Aug. 6, 2006
A new job
We had a wonderful time in Omokoroa with our friends. I didn't try to see everyone as the kids just wanted to play in the backyard sandbox. They built a fire and ate their dinner out there. What fun!
One of the conversations my friend and I got into was about confession and penance. She's Catholic, I'm a Christian. It was a futile discussion because I don't believe in the basic premise of the Catholic church structure, with priests, etc. and I don't see the need for penance? Salvation is by grace alone. Forgiveness of sin is through Christ alone. Nothing we do can help or make ammends for our sin. Yes, we need to confess our sin... but... "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Yes, we need to confess, yes we need to be sorry for our sins. It has brought my attention to the study of confession and the priesthood of all believers. Any comments on this subject would be welcome.
I have just had an answer to prayer with regards to a job. I had applied for several part time jobs that I didn't really want but my husband urged me to apply. With only two children, I have a bit of time on my hands but I didn't want to work outside of the home. The Lord brought the perfect job for me and it wasn't in the papers or on any website!! I met this man at a local craft marketplace where we got talking about his business. I offered my talents and he took my number! I'm now sewing for a cottage industry garment manufacturer, in my own home, in my own time! The owner of the company delivered an industrial machine to my home and bags of work for me to do. I'm so pleased! The product is a super fine merino wool jacket for women. It's sold primarily in tourist shops around the country. I'm so thankful. Now to discipline myself to sit down at the machine for hours on end!!
Must get to work!
One of the conversations my friend and I got into was about confession and penance. She's Catholic, I'm a Christian. It was a futile discussion because I don't believe in the basic premise of the Catholic church structure, with priests, etc. and I don't see the need for penance? Salvation is by grace alone. Forgiveness of sin is through Christ alone. Nothing we do can help or make ammends for our sin. Yes, we need to confess our sin... but... "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Yes, we need to confess, yes we need to be sorry for our sins. It has brought my attention to the study of confession and the priesthood of all believers. Any comments on this subject would be welcome.
I have just had an answer to prayer with regards to a job. I had applied for several part time jobs that I didn't really want but my husband urged me to apply. With only two children, I have a bit of time on my hands but I didn't want to work outside of the home. The Lord brought the perfect job for me and it wasn't in the papers or on any website!! I met this man at a local craft marketplace where we got talking about his business. I offered my talents and he took my number! I'm now sewing for a cottage industry garment manufacturer, in my own home, in my own time! The owner of the company delivered an industrial machine to my home and bags of work for me to do. I'm so pleased! The product is a super fine merino wool jacket for women. It's sold primarily in tourist shops around the country. I'm so thankful. Now to discipline myself to sit down at the machine for hours on end!!
Must get to work!
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Posted by joyismystrength
Posted by joyismystrength
Posted by joyismystrength
Comments
Aug. 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by joyismystrength Hey Marilyn,
I'm so glad that you had a super visit in your old home town. Too bad you can't just jaunt across the ocean and visit in Canada for awhile.
Your conversation with your friend sounds like it must have been frustrating. However, one never knows whether seeds of truth have been planted that will take root and begin to grow later on. The Holy Spirit has such an amazing way of working in all our lives and bringing us to a greater understanding of the truth. How I wish I understood all there was to know about the Word.
I didn't know that you were looking for work but it sounds like God has provided exactly what you needed. I hope you will enjoy what you're doing and get lots of fulfillment out of it.
Regarding confession...I have only recently discovered firsthand the benefits of confessing my sins to another believer. This is something that we actively practice in our Ladies Bible Study group. I think the power of confessing our sins publicly is that we are then held accountable by our peers who can then ask us how we are doing in that area. I have found this an incredibly humbling and freeing practice.
I have had some interesting thoughts on the whole idea of forgiveness, too. If Christ's death on the cross covers all my sin - past, present, and future - then all my sin is already forgiven. The practice of confessing sin becomes then more about having me recognize when I am sinning, and admitting my sinfulness to God. The forgiveness part of the I John 1:9 verse then cannot be about God withhold forgiveness for current sins until I have confessed them. That doesn't fit in with the rest of the Scripture's teaching on this subject. In my humble opinion, when we repent of our sins, recognizing our tendancy to sin, admitting before God that we continue to sin in spite of being a new creation, then we RECEIVE His forgiveness again. There is a world of difference between forgiveness being offered and our receiving it. Sometimes the greatest weapon that Satan wields against us is our determination to not forgive ourselves. When I won't receive God's forgiveness for a present sin, then I give Satan the power to bind me up again in a old lifestyle, and in doing so act as though I haven't received God's forgiveness in the first place. I think that is what Peter is teaching in 2 Peter 1: 3-9. But...I'm always open to correction?!
I'm so glad that you had a super visit in your old home town. Too bad you can't just jaunt across the ocean and visit in Canada for awhile.
Your conversation with your friend sounds like it must have been frustrating. However, one never knows whether seeds of truth have been planted that will take root and begin to grow later on. The Holy Spirit has such an amazing way of working in all our lives and bringing us to a greater understanding of the truth. How I wish I understood all there was to know about the Word.
I didn't know that you were looking for work but it sounds like God has provided exactly what you needed. I hope you will enjoy what you're doing and get lots of fulfillment out of it.
Regarding confession...I have only recently discovered firsthand the benefits of confessing my sins to another believer. This is something that we actively practice in our Ladies Bible Study group. I think the power of confessing our sins publicly is that we are then held accountable by our peers who can then ask us how we are doing in that area. I have found this an incredibly humbling and freeing practice.
I have had some interesting thoughts on the whole idea of forgiveness, too. If Christ's death on the cross covers all my sin - past, present, and future - then all my sin is already forgiven. The practice of confessing sin becomes then more about having me recognize when I am sinning, and admitting my sinfulness to God. The forgiveness part of the I John 1:9 verse then cannot be about God withhold forgiveness for current sins until I have confessed them. That doesn't fit in with the rest of the Scripture's teaching on this subject. In my humble opinion, when we repent of our sins, recognizing our tendancy to sin, admitting before God that we continue to sin in spite of being a new creation, then we RECEIVE His forgiveness again. There is a world of difference between forgiveness being offered and our receiving it. Sometimes the greatest weapon that Satan wields against us is our determination to not forgive ourselves. When I won't receive God's forgiveness for a present sin, then I give Satan the power to bind me up again in a old lifestyle, and in doing so act as though I haven't received God's forgiveness in the first place. I think that is what Peter is teaching in 2 Peter 1: 3-9. But...I'm always open to correction?!
Sep. 11, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by joyismystrength Okay. I check in almost daily to see if you have a new post. What's going on in your life? Is everybody well? How's school going? Is winter draining your energy? Anything new happening?
Praying God's richest blessings over your week.
Praying God's richest blessings over your week.
Sep. 12, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by joyismystrength Just popped in to hear if you had anything new to say. Thanks for the chat the other night. I wish I could come over for coffee.
blessings,
Jan
blessings,
Jan