Winds of Change

Relationships: Love, Communication and Purpose

2011-07-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you are like me and have known someone who has a child suffering from the condition of autism, or an elderly person who has Alzheimer Disease. One of the saddest parts of these conditions is the person is unable to communicate with others in a mutually satisfying way.

Today we want to talk about some ideas presented in the book by Tedd Tripp called Instructing a Child’s Heart.
The growing child soon experiences circumstances where there is the temptation to do wrong things and the resulting guilt and consequences of failure to resist temptation. Or perhaps your child will have experienced pain as a result of others who are unkind and selfish, or the loss of a loved one and the resulting sense of hopeless despair.

Let’s look at Colossians 2:9-10a to see what the Bible says about God’s solution for our problems relationally in life. “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete.” NASB.

Colossians here is talking about the fact that all we need is found IN Christ Jesus. In spite of the difficult circumstances in life and the sins of others against us and our own sinful ways, Christ is all we need. We stand complete in Him.
But how can I say this? We live in a world with cancer, child abuse, sexual trafficking, murder, adultery, autism, Alzheimer, AIDS and whatever else is the ugly side of life.

Everyone wants to ‘belong’. We are relational beings. How so? Can our belonging needs be met in Christ? Did relationships begin at creation? NO.

Before creation God, the Father, God the Eternal Son, and God the Holy Spirit lived in a relationship of love, communication and purpose.

God has never been lonely. God did not need to belong to us. God did not need man to relate to. However, we need God! We belong to God by creation. We are His, made BY and FOR Him. God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him. Let’s look at one passage in the Bible that talks about the relational aspect of God. Ephesians 1 verses 1 through 13 we see God the Father choosing us before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in Jesus Christ; predestining us to adoption as His children; the redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ; the seal of our salvation and inheritance through the Holy Spirit as God’s own possession. So we see the Father chooses [love], the Son redeems [purpose] and the Spirit seals [communication]. Genesis 1;26,27 shows that man’s original relationship with God mirrors those same elements: love, communication and purpose. Man needs relationship because he was made in the image of God.

The Gospel is relational. Holy God, Sinful Man, Substitutionary Sacrificial Lamb of God Who died and was resurrected to life, Man’s response of repentance and trust. Restored Relationship. We call it reconciliation.
Look at these words from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 NASB
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Notice that it is through reconciliation to God that man finds his true identity. We no longer live for ourselves. Our belonging needs are met in Christ. We become as Christ, reaching out in love and mercy to our enemies and sharing with them the Good News. Ironically, Jesus teaches that to find our lives, we must lose our lives for the sake of His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is within you [Luke 17:21] is true only for the person who is born again of the Spirit of God and has a new heart.
Keep reaching your child’s heart with the gospel.

A Life of Communication

2011-07-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

A Life of Communication

Life is not static. Life is dynamic. What do I mean by this? Simply that things change. Time is under the sovereignty of God the same as all of creation. Communication is also meant to be a lifestyle and not an event. Let’s explore what this looks like in discipling children.
Rules, Correction and Discipline. Do these three things constitute the total of your communication with your children? You set up rules. The child breaks the rule. You decide what consequence is involved [if any] in breaking the rule.

Let’s explore eight more aspects of communication that are needed in Shepherding a Child’s Heart. My thanks to Tedd Tripp, author of books on child training for the following thoughts.

Be aware that it is important to know which type of communication is appropriate for which situation you encounter. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NASB states: We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly [undisciplined], encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

Encouragement: Your child comes to you and knows he has once again lost his temper and offended his friends. He is very discouraged. Is this the time for a rebuke? Instruction? NO. The child needs to know that Christ came to those who are of a contrite and brokenhearted knowing they are unable to change themselves. Point them toward the courage, hope and inspiration to walk on in times of hopeless despair. Use Psalms such as Psalm 42. Perhaps at a later time the anger issue can be discussed.
Correction: Correction holds up the standard of God’s Word to bring about a needed change of some deed or attitude that is wrong. Along with identifying God’s standard [which as been broken] use Scripture to show what is needed. Example: If your child is complaining, probe the heart by asking “Does your attitude demonstrate thankfulness and contentment?” or “Rather than complaining, what can you be thankful for in this situation?” Use this Scripture as a means of ‘reproof’ “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” Philippians 2:14 NIV. Encourage them with this positive Scripture. “It is God’s will that you be thankful and joyful in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV. Other verses you may want to read include Proverbs 17:22 and Colossians 3: 17, 23 NIV

Rebuke: A rebuke censors behavior. The rebuke is needed for areas where other forms of communication are not effective. If your child wishes another person dead or tells them, I hate you, or you are stupid, then a rebuke in which you tell the child you do not wish to ever hear them say these words again is appropriate. Follow up with instruction, encouragement and prayer.

Entreaty: This is reserved for issues of great importance. Proverbs 23:26 begins, “My son, give me your heart…” Often we leave it to society to train our children regarding moral purity. This is tragic. Often children need some support to do what they already know is right. When they are struggling in the area of moral purity, they should feel free to come to us and we will have answers from the Word of God.

Instruction: The Book of Proverbs supplies a goldmine of information giving understanding to your child about issues like fool, mocker, sluggard, diligent, and other character attributes. This book not only instructs, it warns, it teaches practical lessons about how to achieve Biblical success. Fathers, read a Proverb each day with your sons and daughters. Ask questions!

Warning: Warnings in life enable us to avoid catastrophe. Experience is NOT the best teacher. The principle of sowing and reaping is what we need to refer to in instructing our children. Often children don’t anticipate the dangers ahead because they have no instruction regarding consequences of what may seem to them harmless behavior. Warning is not yelling at your child. Look for the teachable moments. Again, read daily the Proverbs. Study the tongue. Study what is said about laziness vs diligence. Friendship. Slander. Deception. You will find many opportunities in real life to relate the wisdom of Proverbs to today’s events.

Teaching: Teaching imparts knowledge. Much teaching occurs before it is needed. Your child learns reading, mathematics, life skills such as food preparation and home repairs. However using Scripture teaches your child to understand himself, others, life, God’s revelation, the world and the relationship of man to God and the rest of God’s creation. The study of the Book of Genesis is a great place to impart knowledge. This book of beginnings lays the foundation for the rest of the Bible. I encourage the study of someone like Ken Ham’s teachings to teach your child about God and the beginning of mankind.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/

Prayer: Pray with your child. The reality of your relationship of trust and confidence in God will be obvious. Listen to your child’s prayers. Often this is a window to their souls. Remember what is urgent or traumatic to a child is worthy of your undivided attention. Teach your child the elements of prayer. Adoration, Confession, Petition, Supplication, Intercession are all parts of prayer. Prayer is not just repetitive words before a meal or bedtime. Prayer is intimate communion with our Creator and our Father, if we are converted. Even a child can pray a profound prayer. Prayer reminds us that we are fallen creatures, the same as our children.

Write me and ask questions about this important topic. Poor communication is the root of many family problems. Remember, communication has not occurred until the person is heard and understood. Words as well as body language communicate. Give your child undivided attention. This is not the time to 'multi-task'. Eye contact and your facial expressions as well as your voice communicate more than the content of your words.

Communication and the Wisdom Literature

2011-06-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

We have been considering the goals of parents as God’s appointed caregivers or shepherds over the children God has entrusted to us.

Today we will discuss God’s design for communication and how our beliefs about how to raise children will determine our communication methods.

Harsh words, yelling, scolding, the lecture method, and belittling are all associated with behavioral management which we already determined is not compatible with goals of parental nurture and discipleship.

If our lives as parents are characterized by a vibrant faith and joyful confidence in God, our communication will exhibit these qualities: restraint, pleasant words and understanding. I am sure there are other qualities, but today we consider these three.

RESTRAINT
Proverbs 17:27 says “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” Yes, our speech can be honest and yet must be seasoned with much grace to the hearer. We are not to speak ‘our mind’ or to ‘tell it like it is’. Speech that builds up and nurtures is neither impetuous nor thoughtless. Ecclesiastes 9:17 reminds us that quiet words carry a power that shouting or screaming words lack. “The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.” Shouting trivializes words.

Restrained speech chooses the words carefully and keeps the message succinct. Ecclesiastes 6:11 reminds us: “The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?” Another warning about long conversations, Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

Restrained speech thinks first, and then speaks. “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” Proverbs 15:28. A word spoken can never be retracted. This alone should cause us to put a guard over our mouth and to weigh carefully not only what we wish to communicate, but also the timing and the heart attitude we have in speaking of this matter. Two more Proverbs instruct us in wisdom. “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 29:20. “A man finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word.” Proverbs 15:23.

PLEASANT WORDS

Pleasant words are not a communication technique—they flow from the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 16:21 tells us, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.” Another place we read “A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16: 23,24. You cannot simply vent your displeasure with your child if you wish to promote instruction. Frightening a child into submission by your rage and anger doesn’t mean they are listening to you. Instead you have coerced your child into a cringing submission. Verbal berating of your child identifies the parent as the fool of Proverbs 15:2. “The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.” Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. God gives the gift of forgiveness and everlasting life to people who deserve his condemnation. Ecclesiastes 10:12 says “Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious.” We should give the same attention to our words as a jeweler does to design a lovely setting for a precious gemstone. Proverbs 25:11 alludes to this. “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Pleasant words nourish the soul just as good food the body. Proverbs 10:21 teaches “The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment.” Your words need to be as a fountain of life-giving, pleasant waters.

I think that a good way to evaluate your words used with your children would include asking yourself if you would use these words with your colleagues, your contemporaries, your neighbors?

UNDERSTANDING

What is the goal of good communication? Many think communication is the ability to formulate ideas into words. However, the ability to understand the person with whom one speaks is the highest form of communication. Proverbs 18:2 says “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” How often do you begin a ‘conversation’ with your child that has no intention of listening to hear his heart? Do you remember with regret some conversations after reading Proverbs 18:13? “He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame.”

If your child cannot talk to you and you will truly listen, they will find someone who will listen!

Great skill is needed to draw out the deep things in your child’s heart. Proverbs 20:5 states “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.” Unconditional love and acceptance are needed to create a safe place for your child to share the deep things of their heart. You may be shocked or even grieved at what they are trying to share with you. However, if you remember you also are a sinner and your goal is to direct your child to the glorious gospel which provides a redeemer, you can love your child as God loves you.

Drawing out deep waters means learning how to ask good questions—then waiting long enough for an answer!
Ask questions that point to attitudes, feelings and thoughts. “Help me to understand…” “Could it be this…or that…or some other?” Use a soothing voice and one filled with compassion and tenderness. Choose the right moment to talk. Don’t try to multi-task and listen to your child. Don’t press and try to elicit conversation if the child is tired or very upset. This may be just the time to sit and be quiet and put a comforting hand on their arm or shoulder. They may need to cry. Boys also. J Reassure your child that no matter what they share with you, you will love them and not abandon or reject them.

I encourage you to do a study as a family of the book of Proverbs. Reading one proverb a day allows you to read the whole book in 31 days. Write down the verses that discuss any form of communication, the use of the tongue and the contrasts between wisdom and folly regarding communication. Pray for one another for the grace of God to become a family who communicates! Perhaps husband and wife, you would like to do this for one month for the two of you. J

Write me if you wish more information about how to improve your relationship with your children.

The Centrality of the Gospel

2011-06-23T14:40:00.000-07:00

The Centrality of the Gospel

Just prior to the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus encountered a young man seeking to know how he might have eternal life. Luke chapter ten records the following conversation:
25 And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" 27 And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 28 And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE." NASB.

None of us can ever fully obey this command. This is why we always need the gospel. To make sure we truly understand the relationship of the gospel and salvation, let’s look at some Scripture. Check yourself to see if you are truly in the faith.

Romans 1:16-17 NIV: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.”
Salvation includes everything from the initial calling by grace, to justification, sanctification, to ultimate glorification. The gospel is the only hope for forgiveness, the deep change of the heart that keeps us from self-righteousness, the only power to live a life that honors God.
Let’s review the main points of what we mean when we talk of the ‘gospel’.

1. Condition of Man: Since the rebellion of Adam and Eve against the rule of God over their lives, mankind is under the curse of sin. Sin is a fatal disease –much worse than AIDS or cancer.. ”There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” [Romans 3:10-12 NIV]. In case this is not bad enough, consider this : 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. [Ephesians 2:1-3 NIV] “The wages of sin is death.” [Romans 6:23 NIV] Not only are we all sinners, we are dead sinners!

2. God’s Nature: God is both righteous and holy. We were created by and for God. God is relational and this is His nature. The creation of mankind is not the beginning of relationships. Man was created in the image of God so we might share relationally first with God then with one another. This means we need two things to escape the condemnation and death we so deserve. We need forgiveness of sins. We need righteousness in place of unrighteousness. We must realize that there is no way possible we can satisfy God in these matters by our own self efforts. All of our righteousness is like filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 says, “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;” NASB. However, in His mercy and grace, God the Father determined from before the worlds were created that the Son of God, the Lamb of God, would be the satisfaction for the wrath of God against the sinfulness of humans. All humans need a mediator, someone to stand between God and us..alike in our humanity, but sinless, in every way keeping the Law of God and obeying the will of the Father. This Son of God, Jesus, Emmanuel, lived righteously in our place, fulfilling God’s demand for perfect righteousness. Jesus died an atoning death to fully satisfy God’s just wrath. Jesus was a perfect or sinless substitute and also a willing substitute. Hebrews 10: 22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. NASB.

The gospel teaches that through faith in Jesus Christ we can be fully forgiven and made completely righteous. Ephesians 2:8-9 states: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” NASB.

“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” Romans 3:21-25 NIV. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NASB.

The response to the gospel must be to trust in Jesus Christ by faith as the sole mediator of a new covenant of grace with God. We must repent of our sins, coming under the authority of the Lordship of Jesus Christ who purchased our redemption by offering Himself a blood sacrifice unto God the Father. The great exchange happened as Christ Jesus died on the cross. His death for our life. His robe of righteousness for the sin-stained garments of our own attempt to merit the favor of God.

Now that we know what the gospel is, how is the gospel essential to raising children to the glory of God?
Watch first this lesson from Paul Washer.

Family Catechism #1: Introduction to the Family Catechism Series from HeartCry Missionary Society on Vimeo.
If our method of discipline is on identifying how behavior has strayed or what corrections are needed, we miss the heart. This approach focuses on what I do rather than on who I am. Addressing the heart issues will change behavior, but in a way that remains!
Let’s explore a common issue..telling lies.

Parent: Dear, you know I am concerned that you lied to me. Telling the truth builds trust. Without trust, relationships fall apart. You understand?
Child: yes
Parent: Do you know what concerns me more?

Child: no

Parent: You are like me. We lie because we think telling a lie is better than telling the truth. Sometimes we love ourselves more than we love God. So we tell lies. This is why Jesus came. If the problem was just that we needed to know telling lies is bad, God could have sent a prophet. However, our problem is in the heart and just knowing what we should do is not sufficient to cause us to do right. We need a Savior who has the power to deliver us from our sins.

Child: Did you ever tell a lie? What did you do then?

Parent: There are many ways to lie. Sometimes we lie by making others think things about us that aren’t true. We desire to be liked or admired, so we let others think things that aren’t really true. When I lie I need to confess my sin to God. God says He will forgive my sins when I confess them. Also I need to go to the person I lied to and ask their forgiveness. I need to think about my heart. Who or what was I loving more than God when I lied? I must confess this also. Dear child, I need God as much as you do everyday. I need God’s forgiveness and His power which changes my heart to love Him and others above myself and all other competing affections.

Every time you need to correct your child is an opportunity to share with him his need of forgiveness and grace. Correction of outward behavior produces Pharisees, clean on the outside but full of dead men’s bones inside.
Next post, more on corrective discipline, grace and communication.

Biblical Goals of Parenting

2011-06-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

Biblical Goals of Parenting

We know that we must be goal-directed. If a person aims at nothing, this is what he hits. Let’s explore the Biblical goals of parenting. The Westminster Shorter Catechism states:

Q. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

Is there any there any other goal that is truly worthy? If we equip our children to use their abilities ,intelligence and gifts for any other purpose than to live out the gospel of Jesus Christ, then we are not parenting Biblically. Americans live in a culture that has abandoned God. Most churches are filled with people who aren’t converted.
The goal in Biblical parenting is to reach the heart, not just impact the behavior. If you address only unacceptable behavior, you never encounter the cross. The gospel is not a message about correcting bad behavior. It is a message about being a new creature. People are in need of a new heart, not a cosmetic change. God rejected the man who fasted twice a week but forgave the man who cried out for mercy. Is God concerned with the method of child training? Yes. Example: Your two children are arguing and yelling at one another. You can respond by yelling back at them and send them to their rooms. You can promise the children a special treat if they simply be quiet so you can concentrate. You can use shame and tell them how much you sacrifice to provide them nice things. You can punish with withdrawal of privileges of a favorite toy or activity. You can institute a long term do-these-good-deeds and in three months you will have a special treat. You can allow the sibling yelling and unkind ways to continue, rationalizing, they will outgrow this.

What’s wrong with these methods? None of them deal with the root cause of the selfish attitudes and sinful anger and bitterness of the heart that causes quarrels. Read James 4:1-3. “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” NASB.

Remember the goal is not simply to produce well-adjusted children; rather, children living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, for the glory of God. This is the only life worth living.

Two elements, woven together, are the Biblical methods needed to discipline, train and correct children. These include proper communication and the use of the rod.

What does good communication look like? Your objective must be to understand your child, what goes on in them—their hopes, dreams, fears, concerns..the world from their perspective. The goal in correction must be to understand the inner struggles in the heart, not to tell your children how you feel about what they have done or said. Communication needs to be dialogue, not monologue. Drawing out the thoughts of others is the fine art of communication. Proper questioning of your child is essential to reaching the inner parts of what’s going on in your child’s heart.

Let’s look at an example.
Your son has just hit his sister. What does Biblical correction look like?

Begin with appropriate questions. Learn to discard the “why” type questions and use instead “what” type questions. Here is what I mean.
Why questions: (no one, even adults like this approach).

Q. Why did you hit your sister?

A. I don’t know.
It is possible that this child cannot answer this question being asked in this way.
Consider this way to examine your child’s actions.
1. What were you feeling when you hit your sister?

2. What did your sister do?

3. Help me understand how hitting her helped to make things better?

4. What was the problem with what she was doing? (You may realize that her behavior was sinful. This is not the issue now.)

5. In what other ways could you have responded?

6. How do you think your response reflected your trust or lack of trust in God’s ability to protect and care for you?
You will need to work through these four areas.

1. the nature of the temptation

2. possible responses to this temptation

3. the motives for those responses

4. the sinful response chosen.

As God’s agent of correction, you are called to exercise discipline and correction, but with the attitude that you --as your child-- are a sinner who may also struggle with temptation of anger toward others. Remember, the goal is to help your child identify the root of the sin in his heart, understand his need of Christ’s grace and redemption, repent and find forgiveness from Christ Jesus.

Next post we will investigate what types of communication are helpful.

Who's in Charge?

2011-06-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

Who’s in Charge?

There is much confusion regarding the topic of ‘authority’. Our culture dislikes being under authority but also dislikes the responsibility to exercise authority. Today we discuss the Bible’s instruction to parents concerning who is in charge in the home.
Should parents exercise the role of authority because they are smarter, more experienced? Do we rule on the basis of absolutes and principles of wisdom from the Bible or on the basis of the situation?
Our culture rebels against the idea that rational, thinking, intelligent humans should willingly put themselves under the authority of another person. We mistakenly believe that freedom is found in autonomy or self-rule. However, true freedom is found in obedience.
Psalm 119 verses 44 to 45 states: “I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”

The Bible teaches that parents are called to be the agents of God to care for, nurture, correct and discipline children according to what pleases God.
Look with me at these Scriptures. In Genesis 18 verse 19 A, God instructs Abraham.. “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice,”
We see this does not allow Abraham to choose his own plan for how to raise his children. Abraham is to bring up his children in the fear and the admonition of the LORD. Look now at Deuteronomy chapter six verses one, two and seven. "Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it, so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

Last we consider Ephesians chapter six verse four; Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Thus, the parent and the child are BOTH under God’s authority. We have different roles, but the same Master. What does this look like? If you as a parent discipline your child in unholy anger, angry because you are not getting what you want from your child, you need to ask forgiveness.

There is no place for anger in discipline. The Apostle James makes this very clear. James 1:19-20 says,

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Behavior changes as a result of parental anger do NOT move a child in the direction of God. Rather, the child moves in the direction of the heart idolatry of the fear of man.

When a child disobeys you, it is God he disobeys. When a child fails to honor his parents, it is God he fails to honor. If your child needs the correction of a spanking, you, as the father, communicate that the reason you must spank is that this is your act of obedience to God. You are not spanking because you are angry, mean, or wish he had never been born. You are not in a contest of wills to see who is the strongest. You are under God’s authority.

The child learns to accept correction, not from perfect parents, but with the understanding that God says the rod of correction imparts wisdom and whoever heeds correction shows prudence. Read Proverbs 15 verse 5 and chapter 29 verse 15. A good verse for all of us is Proverbs 15 verse 32. “He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.”

Let’s explore this word “discipline”. We want to make it clear this is not revenge or punishment. Discipline is an expression of LOVE. Look at these Scriptures. Proverbs 3 verse 12, “…the LORD disciplines those He loves , as a father the son He delights in.” Proverbs 13 verse 24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him” Revelation 3 verse 19, “Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.” And of course in Hebrews 12 we see the goal of discipline.

“You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,

"MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD,

NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;

FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,

AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."

It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines usour good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” [verses four through eleven].

This type of discipline requires us to be very humble. We must see ourselves, sinners as we are, as God’s agents to bring about circumstances whereby a child eventually glorifies God by submitting to the Father in deep contrition and repentance of heart, acknowledging the need for the cleansing power found only in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

The issues of correction are issues of character needed to truly honor God. God is not impressed or pleased with those who honor with their lips but the heart is far from God. Godly discipline will move you toward your child, not against them. Yes, there must be consequences for wrong behavior, but the following is NOT appropriate as a form of discipline.

· Telling your child, I am fed up with you. I will yell at you, hit you or otherwise make sure you never forget this incident.

· Shaming your child with verbal comments of the child’s stupidity or worthlessness

· Isolation of the child insisting the child sit there until he figures out what he did wrong

· Negative comparison of the child with a sibling or relative or even yourself,

Next post we will consider what are appropriate parental goals as revealed in the Bible.

Shaping influences in the Child's Life

2011-05-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

Shaping Influences in the Child’s Life

Let’s look at two passages of Scripture that show the relationship of child to parent. Ephesians chapter 6 verses one through four tell us, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Colossians 3 verses 20 and 21 say, “Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.”
Both passages show that children can expect to receive parental direction regarding how to understand and obey what pleases God. This instruction needs to occur in such a way that the child doesn’t rebel in hopeless despair believing that obedience and honoring God and parents is much too difficult.

Tedd Tripp identifies six shaping influences or life experiences of your child. The person your child becomes is the product of these life experiences and how he interacts with those experiences. A child responds according to the Godward orientation of his heart. So you can see why the heart is very important.
Let’s look first at the shaping influences.

1. What is the nature of structure of the family? Single parent? Divorced parents? Grandparents part of daily life? Are they believers or unconverted? If a father in the home, is he the one who is the final authority? Only child? Birth order? Personality of the child and how the child relates to siblings? The birth order of the parents and if either is an only child?

2. Family values. Are the values of your home based on human tradition and the surrounding culture or on what the Bible teaches? Are people more important than things? Is a child disciplined more severely for breaking a cherished vase or for willful disobedience? What is the relationship with neighbors? Open or closed? Blood relatives of the family? Do mother and the children keep secrets from daddy? Or vice versa?

3. Family Roles. How involved is the father in the home? If the children ask permission to do something, do they go to dad or mom? Do the children have regular responsibilities in the family? Are they treated like slaves? Are they spoiled and treated like emperors? Are boys preferred to girls? Do they learn by working alongside the other family members [including the parents] how to become a servant?

4. Family Conflict Resolution. Do parents resolve conflict between themselves Biblically? Or do they just hope things will quiet down and avoid asking forgiveness and proper reconciliation? Do they use the dozen roses or candy or nice dinner approach? Do either or both parents use anger to attempt to control things? What about name calling? Slammed doors? Physical violence? Abusive speech? The silent treatment? Words that belittle or condemn?

5. Family response to failure. Children are awkward and immature. Some things are learned only by first failing to master the skill. When failure occurs, are children made to feel foolish? Mocked? A source of amusement and cruel laughter? Is one child compared to another in the family who ‘always succeeded’? Does the child have the idea that they can NEVER please the parent, no matter how well they do?

Or does the parent offer words of encouragement, praise for all credible attempts to master something difficult, a story of when the parent struggled to succeed? In other words, are parents relational in a positive and encouraging way to motivate the child to persevere?

6. Family History. When a man and a woman marry, they bring into the new family a blend of two very different histories. Consider the following; how many times did you move as a child? What was the stability of the family? Did you grow up with dire poverty and not enough food for each person? Was a family member sickly with a chronic disease? If so, how was this child treated? Were there many deaths in the family? Divorces? Alcohol or drug abuse? Gambling or other addictive behavior? Constant quarreling between the parents?

As a parent, you must provide the best shaping influences you can by the grace of God. However, your child is not passive. If your child knows and loves God, he will respond in a positive way to your shaping efforts. Your children’s heart determines how he will respond to your parenting.

Next we consider the way in which your child responds to the structure you provide to help shepherd his heart.
Look with me at Proverbs 9 verses seven through ten.

“He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

It is the fear of the LORD that determines how one responds to correction. At heart all people are religious. We are worshipers. Romans 1 verses 18 and 19 state this;

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”

Your children either respond to God by faith or they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Faith enables us to know God and to know and enjoy a life of love, service and worship of God. Suppression of the truth causes one to worship the creation and not the Creator and one becomes an idolater, bowing before things which cannot satisfy. Psalm 58 verse 3 says that even from birth the wicked go astray, displaying wayward behavior and speaking lies. Children are NOT born morally neutral. The Bible teaches that man sins because by nature he is a sinner. The Bible teaches that something is wrong in the heart of the child that requires correction. Notice Proverbs 22 verse 15; “Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him.”

What are the idols of a child? These are not statues of stone or wood, rather, they are the idols of the heart such as fear of man, evil desires, lusts, pride, conformity to the world, setting affections on the things below [earthly things]. They include any motives, desires, wants, goals, hopes and expectations that rule your child’s heart. They don’t have to be expressed outwardly to be present inwardly. However, behavior will reflect these idols at some point in the child’s life.

So parenting is NOT just providing good input such as a constructive home environment and positive interaction between the parent and child. Part of the parent’s task is to shepherd the child as a child who is a worshiper—pointing the child to the One Who alone is worthy of worship. Your child WILL worship; the question is Whom will he worship?

As important as providing a safe place and a stable home environment, we must address the issues of the heart. Selfishness and rebellion against authority are never outgrown because they are idolatry of the heart and not immaturity.

Next time we will consider how the parent functions as God’s agent. What is the role of discipline and correction?

The Heart of Human Behavior

2011-05-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

We as women bear children. Children are the gift of God. Parents are charged to train up the child in the way the child should go. Every parent knows that the behavior of a child soon displays unpleasant actions. No one has to teach a child to tell a lie!

Today we will consider the behavior of a child. Does the child display bad behavior as a result of external influences or from inside the heart of the child? What does the Holy Bible teach?

Look with me at Proverbs 4 verse 23. ”Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Consider also the words of Jesus found in Mark 7 verses 20 through 23. “And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." Also consider Luke 6 verse 45. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”

We read in James 4 verses one through three. “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

Contrary to much popular teaching, environmental factors do not produce the evil and wrong actions. Rather, the issue is the heart from conception. Psalm 51 verse 5 contains David’s confession of his sin. “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.”

We will be sharing truths from the book, Shepherding A Child’s Heart, by Tedd Tripp.

The basic issue is never simply the external behavior. We must look at the heart issues underlying unacceptable behavior. Parents must discipline their children by asking the questions needed to help the child identify the attitude of the heart that has resulted in the wrong behavior.

All behavior is linked to attitudes of the heart. Therefore discipline must speak to the heart attitudes.

Here is a common example of wrong behavior. Your home has two or more children. A fight starts over a particular toy or possession of one child. Generally, the parent asks: Who had it first? This question misses the heart issue. Justice will rule in favor of who had it first. However, at the heart level, BOTH children are displaying selfishness. I don’t care about your happiness. I want what I want. I will put my happiness as more important than yours.

As parents we need to learn how to help the child to see his or her sin, to see the need of a new heart which comes only as one sees the need for a Savior. We point the child to the cross and the gospel which is the power of salvation.

Let’s begin to look to the Scriptures regarding these two issues that affect our children:
1. The child’s relationship to the shaping influences in his life.

2. The child’s relationship to God.

The Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness

2011-05-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

The Garment of Praise for the spirit of Heaviness

Welcome to Voice of Gospel Radio. Sister Wen Wen welcomes you for a message about the home. Today we talk about another important article of clothing for a woman of beauty. Our text is from Isaiah chapter 61 verses 1 through 3. This was quoted by Jesus also and is found in Luke 4, verses 16 through 21.
In another broadcast we talked about the garments of salvation and the robes of righteousness. This clothing is necessary before a woman is clothed with the garment of praise. If you are not sure if you are wearing the robe of righteousness and the garment of salvation, please comment to sister Wen Wen or put comment on the blog. Thank you!

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
   a planting of the LORD
   for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV

Who speaks these words? To whom? What is the message? What will be the results of this message?

Before we answer these questions, please ask yourself this question.

Am I known as a woman who is full of joy and who speaks words of praise? Or am I filled with fears, complaining, hopeless despair and mostly negative comments about my circumstances or the people with whom I live? If you don’t know, ask your husband, your children or your close friend who always tells you the truth!

Now study the words of Jesus in Luke’s gospel. Luke 4:16-21 NIV.

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to release the oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

We see from Luke that it is Jesus who speaks these words. Jesus is both a preacher and a physician as well as a liberator. Jesus can give comfort. The words are spoken for all who mourn as the children of God. What is the message?

Beauty for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning;

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Notice the text doesn’t say, the spirit of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

A garment is external and visible, pointing to an inward and profound change of heart, wrought by the infinite mercy of God through Jesus Christ, Who alone procured for us the previous garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness.
But notice that the promise of beauty, joy and praise is for those who mourn. What do we mean mourn? Mourning begins with a lamentation over past sin. Although grace covers all of our sin, this side of heaven, we never lose the awareness of the awfulness of our evil rebellion and enmity toward a Holy, good and generous Redeemer. The true heart also mourns over present imperfections. Here it is very helpful to have a close friend who will help you see the ‘blind spots’ we all have in relation to our own sins and shortcomings to honor God as God.

“To mourn after more holiness is a sign of holiness, to mourn after greater conformity to the image of Christ proves that we are already in a measure conformed thereunto; to sigh after more complete subordination of our entire life to the will of God is a mourning for which Jesus Christ will bring rich comfort.” Charles Spurgeon, Sermon 1016.

The Christian mourner is saddened that he cannot be more continually in communion with God. Have you known the oneness with the Father and the Son of which Jesus prayed in John 17?

“I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” John 17:23 NLT.
Do you experience true grief when you grieve the Holy Spirit and lose that sweet communion with the God Who suffered a cruel death for you that you might have restored fellowship with the One Who is Love incarnate?

Do you mourn because you cannot be more useful in the work of the Kingdom? Have you so filled your days with frivolous activities and vain pursuits that you have no time for the closet of prayer, the study of the Word of God, the cup of cold water given in Jesus’ name?
Do you mourn most of all for the unconverted? Do you consider the preaching of the gospel the sole responsibility of the pastor, elder or some professional clergy person? If so, dear friend, you have an unbiblical view of the true believer in Jesus Christ.

The promise to the true mourner begins with "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes." God appoints and He gives. He bestows or appoints that which He best deems fitting for the occasion of our condition of heaviness of spirit. What a loving God! His grace is able to once again tune your heart strings to play the chords of His melodious songs of joy. The beauty that replaces the ashes of grief is displayed as a visible beauty put upon those who they have found peace in Jesus Christ. However this beauty is far lovelier and striking than mere physical beauty, because it is a beauty of the soul, an unfading loveliness; a spiritual luster, which far outshines and outlasts the comeliness of the flesh. The source of this beauty is solely the grace of God and is in no way merited by our good deeds.

Next, the oil of joy is bestowed upon the mourner. Oil represents the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter. As such, He takes of the things of God and reveals them unto us. Anointing equips us to minister in the unction or power of the Holy Spirit.
The garment of praise you won’t be able to keep to yourself! Those things pertaining to your redemption from sin will be expressed in your praises. What is the purpose of all of this work of grace? That you might be called

oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor

Life dear reader is NOT about you.. it is about God. When others see you, do they marvel at your cheerful disposition? Do they see that even in great affliction of mind, body, or soul, your spirit rejoices and God, your Saviour is glorified? Are these the thoughts you meditate on day and night?
Read with me these thoughts written by Charles Spurgeon in his sermon “Beauty for Ashes”
“Come, my brethren and sisters, are any of you down; are you almost beneath the enemy's foot? Here is a word for you, "Rejoice not over me, O mine enemy, though I fall yet shall I rise again." Are any of you in deep trouble—very deep trouble? Another word then for you; "When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Are you pressed with labors and afflictions? "As thy days so shall thy strength be," "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose." Are you persecuted? Here is a note of encouragement for you: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." Whatever your circumstances are, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." Think what Jesus has given you, your sins are pardoned for his name sake, your heaven is made secure to you, and all that is wanted to bring you there; you have grace in your hearts, and glory awaits you; you have already grace within you, and greater grace shall be granted you; you are renewed by the Spirit of Christ in your inner man the good work is begun, and God will never leave it till he has finished it; your names are in his book, nay, graven on the palms of his hands; his love never changes, his power never diminishes, his grace never fails, his truth is firm as the hills, and his faithfulness is like the great mountains. Lean on the love of his heart, on the might of his arm, on the merit of his blood, on the power of his plea, and the indwelling of his Spirit. Take such promises as these for your consolation, "Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not." "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, destroy them." "I am God, I fail not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." One might continue for ever quoting these precious passages, but may the Lord apply one or other of them to every mourner's soul; and, especially if there be a mourning sinner here, may he get a grip of that choice word, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out;" or, that other grand sentence, "All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men;" or, that other, "The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin:" or, that equally encouraging word, "Come now, and let us reason together; though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as wool, though they be red like crimson they shall be as snow." The Lord bring us all into comfort and joy by the way of the cross.”

Women as Worshipers: Living our True Identity

2011-05-11T10:31:00.002-07:00

In previous posts we talked about the dress of women. We discussed Biblical modesty. Modesty begins in the heart. Let's continue by talking about worship. How does our concept and practice of worship affect our behavior? Is God more concerned about the outward behavior or the heart of a woman? Please read with me, Proverbs 4:23: Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. ESV. We learned that the natural condition of our heart is full of rebellion toward the ways of God. The Spirit of God reveals our true condition as one of self-love, envy, bitterness, hatred, pride and anger. When we are convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, we know we stand guilty before a Holy God. We discussed the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness which we receive when we are born again of the Spirit of God. At this time we also receive a new heart. We receive what I like to call the "heart of Jesus". The law of God is written on the flesh of our hearts and we are empowered to live a holy life.
Paul writes in Romans 1 verse 16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ESV.
Here is the gospel. Jesus came to earth, lived a life of perfect obedience to the will of God, died as a perfect sacrifice, once for all, so that parents and children can be forgiven, transformed into a new creation, capable of truly obeying and loving God and others.
Romans 1 verses 18 through 25 shows that we are all worshipers. We either worship the true and living God or we exchange this true God for the gods of our own imaginations.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. ESV.

Let's explore ways we can daily live the gospel and how that is related to our worship. As women we truly want to love God, to love our families, to love our neighbors, to love even our enemies. We are forgiven, so we can forgive others. This is the gospel.

The gospel begins with the concept of Authority. God alone is worthy of our highest affections. We belong to God by both creation and redemption. Jesus Christ is alone worthy of our complete devotion.

Look with me at two places in the Bible that discuss the position of women in God's creation. Marriage, a covenant institution of God Himself, is best displayed by husband and wife in the context of the gospel.

1 Peter chapter 3 has these thoughts:

Wives

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within,

the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

All Christians

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life

and see many happy days,

keep your tongue from speaking evil

and your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good.

Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,

and his ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face

against those who do evil.” NLT

See how many commands you can find in this passage. What will you do to begin and continuing obeying? If you are not yet married, or are a widow, you still have those in authority over you. If you are a mother, this is a good teaching for your relationship with your children of any age.

Since we are focused on the clothing of the woman of God, we will focus on verse four. My thanks to the insights from Strong's and Vine's reference works.

Here is what a 'quiet and gentle spirit' looks like. God's grace and peace enable us to put on the quiet and gentle spirit. This has nothing to do with our personality. "Gentle" means "meek". Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the Old Testament, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time (Isaiah chapter 41 verse 17; Luke chapter 18 verses 1 through 8). Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Galatians chapter 5 verse 23).Quiet means "tranquillity arising from within," causing no disturbance to others.

This applies to our words as well as our countenance [facial expressions], our body language and our actions or behaviour.

Thus a woman with a quiet and gentle spirit causes no disturbances to others

as well as she bears with tranquility the disturbances of others.

Our second passage is found in Ephesians chapter five. Again, we view the verses applicable to women.

Living in the Light

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,

rise up from the dead,

and Christ will give you light.”

Living by the Spirit’s Power

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Chapter five, verses one through thirty-three. NLT.

Next post we will begin with the garment of Praise and how we worship best when dressed in this beautiful garment.

Dear Father, we reverence You as the Holy God. Thank You for your grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Thank You for the Gospel which displays Your faithfulness to us. May we live to obey the teachings we studied today. By Your great love, conquer all the kingdoms of our hearts until we find in You alone the satisfaction of all our our hunger and thirst in life. Amen.

Love and Marriage Part 3 The First Marriage

2011-04-27T16:28:00.001-07:00

Whose idea was marriage? Why are so many disillusioned, even angry and bitter, after only a few months of marriage? We are looking at God's Word to find answers.
Welcome to part 3 of Love and Marriage and Voice of Gospel Radio. God's blessing be upon sister WenWen as she proclaims the gospel through internet radio.
Most husbands and wives believe their greatest marital struggle exists OUTSIDE of their own self. If only my husband..or if only my wife...Complete this with your own thoughts of what needs to change in your spouse. However, this is not the true problem.

Our greatest struggle in the marriage relationship lies in our own self! We are sinners.

We do and say wrong things because we live to please ourselves. Sin in its fundamental form is anti-social. Sin whispers in our ear that we should love ourselves more than we love anything or anyone else. We are attracted to that beautiful woman or that handsome man because we think that this person loves us as much as we love ourselves! We are not attracted to that man or that woman because we actually love them! Please review Part 2 of this series about true love. We must conclude the truth. I am my greatest marriage problem!
Has marriage always been full of conflict and problems? Please look with me into Genesis chapter 1 through chapter 3 to find truth. We will learn that God is the creator of marriage! Genesis 1 tells of the creation of mankind. Verses 27 through 29 read as follows. Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you;" NASB.
This is the overview of the creation of mankind. Next in chapter 2 we read the details of this account from chapter 1. Notice verses 7, 8, 15 through 25. Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him." Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." NASB.

We must understand these words to know how to have a marriage without regrets. Notice in verse 27 and 28 of chapter 1 that mankind was created in the image of God. God is a spirit and so we cannot see Him. He is self existent which means God has no creator. God exists outside of time and is all knowing of what we call the past, present and future. The image of God means that mankind was made to know God in an intimate way, to have the ability to communicate with God and to enjoy this relationship. Mankind shares some of the attributes of God. For example man is able to love. Animals cannot love as a man can. Man can show patience and express joy and give to another without thought of any personal benefit. Man can demonstrate compassion and show mercy to an enemy. Both the male and female are made in the image of God. The woman is not made lower than the man. Both are given their life work. This is to exercise dominion or rule over all the rest of the created earth. Mankind is to steward or be God's representative rule over the world that God created. Man will be held accountable or responsible for how well he does this work. Mankind is also told to be fruitful in their rule. They are to produce children and fill the world. God did not create multiple mankind. From only two, the first man and the first woman, all the peoples of the world are descended. I don't look Chinese, however, I am sister to the Chinese!

In chapter two we read of how exactly God made the male part of mankind. God did not speak the man into existence. No, God formed from the dust of the ground. God fashioned with great care and expertise the human body. Then God breathed into the nostrils of man the breath of life. Man became a living soul. Man has three parts, the physical body, the soul which is the mind, will and emotions and the spirit, which is the part that is in the image of God. The soul expresses the life of the spirit. The body allows us to move about and interact with our environment, to reproduce after our kind and to enjoy with the physical senses the beauty and majesty of the creation of God. Our physical bodies also allow us to express our joy and love and gratitude and praises to our Creator God. God took the male body He made and put him into a garden to work the garden. One simple rule was given the man. Man was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or he would die. We will study this in another lesson. So the man was given his work of naming the animals. To name someone is to have authority and rule over that which is named. Why was the woman or female made? God said it is not good for the man to be alone. God would make a helper suitable for the male. Now many do not understand this. God did not make a slave or servant for the male. Remember, chapter one says that both male and female are in the image of God and both were given dominion over all the earth. Notice also that the female was not made from dust. She was taken from the body of the male, from his rib. God then fashioned the body of the female from this rib of the male. Also, God brought the female to the male. Adam recognized that the female was from his own body. The woman was not taken from the feet of the man. She was from the part of his body nearest his heart. The woman was not to be as a slave or to be beaten and kicked around in anger. The woman was to complement the man. The man was not complete without the woman.

Now we read of the first marriage and how all other marriages must function to make for a harmonious life. Chapter 2 verse 24 states that For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. At first this seems strange. The first man, who is named Adam, has no mother or father! God created Adam. However, God is here establishing the way the families of the earth are to form new families. Let's look at the two words, "leave" and "cleave". A young man who decides to marry must also purpose to form a relationship with his wife that honors his wife. What do I mean? Simply this.. to cleave to the woman, to become one flesh is much more than sexual union. A young man's parents are still to be available for counsel, but the man must share the intimate things of his heart life with his wife..no longer with his mother or father. Yes in a happy marriage, some things will be shared only between the husband and wife. The wife is not the servant of her mother in law or her father in law. Remember, to leave.. this is to start a new home. The wife and the husband will have the responsibility to train their own children. This is not the job of the grandparents. Adult children still honor and respect the elderly parents; however, the son must tell his parents that his wife is the Queen of the home and there is only one Queen. The grandchildren are not to be pampered and spoiled as young Emperors or Empresses. Certainly grandparents play an essential part of the family. We will talk of this in another lesson.

The first marriage was perfect. Adam and his wife knew no shame. What happened? Next post, we will talk about how sin entered the world.

Love and Marriage Part 2 Love

2011-04-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

We continue to give thanks to Voice of Gospel Radio and sister WenWen. Of course all glory to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is Love incarnate.
What is love? If you are a woman, perhaps you have dreams of a man who will be that final piece in the puzzle completing your idea of a husband who will help you reach your goals for life. Is this love? Perhaps only 'love of self'. Contrary to popular opinion, love is NOT an emotion or feeling. The Bible defines love by an event.

Love is defined by the cross of Jesus Christ. Love involves a willing self sacrifice for the benefit of another. True love also doesn't demand reciprocation or that the person being loved is worthy of the sacrifice.

Romans 5:8 states, But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. CEV. The Message says it this way, verses 5-8. "Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him."
Just as Christ Jesus offered Himself in sacrificial love, so we must in the marriage give love to the spouse who is totally undeserving of our love and unable to give love in return.
Love is a command. In John 15, verses 12-13, Jesus explains the kind of love He expects of His followers. "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." NLT.
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus further explains the limits of love this way; 'You have heard people say, "Love your neighbors and hate your enemies." But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends.' Matthew 5:43-46 CEV.
1 Corinthians 13 is known as the 'love chapter' in the Word of God. Let's see why this is true. Evaluate YOUR love by the Word of God, ok?
"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love never fails.
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." Verses 1-8a, 13
NLT.

What does this look like? Ladies, this means that when you forgive your husband for a wrong, you never bring this up again because love keeps no record of being wronged. Verse 5 means love is not touchy, or fretful or resentful. Verse 7 is sometimes translated that love is always supportive and believes the best about someone. Love covers.

If you have trouble loving your spouse, spend some time meditating on this passage of Scripture. Why did God show mercy and grace to you? Because you were lovely and deserved it?
"Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)" Ephesians 2, verses 1-5, NLT.

God gives grace and mercy. Go and do likewise.

Next time we will talk about Marriage and What is Sin? and What is Biblical forgiveness? We welcome your comments and questions.

Love and Marriage Part 1 Worship

2011-04-26T13:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Voice of Gospel Radio and sister WenWen's messages for both home and community life. Today we speak about the topic, Love and Marriage. We wish to use thoughts from author/teacher Paul David Tripp. If you have access to youtube, many of his messages are available in this format.
Many of our listeners see marriages that are not happy marriages. Perhaps you are in a very unhappy marriage. These messages are for you! Let's consider this thought by Paul Tripp. He says that a marriage displaying unity, understanding and love isn't rooted or centered in romance. Rather it is centered in WORSHIP. Yes, worship. Do we mean the time a person spends in a building where the Bible is read, songs sung, an offering of money or goods given for the use of the Kingdom of God? No. We mean more than this. We are all worshipers. Worship is that to which a person attaches the innermost sense of well-being. This may include our understanding of "god". However, this might be another person, our self, or things of material nature. Worship is what gives a person meaning and purpose in all of our decisions, dreams, actions, and reactions. So worship is first our identity. Next worship is our activity.
Jesus speaks of "treasure". We all seek after treasure. Treasure is what is intrinsically valuable to me. Most people put forth great effort to obtain what is valuable to them. The type of treasure you seek in your marriage will produce the character your will experience in your marriage. What controls my heart determines how I respond to others around me.
Jesus said in Matthew 6, verses 19-21, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." NLT.
Before we can understand that a Biblical marriage must be rooted in worship, not romance, we must understand the meaning of "love" as used in the Bible.
Please join me in the next Voice of Gospel Radio to learn about What is Love? and how does 'love' relate to Marriage!

Christian Modesty...Salvation, the undergarment.. What about the Outer Garment?

2011-04-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers,
We remember in prayer today sister WenWen and Voice of Gospel Radio. We give thanks to God for His gift of new life in Christ Jesus.
Recently we celebrated Resurrection Sunday. Many ladies and young women were dressed in lovely new colorful dresses. These dresses symbolized the new life a believer has in Christ Jesus.
Last Post we talked about how God clothes us with the garments of salvation and covers us with the robe of righteousness. This is the undergarment.
Let's look now at what God expects of us as Christian women. Let's learn more about the outer garments.

Romans 13:14 NIV says: Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. [Or the flesh]

Galatians 3:27 NASB: For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Ephesians 4:24 NASB: and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Colossians 3:10 NASB: and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
Colossians 3:12-14 NASB: So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

STUDY OF THE WORD:

Thayer's Lexicon has this to say about "clothe" in these verses..

"to become so possessed of the mind of Christ as in thought, feeling and action to resemble Him, and as it were, reproduce the life He lived."

The Greek word, endyo, translated as clothe or "put on" means to clothe oneself, to literally sink into a garment.
Let's study each of these last two passages in context.
Ephesians 4:17-32 NLT
Living as Children of Light
¹⁷ With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ¹⁹ They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. ²⁰ But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Colossians 3:1-17 NASB

Put On the New Self

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

LIFE APPLICATION:

Please take time this week to study, meditate on, and commit to memory these verses. Each morning, make it your goal to obey what these commands teach. Write down ten things you will begin to do immediately. Example: Read the Bible regularly, and write out some songs of praise and thanksgiving. Share with others! Send your song to sister WenWen for her to post on the blog radio program. Remember, being filled with the Holy Spirit empowers us to live a righteous life. Find another woman and be accountable for how you dress each day!

Christian Modesty

2011-03-31T18:06:00.000-07:00

Spring is my favorite time of the year. Today, March 28, 2011, I spotted the first yellow roses on the Lady Banks Rose Bush. Rosa banksiae or commonly named to as the Lady Banks’ Rose, is a species of Rosa native to central and western China, in the provinces of Gansu, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Yunnan; it grows in mountains at altitudes of 500-2200 m. The rose is named after Lady Banks, the wife of the great botanist Sir Joseph Banks (after whom the Banks Peninsula is named). So what does Lady Banks Roses have to do with today's topic of Christian Modesty? What do you think of when you think of a "lady"? Not the same as the English word, "woman". I am preparing a series of messages about the topic of Christian Modesty for use on Voice of Gospel Radio, a web based radio which is intended for Chinese listeners. Of course my messages are Biblically based and recorded in English. My photo is to illustrate how a lady should take concern for her appearance. “Modest” means propriety in speech, conduct or dress. “Propriety” means proper or appropriate. The Bible talks about what is proper. Yes, even regarding how a lady should dress. Remember, modest is not only the outer clothing, but the inner life and conduct. A person dresses outwardly either as a reflection of the inner life, or in contradiction to what is inside.Let's investigate some Scriptures that talk about clothing.

Isaiah 61:10 NKJV: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

This beautiful description of a follower of Jesus Christ, the Eternal Bridegroom, shows us that it is GOD Himself Who makes possible our right standing with God. What do I mean? Right standing is relational. Right standing enables two people to enjoy good fellowship and deep heart level communion. Two things are mentioned here about clothing. First, a garment of salvation. Second, a robe of righteousness.
Why do we need such garments as ''salvation'' or ''righteousness''? The short answer is that we are born with a sin nature.. we are born as enemies of God, born dead spiritually in our sins and transgressions against the Holy God. God dwells in light unapproachable. God cannot be in the presence of evil. We might say that God has a 'zero' tolerance toward sin. James 2:10 NASB says: "For whoever keeps the whole Law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." We need rescue or salvation from the wrath of God which is the just punishment for our sins of willful disobedience against the commands of God. The wrath of God abides on all who do not place their trust or faith in the Eternal Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. [see John 3:36] The punishment incurred by the wrath of God is eternity separated from God in the Lake of Fire or Hell.This sounds pretty bad. But wait.

There is Good News.

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see—kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins." [selected verses from Colossians 1 NLT]

In these verses we see the following:

God the Father sent the Son to provide reconciliation.
The Son Who is Christ Jesus accomplished the reconciliation of sinful man and Holy God by means of His own willing death on the cross.
Redeemed man appears as "holy and blameless" before God the Father.
The full wrath of God the Father poured out on the Eternal Son at the cross.
The blood of Jesus paid the redemption price for the souls of all who place their faith or trust in Christ Jesus alone for forgiveness of sins.
We are covered or clothed with the garment of righteousness or salvation.
The prison walls of our own sin are broken down; in fact, we are removed from the evil kingdom of darkness and eternal death to the Kingdom of Light and Eternal Life.

The garment of salvation is the most important garment any lady should be wearing! How about you? Please let me know if you are not sure you are dressed in a robe of Christ's righteousness. I am not speaking about religion. Remember, right standing is 'relational'.

Next post we will talk about the inner person of the heart of a modest lady. We will also talk about how this looks in our choice of outer apparel.

Tomato Soup Cake: Headcovering wardrobe giveaway! WooT! WooT!

2010-07-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

Tomato Soup Cake: Headcovering wardrobe giveaway! WooT! WooT!

check this out..

GRACE: The Healing Touch

2010-04-15T10:07:00.008-07:00

Today I am remembering. Two years ago my dad died four days short of his 92nd birthday. I was privileged to spend some time with him just before he died. I noticed Dad really wanted to be touched and his hand grip was as firm as ever. But he was not holding on to this life! During his last moments of mental clarity he was alert, smiling and blowing us kisses. The joy and peace on his face was radiant. He was seeing the unseen as seen. Yes it was very hard to say those last words. But they were words of "see you later, Dad". We did not say : Good Bye.
I read in Mark's Gospel an interesting account about 'touching'. Mark 5:22-34 records what at a first reading seems to be two stories sandwiched together. Let's take a look.
One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet and implored Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live." And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, "If I just touch His garments, I will get well." Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My garments?" And His disciples said to Him, "You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction." NASB

The first thing I noticed as I read this passage was the different method that Jairus and the woman approached Jesus. Jairus, a ruler of a synagogue, was an important religious man. Kneeling in front of Jesus, Jairus implored Jesus to come help with his desperately sick daughter. Those of you who are parents can only imagine his urgency. Everyone saw Jairus do this. I don't know what Jesus had planned for this day, but He also realized He needed to right away go with Jairus. There is a large crowd pressing in all directions around Jesus. Maybe many others had needs they wished to bring to Jesus.
Now however a very strange thing happens..a woman who had sometime heard Jesus speak and knew about Him purposed to go and touch His garment. Sounds a little odd, yes? Would you like someone in the shopping mall to sneak up behind you and try and secretly touch your jacket? In fact this woman was also in a desperate condition. Sick for 12 years with the same illness that the doctors were unable to heal.. and no money left to even try again. Maybe some of you can relate to this? So why did she want to touch the cloak of Jesus? To understand this, we need to know what the Jews believed about the promised Messiah. He would be able to heal diseases. The words translated 'be made well' actually mean 'save'. But more of this later! Rabbis wore an outer scarf like garment which had tassels on the ends. It was believed that if a person touched the tassels of the Messiah's scarf, they would be miraculously healed. Amazingly she touched Jesus clothes and felt instantly that she was healed! You would have thought she would have exclaimed in a loud voice: Praise God! But she just fades back into the crowd, apparently unnoticed. Only Someone did notice her. Intent as He was in going with Jairus to help him, Jesus pulled up short and said a really strange thing: Who touched Me? His followers thought He was crazy. Have you ever been to an outdoor market, or large sporting event or a county fair and people are bumping into one another? All kinds of people were jostling against Jesus. But Jesus knew this was no ordinary touch. This touch pulled out from Him His divine power to heal! It was a touch of faith. Trust that He was the Messiah, sent from God to usher in a new kingdom. He had been teaching about the Kingdom of God. She had heard that one must come into this Kingdom by a means called the 'new birth'. There was a rumor that an important Pharisee named Nicodemus had visited the Rabbi at night to ask more about this new Kingdom.
Let us not miss an important detail here in the story. Jairus came and knelt in front of Jesus. Kneeling showed that Jairus also believed Jesus had power to heal. But the woman? Why did she not come and stand in front of Jesus and tell Him her desperate need? To fully understand this, take some time to read in the Old Testament book of Leviticus about the form of uncleanness caused by the condition this woman had which is called 'an issue of blood'. Leviticus is a book that gives details of how the people were to live under the Law of God. God is holy and cannot be approached unless a person is perfect morally. The only exception is to use a substitute sacrifice. Different types of sin problems required different types of sacrifice. Even unintentional sins required a sacrifice! [see Leviticus 4] So is Jesus saying this poor woman who is sick through no fault of her own requires a sacrifice for sin? Well according to Leviticus her condition automatically limited her involvement in her society. Once the bleeding stopped, she could then go to the priest and offer a sacrifice for her sins...Under the Law this woman had no hope. Unclean persons were also capable of transferring their uncleanness to another. This gets pretty messy, yes? So the struggle in her mind to even attempt to touch Jesus must have been a great struggle. Certainly she should not just go to Him and kneel in front of Him.. and let everyone know that she, an unclean person, had just touched Jesus!
Jesus was not going to allow this to pass unnoticed. He began looking for the woman. Did she have guilt written on her face? Joy? She had been delivered from her affliction. Not a word was said. She had not brought anything with her to offer as a sacrifice if she were healed. In fear and trembling, she came to the front of Jesus this time and began pouring out her life story. Wow. Jesus never asked for this, did He? I think when their eyes met, He was pure compassion and grace. No Law here. No anger or disgust or condemnation for her sin. In fact had not Jesus said "I came to save sinners, not the righteous"? Mark 2:17 NASB says: And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
I think it must have been very healing for this woman to pour out her troubles to Someone Who really listened.. Who really understood her pain..
Then Jesus speaks those words of pure grace, doing for her what the Law could not do.. making her clean and healing not only her body but her soul hurts and forgiving her sins. 'Saved' when used in the Bible means saved from both the penalty and power of sin.
Let's review: How was she healed? By the good works she did? No, she came in faith. Faith and trust that the One prophesied years ago in Genesis 3:15 would come and redeem her life and give her a new life and life everlasting. She touched Him. He responded in Grace and Truth. Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law. Not to do away with the Law. The Old Testament Law as in Leviticus has always pointed forward to that time when there would come the Perfect Lamb of God, slain before the foundations of the world. The perfect God-Man mediator of a blood covenant that forever removed the wrath of God from all who repent and trust in Jesus' death as sufficient to deal with their sins.
How about you? Have you experienced the Touch of Grace?
Touched today by His grace,
Auntie Ann

Kiss the Son.. He Who Honors the Son Honors the Father

2010-03-15T10:33:00.045-07:00

Hello and Happy Spring to You All!

Spring this year has come to the desert in a wonderful way. I was outside enjoying the sunshine and a gentle breeze caressed my cheeks. It felt much like when my finger would touch the cheek of my sleeping young son. I felt the kiss of God as He whispered in my ear: At the cross Grace Kissed Law and said "It is finished!" Christ Jesus poured out His life blood as an atoning sacrifice that we might be fully satisfied in God the Father alone. Mercy opened the door to reconciliation between a Holy God and sinful man.

My mind remembered the words: Kiss the Son.. so I have been reading Psalm 2. Please take a few minutes and read all of this Psalm. I am using NIV and study notes from NIV. Peter and John in Acts 4:25 attribute this Psalm to David and it is known to originally be used for the coronation of Davidic kings. Some interesting insights that those from Western or European roots may not understand are found in v. 7-9. This section details the coronation of the Lord's Anointed One, the King. "You are my Son; today I have become your Father." NIV. The study notes shed some light on this. In the Near East the relationship between a great king and one of his subject kings who ruled by his authority and owed him allegiance was expressed not only by the words 'lord' and 'servant', but 'son' and 'father'. Read what God said about David in 2 Samuel 7:5, 14. God calls David both His son and His servant. At this point if you turn to Acts 13:33 and surrounding verses, you will gain some important insights of how Psalm 2:7-9 applies to Jesus' resurrection and future return to rule as King of kings. Of course Jesus is the eternal Son, but the actual change from the shadow of the Old Covenant to the reality of the New Covenant was accomplished by the sinless life, death on the cross and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Resurrection simply is proof that what Jesus had prophesied about His mission was true. He came to save sinners from the wrath of God by offering Himself upon the altar of the cross as the Perfect Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world. Salvation has always been from faith, not from keeping the Law. The Old simply points to the New. At the cross Grace Kissed Law and provision was made for Christ's righteousness to be transferred or imputed to all who would by faith come and repent of their sins and cast themselves on the mercy of God. By faith they would then enter into a new life. Does this mean that Jesus is NOT God? Does this mean that Jesus is some second, lesser God than the Father? No. But to fulfill the plan of God Jesus would enter time, incarnate as a perfect, sinless man and willingly lay aside some of His deity to live as a man, die as a man and then by His own power be raised from the dead. Jesus said that no one took His life-- He willingly laid it down and would by His own power take it up again. No other prophet made such a claim. With the exception of the Old Testament prophets Enoch and Elijah, all men have died or will die. [One future day these men will return and die on earth also.]

Let's move on to v. 12. "Kiss the Son..do Him homage.. Another text note says that the conquering Assyrian kings required that subjects submit to their authority and demonstrate this symbolically by kissing the feet of the king. Kissing of one's feet? But how about Jesus? Did anyone ever do homage to Him by kissing His feet? Does Psalm 2 prophetically point to Him? We will discuss two times Jesus was kissed. The first is found in Luke 7:36-50. NASB.

"Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined {at the table.} And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining {at the table} in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind {Him} at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner." And Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he replied, "Say it, Teacher." "A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. "When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly." Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. "You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. "You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven." Those who were reclining {at the table} with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this {man} who even forgives sins?" And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

What can we learn from this story? First who are the main characters? Simon, a Pharisee, who had invited Jesus for a meal. Jesus. Unidentified other guests. An unexpected stranger.. or we assume she is not known by the others. A woman 'of the streets'.. but a wealthy one. What happens? This woman had somehow heard about Jesus coming.. but she most certainly was NOT invited to this meal. However, we find her weeping, kneeling at Jesus' feet, and pouring an expensive bottle of perfume over His feet, kissing His feet, weeping uncontrollably. Wow. Quite a scene, huh? Responses noted? Simon seems quite uncomfortable with all of this. Embarrassed no doubt. Annoyed with Jesus for allowing such a scene in front of His guests. But Simon considers only the woman's sinful condition--not his own spiritual condition. Now Jesus, who being God, can see into the heart condition of all persons and even know our thoughts.. he perceived what Simon was thinking but not saying.. Hey if this Jesus knew what KIND OF WOMAN this is.. if He were a prophet--He would never allow her to even touch Him! Yuk.. dirty sinner! I mean she is just a common slut of the streets. Jesus: Note His response.. don't you love it? He did not even reveal He knew what Simon was thinking. Instead Jesus posed a hypothetical situation. At the end He asked Simon.. who do you think would be more grateful? Who would love the moneylender more? Simon was no doubt a shrew businessman. He realized the truth, the one who was forgiven more loved more. Then Jesus drops the bombshell. Hey Simon, you did not even extend the normal and customary hospitality of our culture that is offered even to our enemies! I was travel weary and got no chance to clean up before the meal. But this 'woman'.. she has washed my feet with her tears, anointed them with an expensive perfume, and demonstrated a penitent and contrite heart about her own sins. Kissing my feet is her sign of submission to my authority over her as her King. Her love as expressed in repentance and faith [she truly believed that Jesus had authority as God's Anointed One to forgive sins] results in her sins being paid for.. wiped out. The woman has said nothing in her own defense. She never once said that she had been doing some good things lately.. to try and make up for her 'mistakes'. She saw herself as a HELPLESS SINNER IN NEED OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS.

The Kiss of Contrition and Repentance and Faith.

Verse 50 makes it clear that it was her FAITH that saved her from God's wrath for her sins, not the act of coming and kissing Jesus' feet. No amount of external religious acts of washings or kneeling or prostrating ourselves can ever take care of our sin debt. This woman upon receiving the Word of God: Your sins are forgiven, go in peace-- could indeed depart in peace. Her peace came through the mercy of God in response to her repentance and faith. The response of the other guests: Who is this that even forgives sins? That is my question for you, dear reader. Who indeed is Jesus? How can he claim to forgive sins? Jesus did NOT put the woman under any burden of rules or laws to keep. God is just and all sin must be punished. God made it clear from the time of Adam that sin brings death. Jesus did NOT just say, well such is life. Women mess up sometimes.. Think on these things. Right with God? Is it Earned or Imputed?

Here is an excellent John Piper Message called "Jesus: Equal with God". This explains the second part of the Title of this blog. It will tie in nicely with "Kiss the Son".

Let's take time to look into a contrasting "kiss" that Jesus received. I think most people have heard this story because I have yet to meet someone who has named their son after the main character in this story. This story is recorded in all four Gospels. We will use Mark 14:43-46. NASB "Immediately while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, *came up accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, {who were} from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away under guard." After coming, Judas immediately went to Him, saying, "Rabbi!" and kissed Him. They laid hands on Him and seized Him." Luke's account has Jesus asking Judas: Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?

The Kiss of Betrayal.

Jesus clearly identifies His mission and His identity. The Son of Man, a clear reference to the prophetic word of Daniel chapter 7 which foretells the coming Messiah as the God/Man mediator between sinful man and holy God. This is the Kingdom of God Jesus brings! Reconciliation to God and restoration of fellowship between a Holy God and sinful man. Of course Judas Iscariot did not see the Messiah in such a role. Rather, the thief Judas thought only of an earthly Kingdom, an overthrow of the Roman Kingdom and no doubt a good position for himself in this new kingdom. [You may wish to read online the commentary of Matthew Henry about Daniel chapter 7. "Son of Man" is a key identification of Jesus as who He claimed to be, i.e, God's Anointed One.]

How about you dear reader? Which type of "kiss" will you greet Jesus with?

The Kiss of Contrition and Repentance and Faith.

The Kiss of Betrayal.

Will you experience God's mercy, forgiveness and life? Or God's wrath and judgment and eternal separation from God in the place of torment and suffering?
The Father's heart of Love is both just and merciful.
I love you all,
Auntie Ann

Resurrection Power and Reconciliation

2010-03-01T21:04:00.007-07:00

Today is March 1st.
We awoke shrouded in fog this morning.
Fog is so wonderful, somewhat mystical-- insulating and shielding from view that which we know to be there..but cannot see clearly.

This message is about seeing clearly.

Revelation. Redemption. Restoration.

The murmuring complaints of the Redeemed are voiced in the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament. The rebellion of Korah and his 250 followers is recorded in chapter 16. Now these 250 were the choice leaders, men of renown. Important men. Their complaint? We are just as 'holy' as you are, Moses and Aaron. We will mediate our own sins. So Moses gave a test to show what God thought of this. The 250 and their leaders were to offer incense to the Lord, using bronze censers. Firepans. Korah was from the tribe of Levi, same as Moses and his brother, Aaron. However, the priesthood functioned only through the line of Aaron. The priest was the mediator between Holy God and sinful Man. Perhaps the Korahites thought they were 'good enough' to mediate between God and Man. Reading further, just minutes after Moses prophesied that the ground would swallow up those who were in agreement with these men, God did just this! Their households, including all of their possessions, went down alive to Sheol. What happened to the 250 men? They became the Lord's burnt offering, so to speak.. Fire came from God and burned them alive. The censers were recovered and kept as a reminder that no layman who was not of the priesthood of Aaron should ever come near to burn incense before the Lord. God was not fully done with His wrath against the sins of the people. The plague killed another 14,700. Only the quick and sacrificial action of Aaron and Moses kept the number this low.
So what should we learn from this story? What should the Jews have learned?
First, God is Holy. God is Sovereign and can decide how He will relate to Sinful Man. These men did not just make a mistake. They were in open rebellion against God.
Second, There must be a mediator to atone for the sins of man against God. This mediator is chosen by God. Not by man. So one religion is not as good as another. Our own good works fall short of what God demands. We can in no way make ourselves right in God's sight.
Third, God is not capricious. He does not change His mind or His overall plan from Eternity Past. Redemption is not an emergency plan thought out after Adam's sin.
Continuing the story: God knows the heart of sinful man. God knew that although the grave diggers would be quite busy for awhile, burying those almost 15,000 dead ones, the people would continue to grumble.
God told Moses to select a man from each of the 12 tribes bring a rod to Aaron. They were to write the name of the tribe on the rod. Now these rods were sticks. Dead wood from a tree that was once alive. But no hint of life in these sticks. In the Bible a rod represents authority.
The 12 rods were to be left near where God would meet with Moses to talk. God told Moses that the rod of the tribe God has chosen to be priestly intercessor would sprout. Of course the people had just learned that it was from the tribe of Levi, specifically Aaron and his sons who would mediate the Covenant God had made with Israel. How would God confirm the Aaronic priesthood?
On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony. Can you guess what he found? Aaron's rod had sprouted, blossomed and produced mature almonds! The other rods were still dead sticks.
WOW.
I puzzled over this message from the Holy Bible. Why the sprouting ? What does this mean? Then I read a commentator who explained that the rod that sprouted, blossomed, and bore fruit.. represented resurrected life. Dead, then alive. Spring time is almost here. The seeds which have lain dormant all winter will soon sprout and grow and produce again in accordance with God's laws of the harvest. But there is still a germ of life in those seeds. They do NOT resurrect from the dead.

This rod had no life.
But it came to life and even bore fruit.
Resurrection and fruitfulness confirmed Priesthood and Mediation.

Aaron's rod points us forward to Another Who would be of a different priesthood. He would be called The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. His priesthood would be of a new order. Not of the tribe of Levi, but of the Tribe of Judah, He would be called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. His priesthood would not be limited as was Aaron's who would one day die. This priesthood would be forever.

Resurrection life would identify this new priest.

Who is this? We know of course from the Scriptures that this is Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah. The New Testament book called Hebrews describes Jesus, our Great High Priest, and how He is foretold throughout the Old Testament.
But when was this priesthood of Jesus established? After He died on the cross? No, remember God chose and appointed the priests of the Old Testament. They did nothing to earn or merit this. So when was Jesus chosen? Hebrews 5 quotes from Psalms 2 and 110 which Jesus also quoted in Matthew 22. Jesus is a priest forever... His authority came from God.
Jesus was chosen priest from the foundation of the world. Before the fall of man. Revelation 13:8 says this about Him:
...Lamb that was slain [in sacrifice] from the foundation of the world...Amp NT.

So Jesus is not only prophet-- He is priest, sacrificial offering, king and God.
His resurrection validates this truth..

How is Jesus King? The Kingdom of God is within. It is a spiritual kingdom that can only be entered by a new spiritual birth. There must be a mediator who represents us in the presence of God. This can only be Jesus, our Great High Priest. He took upon Himself the full wrath of God against our sins. God judged Jesus for our sins. Jesus became sin Who knew no sin. The great exchange. His righteousness for our rebellion.
All who repent [believe that they are indeed helpless sinners in need of someone to rescue them from the power of evil and death and to put them into right relationship with God] and who trust the One who by His substitutionary death secured not only pardon but reconciliation with God on their behalf.. all who are called by God into His kingdom.. they will be called sons of God and live to glorify and honor Him forever.
This new birth happens when we are alive on this earth. After our bodies die, it is too late. After death comes the judgment of God. No amount of good works can lessen the penalty for our sins. Our good deeds at best seem to God as dirty garments. Only those whose robes have been cleansed in the shed blood of Jesus will be allowed into God's holy heaven.

How about you? Are you in a spiritual 'fog'?

Pray and seek God for your salvation--your reconciliation to God. Cry out and do not stop until He hears and has mercy on you. You might cry out the words to this old hymn as a start.. Open my eyes, Lord, I want to see Jesus.. to reach out and touch Him..
All who 'touch' Him experience healing of their sin-sick souls. Touch Him by grace through faith. Both grace and faith are gifts of God.
The priesthood of God that leads to eternal life first had to come from above.. then return with the declaration: It is Finished! Christ Jesus triumphantly spoke these words as He laid down His life on the cross. There He conquered Death, which is what keeps us estranged from meaningful relationship with God.

His resurrection proved that indeed.. IT IS FINISHED..!!
Wouldn't you like to see the finish of your inner turmoil-- your sense that something is wrong or just plain missing in your life?

Come to Jesus.. as a sinner.. come and repent and believe the Good News of the One Who died so you can live. Jesus turn away NO ONE who comes by faith and repentance.

The winds of change are blowing.. respond now to the wind of the Holy Spirit of God.

Begin living Resurrection Life.

I love you all..
Auntie Ann

WALK ON

2010-01-22T12:40:00.007-07:00

I have been thinking about 'walking' for some months now. In June 2009 my back broke in four places. I have used a 'walker' since that time. I live in a rural area and the last eleven years have enjoyed almost daily 'walks' of over one mile. I miss this so very much.
But I have learned so much about a different use of our word 'walk'. Our 'walk' can refer to our way of living. You may have heard: "A person's walk should match his talk." This means what we say we believe should be demonstrated in how we live. In addition 'walk' can mean 'way' or 'path'. This implies the idea of a destination. A path leads somewhere. Many years ago when I was about age 14 we studied a poem in school changed my life. The poem is "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost. I want to mention only the last stanza.

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."

I am by no means a Robert Frost fan. He and I are miles apart in our worldview. But God used this poem to give me the power to say 'no' to certain things and to stay focused on what would be His will for my life.. a life wholly given over to walk along the path prepared just for me by the One Who loved me enough to die in my place. But we are getting ahead of our story.
At age 14 I wanted to 'walk' with a sense of purpose and perseverance.

I had a sense that a life that counts must involve a degree of self denial.

I began to think of the deep questions of life:
Who am I?
Why am I here?
What should I do with my life?
Where do I look to find these answers?

Following my conversion to Christ Jesus by means of grace through faith in Christ Jesus, my 'guidebook' for living became the Bible.
The Bible gives light or understanding to our walk. Psalm 119:105 says God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. How so? Psalm 119:130 explains further. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. "Unfolding" here means like a door or entrance.
A casual reading of the Scriptures is not sufficient to find the light or understanding we need to live a life that will count in eternity.
Here are just a few references as to how one should walk, according to the Bible.
1. We are to walk according to God's commandments.
2. We are to walk as Jesus walked. How did Jesus walk? He tells us this in John's Gospel. Jesus always did the will of God, the Father. See John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-40. Jesus expects us to live the same way!
3. We will walk in humility of mind, considering others as more important than ourselves. [see Philippians 2:3-8].
4. We will walk in love. If you love Me, you will obey My commands. John 14. Not the gushy, sentimental, romantic, sensual type of love. Rather the commands of Christ, which begin with "repent". Continue with "you must be born again". How many of Christ's commands do you know of, let alone keep? Ephesians 5:2 tells us what it looks like to 'walk in love'. A careful reading of all of Ephesians 5 will give you great understanding of what walking in love looks like.
5. We are to walk in faith.. not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7.
6. We will walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Everyone likes the idea of power. But power is about doing what we ought, not what we want. In fact to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit means to walk in the midst of a great war. Not peace. Galatians 5:17 ESV says "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

If there is no struggle in our lives to walk the walk that pleases God, then we are most to be pitied and should be careful to see whether we are indeed in the faith.

7. Romans 6:4 says that we are to walk in newness of life. The old life must be crucified with Christ.

8. We are to walk in forgiveness and reconciliation. Forgiveness is NOT saying : I apologize.
Forgiveness is a promise. Forgiveness is choosing not to hold an offense against another. Forgiveness chooses not to remember and not to bring up this issue again with the other person or anyone else including with our selves. Should our mind begin to think again of the offense we must immediately replace that thought with thankfulness to God that He has chosen to not remember our much greater sins against Him.

9. We will walk in God's ways. Many times God asked this of His chosen people. There were promises of blessings for doing this and punishment for failing to do so. What are His ways? His moral ways as made clear in His commands and shown by Who He is. This includes truth, righteousness, light, purity.

How are we NOT to walk? Psalm 1 says NOT in the counsel of the ungodly. Where do you get your guidance? We are NOT to walk in the imagination of our own hearts and after other gods [Jer. 13:10] or walk in lies. We are not to walk in darkness.

But what happens when we feel we simply cannot walk another step? We are weary of body, mind or soul. Downtrodden and despairing. We are to look upward. We are to "walk on." Suffering is a prism through which we see life is quite a different way.

Paul prayed three times for relief from a 'thorn' in the flesh. God's answer:“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV.

I am not yet at the point of 'boasting' about my infirmities. But I am by God's grace moving in that direction.

My goal is to be fully satisfied with God alone. My goal is God Himself. I am asking God to remove any distractions.

Mollie Jo and Caleb Cassidy said so well in their song, "Wait On".. To walk with God, no strength is lost, walk on.

Seasons of Life

2010-01-11T19:25:00.002-07:00

I trust your new year is going well. Today marks the seventh anniversary of when my mother died. She left a great legacy for me. I would like to share some memories plus give you a link where you can read the pdf of a little book I wrote after her death. The title is Teaching Observation Skills.. Steps to Servanthood.
Our family is listening to a tape book called The Power of Communication by Kenneth Erickson. This is my husband, son and myself. Of course it was my idea to have each of us listen to the book. Smile. So why a book about communication? Don't we enjoy Google, Facebook, My Space, Twitter, G Mail, Skype, Cell phones, Instant Messenger.. whew, I know I have left some out.
So to clarify, let's define 'communication' as this book does. Communication only occurs when the one attempting to communicate what is in his/her mind is understood by the listener. So this is not the same as transfer of information. Big smile.
I have experienced in my relatively short life time an incredible growth of information technology that has changed the world. I can talk to a man in Algeria who speaks only French and use Google translator tool and have a fairly successful 'conversation'. I speak very little French. He speaks no English.

I can see a video of someone knocking down the Pope.

I can see a satellite picture of the home where I live even showing our old cars parked outside.

But somewhat troubling to me is with this growth in IT, there has been a real decline in the quality and quantity of communication. Dialogue is almost non-existent. Whatever happened to the 'front porch' of the 1950s? Why don't most people read much? 'Think' even less?
With the information glut surrounding each of us, how do we choose who to listen to or watch on you tube or the other myriads of visual and verbal recordings or live broadcasts via internet? Why do so many people continue to forward messages that are not even true and they don't take time to check out the implications of sending on lies?
Whatever happened to 'real' relationships? Or soon will the world be 'virtual'?
So am I saying throw away your computer and veg out in your lawn chair or front porch chaise? No of course not.
But it is time to seriously think about how short life is.. and what we will say to the One who asks for an account of every word we spoke and every deed done in the body.
It is also time to re-evaluate how well we communicate.
What part of 'communication' is not working so well.. I think it is the listening part. We are too busy or too proud to put in the effort to spend enough time or to be honest enough to truly make sure the listener will understand us. Maybe we don't want to be understood. Maybe we are afraid of the growing of a relationship that accompanies open and honest communication. Sharing information is safe. Communication can cause us to look deep within and maybe not like what we see.
As to Who is trying to communicate with us and why.. look up! Psalm 19 states that the heavens declare the glory of God; their expanse declares His works. What is God saying? Is nature the ONLY way He communicates?
God has spoken in the last times through His Son, Jesus Christ. You can read this in the New Testament book of Hebrews. This book also tells us it is a good idea to listen to what He says. Reading the Bible is the best way to open up dialogue and communication with God. Here is a great website where you can do all sorts of Bible study, listen on audio, have your own Bible reading schedule. I encourage you to pick a method, commit time to reading the Bible and see what God is saying to YOU this year! You will not be bored or disappointed.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.cfm

Next time we will discuss communication more in detail. Write me back and let me know your thoughts on this subject. I hope you start with listening and dialoguing with the One who Loved you enough to die in your place so you could enjoy communing with Him forever.

http://www.lighthouseenterprises.us/bulbs/TOS.pdf

Breakfast by the Sea New Beginnings 2010

2009-12-31T05:39:00.004-07:00

We read in John 21:1
"After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way." NASB
We have been talking about Observation. "Seeing". The word "manifest" in this verse means more than 'to appear'. Manifest has the idea of to make known what has been hidden or unknown; to become known, to be plainly recognized, thoroughly understood--who and what one is.
Let's look more closely at this story and how it relates to starting a new year.
Who? Peter and some of the disciples; Jesus
Where? sea of Galilee [Tiberias]; beach along Sea
When? following an all night fishing trip, early morning
What? Breakfast by the sea
Why? To help us understand relationship between 'being' and 'doing' from God's perspective

This story happens during the 40 days Jesus remained on earth after his death and resurrection from the dead. It was Peter who had persuaded some of the other disciples of Jesus to go fishing that night. Peter had answered Jesus' question, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” [see Matthew chapter 16]. When Jesus called Simon to be his disciple, He gave him the name 'Peter' which means 'rock'. Jesus then declared that the 'rock' is the foundational truth that Jesus is the Son of God. The Holy Spirit had revealed this truth to Peter. The Kingdom of God was in their midst.
However now we see Peter is perhaps confused from the recent happenings. Jesus, the Messiah, had NOT liberated the Jews from the hated Roman rule. Yes, Jesus had died the shameful death of the worst criminal on the cross. Now Jesus was alive again, resurrected from the dead. But for what purpose? Why had He come and died?
Before and during the arrest and trial of Jesus, Peter had denied three times that he even knew Jesus. What shame filled Peter's heart at this memory. Perhaps a trip to the Sea would wash away this sense of shame at his betrayal of the One Peter had one time boldly declared: "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." [Matthew 26:35 NASB]
Or perhaps Peter thought to the days ahead.. A man needed to provide for his family. Best to go back to the work he knew and was reasonably successful at doing.
Peter recalled an earlier manifestation of Jesus to His disciples, where He shows the scars from His crucifixion that He wears on His new resurrected Body. Jesus gives this message in John 20:21: "As the Father has sent me [Jesus], I am sending you." NIV.
On this fishing trip, Peter realizes there was to be no overthrow of the hated Romans. Jesus would return to heaven and how ever was Peter to 'follow' Jesus? Sent to do what? Peter could envision following a living leader who would set things right. But what was His Kingdom and what part could Peter play in building the Kingdom where there is no visible King?

After a discouraging night of catching no fish, suddenly the seven men in the boat heard a stranger from shore call out to them: "Friends, haven't you any fish?" [John 21:5 NIV]. They yelled back, "NO."
What happened next was incredible. "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." said the Stranger. When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, realized this was the Lord. Peter immediately jumped into the sea and swam to shore. The others brought in the boat and the big catch of fish.
They found Jesus broiling some fish. He had brought along some bread. They all knew it was Jesus without asking. Jesus asked them to bring some of their recent miraculous catch to cook. Next Jesus fixed their breakfast.
I think Peter and the others must have been astounded to see Jesus there on the shore. After breakfast Jesus began speaking to Peter. He asks a most interesting question:

"Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

Do I love Jesus more than 'these'? What does 'these' mean? This 153 fish caught in one night was a small fortune to Peter. Love Jesus more than pursuits of material success? His friends and old ways of life? His career as a fisherman? Peter had implied that even though the others might desert Jesus before His death, Peter had boldly declared - NOT ME. I am more loyal to my beliefs than my friends. Perhaps Jesus was asking Peter if still thought he was better than the other disciples in light of the fact of Peter's thrice denial of even knowing Christ Jesus.
We need to look into the Amplified New Testament to study Jesus' question and Peter's response. John 21:15-17
¹⁵When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Feed My lambs.

¹⁶Again He said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion, as one loves the Father]? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. He said to him, Shepherd (tend) My sheep.

¹⁷He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, instinctive, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]? Peter was grieved (was saddened and hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [that I have a deep, instinctive, personal affection for You, as for a close friend]. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep.

Three times Peter had denied knowing Jesus. Three times Jesus asks Peter if Peter loves Jesus as Peter claims to love God the Father. Then Jesus gives Peter an opportunity for a new 'career path.'

This was a Moment of Truth for Peter.
Peter, do you love Me more than these? Are you willing to give up your profession and follow me and live in poverty and even as a fugitive, when you could be a respectable fisherman? You could live where others in your family and village would be proud of what you were doing. Safe.

Lest Peter not understand Jesus' commission to become a partner with Jesus in the Kingdom work of Jesus, He continues:

¹⁸ “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” NLT.

Peter learns a lot from that Breakfast by the Sea with Jesus. He not only learns, but He is a changed man. Jesus gives Peter a 'second chance'. Jesus fills Peter with a sense of how great the Father's love. Peter truly has seen the Lord. Peter no longer boasts about his love for Jesus nor that he is better than his friends. Instead Peter sees that he really does love Jesus and he needs Jesus. Even the life of a servant is acceptable as long as Jesus is the Master.

At this unforgettable breakfast on the beach, questions were finally answered and commitments were made. Peter's Moment of Truth resulted in him never turning back to the old life 'before Christ'. Peter was gloriously restored into perfect fellowship with the Son and the Father.

Peter was restored to 'being'.. Being right with God. Peter had done nothing to earn or deserve the forgiveness and reconciliation Jesus brought to the breakfast meal.

Then Peter came into realization and empowerment of 'doing'. Peter saw the truth of Philippians 2:13 in his life. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. NLT

How about you this new year?

Are you facing your Moment of Truth? Who and What is Jesus Christ to you?

Are you feeling a tug on your heartstrings to call this Jesus 'Master', 'King'? Do you long for deeper meaning and purpose in life? Are you thirsting and hungering to know How Great the Father's Love for YOU?

I encourage you to pick up a New Testament. Read for yourself the Wonderful Words of Life. Have breakfast with Jesus. I plan on a regular scheduled appointment to have Breakfast with the King often during 2010. Please feel free to join me and share with me the marvelous things He speaks to you.

Mrs. B.

thanks and appreciation for the insights into John 21 I received from reading He Satisfies My Soul by Dr. Paul Brand.

Painting: The Appearance at the Sea of Tiberias by William Hole

New Year Goals? Consider "Observation Skills"

2009-12-29T15:15:00.007-07:00

I hope I did not leave you behind somewhere on a dusty country road yesterday. Lest you think I view life as mostly passively sitting in a car watching the scenery go by, let me build upon what we last shared. We established that in our lives, someone is responsible for the direction we travel. In my case in the early years, my dad, who was wise and trustworthy was 'behind the wheel'.
However, this pleasurable time on the Sunday afternoon trip was one of intense learning and shaping of how I one day would assume responsibility over my own life. First, I would remember that in life I would not need to travel alone. I could have companions. My mom and brother and sister most often were also in the car. Next I realized that both from a perspective of safety and pleasure certain skills were needed.
A vital skill was what I call "Observation".
Both my mom and dad contributed to my keen sense of observation of things around me. I learned to 'see', 'hear', 'smell', 'taste' and 'feel'.
At birth the baby begins to learn about the 'outside' world as well as about himself. Did you ever see one of those gizmos attached to a crib that was suspended above the baby.. just out of reach of the fingers, but close enough for the baby's eyes to observe? It moved in a circle and often played music. There was color, design, shape, and absolute fascination for the baby. It seemed to provide entertainment and keep the baby quiet for a long time. I think the English word is "mobile". Only recently did I read that at birth there are essential underdeveloped neurological connections in the young baby. The brains sees. The eyes simply communicate messages to the brain, which interprets those messages as what we call "sight". The mobile provides not only fun for the baby, but apparently later in life the child and young adult will be able to visually process information that would not be possible without this type of visual training.
So on these country outings sometimes we would learn to notice. Take note of. Color. Smells. Perspective. Same/different. Size. Purpose. Let me give a simple example. Farms have houses and out buildings. Fields and animals. Water sources. Machinery needed on the farm. So I learned that people lived in the house, animals in the barn along with stored grain and farm machinery. Ponds often provided water. Barns and houses often needed painting or repairs. Seasons provided change of how everything looked on the farm. This is level one learning.
Level two required a closer look. Animals came in male and female. A horse or mule pulled a plow or wagon. It worked to help provide what the family needed. The human used the animal to turn dirt and seed into food and income for the family and provide for the animals he owned. Chickens provided food [eggs] as well as environmental control [ate bugs that would destroy the veggies in the garden]. Dogs and cats generally were considered part of the workings of the farm, not primarily as 'pets'. Cats kept the rodent population in check. This was very important to help preserve the harvest of both grain and root type veggies. Dogs were used to herd animals, keep away predators or mean humans. Function related to type. Horses pull plows or wagons; they do not eat rats or mice.

Level three. I realized that on the farm there was an order of authority. This is a level that requires more than the physiological seeing. Humans exercised dominion over both the land and the animals. Both the land and animals existed to serve the man. But there was a higher authority. God gave the rain and sunshine and life to the man, animals and plants. So the proper order of authority was God first, then humans, then the animals, plants, and soil of earth. Within the family an order mirrored the God who created all things. The family was husband, wife, and any children God gave them. The husband was the God appointed provider and protector for the home. Serving her husband, at his side, not under his feet, was his wife who honored her husband by living to complete what God saw was lacking in the man. She was to respect his decisions even when she did not agree. She lovingly submitted to his 'final say so' in decisions he needed to make. She also was the nurturer of life. In her body the seed of the man would unite with her seed and the child of this union would be loved and welcomed as part of the family. The wife by nature is a nurturer, a lover of beauty and art and color and harmony. She provides a place where her husband can safely entrust his dreams and visions for his family and the dominion God has given him. The wife joyfully embraced her duties and responsibilities over the dominion God had given her. Children are a blessing from God. They are to obey and honor their earthly father and mother that things go well for them and they have a long life.

Level four: I learned about God's design. Design is the purpose for which God, the creator of all things, made everything. Why am I here? What is the big picture? Did God make a world in complete harmony with Himself? How is God's creation supposed to relate to the One Who sits in the heavens and who dwells in light unapproachable? Exactly how does my relationship to the One Who created all things fit in with my day to day living?
Our next post will delve deeper into Level four observation. This will give you much to think about as you are perhaps formulating some goals for 2010. Interested in becoming a better person? Becoming a bit more concerned about the others around you? I think you will enjoy tomorrow's post. I will write it with my own life in mind.
Mrs. B.

Photos:
(c) realityimaging uk

Looking Ahead: 2010 Country Roads, Sunday Afternoons, GPS

2009-12-28T16:50:00.003-07:00

As we look forward to entering 2010, many of us will want to chart a course and reach some new goals. As I reminisced today I remembered some times when my dad would take us out on Sunday afternoons for a drive in the car. Many times this was out some country road. We would just drive along, turn when we reached a fork in the road, continue on until it was time to head home. It was delightful seeing the sights and smelling the smells of the country. I was totally disoriented by so many turns, but Dad always got us home.
In many ways "life" reminds me of these trips into the country. Now we did not have a map or a GPS device in our car or anything like this. I guess we had the sun on a sunny day, but no compass or other instrument with which to navigate or chart our course. Our destination was "home". Home, that place where we would clean up, have a nice meal my mom prepared and talk over the things we had seen and experienced along the way.
I was never fearful that we would not reach home. I trusted Dad. He was my daddy. I was his daughter. Of course he would get me to a safe and happy place.

Many of you know that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I have turned myself over to Him and He is the One who is guiding me to my final destination. I would like to share how exactly this has been working out the last thirty some years. First, we don't travel in the dark. I used to live in the kingdom of darkness. My final destination was not going to be a nice place like home. I was charting my own course and certainly did not consult God about His plan for my life. But in His mercy, my blind eyes were opened and I saw Grace and Truth. I knew from the Law of Moses, written on my heart, that I had done bad things. Things that I was ashamed of. But I had no idea how to change for the better. I tried to change myself. That failed. Then one day the Word of God reached my heart and I realized that Christ Jesus had died on the cross to take the penalty for all my sins. And to give me grace [grace is the desire and power to do God's will] and truth. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled God's Holy requirements found in the Law. He did that so I would not need to. Good thing, since no man can be right in God's eyes. No matter how hard we try. God counts what Jesus did as though I had also fully obeyed God's Holy Laws.
God also extended grace that covered all my past, present,and future wrong doings or sins. God accepted the willing sacrifice of the blood of Jesus Christ, put to death on a cross, as 'payment' in full for my sin debt. In addition, I repented.. had a change of mind regarding who God is, who I am and God's remedy for my helpless condition of rebellion and hatred toward God. This repentance was also a gift from God by way of His grace.
So how is life different in my new kingdom? I now sit in the heavenlies with Christ Jesus. I am in the kingdom of light. Even though I live in the body on planet earth, I am also born into a new kingdom. One of truth and love and grace and mercy. One that I am so happy to tell others about. It is called the Kingdom of God. I trust God, my heavenly Father to get me to His Home. He has given me His Guidebook, the Holy Bible. His Spirit is like headlights of a car along a dark road, illuminating passages in the Book that show me the Way. Sometimes I am not always sure of exactly where I am.. God has numbered my days and until He determines it is time to turn toward Home, I continue on His planned path on earth.
As I grow older I am so excited to note that some of the early country roads are getting connected with the current road we travel. Of course God saw the connection all along. A road that was designed to mature me into conformity with the Character of Jesus Christ.
One example is how 25 years ago I had a dream. In this dream I saw a woman and boy on their knees. They were praying. Asking God for food. Just basic needs. Bread. And I woke up. Wide awake. I had been asking God if He would answer a prayer. I wanted to know if there was a certain nation I should pray about that had not heard much about the Kingdom of Light. I thought the people looked Chinese. But I asked God if China was the right country, then please tell me the name of the province. I knew very little about China! This is many years before Wikipedia or Google Search or even personal computers! And China had not been "open" to the West for very many years. I heard in my head the word that sounded like "henan".. much to my surprise there actually was a henan..as well as hunan.. so I began to pray for China. God gave me a great love for the nation and the people. Resources became available where I could learn more about the 450 plus people groups who called China "home". I continued daily searches in
God's Book to find His Way of Truth. His Word provided not only 'food' for my spirit, but also correction and training in the right ways of God. It would do no good to have a desire to see good things happen, if I did not learn to wait and do what God wanted His Way and His Timing.

At this point I did not know a single Chinese person. Then several years ago, God opened a way for me to meet over Skype a young woman who lived in Hong Kong. How very exciting. God did a marvelous work of grace in her life and in spite of the fact that I speak no Chinese and she speaks limited English, she is a sister in Christ Jesus. The story does not stop. Father just kept taking new turns on that country road. I am involved with other Chinese women over skype, encouraging them in micro enterprise. I desire to see the rural Chinese women be able to keep their hand craft knowledge and young women stay in the home or near by until they marry. I have the privilege of praying with them as they seek out the Father's planned journey for their lives. Our God is incredible.
If you are looking for a change in 2010.. you are not so happy on your current road in life..
Consider Jesus Christ. If you have any questions about what I am saying please contact me.
I am not talking about religious stuff. I find religion very boring and harmful.
To whom will you look for direction and purpose in life? Will you reach life's end with a pile of regrets.. or with the excitement of a life spent well..
Christ Jesus pleased the Father always while on earth. How so? He always did only what He saw the Father doing. He submitted His will to be under the will of God the Father.
If you are a fellow pilgrim on His Way, keep looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith walk. Ask for and receive His grace to press on. Take time to say a kind word to fellow travelers.
Simply trusting..
Mrs. B.

You Have the Words of Eternal Life

2009-12-24T13:16:00.001-07:00

Ok, for my many friends, Please listen to this. Write me and let's dialogue about it, ok? God loves you and so do I.