I found my Funny!

HT to Stephanie Garcia, Thanks!

Christian Lightbulb Jokes

How many charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?
One, since his/her hands are in the air anyway.

How many Calvinists does it take to change a lightbulb?
None. God has predestined when the lights will be on.

How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?
10, as they need to hold a debate into whether or not the lightbulb exists. Even if they can agree upon the existence of the lightbulb they may not go ahead and change it for fear of alienating those who use fluorescent tubes.

How many Anglo-Catholics does it take to change a lightbulb?
None. They always use candles instead.

How many evangelicals does it take to change a light bulb?
Evangelicals do not change light bulbs. They simply read out the instructions and hope the light bulb will decide to change itself.

How many Atheists does it take to change a lightbulb?
One. But they are still in darkness.

How many Brethren does it take to change a light bulb?
Change?????

How many Pentecostals does it take to change a light bulb?
10, one to change it and 9 others to pray against the spirit of darkness.

How many TV evangelists does it take to change a lightbulb?
One. But for the message of hope to continue to go forth, send in your donation today.

How many campfire worship leaders does it take to change a lightbulb?
One. But soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.

How many Calvanists does it take to change a light bulb?
None. If God wants it changed He will do it Himself.

How many charismatics does it take to change a lightbulb?
Three. One to cast it out and two to catch it when it falls.

The "List" part 3, Shall we dance?

Shall we dance? I think not!

In my world, dancing was generally considered “bad” until recently. “Going to the dance” seems to be what the church kids are doing nowadays. Am I so far out of it? Did I miss a memo?

So, what’s the problem with dancing? Well, I (and others, who we will get to later) feel that dancing is an act of intimacy. Seems like people are into situational ethics here, saying its OK, depending on where you are. Is it OK for a man, not my husband, to put his arms around me and pull me to him, just because we’re dancing? Try it in some other location and see what your hubby thinks.

Now, let’s talk about non-contact dancing in which partners face each other and twist and shake their bodies suggestively to sensuous, beating music, generally the hips and shoulders (read “chest”) in front of each other. Hmmmm, sounds pretty intimate to me, and intimacy must be reserved for married couples in private.
OK, that’s my humble opinion.

Here is what the world says about dancing. I’ll give you three examples.

1. In the King and I, that wonderful old musical, the king and Mrs Anna are talking about dancing. The king is appalled to hear that in England, young girls dance “in arms of man, not her husband? I would not permit” Mrs. Anna goes on to sing a song. Here are the lyrics, with my emphases.

(Rodgers and Hammerstein)
We've just been introduced, I do not know you well
But when the music started Something drew me to your side
So many men and girls Are in each others' arms
It makes me think that we might be similarly occupied
Shall we dance? Shall we dance?
On a bright cloud of music shall we fly?
Shall we dance? Shall we dance?
Or shall we say "Goodnight" and mean goodbye?
Or perchance when the last little star has left the sky?
Shall we still be together with our arms about each other
And shall you be my new romance?
On the clear understanding thatthis kind of thing can happen,
Shall we dance? Shall we dance? Shall we dance?

They all knew that dancing led to romance, and honestly said so. Why do some Christians deny this?

2. Growing Pains.
Who never saw an episode of “Growing Pains”? In one episode, cute-as-a-bug Mike Seaver had to take dancing lessons, and didn’t want to. His dad took him aside to tell him the joys of ballroom dancing. He said something like “ Mike, its great, dancing cheek-to-cheek, shoulder-to-shoulder, everything else-to-everything-else…” with a knowing smile and raised eyebrows.
Yep, everything else-to-everything else. Belly-to-belly, etc. You get my drift.

3. Shall we dance?
I did not actually see this movie, but just reading about it gives me enough reason to stay far away from the dance floor.

Here is the review, not for younger readers, in case I have some younger readers.
Here is a quote:

“Paulina explains the rumba as a “vertical expression of a horizontal wish,” advising the guys to treat their partners "like you’re gonna have your way with her right here on the dance floor.””



So, if that’s what the world thinks about dancing, would my blessed Redeemer consider this a wholesome activity for me? I say, no. Add it to the “List”!

R

Do you want to know what a good Christian does?

I love this list. Thanks be to the Lord for godly ladies like Sister Julie.

The Bible talks about "putting off" and "putting on".

These are definitely "put ons"

Can you do all these things and still be a lost sinner? Yes, but you'll have a hard time staying a sinner! Filling your life with God can only bring you closer to Him.

R


PS I am hoping for something funny to post. I need a good clean laugh. Any ideas? A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22

The "List", part 2 Let's go to the Movies! Or not?

Next on the “List”, let’s check out going to the movies. Now, I figure that I’m getting myself into quite a controversy, oh well, a blogger must to do what a blogger must to do.

First and foremost, let’s look at what God has to say.

Psalm 101:3
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Ephesians 5:12
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.


Job 31
1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Romans 1:32
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
(emphasis mine)


Please remember that God hates: murder, fornication, public nudity, adultery, foul language, disobedience in children, disrespect in wives, abuse is husbands and fathers, homosexuality, and drunkenness, among other things.

Are we kidding ourselves? These things are what most movies are all about!

OK, so what’s in a movie? Here is where I find that out.

I was reading a blog the other day and the (Christian) writer was saying how thrilled she was to be going to see Will Farrell’s latest movie.
Let’s see what this movie is all about.
?????!!!!!!!!!

Some have suggested that we are hypocrites because we watch things at home on TV. If you are watching the same garbage at home that you would at the theatre, then I would have to agree.
At our house, we have a remote control, and we know how to use it. We also have a cuss box to remove most, if not all foul language.

What about TV?
I believe the same reasoning applies. A friend of mine once told me how that she loves to watch “Friends”. Huh? Please read this. Why, oh why would a child of God ever delight in this?

Our pastor has a saying. “Hollywood hates your God” Its true.

Would my precious Jesus enjoy Hollywood’s latest? Most likely, no. Why should I?

R

The "list" part 1, Cussin'

Isn’t that an ugly word? I used it because it describes all bad language, not just cursing.

Well, let’s see what God has to say about it. Here are a few examples:

Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain

Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Colossians 4:6Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man

To me, this includes cursing and profanities, vulgarities etc. I was also taught by my mamma (and she was taught by her mamma), that there are certain things that are not taboo, but are not discussed in mixed company, feminine products and feminine bodily functions should not be part of the conversation in a mixed group. Its simply not lady-like.


So, I guess if I were going to make a list of my Beloved’s likes and dislikes, I would definitely have to say that He doesn’t like bad words and He likes good words. I know that sounds rather simplistic, but its true.

This would also include certain slang terms, discussed here by Mrs.R and here at Sister Julie’s.

So, there is a list, my list of "Things my Beloved Savior Does Not Like", and cussin' is on it!

R

Long over-due Meme

I was tagged by Mrs.B, sorry it took so long!

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4:--"If I am perturbed by the reproach and misunderstanding that may follow action taken for the good of souls for whom I must give account, then I know nothing of Calvary’s love.
2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can: --I can't touch anything
3. What is the last thing you watched on TV? Star Trek Voyager.
4. Without looking, guess what time it is:
5:00 pm5. Now look at the clock. 5:15 pm
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? The lovely music on Mrs. B’s blog
7. When did you last step outside? About three hours ago to check the laundry
8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at? --I was looking at Mrs.B’s blog
9. What are you wearing? A red Mickey mouse sweatshirt and my jammies. (day off you know)10. Did you dream last night? -Who can remember their dreams?
11. When did you last laugh? When I read Mrs. B’s answer to this same question. Dogs!
12. What is on the walls of the room you are in? --A David poster, I am in Ronnie's room!
13. Seen anything weird lately?
Nothing lately
Where did #14 go?
15. What is the last film you saw? Bambi 2

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
Ooohh, I love this question! After tithing and paying off our house,
I’d buy a house in Long Beach near my grandma. We’d buy an RV for furlough. Then we’d help build church buildings all over the world and treat missionaries to vacations.


17. Tell me something about you that I don't know. I recorded a CD.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?I would eliminate the need for abortion.

19. Do you like to dance? Depends on what you mean by dancing.

20. George W Bush: --I voted for him. I don't agree with his handling of everything but all in all I think he's done a good job.21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? Eileen

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him? Ronald

22 Would you ever consider living abroad? I do!


What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate? Welcome home, honey, we’ve been waiting for you!

25. Four or Five people you want to do this quiz on their blog: --I can only pick 5?!?-Bethanie
-Dawn
-Terri
-Janet, (Do you do meme’s?)
I think this has gone all the way around my little corner of the blogshere.

A great idea

Janet recommended this article. I thought it was great, very "flylady". Just change one thing each day.
I consider myself a treadmill housekeeper. I work hard, but don't seem to get anywhere. By the same token, I don't get too far behind either. But maybe a change a day would be small enough not to be overwhelming and big enough to make a real difference.

What can I change today? Hmmmm I'll have to think about that.

R

The comfort of the Lord

This week, two of my favorite bloggers felt the need to quit blogging. OK. Boo hoo.
They were Sarah from Seeking His Glory and Joy from Joy in the Journey.

So, yesterday, I get a comment on one of my posts from a missionary lady to Mexico, and I believe she'll be back, us missionaries tend to stick together.

Do you know what here name is? Sarah Joy!
A new friend for two of the old.
Cool, huh?

The "List"

I just love reading "Reminisce" magazine. I love hearing about the good old days. Things used to be so simple, it seems. Things were simpler for Christians, too. Everybody seemed to agree on what IFB Christians did or did not do. In fact, for some, this knowledge developed into a list of sorts. You know the list, Christians do not..... smoke, drink, gamble, cuss, dance, go to movies, "mix swim", etc.
Somewhere, sometime, somebody said, "There is no "List!"" They said that we were under grace, and following a list was of the Law, and if you followed the "list" you were a legalist.
Detractors of the "List" said that people who lived like that were only doing so to have an appearance of holiness to make up for their lack of a true relationship with Christ. They said that legalists were just trying to make themselves superior to others. And to prove that they lived by grace alone, they started doing all the things forbidden on the "list".

They might have been right about a few things. There are always people who have an "appearance" of holiness, but it is just show. Inside they are rotten. Believe me, I know such people. But that does not mean everybody is like that, not at all.

So, does the "list" really exist? Well, I feel that I must inform you that there is indeed a list, in fact, several. They are list of things God wants you to either put on, or put off. Here they are:
Galatians 5:19-25
Ephesians 5:2-4
1 Corinthians 6:9-11

I too, have an unwritten list. Its of things the Preacher likes and dislikes. I know he doesn't like to wear corduroy. He does not like chocolate ice cream (how did I ever marry this guy?)
He likes for me to rub his feet. You see I can show him just how much I love him and pay attention to his likes and dislikes. You should see his face when I buy only chocolate ice cream!

So, in honor of our ancestors, I'm going to go over a few items of the "list" and see if they still hold up Biblically, or if they were just plain legalism.

R

My poor bruised ego!

When I first started blogging, I never dreamed that there would be several who would visit my blog. If I number those who comment more or less regularly, there are about 10. Then, I got a stat counter. It counts unique daily visitors, repeat visitors and page loads. It was thilling to me to think that there were between 20 and 40 daily.

Well, today I investigated further. I was able to see where people were from and how long they had been at my site. Seems like a lot come from the East, most come through Mrs. B's. No names, though, so some will remain a mistery; )

There were several who were at my site for......zero seconds, 2 seconds, eight seconds. Ouch!

There are a few that come several times a day. That made me smile.

R

Beautiful Music

I am sitting here at the computer, listening to the music on my blog. There are violins playing a gorgeous arrangement of Sweet Hour of Prayer, and its giving me the goosebumps. I love string ensembles and even more when they are playing things I know the words to. Thrills me to the core.

Two of my bloggy buddies have decided not to continue blogging for a while, and that makes me sad. They both have very good reasons to do so, but I will miss them.

I did a post a while back about the differences between guy and gal bloggers. You know, I don't think the guys do Memes. We gals love getting to know our bloggy friends! I was tagged today, and what thrills me, is that sombody actually cares to hear about my every-day life.

I have a post brewing in my head, something I need to write about, that came about from something that was said to me in person, not in the blog-realm. I do know that it will offend a few people who participate in this particular activity, but I feel some things need to be said. So how can I do this without offending? How can I show my heart? Can I express a firm opinion without losing friends? I still need to stew on this a while...


R

What do you say?

When I blog, I know what I want to say. I say what I want to say, after all, its my blog. If I visit another blog and read a post a totally disagree with, there is really no problem, I just leave and come back later. I never leave comments unless they are positive. But, what do you do when you are with people and they say something that you think is completely wrong and harmful and off-the-wall? I am not talking about unsaved people, I'm talking about other Christians. If you disagree, you come off as judgemental and haughty. If you say nothing, they assume you agree. And inside, I was appalled!!! I kept thinking, "I can't believe she said that, and that no one seemed to be shocked in the least!"

What do you say to people who infer that when you get older, things that mattered to you will no longer matter? If they are not going to matter in 20 years, then why bother with them now?

I am I that shallow and superficial? Do I make mountains out of molehills? I don't think so, I think I have well-thought-out, Biblical convictions, but I still don't know how to respond. My first reaction is to get away and stay away, but I don't think that's the best, just the most comfortable. Most people who don't have convictions aren't interested inhearing about them anyway.

So how do you graciously disagree so as to not seem judgemental and holier-than-thou?

R

Here's a good tidbit

I liked this article.
One area we have down pretty good is the money area. That is, we live within our means, we have no consumer debt, we give and we save. There were several times that I wanted some extra income. The Preacher put up with it for a while, but then got tired of me being involved in other things. He would ask me what it was that I wanted, that I didn't have. I never really could say anything specific, just "more". More savings, better clothes. ( I really would like better clothes) But nothing specifically that I needed. Having some extra income was not worth the strain in my marriage.

I am grateful that the Preacher is so tight, scratch that, prudent with our money. He'd rather us cut our expenses that have me try to earn more income. Works for me!

R

Missionary work, no cookie-cutters here!

So, what does a missionary do? I am so glad you asked! Well, there is really not just one way to answer that. There are medical missionaries and teacher missionaries. We are church-planting missionaries, that is my husband is a church planting missionary. What have we done? We have started a church. Yep, only one so far. But, you say, I've heard that there are missionaries that have started dozens of Churches, why have you only started one? Well, there are several reasons for that.

1.Not all fields are the same. Some fields are "ripe unto harvest" and others are harder. Do you remember reading in the Little House books when they were on the prairie, breaking the sod? And they were pleased with the crop, considering that it had been planted on newly broken sod.
That's where we are, in the sod-breaking fields. No easy converts here. No one we meet is ready to respond to the gospel. It takes time and patience. And then, once they are saved, they have a messed-up life to try to sort out.

2. A newly-formed church needs a pastor before a missionary can move on. But where do you get a pastor? If you live in the US, you call up some Bible college or find some pastor that's tired of being where he his. You have him "candidate" at your church and you "hire" him. Here, our goal is to win men, train them, then let God raise up from among our own one to shepherd the flock here. This takes a great deal of time.

3. Every one in our church was saved here, we have no believers form other church who arrive here, mature in the Lord. Nope, everybody here was born again right here. Every one starts out at the beginning. Some fall by the wayside. Some are so bogged down with the cares of life. It takes time.

Well, that's what the Preacher does. I help him with anything he wants me to help him with. I keep our home, and teach our children. I teach the ladies the things that he cannot teach them. I chaperone the girls.

Of course every missionary family is a little different.
This is us.

R

Schedules

Seems like we've all read this article. Very good, as is most from Homeliving Helper. I am coming from the opposite side. I have never ever been able to stick to a schedule. I am always hoping to at least establish routines.

I believe that, as Christian Homemakers, we should have a goal; a peaceful, productive home. Depending on where you are in your quest, you need to adopt different strategies. I have been in houses so messy and dirty, that peace is not possible. With everyone yelling, looking for this and that, no food planned, no where to sit. Have you seen houses like this? Nothing gets done, because you can't find anything. You can't have anyone over, because you're too embarrased for anyone to see your home. Home?

Then there's the other extreme, the lovely homes where Order Reigns Supreme. Kids are shoo'd to the den or their rooms, so that the rest of the house is kept "company ready" Of course, even the "company" feels uncomfortable, because you can feel the eyes of your hostess eyeing you, afraid something will be left out of place. I have known fine people who have a living room and a family room. The living room is for "company" but I have never known them to have any company nice enough to get to use the living room. Its just a fine showroom.

I analize my home. Do I need more structure? I do. Do you need less structure? I need to make menus. Do you need to make menus, or do you need to learn to "wing it"?
My point is, I need to do whatever it takes to make my house a home, a peaceful retreat, an inviting place. If you need a schedule, get one. If you need to get rid of your schedule, than do so. I must remember that the schedule is a means to an end, the end being my peaceful home.

R

De-sensitized?

First of all, is that a real word? WARNING; RANT AHEAD

If you will remember, I did a post about an article by Reb Bradley short while back. I didn't like it. I have been mulling it over in my head ever since, and I still don't like it.

Here is a little snippet I'd like to tackle:


When my 12-year-old son was 8 years old, he asked me why we took him into Wal-Mart when we shopped. He was distressed because he found himself noticing women’s underwear advertisements hanging around the store. I acknowledged his distress and encouraged him to pray for the models, that they would value modesty and come to faith in Christ. Knowing he would face harder tests in life than Wal-Mart ads, I wanted him, by occasional exposure, to become desensitized to such images, and I wanted him to develop a wholesome, prayerful response to those who tempt him.
In a society like ours, so full of immodest fashions, desensitization eventually will happen, but our children’s greatest need is to have compassion for those who tempt them. The root of lust is self-centeredness, so the more selfless and loving our children are, the less they will be impacted by lust. I therefore encourage parents to concentrate on raising children who selflessly love others. I have found that praying for those who tempt us accomplishes two things – the recipient receives prayer and we see them through the eyes of God. Those who see others from God’s perspective will tend to have compassion on them as lost souls.



Well, I think we should pray for the ungodly, but I would hope that our men never become accustomed to seeing immodestly dressed women. You know why? IHMO. Men are supposed to enjoy looking at their own wives. And let me tell you, not all of us look like models, and we don't have model figures. As men become accustomed to scantily-clad models, they may begin to wonder why don't their wives look like that.
Also, as men become "desensitized" to less-than-dressed actrices and models, they "need" greater stimulation, the first step on the road to pornography. All of a sudden their wives are dull and boring and ugly. I cannot compete with a model, and do not care to try!

The root of lust is self-centeredness, so the more selfless and loving our children are, the less they will be impacted by lust. I just plain don't agree with this statement.I can't quite put into words just why. I believe that God said to flee youthful lust. In certain areas, we are to stand firm. In certain areas, like lust, we are to flee. Run away. Lust is like fire, and you had better get away, or you'll get burned. You can't "manage" lust, you have to get completely away from it if you intend to stay pure.


Now, what do I think would be a good way to handle such a situation? I think the dad would have a good opportunity to talk to his boy about what God says about looking at a woman, at teach his boy to look away. As Sister Julie says, "Ponder your feet!" Your future wife will thank you.

R

I'm back, finally.

The past week and a half have been extremely hectic, and not condusive at all to blogging. I have been reading blogs, just not writing. So what have I been doing? Oh, I am so glad you asked! Here at the Calvary Baptist Church in Lanco, we had our very first wedding! My dear friend, (horror case number 3) her eldest daughter Patricia wed Fabian Perez. My daughter was a junior bridesmaid, along with the bride's sister. It was an enourmous amount of work. It was also the Preacher's very first wedding ceremony, and he was as nervous as the bride and groom!
He did just fine, and everything was lovely. There were about 120 people in attendance, including the mayor of our little town.

After that, the Preacher and I went on a belated anniversary get-away, and a nice time was had by all ; )

Now, we're back. I've had a nice time catching up on my blogroll.

I'll try to blog something interesting later.

R

I've been tagged, Twice!

Thanks to Kristi and Mrs. B, here I go.

4 Things Meme

4 Jobs I have had in my life.
a File clerk
b Disney Store castr member
c Mary Kay consultant
d Wife and Mommy

4 Movies that I could watch over and over (in no particular order)
a Star Wars (old Star Wars)
b The King and I
c National Treasure
d Mr Smith goes to Washington

4 places I have lived
a. Long Beach, CA
b Hobbs , NM
c Santiago, CHile
d Lanco, Chile

4 things I like to do
a Blog
b Bowl
c read
d cook

4 places I have been on vacation (or furlough)
a Washington DC
b Disneyland
c Bariloche, Argentina
d San Francisco , CA

4 websites I visit daily
a My Blogroll
b. Debt proof living
c. Miss Manners
d Fox News

4 of my favorite foods
a enchiladas
b meatloaf with all the trimmin's
c In-n-out burger
d anything from the Green Burrito

4 places I would like to be right now
a DisneyWorld
b Jamaica
c Los Angeles
d England, visiting a friend I have there ;)

4 friends I think will respond.
a Michelle (maybe this time?)
b Dawn
c Bethanie
d E-mom


There you have it, me in all my glory; )

Mrs. Wilt is a generous Genius

She has cracked the Blogger code and has kindly shared her knowledge here.

Thank you kindly, Mrs. Wilt. Blogland will be a better place because of you!

R

Happy Anniversary, Sweetie!

Yep, today is our 13th anniversary, thank you very much. Hubby is off at a Chilean version of a wake. That means he is over at one of our member's house where they are sitting around his dead father, who'll be buried tomorrow. Romantic, isn't it?

So, after 13 years years of wedded bliss, what sage advice can I offer to the young brides?
After all the usual advice, the first being keep a good relationship with Jesus, the rest being all those you hear and read all the time, here's what I have to offer.

Change your expectations. Get rid of them or lower them.
I can't speak for all guys, or even most guys, just my guy. And my guy had no clue about what I expected. My guy doesn't watch "chick flicks", so he doesn't know what we gals think is romantic. What's worse, even if he did know what I thought was romantic, he probably wouldn't do it anyway. He has a wee bit of a stubborn streak, and doesn't like to be told how to be romantic. He doesn't like to be prodded to give compliments. He boycotts Valentine's Day. See what I mean? I have two choices here. I can be dissapointed in him for being soooooo unromantic. Or I can change my expectations.

Since I have changed my thinking, (thank you, Debi) I can more clearly see just how he shows he loves me and cares for me. You know that book about the languages of love? I already told you a while back that I didn't like it, but I'll do more than that. Rather than me trying to get him to speak my language, which so far has brought me only grief, I need to learn to hear his language toward me, which has brought me great joy.

My husband is:
A growing child of God
A hard worker and good provider
Totally trustworthy
A loving father
A loyal friend
a dedicated and caring pastor
Someone who loves me very much

Before, I was too "hurt" by the lack of "romantic gestures" to see the value of what he really is.
Not even God will fulfill all your expectations. He will do what He says He will, not what you think you need.
Expectations? Chuck'em

R

Homeschoolers Continued

One of the greatest joys about homeschooling other than being able to take off anytime you want, is that you can still be you and homeschool. You don't have to make your own bread, and you don't have to get rid of your TV. Get this, you don't even have to wear a jumper! I was homeschooled for years, and I have never seen my mom wearing a jumper. She strongly dislikes them.
You can make your homeschool very "school-like" or you can un-school. You can use one curriculum, or you can mix and match. You can spend a fortune or getting everything as cheaply as possible over at Hillbilly Housewife. You can even send your kids to school and augment with stuff at home.
The important thing about homeschooling is that you will take responsability for your children's education. You will not leave them to anyone else to raise. You will be able to train them and guide them in their own budding spirituality. You will be able to just "take off" and spend a lazy day, in sweet fellowship. Housework can be a team effort. You will be the teacher they remember.

R

Homeschooling Crisis?

MORE ADDED AT THE END, Sunday Aug 6.


I read an article recommended by two of the bloggers I read. Its an article about homeschoolers and failure. I recognized a great deal of truth, but I found that, IMHO, basically his attitude is "Get rid of your pious convictions, because they are externals, and your kids will ditch them as soon as they can"
You can read it for yourself if you want to.

Now I'd like to recommend a series of articles by Michael Pearl called "Jumping Ship"

I personally love the Pearls and their ideas. If you don't like them, at least read this article and tell me why you disagree with it.


You know what Michael Pearl believes is one of the most important things a parent can do to tie strings of fellowship with his kids? Become the master of joy. A joyful parent can be what she needs to be to pass on her faith to her kids.

R

More thought on this:
The biggest difference in these two articles is the focus. The first seems to say, we've been wrong, too sheltering, too blind, too hipocritical. Change, lose your legalism or you'll lose your kids.
The second seemed to be more positive, praising God for the good that has come for many, many homeschoolers, and a warning to the true pharisees and legalists, not to change what they do, but change their attitude and focus.
You see, pharisees did all the right things, for the wrong reasons. We must still do right. We must not become desensitized to sin. We must not give in to worldly pleasures. But we must do it for the right reasons. Holy means set apart. Believe me, if you start to dress like the world, and watch what the world watches, you will start to think like the world, talk like the world, and act like the world. Bradley would have us become desensitized. He said so. I think we should constantly work at keeping our senses sensitive.


R

I'm (trying to get) Organized!

We went to the big city of Temuco yesterday for our monthly shopping. I bought a 3 ring binder to start my control journal/homemanagement binder.

If all goes well, and I get organized, I'll do a post on it. If not, don't ask!
R

Homeschooled kids.......

Michelle's brother had this to say, he said that he hasn't " met a "normal" homeschooled person yet."
Homeschooled kids not normal? Huh? Well, I am definitely not normal, but that's just me!
My Aunt was an elementary school teacher for many years. She was frustrated with how disobedient and disrespectful the fourth-graders were. Fourth-graders?

Are all school kids bad? No, but what is considered "Normal" today, is horrendous to me.
Now are all homeschooler's good and brilliant? No, but they have a better chance to be.

Imagine, no peer pressure! The chances of you kid ever being offered alcohol or drugs are practically nil. The only profanity they hear will be what you allow on your TV or out of your mouth.

Here's what I say to anyone considering homeschooling. Try it for a year. If its not great then send them back to school. What do you have to lose, except for some blogging time?

R

PS. Even if I lived in the States and had access to Christian schools, I'd still homeschool. I like the freedom!

What would Jesus think of your Church?

I think that this is a question we should all ask ourselves, often. If Jesus came to one of our services, what would He think? Would he find us "stuck up" and unfriendly? Would he think we are totally disrespectful in our dress and actions? How do you think He'd like the sermon? Or would He say, "Thats not what I said"? Would He find us attentive to the teaching or daydreaming?
What do you think He'd say about our church activities? If he came to our youth activities, would He feel uncomfortable? Would he sing along to our Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs?

The thing is this....He IS at our Church. Does He like it?

R