Let them praise His name with dancing

Peanuts by Charles Schultz


"Let them praise His name with dancing; 
Let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. 
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; 
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation."
Psalm 149:3-4

with loving thanks to Rebecca and Rachel.

Let me remind you: Do not be blinded or short-sighted!

“Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you."
2 Peter 1:12

Jesus has granted us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue.  He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises.

And for this reason we can:

Apply all diligence in our faith--

Apply moral virtue--

And in our moral virtue apply knowledge--

And in our knowledge apply self-control--

And in our self-control apply perseverance--

And in perseverance apply godliness--

And in our godliness apply brotherly kindness--

And in our brotherly kindness apply love.

How beautiful it is to see how each quality builds on the others until we are able, through Him, to express kindness and then love.

In this world it is easy enough to be kind and loving to the lovely, but so very difficult, if not impossible, to express kindness and love to the hardened unlovely.  If we begin at the top of this 2 Peter list and follow through, then we are able to express true kindness and true love to a broken world.

Precious women, let us not be blind or short-sighted, forgetting our purification from our sins, but let us be diligent!  Let these qualities be always increasing in us so that we will be useful and fruitful in the wonderful true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
From 2 Peter 1:1-12

Happy Mother's Day

Each of you are special to the LORD.  May His word bless you:

“…you are more valuable than many sparrows…”
Matthew 10:29-31

“…she smiles at the future…”
Proverbs 31:10-31

“…rejoicing in hope…”
Romans 12

If you love Him, you are His handmaiden and all you do can be for Him.  Oh, how this glorifies the LORD!  Even the angels marvel in wonder at how we love Him.

“Life” does not always turn out the way we wanted.  It can be disappointing all the way to sheer agony.  Run to Him, dear sister!  His arms are wide to cradle you and give you comfort for whatever has transpired in your life, and then you can rest in Him knowing that He has all of these things in His mighty hands.

Wherever you are in your life, no matter your circumstances, gentle handmaiden---may this day bring you joy--His joy!

Mutts by Patrick McDonnall

Bird Watching

The Confessions of a Nuthatch Avoider
by Ogden Nash

Bird watchers top my honors list.

I aimed to be one, but I missed.
Since I’m both myopic and astigmatic,
My aim turned out to be erratic.
And I, bespectacled and binocular,
Exposed myself to comment jocular.
We don’t need too much birdlore, do we,
To tell a flamingo from a towhee;
Yet I cannot, and never will,
Unless the silly birds stand still.
And there’s no enlightenment so obscure
As ornithological literature.
Is yon strange creature a common chickadee,
Or a migrant alouette from Picardy?
You rush to consult your nature guide
And inspect the gallery inside.
But a bird in the open never looks
Like its picture in the birdie books--
Or if it once did, it has changed its plumage,
And plunges you back into ignorant gloomage.
That is why I sit here growing old by inches,
Watching the clock instead of finches,
But I sometimes visualize in my gin
The Audobon I audubin.

White Crowned sparrows showed up this week at our home.

Plan "A" or Plan "B"

Sherman's Lagoon by Jim Toomey

"Comit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established."

Proverbs 16:3

"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yoursleves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:15

The God of the Bible is true.

God is plan "A" and there is no plan "B".

Good Work Ethics

My favorite restaurant is Colonial Café & Ice Cream in St. Charles, Illinois.  Mostly it is my favorite because of sentimental memories. We are not able to eat there very often since we live far away now, but it is great when we can go.

I just finished reading their 50th anniversary book about the history of the company from 1901 to 2001 which was begun by Simon Anderson as a dairy and eventually into the cafés they are now. (There are more cafés than just my favorite one on North Ave in St. Charles.)

It was an interesting history for me, but the one thing I wanted to share are the rules for milk delivery employees.  As Christians a good work ethic is very important.  We should be a shining light over our culture which seems to only think of themselves. This text appears on the back of a route book carried in 1917 by the Route One driver for Anderson Pure Milk company.

RULES TO BE OBSERVED

1. ACCIDENTS: Report at once to office. Get names of witnesses and if with a Street Car No. of Car, etc.

2. Drivers after accepting routes, will be held responsible for same and will have to make good on mistakes make by their own carelessness. If drivers give attention to business and have an understanding at all times with customers, they cannot dispute their accounts. Any man can deliver milk and a good man makes his collections and keeps his books and accounts straight.

3. Smoking is positively prohibited while on the wagon or in dairy and men who cannot keep away from Saloons while on duty except when delivery mild, are not wanted in the employ of this Company.

4. Men should be neat in their appearance. They should keep their lanterns clean, and the glass and the inside of wagons clean.

5. It is as important to collect empty bottles, as it is to leave milk. They cost money.

6. Be a gentleman at all times. Don’t waste time with one customer and neglect the others and be on hand when the customer promises to pay. Don’t try to make up waste (sic) time with the horse. Remember the horse can’t complain.

7. Receipt for all money received, save trouble and your own reputation and remember the old motto: “An honest man is the noblest work of God.”

8. No money to be paid a driver for the time spent in learning a route unless he remains 60 days.

9. Commissions will be held 14 days after driver quits or is discharged to allow us time to check up the route.

10. All lines and lanterns must be put in barns every night to avoid being stolen~otherwise driver will have to pay for loss. 

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the LORD rather than for men, knowing that from the LORD you will receive  the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."      Colossians 3:23-24

What do you need to know about the paranormal?

 I just read Spellbound, by Marcia Montenegro this late winter and want to share some snippets from it.  I have discovered that Christians are fearful of anything concerning the paranormal, and so they avoid learning anything about it to protect themselves or their children.  I can understand this fear, but we must remember that Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world, 1 John 4:4.  This subject is especially important as we raise up our children or know friends and family who are becoming involved in it.   As you learn from Marcia, you will discover the paranormal is permeating our culture, and so we can not turn a blind eye to it.  This book is on a tough subject, but it is easy to read.  The only scary part of this book is that the paranormal teachings are out there, and we need to know about it to defend against it.
 
From the back cover:
 
Sorcery*Magic*Witchcraft*Astrology*Fortunetelling*Divination*Paranormal
 
Our Culture is saturated with the supernatural.  TV shows such as Medium, Charmed, and Lost all have “other-worldly” themes and most of them blur the lines between good and evil.  As a parent, how do you even begin to recognize the influence the occult has on your child each day?  Former astrologer and noted speaker on the paranormal, Marcia Montenegro has written a comprehensive examination of the paranormal and occult which breaks down the principles and elements of paranormal practices so parents can readily identify them.  Christian parents no longer need to fear this subject.  They can be discerning and prepared---for the sake of their children.
 
The book is divided into 3 sections:
 
Part One: What is the paranormal, and why is it a threat to our kids?
 
Part Two: What aspects of the paranormal do our kids encounter?  Where divination, sorcery, and spirit contact touch our kids.
 
Part Three: Talking to your kids about the paranormal.
 
From chapter 18:
 
Train yourself and your child in how to respond to some of the more common attacks on the faith, such as the claim that the Bible has contradictions, because eventually your child will confront this.
 
*
 
Teach your child to be wary of any instruction that places feelings over thinking, or promotes the belief that logic and reason are negative.  You will help inoculate your child against many New Age and occult beliefs that counter God’s truth.
 
*
 
Encourage your children to understand that, although they will face temptations in this area, God always gives us a way out.  Teach your child 1 Corinthians 10:13, in which God promises us that there is no trial or temptation that we can not bear, and that He provides a way out.
 
*
 
Training children in regular prayer is essential.  Prayer is not a system to get what you want, but a path to grow the desire to be in God’s will.  God will work through prayers.  Pray for your child’s protection and discernment.  Teach your child to pray for wisdom and to stay strong in Christ.
 
Marcia’s Concluding Words:
 
My hope and prayer is that this book has edified and empowered you in the very difficult area of the paranormal and occult.  Too many Christians have avoided learning about this area because it is difficult to get sound information and it can be intimidating.  You don’t need to be a student of the occult to teach your children how to respond to it, but it is helpful to understand overarching principles in order to recognize it, and then assess the situation through the filter of God’s Word.
 
Tread lightly but firmly, always rooted in God’s Word, when dealing with these topics.  Christians should be neither frightened nor apathetic about the paranormal.  Rather, we should look to God’s Word and be discerning and prepared for the sake of our children. 

Ups and Downs

                                 Peanuts by Charles Schultz

We may only desire "ups and ups and ups", but the LORD somehow uses the "downs".  It is a mystery.  He is also with us in all of our "ups and ups, and downs and downs". Praises to Him!

"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

Oh, sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?
How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception?
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;
The LORD hears when I call to Him.

Tremble, and do not sin;
Meditate on your heart upon your bed, and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the LORD.

Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?"
Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD!
You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety."
Psalm 4

You are more than what you do.

A highly intelligent man we know loves the LORD with all his heart.  He worked for decades with a prestigious local company and, as with many companies, he and numerous others in his age bracket were laid off.  As it is with many who lose their jobs, it took a few years before he found employment with another firm in another city.

During the time he was without a job and looking for one with all the concerns of how to support his family and for the future, I often heard him say something profound about his former employer, and also about the next employer who ever that would be.

His comment to others would always be that “employer A” supported him all those years so he could work for the LORD (outside of work) and that the future “employer B” would support him in the future for him to work for the LORD.  His testimony was beautiful.  It not only encouraged the hearers, but I am sure it encouraged himself and his family.

Likewise, as the LORD God’s adopted daughters, we are more than what we do.  The world may say you are only a homemaker, for example, but you know differently.  You are a handmaiden of the King of Kings!  No matter if we work outside our homes or if we work inside our homes, we are His children and we have work to do for Him.  Your intelligence and your esteemed position in this world doesn’t matter to Him; it is who you are living for.  If you are living for Him, then your treasure is in heaven.

So when you get up to get to work, no matter if it is brain surgery or cleaning up your bathroom, work at it as unto the LORD.  Let’s glorify the LORD!!

"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;  and confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands."  Psalm 90:17

If You’re Ever Going to Love Me

If you’re ever going to love me love me now, while I can know
All the sweet and tender feelings which from real affection flow.
Love me now, while I am living; do not wait till I am gone
And then chisel it in marble--warm love words on ice-cold stone.

If you’ve dear, sweet thoughts about me, why not whisper them to me?
Don’t you know ‘twould make me happy and as glad as glad could be?
If you wait till I am sleeping, ne’er to waken here again,
There’ll be walls of earth between us and I couldn’t hear you then.

If you knew someone was thirsting for a drop of water sweet
Would you be so slow to bring it?  Would you step with laggard feet?
There are tender hearts all round us who are thirsting for our love;
Why withhold from them what nature makes them crave all else above?

I won’t need your kind caresses when the grass grows o’er my face;
I won’t crave your love or kisses in my last low resting place.
So, then, if you love me any, if it’s but a little bit,
Let me know it now while living;  I can own and treasure it.

Author unknown

The first time I heard this poignant poem was decades ago while reading it in The Best Loved Poems Of the American People compiled by Hazel Felleman and which is actually still in print.  I can no longer read this poem without hearing the haunting melody and the southern voice of the old country singer, Tex Ritter.  It is worth searching out a recording of Tex Ritter singing it.

With our culture changing so fast, with personal communication so poor, with families and friends torn apart, I felt the words of this poem were pertinent for today--any day.

Dear ladies, we need to realize what is really important in life.  It isn’t all that we do and who we are and what we look like, etc.  Life is all about relationships.  Our relationship with God, our relationships with our families, our relationships with friends, and our relationships with the lost.  People are what matter in our lives.

Each one of us have broken relationships.  If it is with the LORD---then humbly repent.  God never holds a grudge against His children.  He is always encouraging and waiting for your return to Him.  When you are back in a right relationship with Him, then you are able to do much more in the other broken relationships in your life.

If it is with your family or friends, then show mercy over judgment.  If it is they who are refusing a relationship, then you always be lovingly open so by your kindness they may eventually realize their part in the brokeness and return to you.

Always be thinking of how to show you care and love one another. This world is unloving, but we can be a light for the LORD because we choose to show kindness, mercy, and love.  Let us not wait until it is too late to share our lives and our love with others.

“Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil;  cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;  give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the LORD;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."  Romans 12:9-13

I took my eyes off of Him

Yesterday I was overwhelmed and overcome by my situation and my agony.  I forgot the LORD's character.  I believed how I felt, and I felt as if He had forgotten me in my trials.  All I wanted was to get home to my sanctuary so I could cry out to God and tell Him how I felt, so I could completely cry tears of utter hopelessness.

But He already knew how I felt as I was driving home.  He was already carrying me and keeping me from crying in my hopelessness.  As I drove, I would remind myself over and over again of His faithfulness and how He would not have forgotten me.  Even though I felt certain ways, I knew in Whom I trusted!  I knew I could not trust my feelings.

I have learned that this life is so real, but that He is working behind the scenes in amazing ways that we can't even fathom.  He is working behind the curtain on people's hearts.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made, and this includes our inner-most person.  He is working even when we see no change.

I came home to share with my Beloved my overwhelming feelings.  He assured me and I agreed, that even though I felt great fear and also abandonment of the LORD, that this was not the truth.

I turned to the scriptures, but I could not think of where to find comfort from Him.  My mind went to the Psalms, and to Psalm 31 where He met me right where I was in my fear and wrong thinking.  It was just what I needed to hear to be reminded that He has not abandoned me.  I can not trust my feelings, but I can trust in the LORD my God.  I need to keep my eyes on Him even when I am overwhelmed and overcome in my feelings.

Praise to the LORD God Almighty!

In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge;  Let me never be ashamed;  in Your righteousness deliver me.  Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly;  Be to me a rock of strength, a stronghold to save me.  For You are my rock and fortress;  For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.  You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Psalm 31:1-4

You can find comfort in Him in your situations also.  Run to Him and seek His face.

Spring equinox, snow in the forcast, and Snoopy

PEANUTS by Charles Shultz

Time for a Story; Inspiring Tales of Love, Hope, and Faith

This sweet story book has been excerpted from Great Stories Remembered, compiled by Joe Wheeler in 1999 for Focus on the Family.  I highly recommend this five-stories book, which is sure to encourage everyone from child to adult.  Not only are the stories charming, but the illustrations are beautiful.

The stories are:

Birthdays are Lovely, author unknown from 1928

At the Eleventh Hour, by Eunice Creager from 1916


How Patty Earned Her Salt, by W. L.Colby from 1913

The Widened Hearth, by Fannie H. Kilbourne, unknown year

Joseph’s Coat, author unknown from 1929

Although I enjoyed each story, my favorites are Birthdays are Lovely and How Patty Earned Her Salt. The first story shows the love and devotion of a child raised well, along with the innocence of a child.  The second story reminds us to be careful of what we say, especially when others can hear, and how we tend judge others by apearances; mercy triumphs over judgement.  We could all use these poignant reminders.

"For judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy;  mercy triumphs over judgement."   James 2:13

The Joys of Sewing and Other Handiwork

I love to sew.  I love other handwork also, but I love to create things out of cloth most of all.  I used to make wonderful dresses for my daughter and myself; now I love to make doll clothes and be as intricate as possible.  It is a joy to be able to carve out time to be able to sew.  I love the planning, the cutting, the machine sewing and the hand sewing.  I love it all.  It is a joy, and I feel, a gift from God.  I say this not only because I find so much joy in it, but because I began handiwork when I was very young.  My mother, obviously attuned to my abilities, had handiwork for busy-me to do even before I could read.

In latest issue of Sew Beautiful, Martha Pullen has a devotion concerning worry.  Here is a portion:

…Many times in my Sunday School classes I have said, “ I do not know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future.”  I know this to be totally true---so why do I lapse into worry?  Joshua1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

I will share with you that sewing has been a soothing time for me my whole life, a time to pray and to forget my worries.  I know that many of you have the same experience.  We must remember to thank God for giving us the joy of sewing in this complicated world we live in and to always praise Him for making most of our lives good.  Do you remember the little song “count your blessings, name them one by one”?  Let’s make a pact that we will, indeed, count our blessings not our worries; okay?…   (March/April, issue no.135,2011, volume 25, number 2, page 7)

In Joshua chapter one God is speaking to Joshua and His people, the Israelites, as they now must go into the land He has given them.  That would have been very worrisome!  But God was there with them and He encouraged them in that.

We also can count on the LORD being with us in all of our worries.  We can cast our cares on Him and He will sustain you even if your worst fears come to fruition.  We can count on Him.  He is our rock that is higher.

“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22

“From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

In my own life I have sometimes felt like I have been too shaken, and I have felt that I have been left on a rock that is lower than I.  But the reality in which I do come to realize, is that He has carried me so much more than I have ever thought.  He has been there for me even when at the time I have felt He hasn’t been there.  He is our solid rock.  We can not count on our feelings, but we can surely count on the Word of God which explains His true character.  We can count on God.

For Keeps and Everything

“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body."  Ephesians 5:22-23

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.  So husbands ought to also love their own wives as their bodies.”  Ephesians 5:25-28

“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:31

“Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.”  Ephesians 5:33

From his book, Shepherding God’s Flock: A Handbook on Pastoral Ministry, Counseling, and Leadership, Jay E. Adams explains on pages 247-248 beginning with the “Problem Session”:

1) Future Family Relationships:

Not only should the pastor emphasize the need to make a break with the counselees’ parental homes, but he must be careful to note that one of the principal reasons for the break is that marriage brings into being a new decision-making unit that is directly responsible to God, and that in this unit the husband and wife are responsible also to put each other first before any other human beings.

Again, it will be important to show the need for this break with former parental authority to be a clean break, Christian in every way. Frequently marriages begin with clouds hanging heavily over the young couple because the break with one or both of the families was not effected properly. This must not be so. Any marriage today has enough other pressures exerted upon it that it can ill afford to have to bear up under these strong emotional strains as well. Therefore, the pastor should probe carefully and fully to be sure that all difficulties or conflicts with parents may be uncovered and resolved before the wedding.”

Must I say any more?  As Christians we should be the first to behave rightly when letting go of our adult children, especially as they marry.  It is a detriment for the young couples who must live under such bondage as parental control.  What joy for them to create a new decision-making unit before God and to put each other first!

Marriage is for keeps and everything.  Let us choose to live rightly in our own marriage and encourage our children to choose this also.

Ultimate Safety

Psalm 31:8

“You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” NIV

“And You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place.” NAS

“And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place.” NKJV

A Spacious Place, a Large Place, a Wide Place. When fear overtakes us, we can remember that the LORD is our ultimate safety place.

You See What You Want To See

PEANUTS by Charles Shultz

Pollyanna

In my last post, in which I cited Jackie Alnor, she used the term “Pauliannas” when she was speaking of certain false teachers (who copy Paula White) tickling the ears of undiscerning women.  It was a humorous, morphed use of the term “pollyanna” as I usually see it used.

Normally this is how I hear the term “pollyanna” used:

“So and so is just a pollyanna”; in other words, she is in a dream world of the goodie-goodies and not in reality.

Perhaps I live in a dream world because I have never used it that way.  Instead I would use “pollyanna” in a good context to express a person’s good outlook on life even when the chips are down; trusting God no matter what.

Pollyanna, by Eleanor H. Porter, is one of my favorite stories from childhood and, in fact, as an adult.  Having just reread it this January, I am reminded of its sweet charm.  The story was written in 1913 and, although the past seems to have a simple charm of its own, we do know that sin was running rampant even then.

Pollyanna showcases an orphaned little girl who was named after two of her mother’s sisters, Polly and Anna.  She is the remaining child of the daughter whose family didn’t accept her choice of husband, and Pollyanna has come back to live with Aunt Polly who is doing her "duty".

Throughout the story, Pollyanna tells other people about the “Glad Game” which her father had taught her.  In the game, you are to think of something to be glad about in the events that have happened to you.  The worse the situation, the better the game of thinking of what to be glad about.

Talk about capturing your thoughts! (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

As my life has unfolded I can see how this story has helped me shape my biblical thinking as well.  Instead of looking at all the bad side, let us look on the good side in what has happened.  This certainly keeps a person from growing bitter roots.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32

I love using Pollyanna as an example of trusting God in the good times and the bad.  He can mold us, when we are willing, into His image as we are crying out to Him.  Although I would never want pain for others or myself, I surely have learned that in my agonies I have been helped to mature in the LORD.

As a caveat:  Other people I have known have not liked the 1960 Walt Disney movie, Pollyanna, because the story was changed a bit from the book.  But for me?  I love the movie as well as I love the book.  I am “glad” it is different!

Let no one take you captive

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

I feel like an enigma.  I suppose it is because I am blessed with a husband who is biblically discerning and so I read, hear, and see more than most women in my small circle of life.  

I am sure if I didn’t have my Beloved all these years, I could have easily slipped into deception, mainly because I don’t investigate everything - and this is to my shame.  I am basically a follower, not a leader.  

“But examine everything carefully;  hold fast to that which is good;  abstain from every form of evil.” 1Thessalonians 5:21-22

“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  Acts 17:11

Here is a short list from my limited observations of many Christian women: 

1) They tend to follow others in what sounds good, and this is especially true if their husbands do not lead or are not discerning. 

 2) They tend to protect their little ones voraciously until a certain age (preteen or teen), and then let them go until it is difficult to tell their children from the world’s children.

 3) They tend to gravitate to what sounds good, and then fight to protect it even if lovingly counseled that it is not biblical. 

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick;  Who can understand it?”  Jeremiah 17:9

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

Jackie Alnor writes of her own recent examples of Christian women following false teachings:

When today's churches have fashion shows instead of Bible studies for their women, or bring in cosmetic surgery consultants to speak to the ladies, you know we've entered the new era leading to the formation of the Great Harlot. I mean why not? Nothing like a whore on a horse to represent today's modern 'Christian' imitator of the likes of Paula White, Juanita Bynum and Jan Crouch. As a woman, this grieves my spirit because I know the Holy Spirit grieves over this compromised carnal church. The teaching of holiness and sanctification in these circles is met with scorn and ridicule. One who brings the Bible message of holiness is told they have a religious spirit. These Pauliannas are the ones doing the mocking and stepping on what's holy. 

Jesus wept.

As God's handmaidens, we need to recognize deception; let us heed God’s word:

“The LORD’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but  be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape form the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”  2 Timothy 2:24-26 

Oh, and by the way~~~~don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes ~~~they’re open now.   If I don’t know or understand, then I know where to look. 

Pain and becoming more like Christ

Trying to keep up with "life" in general is difficult at best.  Or is it just me?  Sometimes I actually have time to browse good blogs and find things to share.

Marie, over at Theo Geek, has posted an excellent article by Lucy Ann Moll, titled, Why God Allows Pain.  Here is an excerpt:

The No. 1 question? If God can prevent suffering yet permits it, is he truly good? In short, the answer is “yes.” The secular worldview holds that seeking pleasure is the goal of this life, so suffering is bad for it is painful. Do anything to get pleasure! In contrast, the Christian worldview sees suffering as positive for through it we become more like Christ, the goal of his disciples. Our suffering is for our ultimate good.

In 1 Peter 1:6‐7 says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Lucy continues later with:
What I’ve concluded from the book of Job is suffering happens to everyone, the godly and the ungodly. Suffering is a fact in our fallen world. Just because one lives a holy life doesn’t mean she can avoid suffering. In fact, suffering is probably more likely. Suffering doesn’t often make sense. It is painful.

You will want to check out the whole article which is extremely encouraging to those who are suffering and to those whom we come alongside who are suffering.  Doesn't this include all of us?