.

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Great Quote for Today

2009-10-20T08:04:00.001-07:00

Below is a great excerpt from Ann Spangler's awesome book "Sitting At The Feet of Rabbi Jesus."

"Even though Christ called his followers to go out and make disciples, he was not endorsing a model of self-important leadership. An authoritarian style of leadership has little to do with Christ and everything to do with human ego. Some Christians, out of ignorance or passivity, have given away personal responsibility for their lives. Tragically, some leaders have encouraged them to do so."

Message from The Message

2009-10-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

Below is an interpretation of Matthew 23: 1-12 from The Message. I really liked the way it reads. What emphasis Jesus seemed to put on the fact that we are not to rule over others or to put people up on pedastals, but we are to ultimately look to our Lord, our Father, for all life's answers. His ways are so good and life-giving! Man's ways bring only death and bondage.

1-3 Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.

4-7"Instead of giving you God's Law as food and drink by which you can banquet on God, they package it in bundles of rules, loading you down like pack animals. They seem to take pleasure in watching you stagger under these loads, and wouldn't think of lifting a finger to help. Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the most prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called 'Doctor' and 'Reverend.'

8-10"Don't let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven. And don't let people maneuver you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.

11-12"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.

God's Word to Women

2009-10-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

Found a very interesting site called "God's Word to Women." Check it out! It has some great biblical word studies, etc, on issues having to do with women. Enjoy!

Click HERE

Signs of Spiritual Abuse

2009-10-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

Signs of Spiritual Abuse
by Steven Lambert, Th.D.

Are you one of the many loyal and sincere church members who faithfully and cheerfully attend, support and participate in a local church, but have a nagging, persistent inward "thought" that "something is just not right here?"

Each time it rises within you, you peer around the room at the faces of fellow-worshipers caught up in seemingly heart-felt worship, you tune your ear to the soothing, melodious music crescendoing upward, and listen intently to the inspiring exhortations flowing from the lips of the various leaders on the platform...then...once again...you begin to chastise yourself...and "take authority" over those terrible carnal, negative thoughts, and command them to leave your mind. Now! there! no more of that! Right? Right!

That is, until the next time...and it happens all over again! You are enthralled in blissful worship and praise, focusing entirely on the Lord and His Magnificence. You begin to feel that familiar, but awesome sensation of His Presence filling the room and settling gently upon you. And then...BOOM!...there it is AGAIN!!—that still, small inner voice, telling you He is pleased by your expression of love, adoration, and praise; it is a sweet savor which He has received from your heart to His. But, still, He wants you to be aware there is something wrong here...with the leadership...their teaching, their "leadership" attitudes and methods, their motives and ambitions, their personal life-styles, their earnestness regarding ministering on His behalf to the needs of the hurting, needy multitudes for whom He died.

Is it possible this really IS the Lord speaking to you? Is that possible? And then you go through the drill once again, looking, listening, analyzing. "But," you reply inwardly to the voice, "look at all these people here, the volunteer workers, the ministers, the musicians and choir! they can't all be wrong! and there wouldn't be this many people here if it wasn't of God! Look at this wonderful building, its furnishings and decor, the instruments, all the regalia, all the money it cost? God has to be endorsing this, otherwise the money for all this would not have come in! Listen to the inspiring music and messages by the leaders! And look at all the people who've been blessed! This CAN'T possibly not be of God! God! what's wrong with me? why do I think such horrible thoughts?" you cry silently within.

Then, you begin realizing, somehow, somewhere along the line you began losing your joy, your zeal for the Lord. It used to be you could hardly wait for the services and to be involved; now it is drudgery to go at all. You used to have such a light and blissful feeling as you worshiped the Lord in the services; now you just go through the motions, feeling heavy, staring placidly toward the platform, sometimes wishing you were somewhere else. You used to be able to "look past" the leaders, and focus only on the Lord; now, all you see during the service is people, people behind the pulpit, people on the platform, and people in the pews. You used to feel God's love and pleasure with you; now it seems all you feel is unworthiness, guilt, and that nothing you do is ever enough or pleasing to Him.

"What on earth has happened to me? What's wrong with me?" you ask yourself. "Is it just me?" Then, you begin to look around the room and study other long-time members. You compare how they are now to how they were when they first came. Is their life, as it should be, appreciably better, or have they and their family experienced an inordinate share of tragedies, seemingly inexplicable difficulties, and reversals? By and by, you begin to realize that many of the other members have lost their "first love" too, their zeal, their enthusiasm, their joy in serving the Lord, and that, though Christians, like everyone else, certainly experience adversity, many of these members' lives have been on a gradual, downward spiral, instead of advancement and blessing.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? If so, don't think you're alone—it's repeated several times every week by multitudes of sincere, faithful, and trusting believers. They've had this inward intuition for quite some time that something was just not right at their church or in their group, but just couldn't put their finger on precisely what it was. The teaching "sounded" right, all the right things were being said, good things were happening, many members were being "used" in various "ministries" of the church. Still, this nagging sense something is awry persists.

Often, these are the symptoms of a church or group laboring under the heavy-hand of hyper-authoritarianism. That is to say, the leadership is dominating, controlling, and manipulating their followers, and exploiting them for their own personal gain and private kingdom-building. Wholesale abuse and misuse of authority is an integral part of the very foundation, fabric, and functions of such groups.

Exploitative abuse of authority occurring in groups where these hyper-authoritarian systems of governance are instituted come in various shapes and shades, ranging from members having to receive the approval (usually referred to as "witness") of their spiritual leaders to date and/or marry, to virtual sole dependence upon the supposed superior spirituality of group-gurus regarding every detail of their personal financial matters and requiring their leaders' approval for virtually every significant expenditure. Commonly, in these groups there is constant allusion to the members as "dumb sheep" who must be "led" by the shepherds, ad nauseam. The definition of the term "led" in these groups is that the "dumb sheep" cannot trust their own judgment or ability to receive direction from the Lord for the important decisions of their lives, but must rely instead upon the transcendent wisdom and spiritual acumen of their "personal pastors."

The proper role of human under-shepherds is to lead people to the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and teach them how to be His disciples, in submission to Him and His authority. Hyper-authoritarian leaders, instead, lead people to themselves, and indoctrinate them to be their followers, in total submission to them and their authority. In essence, these dominating shepherds teach they are the church-members' de facto lord, master, and savior, rather than Christ. They indoctrinate members to believe the spiritual leaders of the church themselves are the members' "spiritual covering" (a totally false and patently unbiblical concept), and any member who ever leaves the church will be "out from under" their "covering," be without any covering or what they call, "uncovered," and will experience terrible curses and other horrible consequences as a result. From the pulpit often come "horror stories" about what happened to such-and-so person or family, who were so spiritually bereft or rebellious as to leave the group without the blessings and approval of their "spirital authority."

In these groups, the "authority" of the "shepherds" is absolute, sacrosanct, and inviolable, that is, without reprisal. Any semblance of anything other than total and unquestioning obedience to the desires and counsel of the church's leadership chain is considered rebellion and insubordination, and simply is not tolerated. Members live under the constant threat of being branded with the Scarlet Letter "R" for "rebel," openly denounced and shamed from the (bully-)pulpit, and consequently shunned by the "covenant-community" for failure to comply with the unwritten, unspoken rules and expectations established by the leadership. An oppressive performance-based approval and promotion system keeps members in constant internal turmoil and fear as they jump through all the hoops the spiritual taskmasters put before them, in an attempt to seek their leaders' approval and favor. Moreover, members are indoctrinated and compelled to accept the leadership-set agenda of the group, regarding which they have next to no real say, as their personal burden and responsibility, and thus to commit their time, talent, And most importantly, their tithe, to its successful completion. Sadly, most never see past the spiritual smoke and mirrors to realize that the so-called "church" to which they have sworn allegiance and promised their wholehearted and unflagging support, is nothing more than the personal "business" of its leaders, and not only are they free labor, but they actually pay out of their own resources for the privilege of being a participant, i.e., member.

The following are some of the common signs and symptoms, or common characteristics, of authoritarian abuse manifest in hyper-authoritarian groups, churches, networks, and ministries, especially those identifying themselves as Charismatic or Pentecostal. It simply is not feasible to elaborate extensively on each of them in an article such as this. However, I have addressed most of them in various books, booklets, and articles I have written on the topic. Bear in mind that the list is by no means exhaustive, and that these are somewhat general, rather than, exact descriptions. Many variations on these basic themes exist in authoritarian groups. Bottom-line is: any ministry in which more than one or two of these signs of abuse are manifest should alert you to the undeniable fact that it is a hyper-authoritarian organization, regardless of how large, popular, or well-known it and its leader are. And, if after reading this list, you cannot recognize and admit to yourself that your beloved church or ministry is practising, unbiblical and ungodly doctrines and practices, then you are definitely brainwashed and under the spell of "deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" and these demonic lies are "seared in your own conscience as with a branding iron" (1 Tim. 4:1,2). And, that means you need deliverance to be set free from Satan's bondage and deception. It also means you are deceived about who you are serving. You are not serving the true Jesus, who is the One who died to set the captives free, but rather you are serving false gods — idols — which is idolatry, which means you are an "idolater," and idolaters do not inherit eternal life or have an inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God (Gal. 5:20,21; Eph. 5:5)! The only way for you to escape HELL and eternal punishment and enter into Heaven and the Kingdom is to REPENT! Then RUN from your captors and RUSH into the arms of the True Jesus, who died to set the captives FREE! "He whom the Son sets FREE is FREE INDEED!

33 Signs of Spiritual Abuse:

Apotheosis of the leadership — exalting them to God-like status in and over the group;
Multi-level authority/government hierarchy;
Absolute authority of the leadership;
No real accountability of the leadership to the corporate body;
Hand-picked sub-leaders, based on their demonstration of submissiveness to the ultimate leader rather than on the basis of their leadership skills, spirituality, and anointing and appointment by God;
Pervasive abuse and misuse of authority in personal dealings with members;
Paranoia and insecurity by the leaders;
Abuse, misuse, and inordinate incidence of "church discipline;"
Personal materialism, covetousness, and self-aggrandizement by the leaders;
Members and/or sub-leaders must make a "spiritual covenant," sometimes a signed covenant agreement, pledging their total commitment and financial support to the leadership and church/ministry;
Partitioning of the group into smaller groups that are led by internally "raised up" lay-leaders who have not been anointed or appointed by God for leadership within the church;
Financial exploitation and enslavement of the members;
Inordinate attention to maintaining the public "image" of the ministry;
Doctrinal demeanment and devaluation — the requisite of espousing and teaching "sound doctrine" is demeaned and devalued;
Theological incompetency by the leadership, especially with respect to the rules of hermeneutics and Bible exegesis employed in the formulation of doctrine, giving license to twisting and adulteration of Scripture in order to provide proof-texts for unorthodox and invented doctrines;
Spiritualism, mysticism, and unproven doctrines;
Abuse and misuse of prophetic giftings as a means to dominate and intimidate;
Devaluation, disallowance, disregard, and displacement of the true Fivefold Ministry within the church;
De facto legalism, or works mentality, and its resulting loss of the "joy of salvation," though "freedom" is forever preached from the pulpit and the church is constantly touted as being a "safe church" by the leadership;
Esotericism — hidden agendas and requirements revealed to members only as they successfully advance through various stages of "spiritual enlightenment," i.e., unorthodox, unproven indigenous doctrines;
Isolationism — corporate and individual, especially with respect to exposure to outside ministry sources;
Performance-based approval and promotion system of members predicated on "proven" "loyalty" (i.e., submission) to the leadership;
Devaluation, suppression, and non-recognition of members' bona fide God-given talents, abilities, gifts, callings, and anointing, as a means of subjugation;
Requiring members to perform menial tasks, such as cleaning toilets, setting up chairs, and acting as the leader's personal valet or slave, as a supposed means to humble them and teach them to "obey their leaders;"
Constant indoctrination with a "group" or "family" mentality that impels members to exalt the corporate "life" and goals of the church-group over their personal goals, callings, and objectives;
Members are psychologically traumatized and indoctrinated with numerous improper fears and phobias aimed at keeping them reeling in diffidence and an over-dependence or co-dependence on their leaders and the corporate group;
Corporately, there eventually develops an inordinately high incidence of financial, marital, moral, psychological, mental, emotional, and medical problems, including sudden deaths and contraction of "incurable" and "unknown" diseases;
Lack of true personal spiritual growth and development, especially in terms of genuine faith and experiencing the abounding grace, forgiveness, goodness, blessings, kindness, and agape-love of God;
Members are required to obtain the approval or "witness" of their leader(s) for decisions regarding personal matters;
Frequent preaching from the pulpit regarding not getting out from under the "spiritual covering" of the leadership;
Members departing without the prior permission and blessing of the leadership leave the group under a cloud of manufactured suspicion, shame, and slander;
Horror stories frequently told by leaders about individuals or families who left the group without the prior permission and blessing of the leadership, and the terrible consequences and curses they suffered as a result;
Departing members often suffer from various psychological problems and display the classic symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

A Woman's Place: Keeper At Home

2009-10-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

A Woman’s Place: Keeper at Home
by Charis R. Hart

Note: Links to word study resources are underlined.

In Titus 2, Paul instructs the elder women to teach the young women to be “keepers at home”. What does this mean? The Greek word translated “keepers at home” (KJV) or “homemakers” (NKJV) is oikouros. This compound word is from oikos- house, household, family; and ouros- a guard, guardian, a watcher, a warden. Let this thought sink in for a moment: the word “oikouros” translated “keepers at home” carries the meaning of “watching the house, of a watchdog” {source}

The commission to “keep” was first given by God to Adam in Genesis 2:15: “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” In this case, we are looking at the Old Testament and a Hebrew word. The Hebrew word in Gen 2:15 (Adam’s assignment) is shamar, translated as keep , observe, heed, preserve, beware, watchman, wait, watch, regard, save. The next occurrence of the word shamar is in Genesis 3:24 where “Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”

Can you see similarity in meaning of the Hebrew word shamar translated “keep” and the Greek word “ouros” translated “keeper”? The “keep” commission of Gen 2:15 and Titus 2:5 are about protecting, watching, guarding.

Charismatic Captivation

2009-10-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from Charismatic Captivation by Steven Lambert ThD. Very interesting to read.

It is my prayer in posting these articles is that we as believers will begin to seek, walk with and follow the Holy Spirit first and foremost in our lives, never surrendering our personal, heart-felt, Spirit-led convictions to any spiritual leader just for the sake of "obeying" authority and out of fear or intimidation. Very harmful indeed...

Multitudes of sincere and trusting believers are caught in the virtually invisible web of religious captivation in the churches they attend, and don’t know it. They are unaware victims of spiritual abuse, psychological enslavement, and exploitation perpetrated under the heavy-hand of hyper-authoritarianism. That is to say, the leadership of the church-group of which they are a part is dominating, controlling, manipulating, and exploiting their followers for their own personal gain and private kingdom-building. Through systematic indoctrination, victims have been duped into accepting as biblical and beneficial oppressive and abusive predominance imposed upon them by unscrupulous, tyrannical church-leaders.

Without realizing it, myriads of faithful followers, in submitting themselves and surrendering their God-given right to self-governance or personal autonomy unto their spiritual leaders, have become “slaves of men” in blatant violation of God’s explicit warning against that very thing: “DO NOT BECOME SLAVES OF MEN!” (1 Cor. 7:23). Frequently, in groups employing such hyper-authoritarian practices, adherents codify their willful enslavement by signing biblically-prohibited “covenants” with their leaders that require them to effectively surrender their free-will unto their spiritual taskmasters and granting them the right to intervene in and make decisions regarding the mundane matters of their lives.

Authoritarian or spiritual abuse is one of the most widespread and troubling problems facing the Church today. Indeed, the truth is that ecclesiastical enslavement and exploitation is pandemic in many sectors of 21st Century Christendom, though those churches and ministries employing it go to great lengths to disguise and conceal it. Many of the perpetrators and proliferators of these spiritually repressive teachings and techniques are respected, and in some cases revered, spiritual leaders. Moreover these autocratic systems of religious hegemony are being imposed in church-groups espousing orthodox Christian beliefs, whose membership is comprised of a cross section of average Americans—individuals and families—of every race, education level, station, status, and vocation, rather than radical, fringe religious sects and cults as many uninformed people would suppose.

Though religious predomination is certainly nothing new, and hyper-authoritarianism is by no means limited to the Neo-Pentecostal branch of the Church, it has especially flourished in Charismatic and other Neo-Pentecostal groups since it was infused into the very fabric, foundation, and functions of that branch of the Church in the early- to mid-seventies through the auspices of what became known as the “Discipleship or Shepherding Movement.” The doctrines and practices spawned in that false movement remain an integral part of the operations of many churches and groups yet today. Indeed, what many Neo-Pentecostals do not understand is that with the emergence of the plethora of “networks” now in existence, there is an invisible web of interrelated organizations that secretly control and direct everything substantive that goes on in the realm of Neo-Pentecostal churches, including “approving” or “blacklisting” ministers and leaders who refuse to submit to the secret “Charismatic chain-of-command.” Charismatic Captivation uncovers those secret organizations and reveals their surreptitious sordid, self-aggrandizing agenda.

HORATIO SPAFFORD AND THE NIGHT SEASONS

2009-10-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

HORATIO SPAFFORD AND THE NIGHT SEASONS
from Koinonia House

Horatio Spafford was a prominent lawyer and real estate investor in Chicago when the 1871 Chicago Fire hit and destroyed almost all of his property. Two years later, Spafford sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him to England, where his friend DL Moody would be preaching. On the voyage there, the ship sank and all four children were drowned. His wife alone was saved. The couple went on to have three more children, but tragedy struck again when their four year old son died of pneumonia in 1880. Near the end of his life, Spafford moved to Jerusalem and ran charitable ventures like soup kitchens, hospitals, and orphanages. He died in 1888 of malaria and was buried in Jerusalem.

While Horatio Spafford endured crippling tragedy after tragedy, he is most famous for having written one of the most beloved hymns of all time: "It Is Well With My Soul." In the midst of serious personal sorrow, God brought Spafford to a place of peace and security wholly independent of his circumstances.

It is easy to fear in life. There are no promises of happiness or fairness. If anybody promised you a rose garden, then they were either naive for downright dishonest. In fact, when things seem to be running smoothly, tragedy can and often strikes and knocks us off our temporary pedestals of comfort. In John 16:33, Jesus warned us that in this world we would have troubles. "But be of good cheer," he said, "I have overcome the world."

In 1 Peter 4:17, Peter tells us that as God begins to wrap up time as we know it, He will allow events to happen in the body of Christ that will try us and test us to the max. How will we make it through this time of testing, if we don't understand what God is doing, and if we crumble at the first hint of suffering? We desperately need to have a grasp of what God's purpose is for allowing these kinds of trials and, most importantly, we need to understand what to do and how to act in them.

Night Seasons
During a night season, God initiates a purging, a cleansing and a purifying of our souls from everything that is not of faith. At this time, God crushes our self will, so that He can merge it with His own. In other words, it's our own private Gethsemane. As Jesus cried in the garden, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death...Nevertheless, not what I will, but what Thou wilt." (Mark 14:34-36) During this dark season, God teaches us to say, just as Jesus did, "Not my will, but Thine." (Matthew 26:39)

During this time, God can begin to transform our reliance on physical things to things of the spirit. He wants us to learn to walk by faith, not by our senses, our feelings or our understanding. God wants to teach us how to detach ourselves from all physical, emotional and spiritual supports, so that we will be able to respond with "Not my will, but Thine."

Because this season can often be a time of desolation, of dried bones and ruined hopes, many Christians - because they don't understand what God's will is or what He is doing - get so discouraged and defeated that they give up and turn back.

Many will feel like Job, who "looked for good" but only "evil came"; and for "light," but found only "darkness." (Job 30:26) Or like Isaiah, who uttered "We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness. We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes; we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places like dead men." (Isaiah 59:9-10)

If we can only remember during our night season that the Holy Spirit has led us into this darkness on purpose. God is not angry at us, and He has not abandoned us – He paid the ultimate price for us, how could He ever abandon us? He brought us to a necessary place where precious things can happen. As he told Mary, whose brother Lazarus had died, "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)

It is in these places, when our normal human securities are stripped away and all we have is Jesus, that He can begin to do in us those excellent things that can make all the difference in our lives and in our walk with Him. When the only thing we can do is cling to God, we come to that place where we see Him more clearly than ever before. That's when the fear goes away, and we can join Horatio Spafford in singing with greater appreciation:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pain shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

And Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Today's Thought

2009-10-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

"We should never forget that the object of all of God's dealings with His children is to sanctify us, and make us vessels fit for His use. To this high and glorious end, our present pleasure and gratification must ofttimes be sacrificed. This is the true key to all the mysteries of Providence." - J. R. Miller

Interesting Commentary on Hebrews 13:17

2009-10-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been bombarded with this verse, and have been praying and contemplating upon it. Came across this commentary by Ray C. Stedman and thought it was worthy of noting. Any thoughts...feel free to comment...

(Ray Stedman is one of the foremost pastors and biblical expositors of the twentieth century. Ray's message of authentic Christianity continues to revolutionize the lives of countless individuals and churches worldwide. It is the sole mission of RayStedman.org to preserve and expand an exhaustive library of Ray's messages and books so that this rich legacy of authentic Christianity might be passed on to a new generation, for the glory of God and the building up of the body of Christ. Go to His site HERE)

Stedman writes:

In 13:7, the author recalled to his reader's minds the influence for good left by mentors who were now gone. In verse 17, he urges respect for and compliance with the godly leaders they now have. This verse, along with 1 Thessalonians 5:12, has been widely misunderstood because of the faulty translation of the KJV, NIV and other versions. The words obey (twice here) and submit and the phrase from 1 Thessalonians 5:12 "are over you in the Lord" have often fueled a harmful authoritarianism that has turned pastors into autocrats and congregations into personal domains. Such a twisted view of authority ignores entirely Jesus' words to the disciples: "You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you: but whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Mk 10:42-43 RSV).

Perhaps those words, "it shall not be so among you," have been among the most ignored sayings of Jesus within the churches. Wherever leadership views itself as having God-given authority to impose rules or limitations on individual Christians or a congregation without their willing consent, these words of Jesus are being violated. Warnings against "lording it over the brethren" are given in 2 Corinthians 1:24 by Paul, in 1 Peter 5:3 by Peter, and in 3 John 9-10 by John. (48)

The author's basis for urging his readers to give willing response to their leaders is that the leaders are godly men who feel deeply their responsibility to lead wisely and lovingly as men who must give an account. This account must be given, not to the congregation, but to the Lord (1 Peter 5:2-4). Henri J. M. Nouwen has said, "The task of future Christian leaders is not to make a little contribution to the solution of the pains and tribulations of their time, but to identify and announce the ways in which Jesus is leading God's people out of slavery, through the desert to a new land of freedom.

Christian leaders have the arduous task of responding to personal struggles, family conflicts, national calamities, and international tensions with an articulate faith in God's real presence." If individuals yield voluntary submission to such responsible leadership, it will make the leader's work a joy and of great advantage to all. Note that the responsibility for making the operations of a church a joy, and not a burden, is placed on the congregation, not on their leaders. Even the Declaration of Independence recognizes that legitimate government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed!

Overcoming the Nicolaitan Spirit

2009-10-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Below is an excerpt from Paul Keith Davis in his book "Angels That Gather."

On a personal note, it is very interesting (and painful to an extent) what I am learning by the Holy Spirit. We must walk in discernment and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, especially about the truth of who we are to allow to influence/persuade/submit our lives to.

Submission does not require" blind" obedience to any person, no matter who they are. It does not mean that we allow someone to dictate to us what the will of God is for our personal lives. It does not mean we surrender our Spirit-led convictions to a "spiritual authority's" mandate or interpretation of his/her theological view. This is a false teaching, and we must earnestly seek to be walking in the light in order to see it. We must be Bereans and seek the Word and the Spirit for discernment for our own lives.

We must trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as we present our bodies a living sacrifice, so that we may know the perfect will of God in all things. I believe we must persuade one another to live a holy life, a sanctified life according to Scripture, yet we must not become judge and dictator of exactly what that looks like in someone's life. We are not cookie-cutters of one another. It is then that we have crossed over into judging.

Let's take a look at this Nicolaitan spirit, which crept into the church body around the 3rd century. Nicolaitan in Greek means "conquer" (Nikao) "the people" (laos).

Davis writes:

"The first item on the Nicolaitan spirit's agenda is to divide and conquer. This form of opposition promotes distinguishing people into two classes -- the priest and the laity. This philosophy will advocate an "us and them" perspective within the Church. Further, there is no mention in the New Covenant Word where priests or ministers mediate between God and the people, nor where they are separated in their worship of the Lord. Also, no hierarchy is supposed to exist in the Body of Christ -- all are called to minister together as one body headed by Christ.

The Nicolaitan spirit destroys those precepts and separates the ministers from the people, rendering the leaders overlords instead of servants. The Lord expressed His hatred for this type of administration and expected His people to do likewise. In other words, there are to be no intimidating, controlling, power hungry officers in the Church exercising counterfeit authority over the "laypeople."

Believers who are genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit and in radical pursuit of the Lord openly embrace godly leadership, counsel, and direction as a platform for growth and a safety net against demonic snares. There is an obvious need for definite leadership in every generation. The primary objective of this outline is to identify prevailing attributes of spiritual influences that distinguish true from false.

The Nicolaitan spirit deteriorates the structure of the Church body by attempting to create subordinates rather than brothers and sisters. Slaves brought under this kind of authority are always distraught and nervous because of the great responsibility and expectations to please their masters. This creates an irrational spirit or a neurotic mind-set rather than a spirit of peace, promoting insecurity rather than abiding strength.

The spiritual adversary described in the book of Revelation as the Nicolaitans ventures to overshadow God's aspiration to release total liberty among believers and mobilize His people into a royal priesthood. That trend will change as we grow more adept at discerning His presence and walking more intimately with Him."

Jesus, Our Flint-Faced Savior

2009-10-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

The Lord GOD has opened My ear;
And I was not rebellious,
Nor did I turn away.
I gave My back to those who struck Me,
And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;
I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.
“ For the Lord GOD will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.
He is near who justifies Me;
Who will contend with Me?
Let us stand together.
Who is My adversary?
Let him come near Me.
Surely the Lord GOD will help Me;
Who is he who will condemn Me?
Indeed they will all grow old like a garment;
The moth will eat them up.
“ Who among you fears the LORD?
Who obeys the voice of His Servant?
Who walks in darkness
And has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the LORD
And rely upon his God.
Look, all you who kindle a fire,
Who encircle yourselves with sparks:
Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled—
This you shall have from My hand:
You shall lie down in torment.
Isaiah 50:5-11

Ah, my precious Beloved Jesus. He set His face like a flint to do His Father's will. I am so glad He didn't allow the accusations of men to deter Him, to deter His Father's will from coming forth in His life. Why? Because we would be without hope, my dear ones. We would be utterly cast away. But no, not Jesus, not our Lord! He set His face and walked to that cross for us!

Let us, my beloved sisters and brothers, let us walk to the cross, despising the shame or the praise of men. Let us carry our cross and follow Him at all costs. Costs of family, cost of those whom called us friends, cost of our very lives. May we never bow to the wishes and whims of mortal man, but follow our Redeemer. Knowing that His blood is enough, His cross was enough. Let us say that He is truly all we need! Oh, teach me, Divine Teacher! Lead us, Divine Leader! Holy Spirit, the Ruach Hakodesh! You are like the wind that blows. Let us follow where you lead.

2009-10-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 27:13-14

There are times in our walk of life here when it becomes very evident that without the hope that is found in Christ, we would lose heart. This life is full of trials, troubles, temptations, and turmoil, but we must continue to look to Jesus Messiah, the author and finisher of our faith. When the pain and agony seem too heavy, far more than you can bear, then know this...you can't. You can't bear it, but He can bear it in you. Lay down at His feet and wait on Him. Wait for Him to strengthen your heart to take that next step. It may be all you can do to just put one foot on the floor in the morning, or to move from the couch to the chair. But wait on Him.

It may take time, but His healing will come. His goodness is there, and you will see it. You will see it and will not faint. He shall revive you and give your strength that you never thought you had. His Spirit will lead you into all truth. He is your Shepherd. He is your guide. Listen to Him and follow Him. Wait upon Him.

May we continue to walk and not faint. May we walk this walk of faith. May we allow Him to carry us and hold us and comfort us and teach us and speak to us. He is good to us, and His love endures forever.

Awesome Quote for Today

2009-10-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

"I believe that we are always attracted to what we need most, an instinct leading us toward the persons who are to open new vistas in our lives and fill them with new knowledge."

--Helene Iswolski

Day to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

2009-09-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, October 4th, is the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. I encourage each of you to pray according to Genesis 12:3. If you are a pastor, please incorporate this into your service time, or even let it "be" your service time! If you are a member of a local body, pass along this info to your pastor or leadership within your church. May you be blessed as you lift up Jerusalem.

Day of Atonement Today Sept. 28, 2009

2009-09-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Below is an excerpt from "The Cycles of God: God's Key to Increase and Blessing" by Robert Heidler, Th.M. I thought it was a good idea for me today, and felt led to share it with you as well. May you be blessed as you follow our Lord Jesus. Be led by His Spirit as to how you might incorporate this into your own life today!

(Remember, it is not a legalistic guideline to follow, just something to enhance and bless your walk with God. These are His days, His appointed times, and while we are not bound by them to keep them in a legalistic sense, we are certainly blessed as we draw near to God through them and observe them in our own Spirit-led way. Love you!)

Heidler writes:

"When the Day of Atonement comes, set a time and place where you know you can be alone with God, undisturbed, for at least an hour. For many, the best time will be just before bed at night, or early in the morning.

As you come before the Lord, bring your Bible, a pen, and paper. Begin by reading Psalms 32 and 51, where David shares his testimony of confessing sin. Thank God for His love and as His Spirit to minister to you.

Next, ask God to bring to mind any sins He wants you to confess. Pray as David did, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me" (Psalm 139:23). As God brings your sins to mind, write them down. Make a list of your sins. When God stops bringing sins to mind, as Him, "Is there anything else?"

As He shows you more sins, write them down also. Write down every sin He shows you. Don't be in a hurry and don't try to make excuses. If you can't fit all of your sins on one sheet of paper, use a second sheet. The goal is to make your list as complete as possible.

The third step is confession. When you feel your list is complete, pray carefully through the list, confessing and renouncing each sin.

In 1 John 1:9, God assures us if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we come into agreement with God about our sin, He restores us. We are forgiven and cleansed.

The blood of Jesus has already paid the price for every sin in your life. Before you even existed, God loved you so much He took the penalty for your sin upon Himself. As we come before Him in humility to confess our sin, God applies the "Atoning Sacrifice" of Jesus to our lives and restores us to full fellowship with Him.

When you have prayed over every item on your list, confessing every sin, there is one more step. Take your sheet of paper, listing all the sins you have confessed, turn the paper sideways and write across the list in BOLD letters the promise of 1 John 1:9. Thank God that every sin is no confessed and forgiven!

Now take that list, tear it up, and destroy it. Don't show your list to anyone. As you tear up your list, you will experience what the Israelites experienced when they watched the second goat led away into the wilderness. You will be assured that God has dealt with your sins and that your defilement has been taken away!

The Terror of the Lord

2009-09-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from "The Kingdom, Power and Glory: The Overcomer's Handbook" by Chuck and Nancy Missler...

"The Judgment Seat of Christ is often perceived as 'the Fear of the Lord' or 'the Terror of the Lord.' And rightly so. It will be a fearful thing to stand before the Lord as he scrutinizes our lives. If mercy does not mark our dealings with man here on earth, mercy will probably not mark our judgment there either (Colossians 3:25).

Having been declared righteous and justifed at our new birth so that we might escape the wrath of God does not exempt us from being chastised on judgment day. God will pronounce some very harsh judgments on the unfaithful Christian who has allowed the cares of the world, the temptations of the flesh, and the wiles of the devil to overtake him and lead him into carnality.

Just as an unfruitful branch is cut off from the tree, so these Christians will suffer the loss of rewards and the casting out of fellowship. This is why Paul exhorted us to judge ourselves now, so that we will not have to be judged then (1 Cor. 11:1). And honest, daily self-judgment is necessary in order to avoid the penalties of the judgment."

Ten Things Christians Can Learn From the High Holidays

2009-09-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Christians Can Learn From the High Holidays
By Olivier Melnick

In each of the three Jewish High Holy Days - Rosh Hashanah (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) - there are gems hidden by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Beyond a yearly calendar of holy convocations, the Levitical Feasts (Lev. 23) as a whole point the reader to a deeper understanding of the God of Israel.

Year after year, as we celebrate God's provision for and preservation of the Jewish people, we are reminded that the same God who promised never to forsake Israel (Jeremiah 31:35-37) has also promised us forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). Here is a list of a few things Christians can learn from the High Holy Days:

1. God has a special plan for the Jewish people

God is not finished with Israel and the Jewish people! On the contrary, He continues to have a special plan for His chosen people. The Jewish calendar found in Leviticus 23 and partially repeated throughout the rest of the Tenach (Old Testament) shows us that God gave the Jewish people "holy convocations" to make us "a light to the Nations" (Lev 23:1-3, Deut 7:6-11, 1 King 8:53, 59-61, Isaiah 42:6).

2. God is a God of covenant relationships

From the early chapters of Genesis through the rest of Scriptures, God has always been a God of relationships - with mankind in general and with the Jewish people in particular. It began with the Edenic (Gen 2:15-17) and Adamic (Gen 3:14-19) Covenants made with mankind. The Mosaic Covenant, made with the children of Israel, contains the 613 mitzvot (commandments), including the celebration of the Feasts of Israel for all generations. God expressed His deep desire for relationship by teaching Israel how to relate to Him through many ways, including the Fall Feasts as a yearly reminder to bring Jewish people back to focusing on Him. The series of covenants culminates with the New Covenant made with Israel (Jeremiah 31:31-34), which is fulfilled in Messiah.

3. A better understanding of the Jewish people

Genesis 12:1-3 tells us about the Covenant God made with Abraham. In verse 3, God said: "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." As Bible-believing Christians who love Israel, blessing the Jewish people is part of what we do. There is no greater blessing than giving Jewish people the gift that never stops giving, which is the Good News (Romans 10:1-5, 11:11). The High Holy Days and their contemporary observance give us a wonderful link to the Jewish community, through which we can share the message of Messiah. As we study the feasts of Leviticus 23, we learn more about the Jewish people and as a result, we are able to deliver our message in a bold yet sensitive way.

4. The redemptive career of the Messiah

Not only will we understand the Jewish people better by knowing the Feasts of Israel, but we will also deepen our understanding of the Jewish Messiah, as each of the Feasts points to a specific event in the redemptive career of Yeshua our Redeemer. In a sense, God's grand plan is revealed through the Feasts. Many believers agree that each of the Levitical holy convocations has been or will be fulfilled by a specific event, in a specific order, in the prophetic career of the Messiah. As the Spring Festivals were all fulfilled by the First Coming of the Messiah, so the Fall Feasts will be fulfilled by His Second Coming. Incidentally, the order of the feasts on the Jewish calendar might give us a great insight into the sequence of events of the Last Days.

Messiah's Second Coming
Rosh Hashanah (New Year) - Trumpet Blast heralding End Times
Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) - The Great Tribulation
Sukkot (Feast of Booths or Tabernacles) - The Thousand-Year Messianic Kingdom

5. Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year

Rosh Hashanah means the "head of the year." It is also known as the Feast of Trumpets, and is the first of three Fall Feasts. The theme of Rosh Hashanah is regathering and repentance in preparation for the other two feasts: Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement, the most holy day of the Jewish calendar) and Sukkot (the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles).

With Rosh Hashanah we prepare our hearts for the beautiful season of the High Holy Days (Lev. 23: 23-25, Num. 29:1-6, Ps. 81:3-4, Ezra 3:1-6, Neh. 8:1-12). Jewish people all over the world blow the shofar (ram's horn). Prophetically, Rosh Hashanah will be fulfilled by the ultimate regathering of the Rapture (1 Thess 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:50-58). It is important to note that the rapture does not have to take place on the day of Rosh Hashanah to fulfill it; the Bible is clear that we don't know the day or the hour (Matt. 24:42-44, 25:13).

6. Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur is the most solemn of the High Holy Days. It is a fast and a day of affliction (Lev. 16, 23:26-32). As described in Leviticus 16, Yom Kippur was a day for all Israel's sins to be atoned for by the yearly sacrifices performed by the High Priest. First, he would atone for himself by providing both a sin and a burnt offering (Lev. 16:3). After offering sacrifices to the Lord for himself and the other priests, he would be ready to make an offering for the atonement of all Israel (Lev 16:5-7). Two male goats were used. One goat was slaughtered and the other goat, which was known as azazel or the "scapegoat," was escorted into the wilderness, and tradition tells us that it was pushed off a cliff to its certain death, taking with it all the sins of Israel to be remembered no more. Yeshua became our azazel 2,000 years ago (Rom. 5:8, 8:3).

Three times in Lev 23 (vv. 27, 29, 32) Jewish people are told to "humble our souls." The prophetic fulfillment of Yom Kippur will come with the Great Tribulation - also known as "the time of Jacob's trouble" - which is a specific description of the affliction of Israel during the Great Tribulation (Zech 13:9, 12:10, Luke 13:35).

7. Sukkot: The Feast of Tabernacles

Sukkot means "booths" in Hebrew (Lev 23:33-44, Ex. 23:14-17, Num. 29:12-38, 1 Kg 8:2, I Kings 12:25-33, Neh. 8:13-18). In biblical days as well as in modern days, Jewish people build temporary dwellings or "booths" and eat (sometimes sleep) in them for a week during Sukkot. We do it to remember and celebrate God's provision and dwelling with the children of Israel in the wilderness wanderings. Based on Leviticus 23:40, Rabbinic laws were developed regarding what is known today as the "four species." Each year, families must obtain their own lulav or "sprout" and etrog or "one that shines" (terms not found in the Bible) for the celebration. All four species are held and are waved in four directions - up, down and to the sides - symbolizing that God is everywhere.

The prophetic significance of Sukkot should not be overlooked. The Rabbis taught that one day God would pour His Holy Spirit on Israel (Joel 2:28). In John 7:37-39, during the seventh day of Sukkot, Yeshua the Messiah relates the outpouring of water to Himself and the water of eternal life that He gives. His Jewish audience would have made the connection immediately. Furthermore, Yeshua, who is God in the flesh dwelling with us, will be the ultimate fulfillment of Tabernacles, when we all dwell with Him in His future Millennial Kingdom (Zech 14:16-19). Peter, at the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36), mistakenly thought Yeshua had brought in the Kingdom, and he wanted to build three booths; one each for Messiah, Moses, and Elijah.

8. God's promises are irrevocable

With each of these festivals comes a future fulfillment of a promise from God to those who have put their trust in the death and resurrection of Messiah for the forgiveness of their sins. God's promises to Israel are irrevocable (Jeremiah 31:35-37, Romans 9:1-5, 11:26-29) and our God never changes (Hebrews 13:8). Only if God's promises to Israel are irrevocable can the promises to those who follow Messiah also be unchanged. If God has changed His mind about Israel, then our personal relationship with Him (also based on a covenantal promise) stands on nothing!

9. God's plan of redemption is not an afterthought.

From the very first Messianic prophecy found in Genesis 3:15, the Creator of the universe introduced the idea of a Redeemer for mankind. The picture progressively painted through the Jewish Scriptures is one of a Jewish man from the tribe of Judah, the line of David, both God and man, born in Bethlehem of a virgin (Genesis 3:15, 49:10, Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, Micah 5:2), to name just a few. Obviously, only Yeshua of Nazareth fulfills the description perfectly. Images of our Redeemer are also found in all the Levitical Feasts from Passover to Tabernacles, from His death to the Millennial Kingdom. God's love for us is so great that He planned all along to provide a way for us to be reconciled to Him (John 3:16).

10. A better understanding of God's Word

As most people read the Bible - which is the story of mankind in general and Israel in particular - it is as if we were watching an old movie in black and white, with some details but not all. Yet if we read the Bible from a Jewish perspective, understanding the authors' point of view, the audiences and the geographical/historical context, then we understand so much more. The movie instantly turns to color, and details we never knew existed pop up on the screen.

The Levitical calendar is not only a reminder of God's holy convocations for the children of Israel, but it also renders a vivid picture of God's love, grace, and provision for the Jewish people and the rest of mankind. It helps us to better understand not only the Jewish people, but the God of the Jewish people, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob... our God, and His Word.

......................................

Olivier is the author of They Have Conspired Against You, a book on the rebirth of worldwide anti-Semitism and how to fight it. He is also an accomplished artist and has used his God-given talent in several of Chosen People Ministries' publications and evangelistic materials. Olivier, his wife Ellen and their two children serve in Southern California.

Absolute Surrender

2009-09-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

"Give yourselves up absolutely to the will of God...say absolutely to the Lord God: 'By Your grace I desire to do Your will in everything, every moment of every day.' Say: 'Lord God, not a word upon my tongue but for Your glory. Not a movement of my temper but for your glory. Not an affection of love or hate in my heart but for your glory, and according to your blessed will.' "

Someone says: "Do you think that possible?"

I ask, What has God promised you, and what can God do to fill a vessel absolutely surrendered to Him? Oh, God wants to bless you in a way beyond what you expect. From the beginning, ear has not heard, neither has the eye seen, what God has prepared for them that wait for Him. God has prepared unheard-of-things, blessings much more wonderful than you can imagine, more might than you can now conceive. they are divine blessings.
--Andrew Murray (Absolute Surrender)

Inside the Revolution | Documentary DVD hosted by Joel Rosenberg

2009-09-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

I encourage everyone to try and watch this live event tonight. Click on the site to see more information, times, TV stations etc. Many churches are showing it as well, so maybe there is one near you! It is going to be very informative for us all.

Inside the Revolution | Documentary DVD hosted by Joel Rosenberg

Supersessionism/Replacement Theology (Part 2)

2009-09-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

More excerpts from David Stern in "Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel"

Historically, the church has managed instead to erase this truth (Ephesians 2:11-13) from the content of Christian faith through Supersessionism (a.k.a. Replacement Theology). Example: the creeds include the fact that Jesus is the Son of God and the second person of the Trinity, but does any creed mention that he is King of the Jews? Instead, throughout most of its existence the church has taught that Christians have not joined up with the people of Israel, the Jewish people, but have replaced them and become Israel themselves! Thus the church has tried to skip over the first of the Messiah's five gifts to Gentiles(Eph. 2:11-13). It claims to "have" God and his hope and his promises and his covenants while remaining alienated from the national life of Israel!

But it doesn't work that way! And it never did! More than a thousand years before Yeshua appeared, Ruth already knew this -- which is why, in beseeching Naomi to let her accompany her from Moab back to Bethlehem, in the Land of Israel, Ruth said, "Amekh ami ve'elohaikh elohai Your people are my people and your God is my God" (Ruth 1:16). First she joined the people to whom Naomi belonged. Only then did she receive as her own God the God of the Jews, the only God there is.

Christians must learn -- whether from Ruth or from Paul -- that in Jesus they become part of a great big Jewish family, and it is within this family relationship that they find God, along with his covenants, promises and hope. This is what is meant by the olive tree metaphor of Romans 11:17-24, which says that Gentile "wild branches" have been grafted into God's olive tree (the Jewish people) among the natural branches (Jews). What is spoken of here is not mystical but practical. Through faith in the Jewish Messiah a Gentile can have God-enhanced, God-blessed human relationships with Jews and with other Gentiles who have found Yeshua and accept him as the atonement for their sins, as well as with Jews who haven't yet accepted him.

If Jews fail to welcome Christians as "family," it's not the fault of the Jews but the fault of Christians who do not understand who they really are in Messiah Yeshua! And it therefore becomes the Christians' responsibility to re-think their identity so that they can do whatever will be necessary to undo centuries of misunderstanding between Jews and Christians and ultimately to make real their closeness and identification with the Jewish people.

Thus the Gospel for Gentiles is: (1) accept Yeshua, and with repentance have forgiveness of sins; (2) join spiritually and practically with the Jewish people, who now become family; (3) participate as family members in God's covenants with the Jewish people; (4) rejoice as family members in God's promises to the Jewish people and participate in his promises to Gentile believers in Yeshua; (5) participate in the hope God gives his people, and (6) participate in God himself!

Christianity is Jewish

2009-09-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

The following is an excerpt from the book "Restoring the Jewishness of the Gospel" by David Stern, Ph.D. You may never have thought along this line, but I encourage you to meditate upon it today. I will be posting various excerpts from this over the next few days. Blessings!

Edith Schaeffer, wife of the late Francis Schaeffer, wrote a book with the title, Christianity is Jewish. Her point, and mine too, is that Christianity, no matter how un-Jewish some of its current forms of expression may be, has its roots in Judaism and in the Jewish people.

The facts are simply not a matter of debate. For years all the disciples of Yeshua were Jewish. The New Testament was entirely written by Jews (Luke being, in all likelihood, a Jewish proselyte). The very concept of a Messiah is nothing but Jewish. Finally, Yeshua himself was Jewish -- was then and apparently is still, since nowhere does Scripture say or suggest that he has ceased to be a Jew. It was Jews who brought the Gospel to Gentiles.

Paul, the chief emissary to the Gentiles was an observant Jew all his life. Indeed the main issue in the early Church was whether without undergoing complete conversion to Judaism a Gentile could be a Christian at all. The Messiah's vicarious atonement is rooted in the Jewish sacrifical system. The Lord's Supper is rooted in the Jewish Passover traditions. Baptism is a Jewish practice. Indeed the entire New Testament is build on the Hebrew Bible, with its prophecies and its promises of a New Covenant, so that the New testament without the Old is impossible as the second floor of a house without the first.

Much of what is written in the New Testament is incomprehensible apart from Judaism...

Although the Gospel message is for both Jew and Gentile equally, the context of Messianic faith is Jewish. Even if one were to accept a false premise of Replacement Theology, that the Jews are no longer God's people, this would not change the fact that Christianity is Jewish. To try to understand it differently can only distort God's message.

About the author: David Stearn earned a Ph.D. in economics at Princeton University and was professor at UCLA. In 1972 he came to faith in Yeshua the Messiah. He then received a Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, did graduate work at the University of Judaism, and was active in the Messianic Jewish movement. He has written books along with English translation: The Jewish New Testament and Complete Jewish Bible.

Wonderful Waste by Tina

2009-08-30T21:33:00.000-07:00

I want to waste my life
Pursuing my Savior and King.
What the world calls a waste,
I want to embrace
More than any thing.

I want to waste my time
With the ones rejected and broken;
Binding their hearts
In the inmost parts
With deep love and joy unspoken.

I want to waste my days
Basking in His glorious presence;
Listening to His voice
Being still without the noise
Communing in the realm of the heavens.

I want to waste myself
Being poured out for His glory;
Bringing Him delight
Always pleasing in His sight
May this be my song and my story.

Wonderful waste!
What unspeakable taste
Of life and love and truth.

by Tina Nahid

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

2009-08-28T06:07:00.001-07:00

I want to walk as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world.
The star of my life is Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God.
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path,
and show me the way to the Father.

I'm looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
we shall know the joy of Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

--Kathleen Thomerson

Be My Facebook Friend!

2009-08-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

As you may have noticed, I haven't been posting pictures on my blog of my family anymore. I find it safer to use Facebook for that, so if you want to send me a friend request along with a message, maybe we can be friends on there!

I've been really lax on my blog lately, but I am going to try and start writing more. Promise!

Love to all!

I Love Restoration House

2009-08-27T21:11:00.000-07:00

So awesome to be a part of such a thriving and living body of believers. Check out our new Restoration House website HERE.

May the love of our Lord be poured upon you right now. May the Lord send His Holy Spirit to pour over you rivers of living water. May our church glorify the Lord in every way, in all we do for the sake of Jesus' name. May we grow in unity and community together as the first-century church.

If you live in the area, please come and join us. We are going to a two-service Sunday on Sept. 6, 9:00 and 11:00. You are welcome and invited.

Bless you!

Hunger and Thirst

2009-08-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied!

Matthew 5:6 (Amplified Bible)

I have recently learned that to be "blessed" means to be "happy." I never fully realized this before. You sometimes hear someone say "Well, God's not really concerned about us being happy, He just wants us to do His will." Have you ever heard something like that? I have. And I pondered this often, and somewhat bought into this until I realized what it truly meant to be blessed. It is to be happy.

Hunger and thirst. That combination doesn't make me want to run and get on the "Happy Train." Does it you? Yet, Jesus said that we would be happy if we were hungry and thirsty. But, hungry and thirsty for what? Physical food? The obvious answer is no. Our happiness comes from a hunger and a thirst for spiritual food; more specifically, for "righteousness."

Do you hunger and thirst for God and His righteousness? Do you yearn to live a holy life and to be always in right standing before the Father? Or, do you hunger and thirst for something else instead, like recognition in your workplace among your peers, a mate who would be your all-in-all, or the latest fashion accessories or home decor? Do you hunger and thirst to be continually entertained by those around you, by the media, or even by the church? Do you hunger and thirst for wealth, security, or prestige among men?

If we hunger and thirst for anything other than what was prescribed by our Lord Jesus, we will continually be in starvation mode. Nothing will fill our plates. Nothing will satisfy our palate. Nothing will soothe the gnawing ache within our stomachs. Only His righteousness can truly make us happy. Only living for His purposes, His will, and by His standards and commands will we be truly happy inside.

So, are you hungry? Are you thirsty now? Cry out for His living water! He is the Bread of Life! He will feed you with a feast that will fill you to overflowing. Ask the Lord to give you a holy hunger for His Word, the Bible. Ask Him to give you the grace to thirst for the things of God! He will do it! He is faithful. Be hungry and thirsty every day for more of the food from heaven, and He will abundantly provide. It is His promise to those who seek Him.

Go, eat and drink of Jesus, Yeshua, and be filled with happiness.

Beautiful Feet

2009-08-05T14:49:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Feet
by Tina Nahid 8-5-09

How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“ Your God reigns!”

--Isaiah 52:7

I have several friends who would very boldly proclaim that they are just “not feet people.” They don’t want to see feet. They don’t like to feel someone’s feet next to them. They sure don’t like to rub feet. They want to be as far away from feet as possible. Sound familiar? I have to admit that I do understand this foot “phobia” as this part of the body is not always the cleanest or most attractive. How much more were feet smelly, dirty and sweaty in Biblical times than they are even now?

Yet, did you know that it is possible for our feet to be “beautiful?” No, this doesn’t require a day at the spa with full pedicure, wax treatment and buffing. The qualities that make our feet beautiful can be found in this verse in Isaiah 52. Would you like to have beautiful feet too? Let’s break it down:

Bringing Good News

When you enter a room or a place of any kind, what message do you bring? Do you bring a complaining, worldly attitude? Do you bring a down-trodden, timid, weak and gloomy disposition? Or, do you like to dwell on and discuss the problems and the evil of this world and society? Or, do you bring “good news?” Do you cheer people up with your countenance? Do you give them an encouraging word? Even more important, do you share the “good news” of the gospel? Do you share God’s love with those around you? This is the first step for having simply gorgeous feet.

Proclaiming Peace

I find myself constantly talking to my three children about the virtues of being a “peacemaker.” Do you carry this quality of making peace with others wherever you go? Do you carry the “shalom” of God with you so that no circumstances make you crumble? When we proclaim peace, we are proclaiming the God of all Peace. We are telling and showing others the peace they can find only in a relationship with God. When we are a peacemaker, we do not harbor an argumentative or divisive spirit. We can agree to disagree in love. Let us cultivate our feet in this way.

Bringing Glad Tidings of Good Things

This would be the opposite of a doom and gloom attitude, a pessimist spirit, a cup-half-empty approach. Now, does this mean we should be phony or false about serious problems in our life or in society or the world? No, we must also be watchful and aware of the evil around us, coming against it in prayer and intercession. Yet, what makes our feet beautiful in God’s sight is that we are “encouragers” of one another. That we encourage one another as we see the day of the Lord approaching. We have a blessed Hope in Jesus our Lord. He loves us and is for us, not against us. We must bring these tidings into all the spheres of influence in our lives.

Proclaiming Salvation

Feet that are truly beautiful proclaim salvation. This is not just for those with a gift of evangelism. This is for all who are disciples of the Lord Jesus. We must proclaim the gift of salvation whenever the Lord opens the door for us to speak. There are countless opportunities to speak into people’s lives about the salvation of God. Tragedies occur daily around the globe. Hearts are broken or will be continually. We live in a fallen world where people need Hope. How wonderful that we as the Body have the answers. All we must do is step out in faith and proclaim.

Say Unto Zion, “Your God Reigns!”

As a believer and a member of the body of Jesus the Messiah, who has been grafted into the family of God, I see this verse both with a literal and a spiritual insight. I believe in the literal Zion, Jerusalem, the holy city. Therefore, I believe as followers of our Lord, we are to minister to the Jews, to proclaim the love of God to them, to tell them that “Your God reigns!” I believe we are to love them by sharing the love of Jesus with them, witnessing to them about God’s salvation in their Messiah. After all, Romans 11 is very clear that their eyes have been blinded to the truth partly so the gentiles could be “grafted in” and receive salvation. We are now to show them the mercy we have been shown by sharing their Messiah “to the Jew first, then to the Greek.” Jesus Himself is our Jewish Messiah.

On another level, we are to help to build one another’s faith by proclaiming the greatness and the goodness and the faithfulness of God. No matter who we may meet, we should praise our God for who He is, for His character, for His power, for His love. We are to even stir ourselves up in our most holy faith and proclaim the attributes of our Father daily.

I hope you are as excited about beautifying your feet as I am! Are you tired of the cracks on your heels, and the bunions on your toes? Although these earthly characteristics may persist, your feet can become exciting, beautiful, and glamorous in the sight of God. They can even become like the feet of Jesus whom Mary washed with her tears and dried with her hair. She was so overwhelmed with the awe and love of Jesus. May we walk with holy, set-apart feet, pleasing to our Father and a blessing to all people we may encounter.

Help us, dear Father, to cultivate beautiful feet in your sight. Give us your grace to live pure and blameless lives before you, to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, pleasing to you, for this is the very least you are worthy of. I love you and need you every day. In Jesus name, Amen.

With love,
Tina

Blessing in the Storm

2009-07-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

This song playing on my Playlist today is for all of you who may be in the midst of a storm in your life right now. I pray this song will encourage you today, that you will be lifted up, that you will know that there is always a purpose and a plan in every storm that we go through as God's children. God remains a Faithful and loving Daddy throughout, and He will bring you through. Not only will he bring you through, but in this storm, there will be a blessing for you. I don't know how it will come. I don't know in what way it will manifest. But, I can assure that if you belong to Jesus, He will work it all for your ultimate good.

No doubt, everything we go through is NOT good, but everything we go through will TURN OUT for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes in Christ Jesus. Believe this and cling to it today. It is God's truth for you. Hold onto Him. He will see you through this.

Know that this song is personally for you today, beloved of God. Take a moment and find rest in His presence and in His promise to you today.

For Adam Was First Formed

2009-07-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

FOR ADAM WAS FIRST FORMED
by Bible teacher Chuck Missler

In last week's eNews, we overviewed the treatment of women in the Bible. In contrast to some religions that treat women as hardly better than the possessions of men, the Bible values and honors women. Yet, human beings have a tendency to mess things up and skew God's original intent and design. There is order in God's delegation of authority, and when men fail to take their proper responsibilities, and when women usurp the authority that men are supposed to exercise, everybody can suffer.

Surveys in recent years have shown that women consistently outnumber men in Christian churches. It doesn't matter which denomination, women are more likely to attend church – and attend faithfully - than men are. According to the US Religious Landscape Survey of 35,000 people by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, 45 percent of women and 34 percent of men attend a worship service weekly. A Barna Research survey of 1,006 adults in 2008 showed that 77 percent of women compared to 65 percent of men considered their faith very important in their lives. The reasons, though, may go beyond something like, "girls are better." In fact, the problem may be that many men find church to be "sissified."

In his book, The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity, Leon Podles writes:

"Western Christianity has become part of the feminine world from which men feel they must distance themselves to attain masculinity. That is why men stay away from church, especially when they see that the men involved in church tend to be less masculine."

To the extent that this is true, it can be addressed in simple terms. First, Christian men need to behave like men, and not like women in male bodies. They need to take seriously the responsibilities of spiritual leadership that God has given them. Second, women must not usurp men's authority in the church body.

Men have too often been lax in their jobs before God to be the spiritual leaders in their homes. Too often mothers have been the ones who make sure the kids go to worship, say their prayers, and learn their Bible verses. Mothers, though, are not the spiritual heads of the family; fathers are. Of course, it's better if Mom takes the kids to church than if nobody does. People who went to church without either parent as children are only 33 percent likely to now attend regularly as adults, compared to 50 percent of those who went to church with at least Mom. The best way to make sure children attend church as adults, though, is to have both Dad and Mom taking them. Sixty-two percent of adults who attend church regularly were taken by both parents as children.

Ross Sawyers pastors a church in Grapevine, Texas dedicated to reaching men. "I have read that if a child comes to Christ, 12 percent of the time the whole family will follow," Sawyers says. "If the mom comes, there's a 15 percent chance the family will. But if the man comes to church, 90 percent of the time the family will come along behind. "

We need our Christian men, and we need men to take on their roles with strength and courage and passion, without fearing they'll be hounded by a group of church ladies who don't like the way things are done. As sad as that sounds, it is actually a problem in some churches.

There are some wonderful women in churches, whose acts of service are a blessing and inspiration to many. Churches need those women. However, when women start to take over everything, men need to stand up and take charge again. It's not sexist, it's simply part of the order of things. Men have a natural tendency to be more business-oriented, and women to be more relationship-oriented. Women complain that men are too harsh and men complain that women are too emotional. Yet, God fashioned each gender for specific purposes and functions. Each gender has their vital role to play in their family and community and church lives, and those roles are meant to complement each other. Even in the very beginning, God made man to tend the garden and woman to be man's helper, and when both do their jobs conscientiously, in a partnership, fruitfulness is the result.

While there have been many benefits to women's liberation over the years, there has also been an imbalance as women have tried to break free from what has been seen as a bondage to male authority. As far as men have abused their positions of authority, they bear some responsibility for that. Even many Christian women, though, have ceased to understand the high value God places on women respecting their husbands and their husbands' position as head of the family, and as leaders in the church. There is an order that God has ordained, and both genders have – in a large way – failed to understand and maintain that order.

The Bible consistently tells women, "Submit to your husbands" (Eph 5:22, Col 3:18). Those words are obnoxious to many women today, and yet, they are just as important as the words, "Husbands, love your wives" (Eph 5:25). They do not mean that women should be doormats, or that they are relegated to the position of house servants with no voice or opinion. They do not mean that women become robots who lose their own responsibility for their own actions. In Acts 5, Sapphira was held accountable for agreeing with Ananias' to lie about the money they were donating. Yet, many Christian women want to control their husbands, and they hang desperately onto their own self-righteousness, all the while hiding a heart of rebellion and pride.

The reality is that God has given men the position of headship, and they have the final responsibility before God for what happens in the family and in the church. Women need to respect their husbands' position under God. It pleases God when women aren't constantly railing against their husbands, rejecting their authority, and neutering then in general. It pleases Him when they submit themselves to their husbands out of respect for Him. And when women are obedient to God in this way, it encourages men to be men and to do the jobs that everybody needs them to do. When women are doing all the work, it's very easy for men to sit back and just watch the ball game.

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. - 1 Peter 3:5-7

A Little Order:

-Women are not supposed to teach or usurp authority over a man (1 Tim 2:12-14).
-Older women are to be holy, teaching the young women (Titus 2:3-5).
-Older men are to willingly teach and oversee the flock, not lording over them but being good examples. (1 Peter 5:1-3).
-Young men are to submit to the older ones (1 Peter 5:5).
-Everybody is to be clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5).

The most important thing to remember is that God is our ultimate authority, and HE is the one we must all submit to.

What About Nan?
Here at Koinonia House, Nan Missler teaches The Way of Agape series, and sometimes men attend her sessions. She leads those sessions, though, under the authority of her husband, and the men who attend come of their free will. Most of those who do attend her sessions are women, but we're not going to turn folks away from hearing about God's way of love just because they are wearing neckties or suspenders.

In the end, it isn't each other we should be fighting against. We are not the enemy; Satan is.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." -Ephesians 6:10-13

Related Links:
• At Nation's Churches, Guys Are Few In The Pews - USA Today

• The Feminization of the Church - Blog

• Way of Agape: A New Way of Love - Koinonia House

• Nan's Articles - King's Highway

Next Year In Jerusalem!!

2009-07-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

"There was a pilgrim who went to Israel in the fourth century, about 1350 A.D. He wrote in his journal, "I have toured the Holy Land, and I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that a tour of the Holy Land is like reading a fifth gospel, because it brings it all alive in your heart." '

Training Children To Speak

2009-07-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

TRAINING CHILDREN TO SPEAK
Part 1
Above Rubies Devotional by Nancy Campbell

Psalm 127:4-5, "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."

Many times we forget the purpose of our parenting, don't we? We plod along from day to day with what has to be done and we don't see the future picture. It is good to come back to the Word of God and be reminded of what we are supposed to be doing.

God talks of our children in the context of war. This life is a battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. We are raising our children to be warriors for God's kingdom, to know how to face the battle and to stand strong for God.

Recently, I noticed something important in our above Scripture. We are training our children to speak! Did you notice that? We are to raise children who will speak with the enemies in the gates. In Bible times, the gates of the city were more than an entrance way. They were the busiest place in the city. It was here that the elders sat to rule and direct the affairs of the city. It was here the judges and officers judged the daily matters of the people. It was at the gates the soldiers stood sentinel to guard and protect the city.

And this is where God wants our children to speak--in the important places of the city, the state and the nation. He wants us to raise children who will be able to proclaim His truth in the gates--in the high places where decisions and laws are made. We are living in an era where "Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street and equity cannot enter." (Isaiah 59:14-15) In this hour of history, we need to raise children who know more than a few Sunday school stories, but children who understand God's truth, who have discernment and know how to execute justice. We need to raise children who are not afraid to speak God's truth, even in the face of opposition and persecution. The psalmist said, "I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed." (Psalm 119:46) I love the Knox translation which says, "Fearlessly will I talk of thy decrees in the presence of kings, and be never abashed."

Truth is not always easy to make known. People often compromise the truth because they are scared of the repercussions. But we are not raising wimps--we are raising warriors. We are raising children who are not afraid to face the enemy. We need soldiers like C.T. Studd prayed for:

Lord, send us lion-hearted men
With good courageous habits,
Who ne'er will run from the devil's gun
Like hares and bunny rabbits!

Some translations of Psalm 127:5 say, "Contend with the enemies in the gate." Our "arrows" must know how to contend for their faith and the truth.

"How do we train our children to speak?" you may ask. Perhaps Apologetics should be part of every academic curriculum. Our children must learn how to give an answer for the faith that is in them (1 Peter 3:15). Of course, it will be difficult to prepare children to be truth-bearers if we are not heralding the truth ourselves. We must not be afraid to speak God's eternal truths, even when they are counter-culture. The ideologies of our society regarding family are not working. There is so much heartache in marriages and family life. Marriages are continually falling apart. God's way, although different to man's ways are the way to success if we are prepared to be obedient to them. We must not ever be ashamed of the truth. We do not have to be intimidated by our adversaries. We can speak with confidence for we know the way that works!

We should be like the apostle Paul who spoke boldly in the synagogue and in the market place, testifying, reasoning, disputing and persuading people in the truth. The psalmist and Paul both confessed, "I believed, therefore have I spoken." (Psalm 116:10 and 2 Corinthians 4:13) What do you believe? That's what you'll speak about. What are you teaching your children to believe? What is the passion of their heart? That's what they'll speak about. Not clichés, but convictions!

Never forget--silence is surrender, but speaking the truth can change the culture of the nation.

Raise your children to be warriors for the Lord. Raise them to know the truth. Prepare them to speak the truth--anointed, not-giving-in, not-backing-down words--in the market place and in high places.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL, ABOVE RUBIES

PRAYER:

"Lord, please lift my vision for parenting my children. Help me to train them to know and understand the truth and be filled with zeal and boldness to speak your truth to all they meet. Help me to also be a truth-bearer wherever I go and to never be ashamed of your timeless truths. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am raising children to be Truth Bearers.

Further Reference:

Speaking boldly, disputing and persuading:
Read Acts 4:13; 29-31; 9:27, 29; 13:43, 46; 14:3; 17:17; 18:4, 13, 26; 19:8, 26; 28:23; Ephesians 6:18-19; Philippians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Proverbs 28:1.

Speaking before kings and rulers:
Psalm 119:46; Proverbs 22:29; Acts 4:8; 24:10-21; 24-27; 26:1-32.

Always ready to speak, even to those who oppose:
Ezekiel 33:8-9; Matthew 10:18-20; 32-33; Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:25; 4:1-2; 1 Peter 3:15.

Search for God

2009-07-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

I sought His love in lore of books,
In charts of science's skill;
They left me orphaned as before -
His love eluded still;
Then in despair I breathed a prayer;
The Lord of love was standing there.

I sought His love in sun and stars,
And where the wild seas roll,
And found it not. As mute I stood,
Fear overwhelmed my soul;
But when I gave to one in need,
I found the Lord of Love indeed.

--Thomas Curtis Clark

You Are Good

2009-07-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Awesome song by Jeff Deyo. Take a moment to listen and be blessed! Be sure to turn off my music player!

Call2Fall

2009-07-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

Today is a day set aside by a national prayer initiative called Call2Fall. I encourage each of you to take a personal time on your knees and cry out the words of this prayer to our Lord which I printed off of their official website. May this be the prayer from our hearts today, joining in with believers across the nation:

Heavenly Father,

Lord, You are good; Your steadfast love endures forever, and Your faithfulness to all
generations (Ps 100:5, ESV).We come on bended knee to acknowledge our utter dependence upon You, our Creator,God, and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. You are God of the Old and New Testaments.

Your Covenant of love with us who believe is sealed by the blood of Your Son. Your
promise to bless us if we believe, honor and obey You and to judge us if we do not,
continues in force (Ps 95:6-7; Rom 5:8-9; Heb 8:10)
Lord, today, we unite with fellow Christians across America, from many denominations
and backgrounds, falling to our knees before You, asking You to help us humble
ourselves, not only today, but every day. Hear our prayers, forgive our sins and heal ourland (2 Chr 7:14)!

We have been proud and arrogant, as individuals, families, churches and as a nation. Youhave singularly blessed us, but we have taken Your blessing for granted (Jas 4:6Pet5:5-6)

You are worthy of our love and devotion. Instead, we have forgotten You and ignored
Your word. We have not esteemed You as Almighty God, nor have we honored, served
and obeyed You as we ought (Ps 18; Rev 4:11).
Few of us are walking in pure devotion to You, worshiping wholeheartedly, praying
without ceasing, and daily feeding upon Your word. Too few of us have given ourselves
enthusiastically to do Your will and labored diligently to finish Your work. Rather wehave forsaken You, the Spring of Living water, and imbibed the stagnant waters of ourmodern culture (Pr 12:24; Jer 2:13; Mt 4:10; Jn 4:34; 1 Th 5:17; 2 Tim 2:15).

You call us to be a light, to live holy lives, to walk in Christian love and carry the gospelof Christ to the nations. Instead, we have withheld the grace of Yougospel from ourfamily, friends, neighbors and co-workers, allowing far too many to face a Christ-less eternity. You command us to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, yet our youth are abandoning the faith in unprecedented numbers. While we ignore Your command to preach the gospel, those who serve false gods zealously proselytize,trapping millions in eternal darkness and confusion. We have been complacent, apathetic,lazy, disobedient, and unfaithful to Your call (Mt 5:14-16).

You charge us to be salt to our culture, to preserve truth and all that is godly and pure.Yet we have allowed the rot of godless media and entertainment to fill our homes. Insteadof permeating our culture with vital Biblical truth, instead of filling our homes, churches,schools, businesses, halls of government, and thus our nation with eternal truth andreality, we have allowed them to be infected by lies and spiritual darkness. Instead ofchanging the world, the world has changed us. We seem impotent. Having failed to be thesalt of the earth, we are fast becoming good for nothing except to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men (Mt 5:13).

Lord, the living faith of our Forefathers, their love and devotion to their children, and their commitment to future generations compelled them to sacrifice their lives for us. Yet we have become the “me generation.” We elect leaders, not for their righteousness, but their promise to give us benefits. Absorbed with our own lives and material possessions, we have lost sight of all that is important: God and family, our neighbors, our fellow countrymen and the people beyond the seas whom You love and for whom You gave Your Son (Pr 29:2; Ex 18:21).

Now, our nation is under judgment; natural disasters pummel our cities and countryside;we face war on two fronts; rogue nations hate us and international terrorists have penetrated our borders. Economic collapse cripples entire regions, millions are out of work; preachers and politicians are put on display for their acts of corruption and immorality; our leaders mortgage our children’s future to build political monuments to themselves. Our jails and prisons are filled to overflowing. Our children are enslaved by unthinkable sins, sex, drugs and alcohol. Abortion and sexual immorality have become protected rights, and legislators, judges and governors impose homosexual “marriage” upon their citizens. Our schools teach that “marriage” between a man and a man ismorally equivalent to holy matrimony between a man and woman; evil is called good,and good is called evil. The curses you warned would come to a disobedient people have all come upon us (Dt 8:11-20; 28: all; Is 5:20)

Unless You, Lord, intervene and bring revival to the Church, Awakening to the nation
and spiritual reformation to our culture, our once God-blessed nation will go the way ofancient Carthage, Greece, and Rome. Persecution will surely become our lot (Ps85:6;94:17; Mt 5:13b).

Lord, we cry out to You today. Hear our cry. Help us to seek Your Face. Show us Your
Face, and help us to turn from our wicked ways (2 Chr 7:14).
Lord, Heal our Land. Show us mercy! Forgive us our sins and cleanse us! Revive Your
churches. Set our pulpits aflame with righteousness. Purge compromise from our pews
and cause Your word to go forth to every city and town in America. Make Your people
salt and light again. Raise up godly leaders in church and state and grant that we mightlead quiet and peaceable lives in godliness and honesty. Help us to return wholly to Youand return, Lord, to us. We pray in the Name of Jesus, knowing that Your word declares,“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." (2 Chr7:14; Is 40:8; Joel 2:15-18; Mal 3:7a; 2 Cor 7:1; 1 Jn 1:9)

In Honor of My 30 and 40-Something Friends Today

2009-07-04T15:21:00.000-07:00

Today, my hubby and Micah and I were dancing to the 80's in the living room of our home. Yes, we looked quite goofy and probably even the fly on the wall was laughing hysterically, but it sent me wandering joyfully down memory lane. I thought of all the hours I spent with my record player playing 45's and singing, dancing and DJ'ing in my room. Those are sweet memories. So, I thought I would honor all of you X-generationer friends by compiling a music list on my Playlist just for you today.

Take a few minutes to just kick back, have a chuckle and listen to some REAL music, right? The music of today cannot even compare to the greatness of the 80's! Agree?

Enjoy the tunes. I would love to hear of some of your favorites growing up that I might have missed on here. I will try to add them. Also, any stories you would like to share would be most welcome and entertaining! We must stick together! Gen X! Gen X! (chanting...arm in the air, fist and all) Love to you all!

(Okay, I might allow the late 20's youngsters to get in on this honor, although you really don't fully understand!!!)

Sobering Words from C.S. Lewis

2009-07-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

God is going to invade this earth in force, but what is the good of saying you are on his side then when you see the whole natural universe is melting away like a dream and something else, something it never entered your head to conceive, comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left?

For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistable lve or irresistable horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. There is no use saying you choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing. It will be the time when we discover which side we have really chosen whether we realized it before or not.

Now, today, this moment is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever. We must take it or leave it.

--C.S. Lewis

Prophetic Voice from the Past

2009-06-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

"If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering...But if we or our posterity neglect it and its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity."

--Daniel Webster

Tom Davis Interview -- Awesome!

2009-06-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

I hope you will take a moment to watch this 2-part program featuring Tom Davis. The book mentioned on this show was the first book that had a major impact on my heart for orphans and our calling to adoption. Davis is truly passionate about this within the body of Christ, and I admire and respect him very much. I pray it will stir your heart and bless you as well. (Be sure and pause my music player below!)

True Peace in the Middle East

2009-06-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Take a moment to watch this short but inspiring video by Maoz Israel ministries in Tel Aviv, Israel. I am so blessed by this ministry, as our church supports them. How wonderful when brothers dwell in unity!

The Love of God

2009-06-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

Excerpt taken from The Love of God by Oswald Chambers:

Our Lord did not rebuke His disciples for making mistakes, but for not having faith. The two things that astonished Him were "little faith" and "great faith." Faith is not in what Jesus Christ can do, but in Himself, and anything He can do is less than Himself.

Suppose that God is the God we know Him to be when we are nearest to Him. What an impertinence worry is! Think of the unspeakable marvel of the remaining hours of this day, and think how easily we can shut God right out of His universe by the logic of our own heads, by a trick of our nerves, by remembering the way we have limited Him in the past -- banish Him right out, and let the old worry and care come in, until we are a disgrace to the name of Jesus. But let the attitude be a continual "going out" in dependence on God and the life will have an ineffable charm, which is satisfaction to Jesus Christ.

To read Chamber's bio, click HERE.

Let Me Hold You Longer

2009-06-08T21:22:00.000-07:00

Today I want to share with you the words of a children's book written by Karen Kingsbury titled "Let Me Hold You Longer." I saw Karen speaking at a Women of Joy conference where she read this book to the audience. There wasn't a dry eye, certainly not mine! (In fact, I am quite sure I won't make it to the end of typing this without a good cry.)

I pray this book will bless you, encourage you, and remind you just how special time with your children as they grow truly is.

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts:
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips.
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.
The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you'd marry
me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past --
Would I have held on longer if
I'd known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap.
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-by to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow --
will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days
that haven't come to pass,
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is stil a mess.
The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there,
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer --
want to recognize your lasts...

The last time you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.
The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I've watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you'll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you'll be missed.
I'll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.

A Day In Antigua

2009-06-04T21:01:00.000-07:00

Below are a few photos from our day spent in Antigua, Guatamala. Although we were sad and feeling a bit guilty to be away from our babies, we truly did have a blessed day together! What a beautiful city and people.

I'm Back from Guatamala!

2009-05-28T08:32:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful trip I had to Guatamala last week. I am just getting back into the swing of things again at home, so I have not had time to post pictures. But, today is the day!

It has been very difficult for me to put my thoughts and feelings about this mission trip into words. It was such a privilege to be able to go and be a part of such an amazing journey. At times, my heart felt as if it would burst with love, compassion and joy at the opportunity to minister God's love to the orphans of Casa Bernabe. Yet, at other moments, I felt as if my heart may burst with a mixture of sadness and anger over the plight of the fatherless. I am still processing all of this, but overall I must say that my determination to obey and follow Proverbs 31:8-9 as a life verse has been totally strengthened and renewed:

Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

So, with that, I open my mouth to say how beautiful, how valuable, how extraordinary and how precious the orphans and the poor villagers of the lush land of Guatamala are. I encourage each of you to pray about what you can do to bless orphans, widows and the poor all over this globe. Our Father will show you your place in His Kingdom purpose, and He DOES have one for you!

I hope you enjoy these pictures and also allow them to touch your heart. Each one of these precious children were so unique in their little personalities, both in the orphanage and in the village. We blessed them, fed them, changed their diapers, loved on them, wrestled with them, through them up in the air, read to them -- all the things children deserve from us. In the village at the medical mission there, it was lice treatment day...and the children were excited! To sit and allow their hair to be washed, combed, etc, was a real treat for them. Wow, what perspective that gives to me!

Bless you today and thank you to all who prayed fervently for me, who lifted me up even for a minute, I thank you and appreciate you. A special thank you to my dear friend Suzanne for supporting me financially in a very generous way. You blessed not only me but all of the children and adults whom I was able to touch for God's kingdom in Guatamala! Thank you sister!

This was the bedtime routine each night in the infant house. They would gather and the house parent or a helper would say a prayer, then off to their beds.

This is Walter, a sweet, mischievous, very intelligent little boy. He scurried around the room (only 1 room for them to play in) like a little old man. It was so funny to watch and to throw him up in the air. How he loved that!

Me feeding little Carlos, 3 months old. What a sweetie.

Strong and sweet Ludwin! It broke my heart to go into the little boy room and see all the baby beds and try to choose which one to pick up first. I wanted to get them all at once out of their beds. They would just stand so patiently and get so excited when you chose them. Ah, it breaks my heart in two.

This is Isaac, born very premature and so little, but SO strong and independent! And Yamalette, who had been brought to the orphanage only 2 weeks prior to our arrival. I got to pray over her and work with her through a bit of her grieving and pain, and I saw a significant difference in her temperament as the week progressed. She began smiling and talking, interacting instead of just tantruming, being defiant, etc. What a beautiful little girl she is. My heart longed to bring her home with me!

In the infant house, we would change their diapers assembly line style, lining up 3 or 4 children at a time. Here are Timothy, Hector and Ludwin (left to right). What typical boys they were, into everything and wiggle worms!

Here I am reading to Hector and Chi-Cho. The first glimpse I got of Hector, my heart was stolen. He was carrying around two floppy, cloth books and sitting down to read them himself. He loved to read! A child after my own heart! Oh, how I fell in love with him!

This was Nicole and David, each about 1 year old. They were so precious and funny! They would sit in these little chairs to be fed.

They called this little boy Chi-Cho. When an infant, he was found in a dumpster covered with ants. He was rescued and stayed in the hospital for 6 months and was then sent to Casa Bernabe. He is now 3, such a smart and vibrant boy. I loved him!

The babies lined up in assembly line style for meals. There were 22 infants (0-3).

A curious woman in the village

Building beds

Our team built a bed to take to this woman and her children in their "house." Their house consisted of corn stalk walls and a dirt floor on the side of the hills. She was so excited about this bed made of plywood boards. The staff at the medical mission are working on this so that the people can sleep off of the dirt floor and mud, reducing illness, disease and lice.

Sweet village girls.

View of the village

The village school restrooms.

Mother and child

A woman and her baby in the village.

The village schools. Our team took school supplies and treat bags to the children. What an eye-opener to see these children. The government of Guatamala has ceased giving school lunches to the children, so they receive a drink of rice milk instead.

View of the village

Beautiful girls of the village.

A mother with her baby in the village clinic

More of the Inconvenient Truth

2009-05-13T10:47:00.000-07:00

More of the Inconvenient Truth
By Jan Markell, Olive Tree Ministries

No matter how you cut it, I am an outcast. To the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), I am a right-wing extremist. I am suspect because I am pro-life, pro-family, anti-illegal immigration, pro-U.S. sovereignty, study the end-times and thus might be part of the militia movement, and I trust returning war vets. Thankfully, DHS head, Janet Napolitano, gave a partial apology to the last mentioned.

But now I fall into another guilty category: I am a friend of Israel, also known as a Christian Zionist. Church of England priest Stephen Sizer has written another vitriolic book, this time titled, Zion's Christian Soldiers. Suggesting we are like the Crusaders, Sizer warns that pro-Israel U.S. evangelicals have monstrously distorted the Middle East by aligning America with Israel. Sizer states, "In its worst forms, Christian Zionism uses the Bible to justify racial superiority, land expropriation, colonial settlements, the denial of international law, and the dehumanization of Arabs."

Unfortunately Sizer represents a more conservative wing of the Church of England and thus has a platform in places he should not. One such platform is the radio program of the so-called "Bible Answerman" Hank Hanegraaff. Hank is adept in some areas of apologetics and has a radio audience in the millions. Christians who call his daily program remind him that he has revolutionized their spiritual life. I am not sure we want this kind of revolution as he echoes Sizer's sentiments. Additionally, Hanegraaff is a Preterist, believing all end-time prophecy happened in 70 AD and Nero was the antichrist. That theology puts my brain in a pretzel as I don't want to look at prophecy in a rear-view mirror!

Sizer suggests that the reason Britain and America have become the focus of so much hatred from the Islamic world is because these two nations perpetrate "the most influential and destructive movement among Christians today: Christian Zionism." I wonder why this movement is ridiculed when there is a commandment in the Bible to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6)?

A previous book by Sizer is titled, Christian Zionism: Road Map to Armageddon. The mantra is the same: Friends of Israel will lead the world into total doom.

Who else is on this vitriolic bandwagon? None other than some Emergent Church leaders including Brian McLaren and his followers in the religious Left. In Jim Wallis' April edition of Sojourners Magazine, McLaren states that Christians like me are "terrible," "deadly," and "distorted." He likens my belief system to the racism of the 1950s and 1960s. McLaren is outraged that Israel might be a special nation to the Lord. Both McLaren and Jim Wallis are "advisors" to Barack Obama, who will likely throw Israel under the bus when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu next week. Keep this important meeting in prayer. Israeli intelligence admits, in writing, "Under Obama's policies, we are irrelevant. We have become an obstacle." How will Bibi deal with this?

We can't leave out Tony Campolo who says in his book Speaking My Mind that the good people who follow a ministry like mine are "rigid" and are "the real problem for the whole world." Those who look at the last days, which include a heavy emphasis on Israel, "are to blame for wars and a host of other evils." Campolo was one of Bill Clinton's "advisors." We are dealing with high profile people here, not obscure folks who can be easily marginalized and ignored.

Also among this critical legion includes a pastor in my hometown of Minneapolis. He is Pastor John Piper, lauded for his many books and mushrooming churches in this area. His sentiment is quite well known. He does not believe the Jews even deserve their land due to their unbelief. He states in a sermon from March 2004, "The promises made to Abraham, including the promise of the land, will be inherited as an everlasting gift only by true, spiritual Israel, not disobedient, unbelieving Israel. Being born Jewish does not make one an heir of the promise -- neither the promise of the land nor any other promise."

Ezekiel makes this pretty clear in chapter 37: The Jews return to the land in unbelief and then God begins a spiritual work in their hearts. What is so complicated about that?

I'll stand by Israel because our Messiah is Jewish, the writers of our blessed book called the Bible were Jewish, and "salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22). The roots of Christianity are Jewish, thus the olive tree (Romans 9-10-11). Her critics are in the millions. Her friends are a tiny minority, scoffed at by the intellectuals and scolded by the religious Left and other liberals of all persuasion. I wish we did, indeed, have the power they claim we have.

If you find yourself in this tiny club, welcome aboard. Our crimes are praying for Israel, attending a "Bless Israel" rally now and then, spending our tourist dollars there, and educating the church that her roots come from the Jews. For this we are vilified. Yet at least 10% of my e-mail list will unsubscribe because I have touched their anointed one. I have a reputation for telling the inconvenient truth, but it is the truth.

Mission Trip Prayer Request

2009-05-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

As some of you may know, I am going on a mission trip to an orphanage in Guatamala on this coming Friday, May 15th thru 22nd. This is my first official mission trip! I would so appreciate your prayers and intercession while I am gone, as well as for my friend Rebekah who is going with me. We are very excited and just want to be the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus on this trip. We are going to be doing the majority of our work in the baby house, ages 0-3. There are 22 babies there!

We will also be ministering in a village one day, building beds for villagers and taking them directly into people's homes, as well as treating village children with lice treatments. These are the things our team has been asked to do when in the village, as well as taking much needed school supplies to the schools there.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.

My specific requests for this trip are:

1. That we are Christ's ambassadors from America, to both the children and the adults we encounter.
2. That anyone with whom we come in contact would sense the love of God, the power of God in a supernatural, mighty, yet also gentle way.
3. That we would walk by faith, and that signs, miracles and wonders would follow us.
4. That no weapon formed against us by the enemy (demonic realm) shall prosper.
5. That our hearts would be filled with true compassion and love for the fatherless and the poor.
6. That our bodies would remain physically strong, energetic and healthy throughout the trip, no matter how much sleep we may or may not get. Pray for sound sleep!
7. Pray for my husband and children to be filled with peace and joy while I am away, and that no harm may come to them.
8. Any other thing the Lord brings to your spirit to pray for me, I would appreciate so much! Whenever you think of me and my friend Rebekah, please intercede for us!

Blessings to you, and may the Lord bless you as your pray and intercede for the orphans who are so dear to His Father Heart.

Why I Love the South

2009-05-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

These are hysterical, yet if you have ever lived in the South, well, you know it's true! This is why I love the South!!! Hope it gives you a good chuckle!

Being His Ambassadors in New England

2009-05-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, "Be reconciled to God!"
2 Corinthians 5:19,20

Yesterday, Nami and I returned from a trip to the New England states where Nami had to go to speak about an engineering project that he is working on there. He asked me to go along, and I was more than happy to accompany him!

We started out the trip very excited about what all we would see and do, what new adventures awaited us in this part of America. 2 Corinthians 5:19,20 came into my spirit very early on, even while I was on the plane travelling to our destination -- Plymouth, New Hampshire. The Lord really impressed within me that wherever we go, whatever we are doing, we are HIS ambassadors or His representatives. We represent Jesus when we enter in a place. We are like the ambassadors of a country coming to make peace, just like the U.S. sends delegates or ambassadors to various countries for "peace talks" or other reasons. This is what the Lord says about those who belong to Him. We are on a mission for Him, we are representing Him and His Kingdom.

Well, all I basically felt in my heart was to say, "Yes, Lord." I shared this with Nami, and from that moment on, our trip became an even more amazing journey than I could have ever imagined. It seems that everywhere we went, if we were sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, that He would speak to us and would lead us in what to say, when to say it, where to go, etc. What a beautiful thing to be truly led by His Spirit, even when deciding where to go and eat for dinner!

I truly believe that when we purpose to make this shift in our thinking, to renew our minds with the truth that we REPRESENT the King of Kings everywhere we are and no matter what we do (yes, even on vacation) that our lives take on a newness, a vitality, and a meaning that is beyond the scope of this present reality. When we choose to walk out the ministry of reconciling the world back to God in our daily lives, in our mundane tasks even, that we can be truly called "sons of God."

I want to give you an example to just testify of the faithfulness of our God. As many of you know, my husband and I have a heart and a burden for the Jewish people, both for our brothers and sister in Yeshua as well as unbelieving Israel. Before our trip, I specifically prayed and asked the Lord to bring some of His chosen ones to us who didn't know Him, so that we could bless them and tell them about their Messiah. This was a very specific prayer I had right before we got on the plane and even the night before. I happen to believe Romans 1:16 literally, that the divine order of evangelism is to the Jew first and then to the Greek. So, I just prayed.

When Nami and I got off the plane in Providence, R.I., we were in a major hurry to catch our connecting flight. We were all but running down the airport terminal when Nami stopped and had to go to the restroom. We stopped, he went, came out, and as soon as we turned around, in front of us stood one Orthodox Jewish man with a beard and a black hat! I was in shock! This was the first person we saw as we got off of our plane!! Nami paused for a moment to bless this man, to tell Him he was loved. He replied with a smile and said a cheerful, "Thank you!" Wow, I knew this trip was going to be blessed!

There are too many events within those few days in N.H. and Boston to tell you about here, but suffice it to say that the Lord opened the door for us to minister God's love to people of so many different nationalities, from an Italian young man who was on a trip around the world by himself to a Lebanese waitress, to a couple of palm readers on the street to a homeless man...and many in betweeen. It was so much fun to walk with God and in His Spirit!

Well, the last encounter I would like to tell you about is related to the prayer I prayed before leaving for the trip. Nami and I were back in Nashville on our way home and decided through some circumstantial events to go and eat at an Indian restaurant called Shalimar. We were eating when in walked 2 young male college students. They sat down at the other end of the room from us, but there was no one else there, so we could see them and hear a bit of their conversation. Toward the end of our very delicious meal, I knew I had received a word from the Lord for both of them. It was Psalm 119:9. It dropped in my spirit so plainly, and I told Nami that the Lord wanted them to hear this. So, Nami, as my Aaron, went to be the mouthpiece! What a brave ambassador he is!

I had told him that we needed to first ask them this question, "Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?" Then, he needed to tell them that God wanted them to know this word from His Word. When he asked them the question, one of the young guys said, "Well, I"m Presbyterian, and He's Jewish!" Wow! This opened up the door for Nami to minister to both of them and to deliver this message. They both received it with excitement, thanking Nami profusely. Nami was able to tell the young Jewish boy how he had grown up Muslim and hated Jewish people, but because of the love of Jesus, he now loved the Jewish people! Praise God for His amazing opportunities for us to be His ambassadors in this world! My prayers were answered, with both the first and the last people we ministered to and blessed on our trip were Jews! This was truly the hand of God.

So, be encouraged, my friends. The steps of a righteous man are ordered by God! Our part is to just walk by His Spirit, listening to His voice, being willing to obey and step out in faith, and the rest He will do! What a loving Father we serve. What a King is ours! May we live as ambassadors and scatter the seeds of the gospel wherever we go.

Pictures will be posted as soon as I can figure out how to download with my new camera! Be patient!

Blessings,
Tina

2009-04-28T09:06:00.000-07:00

Prayer to End Abortion

2009-04-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

Lord God, I thank you today
for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing that destroys more life
than abortion.

Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death
by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.
Today I commit myself
Never to be silent,
Never to be passive,
Never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the
Pro-Life movement,
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes
A nation with liberty and justice
Not just for some, but for all,
Through Christ our Lord, Amen!

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life
www.priestsforlife.org

Remembering PawPaw Today

2009-04-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Below is a poem I have written for my grandmother (Nanny) in memory of my grandfather (PawPaw). His birthday was yesterday. Bless you, Nanny!

Remembering PawPaw Today

A simple man alone in his garden,
A quiet man swinging in his swing;
A strong man plowing behind the tiller,
Looking for a harvest to bring.

Ever jovial during the holidays,
Surrounded by his children so dear;
Babies were like magnets in his presence
With no trepidation or fear.

Taking his walks no matter the season,
Always stopping by to say hello;
Smiling with warmth and a general ease,
Beaming with a healthy glow.

Hunting and fishing, always outdoors,
Skinning the fish on a tree;
Memories of friendly questions he would ask,
Nothing so precious as these.

A tribute to a man who loved the simple life,
His wife, family and friends;
He was satisfied with what God gave him,
A contented man to the end.

I honor my grandfather and his memory today,
I am thankful for his integrity and love;
The hope that he had in His Savior, the Lord Jesus,
Is the key to his eternity above.

I hope that when I reach the golden years
I can look back and be happy and content
With the way I lived and loved others
And a life well-spent.

--Tina Nahid, on the occasion of PawPaw’s birthday April 20, 2009

Religion or Relationship?

2009-04-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

This is an article taken from Heart of Wisdom blog. Awesome...

What are We Seeking? Religion or Relationship?
God does not want a people who simply adhere to a set of rules no matter how well intended. God said in the book of Hosea, “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6 ).
Sacrifices meant nothing because their hearts were unfaithful to God. God wants obedience and not sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22), mercy and not religious rituals.

God longs for our devotion and loyalty. Do we depend on God or religion? Do we feel comfortable because we read the right Bible version or stay away from movies? How about the attitude, “I don’t drink, smoke, cuss, or chew, or go with girls who do”?

The Pharisees were the ultimate in religious behavior. They extended the laws of God and added their own, resulting in legalism. Their desire to follow the law made them blind to the better thing. Jesus said godly behavior starts from the heart, and extends outward.

The Hebrew word for faith is אמונה (emunah - Strong’s #530) and is an action-oriented word meaning “support”. Our Western concept of faith places the action on the one you have faith in, such as “faith in God.” But the Hebrew word places the action on the one who “supports God.”

Emunah means faithfulness, persistent determination, holding steady, holding firm, holding true to what is true: the faithfulness of God. Our readiness to fully devote our lives to the service of God and sacrifice our life for the sake of God is the expression of our emunah in God.

Emunah presumes a relationship with God. Where one is aware of such a relationship, is forever changed by it, this special relationship cannot be fully articulated. Emunah Shlemah is a complete faith; it is more than intellectual, but gained with your whole being, as in “You shall Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Emunah means to believe in the truthfulness of a person as well as having emotional trust in a person. In the desert the children of Israel complain that God brought them out there to kill them. God says that they do not have emunah. (Deut 9:23, Ps. 78:37). They did not trust God.

Trust is Grossly Underestimated
Trust (faith, enudah) is important in every relationship we have. Trust removed can destroy friendships, marriages, businesses, and governments. Trust is grossly underestimated. It impacts us daily, not only in our relationship with God, but with every relationship and every endeavor in which we are occupied. Trust effects our homeschooling.

When faith is developed it has the potential to create deeper relationships. Our righteousness that comes from God is by faith. God wants a committed faithfulness and emotional trust in him. God wants a relationship with us. He wants to dwell with us. He sent his Son to die on the cross so that we could have a relationship with Him.

God Wants a Relationship With Us
God seeks an intimate, loving relationship with his children. Like the other fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) faith is a category of relationship. The fruit in our life is from our relationship with God.

This faith involves decision making and has to be renewed regularly. Faith is response in relationship; it is an ongoing thing, a process. We continually receive faith as a gift, like manna.

We are amazed to hear the stories of Israel losing trust in God again and again resulting in disobedience and sin. However, we do the same thing each time we lose faith in God.

Faith develops in the context of our ongoing relationship with God. We easily relate to being a child of God or a servant of God, but find it hard to grasp being a friend of God. God desires to establish a connection, an association, an affiliation, a very special link and bond between Himself and His children.

Faith and Kindness
In Hebrew the word for kindness is chesed. Dwight Pyror’s article on Abraham speaks of the faith (emunah) and kindness (chesed) of God:

Faithfulness, or emunah, is one of the most treasured and trusted character traits of God Himself.

“O LORD God of hosts, who is like Thee, O mighty LORD? Thy faithfulness (emunah) surrounds Thee” (Ps. 89:8 NASB).

On the last day of his life, Moses declares in prophetic utterance:

For I proclaim the name of the LORD [YHWH]; Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness (El emunah) and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He” (Dt. 32:3-4 ).

Even in the midst of God’s terrible judgment upon His rebellious children and even Jerusalem itself, the grieving prophet Jeremiah can find comfort in God’s covenant loyalty and faithfulness.

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD’S lovingkindnesses (chesed) indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness (emunah). (Lam. 3:21-23).

That God’s chesed and His emunah often are joined together in Scripture is not surprising. Chesed is the Hebrew concept that speaks of God’s grace in seeking us out and initiating covenant with us, and then His loyalty and fidelity to the covenant so joined. Though Israel be fickle, He remains faithful because He is a God who abounds in chesed v’emunah.

God wants a relationship and He even provides the faith (emudah) through His Holy Spirit which will bring forth appropriate actions to develop that relationship. What a God!

Passover 2009

2009-04-17T20:20:00.000-07:00

Below are a few pictures of the Passover meal that we attended along with several leaders and other from our congregation. This seder was held at Belmont Church in Nashville, TN. The well-known pastor Don Finto hosted this meal, as well as Rabbi Ken Alpen of the Messianic congregation in Nashville. It was a wonderful and blessed time together, Jew and Gentile together in One New Man.

We even were pleasantly surprised to see some old and dear friends whom we haven't seen in years, Joe and Jean Vick. They were right behind us in line! What a wonderful blessing!

Shalom!

Overwhelmed by the Pace

2009-04-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Below is an article I received in my inbox today written by Nathan Jones of Lamb and Lion Ministries.

Today I feel most overwhelmed.

Every day I sit down and scour world events for signs of the soon return of Jesus Christ. Some days, I have to pick through dozens of articles and stories to find just one happening that has prophetic significance. Whether it be the growing apostasy in the Church, the rise of a one-world government, the solidification of the Ezekiel 38-39 Gog-Magog Muslim alliance, the reviving of the Roman Empire, the rapid decline of American power or the ongoing restoration of the nation of Israel — there is usually some event that, like a gold nugget, can be panned from the media stream.

But, not today. Today every rock I pick up is a gold nugget. Every story I begin reading screams about the soon return of Jesus Christ. As soon as I'm halfway through one article, another comes into my Inbox or RSS feed to interrupt and shout its report.

The combined yelling of all these prophetic stories is a cacophony that has overwhelmed my ability to process all that is going on. I'm forced to cover my ears with my hands and close my eyes tightly shut.

Here are just a few examples of today's headlines:

"For the media, it's un-Holy Week"
"100,000 secular Britons seek 'de-baptism'"
"Rick Warren disavows support for Prop. 8"
"Obama's G20 plan kisses off Declaration of Independence"
"IDF planning largest-ever drill to prepare Israel for war"
"Italy earthquake death toll rises to 283"
"The G20 moves the world a step closer to a global currency"
And the headlines go on, and on, and on, and...

From a great falling away from the faith (2 Tim. 4:3), to the siding of the United States with Islam against Israel and God (Rev. 19:19), to a consuming apostasy in the Church (Rev. 3:14-22), to Israel's fight for its very survival (Ps. 83; Ezek. 38-39), to prolific natural disasters (Matt. 24:6), to the ongoing formation of a one-world government whose leader someday will be called "The Antichrist" (Rev. 13:7) — Bible prophecy is being fulfilled at a fast and furious pace. It is all simply overwhelming.

And yet, the ever-increasing pace of end-time events is itself a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. During one of Jesus' most detailed descriptions of what the world would experience before His imminent return, Jesus stated in Matthew 24:8 that "All these are the beginning of birth pains." Birth pains increase in frequency and intensity the closer to the actual birth. So, too, will Jesus' Second Coming, as the end-time events increase in frequency and intensity until He returns.

At the overwhelming pace of end-time events these days, the "birth" is about to occur.

Where Will You Spend Eternity?

2009-04-08T13:55:00.001-07:00

Excerpt from Jewish Jewels April newsletter...

All die. Jew and non-Jew alike. According to the Holy Scriptures, there is life after this one, since man is made in the image of God which is eternal. The question is: Where will you spend eternity? The Tanach tells us in Daniel 12:2, "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt."

The truth concerning hope for one's eternal destiny is found in the PASSOVER. Israel's deliverance from Egypt was contingent upon their obedience to God's command to sacrifice unblemished lambs and apply their blood by faith to the doors of their homes. When they did this, God promised that the Angle of Death would pass over their homes. (Exodus 12:1-13) Yeshua's first introduction to His people was as "...The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) Yeshua was sent by God to solve the world's sin problem which entered through Adam in the Garden of Eden, and like a cancer, has affected every human being since.

We all sin, and sin separates us from God. When we apply Messiah's blood, by faith, to the lintels and doorposts of our heart, death passes over us and we are reconnected with God, our Father. The Book of Hebrews tells us that the Law was a shadow of the good things to come. The blood of the Passover lambs in the Torah was followed by the blood of the animal sacrifices performed in the Tabernacle and then the Temple, until it was destroyed in 70 A.D. Blood sacrfices for sin have always been God's way. Yeshua was the final sacrifice for sin.

When we repent of our sin, receive His forgiveness, and make a sincere decision to follow The Lamb in newness of life, we are redeemed, set free, with the guarantee of eternal life living inside of us (the Ruach HaKodesh, Holy Spirit). Our risen Messiah proclaims to us victoriously: "...Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and Death" (Revelation 1:17-18).

Mission To Guatamala

2009-04-06T22:06:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am planning to go on a mission trip to Guatamala the week of May 16-22. A close friend and I are going with Kentucky Adoption Services and Owensboro Christian Church to the Casa Bernabe Orphanage in Guatamala City.

We will be caring for the children as well as doing various projects such as painting, cleaning or whatever the caretakers need for us to do. We will also be working with Hands of Hope medical clinic one day in the village as well. We are a 16 member team.

We are also able to take a suitcase full of items that are needed in the orphanage which they have requested. I will be able to purchase these beforehand to take with me for the children.

I would so much appreciate your support during this trip in any way the Lord leads you. Your financial contributions are very appreciated, which will help me to buy items for the children in the orphanage, as well as your prayers and intercession of protection over me and my friend while we are away. Please feel free to contact me if you would like my address and more specific prayer requests, questions or updates. You can leave a comment here or email me, and I will get back with you ASAP.

May the Lord bless you abundantly as you are led by His Holy Spirit on what role He would want you to fulfill in touching the lives of the fatherless and being the salt and light to the helpless in Guatamala, as well as a help and encouragement within the body of Christ. Love to you all!

It's Official!

2009-03-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

This morning, Ellie officially became our daughter according to the U.S. and the State of Kentucky. We went before the judge in Family Court for approximately 10 minutes or so. It was so quick and sweet! The judge explained to us how he really liked to start his week first thing with the cases which are the most pleasurable to do, since so much of what he sees in Family Court is the abuse, neglect or splitting apart of families and children. It really brightened him up to see little Ellie. He even allowed her to hit the gavel down...but she wouldn't do it. She suddenly became a little turtle inside of her shell when all eyes focused their attention on her.
They also took our picture with the judge and gave Ellie her choice of free toys from a back office. Here she is with her Little Princess gift she chose.

One particular statement that the judge made to us really caught my attention and reminded me of a verse in Romans 8. The judge basically told us that by adopting Ellie, we agree that she will now have all the rights of our natural children in every way, including any inheritance. We totally agreed! Look at this verse in Romans 8:

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you have received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. (vs. 15-17)

The natural or physical adoption process here on earth truly emulates the heart and spirit of our Abba Father in the heavens! When we received our Salvation, whose name is Jesus or Yeshua, then we became complete and beloved sons and daughters, just as God's natural children or natural branches, the Jewish people. I am so thankful to have been adopted by my Father! I am so grateful to have had the privilege to see such a wonderful Truth being played out before my very eyes. What an awesome and blessed day! We, as God's chosen ones, have been given all that Jesus has. He has told us that all that He has is now ours! We have received such a priceless inheritance in our God! Blessed be His Name forever!

Father's Love Letter to You

2009-03-25T11:31:00.000-07:00

It is on my heart so strongly today that this video below is for someone out there, or for many "someones", and I wanted to share it with you. I continue to hear an echoing in my spirit today that "Today is the day of salvation" for that special person or persons. I don't know who you are, but I want to extend this invitation from your Father, your Creator. His love for you is sure, and He is calling you to Himself through His beloved Son Jesus the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

You may be someone who grew up "in church" all of your life, yet you have never truly known the Lord personally, you have never truly committed your life and your heart to Him. Your parents may have taught you all about the Bible, all about who Jesus was, yet you have never experienced being "born again" into His Kingdom for yourself. I want to invite you today to receive the gift of salvation, the gift He has purchased for you with His own blood on the cross. Do not fear what man may say of you. Be as the Apostle Paul when he said, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel!" Your Father longs to pour His Spirit into you and for you to be with Him forever.

You may be someone who grew up, like my husband, in another religion, who has known nothing of God as your Father. I want to tell you today that He IS your Loving Father and that His invitation to truly know Him has been given through the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Jesus Christ. You can receive this precious gift of salvation by faith through the grace of God right now. Believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, as the One who paid the ultimate price for your sins. Repent and turn away from the darkness and receive the Light. All that you have searched for can ONLY be found in Him.

Possibly, you are someone who has known Jesus as Lord, and you have been discouraged in your walk with Him. You have grown weary and need encouragement. This video is most assuredly for you today...a powerful reminder of your Father's great love for you.

Please watch this powerful video. I pray the Holy Spirit draws and convicts your heart and that you receive Jesus, whose name means Salvation. I pray the love of your Father will be poured out upon you this very day.

This video is from www.fathersloveletter.com and be sure to pause my music player...

Revelation Song

2009-03-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

I am praying you will take a moment, whoever you may be and wherever you may be, and watch this powerful song and video. This song touches the depths of my heart and spirit, and I pray the presence of our awesome, holy and loving Savior would wash over you as you watch. (Don't forget to pause my music player).

Hubby Shines His Light!

2009-03-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, my husband along with a couple of other men from our church went to New Orleans on a mission trip called Mardi Gras Invasion. They were out on the streets letting their lights shine and sharing the love of Jesus with the lost and the broken of our own country.

Our Father showed so much favor upon the men of our church who went and gave of themselves for the Kingdom of God, and I am so proud of my husband for being one of them! Many lives were touched because of their obedience to go and because of your prayers and support. Thank you for being a part of this mission!

Bless you, my husband! You are a wonderful, loving husband and man of God! I love you!

No one lights a lamp, then hides it in a drawer. It's put on a lamp stand so those entering the room have light to see... Your eye is a lamp, lighting up your whole body. If you live wide-eyed in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light...Keep your eyes open, your lamp burning...Keep your life as well-lighted as your best-lighted room.

Luke 11:33-36 The Message

Rotten Words

2009-03-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

An unwholesome word must never come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up, meeting their need, so that it would give help to those who are listening.

And you must not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with Whom you became sealed for the Day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:29-30 (The Power NT: Revealing Jewish Roots)

Upon reading this passage of Scripture this morning, I was almost immediately deeply convicted. I actually experienced the Word piercing me and dividing my bone and my marrow as I read. It was a bit difficult to read, to be perfectly honest. My initial reaction was to justify myself, as in the following thoughts:

"Well, I try and speak the truth in love."
"I don't like sugar-coating things!"
"Sometimes, the truth hurts!"
"People are so dense at times, they need to be shaken."

The Greek translation of the word "unwholesome" literally means "rotten." Oh, how often I have spewed rotten words, especially to my husband and children. I want to be very transparent in this respect; I am much harder on those within my own household than I am of those outside.

As I have been reading a book called Experiencing Father's Embrace by Jack Frost, I am realizing that this occurs often when a person carries deep wounds from their own family/parental relationships growing up and continues to perpetuate this cycle within their own homes. This is not a new concept to me. But Frost believes that the core of this issue is the person not being able to truly receive and experience the love of their Father God.

What are "rotten" words? Why must we never speak them? That's a pretty strong statement for Paul to make, isn't it? I mean, who can never speak a harsh word? What happens when we do?

Welll, Paul tells us what happens, and it is of utmost importance. We grieve the Holy Spirit of God. This is why we need to stay away from rotten words. He will tell us when to speak and when to be silent. He will empower us to overcome our flesh. Those who belong to God can hear the voice of Jesus within leading us into Truth. But, when we rebel and refuse to heed that still, small voice, and we choose to simply react, then Holy Spirit becomes grieved inside of us. As a result of that, we will also feel a sense of despair and pain. I know the cycle all to well.

Yet, Hope never fails us! I am so thankful for God's Word that lifts us up, that corrects us, that stirs us, that teaches us. May we pray for the grace to live in the Spirit's power and by His direction. May our words truly be seasoned with salt, spoken in love, spoken without a hint of "rottenness" in us. May we fall to our knees when we feel that we will fall to pieces under the weight of our tongues. May we not grieve our Comforter, our Counselor, the Spirit of all Truth. May we speak with wisdom to our spouses and to our children and to all within the body of Christ, and above all, may we know and experience the unconditional love of our Father in Heaven so that we can pour it forth to everyone.

Speechless: Silencing Christians

2009-03-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

We watched this video at our church tonight, and I want to encourage you to watch it also. The official website is HERE. You can go there to fill out an online survey that will let your voice be heard on these matters. I pray we will not be silent.

Ellie's "Gotcha Day"

2009-03-08T21:33:00.000-07:00

One year ago today, Nami and I walked into a tiny room in an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and met a frightened, little baby girl named Elroi Adonai ElShaddai. We nervously tried to talk to her and touch her hair as she frowned very strongly at us and continued holding on to the nun from the orphanage.

When they finally placed her in my arms, she just wailed and cried, as did I in that moment. What a day that was! What a day I will never forget! In the adoption world, this day is known as the "gotcha day." And, today is that day!

Here are a few pictures of our precious daughter over the past year. I truly stand amazed at the changes she has gone through during this time, and how she has blossomed into the loving and joyful little girl that she is today! What grace the Lord has had upon us! I am so unworthy of such a precious gift as she is, and her brothers also.

Over the last year, we have seen a fair share of trials, yet I continually praise and thank my Father for His goodness and love toward us. My desire for this coming year in my own life is to learn and practice true contentment no matter what my circumstances. I look at my daughter and I see her spirit so strong, so forgiving, so hopeful. Her latest phrase to me while she is looking widely into my eyes is, "You MY mommy." "Yes, Ellie. I'm YOUR mommy. That's right. I'll always be your mommy." Then she replies, "Yes, you Ellie's mommy fo-EVUH!"

A warm and love-filled THANK YOU to all of you who helped to make this adoption a reality by the grace of our Lord Jesus. By your prayers, your encouragement, and your giving, you are an important part of her life and her calling. Blessings to you always!

Enjoy the photos of Miss Ellie from Mar.08-09 and I dedicate this song "Bless the Broken Road" to her as well. Please feel free to send a comment to Ellie on her special day! I will print out this page with the comments and save them for her.

You've Come a Long Way, Baby!

2009-03-06T12:11:00.000-08:00

Today on the radio, I heard an awesome message about the issue of feminism. To my wonderful women friends, I encourage you to watch and/or listen to this powerful online message from the True Woman Conference 2008, sponsored by Revive Our Hearts ministry. What a moving, challenging and anointed message it is! Enough to bring me to tears in my kitchen today! May it bless you as well! Click HERE to listen.

Purpose of Sabbath

2009-03-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

This exerpt was taken from http://biblicalholidays.com/sabbath.htm
Any comments? Feel free to express your thoughts. Especially if anyone can refute the history section of this article, please let me know!

Purpose of Sabbath

God sanctifies places and things to communicate to His people. He set apart the ark of the covenant and tabernacle. He set apart His holy book—the Bible. He set apart His Holy Son—Jesus, and He set apart a holy day—the Sabbath. God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it… (Gen. 2:3). The Sabbath is the celebration of God’s complete and perfect creation. As Judah Halevi explains, “The observance of the Sabbath is in itself an acknowledgment of His omnipotence, and at the same time an acknowledgment of the creation in His divine word.”
The fourth commandment instructing us to keep the Sabbath day holy is thirty percent of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments contain 322 words. 98 of those words are are about the Sabbath.

The Sabbath was held in high esteem in both in Jewish circles and in early Christianity. The Sabbath was made at creation, two thousand years before there were any Jews. After Abraham’s time the Sabbath applied to all people, aliens, and animals within the gates of the Israelites. (An alien is someone who is not a native of the land. This is the Hebrew “ger,” a righteous non-Hebrew who has been grafted into Israel. See Romans 11:13-21.)

God intends that the Sabbath be regarded as something honorable, something significant, not for its own sake, but because of what it represents. Keeping the Sabbath is the only one of the holy days to be ordained in the Ten Commandments. It is tied to two specific and highly significant acts in history: 1.) God’s “resting” after six days of creation (Gen. 2:2) and 2.) Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Deut. 5:15).

God’s model of work and rest demonstrates how much of our lives is to be spent in labor and how much is to be spent in worship. In both the Old and New Testaments, the Sabbath calls to mind God’s sovereign rule and His merciful redemption.

The Sabbath is not a yoke of bondage. It’s a day of joy, rest, eating, and enjoying Scriptures, fellowship, etc. The Sabbath was never intended to be a restraining time of punishment. What would your reaction be if your boss came to you and said, “I want you to take tomorrow off to rest. Enjoy yourself, eat, rest, read, just don’t even think about work.” Would you feel burdened?

The Sabbath is a holy time of resting from our weekly work in order to come into a joyous worship of God. It is a time of release from the stress and pressure of making a living. It is a time to rest from our normal pursuit of physical gain and to remember our Creator.

Keeping the Sabbath honors God, our Creator, who also rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3). It also unifies our families and sets priorities for them. This day of rest refreshes us spiritually and physically—providing time when we can gather together and when we can reflect on God without the stress of our everyday activities.

History

The study of when the Sabbath was changed to Sunday is very interesting. The New Testament is totally silent with regard to any change of the Sabbath day or any sacredness for Sunday. The adoption of Sunday observance in place of the Sabbath did not occur in the early Church of Jerusalem by virtue of the authority of Christ or of the Apostles, but rather took place several decades later.

In 132 A.D. Bar-Kokhba led a revolt against the Romans. When he was done, 50 percent of the population of Judea was dead and tens of thousands of men and women who remained alive were sold into slavery. Jews were forbidden to set foot in Jerusalem, and the province was renamed Palestine. It was a dangerous time to be identified with the Jews. During this period, the predominate day of worship among Christians gradually began to change from the Sabbath to Sunday. The day changed, in part, because of the need to disassociate the Christian movement from the Jewish nation.

Years later, the Church of Rome: Canon 29, Council of Laodicea, 364 C.E., worried about Judaizing and gave the following statement: “Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, the Sabbath, but shall work on that day; but the Lord’s day (Sunday) they shall honor, and as being Christians, shall, if possible, do no work on that day. If, however, they are found Judaizing, they shall be shut out from Christ.”

The Catholic Encyclopedia states that it was the Catholics who changed the day of worship from Sabbath to Sunday and claims this as a mark of its authority. Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine said, “Sunday observance is from when the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.”

The Sabbath should be enjoyed as a day of rest, family worship and strengthening relationships and focusing on Christ. Let it bring unity and focus to your home.

Poverty Porn

2009-03-05T06:43:00.000-08:00

I am continually challenged and emotionally rocked by the blog posts of Paul Myhill, President of World Orphans ministry. Today's post is no different. You can find Paul's blog HERE.

Poverty Porn

Admittedly, my blog posts from Southeast Asia have been sobering indeed. But I have never shied away from telling it like it is, have I?

In yesterday's Huffington Post, the leader of an interfaith orphan ministry criticized the motion picture Slumdog Millionaire as "poverty porn" because of the movie's great financial success without a corresponding commitment by the filmmakers to alleviate issues of poverty. I certainly don't know all the details about the filmmakers' hearts or financial contributions but, if true, I would concur with the writer's comments. There is an obligation to not just show or dramatize poverty, but to be an agent of change, especially if profiting from such depictions.

However, I do take exception when the writer states that his orphan organization "has a policy never to show children in need or distress." He instead chooses to portray "children after, not before or current.'' He continues by stating that "Sally Struthers can stroll though the garbage dumps of the world showing you pathetic children, but this is truly pornographic. My organization will not stoop so low."

I think this is taking the analogy too far and, quite frankly, is misguided and condescending.

More than one billion people live in urban slums today. That's over 15% of the world's population and doesn't count families living in rural-poverty equivalents. More than half of the world lives on less than $2 per day and one-third of urban dwellers have no access to safe drinking water! Did you really understand that...or did you just skim over the words like I often do? Over 3 billion people will make $2 or less today while we try to decide whether to add a shot of vanilla into our $4 lattes.

Severe poverty is rampant and, yet, we are safely entombed in our comfortable bubble of isolation and denial in the West. Believe me, our current economic crisis is a joke compared to the living conditions of most people struggling to survive in the world today.

Yes, let's please show the images and tell the stories of happiness and improvement, but the reality is that the Church in the West needs a wakeup call; it needs to be radically shaken by the sad realities of this world. Much like the Gospel that the Western Church is also prone to water down, we need to understand the bad news (sin, separation and death) in order to truly understand the good news (reconciliation, transformation and life). We focus on being blessed instead of being a sacrifice, of fulfilling self instead of dying to self. We focus on being at ease instead of being afflicted by the needs and conditions of others.

I never thought of myself as a pornographer before, but so be it.

Thoughts on the Ball

2009-03-01T15:15:00.000-08:00

The evening of the Purity Ball started off with me greeting little girls dressed as "princesses" of all shapes and colors as they walked in the front door with their daddies. Most of the girls seemed to be in an excited daze, being whisked in on the arm of their dads, brought over to our table where they registered for the special night.

I sat and "ooohed" and "ahhhed" over how pretty the girls were, how I loved their hair and their dresses. I made a comment on one of the girl's corsage. "What a pretty corsage," I said. "My Daddy bought it for me," was the sweet and serious reply I received from Hannah who was currently on Cloud 9! My heart began to turn very mushy at this point.

Some of the fathers entering the door looked a little like a deer caught in the headlights. They were like teenage boys on their first date with that "special" girl! A few were quite uncomfortable with the whole ordeal, probably having been persuaded quite strongly from their better halves! Yet, many of the fathers came in with a proud and confident air; a sense of joy in them at bringing their precious girls to this event. They seemed happy to be a part of it all. Most of them were dressed "to the 9's." Several of the men wore tuxes and matched their daughter's dress. By now, my heart is syrup.

The little girls' voices sounded angelic as they recited the pledge of purity in unison, and the mens' voices reverbated in a powerful way as they pledged to protect their daughters' purity until the time they get married. It was a moment full of promise. I was silently praying, "Father, I pray all of these fathers will take this oath very seriously and never allow any distance to come in between them, even in the teen years." I couldn't help but wonder how many of these men would keep their vow, would keep their pledge to their daughters, come what may. I also wondered how many of the fathers were themselves living a life of faithfulness and purity in their own walks with God. I hoped and prayed they would all be men of integrity.

Next came the dancing! It was during this time that the overwhelming feelings that I had not quite expected began to flood into my chest. I was intently watching the faces of both the fathers and the daughters during this time, and was amazed at the emotions this brought to the surface in me. Seeing the fathers gently waltzing their young daughters around the room took my breath away. The look of complete rapture in the daughter's eyes when she looked at her daddy; the nervous smile of her daddy looking down at her. I was so tickled and then quickly became teary when one of the daughter's got so close to her dad that he could hardly move to dance!

Seeing the fathers boogie-down to YMCA and Funkytown was equally moving and fun for me. What great sports so many of these men were! I was truly proud of them! One scene on the dance-floor was particularly sweet to me. One of the young girls was really "getting down" on the dance floor. She looked to be about 10 years old, tall and lanky, legs and arms flying everywhere! Her father was beside her, watching her while clapping his hands and cheering her on as she danced. He had the biggest smile on his face! How awesome to see this father, not at all embarrassed by his daughter's dancing, but delighting in who she was!

Seeing the daughters with their heads resting on their fathers' chest (or stomach!) while they were slow-dancing was dreamy as well. At one point, I almost broke out in tears standing in the corner watching the scene around me. I was truly taken off guard by this flood of emotions surging up within me. How happy I was for these little girls to have their daddies to themselves in such a way! How much pain I felt for those who have never experienced anything remotely close to this kind of love with their own fathers, especially those who have never known or had a man to call "daddy" at all.

I am so thankful to have been a part of this night. I pray these memories will continually be a sweet, comforting dream for every daughter involved. I pray this night will be a special memory for every father, even on the day he walks his beloved one down the aisle, in purity and in love.

Overwhelmed

2009-02-27T20:14:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am home from the purity ball...and I was emotionally unprepared for the overwhelming feelings that sprang up in me. It was like a brick was lying across my chest seeing these daddies dancing with their daughters. I will write more about the experience tomorrow when I will try to put these feelings in some kind of order. But for now, just know that this event was absolutely beautiful to behold, and I am overjoyed for the young girls who got to experience this precious moment in time with their fathers.

Purity Ball Anticipation

2009-02-27T08:22:00.000-08:00

I am SO excited about the Father/Daughter Purity Ball tonight sponsored by Alpha Alternative Pregnancy Care Center, where I volunteer one day a week. I am working the registration table tonight, secretly so I can see the daddies and girls coming in together. I would be very unwise to wear mascara to such an event as this, as I just know I will be a fountain of tears tonight!

Please pray for the Lord's presence to just saturate every man and his daughter(s) that come through that door. I even heard there was one father planning to rent a limo to bring his daughter to the event...and he is wearing a TUX! What memories he is making for this precious daughter! It brings me to tears just thinking of it.

It is so awesome to know that our Heavenly Father views all of His daughters in such a special way! You may have never experienced the unconditional love of an earthly father. Maybe he was emotionally unavailable to you or detached. Maybe he passed away while you were young. Maybe he was tormented in his mind and abusive toward you. But I pray your True Father God brings you a divine revelation today of His jealous and passionate love for YOU, His daughter. He wants to wine and dine you in His glorious presence today, if you will allow Him to. I pray you receive a glimpse of just how special you are in His eyes. He truly delights in you and longs to twirl you around in His loving and strong arms.

Blessings to you all today!

Abraham Turns 8

2009-02-21T10:51:00.000-08:00

Last week was my oldest son's 8th birthday. I am amazed at how time has quickly passed by! I love my eldest son so much. He is my strong-willed boy, and I see awesome leadership qualities in his life. It is true that he and I have "butted heads" often over these years. I recently listened to a woman speaking about motherhood yesterday on Focus on the Family - about how she didn't truly enjoy the first 5 years of her oldest son's life. She was just in survival mode. She also mentioned that she was like a little girl trying to raise a little baby. I could certainly relate to this, as often I have felt like I threw more temper tantrums than Abraham ever did!

I am so thankful for my son and His strong spirit. I am thankful that my Father has used him to refine me, to show me my weaknesses, to test me, and to so greatly bless me all these years. What a loving son he is to me, even when he disobeys at times. He never fails to tell me that he loves me each and every day. He hardly ever fails to give me a hug either. He always prays and worships the Lord. I hope it never ends, though I am told sometimes that it will. I choose to believe otherwise!

You are one awesome son, Abraham!

12 year old Pro-Life Speech

2009-02-20T12:41:00.000-08:00

Story taken from onenewsnow.com What an amazing and courageous young girl! Take a few minutes to watch this moving speech below. Even those who disagree had to admit what a great speech it was.

The mother of a 12-year-old girl whose pro-life speech has become a hit YouTube video says her daughter's passion for the unborn is genuine.

Lia is a preteen from Canada who decided to speak out against abortion in her school's speech contest, despite teachers and school officials who encouraged her to pick a different topic.

"What if I told you that right now someone was choosing if you were going to live or die? What if I told you that this choice wasn't based on what you could or couldn't do, what you had done in the past, or what you would do in the future? And what if I told you [that] you could nothing about it? Fellow students and teachers, thousands of children are right now in that very situation," she says in her speech.

Kimberly, Lia's mother, says Lia was told by school officials that if she chose the topic of abortion, she would not be allowed to participate in the speech contest. But both were surprised when Lia's pro-choice teacher had a change of heart.

"Her teacher was really impressed by this speech and perhaps moved by it, and therefore her teacher kind of was a real supporter of [Lia] winning for the class," Kimberly notes. "And she had to go through a couple of hoops and get clearance from a couple of other teachers before she could be declared winner of the class."

Another controversy erupted when the panel of judges had a supposed big disagreement and one stepped down. Initially Lia was disqualified, but later the panel declared her the winner. She was asked to take out this portion of her speech: "[F]etuses are definitely humans knit together in their mother's womb by their wonderful Creator who knows them all by name."

Kimberly says after Lia was told to remove that portion of her speech, she took time to think about her decision and ultimately decided to leave it in. Lia also competed in a regional speech competition but did not win. However, her speech has been viewed by over 200,000 people on YouTube.

Intolerance

2009-02-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

Enjoy a little laugh today! Happy Valentines Day! Remember, be tolerant!!!

Picture Updates

2009-02-13T21:25:00.000-08:00

Some picture updates for you!

Bad hair day?

What a face!

Ice Storm in KY

Lost the first tooth!

In the Past Hour

2009-02-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

Excerpt taken from www.worldorphans.com

In the past hour…

1,625 children were forced to live on the streets by the death or abuse of an adult

1,667 children under the age of five died from malnutrition and vaccine-preventable diseases

115 children became prostitutes

66 children under 15 were infected with HIV

257 children were orphaned because of HIV/AIDS

--------------------------------------------

Most children (in the world) are under the age of fifteen and are…

Sleeping on concrete beds and rancid garbage piles every night – streets, sewers, dumps

Scavenging amongst human waste and excreta for rotting morsels and scraps to eat

Huffing glue and other substances in order to numb the cold, hunger, pain…and shame

Prostituting themselves for basic food and shelter

Trafficked and sold into sexual bondage, even at five years old and younger

Abused and brutalized by sexual predators, local gangs, corrupt police officers, and slum lords

Victimized by HIV/AIDS-infected men who believe that sleeping with young virgins can cure the disease

Recruited into lives of thievery, smuggling and drug dealing

Abducted to serve as child soldiers or the sex slaves of soldiers

Exploited as child laborers or slaves in sweatshops

Executed by local businessmen and officials who view them as a dirty pests
for interfering with trade and commerce

Sacrificed in occult/witchcraft rituals

Robbed of childhoods;

Robbed of self esteem;

Robbed of innocence;

Robbed of hope

What will we do as follower of Jesus come against this satanic kingdom of darkness, this incomprehensible injustice? Our answer is found in the words of Isaiah 1:17.

A Prayer for Israel

2009-02-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

A Prayer for Israel
Written by Sam Weaver (2007)
(I received this poem on a bookmark from Vision For Israel ministry.)

A Christian prayer
For a Jewish State
Has much power
Make no mistake.

We not only pray
Jesus we implore
Lord don't let darkness
Prevail anymore

The indignation
Of the ages end
Embrace Israel
Lord come and defend.

Take away false gods
That thrive on a lie
In the light of truth
Make them fade and die

Break through the darkness
Make your light visible
So the nations will know
How you love Israel.

A Christian prayer
for a Jewish State
Has much power
make no mistake.

www.oilandwinepublishing.com

We Are His Lambs

2009-02-04T06:18:00.000-08:00

I was impressed in my spirit to sing Psalm 23 this morning. Our Father, Abba, wants us to know that His Son, Jesus, is our Shepherd. We are His little lambs. He wants to restore all the brokenness of our childhood and set us free from it all. He wants us to "lie down" in the "green pastures" of the innocence of our youth. He wants to lead us beside the "still" waters in our soul.

The word is "freedom" in our Lord. He is our protector. He wants to transform our minds and give us "the mind of Christ" that will dwell richly in us. He says to come to Him like a little child comes to His Father. And in Him, we can grow mature and strong, following the example of our True and Only Abba Father.

I pray the word of God transforms our hearts and minds and renews them daily in Him. May we think about what is true, lovely and pure today. May we choose to believe what is True about who we are in Him. May we think about the lost, hurting and dying in our world, and be passionate to save them from the hand of the enemy, as we have been saved out of his hand.

May we fight the good fight of faith today. May we not grow weary in doing good. Blessings to you, peace, love and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Feeding Your Appetites

2009-01-27T09:34:00.000-08:00

In his book "Feeding Your Appetites: Taking Control of What's Controlling You," Steve Arterburn outlines 8 appetites that are given to us by our Father. These appetites are good, yet can become tainted by our flesh/addictions, etc. The 8 appetites discussed are:

1. Appetite for fellowship with God
2. Appetite for pleasure
3. Appetite for food
4. Appetite for sex
5. Appetite for authority and power
6. Appetite for work
7. Appetite for companionship
8. Appetite for wisdom

I want to share the section regarding our appetites for food (since we are nearing the end of our fast!) Arterburn writes:

As the obesity rates continue to rise year after year, it is obvious that we are excessively indulging our appetite for food. When this appetite becomes out of control, it can threaten just about every aspect of our lives. Yet no matter how hard we try, we cannot fill our spiritual or emotional space with physical food. We yearn for a type of filling up that food will not satisfy. People today are using food as a way to escape the pain in their lives. They may be feeling emotional pain from a relationship breakup, psychological pain of depression or anxiety, or any one of millions of other pains.

Regardless of the type of pain, we use food as the medicine that we need to relieve the pain. Emotional eating happens when we eat in response to stress, boredom, depression, anxiety, or other emotional sensation rather than because we are experiencing true physical hunger.

Eating when we are not hungry can cause a sensationof pleasure. Certain foods can actually cause the brain to release chemicals that bring about intense feelings of pleasure. So if you are stressed and use food as your medication and in indulge in "comfort foods," you really may feel better, at least for a little while. But then the pain comes back. And this time it has company. It brought along feelings of guilt and shame as a result of your eating when you didn't really need it.

And how will you get rid of these painful feelings? You will probably take more "medicine," right? Before you know it you have to sit down an eat an entire box of macaroni and cheese all by yourself just to begin to feel a little better. The Bible tells us our appetite for food will never be satisfied:

All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied." (Ecclesiasted 6:7)

Stay the Course

2009-01-26T07:26:00.000-08:00

As our 21-day fast is coming close to the end, I just want to encourage each of you today, to make this fast the beginning of a "fasted lifestyle." I have heard some say something like, "Just a couple more days until I can have that coffee!" My question to you is "Why go back?" You have quit drinking caffeine and sodas for this long, so there is no logical reason that you should go back to it! There is not even ONE benefit to be gained by consuming these! It's similar to quitting smoking and then picking it back up!

The things that were avoided on this fast (with the exception of meats such as chicken, fish, and even lean red meats) would be better left avoided indefinitely. Processed foods, t.v. dinners, refined sugary foods, candy, deep-fried fatty foods, sodas, and coffee with creamer/sugar/etc, are all things that your body was not created by God to ingest. These foods offer us zero nutrients and in fact, only bring about negative conditions, such as disease, susceptibility to sickness, and obesity.

So, let's allow our minds to be renewed in this area. Do we want to eat, indulge, and end up looking like the world in the area of our eating habits? Or do we want to glorify God with even our physical bodies? Do we want to treat this earthly temple of God in a manner that is thankful and worthy of Him who created us?

Now, I want to be clear. I am NOT saying that what you eat makes you "unclean" spiritually. Jesus made this very clear in scripture. But, He never said that what you eat wouldn't possibly harm your body or make you sick! Also, many of these processed, fast and nutrient-devoid foods have an addictive effect on the human brain, causing you to want more and more, perpetuating a vicious cycle or overeating and gluttony. And gluttony has an effect of fogging our minds and making us more dull in spiritual matters. It tends to have a sedative-like effect. Have you ever noticed this, say, after a Thanksgiving meal when the land of "Snoozeville" is calling your name?

So, be encouraged, my friends. With this fast, you have begun the process of cleansing and detoxing your body. You have allowed healing to come in many areas. You have overcome the compulsion for junk food, and you have the power through the Spirit to continue on this path. I admonish you today to continue, to not turn back, to endure the temptations of things that are not good for you, to flee the temptation to over-indulge. May the Lord give us His strength and His Wisdom in all areas, even in our diets and lifestyle! I believe it is very important and can even be a shining area of witness and testimony to the world.

Stay the course! Blessings to you!

Hamas- In Their Own Voices

2009-01-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

Jesus said to pray for our enemies and for those who want to harm and persecute us. We need to pray for their salvation and for the peace and protection of Jerusalem. Watch this short, eye-opening video.

Your Breakthrough

2009-01-23T06:47:00.001-08:00

A challenging yet exciting excerpt for you today from Storm Warrior by Mahesh Chavda. (I am enjoying his books immensely!)

A key to your breakthrough is your willingness to battle through even in the face of death. When you do not fear for your life, the enemy has no hold over you. Sometimes that death is manifested in us by letting go of past offenses. Sometimes it is by relinquishing our insistence on having our own way. Sometimes it is by laying down a dream or vision in order to serve God more fully. Sometimes it is by being willing to sacrifice our own comfort, convenience or well-being so that others might be promoted or that God might be glorified.

Sometimes it is by humbling ourselves before others and always it is by humbling ourselves before God. Jesus took every offense upon Himself on the cross. When we die to our right to hold on to them, resurrection life is released in our hearts. Instead of seeking justification, we become the righteousness of God by forgiving. We step over into the realm of liberty where the just man lives by his faith.

Happy Daniel Fasting Snack

2009-01-21T14:16:00.000-08:00

And what exactly are these, you may be asking? Why, they are plaintain chips, of course! The perfect Daniel fast snack!

We bought these jewels at the Indian store in the Farmer's Market in Nashville. Ingredients are minimal: plaintain, salt, edible oil, spices. Doesn't get any simpler than that!

Don't they look excited?

More Fast Teaching...

2009-01-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

More from Toxic Relief by Don Colbert, M.D.

It's important to fast for the right motive, but I'll be you didn't know that it's equally important NOT to fast at certain times. The disciples of Jesus learned this truth.

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.
Mark 2:18-20

When Jesus was walking with them through the hills of Galilee, teaching them and praying with them, fasting was inappropriate. It was neither the time nor the season to fast. Rather, His presence brought a season of rejoicing and feasting. However, after Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples were expected to fast.

In Mark 2:20, Jesus said, "They will fast in those days." Still, we don't actually read about the disciples fasting until the Book of Acts. In Acts 13:1-3 the church fasted together as they were guided by the Holy Spirit or had a need.

After the followers of Christ began fasting, they had rich teaching provided by the Master from which to draw. Jesus had taught them all about motives and even about appearance during times of fasting. In Matthew 6:17-18, Jesus said, "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

Jesus did not say "if" you fast, but "when" you fast. He assumes that fasting will be a normal part of spiritual life once He, the Bridegroom, is gone.

So then, when should we fast? Always fast as the Holy Spirit leads. In other words, just as Jesus was led into the wilderness to fast and pray, we should also be led by the Spirit into times and seasons of fasting. The New Testament never lays down strict rules regarding fasting; therefore, we should never impose strict rules upon others or ourselves.

Women of the Cross

2009-01-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note...Check out Women of the Cross to read a recent article/devotional I wrote about our journey of adoption. Blessings!

Sanctity of Human Life Week

2009-01-19T12:09:00.000-08:00

I want to digress today from my 21-day fasting blogs to highlight an important issue to me. As some of you may know, this week is the celebration of the Sanctity of Human Life. Today, on Focus on the Family, Kathy Sparks describes her experience as a former abortion clinic worker, and she explains how becoming a Christian changed her perspective on the sanctity of human life. This is an amazing and eye-opening testimony about what really goes on in an abortion clinic and within the industry. I highly encourage you to listen to this today and each day this week, if you can, as they will be highlighting some aspect of human life.

Click HERE to go to the site and the listen to today's broadcast.