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Jul. 30, 2008 - What a wonderful world???

It's almost the perfect writing day - a little rainy, no outside time commitments, kids are playing somewhat happily;  Only thing off is I just ran out of coffee.  Can't have it all can we?

I read through alot of different devotions.  Sometimes Spurgeon, sometimes another book/bible study.  Right now I'm reading Oswald Chambers - My Utmost For His Highest  (again!)  You know how you can read through things multiple times and each time different things will make an impression.  If you're reading MUFHH  right now, you know today was about Disillusionment.  I have always looked at it as a 'bad' thing.  But my thinking was set quite straight this morning. 

In John 2:24-25  it says , " But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."  (in the context of the people asking for a sign from him as to why he came crashing into the temple and driving out the profiteers)

Chambers says this," Disillusionment means having no more misconceptions, false impressions, and false judgements in life; it means being free from these deceptions.  "  He goes on to say that our usual experience of disillusionment leaves us cynical and overly critical of others.  "But the disillusionment that comes from God brings us to the point where we see people as they really are, yet without any cynicism or any stinging and bitter criticism."  Read that again. 

If we all saw it that way can you even imagine what life would be like?  I have "suffered" from bad cases of disillusionment and seen those who have suffered - sometimes greatly.  Christ didn't have that problem.  He KNEW what was in man on the front end, yet he was not suspicious or bitter.  Truthful, honest and direct about the condition of humanity, but not bitter.  His confidence was in God - not things or people. 

I think it's probably obvious why that strikes a chord with me as of late.  Things will let you down. (multiple times!!!)   No joy to be found there.  People are not perfect and will not provide all the peace, joy and love we want either.  Nor will an environment, a vacation, a church; you can make your own list. 

In that constant Tetris game going on in my head, (you know where try to make all the pieces fit with as few holes as possible), two things today have confirmed these thoughts.  #1  -  At  7:00AM my dh called to say, Hi, I'm down the road - my car bit the dust.  If you've been reading, you know we've tried.  We let it sit and we tried to fix it.  It is out of our hands :)  Always was, but it's nice when you REALLY know it.  So I smiled and said, I'll come take you to work - wonder what the Lord's going to do?  Praise the Lord I do not have to trust in my 1991 Dodge Caravan with about 240,000 miles on it.  Now we only have one car left to let us down :)  Oops, that's probably too cynical isn't it?   #2 - I read an article on some policies that it seems Univ. of California schools have adopted concerning the courses that Christian students take prior to admission to UC schools.  Apparently if the courses are from a biblical worldview perspective they deem them as not being challenging enough to make it at UC, b/c they don't teach evoution.  There are disputes on both sides as to what the policies actually say, but it seems that they are being interpreted that way by the schools, according to several parents.  You can read it here  .        

Some people are disillusioned by what they see in society - bias against things of God, cruelty, injustice;  But being the mother of almost seven and having brought several children through their toddler years, I ask WHY???  WHY are you so surprised and affronted?  You expected differently?  Sin nature is alive and kicking folks.  No matter how God-ordained your country's Founding Documents may be.  You can't rule men's hearts with a piece of paper.  Only if the men believe in what's on the piece of paper.  That requires a different heart up front.  I don't expect my two year old to naturally want to obey me and stop drawing on the walls any more than I expect a Secular institution to naturally desire to tolerate Christians and their beliefs. 

So do we just get mad? Cynical? Critical?  I don't think so. Let's just understand what we're dealing with and then gird oursleves and our children up for the fight.  Because it is a fight.  That's why we homeschool.  Not so that we can be "relaxed".  Not to stay in our jammies until noon.  It's because we take seriously the idea that we have to equip our children the best that we can to live in this world.  Confident communicators for Christ.  Biblical world-view minded scientists.  Principled, trustworthy business owners or employees.  Pastors, teachers....

So as I drove back from Carbs R Us (aka: Krispy Kreme) this morning  (we decided to have a mourning party for Dad's car)   listening to James Taylor, yes I am a closet James Taylor fan, I felt good.  Not because the world is such a great place, but because we have such a great God - no matter how rotten things seem sometimes.

~Cindy

your two cents

Jul. 31, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by joybird

Mrs. Brown -

Thanks for the comment! Tell Hunter that I started with a homeschoolblogger template and then replaced the background with another one. I got the background from a website meant for blogspot: cutestblogontheblock.com.

I will tell everyone hi for you! Daniel looks forward to emails. :)

~Rachel
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