More on Mars Hill

February 29, 2008 by pamela.

I thought it appropriate to clarify something in regard to my previous entry: Birthcontrol at Mars Hill.  First, I’d be remiss if I didn’t quickly say that I think Mark Driscoll is a good teacher and sound in doctrine.   I think he handles societal issues well — though differently than I might.  But so what.  I don’t live in Seattle anymore.  Near, but not in.

I also want to clarify that my entry was in regards only to that particular sermon on birthcontrol and his personal views and teaching on that particular matter (though I tend to believe that his teaching and personal application are not necessarily exactly the same).  I believe he must, as a compassionate teacher, feel the need to be lenient - or compassionate to reach those for whom there are no easy answers.  And… I’ll give him that - bcz, face it, we’re all lenient at times regardless of what we think we resolutely believe or think we’d say or do in a given situation.  Faced with it, we might not necessarily do what we resolutely say we would do.   So — given more time to mull over what he said, I understand why he takes the broader lane of the narrow path.  Okay… so… Mars Hill.  In my previous blog entry, I was just alluding to some of his comments on birthcontrol and the biblical rational or mandate regarding its use or practice or prohibition.  Those are some things I might question.  But as for the general teaching and theology of Mars Hill.  Fine; just fine.  I think what one might glean by listening to his teaching would be profitable and insightful.  So, yeah — hope that doesn’t make things clear a mud.

And, by the way,  the Seattle Mars Hill Church is in no way affiliated with Rob Bell’s Mars Hill in Michigan.

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Birthcontrol at Mars Hill

February 29, 2008 by pamela.

In our area lots of folks are drawn to the Mars Hill church in Seattle and ‘tens of thousands’ more who listen on line. I began to watch this lengthy video - it is a sermon, after all, and listened to his take on birth control and what the Bible says about  marriage, procreation and principles of birth control. So after listening for awhile I realized that he, as we all do I suppose, interprets according to his conviction or his interpretations or reactions to what he’s read, heard or seen. I notice this throughout life, when we like someone or want to like someone, then we tend to accept what they say or teach - but if not, and especially when it comes to ‘religious’ people with views counter to our own, we tend to discount, exaggerate or mock what they say, do or think. We might even dare to call them legalists or legalistic. That label used to be bandied about by people outside the church, but now it’s increasingly common within the church to divide from legalists. Interestingly, though, legalism has been redefined to include much more than it ever did before recent times. Now, legalism is anything that holds to what’s considered a ‘narrow view’ of the Word of God and moral absolutes. Before the paradigm shift of much of the modern church, what’s now called legalism was simply adherence to high morals based on what’s clearly defined and taught in the Word.

When Mark Driscoll started his sermon, I thought… hmmm… I think he just might have something here. But the longer I listened, the more I realized he had an agenda (again, as most of us do when talking about things we’re passionate about) and his preconceived notions or his biases were evident. If you like (follow, subscribe to, admire, agree with, etc., etc.) Christian teachers such as Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Nancy Campbell, Doug Phillips and/or Mary Pride, then his comments and interpretations of their teachings, Biblical understanding or positions will likely cause a reaction. And it won’t be cheerful. Well, that’s what I thought, anyway. But I always react pretty strongly when people trot out the Andrea Yates argument and start dumping conservative homeschooling, homebirthing, yada, yada, yada mothers into her bathtub.

Further, you’ll likely have some strong reactions if you’re attempting to live in accordance with God’s Word and are asking His blessing on your marriage and especially if you understand that to mean: one, some, none, many or however many children “blessing” means. And if, with that mindset, you are “quiverful minded” and/or are a homeschooling mom in a dress with a wide collar (snipe, snipe) or if you take the verse, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it…,” to mean what it says and you don’t reinterpret it to fit your agenda, then you will likely react to Mark Driscoll’s condescending remarks.
But… if you’ve been taught to believe otherwise, then… you’ll find his sermon and his assumptions — well, just what you want to hear. Bcz whatever you think is what’s best.

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Standing in the Presents of God pt.2

February 26, 2008 by pamela.

—amelia

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Standing in the Presents of God

February 25, 2008 by pamela.

No, that wasn’t a typographical error. I suppose it might even seem as though I misspelled “presence” for what may have seemed like an intro to a Brother Lawrence book. But no.

Tonight I’m feeling like I’m standing in the presents of God. Maybe even buried in the presents of God — for He is and has been ever faithful and abundantly gracious to me — to my husband — to our family. And not only to me, to us or to ours alone, but to all of us. Exceedingly and abundantly gracious.

I smiled at the error of standing in God’s presents last week when Amelia, drawing what she was hearing during our morning family breakfast and Bible study time, shared her picture with the family. She drew a large stack of presents –packages, neatly wrapped and tied with ribbons and bows — presents stacked high in a heaping pile. And beside the pile was a man standing in God’s presents. Wes asked Amelia to describe her picture and she happily and boldly shared that Moses and Aaron were standing in the presents of God! Inside I laughed at the innocence of the drawing… the lack of understanding and knowledge of the presence of God. I smiled at her sweet delight at how wonderful it must have been for Moses. Indeed it must have been!

But the more the days passed, the more I began to realize that I am, in reality, standing in the presents of God. Just today, I was profoundly aware of the freedom to read God’s Word, the beautiful children seated at the table reading their own copies of the Bible and the meal we shared together was plenty. I thought of the delicious, cold filtered water that I freely drink, the lights I turn on in every room of our home and the clothing I couldn’t quickly decide which dress to wear, the buckets full of grain and oats and assorted other foods, cabinets full of choices, a refrigerator full of lots of different foods to make into meals for this family… and on and on the presents were piled high all around me.

And then the floor that needed to be mopped because there was dirt on it but it is not made of dirt. And our windows close and curtains hang there just to look pretty and serve no other purpose. The school books, the herbs and vitamins, the fruit and the shoes — plenty for each child. Coats - coats for work and for play, for dress and for casual. Coats. Presents of God.

Timothy phoned from Ghana, West Africa… hot and tired, achy and sore from long, hot days of work in the sun. Still cheerful, I marvel, with none of these things. Presents of God. As I type this tonight in my bright little room, a candle on my desk and a cup of delicious tea beside me, Kathryn is on a plane traveling to London and then on to Jinja, Uganda. 7000 miles away, tomorrow she will walk in red dirt to see little children she loves. And it will be worth every moment, every mile. She will have no running water and intermittent electricity — no so-called luxuries. She will be joyful - indeed- and yet will have none of these things. Presents of God.

As I practice the awareness of the presence of God, I am humbly mindful of the presents of God and His merciful kindness and lavish provision on our behalf - and I haven’t even touched on the greatest of all gifts — the gift of salvation. As I stand in the presents of God, I pray I do not neglect gratitude nor take for granted the Giver of these gifts — and as I lie down to sleep I will be humbly standing in awe of the presence and presents of God.

—pamela

[edited to correct that it was Amelia’s drawing; 2-26]

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Kathryn…

February 25, 2008 by pamela.

At long last… today’s the day…

Kathryn leaves for Uganda this afternoon and so we’re busily wrapping up last minute details…  attempting to pack whatever can possibly fit in to eight hours and two suitcases.

I’ll update her letters and photos as I receive them.   Thank you for your prayers to the Lord on her behalf.  She’s a marvelous young woman and precious daughter and friend.

—pamela

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Motherhood’s a coupla short words

February 22, 2008 by pamela.

Do you ever consider the words you say the most? I mean, besides, ” justa minute” or any other phrase you use to buy yourself a few more minutes of time before you tend to the ‘interruption” behind you? I’m thinking that the words I say most are these (and I must’ve read too many D. Seuss books early on bcz my words all tend to rhyme): no. go. so.

There’s any combination of: no throw(ing). you’re sure grow(ing). can you tie a bow? tell me what you know. can you show me? hurry, hurry, hurry, let’s not be slow. i do laundry, i’m a pro. yes, there are many children here… just look at my garden grow. stack them up, put them in a row. And everyday’s a marvel: well, whaddya know!

What got me to thinking about this is that I am gathering things to send to Timothy in Africa. And at the same time, we’re in the midst of gathering and preparation for Kathryn to leave for Uganda in a few days. And along with that, getting ready to send Hannah with our daughter-in-law to Florida for a little vacation. Go, go, go… see them go.

To all this growing and going I want to say, justa minute. Must you go so soon? And I think, where’d the time go? Has it been that many years since they were young? And then my mind is awash with memories and pictures pass through my thoughts like a slide show - only the slide show goes slower than time seems to have gone.

I think back on the younger years… all day long: no, no, no… come this way, let’s go… time to go… do you have to go? mama said, no.  Good boy, I knew you could do it, I told you so! Can you do that yourself?  There you go! Oopsie-daisy, here you go.  Time to go night, night… let’s go. Time to brush your teeth: let’s go.  Did you go? You made that picture —Ooooo! O, sure I want to know. My-o-my… how fast they grow. And then I look at the hands of time moving swiftly forward and I want to say, no. Let’s stay here awhile. Let’s take things slow.

But I’m sure that’s not how I saw things in the early days, when I was saying “no” and “go” much more than I ever do today. A few years into, what I fondly now call, the early days, older women were telling me to “enjoy these days” — and I’m pretty sure I nodded in agreement — but sometimes, inside, I was thinking: enjoy these days… hmmm… I’m just trying to get through them!  And then, often enough (Thank You Lord)  I’d have another woman say to me, “…enjoy these days…” and then I’d strengthen my resolve once more to think of motherhood as more than something to get through… but something to enjoy and the days more than something to just get through… and I did enjoy them - and I do, more, now.

O, I still say, “no” a lot. I still say, “go” a lot.  But it’s funny… now the words are in a different order, the older the children get and the more they leave home.  Go? Now, I’m saying, Is it time to go? And my insides hurt and I think, no. I hug them and kiss them and smile at what the Long has done… and I say, as much as I don’t want you to go… I’m so proud of you and I know it’s time to go. No, really: Go.

So……….

While I work I often find I’m singing and really am thinking of and thanking the Lord for His ways…

So Send I You

So send I you to labor unrewarded,
To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown,
To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing,
So send I you to toil for Me alone.

So send I you to bind the bruised and broken,
O’er wand’ring souls to work, to weep, to wake,
To bear the burdens of a world aweary-
So send I you to suffer for My sake.

So send I you - to loneliness and longing,
With heart a-hungering for the loved and known;
Forsaking home and kindred, friend and dear one,
So send I you - to know My love alone.

So send I you - to leave your life’s ambitions,
To die to dear desire, self-will resign,
To labor long and love where men revile you,
So send I you - to lose your life in Mine.

So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred,
To eyes made blind because they will not see,
To spend, tho’ it be blood, to spend and spare not-
So send I you to taste of Calvary.

*After many years, Miss Clarkson added to the hymn, writing verses that reflected the trials, and the joys, of God’s call on the lives of his children. As she matured she recognized that she was sent out to minister to others, not in isolation, but in triumph.

So send I you - by grace made strong to triumph
O’er hosts of Hell, o’er darkness, death, and sin,
My name to bear, and in that name to conquer-
So send I you, My victory to win.

So send I you - to take to souls in bondage
The word or truth that sets the captive free,
To break the bonds of sin, to loose death’s fetters-
So send I you, to bring the lost to Me.

So send I you - My strength to know in weakness,
My joy in grief, My perfect peace in pain,
To prove My pow’r, My grace, My promised presence -
So send I you, eternal fruit to gain.

So send I you - to bear My Cross with patience
And then one day with joy to lay it down,
To hear My Voice, “Well done, My faithful servant -
Come share My throne, my kingdom and My crown.

“As the Father hath sent Me… so send I you.”

Margaret Clarkson - words
John W. Peterson - music

Posted in My life, Motherhood | Print | 1 Comment »

Another slice of “the church” today

February 19, 2008 by pamela.

Millions follow the writings of this particular “pastor.”

Staggering. Really.

 

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Pruning

February 19, 2008 by pamela.

The view from my kitchen sink seems not to have changed all that much for several months now. No leaves on the trees, no fruit on the vines, no blooms on the canes. Seemingly dead bushes and trees. But this morning I imagined a symphony rehearsing what will be a spectacular performance in a few short weeks from now. It’s as if the whole earth is rumbling getting ready for the pageantry of spring. The sun even seems to be eagerly anticipating the presentation of the spectacular!

The days are longer — several more minutes every day add to the glow of the evenings. I see the canes of the many bushes in my rose garden… I picture the pinks, whites, peaches, yellows and reds. I smile as I anticipate coming mornings where I will walk around to smell the roses and see each day’s handiwork of the Lord. I can almost feel the warmth of the sun on my face and nearly squint at the hope of the brightness of the sunshine.

But first… pruning.  Soon, I’ll go out to cut back the unproductive canes, the thickest and seemingly best and strongest canes and the work will appear to have destroyed each rosebush. Each year as I prune the roses, I have this nearly gasping feeling that maybe this year the pruning will yield results opposite to my intent — and that intent is abundance of blooms and healthy plants - the deeper the pruning, the more prolific the yield - it will seem that the whole bush will be sacrificed. I used to give in to the feeling that taking away or deeply pruning canes would result in fewer beautiful roses since the canes would be fewer and shorter.   So, in another of my many lessons from the garden,  in those years there were very few roses and the bushes were diseased and weren’t beautifully full of rich shades of green leaves and buds.

I suppose it’s much like the children of Israel wondering if they will be protected, fed and led by the Lord. Doubting God. They chose their own way, they reasoned they knew better than God what was best for them.  We often doubt that God will do what He has said He will do.

Well, I suppose that a garden of fragrant blooms isn’t exactly a promise of the Lord, but He has demonstrated to me, countless times over the years, His ways in the garden are pictures for me of His ways in my life, in my heart and in my home. The doubting He will guide and provide, the wondering if He is seeing and hearing and then the experiencing of His deep pruning the foolish, wasteful, unproductive areas of my life. Well, that’s the same with the roses.   I love the Lord— and see His tender care for, in my life as in my garden, the deeper the pruning the sweeter the blooming.

I smiled as I read today’s Streams in the Desert… as God would have it, the devotion was on the importance of pruning. :o) God is sweet to me — always demonstrating His presence and confirming His ways.

So, here’s today’s Stream… may you be blessed as I am in the reading of it:

Pruned to Yield Fruit

“And every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).

A child of God was dazed by the variety of afflictions which seemed to make her their target. Walking past a vineyard in the rich autumnal glow she noticed the untrimmed appearance and the luxuriant wealth of leaves on the vines, that the ground was given over to a tangle of weeds and grass, and that the whole place looked utterly uncared for; and as she pondered, the Heavenly Gardener whispered so precious a message that she would fain pass it on:

“My dear child, are you wondering at the sequence of trials in your life? Behold that vineyard and learn of it. The gardener ceases to prune, to trim, to harrow, or to pluck the ripe fruit only when he expects nothing more from the vine during that season. It is left to itself, because the season of fruit is past and further effort for the present would yield no profit. Comparative uselessness is the condition of freedom from suffering. Do you then wish me to cease pruning your life? Shall I leave you alone?” And the comforted heart cried, “No!”

–Homera Homer-Dixon

It is the branch that bears the fruit,
That feels the knife,
To prune it for a larger growth,
A fuller life.

Though every budding twig be lopped,
And every grace
Of swaying tendril, springing leaf,
Be lost a space.

O thou whose life of joy seems reft,
Of beauty shorn;
Whose aspirations lie in dust,
All bruised and torn,

Rejoice, tho’ each desire, each dream,
Each hope of thine
Shall fall and fade; it is the hand
Of Love Divine

That holds the knife, that cuts and breaks
With tenderest touch,
That thou, whose life has borne some fruit
May’st now bear much.

–Annie Johnson Flint

I receive the Streams in the Desert by email each day, but am so blessed to have an original 1925 copy of the book, Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Chas E. Cowman, right here on my desk. The book was my father-in-law’s and that, I suppose, makes it even more meaningful to me. It’s a book very well worth searching for. There are newer, edited versions of this daily devotional. I just love the old books best.

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the hidden benefits of natural occurances

February 16, 2008 by pamela.

What do you say… Obama’s campaign rallies have turned into healing services? O, I understand the heat, the long wait and the extremely crowded venues. That’s not what I’m talking about… I’m simply observing the emotional connection created when there is a ‘medical situation’ and crowds are unified by hope for the individual’s swift recovery… then to couple that with Obama presiding over the vigil… well, a great prescription for the party. What do you think… think folks are going to see these episodes and not give a hoot about policies (or experience or moral opinions or historical events or even the complexities of law and government) and just based on his eloquent handling of these situations will think: Ah… give us king obama? Give us a healer. Give us anything.

So, Go Ron Paul… I know it’s a long shot, maybe… but it’s not over… by a long shot.

A long time ago I began to some verses that have come to mind many times - especially in light of all these things in our nation and world. I have considered over and over that it, in reality, is God who sets up kings and takes down nations. Everything that is is allowed to be because of His sovereignty and His discretion. Amazing. The passage I was reading and considering is this:

“Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. ” — Daniel 2.20-22

—pamela

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What is a billion…

February 16, 2008 by pamela.

No, no… this particular entry is not about Exxon… but, may I say: O-wow - and that’s a whole other story. O-wow.

My mom sent this email to me earlier today. A Billion $$$$$

The next time you hear a politician use the word ‘billion’ in a casual manner, think about whether you want the ‘politicians’ spending YOUR tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.

D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet.

E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it.

While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let’s take a look at New Orleans It’s amazing what you can learn with some simple division.

Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D), is presently asking the Congress for $250 BILLION to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number, what does it mean?

A. Well, if you are one of 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman, child), you each get $516,528.

B. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787.

C. Or, if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012.

Washington , D.C . HELLO!!! … Are all your calculators broken??

Tax his land,

Tax his wage,

Tax his bed in which he lays.

Tax his tractor,

Tax his mule,

Teach him taxes is the rule.

Tax his cow,

Tax his goat,

Tax his pants,

Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,

Tax his shirts,

Tax his work,

Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,

Tax his drink,

Tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his booze,

Tax his beers,

If he cries,

Tax his tears.

Tax his bills,

Tax his gas,

Tax his notes,

Tax his cash.

Tax him good and let him know
That after taxes, he has no dough.

If he hollers,

Tax him more,

Tax him until he’s good and sore.

Tax his coffin,

Tax his grave,

Tax the sod in which he lays.

Put these words upon his tomb,

‘Taxes drove me to my doom!‘

And when he’s gone,

We won’t relax,

We’ll still be after the inheritance TAX!!

Accounts Receivable Tax

Building Permit Tax

CDL License Tax

Cigarette Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Dog License Tax

Federal Income Tax

Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Fuel Perm it Tax

Gasoline Tax

Hunting License Tax

Inheritance Tax

Inventory Tax

IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),

IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),

Liquor Tax,

Luxury Tax,

Marriage License Tax,

Medicare Tax,

Property Tax,

Real Estate Tax,

Service charge taxes,

Social Security Tax,

Road Usage Tax (Truckers),

Sales Taxes,

Recreational Vehicle Tax,

School Tax,

State Income Tax,

State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),

Telephone Federal Excise Tax,

Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,

Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,

Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,

Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,

Telephone State and Local Tax,

Telephone Usage Charge Tax,

Utility Tax,

Vehicle License Registration Tax,

Vehicle Sales Tax,

Watercraft Registration Tax,

Well Permit Tax,

Workers Compensation Tax.

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened? Can you spell: ‘politicians!’

And I still have to “press 1” for English. “

[[and my note? Here it is: Vote for Ron Paul ! ]]

Posted in Society | Print | 2 Comments »

speaking of letters…

February 16, 2008 by pamela.

We received a great letter yesterday from our boy, Timothy, in Ghana.  Happily, we received a phone call from him yesterday afternoon as well!  God is so merciful to us, each one… just the moment we have a need: He’s already there.

So, here’s a link to Timothy’s page… letters are on subsequent pages.

I’m sorting and filing piles and piles of papers, letters, pictures and cards here today… so strolling down memory lane does not allow much time for blogging.  More later.

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Ahhhh… another happy valentine’s day

February 14, 2008 by pamela.

thanks pam, for sending this… blessings —ps

Posted in devotionals | Print | 1 Comment »

Happy Valentine’s Day Sweet-tarts!

February 14, 2008 by pamela.

 

 

with blessings and love to you all.

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Are Your Locks Secure?

February 12, 2008 by pamela.

Ever heard of a bump key? Well…. you may have never heard of them, but thanks to the internet and easy accessibility, thieves have! Here’s a video showing just how easy (and cheap) it is to effortlessly break into any house. Illegal without a locksmith license, bump keys are easily accessible on the internet for a few dollars. Thieves can efficiently enter your home with little effort or trace of forced entry. This news story is nearly a year old but I just received a mail today with this video clip. O — there are apparently locks you can purchase and install that aren’t opened with a bump key. Here’s the locksmith guy’s website with info on bump keys and secure locks: bayarealocks.com

Posted in Potpourri | Print | 2 Comments »

miscellaneous miscellany

February 11, 2008 by pamela.

Have you ever noticed that, in conversation with a relative stranger, when you mention your occupation or favourite subject of study or hobby or whatever, the person will often make a comment about your particular passion or interest. Often they’ll be an expert on the subject and will say something like, you know, there are two things about - thus and so.

Try it sometime, when someone mentions something you happen to have an interest in, just say something like: there are two things about __________. I read that somewhere, some time ago. It’s kind of like that book, Everything I ever Needed to know I Learned in Kindergarten. Well, the Two Things goes like this: “For every subject, there are really only two things you really need to know. Everything else is the application of those two things, or just not important.”

I’ve been mulling over lots of life’s Two Things (try it, you’ll find yourself thinking of many “The Two Things about________…”). Here are some I’ve been thinking about… and each time I think of one, I then think of what I think might be a better one. Or two.

The Two Things about parenting:
1. What’s the most important thing right now?
2. This, too, shall pass.

The Two Things about marriage:
1. Today’s the day to make it the best.
2. Things won’t always be this way.

The Two Things about life:
1. Everyone wants to be loved.
2. Everyone wants to be accepted.

The Two Things about people:
1. Everyone wants to be right.
2. Everyone wants to feel important.

The Two Things about the game of life:
1. Don’t cheat.
2. Don’t give up.

The Two Things about social life:
1. You only have one chance to make a good first impression.
2. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

The Two Things about marriage:
1. Always be the first to say you’re sorry.
2. Always say you’re sorry first.

Here are some more ideas from the Two Things guy - Glen Whitman

The Two Things about Computer Programming:
1. Idiocy increases faster than idiot-proofing.
2. All compiling errors boil down to a missing semicolon.

The Two Things about Blogging:
1. Everyone who runs one is a kook.
2. Everyone who comments in one is a kook.

The Two Things about Women
1. When complaining, they don’t want your advice, they want your sympathy.
2. Don’t you dare tell them you can sum them up with just Two Things.

The Two Things about Parenting:
1. There’s no such thing as too much affection
2. It’s not so much what you say, as it is what you do

The Two Things about Driving:
1. Don’t hit anything.
2. Don’t let anything hit you.

The Two things about homeschooling:
1. Education has nothing to do with going to school.
2. It’s not really about education.

More “Two Things” another time.

________________________________________

 

Have you had enough of the elections already?!?!

Do you still wonder who you’re going to vote for? Take this test… you’ll see your choice.

____________________________________________

Vote Chooser

Just think… one of the greatest promises in Scripture is one we might not consider to be our greatest or favourite promise: 2 Timothy 3.12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

 

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Kitchen Fire Safety

February 10, 2008 by pamela.

Kristen sent this mail… I’m including the text of the mail and a copy of the video clip she sent along with the mail.

Subject: Kitchen Fire

I never realized that a wet dishtowel can be a one size fits all lid to cover a fire in a pan!

This is a dramatic video (30-second, very short) about how to deal with a common kitchen fire … oil in a frying pan. Read the following introduction, then watch the show … It’s a real eye-opener!!

At the Fire Fighting Training school, they would demonstrate this with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An instructor would don a fire suit and using an 8 oz cup at the end of a 10 foot pole toss water onto the grease fire. The results got the attention of the students.

The water, being heavier than oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. On the open field, it became a thirty foot high fireball that resembled a nuclear blast. Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fireball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room.

Also, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire. One cup creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite. This is a powerful message—-watch the video and don’t forget what you see. Tell your whole family about this video… ”

Posted in Homemaking, Potpourri | Print | 1 Comment »

Time flies…

February 10, 2008 by pamela.

I was wondering… how long ago was it that we remodeled our upstairs bathroom? A couple of years? Three years? Already? Here’s what was happening in the month of February 2005

Timothy sent new pics… here’s the latest from Ghana and other pics, too - his page here. I love making pages for our children… their adventures and the Lord’s work in and through them. God is faithful. Always.

Timothy’s really working to acclimate to the culture and people of Ghana to get to know them and serve so that he can more fully relate to them and to proclaim the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, his work continues… talking with locals, getting to know them and their families, helping the missionaries there and getting the missions training school ready and well… and becoming a local. ;o)

He’s really pretty incredible with a few buckets of paint. :o)

This is his room now… it will eventually be a ‘boys dorm’ when the young men come to stay and study at the mission’s training school. I think Timo’s pretty pleased with the outcome of the room… it looks to me like a Ghanaian team room. :o)

Now we see why he brought soccer balls and wants us to send more. He uses them to start up conversations - and then friendships are begun. He gets attention by simply being there - but I’m thinking that he is getting attention because he is *living* there. The Lord says to *occupy* till He comes.

O, may we all be found *occupied* with the Lord today - not preoccupied with all the stuff of our plans.

Posted in Timothy - Ghana, My life | Print | No Comments »

Reason number 20808 to Homeschool

February 8, 2008 by pamela.

As if you really needed another reason to stay the course and train up your children at home.

Boy wants to Return to School as a Girl

I know, I know… just bcz children go to a government school doesn’t mean they’ll be confused as to who they are or that all gvmnt schools are bad. To be sure though, government schools certainly aren’t teaching children what God says about who and what He created and why He did so — or who they are in Christ Jesus.

Omy. Next week it’ll be a dog.

Posted in Society, Homeschooling | Print | 7 Comments »

An Impassioned Plea (view & listen)

February 7, 2008 by pamela.

I love the enthusiasm of this young woman and her love for the Truth.

 

Posted in The Church Today |