Balance

A few years ago, we received a visit from an American pastor. We discussed many issues. He told us that he believed that the sign of a mature Christian was balance. I nodded my head, but I remember thinking "Compromiser!" But as I see different Christians openly judgemental at other Christians for having Sunday School, for example. I realize that we need to step back and reconsider our actions. Other Christians have ideas different from mine, not sinful, but different. Why should I care? Why do we feel the need to expose them and make them know just how wrong they are?



Also, are my positions extreme? Some people think so. What am I to do, change my convictions so as not to appear extreme? Well, I don't think so. What I must do though, is behave myself in such a way as to not appear that I feel spiritually superior to anyone because of my standards or positions.

I need to ask God to show me if I am really pleasing Him, or just trying to show off, by making someone else look unspiritual compared to me. For, who is to say that I am more spiritual?

Who tries the hearts? Who knows? God does! And he commands me to mind my own business to "work out my own salvation with fear and trembling". If some Christian sister seems unconcerned about certain behaviors, I should pray for her, that the Holy Spirit would direct her as He sees fit. Now, if she asks my opinion, I will not hesitate to give it, but unsolicited advice is rarely heeded, never appreciated. Do I have a duty to tell her what I think? Nope. Even in my own Church, among my own ladies who look to me for guidance, I am careful. I only say what I feel I need to say, if I think that she is ready to hear it. If not, I wait.

Now, balance is something I look for. Not compromise, but balance. The whole problem is, what is balanced? I do not know. It may all depend on my attitude. If my position makes me angry towards others or causes me to mock them or judge them, then I need to take a good long look at my position. I think sometimes we "do" things for God, without ever really asking Him about them. Even if I am doing the right things, am I doing them for the right reasons, and with the right motives? That is what I need to be concerned about. Especially before going out to "correct" someone else.

How does a nice girl like Bristol Palin....

....from a nice family......whose parents believe in abstinence for teens.......get pregnant at 17?
I'll tell you. For the whole "abstinence" thing to work, there has to be at least 4, if not 6 people commited to it. Here goes:
1 The girl must believe that physical intimacy before marriage is wrong.
2. The boy must believe that physical intimacy before marriage is wrong.
3 The girl's mother must believe that physical intimacy before marriage is wrong, and be willing to take the time and effort to make sure that her daughter is never in a situation where violating this principle is even remotely possible.
4 The girls father:ditto
5.The boy's mother: ditto
6.The boy's father:ditto

The Bible says that "a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame" Kids get into trouble when there are no adults present. Its just that simple. When both parents work, it easy for kids to fall between the cracks of parental vision. Even when mommy doesn't work, she sometimes lets her guard down.

"But I trust my daughter!" You shouldn't. God doesn't. He told you to keep an eye on her.
"I trust my son" Your son needs your guidance.
As a pastor's wife, I've heard it all. "My daughter know what she is supposed to do!" "My son would never do that!" Look, this is bigger than you or your daughter. Just "knowing" what is right or wrong in not enough! Christian young people know that they are in sin, and they are grieved by it, but thats not enough. Be prepared to do you job!

Earthquakes and Hurricanes

I'm a California Girl. No matter that I haven't lived there in years, I was born there. My folks are Californians. Its who I am. I love LA! I love driving on the freeways! And that also means that I am used to earthquakes. Now, a few years back, while on furlough, we just happened to be in Milton, FL, for the arrival of Hurricane Ivan. We were not used to hurricanes. The one thing that I remember is the fact that you know, days in advance, that the hurricane is headed your way. You watch the news, you debate evacuation. You wonder if its really going to be as bad as they say. Two days before Ivan, we left Milton, FL, and headed north to Birmingham (led by God to a wonderful church) Still, the storm followed us to Birmingham, though by the time it reached us, it was only a category 1, falling to Tropical storm status. We watched the news, felt the storm bands as they arrived, paid attention to possible tornados. My DH has tornado-phobia. Then, after about 5 days of worry and concern, and 5 hours of actual storm, it was over. We survived Ivan!!!!
I'm telling you, I'll take a 3 minute earthquake any day! No advance warning, no advance worrying, and its over in a flash.
Now, I say all that to say this, I'd rather have a spiritual earthquake than a spiritual hurricane. However, God chose to send us two, simutaneously. We saw them coming, we knew that we were in for a time of uncertainty and possible loss, possibly great loss. I cannot blog in a hurricane!!!!!
But today, the storms are past, clean-up has begun. The loss was not as great as feared, and most of it can be repaired in time. Some of the damage is permanent, but for the greater good of the Lord's work here in Chile. DH and I are heaving sighs of relief and thanking God for working in our lives.

Patriarchy

I have been interested in reading about what some are calling Biblical patriarchy, but have not been convinced. I even found some of it disturbing. Yesterday, I read the current issue of No Greater Joy magazine. I do not share all of what Michael Pearl believes, but I usually agree with his take on parenting. Anywho, the Pearls wrote this article which I believe is just the ticket to answer this whole patriarchy thing.

Its a girl!

I had an ultrasound sone last week. We were totally expecting the Dr. to tell us about the baby boy we were going to have. We even had a name chosen; Samuel Taylor Arias, named for my father in law and Hudson Taylor. Imagine my extreme shock when the Dr. says to me "feh-mahl" I stared at him, wondering just what was he trying to say. He repeated "feh-mahl". I concentrated really hard. Then it came to me, "Female"!!!! A girl? We weren't expecting a girl! Of course we were all mostly pleased. All but Ronnie, who really wanted a brother.

Oh well, all is well and Baby is healthy.


Church is doing remarkably well. We had 116 on Sunday.

Its still raining.

We are still waiting for Customs to release our stuff.

Keep praying for your missionaries all around the world

On a break!

Sorry for just "dissapearing" like that. The pregnancy was making me crazy hormonal so my blogging was a bit hormonal. I'm better, all is well, but I'm not quite ready to blog.

About the container, well, good news is, all is here at my house. The bad news is, we can't get into the stuff. Technically its being "stored' here until Customs gives us the OK and/or charges us for the items. This could take up to 9 months!

We had to pay a lot of fees and shipping costs that were somewhat unexpected. So, lesson learned, we will never again bring down a container! Once we pay all the costs, any money saved, even on items that were given to us, well, its just not worth it.

Even though I have not been writing, I have been reading. All your blogs. Love them, check them everyday. I pray for you, especially my missionary friends, Julie, JungleMom, Susan and Tori, and Michelle.
I will be closing down comments to avoid spam. I will also try to comment more on your blogs.

Blessings!!!!!!!
Rhonda

Good news, bad news and an urgent prayer request

First, I haven't been able to blog recently, because I have been feeling a little under the weather. DH and I found out last week that we are going to have a baby! Yikes! Nope, not kidding, and totally sure. I have been feeling rather pukey. I think that that`s one of the reasons its been almost 10 years since my last preganancy! So, there's the good news.


Here's the bad. I had mentioned that we were bringing down a container. Neil went to the port last week, (thirteen hours away) He got the run-around from one and all. Came back for the weekend, and headed back to the port after church on Sunday night. All was going good until this afternoon when Customs started going through all the stuff. They said that we hadn't been specific enough and that we could not get the stuff liberated because there are a lot of household things and they don't consider that "ministry". Anywho, they threatened to impound and destroy all our stuff and fine us for trying to bring in contraband and trying to deceive them. Oh MY! Neil is a wreck. I told him over the phone that if we lose everything, its just stuff. You can replace stuff. Of course, inside I am trying hard not to fall to pieces. God was good to us on furlough and He gave us stuff. Stuff we thought He wanted us to have.

Neil has a meeting tonight with someone who might be able to help. He has a meeting with the Customs agents tomorrow at 8:30. Please pray that our Almighty God would show Himself strong on our behalf. And if He decides to relieve us of "stuff", pray that we might be gracious in our loss.

1 Corinthians 13

We started ladies' Bible study for the year, today. We had a great crowd, 19 ladies. Mom started a series on 1 Cor. 13. What a challenge! We just studied the first 3 verses. Oh my goodness!
Mom and I had a talk about it beforehand and discussed the implications of the first three verses. You can do everything right. You can give away all your worldly goods. You can be the best teacher and the best singer. You can even become a martyr for the cause of Christ. But if you don't have charity, Godly love, you have nothing, and you are nothing and nothing you do makes any difference in the world.
I sure would hate to get to Heaven just to be told that what I had done, and the little sacrifices that I had made were worthless. I want my life to mean something. I want to make a difference. I want to be a vessel unto honor.
So, it all boils down to charity(love). God's love. I know that I have it, but do I show it?

What do you do?

We all go through times of difficulty where fretting and anxiousness are a temptation. What do you do? I know that the Christian life is about putting off the bad and putting on the good. Thats all good and well, but what does that mean, practically? If fretting is bad, than not fretting is good, (duh) but what do you do? How does one go about controlling your thoughts? Housework is good, but not particularly mind-challenging.
Watching TV is a distraction, but I don't think its a worthy one.

Another book I purchased in the US was "The prayer that changes everything" by Stormie Omartian. I have read several of her other books, and I though this was going to be a re-hash of the same. It was very good and the basic premise of her book is that praise is what changes everything. It honors God and it changes our outlook. This book is coming in the container that is on the ship as I write. Please pray that it will arrive with no problem and with as little as expense as possible.

I realize now what a sheltered life I had growing up. What a blessing! Children shouldn't have to deal with fretting. I shouldn't either, I should have enough faith. But how conceited of me to think that I should have nothing to learn! And next year, it's be something else! Praise the Lord! He thinks I am worth teaching!

BTW, the Oswald Chambers reading that I "randomly" chose yesterday was the July 4 reading. Check it out! If you dont have the book, its online.

Do not fret

So, I was fretting today about a situation that, like many, is totally beyond my control, and yet affects me directly. Don't you hate those? I am a can-do kinda gal, and I don't like feeling out of control.
My daily Bible reading was good as always, but didn't address my current "issues" like it often does when I need a boost. So, here we are, mid-afternoon and I was fretting. I sat down on my bed and reached for good old Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost....". I had already read today's reading, so I just randomly opened the book. The first title I read was "Do no fret". ?!?!? Talk about getting a boost from the Lord!
I guess I can't control the situation, but I can control my reaction to it!

So, what do missionaries do?

Well, to sum it up, we work with people. We share the Gospel, which you'd think they'd be happy to hear. Not usually. People all over the world think that they are OK. The same approach, that is getting people to understand that they are sinners, in need of God's forgiveness, is the same world over.
Once someone reaches the point where they understand their need for salvation, then begins the work of growing spiritually. Here we are at a great disadvantage, because we must start from the very beginning. Even basic things like lying and stealing must be addressed. Regular Church attendance is a foreign concept, since they were raised to go to church once in a while.
Of course, teaching isn't enough. We must also be patient, because they will only grow when they want to, not when I want them to. We must also let the Holy Spirit work. After all, if He's not doing the work, we are working in vain.
This process is defferent in every single person. Some grow quickly, some never grow. Some must be dealt with gently, sometimes a little "tough love" is necessary.
Often I wish there was a gauge by which to measure our successes or failures, but there realy isn't. Numbers alone are not a very accurate gauge.
Of course the only true measure for success in the ministry is this. Have I been faithful? If the answer is Yes, then we have been successful.

8 things Meme

Sarah invited me to share 8 new things about myself. I am having a hard time figuring out something interesting to write!
Here we go.
1. While I know that housework is important and a noble job, I really don't like doing it!
2. I have two different colored eyes.
3. I don't like tomatoes or avocados.
4. I cannot watch violent movies. I tried to watch "The Patriot"..... Nope, not even that one.
5. I like old Disney music and movies, in that order. The older, the better.
6. I cannot stand to watch "Little House on the prairie" I love the books and find the show to be sappy and awful. If I have to see Michael Landon cry one more time...........!
7. I have never received a traffic ticket.
8. I don't drink coffee. (weird, I know)


There you have it. That's 8 absloutely irrelevant facts about myself.

Money Matters

I have been reading Mary Hunt from Debt Proof Living and Dave Ramsey. Both are Christians and both were terribly into debt.
I haven't done any of their seminars or bought their premium content on the web because, frankly, I can't see spending money to learn how to get out of debt when I'm not in debt! I am interested in their money savings ideas, but when you're not in control of the family's finances, what-s the point?

Here's my opinion. Debt is bad (nothing new, I know) But its also a heart issue. Its a faith issue, Its a contentment issue. People get into debt when they buy stuff they cannot afford and didn't wait for God to give it to them or save up for it. No matter whose program you use to get out of debt, you still need to address the issues that got you into debt in the first place! Cutting up the credit cards you abused is a start, but that doesn't take care of the root of your problem.

We are in the savings part of money management, but this is where DH and I don't see eye to eye. Oh well.

I can't cut coupons because they don't have coupons here. I can't have a garage sale, 1. because they don't do that here, and 2. I cannot sell my junk to people who can barely afford to eat! We can't stop eating out, because we don't eat out! I make most of my food from scratch already.
What's left is contentment, that is not buying stuff. The best way to save money is not to spend it! (profound, I know!) This will also help me tame the Clutter Monster and Flylady will cheer!

We were supposed to be in Argentina!

Every year, for the past 4 years, we have vacationed in Argentina at this particular time of year. Yes, the week after the annual Bill Smith conference, we pack up the car and head over the Andes into the foothill country of southern Argentina. We spend about a week in a cabin, thankful that the prices dropped after school started 2 weeks ago. We eat delicious Argentine beef and yummy fresh pasta. We visit Bariloche and go bowling and ice skating. We visit the chocolate factory. We head down to our favorite mountain town, El Bolson and rest and relax.

This year, it was not to be. And I am having Contentment Issues.
Does it surprise you that a missionary could have Contentment Issues? Shouldn't missionaries just be thrilled to have a house with plumbing? We'll you're right. I should. I should be thrilled and thankful. So should you. We all should, but we aren't as thankful as we should be. At least I am not, don't know about you!

Well, there's always next year!

John Newton

John Newton wrote hymns. Do you know why he wrote them? To teach doctrine, of course! Yep, when he was preparing his sermons, he knew that he needed some way to drive the lesson home. So he would write a hymn that illustrated the teaching.

Interestingly, his most famous hymn was not popular in his homeland, but in mine. And "Amazing Grace" became popular first among the slaves. Isn't that ironic that a song written by an ex-slaveship captain should be an anthem among those he hurt. Of course they probably had no idea at the time who wrote the song!

Grace is what allows a slaver to become a slave for Christ. Grace is what allows me to breathe! Grace is what allows horrible situations and unfairness to be redeemed for His glory and purpose. And it is truly Amazing!

Wedding gown update and dollar scare

The Bride of the Year went to the city yesterday, and visited the one and only bridal shop in a town of a half a million.
Good news, they don't sell ready-to-wear dresses, you pick a model and they sew it up for you! That means that Bride got herself the coveted 3/4 length sleeves and no worry about showing cleavage. And the thing is only going to cost 150.o0 dollars. Hooray! Not that this has a thing to do with me, but she is my own daughter in the faith, and I am happy for her.

Now, here is where we must put our money (literally) where our mouth is. the dollar has continued to drop reaching 10-year lows. That means that we have 40% less buying power than we had 5 years ago. 40%!!!!!!
WE BELIEVE that God is faithful.
WE BELIEVE that God will provide.
WE WILL NOT PANIC! NOR WILL WE COMPLAIN

OK, we might panic and little, and we might complain a little, but it will be wrong to do so, and we will repent and never do it again.


Waiting for the Rapture,
Rhonda

I just don't know

Seems really interesting how everybody knows that they are right about everything. Good, godly people say thus-and-such is good and right and other equally godly, good people say something different. Birth control........clothing........Sunday School or no Sunday School.

We must be very careful when we take a stand about something. We can and should take a stand about things we feel passionate about, but we must remember a few things.

1. If I am right, my attitude towards those who disagree with me must also be right, that is a loving attitude

2. On issues that are not clearly defined in Scripture, I must be willing to open to the fact that I might be wrong.

I don't need to be right about everything.. I don't need to know everything. Sometimes I just don't know.

John Newton's Wife

I read a biography of John Newton, "From Disgrace to Amazing Grace".

What a great story! Truth is more amazing than fiction, and it doesn't get any more amazing than the life of John Newton. God's grace is evident in his life even though Newton was engaged in horrific ungodliness. How God brought JN to Himself is a testament to His mercy.

Anywho, one of the interesting bits of his life, is that he fell in love at 18 or 19 with a 13-year-old girl, who he eventually married. He loved her and she loved him to what seems like an absurd degree. They both feared that they were idolizing one another to the point of being sinful! The author makes a few mentions to that fact that JN's wife was in no way his intellectual or spiritual equal and seemed surprised that Newton should be so enamored with her.

What the poor author doesn't understand is that Mrs. Newton must have been exactly what JN needed and wanted in a wife, and that had nothing to do with intellect or spirituality. Seems that he wanted and needed an adoring wife, and he got one!

Does that mean that a good wife is an adoring ditz? No, it just means that a good wife is an adoring, loving wife, and that could make up for any other deficiencies she might have. I don't know. It takes all kinds. I just thought that JN and wife made quite an interesting couple, to say the least.

Stepping Heavenward

Yep, I read it! It wasn't an easy read, and I need to read it again. It was very convicting. Seems that wives from every age go through the same things. The same misunderstandings and the same hurt feelings.

I sometimes wish that life were easier or that the Lord would just take us home. But of course, that wouldn't serve His purpose, which is to mold us and purge us of everything that is bad for us.

What I think we all have a hard time understanding is that God is purging us for our own good.

I once heard a friend preach a sermon about tithing, and he said " I tithe because its helps me!"

The inevitable trials and tribulations are for our own good. I know this theoretically, its the practice I'm having a hard time with.

What's up?

I have been looking at wedding gowns (I almost wrote "weeding gown" who needs a weeding gown?) for Sandra, who is going to be married next month. Hallelujah! We are a modest bunch and Sandra is more modest. She even has a hard time with short sleeves! (by personal choice) She is looking for a modest, long-sleeved gown. So what's with all the strapless gowns? At every single website, 95% of the gowns have been strapless, bosom-y affairs. When I got married, all the gowns had puffed sleeves, now we can't even find a sleeve!

Sorry, just needed to rant a while!
Its so much fun to be involved in wedding plans!