Thoughts from the Past - Two Kinds of Trees

Roane County Park, Tennessee

Two Kinds of Trees

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

A pastor friend of ours preached at both a funeral and a wedding on one weekend. He was highly praised by various people after both events. This is not because he's some kind of Baptist wonder boy or the next John MacArthur. His strength is only in the fact that he trusts and hopes in the LORD, so he has access to the water. He strives to be faithful in giving God's word to saints and sinners because of that.

Those flatterers - and it was nothing but flattery, for as he put it, "somewhat less than one" of them showed up Sunday at the church fellowship he pastors - but, those flatterers' problem is that they trust in man and the arm of flesh, and have departed from God. They are in a desert spiritually. They get all excited when someone passes by and spills some water on them from his full bucket, but the next day or so they've forgotten all about it.

Now if you ever tried to water plants in a desert area you know how that works. Parched ground in a desert place can absorb water with great speed and require more again tomorrow or it "forgets" it had any. And, when a large amount is dumped on it at one time, it often runs off at a fierce rate and leaves little lasting benefit.

Proverbs 30:15 …There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: 16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

So it is with those who trust in man. They recognize the water when it comes near them, but no lasting benefit comes from it. Their roots are in parched places. They seem to drink it up but in a day or two they're as dry as ever. (By the way, there a lot of people like this, and they are not all in dead beat churches!) 

[As a side note:  God’s word does not return unto Him void, Isaiah 55:11.  It will accomplish something for Him.  Maybe some of these people will one day have a desperate need and will remember where the water is, or perhaps it will serve for “evidence for the prosecution” when they stand in judgment before God.]

In the Arizona desert south of Tucson there are many mesquite trees. They are usually rather runted as trees go. They are scrubby and not usually well developed. They survive in that dry, hard soil and they are better than nothing, but they aren't much either. They provide a little shade and a little food for animals.

My parents, though, once had the opportunity to see what mesquite trees could do when planted by water. They found a spot where the trees are growing right by a river where many gallons of water must be available to their roots. Never had they seen such mesquite trees as those! Big, huge trees like oaks - well developed and beautiful. Obviously they never suffer from drought.

The trees up on the desert plain have no idea what good things an abundance of water would do for them. The ones in the river bed have no concept of drought. The ones in the desert are small and emaciated both to preserve water and from the lack thereof. The ones by the waters know not heat nor drought. They flourish.

And so it is with people. Those who have walked away from the Lord, His word and His ways and are trusting in man and the flesh, live in a barren wilderness but cannot realize it. Those who trust and hope in the Lord find continual water to bear fruit and green leaves even in these days when spiritual drought has covered the globe! May God grant us the strength to follow hard after Him, to hope and trust in Him, that we may be among those who do not feel the heat or drought of these times!

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water... 13 ...Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

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Written Sept. 5, 2006; edited Sept. 2012.

Be Not Anxious – A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

 

Be Not Anxious

I cannot change the yesterday when I distrusted Thee,

Though all my fears unfounded proved, and shame me now as then;

I cannot promise that my faith will last throughout the night,

Or that, when Thy tomorrow comes, I will not doubt again.

But grant, O faithful Lord and true, that I may trust Thee now,

Just now, each moment of each hour of this Thy present day;

That, looking backward, I may read the record of the past,

And, forward, see Thy steadfast word light all the future way.

With Memory to guard the rear and Faith to lead the van,

And all Thy tested promises like beacon lights to shine,

How can I dread that demon shape of anxious, faithless fear?

For he shall lose his power when I fully trust in Thine.

Annie Johnson Flint

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Worth Repeating - Those Poor Souls Who Don't Celebrate...

This was first posted here in December 2015 and is worth revisiting.

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Recently I was reading a blog where the writer was feeling sorry for "those poor souls" who don't celebrate Christmas, but he wished us happiness in spite of ourselves.  I have to admit that I was a little peeved and wanted to leave a comment, but I decided against it.  I was left wondering, though, why people tend to assume that we are "poor souls."

Probably most of my readers know by now that we don’t celebrate Christmas. Some may wonder what it is exactly that we do while we’re “not celebrating.”

So, I thought I’d just write a post about these topics. :-)

It's Not What You Think

In the first place, we don't sit around feeling sorry for ourselves and being gloomy and sad because we “can’t celebrate like other people do.”  Some folks tend to get funny ideas of what people with different convictions than theirs actually think or feel about a thing like this. Unfortunately, there are people who think that when you have a conviction about something that makes you different from "the norm" (Christmas, ladies wearing pants, homeschooling, simple living, television etc.), that secretly in your heart you are constantly lamenting the fact and feeling terribly deprived. Sorry to disillusion some of you, but we’re not all like that – though I don’t deny that there are some non-celebrators among us who do feel that way, and also that many of us are sometimes a bit forlorn because no one has time for us during this time of the year.  (And because our churches are full of Christmassy stuff.)

For some women and kids it is common to have people assume that their husband or father forces them not to celebrate against their will.  While I know there are some families that have that uncomfortable problem, I also know that there are people with the opposite problem.  They are forced to celebrate against their will.  So, here's the thing: if you judge our conviction as "wrong" because someone among us is unhappy about it, that will condemn your own celebrations because there are unhappy people in your crowd too (and maybe more of them).  So, be careful how you judge.  John 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

I also know for a fact that there are plenty of wives and children who are not at all bothered about their family's conviction not to celebrate and even agree 100%.  It's a huge frustration to some of us that we have extended family and friends who simply refuse to believe we are "on board" with not celebrating.

My mom had a lady she knew greet her in the grocery store one year in December and say in a condescending, exaggerated ways, "It must be the Lord who puts that smile on your face!"  My mom, who had no idea what was going on, said, "Of course, it is!"  She was so puzzled that she mentioned it later to the woman's sister.  The sister told my mom the lady said that because she was feeling sorry for her because she'd found out we didn't celebrate Christmas.  My mom was really burned up about that as she would have answered differently if she'd know the reason for the comment.  However, it's just as well, because Mom's answer may have challenged the lady's presuppositions since Mom replied as if she thought the lady was somewhat daft for even saying such a thing. :-)

To the Lord

My own mom and others I know have had much more annoying things than this happen, however. There are those who simply can't let the thing alone - usually some close family member or friend. Ladies, you should be more consumed with "Christian grace" than with "Christmas spirit." Just because you "couldn't stand" not to celebrate, or because it cramps your personal style that we don't, it doesn't follow that you need to pester folks into "joining the fun."  Nor do you need to shame them into participating to prove that they "really love the Lord."  "Christian grace" with its shoes on in this case is "Keep Your Mouth Shut."  I know it's hard sometimes, but here's the truth:

1. If the lady has one mind with her husband or church about not celebrating Christmas, you are only annoying her and causing offence.

2. If the lady does not agree with her husband or church about not celebrating, you are hurting her and making a wound worse!

These go double for children!  It is not your job to turn kids against their parents on matters that are purely preference and personal conviction, rather than clear commands to the New Testament church.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-11  But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Speaking of personal preferences and convictions, I should point out something really important here that people on both sides of this issue need to deal with.

Romans 14:4-10  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Did you catch all that?  We each answer to our own Master - God; not to each other.  Some of us esteem one day - Christmas, in this case - above another and some of us treat the day the same as any other day.  We each need to be fully persuaded in the position we take in our own minds - not some one else's!!  Hello!  You - yes, YOU - stop following the dictates of some one else's conscience and stop trying to force your conscience on someone else.  This is about YOUR relationship with the Lord, this is about why Christ died for YOU, so that YOU could be HIS servant in this life and the one to come.  We live unto HIM, not unto men.  Whether we regard the day, or whether we don't regard it we are HIS and we will give account to HIM.  And, we jolly well better be doing it for HIM and not to please man.  Would to God that we could grasp the depth and liberty in that!

My brother grilling one winter day (not Dec. 25th).

So What Do "Those Poor Souls" Do Anyway?

I couldn't even begin to tell all the things non-celebrators do.  I don't know myself.  But, here are some things that I know or would expect:  Reading, catching up on sleep, family games, sledding, cook outs, barbecues, working, studying, talking with friends who also don't celebrate, camping, fishing, cleaning house, sewing, writing (that's me right now), watching a movie, washing clothes, having a family meal...

You get the idea. :-)

I expect that there are even a few who forget that it's a postal holiday and check the mail! :-)

My Own Family's Practice

When my family really finally gave Christmas up completely, we usually treated the day like any other. We did school work (we were homeschooling), chores, etc. and ate a much-less-than-festive meal. Otherwise we treated it like a Saturday – chores, a little recreation (maybe reading or playing outside), and normal meals.

Later, when we had friends who lived in our area who were not celebrating we sometimes got together for a meal and to visit and play a few games. This was usually because they were folks we didn’t see often, and as the men all had the day off we were able to enjoy spending a day together.

Where we live now our local family doesn’t have any friends close enough to really get together with conveniently, so we usually spend it as a regular Saturday around here with some chores and some family time – perhaps a meal or a movie together.

One year my brother managed to shoot a deer here on our property on the morning of December 25th, so that year we spent in various stages of processing the carcass.  That was a very important addition to my brother and sister-in-law's income, so it was a real blessing for them and it was pleasant working together as a family on such a project.  It was also rather convenient that it happened on a "spare" day. :-)

Today my dad has been rototilling his garden because it is Texas and it is warm! :-)  My husband did some maintenance on my computer, and I have done a few chores and took a long nap because I'm tired today.  I think my brother and sister-in-law went fishing.  Last night we had one of our winter "fire pit meals" where we roast hot dogs and sausage over a portable fire pit in my parents' car port.  (Photo taken several years ago.)

I know other people do different things than we do.  If you wonder what it is they actually do, ask them.  But, don't do so in order to feel sorry for them or make prickly remarks, OK?

Just Ask

Speaking of asking, there is one more issue I'd like to touch on.  I have realized that part of the problem with misunderstanding comes from people not wanting to talk to US about why we do what we do.  Maybe they are embarrassed, maybe they don't want to deal with it, maybe they just don't take the time.  What can happen, though, is that they will take someone else's explanation for why we don't celebrate as the truth, when it may not be at all.

I ran across one explanation recently that was bothersome because the person doing the explaining (a Christmas celebrator) showed that "they" didn't have a grasp on what "we" really believe or why. The story given was something I had never heard before and I've been hearing and reading on this subject for around 30 years!  You might say I was a little surprised and annoyed.  In thinking about that though, I just want to encourage you to ask your friends why they don't celebrate. Don't assume you know, and don't just take someone else's explanation for what they do.  There's a good chance that second hand information may be inaccurate on this issue, as often is the case.

One of the most ridiculous situations I've heard of happened to my husband and a few other people who were all attending a Baptist church in the southwest.  The pastor was highly offended when he discovered that there were various people in his congregation who didn't celebrate Christmas and he was apparently determined to force them to submit to his opinion - that all "good Christians" celebrate Christmas.  The comments he made from the pulpit were meant to make others think that anyone who didn't celebrate Christmas had been influenced by the Jehovah's Witnesses.  This was far from the truth, but it connected the people he was shaming to a cult, even if it was in a very nebulous way.  Don't fool yourself.  That was intentional, and it was a very powerful mind game he was playing, both with the ones who didn't celebrate and with those whom he wished to "keep" in his camp.  This is tragic, friends. Tragic.  Such things ought not to be in the Lord's church over issues such as this.  Romans 14 makes that abundantly clear!

We ourselves have a number of reasons why we don't celebrate - not just one.  Consequently, I'm sure it's safe to say there are a lot of reasons why people don't celebrate.  I have one friend who was already really frustrated with the whole drama of American Christmas before she met her husband who didn't celebrate.  For her, it was an easy transition because she'd already cut back.  There are people who had tragic Christmases in their childhood, such as one man my dad knew who had actually received a lump of coal some years.  There are people who have had some terrible personal tragedy that has spoiled the season for them.  There are people who just don't care any more because they are always alone anyway.  I am sure there are people who can't deal with the pain of not having children.  I'm just saying...don't assume you know.

Conclusion

Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Ephesians 4:29-32  Let 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.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Worth Repeating - What to Do In December when You don’t Celebrate Christmas

This item was written in October of 2015. This is worth revisiting for those who do not celebrate and would like some ideas about how to use this month when others tend to be so busy with the holiday.

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Awhile back a reader asked what their family might do in December since they were no longer celebrating Christmas.  It seemed like it would be a good subject to write about, so here are some ideas for our fellow non-celebrators.  I wrote this at the Home Maker’s Corner under the section on Christmas-related subjects.

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For those of us who don't observe Christmas, it can sometimes be a little hard to know what to do in December while everyone else (more or less) is consumed with celebrating.  We may feel alienated from our family, friends and church to some degree.  This isn't always because they don't care or are resentful (though, sadly, that does happen).  Sometimes it is simply that they don't think of it, or they don't have time to fit non-celebrators into their holiday schedules.  Being resentful or hurt about that won't help.  Since we made the choice to not celebrate, it is our responsibility to find other ways to use that time.

Here are some ideas that may help those who are still trying to figure out what to do in December.

Continue Reading.

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For those who may wonder why we don’t celebrate Christmas, here is the answer from our own personal point of view.

Worth Repeating - Why Is A Wife Blamed for Her Husband’s Unfaithfulness?

 

Here is an article I wrote at the Home Maker’s Corner ten years ago.  It is rather long, but this is a subject that is of pretty high importance as much now as it was before. This article was originally written in the wake of one of the Duggar debacles involving Josh Duggar.

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Why Is A Wife Blamed for her Husband’s Unfaithfulness?

Proverbs 20:23 Divers weights are an abomination
unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

The recent Duggar catastrophe that exposed Josh Duggar for having an Ashley Madison account and his subsequent "confession" has caused a lot of discussion. Among other things, there has been speculation about whether Anna, his wife, would feel compelled to share in the blame. This compulsion could be caused by a number of things - the teachings of Gothard on sexual sin, her own misguided conscience, her in-laws, her church fellowship, etc. 

I feel badly for Anna, but there is nothing that I personally can do for her except pray, so speculating on her state of mind and conscience is kind of pointless. However, it seems like it would be appropriate to stop and consider how we arrived at the point where women in Christendom are so often blamed either partially or mostly for their husbands' moral failures. How did this unjust balance in thinking come about? Here are some reasons that came to mind. There are probably more.

Continue Reading.

Thoughts from the Past -- “I Don’t Believe It”

Jan. 15, 2006; edited July 2025

"I Don't Believe It"

John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

Friday afternoon my parents and I went out to run some errands and shop. We also stopped at our favorite Chinese restaurant for dinner. While we were eating a mother and her two young children came in and sat at the next table. In the course of their conversation the mother made a statement and the little girl answered pointedly, "I don't believe you." This she said with all the profound wisdom of a five year old. Somehow this comment made its way into my dreams that night, and when I woke up I got to contemplating.

One of the most amazing things about truth is that it is not altered nor changed by lack of belief. If no one in the world believes it, it is still true. This is why truth is so powerful. (Which leads many people to claim or pretend that they have some "truth" only they can dispense.)

These things play themselves out in millions of ways in life. But, regardless of what people believe or don't believe, how they promote the truth or try to twist it, it is still recorded in the inerasable record of time and creation. It matters not to God that man has mis-recorded his record. God's alone is absolutely true. Speaking of the Jews who did not believe the gospel, Paul wrote through the Spirit, Romans 3:3-4 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

In total contrast it is only when lies are believed that they become truly powerful. What if no one had believed Darwin? What if Hitler had been branded a liar and run out of the country when he first started his loud lies? What if Marx and Lenin had been seen for what they were and cast aside? What if someone had burned the original "Protocols of Zion"? What if the monks at the monastery in the desert had told Tishcendorf that he could not have their discarded Greek manuscript of the New Testament because it had lies in it? The course of history would have been altered in significant ways. Even so, these lies have no power to actually change the truth, even though billions of people have believed them! The truth remains the same. Proverbs 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Man has the ridiculous habit of thinking that if he does not believe a thing, it is therefore not true. His "proofs" may convince himself, but at the same time they do not alter the truth nor affect it in the least. Of course, the father of lies is always pleased to supply plenty of his own alleged "proofs." John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The fact that millions don't believe in creation has not changed the truth of it, nor has it changed the fact that the creation continues to show the mighty power of God. Just because some little brat stands up, looks God square in the face and says, "I don't believe you!" doesn't change what God did in the least. It doesn't impress Him either nor does it intimidate Him. And what's more, He has no need to "prove it" as some demand. He gave His record and man's belief or unbelief cannot alter it. (John 8:13-16)

So it is with a thousand different things. The age of the earth is not changed by the fact that man can't agree upon an exact date. The King James Bible is still the only pure scriptures in English, even if the scholars ridicule it and people doubt it. Jesus Christ is still the Son of God, even though men crucified Him and deny Him still. The catching away of the church will occur though many disregard it and mock it. Devils are still real and active though some think that is superstition and myth. A child of God is still saved even though he or she may cease to believe it, 1 John 3:20.  (You might want to read that last one again.)

Our lack of faith and belief cannot break the truth. We may be deceived into thinking it has because of the effects our unbelief have upon our lives, but experience has no bearing on absolute truth. If experience and truth agree, the truth is right. If experience and truth do not agree, the truth is right. If the truth does not appear true, it is still true. How we feel about it makes no difference.

Think of it this way - if a person is charged, found guilty, sentenced and executed for a crime they did NOT commit, does that prove they did it? Certainly not! Thus, as with the little girl and her mother, when some man or woman turns to their Creator and says, "I don't believe you," they have accomplished nothing but to prove their own ignorance and foolishness. Basically, they just look silly.

The very fact that truth is unalterable proves there IS a holy God. The unholy gods of other religions, and even "Christian" cults, have no power to keep truth true. Their alleged "truth," if they claim any, changes over time and through circumstances. The Lord God Almighty ...keepeth truth for ever... (Ps. 146:6). It is not up for debate. It is not affected by unbelief.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
1John 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
3John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Psalm 117:2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Worth Repeating - The Red Seas of Life

Some years back we heard a sermon on the subject of the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14. I couldn’t help thinking of these two poems, which I love, and which have been a comfort and encouragement to me. May God bless them to you as well.
[First published here in 2012. Edited 2025.]

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The Red Sea
by Martha Snell Nicholson

When the Children of Israel crossed the sea,
It comforts my heart to know
That there must have been timorous ones
Who faltered and feared to go;

Feared the ribbon of road which stretched
Ahead like a narrow track,
With the waves piled high on either side,
And nothing to hold them back­

Nothing to hold them back but a Hand
They could neither see nor feel;
Their God seemed distant and far away,
And only the peril real.

Yet the fearful ones were as safe as the brave,
For the mercy of God is wide.
Craven, and fearless, He led them all
Dry shod to the other side.

And I think of the needless terror and pain
We bring, to our own Red Sea.
Strengthen Thy timorous ones, dear Lord,
And help us to trust in Thee!

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

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One thought that crossed my mind was how we sometimes make mud puddles into Red Seas. Life surely brings us the apparently impassible seas that require a miracle from our Lord to get us through. But, to be honest there are times when it isn’t a Red Sea at all, but we imagine it is.  I have a natural tendency toward this myself, and I know at least some of you do as well. Regardless of how big the “sea” really is, what a mercy it is from God that He is not limited by our timidity or lack of imagination! 

Ephesians 3:20-21  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

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A Red Sea Place
by Annie Johnson Flint

Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life,
Where in spite of all you can do,
There is no way out, there is no way back,
There is no other way but through?
Then wait on the Lord with a trust serene
Till the night of your fear is gone;
He will send the wind, He will heap the floods,
When He says to your soul "Go on."

And His hand will lead you through - clear through -
Ere the watery walls roll down,
No foe can reach you, no wave can touch,
No mightiest sea can drown;
The tossing billows may rear their crests,
Their foam at your feet may break,
But over their bed you shall walk dryshod
In the path that your Lord will make.

In the morning watch, ‘neath the lifted cloud,
You shall see but the Lord alone,
When He leads you on from the place of the sea,
To a land that you have not known;
And your fears shall pass as your foes have passed,
You shall no more be afraid;
You shall sing His praise in a better place,
A place that His hand has made.

Psalm 106:9 He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

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Oh, how frightening it is to the flesh to be in a place where “There is no way out, there is no way back, There is no other way but through..” How we tend to chafe and struggle and doubt, even after we’ve seen the mighty power of God over and over, as the Israelites had in Egypt. Would to God our response could always be the response of Moses. Exodus 14:13-14  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

It is so hard to stand still and hold our peace when we think we are about to be destroyed and we imagine God isn’t paying attention. Remember the disciples in the boat when Jesus was sleeping and the storm of wind came up? Luke 8:23-24  But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. These men had also witnessed the power of God to perform miracles, and yet they thought that their ship was going to sink and they were going to perish when the Son of God was with them! How silly! Yet, how like us. How like me!

What can we do? 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 Peter 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

Worth Repeating - A Few Words to "The Mother Club" on Behalf of the Hurting Ones Outside

 

Here is a new article I wrote on the Home Maker’s Corner. I hope that you will make the time to read this if you are a Christian woman. It is something that has been heavy on my heart and the Lord brought about a situation that forced me to get this said. (First published in 2014.)

A Few Words to "The Mother Club"
on Behalf of the Hurting Ones Outside

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own...

Recently I read a blog post by a well-meaning lady who was addressing an important subject.  She was debunking the "perfect family" ideal that has developed, thanks largely to Quiverfull, Hyper "Biblical Patriarchy" and Family Inclusive Churches.  This is the ideology that large families are more special, more blessed, have better "quivers" and are generally more to be admired by Christians than small families.  (And, let me say here that I have no problem with large families if that's what the parents want.)  The attitudes of some become almost idolatrous, if not fully so.  I was very glad to see her dealing with this subject as it is a serious issue.  No mother should be made to feel like a failure or inferior because she "only" has one or two or three kids!

However - my heart was also very deeply hurt by this lady's article (which is one reason I'm not sharing the link or quotes).  As I read her article I was so glad she was saying many of the things she said and yet so torn because of all the things she missed and even the things she was making worse and more hurtful for others.  You see, for all her good intentions she totally missed the fact that mothers of small families are not the only ones that are hurt by the "motherhood IS our identity" ideal.  She pointed out that women who are mothers to one or two or even adopted children are still "in the club" of motherhood.  I sat there and grieved in my heart for all of us who are mother to none.

Continue Reading.

From Mom’s Collection – Thoughts On Time

This selection from my Mom's Collection was first published here in 2015. It seems appropriate as an end of year post and is Worth Repeating.

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Psalms 31:15  My times are in thy hand...

As this is time change Sunday here in the U.S., I thought I’d share some things on the subject of time. Two of the items come from my mom’s collection.

This first item she typed on a page from a little red ring-binder she used at least as far back as the time of her wedding. (I know this because her list of expenditures is in it.)

Do you have a problem with TIME? 

My name is Time. I haven’t always been, and I won’t always be.  But right now I’m on the move, measuring out life.  Men wait for me, submit to me, fear me; but no one can stop me.  EXCEPT GOD.  He is in control, and He says I am running out….Most men couldn’t care less.  They think I’m on the move forever.  But I’m not.  And when I stop, eternity will keep right on going…. 

[Author unknown]

My thought:  This is very interesting to think about. We don’t usually consider that time had a beginning, and even though the scripture tells us that time shall be no more (Rev. 10:6), I’m afraid we don’t often think about it ending. Time is limited, not just because our own lives have a limit, but because God plans to end time itself some day. Yet, eternity will go right on without it.  As I mentioned last week, being eternal without reference to time is difficult for us to comprehend. 

 
How important it is that we should treat time as the rare treasure that it is. We value diamonds and gold because of their amazing durability – their ability to withstand the wear and tear of time.  But, how often we forget that this most precious thing is running out. As surely as the sun rises and sets upon another day, so time is going away.

Ephesians 5:15-17  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

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The second item from my mother is this poem which is hand written on a very yellowed sheet of paper.

The Day Before

Sometime some ordinary day will come,
A busy day, like this, filled to the brim
With ordinary tasks – perhaps so full
That we have little care or thought for Him.

And there will be no hint from silent skies,
No sign, no clash of cymbals, roll of drums…
And yet that ordinary day will be
The very day before our Lord returns!

The day before we lay our burdens down,
And learn instead the strange feel of a crown!
The day before all grieving will be past,
And all our tears be wiped away at last!

O child of God, awake, and work and pray!
That ordinary day might be – today!
Make ready all thine house – tomorrow’s sun
May dawn upon the Kingdom of God’s Son.

[Author unknown]

Matthew 24:42-46 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

My thought: The hope of Jesus’ coming should be a blessing to us, but if we don’t live like we anticipate it, it is apt to be a fearful thing. And, while we are looking for His return to gather us unto Himself (when His kingdom will technically begin for us), let’s strive to live our daily lives so that we might look forward to the end of time with hope and joy.

1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

This is one of my favorite hymns – “The Sands of Time Are Sinking”.

The Arrogant Patriarch - by Frank I. Snyder

"The Angry One" by F. Hodler

Here is an article I found online and published here in 2016.  At the present time - 2024 - I feel that it is again a much needed and timely reminder as many are embracing such men and women in the church context as well as in public life and politics. 

I received permission from the author to republish and distribute it as he is very burdened about this problem and trend in the Lord's church.  I am thankful for his generosity as I also feel there is a great need to get the word out. I have already published it at the Home Maker's Corner, but decided to copy the article in its entirety here too.

This article goes well with the post on "Spiritual Abuse and Those Who Crave It", and I would add that there are a good number of pastors who sadly fall into this category of the arrogant patriarch as well.

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The Arrogant Patriarch

by Frank I. Snyder
Original article.

Over the years I have met a generic person. I know this sounds a bit strange and the term “generic” may be a bit confusing, so let me explain. A generic person is not one person, but a kind of composite of people who share characteristics or traits. So this person is a composite of certain traits in people. These people are not all the same. They are different in many ways but they do share commonalities.

This person is ageless. One would think that this person would typically be “old” simply because we expect some of these traits from older people. Surprisingly, though, the people that have fit this generic description are not confined to the older generation. They are often younger people. Perhaps that is why they have caught my attention so readily. They have not been what most folks would typically consider “old.” I have witnessed these traits in people as young as 15. Most of them, however, have been between 17 and 55, the majority in their 30’s and 40’s.

This person is also genderless. I have witnessed these traits in both men and women. I will concede, however, that most of the ones who have evidenced these traits have been men. But please understand that I refer to this person with masculine pronouns more for convenience sake than to imply that these traits are only witnessed in men. Hence I have called this person the “the arrogant patriarch”.

The traits of the arrogant patriarch are as follows:

A confidence in his own intelligence: I do not mean to imply that he is intelligent. He may be very intelligent. But what defines him is his belief in his intelligence. Sometimes he is neither intelligent nor educated but still believes he is intelligent. Along with this comes a certainty about his views and opinions being correct.

I have encountered this phenomenon in a man with a PhD from Harvard and a man that was illiterate. The PhD, a professed born again Christian, questioned the biblical account of Creation and other accounts and justified abortion to the 9th month gestation. The illiterate man insisted to me that the Bible was full of errors. When I challenged him to show me one, he left the room. Then his wife whispered to me that he could not read. But that did not stop him or the PhD from rendering an absolute opinion. These folks tend to have an opinion about most topics. He is so certain and confident about his viewpoint because he believes in his own intelligence.

The student /teacher dynamic: This trait is more felt than easily defined. But the subtle idea conveyed by him is that he is the teacher (or should be) and you are the student. He may not actually say that he is the teacher and you are the student. He is not necessarily abrasive. He just acts like he is (or should be) the teacher. It is connected with his belief in his intelligence. Some folks will readily accept him as the teacher simply because they are swayed by his manner. He believes he should be in charge and acts like it. This in part leads to the next characteristic of the arrogant patriarch.

The tendency toward conflict with others: Conflict comes with others because he tends to act upon his belief in his own intelligence. He believes that his viewpoint is the correct one and his decisions are the best. Therefore, it is only natural that others should do what he suggests or do things as he would do them. Any other way is deficient. When conflict with others arises because of this, it is not his fault. Other people are just too sensitive, or are jealous or threatened by his superior giftedness. The problem always resides in others. It could not be in him.

The inability to follow: This guy is often perpetually unemployed or he is in business for himself. The reason for either circumstance is that he just cannot work for someone else. If he has a job, he is often in conflict with his superiors or disdainful of them. In a church situation, he is someone that has difficulty recognizing the leadership authority of a pastor (Hebrews 13:7, 17). Typically, he embraces the plurality of elders viewpoint in church governance, not because he believes it is biblical, but because it fits his personality. Complete equality in authority means less infringement on his independency. The truth is he is no more in deference to a plurality of leadership than he is to one leader.

One such man with whom there had been persistent issues in a local church was asked if he could follow the pastor’s leadership. His reply was, “A man is not a pastor because he says he is. He is a pastor if he is pastoral.” And who determines if he is pastoral? The patriarch. He was saying that if the pastor met his expectations, (the only correct criteria), then he would recognize his leadership. The problem is that all pastors have flaws and given enough time, the patriarch will find them. It is his justification for ignoring the counsel of a shepherd and following his own judgment. In his mind, he does not need pastoral leadership.

The tendency to pontificate about one or select Biblical topics: Often this person “goes to seed” on some area of theology or biblical interpretation. Often he becomes an expert on some biblical topic such as prophecy, family living, evangelism, election, living by grace or the nature of the church. It really does not matter what the topic might be, for he has mastered it. He is an expert and people who do not agree are ignorant or willfully rebellious against what he knows to be the truth. He outguns those who are ignorant of or not as studied in areas where he is a specialist. He rarely will deal with someone as studied as he. This, of course, confirms his belief in his opinions and ultimately his superior understanding.

A desire to limit exposure of his family or comrades to only his views: This trait appears virtuous as certainly all family heads, leaders and loyal friends should desire to protect those close to them from error. But this goes further than that. For when a family member, friend or loved one begins to be swayed by opinions other than the patriarch’s, he will often begin to resent the intruder’s influence. He will take steps to withdraw his family or friends from opinions he deems to conflict with his leadership. He will pull his child out of a class, require his family to sit only with him, or withdraw his family and go to another church. Sometimes no church is good enough because, to him, they are all in error or bound by unbiblical traditions. So he may form his own “church” where he is the pastor and where people can get the truth. If he stays in a church, he stays on the perimeter of involvement so as to retain control of information. This person will often home school / home church his family so as to “protect” them. But it really is not about protection of his family. He is protecting his patriarchal position.

A condescending attitude toward the opposite sex: If a man, he treats his wife or women in general not just as the weaker vessel but as the lesser vessel. If a woman, she tends to regard men as generally stupid and needy and takes a condescending attitude toward them. A man tends to think of most women as inferior beings by design and regards his role not just as protector but as director. Whether a man or a woman, this person tends to want to control the partner either by force of will or manipulation – all of this because of a basic belief in his superiority and of the partner’s inferiority. This is not to say that the patriarch does not love or care for the individual. He very well may love them. He is still manipulative and controlling.

These are seven common characteristics of this generic person that I have referred to as the arrogant patriarch. If you are one of them I am sure that you will not have kindly thoughts toward this writer. If you are not one of them, beware. You could easily become such.

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Micah 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Halloween - More Than The Appearance of Evil

 

I decided to republish this again this year.

I didn't intend to write anything specifically about Halloween this year, but there are things I've seen and heard that make me heavy hearted. Too many Christians still don't get the fact that it is not a godly thing to be involved in. The world has worked overtime to make it attractive and cute for those who don't like the more sinister parts of it, and yet, today the evil side is much more "in your face" than it was when I was a kid. The cute and cozy facade is deceptive and enticing to people whose convictions and standards are negotiable based on whether they like something too much to give it up for the Lord.

I saw a short video on Instagram by a young mother who was basically saying, "Why can't we just tell our kids that Halloween is evil and of Satan and we don't have an alternative to it? We just don't do it."

Why indeed? 

My own family gave up Halloween fairly early, and my dad generally had no use for "alternatives to Halloween" that were popular at that time. Now, the so-called alternatives aren't even that "alternate." Some of the things that churches do are essentially just sanitizing occult and heathen practices so that they are less offensive. Whether it's a trunk or treat party, a harvest festival with pumpkin carving and bobbing for apples, or a "Reformation Day" party with costumes and the usual suspect games, many of the activities aren't essentially different from the practices that came from ancient witchcraft and the superstitions of All Hallow's Eve. They're basically just dressed up and rebranded for Christian consumption.

In addition to this, I learned recently that Halloween is also considered the LGBTQ+ "christmas." I'm not keen on linking to sources on this one, but if you don't believe it, I recommend that you do a little research for yourself. Try Googling "Halloween main LGBTQ holiday of the year". Yeah. It seems pretty clear that the homosexual and lesbian population of this country has been instrumental in increasing the popularity and social acceptability of Halloween. That they embrace it as their alternative to Christmas ought to give you pause if you desire to honor Jesus Christ with your life.

Christians who don't care what other's think of their actions and choices regarding these things need to consider carefully the scriptures about separating from evil, darkness, and the wickedness of this world.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

What others see you doing and supporting is important. Appearances are things that other people see. And we aren't even supposed to be involved with things that appear evil - even if our motives aren't evil. In other words, it doesn't matter how you feel about it or whether or not you care for other people's opinions. It does matter if your testimony as a Christian is marred by associating with something that clearly declares itself to be a celebration of wickedness and darkness. Halloween is more than just an appearance. It is the genuine article - evil itself.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

If Halloween and its witchy trappings are so important to you - if you love them so much - that you refuse to give them up for God, that verse basically says that the love of the Father is not in you. That's strong language, and it should scare you a bit if you are one of those Christians.

Ephesians 5:11-12 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 

No fellowship. That means you don't participate at all. Even a little. It also means that Halloween and all the sinister and dark things around it, are unfruitful. And, instead of inventing "alternatives" and sanitized substitutes, it's time for Bible loving Christians to stand up and reprove these works of darkness.

A shame even to speak of those things. At the same time, we should avoid becoming preoccupied with telling every morbid and hideous details we can dredge up. Just sayin'...

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

Do you actually need that explained?

1 John 1:5-7 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

All that dark, devilish stuff is not of God. If you walk in fellowship with Him you can't have fellowship with those evil things. It's either/or. Either you walk in the light with God and not in darkness, or you walk in darkness and you are a liar and are not obedient to the truth. Those are harsh words, but they are not my invention. They are the clear words of God Almighty. If you have an issue with it, take it up with Him.

Because at the end of the day, when you try to say that the darkness and evil that is the holiday of Halloween is ok for you to participate in, you aren't justifying your choices. You are, instead, telling us more about your heart than you probably wanted us to know. But, more than that, God DOES know your heart. He also KNOWS His word. He isn't fooled by your excuses and justifications. 

1 Samuel 16:7 ...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

What is the real alternative to participating in the works of darkness?

Titus 2:11-15  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

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Further reading:

Why We Do not Celebrate Halloween

Halloween and Other Things of Pagan Origin

What Would the Ephesian Believers Think of Halloween, Twilight, and Harry Potter In Christian Homes?

Does It Matter Which Bible Translation You Prefer?

Psalm 119:160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. 

John 6:67-68 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 

Brandon Staggs, the man speaking in this video, was a friend of my brothers' years ago. He also went to high school with my husband, although they didn't know each other very well, being in different grades. It is very curious how the Lord makes connections sometimes.

I used an NASB briefly before I came to understand the issues surrounding the textual controversy - thanks to my dad's teaching. I was about 15, I think, when I made the switch permanently. I have never regretted it, and as Brandon shows a few of the significant changes that have been made in modern versions of the Bible, know that what he says is true - there are many, many more. I hope to start addressing some of these soon on The Home Makers Corner, Lord willing.

I have no control over ads or suggestions.

Brother Brandon is the creator of the Bible program Sword Searcher. I have used it for my writing needs for years now, and I use it for Facetime Bible study when I can. I recommend it if you are looking for a Bible program to have on your own computer, rather than using online Bible programs.

Worth Repeating - The Rich Family In Our Church

 

2 Corinthians 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

I don't remember where I first found this story, but it is worth repeating. It was first posted here in Jan. 2014.

The Rich Family In Our Church

By Eddie Ogan

I'll never forget Easter 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy, 12, and my older sister Darlene, 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died 5 years before, leaving Mom with seven school kids to raise and no money. By 1946 my older sisters were married, and my brothers had left home.

A month before Easter, the pastor of our church announced that a special Easter offering would be taken to help a poor family. He asked everyone to save and give sacrificially. When we got home, we talked about what we could do. We decided to buy 50 pounds of potatoes and live on them for a month. This would allow us to save $20 of our grocery money for the offering. Then we thought that if we kept our electric lights turned out as much as possible and didn't listen to the radio, we'd save money on that month's electric bill. Darlene got as many house and yard cleaning jobs as possible, and both of us baby sat for everyone we could. For 15 cents, we could buy enough cotton loops to make three potholders to sell for $1. We made $20 on potholders.

That month was one of the best of our lives. Every day we counted the money to see how much we had saved. At night we'd sit in the dark and talk about how the poor family was going to enjoy having the money the church would give them. We had about 80 people in church, so we figured that whatever amount of money we had to give, the offering would surely be 20 times that much. After all, every Sunday the Pastor had reminded everyone to save for the sacrificial offering.

The day before Easter, Ocy and I walked to the grocery store and got the manager to give us three crisp $20 bills and one $10 bill for all our change. We ran all the way home to show Mom and Darlene. We had never had so much money before. That night we were so excited we could hardly sleep. We didn't care that we wouldn't have new clothes for Easter; we had $70 for the sacrificial offering. We could hardly wait to get to church!

On Sunday morning, rain was pouring. We didn't own an umbrella, and the church was over a mile from our home, but it didn't seem to matter how wet we got. Darlene had cardboard in her shoes to fill the holes. The cardboard came apart, and her feet got wet. But we sat in church proudly. I heard some teenagers talking about the Smith girls having on their old dresses. I looked at them in their new clothes, and I felt so rich.

When the sacrificial offering was taken, we were sitting on the second row from the front. Mom put in the $10 bill, and each of us girls put in a $20. As we walked home after church, we sang all the way. At lunch Mom had a surprise for us. She had bought a dozen eggs, and we had boiled Easter eggs with our fried potatoes!

Late that afternoon the minister drove up in his car. Mom went to the door, talked with him for a moment, and then came back with an envelope in her hand. We asked what it was, but she didn't say a word. She opened the envelope and out fell a bunch of money. There were three crisp $20 bills, one $10 and seventeen $1 bills. Mom put the money back in the envelope. We didn't talk, just sat and stared at the floor. We had gone from feeling like millionaires to feeling like poor white trash.

We kids had had such a happy life that we felt sorry for anyone who didn't have our mom and dad for parents and a house full of brothers and sisters and other kids visiting constantly. We thought it was fun to share silverware and see whether we got the fork or the spoon that night. We had two knives which we passed around to whoever needed them. I knew we didn't have a lot of things that other people had, but I'd never thought we were poor. That Easter Day I found out we were.

The minister had brought us the money for the poor family, so we must be poor. I didn't like being poor. I looked at my dress and worn-out shoes and felt so ashamed that I didn't want to go back to church. Everyone there probably already knew we were poor! I thought about school. I was in the ninth grade and at the top of my class of over 100 students. I wondered if the kids at school knew we were poor. I decided I could quit school since I had finished the eighth grade. That was all the law required at that time.

We sat in silence for a long time. Then it got dark, and we went to bed. All that week, we girls went to school and came home, and no one talked much. Finally on Saturday, Mom asked us what we wanted to do with the money. What did poor people do with money? We didn't know.

We'd never known we were poor. We didn't want to go to church on Sunday, but Mom said we had to. Although it was a sunny day, we didn't talk on the way.

Mom started to sing, but no one joined in and she only sang one verse. At church we had a missionary speaker. He talked about how churches in Africa made buildings out of sun-dried bricks, but they need money to buy roofs. He said $100 would put a roof on a church. The minister said, "Can't we all sacrifice to help these poor people?"

We looked at each other and smiled for the first time in a week. Mom reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope. She passed it to Darlene. Darlene gave it to me, and I handed it to Ocy. Ocy put it in the offering.

When the offering was counted, the minister announced that it was a little over $100. The missionary was excited. He hadn't expected such a large offering from our small church. He said, "You must have some rich people in this church."

Suddenly it struck us! We had given $87 of that "little over $100."
We were the rich family in the church!

Hadn't the missionary said so?

From that day on I've never been poor again.

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Mark 12:41-44  And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.  And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.  And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Worth Repeating: The Hidden Line

 

The Hidden Line - Have You Counted the Cost?

First published here in September of 2013. Edited Oct. 2023.

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Hebrews 3:7-11  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

Last Sunday night we heard a very useful and challenging sermon on the subject of not allowing our hearts to become hardened to the Spirit of God. In the course of the message the pastor talked about the invisible line that we can cross when we persistently resist the reproving of the Holy Spirit and harden our hearts against Him. There is a point at which the Spirit ceases to speak or call and we cannot know when and where that point may be.

Saved people can cross a line when they refuse to deal with sin in their lives that the Lord wants them to deal with, or when they refuse to do things that He wants them to do. If we harden our hearts over and over and refuse to deal with something the Lord at some point may finally steps back and let us go our own way. The results of this are never good. 

1 Timothy 4:1-2  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [Emphasis added.]

Galatians 6:7-9  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Those who are not Christians can cross the hidden line where God’s Spirit no longer draws them. This may happen when they repeatedly reject the call to salvation in Jesus Christ. There have been many people no doubt who went on and on time after time rejecting the call to life through Christ until they no longer heard it at all. Sadly, they don't necessarily feel any evidence of their loss or impending doom, nor do they realize that they have chosen eternal death over eternal life. This is a very fearful thing! 

Proverbs 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2 Corinthians 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

This brother’s message reminded me of this poem and also of an old song. I wanted to post them here today.

The Hidden Line
[The Destiny of Man]

There is a time, we know not when,
A point we know not where,
That marks the destiny of men
To glory or despair.

There is a line by us unseen,
That crosses every path;
The hidden boundary between
God’s patience and his wrath.

To pass that limit is to die,
To die as if by stealth;
It does not quench the beaming eye
Or pale the glow of health.

The conscience may be still at ease,
The spirit lithe and gay;
That which pleases still may please,
And care be thrust away.

But on that forehead God has set,
Indelibly a mark,
Unseen by men, for men as yet
Are blind and in the dark.

And yet the doomed man’s path below
May bloom as Eden bloomed;
He did not, does not, will not know,
Or feel that he is doomed.

He knows, he feels that all is well,
And every fear is calmed;
He lives, he dies, he wakes in hell,
Not only doomed, but damned.

Oh, where is this mysterious bourn
By which our path is crossed;
Beyond which God himself hath sworn,
That he who goes is lost.

How far may we go on in sin?
How long will God forbear?
Where does hope end, and where begin
The confines of despair?

An answer from the skies is sent,
"Ye that from God depart,
While it is called to-day, repent,
And harden not your heart."

Dr. J. Addison Alexander

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Chorus from an old song – (Have You Counted the Cost?)

Have you counted the cost,
If your soul should be lost,
Though you gain the whole world for your own?
Come to Jesus today,
He will show you the way,
Have you counted, have you counted the cost?

Hebrews 3:7  …To day if ye will hear his voice,

The choice is yours.

Short Thoughts - Good All by Himself

All By Himself

A friend once sent me a link to a song. I don't remember what the song was, but something the singer said before she started singing made me think. She said, “God is just good, and He is good all by Himself!” Wow. What a statement. 

Do you realize that God doesn’t need us to “prove” that He is good? He doesn't need to do anything to "be good" like we do.  He IS GOOD – all by Himself. He is good in and of Himself. He doesn’t need anyone or anything to prove it. I think sometimes we get the wrong idea - that we have to somehow prove that He is good or that He is God. Why? He is Good and He is God without proving Himself to us, without our approval, without our proving it to others, to Him or to ourselves. Although He does prove Himself, He does not need to prove Himself in order to be good.

He does not technically need us to tell Him He is good either, though we know from scripture that He wants us to praise Him for who and what He is – including His goodness. It is expected of those who love, fear, and worship Him. But, He was good and wise and creative and mighty “all by Himself” before the foundation of the world. Or I should say, He IS all these thing before the foundation of the world. His goodness is not limited to time as ours is, or as our concept of Him is. John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

I don’t know what the lady was thinking when she said that God “is good all by Himself.” It might have been what Jesus said when He stated, "…there is none good but one, that is, God." Mark 10:18 God “is good all by Himself” in the sense that He alone is good (all others have sinned and come short of the glory of God, Rom. 3:23). He also is good alone, without the need of proof or commendation by anyone. It is a wonderful thought! It takes a lot of false responsibility off of us. It also reveals to us the blessing and privilege of worshipping Him outside of our own specific needs. He is not good and just and wonderful and powerful and mighty and wise because we found Him so, or because He proved Himself to be so to me or to you. He is not all these things because we say He is either. He is all these things without our praise, without our permission, without our being on the receiving end of them. He is "good all by Himself." He is I AM THAT I AM (Ex. 3:14).

And yet, He desires the sacrifice of praise from us in adoration and worship of Him as the good, creative, mighty, awe-inspiring God that He is! What a privilege! What a blessing! And yet, how humbling.

Psalm 104:35 Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD. 

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

 

Whole - in an unbroken or
undamaged state; in one piece.

Matthew 9:20-22 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Continue Reading --

Word of the day: Whole

Word of the Day - Late

 

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late,
to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Continue Reading.

An Encouraging Sermon and Amazing Grace

A blessed New Year to those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

A very good reminder to start the New Year. 

Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

   

 If you wish to see the whole service, start it at the beginning. I have selected to start it at the preaching. I have no control over ads or suggestions.

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Today also marks the 250th anniversary of John Newton first presenting the hymn "Amazing Grace" to his congregation when he preached on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17. 

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

John Newton

Thoughts from the Past – You May Never Know On Earth

1 Corinthians 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Here is an article I wrote years ago about the subject of witnessing for Christ but not seeing immediate results. Sometimes it can get discouraging when you hand out tracts or witness, or minister to others in whatever way you do, and you don’t see the fruit of your efforts. This article was written as a reminder that it is God that giveth the increase and that our job is to be faithful stewards. We may never know till we get to heaven some of the fruit that results from our efforts to plant and water. 

This article includes an amazing story my dad tells about a work among Muslims in Nigeria many years ago. Please take time to read the whole article, I promise that you will be blessed if you love the Lord!

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1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Giving out tracts at the stores where we shop, trying to live a godly life that will glorify our Father in heaven, giving a word to the weary, telling someone what the Bible says about something -- these are some of the things that we do that we may never hear any fruit from.  It can be a temptation to be discouraged and feel that our efforts are in vain, especially for ladies who keep the home.  We may feel like we're just not doing that much sometimes.  We answer to God, though, not to others or even ourselves.

Much emphasis is put on the necessity of winning souls among some Fundamental Baptists and other Christians to such a point that if you don't win a lot of souls regularly, they consider you backslidden and may even start questioning your salvation.  In some places, such as Hyles Anderson College, there is (or was last we heard) an actual quota that each student was to win each week or month. This is no different than the Charismatics who think they can make God preform on their schedule.  It is disgusting, to say the least.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.   Winning souls is wise, but far be it from us to demand the fruit from God on our terms!  

Continue reading here.

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Vintage graphic - unknown.
This post was first published here Dec. 2014.

Article updated 2022.