Proper Use of My Liberties

Romans 14:14  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16  Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20  For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21  It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22  Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
1    We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Even though this passage is speaking directly of what foods we eat, it can be applied to all aspects of our lives.  Am I living a life that follows the principles contained in this passage? 

I've recently come across a discussion that got me thinking hard about this.  How many times do I go about my merry life, doing what I want because it is my right to do so, never caring about how my choices affect others?  I need to be careful to consider others in everything that I do.  If I am hindering my ministry to others by excercising my rights, I need to give up those rights.  It would be better for me to live a more constrictive lifestyle than to cause offense.

For example, I was having a conversation with my sister via text message the other day.  After several back and forth texts, I waited an hour or so before receiving another reply.  In that reply she explained that she had been with her husband's grandmother, who finds texting to be rude.  So, she'd refrained from doing so while visiting with her.  Certainly she has the right to text, there's nothing in the Bible saying that texting is a sin, even if you're with others - but she gave up that freedom to avoid causing a rift in that relationship. 

As a Christian, I should always be willing to sacrifice my freedoms to serve others. 

Just for Fun

Here's my little baseball player!

Isn't he cute?

Back in the Race!

When we left Oregon, we were both really hurting emotionally. The way our ministry out there ended was really painful for us, so we knew we needed a time of emotional healing. At first, we simply enjoyed being a part of a church that loves us, just soaking up the love. Then, after we'd been here about 6 months, we were contacted by a pastor who is looking for a young man for him to groom to take his place when he retires.

We met with him and his wife for lunch, and they set up for my husband to come preach for their church. As we made the plans, I realised that I wasn't yet ready to get back in the race. I still hurt. A lot. I wasn't yet in a place to minister well to those around me. Talking with my husband and our pastor and his wife, I said, "I DO want to get back in the ministry, just not yet. I feel like a runner that had to drop out due to a broken leg. I want to get back in the race, but not until my leg is healed."

Well, several things brought us to the decision that that particular church wasn't our next field of ministry. I was glad, as that gave me more time to heal. After we'd been here about a year, my darling and I realised that we were ready. We were starting to feel excited, and looking forward to our next area of ministry. We started looking for an opportunity to serve. I felt like my leg was healed now, I was just waiting for the next race to start.

Interestingly enough, two opportunities quickly presented themselves. One was with the church we are currently in. The other was back on the West Coast, in WA. I didn't have a proper attitude about the WA opportunity at first, but kept praying about it, and God worked in my heart so that I was submitted even to driving back across the country to serve in WA again, if that was what He had for us. I think it was only a week after I fully submitted to that possibility, that the email came.

"Thank you, but we found someone else" was basically what the email said. So, now we were down to the possibility that was right next door. (Literally!) We just didn't know what the church was wanting to do.

At our business meeting on Wednesday, the church decided to bring my husband on as assistant pastor! We are back in the race! We are looking forward to serving here, and ministering with the wonderful people already here. We are so thankful that God has made our paths so clear, and that He knows just what we need, and when we need it! We are also so very thankful for the people that allow God to work through them, and shine His love to the world. Isn't it wonderful to know that God cares for us?

Murder is Murder

I didn't watch the Casey Anthony trial, so I have no real idea what went on, and have no opinion of whether she is guilty or innocent. However, I'm rather puzzled, and slightly disgusted by the huge uproar that has been made over this, while there are thousands of babies being killed and thrown away each day by abortion. I'm struggling to understand.

Just a few months ago I discovered what is known as "selective reduction". This is where a woman who is pregnant with multiples (normally more than two) decides to kill one of more of the babies, (normally dropping the number to twins or a singleton) I just can't fathom or stomach the fact that this is really okay! What is the difference between these women and Casey Anthony?

Each day there are thousands of women who kill their babies in Government sanctioned clinics because having the baby would be inconvenient for them. What is the difference between these women and Casey Anthony?

As long as the unborn are being murdered and thrown away, we should not be surprised when the same is done with the born.

Friday Fill-Ins

I thought it might be fun to give this a try.  :D

1. Blue skies without a cloud in sight make me smile.

2. A trip down memory lane is an almost daily occurence!

3. Kids love my baby, and my baby loves them.

4. Having my husband nearby all the time, sleeping in, relaxing; these are some of the best things about vacation.

5. Love is defined by action, not feelings!

6. I have never heard of submarine races.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to chili cheese fries for dinner, tomorrow my plans include looking at a house with a friend, tearing down wallpaper, and teaching a class on knitting, and Sunday, I want to enjoy the Sunday services!

Pictures! Long overdue.

I said I'd do a picture post next, so here goes! 



Boy! were those carrots good!



He fell asleep chewing on my finger.  Must have been tired!



I didn't think to get this picture before my other sister and brother left...

We're only missing 9 of my Grandma's grandkids!

And this is all 6 of her great-grandkids (not counting the 2 on the way)

I made this outfit for some friends.  Their daughter was born 3 weeks early, and has Trisomy 18.  She's doing remarkably well so far, but still needs our prayers.

 

I taught my little brother how to knit so I could test my instructions.  The cable on the circular needles was getting him frustrated, so he hooked it around his foot.  :D  Classic smile!