Here is an interesting article from the Baptist Press about mankind's attempts to reinvent God according to their desires rather than as He has revealed Himself. Written by Dr. Al Mohler, the following excerpt gives a glimpse into the article:
"The doctrine of the Trinity is itself a truth revealed by God about Himself as an act of His own self-giving grace and mercy to His human creatures. He does not invite His creatures to experiment in worship by naming Him according to their own desires."
That we should even wish to define God's character from our own skewed desires rather than from studying what He has revealed about Himself is an act of arrogance and a glimpse into the murky waters of our hearts.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Monday, June 19, 2006
Through the Eyes of a Child
Over the weekend, my children saw someone who appeared to have a deep dislike for black people. Not accustomed to this, despite living in an area where racism and prejudice linger on, my kids were shocked. Then, showing a complete lack of seeing an ethnic group as a whole, for which I am thankful, one child said, "Mommy, are you black?" I am considered to be white on forms with little check boxes, but the appearance of my skin is far from white. Some would say we should use terms like Caucasian and African-American, yet we have friends who are 1st or 2nd generation American citizens who are from Africa and yet would not be considered African-American. Perhaps trying to put a term on an entire group of people is the problem.
In my immediate family, we have a Caucasian, 2 of Slavic/Turkish descent, one Asian, and one of Asian/Caucasian descent. I fear these lessons and eye-openers will be coming with more frequency. Where does this leave us? For me, sad that my children were now made the tiniest bit aware of racism and yet thankful they were unaware for so long.
In my immediate family, we have a Caucasian, 2 of Slavic/Turkish descent, one Asian, and one of Asian/Caucasian descent. I fear these lessons and eye-openers will be coming with more frequency. Where does this leave us? For me, sad that my children were now made the tiniest bit aware of racism and yet thankful they were unaware for so long.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Happy Father's Day
To all dads out there, Happy Father's Day!
Today was my husband's 1st Father's Day with our two sons, and thus was extra special. The children all made cards and filled in various questions and statements. One child thought he was 40--that may not have been his favorite part of the day!
It was interesting to read what they thought was most important to him--one child put "telling the truth", another put "hugs and kisses". Our oldest son wrote that he loved Daddy because he was his dad...from a child who has been without an earthly father, that meant a lot. Our daughter, when asked what Dad's name was, said "daddy". When I said I was asking for his real name, she looked at me strangely and said, "uh, David..." very hesitantly and incorrectly (that is his middle name). Clearly, in her mind, his only identity is Daddy.
I did the same exercise with my Sunday School kids. Their answers for what was most important to dad were also telling. I got everything from "me", "kids", "family", and "praying" to "not touching his guns". These same kids loved their dad because "he is my dad" and "he plays with me" to "he has a cool car".
Our pastor talked about the importance and biblical role of fathers. It was a good message. The statistics are staggering--whether a child ends up in crime, attends church as an adult, or does poorly in school is impacted to a great extent by whether or not a father is present in the home. The Bible is clear that a father is to lead a home, and thus the children, in learning who God is and how to relate to Him.
So fathers, children need you. Your leadership is vital to the family. Please don't abdicate responsibility or feel undervalued!
To my own father, thanks for being there for me as a child and an adult. To my husband, thanks for being such a great father to our children.
Today was my husband's 1st Father's Day with our two sons, and thus was extra special. The children all made cards and filled in various questions and statements. One child thought he was 40--that may not have been his favorite part of the day!
It was interesting to read what they thought was most important to him--one child put "telling the truth", another put "hugs and kisses". Our oldest son wrote that he loved Daddy because he was his dad...from a child who has been without an earthly father, that meant a lot. Our daughter, when asked what Dad's name was, said "daddy". When I said I was asking for his real name, she looked at me strangely and said, "uh, David..." very hesitantly and incorrectly (that is his middle name). Clearly, in her mind, his only identity is Daddy.
I did the same exercise with my Sunday School kids. Their answers for what was most important to dad were also telling. I got everything from "me", "kids", "family", and "praying" to "not touching his guns". These same kids loved their dad because "he is my dad" and "he plays with me" to "he has a cool car".
Our pastor talked about the importance and biblical role of fathers. It was a good message. The statistics are staggering--whether a child ends up in crime, attends church as an adult, or does poorly in school is impacted to a great extent by whether or not a father is present in the home. The Bible is clear that a father is to lead a home, and thus the children, in learning who God is and how to relate to Him.
So fathers, children need you. Your leadership is vital to the family. Please don't abdicate responsibility or feel undervalued!
To my own father, thanks for being there for me as a child and an adult. To my husband, thanks for being such a great father to our children.
Sacrifice
This weekend, my husband and I had the wonderful privilege of visiting with a family that is going overseas through Wycliffe. My husband was a childhood friend of the man, but neither of us had met any of the children or ever spent quality time with the wife. How refreshing it was to meet with a couple who was willing to sacrifice all and move with six children to a part of the world that is not easy and a lifestyle that is not comfortable in order to obey God.
Our children had a delightful time playing with their children, and we had a wonderful visit with the couple. As the time drew near for them to leave, we prayed together, and I have to say that their prayers for us and encouragement to us may have been greater than our attempts to encourage them. It was encouraging to hear how God was honoring their obedience and providing for them each step of the way, albeit not always the way they had in mind. Our time with them proved to be a great reminder that as we step out in faith and ask God to do things we cannot, our faith is deepened through God's meeting of those needs.
It also rekindled our desire to be making an eternal difference through our lives. Our prayers are with this family and their upcoming ministry as they seek to bring glory to God through changed lives.
Our children had a delightful time playing with their children, and we had a wonderful visit with the couple. As the time drew near for them to leave, we prayed together, and I have to say that their prayers for us and encouragement to us may have been greater than our attempts to encourage them. It was encouraging to hear how God was honoring their obedience and providing for them each step of the way, albeit not always the way they had in mind. Our time with them proved to be a great reminder that as we step out in faith and ask God to do things we cannot, our faith is deepened through God's meeting of those needs.
It also rekindled our desire to be making an eternal difference through our lives. Our prayers are with this family and their upcoming ministry as they seek to bring glory to God through changed lives.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Literal Learning
Lately, my children and the children I work with at church have been a real source of laughter. My daughter has discovered a new soft drink she loves to have when eating out--"Mr. Pig," more commonly known as Mr. Pibb. This reminds me of a song she learned at church--"Jesus' Love is Sweet & Wonderful". The lyrics go something like this:
Jesus' love is sweet and wonderful,
Jesus' love is sweet and wonderful,
Jesus' love is sweet and wonderful,
Oh, oh wonderful love.
Higher than the mountains,
Deeper than the oceans,
Wider than the universe,
Oh, oh wonderful love.
When she first learned the song, His love was wider than the university, which I can attest is very accurate.
At church this week, a child was reciting John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, He gave His only forgotten son...". I explained to her that Jesus is definitely not forgotten by His Father!
Children are so literal. Once, when singing "The B-I-B-L-E" our daughter said, "but Mommy, I thought we weren't supposed to stand on books." That was the only way she processed the line "I'll stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E". Our oldest son came to America eleven months ago from Ukraine. He is in elementary school and has learned a tremendous amount of English. Yet just this last week, when reading his Bible with his grandparents, he couldn't understand that someone lying could mean reclining rather than being dishonest.
This should be a reminder to me as a mother and children's worker to ensure that children don't just memorize what I am saying. The goal should be understanding and internalizing. If a child memorizes Bible verses to earn prtend money and patches or can read enough words in a certain amount of time to pass a test at school, but has no understanding, what has been accomplished? In the case of Bible memorization, we can be confident that if retained, it will bear fruit as a child's understanding increases. The problem is, without understanding, there is a much lesser chance of retention.
Jesus' love is sweet and wonderful,
Jesus' love is sweet and wonderful,
Jesus' love is sweet and wonderful,
Oh, oh wonderful love.
Higher than the mountains,
Deeper than the oceans,
Wider than the universe,
Oh, oh wonderful love.
When she first learned the song, His love was wider than the university, which I can attest is very accurate.
At church this week, a child was reciting John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, He gave His only forgotten son...". I explained to her that Jesus is definitely not forgotten by His Father!
Children are so literal. Once, when singing "The B-I-B-L-E" our daughter said, "but Mommy, I thought we weren't supposed to stand on books." That was the only way she processed the line "I'll stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E". Our oldest son came to America eleven months ago from Ukraine. He is in elementary school and has learned a tremendous amount of English. Yet just this last week, when reading his Bible with his grandparents, he couldn't understand that someone lying could mean reclining rather than being dishonest.
This should be a reminder to me as a mother and children's worker to ensure that children don't just memorize what I am saying. The goal should be understanding and internalizing. If a child memorizes Bible verses to earn prtend money and patches or can read enough words in a certain amount of time to pass a test at school, but has no understanding, what has been accomplished? In the case of Bible memorization, we can be confident that if retained, it will bear fruit as a child's understanding increases. The problem is, without understanding, there is a much lesser chance of retention.
More Pictures from Magnolia Springs & Nearby
Magnolia Springs is filled with Oak lined streets and is the last community still receiving mail by boat, according to the locals.
Lesson learned: Stay at least three nights!
Recently, my husband and I vacationed at a B & B in Magnolia Springs, Alabama. It truly was an experience in Southern Hospitality. The house was over 100 years old, and we received a personal tour of it, followed by staying in a comfortable room, eating scrumptious, healthy breakfasts, relaxing on the front porch and spending time in the nearby vicinity. We even got to enjoy a resident peacock who moved there after Hurricane Ivan!
The only problem was that once my husband relaxed it was time to go. The first morning, despite being 9 miles from the ocean in sweltering June heat, he was in long pants and on one of his phones doing business. Morning number two found him much more relaxed--in shorts and off the phone. Unfortunately, it was time to pack up and head home. Lesson learned: stay at least three nights!
Note: I recommend this location to those traveling without children.
Red Tape
"How little chance the Holy Ghost has nowadays. The churches and missionary societies have so bound Him in red tape that they practically ask Him to sit in a corner while they do the work themselves."
C.T. Studd
Although written many years ago, this saying is still a reflection of not only our mission societies, but our churches in general. We are so caught up in the qualifications of our personnel, the schedule for our services, the style of worship, and the order and methods in which we do things, do we really leave time for a genuine moving of the Spirit of God? How refreshing it would be to meet with fellow believers to worship without expectation of our comforts being met and our senses being pleased!
C.T. Studd
Although written many years ago, this saying is still a reflection of not only our mission societies, but our churches in general. We are so caught up in the qualifications of our personnel, the schedule for our services, the style of worship, and the order and methods in which we do things, do we really leave time for a genuine moving of the Spirit of God? How refreshing it would be to meet with fellow believers to worship without expectation of our comforts being met and our senses being pleased!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Numero Uno
Today, I decided to join the rest of the world in the blogging revolution. Whether what I have to say is of any worth remains to be seen.
I was struck by the following excerpt from a Washington Post article my dad sent. Written by George Will, the article deals with the ongoing sectarian violnce we see in Iraq, and the underlying assumption the U.S government made that Iraqis are primarily nationalists and only secondarily separationists.
"But it did not take three years of Zarqawi and terrorism and sectarian violence to turn Iraqis into difficult raw material for self-government. For that, give another devil his due: Saddam Hussein's truly atomizing tyranny and terror. On June 20, 2003, just 72 days after the fall of Baghdad, The Post reported this from Fallujah:
'Military engineers recently cleared garbage from a field in Fallujah, resurfaced it with dirt and put up goal posts to create an instant soccer field. A day later, the goal posts were stolen and all the dirt had been scraped from the field. Garbage began to pile up again.'
An Army captain asked, 'What kind of people loot dirt?' There are many answers to that question. Here is one: a kind of people who are hard to help."
We can only hope that our initial premise was correct, although taking longer than we hoped for to settle into. To read the full article, click on this link:
Washington Post
I was struck by the following excerpt from a Washington Post article my dad sent. Written by George Will, the article deals with the ongoing sectarian violnce we see in Iraq, and the underlying assumption the U.S government made that Iraqis are primarily nationalists and only secondarily separationists.
"But it did not take three years of Zarqawi and terrorism and sectarian violence to turn Iraqis into difficult raw material for self-government. For that, give another devil his due: Saddam Hussein's truly atomizing tyranny and terror. On June 20, 2003, just 72 days after the fall of Baghdad, The Post reported this from Fallujah:
'Military engineers recently cleared garbage from a field in Fallujah, resurfaced it with dirt and put up goal posts to create an instant soccer field. A day later, the goal posts were stolen and all the dirt had been scraped from the field. Garbage began to pile up again.'
An Army captain asked, 'What kind of people loot dirt?' There are many answers to that question. Here is one: a kind of people who are hard to help."
We can only hope that our initial premise was correct, although taking longer than we hoped for to settle into. To read the full article, click on this link:
Washington Post
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