Is There Not A Cause?

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

“Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Can you see the young man asking this question? Righteous anger burns within him. Will no one take a stand? Each of you are the strongest and bravest of the Israelites, won’t you do anything? The King himself, the one chosen to lead the people, sits by in fear doing nothing. Subsequently, the one who is willing to fight for the Lord is criticized. Outside vilification is expected but these words come from a brother. “I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart” he says. Yet David, with a heavenly wisdom, addresses the true matter by saying, “Is there not a cause?”. (I Sam. 17)

Is there not a cause? Such a pondering question for David to ask; yet I find myself asking this very one. Millions of babies are being murdered in our country; the sanctity of marriage is being attacked on all fronts; humanistic teachings, evolution, and homosexuality is being ingrained into the impressionable minds of our children; witchcraft and sorcery flows throughout all of society, heretical and false teaching comes from pulpits all across America and sin abounds within the church. It has been said that the “average” Christian looks so much like the world that you can’t tell the two apart. Dear Christian, is there not a cause? Have we forgotten who we are? Have we lost the will to fight? Have we forgotten that we are called to reprove unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11), exhort the unruly (I Thess 5:14) and abhor evil (Romans 12:9)? Is there not a cause?

‘Choose your battles’ some would say. I’ve chosen mine. I chose mine the day I chose Christ. We must love people with the love of Christ and fight for their souls. We must stand up for what’s right without fear and never compromise on the Word of God. We must be blameless and harmless, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation and shine as light of this world! And, we must fight. Martin Luther, standing against the heresies of the Roman Catholic Church, understood the principle of fighting. He stated, “If I profess, with the loudest voice and clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battle fields besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.” Now, dear Christian lady, lift up your eyes, read the headlines, talk to a teenager, look into Hollywood and all the powers of this modern world and ask yourself, “Is there not a cause?”

Will it matter in 5 years?

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

My parents celebrated their 39^th

Wedding Anniversary this past month. When talking to my father last week I asked him what the secret to their successful marriage was. My father’s answer was simple, “Always forgive”. There seems to be a lot of wisdom in those words. Ephesians 4:32 puts it this way: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” A story is told of a grandmother who, on her golden anniversary, revealed the secret of her long and happy marriage. She said, “On my wedding day, I decided to choose ten of my husbands faults which for the sake of our marriage I would overlook.” When her granddaughter asked her what those faults were she replied, “To tell the truth, I never did get around to listing them. Whenever my husband did something that made me hopping mad, I would say to myself, ‘Lucky for him that’s one of the ten.’”

Although we’re a long way from our golden anniversary, Dana and I have had a very successful 15 years. One thing that we decided early in our marriage was that we would not fight over anything that would not matter in 5 years. Do you know many things are argued over that really doesn’t matter? Instead, when it comes to a disagreement we do as it says in Romans 12:10 and ‘in honor prefer one another’. One of the things that Dana’s mentor, in Arkansas, use to say was that a Christian marriage is like a triangle with the husband and wife at each bottom corner and with God at the top. The closer they individually get to God the closer they move toward each other. We have seen this truth played out in our lives. As we become closer to God our marriage flourishes. As we grow spiritually there are just certain things in this world that doesn’t matter anymore. Within the last few years we have made one change to our original agreement about fighting and that is now unless it matters in eternity, it’s not worth fighting about!

Tree Planters

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

Everywhere you turn you can find a TV ad, brochure or spokesperson addressing the need to “Save Our Earth and Plant a Tree”. School children are indoctrinated to believe in “Mother Earth” and “Global Warming”. There are companies, organizations, websites and even a nationally celebrated observance (Arbor Day) dedicated to tree planting and care. So much passion and so misplaced! It’s not that I find anything wrong with taking care of our earth; in fact, we are to be good stewards of God’s creation. But the irony of many tree-huggers is that they will worship the creation and ignore the Creator! I will however, give them credit in one area. They are investing in the future. People who plant trees rarely enjoy the full benefits of the shade that the tree will bring; they do however recognize the fact that someone else in the future will. An old Chinese Proverb says, “If you think in seasons, plant cereals. If you think in decades, plant trees. If you think in centuries, educate your children.”

Are we as God’s people investing in the future? Do we as God’s people have a multi-generational vision? Are we concerned about embracing God’s Truths and teaching it to our children and our children’s children? Are we concerned about our family’s godly heritage 4 and 5 generations from now? Are we planting spiritual trees by the rivers of water that will bring forth prosperous fruit and not wither? Or, are we thinking of only the immediate? Are we more concerned about our own prosperity than the spiritual wealth of our generation to come? Will the average Christian even think past Sunday when it comes to spiritual matters? Will the average Christian invest in the spiritual future of their children? Will they do what it takes to ensure that their children are rock-solid warriors for the Kingdom of God? Will the average Christian invest hours and hours upon their knees praying for their family? Will the average Christian devote their lives to guarantee the foundation upon which their family stands is firm? Will the average Christians pour their hearts into the Word of God and dedicate their time and energy to its teaching and training of their family? I’d say NO; the average Christian would never do all of this but the Christian who fully understood generational blessings would certainly invest. This person would plant young trees on prepared ground built on godly principles. This person would water the trees with the Words of Life and daily cultivate and care for each tree. Are you this person? Am I this person? It’s a question worth asking?

“The Choir”

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

A dear Christian lady said to a group of ladies at church recently, “I know I’m preaching to the choir!” We’ve all heard the statement and maybe even said it ourselves; ‘I’m preaching to the choir’.

Just what does it mean to “preach to the choir”? And, why does the choir always have to be the ones preached to? After all, they know all the truths being laid out – that’s the reason they “sing”.

It is the faithful “choir” that hears the sermons on being faithful.

It is the tithing “choir” that hears the sermons on giving.

It is the loving “choir” that hears the sermons on loving the brethren.

It is the serving “choir” that hears the sermons on serving the Lord.

It is the quiet “choir” that hears the sermons on gossip.

It is the holy “choir” that hears the sermons on living above reproach.

It is the witnessing “choir” that hears the sermons on evangelism.

I’ve come to the conclusion that the reason the “choir” is always being preached to is because they are the ones who show up for practice. God bless the choir members! It is the faithful that shall abound with blessings (Prov. 28:20). It is those that tithe cheerfully that God loves (2 Cor. 9:6,7). It is those that love the brethren who are assured of their salvation (I John 3:14,15). Those that serve others are the ones who are serving Christ (Matt. 25:40). Those that do not gossip are considered wise (Prov. 10:18-20). It is the holy that are the obedient children (I Pet. 1:14-16). And those that witness are doing the Will of our Lord (Matt. 28:19-20). Are you a choir member? If so, thank you! Your service and sacrifice is sweet sounding music that flows all the way to the Throne of Heaven. If you’re not a choir member, why not? You can join today.

The third commandment

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

Exo 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

I remember a few years back when my husband was working with the youth at our church. This particular Sunday some of the kids were talking about this new movie out and how everyone had seen it. They were planning on going to see it themselves that afternoon. When asked what they were going to see they timidly told me it was “A Man Apart”. I knew from reviews that this movie was rated R, so I asked the kids if they would consider waiting until I could go home and get the reviews before they would make their decision. They reluctantly agreed. Here is what the reviews said about the language in the film….“Nearly 100 f-words (10 or so used with “mother”; several used to denote sexual acts) are joined by about 20 s-words, 25 milder profanities and a half-dozen abuses of Jesus’ and God’s names” (pluggedinonline.com) With all the other negative aspects in the movie as well I thanked the Lord that they decided not to watch the movie. I have often thought about the things that Christian people will listen to and watch on TV and it amazes me. I think about how when my husband and I were first married how we were desensitized to the filth in front of us. My heart breaks when I remember things that we allowed into our home through that one eyed god, our TV. Most people would never allow people who were fornicating, committing adultery, doing drugs or using vulgar language to come into their home, to sit with their family during dinner and be around their children. But that’s exactly what people do when watching most television programs. Now putting all of that aside, let’s go back to the language issue. We are told to put off filthy communication (Col. 3:8) and to let no corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth (Eph 4:29). Understanding that I ask myself what does God himself say? The third commandment found in Exodus 20 says “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain…” For years now we have agreed that in our home there would be no filthy TV. We do not have cable, satellite or local broadcasting. We watch videos. We can control what our family watches by doing this. We are limited to mostly watching rated G and PG movies. However, the other day as my children were watching one of their favorite movies one of the character said ,”O my God”. I looked up on the wall at the picture hanging in our living room that has the 10 commandments on it. My eyes were drawn to commandment number three. My heart was broken. We have become so deadened to the use of God’s name in vain that it no longer bothers us. We hear this, we watch this, people say it in their homes, at church, it‘s in the cartoons and in books. No one cares anymore. But I must believe that God does! The second part of the third commandment says “….the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” So what do we do? Do we continue to listen to God’s name taken in vain? Does this please the Lord? Do we throw away all our children’s videos that does this? Do we turn off the TV every time we hear our God’s name abused? Because if we listen to this talk it will go into our hearts and the Bible is clear that for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Mat 12:34). So this much I know, if we turned it off we would have more time to devote to reading and meditating upon God’s word. More time to give of ourselves in service to others. More time to minister, more time to cultivate relationships and lead others to Christ. More time to spend playing games with our family, training our children, teaching our boys and girls how to live for Christ. More time to spend in prayer. God help me if I ever again become desensitized to Your commandments!

“That They May Teach the Young Women”

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

Did you know that God has called you to make disciples? What exactly does that entail? You may ask, “What am I to do? And who am I to be discipling? Our job description is clear, to “teach the young women.” Mother, if your young daughter is still at home then this is your greatest priority. A young lady growing up in the faith who has a good Christian mother is blessed indeed! What a wonderful opportunity you have to shape, mold and influence your child in a way that will bring God honor and glory. But, many young ladies who come into the church do not have Christian parents or maybe they were saved later on in life. They need the more mature believers to come along beside them and in love to guide, teach and train them. Even if they have Christian parents, young women need mentors in their lives. When Dana was in youth ministry we had several young ladies who came from non-Christian homes come into our church and were saved. God burdened me then to reach out and touch their lives. He calls us to make a difference in the lives of others. If we do not, then who will? Their unsaved parents will not direct them toward holiness. The world isn’t going to lead them down the paths of righteousness. Their unsaved friends will not give them biblical advice. Therefore, that leaves you and I. Titus 2:4-5 lays out the principle for mentoring the younger women. “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.” Today’s churches are filled with young ladies who have no concept on how to live the Christian life they are called to. These young girls act like, talk like, and dress like the unsaved. They date like the unsaved. They watch the same movies and listen to the same music as the unsaved. And it’s time that the older women step up and speak up. Instead of complaining about the worldliness of these young ladies, out of love we should take them in under our wings and point them to the Bible. We should love them enough to hold them accountable to God’s standards. Regardless of your age you can make a difference in the life of another. It takes commitment. It takes time. Above all else it takes the love of Christ. Every age group needs mentoring. Pre-teens, Teenagers, college students, newly married, and women with children all need someone in their lives who will reach out and give good godly counsel. “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9

Stupid men and inept parents

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

Maybe you’ve seen theses commercials on TV. A man and woman are sitting at Sonic. The man says something stupid and the woman roles her eyes. What about the wife that slaps her husband on the forehead and claims, “You could have had a V8.”? Or, the cell phone commercial that has two children explaining to their parents how to operate their phones. As the parents drive away and leave their children behind the kids turn to each other and exclaim how proud they are of their inept parents. Can you see the dishonor in these commercials? What about the average sitcom? Are there any that doesn’t portray the husband as an idiot? Can you turn on the TV without seeing children treating their parents disrespectfully? We have gotten to the point in our home that we cringe when the average cartoon is turned on – the parents are portrayed as idiots and the children are portrayed as superior. Is this something I want my children to accept as the norm? Many would say that, “it’s just a cartoon or a funny commercial, what’s the big deal?:” We could desensitize ourselves to what we watch to the point of it not being a big deal or we could dive into the Word of God and draw our conclusions from it. Look at how far we’ve come in our culture. The feminist movement has enlightened us so much that Christian women don’t even flinch when a man or husband is treated rudely and boorishly. However, this is contrary to God’s Word that says “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.” (Pro 12:4) I don’t want to live by the world’s standards; I’ll take God’s! God’s standards say that the heart of my husband should safely trust in me. Think about the analogy given from Ephesians about the husband and wife and Christ and the Church. If the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church then the wife is to treat her husband with the same honor that the church treats Christ. In other words, Christ is to the husband as the church is to the wife. Women, when we see the putrid attitude towards men that the world gives, we should be ashamed and offended. Just as if we saw a church treating Christ with dishonor. Would we laugh at that? I don’t think so.

What about the attitude we get from the world in regards to children and parents. A person who is even a little familiar with the Word of God knows what God’s view is. The first Bible verses we taught our children were Ephesians 6:1-3. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Eph 6:1-3) I don’t teach my children to honor and obey me because I want honor or even obedience. I teach my children to do this because in doing it they honor and obey God. Their obedience to me is obedience to God. And, their disobedience to me is direct disobedience to God. Do you see why I wish to guard my children from the rubbish on TV? When we accept these things we say to our children that the Word of God is just for church. It can’t possible be applied to our daily lives. You see, that’s called hypocrisy. So, when we do see something like the commercial with the children speaking to their parents like they are morons then we should use it as a teaching opportunity to our own children. We should show them what the Word of God says and we should live our lives according to it. We should teach our children to honor and respect their elders. Consider what Leviticus 19:32 says, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.” Do we do this because they deserve honor? Some do but not all so we honor our elders because we fear God. We should teach our children the same. When my husband comes home and wants to sit down in his favorite spot I have taught my sons to get up and in honor give him his seat. I have taught my daughter to rise and offer to fix her father a glass of ice tea. The same principle applies to their grandparents when we visit. We show honor and respect for this is pleasing to God.

As Christian mothers, we have two options when it comes to teaching our children. We can take the time and effort and teach them God’s view via the Holy Bible or we can do nothing and let the world teach our children. The world wants to mold and shape your child. Will you let it?

Pajama Day

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

Years ago when Aaron was a toddler and Abigail a baby, Dana was involved in youth ministry and working at Coca-Cola and I had my embroidery business. After Christmas we found ourselves exhausted. For 6 weeks we went nonstop. There were Christmas parties, shopping, programs, caroling, baking, and visiting. We were both overwhelmed in our work and feeling drained. It was that year in January that we decided to have a “Pajama Day”. For those who have never heard of such a thing let me explain what a “Pajama Day” means to us. On this day our family does not leave the house. We unplug the phone. We read books, play games together and watch movies. This is a day of complete rest. On this day we talk about the upcoming year and our goals individually and as a family. For those of you who know my husband you must know how hard this was for him. He likes to be productive and sitting at home all day in his pajamas does not seem very productive. But that year in January began one of our favorite traditions and has continued each year since. It is because we have come to realize how important it is to slow down every now in then. It’s important to revaluate our lives and it’s important to not be so B.U.S.Y. (Bound Under Satan’s Yoke) We’re a close family and it’s Pajama Day’s, family devotions, family activities and family ministries that keep us close. Families need to spend time together. Remember there are several simple things you can do as a family to remain close. Statistics show over and over again that children from families that eat meals together are healthier, happier and better students. We always say that the biggest room in our home is the room for improvement. Is there something you can do to improve your families relationship? Remember, the family is important. After all it was the first institution that God established here on earth. (Genesis 2:24)

Oh be careful little eyes…what you read!

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

In Wednesday night youth choir we sing a song called “Oh be careful little eyes”. It goes like this. “Oh be careful little eyes what you see….For the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little eyes what you see.” The song goes on to say be careful little ears what you hear, be careful little hands what you do, be careful little feet where you go and be careful little tongue what you say. It’s a good song and one that needs to be taught to our precious children.

I have often told my children and girls that I have mentored in the past that as Christians we must be so careful as to what we not only watch and listen to but also what we read. You see, the truth is that I’m not spiritual enough to just read anything I want to. If I read every secular book and magazine that was available it would be impossible to live up to the high calling. If I filled my mind with the things of the world I would constantly be battling the flesh. I would struggle with sin and my mind would be filled with earthly pleasures. I’m weak; therefore I must be constantly filling my mind with the things of God. I can’t say with my mouth that I want to live for God and please Him but then with my eyes welcome the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life into my heart.

Does this mean I only read the Bible? No, although there certainly wouldn’t be anything wrong with that. I love to read Christian fiction. I love to read History. I love to read biographies of famous Christian men and women. I also love to read commentaries and various Bible studies. The point is that when I do read something other than the Holy Bible I try to be so careful that what I’m reading would be pleasing to God. I want what I put into my mind to help me in my Christian walk and not hinder it.

Let me say here that just because the book seems to be “Christian” doesn’t mean that it is. Just because the author claims to be Christian doesn’t mean it’s truth. The average Christian Book Store has many books that I wouldn’t waste my time reading. There are false teachings and heretical views hidden throughout many books. If we are to grow in our faith then we must be more familiar with the Scriptures than anything else. That way when we are presented with false teachings we will recognize them.

Two particular books, “Conversations with God” and “Conversations with God for Teens” are a perfect example of just this. The books are written by Neale D. Walsch and have been on the New York Times best sellers list for a number of weeks. The author claims to answer questions asked by kids using the “voice of God”. However, the answers that he gives are not Bible-based and go against the very infallible Word of God. Questions like, ‘Why am I a lesbian?’ are answered with (and I paraphrase) because of genetics. Then he tells her to go out and ‘celebrate’ her differences. Another girl poses the question ‘I am living with my boyfriend. My parents say I should marry him because I am living in sin, should I? His reply is, ‘Who are you sinning against? Not me, because you have done nothing wrong.’
Another question asks about God’s forgiveness of sin. His reply ‘I do not forgive anyone because there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing as right or wrong and that is what I have been trying to tell everyone, do not judge people. People have chosen to judge one another and this is wrong, because the rule is ”judge not lest ye be judged.’ Not only are these books the false doctrine of the devil, but in some instances quote (in error) the Word of God.

As Christian ladies we need to be careful what we read. As Christian parents we need to be aware of what our children are reading. These books and others like it are being sold to schoolchildren through the Scholastic Book Club. Our children are under attack. So I pray that you be sober and vigilant about teaching your children the Word of God, and guarding their exposure to worldly evils, because our adversary, the devil, roams about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We know that lions usually hunt for the slowest, weakest and youngest of its prey. May we ever be on guard, may we stand strong and be mature in our faith! Oh be careful little eyes what you read!

Never use a big word when a DIMINUTIVE one will do.

September 25, 2008October 1, 2008Leave a comment

I came across this saying the other day, “Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do.” The wit behind this statement caught my attention. The irony is in knowing the meaning of the word, diminutive. The word means “very small”. The intent of this statement is to speak an absurdity in order to point out the absurd.

While the point was taken, this statement made me ponder. How often do people unknowingly do this very thing? In other words, the very act of what is being done is contrary to the very words that are being spoken. An example of this would be a child telling another one, “You’re a stupid- name-caller and you shouldn’t call people names” or perhaps, someone screaming, “WE DON’T SCREAM IN THIS HOME!!!!” A woman teaching men the passage in I Timothy 2:12 or an unfaithful man counseling men on how to love their wives are examples. All of these statements are counterproductive.

Never use a big word when a diminutive one will do. This is what we do as Christian people when our lifestyle contradicts our very name. Christian – it mean’s Christ-like. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). It wasn’t that they were going around calling themselves Christian. The world looked at their lifestyle and said, ‘Those people act just like Christ.’ In light of all of this it made me think. The word “Christian” is thrown around and misused to the point that no one understands its meaning. What if over 80% of Americans didn’t call themselves Christian? What if people didn’t associate the word Christian with someone who just goes to church on Sunday or “claims” to love Jesus? What if you were only called a “Christian” if you only acted like Christ? What if a person was only known as a Christian that only did the things Christ did? Would I then be called a Christian? He is my example and if my lifestyle does not reflect the same lifestyle that Christ lived then I should not be called a Christian. Otherwise, the very name in itself is contradicted. So I search my heart and ask God to reveal His truth to me. Am I striving? Am I reaching forth toward the goal? Am I living a consistent Christian life? Because otherwise why call myself Christian when the word hypocrite will do?

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Luke 6:46