I updated my post on "Five Fundamentals of Faith". I wanted to explain further on my understanding on fundamentalism. Please scroll down to read or go here.
Jul. 25, 2008 - 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives DAY 9
Day Nine: "...be swift to hear, slow to speak..." James 1:19b
We are often so busy speaking that we don't take time to listen. We are so quick to offer a comment - negative or positive - that we don't really "hear" our husband's heart. Remember: we have two ears and only one mouth. We need to listen more!
As you continue in your 30-day challenge, not speaking negatively and focusing on positive encouragement, hear the Lord's admonition today: "Be swift to hear."
If listening is a real problem for you, play a game with yourself. See if you can listen to your husband for one whole day, only speaking when asked a question. If your husband notices the difference, explain that you are learning to listen more-not only to God, but also to him.
One easy way to express admiration for your husband is to ask a question about something he enjoys, and then listen to his response. If it's an area of personal familiarity, keep asking questions until you learn something you didn't know, then tell him, "Wow, I didn't know that!"
Copyright Revive Our Hearts. Written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com.
Chris has done two mission trips to this reservation and knows some of the people in this video. We are hoping to save money to take a family trip up there.
I've been tagged to post my Five Favorite Things from Sinner Saved.
Thanks Susan for tagging me, it's my first tag ever!
1. Our Lord, Jesus Christ ~ If he didn't die for us I believe I wouldn't have the strength to go through the things I have gone through in my life. Thank you Lord for always being there for me!
2. All the wonderful things in this world that God has created for us to enjoy ~ Trees, animals, clouds, rainbows, stars, the smell after it rains, sunsets, sunrises(though I rarely witnessed one), mountains, valleys, flowers...ect. I could seriously go on and on.
3. Definitely Cooking ~ I love to cook! Making everything from scratch is very exciting adventure for me. Experimenting with recipes. Just so fun! I used to think I hated to cook until I actually started cooking. (No one actually taught me to cook when I was growing up)
4. My home ~ Well, it is not actually my home we rent. But I am very thankful because the last two places we have lived weren't the best. No they weren't the nicest, but they were also in very bad neighborhoods. The Lord has provided a much better neighborhood and home. Yes it's a fixer upper but we love our home!
Ok, now I have to think...I got it!
5. Quiet ~ I love it when it is quiet. I have my two kids and Joel is very "strong willed" so we have a lot of battles with him. I also watch two nieces during the day so I don't get to enjoy the quiet during the day. But when they go to bed at night I really enjoy the peace and quiet very very much!
I didn't include my family since that should be pretty obvious, by this blog, that they are incredibly important to me.
Jul. 24, 2008 - 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives DAY 8
Day Eight:
How are you doing with the "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"? In case you've forgotten, here's the challenge:
* You can't say anything negative about your husband ...to your husband...or to anyone else, about your husband.
* Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband...to your husband...and to someone else, about your husband!
"...but who can find a faithful man?" Prov. 20:6b
Faithfulness is a wonderful but rare quality today, especially in regard to marriage. Do you understand how important this quality is? Your challenge is to continue to root out all negative speaking, and plant seeds of encouragement instead. You may be amazed at what will grow.
Contemporary culture often entices men to be unfaithful to their wedding vows and spiritual commitments. Appreciate your husband's faithfulness - how he is loyal to you. Let him know that you are glad he has "stick-to-it-iveness" in your marriage. Appreciate his faithfulness to God. (If you have an unfaithful husband, this is a difficult area for you. Pray, speak the truth in love, remain faithful yourself, and discover ways to encourage faithfulness in your mate. The Bible says that husbands may "...be won by the conduct of their wives" [1 Pet. 3:1]. You may also want to seek counsel from a mature, godly individual or couple.)
Copyright Revive Our Hearts. Written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com.
Day Seven: "Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!...for riches certainly make themselves wings..." Prov. 23:4-5 "That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries." Proverbs 8:21
Money is the root of much marital discord. Ask yourself, "Am I being negative toward my husband in the area of finances?" Determine not to speak evil of your husband in this area. Discover ways to encourage and help him instead.
Does your husband handle finances wisely? Does he make good financial investments, based on biblical principles? Does he have a budget? Does he make wise decisions about purchases - checking many sources before he buys? Is he a good steward of his money before the Lord? Let him know how much you appreciate his strengths in financial matters.
If he is weak in this area, encourage any good decisions that he does make. Perhaps you can help him, if he's open to the idea, by organizing financial files or providing other practical assistance. Or, if he wants you to handle the finances, ask for his input before you make decisions that will affect him.
Copyright Revive Our Hearts. Written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com.
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Are you enjoying this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge"? Have you learned something about your own relationship with the Lord as you seek to encourage your husband? Why not take a minute to jot a note to Revive Our Hearts, to share with them how God is touching your heart? Just go here: http://www.reviveourhearts.com/interact/contactus.htm
4. The Bodily Resurrection (Luke 24:36-46; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 15:14-15).
5. The inerrancy of the scriptures themselves (Psalms 12:6-7; Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20).
If someone denies even one of the above then they have departed from faith.
If you think this is a very legalistic, narrow view of Christianity(as Rick Warren would have you believe) than perhaps it is time to open up your Bible and begin reading it.
Update:These five fundamental beliefs are in fact what fundamentalist believe but so do most other "denominational" Christians(fundamentalism isn't actually a denomination). I think but am no expert or anything, what sets apart fundamentalist is they may adhere to the command "be ye separate" more than other Christians. They also view the Bible as a literal accurate history.
Non fundamentalist have more "liberalism" when it comes to the way they interpret the Bible. They also may conform more to the modern culture.
Christians who say they are fundamentalist may not agree on every point. But I believe they are all uncompromising, conservatives who try to live set apart and do things in a biblical manner(though this can also be said for some who do not consider themselves a fundamentalist).
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 (KJV)
Jul. 22, 2008 - 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives DAY 6
Day Six: "...whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31b
Do you recognize and appreciate your husband's creativity? Or do you criticize and demean his efforts? Instead of negativity, determine to be positive. Perhaps you can help your husband see that his efforts are an opportunity to glorify God.
Is your husband the "creative" type? Does he have any artistic gifts? What is that special "knack" he has? Affirm him for his handiwork - a hobby, music, gardening, tinkering with cars, working with wood, etc. Remember: Even if he doesn't measure up to your standards, praise his efforts. If your budget allows, buy him a book or magazine that will continue to encourage his special skill or talent.
If you have a hard time finding his "creative side," understand that men's creativity sometimes is related to their work. Find something he does to make his job run more smoothly or something he does that adds value to his work...and let him know that you have noticed.
Make his day...Praise his accomplishments in public, while he is listening.
Copyright Revive Our Hearts. Written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com.
Jul. 21, 2008 - Loving Jesus First ~ Luke 10:38-42 (from the sermon sunday)
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42 (King James Version)
I. Our Top Priority
A. Luke uses this account to reinforce a truth found earlier in this same chapter (Luke 10:25-28).
"Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (v. 25).
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." (v. 27)
B. There are two commandments mentioned here, and they are:
1. to Love God, and 2. to love your neighbor.
Note: God wants our worship of Him to come before our service for Him.
C. If we can learn to love God with all of our heart, and truly fall in love with Him, then all other requirements God has stipulated will naturally follow.
II. A Confused Priority (v. 40)
A. In Luke 10:38-42 we see someone who had her priorities mixed up.
Martha complained to Jesus that she was doing all the household chores while her sister Mary was not helping her.
B. When this story is viewed in light of today's society we are shocked to hear Jesus tell Martha that Mary had actually chosen the better thing to do.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
"...Martha was cumbered about much serving." Luke 10:40
C. Martha placed service for God above her love for God.
D. We need to realize that we are called to be lovers of God before we are servants of God.
III. The Right Priority (v. 39)
A. Mary provides us with an example of what it is to be a lover of Jesus.
1. Mary sitting at Jesus' feet suggests an eagerness to learn, and she is longing to hear Jesus teach the Word of God. 2. We should have a deep desire in our hearts to hear God speak through His Word.
B. By allowing Mary to sit at His feet and learn of Him and to get to know Him, Jesus was stressing the importance of loving Him.
C. So many times we live our lives by human expectations instead of God's expectations.
D. Sometimes we work really hard for God's recognition and approval. "Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?" Luke 10:40 Note: We don't have to prove ourselves worthy to God, because He already loves us for who we are.
IV. A Time of Reflection
A. One of the greatest needs of the human heart is to be loved.
If you are working for God's love then you have a faith problem in which you doubt God's grace and His unconditional love for you.
B. Once you learn to rest then you will have more time to get to know the wonderful God who loves you.
As you spend time with Him you will grow to love Him more and more, and out of your love for God you will indeed serve the Lord with gladness.
C. YOU are invited to experience the freedom found in God's unconditional love.
Jul. 21, 2008 - 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives DAY 5
Day Five: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Eph. 4:29
Another way to describe the positive side of this "30-Day Encouragement Challenge" is by using the word "edify," which means, "to build up." Negative comments only discourage and tear down. Positive comments encourage and build.
Do you edify your husband before others, adding to his value in their eyes? This is especially important to other family members.
Do you praise your husband to his relatives, and yours? Does your husband's mother know how much you love him? How about your dad? Perhaps you can drop a word of praise into a conversation or letter. Be creative in letting your relatives know that you respect your husband, love him, and support him - in spite of whatever flaws and weaknesses he may have.
Copyright Revive Our Hearts. Written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com.
Welcome! I hope you enjoy your visit here at my blog. Hi! I'm Crystal, I'm a 29 year old mother of two cute children and I love it!! I'm a full-time homemaker. I'm also a teacher/mentor to my children. Most importantly I'm a Fundamental Christian. I'm not a people pleaser, I'm a God pleaser. This website is for the visitors of the site to get to know me and for my family and friends to keep up with me!
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Currently studying Mammals
