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It is heard that “Reading improves the heart…” But this depends on what you read.. Books that are shallow and of a very worldly nature, take away our ability to live in our present state with a content heart; and our ability to worship God. Watch what you read… 

“Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.”
~ Proverbs 4:23

A few of my thoughts on Judges 1-6

As I read my Bible yesterday morning, my bible plan landed me in Judges. (Judges 1-6 to be exact.) I have never really read it before, and I was interested in reading it. About the time I entered the 4th chapter, I noticed this pattern: “And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord…But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them.”
The Lord “raised up a deliver”. I find such comfort in these words..Why? Because He didn’t let his people lie in hopelessness and sin. He rescued them from destruction when they cried out to Him. Why? Why did he rescue them when they had been so disobedient? Why did He bother with his people? First off, let’s ask this.. Why did he bother with you? Why did He rescue a sinner like you? Like me? The answer… because He chose you. He wants to be glorified and by saving Israel and you, He is. How is he glorified in us? By showing His POWER to you, through you, in you. Why does he choose to do it through you? Through me..? Because He loves what he has created. The very reason he created us was so that His power and His Majesty would be seen by others. And that we would PRAISE Him for it. It is said in Exodus (20:5)  ”I the Lord your God am a jealous God” He deserves our praise. Because he gave us promises… One of which was our deliverer, Christ Jesus… All we have to do is cry to Him for help and He sends us His deliverance!
I encourage you to read Judges 1-6, making a point to see how sinful His people were, and also to focus on the redemption He gives to Israel. Read it in light of the New Testament. Seeing how it can foreshadow our redemption.  May God bless your day. 

To Cover or Not to Cover

Read 1st Corinthians 11:2-15

For awhile my Mom and I were struggling with the hat covering vrs. your hair as your covering. At the time, we were temporarily attending a Mennonite Church. We had read the passage and we, like many others were confused by it. It seemed to contradict itself. While attending the Mennonite Church we asked the ladies for advice. What they said to us didn’t really help. It made it more confusing. Their advice consisted of: We always wear a head covering (some call it a prayer covering), even to bed. We asked them why they did it all the time. They answered with the verse that they are to “pray without ceasing”. This didn’t make sense to us. If they were going to go by that, then the men should never cover their heads to protect themselves from the sun, because it’s a shame for a mans hair to be covered. (Which they do, because they work outside a lot) Even the Bible men, in the climate they were in, would have had to have some sort of head visor and we know they wore them…. Again, we were confused. So, we read on. This time we found other passages of the Bible containing things about hair.

“..likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:9-10

In the above verse, we wondered how Paul knew that the women were getting to fancy with their hair? If it was covered, he wouldn’t have known. Why were the women not wearing their coverings? Perhaps because the long hair, is the covering.. Maybe that’s why it is a disgrace for a women to cut her hair off…And that’s when we began to see the covering as the hair.

Then we see in 1 Peter 3:3-4 how Peter cautions us not to be focused on making our hair fancy or our clothes just right – for it’s the inward beauty that counts. Again, why would he caution us to not be focused on playing with our hair, if it was covered it wouldn’t have been a problem…and doesn’t the New Testament constantly tell us that it is the inward man that “counts” not the outward….?

Then we see the sinner wash Jesus’s feet with her long hair…If it wasn’t covered properly, wouldn’t the pharisees have keyed on that instead of the money “wasted” on his feet?

“And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.” Luke 7:37-38

After we read these, we went back to Corinthians. What we read seemed suddenly clear! We finally understood. When Paul speaks of the man who prophesies with his head covered, he is talking about long hair. (vrs.4) We can connect vrs. 14 with vrs 4. In vrs. 5-6 we find that it is a shame for a women to cut off, shave, shorn, her long hair. We can connect this vrs. with vrs. 15. “For her HAIR is GIVEN to her FOR her covering.” So, that means, that the men who have long hair and say it’s ok and go on sharing the Gospel are dishonoring themselves in the sight of God. And the same with the woman. God gave the women her hair for her covering. Because woman is the glory of the man, not God. So, he gave us a glory of our own. I find this very exciting!

I am thankful that the Lord has finally showed me what he wants me to do. That it is finally clear and my burden lifted. I hope that you will see it too.  Please understand though, that I do not in any way condemn those who wear head coverings. I respect your decision, and I know the Lord is pleased with us when we are doing things for his glory. May God Bless you all.

You will always have the dishes...

Last Night, I watched, as all 3 of my younger brothers slipped and slid over the 10 foot ice puddle in our yard. I thought of joining them, then the clock struck 4:30. It was time to prepare for dinner. Regretting that I wouldn't be able to join them, I went about my dinner duties, the children came in and I told them how much fun it looked like skateing on the ice....Also saying it would be fun to join them tomorrow. 

All that night and all that morning, their excitement that sissy was going to play with them increased. That's when I realized two things: 1. That you will always have dishes to do, and your blog will be there for you when you when you need it. Your brothers won't. One day their going to grow up. One day, their going to have their own families. They won't be as free to give you a kiss or a hug one day as they are now... They'll be to "grown up" for things like that.

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it. But you can use it. You can't keep it. But you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back."

The last line strikes me hard. "...Once you've lost it, you can never get it back." It makes me think about all the times I have said "NO" when a sibling asks me to do something for him. All the times I ignored sweet faces asking me for a drink of water. All the times I played on my I-phone, instead of playing that OLD card game of "War". I think to myself now, what was more important? My brothers hearts being fond of me? Or my phone, that needed more attention than I gave my brothers. So many times we get caught up in what the world has to offer. Caught up with our own pleasures. Think ahead a couple of years, think about how you want your siblings and family to remember you. Do you want them to remember you as a stone cold person sitting on the couch, staring at your phone and laughing at what your friends said on Facebook? Or do you want them to remember you as the sweet sister who got up from her seat when she needed you? A sister always willing to answer a math question or wanting to play that "War" game. Someone who is always making you feel special. I know which one I want to be... I want to be the one that is always willing to help and be there. But, I ask myself: "which one are you in reality?" And I hang my head in shame. Knowing I am the one ignoring each and every little smile and kiss offered. But, it's not to late to start afresh. It's still a beginning to a new year. Christ's blood of forgiveness is still there, waiting for you to claim it. For US to claim it. He is our strength "our shield and our portion be". There is always today, to start afresh. I encourage you (and myself), next time something is asked, not to say in a hateful grumpy tone: "Go ask MOM! She is your teacher!" but to answer their questions with an attitude of contentment and sweetness. This brings me to my second point...

A Sister has a HUGE influence over her younger brothers, and especially younger sisters. When my sister was born, I was very excited. Little did I know how much the Lord was going to teach me through her. (At the time I was the oldest of 5 and had never had a sister. There is about 15 years difference between me and my sister.) When she got old enough to understand and see the way I acted, she began to mimic me. Every time I would call her down for unkindly saying or doing something, the Lord would say to me: "Where did she learn that from?" Conviction would seize my heart and I would realize that it is I who have been so unkind to my family. I, who have not spoken kindly to my brothers. I, who have not set the correct example. And she sees that, and she thinks it's ok... Because: "Sissy does it". In a way this can be encouraging. Children learn how to act by the way the people they are most around act. Again, this is where we call on Christ and say: "Lord change me!" This is where his blood will cover our sins again. This is where he changes us. And through us, HE is seen. And because the children see HIM, they become like Him. Like I said above, children become like who they are around most. And if you are like Christ and He is shining through you, then THEY will become more like Christ! Because, they see how you are leaning on his strength and how you trust him, and they will learn to trust him through your example. ;)

May God be with you. 

Love,

Petra

Questions To Be Asked During Courtship - Part 2 - questions 7-9

Question 7 - When/If we were to marry would you freely and joyfully have my family over? Do you love them or would you find it a burden to visit them after our marriage? I ask this question, because, I have know couples who, after they were married, the wife hardly ever saw her family because the husband hated/disliked them. I don't want this to be a matter of contention in our family. I want all of our families, to love each other and if possible, get together often.

Question 8 (similair to question 5)- What are your ideals on schooling? I want to homeschool. Private, Christian, and Public schools end up in disasters. I believe that the Bible gave the Children to the parents, for the parents to raise; not schools, and Sunday schools.
 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead.." Deuteronomy 6:5-8

Question 9 - What is your idea on what homeschooling is like? Do you think that children should be geniuses on all subjects. Or do you think that "simple" schooling is best? By simple schooling, I mean that the Children should know how to read, write, do arithmetic, science and history. ( When I mention Science and History I don't mean for them to memorize every date or remember every detail. If it's in there interest, they can pursue it on their own.) The reason I ask this, is because, I have seen book smart "geniuses"  who don't have any idea on how to survive in the real world. And they are always talking about things that are way over peoples heads! I don't mean our children should be stupid, I think they should be smart -but not so book smart that NO one knows what they are talking about. Or if they are smart, that they know how to talk to people that are on their "level" of thinking. - and know how to teach themselves and survive in the real world. What are your thoughts?

Some Thoughts About How to Know the True Character of Your "Guy"

Some thoughts on how to get to know our "Date" have come to my mind. I have often heard people say that the spouse they had married is nothing like the spouse they dated. No matter who you are, or how you court/date, you will see sides of each other that you never thought you would have seen.

 Going out with him is a good way to get know him, yes. But true character can be hid. Spend time with his family. Ask his mother, sisters, friends, what his tastes are, his passions, but most of all ask them his faults and good qualities. How does he treat his sisters? His brothers? What is his respect towards his father? Is he honoring to him and his mother? If he doesn't respect his family, he isn't going to respect you, after you are married. Remember, this is the guy you will be married to for life. We want to be able to know his true character, BEFORE we say " I do". We need to know what to expect as his help-meet. If we don't, we may have a husband we promised ourselves we would never have.

Let your Dad go on "dates" with the guy. Watch how he treats your Father, your Mother and your silblings. (If He is or you are an only Child, watch how he treats other children. THIS is very important! If you are going to be trusting the Lord on the size of your family, then you need a man who will love the roll of a father.)  If he scoffs/laughs at some of the ways your parents believe or do things, then that should send up a red flag.

Just some thoughts... ;)
Petra

Pleasure Makes for a Poor Man

"Whoever loves pleasure will become a poor man." Proverbs 21:17 This passage brings my mind to the parables that Jesus taught. The Rich Fool, The Rich Young Ruler, The Prodigal Son, The Rich Man and Lazuras, and there is a section in Ecclesiastes that comes to mind. Before we look at those, I would like to point out what kind of pleasures Proverbs is speaking of.The Bible has a lot to say about riches, poverty,  and pleasures. The second part of the Proverbs verse says: " whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich. This leads me to conclude that this particular verse is speaking of worldly pleasures. Such as possessions and pleasures of the flesh. Seeking these things makes us poor. Not only in body, but in mind and spirit.

Luke 12:13-21 is the parable of the Rich Fool. It quotes:
"Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."

(Luke 12:13-21 ESV)

In Verse 15 Jesus speaks about guarding yourself from greed. Worldly pleasure can be turned into greed. And because it can, it makes for a terrible person. Selfish and unkind. A person whose pleasures and treasures are in the wrong place.

In Ecclesiastes 2 it says:

"I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?" I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine--my heart still guiding me with wisdom--and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees... Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 2:1-6,11, ESV)

In Ecclesiastes we find that the pleasure being sought is good and profitable, and it makes him rich. Useful pleasure gives a man great gain. Yet, it to, is vanity. Why would useful pleasure be vanity? The pleasure being spoken of here is a pleasure that builds treasures on earth instead of in heaven. When we seek things of this world, we need to make sure that the pleasure we seek stores treasures in heaven, not on earth. 

In Luke 18 we find the parable of the Rich Young Ruler, who says to Christ:

 "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:18-27 ESV)

The Rich Young Rulers pleasure, was in his wealth. Even though he sought his pleasures- his riches- over Christ, he did not become poor in reality, but he became poor in spirit and did not store his treasures in heaven.

This leads me on to the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazuras. 

"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish."

(Luke 16:19-25 ESV) The Rich Man took pleasure in all his riches and glory,  having all his good things on earth. The Scraps the dogs ate were not even given to Lazuras. If they had been, the rich man may have had riches in heaven for "having had a kindness shown". Again, we see the rich man was poor in spirit and his after life. Riches on earth are a vanity.

Lastly, we look at the Prodigal Son. And he said, " 'There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father..." (Luke 15:11-20 ESV) Again, we see pleasures in riches, parties, and possessions. Everything he owned  was gone, and he decided to become a servant in his fathers house. Asking his forgiveness, and begging to be a servant just so he can have some decent meals. Here we see repentance. The Parable continues:

"... But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. " (Luke 15:20-23 ESV) Because of this man's repentance and shame, he was forgiven! His poor state was no longer poor. His repentance not only gave him riches in heaven, but also restored him to his fathers love. This parable helps us see that when we give up our worldly pleasures, when we repent, it makes us rich in mind, spirit, and body. It makes us rich in CHRIST!