The Sacred Acre

This is an awesome picture of God's grace and mercy lived out. Thank to James McDonald at Family Reformation for posting this.

http://familyreformation.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/sacred-acre-one-man-changes-a-community-posted-by-dj-ill-guidofw-tangle-com/

When the Law's came to town.

Last month we had the privilege to spend time with our dear friends, the Law family. Here are some pictures from their visit which went by way too fast.

Lydia, Miriam, Nathan, Bro. Jim, Gwynne, Daniel & Naomi

Laura, Evin, Sable, Naomi, Lydia, Anna, Grace and Miriam

Sable and Naomi

Evin and Lydia

Miriam and Grace

Me and Gwynne

Speaking of the Marriage

Over the last several weeks our pastor has been doing a series on the marriage relationship. The messages have been such a blessing. These messages are available on our church website or by following the links below. I will post the rest of the "husband series" as they become available.

For the wives:

1 Peter 3:1-4 The Believing Wife"s Calling

1 Peter 3:1-4 The Wife's Mode of Submission

1 Peter 3:1-6 The Wife's Model of Submission

For the husbands:

1 Peter 3:7 The Husband's Role in Submission

Our Anniversary

Yesterday Jimmy and I were blessed to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. Like any marriage, they have not all been easy years. As a matter of fact, there have been some really difficult times. But, our God has been so good to us. I can look back now at those trials and see God's hand. We rejoice that God not only saved our marriage, but is continuing to work in us so our marriage may glorify Him.

Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 1 Peter 3:1-2

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 1Co 13:4-8

So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." Matthew 19:6

For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you." Ruth 1:16-17

Review: The State of Parental Rights in America

Review of the DVD, "The State of Parental Rights in America" by Don Hart. This video provides very insightful information concerning the state of parental rights. Don presents information concerning contemporary and historical court cases involving children being taken from their parents by Child Protective Services and other state agencies. These agencies have been given such power and absolute authority in these issues that parent's rights are being trampled in the name of 'the government knows what's best for your children'. Don does an excellent job of delineating what Scripture clearly demands of parents and what the courts in America now allow these various agencies to get away with under the guise of "protection of the children". A startling, eye-opening presentation of information that all parents should be aware of.

THE FIVE SCARIEST THINGS YOU CAN DO THIS HALLOWEEN

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. (Proverbs 8:13)

BY DOUG PHILLIPS

"Our country is in the grip of a fear crisis. The tension because of this fear is almost palpable. There is fear over the election, fear over the economy, and fear over hundreds of other issues ranging from the environment to terrorism.

The one fear that America is missing is a fear of the Lord. As a people, we no longer fear God. Because we do not fear God, we no longer hate evil (Proverbs 8:13).

Instead of hating evil, Americans toy with it. We toy with holidays like Halloween that were conceived in evil and that promote the “cute-ification” of evil, whether that evil takes the form of witchcraft, sorcery, ghoulishness, or some other form of malevolent imagery paraded before our children. We laugh at the very things that the Lord describes as “abominations”, and we find ourselves obsessively fascinated by, and attracted to, all things dark.

Yet we do not fear the Lord.

Those who “hate evil” are very scary to a secular society that fears man more than God. They are scary because, they dare to declare that there are absolute standards by which society must be governed. They are scary because if they are successful, industries like Hollywood that make billions off an industry promoting ungodly fear will lose their influence. They are scary because such people will not be swayed by political candidates who use fear as a tool for manipulation.

With this in mind, I offer you the five ”scariest” things you can do this Halloween:

1. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to not make light of evil. Halloween was conceived in evil and has remained a celebration that uses children to promote a fascination with darkness and superstitious fear. Simultaneously, it makes light of things that the Bible describes as evil. Stand against such things, and the world will find you very scary indeed. The fear of the Lord makes men turn from evil (Proverbs 16:6).

2. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to not be fearful. The media wants you to be afraid of everything from overpopulation to global warming. The politicians want you to be afraid of the economy and the election. God wants you to do what is morally right, trust Him completely, and never be gripped by an ungodly spirit of fear. That is why one of the scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to reject the spirit of fear overcoming many Christians pertaining to next Tuesday’s national election and wholeheartedly purpose to vote your conscience and act with principled conviction, placing your trust and hope for this

nation in the King of Kings, not the presidential candidates. Jesus said: “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:4-5). Believe this, and you will be light to the world.

3. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to completely skip Halloween and remember Reformation Day. It was 491 years ago today that Martin Luther nailed his world-changing 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church. These theses included rebukes to ungodly fear and superstition. Five hundred years ago, sometime near October 31, a baby named John Calvin was conceived who would dedicate his life to eradicating an ungodly fear of superstitious beliefs and proclaiming the gospel of grace. His emphasis on reformation, revival, and the sufficiency of Scripture had such far-reaching implications for nations like the United States that he has been described by Christian and secular scholars alike as the true founding father of America. The Reformers did something that was very scary to the world of their day. They stood against all forms of dark superstitions which grip the minds and souls of men. It was their emphasis on the fear of the Lord and the wisdom of Holy Scripture that was used of God to liberate untold numbers of men and women. But, to remember the Reformers instead of Halloween is very scary to the world. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

4. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to refuse to watch or allow your children to watch any of the toxic Halloween and Horror films emerging from Hollywood. America’s fascination with ungodly fear has made Horror the most popular and fastest-growing film genre amoung youth. When parents allow their children to toy with this genre, they promote ungodly fear, and they contribute to the fear-factories in Hollywood that prey upon the youth of our culture. Say “no” to Hollywood horror and you

will be dangerously scary to the media elite. “Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence....?” (Jeremiah 5:22).

5. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to get on your knees as a mother and father and pray that the Lord will send you many, many children who will fear God, not man — children who will especially shun the glorification of witchcraft, the bondage of ungodly fear, and the “cute-ification” of evil that is promoted through holidays like Halloween. Cultures that toy with evil end up being cultures of death. The Christian response is to be a people of life. That means babies. Lots of them. It means fearing God by honoring His command to “be fruitful and multiply.”

It means remembering that the Scripture describes children as a “blessing” and a “reward.” Raise children that fear God more than man, and that will be answer enough to our Halloween- and darkness-obsessed culture; for if you trust God over your womb and commit your children to a holy education, you will be very, very scary to the modern world “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 34:11)."

Picture of a Godly Woman

I found this quote on Mary Kassian's website and thought it was such a beautiful picture of a Godly woman.

"

How beautiful are the arms, which have embraced Christ-the eyes which have gazed upon Christ, the lips which have spoken with Christ, the feet which have followed Christ. How beautiful are the hands which have worked the works of Christ, the feet which are treading in His footsteps have gone about doing good, the lips which have spread abroad His Name, the lives which have been counted for Him."

Christina Rosetti 1880

God is Bigger Than Bananas

Nancy Leigh DeMoss has been doing a wonderful series on the 23rd Psalm. I found this part of the message particularly encouraging. May it encourage you as well.

Some of you may have read a wonderful book called Evidence Not Seen. It’s the story of a woman named Darlene Deebler Rose who spent four years in a Japanese prison camp during World War II.

During that time she faced threats and torture and sickness and every conceivable type of torment at the hands of her captors. In that book she shares an account at one point when she was extremely weak. She had been very sick. She had just come through that, but she could hardly stand up when the guards came to the door, and they were required to stand up and bow as the guards came to their cells.

She was just so weak and in that weakness she began to crave a banana. She wanted a banana. Here’s what she says,

Everything in me wanted one. I could see them. I could smell them. I could taste them. I got down on my knees and said, "Lord, I’m not asking You for a whole bunch. I just want one banana." I looked up and pleaded, "Lord, just one banana."

Then I began to rationalize—how could God possibly get a banana to me through these prison walls? I would never ask the guard. If he helped me and was discovered it would mean reprisals. There was more chance of the moon falling out of the sky than of someone bringing me a banana.

Then she describes the next day after she prayed that prayer and a whole series of events that led to a guard coming to her door. She said,

I heard the guard coming back and knew he was coming for me.

She says how she was expecting that he was going to take her and beat her.

Struggling to my feet, I stood ready to go. He opened the door, walked in, and with a sweeping gesture laid at my feet bananas. "They’re yours," he said, "and they’re all from Mr. Yamaji."

Now in the story Mr. Yamaji was the commander of another camp where Darlene had previously been held. This man had a fierce temper. He was a vicious, cruel, angry man and incredibly this ruthless commander had been softened through Darlene’s witness to him in that previous camp.

Now here he shows up at this camp and gives a messenger bananas to take to Darlene. She said,

I sat down in stunned silence and counted them. There were 92 bananas. I pushed the bananas into a corner and wept. "Lord, forgive me. I’m so ashamed. I couldn’t trust You enough to get even one banana for me. Just look at them—there are almost a hundred." I knew in those moments that nothing is impossible to my God. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

Are you looking at the enemies or at your Host? He has conquered every enemy and ultimately all of those enemies will bow before Him. You see the 23rd Psalm squarely faces the reality of death and darkness and evil and enemies. It doesn’t pretend like they don’t exist. God’s not offering us an escape from our enemies but triumph over our enemies.

Yes, the valley of death and deep darkness exists, but I can walk through it, and He will be with me. Yes, there is evil, but I don’t have to fear it. I don’t have to have dread. I can have His comfort. Yes, there are enemies, but He hosts me in their presence. And right in that context we read these two phrases: “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.” In the presence of my enemies.

You see what God does for us? Sometimes we work so hard to escape from pressures and problems, to manipulate and connive our way out of them that I think we miss some of the greatest blessings God has in store for us. Some of us never experience what our Shepherd or our gracious Host could and would do for us if we’d give Him the chance.

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23

Coming Home

We've been studying 1 Peter at our church for several months now. We are currently on chapter 2, where scripture talks about Christ as the chosen stone and believers as His chosen people. I would like to address verse 4, And coming to Him as a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is chioce and precious in the sight of God (NASB). John MacArthur's commentary says that "coming" in the greek here means to come with the idea of remaining; to remain in Christ's presence with intimate fellowship. I really starting thinking about "coming" in the sense of coming and going. We go to work; we come home. We go to school; we come home. We go to town; we come home. We are always coming and going. No matter where we go or what type of home we live in, there is no place on earth we would rather "come" to than our own home. Dorothy was right, "there is no place like home"...at least here on earth. As soon as we walk in the door, there is such a peace that washes over us. We are so thankful to be home. This wonderful feeling is temporary because sooner or later we'll have to go again. Now think of that in realtion to Christ. Isn't it awesome that we NEVER have to leave His prescense. We can remain in His prescense no matter where we are going. 1 Peter also talks of believers being exiles here on earth; we are strangers in a foreign land. To those who reside as aliens...who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father...(NASB). We don't "belong" here; our home is with Christ. When we "come" to Him, we (believers) are coming home...home to stay; home forever.

The Christian Mother Series

June over at A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is doing a wonderful series titled The Christian Mother Series. Here is a sample:

I have decided to begin a short series on The Christian Mother for those who are wanting to learn and share more timeless truths and aspects on this crucially significant topic. My goal is to hopefully train and teach woman young and old to be strong Christian mothers in the 21st century, in the face of adversity and to the glory of God.

Shall we begin, ladies?.......

To read the rest, please visit her blog http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com.

Comtemplating Miss California

Think about it, what’s the real difference between standing on a runway half dressed while strangers evaluate your body – deciding if you’re “good enough” and standing on an auction block while slave traders do the same thing. Both situations put us into bondage. Both situations communicate that we’re a piece of property.

We need to remember that these subjects are not neutral. In what way does this reveal how society values women? What does this communicate to our daughters?

Borrowed from Stacy McDonald @ http://yoursacredcalling.blogspot.com/2009/07/contemplating-miss-california.html

TOP 5 REASONS NOT TO SEND YOUR KIDS BACK TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOL

Voddie strikes again!!! I just LOVE the teachings of Voddie Baucham and how he boldly speaks the truth. Here is an excellent post from his blog titled "TOP FIVE REASONS NOT TO SEND YOUR KIDS BACK TO GOVERNMENT SCHOOL". To read the post, click here.

While we're on the same topic, here is another post by Katie from Not My Own titled "More Reasons to Homeschool".

His Glory and Sovereignty

My dear friend Sable posted the poem on her blog, www.deosoligloria.blogspot.com I liked it so much I wanted to share it.

Lord Jesus Christ, be present now,

Our hearts in true devotion bow;

Thy Spirit send with grace divine,

And let Thy truth within us shine.

Unseal our lips to sing Thy praise;

Our souls to Thee in worship raise;

Make strong our faith, increase our light,

That we my Thy Name aright:

Until we join the hosts that cry 'Holy art Thou, O Lord most high!'

And in the light of that blest place

For e're behold Thee face to face.

Glory to God the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit,

Three in One! To Thee, O blessed Trinity,

Be praise throughout eternity

Anonymous

Don’t Spend Today’s Bread on Tomorrow

Kelly from Generation Cedar wrote a wonderful post today. Her blog is one of my favorites.

I love when the Lord uses the simplest of things to reveal the profoundest of truths…as He did this morning while visiting my parents’ church.

A man sang a beautiful, solemn version of The Lord’s Prayer–one of my favorite songs–familiar words we’ve spoken thousands of times. And yet, as soon as he sang the words, “Give us this day, our daily bread”…tears welled up in my eyes.

“How often I’m not content with daily bread?”

Click here to read the rest: http://www.generationcedar.com/main/2009/06/dont-spend-todays-bread-on-tomorrow.html

Beautiful Quotes

IS MOST HOLY. YOU ARE FASHIONING THE DESTINIES OF IMMORTAL SOULS. THE POWERS FOLDED UP IN THE LITTLE ONES THAT YOU HUSHED TO SLEEP IN YOUR BOSOMS LAST NIGHT, ARE POWERS THAT SHALL EXIST FOREVER. YOU ARE PREPARING THEM FOR THEIR IMMORTAL DESTINY AND INFLUENCE. BE FAITHFUL. TAKE UP YOUR SACRED BURDEN REVERENTLY. BE SURE THAT YOUR LIFE IS SWEET AND CLEAN.--JR MILLER

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him." --Lydia Sherman

"A gentle and quiet spirit is not only imperishable; it is precious in the sight of God. It's also one of the hardest qualities to cultivate. Far from a sign of weakness, a gentle and quiet spirit is the sign of a woman who is strong in faith, mind and character." --Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin

"Thank God, O women, for the quietude of your home, and that you are queen it it. Men come at eventide to the home; but all day long you are there , beautifying it, sanctifying it, adorning it, blessing it. Better be there than wear a queen's coronet. Better be there than carry the purse of a princess. It may be a very humble home. There may be no carpet on the floor. There may be no pictures on the wall. There may be no silks in the wardrobe; but, by your faith in God, and your cheerful demeanor, you may garniture that place with more splendor than the upholsterer's hand ever kindled." ---Reverend T. DeWitt Talmage, D.D

"Oh that God would give every mother a vision of the glory and splendor of the work that is given to her when a babe is place in her bosom to be nursed and trained! Could she have but one glimpse in to the future of that life as it reaches on into eternity; could she look into it's soul to see its possibilities; could she be made to understand her own personal responsibility for the training of this child, for the development of its life, and for its destiny,--she would see that in all God's world there is no other work so noble and so worthy of her best powers, and she would commit to no others hands the sacred and holy trust given to her." -JR Miller

"A true wife makes a man's life nobler, stronger, grander, by the omnipotence of her love 'turning all the forces of manhood upward and heavenward.' While she clings to him in holy confidence and loving dependence she brings out in him whatever is nobles and richest in his being. She inspires him with her courage and earnestness. She beautifies his life. She softens whatever is rude and harsh in his habits or his spirit. She clothes him with the gentler graces of refined and cultured manhood. While she yields to him and never disregards his lightest wish, she is really his queen, ruling his whole life and leading him onward and upward in every proper path. -JR Miller

The Comfort and Encouragement of Brotherly Love

He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 1:22-25

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:1-11

The Story of Isaiah 40

After announcing comfort, the ending of warfare, iniquity pardoned, the prophetic announcement of the coming Messiah and all flesh seeing Him, the Lord reminds these people of he difference between the power of men and the power of God.

Into that overwhelming discouragement, the Lord speaks reminding the people of His power even in the face of seemingly unstoppable superpowers...He is God.

The Relevance of Isaiah 40 in 1 Peter 1:22-25.

We, the people of God, by our birth as new creatures in Christ, are now strangers and exiles in this world, and we can also find ourselves discouraged if we do not stay focused on our God and His unchanging decrees.

We wait for the coming of our Lord, confident that He will return, tend his flock like a shepherd, gather the lambs in his arms, carry them in his bosom, and gently leads them.

As those not belonging to this world, we remember that regardless of what man may say, it is the Lord's Word that stands and controls our lives.

How does this passage relate to brotherly love?

Because we are strangers to this world, members of the Kingdom, and a true ethnicity of God, we have much more in common with the people of god than we do the people of the world.

As the body of Christ, we comfort and encourage the people of God with the Word of God.

The Word preached to us is the Word of God in which He has decreed full and final salvation when we will be sinless and perfect brothers and sisters in Christ.

...while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

Ex. 19:3-6

Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the LORD is giving you.

Deut. 11:16-17

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Gal. 5:19-24

...since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God

1 Peter 1:23

The Command of Brotherly Love

A continuation of our church study on "brotherly love".

The Command of Brotherly Love

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:22-25

Brotherly Love is the Hallmark of a Believer.

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:35

Because of the purifying work of God brought about in our salvation we are now able to obey the command of brotherly love.

The very reason that genuine brotherly love can be a proof of discipleship is because it is only possible because of the transforming, purifying work of the Spirit of God in the heart of believers.

...remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. Timothy 1:3-5

Brotherly love is evidence of being of God and knowing God.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

Brotherly love is evidence of being a child of God.

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

1 John 3:10

Brotherly love is the evidence of God abiding in us.

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

1 John 3:14

Brotherly love is the proof that we genuinely love God.

If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

1 John 4:20

Brotherly love must be carefully guarded.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23-25

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:32-39

Because brotherly love is a mark of true discipleship, it will be one of the first actions abandoned and discarded by false believers in times of oppositions and especially as the coming of Christ draws nearer. True believers must be even more careful that their love for each other be vibrant and strong in these times of opposition as living proof of their commitment to Christ and His body.

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:9-12

To listen to the sermon in it's entirety, click here: http://www.crossroadsfamily.org/531091PeterCh1Vs22thru25TheCommandOfBrotherlyLove.mp3

A Fun Quiz

TAG....YOU'RE IT!!!!!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~FOOD-OLOGY~~~~~~~~~~~~
What is your salad dressing of choice? RANCH
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? MARIE LIVINGSTON'S (TALLAHASSEE), PERICOS (WIGGINS), MIKE ANDERSON'S (GONZALES)

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? FRIED CHICKEN
What are your pizza toppings of choice? CANADIAN BACON, ITALIAN SAUSAGE, GRILLED CHICKEN
What do you like on your toast? BUTTER OR PEANUT BUTTER

Chocolate or Vanilla? CHOCOLATE

~~~~~~~~~~~~TECHNOLOGY~~~~~~~~~~~~
How many televisions are in your house? TWO
What color cell phone do you have? REDDISH

Do you have a laptop? NO

~~~~~~~~~~~~BIOLOGY~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are you right-handed or left-handed? RIGHT
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? TONSIL ES, WARTS, MOLES
What is the last heavy item you lifted? WAL-MART BAGS
Have you ever been knocked unconscious? NEVER

~~~~~~~~~~~~DUMBOLOGY~~~~~~~~~~~~
How many pairs of flip-flops do you own? 2
Last person you talked to on the phone? HUBBY
Last person you hugged? HUBBY

~~~~~~~~~~~~FAVORITE-OLOGY~~~~~~~~~~~~
Season? FALL
Holiday? CHRISTMAS
Day of the week? SUNDAY
Month? NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

~~~~~~~~~~~~CURRENT-OLOGY~~~~~~~~~~~~

Missing someone? MY FRIEND GWYNNE
Mood? CONTENT
What are you listening to? HUBBY
Watching? COMPUTER SCREEN
Worrying about? PERSONAL

~~~~~~~~~~~~RANDOM-OLOGY~~~~~~~~~~~~

First place you went this morning? BATHROOM
What's the last movie you saw? THE ADVENTURES OF OCIEE NASH
Do you smile often? YES
Do you always answer your phone? ONLY IF I KNOW WHO IS CALLING
If you could change your eye color what would it be? GREEN
What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? NONE
Do you own a digital camera? YES
Have you ever had a pet fish? YES
Favorite Christmas song(s)? OH, HOLY NIGHT AND TOO MANY OTHERS

What's on your wish list for your birthday ? LORD WILLING, TO CELEBRATE ANOTHER BIRTHDAY
Can you do push-ups? PROBABLY NOT
Can you do a chin up? PROBABLY NOT

Does the future make you more nervous or excited? NEITHER REALLY, I'M CONTENT WITH TODAY AND AM NOT PROMISED TOMORROW
Do you have any saved texts? YES
Ever been in a car wreck? A FEW
Do you have an accent? I DON'T THINK SO, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD SO
What was the last song to make you cry? CAN'T REMEMBER
Plans tonight? STAY HOME, MY FAVORITE PLACE
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? YES
Have you ever been given roses? YES

Met someone who changed your life? TIM BUSH WAS THE FIRST PERSON WHO WITNESSED TO ME; AND OF COURSE MY HUBBY, GRACE RAYBURN, GWYNNE LAW & RENEE SANDERS. THEY WERE ALL INSTRUMENTS USED BY CHRIST. SO TECHNICALLY IT WAS JESUS CHRIST WHO CHANGED ME LIFE.
How did you bring in the new year? AT OUR HOUSE WITH NEARLY OUR ENTIRE CHURCH FAMILY; IT WAS AWESOME!
What song represents you? THIS ONE WILL TAKE SOME MORE THOUGHT
Would you go back in time if you were given a chance? I THINK SO...ONLY IF I COULD COME BACK.
Have you ever dated someone longer than a year? UNFORTUNATELY MORE THAN ONE PERSON

Do you have any tattoos/piercings? YES
What songs do you sing in the shower? DON'T
Ever had someone sing to you? YES
Do you like to cuddle? YES
How fast can you run? NO
Have you held hands with anyone today? NO
Who was the last person you took a picture of? HOME SCHOOL FIELD TRIP GROUP
What kind of music did you sing in elementary school? THAT WAS TOO LONG AGO TO REMEMBER
Are most of the friends in your life new or old? A GOOD MIX OF BOTH
Do you like pulpy orange juice? OH YEAH

What is something your friends make fun of you for? DON'T KNOW
Have you ever ridden a elephant? NO
Do you like to play Scrabble? YES
What are you saving your money up for right now? FAMILY VACATION
When is the last time you ate peanut butter & jelly? HAD PB & J TOAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO
What were you doing at 12am last night? SNOOZING
What was the first thing you thought when you woke up? IS THAT REALLY THE ALARM CLOCK I HEAR

Meet Megan

Megan, Sable & Gracie

December 2008

In celebration of her 18th birthday, this post is dedicated to Megan Reiden. About 2 years ago, our family joined a church where she was already a member. Megan has a childlike innocence about her and very sweet spirit. I do realize that Jesus Christ is our ultimate example, but I also think I can learn a lot from Megan. She is a wonderful example of Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. She loves unconditionally. She always has a smile on her face...and loves to laugh. She is patient and content. She is gentle and kind. She notices when others need help and is quick to offer a hand. She is thoughtful and compassionate. She is faithful to tell the story of "Old Yeller" every Sunday; but no one ever tires of hearing it. It has truly been a privilege to know Megan. I hope I'm around to see what the Lord has in store for her in the years to come. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN! I pray you will be loved as you have loved.

Getting to the Heart of Modesty

At the Well…In Pursuit of Titus 2, an online gathering place for Christian women, with articles written by around 20 ladies plus guests. They’ve just started a new series of questions and answers, and one of the questions was about modesty. Those of you who’ve gotten to know me will be able to imagine how my eyes lit up when I read that one. I wanted to share the question and my answer here. (And I encourage you all to check out the full post to read the other ladies thought-provoking responses as well.)

Here’s the question:

I was wondering how you view the Bible’s take on modesty? I was raised very conservative and still dress alot differently than the world, but it seems like so many Christian women don’t think that’s important anymore. Alot of people I know say it’s just a difference of opinion or a personal standard, but that doesn’t make much sense to me really. And I also struggle with knowing that it makes it more difficult for my husband when women in the church are dressed indecently. It’s bad enough that there’s so much temptation out there anyway but it seems like the men should get a break from that when they’re around fellow Christians. And unfortunately it’s not just the younger ones either, but alot of the older women that dress badly…ones that could be setting a better example. I’ve enjoyed reading all the posts on different topics and would love to hear someone else’s thoughts on this subject, according to what you think is right by the Bible and what the Lord would be pleased with us doing. I want to be someone who not only sets an example by my actions in this area, but also someone whose able to give a reason for why it’s the right thing to do when questioned.

And here’s my take on it:

Modesty is one of those Jell-O concepts. You try to pick it up, and it squishes fiendishly out between your fingers. 1 Timothy 2:9 commands women to dress modestly, but what does that actually mean when we’re getting dressed in the morning? How many inches long do our skirts really have to be? Some people have a hunch that there’s a cultural element in there somewhere. After all, in the Victorian era it was scandalous to let your ankles show, which makes the average Amish woman scandalous by Victorian standards. And then there’s our “freedom in Christ.” Modesty rules so often smack of legalism that a lot of people would like to throw them out completely. But then there’s that pesky 1 Timothy 2:9 again, commanding us to dress modestly.

What to do? What to do?

I believe the answer is: Be loving.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. –Galatians 5:13-14

Women’s bodies were designed to excite and delight men. It’s pretty simple biology: woman shows her body off, man notices it’s getting a little warm in here. But here’s the thing we all need to remember: God made women that way to bless our marriages, not to give men a constant buffet of lust-provoking eye candy.

Now for the love part. If the way I’m dressing is causing a man to take his eyes and mind off of his wife and put them on me, then I’m not being loving. Actually, I’m being selfish. I’m putting my own desire to be stylish, or to get attention, or to show off my cute figure above my brother’s purity or my sister’s marriage.

And it’s true that exactly where the line is will vary by culture, but since I’m a part of my culture, I really don’t have an excuse. I know what’s sexy in my sphere, and if I’m going to be loving, I had better save it for my husband alone and not flaunt it on the streets, or in the pew, or at my neighbor’s open house.

So when I’m getting dressed in the morning, I need to check my modesty level with my mirror, not my tape measure. It’s not really important how many inches my skirt is. What matters is whether my total package is “shamefacedness and sobriety” (1 Timothy 2:9) or “steamy little sex toy”. Guidelines may change, but our motivation should not. In our dress as well as in everything else, as Christian women, we should be ruled by love.

Practicl Love

“I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you.

I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you.

I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you

and want you to have the best.

I do not boast about my attainments because I love you and want to hear about yours.

I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself.

I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings.

I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs.

I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your offenses.

I do not keep a record of your wrongs because I love you,

and ‘love covers a multitude of sins.’ “

(Jerry Bridges)

Action Statements based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

The Discipline of Grace, p. 39

Brotherly Love

Over the last several weeks, our pastor has been teaching a series on "Brotherly Love". The sermons have been such a blessing to me, that I wanted to share the highlights. If you'd like to hear the sermons in there entirety, please click visit the church website at http://www.crossroadsfamily.org/Sermons.html.

Defining Brotherly Love

According to Peter, we have been purified (or transformed) to who we should be, by our obedience to the truth (gospel) for the purpose of brotherly love. Sincere Brotherly love is one of the goals of our Redemption in believing the gospel we have been set apart from the ways of the world and the sinful ways in which we previously thought and treated others.

What is brotherly love? The term "philadelphia" translated "brotherly love" does not simply mean love like someone would express to a brother, but love because someone is a brother.

D.A. Carson said, "Genuine brotherly love is a righteous relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ that is based on God's character expressed in His Word and our birth and adoption as children of God."

Love thinks and acts in accordance with our new nature and God's perfect will for us.

Where and when is brotherly love best expressed? Just as we a re joined to Christ, we are also joined to all people of God. We are joined as living stones, the body of Christ, to all other true believers.

Through brotherly love is expressed to all genuine believers whenever possible, it is expressed on a continual basis within the local body of believers of which every Christian, if obedient, will be a part.

How do we apply this to our lives? Do we have a clear Biblical understanding of love? Are we practicing genuine biblical love or worldly love while assuming the two are the same? Have I fully committed to love others believers in the body of Christ and especially within the local church?

Scripture references:

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:22-25

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-5

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Cor. 12:12-13

...which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

1 Cor. 12:24-27

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Cor. 13:4-7

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isiah 40

Homemade Maple Syrup

Our daughter, Gracie, was diagnosed with some food allergies a couple of months ago. One of her allergies is to corn. At first, that may not sound so difficult to overcome; but just try to find anything without corn syrup. It is in nearly everything. The journey has been, at times, extremely stressful. There have been lots of prayers and tears. We live in a very small town where the grocery options are limited to say the least. Anyway, this post is suppose to be about syrup. All pancake syrup in our stores either has corn syrup in it or maple syrup, which is expensive. We tried sugar-free syrup and it was just down right nasty. Sorry, but it was not good at all. I recently came across a recipe for homemade maple syrup. It sounded simple so I decided to try it. It was WONDERFUL!!!!! So, wonderful that I don't plan on buying syrup from the store...EVER AGAIN. And so wonderful, I had to share it.

2 cups white sugar or 1 cup white & 1 cup brown

1 cup boiling water

Mix in a saucepan over LOW heat until all sugar is dissolved. Bring to a slow boil and cook for a few minutes. Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon of maple flavor or maple extract. Let cool. TaaDaa!!! That's it...enjoy!!!

A Mother's Influence

They are your legacy, your testimony, and your contribution to mankind. Don't let some other woman steal your influence. Remember, 'The hand that rock the cradle is the hand that rules the world.' That saying didn't just show up one day. That proverb is the result of centuries of observation. A mother's influence is unmatched."

-Voddie Bauchaum, Family Driven Faith

Pro 1:8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching...

New Products From Vision Forum

At every level of government, our rights as citizens and parents are ignored and usurped by power-hungry politicians. Our news media, universities, and entertainers actively wage war against God’s Word and those who live by it. And our children are confronted daily by the lies of evolution and the horrific realities of its “survival of the fittest” ideology.

In an effort to provide encouragement, hope, and practical instruction to Christian families, Vision Forum is pleased to release five new DVDs. These timely presentations will equip your family to understand our culture’s most critical battles and biblically fight for the rights granted to us by God, rights recognized and preserved for us by our Founding Fathers.

DVD TITLES: You May Not Take Our Guns (DVD) The Devolution of Law (DVD) Top Ten Questions About Genesis & Creation (DVD) The State of Parental Rights in America (DVD) Christianity & Science Fiction: Reclaiming the Genre for Christ (1 DVD & 2 CDs) http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productdetail.aspx?productid=37532&categoryid=192 Regular Price $78 Sale Price $45

Forgotten Picture

Sorry, I just realized that I didn't post a current picture for Gracie's birthday. So here it is.