Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
Thinks this fits perfectly with where I am in this journey God has given me to enjoy. God continues to bless us with many material blessing for which I am grateful but I am also very thankful for the children, husband, and family He has blessed me with. May I continue to be thankful and open to ALL the blessing HE chooses to bless me with. And may I ask God's guidance in all decisions I make.
Do you ask God's guidance in your decisions? Do you have the same view as God on Bible topics? Does God guide your footsteps? Does He help you build your "house"? If not WHY not? According to these verses if we aren't consulting God in our decisions then we are laboring in vain. WOW...what a challenge! May we all be challenged in each of our decisions to consult God first and read what HE has to say about the matter. God is the ONLY one we will have to answer to. We are called to be different, to be in the world but NOT of the world. Are you different? Are you trusting and obeying or are you following with what the world says or what YOU want to do. May we learn to trust and obey more each step of the way!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Here I go...again :)
Well...it's been a while since I blogged last. I have been asked by a friend to be a guest on her blog and talk about organic, natural, frugal, and local items.
So first, I will introduce myself. I'm Brandy, wife to Matthew, and Mama to 5 wonderful blessings 2 boys and 3 girls: Justin, Isabella, Isaiah, Julianna, and Jessie. I am a Christian first and foremost in my life. I enjoy cooking, learning about natural health, canning, learning and studying the Bible, spending time with my family, and learning about relying less on "bought" things.
My objective in blogging has always been to challenge myself and others in changing their current way of mind or doing things and in turn better ourselves. The title of my blog is Learning to Trust and Obey Each Step of the Way. We aren't perfect, never will be, but we can strive to do a little better each step we take. I've learned over the past years that we may not understand the how or the why at the time but God already knows our destiny. He knows my heart and He knows yours. I hope to encourage each of you in this blog about natural, frugal, and local items to think about the choices we are making by the things we buy, the way we spend, and the influences those things have on our bodies, our children's bodies, and the future.
I would like to offer the readers here a chance to buy some things. Some will be natural, some will be organic, some will be local. If you have ideas or resources available you'd like to share, please, feel free to contact me!
The first offer will, Lord willing, be maple syrup from the Amish community in Ethridge, TN. It will be $8 quart and $5 a pint. I am taking orders now. You can place your order at frugalmoms_coop@hushmail.com I will stop taking orders on 9/15/12.
I also want to let everyone know about a couple of websites each time I blog that will assist on our journey to learning more about organic, natural, frugal, and local items. The first is Azure Standard and the second is
Azure Tullahoma Facebook page. Please let me know if I can assist you in setting up and ordering from Azure. They have been a great blessing in my life and I know they will yours too. They have natural and organic items at a fraction of the cost from local stores such as Kroger and Whole Foods :)
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
So first, I will introduce myself. I'm Brandy, wife to Matthew, and Mama to 5 wonderful blessings 2 boys and 3 girls: Justin, Isabella, Isaiah, Julianna, and Jessie. I am a Christian first and foremost in my life. I enjoy cooking, learning about natural health, canning, learning and studying the Bible, spending time with my family, and learning about relying less on "bought" things.
My objective in blogging has always been to challenge myself and others in changing their current way of mind or doing things and in turn better ourselves. The title of my blog is Learning to Trust and Obey Each Step of the Way. We aren't perfect, never will be, but we can strive to do a little better each step we take. I've learned over the past years that we may not understand the how or the why at the time but God already knows our destiny. He knows my heart and He knows yours. I hope to encourage each of you in this blog about natural, frugal, and local items to think about the choices we are making by the things we buy, the way we spend, and the influences those things have on our bodies, our children's bodies, and the future.
I would like to offer the readers here a chance to buy some things. Some will be natural, some will be organic, some will be local. If you have ideas or resources available you'd like to share, please, feel free to contact me!
The first offer will, Lord willing, be maple syrup from the Amish community in Ethridge, TN. It will be $8 quart and $5 a pint. I am taking orders now. You can place your order at frugalmoms_coop@hushmail.com I will stop taking orders on 9/15/12.
I also want to let everyone know about a couple of websites each time I blog that will assist on our journey to learning more about organic, natural, frugal, and local items. The first is Azure Standard and the second is
Azure Tullahoma Facebook page. Please let me know if I can assist you in setting up and ordering from Azure. They have been a great blessing in my life and I know they will yours too. They have natural and organic items at a fraction of the cost from local stores such as Kroger and Whole Foods :)
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I am ...... BLESSED!
Wow...I can't believe it's been a year since I last blogged. Thanks to
the encouragement of a very special lady I decided I'd write a post and
hopefully I can remember to take the time to do it more often.
A lot of things have happened that have changed my life and way of thinking since I last typed my thoughts, so this blog post will be to catch my "few" readers up. To start things off God blessed us with a special blessing who was named before we knew whether she was a boy or a girl. "Jessie" was chosen very early in my pregnancy which means "God is gracious" and Kayt which means "pure"was chosen after my mom. My pregnancy was interesting as I vomited almost daily for 26 weeks even with meds. It made me rely on my husband and children more. And I didn't get to put up all the veggies I had originally planned to. I think God was showing me that sometimes His plans are different than mine, even when I think I have it all figured out.
Jessie has blessed my life beyond measure. I can't remember life before her. She is the most content little girl. She hardly ever cries, will lay in the bed and play, or is happy to just sit in your lap and look around. She wasn't supposed to be born until January 23rd but God had different plans for us. With 3 out of 4 babies coming early we decided early on in my pregnancy that we would try the progesterone shots to hopefully delay labor and make it to term. My labor with Jessie wasn't like the labor with my other four children. It was a lot longer. I started having contractions on December 30th at around midnight so I thought for sure that she'd be born on New Year's Eve since most of my labors have been around 4-8 hrs but not this one it was 24 hours long not counting the day before when I had been up all day. Jessie made her appearance into this world on January 1st, 2012 as the New Year's baby in both Lincoln and Moore Counties. She then started "humming" when she was a few hours old and after a chest xray and two wonderful Docs listening to us we got transferred to Vanderbilt due to her having a pneumothorax and pneumonia. We then spent 10 days in the NICU at Vanderbilt due to her having to receive IV antibiotics. Those were 10 of the most trying days I have experienced in a long time. They taught me to rely on God more and myself less. They taught me that material things aren't important. And they taught me that God has a plan for each of us even before we are conceived.
The day before Jessie was to be discharged from Vanderbilt my sister, Ivy, her husband, Daryl and my niece Molly came to visit. They wouldn't let Molly in the NICU to see us but Ivy was concerned about the shape of Molly's head so I went out to take a look. I knew immediately that something wasn't right but never in a million years would I have thought that she had brain cancer. We went home the next day and Molly was admitted to Vanderbilt. That was the beginning of an event that has forever changed my life and those around me.
Molly had a shunt placed due to hydrocephalus that same week. The next few weeks she had good days and not so good days. On Feb 13 we found out that Molly had cancer. We were uncertain at what the next few days held as they did more testing. We found out later that week that she had AT/RT a rare aggressive form of brain cancer. She came home for the weekend and we lined up a dear friend and wonderful photographer to come and make family photos at Ivy and Daryl's house. Molly began chemo the next week. After the first round of chemo my sister and her husband made the choice that no parent ever wants to make for their child. They decided to stop the chemo and let Molly be at home with us, her family, in her last days. I am so thankful to them for making that choice. We got to spend time with our sweet Molly that otherwise would have been spent apart. My children got to hold her and love her. We got to capture sweet pictures of Molly and Jessie together that otherwise would have never been captured.
God blessed our lives when He gave Molly to Ivy and Daryl. And I am thankful each day that they let me be there the day she was born and the day she went to be with Jesus. She had a powerful influence over so many lives. She caused people that I have known for years who always looked for the negative in things to find the positive. (since Molly came along I've not seen one negative thing on her facebook) Molly gave us all a renewed hope to get to Heaven so that we can be with her again someday. She made me live out the words "I'll be praying for you" more than I ever had. I did what I said I would when I told people I was praying instead of just saying it and then kind of "forgetting". She made me realize that though everyone thinks I have it together, I am far from it. For without God I am nothing. She made me realize the important things in life are people and their souls. And that if my children do nothing more in this life but get to Heaven and teach others how to get there I have done my job. School got put on the back burner during Jessie's hospitalization and during Molly's illness for LIFE is far more important than facts. She brought our family closer. I am thankful to God each day for blessing my life with Molly for she has made me a better person.
In the past two months I have been going back to the produce auction. I love that place :) I have gotten lots of goodies such as carrots, blueberries, cauliflower, broccoli, squash, cabbage, and lots of other things. I have put lots of things in the freezer for this winter. I've also become drop manager for a group called Azure Standard the are a natural/organic/bulk food source that you place and order with and they deliver it once a month. I love it...No more going to Wal-Mart and buying low quality produce and things from who knows where, I can place my order for all month long and have it delivered.
AND We started building our long awaited home.... We were planning to wait until spring next year but with interest rates low and building material low and ....and... and the fact that as a family of 7 living in a 1200 sq ft garage with a burning toilet and 1 shower we are beginning to feel a bit cramped. It's been a fun process so far. I can't wait to get it finished and move in. The girls will have a room, the boys a room, a guest room, a laundry room/closet, pantry, and the kitchen, dining, and living room will be one open space. Each bedroom has a full bath and we are going to have a loft and small basement. My luxury items are a commercial stove and dishwasher. I think we'll all enjoy it since I can cook pancakes and we can all eat them at the same time ;)
Wow...again....I just wrote a mini book~ sorry about that.... maybe next time I won't wait as long :) I leave you with this verse : John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If we aren't in Jesus then we are NOTHING. Please, if you aren't in Jesus get that way. There is so much to look forward to when we are in Him and so much to dread when we aren't.
A lot of things have happened that have changed my life and way of thinking since I last typed my thoughts, so this blog post will be to catch my "few" readers up. To start things off God blessed us with a special blessing who was named before we knew whether she was a boy or a girl. "Jessie" was chosen very early in my pregnancy which means "God is gracious" and Kayt which means "pure"was chosen after my mom. My pregnancy was interesting as I vomited almost daily for 26 weeks even with meds. It made me rely on my husband and children more. And I didn't get to put up all the veggies I had originally planned to. I think God was showing me that sometimes His plans are different than mine, even when I think I have it all figured out.
Jessie has blessed my life beyond measure. I can't remember life before her. She is the most content little girl. She hardly ever cries, will lay in the bed and play, or is happy to just sit in your lap and look around. She wasn't supposed to be born until January 23rd but God had different plans for us. With 3 out of 4 babies coming early we decided early on in my pregnancy that we would try the progesterone shots to hopefully delay labor and make it to term. My labor with Jessie wasn't like the labor with my other four children. It was a lot longer. I started having contractions on December 30th at around midnight so I thought for sure that she'd be born on New Year's Eve since most of my labors have been around 4-8 hrs but not this one it was 24 hours long not counting the day before when I had been up all day. Jessie made her appearance into this world on January 1st, 2012 as the New Year's baby in both Lincoln and Moore Counties. She then started "humming" when she was a few hours old and after a chest xray and two wonderful Docs listening to us we got transferred to Vanderbilt due to her having a pneumothorax and pneumonia. We then spent 10 days in the NICU at Vanderbilt due to her having to receive IV antibiotics. Those were 10 of the most trying days I have experienced in a long time. They taught me to rely on God more and myself less. They taught me that material things aren't important. And they taught me that God has a plan for each of us even before we are conceived.
The day before Jessie was to be discharged from Vanderbilt my sister, Ivy, her husband, Daryl and my niece Molly came to visit. They wouldn't let Molly in the NICU to see us but Ivy was concerned about the shape of Molly's head so I went out to take a look. I knew immediately that something wasn't right but never in a million years would I have thought that she had brain cancer. We went home the next day and Molly was admitted to Vanderbilt. That was the beginning of an event that has forever changed my life and those around me.
Molly had a shunt placed due to hydrocephalus that same week. The next few weeks she had good days and not so good days. On Feb 13 we found out that Molly had cancer. We were uncertain at what the next few days held as they did more testing. We found out later that week that she had AT/RT a rare aggressive form of brain cancer. She came home for the weekend and we lined up a dear friend and wonderful photographer to come and make family photos at Ivy and Daryl's house. Molly began chemo the next week. After the first round of chemo my sister and her husband made the choice that no parent ever wants to make for their child. They decided to stop the chemo and let Molly be at home with us, her family, in her last days. I am so thankful to them for making that choice. We got to spend time with our sweet Molly that otherwise would have been spent apart. My children got to hold her and love her. We got to capture sweet pictures of Molly and Jessie together that otherwise would have never been captured.
God blessed our lives when He gave Molly to Ivy and Daryl. And I am thankful each day that they let me be there the day she was born and the day she went to be with Jesus. She had a powerful influence over so many lives. She caused people that I have known for years who always looked for the negative in things to find the positive. (since Molly came along I've not seen one negative thing on her facebook) Molly gave us all a renewed hope to get to Heaven so that we can be with her again someday. She made me live out the words "I'll be praying for you" more than I ever had. I did what I said I would when I told people I was praying instead of just saying it and then kind of "forgetting". She made me realize that though everyone thinks I have it together, I am far from it. For without God I am nothing. She made me realize the important things in life are people and their souls. And that if my children do nothing more in this life but get to Heaven and teach others how to get there I have done my job. School got put on the back burner during Jessie's hospitalization and during Molly's illness for LIFE is far more important than facts. She brought our family closer. I am thankful to God each day for blessing my life with Molly for she has made me a better person.
In the past two months I have been going back to the produce auction. I love that place :) I have gotten lots of goodies such as carrots, blueberries, cauliflower, broccoli, squash, cabbage, and lots of other things. I have put lots of things in the freezer for this winter. I've also become drop manager for a group called Azure Standard the are a natural/organic/bulk food source that you place and order with and they deliver it once a month. I love it...No more going to Wal-Mart and buying low quality produce and things from who knows where, I can place my order for all month long and have it delivered.
AND We started building our long awaited home.... We were planning to wait until spring next year but with interest rates low and building material low and ....and... and the fact that as a family of 7 living in a 1200 sq ft garage with a burning toilet and 1 shower we are beginning to feel a bit cramped. It's been a fun process so far. I can't wait to get it finished and move in. The girls will have a room, the boys a room, a guest room, a laundry room/closet, pantry, and the kitchen, dining, and living room will be one open space. Each bedroom has a full bath and we are going to have a loft and small basement. My luxury items are a commercial stove and dishwasher. I think we'll all enjoy it since I can cook pancakes and we can all eat them at the same time ;)
Wow...again....I just wrote a mini book~ sorry about that.... maybe next time I won't wait as long :) I leave you with this verse : John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If we aren't in Jesus then we are NOTHING. Please, if you aren't in Jesus get that way. There is so much to look forward to when we are in Him and so much to dread when we aren't.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Changes
Over the past couple of months a few things have changed in our household. In January, I started making a menu calendar and buying groceries for a whole month at a time as well as house hold items (which I buy from amazon.com and have shipped here for FREE). Changing those two things has really been a blessing to our family. We now have food on hand all the time and by having a menu I can prepare ahead of time for the meals, so we eat out less. I also don't have to worry about buying laundry soap, dish detergent, dishwasher detergent, paper towels, etc because I bought in bulk in Jan-Feb and they are on hand. The GREATEST benefit is that I am saving money. Since January, I've not spent more than $360 a month on groceries to feed our family and in Jan. and Feb it was less than $300. Why do I think that is...because I DON"T have to go to Wal-Mart every week.... I have been doing most of my shopping at UGO then for the few things I can't get there I buy at Wal-Mart.
Another change is that we have two goats . An alpine named Mitsy and a saanen/nubain mix named Gloria. Mitsy is due to kid in July. Justin bought these goats with his money and hopes to be able to milk them to make soap and cheese as well as maybe have milk to drink. I am looking forward to trying my hands at those three activities.
We attended a home school conference in Memphis the first weekend in March which really blessed our family. We learned lots of good things that we are hoping to implement over the coming years. One of the things we learned is how important it is to teach our children to love the Lord with all their heart and to lean on Him thru the good and thru the bad. The rest is just details.
IF we want our children to get to heaven we must teach not only by words but by example. We must be as Abraham was and have the faith to do what God tells us to even though we don't understand it at the time. We must teach them to love others more than themselves as Jesus did. We must teach them the importance of daily bible study. We must teach them that our desire is to be that of God that ALL men shall be saved. In 1 Peter 1:3-11 God has given us some things that we need to live by and to teach our children. In Psalms 128 it tells us what blessings we will have if we and our children fear the Lord and walk in His ways "Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life.Yes, may you see your children’s children." In 3 John 1:4 we are told "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" WOW....that is powerful....I hope and pray that I can have that joy. And it is our responsibility as parents to make sure that we teach our children the TRUTH so that we can have that joy.
While we were gone Matthew also got a call to change jobs. Which has been a big change in our life. He is now on day shift after working 2nd shift for about 9 months. We have been used to going to bed at midnight'ish and getting up at 9:00 now we are going to bed by 10:30 pm and up by 6:30.... We are adjusting well. (I think)
All the changes that have come about so far this year have been good changes. I pray that we have many more good changes this year. But I know in this sinful world we will have changes that we don't like at the time or may not understand but God always knows best. And we must accept change whether good or bad whether we like it or not....
I challenge each of us to examine ourselves and see if we need to change our selves....Are we living in TRUTH?? Are we teaching our children to live in TRUTH??? or have we become like the people that were addressed in James 4:4 "You adulteress, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility towards God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." We can't allow the world to creep in our lives and live the way the world does. We can't accept the world's view on things. We have to live according to God's word. We have to stand up for the things God says is right and stand against the things that God says is wrong.....
Another change is that we have two goats . An alpine named Mitsy and a saanen/nubain mix named Gloria. Mitsy is due to kid in July. Justin bought these goats with his money and hopes to be able to milk them to make soap and cheese as well as maybe have milk to drink. I am looking forward to trying my hands at those three activities.
We attended a home school conference in Memphis the first weekend in March which really blessed our family. We learned lots of good things that we are hoping to implement over the coming years. One of the things we learned is how important it is to teach our children to love the Lord with all their heart and to lean on Him thru the good and thru the bad. The rest is just details.
IF we want our children to get to heaven we must teach not only by words but by example. We must be as Abraham was and have the faith to do what God tells us to even though we don't understand it at the time. We must teach them to love others more than themselves as Jesus did. We must teach them the importance of daily bible study. We must teach them that our desire is to be that of God that ALL men shall be saved. In 1 Peter 1:3-11 God has given us some things that we need to live by and to teach our children. In Psalms 128 it tells us what blessings we will have if we and our children fear the Lord and walk in His ways "Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine In the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants All around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you out of Zion, And may you see the good of Jerusalem All the days of your life.Yes, may you see your children’s children." In 3 John 1:4 we are told "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" WOW....that is powerful....I hope and pray that I can have that joy. And it is our responsibility as parents to make sure that we teach our children the TRUTH so that we can have that joy.
While we were gone Matthew also got a call to change jobs. Which has been a big change in our life. He is now on day shift after working 2nd shift for about 9 months. We have been used to going to bed at midnight'ish and getting up at 9:00 now we are going to bed by 10:30 pm and up by 6:30.... We are adjusting well. (I think)
All the changes that have come about so far this year have been good changes. I pray that we have many more good changes this year. But I know in this sinful world we will have changes that we don't like at the time or may not understand but God always knows best. And we must accept change whether good or bad whether we like it or not....
I challenge each of us to examine ourselves and see if we need to change our selves....Are we living in TRUTH?? Are we teaching our children to live in TRUTH??? or have we become like the people that were addressed in James 4:4 "You adulteress, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility towards God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." We can't allow the world to creep in our lives and live the way the world does. We can't accept the world's view on things. We have to live according to God's word. We have to stand up for the things God says is right and stand against the things that God says is wrong.....
Friday, January 7, 2011
Blessings
I am just taking a moment to count my blessings. In counting them I have found that I serve an awesome God who knows far better what I need than even I do. I am blessed in having a wonderful God, who created the world and everything in it, I need to stop and enjoy it more often than I do. I am blessed that God was willing to send His only Son to live on this earth then die a horrible, cruel death so that I can be forgiven of my sins and shortcomings. I am blessed that I have a wonderful Christian husband that loves me no matter what and does his best each day in encouraging me and helping me get to Heaven. I am blessed to have four wonderful children that God has given me to raise for His kingdom. Each of my children are individuals that have different ways of encouraging me in each step of the way. I am blessed to have wonderful parents that encourage me and let me learn some things the "hard" way and were "strict" even when I didn't understand (I understand more now). I am blessed with a wonderful sister (who I miss spending time with but we both have married lives and children to love and that's what comes first). I am blessed with wonderful in-laws whom I am thankful for because they treat me like their own daughter. I am blessed with a wonderful job with people I love to work with (makes each day that I leave my children with my hubby and mother in law a little easier). I am blessed with a great Christian family (some of whom I've never met in person but hope to some day but know if I don't we'll met the other side of Heaven). I am blessed with wonderful friends. Some of who know almost as much about me as I know about myself and with whom I share most of the same beliefs, others who well we just have a good time together no matter what and others that are new friends that I am enjoying learning more about. I am blessed to have a home to live in, clothes, to wear, and food to eat. I am blessed to be a woman because there are so many things that I as a woman will get to experience that a man never will (the first kicks of a baby inside you and breastfeeding while they look at you and smile that most precious smile). I am blessed to live in America where I am free to write these things and share them and worship the Lord in Heaven without fear of harm. I am blessed to have my health there are so many I see everyday that have diminished health and take so many medications. I am blessed to be able to home school my children. Some days and weeks it's an adventure but not one I'd ever want to give up. I enjoy watching them as they learn new things. I enjoy knowing that they are learning things that don't give them the chance to question the Bible and it's authenticity. I love watching them grow in the Lord. I am blessed in knowing that God is in control and though sometimes I don't understand at that moment why He answers the way He does that He knows better than me. I am blessed because I have the avenue of prayer to tell God my wants and needs but know that he already knows my every care. Wow...the post is longer than I intended but yet I still have so many blessings left to count. I hope this encourages someone to stop and count their blessing and see what God has done for them.
In Christ Love,
Brandy
In Christ Love,
Brandy
Monday, November 29, 2010
Entertainment IS optional
Entertainment.....This is a topic that I have thought A LOT about over the past few years and more so over the past few months. We currently have TV with very basic progamming. We have very few things we actually watch. Some of those things are I Love Lucy, 19 Kids and Counting, and Andy Griffin.
Why did I decide to write about entertainment because some things are bothering me about how "Christians" view entertainment and after reading another blog post on Harry Potter I felt compelled to share my thoughts. We have become so slack and numb to sin that we watch it on TV without another thought that we are watching some of the things that sent Jesus to the cross. One question to ask ourselves is if Jesus Christ were here would I watch or read this garbage, would I invite Him to attend this movie with me....because guess what....He's already there. Another question to ask is if this were going on right outside my window would I stand there and watch or would I close the blinds.
I know for a fact that most Christians would never let two individuals have sexual relations outside their front window and watch but we actually record it on our DVR's and let it into our living rooms. We wouldn't stand and watch someone kill someone else we'd close those blinds quick, yet we watch this without a blink of the eye on our TV.
The immodesty on TV is horrible. IF it's not fitting to wear to the "church building" it's not fit to wear at all. The language...well would you allow someone to come into your home and use the words they use...I sure hope not. The witchcraft/sorcery is another issue I think we should all take a look at what God has to say about these issues:
2 Chron 33:6
"He made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger."
Deut 18:10
"There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer"
Gal 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 1:28-32
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Just by looking at Gal 5:19-21and Romans 1:28-32 I think we can see listed many of the things we endorse by watching them on TV. IF we are watching TV shows with adultery, fornication, sorcery, hatred, jealousies, selfish ambitions, dissensions, envy, murders, or drunken people then I say we are violating God's Word. Pay special attention to verse 32 in Acts... that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. I can say there are many shows that I can think of just by seeing commercials that fit into the things mentioned in this verse: Desperate Housewives, Sister Wives and CSI.
I challenge you to really think about the things you are viewing and/or reading and make sure you're "NOT WATCHING THOSE THINGS WHICH SENT JESUS TO THE CROSS." If you are I beg you to stop and ask for forgiveness because we aren't promised the next minute and we will have to answer for our behavior.
There are options to help Christians keep the filth out of their homes such as the TV Guardian (which we have) and the clearplay (which I hope to purchase soon). And remember there is an off button and you can use it.
ENTERTAINMENT IS OPTIONAL FOLLOWING GOD'S WORD IS NOT!
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7) Think on things that are true, just, honest, pure, lovely, virtuous and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).
IN CHRIST LOVE
Brandy
Why did I decide to write about entertainment because some things are bothering me about how "Christians" view entertainment and after reading another blog post on Harry Potter I felt compelled to share my thoughts. We have become so slack and numb to sin that we watch it on TV without another thought that we are watching some of the things that sent Jesus to the cross. One question to ask ourselves is if Jesus Christ were here would I watch or read this garbage, would I invite Him to attend this movie with me....because guess what....He's already there. Another question to ask is if this were going on right outside my window would I stand there and watch or would I close the blinds.
I know for a fact that most Christians would never let two individuals have sexual relations outside their front window and watch but we actually record it on our DVR's and let it into our living rooms. We wouldn't stand and watch someone kill someone else we'd close those blinds quick, yet we watch this without a blink of the eye on our TV.
The immodesty on TV is horrible. IF it's not fitting to wear to the "church building" it's not fit to wear at all. The language...well would you allow someone to come into your home and use the words they use...I sure hope not. The witchcraft/sorcery is another issue I think we should all take a look at what God has to say about these issues:
2 Chron 33:6
"He made his sons pass through the fire in the valley of Ben-hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger."
Deut 18:10
"There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer"
Gal 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 1:28-32
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Just by looking at Gal 5:19-21and Romans 1:28-32 I think we can see listed many of the things we endorse by watching them on TV. IF we are watching TV shows with adultery, fornication, sorcery, hatred, jealousies, selfish ambitions, dissensions, envy, murders, or drunken people then I say we are violating God's Word. Pay special attention to verse 32 in Acts... that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. I can say there are many shows that I can think of just by seeing commercials that fit into the things mentioned in this verse: Desperate Housewives, Sister Wives and CSI.
I challenge you to really think about the things you are viewing and/or reading and make sure you're "NOT WATCHING THOSE THINGS WHICH SENT JESUS TO THE CROSS." If you are I beg you to stop and ask for forgiveness because we aren't promised the next minute and we will have to answer for our behavior.
There are options to help Christians keep the filth out of their homes such as the TV Guardian (which we have) and the clearplay (which I hope to purchase soon). And remember there is an off button and you can use it.
ENTERTAINMENT IS OPTIONAL FOLLOWING GOD'S WORD IS NOT!
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7) Think on things that are true, just, honest, pure, lovely, virtuous and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).
IN CHRIST LOVE
Brandy
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Give thanks
"giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"
These are two passages of scripture I have been thinking a lot about lately. And since it's "that time of year" I thought I'd go ahead and share my thoughts. I think I'll just break it apart verse by verse so here we go....
Rejoice always- What does that mean? I think if we take scripture at face value it means just what it says. We should be "full of joy" at all times.
Pray without ceasing- Yet again....just what it says..make request and thankgivings to God without stopping.
In everything give thanks- express gratitude in all that exists; for this is the plan of God in Christ Jesus for you.
And since we already "defined" all the words in Eph 5:20 I won't do that again.
Those two verse are probably two of the most difficult verses in the Bible for Christians to follow. Why? We are taught that it is okay to "feel sorry" for ourselves when things go wrong. We can be "angry" when things don't go as planned. We can be disappointed or hurt when things fail or people are sick. But that's NOT what God tells us. He tells us to full of joy, expressing gratitude in all that exist. And He even goes as far as to tell us when which is "at all times". That's a far cry from what the world is teaching us.
He even tells us how to rejoice always and give thanks in everything. We can do that by praying without ceasing. If we continually go to Our Heavenly Father in prayer and let Him be in control of our lives then we will be aware that; whatever, He presents us with He will be there to guide us thru and in that we can rejoice. We can also rejoice in knowing where we will spend eternity IF we are following His will no matter what may happen in this life.
Will you choose to follow the world or what God tells us to do? Can you rejoice in all things knowing where you will spend eternity?
Here is how you can know:
Become a Christian according to Word of God:
-Hear
Rom. 10:17
-Believe (Have Faith)
John 5:24
-Repent
Acts 17:30
-Confess
Matt. 10:32-33
-Be baptized
Acts 2:38,41
How to go to Heaven:
-Become a Christian
-Be faithful
Rev. 2:10
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