When i came upon this information i was appalled, and wanted to throw up. I cant believe i didnt know what i was putting into my child.
Now that i know this , i cant not support the fact that these shots fund abortions, and will have to go another route with my kids. Not only will i not support this, i dont now want to put dead children in my babies! And i hope after you read this you will make the same decision i am on not supporting it. If enough people go against this then they will have to find another route.
THIS IS NOT A JOKE SO PLEASE CHECK THESE LINKS OUT.
http://www.know-vaccines.org/exemp-hidtruth.html
http://all.org/article.php?id=12718
http://www.cogforlife.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hpUWHKMToc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHOIFGNJkN0&feature=related
Monday, June 7, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
When did obedience become legalism?
Great article that I recently read about that tallks about how willingly obeying God's word has been described by some as legalism. OPEN THE EYES OF OUR HEARTS LORD!!! We are living in a "tolerance" & "politically correct" church age where almost anything goes. I mean God's grace covers all. I do it now & repent later, right? Let's not cheapen the grace of God!
When did Obedience Become Legalism?
We seem to be living in a time in the present Christian era where people seem to feel that all that matters in Christianity is love and God’s grace, that obedience is simply legalism, and that people do not have to obey Bible commands for salvation (except, of course, for the command to believe in Jesus as the Savior).
Grace is made cheap. Live as you like, call yourself a Christian, and God’s grace will cover you. It is said it is what is in the heart (generally defined as the emotions) that counts. Feelings and emotions are defined as love for God. God’s grace will cover a life of sin just so a man believes in God in some abstract sense. I might add if you doubt this just attend a few funerals and see if you can learn of any deceased who are not already in heaven based on the conversations you hear and the preaching and that no matter what kind of life the man lived.
People talk about love for God all the time. It is in their heart (their emotions). Yet, quote a passage to them like 1 John 5:2-3, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (NKJV) and you immediately have problems for that is not what they want to hear. It is not how they want love defined. The preference is for emotions rather than obedience.
In 1 Cor. 13 we have Paul discussing love in verses 4-8. In verse 6 of that chapter he says love “does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth.” (NKJV) Iniquity is the opposite of obedience. One can no more join love with iniquity than he can a lamb with a lion. But, we have come to believe God’s grace covers everything and obedience is not necessary. We now accept iniquity because we are no longer willing to accept the Bible as the standard of authority for what is right versus what is wrong. We often still claim for ourselves the mantle of Christianity but must twist the scriptures (2 Peter 3:16) to suit modern conceptions of what is acceptable conduct and behavior.
To condemn sin as did John the Baptist, Paul, and Jesus is today seen to be unloving, intolerant, and judgmental and thus unchristian in the minds of many. Yet, in the New Testament Paul, by the Holy Spirit, commanded Timothy to reprove and rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2 NAS) and not go along with or to hold his silence in the presence of men sinning. Titus was told not only to rebuke but to do so sharply (Titus 2:13, see also Titus 2:15). The Ephesians were told, thus meaning it is applicable to us as well, to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Eph. 5:11 ESV) But, today that is seen as sticking your nose in where it does not belong and we are no longer to call anything short of murder, rape, or robbery sin and some even object to that at times. The case of Roman Polanski’s rape of a 13 year old girl and the outcry now heard against bringing him to justice is an apt example.
Yes, obedience to Bible standards of conduct (commands) is now seen as legalism. Sin is renamed and given polite names or, as is often the case, simply dropped off the radar screen altogether. Fornication is an example of a sin that has dropped off the radar screen and out of sight. Hardly anyone takes it to be a sin today. It is commonly expected that just about every young person is going to engage in it and certainly every unmarried adult. It is just taken for granted as being a normal part of society and not a serious sin at all. What happened to the Bible?
Other sins we rename or perhaps a better way of saying it is that we recategorize it. Homosexuality is gradually being moved out of the category of iniquity. We now call it a committed and loving relationship. To any who object we speak of intolerance and hate. We call it a civil right and will work to doom’s day to make it a matter of law and who can say but what objectors will eventually be subject to hate speech legislation.
The religiously liberal Christians (if there is such a thing) say God loves all men (true) so we say we can rejoice in Christian fellowship with those actively practicing homosexuality – no repentance required. Of course in doing so we destroy the Bible as written but the national desire today is to either abandon the Bible altogether as a standard of conduct, to say nothing of authority, and to write our own Bible.
The way we do that is by making the Bible we have mean anything we want it to mean and abandon all rational exegesis. We simply say it does not mean what it says. It means what we say it means and of course all our conclusions are based on real love, love the way we, not God, define it. We are perverting the faith and making up our own religion as did the Jews of Jesus’ day. They were “seeking to establish their own righteousness” (Rom. 10:3 NKJV) and we seem to be doing the same thing.
Jesus said, “But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 NKJV) Does anyone have an answer? Love means obedience and obedience, despite the cry to the contrary, is not legalism.
Did you ever give it thought that if obedience is legalism that Jesus was the biggest legalist of all time? He kept every commandment, never sinned once. He said, “I always do those things that please him.” (John 8:29 NKJV) He was obedient to death (Phil. 2:8). He was the only one that ever kept the law of God perfectly, obedient in every detail.
Jesus never condemned the Pharisees for keeping the law, not once. He condemned them for hypocrisy, for not keeping the law, for making commandments and adding them to God’s word and making them of equal force with God’s word binding them on men. We often today say they were legalists and I do not object to that designation of them but I add this for clarification – their legalism was not for God’s law but for the law they had made and added to his.
Jesus said, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19 NKJV)
Where, oh where, have people come up with this modern day idea that Jesus just does not care about obedience anymore? Put another way, or phrased another way, what has happened to sin? When did it go out of existence? But, that is where we are at today and it is an idea that is fairly prevalent among a significant number of people who consider themselves to be Christians.
I give people credit in a place where perhaps some others would not. Some would say we have come to this place because people today are just ignorant of God’s word. Well, there is truth in that for sure but why is it so? Is there a shortage of Bibles? No, that is not it. There is a lack of will to read them - that is for sure. And there is a lack of a will to believe them and obey them. Peter said there was such a thing as people who are “willingly…ignorant” (2 Peter 3:5 KJV). If we will not read and study how can we keep from falling into the category of those who are willingly ignorant?
But, as I said, I am more inclined to give people credit in the knowledge department than some others believing that for the most part people do know right from wrong. I believe the cry “legalism” against the teaching of obedience is in reality a smoke screen to cover up and make an excuse for a life lived for self, a this worldly life. It is my life and I want to live it the way I want to. The claim of saved solely by love and God’s grace provides the cover one needs for such a life to legitimize it before the public.
We all have a tendency to try and hide the wrong we know we are doing and one of the best (?) ways of doing that is to legitimize it – get everyone else to think what we are doing is not wrong. Hey, everybody else is doing it – right? How can it be wrong then? The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were full of sin and yet to the general public they appeared to be righteous. “Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men.” (Matt. 23:28 NKJV) They had gotten the people of their day to swallow their religion with all the additions and manmade commandments they had made.
The standard for a righteous man has been so lowered over the years that in the public’s eyes today even if you have not worshipped the Lord in a regular assembly of the saints for the past 20 years you are still headed straight to heaven.
If you had opportunity to get a hold of an old church roll book from say 100 years ago you would probably be shocked as you would see notations made in the margins of people being withdrawn from as per 2 Thess. 3:6, “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” (NKJV)
Since we today have decided what love is and have taken it out of God’s hands it is no longer considered to be an act of love to withdraw from sinners who will not repent even though the purpose was “that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Cor. 5:5 NKJV) That is about as noble and as loving a reason as one could have and yet today if we were to practice discipline in the church by withdrawing fellowship from those living in sin and who will not repent it would be considered unloving and unchristian even though an inspired apostle commanded it. It would be considered legalism gone wild. Have we made our own religion as did the Pharisees and scribes and lawyers of Jesus’ day?
One act of disobedience that is prevalent everywhere today is adulterous marriages and many congregations have people involved in such marriages but who are considered by the membership to be faithful. What have we come to? Listen carefully to Paul.
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you once walked when you lived in them.” (Col. 3:5-7 NKJV)
I want to point out two things. (1) The word translated “fornication” in verse 5 includes adultery. It is a broad term that has reference to more than one sexual sin or activity. It is easy enough to check out for yourself online if you do not trust me. (2) Verse 7 teaches one can live in these sins thus adultery is not just a onetime act as some few teach. As long as you remain in the adulterous marriage just that long you continue to live in adultery.
What is adultery? “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (Matt. 19:9 NKJV) The phrase “sexual immorality” is in the older translations the word “fornication.” (KJV, ASV of 1901)
Does God not forgive? Certainly he does but only on the condition that one quit the sin in repentance. If we continue to live in an adulterous marriage we continue the sin. Remember, Col. 3:5-7 teaches one can live in this sin. Besides, why did John the Baptist lose his head if it was okay for Herod to continue to live with Herodias, why did he preach it was not okay?
But, this is another example of how we take a sin out of the category of iniquity today and recategorize it. God is love and “we get to define love” not him. Leaving adulterous couples alone even in the church is now the loving thing to do. To talk to them about the need for repentance is now seen as sinful, judgmental. We have flip flopped everything and come up with a manmade religion.
It is getting very hard to be a preacher today unless you do not mind going along with the crowd. The trouble is the crowd is heading to a hot, hot spot and the preacher will be going with them if he goes along with it all and if there are any such things as degrees of punishment in hell (I believe the bible teaches there is) there may be an especially warm spot awaiting him. He is to preach the truth and support it, not go along with the crowd.
My whole point in this article is how we have come to the point in faith where the faith we have is no longer associated with obedience and obedience is now seen as legalism. The truth is disobedience is sin. Obedience is faithfulness. There are far worse things that can happen to a man than to be called a legalist by one who does not want to obey.
“And having been perfected (Jesus-DS), he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Heb. 5:9 NKJV)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21 NKJV) Do you want to be like Jesus? If so start condemning sin and be obedient. You will not be working your way to heaven in doing so. You will simply be an obedient Christian, not a disobedient one. Of the two whom do you think will receive God’s grace in the last day?
~ Denny Smith
http://www.dennysmith.net/When%20did%20Obedience%20Become%20Legalism.htm
When did Obedience Become Legalism?
We seem to be living in a time in the present Christian era where people seem to feel that all that matters in Christianity is love and God’s grace, that obedience is simply legalism, and that people do not have to obey Bible commands for salvation (except, of course, for the command to believe in Jesus as the Savior).
Grace is made cheap. Live as you like, call yourself a Christian, and God’s grace will cover you. It is said it is what is in the heart (generally defined as the emotions) that counts. Feelings and emotions are defined as love for God. God’s grace will cover a life of sin just so a man believes in God in some abstract sense. I might add if you doubt this just attend a few funerals and see if you can learn of any deceased who are not already in heaven based on the conversations you hear and the preaching and that no matter what kind of life the man lived.
People talk about love for God all the time. It is in their heart (their emotions). Yet, quote a passage to them like 1 John 5:2-3, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (NKJV) and you immediately have problems for that is not what they want to hear. It is not how they want love defined. The preference is for emotions rather than obedience.
In 1 Cor. 13 we have Paul discussing love in verses 4-8. In verse 6 of that chapter he says love “does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth.” (NKJV) Iniquity is the opposite of obedience. One can no more join love with iniquity than he can a lamb with a lion. But, we have come to believe God’s grace covers everything and obedience is not necessary. We now accept iniquity because we are no longer willing to accept the Bible as the standard of authority for what is right versus what is wrong. We often still claim for ourselves the mantle of Christianity but must twist the scriptures (2 Peter 3:16) to suit modern conceptions of what is acceptable conduct and behavior.
To condemn sin as did John the Baptist, Paul, and Jesus is today seen to be unloving, intolerant, and judgmental and thus unchristian in the minds of many. Yet, in the New Testament Paul, by the Holy Spirit, commanded Timothy to reprove and rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2 NAS) and not go along with or to hold his silence in the presence of men sinning. Titus was told not only to rebuke but to do so sharply (Titus 2:13, see also Titus 2:15). The Ephesians were told, thus meaning it is applicable to us as well, to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Eph. 5:11 ESV) But, today that is seen as sticking your nose in where it does not belong and we are no longer to call anything short of murder, rape, or robbery sin and some even object to that at times. The case of Roman Polanski’s rape of a 13 year old girl and the outcry now heard against bringing him to justice is an apt example.
Yes, obedience to Bible standards of conduct (commands) is now seen as legalism. Sin is renamed and given polite names or, as is often the case, simply dropped off the radar screen altogether. Fornication is an example of a sin that has dropped off the radar screen and out of sight. Hardly anyone takes it to be a sin today. It is commonly expected that just about every young person is going to engage in it and certainly every unmarried adult. It is just taken for granted as being a normal part of society and not a serious sin at all. What happened to the Bible?
Other sins we rename or perhaps a better way of saying it is that we recategorize it. Homosexuality is gradually being moved out of the category of iniquity. We now call it a committed and loving relationship. To any who object we speak of intolerance and hate. We call it a civil right and will work to doom’s day to make it a matter of law and who can say but what objectors will eventually be subject to hate speech legislation.
The religiously liberal Christians (if there is such a thing) say God loves all men (true) so we say we can rejoice in Christian fellowship with those actively practicing homosexuality – no repentance required. Of course in doing so we destroy the Bible as written but the national desire today is to either abandon the Bible altogether as a standard of conduct, to say nothing of authority, and to write our own Bible.
The way we do that is by making the Bible we have mean anything we want it to mean and abandon all rational exegesis. We simply say it does not mean what it says. It means what we say it means and of course all our conclusions are based on real love, love the way we, not God, define it. We are perverting the faith and making up our own religion as did the Jews of Jesus’ day. They were “seeking to establish their own righteousness” (Rom. 10:3 NKJV) and we seem to be doing the same thing.
Jesus said, “But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 NKJV) Does anyone have an answer? Love means obedience and obedience, despite the cry to the contrary, is not legalism.
Did you ever give it thought that if obedience is legalism that Jesus was the biggest legalist of all time? He kept every commandment, never sinned once. He said, “I always do those things that please him.” (John 8:29 NKJV) He was obedient to death (Phil. 2:8). He was the only one that ever kept the law of God perfectly, obedient in every detail.
Jesus never condemned the Pharisees for keeping the law, not once. He condemned them for hypocrisy, for not keeping the law, for making commandments and adding them to God’s word and making them of equal force with God’s word binding them on men. We often today say they were legalists and I do not object to that designation of them but I add this for clarification – their legalism was not for God’s law but for the law they had made and added to his.
Jesus said, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:19 NKJV)
Where, oh where, have people come up with this modern day idea that Jesus just does not care about obedience anymore? Put another way, or phrased another way, what has happened to sin? When did it go out of existence? But, that is where we are at today and it is an idea that is fairly prevalent among a significant number of people who consider themselves to be Christians.
I give people credit in a place where perhaps some others would not. Some would say we have come to this place because people today are just ignorant of God’s word. Well, there is truth in that for sure but why is it so? Is there a shortage of Bibles? No, that is not it. There is a lack of will to read them - that is for sure. And there is a lack of a will to believe them and obey them. Peter said there was such a thing as people who are “willingly…ignorant” (2 Peter 3:5 KJV). If we will not read and study how can we keep from falling into the category of those who are willingly ignorant?
But, as I said, I am more inclined to give people credit in the knowledge department than some others believing that for the most part people do know right from wrong. I believe the cry “legalism” against the teaching of obedience is in reality a smoke screen to cover up and make an excuse for a life lived for self, a this worldly life. It is my life and I want to live it the way I want to. The claim of saved solely by love and God’s grace provides the cover one needs for such a life to legitimize it before the public.
We all have a tendency to try and hide the wrong we know we are doing and one of the best (?) ways of doing that is to legitimize it – get everyone else to think what we are doing is not wrong. Hey, everybody else is doing it – right? How can it be wrong then? The Pharisees of Jesus’ time were full of sin and yet to the general public they appeared to be righteous. “Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men.” (Matt. 23:28 NKJV) They had gotten the people of their day to swallow their religion with all the additions and manmade commandments they had made.
The standard for a righteous man has been so lowered over the years that in the public’s eyes today even if you have not worshipped the Lord in a regular assembly of the saints for the past 20 years you are still headed straight to heaven.
If you had opportunity to get a hold of an old church roll book from say 100 years ago you would probably be shocked as you would see notations made in the margins of people being withdrawn from as per 2 Thess. 3:6, “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” (NKJV)
Since we today have decided what love is and have taken it out of God’s hands it is no longer considered to be an act of love to withdraw from sinners who will not repent even though the purpose was “that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Cor. 5:5 NKJV) That is about as noble and as loving a reason as one could have and yet today if we were to practice discipline in the church by withdrawing fellowship from those living in sin and who will not repent it would be considered unloving and unchristian even though an inspired apostle commanded it. It would be considered legalism gone wild. Have we made our own religion as did the Pharisees and scribes and lawyers of Jesus’ day?
One act of disobedience that is prevalent everywhere today is adulterous marriages and many congregations have people involved in such marriages but who are considered by the membership to be faithful. What have we come to? Listen carefully to Paul.
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you once walked when you lived in them.” (Col. 3:5-7 NKJV)
I want to point out two things. (1) The word translated “fornication” in verse 5 includes adultery. It is a broad term that has reference to more than one sexual sin or activity. It is easy enough to check out for yourself online if you do not trust me. (2) Verse 7 teaches one can live in these sins thus adultery is not just a onetime act as some few teach. As long as you remain in the adulterous marriage just that long you continue to live in adultery.
What is adultery? “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (Matt. 19:9 NKJV) The phrase “sexual immorality” is in the older translations the word “fornication.” (KJV, ASV of 1901)
Does God not forgive? Certainly he does but only on the condition that one quit the sin in repentance. If we continue to live in an adulterous marriage we continue the sin. Remember, Col. 3:5-7 teaches one can live in this sin. Besides, why did John the Baptist lose his head if it was okay for Herod to continue to live with Herodias, why did he preach it was not okay?
But, this is another example of how we take a sin out of the category of iniquity today and recategorize it. God is love and “we get to define love” not him. Leaving adulterous couples alone even in the church is now the loving thing to do. To talk to them about the need for repentance is now seen as sinful, judgmental. We have flip flopped everything and come up with a manmade religion.
It is getting very hard to be a preacher today unless you do not mind going along with the crowd. The trouble is the crowd is heading to a hot, hot spot and the preacher will be going with them if he goes along with it all and if there are any such things as degrees of punishment in hell (I believe the bible teaches there is) there may be an especially warm spot awaiting him. He is to preach the truth and support it, not go along with the crowd.
My whole point in this article is how we have come to the point in faith where the faith we have is no longer associated with obedience and obedience is now seen as legalism. The truth is disobedience is sin. Obedience is faithfulness. There are far worse things that can happen to a man than to be called a legalist by one who does not want to obey.
“And having been perfected (Jesus-DS), he became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Heb. 5:9 NKJV)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21 NKJV) Do you want to be like Jesus? If so start condemning sin and be obedient. You will not be working your way to heaven in doing so. You will simply be an obedient Christian, not a disobedient one. Of the two whom do you think will receive God’s grace in the last day?
~ Denny Smith
http://www.dennysmith.net/When%20did%20Obedience%20Become%20Legalism.htm
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
FLOOD SCOFFERS – A SIGN OF THE TIMES
FLOOD SCOFFERS – A SIGN OF THE TIMES
http://www.answersingenesis.org/media/audio/answers-daily/volume-074/flood-scoffers-sign-times
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scientific Study Endorses Seaworthiness of Ark
The proportions of the Ark were found to carefully balance the conflicting demands of stability, comfort, and strength.
Noah’s Ark was the focus of a major 1993 scientific study headed by Dr. Seon Hong at the world-class ship research center KRISO, based in Daejeon, South Korea. Dr. Hong’s team compared twelve hulls of different proportions to discover which design was most practical. No hull shape was found to significantly outperform the 4,300-year-old biblical design. In fact, the Ark’s careful balance is easily lost if the proportions are modified, rendering the vessel either unstable, prone to fracture, or dangerously uncomfortable.
The research team found that the proportions of Noah’s Ark carefully balanced the conflicting demands of stability (resistance to capsizing), comfort (“seakeeping”), and strength. In fact, the Ark has the same proportions as a modern cargo ship.
The study also confirmed that the Ark could handle waves as high as 100 ft (30 m). Dr. Hong is now director general of the facility and claims “life came from the sea,” obviously not the words of a creationist on a mission to promote the worldwide Flood. Endorsing the seaworthiness of Noah’s Ark obviously did not damage Dr. Hong’s credibility.
Source & READ MORE: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/thinking-outside-the-box
alt="Dr. Seon Won Hong" class=left-align>Dr. Seon Won Hong was principal research scientist when he headed up the Noah’s Ark investigation. In May 2005 Dr. Hong was appointed director general of MOERI (formerly KRISO). Dr. Hong earned a B.S. degree in naval architecture from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. degree in applied mechanics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CREATION MUSEUM
http://www.creationmuseum.org/
http://www.answersingenesis.org/media/audio/answers-daily/volume-074/flood-scoffers-sign-times
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scientific Study Endorses Seaworthiness of Ark
The proportions of the Ark were found to carefully balance the conflicting demands of stability, comfort, and strength.
Noah’s Ark was the focus of a major 1993 scientific study headed by Dr. Seon Hong at the world-class ship research center KRISO, based in Daejeon, South Korea. Dr. Hong’s team compared twelve hulls of different proportions to discover which design was most practical. No hull shape was found to significantly outperform the 4,300-year-old biblical design. In fact, the Ark’s careful balance is easily lost if the proportions are modified, rendering the vessel either unstable, prone to fracture, or dangerously uncomfortable.
The research team found that the proportions of Noah’s Ark carefully balanced the conflicting demands of stability (resistance to capsizing), comfort (“seakeeping”), and strength. In fact, the Ark has the same proportions as a modern cargo ship.
The study also confirmed that the Ark could handle waves as high as 100 ft (30 m). Dr. Hong is now director general of the facility and claims “life came from the sea,” obviously not the words of a creationist on a mission to promote the worldwide Flood. Endorsing the seaworthiness of Noah’s Ark obviously did not damage Dr. Hong’s credibility.
Source & READ MORE: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/thinking-outside-the-box
alt="Dr. Seon Won Hong" class=left-align>Dr. Seon Won Hong was principal research scientist when he headed up the Noah’s Ark investigation. In May 2005 Dr. Hong was appointed director general of MOERI (formerly KRISO). Dr. Hong earned a B.S. degree in naval architecture from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. degree in applied mechanics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CREATION MUSEUM
http://www.creationmuseum.org/
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Value of Concealed Treasure
Leslie Basham: Why be modest? For one thing, your marriage will be enriched. Here’s Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: It’s good for women to have some mystery about them—some things that only your husband will ever see and enjoy.
Leslie: Your listening to Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss for Wednesday, April 28.
Our subject matter may not be appropriate for younger children today. You may want to get them busy doing something else as Nancy continues in the series called, Modesty: Does God Really Care What I Wear? Though our culture will argue to the contrary, men—God-fearing men anyway—appreciate and respect modest behavior in women. This is especially true in the context of marriage. Let’s listen.
Nancy: Let me ask you, if you have your Bibles, to turn to 2 Kings chapter 20. Now this is not a passage that you would usually think of as relating to modesty or clothing issues, but I think there’s a principle seen in this passage that has powerful applications for us as women in the area of modesty.
Second Kings 20, we’re starting at verse 12, and the context here is that the king of Babylon has sent an envoy to Hezekiah, the king of Judah. Now, if you put the whole thing in the context of the entire book, you know that his intent is not a good one. Ultimately, Babylon is going to take over Judah.
But Hezekiah is unsuspecting in this particular incident, and verse 12 tells us,
At that time Merodach-baladan [what a name], the king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present for Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
Now this sounds innocent enough, it sounds like the man’s just trying to be nice. Well, this is an enemy, and Hezekiah foolishly did not understand that his intent ultimately was an evil one. And verse 13 tells us that
Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.
By the way, Hezekiah was a good king. He was a man who had a heart for God, but he did something very foolish. Just as many of us as women who really do have a heart for the Lord are making some foolish, unwise decisions when it comes to issues of clothing and modesty. Well, verse 14 says that
Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?" And Hezekiah said, "They have come from a far country, from Babylon." He said, "What have they seen in your house?" And Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord” (verses 14-16).
I just want to say that God may be using this series in your life as a Christian woman who maybe has just been unwise or foolish in relation to some modesty and dress issues. God is, I hope, using this series to speak the word of the Lord into your life and to give you a new perspective on these issues.
The Lord [said], "Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. [That which you have shown to the king of Babylon, ultimately, he will own.] Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon” (verse 17-18).
This isn’t going to just affect you, this is going to affect your children who will grow up now in a foreign land, will be captives; and ultimately, obviously, their children and their children, will be affected as well.
Well, we know this prophecy was fulfilled in 2 Kings chapter 25, where, in fact, the Babylonians did come in and just ransacked Judah, took the nation captive, and Hezekiah’s grandchildren were sent in to captivity.
Now the interesting thing, as we finish the passage we’ve been looking at, Hezekiah said to Isaiah . . . it’s like he wasn’t too stressed out over this prophecy. He said, “The Word of the Lord that you have spoken is good." For he thought, "Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?” (verse 19).
In other words, well, the consequences aren’t going to be immediate, so it’s not so bad after all. But look at verse 21. “And Hezekiah slept with his fathers,” that means he died, and he didn’t see the full consequences of this prophecy. But it says that “Manasseh his son reigned in his place.”
Now, I don’t know what you remember about Manasseh, but as we go on into the next chapters, we find that Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings that the nation of Judah ever had. I wonder how much of that didn’t begin in seeds that had been sown by his father, who had a real heart for the Lord, but just made some foolish, unwise choices when it came to compromising with the enemy.
You say, “What does all that have to do with women and clothing?” Well, in a similar way, if a woman displays all her treasures—and your feminine beauty, girls, is a treasure. God made you a woman, and that’s beautiful. You may be 16 years old and no guy’s ever paid attention to you, and you’re thinking, "I’m not very beautiful."
Listen, every woman in this room has a God-given beauty. It’s a treasure. It’s something that one day you will want to be able to give as a gift to your husband for him to enjoy, and for you to enjoy with him together in the sacredness of that intimate marriage relationship. Your feminine charms, your feminine beauty, your body are treasures. They’re the gift of God.
When a woman or a girl displays her treasures to people who don’t have a right to partake of them, she runs the risk that someone who has an evil intent will take away what she has revealed. She runs the risk that her children will be affected in even more significant ways down the road. Some of you made foolish choices, morally or spiritually or in relation to modesty issues, when you were a younger woman.
You may now be reaping in your children or grandchildren attitudes and values, and you’re saying, “Where did they get that from?” Well, it may be that you planted some seeds in your own lack of modesty. Maybe not in extreme or excessive ways, but now some of your own children and grandchildren of the next generation are taking that philosophy to a greater extreme—and you’re shocked.
You’re saying, “I can’t believe she thinks that way!” Well, look in the mirror and say, “Did she get any of those values from the way that I handled my feminine beauty?”
See, in our culture, women are obsessed with displaying their treasures. As I told you earlier in this series, I took time, several hours, while I was studying for this series to read through magazines, look at pictures, see what the culture is reading. I talked to a number of teenagers. I talked to women and to men and I said, “How do you deal with these issues?” I read articles, and I found myself just really awakened to how driven our culture is to have women display their treasures and how normal that’s considered.
I mean, you pick up Cosmopolitan magazine, for example. (I don’t suggest you do—I did and never hope to do it again.) I don’t know that I had ever had one in my hands before. But as I leafed through that magazine and saw all the pictures . . .
Listen, a generation ago that would have been considered pornography. But not only the pictures, but the articles and what they’re promoting in terms of outright, in your face, sexual promiscuity. My heart was so sad as I thought of these women who were getting paid all kinds of money to show their treasures in ways that are going to result in them having no treasures left.
You see, you can show it now, flaunt it, advertise it, and have it taken away in ways that are hurtful and painful to you and your marriage and the next generation. Or you can protect it now, cover it now, keep it.
It’s good for women to have some mystery about them—some things that only your husband will ever see and enjoy. You’ll find so much more joy and fullness and blessing in your marriage and fewer hurdles to get over in your sexual relationship in marriage, and then you'll have a wellspring out of which to train your daughters.
I know you 16-year-olds aren’t thinking at this moment about how to train your daughters, but it won’t be long before you’ll be wrestling with these issues with them. What a blessing to be able to share out of your own life experience that, as you protected and cherished these treasures and kept them for the Lord and for just the right man, that God blessed you with greater fullness and intimacy as you became a married woman than you could have experienced any other way.
Now, let me say this is not just a problem in the secular world, women displaying their treasures. A man told me recently that he has a number of friends who felt that their families needed to leave a prominent, respected, successful seemingly evangelical church, a major church in this particular city, because of all the female immodesty in the church.
In fact, we asked earlier for you to write down some questions on cards, and one woman turned this in. She said,
I have a young son who’s becoming more aware of females as he matures. [That’s natural.] My husband and I strive to raise him according to godly principles, but we feel ambushed when we take him to church [not to the mall, but to church]. And he sees, his eyes "pop out" at the girls and even women who are more appropriately dressed for a nightclub than for a worship service.
Well, this is an issue in the church and one that we need to be concerned about. We become so desensitized as a culture. We’ve allowed the culture, the secular culture, to become our standard. We think as long as we don’t look like Britney Spears, we’re modest. I found as I worked my way through some of these magazines I was understanding better why so many Christian young women think, “I’m being modest,” because they’re comparing themselves to the standard of extremes and excesses that are out there in the secular culture.
So I want to challenge you to think about the treasures that God has entrusted to you, the treasures of feminine beauty. We’re not saying women should be ugly. God didn’t make women to be ugly. When God made it, He said, “It’s good.” That beauty is something that’s good. The beauty is not sinful. What is sinful and shameful and ultimately degrading to you as a woman is when you take those treasures God has given you and you display them openly for those who don’t have a right to taste and touch and feel and experience those treasures.
Leslie: Nancy Leigh DeMoss has been explaining the value of concealed treasure. She’ll be right back with the second half of today’s program. It’s part of a series called, Modesty: Does God Really Care What I Wear? During this series, we’re hoping you seek the Bible and develop a heart for modesty by offering Nancy’s booklet called, The Look.
When you donate any amount at ReviveOurHearts.com, we’ll send it to you, or you can call 1-800-569-5959.
Throughout this series Nancy has focused on the heart rather than individual pieces of clothing. Women have been asking themselves: What about this? What about that? You’re still going to have to make prayerful choices for yourself, but Nancy is about to get a little more specific.
Nancy: I’m going, though I really don’t want to, but in this session and the next, I just feel like I need to get specific. What are we talking about? What are the things we’ve said? That men are wired differently than women. That they’re more stimulated by sight. What are some of the types of clothing that pose challenges when it comes to this issue of modesty?
Now, anything you say on this subject is bound to get you labeled as a “legalist,” and I realize in doing this I’m running a huge risk. But I’ve thought this through a lot, long and hard, and I’ve just decided that we have to issue a word of warning to our culture—to our Christian culture.
I expect people in the secular culture . . . I don’t expect them to dress like Christians. So what I’m talking about is the way that we as women have come to dress in the church. It does need to be addressed, and it’s a tough thing for men to address. So while we’re talking to women, I just feel like these are things, though it’s very uncomfortable for me and I wish I didn’t have to do it, I think we need to say it.
I realize some of you may not be comfortable with your younger daughters or sons listening to this. I understand that. But maybe it will help you know how to train them. Let me tell you, they will be hearing these things, and they will be seeing these things in the culture. So ask God to show you how to train them and how to protect them in these areas.
So when we’re talking about immodest clothing, being immodestly dressed, what are some of the things that are involved? Let me say there are two basic categories, I think.
First of all is when we allow intimate or alluring parts of our body to be exposed, and the other is when we allow those intimate or private parts to be emphasized. Exposed or emphasized.
So immodesty can happen by uncovering those parts which, as you know if you look in the fashion magazines today, that’s the way it’s being done, or by partially covering those private areas. I’ve read from men that they have said—Christian men have said—that sometimes that which is partially covered can be even more tempting than that which is totally uncovered because it’s teasing. It’s playing with the guy’s imagination and mind.
So we could be talking about being totally uncovered or partially covered in those private areas or by being covered in such a way as to draw attention to the very part of the body we’re covering. So let’s talk about those categories.
First of all, the exposing of intimate, private, alluring parts of the body. Here we’re talking about . . . Again, some of this I would not know honestly if I had not read so much of what men have said is at the heart of their struggle. But we’re talking here about the exposure of thighs, chest and breasts, midriff (which can be showing or almost showing), back and shoulders, for example.
Take the matter of thighs. By the way, in the Old Testament the Scripture describes nakedness not always as being fully unclothed but sometimes as being partially unclothed in the region from the waist to the knees, which is what the dictionary says is the thigh.
The Scripture talks about a woman being a picture of being under judgment when she has her thighs exposed. Even in the Scripture we see this description, so we know that short skirts and dresses do this. Now, I’m not going to tell you how many inches is short. But these are things we need to be thinking about.
I read some about Mary Quant who is recognized as kind of the mother or the inventor of the mini-skirt. She made it popular. She’s a British designer. She said that her aim “is to dress women so men would feel like tearing the wrapping off.” When she was asked, “What is the point of fashion; where is it leading?” She promptly replied, “sex.”
So we’re talking about skirts that expose the legs and thighs inappropriately, slits that are halfway up the side, the back, or even now the front of a woman’s dress or skirt. What is the purpose of those high slits? It’s to expose the thighs.
And women, let me say, I just hate being this nitty-gritty, but it’s not just a matter of what it looks like when you’re standing in front of a mirror without moving. It’s a matter of what happens when you walk or when you climb up stairs and there are men behind you. Shorts would fall into this category as well.
Now we come to the exposure not just of thighs but of chests and breasts. Here’s where we have low necklines, cleavage showing, or large or loose shirts that are okay while you’re standing until you bend over. The material, the fabric, falls away from your body and a tempting part of your anatomy is exposed to the view of men. You may not even realize that it’s happening.
One of the things we’re talking about here is women having buttons unbuttoned even if nothing is exposed. Buttons being unnecessarily unbuttoned can look seductive and tantalizing. One man said, “there is not a part of a woman’s body that is so alluring to a man as her breasts, and when a man sees a woman with the top two or three of her buttons of her blouse open, he will probably conclude that it is her intention to tempt and tantalize men.”
Now, you may be thinking, he’s nuts. Well, maybe he is, but he’s a man. And if he’s a Christian man, he’s a brother. The fact that we may not understand or it may not look to us the way it does to men does not give us license to destroy the hearts, the thoughts, and the morals of those men for whom Christ died.
Well, we get to the whole area of midriffs exposed and the cropped shirts, cropped tops, halter tops, and then the whole realm of spaghetti straps, strapless dresses.
Let me just say, women, it’s not our place, our right, our responsibility to criticize and condemn other women who may not realize these truths, even women in your church. There are some non-Christian women in many of our churches or new believers who’ve never been trained; they’ve never been discipled. Just because you’ve got your long skirt and your high blouse and your long sleeves on, don’t sit there and be smug, and think, “I’m so thankful I’m modest, and I can’t believe all these women are so immodestly dressed in our church.”
Listen, if learning all this makes you critical or hostile or angry toward others rather than compassionate and tender-hearted, then you don’t have the spirit of modesty. The spirit of modesty is the spirit of humility, purity, and self-control. It means that you want to come alongside of and love other women who need to be educated and taught and mentored in these areas.
In our next session I want to touch on some other specific areas where we need to be careful and cautious. Just as we think about the exposure of the body, of the private, intimate, alluring, tempting parts of the body, would you just ask the Lord: “Are there any of these principles that my wardrobe violates?”
Maybe not in extreme ways. You say no one else would look at my wardrobe and say she’s being sensual. Ask the Lord. Is this pleasing to You? Is there anything about my skirts, my dresses, my shirts, my tops, my shorts that could put temptation in the way of Christian men?
I think you have a heart that wants to please the Lord. I think that’s why you’re here. I think that many of you are going to be willing to say, “Lord, it’s not that big a deal to me, this particular item of clothing. I can do without it if that would help me to be a blessing and a help rather than a hindrance to the men around me.”
Leslie: Nancy Leigh DeMoss has been inviting us to evaluate the way we dress. To help you as you seek the Lord on this issue, Nancy’s written a booklet called, The Look. It will lead you through a series of questions, helping you evaluate your wardrobe and, more importantly, your heart. The booklet includes a listing of relevant Scriptures so you can study for yourself.
When you donate any amount to Revive Our Hearts, we’ll send you The Look. Your donation will translate into changed lives as women interact with Revive Our Hearts on the air in your community. Ask for The Look when you call and donate any amount. The number is 1-800-569-5959, or take advantage of this offer at ReviveOurHearts.com.
Well, tomorrow find out why it’s so hard to list do’s and don’ts on the radio when it comes to modesty. We continue developing a godly heart on this issue in the next Revive Our Hearts.
Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss is an outreach of Life Action Ministries.
All Scripture is taken from the English Standard Version.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: It’s good for women to have some mystery about them—some things that only your husband will ever see and enjoy.
Leslie: Your listening to Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss for Wednesday, April 28.
Our subject matter may not be appropriate for younger children today. You may want to get them busy doing something else as Nancy continues in the series called, Modesty: Does God Really Care What I Wear? Though our culture will argue to the contrary, men—God-fearing men anyway—appreciate and respect modest behavior in women. This is especially true in the context of marriage. Let’s listen.
Nancy: Let me ask you, if you have your Bibles, to turn to 2 Kings chapter 20. Now this is not a passage that you would usually think of as relating to modesty or clothing issues, but I think there’s a principle seen in this passage that has powerful applications for us as women in the area of modesty.
Second Kings 20, we’re starting at verse 12, and the context here is that the king of Babylon has sent an envoy to Hezekiah, the king of Judah. Now, if you put the whole thing in the context of the entire book, you know that his intent is not a good one. Ultimately, Babylon is going to take over Judah.
But Hezekiah is unsuspecting in this particular incident, and verse 12 tells us,
At that time Merodach-baladan [what a name], the king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present for Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
Now this sounds innocent enough, it sounds like the man’s just trying to be nice. Well, this is an enemy, and Hezekiah foolishly did not understand that his intent ultimately was an evil one. And verse 13 tells us that
Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.
By the way, Hezekiah was a good king. He was a man who had a heart for God, but he did something very foolish. Just as many of us as women who really do have a heart for the Lord are making some foolish, unwise decisions when it comes to issues of clothing and modesty. Well, verse 14 says that
Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?" And Hezekiah said, "They have come from a far country, from Babylon." He said, "What have they seen in your house?" And Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the Lord” (verses 14-16).
I just want to say that God may be using this series in your life as a Christian woman who maybe has just been unwise or foolish in relation to some modesty and dress issues. God is, I hope, using this series to speak the word of the Lord into your life and to give you a new perspective on these issues.
The Lord [said], "Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. [That which you have shown to the king of Babylon, ultimately, he will own.] Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. And some of your own sons, who shall be born to you, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon” (verse 17-18).
This isn’t going to just affect you, this is going to affect your children who will grow up now in a foreign land, will be captives; and ultimately, obviously, their children and their children, will be affected as well.
Well, we know this prophecy was fulfilled in 2 Kings chapter 25, where, in fact, the Babylonians did come in and just ransacked Judah, took the nation captive, and Hezekiah’s grandchildren were sent in to captivity.
Now the interesting thing, as we finish the passage we’ve been looking at, Hezekiah said to Isaiah . . . it’s like he wasn’t too stressed out over this prophecy. He said, “The Word of the Lord that you have spoken is good." For he thought, "Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?” (verse 19).
In other words, well, the consequences aren’t going to be immediate, so it’s not so bad after all. But look at verse 21. “And Hezekiah slept with his fathers,” that means he died, and he didn’t see the full consequences of this prophecy. But it says that “Manasseh his son reigned in his place.”
Now, I don’t know what you remember about Manasseh, but as we go on into the next chapters, we find that Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings that the nation of Judah ever had. I wonder how much of that didn’t begin in seeds that had been sown by his father, who had a real heart for the Lord, but just made some foolish, unwise choices when it came to compromising with the enemy.
You say, “What does all that have to do with women and clothing?” Well, in a similar way, if a woman displays all her treasures—and your feminine beauty, girls, is a treasure. God made you a woman, and that’s beautiful. You may be 16 years old and no guy’s ever paid attention to you, and you’re thinking, "I’m not very beautiful."
Listen, every woman in this room has a God-given beauty. It’s a treasure. It’s something that one day you will want to be able to give as a gift to your husband for him to enjoy, and for you to enjoy with him together in the sacredness of that intimate marriage relationship. Your feminine charms, your feminine beauty, your body are treasures. They’re the gift of God.
When a woman or a girl displays her treasures to people who don’t have a right to partake of them, she runs the risk that someone who has an evil intent will take away what she has revealed. She runs the risk that her children will be affected in even more significant ways down the road. Some of you made foolish choices, morally or spiritually or in relation to modesty issues, when you were a younger woman.
You may now be reaping in your children or grandchildren attitudes and values, and you’re saying, “Where did they get that from?” Well, it may be that you planted some seeds in your own lack of modesty. Maybe not in extreme or excessive ways, but now some of your own children and grandchildren of the next generation are taking that philosophy to a greater extreme—and you’re shocked.
You’re saying, “I can’t believe she thinks that way!” Well, look in the mirror and say, “Did she get any of those values from the way that I handled my feminine beauty?”
See, in our culture, women are obsessed with displaying their treasures. As I told you earlier in this series, I took time, several hours, while I was studying for this series to read through magazines, look at pictures, see what the culture is reading. I talked to a number of teenagers. I talked to women and to men and I said, “How do you deal with these issues?” I read articles, and I found myself just really awakened to how driven our culture is to have women display their treasures and how normal that’s considered.
I mean, you pick up Cosmopolitan magazine, for example. (I don’t suggest you do—I did and never hope to do it again.) I don’t know that I had ever had one in my hands before. But as I leafed through that magazine and saw all the pictures . . .
Listen, a generation ago that would have been considered pornography. But not only the pictures, but the articles and what they’re promoting in terms of outright, in your face, sexual promiscuity. My heart was so sad as I thought of these women who were getting paid all kinds of money to show their treasures in ways that are going to result in them having no treasures left.
You see, you can show it now, flaunt it, advertise it, and have it taken away in ways that are hurtful and painful to you and your marriage and the next generation. Or you can protect it now, cover it now, keep it.
It’s good for women to have some mystery about them—some things that only your husband will ever see and enjoy. You’ll find so much more joy and fullness and blessing in your marriage and fewer hurdles to get over in your sexual relationship in marriage, and then you'll have a wellspring out of which to train your daughters.
I know you 16-year-olds aren’t thinking at this moment about how to train your daughters, but it won’t be long before you’ll be wrestling with these issues with them. What a blessing to be able to share out of your own life experience that, as you protected and cherished these treasures and kept them for the Lord and for just the right man, that God blessed you with greater fullness and intimacy as you became a married woman than you could have experienced any other way.
Now, let me say this is not just a problem in the secular world, women displaying their treasures. A man told me recently that he has a number of friends who felt that their families needed to leave a prominent, respected, successful seemingly evangelical church, a major church in this particular city, because of all the female immodesty in the church.
In fact, we asked earlier for you to write down some questions on cards, and one woman turned this in. She said,
I have a young son who’s becoming more aware of females as he matures. [That’s natural.] My husband and I strive to raise him according to godly principles, but we feel ambushed when we take him to church [not to the mall, but to church]. And he sees, his eyes "pop out" at the girls and even women who are more appropriately dressed for a nightclub than for a worship service.
Well, this is an issue in the church and one that we need to be concerned about. We become so desensitized as a culture. We’ve allowed the culture, the secular culture, to become our standard. We think as long as we don’t look like Britney Spears, we’re modest. I found as I worked my way through some of these magazines I was understanding better why so many Christian young women think, “I’m being modest,” because they’re comparing themselves to the standard of extremes and excesses that are out there in the secular culture.
So I want to challenge you to think about the treasures that God has entrusted to you, the treasures of feminine beauty. We’re not saying women should be ugly. God didn’t make women to be ugly. When God made it, He said, “It’s good.” That beauty is something that’s good. The beauty is not sinful. What is sinful and shameful and ultimately degrading to you as a woman is when you take those treasures God has given you and you display them openly for those who don’t have a right to taste and touch and feel and experience those treasures.
Leslie: Nancy Leigh DeMoss has been explaining the value of concealed treasure. She’ll be right back with the second half of today’s program. It’s part of a series called, Modesty: Does God Really Care What I Wear? During this series, we’re hoping you seek the Bible and develop a heart for modesty by offering Nancy’s booklet called, The Look.
When you donate any amount at ReviveOurHearts.com, we’ll send it to you, or you can call 1-800-569-5959.
Throughout this series Nancy has focused on the heart rather than individual pieces of clothing. Women have been asking themselves: What about this? What about that? You’re still going to have to make prayerful choices for yourself, but Nancy is about to get a little more specific.
Nancy: I’m going, though I really don’t want to, but in this session and the next, I just feel like I need to get specific. What are we talking about? What are the things we’ve said? That men are wired differently than women. That they’re more stimulated by sight. What are some of the types of clothing that pose challenges when it comes to this issue of modesty?
Now, anything you say on this subject is bound to get you labeled as a “legalist,” and I realize in doing this I’m running a huge risk. But I’ve thought this through a lot, long and hard, and I’ve just decided that we have to issue a word of warning to our culture—to our Christian culture.
I expect people in the secular culture . . . I don’t expect them to dress like Christians. So what I’m talking about is the way that we as women have come to dress in the church. It does need to be addressed, and it’s a tough thing for men to address. So while we’re talking to women, I just feel like these are things, though it’s very uncomfortable for me and I wish I didn’t have to do it, I think we need to say it.
I realize some of you may not be comfortable with your younger daughters or sons listening to this. I understand that. But maybe it will help you know how to train them. Let me tell you, they will be hearing these things, and they will be seeing these things in the culture. So ask God to show you how to train them and how to protect them in these areas.
So when we’re talking about immodest clothing, being immodestly dressed, what are some of the things that are involved? Let me say there are two basic categories, I think.
First of all is when we allow intimate or alluring parts of our body to be exposed, and the other is when we allow those intimate or private parts to be emphasized. Exposed or emphasized.
So immodesty can happen by uncovering those parts which, as you know if you look in the fashion magazines today, that’s the way it’s being done, or by partially covering those private areas. I’ve read from men that they have said—Christian men have said—that sometimes that which is partially covered can be even more tempting than that which is totally uncovered because it’s teasing. It’s playing with the guy’s imagination and mind.
So we could be talking about being totally uncovered or partially covered in those private areas or by being covered in such a way as to draw attention to the very part of the body we’re covering. So let’s talk about those categories.
First of all, the exposing of intimate, private, alluring parts of the body. Here we’re talking about . . . Again, some of this I would not know honestly if I had not read so much of what men have said is at the heart of their struggle. But we’re talking here about the exposure of thighs, chest and breasts, midriff (which can be showing or almost showing), back and shoulders, for example.
Take the matter of thighs. By the way, in the Old Testament the Scripture describes nakedness not always as being fully unclothed but sometimes as being partially unclothed in the region from the waist to the knees, which is what the dictionary says is the thigh.
The Scripture talks about a woman being a picture of being under judgment when she has her thighs exposed. Even in the Scripture we see this description, so we know that short skirts and dresses do this. Now, I’m not going to tell you how many inches is short. But these are things we need to be thinking about.
I read some about Mary Quant who is recognized as kind of the mother or the inventor of the mini-skirt. She made it popular. She’s a British designer. She said that her aim “is to dress women so men would feel like tearing the wrapping off.” When she was asked, “What is the point of fashion; where is it leading?” She promptly replied, “sex.”
So we’re talking about skirts that expose the legs and thighs inappropriately, slits that are halfway up the side, the back, or even now the front of a woman’s dress or skirt. What is the purpose of those high slits? It’s to expose the thighs.
And women, let me say, I just hate being this nitty-gritty, but it’s not just a matter of what it looks like when you’re standing in front of a mirror without moving. It’s a matter of what happens when you walk or when you climb up stairs and there are men behind you. Shorts would fall into this category as well.
Now we come to the exposure not just of thighs but of chests and breasts. Here’s where we have low necklines, cleavage showing, or large or loose shirts that are okay while you’re standing until you bend over. The material, the fabric, falls away from your body and a tempting part of your anatomy is exposed to the view of men. You may not even realize that it’s happening.
One of the things we’re talking about here is women having buttons unbuttoned even if nothing is exposed. Buttons being unnecessarily unbuttoned can look seductive and tantalizing. One man said, “there is not a part of a woman’s body that is so alluring to a man as her breasts, and when a man sees a woman with the top two or three of her buttons of her blouse open, he will probably conclude that it is her intention to tempt and tantalize men.”
Now, you may be thinking, he’s nuts. Well, maybe he is, but he’s a man. And if he’s a Christian man, he’s a brother. The fact that we may not understand or it may not look to us the way it does to men does not give us license to destroy the hearts, the thoughts, and the morals of those men for whom Christ died.
Well, we get to the whole area of midriffs exposed and the cropped shirts, cropped tops, halter tops, and then the whole realm of spaghetti straps, strapless dresses.
Let me just say, women, it’s not our place, our right, our responsibility to criticize and condemn other women who may not realize these truths, even women in your church. There are some non-Christian women in many of our churches or new believers who’ve never been trained; they’ve never been discipled. Just because you’ve got your long skirt and your high blouse and your long sleeves on, don’t sit there and be smug, and think, “I’m so thankful I’m modest, and I can’t believe all these women are so immodestly dressed in our church.”
Listen, if learning all this makes you critical or hostile or angry toward others rather than compassionate and tender-hearted, then you don’t have the spirit of modesty. The spirit of modesty is the spirit of humility, purity, and self-control. It means that you want to come alongside of and love other women who need to be educated and taught and mentored in these areas.
In our next session I want to touch on some other specific areas where we need to be careful and cautious. Just as we think about the exposure of the body, of the private, intimate, alluring, tempting parts of the body, would you just ask the Lord: “Are there any of these principles that my wardrobe violates?”
Maybe not in extreme ways. You say no one else would look at my wardrobe and say she’s being sensual. Ask the Lord. Is this pleasing to You? Is there anything about my skirts, my dresses, my shirts, my tops, my shorts that could put temptation in the way of Christian men?
I think you have a heart that wants to please the Lord. I think that’s why you’re here. I think that many of you are going to be willing to say, “Lord, it’s not that big a deal to me, this particular item of clothing. I can do without it if that would help me to be a blessing and a help rather than a hindrance to the men around me.”
Leslie: Nancy Leigh DeMoss has been inviting us to evaluate the way we dress. To help you as you seek the Lord on this issue, Nancy’s written a booklet called, The Look. It will lead you through a series of questions, helping you evaluate your wardrobe and, more importantly, your heart. The booklet includes a listing of relevant Scriptures so you can study for yourself.
When you donate any amount to Revive Our Hearts, we’ll send you The Look. Your donation will translate into changed lives as women interact with Revive Our Hearts on the air in your community. Ask for The Look when you call and donate any amount. The number is 1-800-569-5959, or take advantage of this offer at ReviveOurHearts.com.
Well, tomorrow find out why it’s so hard to list do’s and don’ts on the radio when it comes to modesty. We continue developing a godly heart on this issue in the next Revive Our Hearts.
Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss is an outreach of Life Action Ministries.
All Scripture is taken from the English Standard Version.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Homeschooling Excellence
Do you:
Want some tips on how to teach your child to read?
Wish you had suggestions for how to encourage your child to read independently?
Want to know what to do if your child doesn't like a book?
Wonder if your child should read to you or read silently?
If so, then read on.
This article has been abridged for email. To read the full article online, please go to http://www.sonlight.com/excel-four.html?am=he4
Teaching Reading with Beginning Readers
Teaching your child how to read can be quite a daunting task, especially if you have never been trained how to do so. But we are sure that if you take your time and keep an upbeat attitude, you and your child will have a great time as he learns how to read, write and spell.
But we do have two cautions for you:
Don't become so anxious about your child's ability (or apparent "inability") to spell that you hold him back in reading. Spelling can come along in the years ahead. Reading is a skill that will help your child immediately. So even if he struggles with spelling, keep reading at a level he can understand.
While we believe our early reading program provides just about the right quantity of phonetically-correct reading practice for most students, don't be overly rigid in pursuing your phonics program. If your child already knows how to read, don't force him to go through the remainder of the program for the sake of trying to help him read "better"!
How to Encourage Your Child to Read to Himself
The following method has been used very successfully, even in school contexts, to encourage reluctant children to read to themselves.
Each day, set aside a ten- to fifteen-minute period when everyone in the family, including you, will "read quietly."
Make sure each person has a book to read. (Small children can use picture books.)
Let the children pick their own books to read.
Set the timer and have everyone sit in their "own" places and read quietly.
Note: It is very important that you, too, use the time to read. Reading is a privilege, not a punishment! It should be perceived as such.
When the time is up, everyone should be free to go on with other activities if they feel like it.
No reports, reporting or records should be kept of what is read during these "sustained silent reading" periods.
What to Do When Kids Don't Like a Book
Diane in Colorado wrote,
"My 10-year-old daughter is definitely not enjoying this year's selections. Should I insist she get through every reader, choose other books from the same period (I know she would read the Addy books)? I don't want her to think she can quit when it's not her choice of a book. On the other hand, I know I read lots of books in school I hated and I learned nothing from them. . . ."
KC replied:
"I allow for a certain number of books that can be 'discarded' so that the students have some choice (but my number is very low! . . . Of course, each family can decide on its own what is to be the required number of texts to be read). I also insist that a minimum of three chapters is read before even making a judgment about a book--and I may even raise this number. So many books take a bit of getting into before you really get the benefit.
"If we allow our kids to just read what they like, then they are not learning the discipline of attending to their lesser preferences.
"I would try to establish some kind of 'rule' that meets both your requirements for minimum accepted texts for school requirements as well as allowing some freedom in pleasure reading."
Want some tips on how to teach your child to read?
Wish you had suggestions for how to encourage your child to read independently?
Want to know what to do if your child doesn't like a book?
Wonder if your child should read to you or read silently?
If so, then read on.
This article has been abridged for email. To read the full article online, please go to http://www.sonlight.com/excel-four.html?am=he4
Teaching Reading with Beginning Readers
Teaching your child how to read can be quite a daunting task, especially if you have never been trained how to do so. But we are sure that if you take your time and keep an upbeat attitude, you and your child will have a great time as he learns how to read, write and spell.
But we do have two cautions for you:
Don't become so anxious about your child's ability (or apparent "inability") to spell that you hold him back in reading. Spelling can come along in the years ahead. Reading is a skill that will help your child immediately. So even if he struggles with spelling, keep reading at a level he can understand.
While we believe our early reading program provides just about the right quantity of phonetically-correct reading practice for most students, don't be overly rigid in pursuing your phonics program. If your child already knows how to read, don't force him to go through the remainder of the program for the sake of trying to help him read "better"!
How to Encourage Your Child to Read to Himself
The following method has been used very successfully, even in school contexts, to encourage reluctant children to read to themselves.
Each day, set aside a ten- to fifteen-minute period when everyone in the family, including you, will "read quietly."
Make sure each person has a book to read. (Small children can use picture books.)
Let the children pick their own books to read.
Set the timer and have everyone sit in their "own" places and read quietly.
Note: It is very important that you, too, use the time to read. Reading is a privilege, not a punishment! It should be perceived as such.
When the time is up, everyone should be free to go on with other activities if they feel like it.
No reports, reporting or records should be kept of what is read during these "sustained silent reading" periods.
What to Do When Kids Don't Like a Book
Diane in Colorado wrote,
"My 10-year-old daughter is definitely not enjoying this year's selections. Should I insist she get through every reader, choose other books from the same period (I know she would read the Addy books)? I don't want her to think she can quit when it's not her choice of a book. On the other hand, I know I read lots of books in school I hated and I learned nothing from them. . . ."
KC replied:
"I allow for a certain number of books that can be 'discarded' so that the students have some choice (but my number is very low! . . . Of course, each family can decide on its own what is to be the required number of texts to be read). I also insist that a minimum of three chapters is read before even making a judgment about a book--and I may even raise this number. So many books take a bit of getting into before you really get the benefit.
"If we allow our kids to just read what they like, then they are not learning the discipline of attending to their lesser preferences.
"I would try to establish some kind of 'rule' that meets both your requirements for minimum accepted texts for school requirements as well as allowing some freedom in pleasure reading."
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Twilight Series
I know many of you won’t agree with me on this, but the Twilight series is pure evil. It has captured the hearts and minds of Christians all around the world and has twisted them around to make them want to read the books instead of the Bible. I think there is something wrong when the slowest reader I know can read a Twilight book in less than a day when it takes them a life time to read the Bible. A friend of mine stayed up ALL night one Saturday night reading one of Stephanie Myers’ books. She didn’t come to church the next day because she was too tired to get up after staying up all night. That is WRONG my friends. Totally and completely WRONG.
Just a few minutes ago, I did some research. I typed in “the Twilight series from a Christian perspective” into the Google search engine. EVERY ONE OF THE THINGS I READ WERE FOR THE TWILIGHT SERIES!!!!!! There is something TERRIBLY and HORRIBLY wrong here. In God’s house, the only thing most of my friends can talk about is the Twilight series!!!! If you are going to read them, the least you can do is not obsess over them to the point that all you can do is talk about it everywhere you go!! This Sunday, my youth leader is going to talk about the Culture and some of it’s evils. He’s also going to talk about bringing glory to God in everything we do. Here’s a little bit of his outline he sent us on facebook.
Colossians 3:5-17, I Thess. 5:22, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 115:1Here are some questions to ask about the things you do:
Will it build me up spiritually? I Cor. 10:23
Will it bring bondage? I Cor. 6:12
Will it defile God’s temple? I Cor. 6:19-20
Will it cause anyone to stumble? I Cor. 8:8-9
Will it further the cause of evangelism? I Cor. 10:32-33
Will it violate my conscience? (Rom. 14:23)
Will it bring glory to God? (I Cor. 10:31)
Glorify God in . . .
What you read:
Harry Potter – I have real problems with this – good mixed with evil, has Wicca influences & is endorsed by Wicca but not Christian bookstores, uses sorcery to serve self & to play around, Bible says to avoid witchcraft/sorcery & doesn’t line up with what the Bible says about good/evil, author is an unbeliever, has led some to become curious about conjuring spells, ouija boards, etc…
Twilight series – I also have problems with this – good mixed with evil, endorsed by Wicca religion, MTV but not Christian bookstores, vampires are associated with evil, no Biblical basis, thoughts of lust & erotic content, author is Mormon & believes in eternal romantic love – her playlist includes Linkin Park (her favorite band), Korn, & other ungodly bands – Here are some thoughts from others:
February 21, 2008 12:38 PM KEA said…
I’m a youth leader and decided to read Twilight after a girl from the group became somewhat obsessed with it. I’ve only read the first book- but here is my take, for what its worth.
I agree Katelynn, the book does not explicitly speak out against God or the Bible. However, it does not present a Godly message either. As a youth leader and parent of a 10 year daughter, the obsession that Bella has towards Edward is concerning. She gives up all regard for herself or her family to be with someone that she knows is dangerous. I can see high-school aged girls reading this book, longing for a relationship with someone like Edward that would not be healthy to their Christian lives.
I can see a paraellel between Edward and Satan. Satan was called the “Morning Star”, the most beautiful of angels. The lies he offers up can appear to be beautiful outwardly, all the while he is trying to cheat you out of eternity with God. Bella is so smitten with the beauty and power of Edward, she is willing to offer up her own mortality to be with him forever- even if it means losing all she is and has known.
Satan sneaks into our lives wherever he can. I don’t think reading this book is to the glory of God and I would caution parents to make sure your child was not getting hooked to the point of giving up quality time with God or family.
Just my two cents.
April 12, 2008 1:06 PM Abby said…
I read all three books in Twilight series in a three day period. I fully agree with anyone who says these books are not only well written, but absolutely brilliant. I will say this, however. After I read them, I had a very, very hard time. I experienced a lot of mental spiritual warfare and I literally felt like I was locked in the story. I immediately discerned a spirit of witchcraft on these books and it made me angry because I loved them! But I literally had to get them out of my house, that’s how bad it was.
So I went to God with it and He showed me what is going down. It isn’t obvious and it isn’t about the content of the books, it is something entirely spiritual. The spirit behind these books is identical to the spirit behind Harry Potter and the spirit behind certain music, like My Chemical Romance. Look for the things that draw obsession out of this generation and pull them away from God. I guarantee you every one of them, the major ones that are addicting to scary and dangerous measures, are a tool of the enemy to infiltrate witchcraft into the lives of an entire generation of young people.
I’m not saying this from a judgmental, outside perspective, I am speaking as someone who is very, very familiar with this sort of thing and who experienced it first hand. If you want proof, you can find dozens of Wiccan and Witchcraft websites that promote these books. Doesn’t that tell you something? And if that isn’t enough to convince you, let Isaiah do it.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
-Isaiah 5:20
The biggest thing that stood out to me was the way vampires are portrayed as “good” in Twilight and witches and wizards are portrayed as “good” in Harry Potter. It is NOT about the content of the books, people. It is about the deceptive spirit behind them.
Open your eyes
Love in Christ,
Kelsea
Just a few minutes ago, I did some research. I typed in “the Twilight series from a Christian perspective” into the Google search engine. EVERY ONE OF THE THINGS I READ WERE FOR THE TWILIGHT SERIES!!!!!! There is something TERRIBLY and HORRIBLY wrong here. In God’s house, the only thing most of my friends can talk about is the Twilight series!!!! If you are going to read them, the least you can do is not obsess over them to the point that all you can do is talk about it everywhere you go!! This Sunday, my youth leader is going to talk about the Culture and some of it’s evils. He’s also going to talk about bringing glory to God in everything we do. Here’s a little bit of his outline he sent us on facebook.
Colossians 3:5-17, I Thess. 5:22, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 115:1Here are some questions to ask about the things you do:
Will it build me up spiritually? I Cor. 10:23
Will it bring bondage? I Cor. 6:12
Will it defile God’s temple? I Cor. 6:19-20
Will it cause anyone to stumble? I Cor. 8:8-9
Will it further the cause of evangelism? I Cor. 10:32-33
Will it violate my conscience? (Rom. 14:23)
Will it bring glory to God? (I Cor. 10:31)
Glorify God in . . .
What you read:
Harry Potter – I have real problems with this – good mixed with evil, has Wicca influences & is endorsed by Wicca but not Christian bookstores, uses sorcery to serve self & to play around, Bible says to avoid witchcraft/sorcery & doesn’t line up with what the Bible says about good/evil, author is an unbeliever, has led some to become curious about conjuring spells, ouija boards, etc…
Twilight series – I also have problems with this – good mixed with evil, endorsed by Wicca religion, MTV but not Christian bookstores, vampires are associated with evil, no Biblical basis, thoughts of lust & erotic content, author is Mormon & believes in eternal romantic love – her playlist includes Linkin Park (her favorite band), Korn, & other ungodly bands – Here are some thoughts from others:
February 21, 2008 12:38 PM KEA said…
I’m a youth leader and decided to read Twilight after a girl from the group became somewhat obsessed with it. I’ve only read the first book- but here is my take, for what its worth.
I agree Katelynn, the book does not explicitly speak out against God or the Bible. However, it does not present a Godly message either. As a youth leader and parent of a 10 year daughter, the obsession that Bella has towards Edward is concerning. She gives up all regard for herself or her family to be with someone that she knows is dangerous. I can see high-school aged girls reading this book, longing for a relationship with someone like Edward that would not be healthy to their Christian lives.
I can see a paraellel between Edward and Satan. Satan was called the “Morning Star”, the most beautiful of angels. The lies he offers up can appear to be beautiful outwardly, all the while he is trying to cheat you out of eternity with God. Bella is so smitten with the beauty and power of Edward, she is willing to offer up her own mortality to be with him forever- even if it means losing all she is and has known.
Satan sneaks into our lives wherever he can. I don’t think reading this book is to the glory of God and I would caution parents to make sure your child was not getting hooked to the point of giving up quality time with God or family.
Just my two cents.
April 12, 2008 1:06 PM Abby said…
I read all three books in Twilight series in a three day period. I fully agree with anyone who says these books are not only well written, but absolutely brilliant. I will say this, however. After I read them, I had a very, very hard time. I experienced a lot of mental spiritual warfare and I literally felt like I was locked in the story. I immediately discerned a spirit of witchcraft on these books and it made me angry because I loved them! But I literally had to get them out of my house, that’s how bad it was.
So I went to God with it and He showed me what is going down. It isn’t obvious and it isn’t about the content of the books, it is something entirely spiritual. The spirit behind these books is identical to the spirit behind Harry Potter and the spirit behind certain music, like My Chemical Romance. Look for the things that draw obsession out of this generation and pull them away from God. I guarantee you every one of them, the major ones that are addicting to scary and dangerous measures, are a tool of the enemy to infiltrate witchcraft into the lives of an entire generation of young people.
I’m not saying this from a judgmental, outside perspective, I am speaking as someone who is very, very familiar with this sort of thing and who experienced it first hand. If you want proof, you can find dozens of Wiccan and Witchcraft websites that promote these books. Doesn’t that tell you something? And if that isn’t enough to convince you, let Isaiah do it.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
-Isaiah 5:20
The biggest thing that stood out to me was the way vampires are portrayed as “good” in Twilight and witches and wizards are portrayed as “good” in Harry Potter. It is NOT about the content of the books, people. It is about the deceptive spirit behind them.
Open your eyes
Love in Christ,
Kelsea
Prayer Power!
"Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Friend To Friend
Over the past few years, my spiritual life has changed dramatically. I've witnessed the LORD move in amazing ways, and have felt His hand guide me like never before. What's the big secret? Why the big change? Simple: prayer. There is unexplainable power in prayer.
No, prayer isn't new to me. I've prayed ever since I was a child. But even though I love God, I often struggled to remain focused during my quiet time ... or to even carve out a daily quiet time, for that matter. My creative mind has a strong tendency to wander. So a few years back, I began keeping a prayer journal and my faith has really grown as a result.
My journal isn't fancy or expensive, just a notebook that can be picked up anywhere, but it has been a power tool for God's movement in and through my life. By keeping my heart focused in prayer, my journal has fanned the flame of my prayers, and has fueled the fire in my soul to connect with our active and living God who longs to be the center of our attention.
It's not rocket science and there aren't any special tricks. A prayer journal can be an effective tool for spiritual growth, but the power is in the praying. How do I put my power tool to work? I start off by writing the date. I then jot down who I want to pray for and what I want to pray about. I also love to write out Scripture passages that have spoken to my heart. Then I go to my Father- focused and fearless. God is the source of all power, and prayer is essential to experiencing His power in our lives.
Martin Luther said, "As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray." Prayer moves the hand of God, yet, statistically; most Christians spend less than 5 minutes a day in prayer. That's just crazy! Why would we expect God to show His power in our lives if we don't give Him more time than we spend brushing our teeth each day?
Are you experiencing the power of God in your life? Would you like more strength, peace and direction in your days? God wants you to come to Him in prayer: when you are hurting, when you are angry, when you need direction, when you need answers, when you need hope, when you need healing. He wants you to come to Him for forgiveness, courage, strength, confidence, and perspective. Come with praise, adoration, humility, honor, and worship.
So - grab a journal and focus your heart and thoughts on God . The main thing is to get alone with God. He just wants you to come.
A GIG PLEDGE: Let's commit together to spend more time on our knees! Raise your right hand and say out loud: "Lord, it is my sincere intention to seek you more fervently from this moment on." God assures us, that when we seek Him, we will find Him! As Girlfriends in God, we are growing rapidly in numbers. All around the globe, close to 200,000 women join together in devotion to seek God's face. As we grow in width, may we, as GiGs, also grow in depth. I pray that we will each seek Him and experience His powerful and presence daily.
Let's Pray
Holy Father, thank You for allowing me to come to You in prayer today. I humbly bow before Your throne of grace and ask that You would forgive me for all of the times I have failed to come. I need You more than I know. Please help me experience the fullness of Your life-changing presence in a fresh and powerful way.
For Your glory and In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
Consider keeping a prayer journal. Grab a pen and a notebook and get started! If you don't know where to start, use this as a template to begin:
Begin reading the Psalms during your quiet time. Journal what you learn and write down the verses that stir your heart. (There are 150 of them and if you meditate on one or two each day, you could be kept busy for a few months!)
Friend To Friend
Over the past few years, my spiritual life has changed dramatically. I've witnessed the LORD move in amazing ways, and have felt His hand guide me like never before. What's the big secret? Why the big change? Simple: prayer. There is unexplainable power in prayer.
No, prayer isn't new to me. I've prayed ever since I was a child. But even though I love God, I often struggled to remain focused during my quiet time ... or to even carve out a daily quiet time, for that matter. My creative mind has a strong tendency to wander. So a few years back, I began keeping a prayer journal and my faith has really grown as a result.
My journal isn't fancy or expensive, just a notebook that can be picked up anywhere, but it has been a power tool for God's movement in and through my life. By keeping my heart focused in prayer, my journal has fanned the flame of my prayers, and has fueled the fire in my soul to connect with our active and living God who longs to be the center of our attention.
It's not rocket science and there aren't any special tricks. A prayer journal can be an effective tool for spiritual growth, but the power is in the praying. How do I put my power tool to work? I start off by writing the date. I then jot down who I want to pray for and what I want to pray about. I also love to write out Scripture passages that have spoken to my heart. Then I go to my Father- focused and fearless. God is the source of all power, and prayer is essential to experiencing His power in our lives.
Martin Luther said, "As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray." Prayer moves the hand of God, yet, statistically; most Christians spend less than 5 minutes a day in prayer. That's just crazy! Why would we expect God to show His power in our lives if we don't give Him more time than we spend brushing our teeth each day?
Are you experiencing the power of God in your life? Would you like more strength, peace and direction in your days? God wants you to come to Him in prayer: when you are hurting, when you are angry, when you need direction, when you need answers, when you need hope, when you need healing. He wants you to come to Him for forgiveness, courage, strength, confidence, and perspective. Come with praise, adoration, humility, honor, and worship.
So - grab a journal and focus your heart and thoughts on God . The main thing is to get alone with God. He just wants you to come.
A GIG PLEDGE: Let's commit together to spend more time on our knees! Raise your right hand and say out loud: "Lord, it is my sincere intention to seek you more fervently from this moment on." God assures us, that when we seek Him, we will find Him! As Girlfriends in God, we are growing rapidly in numbers. All around the globe, close to 200,000 women join together in devotion to seek God's face. As we grow in width, may we, as GiGs, also grow in depth. I pray that we will each seek Him and experience His powerful and presence daily.
Let's Pray
Holy Father, thank You for allowing me to come to You in prayer today. I humbly bow before Your throne of grace and ask that You would forgive me for all of the times I have failed to come. I need You more than I know. Please help me experience the fullness of Your life-changing presence in a fresh and powerful way.
For Your glory and In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
Consider keeping a prayer journal. Grab a pen and a notebook and get started! If you don't know where to start, use this as a template to begin:
Begin reading the Psalms during your quiet time. Journal what you learn and write down the verses that stir your heart. (There are 150 of them and if you meditate on one or two each day, you could be kept busy for a few months!)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Inspiring story about Mosaic Mysteries
Read this story from a woman who purchased a Mosaic Mysteries game for her husband who suffers from dementia. It is an inspiring story and makes me proud to be selling Discovery Toys that have a positive impact on the lives of children and adults. - Jennifer
My husband Harry plays with the puzzle at least once a day, and sometimes two or three times. Most of the time he just does concentric circles of colors, as he's into matching like things together (cards into sets of numbers or suits, etc.) Everything has to be arranged "just so", including lining up the glass and silverware with the design of his placemat, and the placemat with the grain of the wood of the table. That is why this puzzle is so good for him. Recently he has been putting pieces of one color spaced around the edge, and then fitting other colors in between. I've watched as he stared at it, then selected a new piece. It is fascinating to watch his thinking process. While he has lost a lot of brain function (due to vascular dementia), I am watching him re-access some of his previous design knowledge.
He had lost his ability and desire to draw (I did mention that he was a professor of art and regionally recognized painter with many awards for his artwork?), and has come back to making drawings again. I think I helped him regain this ability by providing the toys for him to play with. They allowed his hands to be busy, and in turn that stimulated the part of his brain that still understood art and design principles. I began with a Magna Doodle, which he scribbled on for hours every evening for months. He tore one completely up he worked so hard. He then found a pen and decorated the front of a magazine filling it with scribbles. I asked him if he would prefer a piece of paper, which he accepted. I had been trying to get him to draw for months but he had declined. I think he was aware that he was losing his ability to draw, his hands shook so much. Now, though, he seems to be less afraid to try, as he is even less aware of his surroundings. It has been about two years since he began to draw again, and he has regained many of his skills, producing quite a large number of designs, landscapes, and portraits. Although these works are nothing like his previous work, we celebrate their uniqueness and provide him with something to do with his time. I really believe that his ability to draw again is a direct result of manipulating the toys and playing pieces.
I hope I haven't bored you with my little history here. I am just so thrilled with his new art, as are all of our friends who know Harry's story, that I like to share it. In fact, I have created a slide show of his new artwork and have presented it to a couple of groups already, the first with the Seven Oaks Art League where Harry and I have been members for years. I have also been asked to share it with the Caregiver Coalition of the Midlands (Columbia area) annual conference in November. I will definitely give credit to Mosaic Mysteries, and Discovery Toys in my talk!
My husband Harry plays with the puzzle at least once a day, and sometimes two or three times. Most of the time he just does concentric circles of colors, as he's into matching like things together (cards into sets of numbers or suits, etc.) Everything has to be arranged "just so", including lining up the glass and silverware with the design of his placemat, and the placemat with the grain of the wood of the table. That is why this puzzle is so good for him. Recently he has been putting pieces of one color spaced around the edge, and then fitting other colors in between. I've watched as he stared at it, then selected a new piece. It is fascinating to watch his thinking process. While he has lost a lot of brain function (due to vascular dementia), I am watching him re-access some of his previous design knowledge.
He had lost his ability and desire to draw (I did mention that he was a professor of art and regionally recognized painter with many awards for his artwork?), and has come back to making drawings again. I think I helped him regain this ability by providing the toys for him to play with. They allowed his hands to be busy, and in turn that stimulated the part of his brain that still understood art and design principles. I began with a Magna Doodle, which he scribbled on for hours every evening for months. He tore one completely up he worked so hard. He then found a pen and decorated the front of a magazine filling it with scribbles. I asked him if he would prefer a piece of paper, which he accepted. I had been trying to get him to draw for months but he had declined. I think he was aware that he was losing his ability to draw, his hands shook so much. Now, though, he seems to be less afraid to try, as he is even less aware of his surroundings. It has been about two years since he began to draw again, and he has regained many of his skills, producing quite a large number of designs, landscapes, and portraits. Although these works are nothing like his previous work, we celebrate their uniqueness and provide him with something to do with his time. I really believe that his ability to draw again is a direct result of manipulating the toys and playing pieces.
I hope I haven't bored you with my little history here. I am just so thrilled with his new art, as are all of our friends who know Harry's story, that I like to share it. In fact, I have created a slide show of his new artwork and have presented it to a couple of groups already, the first with the Seven Oaks Art League where Harry and I have been members for years. I have also been asked to share it with the Caregiver Coalition of the Midlands (Columbia area) annual conference in November. I will definitely give credit to Mosaic Mysteries, and Discovery Toys in my talk!
Worth a Bowed Head!
Relax your mind and humble your heart to focus on Christ. Allow God to
be the only person on your mind while you read this prayer. If we can
take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc., we should give the
same respect to this prayer.. Friends, who pray together, stay
together.
If you pray this prayer, change the number.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to
see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving
God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You
keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for
everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this
day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best
of each day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let
me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil.
And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my
wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example --
to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response
when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You
listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me
strong that I may help the weak.. Keep me uplifted that I may have
words of encouragement for others.. I pray for those who are lost and
can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and
misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray
for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray
for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for
all my sisters and brothers. For every family member in their
households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their
homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem,
circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your
hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the
hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them
willingly..
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen..
be the only person on your mind while you read this prayer. If we can
take the time to read long jokes, stories, etc., we should give the
same respect to this prayer.. Friends, who pray together, stay
together.
If you pray this prayer, change the number.
Dear Lord, I thank you for this day. I thank You for my being able to
see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving
God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You
keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for
everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this
day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best
of each day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let
me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil.
And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my
wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example --
to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response
when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You
listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me
strong that I may help the weak.. Keep me uplifted that I may have
words of encouragement for others.. I pray for those who are lost and
can't find their way. I pray for those who are misjudged and
misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray
for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray
for those who don't believe. But I thank you that I believe.
I believe that God changes people and God changes things. I pray for
all my sisters and brothers. For every family member in their
households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their
homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem,
circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your
hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the
hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them
willingly..
This is my prayer.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen..
New Life Pastor Asks Christians to Embrace Speaking in Tongues
New Life Church is "one of those tongue-talking churches," the senior pastor said unashamedly on Sunday.
His statement was met with applause from the Colorado Springs mega-congregation.
Pastor Brady Boyd acknowledges that there's a wide range of teachings on the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. To some, it's foreign or weird and to others, it's no longer active.
But Boyd believes the spiritual practice is as real today as it was 2,000 years ago when believers in the very first church service spoke in tongues (as recorded in the New Testament).
Continuing his message series on the "The Supernatural," Boyd felt he hit a particularly sensitive topic as he was swarmed with questions on the gift of tongues before he even preached on it this past weekend.
He has many friends who disagree with him on the subject. But for Boyd, speaking in tongues – known to some as a private prayer language – is nothing out of the ordinary. Every church he attended while growing up he saw the demonstration of tongues, he said.
"I thought everybody had that at birth because of the way I grew up," he told the New Life congregation.
He himself couldn't imagine being without it. Pointing out that pastoring a church is tough, he said he would not survive long-term at New Life if he didn’t pray in tongues – which gives him "amazing strength."
But traditions aside, Boyd asked the thousands in attendance to "let Scripture interpret Scripture" and approach the Bible as if they were reading it for the first time.
"I'm not going to stretch Scripture," the New Life pastor emphasized.
Reading from Acts 2 in the New Testament, Boyd underscored the account that on the first day of the first church service, every one of the 120 people were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.
"If I were reading the Bible for the very first time, as a young believer, and I was trying to make sense of this tongue thing, I think that would jump off the page at me and go 'wow, if in the very first church service everyone there spoke in tongues when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, it should be fairly common among us today," said Boyd.
"I think that's a safe assumption on all of our parts."
The senior pastor went on to point out the God-fearing Jews who recognized that their language was being spoken by people that didn't know the Jews' native language.
Speaking in tongues, Boyd said, could be used to communicate the Gospel to unbelievers. Thousands were born again that day when the Holy Spirit first came down upon believers. And Boyd said he knows tons of stories of such witnessing in tongues happening today.
"Sometimes we think tongues is just people getting in an emotional frenzy," he said. But the spiritual gift is practical, he stressed. It is intended to draw people to God.
"I think that oftentimes we have made the spiritual gifts about us. 'What does it do for me?'" he noted. "Not every time are the spiritual gifts for you. Oftentimes gifts are there ... to draw people to Christ."
Even if attendees might dismiss other reasons on why Christians should embrace the gift of tongues, Boyd asked them to "at least consider that God may want to use you to communicate the Gospel to unbelievers."
Other reasons he listed to embrace the gift are: to strengthen fellow believers, to personally communicate with God, and to "strengthen ourselves.
If the gift is used properly in a public setting, such as in church, then the body of believers can be strengthened, Boyd said. The pastor, citing Apostle Paul, noted the need for boundaries as to not become consumed by fascination with speaking in tongues and get away from the priority of the Scriptures.
On a personal level, praying in tongues "edifies" believers, or "does something in our hearts to strengthen us for the [spiritual] battle we're all in," said Boyd.
"Oftentimes I just find myself praying in the tongue God has given me ... and I find an amazing reservoir of strength from heaven that I could never tap into in the natural but it's certainly available in the spiritual," he said.
When Boyd prays in tongues, sometimes he knows what he's praying for and other times he has no idea what he's praying for.
"But I know this: the Holy Spirit is God and He's omnipotent and omniscient and if He urges me to pray I'm going to pray because He knows what needs prayer," said Boyd.
Dispelling some myths about the gift of tongues, the New Life pastor said tongues isn't always the first evidence of baptism of the Holy Spirit and it does not signify that the Christian is a mature one. Also, speaking in tongues does not mean one will lose control and fall into a trance.
"The Holy Spirit never ever asks us to lose our free will to do anything on His behalf," he stressed. "God is not looking for somebody He can take over."
New Life attendees were given the opportunity after the sermon to pray and ask God for the spiritual gift of tongues.
"We lay down our pride, our unbelief, our doctrine that's been wrong," Boyd prayed. "We say 'yes' to your giftings."
Boyd began leading New Life Church, one of the largest churches in the country, in 2007. He kicked off "The Supernatural" message series at the start of the new year. Topics he covered since January include miracles, giving, leadership, prophesying and demons.
His statement was met with applause from the Colorado Springs mega-congregation.
Pastor Brady Boyd acknowledges that there's a wide range of teachings on the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. To some, it's foreign or weird and to others, it's no longer active.
But Boyd believes the spiritual practice is as real today as it was 2,000 years ago when believers in the very first church service spoke in tongues (as recorded in the New Testament).
Continuing his message series on the "The Supernatural," Boyd felt he hit a particularly sensitive topic as he was swarmed with questions on the gift of tongues before he even preached on it this past weekend.
He has many friends who disagree with him on the subject. But for Boyd, speaking in tongues – known to some as a private prayer language – is nothing out of the ordinary. Every church he attended while growing up he saw the demonstration of tongues, he said.
"I thought everybody had that at birth because of the way I grew up," he told the New Life congregation.
He himself couldn't imagine being without it. Pointing out that pastoring a church is tough, he said he would not survive long-term at New Life if he didn’t pray in tongues – which gives him "amazing strength."
But traditions aside, Boyd asked the thousands in attendance to "let Scripture interpret Scripture" and approach the Bible as if they were reading it for the first time.
"I'm not going to stretch Scripture," the New Life pastor emphasized.
Reading from Acts 2 in the New Testament, Boyd underscored the account that on the first day of the first church service, every one of the 120 people were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.
"If I were reading the Bible for the very first time, as a young believer, and I was trying to make sense of this tongue thing, I think that would jump off the page at me and go 'wow, if in the very first church service everyone there spoke in tongues when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, it should be fairly common among us today," said Boyd.
"I think that's a safe assumption on all of our parts."
The senior pastor went on to point out the God-fearing Jews who recognized that their language was being spoken by people that didn't know the Jews' native language.
Speaking in tongues, Boyd said, could be used to communicate the Gospel to unbelievers. Thousands were born again that day when the Holy Spirit first came down upon believers. And Boyd said he knows tons of stories of such witnessing in tongues happening today.
"Sometimes we think tongues is just people getting in an emotional frenzy," he said. But the spiritual gift is practical, he stressed. It is intended to draw people to God.
"I think that oftentimes we have made the spiritual gifts about us. 'What does it do for me?'" he noted. "Not every time are the spiritual gifts for you. Oftentimes gifts are there ... to draw people to Christ."
Even if attendees might dismiss other reasons on why Christians should embrace the gift of tongues, Boyd asked them to "at least consider that God may want to use you to communicate the Gospel to unbelievers."
Other reasons he listed to embrace the gift are: to strengthen fellow believers, to personally communicate with God, and to "strengthen ourselves.
If the gift is used properly in a public setting, such as in church, then the body of believers can be strengthened, Boyd said. The pastor, citing Apostle Paul, noted the need for boundaries as to not become consumed by fascination with speaking in tongues and get away from the priority of the Scriptures.
On a personal level, praying in tongues "edifies" believers, or "does something in our hearts to strengthen us for the [spiritual] battle we're all in," said Boyd.
"Oftentimes I just find myself praying in the tongue God has given me ... and I find an amazing reservoir of strength from heaven that I could never tap into in the natural but it's certainly available in the spiritual," he said.
When Boyd prays in tongues, sometimes he knows what he's praying for and other times he has no idea what he's praying for.
"But I know this: the Holy Spirit is God and He's omnipotent and omniscient and if He urges me to pray I'm going to pray because He knows what needs prayer," said Boyd.
Dispelling some myths about the gift of tongues, the New Life pastor said tongues isn't always the first evidence of baptism of the Holy Spirit and it does not signify that the Christian is a mature one. Also, speaking in tongues does not mean one will lose control and fall into a trance.
"The Holy Spirit never ever asks us to lose our free will to do anything on His behalf," he stressed. "God is not looking for somebody He can take over."
New Life attendees were given the opportunity after the sermon to pray and ask God for the spiritual gift of tongues.
"We lay down our pride, our unbelief, our doctrine that's been wrong," Boyd prayed. "We say 'yes' to your giftings."
Boyd began leading New Life Church, one of the largest churches in the country, in 2007. He kicked off "The Supernatural" message series at the start of the new year. Topics he covered since January include miracles, giving, leadership, prophesying and demons.
Pro-Lifers Take Final Stand Ahead of Health Care Vote
Conservative and pro-life groups are mobilizing Americans to make a final stand against a contentious health care bill that is now on the fast track toward a final vote.
* Pro-Life Groups Reject Obama’s Compromise Health Care Plan
* Health Summit Fails to Reach Compromise
* Abortion Fight Remains Fierce in Health Care Debate
Opponents of the legislation, including members of Congress, are scheduled to take part in a national townhall at the Family Research Council's headquarters in Washington, D.C., Tuesday night.
"This national townhall webcast will mobilize tens of thousands of Americans for a final stand against a bill that would force Americans to support Planned Parenthood in the killing of unborn children, saddle families with higher insurance premiums, raise our taxes, and deny our parents and grandparents the essential health care they need," said FRC Action President Tony Perkins in a statement.
The House Budget Committee on Monday voted 21-16, taking the first step to get the bill before the full House this week. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama made a stop in Ohio that same day to garner support for his bill.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs expects this will be "the climactic week for health care reform."
Some Christians are pushing for the passage of the legislation. National Council of Churches General Secretary Michael Kinnamon said in a letter to the U.S. Congress on Monday that now is the time to pass a "desperately-needed reform of this country's health care system."
"What is needed now is the political and moral courage to act on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our society – those who are uninsured," he wrote. "May we as a nation demonstrate a commitment to the common good through a health care reform that places the well being of all at the center of our national life."
But more conservative faith leaders are trying to look out for a different group of "vulnerable" members – the unborn.
The National Right to Life Committee has branded Obama's bill as "the most pro-abortion single piece of legislation that has ever come to the House floor for a vote."
The group is urging Americans to contact senators before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tries to "ram" the bill through the House before Congress goes into recess for Easter on March 26.
"Whether she succeeds or not depends on what House members hear from their constituents during the days immediately ahead," the pro-life group stated.
The bill needs 216 votes to clear the House. A couple of pro-life Democrats have sided with Republicans in opposing the bill and calling for tougher restrictions on the federal funding of abortions.
Ahead of Tuesday night's townhall, Perkins stressed, "The American people have made their wishes clear through the ballot box, townhalls, rallies, and phone calls and letters. They will not accept this health care takeover or any variety of it. However, the Obama Administration and the Democratic leadership refuse to acknowledge that this health care, which indisputably funds abortion, is grossly out of step with the American people."
* Pro-Life Groups Reject Obama’s Compromise Health Care Plan
* Health Summit Fails to Reach Compromise
* Abortion Fight Remains Fierce in Health Care Debate
Opponents of the legislation, including members of Congress, are scheduled to take part in a national townhall at the Family Research Council's headquarters in Washington, D.C., Tuesday night.
"This national townhall webcast will mobilize tens of thousands of Americans for a final stand against a bill that would force Americans to support Planned Parenthood in the killing of unborn children, saddle families with higher insurance premiums, raise our taxes, and deny our parents and grandparents the essential health care they need," said FRC Action President Tony Perkins in a statement.
The House Budget Committee on Monday voted 21-16, taking the first step to get the bill before the full House this week. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama made a stop in Ohio that same day to garner support for his bill.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs expects this will be "the climactic week for health care reform."
Some Christians are pushing for the passage of the legislation. National Council of Churches General Secretary Michael Kinnamon said in a letter to the U.S. Congress on Monday that now is the time to pass a "desperately-needed reform of this country's health care system."
"What is needed now is the political and moral courage to act on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our society – those who are uninsured," he wrote. "May we as a nation demonstrate a commitment to the common good through a health care reform that places the well being of all at the center of our national life."
But more conservative faith leaders are trying to look out for a different group of "vulnerable" members – the unborn.
The National Right to Life Committee has branded Obama's bill as "the most pro-abortion single piece of legislation that has ever come to the House floor for a vote."
The group is urging Americans to contact senators before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tries to "ram" the bill through the House before Congress goes into recess for Easter on March 26.
"Whether she succeeds or not depends on what House members hear from their constituents during the days immediately ahead," the pro-life group stated.
The bill needs 216 votes to clear the House. A couple of pro-life Democrats have sided with Republicans in opposing the bill and calling for tougher restrictions on the federal funding of abortions.
Ahead of Tuesday night's townhall, Perkins stressed, "The American people have made their wishes clear through the ballot box, townhalls, rallies, and phone calls and letters. They will not accept this health care takeover or any variety of it. However, the Obama Administration and the Democratic leadership refuse to acknowledge that this health care, which indisputably funds abortion, is grossly out of step with the American people."
Top US home-school texts dismiss evolution
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Home-school mom Susan Mule wishes she hadn't taken a friend's advice and tried a textbook from a popular Christian publisher for her 10-year-old's biology lessons.
Mule's precocious daughter Elizabeth excels at science and has been studying tarantulas since she was 5. But she watched Elizabeth's excitement turn to confusion when they reached the evolution section of the book from Apologia Educational Ministries, which disputed Charles Darwin's theory.
"I thought she was going to have a coronary," Mule said of her daughter, who is now 16 and taking college courses in Houston. "She's like, 'This is not true!'"
Christian-based materials dominate a growing home-school education market that encompasses more than 1.5 million students in the U.S. And for most home-school parents, a Bible-based version of the Earth's creation is exactly what they want. Federal statistics from 2007 show 83 percent of home-schooling parents want to give their children "religious or moral instruction."
"The majority of home-schoolers self-identify as evangelical Christians," said Ian Slatter, a spokesman for the Home School Legal Defense Association. "Most home-schoolers will definitely have a sort of creationist component to their home-school program."
Story continues below...
Those who don't, however, often feel isolated and frustrated from trying to find a textbook that fits their beliefs.
Two of the best-selling biology textbooks stack the deck against evolution, said some science educators who reviewed sections of the books at the request of The Associated Press.
"I feel fairly strongly about this. These books are promulgating lies to kids," said Jerry Coyne, an ecology and evolution professor at the University of Chicago.
The textbook publishers defend their books as well-rounded lessons on evolution and its shortcomings. One of the books doesn't attempt to mask disdain for Darwin and evolutionary science.
"Those who do not believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God will find many points in this book puzzling," says the introduction to "Biology: Third Edition" from Bob Jones University Press. "This book was not written for them."
The textbook delivers a religious ultimatum to young readers and parents, warning in its "History of Life" chapter that a "Christian worldview ... is the only correct view of reality; anyone who rejects it will not only fail to reach heaven but also fail to see the world as it truly is."
When the AP asked about that passage, university spokesman Brian Scoles said the sentence made it into the book because of an editing error and will be removed from future editions.
The size of the business of home-school texts isn't clear because the textbook industry is fragmented and privately held publishers don't give out sales numbers. Slatter said home-school material sales reach about $1 billion annually in the U.S.
Publishers are well aware of the market, said Jay Wile, a former chemistry professor in Indianapolis who helped launch the Apologia curriculum in the early 1990s.
"If I'm planning to write a curriculum, and I want to write it in a way that will appeal to home-schoolers, I'm going to at least find out what my demographic is," Wile said.
In Kentucky, Lexington home-schooler Mia Perry remembers feeling disheartened while flipping through a home-school curriculum catalog and finding so many religious-themed textbooks.
"We're not religious home-schoolers, and there's somewhat of a feeling of being outnumbered," said Perry, who has home-schooled three of her four children after removing her oldest child from a public school because of a health condition.
Perry said she cobbled together her own curriculum after some mainstream publishers told her they would not sell directly to home-schooling parents.
Wendy Womack, another Lexington home-school mother, said the only scientifically credible curriculum she's found is from the Maryland-based Calvert School, which has been selling study-at-home materials for more than 100 years.
Apologia and Bob Jones University Press say their science books sell well. Apologia's "Exploring Creation" biology textbook retails for $65, while Bob Jones' "Biology" Third Edition lists at $52.
Coyne and Virginia Tech biology professor Duncan Porter reviewed excerpts from the Apologia and Bob Jones biology textbooks, which are equivalent to ninth- and 10th-grade biology lessons. Porter said he would give the books an F.
"If this is the way kids are home-schooled then they're being shortchanged, both rationally and in terms of biology," Coyne said. He argued that the books may steer students away from careers in biology or the study of the history of the earth.
Wile countered that Coyne "feels compelled to lie in order to prop up a failing hypothesis (evolution). We definitely do not lie to the students. We tell them the facts that people like Dr. Coyne would prefer to cover up."
Adam Brown's parents say their 16-year-old son's belief in the Bible's creation story isn't deterring him from pursuing a career in marine biology. His parents, Ken and Polly Brown, taught him at their Cedar Grove, Ind., home using the Apologia curriculum and other science texts.
Polly Brown said her son would gladly take college courses that include evolution, and he'll be able to provide the expected answers even though he disagrees.
"He probably knows it better than the kids who have been taught evolution all through public school," Polly Brown said. "But that is in order for him to understand both sides of that argument because he will face it throughout his higher education."
Top home-school texts dismiss Darwin, evolution
Home-schooling parents who prefer evolution say textbook publishers push Bible's origin story
DYLAN LOVAN
AP News
Mar 06, 2010 14:26 EST
Home-school mom Susan Mule wishes she hadn't taken a friend's advice and tried a textbook from a popular Christian publisher for her 10-year-old's biology lessons.
Mule's precocious daughter Elizabeth excels at science and has been studying tarantulas since she was 5. But she watched Elizabeth's excitement turn to confusion when they reached the evolution section of the book from Apologia Educational Ministries, which disputed Charles Darwin's theory.
"I thought she was going to have a coronary," Mule said of her daughter, who is now 16 and taking college courses in Houston. "She's like, 'This is not true!'"
Christian-based materials dominate a growing home-school education market that encompasses more than 1.5 million students in the U.S. And for most home-school parents, a Bible-based version of the Earth's creation is exactly what they want. Federal statistics from 2007 show 83 percent of home-schooling parents want to give their children "religious or moral instruction."
"The majority of home-schoolers self-identify as evangelical Christians," said Ian Slatter, a spokesman for the Home School Legal Defense Association. "Most home-schoolers will definitely have a sort of creationist component to their home-school program."
Those who don't, however, often feel isolated and frustrated from trying to find a textbook that fits their beliefs.
Two of the best-selling biology textbooks stack the deck against evolution, said some science educators who reviewed sections of the books at the request of The Associated Press.
"I feel fairly strongly about this. These books are promulgating lies to kids," said Jerry Coyne, an ecology and evolution professor at the University of Chicago.
The textbook publishers defend their books as well-rounded lessons on evolution and its shortcomings. One of the books doesn't attempt to mask disdain for Darwin and evolutionary science.
"Those who do not believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God will find many points in this book puzzling," says the introduction to "Biology: Third Edition" from Bob Jones University Press. "This book was not written for them."
The textbook delivers a religious ultimatum to young readers and parents, warning in its "History of Life" chapter that a "Christian worldview ... is the only correct view of reality; anyone who rejects it will not only fail to reach heaven but also fail to see the world as it truly is."
When the AP asked about that passage, university spokesman Brian Scoles said the sentence made it into the book because of an editing error and will be removed from future editions.
The size of the business of home-school texts isn't clear because the textbook industry is fragmented and privately held publishers don't give out sales numbers. Slatter said home-school material sales reach about $1 billion annually in the U.S.
Publishers are well aware of the market, said Jay Wile, a former chemistry professor in Indianapolis who helped launch the Apologia curriculum in the early 1990s.
"If I'm planning to write a curriculum, and I want to write it in a way that will appeal to home-schoolers, I'm going to at least find out what my demographic is," Wile said.
In Kentucky, Lexington home-schooler Mia Perry remembers feeling disheartened while flipping through a home-school curriculum catalog and finding so many religious-themed textbooks.
"We're not religious home-schoolers, and there's somewhat of a feeling of being outnumbered," said Perry, who has home-schooled three of her four children after removing her oldest child from a public school because of a health condition.
Perry said she cobbled together her own curriculum after some mainstream publishers told her they would not sell directly to home-schooling parents.
Wendy Womack, another Lexington home-school mother, said the only scientifically credible curriculum she's found is from the Maryland-based Calvert School, which has been selling study-at-home materials for more than 100 years.
Apologia and Bob Jones University Press say their science books sell well. Apologia's "Exploring Creation" biology textbook retails for $65, while Bob Jones' "Biology" Third Edition lists at $52.
Coyne and Virginia Tech biology professor Duncan Porter reviewed excerpts from the Apologia and Bob Jones biology textbooks, which are equivalent to ninth- and 10th-grade biology lessons. Porter said he would give the books an F.
"If this is the way kids are home-schooled then they're being shortchanged, both rationally and in terms of biology," Coyne said. He argued that the books may steer students away from careers in biology or the study of the history of the earth.
Wile countered that Coyne "feels compelled to lie in order to prop up a failing hypothesis (evolution). We definitely do not lie to the students. We tell them the facts that people like Dr. Coyne would prefer to cover up."
Adam Brown's parents say their 16-year-old son's belief in the Bible's creation story isn't deterring him from pursuing a career in marine biology. His parents, Ken and Polly Brown, taught him at their Cedar Grove, Ind., home using the Apologia curriculum and other science texts.
Polly Brown said her son would gladly take college courses that include evolution, and he'll be able to provide the expected answers even though he disagrees.
"He probably knows it better than the kids who have been taught evolution all through public school," Polly Brown said. "But that is in order for him to understand both sides of that argument because he will face it throughout his higher education."
___
Apologia Educational Ministries: http://www.apologia.com
Bob Jones University Press: http://www.bjupress.com/page/HS+Home
Jerry Coyne's blog, "Why Evolution is True": http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/
Look At It This Way!
Today's Truth
Proverbs 4:24 (NCV) "Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good."
Friend To Friend
One of my favorite parts of attending Vacation Bible School as a child was the music. I enjoyed the Bible stories, crafts and being with my friends but singing was definitely the highlight of my day. I particularly loved the songs that included hand motions and can, to this day, remember most of those songs and hand motions.
One of my favorite songs was "Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes." The lyrics and melody are simple but the truth of this song is profound.
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.
For the Father up above is looking down in love.
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.
A study was done of concentration camp survivors to determine the common characteristics of those who did not die from disease or starvation. Victor Frankl was a living answer to that question. Before the Nazis threw him into a concentration camp, he was a successful psychiatrist. After his rescue, Victor Frankl traveled the world, sharing his story: "There is only one reason why I am here today. You kept me alive. Others gave up hope. I dreamed that someday I would be here telling you how I, Victor Frankl, had survived the Nazi concentration camps. I've never been here before, I've never seen any of you before, and I've never given this speech before. But in my dreams, I have stood before you and said these words a thousand times."
Outlook determines outcome. Victor Frankl survived because he chose a right focus, keeping his eyes fixed on what was ahead. Proverbs 4:25 explains, "We need to keep our eyes focused on what is right and look straight ahead to what is good." The picture painted here is one of an "upright" life, a life of "moral purity." We serve a holy God who is very serious about sin - serious enough to send His son, Jesus Christ, as payment for that sin. We claim the miracle of blood-bought forgiveness while flirting with sin. We give lip-service to God's sacrifice while allowing impurity to negate its power in our lives. We point others to the cross when we are the ones in desperate need of its deliverance.
When it comes to having a right focus, not only do we turn away from what is worthless but we turn to what is worthy. In yesterday's devotion, we discovered that Satan knows if he can control the mind, then he has won the battle. Who wins that battle is up to us and hinges on the choices that we make. The battle of the mind is won by controlling and filtering what we set before our eyes. In Psalm 101:3, we find an important key to guarding our mind, "I will set before my eyes no vile thing" (NIV). "Vile" means "evil one or troublemaker." Anything that is not feeding and nourishing the soul is depleting the soul, originates with Satan himself and will bring nothing but trouble. If it is not of God, it will numb you to what is of God. Be very careful what you place before your eyes - books, movies, television, magazines. We foolishly believe the lie that we "can handle it." If we could handle our sin, there would have been no reason for Jesus Christ to give up His life in order to pay for that sin. We are lost without Him!
I once lived in a small, rural community where cows were familiar neighbors and lost cows a common occurrence. How does a cow get lost? It starts nibbling on a patch of green grass. When it finishes, the cow looks ahead to the next patch of green grass. That patch digested, the cow looks ahead to the next patch of green grass and starts nibbling on that one. Then it nibbles on a patch of grass right next to a hole in the fence. The cow then sees the green grass on the other side of the fence so it nibbles on that one and then goes on to the next one and the next one. The cow finally looks up to discover it has nibbled itself into being lost.
We do the same thing. We bury our heads in the patches of everyday living. We make a single wrong choice and instead of looking up for forgiveness, instead of looking straight ahead for new direction, we look around for another wrong choice. Soon, we find ourselves at the bottom of a pit wondering how we got there. We must learn to keep our glance on the circumstances and our gaze on Him.
Let's Pray
Dear Father, please help me to focus on Your plan and purpose for my life. I keep looking in the wrong places for the right answers. I confess that I often keep my gaze on things that do not please You. Today, I ask You to give me the strength and power to look for You in every circumstance and to keep my focus on You.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
As you go through today, be aware of the things you see and watch that are not pleasing to God and do not measure up to His standard. How can you eliminate them?
What is the focus of your life? How does it need to change?
What consequences have you suffered because your eyes were focused on wrong things or wrong people?
Wow! I know! I am getting downright personal, aren't I? But the reality is - if He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. In other words, we need to surrender everything to God, including the control of our "eyesight" and choose to focus on what is right and good. Screen your thoughts, the books you read, the movies you see and ask yourself if they are pleasing to God. If not, get rid of them. Choose against them and choose to look at things God's way.
Play, Learn, Create!
Help your child learn to love reading
Learning to read is the cornerstone of every child's education. By reading aloud to your child, you will be sharing one of life's most valuable gifts and opening all kinds of doors for the future.
Here are some tips on making the most of reading with your child.
- Choose a time and a place where you can be quiet and give your child lots of attention. Make the occasion a special one.
- Turn off any distractions such as the TV, music or the computer.
- When you are reading aloud, show your child that you are having fun!
- Involve your child. Let yourself be interrupted with questions; talk about what you think of the story and the pictures.
- When your child has started learning to read, follow the text and encourage him or her to point to the words as you go along.
- Establish a routine. Try to devote some time every day to reading.
- Take your child to your local library and involve him or her in choosing books.
- Notice what kinds of stories your child enjoys and look out for ones with similar themes.
- When you are reading aloud, praise your child for listening well and sitting still. When your child is learning to read to you, give praise and encouragement too, but be sure to gently correct your child when he or she makes mistakes.
- Help build your child's vocabulary and memory skills by supplementing reading sessions with audio books on car journeys and after meals or at bedtime. Audio books are especially helpful in building memory skills and supporting the learning of dyslexic and autistic children.
Sharing your child's journey into reading can be one of the most rewarding experiences of parenthood. You owe it to your child, and to yourself, to make it a priority in your daily life.
Gratitude
This could not have come on a better day!
May everyone have a blessed day!
| A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat. |
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