You can join Julie at Foursons for more fun letters!


Dear Utah:

You can keep your dirt on your side of the state line.  I don't really need it in my nostrils. 

Thank you,
Allergic to Everything

---------------------------------------------------------------


Dear Fellow Bloggers,

I had no idea about the "no reply" thing.  I swear.  I could not, for the life of me, figure out what it meant when someone would comment on my blog and that phrase would show up in my inbox.  I had no idea I was committing the same heinous error.  But, thanks to Brandi over at MyThreeBubs, I have seen the light and changed my ways. 

Sincerely,
The Newbie

-----------------------------------------------------------------


Dear Sunshine & Warm Weather,

Please stay around.  Because it is traumatic for my three-year-old to not be able to wear her new flip-flops to church because you decided to run and hide behind the stupid snow monster.  Again.  Next time you pull that stunt, you get to deal with her drama.

Sincerely,
The Mom Who Just Wants Peace

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


For Those Who Are Struggling:

I feel you, sister.  This has not been an easy year for me, either.  Last night was one of those interesting nights.  Nights where, after the chaos has died down, and everyone else is asleep, you curl up in bed with your Bible and have a moment with God - the "I am in such a foul mood right now that You had better have something encouraging in this book for me or I will throw a two-year-old hissy fit" kind of moment.  And He did.  And, immediately, I thought of today's post, and wondered if there wasn't someone else out there who needed to hear this from Daddy.  So here you go.

I have come to treasure my daily devotionals from Crosswalk. I learn so much, and it is usually just what I needed to hear on that day. And, with the holidays just around the corner, it was again just what I needed to hear. Enjoy, and may it touch you as it inspired me.


Give Thanks
Mary Southerland


Today's Truth
"No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (NLT)


Friend To Friend

The fourth-grader rose from his desk and walked slowly to the front of the classroom to deliver a report concerning the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday. With Thanksgiving just days away, the classroom was buzzing with excitement. The teacher shared the eagerness of her students and felt that she had done an adequate job of encouraging each child to focus on the true meaning of the holiday. Those hopes were soundly dashed against the words of the young speaker.
"The pilgrims came here seeking freedom of ... you know what. When they landed, they gave thanks to ... you know who. Because of these brave people, we can celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and our freedom to worship every Sunday ... you know where."

We laugh at the thought of leaving God's name out of this childish writing but, in fact, many of us are just as guilty of leaving Him out of our daily walk - especially when it comes to giving thanks. While Thanksgiving does remind us to stop and give thanks, Thanksgiving is not just a national holiday to be celebrated for a few hours each November. Learning to live in the gear of perpetual thanksgiving is a life changing discipline. Giving thanks should be a natural characteristic and innate practice of every believer. It is thanking God for all that He has done as well as for all He is presently doing and going to do in the future. Thanksgiving heightens our awareness of His presence and thrives on an active, living faith - a faith that is not ashamed to boldly act or afraid to speak out even in the face of doubt.

The book of James tells us, "When you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the sin" (NLT).

Learning to be thankful - even when we cannot see, hear or understand what God is doing or how He is working - is authentic thanksgiving and the direct result of a living, active and personal faith in God. We often say that we need more faith in order to be more thankful. I don't think so! We operate in faith every single day. We flip a switch believing in faith that light will appear. We turn a key believing in faith that a car will start. We even go to a doctor we hardly know who scribbles an impossible - to - read prescription which we promptly take to a pharmacist we have never seen. This unknown druggist proceeds to fill the prescription, giving us a medicine with a name we cannot even pronounce. And we take it - all in blind faith! Amazing!

I believe that instead of pleading for more faith, we need to exercise the faith we already possess. As we continually step out in faith, not only will that faith grow stronger, but we will begin to trust God more, naturally developing an attitude of thanks. Faith does not believe that God can or will act. Faith believes that God is answering as we pray. And that truth, my friend, will send us to our knees in praise and thanksgiving.

Don't leave God out of your Thanksgiving celebration. Instead, realize that He is the very reason you can experience abundant and eternal life. Do not let the day pass without finding a few moments to be alone, thanking Him for His magnificent bounty in our hearts and in our lives.


Let's Pray

Father, my faith seems so small and weak. I confess that I have allowed fear to invade my heart and mind. Right now, I choose against that fear and step out in faith, thanking You for what You have done in my life, for what You are going to do today and in every tomorrow of my life. Make me aware of Your presence today and give me the courage to share with others what You have done for me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.


Now it's Your Turn

Examine your life for evidences of faith at work.
Would you consider your heart attitude to be one of praise and thanks? Why? Why not?
What changes do you need to make in order to cultivate a thankful heart?
What is the importance of thanksgiving as it relates to faith?

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight" (NIV).


"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20, NIV).


I SURRENDER ALL
Words by: J.W. Van Deventer and Music by: W.S. Weeden
All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee,
my blessed Savior
I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now

All to Jesus, I surrender
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine

All to Jesus, I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me

All to Jesus I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
O the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!



* Just a couple of thoughts I've been pondering lately.

Monday began a new adventure for me. I am a part of a group doing a Healthy Challenge, in an effort to encourage and challenge each other to make healthier choices and get fit. I have been back and forth across the fence on doing it - excited, didn't want to do it, ready for a challenge, didn't think I could do it, etc. I hemmed and hawed in my mind for a week, but didn't tell anyone I was debating. I didn't think I could do it.

The basic premise is that you eat a healthy breakfast, healthy lunch, healthy dinner. You don't consume sugary snacks or drinks, take a multivitamin, drink plenty of water, don't eat after 8:30 PM, and exercise for at least 45 minutes each day. You follow this for 6 days, then you have a day off. You get point for each item, tally them, then turn them in each week. Everyone can see how everyone else did. At the end of the 10 weeks, the winner wins half the pot we collected (we each put in $20). Second place gets 30% and third place gets 20%.

I have been following the "plan" for five days now. I know I haven't exercised this consistently since college. I have walked, ran, and done pilates (ouch, ouch, ouch). My legs hurt in muscles I forgot I had. I could barely walk the other morning. I didn't realize just how badly I needed to get into a shape that wasn't squishy.

A part of me wishes I could just wake up one morning and have the fabulous body of my dreams. Strong muscles, a much smaller behind, flat stomach. But I know that's not going to happen. If I want that, if I want to truly be healthy, I am going to have to work at it. It will take a daily commitment on my part.

I think that's my biggest struggle - discipline. I struggle to consistently do the things I know are good for me, the things that I know will make me a better person. It's not that I don't want to, I just don't have the motivation. It's far too easy for me to believe the lies of the enemy, the ones that say:

• Why bother?
• Is it really worth it?
• What are you going to get out of it?
• Will anyone notice?
• Does anyone care what you're doing?
• It won't help anyways...

Today, I will choose to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)." And I will remember that it is not a sprint, it is a marathon. It will take time. I will stumble. But I will get back up and keep going. Because the prize is worth it (and I'm not just talking about the pot)!

This morning, as I was driving into town for work, I was simply overwhelmed. It was quiet in the car. Madison and Violet were at home with the nanny. Katrina was on her way to Gametime with Daddy. I was by myself. This doesn't happen often. And normally, when it does, I can find things to distract me, rather than simply being with my Father.

Today, I couldn't help but be in His Presence. So many of our friends and family are going through really difficult situations right now. People I dearly love are hurting physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Just this week a young man I've known since he was little died suddenly in his sleep. He was only 16. The pain in people's lives, in our lives, sometimes overwhelms me. I physically hurt. I cry out to Daddy and ask why. Why are all these people hurting? Why are so many good people in such horrible situations right now? I know these things will happen, I know we live in a fallen world. But it just seems so prevalent right now - the pain and heartache never take a break lately. I don't understand why.

But then, this morning in the car, on the way to work, in the middle of rush hour traffic, He said, "My grace is sufficient for you." His grace is sufficient. That grace, that saves me from what I deserve, is sufficient. I am not meant to understand all the whys. Like a child, my Daddy will not always answer all my whys. But His grace is sufficient. His grace is sufficient for me. His grace is sufficient for the weak, the weary, the downtrodden, the attacked, the depressed, the lonely, the proud, the haughty, the poor, the rich, the everything-in-between. HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!

The tears streamed down my face. I must have looked ridiculous to the construction workers, but I didn't care. My God had spoken to my heart. And I knew that I was worth it. Thank you Jesus, for being willing to be sufficient. For being willing to die for me, so that I may live fully in You. I am so grateful to my God, that He will be sufficient. We may not know all the whys, but we do know the how. GOD!

I received the following in my email devotional the other morning:



Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"


"Have you ever found yourself in an overwhelming or daunting situation that seemed impossible to understand or face? Is it difficult to comprehend the plan or the purpose behind what you are going through? Do you find yourself asking, "Why Lord?" Do you sometimes plead with God, "I don't know what to do or how to do it. I need You to make it through this!"

Life is sometimes like a test because we honestly believe we have it all together only to discover that some life circumstances are not on our radar and are certainly not part of the study guide. I have come to realize that these "tests" lead us to a deeper understanding of our need for God. Luke 12:12 promises, "For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." I know that I am driven to seek God when I lose sight of what to do and I feel lost. He is our provider of ideas and the author of purpose in our lives - hence the word Inspiratio or inspiration."


I think of how many times I have convinced myself that I have it all together. That I can do it myself. And then, life happens. I find myself in a hole, I can't see a way out. But then comes Daddy.


I am so grateful that I have a Father who comes alongside me.

I am so grateful I have a Savior who redeemed and rescued me.

I am SO GRATEFUL that nothing is too difficult for Him.

In the midst of the storm, it can be so hard to see Him. But nothing, no circumstance, no situation, no life event is too difficult for Him.

When I feel like I cannot see Him, I will choose to continue to seek Him. Because if you seek, He will be found.

Our church has been studying 40 Days of Love, an amazing book that totally challenges your views on how you love compared to God's way of loving. I thought it was totally appropriate, and probably God-sent, that this email devotional was in my inbox this morning. It comes from http://www.crosswalk.com/, which send out great devotionals, if anyone is interested. Enjoy!

May 19, 2009
Love That Changes Lives
Mary Southerland

Today's Truth "So encourage each other and give each other strength." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Friend To Friend

I will never forget the day I learned just how powerful words can be and their capability to teach and train from the hand of possibly the most abrasive person I have ever met as well as one of the kindest young girls to grace my life. The first thirteen years of ministry found my husband, Dan, and I working with teenagers as youth pastors in three different churches. Before our children were born, I was his right hand girl -- attending every youth event, teaching bible studies, directing the youth choir and loving every minute of ministry at his side. Teenagers flowed in and out of our house at all hours of the day and night, some coming for help and others for fun.

The youth to whom we ministered came primarily from homes that seemed to be healthy and whole. I quickly learned that outer trappings often masquerade inner ruin. A young man named Jack (names have been changed to protect the guilty) joined our youth group, having recently moved to the area because, as he put it, "My parents like to move a lot." That should have been my first clue.

In the beginning, Jack worked hard at making friends and seemed content to go with the flow - until the day he decided that the stream of life was flowing in the wrong direction and it was up to him to redirect its course. The mask came off and the façade quickly crumbled. Standing before me was the real deal -- a genuine, authentic sandpaper person of the coarsest degree. It started with little things -- a friendly shove, caustic comments masquerading as sarcasm, words of darkness and destruction a fast growing and constant stream. Other teenagers began coming to Dan or to me, sharing their concern and eventually disgust at Jack's antics. I talked to Jack. Dan talked to Jack. Together we prayed for Jack and urged the other youth to join us. Nothing seemed to change. As a last ditch effort, we drafted two of our most mature youth to take Jack under their wing and mentor him. Jack did not want to be mentored.

During one Monday night bible study, Dan asked one of those mentors to sing a solo. Jami was a redheaded freckled face girl whose sparkling blue eyes and contagious dimpled grin did not convey the constant pain she suffered as a victim of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Jami never complained, always sharing her faith in God and His goodness to her. Everyone loved her and the pure voice with which she sang but as she stood to sing, Jack began laughing, pointing and whispering to the people around him. Their lack of response fueled his fire, upping the ante for Jack to win this battle and capture center stage. With desperate questioning eyes, Jami looked at me, silently begging me to rescue her and the situation. I smiled the most encouraging smile I could muster, hoping it would be enough. It wasn't. I looked back at Jack, delivering my famous and usually feared "shape up or die" glare -- all to no avail. Dan asked, "Jack, are you ready to hear Jamie sing?" Well, that did it! Jack erupted into uproarious laughter, "Sing? Have you heard her sing? She sounds like a frog -- not to mention the fact that she walks funny!" Every ounce of oxygen was sucked out of the room. Everyone froze, except Jami, who fled in tears. From the faces of those youth sitting around Jack, I could tell that well-deserved revenge was close at hand as they began loading their emotional guns and sharpening their retaliation knives. Wanting first shot at this obviously hateful and mean-spirited young man, I jumped to my feet, grabbed Jack by his ear (no, I am not kidding) and pulled him out of the room and sure death.

Reaching the foyer, I released Jack, whirled him around to face me and with clenched teeth ground out my livid question, "Do you have any idea what you just did?" The laughter vanished, pain and harsh realization spread across his face. His response was nothing short of incredible. "Yes. I embarrassed Jami and hurt her feelings." I am not often speechless, but at that moment, words simply evaporated as I stared into the eyes of someone fully aware of the pain he had just inflicted on one of the few kids who truly accepted and was forever defending him. "I cannot believe you! Jami has always been kind to you, coming to your defense when you did not deserve to be defended, inviting you to join the group when the group did not want you anywhere around them. She has probably been the best friend you have ever had or will ever have. What is wrong with you?" Jack stood, silently accepting his rightful and, I thought, well-deserved punishment without a single word of defense.

From the corner of my eye, I saw someone approaching. I was really hoping they were bringing me some kind of rusty weapon. It was Jami, a tremulous smile breaking through the tears cascading down her face. Jack instinctively began backing away until he saw her eyes and the outstretched arms she offered him. In astonishment, I stood paralyzed, a witness to God's supernatural presence and the restoration power of forgiveness at work before my unbelieving eyes and my angry heart. Instantly, I became the student and Jami the teacher. Both Jack and I listened quietly as God spoke through this precious young woman, the words only she could speak. "Jack, I got to thinking about why you did what you just did, and I realized something. I love you and you know that, but you don't think you deserve that love so you tried to kill it by hurting me. It won't work. Do you know why?" Sitting at the feet of this young, wise beyond her years master teacher, I witnessed Jack's sandpaper world being rocked by a love he could not understand, a love that was not altered by anything he did or didn't do, a love that only God can give. In answer to Jami's question, Jack gave a quick headshake and whispered, "No. I don't know why." Jami smiled, wrapped her arms around the very one who, just moments before had viciously wounded her, and with fresh tears streaming down her face, choked out words I will never forget. "I love you with God's love, Jack. Not mine. And His love will never die. People tried to kill it on the cross, but even that didn't work. I just wanted to tell you that I love you -- no matter what you say or do. I am your friend -- period."

Staring into her eyes, I suspect Jack experienced, maybe for the first time, the timeless and stubborn love of God; a love that could be his to give, a love that would redefine his future. With a giggle, Jami playfully grabbed Jack's hand and, pulling him toward the place only love could take him, began happily chattering about how she needed him on the front row to encourage her while she sand. And he did!

That is not the end of the story. From that day forward, Jack was a different person. From time to time, he would fall back into old emotional habits but when he did, Jami or someone under her direction and influence would snatch him back to the new place that words of staggering kindness and God ordained wisdom had brought him. The youth who witnessed Jami's love for this unlovable one were changed and called up higher in their obedience to God, even when it didn't make sense and was completely undeserved. I learned the valuable lesson that hurt people hurt people. Instead of angry words, I need to make my first response one of unexplainable love and unmerited understanding.

Let's Pray

Father, please forgive me when I judge instead of love. Help me to see every person through Your eyes of love, grace and mercy. Please guard my tongue and my heart so that I will build up and not destroy others. I want to please You, Lord, by the way I love the unlovable.
In Jesus, name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Right now, think of the most abrasive people in your life.
Are you ready to accept and love them without demanding that they change?
Find one good point about each person and voice it to others whenever you have the chance.
What can you do to demonstrate the unconditional love of God for these people?
Do you need to ask any of them for forgiveness? Are you willing to do that now?

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)



"If you were capable of handling everything that came your way, how would others ever realize that His strength is what makes you strong?" - by Dr. Charles Stanley


What are the plans God has for you? Do you truly believe that they are "to prosper you and not to harm you"? What about when things get hard, when you can't see God through the valley? Will you still believe?



You see, I ask this for a reason. I think that, as Christians, we tend to misinterpret this verse. Please understand, I am not a pastor, nor a theologian. I am simply trying to understand the incomprehensible God I serve. We read this verse, "to prosper you and not to harm you", and tend to assume that everything will be good. That we won't have problems. Or, we take another approach. We think assume that we can handle everything, and that God will fix it if we need to.



What does it mean to prosper? Does it mean that He'll protect us from every hurt, put us in a bubble, never allow us to fall? Would you do that with your child? Would you withhold life-saving medicine because you knew it would hurt? Would you keep your child locked up, dangerously sheltered from the world, because you knew they would get hurt? Would you withhold consequences for wrong decisions because they cause pain? I don't think so. We, as parents, know what is best for our child. And yes, some of those experiences may hurt. But they are, in the long run, to prosper and not harm our child.



And yet, when life gets rough, we doubt that Daddy ultimately has our best intentions in mind.

It seems like every day my children learn something new that just astounds me. For example, on Friday Violet learned that she could feed herself peas. She then proceeded to pick ALL the peas out of her dinner and eat them (yes, her poop was green on Saturday). After eating all of her peas, she snuck up on big sister Madison's plate and tried to steal the peas from there as well. That venture was not quite as successful. But, they were able to make amends and turn it into a fun game.

Madison has learned a new word - "hilarious". Everything is now hilarious.

Madison also learned that Papa will not tell her no when she asks for dessert after dinner, then more dessert, and more dessert. She succeeded in convincing him that she needed an ice cream sandwich and 2 ice cream cups. She ate them all with extreme caution, careful not to drop a bite. Her body then went into insulin shock and she ran in circles in my parents living room for 15 minutes. She was still in sugar shock the next morning at church. I think she's still probably running in circles, this time at Jo's house.

Katrina has learned that the fate of her school's new playground equipment does not in fact rest squarely on her shoulders. She is participating in a read-a-thon at school to raise money to buy new equipment. She was trying to read one evening, and struggling because she was so tired. When I told her that we should be done for the evening, and that we could read more the next day, she broke down into a screaming, crying, snotting mess. Once she calmed down, I was able to figure out that she thought SHE was responsible, by herself, for reading ALL the minutes for the ENTIRE school. Luckily, she knows nothing of the current world economic state, or I am certain that we would be dealing with her role in that on a regular basis as well.

I just had a realization. How often do I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders? How often do I believe, regardless of the actual truth, that I am responsible for EVERYTHING? And, when I realize that I cannot physically go on, do I break down & cry? Daddy says, "29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matt 11:29-30)." The only way I will find rest for my soul is if I choose to take God's burden, and God's burden only. To take on any other load is to take on a load I was not intended to carry.

Lord, help me to carry Your load, and only Your load. And thank you for my precious children, who teach me every day!

Every morning, I get a "girlfriends" devotional in my email from www.crosswalk.com. And a tidbit from this morning was just too good to not share. It is from Mary Southerland.

Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (NIV)

"It is important to remember that God's truth came before Satan's lies. When God's truth comes first in our lives, we will be able to recognize the lies of Satan and temptation will be easier to withstand. When we get away from God's word, however, we become an easy target for temptation and sin. Sin will keep us from God's Word or God's Word will keep us from sin. "

Lord, help me to keep Your word near and dear to my heart. Help be to become the student of the Bible that You desire.

Wow, has it really been a month since I posted on Thankful Thursday? And, what a month it has been! I will admit, I have thought a lot lately about these posts, and have struggled with it. I have struggled to find and hold on to those things for which I am thankful. I know they are all around me, every day, but I have still struggled to see them.

This week, I will choose to be thankful for God's promises. Even though I do not completely understand the storm I am in, I will choose to be thankful. Because God, unlike man, NEVER goes back on what he has promised. He is ALWAYS there, and never stops loving. Here is what He has given me lately, much-needed Scripture that has calmed my heart and mind. Thank you Daddy, for your reminders.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."(Proverbs 21:5)

“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.”(Ephesians 1:11)

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:12-15)

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." (Philippians 3:8-9)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

Have a great Thursday!

Ephesians 6:10-18

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

I do not think it is a coincidence that this is the scripture that appeared yesterday when I opened my blog. My family is in a battle right now for literally the life of one of us. And, I need the reminder that our battle is not against the flesh. It is against the enemy of our souls. I feel weakest when my family is attacked. But, I know that HE can make me strong. I know I have been given the armor that is undefeatable, the protection that is resolute. I have been given every tool necessary to fight - I just need to use it.

And, when I have done everything else, I will stand.

So, this man, who is apparently very smart (PHD in Theology), decided to comment on my Thankful Thursday blog. He specifically referenced my use & belief in Malacai 3:10-12. I promptly deleted it, because it was too long, and why would I keep a comment from someone I don't even know on there? But, it got me thinking. How many people are like him? He claimed that this passage was THE most mis-quoted & mis-used passage in the Bible in regards to tithing & offerings. His basic premise is that tithing is an Old-Testament concept, completely irrelevant and inappropriate in light of the New Testament grace. And offerings were ususally, if not always, food & animals, not money. He claimed that the tithe & offering were no longer appropriate spiritual disciplines for Christians to follow. He also referenced encyclopedia articles, which I checked out, that refer to the tithe as a 6th century Roman Catholic initiative to tax the general population. It then spread to the secular government. Some churches, such as the Eastern Orthodox, have never accepted the tithe, while others require it of members.

While yes, I agree that "tithe" is mentioned far more in the Old rather than New Testament, there are numerous examples of both church leaders & lay people bringing both money & physical goods to the church for the benenit of both the church and the community. I happen to look at 2 Timothy 2:16. It says, "16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,..." Why would God write something, New or Old Testament, if it were not appropriate for use in the building of our faith?

Perhaps I am way off track. Maybe my faith is too simple. Maybe I am in error for taking God at his literal Word. And perhaps I am not. Maybe this country, and "Christianity" has become too intellectual. Perhaps we spend more time analyzing & criticizing, instead of obeying & loving. While God welcomes believers with a brain, I do believe that it is easy to "intellectualize" too much. I was guilty of it. I had to come to a place where I realized that I was not smarter than God. I had to take Him at His word. I would welcome your comments, as long as they are not too long-winded! And believe me, I am grateful for this very smart man's comment, because it means that people are reading my blog! And if I can challenge a few people to reexamine their beliefs, while sharing the joys & trials of our family, then PRAISE THE LORD!