Why My Husband Should Not Be Speaking

My husband spoke at the Children Desiring God Conference that was held in March. He started by sharing "The Ten Reasons why he should not be one of the keynote speakers”. Here's what he shared:

1. I was born to parents (whom I love) who were both drug addicts/alcoholics.

2. I was orphaned and raised by my great aunt.

3. I was raised in East St. Louis, IL (with a national reputation as the worst, most dangerous city in America).

4. I lived a filthy life of sinful, wild rebellion.

5. I have been arrested for stealing.

6. I grew up with a slurred speech impediment and learning disabilities.

7. I have no seminary degree!

8. I have hurt many people in my life because of my sin, including those whom I love the most.

9. I am still plagued by remaining pockets of the lust of my flesh, lust of my eyes, and the pride of life - in my heart!

10. I feel like the chief of sinners among us...really! = I should not be here.....BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved me, even when I was dead in my trespasses and sins, made me alive with Christ—by grace I have been saved!

...Do you hear me?..I should NOT be speaking to you... BUT GOD chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And BECAUSE OF HIM I am in Christ Jesus, who is my wisdom, my righteousness, my sanctification and my redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast (not in Kempton) but, in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Listen to the entire talk or watch the video. The Lord was so gracious in using my imperfect husband to proclaim His perfect truth. To God Be the Glory!

Slave or Self: Is it About Me or Him?

Excerpt from Slave by John MacArthur, p. 14-15, 21

We don't hear about that [slave] concept much in churches today. In contemporary Christianity the language is anything but slave terminology. It is about success, health, wealth, prosperity, and the pursuit of happiness. We often hear that God loves people unconditionally and wants them to be all they want to be. He wants to fulfill every desire, hope, and dream. Personal ambition, personal fulfillment, personal gratification--these have all become part of the language of evangelical Christianity--and part of what it means to have a "personal relationship with Jesus Christ."

Instead of teaching the New Testament gospel--where sinners are called to submit to Christ--the contemporary message is exactly the opposite: Jesus is here to fulfill all your wishes. Likening Him to a personal assistant or a personal trainer, many churchgoers speak of a personal Savior who is eager to do their bidding and help them in their quest for self-satisfaction or individual accomplishment.

The New Testament understanding of the believer's relationship to Christ could not be more opposite. He is the Master and Owner. We are His possession. He is the King, the Lord, and the Son of God. We are His subjects and His subordinates.

In a word, we are His slaves.

Scottish pastor Alexander Maclaren, a contemporary of Spurgeon, echoed these same truths: "...the blending and the absorption of my own will in His will, is the secret of all that makes manhood glorious and great and happy...In the New Testament these names of slave and owner are transferred to Christians and Jesus Christ."

The Two Most Recent Songs...

I added to my iPod -

1) Heather Williams - Hallelujah

2) Laura Story - Blessings

Just thought I'd share because these two songs truly encourage my heart!

Sin & Split Personality

Excerpt from A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller, P. 92

All sin involves a splitting of the personality--what James calls being "double minded" (4:8). If we become proud, we have an inflated sense of self that has lost touch with who we really are. If a husband watches porn online and then warmly greets his wife, he has created two people--one public and one hidden. If you talk about friends disparagingly behind their backs, you've created two personalities--the loving friend and the gossiping friend. You try to keep the personalities separate by telling those to whom you gossip, "Please keep this in confidence."

We first see this split immediately after Adam and Eve sin. Their friendly, walking-with-God selves are replaced by hiding, naked selves. God's searching question, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9), attempts to expose this fracture of the two selves.

Repentance brings the split personality together and thus restores integrity to the life. The real self is made public. When the proud person is humbled, the elevated self is united with the true self.

Spring Cleaning your Records

Now that it FINALLY feels like spring in Minnesota, it's time for a little Spring Cleaning. Besides the typical decluttering that most people do around this time, parents of children with special needs or medical needs have to organize large amounts of paperwork. My friend has written the following article that includes some helpful tips on staying on top of record keeping.

The Importance of

Recordkeeping

by Sue Hume

As parents of kids with special needs, we receive lots of advice. But the one I found most beneficial is this: keep track of your child's medical history. This information is helpful if you change doctors or seek second opinions. It's essential if you request County assistance or apply for social security disability benefits. Sure, it requires a little effort on your part, but in the long run it's well worth it.

First, purchase either a large notebook or box of file folders. If you use folders, label each folder with the name of your child's doctor or specialist. Then insert every report, evaluation, discharge summary, or notes into their respective files. If you prefer to use a notebook, divide each section so you can easily locate the documents.

Next, create the following charts and record every time your child is seen by any type of medical or mental health professional. It may seem foolish to jot down visits for a sore throat or other minor illness, but that data may be needed some day. Here's what to include:

• List every doctor, dentist, therapist or other person who treats your child. Include address, phone number, date first seen and date last seen.
• Hospitals, clinics, or emergency rooms your child visits. Provide address, phone number, date in and date out, and reason for treatment.
• Medical or mental health tests your child receives. Describe the name and place of the test, person who referred you, and the date.
• Medication your child currently takes or has taken. Include amounts, reason for taking, and any side affects.

Keeping track of your child's health history is easy to do, and will help medical professionals and government representatives make correct choices on your child's behalf.

To Eat or Not to Eat? Serving is the Answer

As I mentioned in this post, here is the list of Biblically-based ways to serve others that do not involve eating. Many times our boredom and discontentment lead us to overeat because we are not replacing those thoughts of food with things that can truly satisfy the longing of our soul which is to love and serve God and people. The ideas on this list do not take a lot of prep time and they can be done at any time.

Serve Your Family

• Pray for your marriage (Heb 13:4), your spouse (start with Eph 5:23-33), and your children (start with Eph 6:1-3). These are good books to help you start praying God's Word over your husband, wife, and children. Other good resources can be found through Children Desiring God.
• Read a book or do an activity with your children. You may want to look at this list of good Easter books & other bible focused children's books. (Prov 22:6)
• Set a timer for 15 minutes & clear some clutter or do some cleaning. (Prov 14:1)

Serve Your Church

• Pray for the leaders & ministries in your church. (Heb 13:7; Eph 6:18)
• Write a card to someone who has been sick or suffering. (2 Cor 1:3-7)

• Call a new family or widow at your church and ask how you can serve them. (Romans 12:13)

Serve Your World

• Read an article in the Voice of the Martyrs magazine & Pray for the persecuted church. Get the free subscription. (Hebrews 13:3)
• Write letter to your sponsored child. Start sponsoring today. (Gal 2:10)
• Invite a neighbor over. (Gal 6:10)

Serve Your Soul

• Do your current Bible Study Lesson or review a lesson from a past study. (John 17:17)
• Pray for strength to resist temptation. (John 17:15)
• Read Romans 6 to be reminded of your freedom from sin through Christ.
  
  

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14

Hanging out with Big Red!

Toddler Tuesday: Clifford Day at the MOA

Thanks Gen for the cute pic!