Nudge: Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” — Proverbs 12:1
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Laura
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Laura
Ode to the Shining Example
My mother has so many endearing qualities. I will focus on two that are so intertwined, I don’t know how to separate the two. First, she loved (and still does) her children more than just about anything. She is the most selfless person I’ve ever known. We were her world. Second, she is a devoted Christian. I cannot remember a time in my childhood missing worship, and as we grew, we were always at the center of anything going on at church. Visiting preachers came home with us for Sunday dinner — their whole families too. Even today, she is busy working in the church, preparing items for the battered women’s shelter, organizing the other women to send cards to the sick, helping host birthday parties and dinners for the widows, helping with VBS. She just looks around at anything that is happening and finds *something* she can do to help.
So why are these two qualities to intertwined? It is her great love for me and the Christian example she set before me that have, many times through the years, helped keep me on the straight and narrow. You see, the thought of disappointing her and causing her pain makes me cringe. Is she perfect? Of course not. No human is. But those are some pretty big shoes for any woman to fill, in my estimation. She is a shining example and one that I strive to emulate, even today. Thanks be to God for this woman.
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Laura
Poetry
Many of our hymns are poetry set to music. While not particularly upbeat, one such example that sticks in my mind well is Alfred Tennyson’s Crossing the Bar. I recall in senior AP English that our teacher assigned this poem to be memorized. Much to her surprise, I quoted it verbatim on the spot and was the only student that knew the meaning of the poem. As I explained, this poem was set to music and we sing it in our worship services. It is a beautiful poem. I think I got an A+ on that assignment. :)
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.-
Mike Riley
Laura, yes, this is a beautiful song and very meaningful poem by Tennyson.
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Tim Hester
The blood and the glass,
The beer and the wine.
All mingled together,
All intertwined.The hush of the crowd,
The cry of a mother,
Who’s son or daughter
Was like no other.Ghostly figures of
Of red, blue, and amber
Dance through the night
Causing us to remember.The lives of those
So young that was lost
For a moment of fun,
They paid the cost.-
Laura
Very good Tim. Did you write this? I would like to share with my sons.
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Laura
Get Thee Hence, Satan!
Which rebuke by Jesus draws my attention the most? It would be Jesus’ rebuke of Satan, when he tempted our Lord. Why this one? Because 1) Jesus recognized temptation for what it was — even when the temptation came in the form of twisted scripture, 2) Jesus recognized the true source of the temptation, 3) Jesus was well versed in the sword of the Spirit and used that to defend Himself, and 4) Jesus was not afraid to call out Satan for what he was doing and take full control of the situation. How many times will we shrink from being bold in these situations? If we truly want to overcome temptation, this is the case to study.
Note: modified title. Jesus said in Matthew 4:10, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” The statement “Get thee behind me, Satan” was said as a rebuke by Jesus of Peter in Matthew 16:23.
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Mike Riley
Laura, you are exactly right – this is the case to study for successfully overcoming temptation.
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Laura
It is Finished
Jesus’ statement, “it is finished” sticks with me. These three words are not a statement of merely the end of His earthly life. It is so deep and carries with it so much.
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Laura
Favorite Flower
White calla lilies. I carried them in my wedding.
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Laura
Most Useful Gift
I know this will sound like a cop out, but I cannot think of any one physical gift that was more useful than others. There are certainly some that were not useful at all… But the one most useful gift of all time is the gift of salvation that God has given to mankind. For that, I remain thankful each and every day.
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J. Randal Matheny
I must have beat your post by seconds. Usually, if when we ask for the most or best or whatever superlative, you can’t come up with one, go for something that gets in the ballpark. Good rather than best, useful instead of most useful, etc.
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Laura
Pretty much all the useful gifts I’ve gotten were ones I asked for.
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J. Randal Matheny
So you’re saying that you’re a hard person to figure out? ;-)
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Laura
I guess it just depends on what you mean by “useful”. I made it clear years ago that vacuum cleaners were not acceptable gifts. :)
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Laura
Grouchy People
What makes me grouchy? Other grouchy people. That and waking up at 5:55am on a Saturday morning exhausted and unable to go back to sleep.
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Laura
Philippians
Funny you should mention Philippians. Our preacher is covering that book on Sunday evenings. So far he has completed 7 lessons and just finished discussing Epaphroditus in chapter 2. All of Donnie’s lessons except the last one are online in our media library. It’s all been good, but I think the thing that has made the biggest impression on me is Paul’s unwavering dedication to the cause of the Lord, even while chained in prison. Oh, if we were to have such dedication. We all too often let the little things in life cause us to take our eyes off the mark. Paul is one to be studied and emulated.
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Mike Riley
Good points, Laura!
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Laura
Thanks Mike. To me, Paul is the greatest example of repentance in the Bible. Talk about a complete 180 degree turn!!!
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Laura
Daily nudge: did you delay?
I didn’t really delay of my own free will. When I decided that’s what I needed to do, I went to my parents immediately. They thought I was being emotional because I had just returned from Bible camp, and there were quite a few baptisms that week. I was also a young but rather precocious child. So they put me off, wanting to test me. A week later, I was pestering them again after Sunday evening service. We sat down and studied and then went back to the church building that night.
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Laura
Place I want to visit
Too many to count. Tops on my list are Scotland and New Zealand. :)
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Richard Mansel
New Zealand is breathtaking.
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Laura
So I hear. I want to go on a photo shoot there.
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Laura
The Doll
For children in the USA, Christmas is probably the most anticipated day of the year. Children count down the days until Santa comes. They write Christmas lists, telling Santa their deepest desires. I remember one such year oh so long ago, and I remember making that list. There was one thing on that list that I wanted more than anything: a particular doll — a Barbie doll. You see, my best friend had one, and I so wanted one too. So I eagerly wrote my list and gave it to my mother, who promised to deliver it to Santa and even took me to see him and have my picture made with him.
I waited and waited for Christmas to come, even though it seemed it would never arrive, but finally that grand and magical day did come, as it will always do. As I tore through my presents, feverishly tossing paper right and left, I caught a glimpse of some legs, and then the body… Oh what joy!!! And then the smiles that lit my face turned slowly to sadness and tears as I realized that the doll I had received was not the doll I had requested. It was not a Barbie at all. You see, I received a “substitute” doll, a cheap knock-off of the real thing. My parents meant no harm. They really didn’t think it mattered. Laura wanted a doll, and she got a doll. What harm could come from giving a less expensive, imitation of the real thing? Yet to this little girl, it meant the world.
So why tell this story today? As I think back on that day in which my joy turned to sorrow over something as seemingly simple and silly as a doll, I consider something somewhat analogous yet much more important today. How disappointed and frustrated God must be when He made His list of the gifts of worship HE wants, and yet his creation chooses to give him substitute gifts. Many think, oh God doesn’t really care. It matters not if our gift of music is the exact gift He has requested, as long as we give Him something of music. So many will substitute the simple purity of the human voice that teaches and admonishes for that of instruments of music that can neither teach nor admonish. I hope and pray that each who reads this will think of the little child’s heart and put yourself in her place. Then look to God and realize that when one truly loves and wants to please someone else, he should seek to learn what the other wants and then seek to provide that gift and not a “cheap substitute”.
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Mike Riley
We can “Amen” what you’ve said here, Laura! God doesn’t want substitutes any more than you wanted that “substitute” doll. Great spiritual points and great story!
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Weylan Deaver
Good thoughts, Laura.
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Laura
First paying job?
Technically, my first paying job was feeding the neighbors cats, followed by baby sitting. Neither did I do frequently or regularly, so one could hardly think of that as earning any kind of living. The first real, steady job I had was working at a local greenhouse and floral shop. I worked there beginning with when I could drive and continued through much of college. I started out sweeping floors and potting plants. As I proved my ability to handle responsibility, I was given more important tasks. When all was said and done, I had done just about every job there except for cutting checks to pay the bills and the employees. That included working with the wealthy customers to decorate their home for elaborate parties and directing weddings. The job paid minimum wage, regardless of what I did or how hard I worked, but it was good experience and a nice steady paycheck. Still, it was good incentive to do well in college so I could get a higher paying job!
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Mike Riley
Laura, did working at a greenhouse and floral shop turn you into a “green thumb?”
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Laura
It did at first. My plants thrived and bloomed like crazy. Then children happened, and I stopped paying attention to my plants. I lost my green thumb.
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Laura
Humor in the Bible
My favorite humorous account in the Bible is that of Baalam’s donkey. I’m sure it wasn’t funny to him, but looking at it from centuries later, it’s a riot.
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Mike Riley
Laura, if only animals could talk today. Wonder what they would say regarding their owners? Some food for thought…….
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Laura
Safety Measures
I’m a safety freak, so to speak. Some call me a mama lioness. A mother hen might be a better description. Our teenagers have no idea what it’s like to ride in a car without 3-point seat belts. From infancy, they’ve been in proper restraints. I refused to buy a junker for my son to drive, even though the insurance company recommended such. Instead, I found an older Volvo that was built like a tank. Cool? No, but much safer. I love my kids too much to put them in a death trap. I want to know where they will be and with whom — they are to text me when they leave and arrive if going out at night. I could go on and on, but I won’t… Beyond the normal, I seem to have an innate danger detector. E.g., for reasons I cannot explain, I sensed imminent danger several years ago while outdoors at a particular location. The very next day, the DC sniper shot someone at the gas station next door to where we were. He was sitting across the street on a hill overlooking the place where we were. We had been under enormous stress for weeks due to the sniper. But that one day, I just freaked. Creepy, huh?
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Mike Riley
Laura, guess you have ESP, huh? It’s better to be safe than sorry.
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Laura
I don’t really believe in ESP. I’ve always been a very observant person. I suspect the sniper and his side kick were there at the time scoping the area out, and I just picked up on it subconsciously. But it was really freaky…
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Richard Mansel
Great post. Thanks for sharing.
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John Henson
Our son’s first car was a Volvo. He grew up with similar safety-minded parents.
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Laura
I failed to mention Internet safety, which is of utmost importance to us. We have used Net Nanny, which isn’t perfect and can cause conflicts with your computer set up, but when it works, it provides an enormous amount of safety in blocking bad sites from the view of children and provides logs for what they view and also complete 2-way conversations in Instant Message apps like AOL IM. I know my children were embarrassed when their friends would come over and see what they had to deal with, but I didn’t care. And you wouldn’t believe what other kids will say to yours if they think it is private. One girl got reported to the school who was ecstatic about having hard evidence of her behavior because they had been having difficulty convincing her guardian that she had a problem.
My 17 year old now has Internet on his cell phone. Verizon provides parental controls which include site ratings like movies (e.g., only PG sites) and time controls. At 11pm, his phone shuts off except for calling home, his family’s cell phones, or the police. We don’t have to worry about him staying up half the night texting some girl…
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Laura
Favorite Food
Before I found out I was gluten intolerant, my favorite food was pizza. Eating has gotten to be more of a necessity in life since. Today, I’d say my favorite food is spiritual food. Perhaps the Lord was trying to teach me something.
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Laura
Announcement: Purcellville Media Library
I am nearing completion of a large media library containing audio and video of sermons from our congregation in Purcellville, Virginia. Some sermons also include Power Point sides. The library itself is complete. I am still adding content to the library from our archives and expect to have over 400 lessons once the archive conversion is complete. I am also recording and adding new sermons on a weekly basis. The library is fully searchable by keyword and organized by tags, making it relatively easy to find sermons on topics of interest. Those who subscribe are automatically notified when new sermons are added to the library.
Please stop in and visit our library. You may just find a few gems. :)
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Mike Riley
Thanks for the invitation, Laura! Will have to visit and see what goodies I can find.
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Charlotte Pollock
Hi Laura,
This is a wonderful resource. And it’s so user friendly that anyone, from computer novice onward, will find it a snap to use.
You can see all the hard work you’ve put in, and I’ll thank you for it every time I wander through the library’s aisles.
Blessings,
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Laura
Thanks guys. If you have any suggestions for how to make it better, I’d love to hear. My goal is to make this a useful too for the kingdom.
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Larry Miles
Hi– I can open the files, audio and video on my PC but cannot on my new MacBook Pro– I must need a plug-in– still learning the ins and outs of a Mac– May the Lord bless in this effort.
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J. Randal Matheny
So you finally got it, Larry! Congrats!
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Laura
Hi Larry. Hmmm. Not good. Obviously we don’t want to lock out Mac users. Most of the files are wma or wmv format. There are some that are mp3. I would think you should be able to natively listen to the mp3 files. The wma/wmv format is a Microsoft format. It’s been around so long that I had just assumed that almost anything could handle it. I don’t have a Mac, so I can’t really test it myself. Our new preacher does, so perhaps I can get with him to figure out what Macs need. Try this link and tell me what, if any of the files on this page you can view/listen to:
http://purcellvillecoc.org/media/?p=214
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Laura
Daily Commute
I hate sitting in traffic. It’s probably the biggest waste of time there is. I hate it so much that I go into work late and stay late, just to avoid the traffic as much as is possible. My commute is about 28 miles, which in good traffic takes 35-40 minutes. In bad traffic… it is anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. To make matters worse, I am alone during that time, which isn’t *always* a bad thing. In the morning, I usually call my folks a few times a week. They seem to like that, and it passes the time. I also check the news on the radio to find out what’s happening in the world about me. Depending on how the day is lining up, I might even start it in the car by touching base with my customers. In the evening, I try to use it to reflect on the day and unwind from the stressful job I have, and that usually works unless I have to, you got it, sit in traffic. If I am particularly sad or bothered by something, I have a few CDs of a capella congregational singing that I keep loaded in the CD player. After a few songs, I can’t help but sing along. It really changes my attitude.
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Laura
Did you ever get into a fight you later regretted?
I think I’ve regretted every fight I’ve gotten into. I don’t like conflict. I like peace, but sadly sin and wickedness prevent peace in many situations. Even if the fight was for some good cause, I always look back and think I could have handled this or that better. Be slow to speak. It’s hard to do that in the heat of a battle.
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Laura
Authority
When I think of authority, I think of Jesus. Jesus claims authority for His commands.
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” Matthew 28:18
“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12:48.
Sadly, the majority of people today, even many who are religious, do not want to accept the authority of Jesus because that means they would have to change their lives. Oh these people claim they recognize His authority, but then turn around and say we are under no law today. How rare it is to hear sermons on authority in religion. Fortunately we’ve had quite a few very good lessons on this subject, and I pray we continue to do so. Our children need to learn respect for authority. They certainly are not going to learn it from the world today!
Here is a lesson I highly recommend on the subject: We Must Have Bible Authority.
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Laura
Great, Motivating Questions
I think the biggest question that has made a difference for me is, “How do you know that is true?” “That” can be anything regarding religious teachings or things in the secular world. It has caused me to always question and seek evidence to back up claims made, whether they be claims about some aspect of the gospel, claims about a person that might defame his/her character, or claims about some new diet pill or similar. I want to make sure that any decision I make is based on truth.
Along these lines, we had a gospel meeting several years back entitled, Great Questions of the Bible.-
J. Randal Matheny
Good one, Laura. That series looks interesting. I’ve spent a number of sermon series on different things that Jesus did or said. A couple of series were the compliments Jesus paid people and the rebukes he gave. Maybe a series on the questions Jesus asked are in order. Anyway, your question is one that needs to be heard more and more, but that fewer want to ask.
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Laura
Qualities of my best friend
So now that we’ve gotten past the “not your mate” thing… Here are the qualities that make for a best friend, IMHO:
1. someone you can talk to about anything and everything, knowing any advice you get will be from the perspective of looking out for your best interest.
2. knows you better than anyone else does.
3. shares your same goals and perspectives on life.
4. never get tired of “hanging out” with him or her
5. even when you disagree, you can never stay mad at each other.
6. things seem amiss if you don’t talk to each other a few times a day.
There’s probably more, but that’s a good start.
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Richard Mansel
Ditto.
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Mike Riley
Sounds like some pretty good qualities to me!
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Laura
I thought of a few more:
7. the question, “how are you?” is not just a courtesy. you each genuinely want to know how the other is doing.
8. is dependable — is always there for you when you need him or her, and you want to be there for him or her if you are needed.
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Laura
Qualities of your best friend (not your mate)?
My best friend is my mate. Sorry Randal. :(
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J. Randal Matheny
That’s expected, so the meaning is, your next best friend, besides your mate. :)
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Laura
I don’t have one.
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J. Randal Matheny
OK, how about choosing “a” friend? :)
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J. Randal Matheny
Joy is kicking against the goads, too, so we’re going to be gracious and let you be an exception.
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joyjensen
haha…really not trying to be difficult. :)
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Laura
I’m just being honest. It would be disingenuous to say I have a best friend beyond my husband when I don’t.
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Laura
Talents not listed in scripture
God has blessed me with many talents, but I’ll go with one not listed in scripture as my best, just to be different. I have a gift for computers, so I handle all our congregations’ IT needs: web site, online advertising for meetings, email, office computer. I also record, edit (on computer), and publish our sermons and gospel meetings on our web site and press DVDs for our library. I’m presently working with one of our deacons to build an online bible study program (computer based training package) — much like a bible correspondence study by mail, but online with instant display of scriptures, feedback, and the ability of the student to ask questions that get routed to a teacher, who can then review the student’s answers and respond. What I do is a small behind-the-scenes thing, but (I hope) it makes a difference.
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J. Randal Matheny
I was going to come back with a snide answer, but some readers might not realize the fun we have at this. So I’ll also avoid being … unctuous and just say that without the behind-the-scenes work, the upfront efforts wouldn’t make their destination. How’s the online study coming, BTW?
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Laura
I appreciate you sparing me the drippy insincere compliments, even if only in public… :) The deacon is working on content while I’m working on identifying the right software and figuring out how to extend it. I actually had to put it down temporarily to take care of some other more pressing matters. I hope to get back to it in about 2 weeks.
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Laura
Car or Computer?
That’s a tough call. You cannot live where I live and not have a car, but since my work is all on computers, then I would have to choose to keep the computer (to earn a living) and find someone who would let me telecommute.
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paulaharington
And if we kept our computer we could always buy a new car off E-Bay, right?? :)
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Laura
Silence
I believe this sums it up:
The Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth keep silence before Him.
Keep silence.
Keep silence.
Keep silence before Him.What I think about what God says has no bearing on what He says. When God speaks, we should keep silent and listen.
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Laura
Adult Sunday AM class is studying “The Four-Fold Gospel”. We’ve been in John for the past few weeks. This is a lecture style class with encouraged discussion. No books. Teacher sometimes gives suggested reading for the next class.
Adult Wed. PM class is studying 1,2,3 John. We have books. Teacher uses Power Point slides to lecture and gives assigned questions to answer in the book.
What’s next? Teachers usually take suggestions from the class and then work something up.
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Laura
Defying the Government
With the advent of the house’s momentous passage of the health care bill, in direct opposition to the will of the people, some are now advocating defying the government by not complying with the new law and refusing to purchase health insurance. It worries me that so many are quick to jump on this wagon. Do not the scriptures teach that we are to obey our governments? I do not see in scripture anything that says we are to obey IF we agree with the laws. The only time I find in scripture where a Christian is allowed to disobey the government is if the government instructs him to do something contrary to God’s will (e.g., forbidding us to meet and worship on the Lord’s day). Last time I checked, buying health insurance isn’t against God’s will. Whether or not the government forcing us to do this is constitutional or not is another question, and one for worldly courts to decide. Until such time as the courts deem it unconstitutional, are we not required to obey this law?
What think ye?
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Mike Riley
Laura, yes, we’re supposed to obey the laws of the land as long as they don’t conflict with biblical principles.
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Laura
According to this article (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/22/irs-serve-health-reform-enforcer-lacks-authority-enforce/), the IRS (deemed the enforcer of this law), has no real means to enforce other than to withhold any tax refund coming to those who fail to comply. In essence, the IRS will have to rely on the conscience of the individuals to comply. That makes it rather easy for people to simply ignore it, which is in essence, defiance.
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Mike Riley
Laura, thanks for posting this article! I just figured that the government would have build more prisons to incarcerate those folks who didn’t want insurance coverage.
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Daniel Haynes
Amen, Laura. Well said!
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Weylan Deaver
I can appreciate your point, Laura. But, to make it more complicated, here’s something to ponder. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and it mandates that all powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states. As an American under the Constitution, am I at the whim of a body of foolish legislators if they decide to run roughshod over that founding document? In other words, does the latest legislation automatically trump the Constitution, unless and until the Supreme Court sometime in the future declares it unconstitutional (assuming it is not stacked with judges as foolish and ignorant as our legislators)? So, now I have to obey what Congress did that they had no right to do. But, if the Court later throws it out, then I don’t have to obey it any longer. But, all the while, per the Constitution itself, the legislation had no right to be passed in the first place. Assume, for example, that Congress passed a bill, signed into law by the President, stating that extraordinary times call for annulling the Bill of Rights. They completely bypass the only lawful (i.e. Constitutional) means of amending the Constitution. At this point, I’m not willing to say I’m obligated to accept such mandates.
Not all societies are equally free, and few enjoy the blessings and privileges of Americans. If I lived under a socialist government operating under a socialist charter, then I’d have to obey them to the extent my conscience allowed. But that’s not the case here. I live under a temporary, socialist President operating in defiance against the permanent charter that we all agree is to govern us and him (and which he is sworn to uphold). As another example, the Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. Suppose the government tells us now the keeping and bearing of arms will be totally illegal–even though the Second Amendment has never been lawfully removed from the Bill of Rights. What to do? In such a conflict, to which authority do you submit? What would the Founders have done?
It’s a complex issue, and I don’t necessarily have it all worked out. But, just as I believe a Christian can serve in the military, I also believe that, in the extreme, things can come to the point where there could be a justified revolution.
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Laura
I don’t see anything in scripture that authorizes the Christian to, as an individual, make the determination as to whether or not a law is constitutional or not and then choose to disobey based on his own assessment. Perhaps you can help me with that? In Bible times there were many rulers who took their positions by force and by disregarding laws of other nations, yet God’s people were still required to submit, regardless. It is sad that such evil exists in the world and puts the Christian in such positions.
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Weylan Deaver
Many have lived and died under cruel dictators, monarchies, etc. If that’s what you’re born under, that’s what you’ll probably live under. I’m saying that America is different–even unique in its organization. It’s not so much that individual citizens should subjectively determine the constitutionality of each law and then comply or not, based on personal whim. Imagine it this way: The Constitution (supreme law of the land) says “X.” The President (not the supreme law of the land) says “Not-X.” At that juncture, I’m not willing to say my God-given duty is to comply with the President when we’ve all already agreed he is subordinate to (not superior to) the Constitution.
I’m not rejecting the principle of obeying civil laws. I obey them as much as anyone, and more than most–even down to the speed limit. I preach from the pulpit the obligation to obey civil rulers. But it’s also true that, as an American, I have more say than most in my government. And, unless we chunk it out the window, my government is still obliged to live by the Constitution. If they would operate accordingly, they would not give rise to these kinds of discussions among law-abiding citizens (not subjects).
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Ken Mabry
I just filled out my census form. All the questions. I’ve seen links advocating just answering the first question about how many people live in your household. Seems all we are constitutionally required to answer. I answered all since my race, age and birthday are no secret. So I will buy health insurance if required. There are bigger battles that may come along. Perhaps one day we will be forbidden to worship on the Lords Day or even be a Christian. Hope I have the courage to stand up
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Laura
I too answered all questions, even though I fail to see how my race, age, birthday, and phone number have anything at all to do with the census. Israel conducted censuses. I wonder what questions they asked? :)
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Daniel Haynes
Is the census required? Sorry, I’m uniformed.
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Laura
I honestly don’t know if citizens are required by law to provide information in the census. I do know that taking a census is mandated by law, so by implication, it would seem that citizens ought to comply.
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Weylan Deaver
Yes, Daniel, federal law requires your participation in the census. It wouldn’t be accurate if it didn’t count everyone. Did you get it in the mail?
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John Henson
Absolutely right, Laura. God and his Christ still rule. It is the Lord that governs and places men in positions to govern. We must submit, because that’s what Christians do.
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Laura
Meterologists and the Bible
The absolutely best and most accurate prediction ever in the history of meteorology was that of the flood. This is the kind of weather forecast that should make meteorologists stop and take a lesson in humility. Given 100 years in advance and with the concept of “rain” not even in existence, this prediction gave the best warning any could ever dream of. And just think if we only had a day’s warning in advance of a tornado — the number of lives that could be saved.
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R R Kelkar
I have written an E-book entitled “Bible Meteorology”. It is posted on my blog http://biblemet.wordpress.com. You may be interested. R R Kelkar, Pune, India.
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Laura
For Randal
My favorite Bible tree is the tree of life. Although I could make an argument for another tree: God’s family tree. :)
Happy? :p
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J. Randal Matheny
A bit bare, but, yeah, it’ll pass the mustard. :)
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Laura
If Jesus is Lord
… then I better act like it.
Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.” (Matt 7:21, KJV) Yet there are so many who have bought into Satan’s lie, just as Eve bought into the lie in the garden. Satan inserts that one 3-letter word, “not”. Sadly, that’s all it takes.
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Laura
The best compliment someone gave me this week is choosing to use my VBS materials.
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Mike Riley
That compliment attests to your scholarship!
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Laura
What is the secret of a good family life?
Today’s nudge is, what is the secret to having a good family life? From my experience, the old saying is true: “The family that prays together, stays together.”
Having God and His church as the central focal point of the family is the key to a good and happy family life. It first starts with the parents. If both parents are focused on God and share the same goal of getting themselves, their mate, and their family to heaven, then they are working as a team. The selfish ambitions that arise in many marital relationships simply do not happen in this environment.
From there, the parents need to be actively involved in the work of the church and involve the children at an early age. Working for the church should be second nature to breathing for the parents, and the children should be taught accordingly — to be workers and not lazy. Any task the child can help with should be given as early as he is able to do so. E.g., helping prepare food for others, sorting clothing to give to the poor, grading Bible correspondence courses, straightening books in the pews, helping prepare communion trays, etc. Anything. What this results in is the family becoming a team, a well oiled machine, so to speak, that works together for the Lord. Children are taught to think about others, rather than themselves and learn that true satisfaction and happiness comes from giving, rather than receiving.
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sbradd
Amen.
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Laura
Decisions, decisions
I love Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Not Taken. It gets to the heart of making hard decisions in the face of the unknown. How do YOU make these decisions in your life?
The Road Not Taken
Robert Frost
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.-
Mike Riley
Laura, I love Mr. Frost’s poem as well, and was thinking about it when I wrote this article:
http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2009/12/27/choosing-the-road-less-traveled/
Mr. Frost is indeed correct – If we take the road less traveled as he said he did in the last stanza of his poem, it will definitely “make all the difference.”
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Laura
Love it Mike! I think I’ll share that with some fellow Christians. :)
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Mike Riley
Thanks, Laura! It is much appreciated.
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Laura
How do you keep a good attitude?
I find that when I’m having attitude problems, listening to congregational singing really helps. I keep several CDs in my car just for that purpose. Of course, one time I was so into the songs that I failed to pay attention to the speed limit sign. My attitude when even further south when the officer pointed out the error of my way. :(
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paulaharington
Oops! :)
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Laura
The Deeper Problem
As if we needed another example of the decaying morals in our society,
Suggestive NJ billboard of jeans ad to come down
Mayor Cory A. Booker … framed it as part of a general decline in standards.
“It’s an issue of what are community standards and why are we consistently condoning language, images and other things that erode those standards,” he said. “This billboard is not the only thing that we should be concerned with. It’s a symptom of a deeper problem that we have to confront within our communities.”
Yes, it is symptomatic of a deeper problem: we, as a society, have shut God out of our communities, our schools, our homes, and our individual lives. So why are we really surprised that the very values and morals that God has given us to abide by are no longer a part of our lives?
At least there is some hope here. Someone in this community found this offensive. That’s a start.
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jimnewy
I agree Laura. I wish something could be done with TV commercials. It seems that there is a push to see who can be the most sexual and get away with it.
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Laura
What stands out about our congregation?
I think one of the biggest things that stands out about our congregation is the percentage of workers. I’ve heard it said, and even seen in some places, that 10% of the people do 90% of the work. Not so in Purcellville. We certainly have some who are not actively engaged, but a very large percentage of the congregation is busy working on something and are willing to work when called upon. For example, we have so many ladies who want to teach, that we’ve started rotating teachers in and out of the children’s classrooms. Yet we only have about 38 or so adults in the congregation.
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Laura
I dread pointing out any kind of error to my fellow Christians
Unfortunately, more often than not, I’ve found that many brethren simply do not want to receive any kind of edification that requires changing what they are doing. I’ve been bitten by brethren more often than I can count. Even gently approaching issues from a standpoint of “have you considered what the Bible says here”, rather that being blunt has yielded poor reactions, which as Randal has pointed out, result in the messenger being attacked. I know full well it is my duty as a Christian to help my brethren, but I fear many suffer from heart disease. We all need to be of the heart of David, willing to honestly self-examine and change at the drop of a hat because we want to please our God. Being one who abhors confrontation to the point I get physically ill from it, the reaction of brethren in such cases has caused me to dread obeying this command.
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Laura
Help for person looking for the church
Hi fellows. It is always a good day when you receive an email from someone who is searching for the true church. As a result, I am searching for a faithful church in Alton, IL and figured this was a good group to turn to. If anyone has suggestions or knows someone who might be able to help, please let me know.
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Paula Harrington
I think the Vaughn Hill Church of Christ is there.
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David R. Kenney
Laura, one should exercise caution in this area of the country. I used to live in Centralia, IL and some areas were impacted by the Crossroads group. I suggest your friend contact Dwight Butler who preached in Salem, IL. He still resides in Salem so finding him should not be too difficult. His guidance will be sound.
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Ron
Laura, there is one in Collinsville (or, more accurately, Troy). I do not know about Alton. If you need contact, just holler.
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Jim
Laura…I just stumbled across your question and it blessed me. I went to preacher’s school just outside of Alton. The congregation in Godfrey was very good to me and I have a lot of good memories of the brethren there. The Vaughn Hill congregation was also a very good congregation and a friend of mine was the minister there. Also, the congregation in Collinsville was a very good congregation. There is also a congregation in Alton that has grown greatly in the past. (I believe the preacher in Alton is Robert Cox.) I will not be hard for your friend (or you) to find good brethren in the area. To my brother who talked about Crossroads…my dear brother, that was a long, long time ago.
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Laura
Thanks all for your responses and pointers. I’ve contacted several congregations in that area and we’ll see where we go.
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Laura
I find I think best in the quiet of the evening. We would get the children ready for bed by 8pm, and that would leave a few hours to study and meditate before resting and then doing it all over again. That may be changing, however, as teenagers like to stay up at night and make mind-jarring noise.
Tim Hester, and 
John Henson, 
Larry Miles, and 2 others are discussing. 
jimnewy is discussing. 
Jim, 
Laura, WOW! You have a super mom that I know you are thankful for. Pray you and your mom have a great Mother’s Day!