A Word in Season

As I was sitting in church Wednesday night, a verse in my Bible literally leapt out at me. I don't recall ever reading it before, although I know I must have. It is found in the book of Isaiah.

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4

I began to think about how often I communicate with people throughout my day. How often I have the opportunity to "speak a word in season". The phone, snailmail, email, at home, at church, texting, in the store, on my blog, on this blog, through facebook...you might add twitter, a job or any number of other opportunities. How many words, whether spoken or written, are uttered each and every day!

If our words could be weighed in the balance, what would they show? If we could put encouraging, helpful words on one side and negative words on the other side, which would win out? More than anything, I want my words to be encouraging to the hearer. I want them to filled with joy, help, encouragement. The verse in Isaiah indicates that such ability doesn't come naturally. I see three distinct steps.

First, the ability to encourage the weary with our words has to come from the Lord. (2 Peter 1:3). Second, it is a learning process. The book of James tells us to ask the Lord for wisdom and he will give it. (James 1:5). Lastly, I see that in order to be a good encourager, we must first be a good listener! (James 1:19)

The book of Job gives us a perfect example of the type of "encourager" that we shouldn't be! Job's friend Elihu tried to help him, but after his lengthy discourse, the Lord says: Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Job 38:2 Counsel, without godly wisdom, is vain.

On the other hand, a word spoken in due season is joyous to the hearer! (Proverbs 15:23)

The Bible tells us that God IS love and in 1 Cor 13 we are told that no matter how eloquent of speech we are, if we do not have charity (love), it is meaningless. With that in mind, I began to ponder how Jesus himself spoke. What did He have to say about our words? Jesus spoke:

• gracious words (Luke 4:22): The word 'gracious' means kind or friendly. How often do we have the opportunity to speak graciously? Maybe to that check-out clerk who is weary - even after we've waited in line for 15 minutes and are feeling anything but gracious!
• amazing words (Luke 4:36): How many times have you sat in church and the Preacher read a verse that just spoke to your heart? Or maybe like me, you've read something and just gasped audibly at how pertinent it was to a situation in life. God's Word is truly amazing.
• mighty words (Luke 24:19): God's Word is mighty and able to bring sinners out of an eternity in hell and into the promise of Heaven. You and I do not have such power within our own words. We NEED the wisdom of Almight God!
• life giving words (John 6:63): Jesus didn't tear people down with His words.
• words of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19): This verse tells us that God has committed to US the words of reconciliation! Is there are relationship that needs mending? Whether you are the offending party or not, God has give to you the words to reconcile! I recently had this happen in my own life. I had waited for a certain person to apologize for years. The more they were not sorry, the angrier I got. How silly is that? The Lord impressed upon me to try to make things right, even though I wasn't in the wrong. You know what? I never did get an apology but the Lord gave me something better - freedom from my anger and bitterness. What a blessing.
• comforting words (1 Thess. 4:18): It is often so hard to comfort someone who is grieving. If you're like me, you just don't know what to say. The Bible tells us one way and that is to remind the person of the second coming. There is a brighter day coming.
• faithful words (1 Tim 4:6; Titus 1:9): The Word of God is faithful and true. Study it, memorize it and use it! Our words can offer little in the way of encouragement but God's Word is FULL of refreshment for the soul!
• exhorting words (Heb 3:13, 10:25): We need to exhort one another daily! I don't know about you but I need to hear words of encouragement that prod me towards a closer walk with the Lord. Having a blog is a wonderful opportunity to do this but so is face to face contact with fellow sister in the Lord. How about our children? Don't forget, they need more than nagging and discipline. They need to be exhorted as well. We should be exhorting people to "cleave unto the Lord" (Acts 11:23).

With all these wonderful uses for our words, there really shouldn't be any room for words that tear down instead of lift up, words that cause pain instead of breathe life or words that cause grief instead of bring joy. Oh that we would each seek the Lord's face and ask Him to help us "know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary"!

© Adorning Grace 2010

The Homeschooling Fight

This is from AOP's daily devotional, which you can read or sign up for HERE.  I am going to print this one out and stick in on the refrigerator. With a new school year quickly approaching, it is important to arm ourselves with the truth of God's Word and to have that truth readily available to help us through the rough times.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

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"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

Christian education is a spiritual battle that must be fought by every homeschooling parent. The desire to see our children raised according to the standards of God's Word requires more than wishful thinking. We must ever be alert to Satan's schemes and the world's ways that try to suck our children into the mainstream of ungodly learning. We must be willing to risk popularity and acceptance to lead our children down an educational path that declares God is at the center of all things and the beginning of all creation. Most of all, we must declare our own love for Christ and be willing to crucify the flesh and its selfish desires in order to win our children's hearts to the Lord.

The great men and women of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 are listed as our inspiration to hold fast to God's truths. Like Abraham, we must be willing to follow the Lord wherever He leads. Like Moses, we must be willing to give up the pleasures of life to serve a higher purpose. Like Rahab, we must have faith to believe what the Lord says is true. Like Noah, we must face opposition daily, even if it takes years to complete the task God has given. Like countless others who never saw the results of their faith, we must cling courageously to the future promise that God will bless the work of our hands in the lives of generations to come (Psalm 112:2).

Are you feeling the temptation to give up on homeschooling? Sending your children to public school next fall may seem appealing, but it's simply taking the easy way out. If the Lord has led you to teach your children, pray for the courage and wisdom you need to stand firm and fight. Raising your children in the Lord is as much a spiritual battle as resisting temptations for yourself. Don't give in to the lies and harassment of those around you. Fight for the hearts and minds of your children and the work God can do through their lives in winning countless souls to Christ.

Lord, renew Your passion within me today to homeschool and teach my children Your truths. Guide us as we prepare for schooling in the fall and show me how to hold fast when taking an easier road seems much more appealing. In Jesus' name, Amen.
 


© Adorning Grace 2012

Forgetting the Past, Pressing Forward, Looking Ahead...

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, 

forgetting those things which are behind, 

and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
(Php 3:13-14 KJV)

I absolutely adore new beginnings!!!  New years, new babies, new starts, new spiritual births, new…fresh…clean…There are some 'new's in my life, as well.  I just entered a new decade. I’m calling it my decade of grace because it’s the start of my fifth decade here on earth.  (in the Bible, the number 5 represents grace) Yes, I just turned 40. Just seeing that in writing makes me cringe.  Judging by how my first few days of being forty have gone, I think I may need a lot of grace!  My body seems to have gone awol on me with a sudden onset of blood pressure issues, landing me in the emergency room on Christmas day....but, I digress.  New beginnings....I love them!

Anyhow, the last seven months have been a time of great learning for me, a time where the Lord has been refining, polishing, and evening banging out the dents [ouch], and there is still so much work to be done!  I cannot think of any other verses that more succinctly put into perspective my goals for the coming year than the ones above....forget - reach - press.

Forgetting ...  Aren't there some things you'd like to forget - maybe you need to forget?  How about:

• forgetting past failures: Stop dwelling on the number of times you've tried and failed. Try again.  Remember, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Php 4:13 KJV)
• forgetting past hurts:  Yes, I know people have hurt you; I know they have failed to apologize.  Maybe your spouse has been unfaithful or your friend has betrayed you. People will disappoint you but Jesus never will.  You can't change another's heart but you can you can protect yours by forgiving.  Just let it go and move on.  Breathe.  I promise, when you let the hurt go, you will feel so much better.  I know :-)
• forgetting passed over dreams:  If you're an adult that is reading this, I can just about guarantee there is something in your life that you could say "I wish..." and you realize that thing you're wishing for just isn't going to happen.  Whether the dream is unfulfilled due to something you've done (taken a wrong path, made a bad choice, run out of time) or whether it is simply something that wasn't in God's perfect will for your life, passed over dreams can be disappointing.  The problem with dwelling on what you've missed out on is that it robs you of the present!  Determine today that you aren't going to waste one more precious breath in disappointment over what "might" have been.  

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psa 118:24)

Take it from the short woman, reaching implies effort.  When I'm looking at something on the shelf and my husband or eldest daughter isn't around to get it for me, there's a lot of s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g going on to reach it.  It's the same in life, whether we're reaching for a physical goal or a spiritual one.

Is there something you want to reach for this year?

I'm not talking about a resolution, because those are based upon your own willpower.  The funny thing about reaching is that the more you try, the more you achieve.  Have you ever sat down on the floor with your feet out in front of you and tried to reach for your toes?  For some people this is a difficult task.  Their flexibility is limited. However, if they will spend time daily, gently trying to reach a little further, eventually they will reach their goal!

The same holds true in life.  Simply resolving to accomplish something is not going to accomplish it but having a plan and stretching out a little further each and every day will surely get you to the finish line.  

• Do you want to read your Bible through this year?  Download a one year through the Bible plan and stretch a little farther each day.
• Are you really serious about getting those pounds off? Running that marathon? Lowering your cholesterol?  Junk all the "quick and easy" (i.e. fad) methods and do some research on those things that have been proven to work.  Yes, it may take longer but if a stretch isn't done slowly, you're going to hurt yourself!
• Does your home or homeschool need an overhaul?  Create a workable plan and simply work it, day in and day out.  No need to make everyone crazy with your atomic bomb plan that explodes in a big flash and leaves disaster in its wake.  Start with mom (fun), get it together....then work your plan.  

Pressing forward...when I envision those two words, I think of a runner who is tired.  They've run most of their race, they've stretched themselves to their limit but now it's just getting tough.  It's at that point that they have to gather their inner strength (Lord, help!) and press forward!

The one area in my life that I have the hardest time pressing forward is that of homeschooling.  I have a confession to make.  I do not homeschool because I adore it (although I can't imagine my children being away from me all day) or because I'm particularly good at it. I do it because I love the Lord and I want to please Him.  The inference (if not an outright charge) is in the Scripture for God's people to home educate their children, where no plausible biblical argument could possibly be made in favor of public or christian school  So we do what we believe the Lord has commanded (entry on that coming soon!).  Still, there are many, many times where I simply have to grit my teeth and just do it (or not....right Deb? lol) 

The Lord knew that there would be times like these.  Times when it would be difficult to continue on in our Christian race, which is why He had the apostle Paul encourage us to press forward.  Is there something that God has called you to do that could use some extra effort? Maybe you've been going along at a nice, steady pace but now you're tired. It isn't time to quit or slow down or back up.  It's time to dig deep, ask the Lord for extra strength and press on for the glory of God!

Can I encourage you to take a few minutes and really think about the upcoming year?  Look at that new calendar with all of its empty dates, just waiting to be filled with purpose!  What do you want to accomplish this year?  How will 2012 be different for you than last year?  Will you grow closer in your walk with the Lord?  Will you add precious memories to your mind's vault?  Will you choose to invest time into your children instead of worldly pursuits?  How could you strengthen your marriage this year and be a better helpmeet to your husband?  When this year has ended, what will you look back on and smile and say, "I did it"?

© Adorning Grace 2012

Blessings Below the Surface

I spent some time talking to a missionary's wife this past Sunday evening and she made statement that stuck with me.  She said something to the effect that God had to take her away from what she thought she wanted in order to show her how unhappy she really was. Now that she is where she really didn't want to be (or so she thought), she's happier than she's ever been in her life.  That is what being in the will of God will do. It will give peace and joy that far surpasses what we think will make us happy.

I think that is what these past seven months have been for me.  Aside from our church and the great people there, the south holds nothing for me.  I just don't like it. I'm a Yankee, I like the north and you know, I don't anticipate that ever changing.  Know what else I've discovered?  It doesn't matter what I like! lol  How's that for a revelation?  God's will is not dependent on my likes or my wants!  I'm beginning to find myself eagerly anticipating God placing us wherever He wants us, in part because of what that missionary's wife said to me.  What might God have in store for our family in the presence of total surrender to His will?  The possibilities are endless.

That, however, is not the point of this post. What I really wanted to share is the manifold blessings that the Lord has poured out on our family recently, not because we deserve it but because He is just that good!

I have to start by telling you that when we found out we'd be moving back here, we had no idea where we'd live, but God did. He'd prepared a place for us by putting it on the hearts  of a family in the church to let us stay in a property that they owned, rent free, for as long as we needed.  They didn't know us, they just know our God and God promises to take care of His own.  In turn, we pray that God will abundantly bless this family for their selfless gift to our family.

There are many things along the way that I could tell you about. Like how every time the meal barrel was running low, God provided a little bit of work and a little bit of money to put food on the table or gas in the vehicle. Every time.  But I want to fast forward to earlier this month.

A lady at church came to me and said that the Lord put it on her heart to take me out and have my hair cut.  Now ladies, you know what a difference a hair cut can make and I hadn't been able to do that since we'd moved.  I was so excited!  Not only did we get it cut but colored and highlighted too!  I felt like a princess :)  Sometimes the weight of the world comes off with the dead ends!  During the process of having my hair done, I was conversing with the stylist, who was a relative of the lady who had brought me.  She asked what we were doing for Christmas (she already knew some of our story from her sil).  I told her that we wouldn't be doing much since my husband had been out of work for six months, but that it was ok.  I had come to realize recently just how fragile life can be and we are all healthy!  You absolutely cannot put a price tag on health!

The next Sunday, this lady comes to me and says that her sil had gone to her SS class at church and told them about us and that they wanted to do something for us for Christmas.  Fast forward to this week, they brought us over food and gifts and money to buy things for the girls!  This, from a church who doesn't know us from Adam...but they know my God!

And there are so many other things I could tell you about.  Family who has been so generous in sending gift cards to the girls for Christmas, friends who have been faithful to encourage and pray, little things here and there. All warrant mentioning but this post could get rather long!

I am absolutely in awe at the provision of God. Not that He can provide or even that He does provide.  I guess what makes me stand in awe is how He chooses to use His people as physical extensions of His love for us.  He chooses to allow us the privilege of reaching out to others and being a blessing to them, and in return, we get to receive a blessing.

After eleven years of being on the giving side of "ministry", it has been a humbling experience to be on the receiving end, but it has also been a time of learning and of seeing our Savior's love from a different perspective. 

And in the end, the one big thing I've learned is that Jesus really is all that matters.  As much as I love the Christmas season, it truly isn't about the lights or the {sigh} snow, the presents, or even about family, it is about the One who was born one silent night in a manger; One that was born that He might die to save a lost world from their sin.

If you had told me two months ago that I would be seeing things from this perspective, I'd have laughed at you.  The truth is, I can honestly say that I am thankful for this time of material drought because it has made each of us wealthy in ways that are far more important.

HE IS REALLY ALL THAT MATTERS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

© Adorning Grace 2011

The Will of God

Our family is in a holding pattern of sorts and to be honest, it has been a struggle for me to keep my emotions in check at all times.  Often I have to remind myself to just look to Jesus and then force myself to do so, because things just aren't happening the way that I would like them to and on my time table!

I wanted to write something but what I was working on just wouldn't come together. It doesn't help that I am terribly homesick.  This happens about this time every year, no matter how much I try to fight it.  I love New England, it is my home and I miss it the most in the fall.  I'll get over it - I always do!   Anyhow, I thought I'd revive the entry below because if nobody else needs to read it, I do. 

ETA (9/16):  God is always right on time :)  I am sitting outside, on a lovely fall day!  It is 57* and breezy.  Just what the Great Physician ordered!

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(originally written 7/15/10)

It's kind of funny. Every week I pray and ask the Lord if just maybe this week, He'd let me post something a little lighthearted. Every week, He gives me something different from what I'd like to post! Such is the case this week as well, as the Lord has put on my heart to talk about following His will.

I had a friend ask me earlier this week how she could know if something was God's will or her emotions. I can certainly relate. Over the past thirteen years, there have been many occasions where I have asked myself the very same question! Being a pastor's wife (and I'm sure a missionary or evangelist's wife too) is not easy. Just being a godly wife takes consistent pursuit of God's will and a close walk with the Savior.

I'm going to share with you a few things that came to mind while attempting to answer my friend's question. Let me first share with you what the will of God is NOT.

The will of God is NOT:

• based on feelings or emotions. There are many things that tug on my heartstrings. A good Hallmark commercial could bring me to tears. My middle daughter cannot stand to see an ad for the Humane Society - it breaks her tender little heart. Our emotions are fickle. How well do we each know that depending on the date on the calendar, we could very well weep over something so insignificant that at other times of the month we would laugh over! Emotions cannot be trusted. Determining the will of God cannot be based on how we feel, because feelings change.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:  

who can know it? 

Jeremiah 17:9

• based on circumstances. I mentioned several posts back that we lost a baby earlier this year - one that we'd prayed more than seven years for. When I first found out I was pregnant, a well-meaning friend said, "well, it would be hard to think you weren't in the will of God with how He's been blessing you!" The statement was made in a moment of excitement but the point is that if God's will were based on His blessings, what was I to think when He took the baby away? No, God's will cannot be based on circumstances, whether blessings or trials.
  

Was not Job in God's will? What about Joseph? Daniel? That is why Romans 8:28 is in the

Bible! Matthew 5:45 says that God sends rain to the just and the unjust. We must not

ever let our circumstances be the guide to what is or is not the will of God for our lives.

• contrary to God's written Word! This one is very important. The will of God will NEVER go against what God has already commanded in the Bible. God doesn't make exceptions for any of His children. I cannot stress this enough. I wouldn't begin to even try to count how many times I've heard, "the Lord led me to do x,y,z...." and I sit there and think, "but that goes against what God says!" God's will never leads outside of his Word!

So, how exactly then can we determine the will of God?  God guides each of us in different ways. Sometimes we may read a passage of Scripture and have the Lord direct through it. Sometimes we might be led through prayer. God may speak to our heart through a sermon, a song or some other venue. It may be in a still small voice or (for the hard-headed amongst us), in grander fashion :) In the end, there are a few similarities.

The will of God:

• will not change. It is something that you just won't be able to get away from or ignore. Malachi 3:6 says For I am the LORD, I change not; Jonah tried to run from the will of God, but he found that he couldn't out run God! You may try to ignore God's will and hope it goes away but God will still be there when you're done running.
• always lines up with the Bible. We covered this above, but it bears repeating. If what you think is God's will does not line up with his Word, than you have all the proof you need that it is NOT God's will!
• brings a prevailing peace. I think this is the most important thing of all. You may be uncertain as to "how" you will accomplish what God is asking you to do. You may have "fear" of the unknown, but wayyyy down deep, below all of your emotions that are stirring, there will be peace.
  

It is very much like salvation. When you know, that you know, that you know you are

saved, there is peace. The devil may try to cause you to doubt, but still there is peace.

You may get off-track in your walk with God, but there is peace. You may even commit

some big sin and know just how wicked and wrong it was, yet amidst the conviction and

the sorrow, this is peace in knowing that you are God's child.

The will of God is the same way. No matter how much fear or questioning or uncertainty

there is over how you might accomplish it, there will be a peace in knowing that you are

in God's will.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

Finally, if you are still unsure, just be still and wait. Do not move forward in something that you aren't sure is the will of God. Sometimes, the Lord just wants us to be patient and wait on Him. The prize is not in reaching the destination, it is in being faithful on the journey!

From my heart...

I’ll have to ask your forgiveness for my lack of entries.  It isn’t that I don’t think about it, because I certainly do!  The Lord has been doing a work in my life that just cannot be described in words!  I am excited I sit in anticipation of what He has in store for our family.  As our preacher says, I feel like we’re on the little end of something big!

If I could show you my prayer journal, you would see ten or twelve “entry ideas” but not one of them have transpired into type.  How do you describe what the God of the universe is doing and how He is working?  And how can those mere words touch your heart as they have mine?  I simply do not know.  

For instance, my studies have had me in the book of Hebrews.  The entire book speaks of the fulfilling of the Old Testament law by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  

John Phillips referenced Leviticus 16 and in that chapter, it talks about the two goats who were offered on the Day of Atonement.  One goat was sacrificed and the other was the scapegoat.  “The high priest, as part of the ceremony, had to actually recite over the head of the scapegoat the accumulated….” sins of the nation!  Their sins were not forgotten year to year, they were only covered. Can you imagine being the Israelites, having your sins accumulate from year to year, never being able to put them behind you?  Each year, those sins would be brought back up and read before the congregation.

How much I take for granted.  Jesus buried my past!  When Satan tries to accuse me, Jesus doesn’t see the sin he’s talking about.  Praise the Lord – it’s gone!  When friends or family try to bring up my past, guess what?  Jesus remembers it no more!

As far as the east is from the west,  

so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 

(Psa 103:12)

What glorious freedom we have in Christ!  My sins are gone and if you’re saved, yours are too! If that doesn’t make you want to shout, I don’t know what will!

O taste and see that the LORD is good: 

blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

(Psa 34:8)

Do you see now?  How can I express the overflow that is in my heart?  I’d like to take each of my readers by the shoulders, look you squarely in the eyes and ask, “Do you know my Jesus?  Do you really know Him?”  I’m not asking if you said a prayer or turned over a new leaf or if you’re a good person.  Do you have a personal, intimate, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ?

Knowing Jesus will change your life.  Where there has been no change, there is no conversion.  (2 Cor 5:17) How do I know?  Because I was a religiously lost church member for 27 years.  I know what it is to profess salvation but not possess it.  It is a miserable life to live.  There is nothing that this world can offer that will fill that little empty void you have in your heart, if you do not know Jesus.  That confusion over whether you are saved or not?  Don’t keep dismissing it, get it settled!

This is not the direction that I intended to go with this entry but it is the way the Lord has led.  Are you saved?  Do you know if for sure?  Eternity is far too important to have a “hope so” salvation.  If you have any doubt, would you please give me the privilege to show you from God’s Word how you can know for sure?  Email me! I also invite you to read my testimony of salvation.  You CAN know for sure that Jesus is your Savior and that Heaven is your home.  Please don't delay.

Have a blessed day!

© Adorning Grace 2011

Facing Off With Facebook

With a specific purpose in mind, I reactivated my FB account this evening. It was for the sole purpose of getting some information off of it and it quickly deactivating it again.  Something on the wall feed caught my eye, which led me to a friend's page, which led me to another...and here I sit an hour and a half later, disheartened and poignantly reminded of why I had to leave in the first place. So, if for no other reason than that I need to re-read this entry, I'm bumping it to the top.  7/4/11

---originally posted 2/23/11---


I have been saved nearly twelve years now and yet it still baffles me how some things are harder than others, spiritually speaking.  At times, the Lord will ask me to do something for Him and it will seem easy, and then other things ~seemingly easy things~ are harder than anticipated.  I think in part it may be due to my heart strings. The Bible says that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21  So, if you "treasure" something of this world too much, it will have your heart.  Don't believe it?  Try giving up your favorite food, activity, television or what have you for a month :)   If you feel that "I don't need to give it up to prove that it doesn't have my heart" attitude welling up, you can be absolutely certain that that thing does indeed have a piece of your heart!  Probably a little more than it should.

Such was the case with me and Facebook.  I recently deleted my FB account but it wasn't without an internal struggle.  The sensible part of my brain realized the foolishness of my struggle.  After all, it's just a dumb social network! It shouldn't have any type of hold on me....yet it did. The more I felt like the Lord was leading to give it up, the more a part of me made excuses for not doing so!  Crazy, isn't it?

So, I thought I'd share with you what was behind the deletion in the hopes that it may help someone else. Maybe you too are struggling with letting go of something that you feel the Lord wants you to. It doesn't have to be internet related; it could be anything!  Maybe you are reasoning within yourself, trying to convince yourself that God doesn't really care about that.  I promise you, if you are God's child, He cares about every aspect of your life!  Every.single.one.

I'll preface this with the statement that these are the things that the Lord showed me, for me.  It is not a judgment of anyone else.

I have been reading the book Teaching the Trivium and read this quote within its pages:

Any territory which Christians acknowledge as neutral is territory which has been inattentively conceded to the devil as a playground for him to practice his hidden mischief.

There truly is no neutral ground.  Everything will either be pleasing to the Lord or displeasing to the Lord.  I'm sure that there are those who would pull out examples of things they think are neutral but in fact, if we dug deeper, I believe we would always find an answer to what the Lord thinks about it and whether it pleases Him.

Such is the case with FB.  I was speaking to a missionary a couple of weeks ago, who told me that he felt the Lord leading him to use FB as another tool to witness.  Certainly, it can be used that way....and effectively too!  The Lord is allowing him to use that outlet for God's glory!  On the other hand, that is not at all what the Lord has been showing me....for me:

• FB can give place to the devil:  This is probably first and foremost for me. There are many ways in which we can give place to the Devil, but for me it is very personal.  I have a relative who has 'blocked' me on FB for years, in spite of my repeated attempts to make things right.  So, I will try to have 'conversations' with other relatives and there will be pieces missing.  You guessed it...that bitter party.  How does that give place to the devil? The 'ol devil LOVES strife!  And boy! does he know how to use it!   Every time this scenario happens, he sits on my shoulder and brings up the past.  Since there is little more I can do to remedy the situation, the only way NOT to give place to the devil is to not give him a place!  That may sound like circular reasoning, but if you or I continue to put ourselves in situations that the devil can use against us, then we are giving him a place in our lives....we are inviting him in. And it will hinder us spiritually, as it was at times with me.

We each have weaknesses - areas of our lives that we may not be so strong.  Think of a recovering alcoholic as a worldly example.  If he wants to stay off of alcohol, he'd do best to avoid situations where he has to make a decision whether or not to drink.  I would assume that those reading probably will not fit that example, but what if you are prone to giving in to hurt.  What if you're like me and the devil uses a person or a past to wreak havoc in your mind?  Simply don't give him the opportunity!   Suppose there is someone at church who (God forbid) is a gossip.  And suppose you are prone to be pulled into gossip if you're around it. It would be wise for you to avoid the gossiper  for your own spiritual well-being! Protecting our individual relationship with the Lord aught to take utmost priority in our lives!

Neither give place to the devil.
(Eph 4:27)

• FB is a colossal time waster!  Oh, this one is a biggie.  The Lord began to show me that there are so many things of far greater importance than who is cooking what for dinner tonight :-)  While I was meditating on Matthew 12:36 ...But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment....I decided to look up the word idle in the 1828. One of the definitions stunned me because it so aptly fits most of what goes on within "social" networks.  Idle: Trifling; vain; of no importance; as an idle story; an idle reason; idle arguments.  

I know that my sinful nature is to make the excuse that since I'm not saying anything wrong, I don't mind giving an account for it.  However the Bible has so much more to say about idleness!   The idle soul will suffer hunger (Pr. 19:15); and idleness leads to gossip: And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. (1Ti 5:13)  I don't know about you, but I just do not believe that idleness pleases the Lord and above all, I want to please Him. 

• FB often reduces relationships to nothing more than "drive-by" acquaintances:  I believe it takes the place of real and genuine relationships.  No longer do I have to pick up the phone, write a letter or even send an email.  Now I can simply browse by a wall, check a status and if I have time (ha!) leave a comment.  It seems the easier it is to 'stay connected' the less connected we truly are with each other.  

• FB is not a good place for children:  I do not want my children on FB.  As much as I try to control what was coming in on my own wall, there would still be vulgar ads, people who would post things contrary to what is useful to edifying and I believe it to be a dangerous place overall for children.  Now, how can I tell my children that it isn't a good place for them to be and be there myself?  We aren't talking about going into the highways and hedges for the purpose of soul winning, we are talking about a purely optional, entertainment activity!  It's really no different than saying "no honey, you can't watch this movie because it's for adults."  In our household, if it isn't fit for children, it isn't fit for anyone.  Mom and Dad do not have their movies and the kids have theirs.  It's either fit for all or it's not fit at all!

•  Truly though, my "ah-huh!" moment came with this realization....Do you have someone in your life that you truly want to be like because they model Christ?  I have several such people in my life.  Their walk with God is so close that it makes me long to get closer to the Lord myself.  They seem to be drenched in the Holy Spirit and the joy of the Lord just bubbles up and out from the overflow that is in their hearts.  Not ONE of these people (in my life) have a FB account....not one.  I am not saying that you can't be spiritual and have a FB account :)  Do not go putting words in my  mouth.  I have several good,godly friends on FB, whom I admire greatly.  I believe they love the Lord.  However, there is something beyond that, that I long for.  It's this "it" that some of the godly women (and men) I know have.  "It" cannot be described in words.....If you know someone that has "it", you know what I'm talking about.  In the moment I realized that not a single one of them were entangled with such trivial things as FB, I knew I had my answer.  If there is any chance that FB could be keeping me from getting as close to the Lord as I could be, I do not want any part of it. 

Anyhow, those are some things the Lord has been showing me and how He has been leading me.  It will not apply to everybody; it may not apply to anybody!  I would challenge you to look at all of your entertainment in light of Scripture.  Ask yourself these questions:

1. Is this activity helping me spiritually?
2. Is it drawing me closer to God?  ANYTHING that cools my heart's desire for God is not good for me!
3. Is it benefiting my family?
4. Is there something of greater value that I could be doing?
5. Is it in any way giving place to the devil?

If you find that something in your life really does need to be removed, remember to attack  Satan's excuses with reality. For example, the Devil tried to convince me that I'd lose touch with people if I left FB.  In reality, anyone that really cares can email, call or write.   The Devil has a million excuses for not following God.

If you're unsure whether something really has your heart, make a commitment to abstain from it for a month. Feeling panicky? How about a week?  C'mon, you can do it! It will be there when you get back.  If you can't take time off, you really do need to get rid of it!  It has ahold of you.  If you feel like, yes, you really could take a step back and be ok, do it anyway! You may find that at the end of that week or month period, that you have found better things to occupy your time.

And remember, just because something isn't wrong doesn't mean it's right for you!  If you feel the Lord leading you in a certain direction, do not worry about what other people might think. The Lord obviously has a purpose in it and He is waiting to bless your obedience to Him!

© Adorning Grace 2010

In The Beginning...

In the beginning God created.......(Gen 1:1)

There has been a recent surge of articles on "gender neutral" parenting and schooling.  Take this news story out of Stockholm, where a preschool named Egalia (meaning "equality") states its intent as  [placing] a special emphasis on fostering an environment tolerant of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. From a bookcase she [the director] pulls out a story about two male giraffes who are sad to be childless — until they come across an abandoned crocodile egg.  It should be clear that this is a tax-payer funded school. 

Another example of reversed gender bias is with this Canadian couple who have chosen not to reveal the gender of their youngest child stating, "'What we noticed is that parents make so many choices for their children. It’s obnoxious,'Stocker told the paper. He and his wife allow Jazz and Kio to choose their clothing from both the boys' and girls' departments – including pink dresses - and how they want to wear their hair."  

How about the Michigan school that just voted to allow a "gender neutral prom court"?  So now little Billy can be the queen he's always wanted to be? {insert gagging noises} In this article,  gender neutral bathrooms in VT schools are being petitioned for.

My first reaction to stories such as these is absolute disgust.  There is nothing wrong with being a girl or a boy! I'm so glad God saw fit to make me a girl :)  Think of all the fun I'd miss if I weren't.  I love pink; I love sparkles and glitter; I love all things feminine. Girls get to have babies!  No way I'd give that up to be a boy. However my husband tells me there are exciting things about being of the male persuasion as well. Of course, I fail to grasp them because hey, I'm a girl.  

So, my second reaction to stories such as these is "Wow! There are some really idiotic people on this planet!"  I'm not sure any further discussion on that thought is necessary. lol  Unfortunately, people like this do exist, they do have an agenda and we as Christians need to be alert and vigilant!

Such degrading of gender roles and the pushing of the homosexual agenda is concerning.  The Bible says that in the beginning God created male and female. Not only did He create the genders, He created gender roles that today's liberals like to call stereotypes.  No, not all little girls will enjoy playing with dolls but ALL little girls were created to be in subjection to 1) their Heavenly Father 2) their earthly Father 3) their husbands.  They were created to be "helpmeets", "keepers at home", trainers of children, nurturers, care givers, the weaker vessel.  This doesn't mean that a female is of less value or that her standing with God is diminished. It is simply God's order.  Even Jesus Himself was subject to the Father.

.

God created boys to be providers and protectors.  When we try to create "gender neutral" boys, we create sissies!  Let them play rough and get dirty,  let them learn to build a fort, how to shoot a gun, how to fix things. It is in their God given nature and if it's not, Mama and Daddy need to put a little effort into getting it there. Unfortunately, our air conditioned, video game, tv watching, surf the internet culture has helped immensely to emasculate our boys.  God help us!

The gender neutral/homosexual agenda really has very little to do with what is best for children., but rather it is about removing God from society.  These groups behind the gender neutral and homosexual movement want to remove any and all ordinances of God from our lives.  They want to strip away femininity and masculinity until we are all "equal" and when we are all equal,we will all be "free" (according to them) to do what is right in our own eyes.

This problem is not a new one.  Back in the book of Judges we read:  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (17:6)  Why did they do this?  Because they had no king and today's society is in the same boat. They have rejected King Jesus and are content to live according to their own will and fancy. Unfortunately, many Christians have done the same. They have removed Jesus from the throne of their hearts and have been blinded by the world's philosophies.  Gender neutrality is not of God!  Christians must wake up, pick up their Swords (Bible), put on the armor of God and prepare to do battle.

How can we as Christians fight against such godlessness?  

First, ask the Lord to renew your mind by bathing it in the Word of God.  (Rom. 12:2) Ask Him to help you to see wickedness as HE sees it.  

As God renews your mind, ask Him for the strength to bring your children out of the public indoctrination system and teach them at home!  Teach them to be young men and young ladies.  Your local public school is not a positive influence on your children and the devil is sly and cunning.  Get them out before it's too late.  Remember, being "salt & light" does not mean throwing your children to the wolves.  Children are like tender plants; they need protection, guidance, training....

Be sure you are in a good, fundamental, Bible-believing, sin hating, holy living preaching church!  You need to be provoked to live for the Lord, to live cleaner, to stand straighter, to take the things of God more seriously.  I know you do because I do!  And we are all made of the same human flesh.  It lusts after the world and likes to be lulled into complacency.  Resist the urge to think that you're ok, that your home is ok.  Ask the Lord to show you where your thinking is off, where the devil has crept in, where you don't line up with Him.  I promise, He will show you!

And lastly, do not be afraid to be a light in this dark world.  People are watching you and if you live for Christ, they will see the difference. You probably won't reach the multitudes but I promise, you will reach a few. 

So God created man in his own image, 

in the image of God created he him;  

male and female created he them.  

Gen 1:27

© Adorning Grace 2011

Remembering Lot's Wife

My husband was talking to me a couple of nights ago about a sermon he is working on.  Something he said really stuck with me.  Nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to remember Abraham or Paul or Ruth or Jonah...but we are commanded to remember Lot's wife (Luke 17:32).  While his sermon went in one direction, my thoughts went in another.

I began to think about Lot's wife, surmising what her life may have been like.  Can I borrow your imagination?  (You can read the story in Genesis 13-19) Here is Lot's wife, Mrs. Lot, following her husband across the plains, living life wherever he decides to set up tent.  One day, her husband is given a choice. Which way do you want to go?  And her husband chooses the land of Sodom and Gomorrah.  We don't know what her reaction was to this.  Could it be that she begged her husband not to turn in towards that wicked city?  Might she have pleaded for him to consider his children and how that would affect them?  Perhaps. The Bible doesn't tell us.  All that we know for sure is that she followed where he led, which was her biblical obligation before God.

While in Sodom, Mrs. Lot set up house and raised her children. She married off her sons and embraced her daughters in law.  It's very likely she made friends. It's possible she could have had a home business, selling  goods from her home which was not uncommon in that day.  In essence, she planted herself where her husband had brought her; she put down roots.

One day her husband tells her that they must leave....immediately. God was going to destroy the city.  I'm sure there was fear over the impending doom but her heart must have been so torn. See, her husband had lived in such a way that when he went to his sons to share the news, they laughed at him and didn't believe him! (Genesis 19:14)  I'm not saying it's all Lot's fault.  We can also surmise that Mrs. Lot grew accustomed to the ways of Sodom and lived in exactly the same way as her husband, with all the comforts that city had to offer.  But the Bible tells us that they mocked at Lot, for he was the one that was supposed to lead his home.

Still borrowing your imagination, Mrs. Lot followed her husband out of the city, sort of. The Bible says that the angels of the Lord had to "hasten Lot" and his family.  They didn't willingly, whole-heartedly flee.  No doubt, their hearts were heavy.  Perhaps, Mrs. Lot's teenage girls had boyfriends in the city. Certainly they had friends.  It's quite possible they didn't want to leave; they may have even cried and had a little temper tantrum.  Whatever the case, they all got out.  Somewhere along their exodus, Mrs. Lot's heart grew heavy.  She may have been thinking about her sons and her daughters in law; perhaps even her grandchildren, being destroyed by the wrath of God. And in a moment of heart sickness and weakness, she looked back....and God turned her into a pillar of salt.

It's a tragic story really.  Mrs. Lot is often portrayed as this wicked woman who couldn't keep her eyes off the city. We look down our judgmental noses at her, saying that if she'd only obeyed she wouldn't have suffered the chastisement of God.    My heart actually goes out to Mrs. Lot.

First I see that while she was trying to follower her husband, he wasn't beside her, protecting his wife.  Lot was ahead of her. 

 But his wife looked back from behind him, ...Genesis 19:26

Surely Lot must have known that his wife was the weaker vessel (1Peter 3:7).  He had to have shared her heartache.  Why was he not beside his wife, helping her along, protecting her?  This tragedy may have never occurred had it not been for his oversight.   Thinking of this makes me think of Eve in the garden.  She gets the blame an awful lot.   Where was Adam when Eve was being tempted by Satan?  What about Job's wife?  We hear a lot about her "curse God and die"  comment.  I think we sometimes think we're so spiritual that we'd react like Job and not like his wife.  Really?  Have you ever buried 10 children in one day while losing every stitch of your earthly possessions?  Are we really so prideful as to think that we wouldn't  react in the way of Mrs. Job in a moment of grief and weakness?

Too often, we think that because we're saved, we're immune to reacting badly to situations.  It's important to remember that these people in the Bible that we read about and pick apart were real people with real, human emotions.  God placed them their for our examples, for our instruction. We should learn from them, yes, but to think we couldn't react like them is a gross error in judgment.

Going back to Mrs. Lot, I see a woman who lost her home, her friends, her children, perhaps her grandchildren, her livelihood, her security and all that was familiar to her in a split second.  There was nothing that she could do about it.  I imagine she was filled with regret and despair and sorrow.  And on top of it all, she didn't have a husband walking beside her, supporting her and telling her it would be ok.  She probably felt all alone.  And that is all it takes for Satan to get a foothold.....to find a crack.....to provide a temptation.  Just look back...and she did.

Because God is just and holy, he saw her disobedience and turned her into a pillar of salt.  We know that God is long suffering and merciful so I cannot believe that this was the first time she had disobeyed him, but it was the last.  I see in this story God's faithfulness - for both blessing and cursing.  See, it didn't matter what she had lost or how she felt or how much of a load was on her shoulders.  God still expected her obedience.  And ultimately it was her disobedience (not the lack of her husband's care or her circumstances) that determined the outcome in her life.

Applying it to our lives:  We have so many Scriptures that promise us God's aid in time of trouble!

Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.


2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Psalms 91:2  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Sometimes I feel a lot like Lot's wife.  I fight against the fact that I've lost two babies in a year.  I get tired of moving, even though I know my husband is following God's leading.  I grow weary of fighting Satan over my children and worrying that I'm failing in training them.  I get anxious over what lies ahead.  And there are times when I find myself daydreaming of something different.  However, my circumstances cannot dictate my reactions or my obedience, and neither can yours.  I'm learning this the hard way.  Some people fight things externally, I fight things internally.  Some days I feel like I'm wrestling with God, and like Job saying,

  Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

  Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

Job 23: 3, 8-9

And like Job, all I can do is just believe that God is there and he knows what is going on and that He cares!

But he knoweth the way that I take: 

when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

How will you come forth out of your trial?  How will I come forth?  The choice is ours to make.  We can either come forth as gold, as we by faith trust the Lord to order our steps and take care of us, OR we can look back in disobedience like Lot's wife, being turned into something that is useless for the work of the Lord.  Mrs. Lot's demise didn't just affect her.  Read the story.  Lot was left without a wife and had grandchildren born by incest through his daughters. The entire family fell apart and truly, each person played a role in the outcome.

Are you like Mrs. Lot - discouraged, overwhelmed or longing for something left in Sodom?  Are you Mr. Lot, denying your wife the love and support that she so desperately needs?  Or are you perhaps Lot's children - whining and fussing because your daddy is trying to do right in the sight of God by keeping you out of Sodom (the world)?    How will your story end?   What are you going to do about it?

Remember Lot's wife....

© Adorning Grace 2011

Blessed are the Peacemakers

(originally written December 1, 2007)

The holiday season is upon us and with it comes all of the joy and excitement of family gatherings, gift giving and cherished traditions.  It's an unfortunate reality that not all families look forward to this season with joyous anticipation.  Some simply dread this time of year. Strained family relationships have left little room for the joy of the season. Does this ring true for you?

I awoke this morning with the following verse on my heart: Matthew 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (KJB)

Noah Webster had this to say about the word 'peacemaker':  a person who makes peace, as by settling disagreements or quarrels.  Digging a little further, 'peace' is defined as: harmony, serenity, calm, quiet.

What is often mistaken as peace is nothing more than a truce (a temporary cessation of warfare; respite from conflict).  Now granted, I do understand that a truce is better than conflict but God only promises blessing to the peacemaker, NOT the truce maker. 

Let me give you an example.  My middle child,  'G'  is our little peacemaker.  I often will thank her for it; she makes my life so much easier.  How?  Well, her twin sister 'M' is quite mischievous.   G will often be found laying down her rights to her sister, who has taken a toy or stolen her seat or some other annoying little thing.  Sure, they squabble a bit but usually, instead of tattling, G will simply give in.  

This used to bother me because it seemed she was being walked over by her "little" sister. Then I realized that without even knowing it, she was doing exactly what the Lord wanted her to do.  She was following the perfect example ~ Jesus himself.  

Philippians 2:5-8   Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Did Jesus deserve to be a servant?  Did he deserve the cross?  Of course not but He laid down His life for a greater purpose, our salvation.  And in the same manner, G gives up her rights for a greater cause....peace.

When we look at the word peace maker, we could just as easily flip the words to say maker [of] peace.  Make is an verb that requires action.  It's not something that just happens.  Likewise, peace is not just something that happens, we need to 'make' it. 

So, how can you be a peace maker this holiday season?  Here are some suggestions:

• Ask yourself if in the grand scheme of things, does this really matter?  Does it matter who is right or wrong?  Unless you are dealing with a doctrinal issue pertaining to heaven and hell or a moral issue that affects your family, the answer is probably "NO".  So many contentions come down to our stinking PRIDE.  We know we're right and won't rest until everyone else knows it too.  We simply refuse to surrender our right to be right.  Confess your pride and let Christ be your example. He humbled himself.
• Don't argue in the first place.  Simply learn to seal those lips and stop flapping your tongue     Oh, how I know this is easier said than done! 
• Give in.  I know it's not popular in our "I deserve my rights" society but you can't have peace when neither party is willing to bend.  Be the "bender" and be blessed!
• Realize that being right isn't always the most important issue.  Is splitting a family over whose mashed potatoes are tastier really worth it?
• Choose to let the Lord handle the problem. He always does a better job than we do anyway!

Now before anyone uses this as a reason to excuse sin, I do not believe in peace at any cost.  Peace at any cost is not peace, it's compromise.  However, there are just some things that you will never change people's minds about.  I've encountered this myself  and my husband finally said to me, "K, if God can't change their hearts, nothing you say is going to."  And that is so true.  God must do the work because only then will it be a permanent change. 

There will always be people who like to fan the flames of discord, even if it's only subtly but the Lord knew that.  That is why He wrote:

Romans 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Just do your best.  The Lord knows your heart and you are only responsibly for YOU.  I hope this encourages you to go out and make this holiday season the best that you can.  Life is too short to live it in discord.  

May God bless your Christmas season as you seek to honor Him!

© Adorning Grace 2011