This week, a NC judge decided that three homeschooled kids MUST attend public school to "challenge" what they have learned at home these last four years. All of this was brought about because mom and dad were getting a divorce and dad thought that the kids should GO to school and this is part of the case.
This is one of those times when the problems began way before the case came to court. Let's not talk about how divorce is wrong or how a wife not submitting to her husband's headship is wrong, let's instead focus on how these kids are not being brought to worship at the public education altar.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Choice?
This past weekend, a soon-to-be-seminarian posed a question to us. He'd read a book written by a pastor that detailed the first years of ministry in a small, NC congregation. The book surprised him because he could see the same situations and dynamics in our congregation. We laughed knowingly as, after almost 17 years serving churches, we knew there are similar struggles everywhere. He, however, did not laugh. In all seriousness, he wanted to know why would he want to subject himself on purpose to those sorts of struggles? In his own life, he'd struggled through many challenges, not the least of which was a recent bout with cancer. He declared that he didn't think that he was physically or mentally "up to the task."
My husband tried to say that it IS a challenge, but God provides strength from somewhere. I almost started crying on the spot, recalling some of the challenges we faced and how neither of us knew how God would work them out...but He always did. The burdens were very great at times, very painful, and yet, we both know pastors who have suffered even more than we have for the sake of speaking the Truth in love.
II Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The man dismissed my dh's words, "Yes, yes, I know God will help me." and then went on to try to clarify what he thought my husband did not understand. Physically and mentally he didn't know that a 50+ year old man could endure just those aspects. What he did not understand was that, 50 or not, a beating is a beating.
All afternoon, I thought about something my dh responds to the question, "When did you know God wanted you to be a Pastor?" He always responds, "The day I was ordained to serve a congregation." and after that, whenever he was installed to serve another. Until that time, he prepared for what he thought he should do, never knowing for sure if that was God's plan for him or not.
I also thought about what my dh has chosen to do. He wants to tell folks about Jesus and forgiveness and give them "the Peace that Passeth all Understanding." He did not choose to struggle. He did not choose to be personally attacked or to have his family personally attacked. He did not choose to be poor or choose to be ignored or unappreciated. So many things he did not choose.
What this seminarian does not yet understand is that these struggles, while outwardly can be awful, are instruments of God's grace as well. These personal struggles have opened our eyes to see God's smallest blessings. They have caused us to cling more fervently to the Promises of Christ. They have caused us both to see the wickedness of all people, including ourselves and the desperate need for all to know that CHRIST did it ALL FOR YOU.
That even when you feel you can bear no more, you can tell the Truth yet again...hopefully planting or watering another seed of God's Grace.
It reminds me of being pregnant and childbirth. I have "easy, textbook" pregnancies. And yet, I do not enjoy being pregnant. I count the days til the baby pops out and the body aches and pains leave and the horrible mood swings go away. Labor..who can say that is fun?? Any mother will tell you that the pain makes you feel as if you are going to die and that there is no way you can accomplish this seemingly insurmountable task. I've even shouted (screamed) "I CAN'T DO IT!!!!" more than a few times. And yet, by the grace of God, I DID do it and I lived to breathe another day.
Serving the church is like that. There are SO many things a Pastor cannot do of his own choice. Hold his tongue and still speak the Truth in love. Give communion to those who have attacked him and his family..as the hand of Christ. Look at folks who despise Christ's Own Word, and continue to feed them the Word anyway like a parent feeds his beligerent child broccoli, because it is good for them. These things he does as God grants him grace..day to day, moment to moment.
As Christians, we are to bear each other's burdens. To bear..to deal with..to accept and help another with their weakness of not just bodily ailments (that is easy in comparison!) but patience with their lack of knowledge or faith, and loving them not just anyway, but despite their frailties.
I know that my poor dh has had to bear up with my ignorance and stubborness in spiritual things..he had no idea God used his "fights" with me to prepare him for challenges in the congregations he has served. But I hope and pray that as God has allowed me to grow and learn from him, dh can be encouraged to keep on preaching and teaching, realizing that if God can change this stubborn German, He can change anyone!
My husband tried to say that it IS a challenge, but God provides strength from somewhere. I almost started crying on the spot, recalling some of the challenges we faced and how neither of us knew how God would work them out...but He always did. The burdens were very great at times, very painful, and yet, we both know pastors who have suffered even more than we have for the sake of speaking the Truth in love.
II Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The man dismissed my dh's words, "Yes, yes, I know God will help me." and then went on to try to clarify what he thought my husband did not understand. Physically and mentally he didn't know that a 50+ year old man could endure just those aspects. What he did not understand was that, 50 or not, a beating is a beating.
All afternoon, I thought about something my dh responds to the question, "When did you know God wanted you to be a Pastor?" He always responds, "The day I was ordained to serve a congregation." and after that, whenever he was installed to serve another. Until that time, he prepared for what he thought he should do, never knowing for sure if that was God's plan for him or not.
I also thought about what my dh has chosen to do. He wants to tell folks about Jesus and forgiveness and give them "the Peace that Passeth all Understanding." He did not choose to struggle. He did not choose to be personally attacked or to have his family personally attacked. He did not choose to be poor or choose to be ignored or unappreciated. So many things he did not choose.
What this seminarian does not yet understand is that these struggles, while outwardly can be awful, are instruments of God's grace as well. These personal struggles have opened our eyes to see God's smallest blessings. They have caused us to cling more fervently to the Promises of Christ. They have caused us both to see the wickedness of all people, including ourselves and the desperate need for all to know that CHRIST did it ALL FOR YOU.
That even when you feel you can bear no more, you can tell the Truth yet again...hopefully planting or watering another seed of God's Grace.
It reminds me of being pregnant and childbirth. I have "easy, textbook" pregnancies. And yet, I do not enjoy being pregnant. I count the days til the baby pops out and the body aches and pains leave and the horrible mood swings go away. Labor..who can say that is fun?? Any mother will tell you that the pain makes you feel as if you are going to die and that there is no way you can accomplish this seemingly insurmountable task. I've even shouted (screamed) "I CAN'T DO IT!!!!" more than a few times. And yet, by the grace of God, I DID do it and I lived to breathe another day.
Serving the church is like that. There are SO many things a Pastor cannot do of his own choice. Hold his tongue and still speak the Truth in love. Give communion to those who have attacked him and his family..as the hand of Christ. Look at folks who despise Christ's Own Word, and continue to feed them the Word anyway like a parent feeds his beligerent child broccoli, because it is good for them. These things he does as God grants him grace..day to day, moment to moment.
As Christians, we are to bear each other's burdens. To bear..to deal with..to accept and help another with their weakness of not just bodily ailments (that is easy in comparison!) but patience with their lack of knowledge or faith, and loving them not just anyway, but despite their frailties.
I know that my poor dh has had to bear up with my ignorance and stubborness in spiritual things..he had no idea God used his "fights" with me to prepare him for challenges in the congregations he has served. But I hope and pray that as God has allowed me to grow and learn from him, dh can be encouraged to keep on preaching and teaching, realizing that if God can change this stubborn German, He can change anyone!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Ash Wednesday
The beginning of the service is very serious, with an extended confession and absolution with the imposition of ashes to remind us that we are sinners in need of a Savior. The Lessons, hymns and then the sermon on the Gospel - as the catechism says - fasting or other outward preparations are fine disciplines of personal piety. Just as long as we don't use them to Toot our own horns
WHAT?
at this point the three year old blurts out, "Daddy said TOOT! Daddy said 'we shouldn't toot' in church!"
(in case the term is unfamiliar to you...in our house Toot means ...pass gas.)
That was the end of that. All of us lost it. Giggling from our family from the oldest down to the youngest. (I TRIED not to giggle really I did!) AND we were sitting in the front. We are a bad pastor's family. Next week, it is back to the back for us.
WHAT?
at this point the three year old blurts out, "Daddy said TOOT! Daddy said 'we shouldn't toot' in church!"
(in case the term is unfamiliar to you...in our house Toot means ...pass gas.)
That was the end of that. All of us lost it. Giggling from our family from the oldest down to the youngest. (I TRIED not to giggle really I did!) AND we were sitting in the front.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Freedom of Choice Act
A message I received today:
Dear Lauri,
As you may have heard, Congress has not yet introduced the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). That's because the pro-abortion forces have heard your voice. Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards told the Wall Street Journal:
We're going to be smart and strategic about our policy agenda to bring people together to make progress for women's health. The Freedom of Choice Act is very important . . . but we have a long list of things to get done that I think can address problems immediately that women are facing, that are really immediate concerns.
In other words, because of the more than 650,000 people like you who have stood up to Fight FOCA, pro-abortion forces are focusing on another tactic for now -- FOCA-by-Stealth.
They want to try to pass pieces of FOCA under your nose. The first target is your pocketbook.
The top priority for Planned Parenthood and their pro-abortion allies is to repeal the laws that prohibit federal funding of abortion. Often called pro-life "riders," the pro-abortion forces want House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to eliminate them and start using our tax dollars to pay for abortion-on-demand . . . nationwide.
Thankfully, a bi-partisan group of Members of Congress are standing up to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood (who used to work for Speaker Pelosi). A letter to Speaker Pelosi written by Republican Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Democrat Congressman Heath Schuler of North Carolina is being circulated for signatures by Members of Congress.
Please ask your member of Congress to sign the Jordan/Schuler letter.
Just click this link.
The deadline is this Friday, February 13.
Yours for Life,
Charmaine
Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D.
President & CEO
AUL Action The Legislative Arm of Americans United for Life
FightFOCA.com
FightFOCA@FightFOCA.com
P.S. -- A PDF of the letter is available at the AUL Action blog. Please ask your member of Congress to sign it before Friday!
Dear Lauri,
As you may have heard, Congress has not yet introduced the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). That's because the pro-abortion forces have heard your voice. Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards told the Wall Street Journal:
We're going to be smart and strategic about our policy agenda to bring people together to make progress for women's health. The Freedom of Choice Act is very important . . . but we have a long list of things to get done that I think can address problems immediately that women are facing, that are really immediate concerns.
In other words, because of the more than 650,000 people like you who have stood up to Fight FOCA, pro-abortion forces are focusing on another tactic for now -- FOCA-by-Stealth.
They want to try to pass pieces of FOCA under your nose. The first target is your pocketbook.
The top priority for Planned Parenthood and their pro-abortion allies is to repeal the laws that prohibit federal funding of abortion. Often called pro-life "riders," the pro-abortion forces want House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to eliminate them and start using our tax dollars to pay for abortion-on-demand . . . nationwide.
Thankfully, a bi-partisan group of Members of Congress are standing up to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood (who used to work for Speaker Pelosi). A letter to Speaker Pelosi written by Republican Congressman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Democrat Congressman Heath Schuler of North Carolina is being circulated for signatures by Members of Congress.
Please ask your member of Congress to sign the Jordan/Schuler letter.
Just click this link.
The deadline is this Friday, February 13.
Yours for Life,
Charmaine
Charmaine Yoest, Ph.D.
President & CEO
AUL Action The Legislative Arm of Americans United for Life
FightFOCA.com
FightFOCA@FightFOCA.com
P.S. -- A PDF of the letter is available at the AUL Action blog. Please ask your member of Congress to sign it before Friday!
Another milestone
23 weeks pregnant.
Why is that a milestone you ask? My sister-in-law had three preemies. Her youngest was born at 23 weeks. While most babies born that prematurely either die or are encumbered with innumerable disabilities, our dear niece is perfect. A perfect miracle...and dear daughter #3's bestfriend cousin.
This is an old picture, but the love remains:
Thank you God.
Why is that a milestone you ask? My sister-in-law had three preemies. Her youngest was born at 23 weeks. While most babies born that prematurely either die or are encumbered with innumerable disabilities, our dear niece is perfect. A perfect miracle...and dear daughter #3's best
This is an old picture, but the love remains:
Thank you God.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Too Many Babies?
And Baby Makes How Many? is an article from the New York Times my pregnant friend, Polly sent me this morning.
I am actually pleasantly surprised that the NYT showed both sides of this issue! Another friend sent a story last week about how having a big family is poor stewardship of the world's resources.(She does not ageree) I about flipped! I actually posted a comment to this British article ("Two Children should be the Limit, says Green Guru") because I couldn't believe anyone would think that. The author obviously did not know anyone with lots of children. The only thing we buy new is toilet paper :) haha.
I honestly have to say, that most everyone I have come in contact with over the years has been supportive, or at least not mean or rude. Maybe I don't notice if they are being mean. Many have asked if I run a daycare when the kids pile out of the 15 passenger van, and I laugh and tell them they are all mine. My husband and I get a real kick out of the looks on people's faces when they discover none are adopted, they are not his, hers and our but are all ours.
One time, in the ob office, pregnant with #9, I had a conversation with a very young mom pregnant with #2. I never, ever bring up how many kids I have there because most moms are proud of having their first or second/last and I think it would be kind of mean of me to "top" them. Anyway, this mom asked if it was my first then second..and then how many do you have??? When I told her, the first words she gasped out of her mouth were, "How do you afford them????" "Nursing and cloth diapers," I replied. The look on her face was shock and horror at such things. I thought it was funny, but sad. I LOVE nursing. I LOVE cuddling my babies. Diaper changing time is...fun. Ok maybe I am crazy. I love when they are done with diapers, but that time of singing and nursery rhymes and silliness is sweet.
I am totally digressing here, you know the rhyme:
One Two Buckle My Shoe
Three, four shut the door
Five, six pick up sticks
Seven Eight lay them straight
Nine, ten a big fat hen!
When child #7 was wee..maybe a year and a half, she would get into trouble because she would kick my pregnant belly when I changed her didy on the floor of the bathroom. So one day as we were saying that rhyme together, she blurts out, as I wait for her to finish the rhyme: A BIG FAT BELLY! LOL That is the way we said it for years until #9 came along and changed it to A BIG FAT CHEESE! (He LOVES cheese) I love those moments.
I am not saying I TRIED for a big family because I did not. I cried more than once at the thought of "doing it all over again," because it is work. But I tell you this much, while we are "poor" in the world's eyes, God is allowing us to grow the church the fun way without special programs and fund drives. God gives big birthday parties without invitations...the kids will always have each other through the many storms life will bring...someone who will understand why they are the way they are and love them anyway. And holy cow..weddings are going to be SO MUCH FUN! LOL
I could go on and on about this subject, really I could. But the bottom line for me/us is what God said:
Psalm 127: children are the gift of the Lord, “as arrows are in the hand of a mighty man,” and “happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”
Kids are gifts. Gifts given by a generous God.
Ps-that quilt design was taken from a book by Anna Grossnickle Hines called, of course, One Two Buckle My Shoe.
I am actually pleasantly surprised that the NYT showed both sides of this issue! Another friend sent a story last week about how having a big family is poor stewardship of the world's resources.(She does not ageree) I about flipped! I actually posted a comment to this British article ("Two Children should be the Limit, says Green Guru") because I couldn't believe anyone would think that. The author obviously did not know anyone with lots of children. The only thing we buy new is toilet paper :) haha.
I honestly have to say, that most everyone I have come in contact with over the years has been supportive, or at least not mean or rude. Maybe I don't notice if they are being mean. Many have asked if I run a daycare when the kids pile out of the 15 passenger van, and I laugh and tell them they are all mine. My husband and I get a real kick out of the looks on people's faces when they discover none are adopted, they are not his, hers and our but are all ours.
One time, in the ob office, pregnant with #9, I had a conversation with a very young mom pregnant with #2. I never, ever bring up how many kids I have there because most moms are proud of having their first or second/last and I think it would be kind of mean of me to "top" them. Anyway, this mom asked if it was my first then second..and then how many do you have??? When I told her, the first words she gasped out of her mouth were, "How do you afford them????" "Nursing and cloth diapers," I replied. The look on her face was shock and horror at such things. I thought it was funny, but sad. I LOVE nursing. I LOVE cuddling my babies. Diaper changing time is...fun. Ok maybe I am crazy. I love when they are done with diapers, but that time of singing and nursery rhymes and silliness is sweet.
I am totally digressing here, you know the rhyme:
One Two Buckle My Shoe
Three, four shut the door
Five, six pick up sticks
Seven Eight lay them straight
Nine, ten a big fat hen!
When child #7 was wee..maybe a year and a half, she would get into trouble because she would kick my pregnant belly when I changed her didy on the floor of the bathroom. So one day as we were saying that rhyme together, she blurts out, as I wait for her to finish the rhyme: A BIG FAT BELLY! LOL That is the way we said it for years until #9 came along and changed it to A BIG FAT CHEESE! (He LOVES cheese) I love those moments.
I am not saying I TRIED for a big family because I did not. I cried more than once at the thought of "doing it all over again," because it is work. But I tell you this much, while we are "poor" in the world's eyes, God is allowing us to grow the church the fun way without special programs and fund drives. God gives big birthday parties without invitations...the kids will always have each other through the many storms life will bring...someone who will understand why they are the way they are and love them anyway. And holy cow..weddings are going to be SO MUCH FUN! LOL
I could go on and on about this subject, really I could. But the bottom line for me/us is what God said:
Psalm 127: children are the gift of the Lord, “as arrows are in the hand of a mighty man,” and “happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”
Kids are gifts. Gifts given by a generous God.
Ps-that quilt design was taken from a book by Anna Grossnickle Hines called, of course, One Two Buckle My Shoe.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Grace Race
Th epistle lesson for today was the one where Paul speaks of us running the race of faith.
I Corinthians 9:24-10:5. The verse that caught me of guard though was this one:
24Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
In a race only ONE wins the prize. In the "Grace Race" as Pastor spoke of today..the race to salvation, only One finished. That one was Christ. We all may run..trying to keep up, preparing and struggling, but we do not win. We cannot keep up with the Champion. We try, but no matter how hard the race is won already! Why did I not notice that before? And then, when Christ has won the prize of salvation, He gives it to us! We did not win! We do not deserve it! We deserve nothing at all because we have failed to be successful! And yet, The Winner shares His prize with all of us anyway.
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