Is He Safe?

“He's not safe, but he's good.”
― C.S. Lewis

It was right around Christmas and Dylan and I were working through her Astronomy lesson for school, and the topic of Christ’s return was touched upon in the lesson.  Dylan said, “I wonder when he will come back? He could be here now!” 

 I told her that if he were here now, we’d know it.  She said, “Well, he could be born now and we wouldn’t know it.” I replied, "Dylan, he is not going to be returning in the way he came to us the first time.  He wouldn’t be a gentle baby in a manger, he wouldn’t be meek and lowly, a man of sorrows, nothing we’d care to look upon."

 Her eyes began to wonder at what he was going to be like upon his return.  I told her that he was going to return as a conquering King, here to shed justice and wrath upon all those that would reject him.  I reminded her of a past memory verse that described him coming in righteousness to judge and to make war, clothed in a robe dipped in blood (Rev. 19:11-13).  Terror came upon her face.  She knows that as she stands right now, she’s an enemy of God. She’s told me about questions she wants to ask God about creation IF she gets to go to heaven.  This is perhaps one of the most dreadful and wonderful things I could hear from my child.  She is no stranger to the Gospel and the holiness of God.  I don’t want her ever to feel safe based on her own merits or the fact that she lives in a Christian home.  I would rather her be the prodigal son that runs so far from God that the only thing she possesses to lay at is feet is her sin,  I don’t want her to be the other self-righteous son that scoffs at the love of God toward contrite and lowly spirits that cry out to him in humility.

Christmas is a “safe” holiday for anyone.  Who can look at the picture of a helpless babe being clothed in flesh and not feel all warm and fuzzy?  At the same time, people can even ponder Easter and look at the humility and meekness that Christ displayed during his suffering, death, and the joy that filled the disciples at his resurrection with a joyous pondering.  But the same baby that was born, lived, and suffered is returning to conquer and rule.  I don’t think there would be as much celebrating by the world if we were to proclaim the Christ that is described and worshipped in Revelation.  But there will be much rejoicing in heaven as justice is laid forth by the Victor.

This conversation was brought back to my remembrance this week as our pastor began preaching through Revelation.  If you want to know what heaven is like, don’t read a book by a human that supposedly visited there, read the Word of God in Revelation.  Everything in heaven is centered on Christ.  Here’s a video of the sermon:

 

Can you worship the One called Faithful and True that is returning on a white horse ready to make war just as much as you adore the baby born in Bethlehem?  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Abortion and my Babies

I will never forget the day I had to explain abortion to my little girl, nearly 7.  

It was a summer afternoon and I was pregnant with her newest baby brother.  We were on our way to a little thrift store.  Before approaching the store, we passed a Catholic church; their quaint church yard was sprinkled with hundreds and hundreds of little white crosses. I saw them, my heart sank, and then she asked, "Mommy, what are all those little crosses for?" I took a deep breath, prayed a silent prayer, "Lord, help me," and began to explain to her that some people do not want the baby in their tummy, because children can be hard work or expensive, or they can just mess up your plans, and so people go to a place to have their babies killed.  It struck her to the heart because she knew.  She has seen her mother pregnant. She has been to more sonograms than most children.  Because of my "high risk" diagnosis, I have a photo album full of photos of her from the time she was 11 weeks post conception until 2 weeks before her birth.  From 24 weeks until 36 weeks, she has seen 3D sonograms of herself in the womb and when you look at those pictures you see Dylan.  She was who she is today from the time she was carefully nestled in my uterus.

Lennox at 25 weeks

She has felt kicks of her brothers through my belly while I read her stories and they made her giggle.  She knows.  She knows that it was never a blob of tissue and it was always a baby. She talks about the 7 babies that died in my womb and understands they were our babies. Can you imagine the threat a small person must feel when they know that the people that are supposed to protect them are actually the ones that murder them?  She also knows what God says about murder.  She may have been young and some people may want to shield their children from the horrors of this fallen world, but I couldn't lie to her. I don't want to pretend that this world is a happy place filled with people that it is not.  I want her to know that we need Christ and we need to tell people about him and that the only way people will stop killing their own children is through the heart-changing power of Jesus.

Campbell at 31 weeks

In June, Dylan and Campbell will be traveling with me to Syracuse, NY to visit and minister with our church planters, Jon and Kim Speed and their sweet family.  Jon and Kim have been sharing the Gospel of Jesus with the men and women that are willfully walking into a killing place to murder their own flesh and blood. They plead with the women to spare their children and to fall on the mercy of Christ.  I have always been vocal and diligent to educate others about the truth of abortion, but I have never gone to minister at an abortion mill myself.  I understand that these places are a battleground and I knew I needed to be prepared and to prepare Dylan.  I am sure there will be people that will say that bringing your child to stand in opposition of something like infanticide is unwise or even "child abuse."  But I assure you, she understands, she knows that someone needs to fight for these babies.  She's planning on making her own sign that includes one of her 3D sonogram photos and the words "This is me.  I was and am a person. Don't kill your baby."

Dylan at 36 weeks gestational age

Dylan 2 weeks later

So we went with a family of friends to the highest volume abortion clinic in Dallas. This place kills babies in the womb up to 24 weeks gestational age and refer "older" gestational ages up to 28 weeks to their sister clinic New Mexico.  Our friends were able to plead with about 5 women at the entrance to save their babies, all went inside anyway.  One couple came in to murder their baby and had a 5 month old baby at home.  They just went through the joys of pregnancy and childbirth and yet still chose to end the life of their baby's little brother or sister. There were over 30 of us standing just a few feet from the windows of the rooms where they do the abortions, men preached the gospel and pleaded with the "patients" and workers to repent and leave that place.  We had many people drive by on Greenville Avenue giving us thumbs ups and honking, but many people flipped us off or gave us a thumbs down as they drove past.  Sadly, most of those people were women.  Women have believed the lie that it is their choice and their right to kill their baby.  This is not about the civil rights of women to allow them to murder without any inconvenience; this is about the civil rights of babies' rights to live.  Don't believe the lie.

Dylan sharing the truth.

Please note the name of the "clinic;" they know what they are doing is wrong, therefore , they hide behind  a name.

Our media has chosen not to cover the murder trial of Kermit Gosnell , an abortionist that delivered, some estimate hundreds of babies, THEN murdered them.  Though he killed all the babies he aborted. This is news, this is injustice, this is the state of the world we live in.

We should be in terror of God that we live in a nation that promotes and makes millions of dollars by killing our own future.  This is not moving forward as a society!  In the Old Testament, men and women sacrificed their children to false gods like Molech.  Today, we sacrifice our own flesh and blood on the altar of Convenience and Self.We need Jesus.

Pray, educate and act.  These babies are made in the image of God, just like you and me.   They need a voice and our nation needs the Gospel.  Lord, help us.

Just the best Roast! (and in the Crock Pot!)

I was talking to my friend about how much I love cooking in my slow cooker and she mentioned that her roast dries out in hers so she makes it in the oven. I had no idea roast could dry out in a slow cooker because I've always used my mom's recipe. It always turns out juicy, falling apart and "soppin' on your roll" good!  So, here it is, I don't know where my mother got this recipe, but it's delicious.  Now, it does include canned soup, and I know that it's not the best for you so I promise next time I make it, I will try this recipe for making your own cream of 'whatever' soup to replace it and see how it turns out!

 

Just the Best Roast Recipe

1 Boneless Beef Roast of your choice

6-8 Small Red Potatoes cut in halves/quartered
Medium bag of baby carrots

1 medium sliced yellow onion

2 cans of cream of chicken soup

1 1/2 cans of water from soup can

Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder to taste

Place the roast frozen or fresh into your slow cooker, place your veggies and sliced onion on top and around the sides. Pour the soups and water in, sprinkle on your spices and place on low for 6-8 hours.  When I get home, I stir the gravy/sauce and make sure its blended together and your roast should just fall apart as you stir.  At the first cold snap of the year, my stomach calls on me to make this scrumptious comfort food!  Enjoy!

Sorry, I don't have an "after" photo before we ate it, it just goes that fast!

What NOT to Wear...

She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.  She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 

Proverbs 31:21-22

This excellent wife is prepared for winter.  And why shouldn't she be?  It comes at the same time every year.  God is a God of order and he has placed seasons for us.  We have time to prepare for winter, but we have to act. I also think this wife has placed a certain, undeniable trust in her Lord.  Winters are brutal.  More so are spiritual winters or droughts.  We ought to prepare our hearts and souls for those cold, spiritual warfare days, when depression has the tendency to set in, with the word of God hidden in our heart, putting on the full armor.  We know those days will come, just as we can expect the first frost to hit the ground; so we must prepare, stock up, buckle down, be ready.   Let us not fear the winters of this earth and of our hearts, knowing that the Lord has given us everything we need, we only need use these resources.

Ms. "Perfect" also seems to dress nicely.  Though, it is proof in these verses that is not where she places her value.  Like I alluded to above,  God is a God of order, we ought to dress ourselves nice and neatly to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31  makes that clear.  God is also a beautiful artist, he's the great coordinator.  My cousin mentioned this to me once after a trip to the zoo with the kids.  She said if you walk through the reptile house, you will see the most beautiful coordination of colors- things we often copy on our clothes.  And why shouldn't we?  God is the God of beauty. I've been blessed tremendously each time I consider my Lord and my husband when I put together an outfit.  

So let us prepare our homes and our hearts for the impending winters we will face and let us dress ourselves well, not richly, for the glory of God and the joy of our husbands!  

Disclaimer:  This is not me telling you to go out shopping, so don't blame me, but this is me telling us to go read our bibles and spend time in prayer! I can tell you it is lots of fun to dig through your closet and put together outfits you normally wouldn't put together.  Go google some reptiles images and have fun! 

An Open Letter to Myself (School Year 2012-2013)

Dear Mendi,

I want you to read this letter every time you are weary, pouty, or just plain ready to give up.  There is no doubt that you will feel this way at least once over the course of the next 9 months.

Pray!  Pray, pray, pray.  You know that things always work out better when you have your attention and mind stayed upon the Lord.  Seek him!  Homeschooling is an excellent example of your dependence upon God.

Things can't go perfectly, just in case you forgot.  You are a sinful human raising sinful little humans.  You can be prideful and hardheaded and so can your students.  There will be times when you feel like screaming, and there will be times when you do.  It's in these times that you need to remember that every day isn't like this. Repent to God and ask your children's forgiveness.  That really teaches them a lot.

Remember that you are teaching children.  Let them be kids.  Remember you are teaching children while caring for a 9 month old and running a family business.  Go with the flow.

You are doing a fine job,  the fact that she's getting a one on one education tailored to her style of learning is a good indication that she's going to turn out just fine.

There are going to be bad days, get over it.  When that dark cloud hovers over your little schoolroom remember that tomorrow will always be better.  Remember that the Lord gives us trials to turn our hearts and prayers to him.

Don't forget why you are doing this.  You can give them every tool in the world to be a genius, get into what ever college or university they'd dream of, but if they know not Christ, it's all a waste.  It's for naught.  When they need math, first give them Jesus.  Show them the grace of Christ that was shown to you.  When they falter in their handwriting, give them Jesus.  They may never know how to spell idiosyncrasy, but if they can spell mercy and understand the word propitiation personally because that is who Christ is for them, they have it all.  Remember why you taught Dylan to read, so that she would have the power of God's word at her fingertips.  Don't ever forget that.  Your effort is in vain if it is not for a Gospel mission.  Show them grace in your dealings with them.  Remember how much long suffering the Lord has displayed and bestowed upon you, and give them that all the more.

Be a blessing to your children, they most certainly bless you.  Be an example to others and be not a burden to your husband.  Let his heart trust you in raising and educating his children.

Read this often.  You will forget these things all too quickly.

Pray. Pray. Pray.  Read your bible and apply it to your life- all of it.

Sincerely,
Mendi

Seeing the Physical with Spiritual Eyes

"She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.  She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.  She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.  She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.  Her lamp does not go out at night.  She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:13-20

Honestly, I had a really hard time finding a break in these next sets of verses in Proverbs 31.  This all seemed like a lot of "doing" and not a lot of "being" on the surface at first glance.  There seems to be much work and busy hands.  Yet, when you look at this through spiritual eyes and you see this woman, this bride, as not only a man's wife but the picture of the Bride of Christ and what she ought to be doing  on this earth until her Lord, her bridegroom returns, there is so much more here!  As the Bride of Christ, the church ought to be steadily out seeking to commit ourselves to Kingdom work.  Our hands must be willing to do what we are called to do.  We ought to be wise with the talents the Lord has given us, good stewards of the blessings he's poured out on our heads and use those things to spread the Gospel, provide for the needs of the family of God, and also seek to stretch out our hands to the needy, the widowed and the orphaned. We have but little time upon this earth to do what we've been commissioned by God to do, so we ought to, "make the best use of time." (Colossians 4:5)  

But also, as an earthly wife, this woman is a planner, a provider, a strong and able woman with a wise and keen mind.  Her beauty lies in her strength; that is what she dresses herself in.  But, as strong and wise and busy she is; She is also kind, tender and compassionate.  She not only looks to the needs of herself or her family, but she's looking for ways to be a blessing to those around her and even strangers.  What a beautiful picture of the Gospel.  Aren't you thankful that the Lord didn't limit his showering of grace and mercy upon the Jews only but also to the Gentiles?  I am very, very thankful for that.

So, where does that leave you and I?  Are we planners and need-meeters to our families as we most assuredly ought to be?  We should also be finding ways to be blessings to those around us.  Maybe there is someone around you that has every physical need met, but I submit to you that the most poor and needy are those without Christ.  I don't know about you, but I have far more people like that in my community and my own family than those with monetary needs.  And didn't the Lord say, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his own soul?"  

Am I good for him?

"The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack in gain.  

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life."  

Proverbs 31:11-12

When I taught youth girls with my husband, I used verse 12 many times to illustrate to them the importance of purity.  It is good for a young woman to remain pure for her future husband, it is good for him to enter into a marriage relationship with no past to overcome. It is good for young ladies to think about keeping themselves pure for their future husbands to do them good, not harm all of their days- even the days before they ever meet them.  Because of my sinful, godless past  I don't get that luxury, but God is gracious and has forgiven us as far as the east is to the west.

But what about now?

Trust. Which ways can my actions cause him not to trust me?  I believe a big one would be me not trusting him.  When he comes to me with big plans or decisions for our life, do I automatically shoot them down out loud, or even in my head for that matter?  Or do I show enough trust in him (ultimately the Lord) by entrusting my future to the one God has entrusted with protecting me?  I am quite thankful I have a husband that comes to me and allows me to give insight and input when we have a decision to make.  But we must remember that God has placed our leader before us to trust.  We can rest in their guidance because God is sovereign.

Obedience. What about taking care of things that I can take care of to take some of the burden from my husband?  When he asks me to do something, do I get it done?  When he gives me instruction do I always listen?  That would be a "No."  Would it honor both the Lord and my spouse to honor his word, his instruction to make sure I complete tasks around the home that are important to him?  That would be a "Yes."  Then I resolve to do better in this area.

Shopping.  Can my husband trust that I will be a responsible steward of the resources the Lord has provided us?  Do I splurge on a new dress at the expense of our tithes, our bills, our needs, or our food? Or do I disobey our budget?  (Ultimately, if you have a budget set and you are constantly crossing that line, you are in disobedience.)  Now, do I do this perfectly?  No, but God granted Jim and I great mercy long ago when we came to realize we were thoughtless spenders.  If we had it, we would spend it.  If we wanted something, we would go get it, and pay for it later.  If we needed to pay a bill, we didn't put money in the offering plate, but next time, if we had money, we would write a fat check.  But there was no discipline, consistency, or control to our monetary habits.  But God, rich in mercy, allows you to see your sin for what it is, like Dave Ramsey says, "One day you look in the mirror and say, "I'm fat!  How did I get here?"  Well, it didn't happen overnight, but one day you do see it and praise be to the Lord he gives you the tools to change.  My God doesn't leave you where you are.  So if this area has struck a cord with you, I would call you to repent seek the Lord, confess to your husband and put together a game plan.  It will be one of the most rewarding, freeing things you can do for your marriage and it is great testimony to honor the Lord with your finances.  I recommend Crown Ministries or Dave Ramsey.

Spiritually.  Am I ensuring that my husband has time to pray and read the Scriptures so that he may rightly teach and guide our family?  I'm not saying you should be beating him over the head with the bible telling him he should be doing more than he's doing.  I'm asking, "Am I freeing him up to have great gains in sanctification and spiritual leadership or am I bogging him down to do too many things I could be doing, is he having to come behind me to fix my mess ups, am I leaving him with little free time to seek the Lord on our behalf?"  I think I could do better in this area for sure.  I look at our life right now, things are a bit busy with a young baby, a toddler, a homeschooler and both working full time- so I know there are seasons in everyone's lives and it's superific awesome that my husband can help me as much as he does, but I don't want to give him tasks that would take away from the immense calling that God has placed on him.

So, fellow wives,  let us strive to bring about a great trust within our husbands.  Let us do our best to bring him comfort and joy in our presence and absence.  Let us do him good, and not harm, all the days of our lives.  Christ will certainly be honored by our obedience and we will be blessed because of it.

“Let the wife make her husband glad to come home and let him make her sorry to see him leave.” 

-Martin Luther