Christmas Season in review

It has been a tremendously busy season for us here. The closer we have gotten to Christmas the faster things seem to spin which is pretty normal. This morning while the children are still sleeping in their beds I am doing some picking up and trying to get all the last minute things done in preparation for our Christmas day fun.

Holly celebrated her 31^st birthday Saturday with some cake and a trip to the Melting Pot. Its our favorite place to eat, we get to cook our own meat and meal in the fondue style. Time goes by so fast we can hardly believe the year is almost over. Christmas eve we set out for lunch at her dads house and then in the evening we made for her Mema’s. The kids have all been having a great season so far. Now its going to be just one big relaxing down around the Christmas tree with some good movies and yummy food.

Backing up just a bit my parents stayed with us for a week and left just a couple weeks ago. My sister will be here on Thursday. They had such a good time while they were here. We were able to take the time to move in some new beds we bought for the girls and put them in the same room together. Kenneth is now in his own room in a twin bed. No more cribs for the babies which make them no longer babies really. Though I still call them babies, they are nearly 29 months old almost here. This is the first big year for them to really enjoy the holiday season.

Between the Christmas train, lights at Rhema, and the birth of our new niece Ella Nicole on 12-12-12 at 12:11am, its been an exciting time. Its always sad to see it all end but its been full of blessings from the Lord and we are happy and so very blessed. This morning Avery woke up to check her stocking and the plate of cookies left out for Santa. She informed me she did not get coal and he ate the cookies! Then she went back to bed since we have to wait till a decent hour to open everything together as a family!

Remembering the birth of Jesus this season, we read the story last night to the children who were still awake which was just the girls. Kenneth partied himself out last night. We thank the Lord for all His blessings this past year, allowing us to be able to keep the kids home and our of a daycare environment. We believe its been so much better for them this past two years to have so much time with their parents and be able to play with their sister and niece so much more. Emery and them get along so well so they really enjoy having her over all the time.

As we approach the new year we are excited to see what the Lord is doing to do with us. I am working to finish my degree in Early Elementary Education, should be done in May. Then off to NSU to get a BA. Along with working weekends and watching the kids at home it makes for a very busy life. But the Lord’s blessings abound!

-David

New baby!

Our niece was born this morning at 12:11 on 12/12/12!!!!!! How exciting! Little Ella Nicole. Holly is at the hospital with her. I'm laying here at home with the kids, my parents are in town so we are all going to see new baby soon! I love being an uncle!

Play as learning

Children during playtime have entered a world of their own which adults have since long forgotten existed. It is a world of wonder and imagination, where creativity and adventure abounds. Children who are in the midst of playing are not simply passing time mindlessly. There is a great deal of learning going on for the child in their own person as they interact with their world and with the worlds of the other children.

No two children are going to approach something in the same way, their minds and experiences are always different. Because of the differences they are able to learn from each other during playtime as well as learn from themselves. Adults forget the values of exploring with others and learning from others, even though they never truly stop.

A child presented with toys such as blocks, play clay, other things give them experience with different textures and categories. They are not going to understand all of the things adults think about, but they are in an active state of using their imaginations and creating their own designs. From a child’s perspective the task at hand is exciting and important. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and achievement when they have completed a task. Children will work with each other or sometimes alone to make believe they are in a different world, doing the things they see adults doing all the time.

Adults are a mystery to the child just as the children are a mystery. They want to dress up like the adults, do the things the adults are doing, because this gives them purpose and a feeling of identifying with all of the grown up giants around them.  

My program has a good deal of open space for playtime for the children. This is not simply mindless chaos even if it appears in this manner from the outside view. If we are outside there are places for them to be constructive in the sand box, operating shovels and digging. Outside also yields plenty of places to find leaves and sticks, grass, exploring nature is very important for children. You can teach the children while they play, often they are more engaged because they are moving around and waiting on the adult to follow.

Children are learning as much during playtime as anything, their social skills are a major source of learning. When its playtime they can interact with each other and give clues to how brave or how shy they are in different situations. A child who is pushy with his toys has to learn how to share and why it is important, but also needs to find ways to cooperate with the other kids. Adults have to be present when children are at play so they can direct these moments of learning and play.

Growth and learning is brought about through experience with life situations. This is as true for adults as it is for children. But for the children their experiences are given through simple things they do day to day. From dropping their food and learning about generated responses from adults, to the buttons they push on their toys to make various events happen. Children are learning as much about their world through interacting with it as they are able. As a child grows they will attempt more and more, even follow the patterns of adults as role models. Every child seeks to be just like the adults they see.

It is important for children to learn from themselves so they will be prepared for this learning in the future. Self-initiated play is a key building block for their personal growth. A child will learn through creative thinking and making their own decisions. It is unclear to the adult most of the time, but the child who is very busy is the child who is learning everything he or she can about their world. This kind of learning is important for children just as much as it is for adults to learn about themselves.

My children do not just spend all day in mindless play, but in daily interactive creativity using their imaginations. When I observe them at their personal play time, they are growing and learning more about their world and what they are able to do in the world. They will learn which words they hear and repeat work to gain access to their desires. Babble turns into language adults can understand. They are interactive with each other and following the important process of learning as they play.

Halloween 2012

This year the family got dressed up and went out on the prowl for free candy… along with everyone else in town. Avery dressed up as Izzy from Jake and the Neverland Pirates. She looks more grown up and beautiful every day. Soon she is going to be a young woman, the years are just going way to fast. Hard to believe really, just want to keep her as my little baby.

Kenneth and Erin went as Luke and Leia Skywalker. They truly looked adorable. Kenneth got right into the spirit of trick or treating. He followed Avery to every door and said, “treat, treat,” Soon as he got the candy he said thank you and was racing off to the next house. Erin hung out in the wagon and waved to everyone. She said “bye, bye.” Could I have any more precious children then these three…. Avery and mommy and daddy got tired out quicker than the twins though. They had way to much sugar, most of which got taken away by daddy.

Now with November 1^st here, we look forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Its been busy so far and will continue to be busy. But that’s okay we can enjoy every moment of family time we have and push forward to what is ahead. Thankfully the Lord is with us, and every day we can be thankful for the blessings he has given.

 

Psalm 123: Watchful servants

Psalm 123

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

¹ I lift my eyes to you,
O God, enthroned in heaven.
² We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
³ Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,
for we have had our fill of contempt.
⁴ We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud
and the contempt of the arrogant.
Psalm 123

The Bible never wastes a pen stroke in revealing evidence of His creative hand! From the beginning He is the assumed Creator, not just a local man made God. Skeptics continually try placing God as simply a national god, in a temple, and leave him there. But he is enthroned in heaven. However in His great wonder, He has chosen a small piece of land and a people to be called after His name to be a message of light to the world. The Jewish Nation.

Israel was always meant to be a beacon of hope to the dyeing world, a message of salvation to those lost in sin. We worship the Messiah was promised to be the ruler in Israel in the line of King David. Losing our Jewish heritage would be a dangerous mistake. Forgetting from where we came from, and God’s plan for His people, would be to lose sight of His plan and will all together. He is our King, and we are His servants just as the Psalmist has written.

Our lifelong duty should be to serve our Lord the King with all willingness and obedience. To live with integrity, have lives honoring Him in all things. Just as the servant watches his master, just as the worker keeps on eye on what the boss wants, so must we as believers be watching for our Lord. Through prayer we are enlisted in the daily work of the Lord. Through faithful obedience to His commands we will see His desires not just for Israel, but also for us as messengers of light to the world.

Parenting Tip: Take your job seriously

No one will ever be more concerned about your job than you are. Success largely depends on your own perspective and desire to work each day to the fullest. When it comes to be a stay at home dad, or parent, the fundamentals of being a hard worker are the same as in any other position. Parents differ in the lack of income for their time investment. Benefits are long term, and product will be displayed in the years to come as the children grow into adults.

Many times in the Bible we are instructed to be good workers, and to serve as to the Lord and not man. He is not the man upstairs, or the boss, He is far more than we really think. He is the King of the Universe, and as King He has adopted us into the Kingdom to be servants and followers of Him. We are called to serve in whatever job arena He has called us, and serve faithfully.

There have been many jobs I have worked at in the last ten years since I entered the work force. Each of them has tested my skills and abilities, but also my personal faithfulness and integrity to the job. So when someone who is called to a high calling of following the King, working becomes a service to God.

Being a stay at home dad is a full time job with the added benefit of being able to invest personally in the lives of my own kids. When they fall, I pick them up. When they cry, I dry their tears. When they need discipline, I am there. It matters not who the parent is who stays at home with the kids, it matters that they are doing the job. The house may not always be as clean, the food may not always come out of the oven smelling as good, but it’s the longer running investment in the lives of the children that counts most.  

I feel like sometimes I have to stress this point every day to myself. With the cost of childcare going up it seems like the obvious choice to stay at home with the kids. But even more so you have to be ready to deal with society constantly telling you what you should be doing differently. There aren’t as many friends and family coming around as you thought there would be. Avoiding depression and stress becomes priorities. So I find the best method to being a productive stay at home parent, is to remember my job at home is just as important if not more valuable for the little ones than anything else I could be doing. But I have to take it seriously, they deserve nothing less.

Birthday week has begun

Turning the heat on in the morning and the cold air on in the afternoon; must be fall! And along with the change in weather patterns comes the busy season. From this moment till after Christmas we hardly have a moment to think about anything else other then food or gift related items. Sounds like its going to also be a rather chilly winter. The kids are ready though, ready for fun in the sunshine as long as it lasts.

Yesterday we headed out to the Zoo for some last days of Fall fun. This weather will turn to icy cold soon enough, so we mine as well enjoy what we can. Today was more of a stay in town and do fun things kind of day. Mostly just hanging out at the park and running around the yard. Avery is on fall break so its pretty much up to her what we get to doing. It is never a dull moment.

Kenneth follows his big sister around like a little shadow. Always wanting to do what his big sister is doing. If she is running, he runs. If she walks backwards, he will try. If she climbs a landscape, he will as well. Erin and Kenneth are getting better with their verbal skills, though as two year olds they do tend to rely on cranky cry if they have to in the moment.

First thing we do in the morning is get them out, set them on the couch and give them their morning drink. And they demand the drink as well. At least Avery has this week off, so it makes it easier without having to take her to school. Nothing like one more little one running around. She will be six in twelve hours if we go by the time she came into the world. I am glad we have so many pictures and blog posts to look back and remember. For now however there is much to do before the busy birthday weekend.

Parenting tip: Time for you

We live in a busy where with hundreds of different distractions everyday pulling us in all directions. Even as a stay at home parent it can be a challenge to find some down time just to take a break and focus on some inner meditation. I am not talking hyper spiritual people of the earth kind of stuff, but rather just doing something else for a little while to maintain sanity.

Golf, hunting, and shopping are among the first few hobbies coming to my mind which someone might be able to use for down time. It is important for you as well as your children for you to have some time to balance out all of life’s troubles and worry’s with some plain fun. Fun is allowed, even among Bible believing people. I never see anything wrong with a good laugh, a good wholesome activity, we all need that in order to not get completely lost in the low hum of society.

You may find it hard to get away when you really need to, because even when you are not in the middle of screaming children or a part time job on the side, life just doesn’t allow too much time for anything else. Stay at home dads are not any different in their needs to get out and do something. The house is also the work place, and even the occasional trip to the yard doesn’t help.

Time for myself, has for the greater majority of the time been either during a closing shift on a slow night, or if I am blessed enough to get all the children to sleep while driving around town. Sometimes even something as simple as a chocolate milkshake is a sweet taste of something different and pleasurable to take my mind away from chaos. And yes raising children even with all the planning and practice is still a bit overwhelming. Sometimes the greatest moments of relaxation are those moments after everyone in the house is asleep and I can hear myself think.

Give your thoughts to the Lord, allow Him to fill you with peace and hope in every difficult moment. You see there is something about having every moment with the kids being a teachable moment. More often than not, I am the one learning. He is using the very words I say to my kids to remind me of the very things He has taught me before. ‘Why don’t you just listen the first time”. “That will only end in you hurting yourself and no one will be happy.” So on and I am sure you have your own. If I jotted down all of them, no one would want to take the time to read them all.

So take some time for yourself, every day or at least once a week. Also take some time for you and your spouse. They are your partner in this parenting world and deserve attention, respect, and admiration. You will never be working as hard as you think you are. Show your kids what it means to be an adult because you set the example for them to follow. Our next generation needs to know it is okay to spend a little time away, it is good to have some fun, and you can never invest to much in time spent with loved ones.

Word of Truth - Psalm 119:169-176

Taw

¹⁶⁹ O Lord, listen to my cry;
give me the discerning mind you promised.
¹⁷⁰ Listen to my prayer;
rescue me as you promised.
¹⁷¹ Let praise flow from my lips,
for you have taught me your decrees.
¹⁷² Let my tongue sing about your word,
for all your commands are right.
¹⁷³ Give me a helping hand,
for I have chosen to follow your commandments.
¹⁷⁴ O Lord, I have longed for your rescue,
and your instructions are my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live so I can praise you,
and may your regulations help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
come and find me,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
Psalm 119:169-176

Where are you today? You might be just about anywhere and feeling as far away from God and His Word as possible. Even if you don’t, even if you still study and are focused on keeping up your devotional life, this Psalm is still for you. It’s a reminder to us to keep the Word above all else in this life. Nothing else in the Bible is put higher than the Word, not grace, mercy, the Spirit, only the Word.

Pray the Psalmists prayer, that those things which He has promised will come to pass and you will find the insights promised. May everyday be a new fresh encounter with His message for you! Sometimes it will be something you say to someone else in passing, or a thought which comes to your head, but it is really the Holy Spirit. These are the things to write down, take note of, and remember for your life.

He is the Shepherd and He is heading out to take care of His sheep. Those who are lost will be found, those who are His will hear His voice. A child can hear their parents voice on the playground despite the chaos of noises all around. A child who knows the voice of the Father will also hear, any moment of any day. The more we develop a passion and longing for the Word, the closer we become to knowing Him.

Parent tip: Communication

1. Clear communication with your wife/partner on responsibilities

It is imperative to discuss expectations and responsibilities early and often regarding all aspects of parenting. Discuss expectations about cooking and home care, contributions to parenting at night and on weekends, managing relatives, etc. Setting clear expectations up front will reduce conflict and resentment.

With the joys of new life coming into this world there also comes the tremendous amount of reasonability as you are suddenly given not only a child but a powerful gift. Children are a blessing from the Lord and for His own reason; God desires to give them to imperfect parents. It seems like if you really want to better the human race, bringing them into the world at least mid-adult would be better. But here we are as parents in a whole new world breaking out into the adventure of raising new lives.

Parenting is an exciting adventure and the typical design of the modern household is to place children among loving hands. My wife and I prayed a lot and worked hard to get the three blessings we have. The Lord blessed us with our children as a gift and we are in return to bless them with our love and attention.

Two years ago my wife and I sat down and discussed the parenting roles and what made the most sense at the time was for me to be the stay at home parent. While she has been working hard during the week, I remain at home with the little ones. I have also been working a night and weekend job which has allowed her the honor of being the at home parent for two days during the week. We both realized early on this is a two person job.

It is with a good deal of hesitation I even call parenting a job though; there is a great deal of negativity associated with the word. But for the sense of labels we call it what it is because parenting does become a good deal of work, with everything but monetary reward.

Every week then feels like a new adventure as the kids grow and learn and become increasing in their ability to complain and throw tantrums. It is also important since we have our oldest in school now, we do not lose communication. My wife is my partner and in no ways is lesser or greater as a parent. The Lord does not make some greater or worse, for all of us shall give glory to the Lord for all things.

Avoiding conflicts then becomes a must in parenting. We have to keep open lines of communication on the daily chores around the house, cleaning, cooking, and dealing with your basic financials. Some of those tasks must be shared, while others handled by those who are better equipped. But we cannot forget we are partners and in this world of parenting we can never leave each other behind.

Planting the acorns

A seed planted today will yield much fruit tomorrow…. If it sounds like a thought for the day calendar, that is because it’s the one above our toilet seat. It’s a strategically placed little book of notes for each day to remind myself of wisdom and good solid truth. This specific one I read this morning brought to remembrance a stroll I took a few days ago in our backyard.

Our whole yard is honestly big enough to tear down our house build two houses, which would be a great real estate investment if I had the resources. Our house is in the middle of the two lots and gives us a great deal of yard space. So we divided the yard space with a fence so as to keep the children from running too far away and leaving room growth later. Right now the only growth is extended weeds and bushes.

Under one of the aged trees are several dozen acorns and tiny holes scattered all over the ground. The squirrels have been busy this season storing the little food away for the winter months ahead. Makes me think we might be in for a harsher season than last year. Animals seem to be better with knowing these things ahead of time then us humans. Still the acorns were dropping right into the holes as I walked along in my usual tired prayerful state while the children played.

Those little acorns get buried in the ground scattered all over in order to keep the tiny animals with plenty of options for eating later down the road. They crack open and sprout so no one has to remember where they stored their nuts. You could just see them popping up when you needed them. Do you see where I am getting to the point here about the seeds?

All of us have seeds to sow, those of kind words, mercy, encouragement. Jesus even told us that on hill when he said, “blessed are those who show mercy for they will receive mercy”. It is a simple and yet obvious and somehow missed principle. We can all agree but we do not always follow through on what we know to be true.

So now I am thinking my entire life is full of planting opportunities. My current role as stay at home dad and daycare provider is a major source of seed planting. The things I sow into the children now will develop later on in their lives. So if I give them encouragement, love, respect, honestly, these are the things they will learn. Now is the time to teach social skills, teach them how to work together, and give them all the love the Lord has given to me. With the winter approaching, now is the time to plant for the harvest is near.

Psalm 119:161-168

Shin

¹⁶¹ Powerful people harass me without cause,
but my heart trembles only at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your word
like one who discovers a great treasure.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor all falsehood,
but I love your instructions.
¹⁶⁴ I will praise you seven times a day
because all your regulations are just.
¹⁶⁵ Those who love your instructions have great peace
and do not stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I long for your rescue, Lord,
so I have obeyed your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I have obeyed your laws,
for I love them very much.
¹⁶⁸ Yes, I obey your commandments and laws
because you know everything I do.
Psalm 119:161-168

Rulers of this world deserve a certain level of respect despite our opinions of their political views. It is these Kings, Queens, and Presidents who after all run the countries and in turn allow the world to work and function, even if not always the best way. Here the Psalmist shows his reverence for the Word of God and how much greater respect His Word deserves over any earthly authority.

If anyone of us were to by chance have an encounter with the President of our country, would we not show at least a little respect? I believe we would, just as we do with celebrities if by chance we come across them, those people who this world holds up on golden alters. Yet who are any of them compared to His Word. Yet it is His Word which becomes a daily thing to get read so we can say we did it for the day. It is His Word which sits on our dashboard till weekly services. His Word which should be read more often now than ever since it is available now more than ever, is not. It’s the message the Psalmist has been teaching ever since the first sentence, above all, His Word.

Long for His truth more than any other earthly pleasure, and desire Him more than any pleasant thing. Enjoy life, live just as the Lord has made you to live, but never neglect His Truth and His Law. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and he is the personification of what love is, this should tell us how good it is for us to know Him and His Word. Seek Him first over and above all things, the more you do the more respect you show to the one who is truly worthy.

Gender Equality

          A common long-lived belief has been that men are qualified and can handle a job better than a woman in high-level roles in the workplace. This traditional view has caused a great stir among all types of people when it comes to the importance of gender equality. The question of ability and intelligence of women begins to come across compared to the man’s ability in roles of leadership.

 To be an effective high-level leader it is believed that a leader must be: confident, task-oriented, competitive, objective, decisive, and assertive which are all masculine traits, not feminine.  For decades the feminist fight for equal rights in the job market has grown and created a great deal of questions and problems for the traditional male dominated work force. Slowly women have received

educations, earned the rights to vote, and continued into higher positions of leadership throughout the business world. The fight for equal rights for men and women has been fought with a great amount of intensity as it conflicts and agrees with many people’s standards for work place ethics.

          Gender equality has come across the invisible barrier known as the ‘glass ceiling’ of the American workplace. This barrier is a force which has separated the higher-level positions and leadership roles in the workplace from those roles lower and less important. Prejudice is the biggest threat to the gender equality in getting women to find a place in the traditional male roles. This type of discrimination can lead to lack of opportunity to gain needed experience for future advancement.  “It tends to appear again when women attempt to step, beyond the traditional role of practitioner and into positions of greater power and influence (Tebo).” There is a constant unending battle for women to prove their own ability in a male work structure. The common and prevailing assumptions of most work places is that women are not made for the positions which men have grown accustomed to dominating.

          One of the main problems for women is the view that their roles are always going to remain less important and strategic then the roles of men. It seems that throughout the years the differences between men and women have played themselves out and only caused a greater rift toward equality. “Historically women have been left behind in the access to new opportunities and are second-class citizens in the process of empowerment brought by the digital era (Tarasiewicz).” Even though there remains a great move on the feminists part to increase woman’s role in the work place there still is a great deal of opposition. Women have been and are continually taught that there place is at home and should not seek further advancement in society’s workplace.

          Movements have continued to inspire and create laws that would ensure equal rights of women, including the right to vote and free speech. But even with these gender laws there are limitations to how much they can affect. “Women and men are not similarly situated with respect to pregnancy and cultural patterns of child rearing, divisions of labor within and outside the family, or the cultural value assigned to their work (Sapiro).” Both men and women have fought for decades to create a fair and balanced equal division of rights to both genders, but have met with their own problems. The creation of full equal rights is difficult when there remains a wide majority of people who feel the higher level of position and power should be left up to the male gender.

          An argument found in alliance to the woman’s goal to become independent and seen as equal is that of equal education. Due to prejudices that women are not as smart as men and could never learn to the same capacity, they have never been given proper occasion to prove otherwise. There are many examples of women defying the traditional role and proving with equal educational opportunities they can prove to be equally intelligent. Catherine Mumford, a gifted preacher in her time and known as the [Salvation] Army Mother, is one example of a woman showing herself to be highly educated and able to break the traditional male roles (Winston, 2). Many women over time have proven their own worth as they have fought their way into the higher-level roles.

Even if a person does not agree that women should be leaders in the business world or the Church, they cannot argue against them having a role of some kind. “Women by nature have a role that assures their identity, for men cannot fill it. That may explain why men are given a distinctive role; although it appears arbitrary, it makes a sphere for them, just as women have a sphere of their own” (Ferguson, 343). It is clear from society today that women do hold a role. From here we ask the question of what God says about feminine ministry.

More important than people’s view is the way God sees and how He treats women in leadership roles. “We must consider the way God used them before we attempt to pull isolated Scripture out of context to build doctrine that restricts the ministry opportunities of women” (Grady, 36). To do so would not be taking into account the whole counsel of God in order to find truth. Many women as far back as Moses’ sister Miriam, and on through history with Deborah, Huldah, and Esther are mentioned as leaders (Exodus 15:20, Judges 5:31, 2 Kings 22:14, Esther).

“There are many women today in the church who have been called to act boldly, and they, like Esther, struggle with fear. They are called to preach, and their words hold the power to bring salvation and deliverance to many. Yet how many men in our churches are willing to be like Mordecai, to challenge these women to speak out: It seems we prefer that women remain silent (Grady, 38)!”

The Old Testament is not alone in its examples of women leading. The New Testament is also full of women mentioned by the Gospels and Paul.

It is from the Apostle Paul and his writings that come much of the debated Scripture used to argue against women having ministry leadership. It is from the ancient epistles he wrote to the Church and his young protégée Timothy, that come much of today’s target scriptures about women.

          Among the passages of Paul comes 1 Corinthians 14:34,35. It is similar to the verses found in1 Timothy but because of the nature of this paper and the different words used we will look at it separately. It is in this passage that we find Paul telling women they must be silent in church and are not permitted to speak (1 Cor 14:34). The interpretation of this passage often relays less on what Paul meant and more on what people believe in regard to the scope of what a woman can do in a leadership role. What is most important is to discover what Paul is really saying. Does Paul really mean for women to never get up and speak in a Church service? Combining what we find in other places about women teaching it is hard to believe Paul wants them to be silent, as the passage appears to indicate (Titus 2:3). We often find that it is our own past assumptions that keep us from grasping an important truth. By looking at the context of the passages we see Paul is referring to the social atmosphere of the teaching time.

          The text First Timothy 2:9-15 holds the most verses up for scholarly debate. The basis for our beliefs on what women should or should not do in the Church stream from here. Paul beings this section by telling women how he wants them to dress. After that comes the frustrating command not to teach but rather quietly receive instruction. Paul gives an example from Adam and Eve and ends the section noting women will be saved through child bearing.

          The cultural setting of this text is important in finding what Paul was meaning when he wrote it. During the time this text was written women who dressed immodest or indecent were women whom purposed for seduction. This idea has carried itself over to present thinking. In the business world as well as any leadership work place it is easy to regard women in the same way they have always been seen. Paul is making a point that women are coming before God in service and should dress appropriately and not like those who do not follow Him. In all Paul is telling Timothy that women should come into the assembly ready to meet God with their heart and their appearance.

          Paul begins by addressing women whom have fallen to a specific heresy that was spreading. The women have taken on the normal dress for harlots during who would dress in fine clothing and make themselves up to distract and seduce their customers. The false teachers taught against getting married and having children which Paul refutes in verse 15. He wants to make Timothy aware of the trouble the heresy has caused in relation to the women of the Church.

          Paul goes on to address another point bringing up the need for women to be quiet and listen. This is not because Paul is against women and anti-feminist. Women were uneducated and that is one reason they fell for the heresy quicker then men. The solution for Paul is that women be given the ability to learn to they would be placed on equal footing with men. Paul wanted women to learn so they would someday be able to teach correctly and not fall into the snare of Satan as Paul mentions in verse 14.

The use of the word “permit” Paul uses is the Greek word “epitrepo.” The context Paul uses it is important in seeing his intention for the women of this Church Timothy is in charge of. Paul uses it in a temporary and situational way, which means that it does not apply to any other time then the one Paul talking about.

From a study of the Bible texts about women there remain two sides of the issue. This issue has been debated widely over centuries never with much solution. Well, educated scholars do not all agree on Paul’s view of women. The Apostle Pal throughout his letters mentions women as fellow servants who should be on equal standing with all believers (Rom 16:1-16).

On one side of the debate are those traditionalists read Paul’s words as saying women should never have authority over men. Women are allowed to teach women, but not take place over a man in the church gathering. To teach is the same as to have authority according to one author. By saying this he means that by women teaching men they would have authority over them. The overall position is that women in the church today should keep to their role and only teach things other than Biblical Doctrine, and should teach women only.

A different approach takes a look at the education of men and women during the time Paul wrote. This gives insight to what Paul believed about women being teachers and leaders in the Church.

In the Jewish society of the day women were rarely educated and often illiterate. This was due to the fact that men thought women were unable to learn and of a lower class. Women faced opposition if they tried to ministry somewhere, often because men saw them as uneducated. Many women were not educated and had to learn only from their husbands.

The Apostle Paul is offering solutions to the problems the Church is facing with the women being uneducated. Paul tells the women to learn. In other words Paul places women on equal footing with men and tells them they need to learn. If women learned more about the Bible they could teach it without ignorance. Anyone speaking out in the meeting ignorantly was considered rude. So Paul is instruction the husbands to teach the women privately at home and the women would accept learning that way since they had no other way.

 “In 1920, Roman Catholic bishops in Massachusetts ruled that women should be considered ‘fallen’ if they entered the political arena” (Grady 31). Other denominations have also moved in favor of keeping women out of leading roles in the Church.

Perhaps this fear of feminization is at the root of modern opposition to ministry opportunities for women. But for the most part, those who fight the idea of women’s ordination today are still using the same cultural arguments and misinterpreted Bible passages that were used by the medieval church patriarchs. Old lies don’t die easily (Grady 32).

Women are most often discouraged to follow their calling because of man-made regulations on Church government. The bottom line is that there is no verse in the Bible that says only men should be heading Pastors. “If Christ commissioned solely men to the ministry of the gospel, why did He send the power for that mission upon both men and women? (Grady 33)”.

          Today’s view on women in the Church and God’s role for them has spilled over into the workplace ethics of every area in society. People lose sight of the greater consequences of their actions when they deal with the ethics of equality. The traditions of men throughout history hold back the woman from fulfilling her leadership roles and rising to power in the workplace. Due to holding the women back from pursuing higher education the job market misses out on possibilities of progress that can only come from the unique view and experience of women.

          Working in a world full of male dominated leadership and a complete lack of female input may result in a failure to move forward with change. So many of the presumptions and prejudices that keep us from embracing women only truly keep us from adding something new and different. Change is inevitable and in the process to change there should be the equality of both men and women in every work place.

          In personal reaction to this topic I find there is a great need to incorporate the full equality of both men and women in every area of leadership both in ministry and non-ministry work. Any occasion I find the opportunity I should base my opinion on the talents, skills, and knowledge of a person above gender. Keeping track of my own assumptions and beliefs will guide me in making the best choices when it comes to working with and around both men and women and allowing full equality in the workplace ethics. The best response is to be willing and open to accept the right choice rather than be seduced by traditional male or female ideas of how something should be run.

 

Works Cited

Ferguson, Everett. The Church of Christ. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1996

 

Grady, J. Lee. 10 Lies the Church tells Women. Lake Mary, Florida: Charisma House, 2000

 

Sapiro, Virgina, Conover, Pamela Johnston. “Gender Equality in the Public Mind.” Women & Politics. New York: March 31, 2001. Vol 22, Iss 1; Pg 3

 

Tarasiewicz, Malgorzata. “Taking Gender into Account.” UN Chronicle, Dec 2003-Feb 2004, Vol 40 Issue 4, p37.

 

Tebo, Margaret Graham Tebo, “Pounding on a Glass Ceiling.” ABA Journal, Oct 2003, Vol 89 Issue 10, p84, 1p.

 

Winston, Diane. “Women in God’s Army: Gender and Equality in the Salvation Army.” Church History; March 2004, Vol 73 Issue 1, p 321, 3p

 

Psalm 119:153-160

Resh

¹⁵³ Look upon my suffering and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten your instructions.
¹⁵⁴ Argue my case; take my side!
Protect my life as you promised.
¹⁵⁵ The wicked are far from rescue,
for they do not bother with your decrees.
¹⁵⁶ Lord, how great is your mercy;
let me be revived by following your regulations.
¹⁵⁷ Many persecute and trouble me,
yet I have not swerved from your laws.
¹⁵⁸ Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart,
because they care nothing for your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your commandments, Lord.
Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
¹⁶⁰ The very essence of your words is truth;
all your just regulations will stand forever.
Psalm 119:153-160

The Psalmist cries out for Lord to withdraw us from trouble and turn against our enemies with a sword of vengeance. He is not just a God who shelters us from danger, He is the God who fights for us. Everyone is in a battle against the darkness of this world, against the flaws of the flesh. With the power of the Holy Spirit we are equipped to find ourselves in the middle of his arms during the battle.

He does command us to fight though, with the Word of Truth as our sword. The Battle is the Lord’s yes, but we are called to run toward this battle anxious to bring glory to the Lord. He does not call his people to fight battles of the flesh, as some religions might, He knows there is a spiritual battlefield all around us, and the fight is for our souls.

Take into consideration the power and work of the Holy Spirit in your life. He is there to act on our sides daily, in the battle for our souls and eternity. Once we have accepted Christ we are good and secure forever because of His blood. However there is still a problem, we become dangerous tools the hands of the Almighty God when we trust Him to work through us. The powers of the enemy will wage war against us simply because of who we follow. So prepare yourself with the study of the Word, put yourself safely in the secure arms of the Father, and face the battle ahead.

Night at the Tulsa Fair 2012

You know that moment when you are howling into the night while your body is being hurled along the windy coaster track? It’s the same moment you are clutching your camera with one hand and holding on tight to your daughter with the other. Avery was not feeling up to the big roller coaster just yet, even though she mastered all of the Disney coasters, this one just did not feel right for her. We went on the smaller coaster which was just fine for daddy as it allowed me the picture taking opportunity anyway. That along with the carousel made the night perfect. She also won a small bear shooting darts at a balloon.

Kenneth and Erin spent most of the evening being pushed around in their double stroller, enjoying the sights as well as they could, mostly people watching. After a while daddy bribed them with some popcorn to make their tummy’s happy. I am sure they would have ran all over the place if we let them. Mommy and daddy enjoyed having all of the kids at the fair this year, but it might be easier when they are all a bit older as well. All three of them are going to get into plenty of trouble together as they get older. Holly took the little ones back to the car while I rode along with Avery on the rides. They were screaming about leaving daddy and Avery behind, so it was good that by the time we got to the car they were much relieved.

Earlier in the day Avery and her cousin Madison went to see Disney on Ice at the Fair with Granny. She wanted to take them and spend time quality time enjoying something they both enjoyed a great deal. This also came with gate admission into the fair so tickets for our trip this evening were free. Sweet deal right there, free parking, free gate admission, we just paid for food and some face painting along with tickets for the ride. On the way back from the line for the big coaster the attendant handed me 8 tickets, I assumed he took some from Avery without me noticing but turns out we ended up with 8+8. We spent four on the carousel, and 8 on the smaller coaster, than sold the other four to someone in line. So that worked out well, what a blessing! It is the small things God gives us at the most unusual times that remind us of what blessings we have.

September has been a long month for all of us, we have had to put in a lot of hours and sweat a lot of blood and tears to accomplish the necessity. But it’s the Lord who grants us strength to attain the prize. It is the power and peace only the Lord can provide which help us get up in the mornings and go after what we need to get done for the day. As we approach October, I know it means birthday plans for Avery, and getting everyone ready for Halloween festivities. We know the Lord is with us and thank Him for this family He has given.

Psalm 119:145-152

Qoph

¹⁴⁵ I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord!
I will obey your decrees.
¹⁴⁶ I cry out to you; rescue me,
that I may obey your laws.
¹⁴⁷ I rise early, before the sun is up;
I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.
¹⁴⁸ I stay awake through the night,
thinking about your promise.
¹⁴⁹ In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry;
let me be revived by following your regulations.
¹⁵⁰ Lawless people are coming to attack me;
they live far from your instructions.
¹⁵¹ But you are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are true.
¹⁵² I have known from my earliest days
that your laws will last forever.
Psalm 119:145-152

We cannot do this without the Lord. Sure we can read the words of the Scripture; study them, memorize them even, but without the Spirit there is nothing. Thankfully we know the Word of God is alive and active and even when we not knowing what is being read, our hearts will still devour the message. Maybe the truth will not make itself known right this moment, but be aware its presence will be made known to you.

Just sit and listen to the heart felt prayer of the Psalmist as he expresses his deepest and dearest devotion to the Lord. His passion for the Word and commands of God is made evident throughout the Psalm, and even here we can feel his heart. God knows our hearts too, and it does not matter how short or long our prayers are as long as they come from a sincere heart.

God is going to be faithful to you in this life, He promised to never leave you or forsake you. But we will be plunged into dark times and difficult circumstances. All great things come through crisis points. The Bible is full of God working through difficulties. We live in a flawed world, surrounded by flawed people, but our God is perfect and His ways are perfect. We want to bring glory to him, but who are we to tell him how our lives should bring Him glory? Give up the desires and passions you have had, and allow Him to give you a new desire and passion to serve Him in extraordinary ways every day.

Psalm 119:137-144

Tsadhe

¹³⁷ O Lord, you are righteous,
and your regulations are fair.
¹³⁸ Your laws are perfect
and completely trustworthy.
¹³⁹ I am overwhelmed with indignation,
for my enemies have disregarded your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
that is why I love them so much.
¹⁴¹ I am insignificant and despised,
but I don’t forget your commandments.
¹⁴² Your justice is eternal,
and your instructions are perfectly true.
¹⁴³ As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.
¹⁴⁴ Your laws are always right;
help me to understand them so I may live.

Psalm 119:137-144

Do you have hope in the righteousness of the Lord? Maybe that is not one of the characteristics of God we really consider important to trust. Wouldn’t His mercy, His grace, His faithfulness being more important? Of course they are, but during trials and troubles, we cannot always feel his mercy, see his grace, or remember his faithfulness. Hoping in His righteousness is a lot like realizing that no matter what, we have a God who is good. And because He is good, we can hope in Him.

Our passage says the Lord’s promises have been thoroughly tested. So they work, God is true to His Word and will do as He says just as He has planned all along. Is that not an amazing Word for us? God is great and awesome, overflowing with divine power and wonder. He is able to promise and keep His promises because He is good. His righteousness means is in focus when the Apostle Paul tells us all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Whatever the trail you are going through, whatever the stressful pressure, you can find joy in his commands. He is not going to stir you into an iceberg! He is not going to leave you abandoned in the middle of the world with no guidance or help. You do not have to understand the why, when you know the Who, and He is someone who has proven Himself. He delights in proving Himself to us continually. So in the simplest of all prayers ever spoken remember, God is great, God is good, let us thank Him as we should.

Path of writing

I find life almost too interesting not to write it down. Unfortunately all too often by the time I have an opportunity to sit down quietly, my memory refuses to give up such interesting details. I wonder if this is the case for everyone who ever faces writers block or if it is just me. Stories, ideas, thoughts, all come to our minds throughout the day and if we do not log or store such things correctly they disappear into our brain.

My history with story writing goes back to the days of elementary school when I would spend time over at my friend’s house working on stories about action hero’s and fantasy worlds. In junior high I created my own super hero squad and called it Dino Force. Instead of writing though I turned the whole thing into a radio program. By the end I had created over a hundred monsters and twenty-four cassette albums full of my crime fighting hero adventures. Sadly both the tapes and the monsters have since been tossed. But I can remember just fine, even though it was almost twenty years ago.

As an adult now the devotion to writing has taken a back seat to other responsibilities. Even so its good to sit down and develop characters, write stories, find new ways to tell ancient tales. Most of my writing now is centered more so around devotional scriptures. What I call the Word of Truth devotional began back in high school and has matured me as much as it has matured itself.

Constantly I am running into new things to learn, new books to study, people who get to know. My whole life has just been one life lesson after another, as I am sure all of us can say the same. It is the wise ones who see life has a pathway of knowledge and understanding. All of this is why I feel I will make an excellent teacher someday. I love the course of learning and showing others new exciting things. I look forward to what the story that God is writing on my life will look like.  

Psalm 119:129-136

Pe

¹²⁹ Your laws are wonderful.
No wonder I obey them!
¹³⁰ The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.
¹³¹ I pant with expectation,
longing for your commands.
¹³² Come and show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love your name.
¹³³ Guide my steps by your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil.
¹³⁴ Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
then I can obey your commandments.
¹³⁵ Look upon me with love;
teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
because people disobey your instructions.

Psalm 119:129-136

Grieving over the wickedness of the nation, and the desolation of mankind is a familiar topic in the Old Testament. Most of the prophets spent their days not only proclaiming God’s Word, but also his judgment if the people did not follow and obey. Jesus also wept over the city of Jerusalem knowing the coming destruction by the Romans. It is important for believers to desire for wickedness to cease so the coming judgment doesn’t also affect us all.

God is not an evil dictator or tyrant up in the heavens waiting to smite people. Take some time to study and read His Word and you will see what it is actually commanding people to do. It is all about loving people and loving God when you boil down all the other regulations and rules. The Law is about living a healthy lifestyle, eating good healthy food, and having good loving relationships with other people. When you really think about it, why wouldn’t people want to follow God’s law, just as the Psalmist has been saying in all of chapter 119?

When we read His wonderful Word our lives are changed and transformed. All of the old is done away and there is newness of life. Jesus empowers us with the gift of the Holy Spirit to do away with the sinful habits we once had. You cannot pick and choose which habits you would rather have. He desires to slowly, throughout our lifetime, change us more and more like Him. To be holy, to be pure, to be wonderful just as He is, should be our hearts desire. Weep over the wickedness of your country and your homeland, and pray the Lord will bring restoration and redemption to us all.

Olympics

Following is a post from my best friend Jon Surmi.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Family,

I know some of you think I've gone down the black hole of conspiracy theories, but there comes a time when I have to share a warning even at the expense of being dismissed as being "out there". Satan's movement towards his global order is happening at a frightening pace and his followers are now broadcasting the message to the entire world. The things being done are no longer being done in secret; they are being done in broad daylight as a means of announcement - a heralding of their very soon arrival.

It is important to remember that when God confused human language at the tower of Babel, fallen men reverted to using symbols as a means of communicating; and these symbols have been used by Satan's followers all throughout the centuries even into our "modern" time. Remember, there is "nothing new under the sun." These "symbols" and "rituals" were clearly displayed during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics in London. They were not simply "artistic expression". Scholars that study the occult know exactly what these things mean and the message behind the symbols and rituals are clear.

Are these things important for the Christian to understand? Let me give some scriptures:

James 4:7 says very clearly "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." And then Revelation 12:10-12 says: "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. ¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. ¹² Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

Many American Christians have absolutely no idea what it means to resist or overcome the devil, and they are often willfully ignorant of his devices, contrary to Paul's admonition in 2 Cor 2 to be "not ignorant". We are not to worry and fret ourselves over evil (Psalm 37:7). However, Jesus clearly tells his disciples to be "wise as serpents..." (Matthew 10:16). Isn't that a strange statement? There isn't anything about a serpent that should appeal to beleivers. Satan is always typified by a serpent (Rev 12:9), so why would Jesus use that analogy in relation to his disciples? Back in Genesis 3 we are told that "the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field..." What this means is that the serpent has, above all other creatures, the ability to hide his true intentions in broad daylight; he can mask his agenda within the trappings of popular culture; and it suits his purpose well that many Christians simply dismiss these things as "conspiracy theories". But Jesus tells us that a wise disciple will learn to recognize Satan's subtleties and will resist and overcome their pervading influence.

We are told in Nehimiah 4:17-18 that as the remnant of Judah rebuilt the wall surrounding Jerusalem, "every one" of them used one hand for building, and the other hand for holding their weapon. We come from a Christian tradition here in America that emphasizes the "building" of the church, and largely ignores the need to stand guard against the enemy's advance. Unfortunately, this means that many churches across this land will be pillaged and destroyed as the darkness descends. It is my prayer that we will be those saints of the Lord that carry both the hammer and the sword with equal attention.

I share the following two videos not because I agree with every statement made by the author, but because he does a good job summarizing the main messages behind the symbols and rituals that saturated the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2012 Olympics. The author also had the wisdom to use mostly still photos so that our minds don't become filled with the complete orchestration of pagan rituals. I will warn you: there is no way to censor everything. Pagan and occult rituals, by nature, glorify the flesh.

Opening Ceremony (14mins): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY63wF4K2fk

Closing Ceremony (23mins): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry6jLq6UkUk&NR

Finally, one last encouragement: don’t meditate on these things (Phil 4:8). Yes, we must be wise to the enemy’s devices. However, this knowledge is only useful if it leads us to our knees before the Lord. Now is the time to find the secret place where we will learn to recognize the Lord’s voice. Now is the time to get our house in order. Remember the five wise virgins? They were called wise because they had stored extra oil before midnight came (Matthew 25).

Will our lamp be shining when midnight comes? Will we be able to find our way to the bridegroom when his herald sounds during the darkest part of the night? Only those saints who are willing to prepare their hearts and get their lives in order NOW will be ready when darkness comes.

I love you, family, and I pray that we would encourage and fight for one another as the days grow dark. Jesus said that in the last days the “love of many would wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). In other words, many candles that once burned bright with the flame of love would burn out. May this never be said of us. Amen.

In Him,

Jon Surmi

Psalm 119:105-112

I got a little mixed up on which verse we were on yesterday, you can blame it on my age, or just maybe the Lord wanted to speak to you with that specific passage. Tell me about it, if the Lord is speaking to you, i would love to hear what He has to say.

David

-----------------------Nun

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
¹⁰⁶ I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:
I will obey your righteous regulations.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much, O Lord;
restore my life again as you promised.
¹⁰⁸ Lord, accept my offering of praise,
and teach me your regulations.
¹⁰⁹ My life constantly hangs in the balance,
but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set their traps for me,
but I will not turn from your commandments.
¹¹¹ Your laws are my treasure;
they are my heart’s delight.
¹¹² I am determined to keep your decrees
to the very end.

Psalm 119:105-112

Imagine you are walking down a dark hallway, or even worse a mountain path. I can remember ages ago when I was at summer camp, enjoying the peaceful time with God and friends. The hour would get late and the lights of the campground were hardly helpful when trying to find your way back to your tents. All most of us had was a flashlight to use in the dark. Now no matter how well the campgrounds try to mark their trails, there is just no easy way to avoid every rock and every hold the oncoming ground has to offer. One step at a time with the light is the only way to make it home. So the Word is a light for our path in life.

Life is going to be full of rocky mountain terrains in its own way. You will have to focus one moment by moment and not attempt to take the whole path at running pace. I believe God’s desire is to allow us the chance to trip, so we keep remembering to focus on Him. It can be easy to get cocky and think we are moving along just fine, we don’t need help. Its right then when a trap has been set and we walk right into trouble. Remember then the path in this world is dark, and though you may be traveling with the light there is danger ahead at every turn. But by the guidance of God’s Word we will find our way home every time.

 

Psalm 119:121-128

Ayin

¹²¹ Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies,
for I have done what is just and right.
¹²² Please guarantee a blessing for me.
Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!
¹²³ My eyes strain to see your rescue,
to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
¹²⁴ I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ Give discernment to me, your servant;
then I will understand your laws.
¹²⁶ Lord, it is time for you to act,
for these evil people have violated your instructions.
¹²⁷ Truly, I love your commands
more than gold, even the finest gold.
¹²⁸ Each of your commandments is right.
That is why I hate every false way.
Psalm 119:121-128

Would you like a lifetime guarantee on everything you buy? Most of us probably would appreciate any form of promise lying behind an appliance or household tool we purchase. Some stores offer such things at additional cost. As a believer in Christ we have our own personal eternal guarantee given to us from our Savior at no extra cost. You have a promised blessing for eternity.

Even with a promise of blessing and inheritance to look forward to, it can still be easy to forget Him. We grow tired looking for the promise, but that does not mean we have fallen into disbelief. Never confuse doubt and unbelief, they are different. Doubt is something our faith will go through, but its more about testing and trying who we are and helping us develop into better people. Unbelief is where you were before you came to Christ, you cannot fall back into unbelief. We can pray for the Lord to help us with the areas in our life where things are difficult and stressful. No doubt He will indeed help us with all of our doubts.

Be constantly praying for the Lord to take out His divine work of power on evil and wickedness in this world. Do not take part in the celebration or condoning of sinful habits and lifestyles which go against God’s commands. He makes sure we are aware of the many kinds of distasteful acts, but prepares ways for redemption from those unhealthy things. Love what is good and right in the Lord, seek the truth and find salvation.