I am adding to my blogroll...delighted with these new finds:
As I See It Now
And
Coffee and a Muffin
Posts
The Surgery, Part One
8 years ago
Monday, January 31, 2005
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
Blogosphere
I guess that's what I have been checking out lately. It's amazing to get a tiny taste of HOW MANY BLOGS are out there! Even just considering the number of blogs from Christian homemaker/home-minded, anti-feminist, conservative Christian women...it's astounding and, frankly, exciting.
I always wanted to have an underground publication of some type. (I am such a geek!) In high school I tried briefly to organize one, but quickly had the depressing realization that I didn't have anything earth-shattering to tell everyone. I just wanted the thrill of subversive, underground publishing. If we had had blogs then (in the early 90s) I would have been all over it!
Anyway, without further ado--I've been enjoying the following blogs:
Molly's Three Pennies Worth
Carmon's Buried Treasure
Amy's Humble Musings
Most of the blogs I have read are Reformed, and I am not. Can we still be friends?
I always wanted to have an underground publication of some type. (I am such a geek!) In high school I tried briefly to organize one, but quickly had the depressing realization that I didn't have anything earth-shattering to tell everyone. I just wanted the thrill of subversive, underground publishing. If we had had blogs then (in the early 90s) I would have been all over it!
Anyway, without further ado--I've been enjoying the following blogs:
Molly's Three Pennies Worth
Carmon's Buried Treasure
Amy's Humble Musings
Most of the blogs I have read are Reformed, and I am not. Can we still be friends?
Thursday, January 27, 2005
The demise of family love
CNN.com - Teen accused of putting rat poison in family's food - Jan 27, 2005
Did you notice that things are getting worse? That more and more things like this are happening? It's the 'astorgos' spoken of in 2 Tim 3--the lack of natural affection. I mentioned that scripture in an earlier post.
Even in the recent past--in the last generation--teens would stomp to their rooms, or pout, or maybe sneak out at night (if they were REALLY rebellious). Increasingly, though, there are reports of teens beating, stabbing, shooting,
murdering their parents or peers at school. It's a disturbing trend, but it's one that is prophesied.
Rat poison...wow. The heat of passion is one thing, but this kid wanted his family to suffer. My heart breaks and cries out for him, for his family, and for our nation and lost world.
Did you notice that things are getting worse? That more and more things like this are happening? It's the 'astorgos' spoken of in 2 Tim 3--the lack of natural affection. I mentioned that scripture in an earlier post.
Even in the recent past--in the last generation--teens would stomp to their rooms, or pout, or maybe sneak out at night (if they were REALLY rebellious). Increasingly, though, there are reports of teens beating, stabbing, shooting,
murdering their parents or peers at school. It's a disturbing trend, but it's one that is prophesied.
Rat poison...wow. The heat of passion is one thing, but this kid wanted his family to suffer. My heart breaks and cries out for him, for his family, and for our nation and lost world.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Yes, Bush did say this
"That edifice of character is built in families, supported by communities with standards, and sustained in our national life by the truths of Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount, the words of the Koran, and the varied faiths of our people."
Are these the words of an orthodox Christian? Honestly? No. 'The truths' of all of these 'varied faiths'...no. There is only one Truth, and it's revealed in the Bible.
"When our Founders declared a new order of the ages; when soldiers died in wave upon wave for a union based on liberty; when citizens marched in peaceful outrage under the banner “Freedom Now” – they were acting on an ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled."
If you know ANYTHING about the New Age, this doesn't sound good. It does sound quite...recognizable. 'An ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled.' It will be fulfilled, but not for long, and then Jesus will return. I want to be on the right side of that
Are these the words of an orthodox Christian? Honestly? No. 'The truths' of all of these 'varied faiths'...no. There is only one Truth, and it's revealed in the Bible.
"When our Founders declared a new order of the ages; when soldiers died in wave upon wave for a union based on liberty; when citizens marched in peaceful outrage under the banner “Freedom Now” – they were acting on an ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled."
If you know ANYTHING about the New Age, this doesn't sound good. It does sound quite...recognizable. 'An ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled.' It will be fulfilled, but not for long, and then Jesus will return. I want to be on the right side of that
Thursday, January 20, 2005
My Fruitful Barrenness
This article below speaks exactly what my heart cries about infertility. It is so very hard...I grieve often and deeply. But the Lord may have other plans for me, and no matter what happens in my life, I want to glorify HIM and desire HIM above everything in this world, even the good things He can give me.
My Fruitful Barrenness
Kelly S. says many profound things in this short article, not the least of which is her meditation on longing:
"I would encourage other ladies experiencing infertility to use your grief and barrenness as a gateway to deeper service unto God and others. Sometimes we live a lifetime with unfulfilled desires. This burden can either make us bitter or better."
I praise God for this encouragement. Truly, He is what we need and fulfills every desire through His presence and hesed (lovingkindness or covenant loyalty).
My Fruitful Barrenness
Kelly S. says many profound things in this short article, not the least of which is her meditation on longing:
"I would encourage other ladies experiencing infertility to use your grief and barrenness as a gateway to deeper service unto God and others. Sometimes we live a lifetime with unfulfilled desires. This burden can either make us bitter or better."
I praise God for this encouragement. Truly, He is what we need and fulfills every desire through His presence and hesed (lovingkindness or covenant loyalty).
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Are you kidding me?
USATODAY.com - 'Pleasant': The devil went down to 'O.C.'
Yep, they're making a TV show about a girl who is the 'devil's daughter' and has evil Carrie-like powers.
I really feel like anything I say about this is going to be stating the obvious. It is interesting to me that even the world recognizes, as is evidenced by this article, that in shows or movies like this, Satan is one of the "stars":
"Having failed to clone the success of The O.C. with North Shore, Fox is trying again with the odder, darker Point Pleasant, a beachfront soap about a young woman who doesn't know she's the devil's daughter. It's as if Who's Your Daddy? was not only spawned by Satan, but also was a star vehicle for him."
More from CNN: "The network has ordered 13 episodes, and hopes the series -- Noxon alternately describes it as "'Rosemary's Baby' meets `Peyton Place,'" or "'Twin Peaks' meets 'The Omen' " -- will catch on."
The prince of this world likes to glorify himself. Usually, though, it's a little more discreet than this.
Yep, they're making a TV show about a girl who is the 'devil's daughter' and has evil Carrie-like powers.
I really feel like anything I say about this is going to be stating the obvious. It is interesting to me that even the world recognizes, as is evidenced by this article, that in shows or movies like this, Satan is one of the "stars":
"Having failed to clone the success of The O.C. with North Shore, Fox is trying again with the odder, darker Point Pleasant, a beachfront soap about a young woman who doesn't know she's the devil's daughter. It's as if Who's Your Daddy? was not only spawned by Satan, but also was a star vehicle for him."
More from CNN: "The network has ordered 13 episodes, and hopes the series -- Noxon alternately describes it as "'Rosemary's Baby' meets `Peyton Place,'" or "'Twin Peaks' meets 'The Omen' " -- will catch on."
The prince of this world likes to glorify himself. Usually, though, it's a little more discreet than this.
Friday, January 14, 2005
The Way of the Master
The Way of the Master
Check it out.
Our pastor's work will be featured in one of their upcoming shows.
Who would have thought...some truth being told on TBN?!
Check it out.
Our pastor's work will be featured in one of their upcoming shows.
Who would have thought...some truth being told on TBN?!
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Living Here and Now
I can't believe I'm here.
Looking at history--at cultures throughout history, that is--we live in such an amazing, contradictory, insane, singular time. You and I are living in a society where women walk down the street wearing something that, just a few years ago, would have gotten them arrested. Mores have changed so much that when I survey the thinking and values of the past, I'm simply stunned. Granted, I too am the product of this nation, this culture, this generation; none of us can totally escape modernity. I'm not suggesting we should escape, though it does seem preferable, often, to what I see around me. I have a sense of disbelief, quite frequently: a feeling that the world has truly gone mad and only a few people see it.
I'm not just writing about clothing, although clothing is one of the best examples I can think of to illustrate just how much society has changed in the past 40 years, especially, or even the past 100 years. It's not just a covering (or lack thereof) for the body: clothing symbolizes and illustrates the wearer's beliefs, however unconscious that may be. There is meaning in it. If you're dressed in Daisy Dukes and a tank top, it does say something about you, however much society may protest that thought at the moment. Now, just because someone is dressed appropriately doesn't mean his heart is in the right place; truly, the Lord sees and knows the heart, and man just the outward. But it doesn't follow that the outward tells you nothing, no matter what it is!
This observation about how the world has changed applies to so many other areas, too: how people spend their time; what attitudes, words and actions are tolerated from child to parent; beliefs about God and the universe; what, where and how children are taught; the role of males and females in society, families and workplace; on and on I could go.
I feel compelled to mention some people who stimulated my thinking on some of these points: John Taylor Gatto, regarding education; Wendy Shalit and Jeff Pollard, as well as LAF, on modesty and changes in sexual mores; Mary Pride on family and work issues; Kent Hovind on the origin of life; and perhaps most of all, Joe Schimmel regarding societal change, music, and Biblical study.
I am not at a loss to understand why this has happened or where it's going. The Bible is very, very clear that in the end times, "the abounding of the lawlessness" (Matthew 24:12, YLT) will occur and increase.
2 Tim 3:1-5
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
We are certainly there. Such things as those listed above have existed as long as man has had sin nature (read: a long time!). But they're getting worse. Daily we are horrified by an increasing number of crimes--mothers killing their children in cold blood, pregnant women mutilated, strangers killed without mercy, and mothers producing a holocaust of babies, citing their inconvenience. Sure, murder has occurred since Cain murdered Abel, but it's happening more frequently, just as the Bible warned it would as this age draws to a close.
There is nothing to do but recognize our own sinfulness and our need for Jesus, and throw ourselves at His feet. There is no other answer! Only He can navigate us safely though times like these. But let's recognize what's happening. One thing must be totally obvious to the honest observer: these are perilous times.
Looking at history--at cultures throughout history, that is--we live in such an amazing, contradictory, insane, singular time. You and I are living in a society where women walk down the street wearing something that, just a few years ago, would have gotten them arrested. Mores have changed so much that when I survey the thinking and values of the past, I'm simply stunned. Granted, I too am the product of this nation, this culture, this generation; none of us can totally escape modernity. I'm not suggesting we should escape, though it does seem preferable, often, to what I see around me. I have a sense of disbelief, quite frequently: a feeling that the world has truly gone mad and only a few people see it.
I'm not just writing about clothing, although clothing is one of the best examples I can think of to illustrate just how much society has changed in the past 40 years, especially, or even the past 100 years. It's not just a covering (or lack thereof) for the body: clothing symbolizes and illustrates the wearer's beliefs, however unconscious that may be. There is meaning in it. If you're dressed in Daisy Dukes and a tank top, it does say something about you, however much society may protest that thought at the moment. Now, just because someone is dressed appropriately doesn't mean his heart is in the right place; truly, the Lord sees and knows the heart, and man just the outward. But it doesn't follow that the outward tells you nothing, no matter what it is!
This observation about how the world has changed applies to so many other areas, too: how people spend their time; what attitudes, words and actions are tolerated from child to parent; beliefs about God and the universe; what, where and how children are taught; the role of males and females in society, families and workplace; on and on I could go.
I feel compelled to mention some people who stimulated my thinking on some of these points: John Taylor Gatto, regarding education; Wendy Shalit and Jeff Pollard, as well as LAF, on modesty and changes in sexual mores; Mary Pride on family and work issues; Kent Hovind on the origin of life; and perhaps most of all, Joe Schimmel regarding societal change, music, and Biblical study.
I am not at a loss to understand why this has happened or where it's going. The Bible is very, very clear that in the end times, "the abounding of the lawlessness" (Matthew 24:12, YLT) will occur and increase.
2 Tim 3:1-5
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
We are certainly there. Such things as those listed above have existed as long as man has had sin nature (read: a long time!). But they're getting worse. Daily we are horrified by an increasing number of crimes--mothers killing their children in cold blood, pregnant women mutilated, strangers killed without mercy, and mothers producing a holocaust of babies, citing their inconvenience. Sure, murder has occurred since Cain murdered Abel, but it's happening more frequently, just as the Bible warned it would as this age draws to a close.
There is nothing to do but recognize our own sinfulness and our need for Jesus, and throw ourselves at His feet. There is no other answer! Only He can navigate us safely though times like these. But let's recognize what's happening. One thing must be totally obvious to the honest observer: these are perilous times.
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