I realized something last night...
....that I really do have the 3 best children in the created world.
More about gay marriage...
I've decided to expand more on the gay marriage theme, since I've had so many people visit my blog from my last entry (which cracked me up, since some of them were my very vocal critics, telling me to keep MY God out of THEIR laws. I'm so glad they've felt led to continue checking in here!)
One issue that amuses me is the biology issue. Women are soft; men are firm. Women are smooth; men are hairy. Women have soft voices; men have deep ones. Women are short(er); men are tall(er). And the list goes on....What most women find attractive about men are the things that make them different from themselves. And vice versa. My husband would not be nearly as attracted to me if I had razor stubble on my face and a receding hairline. Nor would I find him appealing if he had a soft voice and breasts. That is biology.
Then there is the argument that we are not merely mammals, but we are animals. The people spouting off their zoology theology may call themselves that, but I will stick to the label "human"and I will even take that a step further and say what I have said before....just because homosexual behavior is exhibited by some animals in nature does not mean that it is acceptable and right. A cat cleans itself by licking itself, monkeys eat bugs off their families, and most all animals eat their placentas. Though many humans perhaps do these very things, it is NOT considered the "norm" nor is it considered appropriate behavior.
What it all boils down to is sin. God ordained marriage and family -- it was the first institution that was created. It is sacred and holy. Why would a gay or lesbian family even WANT to be married?
Benefits. Insurance. The right to make legal decisions for their "significant other". The right to have children together and raise them together.
Reminds me of the women's lib movement and how we have demanded to be treated equally. Now we are a country at war and mother's have had to deploy, leaving their children without their mamas while they fight and die for our country. Makes absolutely no sense to me. Anyone who is a mother or has a mother can vouch for the difference a mother makes in their lives. Daddies are fantastic, no doubt, but when a child falls down and gets hurt, they want their mama. No one should have to live without their mothers for months....even years at a time while their mamas are off fighting -- a job once reserved for men only, but we fought -- and won -- the "right" to be separated from our families.
Adding fuel to the fire is the liberal "Christians" among us who applaud the California decision and spew hatred toward more conservative Christians because we interpret the Bible as it was given to us by the one true God. God says homosexuality is sin, so we interpret that as sin. These "others" that I speak of say "nah, He didn't really mean that." (Sounds strikingly familiar to the serpent in the garden...."Did God *really* say....?"). I have but one verse for them...." but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6. I strongly urge them to consider the weight of that....
Gay marriage? It is nothing but a slap in the face to the Creator of the Universe.
One issue that amuses me is the biology issue. Women are soft; men are firm. Women are smooth; men are hairy. Women have soft voices; men have deep ones. Women are short(er); men are tall(er). And the list goes on....What most women find attractive about men are the things that make them different from themselves. And vice versa. My husband would not be nearly as attracted to me if I had razor stubble on my face and a receding hairline. Nor would I find him appealing if he had a soft voice and breasts. That is biology.
Then there is the argument that we are not merely mammals, but we are animals. The people spouting off their zoology theology may call themselves that, but I will stick to the label "human"and I will even take that a step further and say what I have said before....just because homosexual behavior is exhibited by some animals in nature does not mean that it is acceptable and right. A cat cleans itself by licking itself, monkeys eat bugs off their families, and most all animals eat their placentas. Though many humans perhaps do these very things, it is NOT considered the "norm" nor is it considered appropriate behavior.
What it all boils down to is sin. God ordained marriage and family -- it was the first institution that was created. It is sacred and holy. Why would a gay or lesbian family even WANT to be married?
Benefits. Insurance. The right to make legal decisions for their "significant other". The right to have children together and raise them together.
Reminds me of the women's lib movement and how we have demanded to be treated equally. Now we are a country at war and mother's have had to deploy, leaving their children without their mamas while they fight and die for our country. Makes absolutely no sense to me. Anyone who is a mother or has a mother can vouch for the difference a mother makes in their lives. Daddies are fantastic, no doubt, but when a child falls down and gets hurt, they want their mama. No one should have to live without their mothers for months....even years at a time while their mamas are off fighting -- a job once reserved for men only, but we fought -- and won -- the "right" to be separated from our families.
Adding fuel to the fire is the liberal "Christians" among us who applaud the California decision and spew hatred toward more conservative Christians because we interpret the Bible as it was given to us by the one true God. God says homosexuality is sin, so we interpret that as sin. These "others" that I speak of say "nah, He didn't really mean that." (Sounds strikingly familiar to the serpent in the garden...."Did God *really* say....?"). I have but one verse for them...." but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6. I strongly urge them to consider the weight of that....
Gay marriage? It is nothing but a slap in the face to the Creator of the Universe.
Homeschool Commencement '08 (and why my camera sucks)
Last night was our homeschool groups commencement ceremony. It was a huge success, even though the a/c seemed to be a bit faulty (either that or I'm truly having hot flashes!).
We had 2 girls graduating high school and their speeches and prayers were nothing short of eloquent and convicting. I told both of their mothers afterwards that if our children turned out half as well as these 2 young godly women did, we would have done something right. And I'm not exaggerating. Their parents have *so* much to be proud of. (One of the graduates is 15 and was awarded the William Carey Scholarship ~ so, 4 years completely paid. The award was for $50K).
Each age group sang and recited a verse, and faculty member Dr. Rex Butler gave a short exhortation to the parents of homeschoolers and then handed the children their certificates and shook their hand. (Always generous, Griffin tried to give Dr. Butler his certificate back!)
Tucker even boogied a bit in the front row when his group sang "Peace Like a River".
So it is official -- Griffin is now entering kindergarten and Tucker, 3rd grade.
Where are the pictures, you ask? Well, that's where the 2nd part of my post title comes in. My camera decided that this was the perfect opportunity to just flat out die. Everything I attempted either had such a long delay or was so blurry it isn't even worth posting.
Time goes so quickly... I know for the graduate's parents they probably remember like yesterday when their 6 year old was up on the stage dancing to a non-danceable song and thinking it was nothing short of precious. I am reminded to cherish today, and embrace each moment with my children.
I was also encouraged to keep on keeping on when it comes to schooling the kids. Some days just get so rote and I often wonder if what I'm doing really is making a difference. It was nice to hear from Dr. Butler (who homeschooled his children) and from the graduates that homeschooling really DID make a difference. I needed to hear that. God knows just when to send the right words of encouragement, doesn't He?
We had 2 girls graduating high school and their speeches and prayers were nothing short of eloquent and convicting. I told both of their mothers afterwards that if our children turned out half as well as these 2 young godly women did, we would have done something right. And I'm not exaggerating. Their parents have *so* much to be proud of. (One of the graduates is 15 and was awarded the William Carey Scholarship ~ so, 4 years completely paid. The award was for $50K).
Each age group sang and recited a verse, and faculty member Dr. Rex Butler gave a short exhortation to the parents of homeschoolers and then handed the children their certificates and shook their hand. (Always generous, Griffin tried to give Dr. Butler his certificate back!)
Tucker even boogied a bit in the front row when his group sang "Peace Like a River".
So it is official -- Griffin is now entering kindergarten and Tucker, 3rd grade.
Where are the pictures, you ask? Well, that's where the 2nd part of my post title comes in. My camera decided that this was the perfect opportunity to just flat out die. Everything I attempted either had such a long delay or was so blurry it isn't even worth posting.
Time goes so quickly... I know for the graduate's parents they probably remember like yesterday when their 6 year old was up on the stage dancing to a non-danceable song and thinking it was nothing short of precious. I am reminded to cherish today, and embrace each moment with my children.
I was also encouraged to keep on keeping on when it comes to schooling the kids. Some days just get so rote and I often wonder if what I'm doing really is making a difference. It was nice to hear from Dr. Butler (who homeschooled his children) and from the graduates that homeschooling really DID make a difference. I needed to hear that. God knows just when to send the right words of encouragement, doesn't He?
Ok, this whole gay-marriage thing....
On a parenting board I frequent, I am one of only a handful of Christians. And so when anything newsworthy (or not-so-newsworthy) happens, those few of us who claim to believe the Bible stand up for it (as Paul stated, "I am not ashamed of the gospel..."), and of course we get flamed for being intolerant, unloving, yada, yada, yada....
However, I like to remember that Jesus was not "tolerant" of sin. As the saying goes, love the sinner; hate the sin.
And so, to make my point, I am stating quite simply what I believe:
The Bible is clear about homosexuality....
I do not believe people are "born gay". I do not believe there is a "gay gene". I do believe that homosexuality is a sinful desire. I think we all wrestle with our own sinful desires...be it gluttony, covetousness, lying, adultery, etc...but we have to learn self-control (which is admittedly difficult, but self control is one of the fruits of the spirit...so we can be overcomers with the power of God in us). Why some struggle more than others is a mystery. There are questions that we won't know the answers to until we get to ask God face to face. But one thing I am certain of. God doesn't make mistakes. Every single person walking this planet today do so because the Creator of the universe deemed it so.
I know that many "Christians" do not believe the Bible is the inspired word of God (despite "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16), but I do wonder....how can those who call themselves Christians deliberately twist the word of God? As someone so wisely pointed out to me...Jesus was clear what he meant when he said, ""Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)
And that is all I have to say about that.
However, I like to remember that Jesus was not "tolerant" of sin. As the saying goes, love the sinner; hate the sin.
And so, to make my point, I am stating quite simply what I believe:
The Bible is clear about homosexuality....
- Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. (Lev. 18:22)
- Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.(Romans 1:26, 27)
- Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offender (1 Cor. 6:9)
- In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 7)
I do not believe people are "born gay". I do not believe there is a "gay gene". I do believe that homosexuality is a sinful desire. I think we all wrestle with our own sinful desires...be it gluttony, covetousness, lying, adultery, etc...but we have to learn self-control (which is admittedly difficult, but self control is one of the fruits of the spirit...so we can be overcomers with the power of God in us). Why some struggle more than others is a mystery. There are questions that we won't know the answers to until we get to ask God face to face. But one thing I am certain of. God doesn't make mistakes. Every single person walking this planet today do so because the Creator of the universe deemed it so.
I know that many "Christians" do not believe the Bible is the inspired word of God (despite "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16), but I do wonder....how can those who call themselves Christians deliberately twist the word of God? As someone so wisely pointed out to me...Jesus was clear what he meant when he said, ""Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21)
And that is all I have to say about that.
More about Miracles...
Miracles. They are all around us. Fortunately for me, I have been witness to several of them recently:
- Tricia L. has new lungs and was discharged from the hospital a mere 3 weeks after her transplant!
- Gwyneth L. , born at 23 weeks, went home TODAY! Alive, healthy, and beautiful. How's that for a 1-2 combo miracle?!
- My sweet new -- I guess they would be my 3rd cousins?-- Alexis and Chloe, are doing well, eating well, and hopefully will be able to come home in the next week!
- My darling husband just finished a BEAR of a semester with an A and 2 B's. He rocked his finals and his papers were outstanding. All this while working a full time job and spending time with his family!
New life...
Welcome to the world, Chloe and Alexis!
My cousin's daughter had twin baby girls last night. At 34 weeks, they are doing very well and their personalities and temperments are already shining through, according to their grandmother, my cousin (who I like to call Nanny Janny, only because it is annoying and annoying her brings me pleasure).
The psalmist David wrote "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...". Anyone who has had the privilege to witness birth can attest to those words. Birth is an amazing and powerful event, and the hidden details always make me stand in awe of our Creator.
One look at Chloe and Alexis will tell the world that they are, indeed, wonderfully made.
Happy birthday, girls!
My cousin's daughter had twin baby girls last night. At 34 weeks, they are doing very well and their personalities and temperments are already shining through, according to their grandmother, my cousin (who I like to call Nanny Janny, only because it is annoying and annoying her brings me pleasure).
The psalmist David wrote "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...". Anyone who has had the privilege to witness birth can attest to those words. Birth is an amazing and powerful event, and the hidden details always make me stand in awe of our Creator.
One look at Chloe and Alexis will tell the world that they are, indeed, wonderfully made.
Happy birthday, girls!
The World's Best Homeschooling Mother
Just reading that title makes me feel inadequate! Why is it that mothers feel guilty about nearly every decision they make? Stay home, go to work, homeschool, public school, spank or give time outs.....the list is virtually endless. And when you homeschool, you add pressure when it comes to the end of the "school year" and you are faced with curriculum choices and how well your children are doing academically.
I have to constantly remind myself that this is not a competition. My dear husband is so good at reminding me of Galatians 1:10: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
It is *so* not about what others are doing, or teaching, or singing, or learning. It is about my relationship with God and with my children.
If I am teaching my children as I'm commanded to:
...then what have I to fear? I am doing all that is required of me. I can rest knowing that I am the world's best homeschooling mother for Tucker, Griffin, and Anne Claire.
And that is all I want to be.
Have a blessed Mother's Day!
I have to constantly remind myself that this is not a competition. My dear husband is so good at reminding me of Galatians 1:10: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
It is *so* not about what others are doing, or teaching, or singing, or learning. It is about my relationship with God and with my children.
If I am teaching my children as I'm commanded to:
| Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. | |
| These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. | |
| Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. | |
| Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. | |
| Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. |
...then what have I to fear? I am doing all that is required of me. I can rest knowing that I am the world's best homeschooling mother for Tucker, Griffin, and Anne Claire.
And that is all I want to be.
Have a blessed Mother's Day!
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