Forgive...

Mark 11:25
"And whenever you stand parying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."

So how many times have I totally blown this verse? Got to thinking about it today...don't worry, I'm not holding resentment against anyone. It just reminded me of how petty I can be sometimes. Reminded of occasions where I didn't want to forgive because "I was right." And going to the other person would mean....you guessed it....humbling myself.
It's so easy to be prideful...to think I've got the answers to everyone's problems.
I remember a friend I had in college who I fought with constantly. I don't usually fight at all but he always told me when I was wrong. And I never wanted to admit that I was wrong so I got mad at him (I even did this when Lukas came to visit and he saw a rare side of me that day but he loves me anyways...and he tells me when I'm wrong, too...)
Why is it so hard to just go to another person and say "I forgive you" or "Please forgive me"? Many times we can sit and steam about someone wronging us and they are happily going about their lives because they don't even realise we feel this way. It's pride - and it's sin.
It's so easy to be full of pride and so hard to be humble (for me anyways). But I'm wrong most of the time...or someone else has a better idea.
Anyways...
Just some random thoughts that struck me - humility is key to so much. Even if we are right, we need to go to the other person and forgive - even if they don't ask for forgiveness! And it swings the other way too...we need to be quick to repent and ask for forgiveness, even if the other person isn't willing to forgive us!!!
And praise Jesus that HE was our supreme example...we are without excuse.

Brought Low

He's brought me here, where things are clear, and trials turn to gold.
He shared with me, His victory, He won in days of old.
Oh Lord, I don't deserve, the riches of your word,
But You've changed my filthy rags to linen white as snow.
The view from here is nothing near to what it is for You.
I tried to see Your plan for me, but I only acted like I knew.
Oh Lord forgive the times, I tried to read your mind.
Cause you said if I'd be still, then I would hear your voice.
My Lord, my King, my urge to sing and praise the things above.
No words can say the glorious way you changed me with your love.
He's brought me low, so I could now the way to reach the heights.
To forsake my dreams, my self esteem and give up all my rights.
With each one that I lay down, a jewel's placed in my crown.
Cause His love, the things above, is all we'll ever need.
He's brought me here, where things are clear, and trials turn to gold

Keith Green - Trials Turn to Gold

Today was one of those days that the Lord had to bring me low. No great trial or anything - just some inner pride that had to come down - way down. Still reading in I Peter and reading about submission and humility. Just when you think you've got something down - "oh yeah, i've got that one under my belt." The Lord shows me how much farther I need to go. Sometimes it's like I want to say "But Lord, I know I'm right on this one...I have rights!!!!" Yes, He says, you have the right to be submissive, humble and obedient. The Christian walk is about self-sacrifice, not self-esteem. But you know, it's not crushing to be brought low, it's awesome because like that song says - when you're brought low, then you reach the heights. I don't know why (well, yes I do - it's called sinful flesh) I struggle with certain things when I know that when I'm being obedient to His word life is so full of joy and peace.

"It's all about YOU, JESUS...

It's not about me as if You should do things my way,

You alone are God and I surrender..."

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Nightmare on My Street!

Ok, laugh at me now folks, this has been the week of insanity.




Start out yesterday morning - never so glad to be married to a plumber as yesterday. Toilet totally overflows all over the bathroom floor!!! So I quickly stick Eliora into her playpen and call Lukas frantically going "what do I do???? it won't go down!!!!! It's all over the floor...HELP ME!!!!!" So finally the plunger works and the waters recede. But what an awesomely gross mop up job! The bill for the plumber...Cinnamon rolls and a kiss goodbye :o)

THEN Eliora and I head to the library to get a video or two. Suddenly as we enter the video room she releases from deep within the most horrifying scream you ever heard - I'm sure they heard it down the street. Apparantly she couldn't reach a video on the shelf - sheesh...So after selecting whatever videos were in plain sight and appeared non-questionable we headded out, getting questioning looks like "Man, lady, why do you bring the kid to the library?" So I point my face toward the door and don't look back. None of those old men understand anyways....

THEN last night I had to go pick up Lukas who was hunting at Dave's place. The roads were icy and our tires are SO BAD. I was going uphill at about 30 mph when Lukas called my cell phone and I started to slide toward the ditch, caught it and then over to the other side of the road - slipping and sliding totally convinced that this was the end, crying into the phone "Lukas, just ride down the road with Dave...I'm...slipping...ahhhhh....oh no....ahhh...um...you really need to....ahhhh....change the .....ahhh tires!!!! So I get myself together and back down the hill in neutral until I see the truck comming. Woe. Totally not going to drive again until the tires are changed.

THEN this morning I decided to make cinnamon rolls so I turned on the oven to 450 and started mixing. All ready - open the oven and AHHH!!! My big PLASTIC mixing bowl with butter softening for cookies is IN the OVEN!!!! (which has been heating for 15 minutes...) So of course I freak out because I'm so good at that and spill melted butter into the oven which then burns and smokes up the entire downstairs, sets off the smoke alarm and about puts me to my limit. And it's only 8:00am....

So I put in Helmut Lotti singing "From Russia with Love" at full blast which eliora is captivated by and proceed to clean the oven and make a big pot of coffee. I think that this afternoon we'll just chill - read books and play in the snow.
Right now I'm ready for a nap - how about you?

Mother-in-Law

For the past two weekends on some early Saturday morning program on the radio they've had this woman being interviewed about a book she wrote about how to get along with your mother-in-law. So it got me thinking man, I must be an odd duck - I get along great with my mother-in-law. In fact I consider her a near and dear friend...along with the whole in-law family. But in light of all this mother-in-law angst there is in the world, and since it is her birthdy on Monday, here are the top 10 things I love about Ma Emmott:
(and no, this is not buttering her up....she would love me anyways...)

10. She can make some mad good apple pie!!!

9. Even though she doesn't like to cook, her family never went hungry even when money was extremely tight throughout the years because - hey, get this - she was thinking of them and not herself. (btw - she's a really good cook - see #10)

8. She talked with her boys (3 of them...) about all the things most moms neglect to talk to their boys about...and my husband is definitely a better man because of it.

7. She was an art teacher - Rock on! Some day she'll (hopefully) be able to teach Eliora all kinds of artsy things.

6. She can sew/crochet/smock/embroider/paint/etc. just about anything and it all looks beautiful when she finishes - way better than any craft show stuff (unless of course he stuff is in a craft show...)

5. Ma & Pa Emmott have been married over 30 years and they love each other and are an awesome example of a Godly couple.

4. She has good advice and knows how to give it so you really think about what she says.

3. She (unlike some of the angst talked about on the radio) has never told us what to do, how to raise our children, yadda yadda, she's a friend...not a nag...and that comes naturally to her.

2. She loves the Lord with all her heart and studies His Word faithfully.

AND THE NUMBER 1 THING ABOUT MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IS...

1. She's beautiful from the inside out and well, Lukas, Eliora and I love her very much!

The lightbulb goes on

Today I was reading in the I Peter New Testament Commentary by John MacArthur, Ch. 23 on "Shepherding the Flock." As always I'm hit with something not so profound but something I never thought of before. I realise lately I've not been so kind to the church as a whole, but there's some things that just bother me and so once again my thoughts are a not so wonderful reflection of past church experiences.
Here is the quote that got my attention:

"The plurality of godly leaders, as designed by the Lord, not only provides more ministry care (cf. Ex. 18:13-26) but offers some important safegurards (cf. Prov. 11:14). First, it helps protect the church against error. The apostle Paul told the church at Corinth, "Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgement...and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets" (I Cor. 14:29, 32). No one was to speak or minister independently (cf. 1 Cor. 14:26-33), teaching strictly on his own and not being accountable or subject to the knowledge of other teachers." (p.264)

In many churches, many people, including deacons and those given leadership positions, are not students of the Scriptures. They do not "Study to show [themselves] approved unto God..." as I Timothy calls us to do. So then the pastor becomes the only one who knows the Bible. The pastor could (and I've been in churches where pastors have) preach a total erroneous message and no one will tell him he's off because they either don't know the Bible well enough to know he was in error or they do not feel they have the authority to do so. In fact I've sat through sermons SO off and afterward heard people tell the preacher what a wonderful message it was!

I firmly believe that if my pastor was to preach something in error, the elders and men of our church would confront him on it. Even if it was a few weeks later that they discovered otherwise...because the TRUTH is of utmost importance, to the people and to the pastor.
But I've been to churches where socialization was of utmost importance and if the pastor preached over 20 minutes, Bibles got slammed shut....but I drift from my point.
There is accountability in having people and elders in a congregation that study dilligently the Word of God and can sort out truth from error. Pastors and elders are not infallible...that is why God calls all of us to be dilligent students of the Word.

May we be like the Bereans who searched the scriptures to know if the apostle Paul was preaching the truth or not. May we never think we know it all.

Rainy Day Thoughts

Ah, yes, friends. Fall is on it's way out the door and the cold winds of winter are bursting through. It is snowing right now, though it's too warm to stick to the ground. The wind has been howling off the lake and rattling the back door so it sounds like someone is trying to break in. And perhaps someone is...perhaps Old Man Winter is knocking on my door and I'm rather reluctant to let him in. Yet, I can't wait to have Eliora play in the snow - that will be so much fun!
But in the mean time Eliora and I must amuse ourselves within the house. As we were sitting in front of the window, me on my knees at the chest reading the penny saver and Eliora on her stool looking over my shoulder, I unconsciously patted her on the back. So she thought that was pretty neat and patted me on the back for a while, too. Life is good when you're 1. Lightening? Howling wind? Rain streaming down the window panes? No problem. As long as mom's ok, life must be just fine.
So now she's down for a nap, curled up with a picture of mommy and daddy that's almost 8 years old - but she found it amongst some things I was cleaning out this morning and said "Daddy!" and wouldn't let go of it for a second. Eliora just loves her daddy. Every morning she chants "dad-dy, dad-dy, dad-dy" as he heads out the door to work. Then I let her stand on the chest and wave out the window as he gets in the car. In the evening, no matter how upset she is with me (which she usually is mad that I'm making supper and not playing) the minute he walks in the door she's all smiles and daddy's little giggly girl.
Today has just been special...it's only 11:00 but when she awakes at 5, 11 seems like a day to me...There's no going to see the "duts" today, so I've been playing more than usual. She loves it when I sit on the floor and she stands behind me. When I turn to either side to see her she just cackles so loud! She loves to be chased all around the house, too, especially if I'm on my knees, right at her level. She hasn't realized yet that headding into the kitchen only gets her cornered by the fridge - Tickle time!
So i'm sure after nap time she'll be all geared up for more excitement...hopefully I will be too...

Spices

Well, I know that at least my father is dying to know what Eliora has been up to lately, so here's an update on my crazy little one.
Today was baking crazy day for the great hunters, Lukas and Dave. The both are cookie-holics so I baked "ginger chews" (ginger snaps to everyone else but they like them doughy) and cinnamon rolls. Not exactly rugged outdoor food, but it must gear them up for the big hunt.
ANYWAYS....As I was opening and closing the upper cupboards Eliora was grunting and pointing like something of hers was up there. So I looked and lo and behold she was pointing to the spices (which I have an overabundance of ones i never use). So I took the ones like Steak seasoning, Seasoned salt and cayenne pepper to name a few down out of the cupboard for her to play with. She had a grand old time. She moved them all around the house. Frist they all went onto the stool in the kitchen, then onto the chest in the living room, then Lukas' drum, then the cupboard in the front room, the bathroom...chatting and giggling the whole time (about what she was cooking up i'm sure)... and now they are scattered throughout the house and I must round them up before I go to bed.
It's so funny to watch her play. She hardly touches her toys without prompting and would much rather play with a broom, dustpan or, well, spices than anything else. I guess she's just at that stage that she wants to do whatever mommy is doing, and most of the time that's just fine with me because I know one day she probably won't even want to be in the same room as me let alone think what I'm doing is the coolest thing in the world.
So I'll revel in these moments as they last...

TRUTH...TRUTH...TRUTH...TRUTH

Ok, lately my heart has been very saddened on the state of the church...here are some comments made by people I know on their opinion of their churches:

"...people don't talk to me outside of the "social circles" in which i find myself. if you can consider work and the five minutes i'm in the church building exchanging trite cliches and next to meaningless plesantries "social circles"

"I compare this high school to my church. On the outside it looks fine and the people are doing the right things. But if you dig deeper the corruption goes all the way to the top. Same thing in my church. All the deacons do not show up on Wednesday Night prayer meeting, unless they have to kuz there is a meeting. Same exact thing with the trustees. AND these are ourexampls? I'm ashamed these days, to call [name of church], my home church. Where I go. Where I was raised. I think at the next deacons meeting, I'm going to ask for my membership back. I don't want any part of this."

I haven't asked their permission to quote them, and I doubt they read this so perhaps they won't mind. The reason this makes me so sad is that I felt the same way for so many years. But the problem is TRUTH!!! and TRUTH MATTERS!!! If the TRUTH is not affecting people's lives then they don't care about the flock or "studying to show oneself approved unto God." These two quotes are from young people...and you know what they are crying out for? TRUTH!!! I heard a quote the other day on a program I actually can't stand but it was a good quote...I think it was Josh McDowell speaking and he said teens come up to him all the time and say "You know, our youth leaders think all we want is to eat pizza and watch movies, but we really want to know the TRUTH about the Bible." TRUTH TRUTH TRUTH
Ok, last fall this young speaker from BBC came to a camp rental retreat and spoke on Sanctification to high schoolers. You know why? Because he was MAD that when he was in high school no one addressed the "Big words" of the Bible. When he got to college he had to re-learn (or really learn for the first time) what it meant to really be a Christian!
If you want a church that stands for TRUTH give me a call...I'm not just trying to plug our church but I'm like that speaker, 2 years ago I began learning for the first time what it is to be saved, to have joy in salvation, to be filled with the Spirit and what true fellowship is all about! TRUTH!!

"I am the way, the TRUTH and the life, no man commeth unto the Father but by me."
- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

Keith Green

Well, I pledge my head to heaven for the Gospel,
And I ask no man on Earth to fill my needs.
Like the sparrow up above, I am enveloped in His love,
And I trust Him like those little ones, He feeds.
Well I pledge my wife to heaven, for the Gospel,
Though our love each passing day just seems to grow.
As I told her when we wed, I'd surely rather be found dead,
Than to love her more than the one who saved my soul.
I'm your child, and I want to be in your family forever.
I'm your child, and I'm going to follow you,
No matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost.

Well I pledge my son to heaven for the gospel.
Though he's kicked and beaten, ridiculed and scorn.
I will teach him to rejoice, and life a thankful praising voice,
And to be like Him who bore the nails and crown of thorns.
I'm your child, and I want to be in your family forever.
I'm your child, and I'm going to follow you,
No matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost.
Oh no matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost.

Well I've had the chance to gain the world, and to live just like a king,
But without your love, it doesn't mean a thing.
Oh no matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost,
Oh no matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost.
Well I pledge my son, I pledge my wife, I pledge my head to heaven,
I pledge my son, I pledge my wife,
I pledge my head to heaven, for the gospel.

Thanks, keith.

Can I say those things? Or do I love ________________ more than "The One who saved my soul?"