Wow, it has been a while...
My name is Patsy, I have a blog, I confess I am too busy for a blog, not really, I am just a procrastinator... I am ashamed to say that it has been 3 months since my last blog post...
We bought our STAS tickets today(for those who dont know) that is short for Stateside Assignment (formerly known as furlough). On one hand it is super exciting, on the other, sort of a downer, SO BOO-YAY...
Why oh why does my life have to be filled with so many mixed emotions.
I love my family there. I love America. I love American soil. I love American English. I cannot tell you the number of times we have returned and just hearing the southern accents in Houston or Atlanta airports, bring tears flooding. I remember once how we helped translate a conversation between a Britian, who spoke perfect british English, and a sweet black Georgia lady. Michael felt so "important and needed" He still loves to tell that story.
I also remember traveling back once in July and there was the sweetest Russian couple, who traveled all the way from Moscow with us to Jackson MS for the first time. They spoke no English. What fun it was to help them on the plane to communicate and tell them about our wonderful state. We tried to warn them of the July temps/humidity, but they just didnt get it... We made sure to stay close to them so that we could see their expressions when they entered the outside. It was priceless and indescribable, like someone had taken their last breath as they tried to breath in the wonderful Ms summer air (or lack thereof). They literaly gasped and looked at us like, "Do people actually live here?" I must admit, I felt a little revenge and pride. Yep, cause we felt the same thing when we got off the plane in our city in January last year and it was already -30 F. Amazing how we can adapt, huh?
Yes, I love STAS, I get to see my mama, and now our grown boys and their wives, and other family and friends. It is a feeling like no other. I cannot even begin to explain the silly things we miss. I once cried when the walmart greeter said, "Welcome to Walmart!" She had no idea how her words touched this crazy woman's heart.I really wanted to hug her, but refrained, thank God.
BUT... STAS brings on another opposite flood of emotions. We will miss our little apartment, our little stores, our church, ministries, our many friends and ministry partners here. They have become like family and it will be hard to say goodbye. Especially since every time we have ever left, they honestly think we might not come back and the grief is like saying goodbye for forever sometimes. Even our closest family friends think we are crazy for choosing to live here and still shake their heads in disbelief at how much we love it here. We will miss speaking and hearing Russian. We will miss the beautiful fall months, but still plenty of winter will be waiting when we return in January.
It will be even harder this time as we will be leaving our Sasha for almost 6 months. My heart aches that he cannot go back with us, but there is nothing we can do and it seems that it is His plan and we will just have to accept it as such and trust Him. He is after all, totally and completely trustworthy and has proved Himself adequate in caring for us in every way, even when we didnt completely understand. Grace said yesterday that he asked for her phone to call "Mama" oh be still my heart. Love is a beautiful thing. Being called "Mama" by my four children and now by our Sasha, is a miraculous blessing.
And like the last 2 STAS times (i get a lump in my throat just writing this) we will leave our third child charm in the states for the beginning of her journey without us. It will be good to be there with her for 6 months, sort of near her, 14 hr drive away, but the hardest part of all will be returning to our apartment next January without her. It proved true with both boys and will be just as true this time.
Well, I will not think or even write of that now !! I am blessed beyond measure !!
Praying for all my readers to be blessed and be a blessing on this Mother's Day. Pray for someone who has lost their mother, pray for someone who wants to be a mother, but for whatever reason isnt, cant or couldnt, pray for someone who has adopted children. Pray for someone who is newly expecting (if you dont know anyone, pray for our sweet Hannah)
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
FLU SEASON FOR THE HOLYFIELDS HAS ENDED
I think it is safe and I am extremely happy to report that the cold/flu or whatever it was season in our home is finally coming to a halt.
It hits us about this time every year. Last year it was March, this year February, not a whole lot of difference, since the temperatures here in the Far East dont change much from feb - april. We have had many more sunny days and many more warmer temperatures. It even got up to + 16 F this past week. Our region has as many sunny days as Sochi (on the black sea) and almost as many as Mississippi. That is a special treat and great improvement over the first 8 years we served in Moscow. Even if it is -40 F in the coldest part of our winter, having sunshine makes it bearable. Living in a small apartment in dead winter, we are all sure to get it.
We dont go to the doctor, so we pretty much "self diagnose", treat the symptoms and wait for it to pass. Between the 5 of us, we had all the symptoms you can imagine: headache, fever, congestion, swollen glands, runny itchy watery eyes, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, body aches, low grade fever. Caleb had signs of bronchitis, so put him on antibiotics. Michael had signs of sinus infection, so put him on antibiotics, and Grace woke up after 4 days fever free with another fever and swollen glands, so started her on them just in case. (we can still buy them over the counter here, but dont do unless we feel absolutely necessary)
3 PLUS wks of fever (started feb 6) first caleb, then me, then grace, then Sasha, then Michael, he is in the last days, hopefully completely fever/symptom free tomorrow. Its been a long season this year.
My rough calculations of the damage of the "sick" season this year:
4 boxes of Theraflu
1 box of daytime/nighttime nyquil cold tablets
12 packs of softer tissue
1 large jar of home collected honey
3 fresh lemons
MORE TEABAGS THAN I WOULD BE ABLE TO GUESSTIMATE
4 packs of halls cough drops
4 boxes of amoxicillan (caleb, michael and grace, just in case it was an infection)
Lots of Juice, fruit and homemade soups (especially chicken noodle)
This year I even tried all the home remedies I knew of: eating powdered cinnamon, eating honey, lemon tea, garlic (around the house and eating it)
All the same it just had to run its course.
It's not all bad though, in times of fever/sickness, we are forced to stay in to rest, and get well, and so as not infect others. Because of that, I spent more time praying, interceding, studying, reading, reflecting, and even though we all felt bad alot of the time, we enjoyed playing games, watching a few old movies and just having lots of good talks.
I have realized through the years, that if I am even more intentional in the "sick" days, we can draw closer to God and each other as a family, and their are many rewards. And the best part of all is when I finally feel like a human being again, it makes me all the more grateful for wellness, getting out of the house to buy groceries,fellowship with believers,returning to regular exercise, and even returning to some of the mundane household chores that I didn't get done, or didn't have the energy to do well, becomes a joy (well, maybe not a joy, but more pleasurable)
It hits us about this time every year. Last year it was March, this year February, not a whole lot of difference, since the temperatures here in the Far East dont change much from feb - april. We have had many more sunny days and many more warmer temperatures. It even got up to + 16 F this past week. Our region has as many sunny days as Sochi (on the black sea) and almost as many as Mississippi. That is a special treat and great improvement over the first 8 years we served in Moscow. Even if it is -40 F in the coldest part of our winter, having sunshine makes it bearable. Living in a small apartment in dead winter, we are all sure to get it.
We dont go to the doctor, so we pretty much "self diagnose", treat the symptoms and wait for it to pass. Between the 5 of us, we had all the symptoms you can imagine: headache, fever, congestion, swollen glands, runny itchy watery eyes, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, body aches, low grade fever. Caleb had signs of bronchitis, so put him on antibiotics. Michael had signs of sinus infection, so put him on antibiotics, and Grace woke up after 4 days fever free with another fever and swollen glands, so started her on them just in case. (we can still buy them over the counter here, but dont do unless we feel absolutely necessary)
3 PLUS wks of fever (started feb 6) first caleb, then me, then grace, then Sasha, then Michael, he is in the last days, hopefully completely fever/symptom free tomorrow. Its been a long season this year.
My rough calculations of the damage of the "sick" season this year:
4 boxes of Theraflu
1 box of daytime/nighttime nyquil cold tablets
12 packs of softer tissue
1 large jar of home collected honey
3 fresh lemons
MORE TEABAGS THAN I WOULD BE ABLE TO GUESSTIMATE
4 packs of halls cough drops
4 boxes of amoxicillan (caleb, michael and grace, just in case it was an infection)
Lots of Juice, fruit and homemade soups (especially chicken noodle)
This year I even tried all the home remedies I knew of: eating powdered cinnamon, eating honey, lemon tea, garlic (around the house and eating it)
All the same it just had to run its course.
It's not all bad though, in times of fever/sickness, we are forced to stay in to rest, and get well, and so as not infect others. Because of that, I spent more time praying, interceding, studying, reading, reflecting, and even though we all felt bad alot of the time, we enjoyed playing games, watching a few old movies and just having lots of good talks.
I have realized through the years, that if I am even more intentional in the "sick" days, we can draw closer to God and each other as a family, and their are many rewards. And the best part of all is when I finally feel like a human being again, it makes me all the more grateful for wellness, getting out of the house to buy groceries,fellowship with believers,returning to regular exercise, and even returning to some of the mundane household chores that I didn't get done, or didn't have the energy to do well, becomes a joy (well, maybe not a joy, but more pleasurable)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
KEEP WATCH, STAND, LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF GOD
below is the publishers description of Rob Bell's next book, Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived:
"Fans flock to his Facebook page, his NOOMA videos have been viewed by millions, and his Sunday sermons are attended by 10,000 parishioners—with a downloadable podcast reaching 50,000 more. An electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world,” Rob Bell is the most vibrant, central religious leader of the millennial generation. Now, in Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, Bell addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—the afterlife—arguing that a loving God would never sentence human souls to eternal suffering. With searing insight, Bell puts hell on trial, and his message is decidedly optimistic—eternal life doesn’t start when we die; it starts right now. And ultimately, Love Wins."
FROM PATSY:
I havent personally read his new book, so dont know if he really puts "hell on trial" or if he really is teaching that God would never sentence humans to eternal suffering, but reading it did prompt me to write about some things that have been on my heart lately. Let it be noted, that I am not for or against any man, I am for God. I am not concerned about the reputation for the name of men, but the reputation of the name of God.
I actually havent read any of his books, so I dont even have a pro con opinion about him. I do remember the first time I heard of him, back in 2003/2004. Michael and I read as much about him that was on the internet at the time, and some of his writings, and both of us were uneasy in our spirits. We watched one of his videos, and while there was nothing overwhelmingly "false" in his teaching, we warned our teenage boys at the time, that while he was very smooth and captivating, the Holy Spirit gave our spirits a warning about him...and pointed them away from him/his teaching...We also remember visiting churches with our oldest, while on furlough in 2006, when he started college and seeing posters of elvis all through the church advertising his book.I must admit it felt odd to see posters of elvis all over... Again, we sensed uneasy spirits. It is very important to filter every teaching through the Word of God, not what is popular at the moment.
On this subject,we, as Christians should be very careful about flocking to any man. BETTER TO FLOCK TO JESUS. STUDY HIS WORD, AND ASK FOR WISDOM, BEFORE FOLLOWING AFTER STRANGE DOCTRINES, OR MEN WHO TWIST OR DISTORT SCRIPTURE. YOU WONT KNOW IF YOU ARE NOT IN HIS WORD.
LOVE DOESNT WIN, GOD WINS.
GOD IS MOST DEFINITELY A LOVING GOD, A MERCIFUL FORGIVING GOD, AND FULL OF GRACE. HE IS MOST DEFINITELY A HOLY JUST GOD, AND A JEALOUS GOD, AND HE WILL MOST DEFINITELY DO ALL HE HAS SAID HE WILL DO (HIS GOOD WORDS AS WELL AS HIS THREATS); INCLUDING CAST SATAN, HIS DEMONS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO DENIES HIM / JESUS CHRIST, AND FOLLOWS AFTER ANY OTHER god, INTO A REAL HELL, FOR ETERNAL SUFFERING. IF ANYONE TEACHES ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT, THEY ARE LIARS.
IT SEEMS THE THEME OF MY HEART AND BURDEN AND POSTS LATELY IS FOR US,THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, TO WAKE UP, KEEP WATCH, STAND, LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF GOD. GO BY WHAT GOD SAYS AND PROMISES AND WE WILL NOT BE ASHAMED.
"Fans flock to his Facebook page, his NOOMA videos have been viewed by millions, and his Sunday sermons are attended by 10,000 parishioners—with a downloadable podcast reaching 50,000 more. An electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world,” Rob Bell is the most vibrant, central religious leader of the millennial generation. Now, in Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, Bell addresses one of the most controversial issues of faith—the afterlife—arguing that a loving God would never sentence human souls to eternal suffering. With searing insight, Bell puts hell on trial, and his message is decidedly optimistic—eternal life doesn’t start when we die; it starts right now. And ultimately, Love Wins."
FROM PATSY:
I havent personally read his new book, so dont know if he really puts "hell on trial" or if he really is teaching that God would never sentence humans to eternal suffering, but reading it did prompt me to write about some things that have been on my heart lately. Let it be noted, that I am not for or against any man, I am for God. I am not concerned about the reputation for the name of men, but the reputation of the name of God.
I actually havent read any of his books, so I dont even have a pro con opinion about him. I do remember the first time I heard of him, back in 2003/2004. Michael and I read as much about him that was on the internet at the time, and some of his writings, and both of us were uneasy in our spirits. We watched one of his videos, and while there was nothing overwhelmingly "false" in his teaching, we warned our teenage boys at the time, that while he was very smooth and captivating, the Holy Spirit gave our spirits a warning about him...and pointed them away from him/his teaching...We also remember visiting churches with our oldest, while on furlough in 2006, when he started college and seeing posters of elvis all through the church advertising his book.I must admit it felt odd to see posters of elvis all over... Again, we sensed uneasy spirits. It is very important to filter every teaching through the Word of God, not what is popular at the moment.
On this subject,we, as Christians should be very careful about flocking to any man. BETTER TO FLOCK TO JESUS. STUDY HIS WORD, AND ASK FOR WISDOM, BEFORE FOLLOWING AFTER STRANGE DOCTRINES, OR MEN WHO TWIST OR DISTORT SCRIPTURE. YOU WONT KNOW IF YOU ARE NOT IN HIS WORD.
LOVE DOESNT WIN, GOD WINS.
GOD IS MOST DEFINITELY A LOVING GOD, A MERCIFUL FORGIVING GOD, AND FULL OF GRACE. HE IS MOST DEFINITELY A HOLY JUST GOD, AND A JEALOUS GOD, AND HE WILL MOST DEFINITELY DO ALL HE HAS SAID HE WILL DO (HIS GOOD WORDS AS WELL AS HIS THREATS); INCLUDING CAST SATAN, HIS DEMONS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO DENIES HIM / JESUS CHRIST, AND FOLLOWS AFTER ANY OTHER god, INTO A REAL HELL, FOR ETERNAL SUFFERING. IF ANYONE TEACHES ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT, THEY ARE LIARS.
IT SEEMS THE THEME OF MY HEART AND BURDEN AND POSTS LATELY IS FOR US,THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, TO WAKE UP, KEEP WATCH, STAND, LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF GOD. GO BY WHAT GOD SAYS AND PROMISES AND WE WILL NOT BE ASHAMED.
Friday, February 25, 2011
God Forgive Us
Chrislam ??
I read an article from a blog that my friend posted recently about this “movement” and about a prominent church leader attending a conference for Muslims.Dont know all the facts, so I dont want to mislead anyone. My first thought was a prayer that it wasn’t true. My second thought was that if it wasn’t true, it will be soon. So, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to at least attempt to address it and alot of things that studying His Word and prayer and fasting have led me to share, and that I have been burdened about for some time now.
We are living in the end days, a big falling away, my friends, and if we aren’t, it should be a wakeup call to the church that we are not standing for Christ and the things of God, like we should be. We do not know the year, day or hour when Jesus, the Judge, will return, but He will return, and the church needs to be ready to meet her groom. I don’t know what all was said at such an event, but I pray that if I were allowed/called on to speak before such a group of unbelievers, that I would have the boldness, courage, and His anointing to proclaim God’s truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To know the Son, Jesus Christ, is to know God the Father. Jesus said that if you have seen Him, then you have seen the Father. The Bible is clear that there is no other name above the name of Jesus, where by anyone can be saved. God set the standards for having a relationship with and worshipping/ pleasing Him, not man. God decides what is right, just, and holy, not man. This decision must be made now, on this earth for it to last into eternity. He is clear in His Word, the Old Testament and the New Testament about what He abhors, hates, and what He loves. God never changes and His standards never change, whether people agree, follow, or like them. He is the creator and He sets the rules. He keeps His word (promises, blessings, curses, threats and destruction eternal life (heaven or hell)
Dear people, God doesn’t care how good, wellmeaning, passionate, kind, morale, sincere, happy, unbiased, un-judging , loving, peaceful you are, or how well you preach, sing or play in church one bit IF you have never come to HIM according to His standards, admitted to Him that you are a sinner, and separated from Him because of your sin. He doesn’t care one bit about what you do or say you do in Jesus’ name if you have never approached Him through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and repented of your sins. He doesn’t care how much you give to the church or to the poor, if you deny HIS SON JESUS CHRIST as your personal Lord and Saviour, your only hope for redemption. Belief, trust, faith and completely surrender to Jesus Christ. He is your only hope for reconciling with the Holy, just, jealous God of the BIBLE (the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). No matter what you do or don’t do, you could never deserve God’s grace, it is a gift, but don’t be mistaken, it was not free it cost Him everything, He was persecuted, disagreed with, laughed at, made fun of, and worse. He chose to give His all, and He expects and demands us to count the cost and expects no less for those who choose to follow Him.
My Prayer in these days:
Dear Father God,
Please forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing. Forgive us as a people, a church and a nation for holding to a form of “godliness” but having unclean hearts and unholy lives. God please help us to repent from turning away from You and Your truth to follow after unsound teaching, false teaching, lies. We are ignorant sheep, who need You to guide us in Your truth. Pour out Your mercy, Your grace and Your forgiveness for our sins, and the sins we have ignored and allowed in our country, our churches, our families and ourselves. Give us pure hearts and minds to love You, and others. Father, the church of America wouldn’t be prepared for a revival right now even if You sent one, because we have failed to honor Your name, failed to possess our possessions, claim Your promises, study and live by Your Word. We have done what is right in our own eyes,and condoned sin in the camp: Idolatry, lying, gossiping, unbelief, homosexuality, unforgiveness, abortion, adultery, stealing, not feeding the poor, not sharing the Gospel, pride, divorce, not caring for the widow and the orphan, gluttony, violence, lust, pornography, unforgiveness, bitterness, drunkenness, rage, putting worthless garbage before our eyes and in our minds, not studying/obeying Your Word, not teaching truth to our church, our children. God we have stopped hating what you hate and loving what You love. We allow junk in our homes and call it harmless entertainment. God forgive us for caring more about what our peers, cultures think than what You think. God, we fail to live by what You say in Your Word, the Bible, and to believe Your promises,and we forget to praise You for all You have done. We grumble and complain and I am so ashamed for us. LORD God, please forgive us for wandering around during time of spiritual war, and not being ready to fight, on our knees in prayer/fasting, crying out to You. Lord we need You, Your grace, Your mercy, Your boldness, Your courage and Your strength. We need to abide in You, to have Your wisdom to know when to keep silent, when to speak out, when to fight, when to rest and wait on You. Your Word teaches that when we fully obey, You will win the battles for us, and give us rest, but when we turn away from You, You will leave us to our sinful ways and allow the enemy to take us. Give us obedient, repentant hearts. Help us to not be afraid or ashamed to take a stand for you. Raise up women, men, youth, children to proclaim TRUTH to our nation, to all nations. Help us to live lives of purity, and that are worthy of the Gospel, for Your glory, to not be ashamed of Jesus Christ, and to not bring shame to His name, that we claim as Christians. Lord, help us in every situation, to step back and look at things through the filter of Your Holy Word. We have become so afraid of being accused of being unkind or seen as judging, that we have forgotten YOUR STANDARD. Lord, we know we are sinners and we cannot live perfect lives, sometimes I cant even see my own sins, but through Your Holy Spirit, You can show me. Help me Lord, to examine my heart, and allow You and Your Word to examine my heart, mind, life in view of Your standard, and repent. Turn our hearts toward You. You Word says that man's goodness is as filthy rags, because You are so holy. I know You will cleanse me from all unrighteousness, as You have promised. You are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Give me a pure, clean heart, Lord, today and every day. Help me to worship You in Spirit and in truth. I am nothing without You, and with You, a daughter of the KING. You alone are worthy to be praised. God, I know You will keep Your covenant of lovingkindess to those who love You and keep Your commandments. In the name of Jesus Christ and by His perfect righteous blood that was poured out for my sins, and the sins all the people in all the world, Who died on the cross, to conquer Satan, and took on Himself the punishment that I deserve, and conquered sin and death by rising again just as You had written, do whatever it takes for Your people to return to You. Lord, please have mercy on us! Amen
I read an article from a blog that my friend posted recently about this “movement” and about a prominent church leader attending a conference for Muslims.Dont know all the facts, so I dont want to mislead anyone. My first thought was a prayer that it wasn’t true. My second thought was that if it wasn’t true, it will be soon. So, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to at least attempt to address it and alot of things that studying His Word and prayer and fasting have led me to share, and that I have been burdened about for some time now.
We are living in the end days, a big falling away, my friends, and if we aren’t, it should be a wakeup call to the church that we are not standing for Christ and the things of God, like we should be. We do not know the year, day or hour when Jesus, the Judge, will return, but He will return, and the church needs to be ready to meet her groom. I don’t know what all was said at such an event, but I pray that if I were allowed/called on to speak before such a group of unbelievers, that I would have the boldness, courage, and His anointing to proclaim God’s truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To know the Son, Jesus Christ, is to know God the Father. Jesus said that if you have seen Him, then you have seen the Father. The Bible is clear that there is no other name above the name of Jesus, where by anyone can be saved. God set the standards for having a relationship with and worshipping/ pleasing Him, not man. God decides what is right, just, and holy, not man. This decision must be made now, on this earth for it to last into eternity. He is clear in His Word, the Old Testament and the New Testament about what He abhors, hates, and what He loves. God never changes and His standards never change, whether people agree, follow, or like them. He is the creator and He sets the rules. He keeps His word (promises, blessings, curses, threats and destruction eternal life (heaven or hell)
Dear people, God doesn’t care how good, wellmeaning, passionate, kind, morale, sincere, happy, unbiased, un-judging , loving, peaceful you are, or how well you preach, sing or play in church one bit IF you have never come to HIM according to His standards, admitted to Him that you are a sinner, and separated from Him because of your sin. He doesn’t care one bit about what you do or say you do in Jesus’ name if you have never approached Him through faith in Jesus Christ alone, and repented of your sins. He doesn’t care how much you give to the church or to the poor, if you deny HIS SON JESUS CHRIST as your personal Lord and Saviour, your only hope for redemption. Belief, trust, faith and completely surrender to Jesus Christ. He is your only hope for reconciling with the Holy, just, jealous God of the BIBLE (the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). No matter what you do or don’t do, you could never deserve God’s grace, it is a gift, but don’t be mistaken, it was not free it cost Him everything, He was persecuted, disagreed with, laughed at, made fun of, and worse. He chose to give His all, and He expects and demands us to count the cost and expects no less for those who choose to follow Him.
My Prayer in these days:
Dear Father God,
Please forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing. Forgive us as a people, a church and a nation for holding to a form of “godliness” but having unclean hearts and unholy lives. God please help us to repent from turning away from You and Your truth to follow after unsound teaching, false teaching, lies. We are ignorant sheep, who need You to guide us in Your truth. Pour out Your mercy, Your grace and Your forgiveness for our sins, and the sins we have ignored and allowed in our country, our churches, our families and ourselves. Give us pure hearts and minds to love You, and others. Father, the church of America wouldn’t be prepared for a revival right now even if You sent one, because we have failed to honor Your name, failed to possess our possessions, claim Your promises, study and live by Your Word. We have done what is right in our own eyes,and condoned sin in the camp: Idolatry, lying, gossiping, unbelief, homosexuality, unforgiveness, abortion, adultery, stealing, not feeding the poor, not sharing the Gospel, pride, divorce, not caring for the widow and the orphan, gluttony, violence, lust, pornography, unforgiveness, bitterness, drunkenness, rage, putting worthless garbage before our eyes and in our minds, not studying/obeying Your Word, not teaching truth to our church, our children. God we have stopped hating what you hate and loving what You love. We allow junk in our homes and call it harmless entertainment. God forgive us for caring more about what our peers, cultures think than what You think. God, we fail to live by what You say in Your Word, the Bible, and to believe Your promises,and we forget to praise You for all You have done. We grumble and complain and I am so ashamed for us. LORD God, please forgive us for wandering around during time of spiritual war, and not being ready to fight, on our knees in prayer/fasting, crying out to You. Lord we need You, Your grace, Your mercy, Your boldness, Your courage and Your strength. We need to abide in You, to have Your wisdom to know when to keep silent, when to speak out, when to fight, when to rest and wait on You. Your Word teaches that when we fully obey, You will win the battles for us, and give us rest, but when we turn away from You, You will leave us to our sinful ways and allow the enemy to take us. Give us obedient, repentant hearts. Help us to not be afraid or ashamed to take a stand for you. Raise up women, men, youth, children to proclaim TRUTH to our nation, to all nations. Help us to live lives of purity, and that are worthy of the Gospel, for Your glory, to not be ashamed of Jesus Christ, and to not bring shame to His name, that we claim as Christians. Lord, help us in every situation, to step back and look at things through the filter of Your Holy Word. We have become so afraid of being accused of being unkind or seen as judging, that we have forgotten YOUR STANDARD. Lord, we know we are sinners and we cannot live perfect lives, sometimes I cant even see my own sins, but through Your Holy Spirit, You can show me. Help me Lord, to examine my heart, and allow You and Your Word to examine my heart, mind, life in view of Your standard, and repent. Turn our hearts toward You. You Word says that man's goodness is as filthy rags, because You are so holy. I know You will cleanse me from all unrighteousness, as You have promised. You are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Give me a pure, clean heart, Lord, today and every day. Help me to worship You in Spirit and in truth. I am nothing without You, and with You, a daughter of the KING. You alone are worthy to be praised. God, I know You will keep Your covenant of lovingkindess to those who love You and keep Your commandments. In the name of Jesus Christ and by His perfect righteous blood that was poured out for my sins, and the sins all the people in all the world, Who died on the cross, to conquer Satan, and took on Himself the punishment that I deserve, and conquered sin and death by rising again just as You had written, do whatever it takes for Your people to return to You. Lord, please have mercy on us! Amen
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
We've Never Passed This Way Before
Michael made it home, he is exhausted and with fever. A good ole southern meal awaited him: Fried chicken, green beans, rice and gravy, biscuits and apple crips.
Please pray that he will get well soon. Pray that he has no fever on Friday. He and the preaching team is travelling to Town Z Sat/Sun for the end of the month service there and in two other villages "T", and "Y". I asked him last night if he should cancel and he said no, he promised and they are waiting for him.
The rest of us are finally well and ready to take care of him.
One of the highlights after Daddy's trips is when we sit around and hear his stories and watch video/pictures. We loved hearing some of his stories last night and watching a little video and seeing a few pictures.
He said at one point, they drove for 18 hrs straight in one part of the trip, and only saw 3 vehicles along the road, and no villages or gas stations (they had 150 liters of gas in jugs with them)
In parts of the trip, they traveled on some frozen lakes/rivers, some of the places had hot springs shooting up along side them, and holes/cracks in the ice, that they had to drive around, and the bridges were what seemed impossible to cross. (like the Jordan, or the Red Sea). Some of the roads were narrow, with lots of holes/bumps and as they drove on unfamiliar road, they did not know what might be around the bend. They had flat tires, fender bender, close calls, got stuck, heater malfunctions and more, all in -30 F weather.
The Lord gave them so much wisdom of when to turn off and go a different way, when to turn around and go back, and when to "rebuild the bridge" before crossing. They were in constant communion with Him as to where to go, when to continue on and when to stop. Just like our spiritual lives; our journey. The road of life. When we choose to follow Jesus, it isnt always "smooth" traveling on cruise control. There is a spiritual war to battle, physical/emotional/mental pains to bear, sins to conquer, and tragedies to face. God takes us places that we have never passed before, when we are following hard after Him.
All along the way, the road at times is unfamiliar, with dangers along the way (seen and unseen). There are stretches of time in our lives when it seems we travel the road alone, and dangerous bridges to cross to get to the other side. There are unexpected bumps and holes to dodge and get around, sins to confess, problems to solve, relationships that need special mending/attention/reconciliation, decisions to make. Sometimes we need to plan ahead and take enough provisions, and sometimes we have to rest in Him and wait in Him to provide. Sometimes He sends others to help us along the way and sometimes, He teaches us He is all we need.
When we are fully obedient not turning to the right or left, in constant communion with Him and seeking for His counsel, in His Word; He is with us, fighting for us, guiding us, giving us direction, whispering, turn left, turn right, stop here, wait on Me, turn around, go around/detour, repent (change your course), move forward, repair the breach, cross over. And always speaking "Be strong and Courageous", and "Do not fear, I am with you.", and "Be careful to obey all I have commanded you."
The video footage I saw made me even more sure that God was protecting and watching over them. He is faithful.
MEN AND THEIR ADVENTEROUS NATURES.
It was a great trip, but unfortunately little fruit to be seen at this point. He said those villages/people were the “coldest” less interested he has seen since our arrival 3 years ago. That just means to us that they need Jesus all the more, and gives us even more urgency to get to all the people in our region without Him. Only 2 or 3 people showed up at the 3 concerts/services, and one lady for sure repented, but it was and is always worth it even for just one. We are reminded that Jesus died for ONE and all. If you were the only person on earth, you are worth His mercy, grace, love and forgiveness. He counts each of us worthy, though we are not deserving.
While door to door witnessing many people received His Word, and heard the Gospel for the first time. We all know He promises that His Word will not return void. So continue to pray with us for the Holy Spirit to touch their hearts. Also pray for Alexei and his family serving in such a “hard” place with little fruit to be obedient, faithful and have courage to press on and not be discouraged, fearful or dismayed.
THANKS FOR READING (IF ANYONE IS READING) AND SHARING IN THE STORIES/WORK/LIFE HE HAS BLESSED ME WITH HERE IN SIBERIA.
Pray for us to be faithful, fully obedient, strong, courageous, bold servants of Jesus, and to persevere to the end,
Wherever you are on this journey, I pray you are fully obeying, following hard after Jesus and totally abiding in Him as He takes you places in your life that you may have never passed before, for His glory !
Friday, January 28, 2011
12 Stones - Remembering all The Lord has Done
I was reading a blog today written by an adult MK and she was talking about all the transitions, moves, and goodbyes that a missionary family, specifically an MK experiences. It got me to thinking back and reflecting on our “mission trip” (as a local MS paper put it when we left for the field in 1999, over 11 years ago)
In August we will have lived 12 years on the mission field. While we have only moved 3 times in those 12 years, there have been many changes and adjustments due to our mission work, and lots and lots of sad goodbyes, though I prefer to call them “see you laters”.
We moved to the mission field (Russia) when our oldest son, Reagan, was 12, our son Bryan was 10, our daughter, Grace was 6 and our youngest son, Caleb was 2. Michael and I had been married a little over 14 years, and we were 33 and 34 years old.
We left a very close knit large family on both sides. They were very supportive and encouraging about our call, which to this day has been a real blessing in our lives. All total there were 2 sets of grandparents, one living great grandparent, 10aunts and uncles and 14 first cousins, a score of other relatives and not to mention loving church members/friends that we and our children left behind.
I can’t even tell you how many people saw us off at the airport our first time leaving Jackson MS. The tears could have filled up a small pond, I’m sure.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was most definitely sick. I thought it might be nerves, but it ended up being a stomach virus. It began on the plane and lasted through a couple of airports/layovers, and several walk-by throw up visits to garbage cans all along the way. I left Mississippi with dreams of leaving a mark on the world; and that I did, in every airport terminal along the way. It was the first of many times my “missionary halo”, as I like to call it, would be stripped off and thrown down. Yet somehow, we succeeded in making every connection, and after a long hot ride in an un air conditioned van, we ended at our home for the next 5 weeks, the international learning center. After a couple of days, I was feeling better. Our oldest would battle bronchitis the entire 5 weeks, and our other children would also catch every virus humanly possible, and each were given no less 14 vaccinations to prepare us for whatever else we might face when arriving to our field of service. Somewhere along the way maybe after 3 or 4 times, our kids would realize when we picked them up early on Fridays from class, that the weekend would be tainted by fever and irritability from shots and somehow after the first or second shot, the cute little balloons and stickers didn’t mean much. We laugh now and say our ILC experience was just the culture shock we needed to prepare for overseas living. Despite all that, we were so excited and not the least bit hesitant or unmoved from the passionate call to go to Russia. We were being prepared and trained and we were excited. It was so encouraging to meet other like minded people/families.
We and our children bonded very quickly with other missionaries and other MK’s. I mean really, who couldn’t relate to a group of adults/kids who had all the same shots, sold their homes, all their belongings in garage sales, left behind everything “normal” they had ever known, as well as their culture, language, family/friends/church, packed everything they had left to their names in black footlockers, which had to weigh less than 70lbs each, and a back pack, not having a clue where there were going, where they would live, what they would eat.
Though we only moved 3 times, which is minimal for most missionaries, we had many changes, transitions, and the worst part goodbyes. I calculated that out of 12 years, we returned back to the states a total of 8 times, equaling right at 2 years. 1 yr and 4 months of that time was stateside assignments (formerly known as furloughs). In our first 1 year STAS, we shared in 50 churches and over 52 times, including conferences and GA/RA camps as a family. We went to Disney World, had vacations with and spent a lot of time with both sides of our family, taught our oldest how to drive. The kids played summer sports, attended camps, and all 4 kids homeschooled that year as well. It was amazing, and crazy, but after a year, we were all ready to return to the field. 4 months of the 1y 4 mo time, we used our yearly 30 day vacations, one for Christmas after being on the field 2 yrs, 30 days for Bryan’s wedding, and 30 days for Reagan’s wedding, we took every opportunity to share in churches during those days. 4 months of that time was spent in the states for security/safety/visa reasons (our family refers to that time as “exile”). During exile we were unable to speak in churches or contact friends/relatives, other than minimal visits with immediate family or to stay in the same place for very long. 2 weeks after returning to the field, my daddy had a massive stroke, so we took our 30 day vacation to return for last days with him and his funeral.
Right at the 12 year mark in August, we will be returning to the states again, this time to leave our third child, Grace for college. I am doing a new Precepts Bible study - Joshua (conquering your enemies) right now (I highly recommend it , by the way) I read again about the 12 stones placed in the Jordan river by a leader from each of the 12 tribes … Why?? So that when their children and future generations of their children asked what they meant, they were to remember and tell them of all the things God had done (if you don’t know then read Joshua 4:21-24, so all the people of the earth would know the mighty hand of the Lord and fear the Lord God forever.
I cannot begin to tell you all the Lord has done in my life, my family’s life, and the lives of others we have met along this journey. I have only done 3 lessons, but I already see how the Old Test and the journey of “the sons of Israel” and mine match up (at least spiritually speaking) I can tell you briefly that He has fought lots of enemies (seen/unseen), He has loved me without fail, shown grace /forgiven me, and given me grace to forgive, He has rolled away His reproach from me, dried up waters before me so that I could walk across on dry land (protection and provision) He has given me peace, wisdom, kept all of His promises, allowed me to see His mighty hand at work, and through every trial, He has never forsaken me. He is my life, my shield, my protector, my redeemer, my defender. He wants to be that for every person He created. I pray that every person reading this has begun the journey, and remembers to pass on all the Mighty hand of the Lord done in your life to your children/others.
1. Creation (my birth)
2. Slavery (recognize and admit I was born a sinner, a slave to sin)
3. Liberation (accepted Jesus death as payment for my sin, repent and believe at age 12-- there is that number again )
4. Journey (study, pray, grow, persevere, obey, love, serve, give, live for Him, tell others)
5. Taking possession of the land that God promised (eternal home in heaven with Jesus, my Jesus)
In August we will have lived 12 years on the mission field. While we have only moved 3 times in those 12 years, there have been many changes and adjustments due to our mission work, and lots and lots of sad goodbyes, though I prefer to call them “see you laters”.
We moved to the mission field (Russia) when our oldest son, Reagan, was 12, our son Bryan was 10, our daughter, Grace was 6 and our youngest son, Caleb was 2. Michael and I had been married a little over 14 years, and we were 33 and 34 years old.
We left a very close knit large family on both sides. They were very supportive and encouraging about our call, which to this day has been a real blessing in our lives. All total there were 2 sets of grandparents, one living great grandparent, 10aunts and uncles and 14 first cousins, a score of other relatives and not to mention loving church members/friends that we and our children left behind.
I can’t even tell you how many people saw us off at the airport our first time leaving Jackson MS. The tears could have filled up a small pond, I’m sure.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was most definitely sick. I thought it might be nerves, but it ended up being a stomach virus. It began on the plane and lasted through a couple of airports/layovers, and several walk-by throw up visits to garbage cans all along the way. I left Mississippi with dreams of leaving a mark on the world; and that I did, in every airport terminal along the way. It was the first of many times my “missionary halo”, as I like to call it, would be stripped off and thrown down. Yet somehow, we succeeded in making every connection, and after a long hot ride in an un air conditioned van, we ended at our home for the next 5 weeks, the international learning center. After a couple of days, I was feeling better. Our oldest would battle bronchitis the entire 5 weeks, and our other children would also catch every virus humanly possible, and each were given no less 14 vaccinations to prepare us for whatever else we might face when arriving to our field of service. Somewhere along the way maybe after 3 or 4 times, our kids would realize when we picked them up early on Fridays from class, that the weekend would be tainted by fever and irritability from shots and somehow after the first or second shot, the cute little balloons and stickers didn’t mean much. We laugh now and say our ILC experience was just the culture shock we needed to prepare for overseas living. Despite all that, we were so excited and not the least bit hesitant or unmoved from the passionate call to go to Russia. We were being prepared and trained and we were excited. It was so encouraging to meet other like minded people/families.
We and our children bonded very quickly with other missionaries and other MK’s. I mean really, who couldn’t relate to a group of adults/kids who had all the same shots, sold their homes, all their belongings in garage sales, left behind everything “normal” they had ever known, as well as their culture, language, family/friends/church, packed everything they had left to their names in black footlockers, which had to weigh less than 70lbs each, and a back pack, not having a clue where there were going, where they would live, what they would eat.
Though we only moved 3 times, which is minimal for most missionaries, we had many changes, transitions, and the worst part goodbyes. I calculated that out of 12 years, we returned back to the states a total of 8 times, equaling right at 2 years. 1 yr and 4 months of that time was stateside assignments (formerly known as furloughs). In our first 1 year STAS, we shared in 50 churches and over 52 times, including conferences and GA/RA camps as a family. We went to Disney World, had vacations with and spent a lot of time with both sides of our family, taught our oldest how to drive. The kids played summer sports, attended camps, and all 4 kids homeschooled that year as well. It was amazing, and crazy, but after a year, we were all ready to return to the field. 4 months of the 1y 4 mo time, we used our yearly 30 day vacations, one for Christmas after being on the field 2 yrs, 30 days for Bryan’s wedding, and 30 days for Reagan’s wedding, we took every opportunity to share in churches during those days. 4 months of that time was spent in the states for security/safety/visa reasons (our family refers to that time as “exile”). During exile we were unable to speak in churches or contact friends/relatives, other than minimal visits with immediate family or to stay in the same place for very long. 2 weeks after returning to the field, my daddy had a massive stroke, so we took our 30 day vacation to return for last days with him and his funeral.
Right at the 12 year mark in August, we will be returning to the states again, this time to leave our third child, Grace for college. I am doing a new Precepts Bible study - Joshua (conquering your enemies) right now (I highly recommend it , by the way) I read again about the 12 stones placed in the Jordan river by a leader from each of the 12 tribes … Why?? So that when their children and future generations of their children asked what they meant, they were to remember and tell them of all the things God had done (if you don’t know then read Joshua 4:21-24, so all the people of the earth would know the mighty hand of the Lord and fear the Lord God forever.
I cannot begin to tell you all the Lord has done in my life, my family’s life, and the lives of others we have met along this journey. I have only done 3 lessons, but I already see how the Old Test and the journey of “the sons of Israel” and mine match up (at least spiritually speaking) I can tell you briefly that He has fought lots of enemies (seen/unseen), He has loved me without fail, shown grace /forgiven me, and given me grace to forgive, He has rolled away His reproach from me, dried up waters before me so that I could walk across on dry land (protection and provision) He has given me peace, wisdom, kept all of His promises, allowed me to see His mighty hand at work, and through every trial, He has never forsaken me. He is my life, my shield, my protector, my redeemer, my defender. He wants to be that for every person He created. I pray that every person reading this has begun the journey, and remembers to pass on all the Mighty hand of the Lord done in your life to your children/others.
1. Creation (my birth)
2. Slavery (recognize and admit I was born a sinner, a slave to sin)
3. Liberation (accepted Jesus death as payment for my sin, repent and believe at age 12-- there is that number again )
4. Journey (study, pray, grow, persevere, obey, love, serve, give, live for Him, tell others)
5. Taking possession of the land that God promised (eternal home in heaven with Jesus, my Jesus)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A "Gem" of a site
Found a gem of a site today, I am enjoying checking it out:
http://www.gracegems.org/
I cant personally say I have read/and or agree with everything on there, but like what I have read so far.
I especially like the "family section"
Here is one gem I found there today, that I particulary like and totally agree with:
How to Make a Child into a Delinquent in 12 Easy Steps
(This list is thought to have been prepared over fifty years ago by a police captain.)
1. Begin at infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way, he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad language, laugh at him. This will make him think he's cute.
3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is twenty-one, and then let him "decide for himself".
4. Avoid using the word "wrong". It may develop a guilt feeling. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around: books, shoes, clothes. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on others.
6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized—but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your child. In this way they will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?
9. Satisfy every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
10. Take your child's part against neighbors, teachers, and policemen. They are prejudiced against your child.
11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, "I never could do anything with him!"
12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will be likely to have it.
check it out and tell me what you think ??
http://www.gracegems.org/
I cant personally say I have read/and or agree with everything on there, but like what I have read so far.
I especially like the "family section"
Here is one gem I found there today, that I particulary like and totally agree with:
How to Make a Child into a Delinquent in 12 Easy Steps
(This list is thought to have been prepared over fifty years ago by a police captain.)
1. Begin at infancy to give the child everything he wants. In this way, he will grow up to believe the world owes him a living.
2. When he picks up bad language, laugh at him. This will make him think he's cute.
3. Never give him any spiritual training. Wait until he is twenty-one, and then let him "decide for himself".
4. Avoid using the word "wrong". It may develop a guilt feeling. This will condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up everything he leaves lying around: books, shoes, clothes. Do everything for him so that he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility on others.
6. Let him read any printed matter he can get his hands on. Be careful that the silverware and drinking glasses are sterilized—but let his mind feast on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in the presence of your child. In this way they will not be too shocked when the home is broken up later.
8. Give a child all the spending money he wants. Never let him earn his own. Why should he have things as tough as you had them?
9. Satisfy every craving for food, drink, and comfort. See that every sensual desire is gratified. Denial may lead to harmful frustration.
10. Take your child's part against neighbors, teachers, and policemen. They are prejudiced against your child.
11. When he gets into real trouble, apologize for yourself by saying, "I never could do anything with him!"
12. Prepare for a life of grief. You will be likely to have it.
check it out and tell me what you think ??
Thursday, January 13, 2011
DO YOUR KIDS RESPOND TO THE REWARD SYSTEM ??
Recently I have been filling out medical questionairres for our insurance.
I have been accused of being sarcastic, and I admit to it sometimes, but really, some of those questions.
One question asked if our children (under behavior) respond to reward system. I didnt know whether to mark yes or no WE DONT USE THE REWARD SYSTEM. more on that later. So I initially put yes, then there was a drop down explain what rewards they respond to. I thought about marking no, but then that might imply that our kids are rebellious.
So in the drop down box, I proceed to explain that we do not use the reward system, whatever that is...
Our children are expected to obey and live by our family rules, and when they dont there are consequences to their disobedience, not reward for when they obey.
We have raised them in a Christian home with Jesus as the head and the Bible as our instruction book and expect them to live accordingly.
Their reward for living a life pleasing to the Lord will be in heaven. Of course we catch them doing right and tell them we appreciate them, give them lots of hugs, smile at them, laugh with them, just because etc..We give them words of encouragement and notes of appreciation. They know we feel blessed to have them and know we love them.
So days later i cant get it off my mind. do people really "reward" their children for expected behavior?
Where have I been for the last 45 years???
BEING A PART OF OUR FAMILY/GODS FAMILY IS THEIR REWARD: They have beds, clothes, food, love, shelter, respect, work ethic, grace, guidance, family vacations, fun, ministry opportunities, education, support, listening ears, forgiveness and they get to be apart of a family. As a part of that family they are expected to clean up after themselves, do what they are told when they are told, do their school work, homework, treat each other wirh respect and live the way the Bible teaches us to etc...THEY SHOULD CONSIDER IT A PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF A FAMILY. I KNOW I SURE DO.
AND THEY DONT GET PAID FOR CHORES or GET AN ALLOWANCE EITHER... we give them what they need when they need it and give them some things they want when we have extra money if we feel it is something that won't corrupt their minds/bodies. We also dont withhold what they need as punishment. We are expected to meet their needs as parents. They get gifts on their birthdays and gifts and Christmas and sometimes we just give them extra blessings (not because of behavior) just because we love them. If they earn money while still in our home, or get money from people as gifts or us, we still approve what they buy or spend it on... kids dont have to have an allowance and be paid to do chores to grow up learning about finances or how to manage money, tithing, giving. Those things are better caught than taught. We also have life management classes and economy classes for better understanding for their future.
REMINDS ME OF A FUNNY JOKE MY UNC TOLD: LITTLE BOY TO MAMA: Mama, if i be good will you give me a dollar? MAMA: Son, why dont you be good for nothing like your daddy. OH GO AHEAD AND LAUGH YOU KNOW ITS FUNNY
BACK ON A SERIOUS NOTES, WE PARENTS SHOULD REALLY EVALUATE AND NOT TRY SO HARD TO BE FRIENDS AND COUNSELORS AND STOP COMPENSATING WITH MONEY AND TOYS, FOR LIFE JUST BEING HARD SOMETIMES, AND PARENT WITH BOLDNESS AND GUTS.
MAYBE THAT IS WHY ALOT OF PEOPLE "SIGN UP" FOR CHRISTIANITY EXPECTING GOD TO FINANCIALLY/PHYSCIALLY BLESS THEM FOR DOING RIGHT, AND NEVER REALLY UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL. THEN SO QUICKLY WALK AWAY FROM HIM, OR DONT GET THE REWARD IN HEAVEN SYSTEM. WE GET FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS, INSTEAD OF PUNISHMENT. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF HIS FAMILY FORGIVENESS FOR SINS, FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM ETERNITY IN HEAVEN IS ENOUGH FOR ME. JESUS IS MY REWARD, I WANT NO OTHER.
I have been accused of being sarcastic, and I admit to it sometimes, but really, some of those questions.
One question asked if our children (under behavior) respond to reward system. I didnt know whether to mark yes or no WE DONT USE THE REWARD SYSTEM. more on that later. So I initially put yes, then there was a drop down explain what rewards they respond to. I thought about marking no, but then that might imply that our kids are rebellious.
So in the drop down box, I proceed to explain that we do not use the reward system, whatever that is...
Our children are expected to obey and live by our family rules, and when they dont there are consequences to their disobedience, not reward for when they obey.
We have raised them in a Christian home with Jesus as the head and the Bible as our instruction book and expect them to live accordingly.
Their reward for living a life pleasing to the Lord will be in heaven. Of course we catch them doing right and tell them we appreciate them, give them lots of hugs, smile at them, laugh with them, just because etc..We give them words of encouragement and notes of appreciation. They know we feel blessed to have them and know we love them.
So days later i cant get it off my mind. do people really "reward" their children for expected behavior?
Where have I been for the last 45 years???
BEING A PART OF OUR FAMILY/GODS FAMILY IS THEIR REWARD: They have beds, clothes, food, love, shelter, respect, work ethic, grace, guidance, family vacations, fun, ministry opportunities, education, support, listening ears, forgiveness and they get to be apart of a family. As a part of that family they are expected to clean up after themselves, do what they are told when they are told, do their school work, homework, treat each other wirh respect and live the way the Bible teaches us to etc...THEY SHOULD CONSIDER IT A PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF A FAMILY. I KNOW I SURE DO.
AND THEY DONT GET PAID FOR CHORES or GET AN ALLOWANCE EITHER... we give them what they need when they need it and give them some things they want when we have extra money if we feel it is something that won't corrupt their minds/bodies. We also dont withhold what they need as punishment. We are expected to meet their needs as parents. They get gifts on their birthdays and gifts and Christmas and sometimes we just give them extra blessings (not because of behavior) just because we love them. If they earn money while still in our home, or get money from people as gifts or us, we still approve what they buy or spend it on... kids dont have to have an allowance and be paid to do chores to grow up learning about finances or how to manage money, tithing, giving. Those things are better caught than taught. We also have life management classes and economy classes for better understanding for their future.
REMINDS ME OF A FUNNY JOKE MY UNC TOLD: LITTLE BOY TO MAMA: Mama, if i be good will you give me a dollar? MAMA: Son, why dont you be good for nothing like your daddy. OH GO AHEAD AND LAUGH YOU KNOW ITS FUNNY
BACK ON A SERIOUS NOTES, WE PARENTS SHOULD REALLY EVALUATE AND NOT TRY SO HARD TO BE FRIENDS AND COUNSELORS AND STOP COMPENSATING WITH MONEY AND TOYS, FOR LIFE JUST BEING HARD SOMETIMES, AND PARENT WITH BOLDNESS AND GUTS.
MAYBE THAT IS WHY ALOT OF PEOPLE "SIGN UP" FOR CHRISTIANITY EXPECTING GOD TO FINANCIALLY/PHYSCIALLY BLESS THEM FOR DOING RIGHT, AND NEVER REALLY UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL. THEN SO QUICKLY WALK AWAY FROM HIM, OR DONT GET THE REWARD IN HEAVEN SYSTEM. WE GET FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS, INSTEAD OF PUNISHMENT. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE PART OF HIS FAMILY FORGIVENESS FOR SINS, FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM ETERNITY IN HEAVEN IS ENOUGH FOR ME. JESUS IS MY REWARD, I WANT NO OTHER.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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