"Why did God do it that way? Why create one being and then take a part of that being and create a second, differentiated yet complimentary being who is "bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh," a being who is sexually, emotionally and in other ways different, yet of his own substance? Upon seeing her, Adam could have observed, "It's me . . . but not me." Well, if you think about it, it does sound like the kind of thing you might expect a Trinity to do."
GREAT series on marriage - with lots of links.
I am finding it very helpful.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/gods_design_for_marriage.aspx
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
get involved
Planned Parenthood is under fire after two undercover videos were released that appear to show a New Jersey abortion clinic manager and a Virginia clinic employee supporting sex trafficking and underage abortions.
http://www.citizenlink.com/planned-parenthood/
Learn more at the link above and find out how you can get involved to stop this outrage.
http://www.citizenlink.com/planned-parenthood/
Learn more at the link above and find out how you can get involved to stop this outrage.
Your Father runs
The UpWords Weekly Email Devotional
http://MaxLucado.com/email/
__________________________
WHEN GRACE GOES DEEP
by Max Lucado
The prodigal son trudges up the path. His pig stink makes passersby walk wide circles around him, but he doesn't notice. With eyes on the ground, he rehearses his speech: "Father"-his voice barely audible-"I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son." He rehashes the phrases, wondering if he should say more, less, or make a U-turn to the barnyard. After all, he cashed in the trust fund and trashed the family name. Over the last year, he'd awakened with more parched throats, headaches, women, and tattoos than a rock star. How could his father forgive him? "Maybe I could offer to pay off the credit cards." He's so focused on penance planning that he fails to hear the sound of his father.running!
The dad embraces the mud-layered boy as if he were a returning war hero. He commands the servants to bring a robe, ring, and sandals, as if to say, "No boy of mine is going to look like a pigpen peasant. Fire up the grill. Bring on the drinks. It's time for a party!"
Big brother meanwhile stands on the porch and sulks. "No one ever gave me a party," he mumbles, arms crossed.
The father tries to explain, but the jealous son won't listen. He huffs and shrugs and grumbles something about cheap grace, saddles his high horse, and rides off. But you knew that. You've read the parable of the gracious father and the hostile brother (see Luke 15:11-32).
But have you heard what happened next? Have you read the second chapter? It's a page-turner. The older brother resolves to rain on the forgiveness parade. "If Dad won't exact justice on the boy, I will."
"Nice robe there, little brother," he tells him one day. "Better keep it clean. One spot and Dad will send you to the cleaners with it."
The younger waves him away, but the next time he sees his father, he quickly checks his robe for stains.
A few days later big brother warns about the ring. "Quite a piece of jewelry Dad gave you. He prefers that you wear it on the thumb."
"The thumb? He didn't tell me that."
"Some things we're just supposed to know."
"But it won't fit my thumb."
"What's your goal-pleasing our father or your own personal comfort?" the spirituality monitor gibes, walking away.
Big brother isn't finished. With the pleasantness of a dyspeptic IRS auditor, he taunts, "If Dad sees you with loose laces, he'll take the sandals back."
"He will not. They were a gift. He wouldn't.would he?" The ex-prodigal then leans over to snug the strings. As he does, he spots a smudge on his robe. Trying to rub it off, he realizes the ring is on a finger, not his thumb. That's when he hears his father's voice. "Hello, Son."
There the boy sits, wearing a spotted robe, loose laces, and a misplaced ring. Overcome with fear, he reacts with a "Sorry, Dad" and turns and runs.
Too many tasks. Keeping the robe spotless, the ring positioned, the sandals snug-who could meet such standards? Gift preservation begins to wear on the young man. He avoids the father he feels he can't please. He quits wearing the gifts he can't maintain. And he even begins longing for the simpler days of the pigpen. "No one hounded me there."
That's the rest of the story. Wondering where I found it? On page 1,892 of my Bible, in the book of Galatians. Thanks to some legalistic big brothers, Paul's readers had gone from grace receiving to law keeping.
* * * * *
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.. (Gal. 1:6-7)
* * * * *
Joy snatchers infiltrated the Roman church as well. Paul had to remind them, "But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work" (Rom. 4:5).
Philippian Christians heard the same foolishness. Big brothers weren't telling them to wear a ring on their thumb, but they were insisting "you must be circumcised to be saved" (Phil. 3:2).
Even the Jerusalem church, the flagship congregation, heard the solemn monotones of the Quality Control Board. Non-Jewish believers were being told, "You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised as Moses taught us" (Acts 15:1 NCV)
The churches suffered from the same malady: grace blockage. The Father might let you in the gate, but you have to earn your place at the table. God makes the down payment on your redemption, but you pay the monthly installments. Heaven gives the boat, but you have to row it if you ever want to see the other shore.
Your deeds don't save you. And your deeds don't keep you saved. Grace does. The next time big brother starts dispensing more snarls than twin Dobermans, loosen your sandals, set your ring on your finger, and quote the apostle of grace who said, "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10 NKJV)
__________________________
From Come Thirsty
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2004) Max Lucado
http://www.maxlucado.net/_product_30305/Come_Thirsty_(Paper)
http://MaxLucado.com/email/
__________________________
WHEN GRACE GOES DEEP
by Max Lucado
The prodigal son trudges up the path. His pig stink makes passersby walk wide circles around him, but he doesn't notice. With eyes on the ground, he rehearses his speech: "Father"-his voice barely audible-"I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son." He rehashes the phrases, wondering if he should say more, less, or make a U-turn to the barnyard. After all, he cashed in the trust fund and trashed the family name. Over the last year, he'd awakened with more parched throats, headaches, women, and tattoos than a rock star. How could his father forgive him? "Maybe I could offer to pay off the credit cards." He's so focused on penance planning that he fails to hear the sound of his father.running!
The dad embraces the mud-layered boy as if he were a returning war hero. He commands the servants to bring a robe, ring, and sandals, as if to say, "No boy of mine is going to look like a pigpen peasant. Fire up the grill. Bring on the drinks. It's time for a party!"
Big brother meanwhile stands on the porch and sulks. "No one ever gave me a party," he mumbles, arms crossed.
The father tries to explain, but the jealous son won't listen. He huffs and shrugs and grumbles something about cheap grace, saddles his high horse, and rides off. But you knew that. You've read the parable of the gracious father and the hostile brother (see Luke 15:11-32).
But have you heard what happened next? Have you read the second chapter? It's a page-turner. The older brother resolves to rain on the forgiveness parade. "If Dad won't exact justice on the boy, I will."
"Nice robe there, little brother," he tells him one day. "Better keep it clean. One spot and Dad will send you to the cleaners with it."
The younger waves him away, but the next time he sees his father, he quickly checks his robe for stains.
A few days later big brother warns about the ring. "Quite a piece of jewelry Dad gave you. He prefers that you wear it on the thumb."
"The thumb? He didn't tell me that."
"Some things we're just supposed to know."
"But it won't fit my thumb."
"What's your goal-pleasing our father or your own personal comfort?" the spirituality monitor gibes, walking away.
Big brother isn't finished. With the pleasantness of a dyspeptic IRS auditor, he taunts, "If Dad sees you with loose laces, he'll take the sandals back."
"He will not. They were a gift. He wouldn't.would he?" The ex-prodigal then leans over to snug the strings. As he does, he spots a smudge on his robe. Trying to rub it off, he realizes the ring is on a finger, not his thumb. That's when he hears his father's voice. "Hello, Son."
There the boy sits, wearing a spotted robe, loose laces, and a misplaced ring. Overcome with fear, he reacts with a "Sorry, Dad" and turns and runs.
Too many tasks. Keeping the robe spotless, the ring positioned, the sandals snug-who could meet such standards? Gift preservation begins to wear on the young man. He avoids the father he feels he can't please. He quits wearing the gifts he can't maintain. And he even begins longing for the simpler days of the pigpen. "No one hounded me there."
That's the rest of the story. Wondering where I found it? On page 1,892 of my Bible, in the book of Galatians. Thanks to some legalistic big brothers, Paul's readers had gone from grace receiving to law keeping.
* * * * *
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.. (Gal. 1:6-7)
* * * * *
Joy snatchers infiltrated the Roman church as well. Paul had to remind them, "But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work" (Rom. 4:5).
Philippian Christians heard the same foolishness. Big brothers weren't telling them to wear a ring on their thumb, but they were insisting "you must be circumcised to be saved" (Phil. 3:2).
Even the Jerusalem church, the flagship congregation, heard the solemn monotones of the Quality Control Board. Non-Jewish believers were being told, "You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised as Moses taught us" (Acts 15:1 NCV)
The churches suffered from the same malady: grace blockage. The Father might let you in the gate, but you have to earn your place at the table. God makes the down payment on your redemption, but you pay the monthly installments. Heaven gives the boat, but you have to row it if you ever want to see the other shore.
Your deeds don't save you. And your deeds don't keep you saved. Grace does. The next time big brother starts dispensing more snarls than twin Dobermans, loosen your sandals, set your ring on your finger, and quote the apostle of grace who said, "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10 NKJV)
__________________________
From Come Thirsty
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2004) Max Lucado
http://www.maxlucado.net/_product_30305/Come_Thirsty_(Paper)
1-2-3-4-5
1 recent wonderful day
2 things i would like to change about myself
3 ways to add more romance
4 decorations for a door
5 is my favorite number
One recent wonderful day was the other day when it was 50something and we
had an hour and a half to kill while Sarah got ready for work. Ah, it was
Sunday. Because we were supposed to go to church - but noone but me got up.
(next week i will go anyway!) And Zee had been promised a Wendy's Frosty
after church because she had a coupon for a free one. So we all went out to
take Sarah to work so we could fulfill the Frosty pledge. While Sarah got
ready we ran to the Dollar Store where the boys got munchies with the money
they had earned selling duct tape wallets and then we searched for a
playground. We found ball fields but no playground.
Ball fields work. We happened to have a football in the van - woot! The
fields had a set of bleachers for seats and they were empty - the fields and
the bleachers. So we parked and got out. We tossed the football. I even
felt good enough that day to play imaginary baseball with Roo and chase him
all the way around the bases. Roo style of course. LOL - had to redirect him
a few times. Apparently his usual ballfield is a triangle. roflmbo!
Andrew brought an airsoft gun and we decimated a foam cup. (great stress
reliever!)
Lots of laughter, lots of fun. At some point one of the kids said, "This is
the best day."
And it was. It was a great day! Nothing really special. No great amounts
of money. Just family, and beautiful weather, and just enjoying being
together out in life.
Two things i would like to change about myself. . . hmmm, are these things I
CAN change or just things in general? Well, the easier path has to be in
general - which of course would be that I am not sick and . . . that I could
see better. or my hair. or does that one fall under the second category???
I know, the deeper issue here would be like character issues huh? I know I
need to work on the fact that it REALLY bothers me when people think I am
stupid. I do not know why. If i knew why I could probably fix it. Anyway -
I should not even bother about what others think and most of the time and on
most issues I really don't. But it really does bother me when people think
I am stupid.
And - i would like to lose another 40#. It is on my list.
Three ways to add more romance. First of all - DATE! Make time for the
relationship! I think dating should be for after the marriage - that is
when you NEED a break from all that reality and responsibility! Second - be
honest. I think honesty really adds romance to a relationship because you
are freer to be uninhibited. Three - explore candles and quiet and music.
Four decorations for a door. I have no idea where this came from, but it
popped out. Mom mom has a really neat string instrument on this door.
Three strings with 3 beads on strings that hit the other strings when you
close it. Beautiful sound!
I like to put my kids artwork on our front door. Ran out of room on the
fridge with eight kids!
Mom has a snowflake made of bells on her outside door so it jingles when
someone uses the door. Very pretty and useful.
Five. I just like 5. I like the way it looks. I like the way it sounds. I
was born on April 5. My hubby was born on Oct 5. Is that too cool or what??
I like multiples of 5 too.
2 things i would like to change about myself
3 ways to add more romance
4 decorations for a door
5 is my favorite number
One recent wonderful day was the other day when it was 50something and we
had an hour and a half to kill while Sarah got ready for work. Ah, it was
Sunday. Because we were supposed to go to church - but noone but me got up.
(next week i will go anyway!) And Zee had been promised a Wendy's Frosty
after church because she had a coupon for a free one. So we all went out to
take Sarah to work so we could fulfill the Frosty pledge. While Sarah got
ready we ran to the Dollar Store where the boys got munchies with the money
they had earned selling duct tape wallets and then we searched for a
playground. We found ball fields but no playground.
Ball fields work. We happened to have a football in the van - woot! The
fields had a set of bleachers for seats and they were empty - the fields and
the bleachers. So we parked and got out. We tossed the football. I even
felt good enough that day to play imaginary baseball with Roo and chase him
all the way around the bases. Roo style of course. LOL - had to redirect him
a few times. Apparently his usual ballfield is a triangle. roflmbo!
Andrew brought an airsoft gun and we decimated a foam cup. (great stress
reliever!)
Lots of laughter, lots of fun. At some point one of the kids said, "This is
the best day."
And it was. It was a great day! Nothing really special. No great amounts
of money. Just family, and beautiful weather, and just enjoying being
together out in life.
Two things i would like to change about myself. . . hmmm, are these things I
CAN change or just things in general? Well, the easier path has to be in
general - which of course would be that I am not sick and . . . that I could
see better. or my hair. or does that one fall under the second category???
I know, the deeper issue here would be like character issues huh? I know I
need to work on the fact that it REALLY bothers me when people think I am
stupid. I do not know why. If i knew why I could probably fix it. Anyway -
I should not even bother about what others think and most of the time and on
most issues I really don't. But it really does bother me when people think
I am stupid.
And - i would like to lose another 40#. It is on my list.
Three ways to add more romance. First of all - DATE! Make time for the
relationship! I think dating should be for after the marriage - that is
when you NEED a break from all that reality and responsibility! Second - be
honest. I think honesty really adds romance to a relationship because you
are freer to be uninhibited. Three - explore candles and quiet and music.
Four decorations for a door. I have no idea where this came from, but it
popped out. Mom mom has a really neat string instrument on this door.
Three strings with 3 beads on strings that hit the other strings when you
close it. Beautiful sound!
I like to put my kids artwork on our front door. Ran out of room on the
fridge with eight kids!
Mom has a snowflake made of bells on her outside door so it jingles when
someone uses the door. Very pretty and useful.
Five. I just like 5. I like the way it looks. I like the way it sounds. I
was born on April 5. My hubby was born on Oct 5. Is that too cool or what??
I like multiples of 5 too.
Simple Pleasures
~favorite simple pleasures
*Country magazine
*following my children around and letting them set the pace and the agenda
*a park on a pretty day
*flowers - any kind any where any time any reason - or no reason!
*a perfect cup of tea
*the ~ key on my computer. it is my favorite key. so pretty and it does not have an actual use so there are no rules for it. it is also in the top left corner under Esc
*my husband's shoulder. so nice to snuggle into!
*pretty sunny days. some days are just so beautiful it almost hurts!
*freedom. freedom to drive anywhere i want, watch anything i want, say anything i want. we are so blessed. so so so blessed!!
*a day with no have to's ~ no time constraints
*Country magazine
*following my children around and letting them set the pace and the agenda
*a park on a pretty day
*flowers - any kind any where any time any reason - or no reason!
*a perfect cup of tea
*the ~ key on my computer. it is my favorite key. so pretty and it does not have an actual use so there are no rules for it. it is also in the top left corner under Esc
*my husband's shoulder. so nice to snuggle into!
*pretty sunny days. some days are just so beautiful it almost hurts!
*freedom. freedom to drive anywhere i want, watch anything i want, say anything i want. we are so blessed. so so so blessed!!
*a day with no have to's ~ no time constraints
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