Our governor recently commented that our educational system has been in a constant state of decline because women are in the workplace. Yes, yes, I know that it reveals he is sexist, but what else does it reveal?
Last week I spontaneously cancelled our youth group meeting for the first time in twelve years. It wasn't because I was sick or disgusted or even because the van wouldn't start (which was, however, the impetus of the cancellation). It was because I have been so stressed out over work that I had not taken the small amount of time needed to prepare for my Wednesday night meeting and I had run out of time. My deadline two days later had taken precedence over the teenagers at church. Is this what our governor was getting at? If women work outside the home, will our children be stupid?
There it is........."if they work outside the home"......it's not that women didn't work in the era of time our governor was claiming to be riddled with better educated children; it's that they didn't work "in the workplace"! In my meager educated brain, women working in the workplace seems to mean that women are more educated than in my mother's era. My mother by the way, went to work when we began school! Can you guess why? No, of course you can't........it was to put my father through college so that he could become a minister. Ironic? More irony? My father, the minister, refused to support me financially during my college career. Okay, all of that is TMI, and WAY off topic, but is really going to get around to something Biblical.
So, back to the question: If women work outside the home, will our children be stupid? My mother worked from the time I was six, and I'm not stupid. I've worked since the time my son was two weeks old and he's not stupid. Yes, I realize that that would not be considered empirical evidence, but from my small sampling, I think our governor was mistaken, and yes, extremely sexist.
Oh, so how is this in any way shape or form related to the Bible? Jesus had women support his ministry FINANCIALLY!!! It's true, you naysayers or ____________ (fill in the sexist religion of your choice) need to turn quickly to Luke 8: 1-3. Also, it is a well known fact that Paul had help from a female with financial support. Now, whether or not these women's children were stupid? Who can say?
The reason for my post? If I am to succeed at my day job, I will occasionally drop the ball of my volunteer youth leader job. Guilt overwhelmed me last week, but I'm much better this week....I finished my deadline!?! If sexism were alive and well in the Methodist church, last Wednesday there would have been a man responsible for leading the teenagers in the way they should go instead of leaving it up to some woman in the workplace!
Monday, June 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Bored with Church?
Whoa! God is knocking me over this morning with information about my blog subject matter!!!
Had an email waiting for me this morning from http://www.outreachmagazine.com/ which led me to a post which led me to another post which led me to the subject matter totally consuming my husband these days. An excerpt from the article, "5 Ways to Overcome Church Boredom" reads:
Whoa! Good stuff. The best part of this solution is that it focuses on the parishioner, not the church. If you're bored with church, does it really mean that you're bored with worshipping God? Has the Holy Spirit vacated you or the building?
There is not a pastor on earth that is without some bit of information that God wants you to hear. However, you must listen in order to hear. If you are consumed by the presentation, the person, or the surrounding would be listeners, you will not catch that bit of information. It's funny how even bad preachers can stimulate seeking knowledge. If you hear something that doesn't sit right in your brain, seek out Truth.
Last week was Camp Meeting which is something that I could write volumes about, but that is for another day. Our evangelist for the week is a Seminary professor so you can imagine how much information he gave us that God thought we should hear. One of the beautiful aspects of this Camp Meeting (it was the 129th year) was that we were fed meat instead of milk this year. Most of that congregation should be on meat by now.
If you are going to your church still looking for a warm bottle of milk, you should probably consider that if you've been a Christian for very long, it's time to be weaned!
Had an email waiting for me this morning from http://www.outreachmagazine.com/ which led me to a post which led me to another post which led me to the subject matter totally consuming my husband these days. An excerpt from the article, "5 Ways to Overcome Church Boredom" reads:
Pull away. Break the cycle of redundancy. Disturb the routine of your life and ministry and refresh yourself (Mark 6:31-32).
Look within. Evaluate yourself for predictability, staleness, loss of passion, excitement and joy. Examine whether your faith, experiences and stories are more focused on God’s work in the past or present (2 Cor. 13:5).
Look around. Open your eyes and seek to be more observant of God’s creation. The wonder of His work is all around you (Ps. 8:1, 3-4).
Fill up. Pour yourself into God’s Word or, better stated, pour God’s Word into yourself. As you know, the Bible isn’t just about who God was and what He once did; it’s about who He is and what He’s doing in the present. We need to experience Him and hear His voice today. When we do, we start to sing new songs (Col. 3:16).
Change it up. Simply, do something new. Change up your devotions (where you have them and how you do them). Listen to and learn new forms of worship music. Get to know and expose yourself to some new authors, teachers and believers or nonbelievers. Serve in a different way (Ps. 33:3).
Whoa! Good stuff. The best part of this solution is that it focuses on the parishioner, not the church. If you're bored with church, does it really mean that you're bored with worshipping God? Has the Holy Spirit vacated you or the building?
There is not a pastor on earth that is without some bit of information that God wants you to hear. However, you must listen in order to hear. If you are consumed by the presentation, the person, or the surrounding would be listeners, you will not catch that bit of information. It's funny how even bad preachers can stimulate seeking knowledge. If you hear something that doesn't sit right in your brain, seek out Truth.
Last week was Camp Meeting which is something that I could write volumes about, but that is for another day. Our evangelist for the week is a Seminary professor so you can imagine how much information he gave us that God thought we should hear. One of the beautiful aspects of this Camp Meeting (it was the 129th year) was that we were fed meat instead of milk this year. Most of that congregation should be on meat by now.
If you are going to your church still looking for a warm bottle of milk, you should probably consider that if you've been a Christian for very long, it's time to be weaned!
Hebrews 5 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Monday, July 9, 2012
What is our future?
Until we see our relationship with Jesus as more important than our selfish desires, this is our future.
Until we see others' relationship with God as our business, this is our future.
Until we stop believing that we are the center of the universe, this is our future.
Until God is the center of our universe, this is our future.
Until we see our commitment to the church as a direct reflection of our relationship with Christ, this is our future.
Ephesians 5 when discussing marital relations, gives us a glimpse of Jesus' relationship with us, the church:
- 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Independence Day Revelations
It could be one in the same revelation rather than plural revelations, but we'll have to see as my thoughts progress.
The 4th of July fell on a Wednesday this year which conflicts with the night we have our youth group meetings. Being a believer that church, especially youth meetings (the only part of church I have influence upon) should never be cancelled, we decided to meet anyway. Some churches cancel youth meetings for the entire summer which blows my mind! The kids are finally free from school responsibilities and have little or nothing to do, and some think that we should remove church influence from their lives for three months of idleness? Sorry for chasing that rabbit as my grandmother would say. Point being: we had our youth meeting at our house with roasted weenies instead of cancelling.
Our group had just returned from their trip to Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, North Carolina. It was an amazing trip for the thirteen teenagers and three adult chaperones who participated. Strangely enough, only three of the teenagers from the trip showed up last night........rant for another day. While researching a lesson appropriate for the occasion, I found a video from the Skit Guys where they quoted Alexis de Tocqueville who visited the United States 55 years after 1776 to research the source of America's greatness. Doing some very brief research on the source of the Skit Guys' quote, I found something shocking in Mr. de Tocqueville's observation. An excerpt is found below:
Another striking aspect of the day was a full page ad in the newspaper placed there by Hobby Lobby that reminds us of the foundation of our nation and the beliefs of those founding fathers. I've long argued for the separation of church and state, but am beginning to question the direction of our country. It's funny how de Tocqueville spoke of this too:
We are drowning in free speech thanks to Facebook. Talk about TMI............I did not want to know how many women openly disrespect their husbands, and I am saddened by this revelation. One of my favorite Biblical descriptions is that of The Wife of Noble Character found in Proverbs 31:
The 4th of July fell on a Wednesday this year which conflicts with the night we have our youth group meetings. Being a believer that church, especially youth meetings (the only part of church I have influence upon) should never be cancelled, we decided to meet anyway. Some churches cancel youth meetings for the entire summer which blows my mind! The kids are finally free from school responsibilities and have little or nothing to do, and some think that we should remove church influence from their lives for three months of idleness? Sorry for chasing that rabbit as my grandmother would say. Point being: we had our youth meeting at our house with roasted weenies instead of cancelling.
Our group had just returned from their trip to Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, North Carolina. It was an amazing trip for the thirteen teenagers and three adult chaperones who participated. Strangely enough, only three of the teenagers from the trip showed up last night........rant for another day. While researching a lesson appropriate for the occasion, I found a video from the Skit Guys where they quoted Alexis de Tocqueville who visited the United States 55 years after 1776 to research the source of America's greatness. Doing some very brief research on the source of the Skit Guys' quote, I found something shocking in Mr. de Tocqueville's observation. An excerpt is found below:
- I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors...; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution.
Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power.
America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.
The safeguard of morality is religion, and morality is the best security of law as well as the surest pledge of freedom.
Another striking aspect of the day was a full page ad in the newspaper placed there by Hobby Lobby that reminds us of the foundation of our nation and the beliefs of those founding fathers. I've long argued for the separation of church and state, but am beginning to question the direction of our country. It's funny how de Tocqueville spoke of this too:
- In France I had almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom marching in opposite directions. But in America I found they were intimately united and that they reigned in common over the same country.
We are drowning in free speech thanks to Facebook. Talk about TMI............I did not want to know how many women openly disrespect their husbands, and I am saddened by this revelation. One of my favorite Biblical descriptions is that of The Wife of Noble Character found in Proverbs 31:
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
So, maybe my revelations are disjointed. At the end of the day, it seemed that something has been lost in our definition of freedom over the last 236 years. We love to brag about our free nation, but what is that freedom providing for us today? Are our churches still thought by ANYONE to be the source of our strength? Are we as Christians showing that we are any different than non-believers?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
So, maybe my revelations are disjointed. At the end of the day, it seemed that something has been lost in our definition of freedom over the last 236 years. We love to brag about our free nation, but what is that freedom providing for us today? Are our churches still thought by ANYONE to be the source of our strength? Are we as Christians showing that we are any different than non-believers?
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Found a new resource and was immediately captivated....
The article that captured my attention was a story about running off your pastor, something that we in the Methodist church are all too familiar with either by first or second hand experience. It's pretty easy to do in this denomination because the politics of the Methodist church promote moving pastors anyway. Rather than a pastor growing a church where he is planted, they are typically used as fertilizer for their own careers. If you think of it in terms of stepping stones, our little church would be one of the lower stones on the climb up to......to.......I don't know what they're climbing to or for? It is one of the sadder aspects of the Methodists. Anytime politics are this intertwined with faith, there will be a conflict of interest. I'm really not dissing the pastors for their climb; ambition is valuable and natural I suppose. It's just an unfortunate aspect of this religion I've chosen to worship God within. Luckily for me, it is God that I worship and it is Him that I put my faith in, not my religion nor my pastor.
Another interesting article while skimming through my new resource was the movie review page. Because watching movies is one of my favorite past times, this grabbed my attention. The Hunger Games is reviewed here and I agree very strongly with his take on it.
For those of us who still see the value of hymns, there is a plethora of information for you as well. This one, I must share with our pastor, you know the one that I'm hoping will not be leaving us next week as our denomination plays their version of chess with our pastors.
Another interesting article while skimming through my new resource was the movie review page. Because watching movies is one of my favorite past times, this grabbed my attention. The Hunger Games is reviewed here and I agree very strongly with his take on it.
For those of us who still see the value of hymns, there is a plethora of information for you as well. This one, I must share with our pastor, you know the one that I'm hoping will not be leaving us next week as our denomination plays their version of chess with our pastors.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Who is your hero?
As Father's Day approaches and Memorial Day has passed, this video is a nice reminder of both: Heroes
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
This Little Light of Mine
Another inspiration for this blog is Vaction Bible School. I'm not a big fan of children. It's true; they're needy and whiny and just not my thing. Teenagers I can handle, but small children........not so much. So, my daughter-in-law always asks me to help her do VBS at our little country church. It's going on this week and oh, my how those little creatures can wear me down!
Once upon a time, I had a conversation with my husband about how people would rather lay in their beds doing nothing on Sunday morning than get dressed up in their Sunday best and go worship God for an hour or two. It puzzled me how a tradition that was instilled in us in childhood could be abandoned in adulthood. He said that I was the weird one and that it wasn't actually instilled in the majority of families. Imagine my shock to discover that going to church in the Bible belt was not the norm! It certainly is not the norm now.
Back to VBS: considering that I'm not really into children, it was my opinion that every parent on the planet would LOVE to get rid of their kids every night of the week to have a couple of hours of peace in their home. However, that was not what we experienced the first night; it was a miniscule attendance. Do parents really enjoy their children that much that they can't part with them for an in depth study of God? That hasn't been my experience with the parents of these children...........most are plopped down in front of a TV or video game to occupy their active imaginations. It seems that occupying their imaginations with the love of God for a couple of hours is time better spent, but that's just me.
You see, I still believe that 'Jesus Loves Me' and the answer to the question, 'Do Lord, Do You R'member Me?' is "Yes, I Do!".......and more than ANYTHING, I want my child to know those things too!!!!!
Once upon a time, I had a conversation with my husband about how people would rather lay in their beds doing nothing on Sunday morning than get dressed up in their Sunday best and go worship God for an hour or two. It puzzled me how a tradition that was instilled in us in childhood could be abandoned in adulthood. He said that I was the weird one and that it wasn't actually instilled in the majority of families. Imagine my shock to discover that going to church in the Bible belt was not the norm! It certainly is not the norm now.
Back to VBS: considering that I'm not really into children, it was my opinion that every parent on the planet would LOVE to get rid of their kids every night of the week to have a couple of hours of peace in their home. However, that was not what we experienced the first night; it was a miniscule attendance. Do parents really enjoy their children that much that they can't part with them for an in depth study of God? That hasn't been my experience with the parents of these children...........most are plopped down in front of a TV or video game to occupy their active imaginations. It seems that occupying their imaginations with the love of God for a couple of hours is time better spent, but that's just me.
You see, I still believe that 'Jesus Loves Me' and the answer to the question, 'Do Lord, Do You R'member Me?' is "Yes, I Do!".......and more than ANYTHING, I want my child to know those things too!!!!!
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