Confession...

I don't know anyone who has an easy time confessing their sins. I know I don't. When I get right down to it, I think it's hard to admit that I am proud and self-sufficient. Neither one of which I am happy about. I don't want to be that way but it seems to come so very easy!

I am constantly encouraged as I read in the Bible, time after time, when Israel sinned then sought repentance, God forgave. Thankfully He is faithful to do that with me, also. Along with confession there needs to be repentance. Repent...taking responsibility for my sin and its consequences. Ouch!

Back in the early 1800's Charles Finney, who many regard as the greatest revival preacher in church history, led more than half a million people to Christ! What is significant about this is that the people were actually converted. His preaching turned entire communities upside down. It was not uncommon for bar gatherings to be transformed into prayer meetings and for courthouses to be left without any cases to put on trial. How would that be today? Often today, there may be a revival in a city but that city is left largely unchanged. *sigh*

Finney explained exactly what he meant by confession and repentance:

Look back over your past history. Take up your individual sins one by one,
and look at them. I do not mean that you should just cast a glance at your
past life, and see that it has been full of sins, and then go to God and
make a sort of general confession, and ask for pardon. That is not the way.
You must take them up one by one. It will be a good thing to take a pen and
paper, as you go over them, and write them down as they occur to you. Go
over them as carefully as a merchant goes over his books; and as often as a
sin comes before your memory, add it to the list. General confessions of sin
will never do. Your sins were committed one by one; and as far as you can
come at them, they ought to be reviewed and repented of one by one. Charles G. Finney, Lectures on Revivals of Religion: How to Promote a Revival.

We are so rich yet, rather than being grateful for God's provisions, so often I find us discontented and constantly clamoring for more. Finney goes on to list common sins with the first being ingratitude. He mentioned neglecting the Bible, prayer, and such other "means of grace" as public worship; lack of compassion in general and unconcern for the lost, specifically; and last but not least, selfishness and a complete disregard for Christ's command and example of self-denial. From the sins of omission Finney turned his attention to the sins of commission: pride, envy, slander (gossip), lying, cheating, robbing God by withholding your tithe, squandering your time in vain pursuits, and temper. You know what is amazing? He doesn't even mention the sins that we would think of as "biggies". Finney focused on nice, polite church sins...the sins of the heart. *Ouch!*

Remember though, God's objective isn't to make us cry. Look at 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, "...Yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done."

Oh we may begin with tears but soon that turns to great joy. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:5-6).

Most definitely a picture of 'bad parenting'! 

Happy St. Paddy's Day! 

Breaking free....

Yesterday was a big day for me. Oh, most people would probably just say, "So what's the big deal? Get over it." But it was a healing moment for me. What was this "big" thing, you ask? Well, I cooked a recipe that I haven't made since my Dad died...to be more exact, since our family (all 13 of us) was together at Christmas 2000. I better give you some background...

It was time for my parents to get closer to either my sister in Ohio or myself here in UT. We gave them the option, leaving it totally up to them on where they would like to settle in. Dad and Mom decided to come live with Jim and me. They made the move in the fall of 1999.

My Dad loved to help me in the kitchen. He was so fun to make plans with. If I was having a Super Bowl party, a Progressive dinner, a dinner party, a get together, a holiday meal, or all of the family for two plus full weeks, he helped me plan the menu, do the shopping and even, bless his heart, would chop onion and celery and anything else that needed chopping! Our menu planning would require lots of discussions and then there would be some changes perhaps, until we felt like we had arrived at just the right things. He became such an integral part of my kitchen! It's a wonder I ever managed to put on a decent meal before they moved in with me! LOL!!

We have a very special memory of my niece's son, Nathan, and Papa, helping in the kitchen. I was making Swiss steak to cook in my crock pot. Papa was sitting at the table, pounding the meat with the tenderizer while Nathan (who was on a stool helping Aunt Claire) and I would drag the pounded slices through flour. Nathan decided he didn't want his hands all messed up with the flour so he thought his job should be to take the meat back and forth between Papa and myself. As he stood on the stool at the counter, he looked across the counter to the table where Papa sat pounding and offered encouragement saying, "What a mighty fine job you are doing, Papa! What a good helper you are!! Yes, indeed, a very good job you are doing, Papa!!" My dad and I are burst out laughing and, in turn, told Nathan what an excellent job he was doing, too!

The kitchen was always such a happy place to be and so much living took place in and around that area. My kitchen and upstairs family room are all combined and so my Dad's recliner was right there, too. After he died, it was so very hard for me begin cooking again. My heart sure wasn't in it. In fact, so many of my recipes are written by him (and by my sister). So, when I would pull out a recipe...it was just plain hard. Well, eventually, I managed to get 'back in the kitchen' but it hasn't held the joy that it once did. But, it is easier now. There have been several recipes that I haven't even touched just because it brought back too many memories. However, yesterday I stepped forth and made my Cranberry Pork Chops in my crockpot. Not a big thing to other people, but for me, a huge step!

I thank the Lord for being faithful to heal the sore spots in our heart. Thank goodness the loss of someone dear doesn't mean that our abundant, joyful life as a Christian comes to an end. Joy and effectiveness may seem to pause for awhile as grief runs its course. But, for those of us in Christ, we will experience the joy and goodness again. As Beth Moore says, "Perhaps the most profound miracle of all is living through something we thought would kill us. And not just living, but living abundantly and effectively."

She goes on to share how "...the life of a Christian is never about sameness. It's always about change. That's why we must learn to survive and once again thrive when change involves heartbreaking loss. We're being conformed to the image of Christ. When our hearts are hemorrhaging with grief and loss, never forget that Christ binds and compresses it with a nail-scarred hand. Life will not ever be the same, but I have the invitation from Christ to rise to a new life--a more compassionate life, a wiser life, a more productive life. And, yes, even a better life. Sound impossible? It is without Christ." (from Breaking Free by Beth Moore)

Happy Birthday!

Today was a dear friend's birthday! He turned 71. His wife threw him the grandest party...it was a Square Dance party! What fun! They had a caller who gave lessons to all of us who have two left feet! I don't know which there was more of, laughter or dancing! Not everyone danced but most people gave it a shot for a couple of the dances, even if they didn't dance them all. I think I counted about 30 people or so there.

Jim and Pauline are the neatest couple. It is so evident they love their Lord and each other. But, that love spills over to all whom they come in contact. My Jim and I always glean new insight or understanding when we are blessed to sit under Jim's teaching. It is always a joy to be around them, they are so young in spirit! Their children are all grown. One son, and his wife, is a missionary doctor in Nigeria, another son was a youth pastor in a church for many years but now teaches at a Christian school in Texas and the other son is a CPA and very active in his church. The couple in Nigeria have one son in college here in Utah, with the next oldest coming this summer to begin school in the fall.

I thank the Lord for godly examples that He has surrounded us with. They are such an encouragement to Jim and me as the Lord blesses us with more years (age wise and marriage wise!). Happy 71st Birthday Jim! May the Lord bless you with many more!

And, a mighty Happy Birthday to Magvou today, too! I hope your day has been extra special!

Whew!

Here it is Monday and I feel like we haven't even experienced the weekend. I've wanted to sit down to blog but never seemed to have enough time.

Saturday we went to a wedding! Our pastor's oldest son got married! Pastor and his wife have 6 children and over the last year and a half 5 of the 6 will be married. The fifth wedding will take place in May. Their children have waited to find the right one and have married later in life. The wedding on Saturday was beautiful and a wonderful time of worship. There were three pastors involved with different aspects of the wedding ceremony. Jim and I came away joyful. We worshiped along with the happy couple. They included congregational singing and corporate prayer as a body praying for the new husband and wife. She is just perfect for him as he is for her!

Sunday is always extremely busy for us. Besides our Sunday school and worship time, my husband heads up Evangelism Explosion for our church which meets on Sunday afternoons for training. Right now, he is training two teams. That finishes up just in time for us to head out the door for our Sunday evening Bible study group. On the way home we try to stop and pick up a hot fudge chocolate milkshake for my Mom. :) We arrive home about 9 p.m.

Today, I took Mom up to Hill AFB to pick up her meds and for her to pick up a few items at the BX. I totally spaced her wheelchair so she sat in the car while I went into the BX for her. We filled up her car with gas and then went and picked up her meds. Now, the highlight for her (and for me) was stopping at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants called Garcias. They have great food and because it is so far away from us, the only time we eat there is when we have made a trip to Hill AFB. It was a beautiful day to make the trip. Not as warm as it has been but the sun was shining, the sky was so blue and the snow covered mountains were just breathtaking!

Tomorrow I meet with my book group. That is always so fun! Our next book is going to be Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone by Elyse Fitzpatrick. I've already been reading it. One word of warning...don't read it if you are not willing to be convicted!

We haven't had a looooong detailed call from James since he arrived home from his cross country flight but we do know, because of bad weather, he had to change his flight plans. One of the bases he flew into, and spent Saturday night, was Maxwell AFB right outside of Montgomery, AL. So he called up his cousins from Auburn, Jack and Margaret, and they were able to meet him and see the plane and, I think, go out for dinner together. James said that it was a lot of hard work but a great time. Tomorrow is his check ride which is a 'biggy.' Pray for him tomorrow, please! Hopefully, once that is over and done with, he will have some time to call and talk with us. His dad will want to know all the 'facts', while I will want to know all about the 'experience.' LOL! Hopefully, he will read this before he calls so he will have a 'heads up' on what is expected! :)

Jim and I are reading through the Bible in a year together. Right now we are in Joshua. One of the things that mormons do not believe in is 'original sin.' They cannot grasp that even if we were never to sin after being born (which is impossible) we are still guilty of sin because of Adam's sin. And thus, they don't believe that God would hold us accountable. Their babies are not born into sin...they do not begin to sin until they are older. In our discussions with friends we have shared how we did not have to teach our child to want his own way, to say 'no', to throw tantrums, to disobey us... just like we know they did not have to teach their children those very same things. However, we had to work diligently to train them up to be obedient, to say 'thank you', to share their things with others, etc. Whenever we have that conversation it always leaves them with food for thought. I know that the Bible is very clear about our sin nature and the guilt that we have. As I read the other day about Achan's sin in Joshua 7 I was reminded once again how God held the nation of Israel guilty for one man's sin.

As I was reading some of my favorite blogs today I came across The Science and Christianity Showcase at Allthings2all. I haven't had time to peruse the different articles but look forward to taking some time this evening to do some more reading. Check it out!

Check it out...

I was over visiting Kim at the Upward Call today and ran across this blog recommendation from her: 3:17. Check it out. It's a great one!

Rebuilding...to..Revival...

Today I was studying in Nehemiah 8. It's all about how the people had finished rebuilding the wall and they all gathered at the square in front of the Water Gate and asked Ezra to read the book of the law of Moses. It struck me that just as the people had rebuilt the wall, now they were trying to 'rebuild' their spiritual lives.

It is inspiring to me when I read that they all stood as Ezra read the entire law...from "early morning until midday" and they were attentive to it. They listened. As Ezra read they answered, "Amen, Amen!" and raised their hands and bowed before the Lord in worship. It goes on to describe how they were weeping and mourning when they heard the words of the law. Just think how long it had been since they had heard God's Word. I imagine there were young children and even young people who had not ever heard the law. In their mind, I imagine they were thinking that everything was fine in their lives...look, they had just finished rebuilding the wall. But as they listened to God's Word being read and translated so they could understand it...the Lord moved within their hearts. I think their eyes were opened to what they had been doing and how it was not pleasing to the Lord. Conviction set in. They began crying because of their failure to keep the law, crying for their sin. The focus was on themselves. But, Nehemiah and Ezra and the Levites said to the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep....for this day is holy to our Lord, Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Their focus then needed to move from themselves to the Lord. It is in the Lord's strength that their joy, and our joy comes from. When I read the above verse in Nehemiah it brought to mind the verse in 1 Peter 1:8, "...and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory." (Emphasis mine.)

The people were experiencing a revival! A heart revival! Many in our country have prayed for revival. So often, I believe, people think we need more controls, more laws etc to 'legislate morality', so to speak. But, you know what? First of all, one cannot expect Christian behavior from non-Christian people. A revival has absolutely nothing to do with lost sinners. Dead people can't be revived; only dying people can be. Revival is for believers. We, as Christians, should look inwardly and assess how we are living for the Lord. Are we walking with Him in close fellowship, desiring to be obedient? He desires our obedience more than sacrifices.

Weeping is a necessary starting point for revival but it shouldn't remain there. But, thanks be to God for His grace and mercy that He pours out on us. That should make our tears turn to shouts of joy!! As Donna Partow says, "A faith comprised solely on tears and guilt trips is misguided; true faith is characterized by celebration." I say a hearty "Amen" to that!

Every doctrine that makes man the center of God's attention

rather than God the center of man's devotion hinders

Revival....Revival can come...but it will only start

when we reject the "me" centered gospel preached so

prevalently and realize that the call of God is to serve rather than

to be served, to give rather than to get, to lay down our lives rather

than to save them. It will come when we begin to pour our hearts

out to God in earnest, desiring only His will rather than our will

disguised as some "blessing" from above!" - Jonathan Duttweiler

Ahhh....differences...

Husbands are so funny. Well, maybe it's men in general. Tonight my sweetie came and said he wanted to talk with me about something. And I told him, "Sure." It seems he wanted me to wear my good perfume for just when we are going out and buy something else that I love just as much, to wear everyday. Kind of like he does with his aftershave lotion. So, I rephrased his comments back to him so I would know for sure I was understanding exactly what he was asking of me.

"You are wanting me to only wear my good perfume when I am out with you and buy something else to wear for everyday?" I asked.

"Yes, exactly!" he replied.

"Some days I don't wear perfume at all," I said.

"Well, what did you wear before Poem came into being?"

"Estee," I replied. "Are you wanting me to cut down my use to save money? Because I am already doing that. But, I don't want to wear two different scents, UNLESS you are wanting my good stuff to be JUST for you. If that is the case, I just won't wear any perfume."

"Well, I think maybe...men and women must think a little differently about this," he said after a pause.

"You know, I think we should just forget we even had this discussion because I didn't realize that women had a 'particular' scent that was just 'her'," he laughingly said.

Again, I reiterated that I would not wear it as often, in essence, just when we went out together. To which he wanted to know how I would smell nice if I didn't wear any perfume. I looked at him and said, "Soap."

"Soap?" he asked kind of incredulously.

"Yes, soap," I replied.

"No, like I said before, let's forget I even mentioned it."

Now, tell me, ladies. Do you all have a 'scent' associated with you? I know my sister does. I have other friends who do...but maybe that isn't very representative of the majority of women out there. Tell me what you think....

Whew...what a day!

I feel like I have accomplished a lot but when I actually put it down in writing, it will look like nothing.

As I blogged earlier, I am back in contact lenses. Yea!! However, they made one, teensy weenie tiny mistake. They gave me both lenses for distance which means I couldn't see diddly right in front of me. I couldn't see the computer, my dinner plate and read a book? Not on your life!!! So I called them last week and they were quite surprised that it had happened but then the gal said to me, "Well, you could just use reading glasses." I just wanted to strangle her right through the phone, right then and there! Grrr.... I politely told her that the whole point of going back into contacts was NOT to wear ANY type of glasses. So they ordered a new lens so I now have one for distance and one for up close and it works perfectly! I can read! :) They called me on Friday to tell me the single lens was in which meant that I had to go today to pick it up.

I did go today but I had made other plans for today, so in the midst of everything else, I had to stop and go pick up the lens. My plans were to wash all my curtains and windows in my kitchen and dining area. All three windows have double valances. Even without having had 2 strokes I would not have been able to do these by myself. No way. How grateful I am that my dear sweet hubby, who still needed to finish his BSF for Bible study tomorrow night, helped me. I could not have gotten the rods off, nor put back up with out his help. It has taken all day, but they are washed, dried, ironed and hung back up. The big window still needs to be 'stuffed' so it is puffy. The two smaller windows just need to be adjusted in their puffiness. But, I decided I needed to rest my arms and shoulders before finishing the stuffing.

Hubby grumbled a little about what a pain this all was, to which I replied I will gladly wait and schedule it much farther out next time. How does 5 years sound? :) Seriously, when he gets to a point where he can't do the 2 windows in the corner at the sink then, I'll either have to hire someone to come in and do it, or buy new curtains that are easier to put up and take down.

The only reason I chose to do them now, was because we have had 2 weeks of sunny warm days and I just get in that spring cleaning mode. And, if I need Jim's help, I have to schedule him on a Monday because of his schedule. Anyway, one major chore done, another one to be started on Wednesday. Perseverance is the key!

How to weigh yourself correctly... 

Bearing our Cross...

A long time ago I read a story in a Christian magazine about a man who was 'bearing a cross.' Oh, it was so heavy and he was so tired as he went about his business. Eventually he came to a small town and as he was groaning under the weight of his cross he sees a shop where he can exchange his cross. "That's what I need," he thinks. So he pushes on toward the little shop.

He enters the shop and he is standing in an empty room but within just a minute there was a quiet gentleman who came in and asked how he could be of service. Well, the man shared how burdened he was because of his cross and how he had begun thinking, once he saw the sign for this shop, how he might be able to exchange his cross for another one that wouldn't be quite so large and heavy.

"Oh, yes, by all means!" exclaimed the gentleman. "I do believe that we can help you in that area. Here let me help you with that cross. Please wait right here and I will return." In just a few minutes the shop owner returned saying, "Come this way with me, and I'll show you what I have."

The man was almost giddy with excitement at the thought of having a lesser cross to bear. One that wouldn't be so heavy and troublesome. He followed the shop owner into another room. Oh my!! What an array of crosses there were! All sizes were before his eyes. He had never seen so many crosses in one place before! Many of the crosses were huge! He had never seen any so big before. His eyes searched all around and way back, in the farthest corner, stood this very tiny cross.

"That's the one!" he thought. That's the cross I'll choose. The shopowner, looking at him, asked, "Have you made your decision?" "Oh, yes!" said the man. "I want that small cross, way over in that corner."

"Excellent choice, sir!" replied the shopowner. "That's the one you brought in to exchange."

Now, of course, this isn't biblical but it should cause us to pull up short and re-evaluate whatever 'cross' the Lord is allowing us to carry. We are to give all our burdens over to the Lord for Him to carry. That way, when things are just unbearable, what do others see? They see Christ because it is He that is enabling us to move forward with the proper attitude and joy regardless of our situation.

May I be faithful to lay all my burdens at the foot of His Cross!

Time management...

Some days I shake my head because I honestly don't know where the time goes. I have good intentions on accomplishing so much and then I look back over my day and I ask myself, why didn't I get those things accomplished? It bothers me when I have days like that.

You know, the Lord talks a lot about being good stewards. And, for many of us I think we tend to associate being a good steward with managing our finances well. But, there is also the aspect of being a good steward of our time. That can really bite me when I least expect it! How can I settle for anything less than the best in the matter of how I utilize those precious minutes of time which God has entrusted to my care? When I change my focus to view my time in this manner, then I am amazed at what all I can accomplish.

I think there needs to be a healthy balance where every minute is not scheduled with something. For me, I need to allow time for flexibility to be available for God to use in ministry. And, often as not, ministry never seems to be 'convenient.' However, I want to be available to be used of God if He so chooses.

Time is a precious commodity. One that is to be valued. I love having an organized home...in fact, I find that I am much more mellow when my home is 'in order.' However, I find that I value the time I can spend in relationships. Spending time with one another, encouraging one another, lifting up one another's burdens, laughing and crying together are important. May I wisely use the time the Lord has given me in pursuing things with an eternal value. That vertical perspective is so important but often times it is easy to fall into the horizontal perspective. May I be alert for when that occurs!

Mmmm...Banana Bread

First thing this morning I baked some banana bread. I've had bananas that have just been yelling at me that it was 'time.' My whole house smells wonderful! My recipe is from my Mom and is very old. As James would say, "It's ancient." The reasoning he is basing that on is my recipe is older than I am, and I am 51 years old. This recipe is the first dessert that I made as a young girl while we were living in Germany. So I think I was about 8 years old. My sister grew up making this same recipe and since she is older than I maybe she could tell me if the recipe was already 'in the family' when she became old enough to begin baking.

After eating pumpkin bread with mini chocolate chips given to me by a friend many years ago, I thought that I could do that with my banana bread recipe. It was an instant success! Since I am diabetic I don't make banana bread as often as everyone would like. It is too hard for me to resist.

As I have been smelling the aroma of the baking bread I have thought about how we, as Christians, are "the sweet aroma of Christ." Second Corinthians 2:15-16 states, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life." As I share the Good News with people, some will be drawn to it, hungry to share in it, while others will be repulsed by it. The ones being called by God recognize the life-giving fragrance while to the others, it smells foul, like death. And it is death for them, their own.

New Contacts!

It's just like riding a bicycle, once you know how to put them in the eyes, you never forget. If you do, it must take longer than 11 years! What a joy it has been for me to begin wearing lenses again! Everything is so sharp and clear, especially my peripheral vision. I'm up to 7 hours of wearing. I increase each day by an hour. Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of wearing them again!

Where to begin in response...

Well, where to begin? I guess to begin with we need to understand the purpose of the Church. The ultimate goal and end of every created thing is to bring glory to the Creator (Psalm 100:1-3). All of us exist for the glory of God (Colossians 1:16; Romans 11:36; Revelation 5). As one looks at the previous statements it could be stated that the church needs to "magnify the excellency of a great and marvelous God" (Ephesians 3:10,21).

The church has been created to fulfill two major roles or functions, though they can't ultimately be separated. One role is in relation to itself while the other is in relation to the world. What is meant is with respect to itself, the church functions to promote growth in brotherly love and holiness so that it may reach the "measure of the stature that belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13), to the glory of God. With respect to the world, the church functions as Christ's witnesses in the proclamation of the Gospel (Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20), to the glory of God. By the church assembling together it provides an environment that is specifically suited for the building up of the body of Christ in true love and holiness. This enables the church to fulfill its role in relation to itself. When the church is dispersed in the world, then this is the ideal and primary context for evangelism. It is God's appointed setting for the fulfillment of the church's role in relation to the world.

There are some key ingredients in gathering together with worship of God at the heart of each assembly.

1. Prayer (Matthew 21:13; Acts 2:42; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 25; 1 Timothy 2:1, 8).
2. Fellowship (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Hebrews 10:24-25)
3. Singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16)
4. Reading, teaching and exhortation from the Word (Acts 2:42; 11:26; 1 Timothy 4:13; 5:17; Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27)
5. The Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:17-33)
6. Evangelism may happen as the unbeliever observes the reality of God in the midst of the church body (1 Corinthians 14:23-25). God's presence is especially evidenced as the assembly demonstrates a genuine love for God, for one another (John 13:34-35) and for the unbeliever.

The biblical assembling of a group of believers is getting together to do things that only believers can do! An unbeliever cannot worship the Lord in song, he cannot participate in true fellowship with the body of Christ, he cannot engage in prayer, and he cannot understand or appreciate the truths of God's Word (1 Corinthians 2:14). Often times, an unbeliever finds it distasteful or at the very least uninteresting. That doesn't mean that we are to make it our goal to be repulsive to the unbeliever! Just the opposite, we should seek to be as attractive as possible to the unbeliever without sacrificing the biblical nature of the assembly. The assembly is not so much the place to bring an unbeliever to hear the gospel and get saved as it is the place to bring the unbeliever to see and experience the sincere love that Christians have for one another and for God. We must be careful not to sacrifice the biblical doctrines of the assembly in order to be more attractive and/or comfortable for the unsaved.

In the New Testament, evangelism took place in everyday life as believers interacted with the world around them. It was the natural outworking of the believers' life in Christ. So as we mature in Christ, we should desire to "excel still more".

After living here in Utah for over 24 years I am well acquainted with the problems that can arise between Christianity and other religions. I agree that it is important to be able to sit down together and to share and talk respectfully with one another about the differences between one's beliefs. However, as a Christian, your goal is not to just discuss the beliefs but to show another his need for a Savior. All other conversation pales in comparison to this truth. Whereas, it's good to know information about other religions, the real importance of that is not the knowledge, but the facts that are different from the absolute Truth found in the Bible.

Now, returning to the original subject matter, a Christian church has no business bringing on staff, a Muslim cleric, or anyone whose views would be antithetical to that of the church body and Biblical truth.

Thank you to each of you who participated in the discussion. I have to say it was very stimulating!

????

What are people thinking? This was passed on to me by a friend of mine.

From: The Berean Call
To: updates@lists.thebereancall.org
Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2005 8:18 AM
Subject: TBC Today : Ecumenical Echoes
Episcopal Church Hires Muslim Cleric
The newest staff member at St. John's Episcopal Church in Denver, Colorado, is a Muslim Imam. Ibrahim Kazerooni was formally installed on November 14, 2004 as the director of the church's Abrahamic Initiative, a bridge-building effort among Christians, Jews, and Muslims ("Reaching Out, church hires Muslim," "The Denver Post," November 11). This is probably the first time in history that a Muslim cleric has become a staff member in a church. Church representative Greg Movesian said, "We hope this appeals to people who don't look upon people of other religions as a target for conversion but rather potential partners in maintaining a civil society" (O Timothy, Vol. 22, No.1).
[TBC: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Proverbs 14:12).

Crosses and Evangelism....

This morning, Kim, at The Upward Call wrote about wearing a cross. It reminded me of the story about how the Lord used a cross to bring my grocery checker into His family. In Utah, one does not see very many crosses because the mormons don't like to 'focus' on the cross. Not always, but usually, when you see someone wearing a cross, it just takes a question or two, to confirm that they are indeed, saved.

On this particular spring day, I was in the check out line at the grocery store and the checker, Phyllis, saw my cross and commented on it. She asked if I was Catholic and I smiled and told her, "I'm a born again Christian." She asked which church I went to and I shared that I went to this particular Bible church. After that initial contact, whenever I returned to the store I made sure I went through Phyllis' checkout station. Over the next several months she always had a question or two, or maybe just a comment.

One day, several of the gals were talking about a 'tragic incident.' I asked if something had happened. Phyllis shared with me that one of the ladies that worked there had lost her husband the night before. I agreed that was sad. She looked at me and asked me if I felt like there was a specific time for people to die. My response to her was that the Bible says that our days are numbered and God alone knows how many they are. That is why it is so important for a person to be right with God, because one never knew when they were going to die and have to stand before God. Phyllis shared that she had been widowed some 16 years ago and she felt the same way...that there weren't any "accidents" when it came to a person dying.

On another visit she shared with me how she has a severely handicapped son, along with 2 other children who are older than Brad. I shared with her that I had had a brother who had Down Syndrome. There was talk about finding purpose in all of that and I reached out and touched her arm and told her that there definitely was a purpose for Brad being born. She told me that she couldn't understand what it was. I told her that even if she never knew what his purpose was, God did. I asked her if she had a Bible, to which she replied that she did. "Read Psalm 139, especially verses 11 through 16." I told her that she must be a very special person for the Lord to have blessed her with Brad.

Each time I went to the store I went through her line and over 7 months we had these little divine snippets of conversation. I prayed mightily that the Lord would enable me to give her just the right verse for encouragement. I asked her to come join us for our ladies Bible study on her day off. As the conversations progressed I asked the ladies in my Bible study to begin praying for her salvation. My husband, Jim, began praying, James was praying, my ladies prayer group began praying for her salvation, people at church began praying for her.

Well, right before Thanksgiving (2003) I was picking up a few last minute things and I went through her line. She made a comment to me, "You know, Claire, when one is right with God then everything else falls into place." I was so taken aback! My reply to her was, "Yes, Phyllis, that is true, when one is right with God, things fall into place." Then she said, "I am so glad that I made that decision!" She kept right on talking but I didn't really hear her because I was so fixated on the word "decision." "Decision?" I asked. "Oh yes!" she gushed. So, I sought to qualify, "Was there a specific time, or a day, or date that she could pin point for her decision?" "Oh most definitely! November 10th!" she shared. I just about dropped my bag of groceries as I repeated back to her, "November 10th?" "Oh yes! That's the best day of my whole life!" I looked at her and said, "Phyllis, that is the same day that James' friend and lab partner accepted the Lord! She came out of mormonism!" Phyllis said, "I came out of mormonism, too, and it all began with that cross of yours!!" I then shared that my spiritual birthday was November 6, 1972 at which her eyes got really big and she said, "God has certainly been busy in November, hasn't he? November is the very best month!" I agreed and left the store. As soon as I got out of the store I burst into tears, happy, joyful, tears. And, I called our son first, because Jim was still sleeping, to share the good news, then I began calling all the other people who had been praying for her.

Later, she shared with me how she had been seeking. In fact, she had asked so many questions of so many people in her search to know Truth. It wasn't until she saw my cross and began asking me questions that she thought maybe she was on the right track.

She has joined our ladies Bible study and just loves it and is growing in her relationship with the Lord. It was such a privilege to be used by God to bring Phyllis into His family!

Seeing the Lord work, personally....

Like you, I am sure that you can name numerous times when you have seen the Lord work personally in your family. We have so many stories. Stories that always point to the faithfulness of God and of His provision.

Something has happened recently which made me think back to an incident that took place back in the early 1990's. My husband was to have the first of two shoulder surgeries and I was quitting work to stay home and take care of him and to be a full time Mom again. It was major surgery, because once they got in, they discovered there wasn't anything holding his shoulder in place. They had to reattach with pins and screws etc.

Well, it took a long time for the disability money to kick in. We were quickly going through our savings. But, Jim had told me that this paycheck that was coming would be enough to pay the house payment. Well, payday arrived and Jim told me his check stub was in his work apron. He went to bed and went to sleep. (He worked the night shift.) I tip toed in and pulled out his 'stub' and returned to the kitchen to make the housepayment. I looked down and the amount is over half less than what I expected. Now, I admit, I immediately sank deep into the "pit." It was so dark but the thing that I remember the most was the smell...it smelled like sulfur! I couldn't believe that satan hooked me so easily. Of course, I panicked. I began to moan and cry to the Lord. In my mind, I began to ask questions...such as, "Claire, name one time when I have not been faithful, just one time." Well, I sat there softly crying and trying to think of when the Lord had never been faithful. Right, you've got it! Naturally, there has never been a time when the Lord has not been faithful. Never, ever!!! He cannot be unfaithful!

I finally got up from the table, still not understanding how it was all going to work out but knowing that somehow it would. I slowly tip toed back into the bedroom to replace Jim's paystub in his work apron pocket. As I reached to put the stub back in, I noticed another stub. I looked at the stub in my hand, then back to the apron. I reached for the stub in the apron and pulled out another pay stub!!! The stub I had was from the previous pay day. I quickly crept back out of the room, into the light and looked down at the "new" stub. I'm sure you can imagine the elation and thankfulness as I saw the full amount that would cover our housepayment!! I immediately knelt and asked for the Lord's forgiveness and wept for joy over His provision.

That incident was a "faith changing" moment in my life. I'm sure there have been short moments of doubt, but all it takes is a moment of my recalling the smell of sulfur and I am back, fully recognizing that God is in control, faithful as always. I've come a long way (at least in this area) from that time.

Now, jump forward to the end of March 2001. I gave my two week notice to quit my job (which was a wonderful job if I had to work) because my parents had moved in with us (fall of 1999) and my Dad had just had his hip replaced, and I was needed at home. His eyes were deteriorating so he didn't want to drive anymore and all those types of things that factor into decisions that needed to be made. Well, one week after giving my notice, my Dad died, very unexpectedly. I thank the Lord my sister was here at the time! But, that was a big financial adjustment and, my husband, bless his heart, kept telling me the Lord knows our situation and it will be okay. And, it has been!

Now, this present time....we have found out that because our insurance premiums went up drastically, our present net, take home income has decreased by $250.00 a month! Imagine my shock when we figured out the loss! Now, like most of you, we can't afford a loss of $250.00 in spendable income. The big difference between now and back then is that I am NOT smelling the sulfur!!! I cannot see how logically it will work on paper, however, I do know that the Lord is faithful! He has provided over and over again! Now, when something like this happens, it is actually exciting to see how He will provide!!! Oh, we are making cuts, drastic cuts. My mother is pretty much a recluse, but she does like to go out to eat dinner. We have our favorite restaurants that we make the rounds. But, that has come to a screeching halt. Once a payday, we take her out to eat, not more than that.

Our family has seen the Lord work in such personal ways. Very personal ways. I would not want to trade that for anything! In fact, when we had come into a little money, I told Jim that we needed to really look, each day, and notice how God was working within our family. I didn't want to ever not see His hand in our life! Well, we continue to get our wish! He is continuing to deal directly with us and, as a result, we continue to be stretched and pulled, all for His glory! But, by His interceding on our behalf, we always have something to share with our unsaved friends that points right back to our great and awesome God!

Interview...

Kate, at Under The Sky, is participating in the Interview Game and I am the chosen lucky one! If others are interested then here are the rules for the first five to comment:

1. Leave me a comment saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions.
3. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (Write your own questions or borrow some from other sites.)

Okay, here are Kate's questions and my answers!

What two fiction books have affected your life in such a way as to make a difference?

The first book I would list would be This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti. It really caused me to re-evaluate the importance of prayer and what an impact our prayers have on the world around us.

The second book that I am listing is Deadline by Randy Alcorn. I read this a little while after my father had passed away. Deadline fed both my mind and my heart. What a perspective of heaven Randy Alcorn has!!

If you could transport yourself into any particular time period, but had to stay there forever with your family, where would you go, and what kind of person would you be?

Wow! What a question! My first thought would be that I would want to go on ahead to heaven! There I would be myself, as I am supposed to be, without that ugly sin nature that always seems to get in my way! And, since my whole family is saved they would be right there with me!

What is one thing that most people do not know about you?

Well, I suppose it would be that I modeled, bridesmaids and wedding dresses, during my highschool days for extra money. I also did 'Tea Room' modeling and some photography modeling.

If you could make a public announcement for everyone to hear, what would you say?

I am very shy so I can't really imagine my getting up in front of people and making an annoucement. If God so moved me, and gave me the words, then I would share about His love and our need.

Why do you blog?

This one is easy! I originally began blogging because I have a nephew who didn't respond to emails unless they were dealing with computers. As I talked with my niece, Claire, (his sister)she mentioned that she checked his blog every few days. I asked what a blog was and she told me. Well, after reading his, I thought, "I can do this! What a great way to stay in touch with family, etc." So I took the plunge, then so did my niece. From there it has just mushroomed as I have visited with so many nice people from all over the world.