Monday, July 6, 2015
Happy Independence Day!
Friday, July 3, 2015
Self Denial, a Lost Art?
I'd
like to address an issue...of late, we have heard some of the most
bizarre news...a man "becomes" a woman...genderless dating...a young
man shoots and kills several members of a church at a Bible study! If
one looks below the surface. of these, and other crimes and isses in our
culture, we would see a basic theme...selfishness. Yes, selfishness.
It's all about ME. I am not "happy" with the way God made me, the
gender that I am, the spouse that I have, the color of someone
else's skin, etc. etc. I, must be happy at all cost. I, must be
fulfilled at all cost. Jesus made it very clear...the only way to
happiness, is to DIE to one's self. Take up the cross, follow Him.
Just days ago, a great hero to Christian's passed away. That amazing
lady was Elisabeth Elliot. She has influenced many, including myself,
and could certainly speak to "dying to self." She waited YEARS to marry
the man of her dreams, only to have him murdered a few years after
their marriage. She refused to give in to "self" realization or self
pity, instead, serving One greater than herself, choosing to believe
that He had a greater purpose for her than her desires. She continued
to bless the Lord even in the midst of great personal tragedy. Our
culture is very self focused. Self realization. Self fulfillment.
Self must be glorified and pampered. Where has that gotten us,
people??? Nowhere good. At all. Our nation was founded with much
sweat, blood and tears. Men and women put sentiment and "self
realization" aside, in order to serve a purpose greater than themselves.
Some layed down their lives, lost property, were injured, etc. at
great cost to self. Many thought nothing of the sacrifice. It was not
about self, it was about something and someone greater. We need a
return to this type of living in America and in the church, more importantly.
A Descent Into the Ridiculous
Is it possible to rid our nation of "racism" by removing a flag? The
answer is an obvious "no." The absurdity of the drum beat to remove the
confederate flag, and all the retailers joining in this ridiculous
parade of politically correct psycho babble has crossed far over into
the realms of complete and utter nonsense. The scripture tells us in
Romans 1 what is happening here...listen to verses 21-22.."Because that,
when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were
thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart
was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools..."
This pretty much sums it up...professing to have wisdom, they have made
themselves look very, very foolish.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Come With Me...
Leave your lives of ease…your sporting events…your ipads and
iphones…come to this hill. Look
down. What do you see? Grave stones?
Sacrifice? Death? Life?
Do you see that their blood cries out?
It cries out to be remembered.
They are lying here. Stone
cold. Dead. So YOU may live.
You are so busy, eating, drinking, playing. Doing the normal things which are called
“life”. Being soccer moms, and sporting
dads. You are told what a hero is. A hero might be someone who changes their
gender we are told. Or someone who just
does the ordinary. But, here, lie the real
heroes. They are “heroes proved in
liberating strife. Who more than self,
their country love, and mercy, more than life.”
LOOK! Do you see
them? They died so you could live!!!
LOOK!!! While you enjoy your life of
ease, their lives were cut short…they gave all.
How can you do less? Can you
leave this hill the same as when you came?
Can you return to frivolity with no thought for those who lie here. Dead.
So you could live.
Be changed. Sit here
for a while. Ponder the great cost of
freedom. Freedom is never free. Someone always must die so others may
live. Someone must always sacrifice
pleasure so others may know it.
Leave this place.
Go. Begin to live anew. Changed.
Transformed by what you have seen.
Go. Tell the story of America. Refuse to be complacent. Live!
Live as one who has seen the great cost of your freedom! Don’t ever be the same again.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Easter Reflections...
So amazing..Jesus first recorded words after His Resurrection were to a
woman..and what a woman she was...Mary Magdalene, the one from whom
Jesus had cast seven evil spirits. John 20:11-17 "But Mary stood outside
by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into
the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and
the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said
to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them,
“Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they
have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw
Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to
her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing
Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away,
tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary!" She turned and said to £Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher)."
What a sweet sound it must have been to hear Jesus say her name. He is still speaking the name of all who would trust in Him. Listen..He is speaking!
Jesus said to her, “Mary!" She turned and said to £Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher)."
What a sweet sound it must have been to hear Jesus say her name. He is still speaking the name of all who would trust in Him. Listen..He is speaking!
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Reflections on Christian Education...
I'm a very reflective person. Too often, I remember the past...both good and bad. I tend to "live in the past," to my detriment. But, some of this reflection has been very healthy and that's what this post will address in a sense.
I'm a believer in Christian Education. I am a product of it. In an older post which you can read here.. http://www.musingsbymissmusic.blogspot.com/2009/11/with-grateful-heart.html, I reflected on my idyllic childhood. A large part of my childhood was the Christian school I went to for 13 years. I am so grateful that my parents sacrificed so that my two brothers and I could attend there.
What did that mean? Well, it meant that we had one nicer car and one beater. This was the norm for a long time. It meant that for a long time we lived in a house with one bathroom. It meant that we didn't go out to eat a lot. It meant that my mother stayed home and made a lot of old fashioned, home cooked food. It meant that my dad grew a very large garden in our backyard. From that garden came tons of wonderful produce which helped to feed us. (We had to help with the putting up of some of this stuff. I have snapped/cut many green beans for canning. I have helped my mom cook and strain tomato juice.) It meant that I wore a lot of homemade clothes. It meant that in old age, my parents would have LESS than they would have had otherwise. In fact, not too long ago, my dad stated that they were still affected by their sacrifice. However, they have no regrets.
They don't regret having a beater for a second car. They don't regret that my mom did not have a career, but stayed home to take care of the house. They don't regret that their children were spared many temptations available to them had they attended public schools. They have one main goal in this life. Their goal has been and continues to be that they and their family would live in such a way as to spend eternity with Christ. One of those family members is already there. Did we have less, materially than many? Sure. But, we always had plenty of healthy food. We did not go naked. We had a simple house to live in.
So many young families are not willing to live this way now. They must have the latest iphone, ipads, Apple Computers, regular Branson vacations, two late model cars, expensive clothes, big houses. But, when life is over, will those things matter? No. None of that will matter. And, now that my brother Michael has crossed over to the next world, those things clearly mattered not one bit. But, the Christian education he had, which helped to mold him and give him a desire to seek Christ early DOES matter! It contributed to Michael's destination for all eternity.
Christian schools sometimes operate on a shoestring. It takes a LOT of money to operate one. If more families would commit their resources to support a local Christian school, and to put their children there, paying tuition, teachers could be paid better. Facilities could be better. What sometimes happens is that teachers are paid poverty wages. They believe so strongly in what they are doing, they continue, year after year. They may struggle to pay their bills. They may work 1-2 other jobs to make ends meet. If they are married, this means more time away from their family. Many people have no idea the salaries of Christian school teachers. Maybe everyone SHOULD know.
Christian families are forced to pay "twice" for education. They pay for the public education through their property taxes. Then, they pay, sometimes several thousand dollars per year, per student, to attend the Christian school. We need to prayerfully consider seeking to influence the legislation in our states to create some sort of school choice. Perhaps a tax credit. Or a voucher system. Either option has it's pros and cons.
The biggest thing is..parents have to BELIEVE that Christian education is important. Then, be willing to do what my parents did...sacrifice earthly and material possessions in order to make it happen. I know that when my parents cross into eternity someday, they will not mourn the material things they missed. Instead, they will rejoice that they obeyed the call of Christ on their livest to sacrifice for the Christian education of their children.
Thanks, Mom and Dad!!!
I'm a believer in Christian Education. I am a product of it. In an older post which you can read here.. http://www.musingsbymissmusic.blogspot.com/2009/11/with-grateful-heart.html, I reflected on my idyllic childhood. A large part of my childhood was the Christian school I went to for 13 years. I am so grateful that my parents sacrificed so that my two brothers and I could attend there.
What did that mean? Well, it meant that we had one nicer car and one beater. This was the norm for a long time. It meant that for a long time we lived in a house with one bathroom. It meant that we didn't go out to eat a lot. It meant that my mother stayed home and made a lot of old fashioned, home cooked food. It meant that my dad grew a very large garden in our backyard. From that garden came tons of wonderful produce which helped to feed us. (We had to help with the putting up of some of this stuff. I have snapped/cut many green beans for canning. I have helped my mom cook and strain tomato juice.) It meant that I wore a lot of homemade clothes. It meant that in old age, my parents would have LESS than they would have had otherwise. In fact, not too long ago, my dad stated that they were still affected by their sacrifice. However, they have no regrets.
They don't regret having a beater for a second car. They don't regret that my mom did not have a career, but stayed home to take care of the house. They don't regret that their children were spared many temptations available to them had they attended public schools. They have one main goal in this life. Their goal has been and continues to be that they and their family would live in such a way as to spend eternity with Christ. One of those family members is already there. Did we have less, materially than many? Sure. But, we always had plenty of healthy food. We did not go naked. We had a simple house to live in.
So many young families are not willing to live this way now. They must have the latest iphone, ipads, Apple Computers, regular Branson vacations, two late model cars, expensive clothes, big houses. But, when life is over, will those things matter? No. None of that will matter. And, now that my brother Michael has crossed over to the next world, those things clearly mattered not one bit. But, the Christian education he had, which helped to mold him and give him a desire to seek Christ early DOES matter! It contributed to Michael's destination for all eternity.
Christian schools sometimes operate on a shoestring. It takes a LOT of money to operate one. If more families would commit their resources to support a local Christian school, and to put their children there, paying tuition, teachers could be paid better. Facilities could be better. What sometimes happens is that teachers are paid poverty wages. They believe so strongly in what they are doing, they continue, year after year. They may struggle to pay their bills. They may work 1-2 other jobs to make ends meet. If they are married, this means more time away from their family. Many people have no idea the salaries of Christian school teachers. Maybe everyone SHOULD know.
Christian families are forced to pay "twice" for education. They pay for the public education through their property taxes. Then, they pay, sometimes several thousand dollars per year, per student, to attend the Christian school. We need to prayerfully consider seeking to influence the legislation in our states to create some sort of school choice. Perhaps a tax credit. Or a voucher system. Either option has it's pros and cons.
The biggest thing is..parents have to BELIEVE that Christian education is important. Then, be willing to do what my parents did...sacrifice earthly and material possessions in order to make it happen. I know that when my parents cross into eternity someday, they will not mourn the material things they missed. Instead, they will rejoice that they obeyed the call of Christ on their livest to sacrifice for the Christian education of their children.
Thanks, Mom and Dad!!!
Sunday, November 2, 2014
She Will Do Him Good...
In Proverbs 31:10-12, we read,
"Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life."
While this scripture was written to give a young man wisdom in finding a wife, the King James version uses the word "woman" in place of "wife," and I believe we can apply this scripture to all women; married or single, young or old. Being virtuous is not something reserved for women who are wives or who aspire to be wives. Being virtuous is for all women. One aspect of being virtuous is "doing good" to the men in our lives regardless of the relationship. Whether it is a husband, brother, father, coworker, pastor, boss, etc., a Christian woman should be known for the good she does to all around her.
So, how does a Christian woman who is single live this out? Obviously she does not have a husband to "do good," but she will interact with many men throughout her life in the many circumstances she will be in. First and foremost she will want to relate to men in a pure and virtuous way. On the job, she will interact with many men who are married. The temptation to get too close to married men will be there. A woman who wants to "do him good," will avoid compromising situations such as becoming a listening ear for his marriage woes. A woman who wants to "do him good," will avoid being alone with a married man away from the eyes of others. She will refuse "work lunches" where they are alone. These lunches can quickly turn into another kind of lunch. She will seek to treat her married coworkers the same way she would want someone else to treat her husband were she married. She will act in such a way as to encourage his marriage to be stronger. She will be the woman that the wives of these men will know is safe in the same office as her husband. She will show respect, be pleasant and helpful, but always with arm's length between.
She will refuse to be a "man basher." Few things are more unattractive than a woman who bashes men. Men are not the problem! Sin is the problem!
She will be "safe." When I say "safe," I mean that she will be known for her virtue. She will be known as a woman who will not knowingly seduce a man. He will know by her conduct and dress that she will be appropriate. He will know that he can ask for her help with projects on the job and she will not try and use it as an opportunity to get him in a compromising situation.
She will encourage men to lead by her actions and words. Men were made to be leaders. A virtuous woman will recognize this and refuse to try and badger men to get her way. She will be a "helper" to the men in her life. In the church, she will learn to suggest and encourage the men in leadership. She will not be a "take charge ram rod" that others will begrudgingly see as the "church boss." Instead, she will work quietly and prayerfully to effect change where needed through the proper channels.
If this is her goal, to "do men good", when her epitaph is written someday, it can very well be said that she was virtuous and did all others good.
"Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life."
While this scripture was written to give a young man wisdom in finding a wife, the King James version uses the word "woman" in place of "wife," and I believe we can apply this scripture to all women; married or single, young or old. Being virtuous is not something reserved for women who are wives or who aspire to be wives. Being virtuous is for all women. One aspect of being virtuous is "doing good" to the men in our lives regardless of the relationship. Whether it is a husband, brother, father, coworker, pastor, boss, etc., a Christian woman should be known for the good she does to all around her.
So, how does a Christian woman who is single live this out? Obviously she does not have a husband to "do good," but she will interact with many men throughout her life in the many circumstances she will be in. First and foremost she will want to relate to men in a pure and virtuous way. On the job, she will interact with many men who are married. The temptation to get too close to married men will be there. A woman who wants to "do him good," will avoid compromising situations such as becoming a listening ear for his marriage woes. A woman who wants to "do him good," will avoid being alone with a married man away from the eyes of others. She will refuse "work lunches" where they are alone. These lunches can quickly turn into another kind of lunch. She will seek to treat her married coworkers the same way she would want someone else to treat her husband were she married. She will act in such a way as to encourage his marriage to be stronger. She will be the woman that the wives of these men will know is safe in the same office as her husband. She will show respect, be pleasant and helpful, but always with arm's length between.
She will refuse to be a "man basher." Few things are more unattractive than a woman who bashes men. Men are not the problem! Sin is the problem!
She will be "safe." When I say "safe," I mean that she will be known for her virtue. She will be known as a woman who will not knowingly seduce a man. He will know by her conduct and dress that she will be appropriate. He will know that he can ask for her help with projects on the job and she will not try and use it as an opportunity to get him in a compromising situation.
She will encourage men to lead by her actions and words. Men were made to be leaders. A virtuous woman will recognize this and refuse to try and badger men to get her way. She will be a "helper" to the men in her life. In the church, she will learn to suggest and encourage the men in leadership. She will not be a "take charge ram rod" that others will begrudgingly see as the "church boss." Instead, she will work quietly and prayerfully to effect change where needed through the proper channels.
If this is her goal, to "do men good", when her epitaph is written someday, it can very well be said that she was virtuous and did all others good.
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