This is possibly one of the most powerful things I have ever seen. I sat at my computer ignoring everything else for 4 1/2 minutes with tears streaming down my face.
Please watch and listen ALL the way through.
I hope this touches you as it has me. Love to all!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Today's Reading....
So I am trying to get back on the wagon with this goal. No guarantees other than my best efforts.
Here is a passage that touched me as we did Bible study this past week. Though this was the prayer that Solomon spoke at the consecration of the temple after its built there are points that apply to us today.
"Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day."
1 Kings 8:56-61
Continually Solomon speaks of walking in God's ways and keeping his statutes. If we strive to do that then God will honor that by keeping His promises to us.
Love HIM, seek HIM, honor HIM.
Love to all. Pray for me as I pray for you.
Here is a passage that touched me as we did Bible study this past week. Though this was the prayer that Solomon spoke at the consecration of the temple after its built there are points that apply to us today.
"Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day."
1 Kings 8:56-61
Continually Solomon speaks of walking in God's ways and keeping his statutes. If we strive to do that then God will honor that by keeping His promises to us.
Love HIM, seek HIM, honor HIM.
Love to all. Pray for me as I pray for you.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Today's Reading....
Inspired by the wildfires in Northern California:
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" 1 Peter 1:7
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Revelation 3:18
I saw a picture on an Internet news outlet of a fire captain surveying the damage left by the wildfires in Big Sur in Northern California. He looked perplexed as if nothing he had ever seen compared to this swath of destruction that fire had left. I think we are the same when we come through a trial by fire. What we learn in our walk with God is much the same as what happens in creation when fire strikes.
We see only the immediate. The destruction of homes, lost lives, and pain beyond our understanding. Fortunately, God sees from every side of an event. He knew those fires would happen. He also knows that good can come from them. Just as our personal trials by fire are excruciating and devastating there is always good on the other side. He knows. He loves us. He holds us.
We become refined by fire. Our actions and reactions become more like His. In creation, some very beautiful and awe-inspiring trees would never grow were it not for forest fires. Check these out:
These men are standing at the base of 1 tree!
Here a church group is having service on 1 fallen tree.
Each of these pictures are of the Giant Sequoia Tree. They are native to Northern California. What makes them remarkable other than being the oldest living trees and the largest trees is that their acorns require "special treatment" to take root. A sequoia acorn will not root and grown unless it has been burnt. They require trial by fire to reach their fantastic full potential. Amazing isn't it? Here's another bit of information: any plant has as much structure below the ground as above! Now apply that to these spectacular trees that routinely grow hundreds of feet in the air even to the obscuring of the sky from the viewer below.
Now thank God for the fires in your life. He will bring you through it and you will be better off in the end.
Love to all!
Friday, June 27, 2008
A Disturbing Idea
Thomas had a dental appointment today with a new dentist. We left the last dentist after discovering some disconcerting information about their practice and about a policy that I find positively disturbing. Today, we find out (after having gotten different information over the phone) that the new dentist has the same policy. Apparently most dentists have this policy and parents don't seem to mind. I am speaking of their idea that at 5 (and sometimes younger) a child should go through his appointment with the dentist without his parent present.
They tried valiantly to convince me that it was in Thomas' best interest to be allowed to go behind closed doors with virtual strangers for a minimum of 30 minutes while I just sit back and read a magazine. They suggested that it instilled independence and confidence. All the other parents were doing it. How can he trust the dentist if I don't?
My question is this: If something happens, how can he trust me again? It isn't in their job description to determine that other people's children are ready for something like that. They are not accountable for the well being of those children. He is my responsibility. I claim rights to him by virtue of him coming out of my body! God has chosen me to guard and tend him. I can't imagine shirking that duty because of their arbitrary policy.
I would venture a guess that many of you out there are saying, "what's the big deal? Its just the dentist." The big deal is that if we change the titles of those involved it becomes a potentially dangerous situation that no decent parent would ever consider. Imagine this:
A random person says: you should leave your 5 year old with me, behind closed doors and without accountability. And, by the way, I have enough chemicals behind those doors to incapacitate your child and blur their memory so you will never know what I've done.
Sounds scary, right? Somehow, though, when that random person is wearing brightly colored scrubs and has some initials behind their name they move from the realm of suspicion to acceptability. Why? Do we not hear almost daily about the trusted soccer coach, teacher, or doctor who turns out to be the town pedophile? Would you send your child into the pediatrician alone? Nope. You would insist on being there. You would insist that to leave them alone would be irresponsible. Yet and still doing that at the dentist office is ok?
Needless to say, we are now searching for another dentist. We have a lead on a "family dentist" who specializing in treating the whole family. This time I intend to make myself and my position clear up front. If you happen to know a good dentist who doesn't try to usurp the rights of parents, please let me know.
They tried valiantly to convince me that it was in Thomas' best interest to be allowed to go behind closed doors with virtual strangers for a minimum of 30 minutes while I just sit back and read a magazine. They suggested that it instilled independence and confidence. All the other parents were doing it. How can he trust the dentist if I don't?
My question is this: If something happens, how can he trust me again? It isn't in their job description to determine that other people's children are ready for something like that. They are not accountable for the well being of those children. He is my responsibility. I claim rights to him by virtue of him coming out of my body! God has chosen me to guard and tend him. I can't imagine shirking that duty because of their arbitrary policy.
I would venture a guess that many of you out there are saying, "what's the big deal? Its just the dentist." The big deal is that if we change the titles of those involved it becomes a potentially dangerous situation that no decent parent would ever consider. Imagine this:
A random person says: you should leave your 5 year old with me, behind closed doors and without accountability. And, by the way, I have enough chemicals behind those doors to incapacitate your child and blur their memory so you will never know what I've done.
Sounds scary, right? Somehow, though, when that random person is wearing brightly colored scrubs and has some initials behind their name they move from the realm of suspicion to acceptability. Why? Do we not hear almost daily about the trusted soccer coach, teacher, or doctor who turns out to be the town pedophile? Would you send your child into the pediatrician alone? Nope. You would insist on being there. You would insist that to leave them alone would be irresponsible. Yet and still doing that at the dentist office is ok?
Needless to say, we are now searching for another dentist. We have a lead on a "family dentist" who specializing in treating the whole family. This time I intend to make myself and my position clear up front. If you happen to know a good dentist who doesn't try to usurp the rights of parents, please let me know.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Today's Reading....
Just something that occurred to me earlier...
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. " Hebrews 12:2
Of the four million times I have heard this verse in my life never has it had the clarity that it did today.
Of course, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. If it doesn't begin and end with Him and all He says, then what is it? If our faith is not wholly rooted in Jesus, His redemptive work, His creation, etc. then what is it? Something of our own making. When we find ourselves there, we ought to look toward Him for renewal and uplift of our faith.
Love to all! Goodnight!
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. " Hebrews 12:2
Of the four million times I have heard this verse in my life never has it had the clarity that it did today.
Of course, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. If it doesn't begin and end with Him and all He says, then what is it? If our faith is not wholly rooted in Jesus, His redemptive work, His creation, etc. then what is it? Something of our own making. When we find ourselves there, we ought to look toward Him for renewal and uplift of our faith.
Love to all! Goodnight!
An Amazing God Moment
This hibiscus bloom opened this morning. While that is an amazing God moment in and of itself that wasn't what touched me so profoundly this morning. 
In the quiet of the morning with the TV off, Lily still in bed and Thomas asleep on the couch because he had gotten up too early, the only sounds I could hear were the occasional car driving by and the rooster next door crowing. In a moment when it seemed that traffic had stopped, the rooster took a breath, and even the refrigerator seemed to quite its hum, I heard a gentle crackling sound behind me.
I found it odd since the only thing behind me was a tree. Perhaps a branch was giving way. I looked over my shoulder and I noticed the single bloom at the top of the tree that had been tightly closed when I got up this morning was open. I took a minute before it dawned on me that I had actually HEARD a flower bloom!
Never before in my life had I considered that the tightly closed petals might actually make a sound when they pulled apart to show their full glory. It was spectacular. It was beautiful. It was slightly haunting. Most of all it was a moment that I felt connected to God in a new and exciting way. I had a new understanding of Him and His creation. I think this one will stick with me for a long time.
Thank you, God, for this wonderful moment and all of your creation!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Today's Reading....
You have probably noticed that I have been sporadic at best at posting to the blogs. Unfortunately I don't see that changing in the near future. These last few weeks of pregnancy are taking their toll on my body. With my other two pregnancies I was very active right up to delivery. With this one I had a bout of sciatica in early April that seemed to linger. Now hip, leg, and pelvic movement are painful and restricted. This pain makes it incredibly difficult to be in one position for an extended period of time, particularly sitting in the desk chair.
All that to get to this: I have chosen a scripture for my own uplift and encouragement:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." 1 Timothy 2:15
"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:12-13
I know that you all keep us in your prayers, and we definitely appreciate them. Now more than ever, though, I could use some specific prayer. Please pray for strength in my body and mind, encouragement for my spirit, the ability to continue to care for my family, a quick, pain-free, uncomplicated delivery, and perfect health for our newest edition to the Scalf clan.
For those that scoff at the "pain-free delivery" idea. Its very possible if we apply our faith to God's Word. The full concept is explained in a book that I love Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize which can be purchased here or here.
Basically, with faith, a woman stands on all that God has promised including those regarding the Hebrew women in birth, our healing being bought by Christ's death on the cross, etc. It is a fantastic read even if you aren't pregnant. it is particularly helpful if you are having problems conceiving. Its going to become my standard gift to moms-to-be and those wanting to be moms.
Thanks again for your prayers. Please feel free to comment with any other scriptures that you feel might be of encouragement to us right now.
Love to all!
All that to get to this: I have chosen a scripture for my own uplift and encouragement:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." 1 Timothy 2:15
"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:12-13
I know that you all keep us in your prayers, and we definitely appreciate them. Now more than ever, though, I could use some specific prayer. Please pray for strength in my body and mind, encouragement for my spirit, the ability to continue to care for my family, a quick, pain-free, uncomplicated delivery, and perfect health for our newest edition to the Scalf clan.
For those that scoff at the "pain-free delivery" idea. Its very possible if we apply our faith to God's Word. The full concept is explained in a book that I love Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize which can be purchased here or here.
Basically, with faith, a woman stands on all that God has promised including those regarding the Hebrew women in birth, our healing being bought by Christ's death on the cross, etc. It is a fantastic read even if you aren't pregnant. it is particularly helpful if you are having problems conceiving. Its going to become my standard gift to moms-to-be and those wanting to be moms.
Thanks again for your prayers. Please feel free to comment with any other scriptures that you feel might be of encouragement to us right now.
Love to all!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
My Personal Apologies to the Men of the World
I just thoroughly do not understand why men seem to have the plague recently. By that I mean every news article about health, every charity, every anything is for women or children.
Since when did men's health issues become less important than women's or children's. Less deadly, less tragic?
In our city we have world renowned women's hospitals and children's hospitals but the men of our community are left with just general services.
Are childhood leukemia and breast cancer really that much more important than prostate or testicular cancer? Why are we going Red for Women but not Men? Is the heart of woman more valuable than that of a man?
Lately the only positive ads on TV relating to men have been from hardware stores and even those only air around Father's Day. Some even promote the idea of getting Dad a gift only because Mom gets something free for herself.
One commercial that really chaps my hide is a camera commercial. it features different family portrait type settings all containing the rest of the family and the backside of a horse. The tag line is "We know Dad's not really a horse's behind." Are you serious? I can't even begin to express the ire this raises in me! How do expect our children to have any respect for their dads if this is the message we are sending?
Yeah, this kind of makes me angry. Men are God's creation, too. Woman came from man. We should uphold them, exhort them, and reverence them as God designed them. They deserve as much consideration as do women and children. We don't even require our children to obey them anymore. Dad's have fallen to second class, little more than a banker, taxi driver, butler.
Shame on every woman who claims she needs to "train" her husband as if he were some inept spaniel that keeps peeing on the carpet. He is a person and as such deserves more from you. Extra shame on a woman with this attitude who claims to be a Christian!
There are no two ways about it. God commanded it and you must do it or you are walking in direct disobedience!
We must understand that God created men and women to fill different roles. Therefore we have different attributes. Men were created as providers and coverings. They are more singularly focused and more logic driven. God designed women to grow, birth, nurture, and raise children. We are more emotion driven and have an easier time with multi-tasking. There is no big secret. We were just made that way.
If you have been falling into the trap that Satan has set for women (remember he set the first one for a woman, too) apologize to your husband, Pray for forgiveness, guidance and help, and stop acting like a spoiled diva.
In my world "diva" is a bad thing. It should be in the rest of the world too.
Since when did men's health issues become less important than women's or children's. Less deadly, less tragic?
In our city we have world renowned women's hospitals and children's hospitals but the men of our community are left with just general services.
Are childhood leukemia and breast cancer really that much more important than prostate or testicular cancer? Why are we going Red for Women but not Men? Is the heart of woman more valuable than that of a man?
Lately the only positive ads on TV relating to men have been from hardware stores and even those only air around Father's Day. Some even promote the idea of getting Dad a gift only because Mom gets something free for herself.
One commercial that really chaps my hide is a camera commercial. it features different family portrait type settings all containing the rest of the family and the backside of a horse. The tag line is "We know Dad's not really a horse's behind." Are you serious? I can't even begin to express the ire this raises in me! How do expect our children to have any respect for their dads if this is the message we are sending?
Yeah, this kind of makes me angry. Men are God's creation, too. Woman came from man. We should uphold them, exhort them, and reverence them as God designed them. They deserve as much consideration as do women and children. We don't even require our children to obey them anymore. Dad's have fallen to second class, little more than a banker, taxi driver, butler.
Shame on every woman who claims she needs to "train" her husband as if he were some inept spaniel that keeps peeing on the carpet. He is a person and as such deserves more from you. Extra shame on a woman with this attitude who claims to be a Christian!
YOU CANNOT SAY YOU BELIEVE AND OBEY GOD IF YOU DON'T REVERENCE YOUR HUSBAND!
There are no two ways about it. God commanded it and you must do it or you are walking in direct disobedience!
We must understand that God created men and women to fill different roles. Therefore we have different attributes. Men were created as providers and coverings. They are more singularly focused and more logic driven. God designed women to grow, birth, nurture, and raise children. We are more emotion driven and have an easier time with multi-tasking. There is no big secret. We were just made that way.
If you have been falling into the trap that Satan has set for women (remember he set the first one for a woman, too) apologize to your husband, Pray for forgiveness, guidance and help, and stop acting like a spoiled diva.
In my world "diva" is a bad thing. It should be in the rest of the world too.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Today's Reading....
Tonight I just wanted to share two videos I found on YouTube. I have just recently gotten into searching YouTube. What a fun site! (Just be careful what you search for.) Anyway, these are two of my favorite songs. They are truly uplifting to me.
Take a few minutes of your life to allow praise to flow freely. Step back from your everyday and put your hands in the air. Allow the tears or laughter or prayer. Whatever your heart has to give, let it be given. Don't be embarrassed if others can see you just know that God can see you. It pleases Him beyond our knowledge when we praise! Here are some scriptures to go with each:
#1: "God With Us" by MercyMe
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" Matthew 1:2
"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:4
"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." Psalm 103:1
#2 "You Reign" by MercyMe
"And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:37-40
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " Philippians 2:9-11
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
I can't possibly add anything. I hope your were impacted. Love to all, Goodnight!
Take a few minutes of your life to allow praise to flow freely. Step back from your everyday and put your hands in the air. Allow the tears or laughter or prayer. Whatever your heart has to give, let it be given. Don't be embarrassed if others can see you just know that God can see you. It pleases Him beyond our knowledge when we praise! Here are some scriptures to go with each:
#1: "God With Us" by MercyMe
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" Matthew 1:2
"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:4
"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." Psalm 103:1
#2 "You Reign" by MercyMe
"And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:37-40
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " Philippians 2:9-11
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
I can't possibly add anything. I hope your were impacted. Love to all, Goodnight!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Today's Reading....
More from Proverbs:
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:6-7
We often hear these verses separately. Standing alone they are powerful and instructive and vital. But OH the power they have when combined!
When we define fiscal responsibility as a component of training our children, it takes on a whole new light. How many of us believe that a car payment for the rest of our lives is inevitable? How many of us save as much as we could instead of buying the next biggest, flashiest thing? How many of us live on less than we make?
How would the "mortgage crisis" be different if our parents had taught us that borrowing money is dangerous? Truth be told, most of our parents shied away from debt and most of our grandparents thought it abhorrent to borrow money from anyone. We, as a generation, have succumbed to marketing and the idea of having more.
This all goes back to our being spoiled, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We live in a world that continually says we are entitled to this or that thing for whatever lame reason we can think up. We don't live in a society that mirrors the Bible in that a person who does not work, does not eat. There is always someone there to pick up our slack. Not out of an inability to work but out of a lack of desire. Welfare is not the answer to poverty. Employment is.
Not teaching our children fiscal responsibility is the root of why we have people living in the projects with 50-inch HDTV's and driving Cadillac Escalades. Not teaching our children fiscal responsibility is why Japan saves an average of 18% of their income while the US saves an average of -2%. Yeah, negative. That means we are farther in debt than what we earn. If all of our mindsets were fixed on the understanding that every time we borrow we have entered into servant hood, we have made ourselves slaves to VISA, we would probably turn tail and run from the extra 10% off our shopping trip with a credit card application.
If we taught our children proper money management we would have no need of government assistance. We would have made generation upon generation of givers, people who want to help others as they help themselves. We would also have created people who were ashamed that they weren't providing for themselves and their families, people that understood that when you have no money the best place to go is to work not to the welfare office.We need to train givers, savers, and workers. People who know that you can have an amazing, full life that doesn't include a payment book.
I am going to continue to seek God's wisdom on how to train my children to manage HIS money the best we can. I hope you will do the same.
Love to all, goodnight!
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:6-7
We often hear these verses separately. Standing alone they are powerful and instructive and vital. But OH the power they have when combined!
When we define fiscal responsibility as a component of training our children, it takes on a whole new light. How many of us believe that a car payment for the rest of our lives is inevitable? How many of us save as much as we could instead of buying the next biggest, flashiest thing? How many of us live on less than we make?
How would the "mortgage crisis" be different if our parents had taught us that borrowing money is dangerous? Truth be told, most of our parents shied away from debt and most of our grandparents thought it abhorrent to borrow money from anyone. We, as a generation, have succumbed to marketing and the idea of having more.
This all goes back to our being spoiled, physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We live in a world that continually says we are entitled to this or that thing for whatever lame reason we can think up. We don't live in a society that mirrors the Bible in that a person who does not work, does not eat. There is always someone there to pick up our slack. Not out of an inability to work but out of a lack of desire. Welfare is not the answer to poverty. Employment is.
Not teaching our children fiscal responsibility is the root of why we have people living in the projects with 50-inch HDTV's and driving Cadillac Escalades. Not teaching our children fiscal responsibility is why Japan saves an average of 18% of their income while the US saves an average of -2%. Yeah, negative. That means we are farther in debt than what we earn. If all of our mindsets were fixed on the understanding that every time we borrow we have entered into servant hood, we have made ourselves slaves to VISA, we would probably turn tail and run from the extra 10% off our shopping trip with a credit card application.
If we taught our children proper money management we would have no need of government assistance. We would have made generation upon generation of givers, people who want to help others as they help themselves. We would also have created people who were ashamed that they weren't providing for themselves and their families, people that understood that when you have no money the best place to go is to work not to the welfare office.We need to train givers, savers, and workers. People who know that you can have an amazing, full life that doesn't include a payment book.
I am going to continue to seek God's wisdom on how to train my children to manage HIS money the best we can. I hope you will do the same.
Love to all, goodnight!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Today's Reading....
How about a bit in Proverbs today?...
"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1-7
Solomon's desire for wisdom was his uplift. Ironically, his lack of following his own advice was his down fall. That is neither here nor there where these verses are concerned. These verses accomplish several things. First, they introduce the author and his purpose. In so doing we begin the process of gleaning some of the vast knowledge that God granted Solomon.
The very simple reasons why Solomon wrote these Proverbs are small glimpses into the man that Solomon was and why he searched so diligently for wisdom. These are qualities that we should emulate at every turn. Knowing wisdom, receiving instruction of wisdom and justice. These are the marks of a wise man. Isn't that a mark we want others to see in us?
Then he tells us where to begin. The fear of the Lord. It seems so easy yet we balk at it so much. How difficult we make it to surrender to God's superiority and sovereignty! It seems so easy to logically say, "He's God and I'm not." Putting it into practice is where I falter most. I can readily express my stance on the Rock but I find myself on the sand so much.
My concentration is going to be to start at the beginning. To find the wisdom that God has for me by beginning to surrender to Him in respect, reverence, and fear.
Love to all. Goodnight.
"The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:1-7
Solomon's desire for wisdom was his uplift. Ironically, his lack of following his own advice was his down fall. That is neither here nor there where these verses are concerned. These verses accomplish several things. First, they introduce the author and his purpose. In so doing we begin the process of gleaning some of the vast knowledge that God granted Solomon.
The very simple reasons why Solomon wrote these Proverbs are small glimpses into the man that Solomon was and why he searched so diligently for wisdom. These are qualities that we should emulate at every turn. Knowing wisdom, receiving instruction of wisdom and justice. These are the marks of a wise man. Isn't that a mark we want others to see in us?
Then he tells us where to begin. The fear of the Lord. It seems so easy yet we balk at it so much. How difficult we make it to surrender to God's superiority and sovereignty! It seems so easy to logically say, "He's God and I'm not." Putting it into practice is where I falter most. I can readily express my stance on the Rock but I find myself on the sand so much.
My concentration is going to be to start at the beginning. To find the wisdom that God has for me by beginning to surrender to Him in respect, reverence, and fear.
Love to all. Goodnight.
A Few (LOL!) Words About Childbirth
As I draw closer to delivering this 3rd miracle that God has blessed us with, thoughts and fears of childbirth begin to be at the forefront of my mind with increasing intensity. This is a subject about which I am very passionate. Anyone, family, friend, or unsuspecting stranger, who has ever spent more than five minutes with me knows that pregnancy and childbirth are never far from the tip of my tongue.
Long before I was pregnant the first time I knew what I wanted for the births of any future children. I wanted a natural childbirth. That meaning, of course, to have as little medical intervention as possible. I would have loved to birth at home but for me that has turned out to not be a realistic goal for medical reasons. I always thought myself capable of delivering unaided by medication or the assistance of machines, instruments, and certainly not surgery. I have my mother to thank for that. She was always forthright about her experiences. She instilled in the the belief that I was created from head to toe to carry, birth, and nurture children. I knew that no matter the situation God was in control and would provide for me.
I have discovered that most women don't get to pregnancy feeling capable. For the most part, the first-timers that I have met are confused and scared. I believe these women were the victims of our society. The "plight" of the pregnant woman in broadcast at such high decibels over every media outlet that its hard to ignore. Fear of the upcoming blessed event drowns out reality. What we see on TV is angry, suffering women who can't control their temper and need the doctors to rescue them from the parasite that is growing in them. It simultaneously infuriates and saddens me.
Even with the mindset of my ability of accomplish this great task, I had a good deal of fear that first time around. My friend, Lori, who had no children and, at the time, no intention of birthing her own children but adopting, gave me a book that a lady at her church had recommended. I thanked her but never brought myself to read it. The title made me think it was a fanatical book with impossible goals. It seemed flaky to me. The book was Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize. (You can find out more about Jackie and her husband Terry at their website here.)
I didn't have the aid of the wisdom of Supernatural Childbirth for Thomas' birth because I didn't bother to read it. I made excuses about time and all the usual things but the reality was that I never made time. I was stubborn and didn't need a book. I wish someone had whacked me in the head. I did not have the experience I wanted with Thomas' birth, partly due to his early arrival but mostly due to my ignorance and inexperience. When we found out that I was pregnant a second time we decided to go about things differently but still with the mindset that God equipped me for it.
I called Lori to find out the name of the book again. This time I read it, Thad read it, and my parents read it. Everyone that had a daily influence on my mindset and dealing with pregnancy and the fears that come with it had read the book. We began to understand what Jackie had to say and put it into use. We prayed for specific things and, amazingly, God answered.There are two main points of emphasis in Supernatural Childbirth: 1. Fear is the main source of problems during conception, pregnancy, and birth. 2. Jesus broke the curse of sickness and pain with His redemptive work on the cross. Wow! How could I have fallen victim to anything other than God's Word? This book made perfect sense. It was like a V-8 moment when you slap yourself on the forehead because you should have known better.
Jackie also spends a bit of the book talking about filtering out the advice of others. Every pregnant woman knows that there are more books about pregnancy and childbirth than grains of sand in an hourglass. There is also no shortage of "well-meaning" opinions from every female that sets eyes on them. I am even guilty of over-sharing on occasion. I do try, though, to not be discouraging, to not share something that would promote fear.
As a final thought I'll share something I once read or heard. I don't remember who said it. It could have been Jackie in this book but I can't remember. Anyway, here it is..."A pregnant woman should be like an old cow. She chews the grass and spits out the straw." Meaning she keeps the good and filters out the bad.
Long before I was pregnant the first time I knew what I wanted for the births of any future children. I wanted a natural childbirth. That meaning, of course, to have as little medical intervention as possible. I would have loved to birth at home but for me that has turned out to not be a realistic goal for medical reasons. I always thought myself capable of delivering unaided by medication or the assistance of machines, instruments, and certainly not surgery. I have my mother to thank for that. She was always forthright about her experiences. She instilled in the the belief that I was created from head to toe to carry, birth, and nurture children. I knew that no matter the situation God was in control and would provide for me.
I have discovered that most women don't get to pregnancy feeling capable. For the most part, the first-timers that I have met are confused and scared. I believe these women were the victims of our society. The "plight" of the pregnant woman in broadcast at such high decibels over every media outlet that its hard to ignore. Fear of the upcoming blessed event drowns out reality. What we see on TV is angry, suffering women who can't control their temper and need the doctors to rescue them from the parasite that is growing in them. It simultaneously infuriates and saddens me.
Even with the mindset of my ability of accomplish this great task, I had a good deal of fear that first time around. My friend, Lori, who had no children and, at the time, no intention of birthing her own children but adopting, gave me a book that a lady at her church had recommended. I thanked her but never brought myself to read it. The title made me think it was a fanatical book with impossible goals. It seemed flaky to me. The book was Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize. (You can find out more about Jackie and her husband Terry at their website here.)
I didn't have the aid of the wisdom of Supernatural Childbirth for Thomas' birth because I didn't bother to read it. I made excuses about time and all the usual things but the reality was that I never made time. I was stubborn and didn't need a book. I wish someone had whacked me in the head. I did not have the experience I wanted with Thomas' birth, partly due to his early arrival but mostly due to my ignorance and inexperience. When we found out that I was pregnant a second time we decided to go about things differently but still with the mindset that God equipped me for it.
I called Lori to find out the name of the book again. This time I read it, Thad read it, and my parents read it. Everyone that had a daily influence on my mindset and dealing with pregnancy and the fears that come with it had read the book. We began to understand what Jackie had to say and put it into use. We prayed for specific things and, amazingly, God answered.There are two main points of emphasis in Supernatural Childbirth: 1. Fear is the main source of problems during conception, pregnancy, and birth. 2. Jesus broke the curse of sickness and pain with His redemptive work on the cross. Wow! How could I have fallen victim to anything other than God's Word? This book made perfect sense. It was like a V-8 moment when you slap yourself on the forehead because you should have known better.
Jackie also spends a bit of the book talking about filtering out the advice of others. Every pregnant woman knows that there are more books about pregnancy and childbirth than grains of sand in an hourglass. There is also no shortage of "well-meaning" opinions from every female that sets eyes on them. I am even guilty of over-sharing on occasion. I do try, though, to not be discouraging, to not share something that would promote fear.
As a final thought I'll share something I once read or heard. I don't remember who said it. It could have been Jackie in this book but I can't remember. Anyway, here it is..."A pregnant woman should be like an old cow. She chews the grass and spits out the straw." Meaning she keeps the good and filters out the bad.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Today's Reading....
I chose another Psalm to explore:
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah." Psalm 61:1-4
When I read this I can feel the Psalmist striving to express himself. King David had known from times past that God has been there for him and will again. He has no qualms crying to God to hear him. He has no doubts that God can and will lift him up.
We have all the same assurances. We need to continually avail ourselves of God's mighty hand. He wont fail us. He wont turn us away. We have no need of seeking our own way or that of another. Who can stand as our support more worthily than Almighty God?
This week try seeking God's uplift instead of calling on someone else to drag you out of that pit. He will hear your cries!
Love to all! Goodnight!
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah." Psalm 61:1-4
When I read this I can feel the Psalmist striving to express himself. King David had known from times past that God has been there for him and will again. He has no qualms crying to God to hear him. He has no doubts that God can and will lift him up.
We have all the same assurances. We need to continually avail ourselves of God's mighty hand. He wont fail us. He wont turn us away. We have no need of seeking our own way or that of another. Who can stand as our support more worthily than Almighty God?
This week try seeking God's uplift instead of calling on someone else to drag you out of that pit. He will hear your cries!
Love to all! Goodnight!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Today's Reading....
In my neck of the Christian woods, namely the Full Gospel/Pentecostal neck, there is a much quoted verse that is rarely quoted correctly. Lets explore that verse:
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Unfortunately, the first clause is left off - a lot! What does it matter? Seeing as how God never uttered an idle word that must mean we need the WHOLE verse for any of it to be applicable.
How can we expect to effectively resist the most diligent, intelligent, cunning enemy in the history of creation without the support of God? How can God support us if we aren't submitted to Him?
For that matter, how can we walk with Him in an unbalanced, childish step that still wants it's own way? In all things, we should first strive to submit to God. It would drastically improve all aspects of our life if we first consulted Him. That's my goal. I hope you make it yours.
Love to all! Goodnight!
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Unfortunately, the first clause is left off - a lot! What does it matter? Seeing as how God never uttered an idle word that must mean we need the WHOLE verse for any of it to be applicable.
How can we expect to effectively resist the most diligent, intelligent, cunning enemy in the history of creation without the support of God? How can God support us if we aren't submitted to Him?
For that matter, how can we walk with Him in an unbalanced, childish step that still wants it's own way? In all things, we should first strive to submit to God. It would drastically improve all aspects of our life if we first consulted Him. That's my goal. I hope you make it yours.
Love to all! Goodnight!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Today's Reading....
Have I mentioned that I have the BEST husband ever? Yes, I do. You may think its your husband but, really, its mine! I thought since today (May 20) is his birthday I would find some scripture that I feel describes him well.
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" Ephesians 5:25
"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself." Ephesians 5:28
The love spoken of here is unconditional and sacrificial. I cannot think of two better words for how my husband loves me. He walks these verse on a daily basis. He always has.
Long before children ever came into the picture Thad wanted me to be able to stay home. Not out of some misogynistic belief that my place was in the kitchen (though it is) but out of the desire to be the covering and provider that scripture requires. He knew that my desire was to serve him and keep his home. His desire is to live up to what God says he should be and allow me to do the same.
He works hard for us, fulfilling what God has called him to do. He relishes in allowing me to run our home and nurture and school our children. That does not mean that Thad leaves his responsibility at the front door every evening. He picks up where I cannot. He does dishes, laundry, and cooking anytime I need him to and for any reason. The children's baths are his domain. As I type this he is hanging up some clothes so I can blog.
Thad makes sure that, I, as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7) am taken care of in the manner to which he believes God would have it. He makes sure that our children know they are loved. Together we strive to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)
He is everything I ever wanted in a mate. I have no doubts that ours is a union that will only be divided by death.
Thad is my best friend. My confidant. My lover. My partner. My covering. My hero.
As a bonus, he is also my personal computer help desk!
Happy Birthday to the best husband in the world!
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" Ephesians 5:25
"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself." Ephesians 5:28
The love spoken of here is unconditional and sacrificial. I cannot think of two better words for how my husband loves me. He walks these verse on a daily basis. He always has.
Long before children ever came into the picture Thad wanted me to be able to stay home. Not out of some misogynistic belief that my place was in the kitchen (though it is) but out of the desire to be the covering and provider that scripture requires. He knew that my desire was to serve him and keep his home. His desire is to live up to what God says he should be and allow me to do the same.
He works hard for us, fulfilling what God has called him to do. He relishes in allowing me to run our home and nurture and school our children. That does not mean that Thad leaves his responsibility at the front door every evening. He picks up where I cannot. He does dishes, laundry, and cooking anytime I need him to and for any reason. The children's baths are his domain. As I type this he is hanging up some clothes so I can blog.
Thad makes sure that, I, as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7) am taken care of in the manner to which he believes God would have it. He makes sure that our children know they are loved. Together we strive to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)
He is everything I ever wanted in a mate. I have no doubts that ours is a union that will only be divided by death.
Thad is my best friend. My confidant. My lover. My partner. My covering. My hero.
As a bonus, he is also my personal computer help desk!
Happy Birthday to the best husband in the world!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Today's Reading....
I searched several passages tonight, not particularly drawn to any one subject. I decided to search the Psalms beginning with one that aren't oft quoted. I found Psalm 3 quite uplifting.
"Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah." Psalm 3
I guess what struck me most was how David spent 2 of the 8 verses in the entire Psalm on the distress he felt fleeing Absalom, his son. The other 6 verses were of joy and rescue. He sung the praises of God's glory and uplifting arm in his situation.
Why, in our comparatively simple lives, do we not turn to God for rescue when He so freely offers it? Why don't we know and understand that He is always there as a constant buoy in our times of need? We never have to long for deliverance because God offers a constant fountain of it.
Its a fantastic thing to know that we are never left to flag in the wind against our enemies.
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17
Rejoice in your servanthood because servants are always under their Master's care. How remarkable that our Master is the Creator of the universe! He doesn't even need a complicated thought process to place a hedge of protection around us.
Goodnight and love to all!
"Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah." Psalm 3
I guess what struck me most was how David spent 2 of the 8 verses in the entire Psalm on the distress he felt fleeing Absalom, his son. The other 6 verses were of joy and rescue. He sung the praises of God's glory and uplifting arm in his situation.
Why, in our comparatively simple lives, do we not turn to God for rescue when He so freely offers it? Why don't we know and understand that He is always there as a constant buoy in our times of need? We never have to long for deliverance because God offers a constant fountain of it.
Its a fantastic thing to know that we are never left to flag in the wind against our enemies.
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17
Rejoice in your servanthood because servants are always under their Master's care. How remarkable that our Master is the Creator of the universe! He doesn't even need a complicated thought process to place a hedge of protection around us.
Goodnight and love to all!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Today's Reading....
Aside from the obvious, my 3 favorite people in the Bible are Hannah, Ruth, and Esther. I like them so much because their lives speak volumes to what Godly womanhood means. Not one of them felt entitled to anything just because they were women but because God had promised and led and directed them. Here is one of my favorite passages from Esther:
"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14
The book of Esther is unique in that it is the only book that never makes direct reference to God. Never. Truly some of us live our lives with never a direct instruction from God, at least not that we are aware of. We can feel His presence but some never feel God speaking directly to them or through them. However, we all know that God is active in our life. We know He moves. Just the same as we know He moved Mordecai and Esther when we read this book.
In this verse Mordecai explains to Esther that if she is quiet and stands her ground the evil plot that Haman connived to bring down Mordecai by way of destroying the Jews will fail. If she moves too quickly destruction is a foregone conclusion. He then says, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Well, God knew. He put her there to foil yet another plan of Satan to destroy God's chosen people. The same can be said with each of us.
Whether or not you feel as if God has led you overtly, He has a plan for you. If you are yielded to Him fully He WILL put you in the right place at the right time. The decision is then yours to heed that leading or to walk away. To stand or to fold. To speak or remain silent.
He never fails us but surely we do fail Him. Resolve today to seek the knowledge of His directing hand and then to follow that lead.
Love to all!
"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14
The book of Esther is unique in that it is the only book that never makes direct reference to God. Never. Truly some of us live our lives with never a direct instruction from God, at least not that we are aware of. We can feel His presence but some never feel God speaking directly to them or through them. However, we all know that God is active in our life. We know He moves. Just the same as we know He moved Mordecai and Esther when we read this book.
In this verse Mordecai explains to Esther that if she is quiet and stands her ground the evil plot that Haman connived to bring down Mordecai by way of destroying the Jews will fail. If she moves too quickly destruction is a foregone conclusion. He then says, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Well, God knew. He put her there to foil yet another plan of Satan to destroy God's chosen people. The same can be said with each of us.
Whether or not you feel as if God has led you overtly, He has a plan for you. If you are yielded to Him fully He WILL put you in the right place at the right time. The decision is then yours to heed that leading or to walk away. To stand or to fold. To speak or remain silent.
He never fails us but surely we do fail Him. Resolve today to seek the knowledge of His directing hand and then to follow that lead.
Love to all!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
PCOS, IR, and Me: My Story
This article contains personal and medical information. If you are uncomfortable knowing that much about me, stop reading. I would prefer if this article made its way around the world so PLEASE read on. Share this with your sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, etc. especially if they are overweight and have some of the other symptoms I will list at the end of this article. I am not embarrassed to share this information, in fact, I welcome the opportunity.
When I was young I was normal sized, literally, right in the middle of the growth charts. About as average as a kid gets. That changed dramatically when I was 8. In the summer I was playing t-ball and running around with my cousins yet my body gained about 50lbs that summer without a diet change.I wasn't guzzling soda or gulping down seconds and thirds. Nothing was different. That fall I had to get my first bra at age 9. It was a 36C. To put that into perspective for all those not familiar with bra size, the average woman in America is a 34B as an adult! The need for a bra was caused by both the weight gain and a drastic change in hormones, though I didn't know that at the time.
The first indication that something was wrong came when I was 11, weighing nearly 150lbs. I began to have severe lower abdominal pain mostly on my left side. The doctor I went to, whose name I thankfully can't remember, told me it was nothing to worry about because I was just having premenstrual cramps. The problem that my mom and I explained to him was that I had never had them before neither was there a family history of any PMS symptoms. He basically rolled his eyes and suggested that I might feel better if I lost weight. Really? That hadn't occurred to me.
Needless to say I didn't go back. I did develop an unhealthy distrust for doctors because apparently they were all morons who made assumptions and suggestions without bothering to listen to me. Consequently, I avoided any doctor until the pain was so severe I missed days on end of school lying in bed crying because there were no answer or hope. I was 14 then. Through various circumstances God led me to another doctor who didn't think I was a fat slug who did nothing but search for attention by making up the pain.
Over the following 3-4 months I endured more tests than the average person endures in their entire life. I had countless blood tests, ultrasounds, and examinations. I had 2 exploratory CT-Scans with the barium shake and the barium enema (which is as fun as it sounds.) I even had a colonoscopy because they thought I might have colon cancer. When all was said and done, all they could tell me was that I had a cyst on my left ovary. It needed to be removed immediately. 3 weeks later I had surgery to remove my left ovary, fallopian tube, and an 8 lb ovarian cyst!It had been growing unchecked since that first doctor when I was 11. No wonder I looked pregnant.
After the surgery, the surgeons told my parents that the cyst had grown so large for so long that it was hemorrhaging back into itself and was turning gangrenous. It would have burst within 2 weeks releasing all those toxins into my body. More than likely it would have been fatal. On the upside it was pretty cool to have an elevator pass at school and show everyone my staples and scar and to tell my friends that the doctor wanted to remove my belly button. That would have looked even cooler! He didn't actually have to remove it. He went around it instead.
So after all this, one could reasonably expect a diagnosis, right? Such was not the case for me. All they said was that I had a "hormonal imbalance." They gave me birth control pills to regulate my hormones and told me to try to lose some weight. Again with that. As if I hadn't been trying that for years. Not to mention the fact that a major side effect of birth control pills is weight gain.
Here I go through my teenage years at 200lbs and gaining, on the pill, getting acne, losing the hair on my head but growing some on my chin and neck, having depression, not being able to eat because of nausea, constantly swinging between diarrhea and constipation, and never being normal. How did I deal with it? Apathy. I decided that since I couldn't lose weight why should I even try? I began to eat anything and everything in mass quantities. I decided that I would hop in the band wagon of fat women who "loved" their heaviness and really weren't unhealthy. (That great line from Hamlet, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" comes to mind immediately.)
Apathy was a rather nice band-aid for the wounds I was inflicting on myself and those left by others. I got through high school with another 30 lbs and a bad attitude. Continuing on my road of apathy and distrust I avoided doctors except for my gynecologist who still didn't have a definite diagnosis for me. She just kept pumping me full of birth control pills.
Fast forward to age 22 when Thad and I decided (as if it were our decision) that it was time to have kids. I stopped the pills after talking to my doctor who wished me luck and told me to try to lose some weight. I had a couple of false positive pregnancy tests and no periods over the next 15 months. while I didn't mind the absence of of them I was concerned. I finally asked my gynecologist why no one knew what was wrong with me. She said, "well, its probably your PCOS. It makes it hard to get pregnant." UHM, my what? I told her I had no idea what she meant. I had never heard of PCOS before. She scribbled something in my chart and told me to have the nurse give me a referral to an endocrinologist. A what?
I went to the new doctor. I wasn't happy about it though. I had been having my blood drawn and an "intimate" exam every three months since I was 15. Why did I need someone else to explain this to me? Fortunately, this guy was good. The first step of the appointment wasn't good - I had to weigh. For the first time in my life my weight frightened me. I was 25 and weighed 308 lbs. I'll never forget that moment. It took every ounce of strength I had not to cry. I knew part was from the whatever that had been going on in my body but, sadly, I knew that I had contributed to the monstrous beast that perched on the scale.
The appointment got better. He actually had answers. He told me that I did, indeed, have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome but that wasn't the root problem. I had something called Insulin Resistance. (Before you think it, ask it, or say it...NO, I'm not diabetic. But I could be someday.) IR is a condition in which the insulin response to food intake is insufficient. It causes the body to think it is always in "starvation mode." My muscles are deaf to the insulin message and do not take it in. Unfortunately, my fat cells think I'm never eating enough no matter how much or how little I eat. In that mode the fat stores everything! I could live on water and lettuce and still gain weight at an alarming rate. Thus the idea that just better nutrition and exercise would fix me up is FALSE. I know its false because I have tried it. I spent one year of my life eating 1200 calories a day and doing a 2-hour workout, 4 times a week. In that year I lost 4 lbs. Yeah, only 4.
This insulin issue causes my estrogen and progesterone to be out of whack and my testosterone to be really HIGH! The testosterone is why I grow hair in all the wrong places. It all contributes to the weight gain. So after all this illumination, for which I was incredibly grateful, I asked the obvious question: How do we fix me so that I can have babies? He reply wasn't what I wanted to hear. "It would help if you lost some weight." I gritted my teeth and stifled some frustration. Before I could scream about my inability to lose weight he said, "The problem with that is IR and PCOS make it nearly impossible."
I was dumbfounded. Finally someone realized that other than me. He gave me some samples and a prescription for Glucophage, a diabetes medication. But I'm not diabetic. He knew that, of course, because he had his head on straight. He said my periods would regulate and my hormones would come closer to normal. As a result and a big bonus, if I began to eat better and less I would see gradual weight loss. darned if he wasn't right.
Since that visit I have had to find another endocrinologist who is probably the best doctor I've ever come across. He is remarkably intelligent with an insatiable appetite for research but he doesn't run headlong toward something just because its the latest thing. I also have a new OB/GYN who I found through my endocrinologist because I wanted someone who would listen to him and understand that PCOS is NOT a gynecological problem.
Now I am surrounded by a wonderful team of physicians that understand my faith and my desire to not be a pincushion. I believe wholeheartedly that these men were put in my path to bring about God's will in my life. I was designed and created from head to toe to grow, birth, and nurture children. It was and still is the desire of my heart. When I surrendered my desire to His will and timing I got my answers and my health.
So what are the results of my journey?
* 3 babies I shouldn't have especially with 1 ovary.
* A dramatic weight loss (from my all-time high of 320 lbs to my current pre-pregnant weight of 243 lbs)
* The knowledge that I know my body better than anyone and trusting that meant booting the bad doctors.
* Conventional medicine isn't inherently bad. Find doctors that understand your beliefs and can work with them. All of my physicians understand that I don't credit them with my health improvement or my 3 miracle children. I credit God for leading me to them and giving us all wisdom in my situation. I believe that each child was a direct, Hand-of-God miracle much like Hannah (1 Samuel 1)
* I learned to look at women and girls who look like me in a different light. I used to see them the same way everyone else does. I thought they are fat because they eat too much. My experiences have taught me to wonder if she doesn't know that she might be fighting a losing battle against an enemy she doesn't even know exists. Occasionally, I even approach strangers and implore them to see an endocrinologist about PCOS and IR.
* I now know that Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is NOT an illness best treated by a gynecologist. It is not so much reproductive but hormonal. All hormones, even female ones, belong in the domain of the endocrinologist. It is also not a condition best treated by a fertility specialist. When you treat the underlying condition, the infertility usually resolves.
* I don't take diet advice from just anyone. For some reason people are compelled to share their diet secrets with me unsolicited. "I cut out high fat and lost 30 lbs." or "I only eat organic." or "I cut out everything from a box." or "All you have to do it eat more fruit and less red meat and you could look like me." or "Never eat anything after 6pm." (The ridiculousness of this statement is something I could write about endlessly. Weight is about math - calories in minus calories out. there is no magic time of day.) Nope, I have a filter now. I think these people are so uncomfortable with my size they want to be my rescuer. A nice thought but very belittling. I know what food to eat, how much, and when. I also rarely share my own diet advice for the same reason. I only do it when asked.
When I was young I was normal sized, literally, right in the middle of the growth charts. About as average as a kid gets. That changed dramatically when I was 8. In the summer I was playing t-ball and running around with my cousins yet my body gained about 50lbs that summer without a diet change.I wasn't guzzling soda or gulping down seconds and thirds. Nothing was different. That fall I had to get my first bra at age 9. It was a 36C. To put that into perspective for all those not familiar with bra size, the average woman in America is a 34B as an adult! The need for a bra was caused by both the weight gain and a drastic change in hormones, though I didn't know that at the time.
The first indication that something was wrong came when I was 11, weighing nearly 150lbs. I began to have severe lower abdominal pain mostly on my left side. The doctor I went to, whose name I thankfully can't remember, told me it was nothing to worry about because I was just having premenstrual cramps. The problem that my mom and I explained to him was that I had never had them before neither was there a family history of any PMS symptoms. He basically rolled his eyes and suggested that I might feel better if I lost weight. Really? That hadn't occurred to me.
Needless to say I didn't go back. I did develop an unhealthy distrust for doctors because apparently they were all morons who made assumptions and suggestions without bothering to listen to me. Consequently, I avoided any doctor until the pain was so severe I missed days on end of school lying in bed crying because there were no answer or hope. I was 14 then. Through various circumstances God led me to another doctor who didn't think I was a fat slug who did nothing but search for attention by making up the pain.
Over the following 3-4 months I endured more tests than the average person endures in their entire life. I had countless blood tests, ultrasounds, and examinations. I had 2 exploratory CT-Scans with the barium shake and the barium enema (which is as fun as it sounds.) I even had a colonoscopy because they thought I might have colon cancer. When all was said and done, all they could tell me was that I had a cyst on my left ovary. It needed to be removed immediately. 3 weeks later I had surgery to remove my left ovary, fallopian tube, and an 8 lb ovarian cyst!It had been growing unchecked since that first doctor when I was 11. No wonder I looked pregnant.
After the surgery, the surgeons told my parents that the cyst had grown so large for so long that it was hemorrhaging back into itself and was turning gangrenous. It would have burst within 2 weeks releasing all those toxins into my body. More than likely it would have been fatal. On the upside it was pretty cool to have an elevator pass at school and show everyone my staples and scar and to tell my friends that the doctor wanted to remove my belly button. That would have looked even cooler! He didn't actually have to remove it. He went around it instead.
So after all this, one could reasonably expect a diagnosis, right? Such was not the case for me. All they said was that I had a "hormonal imbalance." They gave me birth control pills to regulate my hormones and told me to try to lose some weight. Again with that. As if I hadn't been trying that for years. Not to mention the fact that a major side effect of birth control pills is weight gain.
Here I go through my teenage years at 200lbs and gaining, on the pill, getting acne, losing the hair on my head but growing some on my chin and neck, having depression, not being able to eat because of nausea, constantly swinging between diarrhea and constipation, and never being normal. How did I deal with it? Apathy. I decided that since I couldn't lose weight why should I even try? I began to eat anything and everything in mass quantities. I decided that I would hop in the band wagon of fat women who "loved" their heaviness and really weren't unhealthy. (That great line from Hamlet, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" comes to mind immediately.)
Apathy was a rather nice band-aid for the wounds I was inflicting on myself and those left by others. I got through high school with another 30 lbs and a bad attitude. Continuing on my road of apathy and distrust I avoided doctors except for my gynecologist who still didn't have a definite diagnosis for me. She just kept pumping me full of birth control pills.
Fast forward to age 22 when Thad and I decided (as if it were our decision) that it was time to have kids. I stopped the pills after talking to my doctor who wished me luck and told me to try to lose some weight. I had a couple of false positive pregnancy tests and no periods over the next 15 months. while I didn't mind the absence of of them I was concerned. I finally asked my gynecologist why no one knew what was wrong with me. She said, "well, its probably your PCOS. It makes it hard to get pregnant." UHM, my what? I told her I had no idea what she meant. I had never heard of PCOS before. She scribbled something in my chart and told me to have the nurse give me a referral to an endocrinologist. A what?
I went to the new doctor. I wasn't happy about it though. I had been having my blood drawn and an "intimate" exam every three months since I was 15. Why did I need someone else to explain this to me? Fortunately, this guy was good. The first step of the appointment wasn't good - I had to weigh. For the first time in my life my weight frightened me. I was 25 and weighed 308 lbs. I'll never forget that moment. It took every ounce of strength I had not to cry. I knew part was from the whatever that had been going on in my body but, sadly, I knew that I had contributed to the monstrous beast that perched on the scale.
The appointment got better. He actually had answers. He told me that I did, indeed, have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome but that wasn't the root problem. I had something called Insulin Resistance. (Before you think it, ask it, or say it...NO, I'm not diabetic. But I could be someday.) IR is a condition in which the insulin response to food intake is insufficient. It causes the body to think it is always in "starvation mode." My muscles are deaf to the insulin message and do not take it in. Unfortunately, my fat cells think I'm never eating enough no matter how much or how little I eat. In that mode the fat stores everything! I could live on water and lettuce and still gain weight at an alarming rate. Thus the idea that just better nutrition and exercise would fix me up is FALSE. I know its false because I have tried it. I spent one year of my life eating 1200 calories a day and doing a 2-hour workout, 4 times a week. In that year I lost 4 lbs. Yeah, only 4.
This insulin issue causes my estrogen and progesterone to be out of whack and my testosterone to be really HIGH! The testosterone is why I grow hair in all the wrong places. It all contributes to the weight gain. So after all this illumination, for which I was incredibly grateful, I asked the obvious question: How do we fix me so that I can have babies? He reply wasn't what I wanted to hear. "It would help if you lost some weight." I gritted my teeth and stifled some frustration. Before I could scream about my inability to lose weight he said, "The problem with that is IR and PCOS make it nearly impossible."
I was dumbfounded. Finally someone realized that other than me. He gave me some samples and a prescription for Glucophage, a diabetes medication. But I'm not diabetic. He knew that, of course, because he had his head on straight. He said my periods would regulate and my hormones would come closer to normal. As a result and a big bonus, if I began to eat better and less I would see gradual weight loss. darned if he wasn't right.
Since that visit I have had to find another endocrinologist who is probably the best doctor I've ever come across. He is remarkably intelligent with an insatiable appetite for research but he doesn't run headlong toward something just because its the latest thing. I also have a new OB/GYN who I found through my endocrinologist because I wanted someone who would listen to him and understand that PCOS is NOT a gynecological problem.
Now I am surrounded by a wonderful team of physicians that understand my faith and my desire to not be a pincushion. I believe wholeheartedly that these men were put in my path to bring about God's will in my life. I was designed and created from head to toe to grow, birth, and nurture children. It was and still is the desire of my heart. When I surrendered my desire to His will and timing I got my answers and my health.
So what are the results of my journey?
* 3 babies I shouldn't have especially with 1 ovary.
* A dramatic weight loss (from my all-time high of 320 lbs to my current pre-pregnant weight of 243 lbs)
* The knowledge that I know my body better than anyone and trusting that meant booting the bad doctors.
* Conventional medicine isn't inherently bad. Find doctors that understand your beliefs and can work with them. All of my physicians understand that I don't credit them with my health improvement or my 3 miracle children. I credit God for leading me to them and giving us all wisdom in my situation. I believe that each child was a direct, Hand-of-God miracle much like Hannah (1 Samuel 1)
* I learned to look at women and girls who look like me in a different light. I used to see them the same way everyone else does. I thought they are fat because they eat too much. My experiences have taught me to wonder if she doesn't know that she might be fighting a losing battle against an enemy she doesn't even know exists. Occasionally, I even approach strangers and implore them to see an endocrinologist about PCOS and IR.
* I now know that Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is NOT an illness best treated by a gynecologist. It is not so much reproductive but hormonal. All hormones, even female ones, belong in the domain of the endocrinologist. It is also not a condition best treated by a fertility specialist. When you treat the underlying condition, the infertility usually resolves.
* I don't take diet advice from just anyone. For some reason people are compelled to share their diet secrets with me unsolicited. "I cut out high fat and lost 30 lbs." or "I only eat organic." or "I cut out everything from a box." or "All you have to do it eat more fruit and less red meat and you could look like me." or "Never eat anything after 6pm." (The ridiculousness of this statement is something I could write about endlessly. Weight is about math - calories in minus calories out. there is no magic time of day.) Nope, I have a filter now. I think these people are so uncomfortable with my size they want to be my rescuer. A nice thought but very belittling. I know what food to eat, how much, and when. I also rarely share my own diet advice for the same reason. I only do it when asked.
Here are some of the hallmark symptoms of PCOS:
*Fewer than 8 periods per year.
*Heavy to very heavy periods.
*Irregular bleeding.
*Sudden, unexplained (non-diet induced) weight gain
*Fertility problems.
*Adult acne.
*Hair growth in places that are typically male: chin, neck, upper lip, chest, abdomen.
*Balding or thinning hair on head.
*Darkening or discoloration on neck, face, between folds of skin, etc.
*Skin tags.
*Type 2 Diabetes or a family history of Type 2 Diabetes (particularly if your mother had Gestational Diabetes while pregnant with you.)
*Sluggishness, lack of concentration, shaking, uncontrollable hunger and mood swings.
*Fewer than 8 periods per year.
*Heavy to very heavy periods.
*Irregular bleeding.
*Sudden, unexplained (non-diet induced) weight gain
*Fertility problems.
*Adult acne.
*Hair growth in places that are typically male: chin, neck, upper lip, chest, abdomen.
*Balding or thinning hair on head.
*Darkening or discoloration on neck, face, between folds of skin, etc.
*Skin tags.
*Type 2 Diabetes or a family history of Type 2 Diabetes (particularly if your mother had Gestational Diabetes while pregnant with you.)
*Sluggishness, lack of concentration, shaking, uncontrollable hunger and mood swings.
You can take the quiz here for a better idea of your risk. I suggest printing it and taking it to your physician to discuss your risk and have the blood tests.
If you live in the Nashville area and believe you have PCOS, please send a comment with your email and I will give you my doctor's information if you do not have an endocrinologist.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Today's Reading....
This is part of a passage that we learned about yesterday in church. I wanted to share some thoughts I had about it.
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:3-6
We hear a lot about being united in our faith, being one strong force for change. While this is truly a Biblical ambition it can be taken to the extreme. We cannot become so driven to unity that we ignore those things that are false doctrine. For example, we cannot just accept that someone is a brother or sister in Christ because they say they believe in God. Not even all denominations that claim to be Christian really are. Any teaching that puts a human on equal plain with Jesus is a false doctrine. Any teaching that claims a "later revelation" is false. There are no two ways about it. God is what He says He is - in HIS Word!
A further extreme of unity is the idea that because God created all humans we should be one no matter our belief system. Its ridiculous to say that just based on God's love for us we can accept and tolerate any religion. He didn't. Why should we?
Does this mean that any difference in denominational opinion is a reason to dissociate with those of others churches? NO! Often our small differences divide us based on tradition more than what the Bible actually says. The fact is that we, who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are united in the same Holy Spirit regardless of our denomination.
Really and truly there are very few denominational differences that are "salvation issues" or those things that could compromise our eternal destination. Whether or not we have music during worship or do we let our women teach and preach or raising our hands in worship. These things are not at issue when we lay our hearts at the feet of God's throne. I will expound in a future post on issues that can compromise our salvation.
Is there are way to know if a particular belief is false doctrine? Why, yes, there is!
1. The Bible is very clear that there is ONE mediator between God and man. That's Jesus. Anyone position that attempts to elevate a person or false diety to an equal plain with Jesus is false. 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6
2. Anything that attempts to remove Jesus' Godhood and make him merely a man or good teacher is false. John 1:1-51; Revelation 1:1-20; Revelation 22:1-21
3. Any person that cannot confess with their mouth Jesus as their Lord and Savior doesn't believe in their heart. Romans 10:9-11; Matthew 10:32; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:1-4; 2 John 1:7
So, in short (Ha Ha,) strive to have unity with those that truly confess Jesus as their Lord regardless of what the sign says over the door of their church. Don't allow yourself to be led into the belief that all is acceptable. If you have fellowship with someone whose belief system doesn't fit the criteria above, WITNESS TO THEM! Ask them to join you in a study of these things. If you need more help, PLEASE feel free to contact me. If I can't find the answer, preacher Daddy can.
Love to all!
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:3-6
We hear a lot about being united in our faith, being one strong force for change. While this is truly a Biblical ambition it can be taken to the extreme. We cannot become so driven to unity that we ignore those things that are false doctrine. For example, we cannot just accept that someone is a brother or sister in Christ because they say they believe in God. Not even all denominations that claim to be Christian really are. Any teaching that puts a human on equal plain with Jesus is a false doctrine. Any teaching that claims a "later revelation" is false. There are no two ways about it. God is what He says He is - in HIS Word!
A further extreme of unity is the idea that because God created all humans we should be one no matter our belief system. Its ridiculous to say that just based on God's love for us we can accept and tolerate any religion. He didn't. Why should we?
Does this mean that any difference in denominational opinion is a reason to dissociate with those of others churches? NO! Often our small differences divide us based on tradition more than what the Bible actually says. The fact is that we, who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are united in the same Holy Spirit regardless of our denomination.
Really and truly there are very few denominational differences that are "salvation issues" or those things that could compromise our eternal destination. Whether or not we have music during worship or do we let our women teach and preach or raising our hands in worship. These things are not at issue when we lay our hearts at the feet of God's throne. I will expound in a future post on issues that can compromise our salvation.
Is there are way to know if a particular belief is false doctrine? Why, yes, there is!
1. The Bible is very clear that there is ONE mediator between God and man. That's Jesus. Anyone position that attempts to elevate a person or false diety to an equal plain with Jesus is false. 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6
2. Anything that attempts to remove Jesus' Godhood and make him merely a man or good teacher is false. John 1:1-51; Revelation 1:1-20; Revelation 22:1-21
3. Any person that cannot confess with their mouth Jesus as their Lord and Savior doesn't believe in their heart. Romans 10:9-11; Matthew 10:32; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:1-4; 2 John 1:7
So, in short (Ha Ha,) strive to have unity with those that truly confess Jesus as their Lord regardless of what the sign says over the door of their church. Don't allow yourself to be led into the belief that all is acceptable. If you have fellowship with someone whose belief system doesn't fit the criteria above, WITNESS TO THEM! Ask them to join you in a study of these things. If you need more help, PLEASE feel free to contact me. If I can't find the answer, preacher Daddy can.
Love to all!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Long Time, No Type
Yeah, I know I said that I would be back sooner but life and fatigue and everything else has conspired to keep me away from the computer.
Prepare yourselves for an influx of articles on everything from the Pie Competition to Gatorland to Things I Learned on a Road Trip!
Prepare yourselves for an influx of articles on everything from the Pie Competition to Gatorland to Things I Learned on a Road Trip!
Monday, April 21, 2008
So I've Been Misssing for a Week
If you have been following my "Today's Readings" posts you know that I haven't been posting since last Monday, April 14. There is a very good reason for that. I have been on vacation.
This past weekend was the National Pie Championships in Celebration, Florida which is just outside of Kissimmee and Orlando. I entered a pie in the contest and we decided to make a vacation out of it. Because of the need to bake in an oven we booked a condo. We loved it except that it didn't have Internet access except in the lobby of the main clubhouse. You can imagine how busy that computer would have been. So I was forced to fore go any postings while we were gone.
Don't fret! "Today's Readings" will continue. I will also be posting everything about our trip including info on the Pie Contest.
Love to all!
This past weekend was the National Pie Championships in Celebration, Florida which is just outside of Kissimmee and Orlando. I entered a pie in the contest and we decided to make a vacation out of it. Because of the need to bake in an oven we booked a condo. We loved it except that it didn't have Internet access except in the lobby of the main clubhouse. You can imagine how busy that computer would have been. So I was forced to fore go any postings while we were gone.
Don't fret! "Today's Readings" will continue. I will also be posting everything about our trip including info on the Pie Contest.
Love to all!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Today's Reading....
There is a song that I absolutely love. "I Am" by Mark Schultz very deeply touches me no matter how many times I hear it. I decided to find some scripture that related:
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14
While there are literally hundreds of verses that apply to the character of God this one is as self-sufficient as its subject.
The song lists various names of God from Scripture that call out to His character. this verse demonstrates that that remarkably little needs to be said. When Moses protested his calling this verse was God's reply. Take heart! The same holds true for us. When he calls us to something this verse is all encompassing.
Please enjoy this video set to the song and become better acquainted with God.
Love to all, Goodnight
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14
While there are literally hundreds of verses that apply to the character of God this one is as self-sufficient as its subject.
The song lists various names of God from Scripture that call out to His character. this verse demonstrates that that remarkably little needs to be said. When Moses protested his calling this verse was God's reply. Take heart! The same holds true for us. When he calls us to something this verse is all encompassing.
Please enjoy this video set to the song and become better acquainted with God.
Love to all, Goodnight
Yesterday's Reading...
So last night I did my reading and was about to blog but Thad needed the computer for work. Here is yesterday's reading:
Saturday night I was out with some friends and being pregnant I fielded all the breastfeeding, etc questions. I am the youngest of the group so it was odd to have the most knowledge then I remembered something that I had read once or twice before that made it even more odd.
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5
I love historical fiction especially that of the "pioneer days" of the late 1800s. One of the things that strikes me when I read those novels is the sense of connection that all women have with one another. It was custom then for the older women to be the support and education system for the younger women. It is still the custom in many tribes across the world.
The older women taught the younger women what it meant to be adult, married, and a mother. The demonstrated the character required of respectable women. It saddens me that we have this disconnect now. As a nation we fret about a 16 year old girl not being ready for marriage when just over a century ago she would be nigh onto an old maid. Then marriage past the age of 20 was nearly unheard of and now its almost required.
If we took our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters under our wings to teach the what wifery and birth and mothering and running a household were all about a 16 year old would be fully equipped to take on the job. I think as a whole we fail our young women. They don't understand the character it takes to be what they need to be to succeed in these areas.
I am going to pray for our young women. I am going to share as much as I can with the next generation of wives and mothers. I am going to be passionate about demonstrating the character it takes to be what a husband and children need. I am going to look to the older women around me for counsel. I am going to pray to follow God in all of these areas. I hope you do the same.
Saturday night I was out with some friends and being pregnant I fielded all the breastfeeding, etc questions. I am the youngest of the group so it was odd to have the most knowledge then I remembered something that I had read once or twice before that made it even more odd.
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5
I love historical fiction especially that of the "pioneer days" of the late 1800s. One of the things that strikes me when I read those novels is the sense of connection that all women have with one another. It was custom then for the older women to be the support and education system for the younger women. It is still the custom in many tribes across the world.
The older women taught the younger women what it meant to be adult, married, and a mother. The demonstrated the character required of respectable women. It saddens me that we have this disconnect now. As a nation we fret about a 16 year old girl not being ready for marriage when just over a century ago she would be nigh onto an old maid. Then marriage past the age of 20 was nearly unheard of and now its almost required.
If we took our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters under our wings to teach the what wifery and birth and mothering and running a household were all about a 16 year old would be fully equipped to take on the job. I think as a whole we fail our young women. They don't understand the character it takes to be what they need to be to succeed in these areas.
I am going to pray for our young women. I am going to share as much as I can with the next generation of wives and mothers. I am going to be passionate about demonstrating the character it takes to be what a husband and children need. I am going to look to the older women around me for counsel. I am going to pray to follow God in all of these areas. I hope you do the same.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Today's Reading....
Today was a difficult day to be a mom. Long story so I'll just leave it at that. I decided to go back to a verse that was read to me time and time again when we were struggling with what we thought was infertility.
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5
We couldn't understand why if God had all these great things to say about having children we couldn't get pregnant. Then my dad said the Holy Spirit directed him to send us to 1 Samuel chapter 1. We read about Hannah and her struggle. What we understood from that was that we weren't really in charge of if, when, or how many children we would have.
So we prayed like Hannah. We promised that child, even before conception, to God. He answered quickly. By quickly I mean within a week or two we had conceived. In addition to promising that child be dedicated to God we promised to raise him as God would have us to. We don't really read parenting books, except one, Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel. Its the only one we have read because its the only one we have felt release to read. Otherwise the decisions we have made have all been directed by the Holy Spirit. We didn't feel the need to gather advice from people when we had the direct line to God.
I do find myself, especially after today's big thing, desiring to seek an immediate piece of advice from others because its readily tangible. I get impatient to fix a problem and want the quick solution. Rarely is that solution compatible with what God would have us do.
I thoroughly love deeper than I ever though possible this heritage that God has given us. It is even more special because the advice of man was that it would never happen for us. Again that wasn't compatible with what God promised us. I'm glad we didn't listen.
We are on our 3rd miracle child due in July. We just bought a used car that seats 7. Thad keeps telling people that soon we are going to have to buy a church bus for all the arrows in our quiver. I saw a T-shirt on the Internet that I wanted to buy. It read:
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5
We couldn't understand why if God had all these great things to say about having children we couldn't get pregnant. Then my dad said the Holy Spirit directed him to send us to 1 Samuel chapter 1. We read about Hannah and her struggle. What we understood from that was that we weren't really in charge of if, when, or how many children we would have.
So we prayed like Hannah. We promised that child, even before conception, to God. He answered quickly. By quickly I mean within a week or two we had conceived. In addition to promising that child be dedicated to God we promised to raise him as God would have us to. We don't really read parenting books, except one, Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel. Its the only one we have read because its the only one we have felt release to read. Otherwise the decisions we have made have all been directed by the Holy Spirit. We didn't feel the need to gather advice from people when we had the direct line to God.
I do find myself, especially after today's big thing, desiring to seek an immediate piece of advice from others because its readily tangible. I get impatient to fix a problem and want the quick solution. Rarely is that solution compatible with what God would have us do.
I thoroughly love deeper than I ever though possible this heritage that God has given us. It is even more special because the advice of man was that it would never happen for us. Again that wasn't compatible with what God promised us. I'm glad we didn't listen.
We are on our 3rd miracle child due in July. We just bought a used car that seats 7. Thad keeps telling people that soon we are going to have to buy a church bus for all the arrows in our quiver. I saw a T-shirt on the Internet that I wanted to buy. It read:
Yes, I'm pregnant again.
Yes, we know how it happens.
No, we don't think its too many.
No, you can't touch my belly.
I couldn't have said it better myself! Cherish your children and seek God for their growth and development. He really does know best how to raise them, after all He made them who they are. He also knows you are capable of raising them otherwise He wouldn't have given them to you.
Sorry for the length. This is something I am very passionate about. I also thought I would make up for missing last night. Love to all and goodnight!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Today's Reading....
I continued on with Joshua 4. This journey of the Israelites is beyond arduous and thoroughly interesting to read about.
"And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:" Joshua 4:21-24
These last few verses demonstrate for us something we should be doing every day. Joshua instructed the Israelites that the 12 stones they laid should stand as a reminder. Not one of what they did but what God did for them.
Wouldn't our children see God, His promises, and our faith as their parents in a different light if we drew their attention to every time He has fulfilled His promises to us. If we had something to say, "Look, God said He would heal me and He did." Or how about, "See, God said He would never leave us. He has brought us through this hard time just like He promised!"
I think their faith would benefit as much as ours would. So I'm going to concentrate more on relating to my children just how often God has been there for me individually and our family. I pray you would spread the word of His work in your life, too.
"And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:" Joshua 4:21-24
These last few verses demonstrate for us something we should be doing every day. Joshua instructed the Israelites that the 12 stones they laid should stand as a reminder. Not one of what they did but what God did for them.
Wouldn't our children see God, His promises, and our faith as their parents in a different light if we drew their attention to every time He has fulfilled His promises to us. If we had something to say, "Look, God said He would heal me and He did." Or how about, "See, God said He would never leave us. He has brought us through this hard time just like He promised!"
I think their faith would benefit as much as ours would. So I'm going to concentrate more on relating to my children just how often God has been there for me individually and our family. I pray you would spread the word of His work in your life, too.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Today's Reading....
Joshua 3. This is quite an adventure. To have lived in these days would have been remarkable.
"And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." Joshua 3:10 & 17
Joshua begins his announcement by telling the Israelites the sign of the very presence of God. by the end of the chapter in verse 17 we see that his pronouncement and instructions which God undoubtedly gave him had come to pass.
How often does God give instructions and grand gestures that go ignored? How often does God's Word not come about exactly as He states it? He's never wrong. That is how we know it is His voice. He is right 100% of the time.
Lets all test our sources of guidance by this measure. If they aren't correct 100% of the time then they cannot be God's voice. Somehow we tend to place our faith in people who don't get it right all the time. Sylvia Brown has a huge following even though she cannot claim a perfect record. Perhaps we lay our faith in things and people merely because we can see them.
As the saying goes, "Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing!" He'll always do as He says, just wait and see.
"And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." Joshua 3:10 & 17
Joshua begins his announcement by telling the Israelites the sign of the very presence of God. by the end of the chapter in verse 17 we see that his pronouncement and instructions which God undoubtedly gave him had come to pass.
How often does God give instructions and grand gestures that go ignored? How often does God's Word not come about exactly as He states it? He's never wrong. That is how we know it is His voice. He is right 100% of the time.
Lets all test our sources of guidance by this measure. If they aren't correct 100% of the time then they cannot be God's voice. Somehow we tend to place our faith in people who don't get it right all the time. Sylvia Brown has a huge following even though she cannot claim a perfect record. Perhaps we lay our faith in things and people merely because we can see them.
As the saying goes, "Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing!" He'll always do as He says, just wait and see.
Today's Reading....
Continuing on in Joshua I read chapter 2 tonight. It details the story of the 2 spies finding and being hidden by Rahab. That wasn't what stuck with me though. This was....
"And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." Joshua 2:9-11
In this heathen land, in the heart of this harlot woman dwelt fear of Jehovah God. The Canaanites had heard of all the miraculous victories and deliverances that God had performed for His Chosen People and they were faint of heart. They knew nothing of Jehovah personally yet they feared and understood His Majesty.
This is often the case with non-believers now. when someone on the brink of death recovers with no medical reason behind it even the heretics and scoffers must acknowledge something, really Someone, was at work. When the Holy Spirit delivers and touches a dissenter there is no excuse they must acknowledge God's mighty hand. It is invigorating to serve a God whose very presence commands attention even among those that deny His existence. Someday they will not have that option anymore.
It is interesting to note that a conversion must have happened in Rahab's life because she become the great-great-grandmother of David. She gave birth to Boaz who married Ruth. Ruth bore Obed, the father of Jesse. Jesse was King David's father. See Matthew 1:5-6
Its wonderful that forgiveness and grace (even in the Old Testament) are such that a harlot is not only converted but becomes a pillar in the lineage of our Lord!
"And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." Joshua 2:9-11
In this heathen land, in the heart of this harlot woman dwelt fear of Jehovah God. The Canaanites had heard of all the miraculous victories and deliverances that God had performed for His Chosen People and they were faint of heart. They knew nothing of Jehovah personally yet they feared and understood His Majesty.
This is often the case with non-believers now. when someone on the brink of death recovers with no medical reason behind it even the heretics and scoffers must acknowledge something, really Someone, was at work. When the Holy Spirit delivers and touches a dissenter there is no excuse they must acknowledge God's mighty hand. It is invigorating to serve a God whose very presence commands attention even among those that deny His existence. Someday they will not have that option anymore.
It is interesting to note that a conversion must have happened in Rahab's life because she become the great-great-grandmother of David. She gave birth to Boaz who married Ruth. Ruth bore Obed, the father of Jesse. Jesse was King David's father. See Matthew 1:5-6
Its wonderful that forgiveness and grace (even in the Old Testament) are such that a harlot is not only converted but becomes a pillar in the lineage of our Lord!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
What's going on in our world?
I am sure by now that we have all seen the vicious beating of a teenage girl by her fellow classmates that has been broadcast repeatedly over the news. The premeditated attack is said to be motivated by the girl's negative comments on the Internet about her attackers. How do words become the impetus for this?
I can't even begin to understand the mindset of the girls. What has gone on in their lives that this behavior is not atrocious to them? The investigating officer even commented that they joked about spending spring break in jail and wondered if they would make it to cheerleading practice. What has gone so terribly wrong that this is laughable to them and not a tragic event that should mar the rest of their lives?
Obviously my first hope is that they find a real relationship with God. I do however hope that they are prosecuted as adults and to the fullest extent of the law. There is little doubt of their guilt as the attack was videotaped by a reported 4 video cameras, a phone camera, and a digital camera. At their age there is limited culpability of their parents. These young girls and the two young boys who served as look-outs at the door are more than old enough to understand that brutally beating another person to that degree with that level of forethought is completely unacceptable and criminal.
I am going to pray that they all find Jesus and are held accountable. I believe that consequences are necessary and should be severe. I hope you will join me. I fear, though, that they will receive minimal consequences and learn even less from them. I am also going to pray for the victim and her family that all physical, mental, and emotional wounds are healed and that this event leads to their own relationship with God.
I can't even begin to understand the mindset of the girls. What has gone on in their lives that this behavior is not atrocious to them? The investigating officer even commented that they joked about spending spring break in jail and wondered if they would make it to cheerleading practice. What has gone so terribly wrong that this is laughable to them and not a tragic event that should mar the rest of their lives?
Obviously my first hope is that they find a real relationship with God. I do however hope that they are prosecuted as adults and to the fullest extent of the law. There is little doubt of their guilt as the attack was videotaped by a reported 4 video cameras, a phone camera, and a digital camera. At their age there is limited culpability of their parents. These young girls and the two young boys who served as look-outs at the door are more than old enough to understand that brutally beating another person to that degree with that level of forethought is completely unacceptable and criminal.
I am going to pray that they all find Jesus and are held accountable. I believe that consequences are necessary and should be severe. I hope you will join me. I fear, though, that they will receive minimal consequences and learn even less from them. I am also going to pray for the victim and her family that all physical, mental, and emotional wounds are healed and that this event leads to their own relationship with God.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Today's Reading....
I decided to go random tonight and just chose a book I had never before read completely through to start reading. I chose Joshua. Here is what I landed on to write about.....
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:8-9
Wow, what promises God presented Joshua! Just after Moses died and Joshua was to lead the Jews into an unknown land God hands Joshua this precious gift. I see no reason why these things don't apply to us today.
If we meditate on God's Word day and night we will be better equipped at all we do. We also have the assurance of never being without His presence. That is a very real aspect of Hell. Eternal and complete separation from God. Not like before we were saved but complete and total alienation from our Creator. Thankfully, we have been given the gift of escaping that end. Praise the Lord!
Don't forget to meditate on the Word tonight and every night. The benefits far outweigh anything that might be sacrificed.
Goodnight.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:8-9
Wow, what promises God presented Joshua! Just after Moses died and Joshua was to lead the Jews into an unknown land God hands Joshua this precious gift. I see no reason why these things don't apply to us today.
If we meditate on God's Word day and night we will be better equipped at all we do. We also have the assurance of never being without His presence. That is a very real aspect of Hell. Eternal and complete separation from God. Not like before we were saved but complete and total alienation from our Creator. Thankfully, we have been given the gift of escaping that end. Praise the Lord!
Don't forget to meditate on the Word tonight and every night. The benefits far outweigh anything that might be sacrificed.
Goodnight.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Today's Reading....
Tonight we caught the last hour of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King on TV. Its is truly a fantastic movie. One line prompted my reading tonight.
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4
In the movie, when they were feeling desolate and alone yet within sight of the top of Mount Doom Samwise tells Frodo, "I can't carry it for you but I can carry you!" He then lifts his friend to his shoulders and carries him toward their journey's end. This is one of my 3 favorite lines of the whole trilogy. It speaks wonderfully of what friends can do for one another. Its beautiful but falls dreadfully short of what Jesus did (and still does) for us.
Unlike Samwise, Jesus can and does carry our burdens as well as carrying us. He is there even before we seek Him. Almost any born again Christian can recall a time before they were saved that they believe God rescued them and carried them through something. Before we believed His hands and shoulders were there for us.
An awesome God for certain! I know that during my prayer tonight I'm going to thank Him for shouldering my load time and again even as I compounded the load and ignored His voice.
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4
In the movie, when they were feeling desolate and alone yet within sight of the top of Mount Doom Samwise tells Frodo, "I can't carry it for you but I can carry you!" He then lifts his friend to his shoulders and carries him toward their journey's end. This is one of my 3 favorite lines of the whole trilogy. It speaks wonderfully of what friends can do for one another. Its beautiful but falls dreadfully short of what Jesus did (and still does) for us.
Unlike Samwise, Jesus can and does carry our burdens as well as carrying us. He is there even before we seek Him. Almost any born again Christian can recall a time before they were saved that they believe God rescued them and carried them through something. Before we believed His hands and shoulders were there for us.
An awesome God for certain! I know that during my prayer tonight I'm going to thank Him for shouldering my load time and again even as I compounded the load and ignored His voice.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Today's Reading....
I actually hopped around quite a bit tonight before I settled on something that resonated with me.
"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD." Proverbs 21:30
I consider myself to be a logic-driven person as opposed to an emotionally-driven person so this verse speaks directly to my heart.
Whose wisdom or understanding or counsel or anything else can stand in the face of God's? His Word is final yet all too often we try to rationalize and negotiate our way to the position of rightness. We are merely the creation. We cannot even take our next breath except that God grants it to us. Why then do we think our minds and the concoctions thereof supersede His finality?
I'm going to work on not questioning that which He says is done. I hope you will, too.
Goodnight, all!
"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD." Proverbs 21:30
I consider myself to be a logic-driven person as opposed to an emotionally-driven person so this verse speaks directly to my heart.
Whose wisdom or understanding or counsel or anything else can stand in the face of God's? His Word is final yet all too often we try to rationalize and negotiate our way to the position of rightness. We are merely the creation. We cannot even take our next breath except that God grants it to us. Why then do we think our minds and the concoctions thereof supersede His finality?
I'm going to work on not questioning that which He says is done. I hope you will, too.
Goodnight, all!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Trying Something New...
I have never been particularly good at keeping up with my "daily's" with God, i.e. daily Bible reading and/or devotionals. I can delve deeply into the Word when I am curious or need an answer or I have the need to research for a short story or article or to answer a question from someone. But to pick it up like I would a novel or something has always been an obstacle for me. So now I'm trying something new.
I want to become a servant who hangs on her Lord's Words (all of them.) To facilitate that and provide some motivation and accountability, I am going to read a passage daily and report to you on it via this and my other blog. I am going to attempt something else that's outside of my character: be short and sweet in 100 words or less (not counting scripture.)
Here goes...
Today was rainy. I thought I would see how much I could find in God's Word about rain. There were the usual suspects like Noah and the Latter Rain. What I hit on that resonated today was Isaiah 55:10-11.
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
The cycle of precipitation is quite remarkable. What we see fall eventually returns to the One who caused it to fall but in a different form. He then uses it again to accomplish that for which He created it.
How would our lives change if we allowed ourselves to be the "rain" when it comes to the Great Commission? (Matthew 28:19-20) We would be the vehicle that accomplishes His Word! What greater service is there than to rescue a soul from the brink of Hell?
OK, so it was 124 words. I'm new at this short thing. I'll get used to it. Maybe.
I want to become a servant who hangs on her Lord's Words (all of them.) To facilitate that and provide some motivation and accountability, I am going to read a passage daily and report to you on it via this and my other blog. I am going to attempt something else that's outside of my character: be short and sweet in 100 words or less (not counting scripture.)
Here goes...
Today was rainy. I thought I would see how much I could find in God's Word about rain. There were the usual suspects like Noah and the Latter Rain. What I hit on that resonated today was Isaiah 55:10-11.
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
The cycle of precipitation is quite remarkable. What we see fall eventually returns to the One who caused it to fall but in a different form. He then uses it again to accomplish that for which He created it.
How would our lives change if we allowed ourselves to be the "rain" when it comes to the Great Commission? (Matthew 28:19-20) We would be the vehicle that accomplishes His Word! What greater service is there than to rescue a soul from the brink of Hell?
OK, so it was 124 words. I'm new at this short thing. I'll get used to it. Maybe.
Friday, March 28, 2008
In Response to My Anonymous Comment....
In my last few postings I have taken on the idea that what we eat solves everything that could be wrong with our bodies. It is a viewpoint that I find positively absurd. The reason - because as a Christian my faith is in God not bean sprouts and smoothies (which I LOVE, by the way.) When I receive healing it doesn't come from me or my efforts. It comes from GOD! The only source.
In my last post about those who call themselves Christians yet say they believe in "the healing power of food" I made the point that their belief was misplaced. I got a comment today that clearly showed someone got their feelings hurt. For that I apologize. As for my opinions, no apologies. I'm not wrong. If you say you believe in God you CANNOT then place anything miraculous on that which He created. The only "healing" attributes that food might have are there not because of what the food can do but because of the characteristics God has given it.
For clarification purposes (I seem to be doing this a lot lately) I'll go line by line, question by question and respond to the comment I received.
Comment Part 1: "I'm just wondering...have you personally tried changing your diet and can speak from your own experience that it doesn't help you?"
First, this implies that I am speaking from a place of ignorance and advocating taking every meal at Shoney's Breakfast Buffet. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, over the past few years I have dramatically changed my diet and seen results. What I have objected to are the ideas that are put forth by any rogue opinion that says red meat will kill you, eat soy. Point of fact, soy can kill you, or at least it can kill me and other women like me. Because of a health condition I explain in the following paragraphs, soy, which is touted as a healthy diet must, can alter a woman's hormones. This side effect of soy is the reason it is used as an all natural alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy for menopausal women. For me this alternative is profoundly detrimental even deadly.
I have a condition called PCOS or poly cystic ovarian syndrome. In my case it is a massive imbalance of several hormones but mostly estrogen and testosterone. Because of this condition I gain weight uncontrollably no matter what I eat unless I take medication. PCOS causes my body to believe it is always in starvation mode. Even if I ate nothing but organic lettuce and drank water I would still gain fat at an astounding rate.
There are also other issues not the least of which is infertility. I am not supposed to even conceive a child. Many years ago I did not decide to have a smoothie and a tofu burger for their healing power but to follow in the footsteps of Hannah (1 Samuel) and seek God's face on the matter. I enlisted prayer warriors and sought God's healing power. He led me to a doctor (one that practices conventional medicine) who knew how to treat this condition, a condition which is not a result of my diet but of my corruptible body thanks to Adam and Eve. My doctor's advice was a specific medication.
Within in 6 months I was pregnant. During that pregnancy I gained only 8 lbs afterward I lost 40 lbs - permanently. I have continued on that medication and am now pregnant with my third child. Do I owe that healing to the medication, the doctor or my God who led me to both? That's rhetorical.
As for my diet, a life of repeatedly trying exercise and controlled eating never made a difference and I gave up on myself. Since beginning the right medication and addressing the real problem I have changed what I eat understanding that God created us to need certain fuels. I do not go off the deep end as some do on both sides of the spectrum. For example, I no longer eat ice cream for breakfast. I used to because without medication it didn't matter what I ate so I figured why not eat something I LOVE! Now I eat healthy things like eggs and turkey bacon.
What I don't believe about the new healthy eating trend is that everything must be organic and if it comes out of a box it might as well have "straight from the gates of Hell" stamped on it. I also rarely eat anything from a box. I've never brought a package of oreos into my home but I do love an occasional trip to Taco Bell and a big root beer. Sue me.
Comment Part 2: "I'm asking because I noticed that you referred in another post to a blog I frequent that is written by "Sara". Sara is writing about her actual experiences and the results she has noticed. I have never noticed her saying anything critical or negative to people who are not following her example. In fact, I always feel so encouraged by her writings, and my husband and I have noticed a positive impact on our health just by trying Green Smoothies for breakfast."
Perhaps you didn't notice how much I have in common with Sara. I believe her (from what little exposure I have had to her) to be wise in most things but in a few issues I think her misguided. Most glaringly the idea that one who again professes to be a believer in Almighty Jehovah God can still practice yoga even though it is a form of worship to Hindu gods. For more information on this please see http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/history-of-yoga.htm
She also seems to be among those holding the popular opinion that Global Warming is real and man-created. Poppycock! Again, I say, POPPYCOCK. HORSE FEATHERS, BULL DUNG! How arrogant do humans have to be to believe that we can destroy this planet that the Creator of Everything made for us? How much more arrogant is it for those that proclaim to be His followers? He gave man dominion over earth, not the other way around. If we are so close to destroying earth why is it fully intact when God Himself comes here to reside?
The ideas of global warming have caused some profoundly stupid reactions by those in power. For instance, in a couple of year we will no longer be able to use incandescent light bulbs (the regular ones) because it will be illegal. The replacement bulbs are those spiral ones. They are filled with mercury! What happens when you break one? Very real health risks to humans as opposed to imaginary risks to the planet by the regular bulbs.
Global Warming is a falsehood that is championed by those who wish to usher in socialism and communism. It is followed by sheep or, more accurately, lemmings who are all running headlong toward the cliff because some talking head said they should.
If you are a Christian and a believer in Global Warming, ask yourself who is in charge, God or man? Who knows more God or Al Gore? If you are honest with yourself and truly following God you will get out of the pack of lemmings before the edge of the cliff comes.
By the way, I'm glad the smoothies are working for you. remember its not the smoothie but what God has given the ingredients. I personally love smoothies but I have never thought of putting spinach or other greens in one. I think the color would be off-putting for me. I prefer berries, bananas, and peaches.
Comment Part 3: "I have noticed that you give your negative opinions about others quite a lot, but have you ever actually tried what they are doing? Are you speaking from personal experience or just a place of judgment?"
Yes, I do. No, I don't care. People who complain about negativity are usually those who can't handle the truth. I believe in calling sin just exactly that. I believe in callings liars just exactly that. I would be remiss if I let go by something that very clearly flies in the face of God and his Word as do Global Warming and Evolution and Healing Food.
I have tried some advice from people with opinions similar to Sara. I always run it through the filter of common sense and sound medical advice. Please don't tell me you are one of those people who still equates conventional medicine with leeching. Its insulting to the minds that God gave people to discover and learn and interpret. Besides, when people have heart attacks, which can and do happen to even the strictest of vegans, or strokes or a broken limbs they don't scoff at the emergency room and call the holistic healer (at least sane people don't.) Conventional medicine has it place but even that I run through the God filter. That's why I have 3 children, one is still in progress.
As for personal experience verses a place of judgment? Though that was meant as an underhanded insult I would proudly say BOTH! Christians who don't like their opinions challenged often proclaim the challenger to be judgemental and therefore a gigantic sinner.
Yes, the Bible does say, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7 :1) It also says, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20) Its not uncalled for to call Satan by his name and expose those things and people he uses to undermine God. It is not uncalled for to expose anything that goes against God's Word. I don't have to be an apple farmer to know that someone who performs an "exercise" that is worship to another god doesn't have the healthiest fruit on their tree. Nor does the person that believes in the fruit instead of the fruit Creator.
Thanks for the comment, whoever you are. I love getting me juices flowing with healthy debate. Maybe we can do it again sometime. I'm sure I'll write something else you don't like. Hopefully, you would be so kind as to attempt to defend your opinions if in fact these opinions apply to you.
In my last post about those who call themselves Christians yet say they believe in "the healing power of food" I made the point that their belief was misplaced. I got a comment today that clearly showed someone got their feelings hurt. For that I apologize. As for my opinions, no apologies. I'm not wrong. If you say you believe in God you CANNOT then place anything miraculous on that which He created. The only "healing" attributes that food might have are there not because of what the food can do but because of the characteristics God has given it.
For clarification purposes (I seem to be doing this a lot lately) I'll go line by line, question by question and respond to the comment I received.
Comment Part 1: "I'm just wondering...have you personally tried changing your diet and can speak from your own experience that it doesn't help you?"
First, this implies that I am speaking from a place of ignorance and advocating taking every meal at Shoney's Breakfast Buffet. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, over the past few years I have dramatically changed my diet and seen results. What I have objected to are the ideas that are put forth by any rogue opinion that says red meat will kill you, eat soy. Point of fact, soy can kill you, or at least it can kill me and other women like me. Because of a health condition I explain in the following paragraphs, soy, which is touted as a healthy diet must, can alter a woman's hormones. This side effect of soy is the reason it is used as an all natural alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy for menopausal women. For me this alternative is profoundly detrimental even deadly.
I have a condition called PCOS or poly cystic ovarian syndrome. In my case it is a massive imbalance of several hormones but mostly estrogen and testosterone. Because of this condition I gain weight uncontrollably no matter what I eat unless I take medication. PCOS causes my body to believe it is always in starvation mode. Even if I ate nothing but organic lettuce and drank water I would still gain fat at an astounding rate.
There are also other issues not the least of which is infertility. I am not supposed to even conceive a child. Many years ago I did not decide to have a smoothie and a tofu burger for their healing power but to follow in the footsteps of Hannah (1 Samuel) and seek God's face on the matter. I enlisted prayer warriors and sought God's healing power. He led me to a doctor (one that practices conventional medicine) who knew how to treat this condition, a condition which is not a result of my diet but of my corruptible body thanks to Adam and Eve. My doctor's advice was a specific medication.
Within in 6 months I was pregnant. During that pregnancy I gained only 8 lbs afterward I lost 40 lbs - permanently. I have continued on that medication and am now pregnant with my third child. Do I owe that healing to the medication, the doctor or my God who led me to both? That's rhetorical.
As for my diet, a life of repeatedly trying exercise and controlled eating never made a difference and I gave up on myself. Since beginning the right medication and addressing the real problem I have changed what I eat understanding that God created us to need certain fuels. I do not go off the deep end as some do on both sides of the spectrum. For example, I no longer eat ice cream for breakfast. I used to because without medication it didn't matter what I ate so I figured why not eat something I LOVE! Now I eat healthy things like eggs and turkey bacon.
What I don't believe about the new healthy eating trend is that everything must be organic and if it comes out of a box it might as well have "straight from the gates of Hell" stamped on it. I also rarely eat anything from a box. I've never brought a package of oreos into my home but I do love an occasional trip to Taco Bell and a big root beer. Sue me.
Comment Part 2: "I'm asking because I noticed that you referred in another post to a blog I frequent that is written by "Sara". Sara is writing about her actual experiences and the results she has noticed. I have never noticed her saying anything critical or negative to people who are not following her example. In fact, I always feel so encouraged by her writings, and my husband and I have noticed a positive impact on our health just by trying Green Smoothies for breakfast."
Perhaps you didn't notice how much I have in common with Sara. I believe her (from what little exposure I have had to her) to be wise in most things but in a few issues I think her misguided. Most glaringly the idea that one who again professes to be a believer in Almighty Jehovah God can still practice yoga even though it is a form of worship to Hindu gods. For more information on this please see http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/history-of-yoga.htm
She also seems to be among those holding the popular opinion that Global Warming is real and man-created. Poppycock! Again, I say, POPPYCOCK. HORSE FEATHERS, BULL DUNG! How arrogant do humans have to be to believe that we can destroy this planet that the Creator of Everything made for us? How much more arrogant is it for those that proclaim to be His followers? He gave man dominion over earth, not the other way around. If we are so close to destroying earth why is it fully intact when God Himself comes here to reside?
The ideas of global warming have caused some profoundly stupid reactions by those in power. For instance, in a couple of year we will no longer be able to use incandescent light bulbs (the regular ones) because it will be illegal. The replacement bulbs are those spiral ones. They are filled with mercury! What happens when you break one? Very real health risks to humans as opposed to imaginary risks to the planet by the regular bulbs.
Global Warming is a falsehood that is championed by those who wish to usher in socialism and communism. It is followed by sheep or, more accurately, lemmings who are all running headlong toward the cliff because some talking head said they should.
If you are a Christian and a believer in Global Warming, ask yourself who is in charge, God or man? Who knows more God or Al Gore? If you are honest with yourself and truly following God you will get out of the pack of lemmings before the edge of the cliff comes.
By the way, I'm glad the smoothies are working for you. remember its not the smoothie but what God has given the ingredients. I personally love smoothies but I have never thought of putting spinach or other greens in one. I think the color would be off-putting for me. I prefer berries, bananas, and peaches.
Comment Part 3: "I have noticed that you give your negative opinions about others quite a lot, but have you ever actually tried what they are doing? Are you speaking from personal experience or just a place of judgment?"
Yes, I do. No, I don't care. People who complain about negativity are usually those who can't handle the truth. I believe in calling sin just exactly that. I believe in callings liars just exactly that. I would be remiss if I let go by something that very clearly flies in the face of God and his Word as do Global Warming and Evolution and Healing Food.
I have tried some advice from people with opinions similar to Sara. I always run it through the filter of common sense and sound medical advice. Please don't tell me you are one of those people who still equates conventional medicine with leeching. Its insulting to the minds that God gave people to discover and learn and interpret. Besides, when people have heart attacks, which can and do happen to even the strictest of vegans, or strokes or a broken limbs they don't scoff at the emergency room and call the holistic healer (at least sane people don't.) Conventional medicine has it place but even that I run through the God filter. That's why I have 3 children, one is still in progress.
As for personal experience verses a place of judgment? Though that was meant as an underhanded insult I would proudly say BOTH! Christians who don't like their opinions challenged often proclaim the challenger to be judgemental and therefore a gigantic sinner.
Yes, the Bible does say, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7 :1) It also says, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20) Its not uncalled for to call Satan by his name and expose those things and people he uses to undermine God. It is not uncalled for to expose anything that goes against God's Word. I don't have to be an apple farmer to know that someone who performs an "exercise" that is worship to another god doesn't have the healthiest fruit on their tree. Nor does the person that believes in the fruit instead of the fruit Creator.
Thanks for the comment, whoever you are. I love getting me juices flowing with healthy debate. Maybe we can do it again sometime. I'm sure I'll write something else you don't like. Hopefully, you would be so kind as to attempt to defend your opinions if in fact these opinions apply to you.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Healing Food?
I having been hearing a disturbing phrase of late. Not so much because I hear it at all but from whom I've been hearing it. The phrase? "I believe in the healing power of food." The source? Surprisingly, Christians. Yeah, I don't get it either.
The viewpoint behind the phrase has been basically, that disease and sickness can be prevented and healed by food alone. Eating the right foods can heal your body? I don't think so. As a Christian, it baffles me that anyone who claims belief in and fellowship with God would venture the thought that anything other than the power of the Almighty could heal them. My Bible doesn't say, "by blueberries you are healed" or "soy shall save thee." Nope, mine says, "with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5, I highly recommend the whole chapter. Its Messianic prophecy outlining the suffering of Jesus.)
So is it alright for a Christian to "believe in the healing power of food?" I don't see how it can be. It has a sharp ring of idolatry to me. That position applies something that only belongs in the hands of God and only comes from the scars on Jesus' back to something He created. It is a view that elevates the creation over the Creator.
We don't have sickness and disease only because our diets are poor. Sickness and disease came along with all other forms of suffering through the fall of Adam and Eve. Their idolatry brought suffering. The simple fact is that until we are in Heaven our bodies die. This outer shell is merely a vehicle for our eternal, immmortal spirit and soul. Any car breaks down and requires care and repair but just changing the oil doesn't stop a headgasket from blowing or tires from rupturing.
Am I advocating an All-You-Can-Eat buffet of whatever looks good? No, that would be absurd. Food has an impact on our bodies. Just as putting the regular gas in a diesel engine would destroy an engine eating too much of the wrong foods can destroy a body. On the other hand, am I advocating that we all go vegan and abandon ice cream and chocolate? No, that would be absurd also. Care must be taken but any attitude taken to an extreme (except where it applies to our devotion to God) is detrimental.
Mind what you eat but do not allow it to become your God.
The viewpoint behind the phrase has been basically, that disease and sickness can be prevented and healed by food alone. Eating the right foods can heal your body? I don't think so. As a Christian, it baffles me that anyone who claims belief in and fellowship with God would venture the thought that anything other than the power of the Almighty could heal them. My Bible doesn't say, "by blueberries you are healed" or "soy shall save thee." Nope, mine says, "with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5, I highly recommend the whole chapter. Its Messianic prophecy outlining the suffering of Jesus.)
So is it alright for a Christian to "believe in the healing power of food?" I don't see how it can be. It has a sharp ring of idolatry to me. That position applies something that only belongs in the hands of God and only comes from the scars on Jesus' back to something He created. It is a view that elevates the creation over the Creator.
We don't have sickness and disease only because our diets are poor. Sickness and disease came along with all other forms of suffering through the fall of Adam and Eve. Their idolatry brought suffering. The simple fact is that until we are in Heaven our bodies die. This outer shell is merely a vehicle for our eternal, immmortal spirit and soul. Any car breaks down and requires care and repair but just changing the oil doesn't stop a headgasket from blowing or tires from rupturing.
Am I advocating an All-You-Can-Eat buffet of whatever looks good? No, that would be absurd. Food has an impact on our bodies. Just as putting the regular gas in a diesel engine would destroy an engine eating too much of the wrong foods can destroy a body. On the other hand, am I advocating that we all go vegan and abandon ice cream and chocolate? No, that would be absurd also. Care must be taken but any attitude taken to an extreme (except where it applies to our devotion to God) is detrimental.
Mind what you eat but do not allow it to become your God.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A Clarification to My Last Entry
So in my last post I introduced the NCOH or Neo-Christian Organo-Hippie. So there is no confusion this is not juvenile name calling or some holier-than-thou position. It a valid description. It supplies an in-depth idea of the type of person to whom I was referring, much the same way that I would be described as a Conservative Christian Traditionalist with NCOH tendencies.
I know, its shocking, not one of you thought I would have anything in common with an NCOH! Boy, were you mistaken. Let me elaborate:
I have since discovered that the blogger I was talking about is named Sara. I checked out her personal describers. I'll go one by one and compare and contrast myself. All of you are about to get a much better idea of who I am.....
Sara is passionate for Jesus Christ. Yep, me, too. I think I would just express it differently.
Sara is a wife, mama, sister, daughter, and friend. Me, too.
Sara is a traveler, photographer, and designer. I LOVE traveling and taking pictures, though they are rarely good enough that I would call myself a photographer (except in the crudest, most simplistic way.) As for designer, not so much. I love design shows but it loses something in translation for me. If you have seen my living room you would understand. Not one thing hanging on the walls.
Sara is a tea drinker. Decaf coffee here. Tea has always tasted like bath water smells to me. Weird.
Sara is a reader and knowledge seeker. I have a huge appetite for books, etc...
Sara is a Google Lover. Who isn't? Is there another search engine?
Sara is a kitchen dweller. I love the kitchen and cooking and all things culinary. With the possible exception of most of the more unusual Asian dishes one might see on the original Iron Chef.
Sara is a dreamer and leader. I think those are minimum qualifications for being a mom so count me in.
Sara is a homebirther. I would LOVE to be. Unfortunately, medical conditions prevent me.
Sara is a breastfeeder. I can't say enough about breastfeeding and its benefits. That is, after all, half of the reason why women have them!
Sara is a homeschooler. There was no other choice for our family. Its a must!
Sara is a vegetarian. We part ways here. There is nothing like a nice steak or pork chop or chicken breast.
Sara is a raw foodie. Uhm, from what little I know of it, its not for me. I prefer my food cooked. Thad likes sushi, though.
Sara is into whole and organic foods. I am to a certain extent. I don't believe all non-organic foods are intrinsically bad or unhealthy.
Sara is into Thai food. Uhm, nope, not for me. I do love Italian, though, and a good hibachi style, Japanese steak house!
Sara is an Anti-Consumerist. I'd probably call myself a minimal- to moderate-consumerist.
Sara is into homemaking. Yeah, me, too. I was a housewife before I became a stay-at-home mom. I love keeping my home comfortable for my husband and my children. Its the best job ever!
Sara is into simplicity. I agree. Life can get crazy if you are always chasing the next thing.
Sara is child-led weaning. Of course. How can anyone but the baby know when they are done? I leave room though for exceptions for health reasons.
Sara is into baby-wearing. I can't thank God enough for the wise person who invented the baby sling. Hands-free connection to your baby who is involved in every aspect of your life! These are not neglected children with flat spots on the back of their heads from laying all the time.
Sara is into family bedding and cloth diapering. Yes, to the family bed. Nope, to the cloth diapering. I'm just not brave enough. Ask my mom about me getting my hands dirty. I can hear her cackling from here!
Sara is into vaccination awareness and holistic medicine. I think every parent has the obligation to understand what goes into their children and why. Holistic medicine as long as it is not rooted in Eastern religions and mysticism.
Sara is into attachment parenting and unschooling. Uhm, I'm confused. I don't know what she means here but I'm intrigued.
Sara is into living lightly and living smaller. I believe these are a must. This would change the face of the American family if we taught our children that they don't need everything the see and that cell phones (or any phone, for that matter) aren't a necessity at 12.
Sara is into thrifting and recycling. YEE HAW! I love yard sale season. Its almost like an uncontrollable urge to follow those neon yellow signs on the street corner or the "everything half-off" sign at Thrift Smart! I could probably recycle more if I paid more attention.
Sara is camping. Yikes, not me. I don't sleep on the ground and there are bugs out there! I have also never found a bathroom in the woods!
Sara is into singing. I try but American Idol is definitely not in my future!
Sara is into living. By this I think she means living life to the fullest with no regrets. I can agree with that in so much that it doesn't go against God's Word.
So, you see, I'm not all that different from an NCOH. I do firmly believe that it can be a slippery slope being open and loving everyone and everything to being drawn into a view of over acceptance.
Many an NCOH has gone so far as to believe that God created homosexuals that way and that we should accept them. I can't even begin to fathom this viewpoint. God very clearly calls it an abomination and sin. Nothing can be said to defend it. They do need our love but not our endorsement. Ask any parent, it is possible to love someone without thinking their behavior is acceptable or good.
It also wouldn't be a far cry to say there are good reasons for abortion. Again, I can't fathom this.
I also can't see any good reason for looking to Eastern religious practices, like yoga, for anything good. We are separate and sanctified and wholly committed to God or we are not. We can't say I'm just doing this aspect and leaving the religion out of it. Nope, if its is connected in its origin there are definitely spiritual ramifications.
Jesus called us to love but also to call sin by its name not to excuse it as a lifestyle choice or another path to heaven.
Please take a minute to comment. I would love to have some healthy banter going.
I know, its shocking, not one of you thought I would have anything in common with an NCOH! Boy, were you mistaken. Let me elaborate:
I have since discovered that the blogger I was talking about is named Sara. I checked out her personal describers. I'll go one by one and compare and contrast myself. All of you are about to get a much better idea of who I am.....
Sara is passionate for Jesus Christ. Yep, me, too. I think I would just express it differently.
Sara is a wife, mama, sister, daughter, and friend. Me, too.
Sara is a traveler, photographer, and designer. I LOVE traveling and taking pictures, though they are rarely good enough that I would call myself a photographer (except in the crudest, most simplistic way.) As for designer, not so much. I love design shows but it loses something in translation for me. If you have seen my living room you would understand. Not one thing hanging on the walls.
Sara is a tea drinker. Decaf coffee here. Tea has always tasted like bath water smells to me. Weird.
Sara is a reader and knowledge seeker. I have a huge appetite for books, etc...
Sara is a Google Lover. Who isn't? Is there another search engine?
Sara is a kitchen dweller. I love the kitchen and cooking and all things culinary. With the possible exception of most of the more unusual Asian dishes one might see on the original Iron Chef.
Sara is a dreamer and leader. I think those are minimum qualifications for being a mom so count me in.
Sara is a homebirther. I would LOVE to be. Unfortunately, medical conditions prevent me.
Sara is a breastfeeder. I can't say enough about breastfeeding and its benefits. That is, after all, half of the reason why women have them!
Sara is a homeschooler. There was no other choice for our family. Its a must!
Sara is a vegetarian. We part ways here. There is nothing like a nice steak or pork chop or chicken breast.
Sara is a raw foodie. Uhm, from what little I know of it, its not for me. I prefer my food cooked. Thad likes sushi, though.
Sara is into whole and organic foods. I am to a certain extent. I don't believe all non-organic foods are intrinsically bad or unhealthy.
Sara is into Thai food. Uhm, nope, not for me. I do love Italian, though, and a good hibachi style, Japanese steak house!
Sara is an Anti-Consumerist. I'd probably call myself a minimal- to moderate-consumerist.
Sara is into homemaking. Yeah, me, too. I was a housewife before I became a stay-at-home mom. I love keeping my home comfortable for my husband and my children. Its the best job ever!
Sara is into simplicity. I agree. Life can get crazy if you are always chasing the next thing.
Sara is child-led weaning. Of course. How can anyone but the baby know when they are done? I leave room though for exceptions for health reasons.
Sara is into baby-wearing. I can't thank God enough for the wise person who invented the baby sling. Hands-free connection to your baby who is involved in every aspect of your life! These are not neglected children with flat spots on the back of their heads from laying all the time.
Sara is into family bedding and cloth diapering. Yes, to the family bed. Nope, to the cloth diapering. I'm just not brave enough. Ask my mom about me getting my hands dirty. I can hear her cackling from here!
Sara is into vaccination awareness and holistic medicine. I think every parent has the obligation to understand what goes into their children and why. Holistic medicine as long as it is not rooted in Eastern religions and mysticism.
Sara is into attachment parenting and unschooling. Uhm, I'm confused. I don't know what she means here but I'm intrigued.
Sara is into living lightly and living smaller. I believe these are a must. This would change the face of the American family if we taught our children that they don't need everything the see and that cell phones (or any phone, for that matter) aren't a necessity at 12.
Sara is into thrifting and recycling. YEE HAW! I love yard sale season. Its almost like an uncontrollable urge to follow those neon yellow signs on the street corner or the "everything half-off" sign at Thrift Smart! I could probably recycle more if I paid more attention.
Sara is camping. Yikes, not me. I don't sleep on the ground and there are bugs out there! I have also never found a bathroom in the woods!
Sara is into singing. I try but American Idol is definitely not in my future!
Sara is into living. By this I think she means living life to the fullest with no regrets. I can agree with that in so much that it doesn't go against God's Word.
So, you see, I'm not all that different from an NCOH. I do firmly believe that it can be a slippery slope being open and loving everyone and everything to being drawn into a view of over acceptance.
Many an NCOH has gone so far as to believe that God created homosexuals that way and that we should accept them. I can't even begin to fathom this viewpoint. God very clearly calls it an abomination and sin. Nothing can be said to defend it. They do need our love but not our endorsement. Ask any parent, it is possible to love someone without thinking their behavior is acceptable or good.
It also wouldn't be a far cry to say there are good reasons for abortion. Again, I can't fathom this.
I also can't see any good reason for looking to Eastern religious practices, like yoga, for anything good. We are separate and sanctified and wholly committed to God or we are not. We can't say I'm just doing this aspect and leaving the religion out of it. Nope, if its is connected in its origin there are definitely spiritual ramifications.
Jesus called us to love but also to call sin by its name not to excuse it as a lifestyle choice or another path to heaven.
Please take a minute to comment. I would love to have some healthy banter going.
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