Sunday, May 24, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Not Your Mother's America!
This evening I read an article by Chelsea Schilling, a writer for World Net Daily (posted, May 17, 2009). She gave a very detailed article on what really is being taught and promoted in the Girl Scouts organization. I read the whole article to Rob and he encouraged me to post it as an entry to my blog.
When many parents think of Girl Scouts, they imagine young girls in uniform selling Thin Mints and Tagalong cookies – not learning about stone labyrinths, world peace, global warming, yoga, avatars, smudging incense, Zen gardens and feminist, communist and lesbian role models.
But that's exactly what many of 2.7 million Girl Scouts will learn about with a new curriculum called "Journeys" released last year.
Patti Garibay spent nearly two decades in Girl Scouts – six years as a girl member and 13 years as a volunteer. She was also a recruiter, camp coordinator and area delegate winning outstanding leader and volunteer in both councils in which she served. In Garibay's words, she "bled green."
But in 1993 when Girl Scouts USA decided to make God optional in its program at the national convention in Minneapolis, an idea known as "Proposal 3: Flexibility in Spiritual Wording," Garibay chose to leave the organization.
"I had always used Girl Scouts as part of my life's ministry, modeling my faith while serving girls," she told WND. "However as this change became policy, mandates were made against Christmas caroling, praying at meetings and singing hymns. I had a true moral dilemma and felt that I could not uphold the GSUSA's rules and remain a Christian never denying my Lord." (source: May 21, 2009: World Net Daily)
If you are a Christian who has a daughter, a relative or a friend in this organization. Please take the time to read this very important article. I have cut and pasted the first five paragraphs for you. However, you must click here, for the rest of the article.
I am reminded of this passage from Isaiah 5:20-21, reading from the New American Standard Bible,
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever in their own sight!
And clever in their own sight!
Consider with me another passage which speaks on how to use our minds and bodies.
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
(graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org)
It's Worth Repeating!
Tuesday's reading in My Utmost for His Highest was very good. You know how it is, you read something the first time and think, "wow, this speaks to me." Today due to some minor discouragement, I reread it. I know there are numerous places online to read it or perhaps you already have your own personal copy. Nevertheless, it is important to share it because it is so powerful and can revolutionize each of our hearts and minds.May God use it to bring encouragement, peace, comfort, joy and delight to each of you.
May 19, 2009
Out of the Wreck I Rise
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? —Romans 8:35
God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, "I will be with him in trouble . . ." ( Psalm 91:15 ). It doesn’t matter how real or intense the adversities may be; nothing can ever separate him from his relationship to God. "In all these things we are more than conquerors . . ." ( Romans 8:37 ). Paul was not referring here to imaginary things, but to things that are dangerously real. And he said we are "super-victors" in the midst of them, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of our courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn’t have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes were not there.
"Shall tribulation . . . ?" Tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be— whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness— it is not able to "separate us from the love of Christ." Never allow tribulations or the "cares of this world" to separate you from remembering that God loves you ( Matthew 13:22 ).
"Shall . . . distress . . . ?" Can God’s love continue to hold fast, even when everyone and everything around us seems to be saying that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?
"Shall . . . famine . . . ?" Can we not only believe in the love of God but also be "more than conquerors," even while we are being starved?
Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it— the love of God in Christ Jesus. "Out of the wreck I rise" every time.
graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Theory of Everything
Does God exist? Does science prove it
or give us reason to doubt?
Please click here to watch a clip
of this excellent movie.
Here is some additional information about this movie.
Sometimes faith is all the proof you need.
2007 Crown Award Winner - Best Picture (Gold)
2007 Crown Award Winner - Best Evangelistic Film (Gold)
2007 Crown Award Winner - Best Drama over $250,000 (Gold)
Doug Holloway (David de Vos), a family man on the verge of finacial and marital ruin, embarks on a journey to find his birth father, Dr. Eugene Holland (Victor Lundin). Dr. Holland is on a mission of his own - to prove the Holy Grail of physics - the Theory of Everything - that may prove the existence of God. His greatest challenge? Completing his quest before a degenerative brain disease (CJD) claims his ability to reason. Soon the two journeys become one as the men struggle together to rebuild their family and find new hope in God.
A moving story of family, faith, and theoretical physics, The Theory of Everything will inspire you to "Envision the Possibilities."
(source of the above information: www.ChristianCinema.com; catalog)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Getting Back on Track
You know how it is when one allows distractions and excuses to dictate ones reality. Sometimes, we must stop whatever we're doing and ask our Heavenly Father to just clean us up and start fresh. That is how I'm feeling this morning. A dear friend on Facebook sent me a praise party reminder which the Holy Spirit used to gently remind me that I can get back on track.Here's a powerful quote from Corrie Ten Boom, "There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still." The enemy would have us to believe we've have wandered too far off course. He likes to taunt us and discourage us. When we're in God's Word, we are able to read first hand how much God loves us and who He really is.
So as I read this morning's devotional from My Utmost for His Highest, I was encouraged. At the same time, I was convicted as to where my focus should be.
May 12, 2009
The Habit of Having No Habits
If these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful . . . —2 Peter 1:8
When we first begin to form a habit, we are fully aware of it. There are times when we are aware of becoming virtuous and godly, but this awareness should only be a stage we quickly pass through as we grow spiritually. If we stop at this stage, we will develop a sense of spiritual pride. The right thing to do with godly habits is to immerse them in the life of the Lord until they become such a spontaneous expression of our lives that we are no longer aware of them. Our spiritual life continually causes us to focus our attention inwardly for the determined purpose of self-examination, because each of us has some qualities we have not yet added to our lives.
Your god may be your little Christian habit— the habit of prayer or Bible reading at certain times of your day. Watch how your Father will upset your schedule if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes. We say, "I can’t do that right now; this is my time alone with God." No, this is your time alone with your habit. There is a quality that is still lacking in you. Identify your shortcoming and then look for opportunities to work into your life that missing quality.
Love means that there are no visible habits— that your habits are so immersed in the Lord that you practice them without realizing it. If you are consciously aware of your own holiness, you place limitations on yourself from doing certain things— things God is not restricting you from at all. This means there is a missing quality that needs to be added to your life. The only supernatural life is the life the Lord Jesus lived, and He was at home with God anywhere. Is there someplace where you are not at home with God? Then allow God to work through whatever that particular circumstance may be until you increase in Him, adding His qualities. Your life will then become the simple life of a child.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Honoring My Sweet Mom!
Today was a joyous Mother's Day. I think for me, this time of the year can be bittersweet at times. Mom's homecoming was 24 years ago and I still miss her a lot. So before I close this evening, I want to honor her memory with a clip art from one of my favorite passages in the Bible, Proverbs 31:10-31.Some of my friends have called me the "font queen." Well, this particular font that I'm typing this entry is called, "Georgia." That was my Mom's name. She found humor in the smallest things and so do I.
graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
God's Word ~ Our TRUE source of encouragement!
You may have noticed in recent days, I've used a lot of scripture verses with beautiful art work from the folks at www.heartlight.org. Jesus is the answer and His Word is all-sufficient. Here's a verse that reminds me of the importance of interceding for one another. May each of you find comfort in this verse. At the same time, may each of us be challenged and recommit to praying for one another more faithfully.graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org
Just one of those days!
Yesterday was one of those days where I cried a great deal of the day. As to all the whys and wherefores, I know not. It just was a very hard emotional day.Through prayer and encouragement from an awesome husband and sweet daughter, my day improved. Christine prayed for me and over me throughout the whole day. Wow! What an incredible young lady!
One of my closest friend said, "I'm here to just listen." Sometimes, we just need a listening ear, not someone to solve our situation. Another friend wrote me a sweet email that had a gentle exhortation in it.
As I concluded my evening, I saw that a message in my inbox on Facebook. One of my former youth from the youth group we had served while at FBC Purcell, Oklahoma wrote me a wonderful message. God allowed me to see a little bit of the fruit of His work in my life back during those years. All glory and credit to God! I'm certain this individual did not realize how God would use our reconnection on FB to remind me of God's faithfulness and goodness.
The verse in this clip art is underlined in several translations that I have. I first came across it when my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. Recently I took the time to look at it in its total context and wow, it was powerful. Please take the time to read Psalm 94.
graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org
Monday, May 04, 2009
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Friday, May 01, 2009
Faith Not Emotion!
This morning after my morning workout, I picked my "My Utmost for His Highest." The Lord continues to use Oswald Chambers these many years and I believe today's devotional gives some key insights as to how and why.
The Bible is filled with incredible examples of men and women who were used mightily by Him. Consider Jesus' disciples, Gideon, David, Moses and Abraham. Why is in so many Christian bookstores and in pulpits are we diminishing and weakening the actual message of the Gospel. Why is Scripture being substituted for tickling of the ears? It is saying we only want what God can give, but not worship Him for Who He is.
Yet when I read today's devotion, I do not see that we are to walk by our emotions. Please take the time to read and ponder this timely devotion today.
Faith— Not Emotion
We walk by faith, not by sight —2 Corinthians 5:7
For a while, we are fully aware of God’s concern for us. But then, when God begins to use us in His work, we begin to take on a pitiful look and talk only of our trials and difficulties. And all the while God is trying to make us do our work as hidden people who are not in the spotlight. None of us would be hidden spiritually if we could help it. Can we do our work when it seems that God has sealed up heaven? Some of us always want to be brightly illuminated saints with golden halos and with the continual glow of inspiration, and to have other saints of God dealing with us all the time. A self-assured saint is of no value to God. He is abnormal, unfit for daily life, and completely unlike God. We are here, not as immature angels, but as men and women, to do the work of this world. And we are to do it with an infinitely greater power to withstand the struggle because we have been born from above.
If we continually try to bring back those exceptional moments of inspiration, it is a sign that it is not God we want. We are becoming obsessed with the moments when God did come and speak with us, and we are insisting that He do it again. But what God wants us to do is to "walk by faith." How many of us have set ourselves aside as if to say, "I cannot do anything else until God appears to me"? He will never do it. We will have to get up on our own, without any inspiration and without any sudden touch from God. Then comes our surprise and we find ourselves exclaiming, "Why, He was there all the time, and I never knew it!" Never live for those exceptional moments— they are surprises. God will give us His touches of inspiration only when He sees that we are not in danger of being led away by them. We must never consider our moments of inspiration as the standard way of life— our work is our standard.
If we continually try to bring back those exceptional moments of inspiration, it is a sign that it is not God we want. We are becoming obsessed with the moments when God did come and speak with us, and we are insisting that He do it again. But what God wants us to do is to "walk by faith." How many of us have set ourselves aside as if to say, "I cannot do anything else until God appears to me"? He will never do it. We will have to get up on our own, without any inspiration and without any sudden touch from God. Then comes our surprise and we find ourselves exclaiming, "Why, He was there all the time, and I never knew it!" Never live for those exceptional moments— they are surprises. God will give us His touches of inspiration only when He sees that we are not in danger of being led away by them. We must never consider our moments of inspiration as the standard way of life— our work is our standard.
graphic courtesy: www.heartlight.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)