Blessings or Burdens? Part 2

Some things to think about.

What Does Managing a Large Household Look Like in the Real World?

Can I Really Afford Children?

The second major issue pertains to practicality: Assuming that children really are a blessing and the fruitful womb “is His reward” (Psalm 127:3), how does that concept work in the real world where economic resources are scarce and time is at a premium?

Sometimes people pose the question this way: “I can barely manage and afford a family with one child. How could I possibly handle three or four, let alone (gasp!) seven?”

But there is another question that needs to be asked: Are there practical, economic, and spiritual blessings for the family that flow from an economy of scale?

I believe there are. And these are precisely the types of blessings and benefits that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have modeled for all of us in their beautiful new book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting: Raising One of America’s Largest Families — How they do it.

From a practical perspective, this book offers definitive answers. And it is absolutely delightful, transparent, hands on, and full of humor. After reading it, you will walk away loving your own family more and will gain great ideas for household management. My wife gobbled it up:

This is a totally delightful book, easy to follow, and full of personal stories about their life as well as practical, tangible information about THEIR family which can be easily adapted into MY family, or anyone else’s. It is honest, humorous, humble, and completely in earnest. . . . You will read about their life story, from Michelle and Jim Bob’s childhood up to right now, their many businesses, their solution to laundry, education, music, and even food preparation. (Read more of Beall’s review here.)

There is a reason why this family has captured the imagination of America through their top-ranked television show, 17 Kids and Counting. They are communicating a Christ-exalting vision of home. And they are the real deal! A family that loves their children — all eighteen of them. There is so much negativism in the world, but the Duggars are using their life as a large family to show the beauty and practicality of the Christian household to a generation where many children never even experience the blessing of sitting down with their whole family for dinner.

What Does the Bible Say about the Blessing of Fruitfulness?
Does this Apply Today?

The final issue is the most important one:

What does the Bible say about having babies?

For Christians, the Bible is our standard for faith and practice. Everything necessary on the subject of having babies is found in God’s Holy Word. It is both the starting place and the “final court of appeal” for prayerful Christians who desire to make wise decisions regarding the womb.

Related issues include: Why are children a blessing? What does it mean to be fruitful? How does the Bible specifically link low birthrates to national judgment? Does the Bible promote, condone, or encourage baby banning? Is it a good idea to have babies in times of economic hardship?

These questions and others are answered in our CD, Children and the Dominion Mandate, and the book Be Fruitful and Multiply, both of which are included in this week’s special offer. If you have ever found yourself wondering how to respond to such questions, or if you have friends or relatives that disapprove of the number of children in your family, these indispensable tools will help you to use Scripture to reason through the many complex issues which are on the table.

Don Feder noted, "In 30 years, worldwide, birth rates have fallen by more than
50%. In 1979, the average woman on this planet had 6 children.
Today, the average is 2.9 children, and falling." He explained the situation
noting, "demographers tell us that with a birthrate of 1.3, everything else
being equal, a nation will lose half of its population every 45 years"

This article was from Vision Forum.

Another interesteing blog post here.

"Why They Don't Get It" Part 5

Part 5 (and the last) of the article from yesterday.

4. Confront them with, rather than isolate them from, the major cultural battles of our day.

Challenging students to love God fully by thinking deeply, discerningly, and truthfully about His word and His world is foundational to what a truly Christian education is. Any other educational means and methods that do not include this as a goal cannot, in my opinion, really be considered Christian education (even if there is a plethora of rules, Bible references, and verses to memorize).

According to the way the Scriptures describe the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan for creation, Christianity is neither a religion of ascetic withdrawal nor a dualistic philosophy that denigrates certain human activity as less than spiritual. Rather, followers of Christ are called to dive deeply—and hopefully headfirst—into the significant historical and cultural issues of the human situation. As G.K. Chesterton once said, "If Christianity should happen to be true—that is to say if its God is the real God of the universe—then defending it may mean talking about anything and everything."

This is what ought to be meant when the language of worldview is used in education. Historically, Christians have sought to understand, and respond to cultural crises. They understood that these crises were the site of the battle of worldviews. Unfortunately, many Christians today are unaware of, disinterested in, or avoiding of issues like embryo-destructive research, euthanasia, emerging technologies, the arts, film, fashion, legislation, human trafficking, politics, and international relations. In Gethsemane on the evening before His death, Christ prayed these astounding words for his followers: "Father, do not take them from the world, but protect them from the evil one" (John 17:15). Our prayer, and preparation, for our children should be no different.

One final word about the spirit from which we approach the next generation: a few months back, I received a thoughtful and appropriate criticism to a talk I often give which I call "Why Students Walk Away from their Faith (and what we can do about it...)." The letter asked if I was coming at this issue from a position of fear—fear of the world and the enemy—and very appropriately suggested that Christians should not be fearful.

I must say that I fully concur with this point. The fear of God casts out all other fear. As the late Richard John Neuhaus wrote: "We have not the right to despair for despair is sin. And, we have not the reason to despair for Christ has risen." I hope I am not approaching this issue from fear, though I can certainly see how it could be seen that way.

I hope I am approaching this issue from a perspective of realism, for students really are walking away from or checking out of the faith they were raised with, and we should confront this reality as Biblically and resourcefully as possible. This is not something we can ignore. As the historian Will Durant aptly noted: "From barbarism to civilization requires a century. From civilization to barbarism takes but a day."

I can say in all truthfulness that as I write this, I really do have hope. Fundamentally, I have hope in Christ—He has risen. The day He died was actually the day that death died, and nothing can ever undo that reality. I also have hope in the Church, despite my critical words about it. I am part of this institution which Christ established and announced that against it the gates of Hell could not stand. (My reading of Church History has done more than anything else to secure my belief in those words).

Finally, I have hope because annually I work with many students—both here and abroad—who do, or are fighting to, "get it." They want their lives to matter for Christ, they want to take the Gospel into all the world (including every corner of culture), and they want to think well about and in this world. They will be better than my generation has been. They will love God better, serve others better, care more deeply, and think more clearly. They want to read good books, and they want to live for something bigger than themselves.

This article came from here. Be sure to visit this great web site.

"Why They Don't Get It" Part 4

Part 4 from the article from yesterday.

2. Give them a thorough education in worldviews and apologetics.
Because everyone has a worldview—a basic way in which they see, understand, and interact with the world—education is at its most fundamental level a worldview-shaping enterprise. It is the responsibility of a Christian institution to challenge students with the Christian view of life and the world, while exposing the non-Christian worldviews that others hold and which are behind historical movements and cultural expressions.

First, students need to know what they believe. Many see Christianity as merely a private faith rather than as a robust view of reality that offers a tried and true map for life. If students are convinced that the core of the Christian faith is how they can get to heaven and have a happy life, rather than as the Truth about all of life and the world, they do not know what they believe.

Of course, there simply is no substitute here for equipping students to dive deeply into the Scriptures. At the same time, however, it is important to help them dive into the Scriptures in the right way. Unfortunately, many students have only seen the Bible handled poorly by other Christians. Often, their only experience with the Scriptures include it being replaced by therapeutic clichés, utilized and memorized completely out of context, tacked on but not central to a lesson, strangely pieced together with other verses to make a point, proof-texted to supplement a devotional book or song lyric, or largely ignored.

When the Scriptures are handled this way, bits and pieces of the Bible only get co-opted into the student's existent worldview. They may know the Bible, but they don't think Biblically. Rather, the student remains as the central arbiter of truth and interpretation.

The goal is that the Scriptures would transform the student's mind (i.e. worldview). I fear we may have a generation of students who see the Bible through the lens of their culturally inherited worldview, rather than seeing the culture through the lens of the Bible.

Second, students need to know what others believe. There are non-Biblical worldviews that are battling for hearts and minds as well as our culture. Historically, Christians from Justin Martyr to Augustine to Pascal to Edwards to C.S. Lewis, not to mention the Apostle Paul, exhibited a strong understanding of the competing worldviews in their culture.

We at Summit Ministries contend that, at minimum, students need to have a handle on at least six major Western worldviews before going to college: secular humanism, Marxism/Leninism, postmodernism, Islam, New Age, and Biblical Christianity.

Third, Christians must know why they believe what they believe. Too many Christians cannot answer, and are even afraid of, the challenging questions about God, Jesus, the Bible, morality, or truth. Unfortunately, too many adults dread the moment that a student asks them a tough faith question they cannot answer. This avoidance, of course, does not remove the question. It merely delays the question until the student is an environment where the question will be entertained (like college!). We ought to see these questions as opportunities for the student, and ourselves, to dive even deeper into this faith we claim is true. Plus, God is big enough for the question.

3. Show them that Christianity is not just about what we are against, but what we are about.
Proverbs says that without vision, the people "cast off restraint." One of the main reasons that students are casualties of immoral choices is that they lack a big vision for their lives. While they may know what they are not supposed to do, they fail to understand the life of meaning, purpose, and impact Christ calls them to. Christian students often get the impression that we are merely saved from, and not "to."

The picture of redemption in Scripture is far broader than this, however. We often forget how many words used in the Scripture for redemption are "re" words: renew, regenerate, reconcile, redeem, re-creation, etc. The implication is that salvation is a return to the real life God intended for us before the fall. Christ not only came to save us from death, he came to save us to life—an abundant life at that!

This life is not merely our "spiritual" lives either. Rather, the Scriptures offer us the true Big Story of the world: from creation to new creation.

Come back tomorrow to read the last part of this article or go here to read the whole thing.

"Why They Don't Get It" Part 3

Part 3 from the article yesterday.

Helping Students "Get It"
by John Stonestreet

In my previous article, I argued that a major project for those of us who work with students is to help them "get" Christianity. While a significant number of Christian students reject Christianity during their university years, far more struggle to embrace a faith that is not really authentic or orthodox. Theirs is a "moralistic therapeutic Deism" as Christian Smith put it; a tame faith that is privatized and perhaps personally meaningful but which is not publically true, culturally significant, or fundamentally informative to the rest of their lives.

Rather than trying to make Christianity as attractive and entertaining as possible, we ought instead to be sure that what we are communicating to them is actually Christianity. As I noted, this is very challenging in a culture of information overload, where students are bombarded daily with a multitude of messages, most of which, encourage them toward a mentality of adolescence.

Still, there is good news. Adolescently minded cultures like ours inevitably have a leadership vacuum. So, there remains a terrific opportunity for influence for those who produce the leaders, especially if they produce networks of leaders who can think deeply and contribute broadly to a wide variety of cultural institutions.

How can we do this?

1. Challenge students, instead of coddle them.
Frankly, it is my opinion that we aim too low with teenagers. Students do not need more entertainment, whether it is from the television, the Wii, the iPod, or the youth group. We will never effectively prepare students to engage our entertainment-driven culture by replacing it with Christian entertainment.

It is foolish to expect students to take Christianity and the world seriously if all they have been exposed to at youth group is games, pizza, and mindless mini-therapy lessons that may or may not come from the Scriptures. The church should be the place where we no longer believe (and students no longer experience) the myth of adolescence.

Instead, students need (and want) to be challenged: with the Scriptures, theology, tough questions, and cultural dilemmas. We see this every year at our Summit student leadership conferences—students endure 70+ hours of lecture and instruction on worldviews, apologetics, culture, and character. Then they call home and ask for more money, so they can buy books!

I think there is something of the imago dei in these students that screams in rebellion against the low expectations they face everywhere. For proof, see the movement of teenagers started by Brett and Alex Harris' recent book Do Hard Things.

Come back tomorrow for part 4 or read the whole article here.

"Why They Don't Get It" Part 2

Part 2 of the article from yesterday.

3. The cultural identity crisis.
Darwinism was the central battleground of worldviews in the late 1800's, the reliability of Scripture in the early to mid 20th century, and truth for the Gen X'ers. While these issues are still very important, most of the contemporary worldview battles are rooted in a basic disagreement of what it means to be and live as human.

Today's students enter a world of runaway biotechnology, postmodern social constructions of gender, virtual online identities, family redefinition, distorted understandings of beauty, and multiple sexual orientations, each of which fundamentally challenge our concept of humanness. Further, our culture has largely embraced Darwin, trivialized Scripture, and relativized truth, and therefore left few stable resources to negotiate this corporate identity crisis.

At the same time, clear teaching on what it means to be imago dei is largely neglected in the church. Conservatives, as Nancy Pearcey noted, [4] often begin the redemption story in Genesis 3 rather than Genesis 1. The fall, though taught, lacks context (from what have we fallen? To what will we be redeemed?) On the other hand, liberalism replaces the rule and responsibility endowed upon humanity by God with muddy concepts of "freedom" and "self-image." The depth and breadth of the fall is trivialized or ignored.

What it means to be human is a critical touch point for students vis-à-vis the Christian worldview.

4. The issue of definitions.
The battle of ideas is often the battle over definitions. Asking students, "What do you mean by that?" has never been more crucial. Assuming that we share definitions, or that traditional definitions will go unquestioned, with the emerging generation is a mistake with significant consequences. Among the more crucial words needing careful definition include God, human, truth, faith, Gospel, Kingdom, evil, tolerance, male, female, pro-life, justice, marriage, family, freedom, rights, responsibility, and the good life.

Further, the concept of worldview needs clear definition if it is to be preserved. Having been used and misused in a variety of ways, it is dismissed as a modern concept from one side and in danger of dying the death of the "we already tried that program" from the other side. Abandoning the concept would be wrongheaded, given its rich history and its Biblical foundations.

I have attempted to highlight several barriers to communicating the full Gospel to the next generation. Articles like this that list trends tend to appear pessimistic. I am, however, encouraged by the commitment and courage I have seen from this current generation of students once they "get it."

Part 2 of this article will address what we can do as adult influencers to help them "get it." If students accept or reject Christianity, that's one thing. If they "don't get it," that's another.

Come back tomorrow for part 3 or read the whole article here.

"Why They Don't Get It" Part 1

The following is a really great article I read. I think all parents should
read this for sure. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment. ~Kim

Helping Students "Get It"

by John Stonestreet

Source Here

If Christian Smith and Melinda Denton are correct, our key concern in regards to the next generation is that they "get" Christianity. Our primary focus should turn from whether Christian students like church, or whether they think of Jesus as their best friend, or even whether they know why they believe what they believe (though that has been a useful tag line for Summit Ministries for years). Primarily, if Smith and Denton are correct, our focus should be teaching them what Christianity is because, simply put, they don't get it.

My experience working with students, most having strong histories in conservative evangelicalism (and representing almost evenly home, private Christian, and public schooling), suggests Smith and Denton are right. I often hear students describe their experience of Christianity in these terms: "I've been a Christian my whole life, but I don't really get it." Or, "I prayed the prayer when I was four, but I don't think it stuck." Or, "I committed my life to Christ when I was fifteen, but I am not sure it stuck."

How is it that students who are so deeply engrossed in church culture and who have more access to the Bible, Christian literature, youth programs, and other resources than any generation that has lived since the founding of the church, can be so confused about what Christianity actually is and why it matters? How is it that they possess such a truncated, neutered view of the Kingdom? How is it that these students just don't "get it"?

1. The distraction factor.
The age of information presents two unique challenges to this generation of students. First, they encounter daily an overwhelming amount of information. Of course, information isn't neutral; it contains, argues or embodies ideas. Students today swim in deluge of information. Whether or not there is an absence of the true or the genuine, there is often an inability to find it amidst all the noise and distraction.

Second, they experience this information, with the inherent ideas, differently than previous generations. Information today (especially via the internet) comes without context, without a clear source, and often without narrative. Their lives look more like a random episode of Seinfeld than the start-to-finish Cosby Show. They are not a linear generation.

The result? Neal Postman argued a long time ago, without understanding the full impact of the Internet, that the west had become a silly culture. [2] Entertainment had destroyed our ability to think and prioritize. We lack discernment. We care about irrelevant things, and ignore what is actually important.

Unfortunately, the Christian community often responds by heaping "Christian" noise on the rest of the noise. Attempting to be "relevant" to students, we instead contribute to their appetites for distraction. Entertainment has made us silly and Christian entertainment has made our students silly Christians.

2. The grip of adolescence.
"There was a time, literally, when there were no teenagers." [3] In virtually every other culture in the history of the world prior to late 20th century Western culture, kids became adults. Not anymore. Now, they become teenagers or, as we call them, adolescents.

Despite its rather recent history, adolescence goes largely unquestioned as a fixed stage of development. It is fully expected that students will lose their minds from ages 13-18. "Kids will be kids," we say. Only, we aren't referring to kids, we are talking about those who buy, vote, and drive automobiles.

Further, the grip of adolescence continues to forcefully expand. On the front end, we now talk about "pre-teens" (with marketing engines quickly spotting the financial potential). On the back end, whereas eighteen was once considered the end of adolescence, it is now the middle. Adolescence now refers to ages 11 to 30.

But, that's not all. Adolescence is now, and this must not be missed, the goal of our culture. Somewhere along the way, we ceased to be a culture where kids aspire to be adults and became a culture where adults aspire to be kids.

Often, our approaches to youth ministry sanctify adolescence. Whereas teenagers have the capacity (and thus, I would argue, the calling), to think deeply and broadly about their culture, confront evil and injustice, and champion the truth, they instead are encouraged in their adolescent narcissism. It's a neutered Gospel, only about them and their needs, lacking vision (Prov. 29:18).

Come back tomorrow for part 2 or read the whole article here.

Observations On The News

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I hardly ever watch CNN. I was at the gym and decided to watch it while I was exercising. I noticed 3 interesting things while watching.

#1 There was a lengthy conversation with President Obama and the headline under his face was, "I Screwed Up". It was on the screen forever and the words were spoken many times. First of all, I wasn't too impressed that the president of the United States was using that expression. It doesn't really say class does it? That is a little side point but interesting none the less. They had the President saying this and then were going on and on about it. They were saying to each other. "Have we ever had a President say this? Have we ever heard a President admit to making a mistake?" This is apparently the most amazing thing ever to them. Of course, I thought it was interesting that even when he says he made a mistake he is applauded. The other side of this is what would have been said if this had been a past republican president? I don't think the media would have been so impressed.

#2 It was mentioned that President Obama has a 64% approval rating. They said that was really good but not as good as when he first became president as it was an 84% approval rating. It is only Feb. so I am starting to wonder where he will be in another 2-3 months. Will his approval rating be equal to the last president by then?


Image from.....

#3 This last observation may have been from Fox News. They had a panel on their show of several different people. There was a black gentleman with the title of Rev. His comment was very interesting. He said anyone that believes in God could NOT vote for the current president. I am sure this made a lot of people angry. How can he say such a thing? Well, it is pretty obvious to me.

On July 17, 2007, Barack Obama said this to Planned Parenthood and...

On this fundamental issue of [abortion rights], I will not yield and Planned
Parenthood will not yield. ... The first thing I'll do as president is sign the
Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do. ...

What is the "Freedom of Choice Act"? It makes abortions a federal issue. It negates all state laws from parental notification to the Woman's Right to Know Laws to bans on partial-birth abortion.

The current president doesn't believe in the sanctity of life based on his willingness to not only allow abortions but broaden the scope of them. Abortion is not enough. We need to force hospitals to do it that are against it? We need to be able to have older babies to abort and allow young girls to do it secretly? Their parents shouldn't know about this?

I saw an image recently that summed it all up for me. It was talking about abortion and it said, " Would it bother us more if we used guns"? Can you imagine that? A baby is delivered and a doctor pulls out a gun and shoots it? Would we care then?

Thou shalt NOT murder

The current president must not know about or believe the scripture that says "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat".
2 Thessalonians 3:10

That doesn't mean if people fall on hard times we don't help them. That is what we are supposed to do. The problem is just giving hand outs (stealing from someone else) and giving it to people that have no intention to work. Causing a whole generation of people that think they are entitled to the money of others. Helping a person in need for a time is one thing. Taking from someone else to provide from another person is stealing.

Thou shalt not steal.

Of course, I could go on for a long time on this topic. It would be better if we looked to the scriptures instead. Look for yourself. Do you see anything about this president that goes against the scriptures. As I told my daughter yesterday we need to pray for our president. He needs to hear from the Lord. That is the only thing that will change his perspective. He is surrounded by 'yes men' and people that believe as he does.

Let's pray that God can get through to him before it is too late for this great nation.

Join the Patriotic Resistance

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I am not going to sit by silently as Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosiand Harry Reid re-make our nation in their liberal image.That's why I just joined a grassroots conservative effort to RESIST President Obama's liberal agenda. Please go here to join with me:

http://www.grassfire.org/111/petition.asp?PID=19544414&NID=1

The Resistance States: As an American citizen, while I will show respect to President Obama, I oppose the far-Left and socialistic elements that comprise the centerpiece of his agenda, including the massive Government spending spree that is being pushed as an economic “stimulus.” I recognize that it will take a patriotic and resilient Citizen Resistance to block implementation of this agenda and I join with others who oppose these threats to our liberties

Specifically, I Resist:

Socialistic wealth redistribution including any and all tax increases and big-government welfare programs. Silencing conservatives through the Fairness Doctrine and other efforts that restrict free speech.

Open border anarchy including amnesty for illegal aliens and promotion of multi-nation “unions”. Government-run health care that weakens our system and imposes more tax burdens on citizens.

Weakening of our military through rapid pullback from Iraq, defunding our troops and overall disarmament. Social liberalism including radical pro-abortion agenda, the end of marriage and the homosexual agenda.

Liberal court activism that undermines faith, family and liberties while expanding government control. Post-American globalismthat diminishes our global role and threatens our national sovereignty.

Environmental extremism, the CO2 tax, undermining coal and nuclear, and bans on
exploration. Weakening the 2nd Amendment through unconstitutional gun laws that take away or penalize us for owning firearms and our right to defend our family, our property, and ourselves.

Silencing conservatives through the Fairness Doctrine and other efforts that restrict free speech.

Government-run health care that weakens our system and imposes more tax burdens on citizens.

Social liberalism including radical pro-abortion agenda, the end of marriage and the homosexual agenda.

Post-American globalism that diminishes our global role and threatens our national sovereignty.

Weakening the 2nd Amendment through unconstitutional gun laws that take away or penalize us for owning firearms and our right to defend our family, our property, and ourselves.


From the Desk of:
Steve Elliott, President, Grassfire.org Alliance

+ + Sign the petition saying "No" to the bogus stimulus
and Obama's socialistic agenda. -- Steve

If you are as outraged as I am by the Obama-led rush to force the so-called stimulus bill through Congress, then please take action with me today.

The Senate is debating the bill right now and I want to rally tens of thousands of citizens in the next 48 hours to oppose this bogus big-government spending plan -- and then announce the grassroots opposition to the national media.

Please join Grassfire's Patriotic Resistance to this massive government spending spree and Obama's socialistic agenda:

This citizen petition rejects the bogus, big-government spending spree and also announced our unified Patriotic Resistance to Obama's agenda of higher taxes and more government control.

+ + Sign the petition, then call your senators!

Far-left groups like MoveOn.org are actively lobbying members of the Senate urging them to vote for this bloated spending bill. And President Obama is doing a full-court press with his allies in the liberal media.

Now with debate underway and a vote highly likely, your calls and faxes are more important than ever!

Judge Rightly

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I have heard many times from many Christians (and was guilty of this thinking myself) that we are not to judge. However, I would like you to take a look at some scriptures on this topic. There is an excellent article here that will shed some new light on that way of thinking. NO, this is not some new revelation but I am concerned that we have been misguided in our thinking on this matter. Let me know what you think. To whet your appetite here is a short excerpt

Christ kept repeating this theme in His ministry. “Hypocrites,” Jesus said, “why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?” (Luke 12:56-57). Still, His own followers have mostly ignored the Lord’s harsh rebuke: “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to [judge, i.e., to] remove the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Mat. 7:5). “Judge Not” is the Hypocritical Oath.

and a bit more here.....

“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?”

(1 Cor. 6:2-5).

To read it all click here.

Below are a few more places that address this issue. After doing some research, leave a comment and let me know what your conclusion is now.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44270

http://www.gotquestions.org/do-not-judge.html

http://userwww.service.emory.edu/~cmadd01/shouldju.html

Thankfulness and Discouragement

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Although I like to cover politics and many world events on here I want to remind everyone (including myself) that we must be careful not to get discouraged. My family is very political. We enjoy listening to talk radio and I especially enjoy reading things on the Internet regarding what is going on in our world. I want to be made aware of issues that pertain to us as Americans.

As my blog states I think a lot of people (especially Moms) get busy with life and miss out on important things. When you have children at home, especially small children your whole world can easily become just your own family. We sometimes lose sight of things that are going on outside of our four walls. If it doesn't have to do with cooking, cleaning, disciplining, and maybe reading up on a topic related to being a wife or mother we may miss it.

We live in an important time. So many things are going on every day in this country and around the world. Things are changing quickly and important decisions are being made every day. Often, these decisions are going to affect if not us directly most certainly those children we are working so hard to raise. In light of that, I encourage everyone, no matter what season of life you are in to pay attention to the world around you.

As Christians we know that we are "in the world but not of it". That is a hard balance to achieve sometimes, I know. However, we are also supposed to be a light in this dark world. The dark forces are working over time I think to make changes and do some very damaging things. It is important to be informed so that we can take action when necessary, be able to talk to friends or co-workers in an educated way on issues, and be able to vote having all the facts.

Having said all of that I want to tell you not to get discouraged and how to accomplish that. This has been something I have been learning this year and it was brought up again at church yesterday. Of course, shortly after it was brought up I had an opportunity to be discouraged. Like a kid on a warm summer day, I put my toe in the pool to get a good feel for it, just a little bit of course. Then my whole foot went in.

This morning I am remembering and trying to encourage myself. While I am at it maybe I can help you too. The secret to getting out of discouragement (or not getting into it at all) is thankfulness. It seems so simple and you may wonder how it can be that easy. I believe in most cases being discouraged is just a sign that we have taken our eyes off the things we are thankful for. We are focusing on on the things we are NOT thankful for. It happens to all of us.

When you honestly put some thought into many of the things you are thankful for it is in my opinion, impossible to be discouraged. How can you be discouraged when you are thinking of all the many wonderful things in your life? Yes, I know times are hard for a lot of people. I know that people are worried. I know that we are hearing from many voices lots of discouraging news. There are times when you do need to take yourself away for a while. Get your mind off of what the world is saying. Go to the Bible and see what God is saying. There are many promises in the Word. As that old hymn says, it really is time to "count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings see what God hath done".

As Thanksgiving is fast approaching I say it is time to actually write down those blessings. Get your family involved. Then on Thanksgiving Day you can read them out loud if you like. Even when it is not Thanksgiving keeping a list of things you are thankful for is a great idea. When you feel that discouragement creeping in, go get your list or make a new one. Really focus on that list and I am sure it will be a short amount of time that the discouragement is replaced by rejoicing.

I will leave you today with that great hymn. It was written well over 100 years ago but certainly applies to today. Read it for the first time or read it again with a deeper commitment to actually counting your blessings and naming them one by one.


Verse 1

When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged Thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you What the Lord hath done.

Chorus:

Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your blessings See what God hath done.
Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings See what God hath done.

Verse 2

Are you ever burdened With a load of care,
Does the cross seem heavy You are called to bear.
Count your many blessings Every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing As the days go by.

Verse 3

When you look at others With their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised You His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings Money cannot buy,
Your reward in heaven Nor your home on high.

Verse 4

So amid the conflict Whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged God is over all.
Count your many blessings Angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you To your journey's end.

The words to the hymn above were found here.

Hope & Rainbows!

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Don't give up hope!

After the election there has been much sadness and fear. These are emotions that a lot of people are fighting. No matter who is elected we have to remember HE is still on the throne.

HOPE is the one word that has been used a lot during the campaign. Funny how at this time that is what a lot of us are really needing to focus on. My HOPE is in something much greater than any candidate or man on this earth. Our hope has to be in God.

There is no president or king higher than OUR King. Jesus Christ is above them all. There is a great temptation at this time to lose hope and be depressed but we can't do that.

As my husband left for work today I could see the discouragement & frustration in his eyes. I could see how concerned he was. As he walked out the door I said, "HE is still on the throne".

He called me a few minutes ago. He said that he wanted to tell me he was standing outside looking at a full rainbow. A FULL rainbow (not just part of one) he said more than once. I said, that sounds beautiful. He thought I would want to know. That rainbow meant a lot to him. As he hung up the phone he said to me, God is still on the throne.

Thank you God for sending us encouragement and even visible signs that you are still there. Thank you for the reminder that we can still trust in YOUR promises and put our hope in YOU.

Today I challenge you to look for the rainbows! Ask God to show them to you.

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Come back and post the rainbows you see today in the comments below.

My Top 7 Biggest Concerns...Part 2

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My Top 7 Biggest Concerns Regarding A Candidate Part 2

(This is a continuation from yesterday, click here to read Part 1)

“A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have.”—Thomas Jefferson

#3 Have you heard about Bill Ayers?

The information in red came from here.

There has been a sudden spate of blog items and newspaper articles, mainly in the British press, linking Barack Obama to a former member of the radical Weather Underground Organization that claimed responsibility for a dozen bombings between 1970 and 1974. The former Weatherman, William Ayers, now holds the position of distinguished professor of education at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Although never convicted of any crime, he told the New York Times in September 2001, "I don't regret setting bombs...I feel we didn't do enough."

Um, does anything really need to be said about this? I am sorry, but there isn't anyone in my life that set bombs and said many years later that they didn't regret it! I would have thought this would certainly do this candidate in. How can it be that it didn't? What would have happened if this same fact had been discovered about President Bush or John McCain? Can you even imagine the news coverage on this one?

Apparently, the Obama camp doesn't want us to worry about this little tid bit. He was only 8 years old when Bill Ayers was active. I guess that makes it ok somehow? I have also heard that his argument is that he thought Bill Ayers was "rehabilitated". I am so curious about what made him think that. Was it because he asked him? I seriously doubt that. Maybe he thought he was rehabilitated because he is now a "distinguished professor of education at the University of Illinois-Chicago".

(Side note: Does this frighten anyone else about our colleges???)

To get more information on this guy click here. It will shock you. Maybe, he doesn't really care but saying he thought he was rehabilitated would make this acceptable.


#4 Joe Biden. Gee, so much could be said about this guy. I will try to keep it short. The first thing that comes to mind is that there is footage of Biden himself saying Obama didn’t have enough experience to land in the White House. Now, he supports him 100%? How is that possible? Has he changed his mind or is the temptation of being Vice President just too great. Biden has put his foot in his mouth so many times. Over and over again. Makes me worried about his interaction with the heads of other countries. Could his comments alone start another war? Ugh!

One thing he said that I do agree with is the following. Biden said in a campaign ad, “When this campaign is over, political slogans like ‘experience’ and ‘change’ will mean absolutely nothing. The next president has to act.” All this talk of change is not helpful if the change we are going to get hurts America. If that change means socialism, I don't want it.

Joe '08 ???

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I try not to go on and on about political stuff. I know there is a lot of information already out there. However, I am concerned that a lot of Moms are not accessing this information. I believe it is imperative that we stay informed. I know our lives are busy with the children and other family things going on. That doesn't mean we get an 18+ year pass not to be involved in what is going on in our country. By the time we are done raising our children will we even recognize this country? Let's get involved, stay involved, and get informed about our world and our country. We live in a time that we can not afford the luxury of putting our head in the sand.


The most recent thing to make me angry is the 'Joe The Plumber' discussion. I heard about it this morning on the radio. I am sure it will be on talk radio all day today....as it should be. If you haven't seen the warning signs about Barack Hussein Obama before now, this really should do it for you.


If you haven't heard about it I am going to give it to you in a nutshell. "Joe The Plumber" as they are now calling him told Barack Hussein Obama that his tax plan will hurt him when he tries to buy a company. This is a company that he has worked 12 hour days for years. His words were, "Your new tax plan's going to tax me more, isn't it?" (Joe is a smart guy and has been paying attention. Go Joe!)


His answer should frighten you or at least make you angry that so many in our country are willing to vote for this man.

"It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance at success, too. I think when we spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."



Get your t-shirt here!

Spread the wealth? Most of us that do NOT want this guy as the leader of our nation have realized he would love to turn this nation into a Socialist country. This just can't happen. Every time he talks I don't understand why there are still people that want him to be the President. This is the latest and most amazing thing he has said. Who (of those that plan to vote for him) would like for him to have his hands in their finances? Who wants him to determine how much money you can make and where your money should go. I want to talk to those people. If they are fine with that I say let me do that job for you. I have a lot of good causes at home and elsewhere. I could really use their money. Give it to me, trust me. I will spend it wisely and let you have what I think you need to keep.

Come on, spread the wealth on over to ME!

Click here to read more about it and more here too.

"Fireproof"

Speaking of movies....I have been hearing about another great movie called Fireproof. Under the title it says , "Never Leave Your Partner Behind".

You can go to the website and watch the trailer or watch it below. It looks really good. Click here. If you are tired of all the immoral movies then you will want to see this one. When you do leave a comment letting us know what you thought.

Click here to see how great this movie is doing.




On their blog they have listed 12 reasons to go see this movie. I am listing a few.

We believe in the mission of the producers, who are trying to influence the culture positively from a Christian perspective through mainstream media.

Fireproof reaffirms the sacred institution of marriage in a culture plagued by divorce.

The movie strongly advocates faith, family, and Christian values.

It dramatically displays the power of forgiveness

Fireproof reminds us that no situation is too desperate for God to redeem—that with God, all things are possible.

Any movie that has in its credits a "prayer coordinator," you should see.

I love this short interview with the star of the show. Click here and find out the little secret Kirk Cameron did regarding "the kiss" in the movie. Amazing and beautiful.

An American Carol

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I am really excited. The movie is finally in theaters. It kind of snuck up on me since it came out on the 3rd. Has anyone seen it yet? I am talking about "An American Carol". For more information about it click here. You can watch the trailer there too.


I am excited that Kelsey Grammar is in it. I really like him. It turns out he is one of the few real life CONSERVATIVE actors. Can you believe it? There are some that exist. I think we should support this movie. Those of us with conservative values need to let Hollywood and others know we are NOT in the minority. Let's show them that a movie about our great country and the people that love it will bring in the bucks! Hollywood wake up! We don't support your liberal views!

If you have seen this movie please leave a comment. I want to hear what you think. This is your chance to play movie critic.

Since I am on the topic of movies I have to talk about one that just makes my blood boil. There is a new movie out by one of my least favorite people (Bill Maher) called "Religulous". I know I need to pray for him but when I think of him I imagine him holding hands with the devil.

I encourage you to NOT see this movie.

Here is an excerpt from Roger Ebert during his review of the movie.

"Between them, they cheerfully dismiss wide swaths of what are widely thought to be Catholic teachings, including the existence of Hell. One of these priests almost dissolves in laughter as he mentions various beliefs that I, as a child, solemnly absorbed in Catholic schools. The other observes that when Italians were polled to discover who was the first person they would pray to in a crisis, Jesus placed sixth."

You can read the whole thing here.

I know if I dig into this much more I will be furious so let's go back to "An American Carol" shall we? Let's go see that movie! I hope it is GREAT!

Let's Hear It For Modesty!

I found this amazing post on a new blog I discovered. You MUST read it. Read it until the end. I was dumbfounded by the end. Come back here and leave me a comment. I want to know if your reaction was similar to mine or not. Let's not give up on modesty. :-)

To read it click here.

Speaking of modesty, have your heard about "Moms for Modesty"? Check it out here. I love what it says. I pasted their mission below.

Moms for Modesty Mission Statement

As a Mom for Modesty I believe in common-sense modesty for girls and young women.

I believe in refraining from sexualizing our girls and young women.

I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by permitting my daughter(s) to dress in an immodest manner.

I believe that true beauty comes from within and I strive to teach my daughter(s) this truth.

I will loyally shop at retailers that provide girls' and young womens clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.

Your Schooling Didn't Count?

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Got this in the mail today. You should read this. It is very important and very upsetting.....

Just when you think it couldn't get worse ...

The attacks on your faith and your constitutional freedoms keep on coming. In fact, they are intensifying.

In the midst of pressing deadlines and round-the-clock preparations for our upcoming crucial First Amendment Supreme Court case ...

We must confront the University of California and a federal court's decision IN FAVOR OF RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION.

Your generous support is needed now. Despite an enormous workload, we absolutely cannot ignore this dangerous ruling and will file an amicus brief to protect Christian school students' rights.

Here are the disturbing facts of the case:

The University of California (UC) has decided Christian school graduates don't meet its required "educational standards."

Under their flawed admissions policy, UC rejected multiple courses offered by Calvary Chapel Christian School and, therefore, would not consider their graduating high school students for admission.

For example, a history course taught at Calvary Chapel Christian School was rejected for, among other things:


failure to "teach critical thinking and modern historical analy[sis]" because it "instructs that the Bible is the unerring source for analysis of historical events, attributes historical events to divine providence rather than analyzing human action, [and] evaluates historical figures and their contributions based on their religious motivations or lack thereof...."


However, the federal court's decision to reject the Christian school's argument of discrimination may be the most unbelievable - and most fundamentally detrimental - aspect of this case.

Imagine ... graduates from a Christian high school told that their education is not good enough - that their course credits don't count - and that they won't be admitted to college.

Please give an immediate online gift right now to help the ACLJ combat this blatant, anti-Christian bigotry in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The court's disregard for the basic rights of Christian school students is disastrous. It flies in the face of our constitutionally protected religious rights.

This case literally has the potential to impact Christian high schools and students across the country - making it much more difficult for students at Christian high schools to gain admission to public universities and forcing Christian schools to consider changing their curriculum.

I am committed to seeing a successful outcome in this important matter. In order to do so, our ACLJ team must delve deeply into the law and present the strongest possible case.

Please understand: Our amicus briefs are increasingly cited by the Supreme Court in its opinions. This means our briefs - from the very beginning of the process - are critically important.

Your donation today will help us dedicate the time and materials to researching case law, writing the necessary legal memorandums, and preparing our amicus brief.

We need your help immediately to move forward and to achieve success in protecting the rights of Christian school students and those of our children and grandchildren. Thank you.



For more information go here or to the the ACLJ website.

Rebellious Teens? No!

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(The book above is supposed to be excellent. I haven't read it yet but it is on my "to read" book list. For more about this book clicke here. )

I found an article that sums up my feelings about those so called "rebellious teens". I just had to share it with you. Go here to see where I found it (scroll down). Bold print is mine, added for emphasis.

HOME Where They Belong
I have two teen boys - soon to be three. Levi turns 13 years old this Valentine's Day. Amazing. Three teens in my house. I've entered a new phase; a new chapter in my life is unfolding. And I LOVE it.

When Paul and I were engaged, we went to a pizza place once. We were discussing our future together, in particular, our forthcoming children should the Lord bless us with any. I thought I was so smart, so savvy. I was this 19 year old kid, chomping at the bit to be married and someday become a mom - but I was clueless. I announced to Paul on that pizza date that when our children become teens, that yes, they would be rebellious (like all teens - like ME) but that we would just do our best, and hopefully relate with them.

WRONG. Boy, did Paul set me straight at that very moment. He announced back to ME, that no, our future kids did NOT need to be rebellious and that if we trained them up in the Lord, we could skip all that rebellious nonsense. I looked at my future husband skeptically (what a goof I was). I gave him a, 'Well, we'll seeeeee' look. Sure, dear. You just keep thinking positively.

Guess what. He was right. 100% correct. My older, wiser, soon-to-be husband knew the truth. He knew God's word. He blew off the world's way of thinking and insisted that I must, too. So many years have passed. My word, three teen boys live in my home! My quiet home. My God-honoring home. Are my boys perfect? Oh...far from it. Do they fear the Lord? Do they respect Paul and me? Do they love each other? Do we have their hearts? YES. You want the "secret?" Here it is: Shelter them. They're yours, gifted by God. Train them up in the admonition of the Lord. Keep them near you. Expect obedience, insist on it. Hold them accountable. Give them lots of responsibilities - and plenty of space. But keep your eyeballs fastened tightly to that space. The key is relationship, too. Be interested in them. Let them drone on and on about their latest software application or musical composition (Paul and Luke, respectively, there!). Love them but not as a pansy best friend. Love them with strength and resolve. With seriousness, firmness. They'll thank you for it later, and you will be blessed. God's way (His word) is always the best way.

- Gena

God Is Still Holding You Responsible

I read an excellent thing today. Well, painful in a way but also excellent. That is how the corrections of God are at times though. The type in bold is what really got my attention. All parents should read this....

Parents, there are things that cannot wait, and this is one of them—training up a child in the way that he should go. You have to understand that your time with your children is running out. It is slipping away, and God is still holding you responsible.

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is a succinct statement of parental responsibility.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

Parents, this is the pre-cursor to rearing children the right way. You have to love God this way first.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words which I command you this day shall be in your heart: And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the posts of your house and on your gates.

That brief description covers virtually every part of every day, because God is saying that no matter what you do, no matter what you say, no matter what comes into your life, every day you should be reflecting the mind of God in your own life, in your own speech, and in your own attitude. In addition to that, reinforcing your example by teaching the children verbally. God is saying that everywhere that child looks he should see examples of the way of God, not only in the way you work, but in the work itself....

You can read all of this article here.

I think every parent should get a copy of this on their way home from the hospital with their new born baby. I think they should get a copy of it again when their children start middle school, when they start high school, and again at the beginning of their senior year! Time to go help my middle schooler and senior! :-)

Hurry, Vote Now!

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Should we take "In God We Trust" off of our money? There is a live vote going on right now at NBC. Here are your choices on the vote.

Yes, it is a VIOLATION of the principle of separation of church and state
or
No, the motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion.

At the point I voted the YES votes were winning! :-(

Help us change the way this is going. Tell all your friends and family to vote also.

Vote by clicking HERE.

When I put this post on this morning the people that thought this was "a violation" were winning. The tide is turning but I think it best we ALL vote. This shouldn't even be a close one in my opinion. What do you think?