Glimpses...

Legalism...

2011-11-25T19:52:00.000-08:00

For years I have heard "They are being legalistic", "Don't do that, it's legalism", "Don't take the bible so literal, that's legalism". I have also been apart of saying these things to some sisters. How sad I feel now as I am realizing what 'legalism' is.

I had always thought people who do things out of 'legalism' were just too strict. - I didn't really understand what it meant to be legalistic. Makeup - no makeup, Christmas - no Christmas, skirt - no skirt, long hair - cut hair, work - stay home, pork - no pork, head covering - no head covering, talk in church - don't talk in church... all these things people have their personal convictions about... the bible speaks to some... the choice is ours to obey or not.

Saying that we shouldn't do something at all because it is legalism doesn't make sense to me. Maybe we should be doing it, but with the right heart and the right motives behind it.

What we need to remember is that legalism is the WHY we do something not the WHAT we do.

Legalism: excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code

This is conforming to the law. Doing something because it is a law from God. The law that Jesus fulfilled. Those who live by the law will be judged by the law.

We do not have the right to judge someone else's heart. The WHY they are doing something is not for us to know. I know when I have done something out of a law or out of pure love for my Lord. This is only known to myself and to the Lord. (unless we discuss it)

I pray if I have ever caused you heartache by saying what you did was legalistic, I apologize.

New Study

2011-11-20T19:09:00.000-08:00

I have decided that I need to do a new study.

Personally, I believe that the bible is very clear that the words are for the past, present and future. I also believe the the bible is multi-dimensional. I also believe that one dimension does not negate another.

My first order of business will be to see if the above beliefs can be substantiated from the bible itself. Not always sure where my beliefs stem from.

My following order of business will be to study out these next thoughts:

If when man and women are joined they become one... what does that mean and look like (in all the dimensions I am privy to)

Dependent on how they are 'one' - why do we have the different levels of authority - what do they look like and how are they displayed.

Also - why is the bible written to brethren mostly... (word study in this is going to be a must)
Do we make this harder then it is? - This is something Joe keeps pondering, probably ought to be listening to this more.

Where are the lines drawn between 'legalism' - to the point of saddening God and 'being free in Christ' - to the point of saddening God.

This will be interesting to say the least.

Praying I have ears to hear and eyes to see all of His truths and to know the deeper things of Him.

Out of the mouth of babes....

2009-09-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

Ashley, my daughter, in all her ways tries very hard to make Cameron feel 'normal'. The other day she came up to me out of the blue and said, "Mommy, I know something everyone is allergic too!"

"Really, What?" I replied not really knowing what to anticipate. She responds with "Sin".

At first I thought - "Aww how sweet she was trying to make Cameron not feel so alone and not so different. How she is always so thoughtful!" "But, we really aren't allergic to sin..." (Not that I said all that)

Throughout the day I started to think about what she said. Were we really all allergic to sin... well no not really in the worlds vocabulary... but...

WHAT IF sin caused hives? WHAT IF sin caused a runny nose and itchy eyes? WHAT IF sin caused this reaction that we are so scared of that literally cuts off the air ways and suffocates someone! I bet we'd stay pretty far away from it. - I bet I would watch everything I did - just like I watch what goes into my sons mouth. Just like I watch what he grabs off the table. I bet I wouldn't let my life get cross-contaminated either. I bet I'd grab my bible so fast (just like I do his Epipen or Benedryl)...

What IF we thought that way. I wish I had my mind programmed that way.

Praise God who speaks so clearly through the mouths of our little ones. I urge you to listen to what your little ones are saying. It's not always from them!

I am the disease of...

2009-09-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

I hate meetings. I hate a higher power. I hate anyone who has a program. To all who come in contact with me, I wish you death and suffering.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am the disease of addiction.

Cunning, baffling and powerful, that's me. I have killed millions and I am pleased. I love to catch you with the element of suprise. I love pretending that I am your friend and lover.

I have given you comfort, have I not? Wasn't I there when you were lonely? When you wanted to die, didn't you call on me? I was there.

I love to make you hurt. I am the disease of addiction.

I love to make you cry. Better yet, I love when I make you so numb you can neither hurt nor cry. When you can't feel anything at all, this is my true glory. I will give you instant gratification and all I ask of you is long time suffering. I've always been there for you. When things were going right in life, you invited me. You said you didn't deserve good things and I was the one who would agree with you. Together we were able to destroy all things good in your life. I am the disease of addiction.

People don't take me seriously. They take other diseases seriously. Heart attacks, even Diabetes are taken seriously. Fools that people are, they don't believe that with my help, these horrible things happen sooner and more often. I am the disease of addiction.

I am such a hated disease. And yet, I do not show up uninvited. You allowed and even encouraged me to grow. I hate all of you. Yet, so many have chosen me over reality and peace.

I am the disease of addiction.

More then you hate me, I hate all of you who have a 12-step program. Working your program, acknowledging your higher power, using a sponser, all weaken me and I can not function effectively.

Now I must lie here quiestly. You may not see me, but I am looming over you bigger than ever.

When you deny me, only then will I grow.

When you take the steps , I shrivel to nothing.

But I am here. Patiently waiting until we meet again, if we meet again.

I wish you death and suffering.

I am the disease of addiction.

- unknown author

Thoughts on Forgivness

2009-09-03T18:21:00.000-07:00

The struggles that we face in this life will vary. The way in which we handle them will vary. Some of us will scream. Some will cry. Some will pray. Some will leave. Some will stay. Some will seek others guidance and some will seek Christs example. Some will do a mixture.

What about the struggles we cause. What about the ones we think e should have stopped? What about the ones we think we are responsible for... - How horrible we are. The ones we hold in the back of our minds - If I had only.... How could I have possible done that?

- So someone will say - "YOU NEED TO FORGIVE YOURSELF"

- why doesn't this seem to help. I JUST CAN'T FORGIVE MYSELF!

I have realized that this in itself is selfish behavior. Christ does not call us to forgive ourselves. He calls us to forgive others - so God can forgive us. Jesus said so himself in Matthew 6:14-15. 15 says - But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will you Father forgive your trespasses.

I personally believe that to assume the responsibility of forgiver of your own sins - we are taking the role of the offended and the role of the Great Judge. Neither of which do we have the right to take the role of. We are in an essence putting ourselves above God.

There is nothing to forgive yourself for. That is not your place to do. If one has repented. He will be forgiven - by the one he sinned against. Obviously, I must add, a repenting heart - is only God's to judge.

I have to accept the fact that myself and everyone else around me has and will sin. (Romans 3:23).

If I can forgive others for their trespasses, mine will be forgiven, by the Almighty.

I can only ask that if you are waiting for a day when you think you will be able to forgive yourself... Satan will assure that day will not come. Realizing that you do not have the Power that He has to forgive yourself - is the beginning. Accept that you sin. Lay it down and pray for his grace and mercy. He will give it to you. Stand up, hold your held up high, walk as His child. Knowing He loves you. Seek His Wisdom in overcoming.

Satan is holding you back, God does not want this for you.

Our IHOP experience... but soo much more!

2009-08-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

So the other night Joe and I were at IHOP in Avon. 2 am mind you... long story on how we got there. Won't go into that.

Joe has been dealing with headaches, this was the second night he had experienced his headache and had been up all night the previous day. Oh, how I wanted to help him. Oh, how I did NOT want to go talk to people and ask for them for medicine. (I don't tend to go up to people- even when God prompts) I debated in my head whether or not to approach these people in our section, a group of 7. God was urging me to be a dutiful wife and help my husband! - But going up to people... so as my body was moving to go over there - I was still contemplating whether I was going to go... a few times in my life I have done this sort of thing. Where my body decides I'm doing something before my mind has it made up. Holy Spirit is my guess.

I asked a women at the end if she perhaps had any Tylenol. She replied by suggesting that another women had some Excedrin PM and when the table saw me the other lady said "We've got prayer too!" - I said "That will work too!"

So these two women follow me back to our table in the middle of the IHOP floor. Ask for Joe's permission to pray for him - obviously he said yes. She put his hands on his forehead and prayed in tongues for healing and then started prophesying!!! Goosebumps. So cool! We continue with our conversation for a bit - with these two standing at our table. Then they came and prayed for me. The things she spoke could have only come from God himself! She didn't know us. She doesn't know our life. Yet she knew the depth of us. God knows our hearts inside and out. I'm so grateful to Him. Three days earlier I had received from the Spirit a simple. - It's okay - what does that mean! God was able to use this vessel to ease all my doubts in a matter of one minute of earthly time. Not only did he accomplish that, but so many other valuable lessons did I learn.

Her words - God's words - are in my heart forever

Here is what she said to each of us.

To Joe:
You are riddled with stress and turmoil. You do not give it to Him. (then she said some healing things) - then - I see you as a pastor. You are called for that. I see a rocket ship for you. You have some doctrinal issues that need to be quirked and put in line and then you will take off. You have to let it go.

To me:
You are a true worshiper. This is how you stay close to Him. I see you crying a lot. God wants you to know that the promises He has given you -even the ones that you have not shared with anyone - are true and He will deliver in His time. Stay with Him. You are a good help meet. You really are. Don't compare yourself with others. You were uniquely made for His purpose.

If you knew the questions I have had for Him lately - you would not wonder if this was truly from our Father. - Only He knows what I ask in my heart.

I have often wondered in the past few years if my vision of my husband standing in front of others speaking would ever come to be.

Hold tight to Me my darling and in My time I will show you My paths.

Praise You Father!

- Me

Petition Denied

2009-07-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

If I wondered WHY all my life - I'd do nothing else with my time. This is my new revelation. It really doesn't matter WHY. I have been struggling with this for a long time in my life. I have always wanted to know the answer to - why! I loved my job as an analyst - I could figure out the why. It always made sense. - Well if it didn't - it should have and easily could have.

Our petition to the judge was denied. Joe will not be living at this address with us. So, what's the next step... that's the question we are seeking answers for. God does not intend for our family to be separated... or does He? Was this our doing? Or His? Does it matter? What to do with it - this is what is important... we should try to handle it the way Christ would. Or the best rendering we sinful people can do. How would Christ handle this? Suffer quietly and let His plan work... probably - but - what if this is our doing? - can we undo this? can we 'let His plan work' when we already messed with it!? Oh, how I wish I could know his plan... Ha! - then I'd be Him - that's not gonna happen.

I shall continue praying for my husband, our marriage, our family and our livelihood - as all are found in Him.

I can only pray that one day I will see mu Judge and He will say "well done, good and faithful servant."...

and if not - I hope I just get to see Him!

Elizabeth Prentiss

2009-07-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Prentiss was an amazing author. So far, I have read two (actually finishing the second tonight) of her books and I am about to embark on her actual life story (published by her husband after her death). This women's heart for God is seen through her books. They were written in the mid 1800's. A time when trials, death, pain and sicknesses were all around them, much unlike what we see here today. Each page is filled with the Spirit. The things she writes show how this world is fallen and how it started back then. They show a picture of a life so close to God through all the pain. I pray I could have such a closeness through my pains.

They make me look at my babes and realize how they are completely NOT mine! Oh, what a precious task He has given me. To take care of them for Him! I wish more of her books were available. I have as my own rule not read fiction unless advised to by someone I trust... This women allowed the Spirit to move through her. I would read any of her fiction - so much truth in it. Ironic.

Pain is inevitable - Suffering is optional.

I saw that on the Casting Crowns website - you know when I was buying tickets to a concert I couldn't go too...lol - really spoke to me!

Cameron

2009-07-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

Cameron had his allergy testing redone today. A poor poor way to spend his summer afternoon. Twenty-four pricks on the back. Twenty minutes being held down by daddy. No fun! He did, however, manage to get a slushy, a new set of hot wheels and a popsicle out of the deal today.

I am confused about his testing. Why would they do prick testing now? Why not blood testing as they did 3 yrs ago? I do not like the chance of human error. Everything measured off of his back with a ruler! We are talking the difference of a MILLIMETER and it would change the outcome of the results. Obviously humans mess up! I understand that everyone make mistakes. I just don't want it to be when we are discussing my sons ability to eat certain foods that may or may not have the potential risk for disaster. So, for future testing we are going to be requesting blood testing. Why even bother putting a helpless babe through that crazy painful procedure anyhow! Okay - got that off my heart. Therapy through blogging...

I'm joining the "in-crowd"...

2009-07-07T19:34:00.000-07:00

So today I have decided to join the cool group of society... - I'm going to be a blogger.

Hello, My name is Cari. Nice to meet you!