a little perspective

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."
Psalm 119:105


Happy 4th!

posted Saturday, July 4, 2009 :: 8:50 AM

On the topic of fireworks, let's not forget why we are celebrating today. Reread the Declaration of Independence (it's short). Thomas Jefferson and the Continental Congress lay out the reasons why a people not only have the right, but the duty before God, to dissolve one form of government in order to create another, when that government usurps authority not given it by God, and instead of serving the security and liberty of its people, change into the people's tyrannical despot.

Yes, God has imposed boundaries upon governments, and they cannot do whatever they wish. Romans 13 makes it clear that the government bears the sword in order to punish those who do evil, and to secure and reward those who do good. And what is the definition of good and evil? Since the authority to wield the sword comes from God, who as Creator of the universe is the absolute authority over all, it is His definition of good and evil that must be applied, and not man's, which is much different.

His definition is found in Torah, the dictionary for the entire Scriptures. God is immutable; His nature is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His Word is immutable. It is fixed in the heavens, and even when heaven and earth pass away, His Word will not pass away. Neither have His definitions of good and evil, right and wrong, which are explained in Torah, changed.

So we are much less free today than we were 200 years ago, but where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. We are free to live just as God has called us to live, in love and obedience to Him from the Spirit. We may be opposed by evil men, but greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world! Our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, has overcome the world. Even if our lives are forfeit, our life which is hid in Christ in God, is not forfeit. For the abundant life that is the free gift of God by grace through faith in His Son, can never be taken from us. On the day our temporal shells die, we simply cross the threshold from this world where man, sin, and pain rule to the next where God, our loving Daddy, reigns in mercy and righteousness on His throne.

category: america the beautiful
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Evil tidings and the upright

posted Monday, June 29, 2009 :: 8:14 AM

Today is my last day in Colorado; we are going home to Florida tomorrow. I have not read the news the whole time I have been gone on vacation, but I have heard of things. That evil men are still trying to thwart God and work evil in the world, is what it boils down to.

This past week in the Torah I read of Balak's hiring of Balaam to come and curse Israel, and how that all worked out for the king of Moab. It was the same thing we are facing today: evil men trying to thwart God and work evil in the world. The bottom line of that history, is that God has blessed Israel; what God has blessed cannot be cursed, or destroyed, or done away with; and when men attempt to withstand God and His people, to thwart His blessing and His people's well being, He will withstand them until He has either their cooperation or their death.

The Psalm that accompanies that Torah portion is Psalm 112:

Psa 112:1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. Psa 112:2 His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Psa 112:3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. Psa 112:4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Psa 112:5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion. Psa 112:6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. Psa 112:7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psa 112:8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. Psa 112:9 He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. Psa 112:10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.

Just as the nation whose God is the Lord is blessed, the man whose God is the Lord is blessed. Evil tidings may come, the wicked may try to do wickedly, but the blessing of the Lord on the head and the house of the upright cannot be removed or withstood. Notice God's definition of the upright: the man who fears the Lord, and who delights greatly in His commandments. We have had uprightness imputed to us by the blood of Yeshua; but let us also not despise the gift of righteousness, and let us fear the Lord and walk in His commandments (His covenant), now that we have been made clean and free from sin.

Then, let nothing shake us, for nothing can shake us out of the good hand of our Father, our King, and our God.

 
category: applied word
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Nothing New Press ebooks availabe now!

posted Monday, June 8, 2009 :: 4:27 PM

We have finished (we think) debugging the automated ordering system for Nothing New Press eBooks, and they are now available to order for instantaneous download. All the info is posted at the NNP site.

category: website news
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Nothing New Press ebooks

posted Thursday, June 4, 2009 :: 7:52 AM

On the Nothing New Press website, the eBooks have all been uploaded; we are finalizing the last of the technical issues to get them available for purchase and immediate download; so we hope to have that up and running by the weekend, or early next week if we run into something. The printed books are still available for purchase, although there will be a shipping delay. We can ship books needed urgently from the 15th on, if you can give me plenty of notice so that I can arrange for it long distance. Then from the 24th on, we will be able to ship more regularly if needed, and I will be back in the office on July 1st. I will still be checking my e-mail all June when I am on vacation, so be sure to write if there are questions or problems - I will answer!

category: website news
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Vacation reading

posted Thursday, June 4, 2009 :: 7:47 AM

We are heading out to see our family in Colorado. Posting may be scant until we get back home. But on the other hand, since I will have more free time, maybe it will pick up, LOL. At any rate, I am going to be working on the holidays series, and Has the New Testament abolished the Torah series, to get everything linked together which still needs it. As well as the Revelation series. So be looking for that!

category: blogkeeping
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Headline of the day

posted Tuesday, June 2, 2009 :: 1:12 PM

Obama: Iran Has Right to Nuclear Power

How much of this is rhetoric planned to make Iran feel that the US is his buddy now? I wonder if Obama thinks that if the US throws Israel under the bus, Iran will play nice and not send its nukes here.

Because Obama is throwing Israel under the Muslim world bus. The US is pressuring Israel to accept a two state solution with Jerusalem as the Palestinian captial. If Israel remains stubborn, the Israeli air force might find repair parts for its fighters hard to come by, or they might find that we will be silent on their behalf in the U.N.

Isn't it ironic that Obama feels that the US has no right to impose its values on the world ... but of course, he means the MADMEN and WARMONGERS of the world. On peaceful nations such as Israel, he obviously feels he must impose his values ...or else no IDF repair parts for you!

The problem for the U.S., is that there is someone far greater to fear than Iran. Israel is the apple of YHVH's eye, not Iran (and certainly not us). Hey, if Obama wants to be on the Lord's bad side, that is his personal choice. I just wish he wouldn't drag the whole nation with him.

"Ho, Zion! Escape, you who are living with the daughter of Babylon." For thus says the LORD of hosts, "After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye. "For behold, I will wave My hand over them so that they will be plunder for their slaves. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me. "Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," declares the LORD. "Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. "The LORD will possess Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem. "Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for He is aroused from His holy habitation." Zech 2:7-13

category: eyes on the fig tree
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

The headlines have not changed God

posted Monday, June 1, 2009 :: 11:38 AM

Well, the world is a mess. North Korea is rattling its nukes, Obama is pressuring Israel, and Israel is (politely) saying "no." There are wars and rumors of wars.

The thing is, the world has always been a mess. The temptation is to look at the headlines and think things are so much worse today, but the kingdoms of this world have always been opposed to the kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ. At times that opposition has been overt, and at times it has been covert, but it has always been. It is just more apparent that it is so, these days, than we are used to seeing.

But the same God who was our Father yesterday is our Father today, and will be tomorrow. He is on His throne, as He has always been. He is bringing His plans and His purposes to pass, and no madman or devil can alter that fact, no matter how hard they try. No madman or devil can snatch us out of the Father's hand, either. We are safe, no matter our circumstances.

The best thing we can do in times like these, is to press in to Him. To lay aside every weight and sin that so easily besets us, to purify ourselves, and follow hard after Him. To learn His Word, His ways, His truth, and apply it in our lives. To spend time worshiping and praising the greatness of our God, every day, not just once or twice a week in church. For He is good, and His mercy endures forever!

For only He is able to deliver our foot from the snare of the fowler, and to keep our steps from slipping. So let us trust in the Lord with all our hearts, and lean not on our own understanding. In ALL our ways, let us acknowledge (take knowledge) of Him, and He shall direct our paths. Even in these times also.

category: work in progress
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Bible study discussion group

posted Monday, June 1, 2009 :: 6:19 AM

I have been thinking about doing this for some time. I want to start a Bible study email group. We would read one chapter from the Bible each day (it would take about three years to go through the entire Bible), and I would begin a discussion on it, either how that Word that we read applies practically to our lives today, how it applies to current events or controversies, or discussing a point of theology, or whatever the Spirit leads. My hope is that it could grow into a real discussion list, where I would not be the only one talking. On this blog, I feel so much like the only one talking, LOL, and I sometimes get so tired of listening to myself, LOL.

Of course this blog would not stop. This is the place to do topical studies, such as the Revelation series, what the Bible says about parenting, the relationship of Torah to our lives as believers in Yeshua, and all that.

So if a Bible study discussion group sounds like something you would be interested in, please send an e-mail to christinesbiblestudy [at] gmail [dot] com, and we will begin in a few weeks (to give people a chance to sign up.) I am going to leave this post on top until we start. :)

P.S.
If anyone knows how to set up blind e-mailing in gnail, could you e-mail me at christinesbiblestudy, the above address, and let me know? I know it is possible, but haven't been able to figure it out yet. Thank you!

 
category: applied word
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

The beauty that is today

posted Sunday, May 31, 2009 :: 9:12 AM

I was thanking the Lord that today was Pentecost, or Weeks, a day holy (holiday) to the Lord. In Lev 23, the days which are holy to the Lord are described, and the Hebrew word used to mean "feasts" is moedim, which means, an appointment. On the days which are holy to the Lord, God has made an appointment with His people. An appointment to do what?

The last time I read through the Torah, for some reason I decided to look up the phrase "tent of meeting" in Hebrew which occurs hundreds of times in the books of Moses. The tent of meeting was the place, the tabernacle, where Moses met with the Lord and talked to Him face to face. Imagine my surprise when I discovered what the Hebrew word was for "tent of meeting" was: moed. So the appointment God has made with His people, on His holy day, is an appointment to meet together.

To be together. To be in each other's presence. To talk together. And I was thinking, how church people resist this notion of setting aside the holy days, such as Sabbaths (Saturdays) and the seven special feast days, to rest and focus on the Lord on those days, because they are loathe to obey a Law.

But I think if we see it as nothing more than obeying a Law, we are missing something beautiful. We are missing that GOD DESIRES US, that He desires to be with us, to meet with us, to communicate with us. And to facilitate that end, He has provided appointments, rest days, where we can shut out the clamor of the world and its obligations, and come away with Him, and soak in the pleasure of His presence. Where we can minister to each other; where we can pour out our love for Him in praise and worship, and He can pour out to us, whatever it is that He desires to give.

Don't miss out on something beautiful today!

category: applied word
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Pentecost today!

posted Sunday, May 31, 2009 :: 9:00 AM

According to the Scripture, Pentecost is a harvest festival. Three of the seven feast days of the Lord are harvest festivals. Harvest always symbolizes the ingathering of souls, the salvation of people who are freed from the chains and bondage in which they were kept in the kingdom of darkness. On the first harvest festival, Firstfruits, Jesus rose from the dead. He was the first to be freed from death.

The third harvest festival is Tabernacles, which is the huge celebration, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, which occurs at the Lord's return. Of course we can see how that festival represents freedom from death, because at the Lord's return, He will take up His kingship, and the entire earth will be subject to Him for one thousand years. But His reign will be a reign of life and peace. The enemy will be kept in prison and unable to work for that whole time. It will be the millennium of rest, after six millennia of man lording it over man in the kingdoms of this world.

So that just leaves Pentecost, or Weeks, the lonely harvest festival in the middle of the two, between the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on one side, and the Return of Jesus Christ on the other side. What harvest of souls, what freedom from death, is occurring between Christ's Resurrection and His Return? That is us, people! The Church! The Bride! Pentecost celebrates her new life, her deliverance, her translation from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear Son, her empowerment by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life, her sanctification!

category: applied word
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Mandatory "gay day" for K-5

posted Friday, May 29, 2009 :: 11:54 AM

Remember back in the good old days, ten years ago when CCH was still fairly new on the internet, that our Why We Homeschool site of the month was almost always because the academics in public schools were so dreadful? How we can look upon those times with nostalgic longing! Today, the news is almost always, either that teachers are having [s-x] with students, or that the homo[s-x]ual agenda is being shoved down the kids' throats in the guise of "tolerance" curriculum. Such it is today. In Alameda county in California, the school board just voted to include a mandatory "gay day" for next years' K-5 classes, in which special curriculum will teach children that it takes all kinds to make families, with no options for parents to excuse their children because of conflicting religious beliefs. Parents, take your children OUT while you still have the chance!

category: why we homeschool
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Memorials in time

posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009 :: 11:26 AM

It was Memorial Day earlier this week, and I have been thinking about memorials since the weekend; the things we do as individuals and as a nation to make sure we never forget the things that are vital for us to remember.

We make memorials of places - like Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Constitution was drafted, debated, and approved - and we make memorials in time - like July 4th, the date the Declaration of Independence was signed and published. The Lord is the same; He makes memorials of places and times also, whose purpose is to make sure we never forget something vital for us to remember.

An example of a memorial of place which the Lord established, would be Temple Mount in Jerusalem. On that spot, Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac in obedience to the Lord, foreshadowing by type that one day the Father would sacrifice His Son of the Promise to free His people from their sins. Also on that spot, when David interceded for the people of Jerusalem, a deadly pestilence was stayed from proceeding further (another foreshadow of deliverance from death through the ministry of Messiah, of David's house). And Solomon built the Temple, the place where the name of the Lord dwells forever -- yet another foreshadow of the Messiah, the Son of David, building the Temple without hands where God Himself will dwell with His people forever!

Every Sabbath and feast day is also a memorial in time which the Lord has established from the foundation of the world. They remind us of important historical events which we cannot afford to forget, which foreshadow future realities. The Sabbath reminds us that God is our Creator and Lord, and that we owe Him worship and service -- Creation Week is the historical event. But it is also a promise that the millennial reign under the kingship of Messiah will be a millennium of rest -- that is the future event, as Messiah's millennium will be the 7th millennium in the history of the earth.

The memorial in time coming up this weekend is a very important one indeed, but it seems to get lost between the big spring festivals of Passover and Firstfruits, and the big fall festivals of Trumpets and Tabernacles. Sunday May 31st is Pentecost, or Shavuot. It is the second of three harvest festivals in Israel. Firstfruits is the first harvest festival of the new year, when the barley comes ripe. The barley is the first "fruit" to rise from the dead of winter, you might say; just as Jesus is the firstfruits of those who rise from the dead. Tabernacles is the third harvest festival, when the fruits such as olive, grapes, and figs come ripe. Tabernacles is the largest harvest festival, the one that closes the agricultural year; and the large harvest of its fruits of all kinds is like the abundance of the nations which will come in faith in Messiah at the very end, at His return.

And then there is Pentecost, or Shavuot, sitting off by itself in between the two. The wheat is harvested at this time in Israel. On this day in history, moreover, God gave the two tablets inscribed with the Law to Moses from the top of Mount Sinai; and it was also this day, when the Holy Spirit was poured out onto the Church in Acts chapter 2. God linked together forever the giving of His Law and the giving of His Spirit by the memorial in time of Pentecost. I believe it is because Ezekiel says:

"Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God." Eze 11:19-20

Because it is only by the indwelling of the Spirit of God, by the new man with a circumcised heart, that God's people can walk in His statutes and keep His commandments and do them.

So what is the spiritual harvest that the wheat harvest festival of Shavuot or Pentecost foreshadows? I believe it is us. We are the harvest, we have been born again with new life, for the life we now live, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. We are the ones between: we are between the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Firstfruit, and the realization of the great harvest which will come in for God at His return. We are between worlds, because we live in this world but are not a part of this world. We are between realities, with our dead flesh constantly at war with our born again spirits.

category: applied word
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Media misrepresenting science?

posted Wednesday, May 20, 2009 :: 3:09 PM

Updates posted at articles end. Original article posted Wed 20 May 2009.

This new fossil which I blogged about yesterday is being hailed everywhere as the missing link. Even look at Google's home page today (see the Google doodle here), and what they have done to honor this find! However, World Net Daily has an excellent article up, with an interview with Ken Ham and many others. Some of the scientists are trying to get the media reports to tone down their sensationalism of this find, even saying that it is NOT the missing link, but the problem they are having, is that a headline like MISSING LINK FOUND! sells a lot more newspapers than a headline like LEMUR ANCESTOR FOSSIL FOUND!

::::::
22 May Update: Answers in Genesis has posted an informative article, quoting all the scientists who were unconvinced of the "missing link" claim, and the problems in the science which may have been a result of media pressure brought to bear on the researchers. Once again, it appears the media slants the coverage to present something as fact, which it wishes was fact, however, the actual facts themselves, under scrutiny, hardly bear out their claims.

category: science
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

When all else fails, use censorship

posted Tuesday, May 19, 2009 :: 12:33 PM

Quite a sensational news article hit the internet this morning: Scientists Unveil Missing Link in Evolution. They mean, the missing link between humans and primates. How did they accomplish this feat, that darwinsists have been dreaming of for over 150 years? They found the fossil of an extinct lemur- like primate, and have decided that since, they believe, it shares a common ancestor with modern primates, that they have found the missing link between primates and humans.

Did you notice the leap of faith too, in which they might have found evidence for a common ancestor between modern lemurs and modern primates, however the explanation of how that proves a common ancestor between primates and humans remains cloudy?

Well, since they ASSUME primates and humans have a common ancestor, finding a common ancestor between lemurs and primates PROVES it! Such is the twisted logic of the modern evolutionist ... they want to find what they want to find sooo bad, that any incredibly thin straw will suffice.

So two comments about how this news story is presented to the public. First, it is LONG, like reading a dissertation in itself. And dry, and technical. It almost makes you wonder if the decision was made to put a technical and scientific- sounding article up, with a compelling headline, and then make it so interminable and convoluted, that 98% of Joe Public will give up on actually trying to read or understand the thing after a few paragraphs -- thus only retaining the sensational headline, as fact. They draw your conclusion for you by making it incredibly difficult for anyone with average intelligence to draw their own conclusion.

Second, the first commenter on the article was Ken H., and his lucid response pointing out the logical inconsistencies and errors made in coming to the conclusion the article states, took the scientific legs right out from under the erroneous claims. My son sent me the link to the article, directing me to look for Ken H.'s comment. He said, "I wonder if its Ken Ham (of the great ministry, Answers in Genesis). By the time I clicked on the article, the powers that be had deleted Ken H.'s comment, and I could not read it, other than to report on it through my son's witness, who did read it. But the proof remains that Ken H. left a comment: another poster a little later begins his comment with, "I agree with Ken H. ..." I wonder how long it will take them to excise THAT comment too.

So here is the nature of the thought controllers. They are obviously NOT certain at all that their claim that they have found the missing link is true. How can I say that? Truth reveals its nature under examination and criticism. That is why they cross examine witnesses in murder trials. But if someone is trying to put forward a FALSE claim, then every criticism of that claim must be suppressed, deleted, and censored, because criticism reveals the falsity of the false claim, just as it would reveal the truth of the true claim. If the claim were true, they would let the criticism of it stand, because the criticism would only highlight its truth. But since it is false, they must censor all dissenting viewpoints. Thus the deletion of Ken H.'s comment.

Oh ... Answers in Genesis had heard about this claim and reported on what they knew of it before it was publicly revealed. I am sure that now that it has been made public, they will soon devote a full article to it -- I'll keep checking and post a link for you as soon as they do.

category: science
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

On teenage rebellion, part four

posted Monday, May 18, 2009 :: 12:51 PM

Previously: On teenage rebellion, part three

The Lord tells us in Ephesians 6:4:
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

I believe parents, particularly fathers, are instructed to do this, in order to model to their children what the Heavenly Father is like. When the children are grown, they will have a visual aid so to speak, to help them in understanding the Lord's heart toward them, and what a relationship with Him might entail. So what does it mean to bring a child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

Bringing our child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is more than just taking our children to church so they can learn about God. Let's talk about nurture today, and we can discuss admonition tomorrow.

So if we think how the Lord treats us in love as our Heavenly Father, we begin to get an idea of what the Lord's nurture looks like. He is never too busy for us - He wants to spend more time with us, most likely, than we are spending with Him. He does not put us lower on His priority list after golf and volunteering in church. He welcomes us into His presence when we come to Him. He is great, and holy is His name, and yet He is humble and lowly in heart. So He does not make us feel small in order to satisfy a need to feel big (as some do who are in positions of authority over others). He is God, King, and Lord, yet He does not "lord over" us.

He sacrificed Himself for us - His interests and His prestige, didn't He. He assesses our needs, and provides for them, even before we have asked in most cases. Emulating that requires paying attention to our children and not being too wrapped up in self or just accomplishing the stuff of daily life. He gives to us generously without reproaching us for having a need. He forgives us freely when we come to Him and confess our sin.

There is a start on what the nurture of the Lord looks like, and I can think of many examples that human parents do which are the opposite of that. I've done some of them too, with my children. When we human parents do the opposite of the nurture of the Lord, we provoke our children to wrath.

They know they have been sinned against, even if they have no idea how or how to articulate the distress in their hearts it causes. Then we parents create an open door for the flesh or the enemy to come and sow resentment, anger, bitterness, rejection, and discouragement in the hearts of our children, which, when full grown (i.e. teenagehood) can produce the fruit of rebellion.

To be continued ...

category: applied word
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Death and life in the power of the tongue

posted Thursday, May 14, 2009 :: 1:21 PM

I was reading in Proverbs 18 today, and this passage stood out to me:

20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

I was thinking about this study that I had read a few months ago, that compared strong marriages and failed marriages. The strong and failed marriages went across all income levels. Strong marriages did not have less trouble or crises than failed marriages, nor were partners in strong marriages better human beings than the partners in failed marriages. The difference was, partners in successful marriages overlooked faults, extended patience and forgiveness, and in general concentrated on the good in each other instead of the bad in each other. While failed marriages did just the opposite: couldn't let go of faults, focused on problems, and were negative about each other.

This wisdom was in the Bible long before man did a study, and Proverbs 18:20-21 is where you find it. Think of it this way: what we say with our mouths has an effect, words are not meaningless. God used words to create the universe and everything in it. And then He made us in His image. That means, we create life for ourselves or death for ourselves by the words of our mouth.

With our mouth, we can express thankfulness to our God every day, we can bless our family and edify our household, choosing by love to cover over, to overlook transgressions, and the fruit of that thanksgiving and that blessing and that edification will be life. Or, with our mouth, we can express complaints to our God every day, we can criticize our family and tear down our household, choosing with bitterness and resentment to dwell on transgressions and problems, and the fruit of that complaining and that criticizing and that cursing will be death.

category: applied word
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Prepare for the global day of prayer

posted Monday, May 11, 2009 :: 11:17 AM

We just had the National Day of Prayer last week, and the Global Day of Prayer is coming up on May 31st. We need to be seeking the Lord while He may be found!

Psalm 106 is speaking of the sins of God's people, not the people of the world. These things were written down for us, as an example to us, upon whom the end of the ages have come:

They even sacrificed their sons And their daughters to demons,
And shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and daughters,
Whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan;
And the land was polluted with blood.
Thus they were defiled by their own works, And played the harlot by their own deeds.
Therefore the wrath of the LORD was kindled against His people,
So that He abhorred His own inheritance.
And He gave them into the hand of the Gentiles,
And those who hated them ruled over them.
Their enemies also oppressed them,
And they were brought into subjection under their hand. Psalm 106:37-42

Why is it that after 35 years of diligent effort, we have not been able to overturn Roe v. Wade? I know all the philosophical and sociological reasons. But the plain fact is, the members of the Body use the abortion clinics, just as the members of the Body divorce their spouses and do not read the Word of God, without which there can not be life in the heart.

When those who rule over us are raising our taxes, increasing regulations, trying to phase out capitalism which produces wealth, and are legitimizing homo[s-x]uality and every perversion, then evil, not good, has come upon us and has overtaken us. We learn from Deuteronomy 28-29 that these things have happened to us because we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, -- we, God's people, the Church, not the world and unbelievers -- to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which He commanded us to observe, not through Moses only, but Jesus also.

We have a few weeks to prepare for the Global Day of Prayer. Let us fast, and mourn, and repent of the sins of our nation and of the Church. Church, whatever we are doing that is displeasing to the Lord, let us STOP! Let the time which is past be enough for living like the Gentiles. Let us seek the face of the Lord, and we will be found by Him, if we seek for Him with all our hearts!

category: applied word
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

'Pedophile protection act' update

posted Friday, May 8, 2009 :: 9:43 AM

The Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, dubbed the 'Pedophile Protection Act' because of the wide range of deviant and criminal behaviors which are included in the legislation, has generated over 200,000 letters and faxes of opposition in the Senate. In the mean time, the New York Times just ran an editorial pushing for the passage of this bill. The pressure is on the Senate, and the outcome will be determined by who applies the most pressure: us, or the Times and other leftists. Keep writing and keep faxing!

category: america the beautiful
comments (0) :: post a comment! :: permanent link

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

<- last page :: next page ->

welcome

Visit with Christine Miller awhile and let's share our thoughts on homeschooling, education, and life.
:: home :: rss site feed
:: archives :: email me

next biblical feast day

4th biblical month new moon
:: projected ::
sunset, tue 23 jun 2009
(feast days run from sunset to sunset)
this holiday is not a sabbath
significance of the new moon








remember the victims of islamic terrorism


Pray for the peace of Jerusalem
:: Why I support Israel
:: Why my church supports Israel
:: Bridges for Peace
:: Christian Action for Israel
:: Christian Friends of Israel
:: Christians United for Israel
:: Int'l Christian Embassy Jerusalem
:: Messianic Israel Alliance
United States :: 09/11
:: the religion of peace
:: american congress for truth

recent posts

:: Happy 4th!
:: Evil tidings and the upright
:: Nothing New Press ebooks availabe now!
:: Nothing New Press ebooks
:: Vacation reading
:: Headline of the day
:: The headlines have not changed God
:: Bible study discussion group

popular posts

:: The righteousness that is of faith
:: Safeguard your investment in your children
:: The Babylon connection
:: Revelation series
:: How history becomes mythology
:: On faults, logs, and reconciliation
:: Advice for a new homeschooler
:: Beating homeschool burnout
:: There is too much, let me sum up
:: A rabbit trail
:: Why history?
:: When tragedy strikes
:: The pressure of perfection
:: Family law
:: The prayer of Jesus
:: Have no other gods before Me

categories

:: Adventures in grandparenting
:: America the beautiful
:: Applied word
:: Blogkeeping
:: Books
:: Christianity
:: Education
:: Eyes on the fig tree
:: Family and society
:: Gratia
:: History
:: Homeschooling
:: Humanitas
:: Philosophy
:: Poetry
:: Real life
:: Science
:: Theology
:: The rhetoric stage
:: Website news
:: Why we homeschool
:: Work in progress

christine's blogs & sites

:: a little perspective
:: christine's kitchen
:: Classical Christian Homeschooling
:: Nothing New Press
:: this side of heaven

christine's books


"The Story of the Romans provides an introductory context for the culture and ideas so foundational to the development of Western thought.�
Anne Weiland :: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
:: read a chapter from this book
:: more books

"For new and veteran homeschool families alike, this extensive new release from the editors of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine serves as a homeschool convention in a book. It details today's most viable education models, helping parents formulate an educational game plan and choose teaching methodologies. There are more than twenty contributors." Including Christine Miller, who wrote a chapter on Classical Education.

christine's reading








I am researching the holy days which were instituted by God as a celebration of the Messiah, instead of celebrating the holy days which were instituted by man to honor nature in place of nature's God.
:: Israel's Feast - Wooten
:: Annals - Ussher

christine's listening to







This is a new CD, and it has proven to be the most beautiful, reverent worship music we own yet. Tom Ewing is the gifted worship pastor at Resurrection Fellowship in Loveland, Colorado.
:: We Bring Our Crowns
:: Enter the Worship Circle

daily bread

Look up a word or passage in the Bible



BibleGateway.com
:: Bible study tools
:: Daily audio bible
:: Daily devotionals
:: ESV daily devotions
:: NET Bible
:: A.W. Tozer's Insight for Leaders
:: John Stocker's daily podcast

blogging

:: 10 Key Ingredients of a Great Blog
:: Blogging 101
:: How to Start a Blog
:: Homeschool Blogger
:: Homestead Blogger
:: Blog Carnival Index
:: Bloglet subscriptions
:: Blogrolling
:: Legal Guide for Bloggers
:: Sitemeter
:: Truth Laid Bear Ecosystem
:: Wordpress.com

carnivals & communities

:: Biblical Studies Carnival
:: Blogdom of God
:: Carnival of Beauty
:: Carnival of Education
:: Carnival of Homeschooling
:: Carnival of the Recipes
:: Christian Carnival
:: Darwin is Dead Carnival
:: Evangelical Aggregator
:: Festival of Frugality
:: History Carnival
:: Philosopher's Carnival
:: Pro Life Blogs
:: Theology Blogs

citizenship

:: Acton Institute
:: CitizenLink.org
:: Founders' Constitution
:: Liberty Library
:: Pro Life Blogs
:: Pro Life Pulse
:: The Unalienable Right
:: more coming ...

comedy

:: Dave Barry
:: Cox & Forkum
:: Day by Day
:: Michael Ramirez
:: Scrappleface
:: Townhall Funnies

domestic arts

:: Girl Talk
:: A Gracious Home
:: Holy Experience
:: The Porch Light
:: more coming ...

education

:: 1000 Good Books List
:: 100 Great Books List
:: Bede's Library
:: GCC: Vision & Values
:: Rhetorical Response
:: Underground Grammarian
:: more coming ...

evangelism

:: Advancing Native Missions
:: Answers in Genesis
:: Asian Access
:: Bible League
:: Book of Hope
:: Compassion International
:: Escape from Darkness
:: Gospel for Asia
:: Latin America Mission
:: Mission Aviation Fellowship
:: Overseas Missionary Fellowship
:: Persecution Project
:: Reaching Unreached Nations
:: SAT-7
:: Wycliffe Bible Translators

humanities

:: Art Renewal Center
:: Albert Bierstadt
:: William Adolphe Bouguereau
:: William Morris
:: Norman Rockwell
:: Charles Wysocki
:: more coming ...

local links

:: Colorado Bloggers
:: Colorado for Equal Rights
:: Colorado Freedom Report
:: John Fielder's Colorado
:: Homeschool Nation: Colorado
:: Homeschooling in Colorado
:: Rocky Mountain Blog Alliance
:: Rocky Mountain News
:: State of Colorado
:: more coming ...

media

:: Christian Spotlight
:: Movie Guide
:: Movie Ministry
:: Preview Online
:: Good Eats
:: Stargate Atlantis

music

:: 2nd Chapter of Acts
:: Desperation Band
:: Jeff Deyo
:: Don Francisco
:: Enter the Worship Circle
:: Iona
:: Dennis Jernigan
:: Phil Keaggy
:: Terry Kelley Band
:: Larry Norman
:: Petra
:: John Michael Talbot

news

:: Christian Post
:: Drudge Report
:: Fox News
:: Front Page Magazine
:: Jerusalem Post
:: Life Site News
:: Middle East News and Analysis
:: Mission Network News
:: NewsMax.com
:: One News Now
:: Pajamas Media
:: Townhall.com
:: Washington Times
:: World Magazine
:: World Net Daily
:: World Watch Daily

opinion

:: Mike S. Adams
:: Atlas Shrugs
:: Michael Barone
:: Glenn Beck
:: Brussels Journal
:: Ann Coulter
:: Crunchy Cons
:: Free Republic
:: Brigitte Gabriel
:: Mark Levin
:: Little Green Footballs
:: Rush Limbaugh
:: Michelle Malkin
:: National Review Online
:: Benjamin Netanyahu
:: Peggy Noonan
:: Chuck Norris
:: Mark Steyn

origins

:: Ancient Days
:: Answers in Genesis
:: Cosmic Fingerprints
:: Creation Ministries International
:: Creation vs. evolution
:: Creation/ evolution headlines
:: Creation science books online
:: Creationism.org
:: CreationWiki
:: Darwinian fundamentalism
:: Institute for Creation Research

:: True Origin Archive
:: Uncommon Descent
:: more coming ...

philosophy

:: more coming ...

religion

:: Albert Mohler
:: Around the World - Ken Ham
:: Bede's Journal
:: Best of the God Blogs
:: Biblical Horizons
:: Breakpoint with Chuck Colson
:: ChurchThink
:: Contratimes
:: Every Thought Captive
:: Girl Talk
:: Internet Monk
:: JackLewis.net
:: Mere Comments
:: Middlebrow
:: Roots by the River
:: Slice of Laodicea
:: Smart Christian
:: Together for the Gospel
:: more coming ...

theology

:: A Christian ThinkTank
:: Apologetics Classics Library
:: Biblical contradictions debunked
:: Get Answers
:: John MacArthur
:: C. J. Mahaney
:: Real Clear Theology
:: J. C. Ryle
:: more coming ...



stats


Site Meter

My amazon.com wishlist