A Sheltered Life

I am the product of what is now called a dysfuntional home. In the place and time that I was a child, very few children did NOT live with both parents. I lived with my paternal grandparents and was raised and educated in the Catholic tradition although my grandfather was a self proclaimed "heathen" and only went to church for weddings (of which there were very few) and funerals (of which there were many).
I was always very spiritually minded, and I always felt closest to God when I was outside although Churches reminded me of God's sovereignty and mystery. I loved reading Bible stories and was thrilled when in eighth grade I was given my first Bible. I loved talking about heaven and hell and the lives of the saints. I belonged to the "Folk Group" at our local Church and loved to worship in the "Folk Mass" setting. I graduated from my all girl catholic high school with an award for excellence in Theology.
Fast forward 10 years. I'm not going to talk about the down ward spiral, the sins and the darkness, or the multi- faceted quest I embarked upon to find enlightenment.
Now, 10 years later - 27 years ago - I was "born again", and looking for a church. Couldn't go Catholic - my husband hated catholics. That has changed by the way. Didn't want to go main line - we really didn't trust people much, and there were a lot of people in those churches. Couldn't we just read our Bibles, listen to Chuck Swindol and Chuck Smith on the radio, sing along with Keith Green and Don Francisco, and give our tithes to the Salvation Army?
We tried a nondenominational church recommended by a friend who was thrilled that I had found the Light. It was an evening service and the pastor's son was preaching. All I remember about the sermon was that he made the statement that you could tell by the name of the church (and he proceded to name made up churches like St. So and So, Holy Family this, and United that and First that) that the pastor inside was a "liberal, unsaved heretic". Boy, did I have a knee jerk reaction to that. How could anyone, in Love with Jesus, and responsible for the Spritiual growth and welfare of a flock, make such a condemning statement from the pulpit?
My dad was going to a United Methodist church. That church had joined with 5 other main line churches in town to have a lenten supper outreach. Pot Lucks followed by some little program.
A film, a youth group's skit, a choral presentation - you get the picture. We were pretty poor back then, and for a free meal, we'd give it a try. We ended up staying at Dad's UM church. Grace.
And it was there we lived the Sheltered Life I was thinking about this morning.
You know how some people never really get over their "first love"? Well, it's kind of that way with me and Grace Church. I know no Church is perfect. But it was certainly the perfect Church for me and my family. It was a huge, old Church with a pipe organ and balcony, working stage, industrial kitchen, lots and lots of class rooms, library, spooky bell tower (but no bell). But ofcourse none of that matters. It was the people. An old time preacher - who after 20+ years in the ministry had recently gone through a "born again" experience at a Good News Conference.
He couldn't really preach all that well, but as a pastor to his flock he couldn't be beat. His gentle love and sincere faith was like a healing breath of fresh air. And there were Grace and Ed, who had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by sailing down the Nile River. They were Christian Charity in human form. To borrow a phrase from a Bob Dylan song, in our poverty, they taught us to give. And David and Ruth - he was a giant of a man, who had, as a college student been stricken with polio and confined to an iron lung. That was usually a life sentence, but through the power of prayer he had been healed enough to get around on canes. He was frail, but when he was given the opportunity to preach, his words had such strength and life...We sat under his tutalige and learned volumns about prayer...even about praying in tongues - you usually don't get that in a UM church. It was an intergenerational church, lots of children the same age as ours, lots of grandmas and grandpas to go around. Old saints and converted hippies. Single moms, people of all races, disabilities, economic status. We made life long friends there...carol, chris, al, diane, sis, ruth...It was a church family. Its where our kids grew up. Our life revolved around the church. We fed on the word, we learned to teach, to serve, to reach out, to forgive. It was in that place that Art heard the call to ministry, and encouraged by the pastor and the elders of the Church, he answered that call. But it was at that time that the denomination was becoming more and more liberal. The higher ups kept sending our pastor young seminarians with liberal ideas as assistants. None of them stayed very long. But the pastor and my husband's mentor warned him that he may have to make some compromises to continue in the ordination process...Could he say what the ordination board wanted to hear without really meaning it? Could he continue on the educational path they wanted him to follow, although the teachings would be unbiblical? No. Everyone involved understood. The Bible was the thing. The Truth was the Truth. No compromise there. The pastor was moved on, semi-retirement. After 6 months as Assistant to the Pastor of another UM church in the area, we moved on too.
Before I left that Church I had an idealistic view of Christians. For the 10 years there, I lived a sheltered life of fellowship and trust and charity and acceptance. There were a few problems. But like one remembering her first love...the flaws don't seem to have mattered that much. Conflicts were handled with grace. I didn't realize that there were pastors out there that manipulated truth, misused their authority, and demonized anyone who didn't agree with their take on Christianity. I didn't realize that there were churches out there that seemed to hate the sinner as much as the sin. I didn't expect lies, unforgiveness, petty arguements. I was shocked to find doctrines within churches that divided the body. I was shocked to see how frequently the word Heresy was used. How severly Christians judge other Christians. It is no wonder that some new believers are turned off and wander away.
It is no wonder that some people leave wounded, never to step inside a church again.
Now, before I really get blasted, let me make some qualifying statements.
The last four churches I have been part of, although not perfect, since there are no such things as perfect churches, and if there was a perfect church as soon as we started going there, the perfection would be lost....those last four churches have been very good, solid, Bible believing churches, with sound teaching, godly leadership, and a heart for the LORD. Dedicated as it were to Kingdom Business. That includes the Church we are currently attending, and the Church that my dear Pastor Art pastored 3 years ago. And for seven years we have been part of a united ministry, The Passion Play of the Four Corners. Where, for 12 weeks, for the sake of the message of the Cross, people from many different denominations pray together, worship together, and work together. No one cares if you speak in tongues at your church, or if you have icons in your church, or if you have guitars, drums, or no instruments at all. Do you worship on Friday, Saturday, Sunday??? Who cares? The message is Jesus.
And we are blessed to be part of Open Bible Standard Churches, a little denomination dedicated to the Jesus of the Bible. Unity, Partnership, and Acceptance of Differences in style and methods, The Message is Jesus.
Are any of these things perfect? No, but Jesus is. Do Christians sometimes hurt other Christians? Sure. Is forgiveness always the rule, and charity? Well, it doesn't always seem that way, but it should be. Are mature Christians responsible for the feeding and leading of younger Christians? Always. Are Christians brothers and sisters expected to reach out and help each other in times of need? Always. Do mature Christians sometimes fall, or fail, and need gentle but firm help being restored, absolutely. Is more expected of Teachers and Prophets, yes.
If you need to know where it says that in the Word, ask me.
Am I perfect? Oh so far from it. But I will admit that I think I'm sort of a nice person, and I get really surprised when people don't like me. As I say in my profile, I am first and far most a Christian. That is more or less the defining factor in my life, and when I do or say something that would make people doubt that about me, I really do some serious soul searching. I can look back and see a lot of mistakes I've made. Bad choices and silly errors of judgement and careless statements. I really should know better. I would never consciously, delibertly do harm to another. Niether would my beloved Pastor Art. Not too long ago, it was brought to our attention that we were the cause of some problems, confusion, at the Church we were attending. We had offended some it seems, although we were not told exactly who or how. Our personal lives were in turmoil, which was not causing the problems I don't think, we were keeping that personal, but it did affect our ability to deal with the situation at Church. We didn't want to make a big deal out of it. We didn't want to continue to hurt the ministry of the Church we saw as important, we were not in leadership, except that I did Childrens Church a couple time a month. And this situation made me question my ablility to teach there. We decided it was best to quietly leave.
If this situation is anyone's fault, I will put the blame on myself (is menopause a valid excuse?)
I started blogging because of one our friends at this church. He made it sound interesting.
And I got hooked. It's become a sort of electronic prayer journal, diary...an outlet for thoughts.
A place to make observations and solicite opinions from people who I would have never known otherwise. I like blogging. I reconnected with some friends from Grace church via a very unlikely source, and I also reconnected with my baby sister. But I got into a real mess with that friend of mine. Even at times, on cites (or is it sites) where I try to make vague allusions to situations that happend at that church, not to condemn, but rather to illustrate a point - he shows up and makes it personal. Even though I have never named him or the Church, he accuses me of giving the church a bad rap (?). So now, once and for all I will make it personal.
I am sorry that my emotional ramblings here have offended or angered him. I am sorry that our differences in doctrine have become an embarassing public verbal brawl. I'm sorry that my big, loud, outspoken husband offended or confused some people in the Church. I'm sorry that I joined in some discussions and activities that added to that offense and confusion. I am sorry that, in our wounded emotional state, we acted immaturely. We know better. We were taught better. We are embassadors for Christ, and we should behave as such. I had a sheltered life when I was a baby Christian. I had a good upbringing. I should have known better. I should have behaved better. But I still believe what I believe, especially after pouring through the Word for wisdom. The main thing is Jesus. The deciding factor is the Cross, which is what I've been trying to write about for the past couple of weeks. I am not a Christian because of my experiences at any Church. I am a Christian because of Jesus. He is my true shelter, my fortress, and my strength. Amen and Amen!

4th of 9

Texts of Scripture do not have a single meaning limited to the intent of the orgininal author. In accourd with Jewish and Christian traditions, we affirm that Scripture has multiple complex senses given by God the author of the whole drama.

ahh, there is that word - tradition,
hummm...God, the author of the whole drama.

back to the nine theses

3. Faithful interpretation of Scripture requires an engagement with the entire narrative: the New Testament cannot be rightly understood apart from the Old, nor can the Old be rightly understood apart from the New.

I also think knowing the time and circumstance of the particular narrative is important in the faithful interpretation of Scripture.

Prayer Request

Missing in Action
I can't go into details, confidentiality matters...
but if you would lift up a young man named abner in prayer...thanx

Traditions?

poor Tavia, in the Fiddler on the Roof, as his daughters systematically went against the traditions of the faith. just watched Yental again, another case of going against Tradition!
I don't recall mentioning tradition in the last post I made, but it was brought up in a comment, so I did a quick check on Bible Gateway. Most of the mentions of tradition in the New Testament were negitive...don't let tradition get in the way of the Word. The only positive mention seems to be in 2Thes. 2:15 where the church is told to hold fast to the traditions. There are a few positive mentions of tradition in the Old Testament. But even there we are warned not to let traditions get in the way of what God really wants...the heart of the matter seems always to be the heart.
I mentioned "rule of faith". I'm not exactly sure that is the same as tradition. The Nicene creed is said as a declaration of faith in Catholic, and Protestant churches alike. Baptist and Methodist.
and I've always said that the answer to the question "Who do you say Jesus is?" "What do you say about Jesus" is the deciding factor in whether or not a person is actually a Christian. My personal "rule of faith". Yet in many cases that does not seem to be enough.

Number Two

of the Nine Theses on the Interpretation of Scripture

"Scripture is rightly understood in the light of the church's rule of faith as a coherent dramatic narrative."

the problem I see here is that different churches seem to have different "rules of faith".
methodist churches seem more concerned with free will, holiness, and the social gospel,
charasmatic churches seem to think its all about Holy Spirit and talking in tongues,
roman catholics are blasted for teaching salvation through works or rituals, although in my 19 years as a catholic I never heard such teaching...
no church or denomination is perfect, so trusting the church's rule of faith to help interpret scripture might not be such a good thing

The Scripture Project (?)

Nine Theses on the Interpretation of Scripture

1. Scripture truthfully tells the story of God's action of creating, judging, and saving the world.
(added by the speaker: this is not fiction, it is the true story, and we are a living part of that story)

to be continued...

Remember the Woman

There is a spiritual numbness in my soul these days.
Fed, perhaps by loneliness or resentment.
There is this restlessness.
I went to the water Monday. They call it a lake here in New Mexico, but I grew up on the shore of the "Great" Lake Ontario. This lake was very quiet, small and quiet. I wanted to hear the heart beat of the waves. Perhaps, I'll go to the river today. But it's not my river. I don't want to intrude. I could walk to the bridge, the one underwhich live the trolls. I need to go to the store and the post office. It's a nice day for a walk. But from the bridge I could not hear the river.
And the trolls under the bridge make me nervous.
It is a beautiful morning here in New Mexico. It rained yesterday. It snowed in the mountains.
The birds are in full chorus. I sat on my porch, in the warmth of the newly risen sun, and read Matthew 25 and 26, up to the garden scene. Worship. Fasting. Matthew 25 compared to Isaiah 58 and what Jesus really wants from His followers. There are three sections of Scripture I really like to teach. Three lessons in which I lead my students in a comparive study. Compare Matt. 25 with Isaiah 58. Compare Ezekial 34 with John 10. Compare I Cor. 13 with Galiations 5. I havent' taught a Sunday School class in a long time.
Then I read Matt. 26:8 -13
Thus the title of this rambling...Remember the Woman.
A simple act of Worship. A woman, bold enough to push through a group of men, bold enough to approach a rabbi. The most important events of all time were unfolding, and some nameless woman approached Him. She annointed his head with expensive ointment from an alabaster jar.
The disciples rebuked her, the waste of it. Jesus said when ever the Gospel was preached, she would be remembered and honored. The same story is in Mark 14. And the same words. "She has done an excellent thing for me." I couldn't find her in Luke or John. And I haven't heard many sermons preached about her. Her part isn't in the Passion Play we've done for so many years. Yet, Jesus said she was to be remembered.
I suppose Mary was the first woman to annoint Jesus. I carry a little bottle of annointing oil that smells like Frankincense and I've told Sunday School kids that that is how Baby Jesus smelled.
That his mother would annoint him with the Frankincense the Magi brought, after his baths.
I also like to tell them that Fig Newtons were his favorite cookie.
Grey Owl is doing some posts on Predestination. I found the first one very distrubing. His computer ate his second one. (a predestined act?). I like Grey Owl and will continue to read his pieces as he posts them. So far most of his commentors seem to be coming from the Free Will camp. I brought this up because one of the things that has been feeding my spritual numbness is the realization, that if God is the God that Grey Owl's friend from "Bible College" said he was, and if God is the God of Election and Predestination, I'd feel really bad teaching kids about that God. I'd feel as if I was giving them some sort of false hope. To look into those sweet faces and know that some of them were destined for the fires of hell, and nothing I could say or do would make the least bit of difference. That God had a perfect plan for each of their lives, and that for some of them that perfect plan of a Perfect God was that they would spend eternity in hell.
But then, when I start getting that "What does it matter what I do" mind set, Jesus speaks gently to my heart and says "Remember the Cross". The cross does matter. The cross is what it's really all about. It is the deciding factor. Jesus died on the cross. And His ressurection is the exclaimation point (!) that changed the whole world. Nothing else really matters. Jesus.
but we shouldn't forget that woman.

The Cross

From “Jesus Christ, Superstar!”
“What about your death?
Was that a mistake? Or
did you know your messy death
would be a record breaker?”
Back in the day, when I was much younger and barely still a Roman Catholic I had a conversation with a young Jew, about the Messiah.
I was Biblically literate enough at that time to bring up Isaiah 53.
3 He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
His response to these verses was that I couldn’t use quotes from the New Testament to prove my point. Our argument continued.
“So you admit that these verses are talking about Jesus and His crucifixion?”
“Yes, of course, but Jews don’t believe the New Testament is scripture, that’s the whole point.”
“The point is, these verses are from the book of Isaiah, a Jewish prophet I believe.”
Our conversation concluded with his decision to go home and read the book of Isaiah in his “Bible”. I don’t know where he went from there.
A few years later, when I was about as far away from being a Christian as one could get, someone tried to explain to me that the Bible had been written cover to cover sometime in the early 1100’s. The reason why prophecies seemed to have come true is that they were written by one author, in an attempt to deceive and control. This of course is nonsense, easily disproved. But it did make me wonder about the Old Testament and New Testament. I mean, how old were our oldest manuscripts? How could we know when these things were actually written. Before or after the fact?
But oh, the wonderful book of Isaiah, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
We have scientific proof that Isaiah 53, all of Isaiah, the Christmas prophecy, the Crucifixion prophecy, was written at least 400 years before the birth of Jesus. Biblical scholars date is much earlier, but the copy we have, the Dead Sea Scrolls, is at least that old.

As I decided to meditate on and write on the Cross of Jesus, I started at
Isaiah 52:13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.
John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."
I read on to Isaiah 55:6
“Seek the Lord while He may be found”
And I paused.
And now I am thinking of other things. How diligently I was seeking for
enlightenment back in the 70’s, only to discover that Jesus, the same Jesus
I prayed to as a child, was the Way, the Truth, and the LIGHT! I’m thinking
of how messed up some peoples’ theologies seem to be, and how
complicated. And how good some of it sounds - good but not necessarily
true.
This makes sense.
That doesn’t make sense.
I can see what you mean, but…
I see where you’re going, but…
But, what about the cross? See, it’s all about the Cross. That is the record
breaker, the tie breaker, the deciding factor.
Jesus died on the cross.
And what is love?
I will end this session with this from Philippians.
Phi 2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
Phi 2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Phi 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Phi 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Phi 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Phi 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Phi 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Phi 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

also see Proverbs 10:12

love = charity?

Just a few short notes...

I expected "Something to think about" to be much shorter, but I was writing it while my students were taking a long computer test, and i started to ramble...

I am so glad that it is Friday, and that Spring is here, that Spring break is here, but I already wrote about that today...

I've been entertaining some rather unsettling thoughts lately, due to some of my "reading material". I've been doing a lot of sighing and shaking my head. But the LORD keeps saying the same thing, "look to the Cross" "remember the Cross" meditate on the Cross. It is that time of year after all.

We say, "God is LOVE"
Jesus said the greatest commandments were to LOVE
Some ask "How could a loving God allow...."
Some people say, God's love is different than ours, thus allowing for what appears to be cruelty and darkness on His part.
But I think the Bible is very clear on what God means by LOVE...
just look at the cross. And that is what I will be writing about next...
Oh the Wonderous Cross!

Something to Think About

although not so seriously,
the following statement was made on the sci-fi show "Stargate"
"the only choice anyone really ever has is to be good (do good) or evil."
Christians believe no one can be good without the presense of Jesus/Holy Spirit in their lives, and even then, they can not be good enough. Yet people are capable of doing good. People instinctively know the difference between good and evil. I'm not saying they don't have a sin nature. I'm not saying they are ever "good enough" to get into heaven with out the saving grace that comes from faith in Jesus. Everyone sins, unsaved and saved alike. Everyone falls short. But there are people in the world who choose to do good, who choose to be kind, upstanding, responsible citizens.
Mormons for example. Some of the nicest people I know, helpful and friendly, are Mormon. And there have been great humanitarians, Like Mother Teresa, who many Christians would say wasn't really saved because she was a Roman Catholic, yet she did much good in her life.
And there are many born again Christians who really aren't that "good". Many who commit sins of ommission, knowing the "good" they should do and not doing it.
If we are living in a depraved world, a world where greed and lust has polluted and defiled, a world where there is prevailing darkness, and where people have a sin nature and a free will, then those who choose to be good have a lot going against them. And it's a day by day, circumstance just some random thoughts, it's time for lunch...I'll be back.

TGIF

like most people, I usually breath a sign of relief when Friday rolls around.
i am especially greatful for this Friday.
every Friday at Tse Bi' Ai school starts with the students saying the Pledge of Allegiance in Navajo, followed by singing the national anthem in the same difficult language. and i thought it was hard to sing in English.
this Friday is payday, the day before spring break begins, school is providing lunch for the staff, and tonight will be the first time my hubby and i will be able to visit the 2006 cast and crew of Passion Play of the Four Corners. And when we get home i'll be able to watch my new favorite TV show, Dr. Who?
It couldn't get much better !

My Agenda

I am currently waiting for my men to finish getting ready for Church.
After Church I am going to cook cheese omlets, go to the laundry matt where I will wash clothes and correct papers.
Then I will come home and visit all the people on my "Links" list and a few that I Link to off their links...ahhh the great "Link"...isn't that a Star Trek concept?
My weekly guide to devotions - just one of the spring boards I sometimes use when I want to dive into the Word - is about "Seeking God".
Pastor Art will probably be watching "Fiddler on the Roof" - "TRADITION!"

My Very First Post, Nearly a Year ago...

posted on March 24, 2005
This blog is almost one year old...

Full Moon Setting
A time to mourn...a time to weep
Up before dawn again, and the moon which is nearly full
is setting behind my friend the mountain.
Created by YHWH to give light to the night and to mark the seasons...
And everything on Earth has its special season (Ecc.3:1 New Century Version)
The seasons are preordained, but are the events?
Was the shooting in Minn. preordained or was it preventable?
His young face haunts me now. And in it I see the eyes of my
troubled students, my angry students, it is too late for him and so
my prayers for them grow stronger... more urgent.
In our country...21st century America,
Land of the Free and Home of the Brave
A woman is publically being starved to death, and people say that is her right.
A community is beating drums to mourn the death of their children.
Churches who don't even believe that Jesus was divine, or that he actually rose from the dead, are planning big Easter Productions because they know that is one of the two days annually that people will bother to attend church, and they want their cut...LORD have mercy on us all

Brother, Where art thou?

I have 5 brothers. Actually they are “half-brothers”, one having the same mother as me and the other 4 having the same father. I almost never, ever communicate with them. I was not raised with them. I am their “big” sister although they all tower over me. I am thinking of them this week.

“He who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” I John 2:10

I know that refers to ones’ Christian brothers, not the flesh and blood kind.

But it is one of many “brother verses” in my Guideposts daily planner this week. And brothers are on my mind.
I have two sons. Brothers to each other.
And they haven’t talked to each other, except for a casual “hi there” for over three years. And the youngest one hasn’t talked to me in nearly 5 months. There is resentment there I think. It makes me very sad. I think brothers should get along. I don’t think it’s good to just ignore each other.

But it’s easy to do.
I don’t mean to ignore my brothers. But 4 of them live in Florida and the other lives in New York. We don’t have that much in common.
Not even a lot of shared memories.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Execute true Justice, show mercy, and compassion everyone to his brother.” Zechariah 7:9

I wonder, do I really even love my brothers? I pray for them often.

Back to the old, brother and sister in the Lord bit.

Over the past few months my “church family” has shrunk. There is no one to blame, but it’s been kind of lonely. Proverbs says “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle. (18:19) Yeah, there are some offences that need to be dealt with I think, but I’m not sure about the when’s and how’s. Like I said, I don’t think it’s good to just ignore the situation, but it is easy to do.

"We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the LORD, and I pray that all unity will one day be restored."
I just recently commented somewhere about the need to agree to disagree. I don’t really like that cliché, Only a toe is very much different than an eyeball, but both can be part of the same body. Different is not always bad. Different is not always wrong. Anyway, I’m supposed to be doing my paperwork so I gotta bring this to a close. I had a lot to say about Hebrews 2, but I was too busy thinking about and praying for my brothers (and sisters) and lost focus. It is Monday. There is snow in the mountains. The sun is setting.

One last verse: “If someone says, “I love God” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen…” 1 John 4:20 – Jeremiah, call your brother!

Sunday

This morning, Sunday Morning, with a frigid wind howling and dark clouds covering the mountains, I had a thought about priests and ministers of the Gospel. Three in particular.
Warnings are going out about false teachers, and I suppose that is both expectable and acceptable in view of Scripture. We are told to beware of wolves in sheep clothing, of those who would simply tickle the ears with words that were easy to hear. I am cautious of the criteria used by some of these judges and critics.
Some, but to be fair, not all of those who seem to glory in finding fault, would find the three pastors/priests for whom I found myself praying this morning, to be false and unacceptable. One stands behind a plexiglass pulpit, long hair - tattoos (ok, they aren’t usually visible when he preaches) - and delivers a strong Biblical teaching after about an hour of loud, rocky, praise and worship to which dancers dance and banners wave. From what I’ve read, it doesn’t really matter to many critics what the words of the songs are saying…if they don’t approve of loud music with a beat, it’s the volume and beat they condemn. The second does most of his preaching sitting in an arm chair. His congregation sits on couches or pillows on the floor with Open Bibles. He too has long hair, and a bushy beard to match. He wears earrings. Shame on him! Well, everyone knows that ex-hippies and Native Americans can be pastors as long as they don’t look like Hippies or Native Americans anymore. Then there is the priest. He wears a clerical collar and vestments when he preaches. Before he reads the Gospel he raises the Book about his head and walks up and down the aisle - much like I saw done at a Synagogue
once with the Torah. Maybe it’s not the men themselves, maybe it is the churches that would come under criticism, maybe it’s the churches, with their plexiglass pulpits and power point, or the casual setting, or the statues, crucifixes and icons that would merit putting these three on the hit list. But all three are minister’s of the gospel, teachers of the WORD, and their churches are vital parts of the catholic and apostolic church, the Body of Christ. And as I drive through the cold, snowy landscape of the Four Corners, on the way to church, I will be praying for them and their ministries.

Snowy Saturday

Hebrews
Who wrote it? After careful study of the on going debate concerning it’s un-named author, I’d vote for Barnabus - the encourager.
When I was teaching at a Christian School in Colorado I had my 4th and 5th graders memorize Hebrews 11 - The Faith Chapter…one of my favorite sections of Scripture:
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
So I will start with Hebrews.
The first chapter is declaring the divinity of Jesus. The other spirits (angels) pale in the presence of Jesus. Jesus was, is, will always be unique! The SON of God!
From the Bible Study I like to visit,
“The point was that God's people now must look only to Jesus, whose atoning death, resurrection and ascension have opened the way into the true, heavenly sanctuary of God's presence”
I remember the night when I realized that Jesus was the Enlightenment I had been searching for. After many months of going down many different spiritual paths, from
Buddhism (Zen) to Wicca, I was amazed to discover that the Truth was not some mystic occult secret, but rather a Person, The Person…Jesus. How could it be so simple? The Bible? So readily available to so many. Maybe the hard part is not really accepting the Truth of Jesus, but choosing to live the Life that this acceptance leads to. I think of James, Jesus’ own brother, who wrote:
Jam 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jam 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
But that’s another book, and that’s another story

Hebrews vs Romans

So, the Bible Study I like to visit is studying the book of Hebrews. Who do YOU think wrote it? I can go with the flow over there. One chapter or one concept at a time. But I’ll probably read ahead.

And one of my blog mates got me back into the book of Romans, by once again touching on the topic I love to hate – the foreknowledge of our Sovereign God. He mentioned Romans 9:17, but I hate just looking at one verse, so I read the whole chapter, but even that is out of context, so I read Chapter 8 too, and now I realize I need to reread the whole book.

Pastor Art translated Romans when he was in college. If my old memory serves me right, his professor was a Messianic Jewish Free Methodist.

The thing is, that with a professor of that description, and looking deeply into the original language (ancient Greek), Pastor Art got a different perspective on the book. He also got one of his few A’s in that class. So when I get stuck in Romans, I usually ask him.

But I don’t want to get lost in the “What does this say?” vs “What does this mean?” mire. I like to use Bible Gateway because I can look as so many different versions. I can even use it at school, when I get a break. I confess that I approach this particular topic with the thought “it doesn’t mean what everyone thinks it means…what does it really mean.”

Anyway, I have something to keep me busy the next few days at least.

Nothing Really

Just that I am feeling really old, really tired, really lonely, and really out of touch.

Please Pray

It is Tuesday, 3:23 MST
tonight a medicine man will be performing a "Blessing Ceremony" at our school because of the tragedies...
This is not a good thing.

Walking the the Rain

Well, almost. The sky was real grey, lots of clouds to the east, and I did feel a drop or two.
I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed walking and talking...walking and praying.
I used to walk to school a few years back. Early morning, before the sun rose, and I could talk and talk with no one around to think I was crazy. It doesn't much bother me if passer bys see me talking to myself here in Shiprock. Most natives think white people are crazy anyway.
I'm thinking about the future. I'm not happy thinking that perhaps the LORD is calling us away from this place. Inspite of the violence ( a kid brought a pellet gun to school today) and tragedy, I get such a sense of shalom, of the LORD's presence and purpose when I walk through the doors of my school. I believe that the LORD sent us to this place, and gave us a heart for it, but we may not be able to stay. There are possible ministry opportunities in Colorado and South Dakota, and Pastor Art's ministry comes first. It just doesn't seem that a ministry opportunity will open up here. We couldn't be leadership at our last church. They really didn't need another white guy in leadership, and in order to serve in a position of leadership there Pastor Art would have had to given up his license with Open Bible Standard. There were times when we wanted to speak up, teach, or at least give instruction, but it just didn't feel like it was our place. They really had enough good leaders. We aren't going to become Episcopalian, although that's where we've been worshiping lately. We don't really want to start another church, this area doesn't need another church, it just needs the churches it has too revive and push ahead, to shine.
That's part of what I've been praying about on my walks.
And the phrases - "that's such a sin" "that's such a shame"
Brand new homes that were left unfinished and have now been trashed and tagged by angry and restless teens.
Trash on the side of the road, trash left by careless natives who doen't really value Mother Earth the way the movies used to show, at least not anymore.
Depressed and Dejected men - the invisible people, many of whom once tried the "Jesus way" at
a Tent Meeting or Revival or VBS, but it didn't take. It didn't work for them. They cried at the alter, but it wasn't enough to bring light into the dark and depraved lives they are trapped in.
The Bridge over the San Juan (St. John), where the gangs hang out, the trolls under the bridge.
Flow river flow...bringing water to a dry and dreary land. Flow river flow, polluted by trashed people, trashed lives.
It's a Sin, It's a shame!
But this is a land of promise. A people of promise. I believe that.
And what of the "great commission" ?
this is how The Message puts it
"Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: God out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, daya after day after day, right up to the end of the age."
this isn't "notches on the belt" evangelism. . . it is discipleship . . . it is the body of Christ learning to care for the widows and orphans. . . I think it is what the emergents are referring to as missional. And so my walk continues!

A Matter of Faith

Jesus
born of the Blessed Virgin
fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets
Cruicified for our sins
risen from the dead
coming again!
Amen

No Comment Allowed...

I just attempted to post a comment on "Slice of Laodicia". Reading that cite usually gets my dander up, but I often visit it anyway. And I confess, I've been know to write some rather sarcastic comments there and lately my comments haven't been posted.
I just didn't want this particular comment to be lost in cyberspace if the author of the cite found it unacceptable, so I cut and past it here:

I am blessed to say that the last three churches I attended held the Word of God in the highest regard. The Word was sung and read and preached on in great depth.(Hebrews 4:12).Please allow me to make two comments concerning two comments here. Renee indicated that we should be asking, not "what does this say to me" but rather "what does this mean - period". I agree. But I think we should be careful with the word "mean". Not so much, what does this mean, but what does this say?" It always means what it says - right? Yet so often you hear people arguing about what it means, not what it says. And Chris, if we do not need to take into consideration it's historical and cultural context or the depth of meaning in the original languages which is often lost in the limitations of the English language...can we truly understand what it "means"...what was being said by the people who originally said it? I don't think approaching Scripture in this way is in anyway a tactic to rid the church of sola scriptura...and when you speak of the "literal word" what language is that "literal word" written in?

TGIF

what a week! death sorrow and standardized testing - what could be worse?

I know,

It doesn’t really matter what I think or what I have to say.

But there is something there, on the edge of my mind, a new insight.

New to me at least. I just don’t know what to do with it.

I cock my head and listen. I close my eyes and try to lay hold of it.

It is elusive. Like a hummingbird fluttering, I can see it out of the corner of my eye. What is it LORD?

I think of Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything without finding fault or arguing. Then you will be pure and without blame. You will be children of God without fault in a sinful and evil world. Among the people of the world you shine like stars in the heavens. You shine as you hold out to them the word of life.

More and more it is brought to my attention just how sinful and evil, dark and depraved is this world we live in.

More and more I realize how important it is that the LIGHT of JESUS shines through us into this dark world.

More and more I realize that it is my responsibility, as a Christian to hold out to this world the Word of Life.

Life! Kingdom Living! In a world where there is so much pain and death.

Where are the Christians? Where is the body of Christ?

Philippians

What a powerful little book.

Chapter 1:21-23

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

Did Paul really have a choice there? I believe in Free Choice, but one cannot just choose to die. My friend Melodie did. She was a believer. And she just had all too much going on in her life, and for some reason I’ll never understand, she chose to depart – and be with Christ? I don’t know what she was thinking. I can understand the feeling though. And sitting at her funeral service, I got a real sense of her resting in her LORD’s embrace, or walking with Him in the Garden. I know lots of Christians believe Suicide is a “hell” sentence. I don’t know. I believe in the sanctity of life. I feel bad for her daughter, for her mother. But they are clinging to the hope that they will see her again in glory. I surely wouldn’t take that hope away from them.

But this isn’t really where I meant to go with this piece. And I have to walk home today because Art is working. That’s ok. It feels like spring outside, and I can use the exercise, and the prayer time. I will be listening. There is something important for me to hear.

Wednesday, March 1

Living In Navajo Land

I am a white woman living in Shiprock, New Mexico. It is a small town on the Navajo Reservation. Walking from my home, a double wide trailer in a very nice little treed area where all the neighbors are sisters or aunties or grandmas…except us “Anglos” that is, walking from home to the grocery store I pass 4 churches, 2 video stores, 4 gas stations and a flea market where you can buy chunks of coal or fresh melons – depending on the season, hay, used videos, pirated CDs, jewelry, pottery, fry bread and mutton stew.

I see lots of semi trucks, and new pickups crossing the San Juan River. I pass MacDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC, Subway, and a little Chinese Restaurant. There are a lot of stray dogs and a few stray people.

It’s a 2 ½ mile walk from home to City Market, and just a little farther to the Post Office. I don’t have to pay for my post office box, because it’s the only way you can get your mail. No mail delivery and no pizza delivery in Shiprock.

No street names or street addresses either. My school is about 1 mile more.

It is a middle school, with 450 students and about 1/3 of the teachers are Native American. 97% of the students are Native.

Sometimes I see a teepee in the neighborhood. That is not a good thing. A teepee means a Medicine Man is in the area doing ceremonies. One of the teachers in our school, an Anglo, committed suicide last weekend. Her service is tomorrow. Our vice principal will not be going to the service. He is “traditional” and is not allowed to attend a white person’s funeral. If he did he would have to go to a medicine man for a ceremony. Medicine Men charge quite a lot for their services, sometimes as much as $500 and two sheep.

In January the mutilated body of a young student was found in a field. He had been missing for about a week, and it looked like dogs had gotten hold of his body. Did I mention the stray dogs? Anyway, the people who worked in the building next to the field where he was found had to have a ceremony done for them because they saw the dead body.

When I walk at night I whistle. Just to make my Navajo friends nervous. If you whistle at night you will attract a Skinwalker. A Skinwalker is the Navajo equivalent to a Werewolf and many people hear swear that they really exist.

I’ve never seen one.

The nearest non-reservation town is Farmington, New Mexico. It’s really trying to be a nice American Town. Rents are pretty high and many new houses are going up. Very nice new houses! They have a beautiful new library.

When you go in the door, look up. You will see an eagle’s feather hanging from the ceiling. There is also one in the new Best Buy store. Those feathers are indications that a Medicine Man came and did a dedication ceremony. Did I mention that medicine men charge quite a lot for their services?

During my second year of teaching here in the Four Corners Region, I was in Farmington, one of my students was complaining of an ear ache. He was a beautiful child, long braid down his back, sparkling eyes. I told him to tell his mom. I could tell he was in a lot of pain. I said go tell your mom to take you to the clinic. They can give you some medicine. The Navajo get free medical care at the Shiprock Hospital, which is a nice – modern facility. But my student told me, “Oh don’t worry Mrs. Brokop. My father is taking me to a medicine man on Saturday.”

My students wear jeans and Slipknot tee shirts. A few of the boys have long hair but not many. They watch DVDs and have Ipods and Cell Phones, and most of the boys skate board. It’s the modern version of the “pony” I think.

The boys play football before school and the girls giggle a lot.

But a number of my students live in homes without electricity or running water. They know how to butcher sheep; water trucks deliver water and propane trucks deliver gas. Some have to walk 3 miles to the bus stop.

Christian Missionaries have been doing work here for 200+ years. There are quite a few missions still operating. Many churches of all denominations. A strong Mormon influence. Some Muslims are moving in. Less than 10% of the Native American Population identifies itself as Christian. Many still see Jesus as the white man’s God, although he probably looked more like them than most white men.

Someone asked if there was a curse on the land, in view of all the tragedies and violence we’ve experienced this school year. I’d have to say, yes, a curse and a promise.

I love it here. I love the way it looks and smells, although we could use some rain. I love these beautiful people. And I believe that God has put this love for them in my heart for a purpose. We might have to move on from here soon, and that makes me very sad. I can’t imagine not teaching a native population. I can’t imagine not seeing these bright eyes and hearing these hearty laughs. I will go where the LORD leads, when He leads, but for now, I will relish each day I spend living in Navajo Land, and prayer without ceasing for my students and my neighbors.

Monday

It is hard for me to believe that I am writing this. Again tragedy has hit our school, again I ask my praying readers to pray. The head of our special education department killed herself over the weekend. All my students had her for math. She had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen, and I never saw anything but friendship and dedication in them. Lord, have mercy on us all.

Yes and Amen 2 Corinthians 2:19-20

New International Version (NIV)
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.
I heard a bishop preach on this verse last Sunday. I just finished reading it (2 Corinthians 1:20) in several different translations. I read the whole chapter in the NIV, NAS, and Message. I don’t like taking verses out of context. I liked The Message best.

At times I have moaned that there seem to be too few “Yes and Amen’s” to my prayers. I think the only context I have ever really seen that phrase is in worship songs, never in context of the chapter, and never the way that the Bishop preached it. Yes and Amen.

The Bishop said something to the affect that Jesus Christ is God’s Yes to the human race. His Yes to all the promises made to mankind through the law and the prophets. And the Amen is our affirmation which we speak back to God. Kind of the way the NIV puts it (above).
Yes, LORD, Yes, LORD, Yes LORD yes!!! Yes and Amen. Sung like sort of magical incantation. If I sing YES and AMEN often enough and loud enough, I’ll get what I want. It’s gotta be, cuz God always keeps His promises.

This means something totally different if we look at Jesus as the fulfillment of those promises. And, if understanding that Jesus is really all we need, we sing Amen back to Him.

What led to this statement by Paul? He had made a promise that due to circumstances beyond his control, he couldn’t keep. In the long run it seemed that breaking this particular promise was in everyone’s best interest. But he was being accused of being untrustworthy. This is the way he responded according to The Message:

“Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth--a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? Well, you're wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn't a careless yes canceled by an indifferent no.”

This makes me wonder about prayer. I’ve heard people say things like, “I prayed and prayed and God just didn’t seem to hear me.” I once said myself that “The Bible says ‘Ask and Ye Shall Receive’ well I asked, and I didn’t receive so the Bible is not true.” Maybe Bible teachers have been somewhat careless with our teaching on prayer. Sort of Glib in how we state the promises that God has made. God is never careless or indifferent. Perhaps we assume too much when we pray. We need to pray God’s heart, but we also need to understand that our ways are not God’s ways. We are urged to reason together with our LORD, always seeking wisdom and understanding, not presuming that we have all the answers.

At least, I can stop looking for “Yes and Amens”. Jesus is my Yes! And to Him I shout a joyful AMEN!

Be Mine

A few weeks ago my husband and I were treated to an event sponsored by several local churches called “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage!”. This is not usually the type of thing we are interested in, but our son thought we could use it. It was very well attended, and actually much better than we anticipated. It may have even helped smooth out some rough spots in our own road to marital bliss?
So along came Valentines day, an occasion we have pretty much ignored for the 26 years of our marriage, and it was no big deal, only this year Valentines day coincided with a message I received from my little sister about our Aunt Gertrude - aka Sr. Theresa Clair, and another message from a friend which included the “prayer of St. Theresa”.
And I found myself posting on Saints, which led to a comment about St. Valentine performing marriages that had been forbidden by the Roman Government, which rung a bell about some modern day issues, concerning marriage. And I am wondering, is it possible, in February 2006, to talk about marriage without bringing up the concept of Homosexuality? I’d rather not get into that subject here.
But yesterday, I went to the Episcopal Church again, and a Bishop was visiting, and between services there was a forum about the future of the local church where the priest - Father Carl, disagrees with the appointment of a practicing homosexual as Bishop (not the one that was visiting). Fr. Carl and many other Episcopalian priests, and many split congregations are in danger of being defrocked and loosing their church facilities because of the Biblical stand they are taking against Homosexuality. If an Episcopalian priest commits adultery he is defrocked. Fornication is considered reason for removal from the priesthood, yet having a live-in lover of the same sex is tolerated and the right to such a relationship is protected. This particular bishop, which made the headlines a few years back, would marry his partner if it were allowed. So why not allow same-sex marriage? Why are Christians butting in to the personal life of these people? What is marriage anyway?
Genesis 2:24 - Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh. And these words of the Torah were confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6 “And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female and said, ‘for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh, so then they are no longer two but one flesh therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
That’s pretty clear isn’t it?
Marriage doesn’t always work out that way. Evangelical Christians have about the same rate of divorce as non-Christians. The Catholic rate is a little lower, because Divorce is considered grounds for excommunication. But even though divorce is a sad fact of life, it is clear that that isn’t what God intended from the beginning. And anyone who has been involved in divorce should be able to understand why the Bible says that God hates divorce. I will not go further into the subject of same sex relationships. Even people who try to say it isn’t really a sin, have to admit that there are many, many verses in the old and new testaments of the Bible that speak against it. They can argue that those verses were written for another time and another culture. They can argue that those verses mean something else. But they can not argue the fact that they appear in the Bible.
So have you heard the argument that if we allow same sex marriage, we will have to ultimately allow all types of marriages, including polygamy, the marriage of brother - sister etc. Hey, those marriages are actually Biblical. I did a little skimming of Genesis yesterday. The first case of polygamy was the great grandson of Cane who took two wives. He was a murderer like his grandfather, sounds like a case of involuntary manslaughter. It just matter of factly states that he married two women. Of course, he’s not one whose example we are called to follow. Seems like monogamy is the norm until Sarah (the half sister of her husband) talks Abram to have a child with Hagar. Now, she was a slave, and Abram didn’t marry her, but that incident created a multitude of problems which the world is still plagued with…the off spring of Ishmael. The next case of Polygamy I found was Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. A result of deceit on the side of the first wife and the father in law, which resulted in jealousy, sibling rivalry, and crisis through which the chosen people of God were brought into Egypt and suffered 400+ years of slavery. When you read the whole story, you can see where God was working out the plan of Salvation through all these events, and confirmation that all things work for the good for those who ultimately trust the LORD. But what does that have to do with marriage.
Yeah it seems that polygamy was tolerated Biblically. Consider David and Solomon. And there is Biblical proof also, that even when a severe sin is committed, ie David’s lust which led to adultery, which led to murder…God can forgive and redeem and turn things around. The woman ended up being in the Family Tree of Jesus after all. But it is obvious that this isn’t the way God intended marriage to be. The two shall become one. Not the three shall become one.
Paul, who thought it was better not to get married at all, told Titus that elders must be the husband of one wife. And since then, Christians have taught against polygamy. Which allegedly caused quite a problem in some African villages where chiefs had many wives and were told they couldn’t continue living that way if they accepted Jesus as their savior.
So send those extra wives packing…
One more thought about Christianity and marriage. Culturally speaking, many people groups considered (still consider) women to be the property of their husbands. Men are oppressive and women are the oppressed. With Christian missionaries came the idea that women are every bit as much children of God has men, that women should be treated with dignity and respect. Young girls sold into prostitution were rescued and educated.
Some people consider the Bible to be sexist. Yet historically, the Christians did more for the plight of women then any other group. Some Christians have missed the point, some groups have been oppressive toward women, forcing women to be subject to their husbands with out going one verse further and compelling men to honor, cherish, and respect their wives. But that isn’t God’s fault. That isn’t Jesus’ fault. A lot of what the Bible says has been used in wrong ways.
Should Christians fight to keep marriage between one man and one woman? Is it really any of our business what the government decides? Should Christians fight against abortion or homosexuality? It seems we should, as followers of Jesus, take a stand for Truth. We are not living in a godly nation. We are not living in a godly world. Yet we are told to be in the World - lights shining on the hill top. Salt. When we pray, Thy Kingdom Come, thy will be done…should we not choose to take a stand for Kingdom principles?
I’m not even sure myself, for myself, what action to take. Let the world go to hell in a hand basket. Love the sinner hate the sin. Stay safely within the walls of the church and worship the KING of kings, and LORD of lords, and let the plan unfold as it is meant to, without me…Some fine day, Soon and Very Soon, Pie in the Sky…
My prayer Journal, Guide Post planner says I should include the LORD in my plans today. Everyday. And now it is time to continue my day…LORD let your light shine through me. Blessings and Amen!

TGIF

I'm not sure where to go with this. A lot is spinning around in this old head of mine.
I've lost my youngest son. He's not dead, I just don't know where he is. But it feels like he's dead, like I should be mourning for him. That someone should be mourning with me.
No, that's now where I want to go.
James Dobson was blasting bloggers yesterday. Seems he's been misrepresented, misquoted, and his intergrity as a Christian soiled. He's been called a servent of satan. I know just how he feels.
No, that's not where I want to go either.
I borrowed this quote off a comment made to one of the cites I love to "hate"
"Calvin is one of the most dangerous men to ever appear on the Christian scene with his un-Biblical, un-Scriptural, Augustinian (Roman Catholic derived) ideas which generations of Christians have blindly swallowed. Arminius opposed Calvin's theology on predestination and should be commended for that. While he did not seem to get it right either, a least he spared us the trap of the “Eternal Security” doctrine, which has surely sent more people to hell than most of the crooks on TBN put together."
Write On! Winston, whoever you are!
I've been going to an Episcopalian Church for the past couple of months.
- I really need to learn how to spell that word.
Father Carl is a wonderful Christian. And I love receiving communion every Sunday. Father Carl had something very positive to say about Rick Warren a couple of weeks ago.
Funny. I have never read any of his books. I usually don't like things that become obsessive...or trendy. I never liked the whole "Prayer of Jabeth (sp?)" nonsense. I never wore a WWJD bracelett.
I don't care much for the poem "Footprints". Although I do love Veggie Tales.
I figured all this "purpose driven" stuff was a bunch of fluff, another gimmick, and when I heard some Christian brothers bash him, I figured he deserved bashing. Now I'm not so sure. I've heard some quotes from Warren to which I had to say, "Yeah, so, what's wrong with that?". A lot of the people who have been bashing Warren, no - not bashing him...everyone in the public eye has to expect a certain degree of bashing, these people are labeling him a heretic and worse. but they are doing the same to James Dobson, Chuck Smith, Billy Grahm and the Virgin Mary. (ok, so I'm getting a little carried away here).
There was once this Christian Commedian - Mike Warnke. Ex-Satanist. He was quite the rage for a while, and then some dark shadows in his life were exposed and he fell from grace, and from the public eye. I pray that he got it all straightened out, and that he is living in peace/shalom, having been restored by the LORD that he loves. Anyway, I remember something he said once. He said some of his old friends asked why he would ever want to be a Christian. There are so many rules in Christianity....don't do this and don't be that. Mike's answer was, I don't worry about the don'ts. There are too many do's. If I focus on the do's , I don't have time for the don'ts.
I like that.
Three day weekend! Yeah!
blessings all!

From a Friend

"Jesus now hath many lovers of His celestial kingdom;
But few bearers of His Cross,
He hath many who are desirous of consolation;
But few of tribulation.
He findeth many companions of His table;
But few of His abstinence.
All desire to rejoice with Him;
Few wish to endure anything for Him.
Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread;
But few to the drinking of the cup of His passion.
Many reverence His miracles;
Few follow the shame of His Cross."

Sister Theresa Clair

Today is Valentines day…

St. Valentine’s day…

A Roman Catholic Saint, a martyr for Jesus

I have Sponge Bob Square Pants and Care Bear valentines taped to my wall.

One of my students bought his sweetheart a box of candy but was too embarrassed to give it to her. I love and am in love with Pastor Art – my husband, my friend…

Funny twist of fate here…

My baby sister sent me an email to tell me my great aunt fell and broke her hip.

I didn’t even know that my great aunt was still alive. Isn’t that awful? She is a Catholic Nun. Has been for over 75 years. She is being well cared for. But I haven’t been in touch with her for years.

She is a gentle soul. She is my Grandmother’s youngest sister. She is the only one of 4 children still alive. I have many fond memories of her frequent visits to our home. She always came with a friend. They had to travel in twos. My grandma – nanny, always did her best cooking on the days that Aunt Gertrude came to visit. My grandpa Tom was always on his best behavior. Aunt Gertrude was always interested in everything I said and did. I’d be her “Shirley Temple” . She and her friend (which ever one it was…Sister Danny, Sister Bernadette, Sister Mary Catherine…)
Were a great audience. She was disappointed when she found out that I “left the Church.”

So I was thinking about my great aunt and a friend of mine sent me one of those silly, say a prayer and make a wish type emails, this one was called the prayer of Saint Theresa

And it touched my heart because my aunt’s nun name is Sister Theresa Clair – all her nun friends call her Theresa…

So In honor of a gentle, noble, godly woman:

Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. Meaning she believed
in doing the little things in life well and with great love.
She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is
represented by roses.

St. Theresa's Prayer:
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that
has been given to you....
May you be content knowing you are a child of God....
Let his presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Sunday - February 12

My mother called last night - 7:30 eastern standard time
Happy Birthday - I'm 54 years old - good grief!
I didn't go to Church today. Car trouble, and no hot water for showers.
So I listened to Christian music, watched some of the Rabbis that Pastor Art likes to study with, and went up my blog list. Some good stuff there.
I am about to go into my son's room and borrow C.S.Lewis's book This Hideous Strength. It is the third in his Science Fiction Triolgy. I haven't read it in years. But there are parts of it I want to revisit and respond to. Actually the triolgy is very interesting reading, if as a modern day person you can get past the idea that the planets visited by the hero are Venus and Mars, but not at all like the real Venus and Mars.
But before I publish post and curl up under a blanket on my cozy love seat, could I invite my blog friends to join me in a prayer, and whisper an Amen
Isaiah 65:
Oh Heavenly Father - Abba - Whose Name is Holy
Father who permits Yourself to be sought by those who did not ask, to be found by those who did not seek, open the ears of the lost so that they can hear you calling their name...they are rebellious, following their own thoughts, my students, the violent ones, lost in the dark...call to them, saying "Here I am!" and help them to hear Your call.
Lord, as the new wine is found in the cluster of grapes, and we do not destroy it for there is benefit in it, please do not destroy these who are lost. Are the chosen and the servents the same in your eyes? You promise a resting place for all people who seek you.
And for those who forsake you, who preach Fortune (Luck), and who fill cups with Destiny...for those who you called and they did not answer, you promise a heavy heart and broken spirit.
You are the God of Truth and you will bless those who cling to that truth. Lord, for those of us who are sinking because of fomer troubles, for my son...for my family, bring us to the place of promise. Lord for those of us, who have been so frustrated by people who identify them selves as your chosen, but have turned their backs on the truth and on the lost...help us to seek Your face and not be offended by those who in your name offend. You will someday create a new heaven and a new earth. You have created your people for rejoicing and gladness. People have gotten lost but you promise to recreate them. Through your Son Jesus and by his blood, you have made this recreation possible even know.
Lord, there are those who don't even know, who haven't even been told that they can call, but you promise a time when you will answer even before they call out to you, and while they are still trying to put their thoughts of repentance and praise into words, you will hear them.
The chosen ones will do the work they are intended to do, and the children they bear through the work you have set before them, will not be Children destined for calamity.
Lord, I name them by name, I see their faces, I weep for the lost, I weep especially for the prodicals who once knew and then walked away from the knowing. (Isaiah 66) Help me to be humble and contrite, Help me to be true and obedient to your word. You said we have the choice. And concerning those who choose their own ways, you choose their punishments. Yet I pray for mercy and time, that some of those drowning because of their evil choices will hear your Call and remember your word and turn back to your way.
"As one whom his mother comforts...so I will comfort you, and you shall be comforted. "
I just pray LORD, for the sake of today...for the sake of those of us who are struggling in this dark and depraved world, for the sake of those over whom our hearts are breaking, act now in your mercy, and perserve us as you prepare the final chapter. And save us now from the fire that shall not be quenched, Save them while there is still time for salvation. Open their ears LORD and help them to hear you call out their names and say that you LOVE them.
amen

I want to pray…I want to rest in the word…I want to feed on the word. I have some time.

I will look at my chapter. Ecclesiastes 3

Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.

Turn, Turn, Turn…

We do not choose our own time to be born, or to die. But we are living in a sad time when others than God can choose if a child will be born, or when a person might die. And we call such choices just and protected rights under the law. Some Catholics believe that aborted fetuses go to hell. What a sad belief. It’s not a choice, it’s a life. What a clever slogan. But people are choosing every day to kill the most innocent of all human beings. I once knew a student at a Christian College who was certain that God had called her into the ministry – onto the mission field. She got pregnant and had an abortion; a baby would have stood in the way of her doing what she was sure God had called her to do.
A time to be born, and a time to die. God knows every soul by name. The numbers of hairs on an aborted babies head. He knows the day each soul should pass on to eternity. The Sanctity of Life…is the choice really up to us?

If God knows a person will be murdered, that the plug will be pulled, that the bomb will fall…is anyone but God to blame? Did Jesus die on the cross because ultimately all Sin was God’s fault anyway…for coming up with a faulty plan. Of course not! That is just cynicism.

And I have set out to pray, not be cynical.

And so I pray, for the lives entrusted to my care. Hurting lives, confused lives. Perhaps lives that sprang from unrighteous behavior, perhaps lives affected by the sins of their parents, oh Lord, protect those lives. At home, at school, on the streets of the community. Protect them Lord, they are lost in sin, lost in the darkness, but not without hope or purpose. Bless them LORD with your truth. Let their ears be opened that they might hear you calling their names.

A time to plant, a time to reap…as long as this world continues, there will be planting time and harvest time. Seasons, determined from creation, changed a little at the time of the flood, perverted at times by the pollution of unwise stewards, but oh joy and rapture…Spring is coming! The land is dry. The drought is not over. But the sparrows sing in full chorus anyway. Glory to the King. Send your rain and rainbows. Send new life and renew your promises. Thy Will be done, Thy Kingdom come.

A time to kill? Is there really ever a time to kill? To kill an enemy rather than to love him. To kill a living soul rather than to try to enlighten it. The Bible says there is a time to kill. Perhaps it is a time to kill lies or bad ideas. Or should we look at it as the opposite of a time to heal. God does not always heal the way we’d like Him to does he? I couldn’t be so cynical as to say that healings don’t happen anymore. But I have serious doubts, when sweet children are trapped in wheel chairs while hopping charismatics declare freedom from a pain in their neck. LORD, my kids need healing. Healing of their intellects, their minds, some even need physical healing in that area. Kill the violent ideas and dark thoughts that rage in their young brains, and replace them with a love and a hunger for truth and life.

A time to break down walls and road blocks and a time to build up the highways of holiness. That’s a nice, religious sounding, churchy thing to say isn’t it? In my community it is time to break down the barriers of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds, and to build up – complete building the housing units that have been sitting undone and ruined for years. That’s a nice, practical way to look at it.

A time to weep, and I can’t seem to stop weeping, for my own family, and the mess they are in, and still for my kids who I am praying for. For the parents who have lost their sons to violence, and the parents whose sons have done the violence. Yet I can still find time to laugh, because junior high students and three year olds, and dogs and cats are just so darn funny! And of course, the God who created giraffes and penguins, and tiny spiders that scare great big mountain men, surely has a sense of humor.

A time to mourn? Just watch the news. And a time to dance, can’t seem to stop my feet from dancing. I miss dancing in our old church. Still the dance continues.

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together. I think of that in a very Biblical way. The stones of remembrance, and some things that we just aren’t supposed to remember. Don’t hold on to souvenirs of times too painful to remember, or events that cause bitterness when brought to mind.

A time to embrace…I love a good hug. A time to refrain from embracing? A time I guess to give people space. To not be too clingy.

A time to get, and a time to lose; seems like I’ve been loosing a lot. Still I pray for my kids to “get it”. How I love to hear a student say – I get it!

A time to rend and a time to sew – funny LORD, I can’t even sew a button on. A time to keep silent – oh yeah, I do talk way too much for my own good. Help me to measure my words when I speak. Help me to speak words my students will understand.

When LORD Jesus is it ever time to hate? Love you first, hate the systems and deceits of the World. Love the neighbor and the enemy, hate the trap and prison that keeps them from knowing true LOVE.

A time of war, and a time of peace. Yeah, well I guess there have been righteous wars. There are sure Biblical wars, and one soon to come. War in the world, peace in our hearts. And at least, Peace in my classroom – please!

What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? I sure don’t do this for the money! I know the task which God has given me with which to occupy myself. And my son needs a job real bad. But it’s just work. Eternity is something else. Treasure in heaven is something else.

It’s been proven again and again, that God’s sense of timing is not the same as ours, and he does indeed have an appropriate time for all things, which is why the Word urges us to be patient.

Oh oh, look what verse I am on now.

3:11(b)

*He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Let’s move on…

I think I will cut and paste the rest from the Message…

I've decided that there's nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That's it--eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift.
Is not having a job also a gift from God?

Are good times really what this is all about? Is good time the same as being content and the philippians’ joy?

Well maybe. Doesn’t it say everyting is just vanity? If one thinks that fulfilling the task and following the road set before them by God is having a good time…and yeah, Go for it. But see, this is one area of Scripture that is tricky. The Bible says to eat, drink, and be merry. That is not very responsible behavior. You have to look deeper.

I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.

Here’s another of the writer’s great conclusions. Whatever was, is Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God.

Do I hear an amen? No not yet. My prayer isn’t over yet. The day isn’t done, the chapter isn’t done. And there is so much more to the book.

I took another good look at what's going on: The very place of judgment--corrupt! The place of righteousness--corrupt! I said to myself, "God will judge righteous and wicked." There's a right time for every thing, every deed--and there's no getting around it. I said to myself regarding the human race, "God's testing the lot of us, showing us up as nothing but animals."

So is this conclusion as true as the one above it?

Humans and animals come to the same end--humans die, animals die. We all breathe the same air. So there's really no advantage in being human. None. Everything's smoke. We all end up in the same place--we all came from dust, we all end up as dust. Nobody knows for sure that the human spirit rises to heaven or that the animal spirit sinks into the earth.

Is this also true? The bible says so. Right here in Ecclesiastes 3:19-20

For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity.

For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place:

Is it all vanity? Is it all dust in the wind. Is the writer correct in his conclusions? Nothing better than to have a good time! Nothing else matters.

Life matters, choices matter. Love and Truth matter. Spreading the Good News and making discipels matters. Jesus is a personal Savior, who so loves us...That matters.
Pick up you cross and Follow Him! Trust and Obey.
I'm turning the pages, glancing, skimming the rest of the book. Good ol' Solomon.
So rich...so much...seek wisdom
Yeah Lord, that's what I'm doing...
God bless us, God bless them, God's blessings everyone.
I'll be back.

The Book of James

Last week, my best friend was praying for me and the LORD gave her Jame 5:11.
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
The same day some other friends blessed us, using James 2:16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? And we were humbled.
So I decided to spend a few days reading and praying through James. A book written by the brother of Jesus. One of the first books of the New Testament chronilogically speaking. A book, not written to a specific church or town, but to the Twelve Tribes dispersed among the gentiles.
I first read it in the King James Version. Then in The Message. Checking verses in the NIV, and NASB, and Amplified.
And as I read it, I payed a great deal of attention to verse 1:5If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
Asking in faith for wisdom. It's wisdom that this asking verse is referring to. Not riches or healing, or signs and wonders. Plain, pure wisdom.
More on Wisdom from chapter 2
13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Seems to be two kinds of wisdom. Gentle and pure or bitter and demonic. God, help me to be pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. God, give me the right kind of wisdom.
So what about James' declaration that faith without works is dead.
Here is how The Message puts it:
22Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!
26Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. 27Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.

from Chapter 2 NASV
14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

19You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

from Chapter 2 NIV
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

How much clearer does that have to be?

Faith can be held without actions...but it won't save. And what about the royal law?

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"

Forget all this faith only, scritpure only, who cares what the world thinks of us nonsense.
Let's focus on the widows and orphans, let's focus on the sick and homeless.
let's make disciples who understand what it means to be the hands and heart of Jesus in this dark and depraved world.
Well that's all I have to say right now...thanks to all of you who have been praying for my family...my class and my community! Love and Blessings to you all!

Sorrow

Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
Another young life gone. He was at our school last year. He was in the high school this year.
He had been in just a couple of my classes before he was transfered to another sped. program.
He'd been missing since January 23. He was found across the highway from our school. His body was in pretty bad shape. No details are known yet.
I love my job. I love my kids. I look at them and realized, it could have been anyone of them.
I look at them and think, will one of them be next? I look at them and I prayer, harder than I have ever prayed before.
My life is a mess...emotionally, financially, and the enemy is attacking, no holds barred at my spirit.
One of my morning time radio preachers was talking about predestination this morning. I turned him off. I think, God never forsakes His elect, and I look at circumstances, and come to school and find out about this young man's death...and then one of my students brings me a coke, and a couple of parents come in and thank me for helping their son. And the room is calm, and I sigh, I write, I say...The Lord is my Shepherd
And I remember to pray, I choose to pray, I have to pray...