I have ten days of sleep-in! Nine now, I suppose, given I just slept in. I swapped shifts with one of my co-workers, meaning I am working only half days, from 11-3. Sleep in, home early. Lovely!
Me being me, I have a list of things I want to do for the week. I think I've gone slightly overboard.
- Read Cancer Ward
- Read The Rights of Man
- Read Requiem for a Nun
- Read The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat
- Read Ring of Bright Water
- Read Revolutions in Worldview
- Read The Feast of July
I'm also hoping to get through several art books, a few cook books, to snd a fair amount of time reading the Bible, and listen to all the audio sermons I have building up on my computer. Over 40 I haven't listened to.
I also hope to cook, to tidy through the house, run a few dozen errands, and clean. And blog about the books. They're a wide range, and I probably won't keep serveral of them - I don't know how I'm going to like Feast of July - it's by H.E. Bates, whose writing I love but whose themes I detest. I picked more 'heavier' books than I normally would, because I have so much more time. It'll be interesting.
On to my reading!
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Thursday, 28 May 2009
Who's Greater Glory Are You Working For?
It amazes me how God uses things from our less-than-perfect past - even from before we become Christians - to speak to us today.
I recently was thinking about pride, and remembered watching Charmed. Not exactly a Biblical TV show. But God was able to use the memory of one episode to teach me.
You see, in this episode, the three sisters (and the husband of one of them) get infected with one of the seven deadly sins. One gets lust, one sloth, one gluttony, and one pride. They don't know that they have them, but they can get rid of them if they do one truly selfless act, in opposition to the vice they have been infected with.
The two sisters with lust and gluttony get free, as does the slothful husband. The girl with pride does not, and has to be rescued.
Later, they are analysing the events, and the girl with pride says, "I don't understand. You all did one selfless act and got free, but I did MANY selfless acts, and I didn't."
"Perhaps it was because it was all for the greater glory of Prue," another of the sisters says.
That's the real issue with pride. It's all about OUR greater glory. It isn't about God at all, even if we are 'serving' him. It's about US.
Who's greater glory are you working for?
I recently was thinking about pride, and remembered watching Charmed. Not exactly a Biblical TV show. But God was able to use the memory of one episode to teach me.
You see, in this episode, the three sisters (and the husband of one of them) get infected with one of the seven deadly sins. One gets lust, one sloth, one gluttony, and one pride. They don't know that they have them, but they can get rid of them if they do one truly selfless act, in opposition to the vice they have been infected with.
The two sisters with lust and gluttony get free, as does the slothful husband. The girl with pride does not, and has to be rescued.
Later, they are analysing the events, and the girl with pride says, "I don't understand. You all did one selfless act and got free, but I did MANY selfless acts, and I didn't."
"Perhaps it was because it was all for the greater glory of Prue," another of the sisters says.
That's the real issue with pride. It's all about OUR greater glory. It isn't about God at all, even if we are 'serving' him. It's about US.
Who's greater glory are you working for?
Friday, 15 May 2009
Friends
I used to wonder about my friends. Seriously, we're all a bit loopy. Okay, a lot loopy. But we're all the kind of highly intelligent, highly educated young adults that most people wish their children would grow up to be. Most of us play musical instruments, speak a second langauge, and pretty much all go/went to uni.
My church friends are similar - loopy, but of the incredibly smart kind.
It used to get me thinking. Because in the past, changes usually came about through groups of friends. The Reformers were frequently in contact with each other. The literary 'giants' of the lat 19th and early 20th century all hung out together. The revolutionaries of France and Russia all knew each other long before they actually took over their respective countries. Why is this?
It's like Ecclesiastes 4:10, If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Friends achieve things together. They encourage each other when the other is down, they help each other in their work. When one is successful he often will use his influence to help the others.
Friends help each other - but not always in the right way. I mentioned earlier the literary 'giants' of the late 19th and 20th century. Sure, they produced some amazing novels and other works of literature. But they didn't exaclty help each other in many other ways. Let's just say that the moral life of those novelists wasn't exactly up to par.
Who are your friends? And do they encourage you in the faith? Or do they drag you away from it?
My church friends are similar - loopy, but of the incredibly smart kind.
It used to get me thinking. Because in the past, changes usually came about through groups of friends. The Reformers were frequently in contact with each other. The literary 'giants' of the lat 19th and early 20th century all hung out together. The revolutionaries of France and Russia all knew each other long before they actually took over their respective countries. Why is this?
It's like Ecclesiastes 4:10, If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Friends achieve things together. They encourage each other when the other is down, they help each other in their work. When one is successful he often will use his influence to help the others.
Friends help each other - but not always in the right way. I mentioned earlier the literary 'giants' of the late 19th and 20th century. Sure, they produced some amazing novels and other works of literature. But they didn't exaclty help each other in many other ways. Let's just say that the moral life of those novelists wasn't exactly up to par.
Who are your friends? And do they encourage you in the faith? Or do they drag you away from it?
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Giveaway at Life In A Shoe
Kim C of Life in a Shoe is giving away a complete set of Reclaiming the Culture DVDs from Vision Forum.
Pretty exciting! Hop on over and enter. Though choose somethig other than Christianity and Science Fiction - I want that one ;p
Pretty exciting! Hop on over and enter. Though choose somethig other than Christianity and Science Fiction - I want that one ;p
Monday, 4 May 2009
Simon the Sorceror
I'm reading the book of Acts at the moment, and in chapter 8 (Acts 8:9-25) there is a character named Simon the Sorceror. He's usually held up as a hugely evil person, someone who tries to buy the Holy Spirit.
But he's not. Simon once had been a sorceror; he had had all the people of Samaria impressed with his powers. But he has turned away from his past sins and has become a Christian. He's even been baptized, which was not exactly the safest thing to do. He's probably given up a fair amount to become a Christian.
And yet his past holds him back. He sees the power of the Holy Spirit and he wants it. And he wants to be able to give it to others. He wants it so much he offers what he can in return for it. He offers money.
Think about it. Money is probably Simon's only material sercurity. Most early Christians gave up family and friends and worldly position - and given Simon's past life there is little doubt in my mined that he had to give up many of his. He's part of a religious group that will see you killed by several different people. He's given up his livlihood (sorcery). Money is all that Simon is likely to have. And he wants to give it up for the Holy Spirit.
Simon is heartily rebuked for this. Peter says, "You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
Simon is not completely hardened; he asks Peter to pray that none of this will happen to him.
Two thoughts:
1. How many others today have had more than slightly shady pasts that hinder their walks with God? I know my past gets in the way if I let it.
2. How many Christians try to 'buy' things from God - His Holy Spirit, His favour, even His grace - with things that are precious to them... revealing hearts that are not right before the LORD; hearts that value both what they are offering and what they hope to receive more than they do the sacrifice of Christ.
But he's not. Simon once had been a sorceror; he had had all the people of Samaria impressed with his powers. But he has turned away from his past sins and has become a Christian. He's even been baptized, which was not exactly the safest thing to do. He's probably given up a fair amount to become a Christian.
And yet his past holds him back. He sees the power of the Holy Spirit and he wants it. And he wants to be able to give it to others. He wants it so much he offers what he can in return for it. He offers money.
Think about it. Money is probably Simon's only material sercurity. Most early Christians gave up family and friends and worldly position - and given Simon's past life there is little doubt in my mined that he had to give up many of his. He's part of a religious group that will see you killed by several different people. He's given up his livlihood (sorcery). Money is all that Simon is likely to have. And he wants to give it up for the Holy Spirit.
Simon is heartily rebuked for this. Peter says, "You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
Simon is not completely hardened; he asks Peter to pray that none of this will happen to him.
Two thoughts:
1. How many others today have had more than slightly shady pasts that hinder their walks with God? I know my past gets in the way if I let it.
2. How many Christians try to 'buy' things from God - His Holy Spirit, His favour, even His grace - with things that are precious to them... revealing hearts that are not right before the LORD; hearts that value both what they are offering and what they hope to receive more than they do the sacrifice of Christ.
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Pro-Life and Anti Abortion
I've been thinking recently about the positions on abortion. And I realised that the reason why there is so much confusion is because everyone thinks there are two positions - pro-life and pro-choice, and there are four.
There are those who are rabidly anti-child, who think that population control is the way to go, who sterilise themselves and others and who think that putting hormones in the water is a great idea. Seriously, there are people who think all of these things. Some of them are individual cranks who have no more impact on others than anyone else. But some are 'intellectuals' with the ears of politicians and other decision makers. I think of this position as the 'pro-death' position.
Then there are the pro-choice people. These are the mostly reasonable people who think that abortion is a terrible thing but that being 'forced' to have an unwanted baby is worse. Being a comparatively recent convert (I became a Christian 3 years ago) means that I know several people in this category. Most of them would never have an abotion themselves, but they believe that women get to choose. This group I call the pro-choice group. They are more open to discussion and influence than the pro-death group. They are also the largest group out of the four, at least from my impressions.
The third group I call the anti-abortion movement. They believe that life starts at conception (except for a few, who beleive that life starts at implantation) and that abortion is murder, or at the very least manslaughter. Sounds good so far. But they tend to be all for contraception, including the pill, which causes chemical abortions in a small but significant amount of cases - often without the mother's knowledge. This group does not always value children; it just doesn't want to kill them.
The final group I call the pro-life group. They don't just think that abortion is wrong, they think the whole attitude of not having/wanting children is wrong. That contraception is an attempt to control our own lives rather than submitting to God's will.
No wonder there is so much confusion! There are fours positions, not just two. The sooner we realise this the sooner the abortion debate can be clarified and we can show the world the sanctity of human life.
In the mean time, be fruitful yourself. Nothing shows abortion to be a lie as much as the blessing of children being openly enbraced!
There are those who are rabidly anti-child, who think that population control is the way to go, who sterilise themselves and others and who think that putting hormones in the water is a great idea. Seriously, there are people who think all of these things. Some of them are individual cranks who have no more impact on others than anyone else. But some are 'intellectuals' with the ears of politicians and other decision makers. I think of this position as the 'pro-death' position.
Then there are the pro-choice people. These are the mostly reasonable people who think that abortion is a terrible thing but that being 'forced' to have an unwanted baby is worse. Being a comparatively recent convert (I became a Christian 3 years ago) means that I know several people in this category. Most of them would never have an abotion themselves, but they believe that women get to choose. This group I call the pro-choice group. They are more open to discussion and influence than the pro-death group. They are also the largest group out of the four, at least from my impressions.
The third group I call the anti-abortion movement. They believe that life starts at conception (except for a few, who beleive that life starts at implantation) and that abortion is murder, or at the very least manslaughter. Sounds good so far. But they tend to be all for contraception, including the pill, which causes chemical abortions in a small but significant amount of cases - often without the mother's knowledge. This group does not always value children; it just doesn't want to kill them.
The final group I call the pro-life group. They don't just think that abortion is wrong, they think the whole attitude of not having/wanting children is wrong. That contraception is an attempt to control our own lives rather than submitting to God's will.
No wonder there is so much confusion! There are fours positions, not just two. The sooner we realise this the sooner the abortion debate can be clarified and we can show the world the sanctity of human life.
In the mean time, be fruitful yourself. Nothing shows abortion to be a lie as much as the blessing of children being openly enbraced!
Family Dynasties
I've been thinking a bit about family dynasties (and similar 'grouping' dynasties) recently. Yeah, I know, not exactly what most 24 year old singles think about.
But seriously, there are a whole LOT of family dynasties in the Bible. There are the obvious ones and the less obvious ones.
King David is a big one. Not just because he's the king and the ancestor of Jesus. Not even because his descendants are kings after him. Think purely about king David's own time. Many of the people who were close to him were related to him. I mean, his head-of-military is Joab - his nephew. His sons are mentioned as serving as officials. Now, King David didn't promote just anyone (even if they were related - he makes other people head of the army at various points, and then Joab has them killed). His family by and large share his vision. They don't always go about it in the best way (his sons for example) but they want a unified Israel. That's their vision.
The Rechabites (Jeremiah 35) are another such family. They are following the commands not merely from a few generations before, but from 200 years back! And the family are greatly blessed for their continued obedience to their forebears.
In the New Testament there are a great many family dynasties too. Timothy's mother and grandmother school him in the faith, even though his father is an unbeliever.
But I think the obviosu spiritual powerhouse family is that of Jesus. Seriously, what kind of family has Jesus, the virgin Mary, Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth, John the Baptist, James and Jude (apostles but not disciples, and half brothers to Jesus). And there are people who think that James and John are also related to Jesus (cousins - see John 19:25-27 - the mother of the beloved disciple, John, is the sister to Jesus' mother - though they have the same first name, which is seriously unoriginal of Jesus's grandparents if so). Seriously, spiritual POWERHOUSE.
History shows family dynasties too. Not just royal ones, but spiritual ones, sientific ones, and artistic ones. The Wesley brothers come to mind for a spiritual family. RC Sproul snr + jnr also spring to mind. Most people know about them (both sets), so I won't talk about them. But they are far from the only ones - especially now that many churches are seeing a revival in this area as fathers turn their hearts to their children and children to their fathers (Malachai 4).
In the non-spiritual realm there are familiy dynasties too. Charles Dickens' great granddaughter is an author, as is the great granddaughter of Anthony Trollope. The only Curie that most people know about nowdays is Marie Curie, but her husband Pierre was a scientist too (and they won Marie's first Noble prize together), as was one of their daughters, that daughter's husband, and both of their children.
Family dynasties happen ALL the time. The question is - what KIND of spiritual dynasty are we building and preparing to build...?
But seriously, there are a whole LOT of family dynasties in the Bible. There are the obvious ones and the less obvious ones.
King David is a big one. Not just because he's the king and the ancestor of Jesus. Not even because his descendants are kings after him. Think purely about king David's own time. Many of the people who were close to him were related to him. I mean, his head-of-military is Joab - his nephew. His sons are mentioned as serving as officials. Now, King David didn't promote just anyone (even if they were related - he makes other people head of the army at various points, and then Joab has them killed). His family by and large share his vision. They don't always go about it in the best way (his sons for example) but they want a unified Israel. That's their vision.
The Rechabites (Jeremiah 35) are another such family. They are following the commands not merely from a few generations before, but from 200 years back! And the family are greatly blessed for their continued obedience to their forebears.
In the New Testament there are a great many family dynasties too. Timothy's mother and grandmother school him in the faith, even though his father is an unbeliever.
But I think the obviosu spiritual powerhouse family is that of Jesus. Seriously, what kind of family has Jesus, the virgin Mary, Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth, John the Baptist, James and Jude (apostles but not disciples, and half brothers to Jesus). And there are people who think that James and John are also related to Jesus (cousins - see John 19:25-27 - the mother of the beloved disciple, John, is the sister to Jesus' mother - though they have the same first name, which is seriously unoriginal of Jesus's grandparents if so). Seriously, spiritual POWERHOUSE.
History shows family dynasties too. Not just royal ones, but spiritual ones, sientific ones, and artistic ones. The Wesley brothers come to mind for a spiritual family. RC Sproul snr + jnr also spring to mind. Most people know about them (both sets), so I won't talk about them. But they are far from the only ones - especially now that many churches are seeing a revival in this area as fathers turn their hearts to their children and children to their fathers (Malachai 4).
In the non-spiritual realm there are familiy dynasties too. Charles Dickens' great granddaughter is an author, as is the great granddaughter of Anthony Trollope. The only Curie that most people know about nowdays is Marie Curie, but her husband Pierre was a scientist too (and they won Marie's first Noble prize together), as was one of their daughters, that daughter's husband, and both of their children.
Family dynasties happen ALL the time. The question is - what KIND of spiritual dynasty are we building and preparing to build...?
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Bus Drivers, Boyfriends, and Giving Glory to God
I catch the bus to and from work everyday. Now, most of the drivers regularly do my route, and so they know me and know where I get on and get off (which is very useful if I'm running a few minutes late - they stop even not at a bus stop!)
Anyway, because I moved on Tuesday, I didn't get off at my normal stop. I then didn't get off at my second common stop (the one near my parents and care groups). So the driver questioned me. So I told him I moved.
"With a boyfriend?"
I told him no, I was Christian, and consequently was not going to be living with a boy.
"But you have a boyfriend?"
I told him no.
"You need to be less into this Christian thing. A pretty girl like you should have a boyfriend, and out having fun."
I said I didn't think that that was a good thing for me to be doing as I was a Christian. And that I wasn't going to stop being a Christian just so I could get a boyfriend.
He then proceeded to say all the usual anti-Christian things - and ended with the question, "I mean, what are we here for?"
I said that the answer was to glorify God and enjoy him forever. I briefly (VERY briefly) explained, then it was my stop.
On the walk home I began thinking about giving glory to God. And I realised that my waiting (albeit very impatiently) for a boyfriend brings glory to God. Everyone who meets me knows within a few minutes that I love kids, that I can't wait to be married and taking care of my home. But by waiting I show to this bus driver and the world that God is better. That I value God more highly than a boyfriend, or fun times, or anything that the world has to offer.
Anyway, because I moved on Tuesday, I didn't get off at my normal stop. I then didn't get off at my second common stop (the one near my parents and care groups). So the driver questioned me. So I told him I moved.
"With a boyfriend?"
I told him no, I was Christian, and consequently was not going to be living with a boy.
"But you have a boyfriend?"
I told him no.
"You need to be less into this Christian thing. A pretty girl like you should have a boyfriend, and out having fun."
I said I didn't think that that was a good thing for me to be doing as I was a Christian. And that I wasn't going to stop being a Christian just so I could get a boyfriend.
He then proceeded to say all the usual anti-Christian things - and ended with the question, "I mean, what are we here for?"
I said that the answer was to glorify God and enjoy him forever. I briefly (VERY briefly) explained, then it was my stop.
On the walk home I began thinking about giving glory to God. And I realised that my waiting (albeit very impatiently) for a boyfriend brings glory to God. Everyone who meets me knows within a few minutes that I love kids, that I can't wait to be married and taking care of my home. But by waiting I show to this bus driver and the world that God is better. That I value God more highly than a boyfriend, or fun times, or anything that the world has to offer.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Making Your Home A Haven: Evening Routine
Mostly I've been successful with going to bed on time - though not at church camp the past few days.
It does make a big difference in how I function the next day if I go to bed on time. And I much prefer functioning well ;)
This week's challenge is to create an evening routine.
1. Tidy living room
2. Make lunch for tomorrow
3. Tidy kitchen
4. Clean face, brush teeth etc
5. Bible reading
6. Lights out
It does make a big difference in how I function the next day if I go to bed on time. And I much prefer functioning well ;)
This week's challenge is to create an evening routine.
1. Tidy living room
2. Make lunch for tomorrow
3. Tidy kitchen
4. Clean face, brush teeth etc
5. Bible reading
6. Lights out
Thursday, 9 April 2009
What Are Our Goals
I've been thinking a lot about goals recently. What ARE our goals? What are MY goals?
I've kind of come to a stand still here - my main goal was always to have children, but I can't exactly do that on my own here. And as there appear to be no prospects on THAT horizon, I often allow everything else to slip, especially when things get difficult.
The goals I have to marry and have children, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD, to vbe a helpmeet to my husband - they are noble goals. But if I only focus on them I'm not doing what I can now.
So what are my goals?
- To spend time in the Word every day, with the aim of reading about 10 chapters a day. This would mean that I'd read the Bible at least twice a year.
- To save a significant part of my income in order to prepare for the fees associated with an international adoption. (I have a dollar goal per pay packet, but for obvious reasons, I'm not posting that.)
- To reform my speech and thought patterns so that I more accurately reflect Christ. This isn't easy in the workplace I'm in - there is a lot of swearing when the kids are not around (and sometimes when they are - sometimes from the kids!) but I am making progress.
- To be bold in speaking about Christ. This is something I always need to work on.
I've kind of come to a stand still here - my main goal was always to have children, but I can't exactly do that on my own here. And as there appear to be no prospects on THAT horizon, I often allow everything else to slip, especially when things get difficult.
The goals I have to marry and have children, to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD, to vbe a helpmeet to my husband - they are noble goals. But if I only focus on them I'm not doing what I can now.
So what are my goals?
- To spend time in the Word every day, with the aim of reading about 10 chapters a day. This would mean that I'd read the Bible at least twice a year.
- To save a significant part of my income in order to prepare for the fees associated with an international adoption. (I have a dollar goal per pay packet, but for obvious reasons, I'm not posting that.)
- To reform my speech and thought patterns so that I more accurately reflect Christ. This isn't easy in the workplace I'm in - there is a lot of swearing when the kids are not around (and sometimes when they are - sometimes from the kids!) but I am making progress.
- To be bold in speaking about Christ. This is something I always need to work on.
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