11/29/04

Long day. I dont do resolutions. I do themes. This year was the "Year of Living Dangereously". I went to the Dentist for the first time in 25 years and the last time till I actually have a problem (those guys are quacks). I went to the Doctor and had a physical. I am perfectly healthy but need to loose wieght (of course). I watched Dr. Phil and Oprah. I read books I had always avoided because I thought I wouldnt like them. I tried quiche. AND I valet parked!
I learned alot. Defeated some fears and confirmed some suspicions. This was a spirtual thing even though it was marked with tangible goals and masked with very practical outcomes. The Lord used it to his glory.
Next year I think "Personal Holiness" will be the theme.

11/27/04 Cain and Abel

That was the lesson this morning for my second graders. Genisis 4. The point was supposed to be how to make good choices. James 1:19 was the memory verse. "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger."
What they got however was a big lesson on why Cain's offering was not aceptable. -And when I say they I mean us. I was talking but I the lesson was from the Holy Spirit, cause I didnt know the stuff coming out of my mouth! I love it when that happens but its a little weird in the middle. Teaching and learning at the same time. Anyway the point was that Cains offering sounded better to us. He worked hard and gave the Lord the first fruits of his labor. We all kinda felt sorry for Cain when the Lord didn't "look with favor" on it. But the Lord explained that it wasn't preference for Abel but for Abel's faith in his offering. (Hew 11:4) The Lord makes it clear that Cain new what was right. Bottom line just like the clothes of fig leaves of thier parents Cain's work was not sufficient. God made Adam and Eve clothes of animal skins. The point is that sin leads to death. Abel's offering involved the sacrifice of an innocent animal and was made in faith that it could be used as a covering for his sin. Cain's was a sacrifice of his work and we are not saved by our works. It is a glorious and wonderful thing that God did not accept Cain's offering or we would all be working our tails off to try and keep up with our sin. God by only accepting Abels places the burden of reconciliation on himself. Thank you Lord. But we still have to "do right" and accept that our works are not enough, that we must place our faith in Christs offering that envolved a sacrifice of an innocent. A sacrifice of God.
This may have been a little over 2nd graders heads but I am sure it wasnt over thier hearts.

11/26/04

Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all the Lord's blessings. My relationship with him, my family and my fellowships are his greatest blessings to me personally. I long to be closer. I long to love greater. He gives me the desires of my heart so I am encouraged.

11/25/04

Dealing with alot on the Knappy forum lately. I love the fellowship there but there was one that was constantly stirring up trouble. She would post things just to see what kind of reaction she could get. It was pretty ovious. I was told by the moderators back when I first started posting not to post scripture in response to her statemetns. They said it only made it worse. I did not agree nor like this saction but I obeyed and respected thier wishes. She finally posted something (I dont know what) that got her banned. I wish that hadn't have happened. We very well could have been her only exposure to truth. Didn't sound like she read the bible much. She denied its authority on two separate occasions. Still his word never returns void and it never failed to touch her.
Anyway this has been interesting since then because I can see now how a church can split. There are those that I consider the most spiritual on the forum that took the high road. Then there were those that were mad that she had been banned and those who argued that she had it coming. These two groups only made up about 4 or 5 people together and was really no big deal. What was fascinating tho were the others. The ones that were just mad at the fact that a fight was happening. The were on no side and took no higher ground of silence, even. Just every once in a while when things had just died down they would come in and complain about all the fighting! I mean it was almost comical. Then these blasts that were directed at everyone because they took no stand of their own would actually just serve to stir everything back up again! I said it was almost comical, because it was really sad. No stand was worse than the wrong one. I respect those that did not comment at all. I respect those that backed the banned lady. I personally was not infavor of the ban, but again just backed the moderators as it was not my descision but theirs.
In the end it might have been better since she had clearly already rejected truth and the word of God. She called her self a Christian but portrayed no definable fruits of the spirit. I continue to pray for her and I hope that she is safe in the arms of Christ. It is not my place to judge her for I do not know her heart.