Please read this story here to find out the horrible things that are happening to these boys/girls homes that have been helping troubled kids for years. Your prayers are truly needed for all of those involved in this! Let's fight the forces of Satan by coming to the throne and finding grace to help in time of need!
The Hephzibah House is another that has been attacked and they are already trying to pass legislation to shut down all homes in that state.
These kids are so much better off in the environment and programs that these homes offer. They need to stay up and running!
FEEL FREE TO POST THIS ON YOUR BLOG ALSO! WE NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT TO CHRISTIANS ACROSS AMERICA AND THE WORLD!
Please comment if you are praying!
Apr. 12, 2009
Flashback to the '80s
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Flashback to the ‘80’s
April 11, 2009
Today was a good day of working for the LORD and a modernized attempt to get the gospel to the masses via the internet.
Before I explain what we did, allow me to share the history behind what we were able to do today.
June 23, 1986--at that time we lived in Astoria Queens, NY. At the time, we were so small, that we couldn't afford to rent a place for services. We met in our apartment once-a-week for Bible study, which we conducted like a regular church service. There was singing, prayers, fellowship, and sermons.
To be public, and open to guests, we would meet as a group on the same street corner at the same time every Sunday. The address was printed on all our tracts. Obviously, only the serious enquirers showed-up. After waiting a reasonable amount of time, usually 15 - 30 min. we would walk back to our apartment for some light refreshments and church.
Always on the lookout for interesting or different ways to get people's attention, Pastor Bob got the idea to start a phone ministry.
Pastor Bob's idea was to record a short gospel message on an answering machine. This was a painstaking process. There were no hi-tech gizmos available to help us. Pastor Bob would write up his sermon. It had to be exactly 3 minutes or the cassette which played on a loop would record over the beginning of the message.
We also had business cards printed up with the title of the message or a catchy short phrase or question that would peak the curiousity of those who found the cards, and phone number. When the message and cards were ready to go, we would make a "midnight raid". Literally. With rolls of scotch tape and stacks of cards, we would go to areas that were busy by day, and tape these cards to doors, storefront gates and windows, apartment building entrances, parking meters, etc. Any place we could tape them without causing damage to property, we put them up.
By the time we arrived home after our raid, the phone was already ringing off the hook. Hundreds of calls came in after these raids.
Though we don't know if anyone ever got saved as a result of this ministry, MANY people heard part or all of the Gospel.
A total of 5 messages were done.
Speeding up to the present day, we still have the original cassettes these messages were recorded on. They have been digitized, and today they have been put back into use.
If you would like to listen to any, or all of them; please follow the individual links below. Share them with your friends, relatives, acquaitance. Feel free to link your website or blog to them too.Be sure your computer sound/volume is on.
http://.AbsolutelyFREEGIFT.webs.com
http://Are You Prepared.webs.com
http://NeedGoodNews.webs.com
http://PlanfortheFuture.webs.com http://harpingonHELL.webs.com
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Apr. 6, 2009
Future Family
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Today my mind is wandering to the future. Many questions are whirling around in my head. Alot of them have come about as a result of the mission's conference last week. The need for workers in the fields is great. Each missionary, each field, made me ask, "Is that where one of my children will go?" In our flesh, in our physical world, at least in our family/home, we don't have much to give as far as money goes. Yes, our home is beautiful, glory to God, and it is a great gift of love from Him to us, but our home is more than just the painted walls, and furnishings. What we have to give is priceless. We have offered up our children for His use. Now I realize that their full surrender to God is a personal choice that they must make for themselves, but we as parents desire our children to be vessels fit for the Master's use. Our heart's desire is that God will take them and use them, and that not one of them would refuse Him. These thoughts have alot of emotions attatched to them. As a mom, in one way the last thing I want is for my children to go live in a distant land, and only visit with us every few years. I don't want to go to bed at night and wonder if my child is safe or being watched or taken to prison for preaching the glorious Gospel of Our LORD Jesus Christ. In my flesh, in the natural mother's heart, I don't want them to go very far from home, EVER. But with eternity in view, I want them to go for God without thought for dear old mom and dad. I want them to be consumed with Jesus. In fact, the last few months I have really begun to expect that in my golden years, if the LORD tarries that long, I will sit in my rocker, praying for my children, grandchildren, and maybe great-grandchildren, to stay by the stuff, to keep on for God, to fight the good fight, to finish the course, to reach for the prize of the high calling of God. My mind is set upon them all being far from me, and yet close to my heart. I am expecting them to be warriors and servants in distant lands, to go to the regions beyond and to say with all that in them is, "Here am I LORD send me" And if the LORD determines that they need not all go so far away to serve Him, then i will be extra blessed. I give up my children for the service of the KING of Glory-Jesus Christ. What more can I give? The other question that naturally follows, well several of them, are: when and where will they go? will they marry? who will they marry? when will this all come about? David is on the verge of marriage, Godwilling. What plans are in his future after that? We are so isolated, it is hard to keep my eyes of the practical issue of meeting prospective brides or grooms. Years ago I wrote to a precious sister about this matter. I told her that I believed that if necessary God would bring them to our front door-their car could break down, or asking for directions, or "accidentally" finding the wrong house. When I get a case of "how in the world will..." I remind myself of this...God's way are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. He can do anything, nothing is impossible with Him. All we know is we want God's choice. When a family friend was about to marry, I began to fret, and wonder how we would ever be able to give our daughters wedding gowns and pull-off even a small wedding. This was going through my mind on a Tuesday as we drove home from town. Tuesday was the day that the clothes house was open (over the years we have gotten many items from them free of charge) so we decided to stop on the way. We ran in and then out pretty fast for us. But oddly enough they had a wedding dress that particular day. Never before had I seen one there. As we drove up the hill for home, I went on and on about the wedding dress, chiding myself for not getting it. After we unloaded the van, Bob told me to take Charity back and look at it again. Off we went. The wedding gown was still there. We carefully removed it from the hanger, and one of the workers came over and held it close to Charity. I looked like it would be a perfect fit. Then more of them workers gathered nearby, formed a circle and prayed for her. They GAVE us the dress! As we were leaving they asked when she was getting married. I just had to laugh as I told them, she didn't even have a "boyfriend". They were amazed, and yet happy to give the dress to her. To Charity, it seems to be a promise that one day she will need that gown. To me, that was more a blessing to me than to Charity, because I'd be wondering about buying all the things you'd need for a wedding. It was God's way of telling me, in a dear, loving, gentle way, "Terry, see, you don't have to worry about anything. I've got it all under control" During the missions conference, they had special sessions for just the ladies with the main speakers wife, Mrs. Ireland. She spoke on the topic of "Prodigals". I wasn't able to talk to her but she really helped me by repeating my own words back to me, though we have never met. But during her lesson she said something very profound. "Control is an illusion" God is the one at the controls, He allows things to occur for our good, and learning. The greatest thing I can do as a wife and mother is to stop trying to control anything and reliquish control to my great Father, who doeth all things well. The future of our family will be full of changes, the unexpected-good and bad, but God is in control. And we know His way is perfect. |
Apr. 5, 2009
SOAP and Sermons
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This is just going to be brief because I am totally wiped out today. The late nights, up to 2am+ for over 2 weeks has caught up with me. Today we figured out how to put sermons online. The first one is from today. It is called COME OUT. You can listen to it on our site www.boazbaptist.com/sermons or www.sermon.net/boazbaptist Remember that we are a small home-church, with a relaxed atmosphere. The purpose of putting this sermon out there is to help, to edify, to encourage. We apologize for the less than great quality. We are in the process of getting the proper equipment to record digitally. Thanks for your understanding and patience. |
Feb. 18, 2009
Forgotten Mission Field
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Jan. 29, 2009
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Jan. 3, 2009
Happy Betrothed Couple
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This is my son and his "espoused" wife. They have not set a date yet,. This was taken New Years Eve. Don't they look happy, and so cute. LOVE the huge space between them They are trying so hard to keep things pure and holy. Would you believe she is 8 yr. older than he is??? She is very sweet and beautiful inwardly too. |
Dec. 8, 2008
Posted in HOMESCHOOL FAMILY CIRCUS
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The link I am posting today, ok, 2 of them are sensitive topics for many people, and will possibly make some readers really upset. I am not posting them to create a stir, but simply to give information so that you, and your spouse can make informed decisions. Both are prevalent in Christian circles, and one especially targets homeschoolers, even producing their own curricula. The other has permeated Christian college campuses since the early 1980's. Recently it was brought to my attention because someone told my son he is a "sanguine" and I had to explain to him what it was. It is unfortunate that many times we fall into the latest fad of Christianity with out understanding the root of it. Neither do we consider the consequences. We are all guilty, including me, of wanting to be "with it". |
Dec. 2, 2008
A Good Day
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Am I the only one who's whole routine is thrown off when a holiday or appointment comes along??? Are my children the only ones who seem to forget what school is, much less want to do it after a mini-break--even if it is only half a day???? Today was much better than yesterday. Yes, we started late-nothing unusual there-but at least we finished in a reasonable time. Which means Mom gets do something besides cooking and schooling today! Yeah!!! My sewing has piled way up, and now there are the projects I MUST complete for gift-giving. One year I am going to plan to make everyone the same things and do it assembly line fashion. That will save alot of extra little things that eat away at my time. For those of you who read the previous post Mote V. Beam, I can't tell you how much your prayers and comments have meant to me. The LORD has ministered to me greatly, and my husband too. The one thing about stuff like that is that the more it happens to you, the more you learn to let it go, or become a bitter old bag that no-one wants to be near. When you are in or put in, a position of being...ok...I'm gonna use the "J" word...cover your ears kiddos--JUDGED... and you are hurt, or angry, or... you have to make a choice. You have to choose whether you will let it destroy you, spend time with the LORD about the matter seeking His judgment on the matter, and/or let it go. People are going to point fingers no matter righteously you live. Not one of us will ever entirely live up to one another's convictions, standards, etc. All of us are hypocrites down deep inside, even if we chose to ignore that little fact. Our flesh and our human spirit are weak. If not for the Holy Spirit, we'd be sunk. I am not saying we should just let everyone believe what they want, as long as they believe in something. I am not saying there is no right and wrong, no black and white. For example: I think smoking is horrible. I hate it. Can't stand to be anywhere near it. makes me sick. And while I have heard it preached for all my life that smoking is a sin, there is not a scripture verse anywhere where God says, "Thou shalt not smoke". It would fall into the category of self-control, or being under a power (nicotine) that control us; instead of being under the Holy Spirits control. Another example is...dresses only for girls. Let me make it clear here that I am a dresses only advocate. BUT there's not a verse of scripture that tells women to wear dresses and men to wear the pants. But the principles are there. God condemns a man being effeminate--which we see is quite prevalent in todays society--, so it is implied that a woman being masculine-which is also prevalent- is not a good thing. We all make a point of saying God created Adam and EVE, not Adam and STEVE. Therefore it is good and proper that women dress and act like women and men be manly and look/act manly.
Well, my pies are finished baking so I have to run.
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Dec. 1, 2008
Motes and beams
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This past week we had yet another session of the brethren getting on his/her high horse because of something we say and/or do.
Please dear ones, heed this warning. Be careful who you share your life with, who you are honest with about your personal and private home life. Don't be so quick to let your "secrets", or sins, or vices, or faults, or obsessions, or likes, or loves, or... out in the open, UNLESS you fill in the blanks of the where, when, why, how much or how long, and what type/style of the "thing" in your life that most of the brethren hide or fail to disclose, for the reasons why I am writing this now. Yes, I am being vague, and I apologize for that. My husband is great, and he is especially passionate about reaching out to brothers and sisters, and trying to encourage them in life. He also seeks to challenge their thinking on doctrine. But last week he made the "mistake" of being honest with someone about something, and without them knowing the who, what, how much... etc the listener took it upon themselves to brow beat him over the phone. Why is it that we have to preface everything we say about our life, especially with things that someone might believe is wrong, such as TV, movies, books/authors, sports, hobbies, computer/internet, music, ..... I have personally seen the looks...you know the type of look that a NON-TV person gives when a TV watching Christian lets it be known that they watch TV.
Because of our recent confrontation, I am sure that we need to explain the who, when, how often,... immediately following the disclosure.
Many people grew up in homes where TV was on every waking moment, and for some household members, was on all night too. And that was when TV was not as bad as today. But if you indulge in TV programs, you almost have to share your watch list, and explain that simply because you watch EMERGENCY doesn't mean your set is on 24/7; or that you are in agreement with everything seen, said, and done. OR the maybe the person watches only specific channels or programs or news or sports or limited time each day/week.
This is true for sports fans. Does a football fan have to hate the sport bcz there are advertizers who promote drinking? Is it wrong to like basketball bcz players live immoral personal lives?
How about newpapers? They are full of garbage...dear abby, gossip, horoscopes, one sided political statements.... are they any better than the TV or sports? Isn't sin a sin a sin a sin...if indeed the "thing" in dispute is a sin according to Scripture. Mind you I am not saying sin isn't sin.
You might even recall my own gripes with romance novels, even Christian ones put unrealistic ideas into the minds of women-married and single. Then when ones husband, father, beau, isn't as "romantic" or regal as the hero from the novels, it hurts. Fiction is often hard to keep in it's proper place when it is so appealing to our female emotions and spirit...but I digress...
WHY do we have to prepare a statement to explain, not necessarily justify, our choice of entertainment--for lack of a better word? WHAT makes brethren think it's right for them to call one on the carpet for this choice?
It has become quite tiresome to have to be on guard from the bretheren who are ready to lunge and plunge a knife into your chest when you engage in some activitiy or pastime from which they have chosen to abstain.
The saddest part is that often is the case, that the brother or sister who decided to launch an assault on me/us on one matter, is/was, humanly speaking, engaging in much more gross activities, and appears to have rebuked me/us to take or keep the focus off themselves. Kind of the mote and the beam scenario.
Mind you that what has often hurt the most about this happening, is that they go by their own experience and not the facts of the situation. (refer to the previous mentioned TV paragraph) On top of that, to be calling a "friend" to encourage them, to see how they are doing, and have them turn on you, so to speak, well, it HURTS! It would be nice if the "friend" could put off their sermon until the next phone call. I know the verses about rebukes, and reproachiing, correcting etc... but there is a proper time, place and manner, and often is the case, these facts were not considered, to my knowledge.
The reason I am writing this is not to justify anyone or condemn any specific person. No. This is my plea to the bretheren at large, be sure you have all the facts before you start hurling stones and weighty words at someone who has come to you aid. It is rather like a person drowning in the ocean, and the lifeguard swims out to them, risking his/her own life, and when they get to the victim, he/she starts telling them how ignorant and stupid it was for them to swim out risking their life for another person. Or a sick dying man killing the only dr. who is capable of performing the surgery he needs to live.
But sisters, we do this type of thing all the time. I am NOT saying we should condone sin, but at the same time we need to be careful to have all the facts, to have the right spirit, to be sure our own life and heart and mind, are perfectly in tune with Christ and God before we start to preach harshly at others.
I apologize for this being so.... jumbled.... it's been on my mind for a week now, and it is hard to say that we have to stand against sin, but we have to be sure the situation isn't a mote v. beam one. If we strive for that, I think that there will be far less controversy personally between brethren and the Holy Ghost will have free course to convict of sin and bring true repentence.
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Nov. 25, 2008
Prayer needed
Monday, November 24, 2008Please Pray!!! |
Nov. 25, 2008
Missing Simple Words
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How often have your read the Bible, and really didn't READ what it said? Your eyes go over the words, and the words go into your head, sometimes, and ....
I don't know about anyone else, but I love the "AH HA" moments that occur when we read the Bible. You know the kind: when your reading a familiar passage, but your half reading it from memory, or skim reading, (admit it, you do that too, right?) when without any warning a word or two, maybe a whole phrase or verse is transformed into a flashing neon sign. Has that ever happened to you??? It happens to me, and when it does, oh my, talk about goosebumps! Well, I'm going to show you one of those flashing neon signs that Bob pointed out to us on Sunday morning. As part of our family Bible study, we are reading through the New Testament on Sunday morning, kind of like our version of Sunday school. Last week we took a sidepath and studied marriage/remarriage from the Bible; this week we finished Matt. chap. 19. Thus we come to
Then were there brought unto him little children,
Why were they brought to Jesus? To be baptised? To be healed? To be blessed? (I wonder if this is where Catholicism gets the infant baptism)
These are familiar passages to us, and often we interchange the accounts, verses etc from teh Gospels. Or in our busy daily schedule we glance over the words, with an unspoken, ya ya ya attitude/ mentality. But when we do that, and I am including myself, we miss important details. Then again, The LORD knows all, and He knows when we will see the details, or when we NEED to see the details and it is when we are able to bear it, or when it will be most valuable to us, that we see it or it is brought to our mind by the Holy Ghost.
That's what happened to my husband this week as he was preparing Sunday's lesson.
He was just reading along, and SURPRISE, out pops that he should put his hands on them,and pray:
Children were being brought to Jesus for him to PRAY for them, over them... My thinking is, yes, Jesus blessed them, but not in an eerie ceremonial almost creepy manner. He simply touched them, to pray for them, over them.... It might be true that some were not physically whole or healthy, but Scripture doesn't say that.
From the perspective of a Mom.... WOW! If I could take my baby somewhere and have Jesus Christ himself do that, I would too. In many baptist churches it is customary to have a baby dedication, and the pastor holds or touches the infant and prays for him/her and the parents dedicate their baby to God and His service. So who among us wouldn't have taken her children and sought out Jesus to put his hand on them. I can't even imagine the power in his touch. Think of the woman who touched the hem of His garment and was healed. ALL she touched was His HEM. Imagine touching His hands, having Him put His hands on you, or your child. Seems like that alone would do somethings unimaginable. Have you ever seen people overcome to the point of tears and trembling because a popular actor, singer, or political figure shook their hand, or they saw the person up close, or they spoke to them.... A perfect example can be seen in a clip from the Ed Sullivan Show when the Beetles made their first TV appearance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k23OX_p4VvY Or in a clip of the audience watch Elvis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Qo1eaWF8c
Listen to the audiences... don't you think that you or I might have been that excited to see Jesus? I sure wish that was so. I wonder if any of us are anywhere near that excited to see Jesus at all?
The Bible tells us the crowds thronged him. Mar_5:24, And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Luk_8:42, For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. and the disciples rebuked them. \
This is very sad....I don't understand why the disciple rebuked them. Perhaps it was their way of protecting Jesus. In their way, they might have felt that the people were bothering Jesus, (which we can NEVER do) so, like a modern era bodyguard to a celebrity, the disciples took it upon themselves to keep people away from Jesus to let him rest, or eat, or sleep, or....
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Isn't that a blessing???? This confirms that fact that we are NOT bothering Jesus when we come to Him for any want or need, and especially if we just want to have him to touch us, to give us something.
And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.Mat_19:13,-15 Jesus not only rebuked the disciples for keeping the children from him, but he did what the parents wanted, he laid his hand on their children and prayed. How often do we miss out on ______ because we simply don't want to bother the LORD JESUS with out cares, or dream? The truth is that usually it is WE who don't want to bother asking or praying. That Jesus is our last resort instead of our first choice.
I KNOW that all too often Jesus is my last resort. I get the attitude of "well, all I can do now is pray, and trust the LORD." That isn't the way it should be. We/I should be boldly going to the throne of Grace whenever we/I have need. That's a blessed privilege given to us because of Jesus Christ. Read Heb. 4. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:16
No doubt all of us could benefit from being a little bolder before the throne of grace, and more timidly in everything else.
If this spoke to your heart today, all praise and glory to be to God.
Love,
Terry at home in PA
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Sep. 26, 2008
Adventures of Fuzz-Fuzz
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Sep. 22, 2008
Learning Styles
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Learning style? What's that? If thats what you're thinking, this is for you. When we started homeschooling in 1990, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. At that time, I knew of 3 curriculum publishers (Christian ones)_BJU, ABEKA, and ACE. Fast forward almost 29 yrs. later--how can it be that long--and wow, you could build a library just to hold all the catalogs of homeschool materials, and new ones are coming out all the time. Looking back, I should have explored it further, but as many of you realize that little thingy we call time, it just didn't allow it. And with 3 little ones... we just did our best. Overview of Learning Styles
Many people recognize that each person prefers different learning styles and techniques. Learning styles group common ways that people learn. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well. Using multiple learning styles and “multiple intelligences” for learning is a relatively new approach. This approach is one that educators have only recently started to recognize. Traditional schooling used (and continues to use) mainly linguistic and logical teaching methods. It also uses a limited range of learning and teaching techniques. Many schools still rely on classroom and book-based teaching, much repetition, and pressured exams for reinforcement and review. A result is that we often label those who use these learning styles and techniques as “bright.” Those who use less favored learning styles often find themselves in lower classes, with various not-so-complimentary labels and sometimes lower quality teaching. This can create positive and negative spirals that reinforce the belief that one is “smart” or “dumb.” By recognizing and understanding your own learning styles, you can use techniques better suited to you. This improves the speed and quality of your learning. The learning styles are:
Why Learning Styles? Understand the basis of learning styles.Your learning styles have more influence than you may realize. Your preferred styles guide the way you learn. They also change the way you internally represent experiences, the way you recall information, and even the words you choose. We explore more of these features in this chapter. Research shows us that each learning style uses different parts of the brain. By involving more of the brain during learning, we remember more of what we learn. Researchers using brain-imaging technologies have been able to find out the key areas of the brain responsible for each learning style. For example:
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Sep. 16, 2008
Foggy Brain and Pulling the Plug
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This season of sickness from which we are emerging feels much longer than it really is. It has definately given me a greater appreciation for our overall health and wellness. Praise the LORD that it is temporary, and that we will one day leave this behind, and even the worst pain and suffering will be forgotten. Bro. Bob had a birthday on Sat. We baked him a cake. He was very touched to get a new Bible and Charity made a cover for it. I'll work on loading some of them later. I am a bit rusty at all this, and now that we are moving back into a normal routine, there is so much hanging over my head that I almost don't know where to begin. Guess I will need to make some lists and prioritize tasks. My brain has felt foggy the last month or so. Email and basically even a conversation has beeen hard. For the first time in several years I have gotten online only to sit and play games. Then I start to feel guilty about NOT feeling guilty. Isn't it amazing how the enemy wants to control us with guilt? In the past few weeks of quarantine by our own volition, I've thought alot about my dilemna with my friend--the phone call from a previous post--and I realize a few things. The reason I am going to share this with you is to help those who might read this, should they be enveloped in a similar situation. Some of what I am going to tell you I have not yet done, yet. But I hope to be able to soon.
Confession time: don't hate me, ok? While we've been sick we've watched a good bit of TV. In fact, we never watch so much of it except when we are sick. It is discouraging really--you finally can't do much but sit and stare, or "veg-out" and there is nothing suitable to see. Anyhow...I am getting a little ahead of myself. Reverse.... Since that fateful phone call, I have done MUCH thinking about it. The rest of this post is a conglomeration of my conclusions, and response(s) to my friend. First, my beloved friend, is not living her life for the LORD JESUS. Her goals and desires are not well pleasing to Him. In fact, I hate to admit it, but some of the things she enjoys are completely opposite of godly. And I mean that in the fullest sense of the words. There were some sports she was into for years. Yes, it bothered me--the beer ads, liquor company sponsors, and the numerous commercials for mens products, and worst of all , this all was on Sunday--is it any wonder these folks in the sports world don't see a difference in our lives and have no desire for Christ? Ok..sorry...coming back now... ALL that I could "live with" and just shook my head to myself. The history between us is not the greatest. There were many years of silence between us, because of childhood wrongs done to her. Each encounter I am reminded and blamed for everything wrong in her life. alright..sorry..I guess I have just held this all in so long it is spilling over and making little sense to any of you... don't feel bad, I can't make alot of sense out of it either. Anyway, the history lesson had to be given so you see where this is all coming from... alot unforgiveness, bitterness, So, what am I to do? About 6 maybe 7 years ago, there was a huge turn about between us. She was going to church, growing, saying all the things a christian who wants to please God says.... The old contentions between us seemed like they were forever behind us, and we became BESTEST FRIENDS up until 2006. I though BFF. I'm not sure WHY, but in a few short months we went from My foggy brain... sorry.... This is heavy on my heart and mind. It isnt' everyday you lose your BFF, ya know???? She commented to me that I always think I am right. Naturally I protested. LOL But in retrospect, understanding her rationale, I can see how she feels that way, even though I thought I was just trying to be a good friend and help. Regardless of my calling or not calling enough, what we had 3+ yrs ago has died. God can revive it, but He won't force that. And neither should I. That is what I have tried to do all this time. I do not know the state of her mind and heart as God does. From what I hear, see and know, it will be a long road to recovery. I don't know all of what she has involved herself in, but some of what I've seen is rebellious and evil and wicked, and it feeds that side of human nature. (It would feed my flesh, selfish side if I got into too). Part of me wants to tell her that the real issue isn't between us, it's between her and God. I don't like not having peace about her salvation. She stated that when she was really bad, 10yrs ago, she still felt guilty so she knew she was saved because of that. However, except for the few yrs she was going to church, if the fruit in her life is evidence of anything at all, it says loudly that her salvation is questionable at best. She grew up in church, hearing what was right/wrong. It is natural that she'd feel guilty, but not evidence of being saved, right? One thing is certain, I will always love her, and I will never purposely be unkind, or try to hurt her, even though in my flesh I want to reallly give her a piece of my mind, for this present time until whenever, for the sake of my children and I, we MUST take steps away her. This is to keep us sane, prevent future fights, and in accordance with Scripture
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anger
, that has freely grown over the years, and held onto like a trophy. 
to Sep. 10, 2008
Tidying Up
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General Newsy Update Crosspost With finally feeling like we are on the upswing from illness, I realize how far behind I've gotten, not just in keeping in touch with family and friends, but life in general. Today I decided that I have to "tidy up" my desk, since I am forever on my children about how cluttered theirs are. "Do as I say, not as I do" mentality has been mine for a long time. Honestly, though, I do TRY to keep my desk clear. Everyone sees it as a "dumping ground" for papers, catalogs, mail, and any other odd or end that they don't know where to else to put it, hence, it ends up on my desk, or windowsill. Sometimes one of them will get creative and set it among my few nic-nacs hoping I won't notice. They do this with cutesy or new small toys that they want near them during school time. As I am writing this, The LORD put it on my heart to ask this question: Isn't that what we do with God? Isn't that how we keep our hearts and minds, or how we live our lives?
Father has set the perfect example. He says, this is the way, walk ye in it. I don't want to disappoint people. And more importantly I don't want to disappoint God. But shamefully, I often strive to please people more than God. Let's be careful not to grieve Him. Let's thank and praise Him for His everlasting mercy and grace, the tender mercies that are new every morning. Thank Him for His great love wherewith He loved us, and the continuous love extended to us because of Jesus Christ. And now dear friends, I am off to finish my task...tidying up my desk....and my heart. |
Sep. 9, 2008
Sickness, rugery, and Storms
Aug. 27, 2008
Placemats for Character Building to make
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http://www.xanga.com/Titus2Mentor/671967873/the-heart-of-the-matter-place-mats.html
We are going to do these tomorrow. |
Aug. 26, 2008
Needle in a Haystack
Today I was searching for a needle in a haystack, at least that's how I feel...and I feel that way alot when I am looking for information or resources on the internet. It seems that every possible help would be at our fingertips in some far corner. I didn't find MY needle though. However, I did come across some interesting websites that might be helpful to other homeschool moms, especially those on a teeny budget, and/or those who prefer to be eclectic. I hope these will be helpful to you.
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Aug. 12, 2008
Shuffle off to Buffalo
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This is my last post until we get back on Monday. It's been a busy, crazy day...a real mixture of excited anticipation and S_T_R_E_S_S STREEEESSSSSSSSSSS..... But we are all anxious, in a good way, to see what the LORD has in store for us at the meetings. Every turn of the clock brings with it fresh provision for our needs to get us there and home again. It is really neat to see God work when you go by faith, or plan to do so. The dear Bro. who is coming to our church, he's 73, and can't walk very well, but is able to care for himself. He wanted to go with us too. And we wanted to take him along. The catch was finding a place for him to stay. We pulled out the video of the first Blitz in 2003, which this is not a true blitz, but a memorial for Bro. Hance whose heart was street ministry/preaching.
Watching the video was bittersweet. There are many faces we do not see anymore bcz the world, the flesh and the devil have pulled them away from serving Our Blessed Saviour. On the other hand, there are faces we can't see this trip because these dear saints of God are off in distant lands preaching the gospel to the people there. That is bitter-sweet. Oh my, seeing my children, they were so small, and zealous, and comical. Joshua is so small, and his Bible looked huge under his little arm. And he looked adorable in his dress clothes complete with suspenders. He was so happy to be holding a scripture sign for Jesus. David too was small, holding up a banner the same height as he was, and having his bible tucked in the back waistband of his pants--he thought that was the greatest thing EVER! So many memories!!! It was at that blitz that Josh was called to preach. At one blitz Joy got saved. Charity was saved at the next one. And David got saved, or is sure he got saved, the week after we came home. Obviously, these trips are not about having a vacation, though for us, the getting away, the fellowship, the camaraderie around dear brothers and sisters in Christ who serve the LORD with gladness and love Him so much makes it FEEL LIKE a vacation. It is such a season of refreshing. Any of you who have the means and the time to make the trip should come and see for yourselves. Each year somehow changed our lives for the glory of the LORD. And that is what we need, we need to be conformed to the image of Christ more and more, and have a heart that is glad the HE CAN USE US. Instead of thinking to ourselves that he is lucky to have us; or we are nor worthy, or not able to serve Him. In our flesh and our own strength we cannot serve or bring glory to Him, but the BLessed Holy Spirit enables us to do things which humanly seem impossible.
For example, I have learned to play the piano. This desire has been in my heart for a long time, but it was after that first blitz that God showed me HE can teach me (though the words of a dear bro.) bcz HE created music. Though I do not play very well, and have MUCH MORE to learn, Jesus is teaching me to play. And I LOVE IT! I can lose myself at the piano, playing for hours and hours, if I didn't have my family to take care of. It is my sure belief that the reason why God has used these meetings, the sermons, etc, to change and mould our lives for the better for His use, is because we want that. We WANT Him to use us. We WANT to be busy DOING HIS WILL. That's not to say we don't have moments that we doubt, or wonder what His will even is...but HIS will is on our hearts and minds, to find it, or try to do it. Yes, we fail, miserably. But that is when He is all the more gracious, loving and kind. He doesn't tell us to get away, or push us off, but pulls us close to His loving breast, dresses our wounds, dries our tears and pats us on the back with a "there, there my child" and we can go on BECAUSE OF HIM. That's why we are where we are, why we do what we do, why we ANTICIPATE with JOY what HE has in store for us this weekend. PRAY for us, Please!!!!
David and I talked on the phone for more than TWO hours last night!!! God is so good. What a blessing! What a miracle. Our chat was a little bit of goofiness,you know the kind that you get into on the phone, but it was more about life and the things God is showing him, and leading him. He just oozes JOY in Jesus LETTING him serve Him. That was his exact words. My heart is overflowing with joy! I put together some school supplies to encourage him as he starts Bible School in a couple weeks. When your son tells you he is reading his Bible and praying, and sharing with you how the Holy Spirit speaks to him about this or that, and brings scripture to his mind; when he called here about 2 weeks ago to tell us he'd led a 13 yr. boy to the LORD when they were out street preaching in Buffalo--let me tell you he was EXCITED!!!! Bouncing off the walls excited. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!
Alrighty, I know I wanted to gab a bit more about other things but we are leaving around 4am, and I have a few things to do before I hit the hay....so I will send this off to you. Please keep us all in your prayers. We need all we can get.
Love,
Terry at Home in Pa www.boazbaptist.com/ www.freewebs.com/joyfulhelpmeetathome/ http://joyfulhelpmeetathome.blogspot.com/ http://geocities.com/joyfulhelpmeetathome/ http://www.blujay.com/1914wife/ |
Aug. 8, 2008
Class of 2008--Homeschooled, by God's grace and power, all the way.
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