What a joy it is to sit with our children and share the plan of salvation with them.  My husband is especially tender toward the need of people to accept their Savior.  At breakfast this morning, after reading some Scripture and a passage from Our Daily Bread, he gently led the discussion toward salvation, since we have a few little ones who haven't yet received Jesus as their personal savior. 

I was able to get my Wordless Bracelet out of my jewelry box, and we all talked about each color.  I could have hugged my older kids, who excitedly helped explain the colors and told their own personal testimonies. 

In our eagerness to impart truth to our children and others, may we never forget to share the wonder and joy of a God who loved us so much that He sent His only Son to pay for our sins!

Hugs,
~Anne
P.S.  Please be in prayer for my 6-year-old daughter, that her heart will be tender and she will soon accept her Savior!

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I went to Wal-mart yesterday, and two cashiers were talking at the checkout stand, and I couldn't hear a word they said.  Something about chocolate.  Then they asked if I had ever had some.  Too embarrassed to say that I couldn't hear them, I just said yes.  (I guess I love chocolate enough that I probably have had whatever brand they were talking about...)  But still!  Am I too embarrassed to ask them to repeat themselves?

So my hearing isn't as good as it once was.  Or maybe they were mumbling.  It got me thinking, though.

When God talks, do I pretend to hear Him?  Do I carefully "repeat" His Word over and over in my mind, to be sure I hear and understand?  Even more importantly, do I DO what He says when I hear Him?

I heard once that the majority of hearing problems aren't hearing problems at all; rather, the listener has trouble deciphering different sounds in her brain.  In other words, she isn't focusing on one particular sound until she hears it.

Lord, may I listen to You today!
~Anne

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Our town is struggling with economic recession.  A major factory in town has just announced that it is laying off workers.  Jobs are scarce, and those low-paying jobs that are available are being sought by workers needing a second or third job.  Debt is high.  The number of families living under the poverty level is increasing.  Job skills are lacking.  Education is poor.  It's discouraging!

Which is why God's Word is so comforting.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  (Matthew 6:19-34, NIV)

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  (James 2:14-17, NIV)

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
      "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
      Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
      He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
      Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
      Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

    Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."  (John 21:15-17, NIV)

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Earlier studies I've done on the pineal gland and how light affects the hypothalamus made me start to wonder about how beneficial Daylight Saving Time really is to our bodies, especially since this was the weekend that we moved our clocks forward... and I'm feeling it!

First, I decided to see what I could learn from other homeschoolers:

• http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/seekingtheoldpaths/224833/ -- why DST is hard on us
• http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/boysrus/ -- information about DST
• http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/betcsu/229065/ -- the proper spelling & pronunciation of DST (I didn't know this one!)
• http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hippiechyck/38856/ -- Did you know this was all Benjamin Franklin's idea?
• http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ClassicalAstronomy/Signs%2Band%2BSeasons/ -- A look at astronomy to see how DST is related to the sun

• http://www.jcircadianrhythms.com/content/4/1/1 -- DST has a negative effect on the circadian rhythms of those who sleep less than 8 hours per night or who stay up late in the evening.
• http://www.slate.com/id/2177142/ -- our morning wake times are tied to sunrise only in the winter.  When DST arrives in the spring, our circadian rhythms are disrupted until fall's time change, when they are magically back on track again. 
• http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6793/8/3 -- if you like the scientific explanation, this article is great.  Its basic premise is that DST really does affect our moods and it has a greater affect on those of us who already have difficulty with our circadian rhythms.

• Go to bed earlier!  Try to go to bed when the sun goes down.  (I have no idea how to do this in real life, especially when we have children and enjoy our hour or two of "adult time" in the evening -- but it's a goal.  Maybe I should try for adult time first thing in the morning?)
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep at night.  If I went to bed when the sun went down -- say, at 9:30 at the peak of summer -- I could get up at 5:30 and still get 8 hours of sleep.  I could even "sleep in"!  So God provides for us to get 8 hours of sleep on the shortest days of the year.  I wonder what He intends for us to get in the middle of winter???  Maybe that cold air is hard on our bodies and we need more sleep?  Interesting. 
  
• Dr. Mercola has an interesting article:  http://www.mercola.com/2001/oct/27/sleep_cancer.htm

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Well, I was just reading a post in one of the blogs I regularly read, and I saw that she had written on the topic of head coverings. I started wearing a head covering during worship last fall, so I thought I'd reply to her post, even though -- poor thing! -- she didn't ask me to! So in a spirit of humility, and not trying to say that I've got anything figured out, I would like to explain why I wear one.

I agree with her -- a head covering is not "commanded" in the Bible, per se. However, if I am to take Scripture literally, then I must admit that 1 Corinthians 11 says I should wear a head covering IF I want to pray or prophesy in the context of the local church, otherwise I am dishonouring my "head" and that it is a shame.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. (1 Cor. 11:5-6)

Yes, head coverings were a custom in Old Testament times. We can see examples of this in Genesis 24:64-65, Numbers 5:18, and several places in the prophets. Were they necessarily a custom in Corinth? Not all scholars agree. An interesting view on this is written about here.

She writes that veils are something that hide, that separate, that cover.  I agree!  Yes, the vail (KJV spelling) in the temple was to separate us from a holy God, because of our sinfulness.  This veil was torn when Christ, our passover Lamb, spilled His blood (Matt. 27:51).  Today, we don't need that veil because we have direct access to God through Christ. 

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22)

But the reason given for covering our heads in 1 Corinthians 11 is not the same context as free access to God through Christ.  Paul gives several reasons for head covering:

1.  To show proper honor to our God-given authority.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (1 Cor. 11:3)

Christ showed authority to His head, His Father.  (See John 14:10-13 as just one example.)  When we pray or prophesy without showing the chain of authority to which we willingly submit, we are giving dishonor to our head -- our husbands.  I believe God enjoys object lessons; we are children, and we need visible, tangible reminders of His ways.  (Examples:  Deuteronomy 11:16-21, Exodus 12 with Passover, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 with the Lord's supper, among many others)  Some women may be able to show proper honor and respect without heeding the object lesson, but I've found it's much easier with it on my head.

2.  To show that I am made in the image of man.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. (1 Cor. 11:7-9)

This isn't something I'd want to get too dogmatic about, but I do find it interesting that this is what Paul says.  (Different opinion?  Send me a comment.)  Notice also what Genesis says.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27)

Notice that it says, "created he him."  What does that mean?  I've never heard a sermon on this!

3.  Because of the angels

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. (1 Cor. 11:10)

Paul also writes that someday we will judge angels.  I believe angels are watching us.  If we are not willing to submit to God and to our husbands, why should we be deemed competent to judge angels someday?

4.  To show marital interdependence

Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. (1 Cor. 11:12-12)

5.  Because it has been a custom throughout history!

 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. (1 Cor. 11:13-15)

I find it very interesting that head coverings are still normal for most women in cultures around the world today.  I find it interesting that even here in the United States, head coverings were normal, especially in church worship, until only a few decades ago.  I don't believe we should lightly cast away 5 millennia of traditions, simply because it isn't the custom now.  Rather, we should ask why it was the tradition.  Could it be that, as you research this issue, you'll find that the tradition was based on a careful understanding of Scripture?  I'll let you do your own searching on this, as I have.

In the blog I was reading, the author mentioned that Paul did not wish to be contentious about this issue:

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (1 Cor. 11:16)

I don't believe that the King James Version is inspired of God (although I do believe God's Word is inspired in its original texts), so I'd like to note on how others have translated this verse:

• But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God. (NASB)
• If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God. (NIV)

Notice also how Paul opened his argument:

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep (Strongs #2722, to hold down) the ordinances (Strongs #3862, transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law), as I delivered them to you. (1 Cor. 11:2)

To me, though, none of these arguments are the reason I started to cover my head.  To me, this is not a social or cultural issue; nor is this solely an issue of submission (since I know a few Godly women who are submissive to their husbands yet do not cover their heads).  To me this is an issue of the authority of Scripture.  Covering my head is not politically correct.  It is not "church" correct, either.  I'll look a little odd, won't I?  (Not necessarily; I agree with the conclusion this author comes to.) 

When the Bible says to do something, will I obey?  This is a question I have been asking myself repeatedly in many areas over the last year.  Sadly, I've often had to answer, "No, Lord, I'm not obeying."  To obey makes me "peculiar" (1 Peter 2:9), and it requires laying down my own will.

Do our churches obey the last half of 1 Corinthians 11?  Then why is the first half a "cultural issue"?  If the first half is "not for today," then what about every other verse in the Bible?  Can I explain away all of those, too?  Get out your scissors!  Let's cut out everything that we don't like!  Snip, snip...

So, while I may not understand and I often don't like it, I will choose to obey.  I am praying that my obedience in this outward, obvious thing will prompt others to ask me why I'm doing it!

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price... But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. (1 Peter 3:1-4, 14-16)

Sorry for such a long post!  I welcome your comments!
~Anne

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Dateline: Feb. 12, 2007

Favorite Quotes

Here are some of my favorite quotes.  In fact, they're hanging right here on my wall next to my desk, framed in pretty little frames.

"Whatever doesn't make me happy has the potential to make me holy."  -- by my friend Jenny

"Faith in a prayer-hearing God will make a prayer-loving Christian."  -- Andrew Murray

"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time."  -- Oswald Chambers

"There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision.  It is as if a regiment of soldiers should all fire off their guns anywhere.  Possibly somebody would be killed, but the majority of the enemy would be missed."  -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

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Dateline: Feb. 10, 2007

The Bible Has Everything - Part 1

I've gotten in trouble with this question before, so I don't know why I'm going to risk opening up a can of worms again, but somehow I stumbled on a point-less, never-ending debate on a religious forum (I wouldn't recommend visiting, LOL), and I was frustrated at how afraid we all are to address this simple question:

»»Poster #1:   Thus you didn't mean that everything could be found in the Bible.  I have no problem with this variance. »»Poster #2:    I wouldn't put it that way. I believe everything can be found in the Bible, but it requires knowledge and faith, not knowledge alone. >>Poster #3:  Everything can be found in the Bible, huh?  My coffee maker quit working.  Where in the Bible can I find how to fix it?

Well, coffee makers might not fall into my thoughts here, but maybe they do.  What does the Bible say?

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that that called us to glory and virtue:  whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  (2 Peter 1:2-4)

Not so long ago, I would have said that yes, the Bible gives us every thing we need for life and godliness, because in the pages of God's Word we can find the knowledge of God.  However, the Pharisees were well trained in the knowledge of God, yet we can tell from their actions that they did not exhibit much of "the divine nature."  (See verses 5-8 for further description of what that nature looks like.)  In addition, the Pharisees knew all the right behavior that was required in the law, but how well did they really know God?  Personally?  Intimately?

So if knowledge of the Bible is all that it takes to be given "all things that pertain unto life and godliness," then why did so many Pharisees -- and so many modern Christians -- lack glory and virtue in their lives?  Why have we failed to escape "the corruption that is in the world through lust"?

It seems to me that the answer lies in the gift of his divine power.  The knowledge of God is just the tool God uses.  So now the question of the day remains:  How do we receive this divine power?  And how do we find the knowledge of God?  Finally, what is included in "all things that pertain unto life and godliness"?  Does that include how to fix coffeemakers, or must we confine our pursuit to just spiritual matters?

To be continued...

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Dateline: Feb. 10, 2007

The Beauty of Life

Well, phooey.  I wanted to blog every day this week, but hey, what I've done so far is an improvement.  I almost posted on Friday.  It still feels like Friday, only it's after midnight so it's officially Saturday.  My hubbie and I had a great time sitting at the table this evening, drinking smoothies (him) and eating yogurt (me), and discussing "stuff."  Now we should be in bed, but it feels good to just have some fun online for a few minutes.

I'm still new enough to blogging that I'm not sure what proper netiquette is, but I saw a wonderful poem on another blog last night (okay, make that Thursday night).  I wanted to share it with you, but so that I didn't steal it from her, I wrote her first for permission.  She responded:

Yes, by all means, ~warm smile~

 

Just simply stained glass--the black framework of acrhing curves of letters and lines--any light in the words in that quiet corner is all God's.

She sounds like a gem!  So without any further ado, here is her poem:

The beauty of life is….
That it isn’t mine.
It’s Yours. I have been bought with a price and am no longer my own.

The beauty of life is…
That I have already died.
For I have been crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live, but Jesus Christ now lives in me.

The beauty of life is…
That it is without end.
Now, because of You, I shall be forever and ever and ever. Impotent, Death has no sting.
!
The beauty of life is…
You are weaving something beautiful out of my days.
Even if it may look—or feel--- overwhelmingly otherwise.
For we know all things together work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

The beauty of life…
Is unmerited, undeserved, unwarranted. It is solely gift.
Any beauty in my life is not mine. It is simply a reflection of the essence of beauty: You.

The beauty of life is…
Everyday.

How can I possibly forget that? Alas, interminable spiritual Alzheimers.
Above all else, I must remember---no, relish----the beauty You infus! e into my every breath.

I rise to my feet to! offer a standing, emotional ovation to the Playwright and Director of this daily drama: It’s a Wonderful Life.

Whatever is….beautiful....keep the mind fixed on these things.

Lord, You are the beauty radiating from these moments.

(written by Ann at Holy Experience blog)

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Dateline: Feb. 7, 2007

Speaking Life

I was listening to a CD tonight by Gary Ezzo, entitled "Speaking Life."  He gave two fictitious scenarios, each dealing with the same man who had fallen into sin during a tough time in his life.  In the first scenario, Word of Truth Community Church passed judgment on him and disciplined him, permanently crushing him.  As Gary Ezzo said, this church spoke words of death to this man.

In the second scenario, Words of Life Community Church spoke words of life as they reached out to him, attempting to find out why he was struggling, praying for him, and loving him back to Jesus.  His vertical relationship to God was restored through confession and forgiveness, and his horizontal relationships were strengthened and confirmed.  This church chose to speak words of life.

Which church would I rather attend?  Yes, we must have "standards" of righteousness.  But I'm reminded of Jesus' words about forgiveness in Matthew 18, especially in verses 15-17.  If someone sins, we are to go to him.  (Galatians 6:1-3 reminds us of the correct attitude to have!)  We might have to return with a friend or two, with the purpose of restoration (see 2 Corinthians 2).  In the worst-case scenario, we will have to treat this brother as a heathen man and a publican. 

But how did Jesus treat the heathen and the publicans?!  He ministered to them.  He ate with them.  He showed them love!  See a beautiful example of this in Luke 7:36-50.  He spoke words of life. 

I'll close with the stern warning to speak only words of life that is given in James 4:11-12:  "Speak not evil one of another, brethren.  He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law:  but if thou judge the law, thou are not a doer of the law, but a judge.  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destory:  who art thou that judgest another?"

Lord, may I speak only words of life today!  Amen.

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