tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41773136830800051832024-03-14T03:40:08.319-04:00Seeking to ShineJess in the Near NorthUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-76462833219716547472014-01-29T13:57:00.002-05:002014-01-29T13:57:40.030-05:00No ShampooA few months ago, I decided to try and go "no shampoo." This can also be known as the "no poo" method, but I'm not so much a fan of that label :). I have a perfume allergy, and shampoo has always bothered that. It's nearly impossible to find a fragrance free shampoo, and even when I did find one, it was very expensive. <br />
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I had read about the "no shampoo" method online, and I thought I may as well give it a try. I was a little nervous to start it at first. A lot of articles I read talked about a "transition period" that your hair would go through, and that it may look greasy for a while until it adjusted to produce less oil. I've never had super greasy hair, but I thought I'd better wait until after my wedding to start messing around with it! I really hated spending so much money on expensive shampoos that never worked. Even the non-scented ones seemed to make me break out. So, in August I started my "no shampoo" journey.<br />
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There's a couple of different no shampoo methods. I started to use baking soda to wash my hair. I was surprised that it worked so well. The greasy "transition period" that a lot of blogs talked about didn't really happen with the baking soda. However, it did take me a little while to really figure out a good regime of washing and conditioning my hair. Here's a couple of tips that I learned from my "no shampoo" experience. I hope MANY other people will try to go no shampoo too! My hair is so much healthier now, and I'm saving tons of money by not buying expensive shampoos! It's been worth it.<br />
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<b><u>Dryness</u></b><br />
Baking soda dried my hair out very quickly! My hair tends to be dry anyways, but it got excessively dry! I actually created a lot of breakage by overusing the baking soda, and because it was dry, static was a problem too.<br />
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<b><u>Washing Frequency</u></b><br />
This also contributed to drying out my hair. When I was using shampoo, I washed my hair nearly every day. Sometimes I'd try to let it go for a day, but it would get greasy. I started using baking soda every other day, and sometimes every day. That was WAY too much. I went down to using it only once a week to try and let my hair recover. Now I've got a pretty established, balanced hair washing routine, so I use baking soda about every third day. When using no shampoo, don't wash your hair too often, and try to let it get a bit greasy before using baking soda again. I find since using baking soda that even when my hair is greasy, it doesn't look as bad as it did when I was using shampoo. I can actually leave it for three days without washing.<br />
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<b><u>Apple Cider Vinegar and Conditioning</u></b><br />
This was another mistake I made. Most of the blogs I read talked about using apple cider vinegar (ACV) in conjunction with baking soda. At first I just used baking soda, and only a little ACV, mostly because I was afraid the ACV would make it too greasy. Bad idea. Dry hair. When my hair got SO dry, I would use baking soda every other time I washed it, and use just an ACV rinse in between. Now I've got things balanced again, so I use baking soda and ACV together every time I was my hair, which is about every third day. I also use regular conditioner about once a week. I have very long hair, so I just use it on the ends. In the winter, my hair is always dry, so I find the regular conditioner helps keep the static down. I'll probably phase that out in the summer.<br />
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<b><u>Less Is More</u></b><br />
This has become my rule with the no shampoo method. When using shampoo, I always used a lot, because I liked to have a lot of lather, and it made my hair feel cleaner. It's hard to get past the psychological feeling of using less. Our brain thinks less is not as clean. With baking soda, only a very little is needed to clean your hair. There is no lather, so it's a bit harder to tell when it's clean as it feels different in water than when you use shampoo. I'm also very gentle with how I massage the baking soda through my hair. My hair is fine and baking soda is quite abrasive. Therefore, I need to be gentle or I end up getting a lot of breakage. Less is more with ACV too. It needs to be diluted with water, and you don't need a lot on your hair to condition it. I have it in a spray bottle, and just squirt a bit on my hair, mostly on the ends.<br />
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There will always be a bit of a learning curve when you go no shampoo, because everyone's hair is different. It took me about 4-5 months to really figure out what worked best for my hair, but I am so happy with the results. My hair feels much stronger. I also get a lot fewer split ends. I don't use a blowdryer on my hair, and only a little heat from my straightener each day to tame the fly aways, but when I was using shampoo, I'd still get a lot of split ends. I'm also saving a ton of money, and I love that! I probably spent $50-$75 a year on shampoo and conditioner. That may not sound like a lot, but in 10 years means nearly $750 of savings! It does add up! Baking soda and vinegar cost practically nothing in comparison, and because you use so little it lasts way longer!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-69534264320206340352013-10-29T13:33:00.001-04:002013-10-29T13:33:53.687-04:00BeautyAs women, we love beautiful things. Even as little girls, we loved to get dressed up in pretty, frilly dress, and wear a sparkling necklace. We loved princesses' beautiful ball gowns, and diamond tiaras. We love to curl our hair, do our make-up, and make ourselves look pretty. We love a sparkling waterfall, and shining rainbow, and radiant jewel. We LOVE beauty, and that's good! I've been thinking about the concept of beauty and how it relates to God. Of course, like everything else in the world, beauty has been corrupted. The world thinks beauty is being thinner, taller, prettier, more muscular, more seductive, and the list goes on. None of this is presented as beauty in the Bible.<br />
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The word "beauty" is in the Bible 49 times. Here are some things in the Bible that are described as beautiful.<br />
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1. Aaron's and the priests garments. Exodus 28:2<br />
2. Holiness. I Chronicles 16:29, II Chronicles 20:21, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 96:9<br />
3. Precious stones. II Chronicles 3:6<br />
4. Zion. Psalm 50:2<br />
5. The grey head. Proverbs 20:29<br />
6. The LORD of hosts. Isaiah 28:5<br />
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There are warnings in the Bible about beauty too. Proverbs 31:30 tells us that "...beauty is vain...". Beauty is good, but beauty in and of itself is empty. God is not against beauty, but He is for beauty on His terms. God's standard is perfect, and thus, God's beauty is perfect too. <br />
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I find it interesting that the first mention of the word "beauty" in the Bible is in relation to clothing. <i>And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. </i>Exodus 28:2.<br />
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There's a lot of time and effort going into the fashion industry these days. Clothing retail and design is a huge money making endeavour. If <a href="http://www.fashionperformancenetwork.com/">fashion</a> was a country it would rank 7th in GDP. That's as big as Canada. A lot of money gets spent on clothes that everyone thinks is making them look more beautiful. But, is it really beauty?<br />
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There's a lot of discussion in Christian circles about clothing too, and about modesty. However, I find there's very little discussion about beauty, and yet the Bible clearly relates beauty to clothing. The priests in the Old Testament had a very special function, and God wanted them looking their best. The priests' clothes were beautiful by God's standards, just like the rest of the tabernacle. <br />
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The Bible calls those who are saved priests in Revelation 1:6. It also calls us kings in the same verse. Kings and royalty dress beautifully too! The priests were to be dressed in beautiful garments in the Old Testament. Has God changed? No. God still wants His children to look beautiful. The problem is that culture has defined beauty as something it is not. <br />
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We need to be careful that our emphasis on modesty is not just about being covered, but also about being beautiful. Not beautiful on our terms, but on God's terms. God has created us to enjoy and appreciate true beauty. I think one of the greatest lessons in beauty is to look at Creation. Think of a rainbow, the trees in the fall, the ocean. God created all these things and they are beautiful. Colour is beautiful. Order is beautiful. God is not the author of confusion, but of order. These principles can be applied to our clothing too.<br />
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The more we learn about God and His character, the more we will understand what He views as beautiful. God's beauty should transcend all aspects of our lives. I have chosen to apply it today a little to modesty, because I believe we spend a lot of time trying to define modesty, and we neglect to appreciate that God wants us to be beautiful too! Don't let the world define beauty for you. Let God define it. Get into the Scriptures. Learn about God. Who He is. What He loves. And what He calls beautiful. Then let your life reflect His beauty in you. Not just in how you look, but in how you act, speak, and think too! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-9237205438950743982013-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:002013-10-21T08:00:08.943-04:00Time for an UpdateI definitely think it's time for an update! I've let my blog go for so long, I'm not even sure if anyone reads it anymore :P. I hope you do! <div>
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The biggest change that has happened in my life recently was... GETTING MARRIED! Kendall and I were married on July 13 in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and I am truly thankful. </div>
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So, my single days are over... forever! I will be honest, part of me misses that life, but I'm super excited about what the future has for Kendall and I. I guess I'll have to update my "About me" page and take out all the references to being single.. LOL. I am very thankful for God allowing me to be married when I was 31 years old. I lived ten years on my own after graduation from college, and I have gained so many valuable experiences through that time. Many times I was lonely and I honestly thought I'd never get married! Every single person thinks that. But, I was OK with that! I knew God had the perfect plan for me, and I would highly recommend to all my single readers that you ENJOY that stage of life. I wouldn't go back and change it! I think I'll do a post soon about what I learned by being single for 10 years :).</div>
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I'm still busy at work. My music Academy continues to grow. God has blessed me again this year with good teachers and lots of business. </div>
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Church is good :). Kendall has been a great blessing to our church. He jumped in with both feet and has been helping here so much. He and I have started teaching a combined Sunday School class to the children. We sing, teach a Bible lesson, and do Scripture memory each week. It's been lots of fun. We've had several visitors to the church over the last several months, and we are praying for the salvation of some of them, and that God would see fit to add more people to our church. </div>
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Here's a pic from our wedding :). </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-44220192303169952092013-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:002013-10-18T08:00:02.643-04:00The REAL PurposeGod has a purpose for your life!<br />
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It sounds cliche, but there is some truth to it. However, when I speak to people who call themselves Christians, I often find that the "purpose" that they believe God has for them is far from what the Bible teaches. A lot of churches today preach this in a self-centred way. God has a purpose for YOU! God desires fellowship with YOU! God loves YOU, and there's nothing you can do that will change that! God is seeking YOU! God is pursuing YOU! To the person sitting in the pew (or chair) it becomes all about ME. You have worth. You have value to God. You are special. Is that what the Bible teaches?<br />
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I think the most dangerous thing about this sort of message is that it does have SOME truth to it. That's why it's so deceiving. The truth is that God does have a purpose for you. God does love you. But God is not about YOU! God is about GOD!! <br />
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Our perspective of God is so dismal today. Many view God as the magical fix to all their problems and woes. He's not. He is God! The Creator of the Universe! He is holy, perfect, righteous, and just. Before God, all our goodness becomes and filthy rags. When Isaiah saw the Holy, Lord God of heaven he fell on his face and cried out... <i>"Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips..." </i>(Is. 6:5). Isaiah's vision of God immediately revealed his own sin. <br />
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What is God's purpose for us? <br />
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<b>1. That sinners be saved. </b>Repentance and faith is another message sadly lacking in the church today. That's because it deals with things we don't want to confront. It deals with sin, and sin offends. Churches would rather preach a loving, gentle, kind, God that has a wonderful plan for your life; than to offend someone by pointing out their sin. The truth is, you will never know God's purpose for you until you come to Him totally empty of yourself and put your complete faith and trust in His forgiveness for sin. God IS loving, gentle, and kind. He is also holy and just and will punish sin. But, God is merciful and waiting to forgive. I fear many souls have been lost because no one has been brave enough to present BOTH sides of God. His vast mercy AND His righteous judgement.<br />
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<b>2. That Christians tell the lost of salvation. </b>Once you have placed your faith and trust in Christ for salvation, God's purpose for you is simple. Preach the gospel. Tell others. Be a witness. Many Christians are busy today being involved in church, teaching Sunday school, leading worship, having Bible studies, singing specials, cleaning the church, etc. They are busy, but the reality is, they haven't witnessed to one person in years! I know this is true, because was that person. I was busy in church. I served in full time ministry. I played the piano, sang in the choir, worked on the bus, was at church every time the doors were open! But, I didn't witness. I didn't pass out a single tract. I was just busy. I still struggle with this! It's easy to be busy, because being busy makes it look like you are being a good Christian. <br />
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God does have a purpose for you. He wants you to be saved, and He wants you to tell others how to be saved. I think a lot of Christians are not doing this, because if they were, I'd be getting more tracts in my mailbox. I'd be seeing them out on the streets preaching. I'd meet them witnessing at the park. Jesus' last words to His disciples sums it all up. <i>"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: <b>and ye shall be witnesses unto me</b> both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. </i>Acts 1:8.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-28481103589495969372013-06-14T14:12:00.000-04:002013-06-14T14:12:00.927-04:00What Kind of Christian Are You?I ask this question of myself frequently. Usually the answer is, "...a pretty pathetic one."<br />
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It seems like whenever I feel like I'm just getting to the point where I'm really focusing on the Lord, and I'm really getting a lot out of my Bible reading, and I'm praying, and all my ducks are in a row, so to speak, the Holy Spirit tugs at my heart and says, "... but what about THIS area" or "... what about THAT thing I want you to do." Oh yeah... there's always something else isn't there.<br />
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The truth is, the Christian life is one of constant growth and learning. We will never "arrive" at the place where we have "made it" as a Christian. Where everything is perfect. If we got to that place, we'd be dead and in heaven. It can be discouraging at times to think we'll never get to the point where we are the perfect Christian, or even the best Christian, but it's not God's intention that that should discourage us. Instead, we should be motivated by the fact that it's possible never to stop growing closer to God. Isn't that a great thought? But, I think some Christians do get discouraged and give up trying to become better people, because it's hard.<br />
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Here's something I've been thinking about recently. What's wrong with trying to be better? I've had a lot of people put a guilt trip on me because I try to have a higher standard for my life. I don't get that at all! Shouldn't we want to be better people as Christians? Shouldn't we want to sin less? Shouldn't we want to be good, righteous, holy, and pure? I really don't understand this idea of trying to justify ourselves in our sin.<br />
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The justification goes something like this, "Well, we're all on different levels in our spiritual journey, so we can't judge each other." Ok, I get that different levels thing, but why is it that this excuse (it really is an excuse) is always thrown out when someone is confronted with sin? Don't you want to know if you are sinning, so you can stop? Sometimes Christians justify themselves this way, "Maybe it's wrong for you, but the Holy Spirit hasn't convicted me of that yet, so it's okay for me." I don't buy that one either. I think that if a Christian has a conviction we should never make an excuse for not having that conviction ourselves. Instead, I think we would do well to go to the Scripture and search out the conviction to see if it's an area we need to change in our own lives. <br />
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I think many Christians are content and complacent when it comes to spiritual growth. I also think that many Christians view spiritual growth as some warm, fuzzy feeling and if I have a good feeling I must be in the right place spiritually. Meanwhile, the practical day to day areas of their lives are a mess. Why are we so scared to confront sin? We ignore our own sin and the sin of others. In today's Christian culture, a preacher who stand in a pulpit and says something like, "Drinking alcohol is wrong! It's sin!" is immediately labelled as legalistic and adding "rules" to Scripture. I mean, heaven forbid we add a rule to the Bible! Oh wait... didn't Jesus say, "If ye love me, keep my commandments"? And a commandment is....???<br />
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So, what kind of Christian are you? I'm not trying to label anyone, or determine what kind of Christian anyone else is. But, I think we ALL need to take a step back and evaluate our attitude toward sin and toward spiritual growth. Do we ever even think about the fact that we sin? What do we consider spiritual growth? Is it just a good feeling, or is it taking steps to remove sin from our lives and replace it with righteousness?<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-82786894570652709452013-06-12T14:10:00.000-04:002013-06-12T14:10:03.700-04:00Mixed MessagesThe following statement is from the website of a large church in my area. First, let me say, I am glad this church has a gospel presentation on their website. I've been on many church and Christian ministry websites that lacked even the simplest Gospel message. I find that strange. However, I also find something strange about this closing paragraph of this church's Gospel message. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 16px;">"It's really that simple! If you truly believe in the power of Christ's death to forgive your sin, and turn away from your sinful past, you'll be forgiven and restored and enjoy an eternal life with Jesus that begins today!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did you figure it out? I'm sure this church proclaims to believe salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. At least I think they do. There is no statement of faith on their website, but I'm familiar enough with it to say that they would believe salvation is by faith through Christ. That's why this paragraph puzzles me. There's an "and".... </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I quote: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"If you truly believe in the power of Christ's death to forgive your sin, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>AND</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> turn away from your sinful past, you'll be forgiven..."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wait!!! No where in the Bible does it say we must turn away from our sinful past to be forgiven. You can look it up. It's not there. The Bible says we must believe. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." </i>Acts 16:31</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Bible says we are saved by grace. <i>"For by grace are ye saved..." </i>Eph 2:8</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Bible says we must have faith. <i>"For by grace are ye saved, through faith..." </i>Eph 2:8</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Bible says we must call upon the name of the Lord. <i>"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." </i>Romans 10:13</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Bible says we must repent. <i>"... repent ye, and believe the gospel." </i>Mark 1:15</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But the Bible never says we must believe AND turn away from our sinful past to be saved. It's just believe. Salvation is not something I do, it's something Christ does. Salvation is my belief that Christ will forgive me when I put my faith and trust in Him. Salvation is to stop trusting in my own good works and trust only in the work of Christ on the cross. Salvation is not me trying to do better, or me trying to stop living in sin. John 3:16 is perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible, but it sums up salvation well.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-76004358933549537282013-03-18T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-18T08:00:19.156-04:00What it Takes to ForgiveSeveral years ago, I learned probably one of the greatest lessons of my Christian life up to this point. I learned to forgive. Now that may sound silly, since Christianity is based upon forgiveness. Jesus' death on the cross was for the forgiveness of sins. <i>In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace </i>(Eph. 1:7). I can only be a Christian, because I am forgiven.<br />
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We hear the story about when Peter asked Jesus how many times he was to forgive his brother. Peter picks what he thinks is probably a big number... seven times. Then Jesus says we are to forgive seventy times seven times! (Matt. 18:22). We think in our ultra-spiritual Christian minds, "Wow, Peter was such a carnal Christian. He only wanted to forgive seven times. I mean, I would forgive 490 times no problem, because that's just what Jesus wants us to do." We sort of feel better than Peter, because we never asked such a silly question of the Lord.<br />
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But how many times do we really forgive? How many times have we been hurt and we haven't forgiven? It wasn't my fault, so why should I be the first to forgive? How many times have we been treated so badly emotionally or physically by someone, and had to forgive them? <br />
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I think a lot of Christians don't really and truly understand forgiveness, because we have never been faced with a situation where we didn't want to forgive. I learned to forgive when I had to forgive even though I didn't want to. It was hard. Every part of my flesh rebelled against forgiving. I had been hurt. It wasn't my fault. Why should I have to forgive. I wanted to be bitter, angry, even vengeful. I wanted to hold what that person did against them. I felt that they should have to pay for what they did. The only problem, is that none of those responses or feelings are very Christian. I learned that forgiveness requires compassion. I think it's easy to SAY we would forgive someone, but it's harder to actually do it. It takes compassion, mercy, and grace to forgive. If I don't have compassion for someone, I will find it very hard to forgive them. Maybe that's why Peter only wanted to forgive seven times. He knew how hard it was! <br />
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Honestly, I didn't have a whole lot of compassion for the person that I needed to forgive. That was one of the things I learned through the process of forgiving. I need more compassion. I never forgave that person because I felt compassion or mercy towards them. If I had waited for those feelings to come, I probably still wouldn't have forgiven them to this day! I forgave them because I knew it was what God wanted me to do. That was the bottom line. I knew I couldn't disobey God, and I knew that if I didn't forgive, I would be living in rebellion towards God and His Word.<br />
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I've seen Christians who don't forgive. It's sad. I know we can't fully know a persons heart or motives, but the truth is, attitudes display themselves in actions. An unforgiving person may show attitudes of bitterness, negativity, and pride. They don't treat others with compassion. Instead, they condemn them. Forgiveness is so simple, yet it's so hard. I am thankful for the situations that God allowed in my life to teach me to forgive. I'm even more glad that I made the right choice and forgave, even though I didn't want to. In the end it was worth it. When I came to the point that I forgave, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. I felt peace. I wasn't bitter, angry, or hurt at all. I could go on with my normal life and know that I was doing what was right. It was a really good feeling! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-28431381930308567372013-02-25T09:30:00.000-05:002013-02-25T09:30:01.633-05:00What Would You Give Up?<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.</i></div>
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We live in a day in age where Christians want to emphasize grace. We are saved by grace, we live by grace, we are the church in the age of grace, we need to extend grace, and so on. However, a lot of times, grace is being confused with licence. Of course, a person is saved by grace, but grace does not give us a reason or an excuse to sin.</div>
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I find it so interesting that in this passage in I Corinthians 8 Paul deals with something that many people would call a "grace" issue. In fact, he deals with something that is not even wrong to do! Eating meat. There's nothing wrong with eating meat. What made it wrong was the fact that other Christians were offended by the action. We don't have the problem of eating meat offered to idols in 21st century North America, but there're so many amazing principles in this passage that we can apply directly to similar situations today. </div>
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Some Christians think as long as you don't smoke, swear, chew, or run with those who do, you're fine. We pride ourselves in the fact that we don't commit the "big" sins. Paul dealt with a lot of BIG sins in the church in Corinth. He dealt with fornication. It was a sin so bad, that he said even the Gentiles (unsaved people) wouldn't have done it! He dealt with taking fellow Christians to court. He dealt with the carousing going on at the Lord's Supper. Those are some pretty big deals! And then in I Corinthians 8, we get a teaching on how to deal with things that aren't sin. How does this even warrant mention in this letter when so much horrible other stuff was going on at this church?</div>
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So, what was the big deal about eating the meat offered to idols? Why did Paul need to correct the church in this area? First of all, I think this shows that with God, there is no such thing as "big" sin and "little" sin. Sin is sin in the eyes of God, and He hates all of it. God hated the offence caused by eating the meat just as much as He hated the sacrilege going on at the Lord's table.</div>
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We already know it wasn't eating the meat that was the problem in this situation. Paul states in verse 8 that, <i>...meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. </i>Basically, eating meat has nothing to do with making us a better or worse Christian. It was the fact that eating the meat could cause an offence or a stumbling block to another brother or sister in the Lord that was the issue. Obviously, this issue of causing offence was something Paul took very seriously. How do we know he took it seriously? The opening verse I quoted states that Paul was willing never to eat meat again for the rest of his life rather than to cause someone to offend. Wow! Personally, I think that's pretty extreme. Would I be willing to give up something that's not even wrong, just because a fellow Christian was offended by it? Paul was willing to give up something as simple and basic as eating meat. </div>
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In the culture of today that is so me-centred it makes me wonder what would we be willing to give up in order to help someone else? Really, that's what Paul's motivation was here. He wanted to help his brothers and sisters in the Lord. He wanted to be a good example to them. What non-sinful things would I be willing to give up? It's a very sobering thought. We should want to give up things that are sinful, but giving up something that isn't sinful almost seems ridiculous. It wasn't ridiculous to Paul though. In fact, to Paul, giving up eating meat was essential. </div>
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I like eating meat... a lot. Maybe Paul did too. We don't know. Maybe at some point, God is going to want us to give up something we like, so that we don't cause another brother or sister to stumble. The question is, will we be willing to give that thing up?</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-80623300592249421802013-02-04T09:00:00.000-05:002013-02-04T09:00:04.627-05:00A Charitable SpiritThe girls Sunday School class at my church has been doing a study on Charity over the last several months. My Mom and I take turns with teaching the class. <br />
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Many people talk about love today. Christians talk about how God is love. How God loves us so much. How God just wants us to love people. We should love, because He loves us. Love, love, love. It's all warm and fuzzy and wonderful and nice. <br />
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In comparison, I don't hear as much talk about Charity. I wonder why that is? <br />
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It's easy to love. It's easy to talk about love. It's easy to feel something. It's harder to do, and charity is ALL about doing. Charity is really love in action. The study we are doing is teaching us that a charitable spirit must be a part of every aspect of our lives. That's hard, because that goes way beyond just talk and feeling!<br />
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I love how Jesus puts it in Matthew 23:23<br />
<i>Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay the tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and ye have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.</i><br />
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What Jesus is saying here, as that the Pharisees were wrong, not because they tithed, but because they kept the easy parts of the law and neglected the things that were harder. For me, having a charitable spirit ALL the time is much the same. It's easy to say I love someone, but it's more difficult to let that charity extend to every part of my life. <br />
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A charitable spirit is the opposite of selfishness. Charity always thinks of others and never thinks of self. Charity should be present in our actions, speech, interactions with people, and manners. We need to be charitable at home, at work, at school, and in public. I think the easiest way to practice having a charitable spirit is always to ask the question, "Is this what I want, or is this putting others before myself?"<br />
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I thought I would make a list of some ways to show charity day to day. I've included things that can apply to children, adults, married people, single people, and hopefully we can all find a way to be a bit more charitable this week. Feel free to comment and leave your own suggestions.<br />
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1. Hold the door for someone.<br />
2. Smile at the clerk in Wal-mart and say "thank you".<br />
3. Say "thank you" at the drive-thru when you order your coffee. Bonus: give the cashier a tract :)<br />
*I used to work at Tim Horton's and you would be surprised at how few people actually say thank you! And no one every gave me a tract.<br />
4. Don't have road rage! (this is a hard one for me)<br />
5. Sincerely, complement your boss on his/her outfit.<br />
6. Let the guy buying only one item go in front of you and your FULL cart at the grocery store.<br />
7. Say "good morning" to someone you pass on your daily walk around the block.<br />
8. Bring baked goods (or if you're like me and NEVER bake, Tim-bits) to work and share.<br />
9. Clean up the kitchen for your mom... without being asked.<br />
10. Do a chore in your house that normally belongs to someone else.<br />
11. Leave a bigger tip at the restaurant if the server was extra helpful. Bonus: TELL them they were a good server. BONUS, bonus: give them a tract and invite them to church.<br />
12. Just smile :)<br />
13. Talk to the person at work or at school that is quiet and shy and doesn't seem to have too may friends.<br />
14. Send a nice card to someone: friend, family, missionary. Tell them you are praying for them and then pray for them!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-17670201486147970002013-01-28T09:00:00.000-05:002013-01-28T09:00:11.003-05:00Church and the TruthI've looked at a lot of different church's websites. It doesn't take very long to realize that many churches today have forgotten the truth.<br />
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Churches boast about their youth ministries, ladies' meetings, men's fellowships, conferences, music, worship, building programs, Christian schools, camps... etc.<br />
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There might be a Bible verse somewhere on the website... maybe. But, I've been to many church websites that have zero Scripture on them.<br />
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That's sad.<br />
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What's the point of Christianity that doesn't have it's basis in Scripture? How can it even be Christian if it doesn't have Bible? Christian = follower of Christ... at least that's what it used to mean. And Christ is revealed in the Bible isn't He?<br />
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Today it seems like going to church means, sing, dance, fellowship, play games, laugh, collect an offering, listen to a man (and/or in many cases a woman) talk about how much"God loves you and has an amazing plan for your life", then go home feeling good about ourselves, because we've spent an hour in a building called a church. There is little mentioned about the truth.<br />
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That may be an extreme, but even if it's happening in a church on a smaller scale doesn't mean it's more okay. I think the typical north American way of doing church is a far cry from what Jesus and the disciples were doing in the New Testament. <br />
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It's funny how Jesus never commanded His disciples to build big churches, and yet today it seems church needs to be bigger and better. Jesus just told the disciples to go and preach (Matt 28:19-20). He never told them that if they had 3000 saved on the day of Pentecost then they would be successful. He never told them that as long as they had lots of people and lots of programs that they could be sure of His blessing on their ministry. Today churches measure their success in numbers. They claim the blessing of God, because of how many people attend the services. Churches like mine are seen as a failure, yet churches that have hundreds are seen as a success. But, God never said a big church was a sign of a good church. God never said that a you would know the true church because it would be the biggest church. In fact, the Bible teaches the opposite.<br />
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<i>Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, <b>and few</b> there be that find it </i>(Matt 7:14).<br />
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<i>From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him </i>(John 6:66)<br />
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Paul said in II Timothy 4:11 that only Luke remained with him. When Jesus was crucified the only disciple at the cross was John. In Acts 1 there were only 120 in the upper room. Paul started the church in Philippi with only two converts, Lydia and the jailer. All throughout the book of Acts, and in Paul's letters in the New Testament, there is never a reference to how many attended church. We have no idea what the size of any of the churches that Paul wrote to were. I wonder why that is? Maybe because it doesn't matter. <br />
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Regardless of whether a church is large or small, what matters is if that church has the truth. <br />
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<i>But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the <b>church</b> of the living God, the<b> pillar and ground of the truth </b></i>(I Timothy 3:15).<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-34506136650843921152013-01-21T08:30:00.000-05:002013-01-21T08:30:01.838-05:00Of What Worth is Our Testimony?I was recently challenged with the thought that it is not very humble (aka: it's proud) to presume my testimony as a Christian could be instrumental in the salvation of an unbeliever. The rational behind this thought was that no one is perfect, so we can't assume that our good conduct would lead someone closer to Christ. The thought continues with the idea that it's the Holy Spirit that ultimately brings someone to Christ, and it has nothing to do with my good or bad conduct as a believer.<br />
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Something about this idea doesn't sit right with me. I agree with the part that no one is perfect. Obviously, that's true, but the idea that it's proud to assume a good testimony will help leading someone to Christ makes no sense to me. How is that pride? How is it proud to desire to live in a way that displays that Christ has control of my life? How is it not humble to try and use my personal conduct as a witnessing tool? How is it proud to want people not to see me in how I live, but to see Christ? To me this kind of thinking is nothing more than trying to justify living in an unholy way. If my testimony doesn't matter then I can just live how ever I like. Who cares? I'll do what I please, when I please, and there's no consequences for sin, because it doesn't matter.<br />
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I asked more questions. What does the Bible say about my testimony? Are there any commands given in the Bible that apply to my testimony? What IS my testimony? Does it matter to God if I have a testimony. Does it matter to God what other people think of me? Is there a specific verse in the Bible that says my personal testimony is responsible for winning someone to Christ? Is there a specific example of someone in the Bible who had a good testimony that was influential in bringing someone to Christ? Is there a specific example in the Bible of someone who had a bad testimony, and thus, turned people away from Christ? Does it matter how I live, or can I just do what I want without it either hindering or helping the cause of Christ? I think these are all good questions for any Christian to ask. In fact, I think too many Christians today DON'T take their testimony seriously enough. <br />
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I understand that salvation is by grace through faith, and that it is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, His death and resurrection, that saves people. I don't save people. However, as believers, we are the ones God has chosen as the witnesses of salvation (Acts 1:8). God could have chosen another way to have the message of salvation proclaimed to all men, but He didn't. In light of the fact that God choose us to proclaim the gospel, it seems that a personal testimony is important, and that it could be influential in winning someone to Christ. I also understand that God will use His children in spite of their sinfulness. Peter denied the Lord, David committed adultery and murder, and Paul had a huge disagreement with Barnabas. God still used each of these men despite the fact they did terrible things. I'm not advocating some kind of sinless perfection here. What I am advocating is that the way we live does have an effect on others. God used David, Peter, and Paul because He's God and He can do anything. But how many times have you heard the statement like this. "I know someone who says he's a Christian and if THAT is how Christians act I would NEVER want to be one." Hmmm... our lives do effect others.<br />
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I find this verse in II Corinthians 3:2 interesting. "<i>Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, </i><b style="font-style: italic;">known and read of all men."</b> (emphasis mine). Paul says in this verse that the lives of the Corinthians were like letters (epistles) and that they were known and read of all men. Not just a few men, but all men. We will be known to those around us. There's a lot of emphasis in the New Testament put on personal, practical, everyday living. I've encountered a lot of Christians who try to ignore this, but if you read the Bible you simply can't get away from it. At least, I certainly notice it when I read the Bible. Consider these verses.<br />
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<i>Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. </i>Ephesians 4:29<br />
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<i>Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. </i>I Timothy 4:12<br />
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<i>For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. </i>Titus 2:11-12<br />
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What about a Biblical example of someone whose testimony was influential in leading someone else to Christ? The example that jumps immediately to my mind is Paul and Silas with the Philippian jailer. That jailer heard Paul and Silas singing praises to God at midnight. That was a good testimony. I'm sure what they sang had a part in bringing that man to Christ. What if Paul and Silas had complained? What if they were angry and bitter because of the unjust persecution? I wonder if that jailer would have had the same eagerness to know about Christ if Paul and Silas had spent the night bemoaning their situation? Probably not.<br />
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The Bible is clear. How we live is important, and God is concerned with our personal testimony. <br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">What do you think?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Do you value your personal testimony as important?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Do you think that a Christian's testimony could be a help or hinderance in leading an unbeliever to Christ?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Do you have an example from your life of when your testimony made a difference to someone coming to know the Lord?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Please share your thoughts and comments :).</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-59058482509076261202013-01-15T13:12:00.000-05:002013-01-15T13:12:31.039-05:00Why do we Do things that God Hates?I was thinking about some things the other day, and I thought, "Why do Christians do things that God hates?"<br />
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While I was thinking about this and about some Christians I know who have done things God hates, the thought hit me.<br />
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<i>Why do <b>I </b>do things that God hates?</i><br />
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It really saddens me when I see people who call themselves Christians blatantly and openly doing things that God hates. After all, we are the people who claim the name of Christ, but so often we grieve Him by our sin. That's why it is important how we live.<br />
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Whatever the reason is that other Christians sin, there's ultimately not much I can do about that. I can pray for them, but the only person that I can truly and effectively change is myself. I hate the fact that Christians sin. I realize that may be a strong opinion, but I really do hate it. I hate the fact that I sin. I hate it, because it hurts me, it hurts other people, and ultimately it hurts the cause of Christ. <br />
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I think we ignore sin too much. I think we make excuses for it too often. I know I do. Why else would I do something that displeases God? I think we forget Who God really is. He has done so much for us. Why would we want to hurt Him? I think we forget what Christ had to pay for our salvation. He gave EVERYTHING for us. He sacrificed EVERYTHING. <br />
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If we are going to truly live in a way that we don't do things that God hates, we are going to have to sacrifice some of our wants. We will have to give things up that we like. The truth is that we sometimes like our sin, but God always hates sin. We live in a materialistic world that says to sacrifice is to hurt yourself. Yet, God's way says sacrifice is where blessings really come from. Sadly, too often we refuse to sacrifice a temporal desire, and we do those things that God hates to satisfy an earthly lust. Meanwhile, we have just sacrificed a heavenly reward. Which one is better? The temporal lust or the eternal reward? <br />
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<i>He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. </i>I John 2:6<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-61572379827649491742013-01-13T18:00:00.000-05:002013-01-15T13:10:37.352-05:00My Poor, Sadly Neglected BlogYes, it's been quite neglected the last little while. Although, I keep having these thoughts of...<br />
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"Oh, I should blog that" ...or<br />
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"I really need to write about this" ... or<br />
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"That's a good Bible verse. I should put it on my blog"<br />
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But, I haven't. We'll see if this attempt at getting it started up again amounts to anything.<br />
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I do enjoy writing. I've missed writing. But, writing is time consuming. Time is a precious commodity. Although, I tend to waste a lot of it playing Scrabble on facebook :P. Oh, and there's Pinterest now too. So, you see where my blogging time has been spent... haha!<br />
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Now for a brief update:<br />
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1. For the first time in 30 years, I spent Christmas away from my family! Where did I go? See #2.<br />
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2. I'm ENGAGED! Christmas was spent in Tennessee meeting my fiancée's family for the first time. <br />
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3. My music studio continues to grow. God is good, and I am blessed with good employees and clients.<br />
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4. My church moved into a different building. It's been up and down still with church, but God is faithful and He's provided every step of the way. One great blessing is that my pastor's grandson has been here the last several months helping in the ministry. <br />
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5. Not much has changed with my car or house. My house has a new roof, but it still lacks baseboards. Maybe before I get married???????????<br />
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6. I didn't make any New Year's resolutions this year.<br />
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7. I've been trying to exercise. This is NOT a New Year's resolution. I started before New Year's, but sadly failed over Christmas holidays. <br />
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8. I bought a Coach purse. First one I've ever had.<br />
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9. I went on an awesome vacation to British Columbia and Alberta this past summer. So much fun!!!!<br />
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10. God continues to give me blessings way beyond what I deserve. I'm excited for the new adventures ahead. There's going to be lots of big, life changes this year with getting married! I am thankful for a faithful God and for my many, MANY blessings He gives me every day.<br />
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Hopefully you'll see more of me on here in the coming months. I really want to get back to writing again. It's a good way for me to organize my sometimes extremely overactive brain!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-14055360006034817392012-10-22T08:00:00.000-04:002012-10-22T08:00:14.282-04:00Sin<div style="text-align: center;">
"Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay."</div>
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Our Sunday school lesson this past Sunday was on sin. One of the things that jumped out to me was the point that there is a flippant attitude towards sin these days. I know I have been guilty of that. Many times we just go ahead and do, say, and/or think things without ever even giving a thought to whether or not it is sinful. It's like sin isn't even on our radar. It's not important to us whether or not what we are doing is sinful. That's not a good way for a Christian to behave. </div>
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The Bible talks a lot about sin. Sin is a monumental problem. The world is full of sin. Sin is a problem for Christians too. We are new creatures in Christ (I Cor. 5:17), but the old sinful nature is still present in us. We studied Romans 6 in Sunday school. Paul goes in to great detail in Romans 6 and 7 about the conflict in us once we are saved. </div>
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Another thing that I found encouraging about the Sunday school lesson was the statement that as Christians we now have the poser to say NO to sin. Before we were saved we didn't have that power. We may have wanted to say no, but we couldn't. Being saved means that we have power over sin, but it's still a choice we make. We choose to let the Holy Spirit work in us to defeat sin, or we choose not to let Him work. This is huge. The more I read the Bible, the more I see this teaching everywhere. Literally, it's everywhere, especially in the New Testament. God's Word is full of encouragement for us not to allow sin in our lives, and it gives us ways to do that. Philippians 4:8 is a great example. It tells us things we should be thinking about, and if we are thinking about these good things, we won't be thinking about sin.</div>
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Asking yourself the question if something is right or wrong is good. But, asking whether or not something is sin or righteousness brings a whole new perspective. The opposite of sin is righteousness. The Bible tells us that if we hunger and thirst after righteousness we will be filled. Matthew 5:6. When I think of something being wrong, obviously I think it's bad, wicked, etc. But, when I think of the word sin, it almost strikes a fear in me. Sin is serious. Sin is so serious that it cost Jesus Christ His life. That's a reality that I don't think has set in for a lot of people who claim to be Christians. If it was a reality to them, I think they would be trying harder not to sin. Sin also feels so vile and dirty. When I think of sin, I am repulsed. I don't want to be in sin. I want to be as far away from it as possible.</div>
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The truth is that we all sin. We all need forgiveness in Christ. But, even when we accept Christ as Saviour and are forgiven, we will still sin. We shouldn't let that fact discourage us, but instead, it should strengthen our resolve and determination to take steps that will keep us from sin. Another quote goes like this speaking of the Bible, "Sin will keep you from this Book, and this Book will keep you from sin." This is so true. I've found that the when I don't make time to read my Bible on a daily basis I'm more likely not to be bothered by sin. When I am reading my Bible I am bothered by sin, and thus, more likely to deal with that sin and keep my relationship with the Lord right.</div>
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There are only two choices... sin or righteousness. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-45889080062686798312012-10-17T10:30:00.000-04:002012-10-17T10:30:02.596-04:00The New Testament ChurchThe Book of Acts is an exciting book! Jesus had rose and ascended. The Holy Spirit had been given. Thousands of people were getting saved and baptized. The church was on fire! The apostles were evangelizing everywhere, and even the threat against their lives wouldn't stop them from preaching Christ. It would have been awesome to have lived back then. <br />
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The New Testament church is still an exciting thing today, but I fear that many churches that would consider themselves New Testament are anything but! There's a lot of things that go on in so-called "New Testament" churches today that certainly didn't happen in Acts. So the question is, what makes a New Testament church a New Testament church? <br />
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Acts tells us lots and lots of things that the early church did. They preached, they fellowshipped, they continued in the apostles doctrine, they broke bread. Acts gives us a pattern for the church to follow. I understand times change. In many people's minds this justifies changing the church too, but I'm not so sure it does. Change can be good, but it can also be bad. For change to be good it MUST not go against the teachings of Scripture. Remember the Bible says, <i>Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and forever </i>(Heb. 13:8). He doesn't change. I also understand that a pattern doesn't necessarily mean an exact replica. It's nearly impossible in this day and age to exactly copy the early church in Acts. I really don't see us getting rid of our cell phones, meeting in houses, and wearing long robes just so we can be like the New Testament Christians. That's not what I'm talking about at all.<br />
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Contemporary culture has dramatically changed the face of the church. I'm sure the culture of the early church influenced them too. The fact that most churches have a Sunday morning service around 11am is a cultural thing, and there's nothing unbiblical about that. But, the question is, where does the line get drawn when allowing culture into the church? Does culture ever contradict Scripture? Thankfully, we can answer those questions because we have that pattern in Acts! People want to throw the pattern away, because they say times have changed! Hmmm.... I don't ever remember reading in the Bible that when times changed it was okay to throw away the pattern? Nope... pretty sure that's not there. <br />
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The pattern in Acts was simple. Preaching and teaching were the priority. Even a quick read through of the Book of Acts will reveal a major emphasis on preaching Christ. Everywhere the apostles went they preached. Peter preached, Paul preached, Stephen preached. They preached all the time, not just on Sunday. They didn't preach feel good, self help sermons either. They preached hard! <i>Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ </i>(Acts 2:36). Did you catch it? Peter accuses the crowd he is preaching to of crucifying Jesus. He said, "YOU DID IT. You killed Jesus." He didn't sugar coat it. He stated it bluntly. Then he repeats the same thing again in Acts 4:10. Think about it for a minute. If this crowd was the same crowd that killed Jesus, what was to stop them from crucifying Peter too? Peter took a huge risk in making that accusation. He risked his very life! I don't imagine the crowd was too happy with being told that. I daresay there's not a lot of preachers like that around today! Most pastors are too concerned with what people think of them to say anything that inflammatory. A lot of Christians are so afraid of "judging" that they won't stand up for a simple truth! The "judge not" attitude has made us wimps. Someone once said "If you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything." I even read a blog by a young pastor that stated that a pastor should avoid preaching controversial things from the pulpit like marriage and divorce and such. I don't think he and Peter would have gotten along very well.<br />
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The Christians in Acts preached Christ, but they also taught doctrine. The gospel was the foundation, but after that there was more. Paul's letters are loaded with doctrine... LOADED! He frequently taught the believers from the Old Testament. Today we have the wonderful privilege of knowing that Paul's preserved writings are Holy Spirit inspired Scripture. More doctrine. We are blessed to have so much of the Apostle's doctrine preserved for us in the New Testament. Yet, I've been in church services where only a verse of Scripture was read and then the preacher proceeded to tell jokes and stories for the rest of the time. I don't think Paul would be impressed. I don't think the early Christians would have been either. They hungered for the Word. They were well grounded, well taught, Christians who knew what they believed and why. They were people that stood for something. I've talked to a lot of Christians and many times when I ask them about their beliefs they have no idea why they believe them. That's sad. <br />
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In many churches today that are supposedly patterned after the New Testament, I find an astonishing lack of doctrine. They have Beth Moore women's studies, Mark Driscoll men's studies, Fireproof marriage seminars, and any and every other popular evangelical teacher. Remember, the early Christians weren't just learning doctrine from whoever, they were learning directly from the Apostles; those who had been with Jesus. God's plan was that the Apostles would teach His doctrine, and that He would record that for us today in the Scripture. Bible teachers are good, but the truth is that most Bible studies today fall FAR short of the Apostle's doctrine. They have elements of truth, but when they are compared with Scripture they also have error. They may teach some biblical principles, but they also promote the opinion of the author. How do I know this? I've read them, and I've compared them to the Bible. Maybe I should be glad people want to use Beth Moore materials, but what Beth Moore says isn't important. What Beth Moore says about the Bible is! Sadly, Beth Moore says things that just aren't biblical. She may say some good and true things, but why use someone's study that mixes truth with error? That is confusion, and God is not the author of confusion.<br />
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What are so-called "New Testament" churches emphasizing today? We would be wise to ask ourselves that question, and then discern if our church is really emphasizing what the New Testament church did. Do our churches preach Christ and the gospel? Do they emphasize studying the Bible itself or "Bible studies"? What's the most important part of our church service? Is it the music? Is it the offering? Is it the charismatic personality and theological knowledge of the preacher? Is the service ritual? Is it emotional? Is it intellectual? What's really being exalted? What's really being patterned? When you come to church do you expect that more time will be spent reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture or is it a time to dance to music, socialize with friends, and hear a talk that will make you feel better? <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-89170196701841453052012-10-12T14:36:00.003-04:002012-10-12T14:36:57.547-04:00Thanksgiving ~ A week lateI really am thankful... even though I'm writing my post a week after the holiday. That is unless you are reading from the USA, in which case I'm still about six weeks early :).<br />
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I'm thankful for a lot, and I have a lot to be thankful for. On Thanksgiving Sunday, my pastor made a statement in his sermon that really stuck out to me. He said "Thoughtlessness destroys Thankfulness." I thought that was good. He read a passage from Deuteronomy 8, where it talks about Israel being in the Promised Land, becoming full and wealthy and blessed by God, but then forgetting about God. <br />
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We live in a society that has so much! I have so much! I have a house, a car, a fridge, a stove, indoor plumbing, <strike>to many</strike> a lot of clothes, food, heat, furniture, books, cleaning supplies, kleenex, shoes, money, and the list could go on. Not to mention a business, freedom, accessibility to whatever I need whenever I need it, family, and the list could STILL go on! We (and I include myself in that) are very prone to becoming forgetful. It's so easy for us in Canada. SO EASY! All we need to do is pick up the phone and we can have a hot meal delivered right to our house. In some countries people don't even know when they will get their next meal! <br />
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And yet we complain. We complain that the pizza delivery guy is slow. We complain about line-ups in Wal mart. We complain that we have to pay so much to have the oil changed in our car. We complain about taxes. We complain about the weather (at least we don't have to sleep outside in it)! We are dissatisfied, and yet we have so much. <br />
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Earlier this year post-secondary students in Quebec protested for weeks about the government's plan to increase tuition. Quebec already has the lowest tuition rates in the country. Students rallied, demanded, and finally got their way. They would walk through the streets banging on pots and pans. Most of the protests were peaceful, but some were not. This just proves how UNTHANKFUL our society is! These young people felt entitled to what THEY wanted. Was it unfair for the government to increase tuition? Maybe. But, maybe they should have just stopped for a minute and realized the amazing privilege they have of even attending university. There are hundreds of thousands and maybe even millions of young people all over the world who would give everything just for that chance! I think it would have benefited these students greatly to spend a few months in a third world country like Haiti. Maybe then they would be more appreciative of what they had. <br />
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We need to be thankful. We ought to be thankful. Not just at Thanksgiving, but all throughout the year. We have SO much!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-21120377354939114302012-09-22T17:09:00.000-04:002012-09-22T17:09:36.547-04:00I Was Home Schooled! And Lived To Tell the StoryAs soon as you mention "home school" to some people you get the "look." You know the ok-what's-wrong-with-you???" look. People get really weirded out by the fact that you were a home schooler. Or the get really condescending. Or they just pity you for missing out on all the wonderful experiences of public school.... Yeah, I totally missed out when those bullies were pushing kids around the playground every recess :P. I feel so deprived!!!! My childhood was incomplete, because I never had my lunch money stolen!!!!<br />
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OK. I'll try to rein in my sarcasm. LOL. I know public school isn't all about bullies. It's about recess too! <br />
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Disclaimer: At this point I just want to say that I'm not a public school hater. If you go to public school, I won't do you the disservice of stereotyping you, because I know how that feels. Not every kid that goes to public school turns out bad (I know some home schoolers actually think that). While I would never, ever in a million years send my kids to a public school, I believe that every parent should have the choice of how their child is educated. That choice is only the parent's choice and no one else's. But if you ask me, I'm going to say home schooling is the best option for education. Just my opinion :).<br />
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Now that I've taken care of that... There's a lot of stereotypes surrounding home schoolers. I remember my friends asking me if I got to do school in my pyjamas all day. That's right, I just said friends. I actually had some despite that fact that it is well known home schoolers are terribly socially deprived. I guess I didn't fit that stereotype. Sorry if that disappoints anyone. Oh, and I NEVER once got to stay in my PJ's to do school :P. <br />
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There's the idea that home schoolers don't get a real education, that they don't have the same opportunities for sports and extra-cirriculars that public school kids have, and that they never learn proper social skills. There's a mentality that if you home school your kids you are setting them up for social failure, and that they will never learn how to function in the "real world." Question: who decides what the "real world" is anyways?? I never was quite sure what that meant?<br />
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I spent four years in public school: kindergarten to grade 3. I didn't much enjoy public school. I found it boring. I got teased. I never got sent to the principles office. I got straight A's. I had friends. My Mom wouldn't allow me to go on the field trip to watch a stage production of Grease. The boys tried to kiss me EVERY recess. I told the teacher, but she didn't do anything. I told my Mom and she told me to tell them she would spank them with her wooden spoon if they kept chasing me. I tried telling them that, but they just laughed and kept chasing me. I liked winter, because I could pull my toque over my face and then they couldn't kiss me. Once, a kid in the grade above me dared me to stick my tongue to a metal pole in the play ground in the winter. I tried it, but only just put the very tip of my tongue on the pole and then took it right off. I ripped a few of my taste buds off, but it wasn't too terrible. My friend wasn't so lucky. I remember watching the teacher pour warm water on her tongue for what seemed like hours before it came off!<br />
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Home school on the other hand was much different. I never got teased. I still got straight A's. I had friends. I didn't have to worry about feeling left out, because I wasn't allowed to go on the field trip. No boys every tried to chase me and kiss me! What a relief! Besides that, my school work actually challenged me rather than boring me. Of course, there was still some stuff that was boring. There was a lot of stuff I didn't like to do too. Math got hard. Sitting at my desk all day wasn't that much fun at times. Home schooling wasn't all perfect, but it was a much better alternative! I usually finished my work by lunch time. I got long recesses in the afternoon. I never had homework after supper. I got days off to go to piano lessons. We went on field trips. I even finished high school in three years and graduated at 17. That was awesome!<br />
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I'd like to think of myself, along with my brother and sister, as living proof that home schooling can be successful. All three of us went on to get post secondary education. My brother is a heavy equipment mechanic. My sister is a stay-at-home Mom. I own and operate my own business that employs myself and 7 other people. We all home schooled. We are able to function in society. We actually have pretty good social skills. We know how to talk to people! We've all made it in the "real world." I graduated from home school thirteen years ago, and I've never been without a job. I have a house, a car, and a business. Imagine that! And so many people believe home schoolers will never make it in the "real world." Here's another thing. I don't feel like I've missed out on anything by home schooling. I've had so many amazing life experiences that I never would have had if I had been in school. I've gotten to go places and do things and learn things just as much, if not more than, a kid in public school. I went to Europe when I was 16. I was able to work part time jobs when I was a teenager, because I could be flexible with when I did my school work. I had much more time to practice piano and get my Grade 8 RCM certificate. <br />
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So, if you're a home schooler ignore the stereotypes. There's nothing wrong with you just because you do school at your kitchen table instead of in a classroom with 25 other people. If you're a home school parent, you might be getting a lot of criticism for your decision. Ignore it. You are making a good choice. Your child will not suffer at all! They won't miss out. You will be able to create opportunities for them that they never would have had in public school. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-34293039378667830172012-09-15T21:09:00.001-04:002012-09-22T17:09:51.078-04:00Some Verses<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.</i></div>
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<i>And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man at his tent door.</i></div>
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<i>And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.</i></div>
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<i>And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou has said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.</i></div>
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<i>Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me know thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.</i></div>
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Exodus 33:9-13</div>
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This passage was part of my Bible reading this morning. One of the things that I love about the Bible is the detail. The wording of the Scripture is so amazing sometimes. I believe that every word we have in the Bible was meant to be there. I also believe that God worded things certain ways very deliberately when He inspired the writers of His Word. For instance, verse 9 says that the cloudy pillar <i>stood</i> by the door of the tabernacle. I think that's so interesting. Why would it say the cloudy pillar stood? Then it says the people saw it <i>stand </i>at the tabernacle door. I just think it's fascinating that the cloudy pillar is described as standing. I also think it's fascinating that the presence of the cloudy pillar caused all the people to worship. I wonder why seeing the cloudy pillar caused people to worship? I wonder if God Himself was in that cloudy pillar?</div>
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Another interesting detail I find in these verses is how it describes Moses as God's friend, and also that God spoke with Moses face to face. How wonderful it must have been to have such an intimate familiarity with God. Wow! Then it says that God knew Moses by name, and that He told Moses that Moses had found grace in His sight! Imagine standing before God and God telling you you have grace in His sight! WOW! I know myself that I fail God in so many ways. I know there's SO much more I could be doing to serve the Lord. I struggle with sin and with living a consistent Christian life. And yet, Moses wasn't perfect either, but he came to a place of spiritual victory where he found grace in God's sight. I find it encouraging that if Moses could get there, it's possible for me to get there too. I also find it motivating. I WANT to find grace in God's sight. I want to be in that right relationship with Him, serving Him, living for Him, so that He can say that of me. </div>
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Another interesting detail is the fact that Moses came out of the tabernacle, but Joshua didn't. Joshua stayed in the holy place. I wonder what he did when he stayed? Maybe he was praying? Maybe he wanted to be close to the Lord? Maybe he just wanted to stay where God's presence was.</div>
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There's so much more in these verses, but the last thing I like is how Moses asks God to show him His way, and asks that he would know God. A few verses after this we see God placing Moses between the cleft in the rock and covering him with His hand. Then God passes by Moses and removes His hand so Moses can see His back. Moses had such a deep desire to see God. More than anything he wanted to be close to God. He wanted to be walking in God's way. He wanted find grace in God's sight. He wanted to know God. It's almost like the more time Moses spent with God, the more he wanted to be with Him. Moses had just spent forty days and nights on Mount Sinai with God while God wrote His law. Then he spoke with God in the cloudy pillar, but he wanted more. What an example to us of how much we should want to know God. And, I believe the same is true of us. The more time we spend with God, the more we will want to know God and spend time with Him. Moses was consumed with finding, following, and fellowshipping with God! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-42593711776784396482012-09-08T21:48:00.004-04:002012-09-22T17:10:01.111-04:00Staying FaithfulI'm so glad God is faithful! The Bible gives us many great promises of His faithfulness.<br />
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<i style="color: #660000;">God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord</i> (I Cor 1:9).<br />
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<i style="color: #660000;">Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it </i>(I Thess. 5:24)<br />
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<i style="color: #660000;">If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness </i>(I John 1:9)<br />
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Sometimes it becomes difficult to be a faithful Christian. Discouragement is very real, and we all struggle with it. I've seen a lot of Christians give in to the discouragement and quit. I've given in to it at times too. I don't think there's anything more discouraging than a discouraged Christian! Discouragement is a disease that pulls us down and causes us to become unfaithful to our Lord. I don't think any Christians wants to be unfaithful on purpose! We don't set out planning to let God down, but the struggle of the Christian life is very real.<br />
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I like to be optimistic. I like to look for the positive in things. I learned a long time ago that dwelling on the negative only makes me unhappy, discontent, and downright miserable. What's the point of going through life being sad all the time?? But, that doesn't change the fact that staying faithful to the Lord is still really hard! So, here are some things that have helped me and continue to help me stay faithful. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:15-29 teaches us a lot about faithfulness.<br />
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<u>1. God commands us to be faithful.</u><br />
God gave these servants the talents, and He expected them to do something with them. When God tells us to do something it's because He knows that is what is best for us. Following God's commands always brings peace, joy, and blessings to the Christian. What amazing benefits of staying faithful!<br />
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<u>2. God rewards faithfulness (Matt 25:21-23).</u><br />
I think it's pretty amazing that God actually gives us a reward for following Him! We let Him down so often, but not only does He forgive us when we ask, He allows us to continue to serve Him, and then He reward us for the things we do for Him! The servants were rewarded with ruling over cities.<br />
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<u>3. Faithfulness pleases God (Matt 25:21-23).</u><br />
Not only did God reward the faithful servants in this parable, but He said to them "Well done..." He was pleased with them that they had served Him. I think this is one of the greatest motivations for a Christian. Our whole lives should be about pleasing God. There's much teaching in the Scripture on this (Gal 1:9-10, Col 3:23, I Cor 10:31).<br />
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The truth is, there's a lot to be discouraged about sometimes, but that's not what God wants for us. He just wants us to be faithful. We have to come to the point where we accept that it doesn't matter if we have a big church, an influential ministry, a published book, the perfect marriage, a successful career, or whatever! God just wants us to be faithful. I've been in big churches and small churches. The grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence, but I can tell you from experience that it's just as hard to be faithful in a big church as it is in a small one. God's ways are so far above our ways. We may not understand why He does certain things in our lives, but we can always understand that He just wants us to be faithful.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-35038919438759289892012-09-07T21:22:00.002-04:002012-09-07T21:23:10.707-04:00"Christian" ActivismShould we or shouldn't we?<br />
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Should we protest?<br />
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Should we stand up for a cause?<br />
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Should we promote a "Christian" agenda publicly and vocally?<br />
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Should we protest the rights of the unborn child? The right to teach Creation in public schools? Traditional marriage between one man and one woman?<br />
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Is activism a calling of a Christian?<br />
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It's easy to become involved in activism. It's easy to become passionate about a cause, especially for Christians, because we feel strongly about these issues. Morality is being eroded by our society, government, and media. Someone has to stand up for these moral issues right?! <br />
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The things I've mentioned are very "hot button" topics today. I've seen more than one facebook argument ensue over a moral, Christian opinion someone has expressed in their status. It's not that I don't think we should be bold in sharing our stand on these types of issues, but sometimes I question the value of spending so much time "lobbying". Are we really making a difference, or are we missing the point?<br />
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A little over a year ago I posted a sermon my Pastor preached about Christians <a href="http://jessinthenearnorth.blogspot.ca/2011/07/should-christians-protest.html">protesting</a>. It's been one of the most viewed articles on my blog. In this sermon, my pastor shared what the Bible says about protesting. We could also call it activism. The truth is, you don't see a whole lot of this kind of thing going on in the Bible.<br />
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Is abortion wrong? Absolutely. Do we need Creationism taught in our public schools? Yes! Should we stand against same-sex marriage? I think so.<br />
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BUT...<br />
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I am convinced that no matter how many protests we rally, how many letters we write to our MPP's and MP's, or how many petitions we sign, these are only band-aids solutions for a wound that really needs reconstructive surgery. Our problem is not abortion, same-sex marriage, and/or evolution. The problem today is SIN.<br />
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And the solution is right in the Scriptures.<br />
<i>And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins... For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. </i>(Eph 2:1, 8; see also Romans 1).<br />
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Here's something I think is funny about Christians. We get on these kicks of supporting our "causes" and "issues", and it's like we do everything we can to avoid dealing with the CAUSE of the cause or issue. We'll attend fundraisers, prayer groups, rallies, protests, donate money, and a host of other things, but we won't pass out a gospel tract or witness to our neighbour! What good is our presence at a protest if we can't give out a gospel tract? A protest is never going to save a lost sinner, but preaching the gospel to them will!<br />
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Paul said that it is the GOSPEL that is the <i>...power of God </i>(Rom 1:16), not attending a pro-life fundraiser. II Corinthians 5:17 tells us that it's being <i>in Christ</i> that makes us a <i>new creature.</i> If we want to change our world, we need people's lives to be transformed by Christ! We don't just need a teacher who is allowed to teach Creation in high school. It's time to start doing that reconstructive surgery on the wound and stop applying the band-aids! Attending a rally against same-sex marriage isn't going to do one thing to make our society change it's views on that subject. You could post a facebook status every day condemning abortion, but it's not going to change a single thing!!! What changes people is CHRIST! What changes people is having their sins forgiven! <br />
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I believe that the devil uses these things to distract Christians from what's really important. The last thing Satan wants is for us to tell others about Christ, so if he can get us distracted from that he will. What's worse is that he uses a good cause to distract us, so we don't even realize half the time what we are doing! I never said that would shouldn't be against abortion or same-sex marriage. I think it's good and right to be against those things, because the Bible teaches us they are wrong. But, the Bible also teaches us that our calling is to tell others about Christ. Mark 16:15 doesn't say "Go ye into all the world and protest abortion, and then people will see that it's wrong, and then everyone will change, and then they will get saved."!!! <br />
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God's Word is clear. The world is lost, and it's getting worse and worse. The world doesn't need another protest or another fundraiser. The world needs Christ. When we start giving people Christ, HE will change their lives. That's what's going to stop abortion and allow Creation to be taught in our schools. When lives are transformed by Christ, people will put away their sin and live for their Saviour. Let's use our time, energy, and resources on what really will help our world! It's as simple as passing out a gospel tract, inviting someone to church, or sharing a Scripture verse. We can all do it! God was so good to save us when we came to Him in repentance and faith. Our one and only goal should be to share that amazing gift with everyone we meet! I need more encouragement to do this too, so I hope that we can all work together to get the gospel to our communities.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-61239425016358726732012-09-03T18:47:00.001-04:002012-09-07T21:23:25.637-04:00A Brief Update and a BlessingSo yeah... I was going to blog regularly all summer... oops.<br />
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Summer has been great. I really love north-eastern Ontario summers. We had awesome weather this summer. It barely rained the month of July, which had some gardeners worried. However, our dry spell eventually ended. I think this summer has been almost the perfect balance of nice days and rainy days. <br />
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Now it's September, and that is back to work time for me. In fact, it's back to work TOMORROW! I'm excited to start my third fall term of lessons at my studio. I am very blessed. I have several new students and teachers starting this fall. The first week always makes me a little nervous. There's a lot to do. People to meet, students to teach, schedules to organize, payments, book work, etc., etc. Thankfully I have an amazing Mother who is getting quite good at multi-tasking phone calls, lesson payments, and scheduling requests. Thanks Mom :).<br />
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I'm going to share a story. Summer is always an interesting time for me. It's interesting, because I don't have a lot of income in the summer. I do still teach, but I don't keep enough students through the summer months to meet all my expenses. That's the cycle of my job, so I plan for that every year by saving during the months school is in to cover my summer expenses. <br />
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Right before the summer break this past June I had several VERY large bills to pay. I had also already booked a vacation out West before I knew what these bills were. Unfortunately, my summer savings were almost wiped out before summer even started! But, God is faithful. I was able to go on vacation and meet my July and August expenses. Now the only problem was September. My rent at my studio is paid on the first of the month. But, for September I don't start bringing in any income until tomorrow (Sept 4). I needed to have the money in my account on the 1st. By the middle of August, I knew I wasn't going to have it. So, I prayed about it. Basically, I figured I needed to bring in $100 a day at my studio for the rest of the month of August in order to be able to pay my rent on the 1st of September. I didn't ask God for the money. Maybe I should have. Instead, I told Him that's what I needed and I was simply going to trust Him to give it to me. I'm not sure how theologically correct it is to tell God what to do. I didn't really tell Him to give me the money, I just told Him I was going to trust Him. That probably still sounds bad... but, He's always taken care of me before, so I just trusted.<br />
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Guess what?<br />
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I got $100 every day! And, I had my September rent on time! Thank you LORD! I knew He would take care of me. Sometimes I think perhaps we are wrong to be surprised when God answers our prayers or when He does amazing things for us. Maybe the surprise seems like we doubted God. But perhaps it's just human nature to be surprised by God... even when we trust Him. I didn't doubt God would take care of my expenses, but I'm still amazed when He does. Maybe that feeling of surprise or amazement is so that we give the glory to Him. I can't imagine how I would get through life if I couldn't trust the Lord to take care of me. I am blessed.<br />
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Maybe I'll blog more regularly now... or maybe not... :P<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-8587842217678584802012-07-25T08:00:00.000-04:002012-07-25T08:00:10.814-04:00The Problem With Romans 14The problem with Romans 14 is that no one ever reads Romans 15 verse 1!!!<br />
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Romans 14 is the classic "judge not" chapter in the Bible. I've had it thrown at me SO many times to "admonish" me to overlook the sin in a "weaker" brother. I've even had it used on me to prove I'm legalistic and just like the Pharisees. However, those who use Romans 14 in this way have terribly misrepresented the text.<br />
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I don't know everything, but there are some things that I do know. One thing I know is that if more people read Romans 15:1 in relation to Romans 14 they wouldn't be using Romans 14 as a "you can't judge me..." text.<br />
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So what does Romans 15:1 say?<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. </span></i><br />
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To me, this verse is the whole key to understanding what Paul is talking about in Romans 14. Paul is admonishing believers to stop being so selfish about what they want all the time. He's saying that it's better for us to give some things up rather than to cause a brother to stumble.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brothers's way.</span> </i>(vs. 13)<br />
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Romans 14 is not about going around and finding all the "non-essential-grey-areas" that it's OK for Christians to participate in or believe. It's not about finding all the "eating meats" and "esteeming days" that exist in the 21st century. I've heard people do this so many times. They come out with the... "it's a Romans 14 issue, so it's ok for me to do it." Huh? It's not about a checklist of do's and don'ts, although for all those who use it to call the rest of us legalists, they sure like to make checklists out of this chapter. It's not about labelling every person at church as weak or strong. I heard someone say once that if their action was offending a "strong" brother rather than a "weak" brother, then it was OK for them to do it! They used Romans 14 to justify that! I say if it offends it's a stumblingblock. Period. Who cares if you think the offended person is strong or weak! Obviously that person didn't read verse 21.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.</span></i><br />
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Paul is saying that it is possible through our actions to <b>make</b> a fellow Christian weak. Maybe that person is a strong Christian, but our actions have the potential to pull them down. <br />
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Paul tells us EXACTLY what Romans 14 is about.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.</span> </i>(vs. 17)<br />
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See, it's not about meat, or "grey areas" or "non-essentials" or the weaker brother or what I can and can't do. It's not about finding excuses for my actions. Those things are nothing more than self-centred Christianity, which is a huge oxymoron! Romans 14 is about righteousness. It's about living to a higher calling, not for myself, but for the sake of others. It's not about what I want and what I can have. Romans 15:1 again... <i>not pleasing ourselves.</i> See, the truth is I don't matter. The only thing that matters is pleasing the Lord. There is some great teaching in this passage about how we can please the Lord. We please the Lord by not causing someone else offence. We please the Lord by not causing a fellow Christian to stumble.<br />
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Here's the question. Does it hurt to stop eating meat? Paul didn't think so. He said he would give up meat for the rest of his life if that's what he needed to do. So, does it hurt to stop watching tv? Does it hurt to turn off the radio? Does it hurt to put on a different kind of clothing? Does it hurt not to pierce your ears? Does it hurt to stop saying certain words? Has it ever hurt anyone to sing only hymns in church? Has it ever hurt anyone to stop going to the movie theatre? Does it hurt to get rid of those books and magazines in our home? I don't think it's ever physically hurt anyone to do any of these things (if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me). <br />
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If it doesn't hurt, then maybe we should consider some of our choices. Romans 14 is not talking about ourselves. It's not talking about the fact that we have the right not to be judged for what we do. It's only talking about how we can live more righteously, and how it wouldn't hurt sometimes for us to give some things up for the betterment of someone else.<br />
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Too many people want to make Romans 14 about <b>me</b> without ever reading Romans 15:1 and discovering it's all about others. Maybe this acrostic can help. You may have seen it before.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">J</span>esus </span>first<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">O</span>thers </span>second<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Y</span>ourself </span>last<br />
spells<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">JOY</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-21930531733437914892012-07-23T08:00:00.000-04:002012-07-23T08:00:11.846-04:00Another Thought About Dress StandardsHere's a thought I came across on facebook a few weeks ago. Someone had commented in regards to dressing our best for church. The comment basically went something like this.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Many give the reason for having dress standards at church is that we should always be giving the Lord our best; therefore, dressing up for church (women in skirts and dresses) is pleasing to God. So, if we are always to be giving God our best then why is it acceptable to dress "more casually" for a youth activity, Wednesday night service, or even a Sunday evening service? Are these events not taking place at church as well? Therefore, wouldn't it be hypocritical to say that we dress our best for the Lord at church and then show up in less than our best for a mid-week service?</span></i><br />
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There's many Scriptural reasons for dress standards. I agree with the reason that when we go to church we should dress up to give our best for the Lord. However, the statement about dressing more casually on a mid-week service really struck me. I can see how someone could think it would be hypocritical to show up to church mid-week dressed more casually than on a Sunday. Church is church right?! Personally, I dress the same on a Wednesday as I would on a Sunday. Mostly that has to do with the fact that I dress up for my job, and I come to church straight from work, so I'm pretty well always dressed up. However; I don't think it makes you a bad Christian to dress slightly more casually for a mid-week church service than a Sunday service. Obviously, this is getting very nit-picky, but the underlying issue here is a heart issue.<br />
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If someone views me as hypocritical for dressing more casually for a mid-week church service, then I would do my best to correct that. If that means not wearing my jean skirt on Wednesday night, then I'm fine with that. To me, it's more important to keep a good testimony and relationship with my fellow Christians than to wear what <b>I</b> want to wear to church. However, I think getting so precise on an issue like this is kind of extreme. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for having dress standards. I have a lot of them myself, but we must be careful. I hesitate to say that we need to extend grace to our fellow Christians in the area of dress, because in recent years this has been taken to another extreme and people now expect to be able to show up to church in their grungiest (or terribly immodest) clothes and that's fine. Sorry... that's not fine! <br />
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BALANCE<br />
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The more I read the Scripture, the more I see how balanced God is. Sadly, today things like dress standards get taken to such extremes. It seems like it's either no dress standards, or strictly enforced to the exact colour, length, and style of clothing dress standard. What we all need is some spiritual maturity, good Scriptural teaching, and balance! Spiritual maturity encourages us to err on the side of caution (a bit longer and looser and even dressier). Scriptural teaching helps us understand why this issue is important to God, and how it makes such an impact on our testimony. Balance allows us to extend grace and live in a way that is not hypocritical or offensive to others.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">So, is it wrong to dress more casually for a mid-week service or youth activity? What do you think?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Do you have Scripture for your opinion?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">How would you deal with someone at your church that was offended by how you dressed? Would you change for them or expect them to change for you?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;">Thoughts? Leave a comment.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-81408751293708058992012-07-15T08:00:00.000-04:002012-07-15T08:00:08.192-04:00Sunday Scripture<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">And Jesus looking upon them saith,</span></div>
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With men it is <i>impossible,</i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but<b> not</b> with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">God:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">for with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">God</span> <i><b>all things</b> are possible.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Mark 10:27</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4177313683080005183.post-86105409900394191112012-07-13T19:44:00.000-04:002012-07-13T19:44:05.254-04:00Stuff from This WeekSo much for posting regularly on my blog :P! I had another post planned for this week, but it will have to wait for next week. Although, next week is going to be CRAZY! I'm doing a vocal camp in the mornings, teaching in the afternoons, and playing for a show in the evenings. I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to fit in all my teaching around the camp and the show, but I will manage somehow. It's really my only crazy week of the whole summer, so it's not that bad. Otherwise, I'm down to 3 and 1/2 days of teaching, which means I actually get an evening off! Woo hoo!<br />
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We just finished our Vacation Bible School at my church. I had mentioned to my Mom about calling it Vacation Bible Camp this year, but VBC doesn't quite have the same ring to it as VBS. Maybe next year. Anyways, we had our VBS Monday through Thursday in the afternoon (12:30-2:30). It went SO well! Last year we had 8 children and this year we had 15-16 each day! And there were a few very little ones as well :). God is SO good! <br />
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I helped with the opening, singing, playing the piano, etc. each day. The theme this year was bugs and being transformed by God. Much like a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. For a theme song we did the B-I-B-L-E, but we also learned "There's Been a Great Change Since I've Been Born Again." The kids loved the part where they got to yell "GREAT" and "CHANGE" My Mom told the Bible story each day, and another lady told the missionary story. This year our missionary story was about Cory ten Boom. I missed most of the missionary story, because I started teaching before VBS was over. We also did a craft each day, and the last day we got watermelon and ice cream for our snack :).<br />
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I have never seen children sit so well as they did this week! Honestly, I've been in a lot of Vacation Bible Schools, Sunday Schools, Camps, etc., and I really never have seen kids listen and sit as quietly as they did at our VBS. That was such a blessing. They all looked up many verses in their Bibles, and some of the children were able to receive their very own Bible! I was sitting beside one little girl the first day and when my pastor said they could take a Bible home if they didn't have one she said an excited "YES!" What a blessing! <br />
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I'm praying for these kids that were out this week. Some of them were from Christian homes, but others weren't. They all heard the gospel this week several times! I know God can use that in their hearts, and I pray they all accept Christ as their Saviour. God truly was good to us this week to allow us to have a part in the lives of these children.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0