My dear friend, Carole has had a rough, spiritually and emotionally difficult month. She is back and I saw her truck today at Planned Parenthood on my way to work, so I stopped by to encourage her.
While chatting, I noticed that she had eye shadow on one eye, but not on the other. Knowing that she would want to know about an oversight such as this, I asked her about it.
As it turned out, it wasn't eye shadow, at all. It seems that she had a run-in with a certain cat. Now, I've had words with this cat myself, but although I lost a little blood, I didn't walk away with a shiner! Yah, a TKO!
What was the cat's name? Was it Sugar Ray Leonard, no I think this one floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. Wow Meow!
Here, kitty kitty kitty!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Here Comes That Rainy Day Feelin' Again (doo doo du BOP bop)
Today was a very rainy day at Planned Parenthood; very much the same and yet totally different from that other rainy day in April.
That day I went late because responsibilities at work prevented me going early; today I went late because those of us who go, agreed to stagger ourselves to have a witness there for a longer period of time. Apparently abortions happen all day long at Planned Parenthood on Thursdays.
That day I was physically alone. I sang alone to the empty wet air. I read Psalms to God alone and Isaiah to the fallen rain. Today, when I got there the parking lot was full, but the sidewalk was empty. As I surveyed the property, Josh, who teaches Greek and makes beautiful music on Sunday mornings drove up in his car and rolled down the window and said, as the rain splashed his face, "I'll be right back!" He drove around the block and parked in front of the Board of REALTORS and came along beside me and held the umbrella for me, and sang with me, and held a sign showing a baby at an early stage of development.
He was there for me. He heard that I came later, and didn't want me to be alone.
That day, people came, but hurried quickly into the building. The rain was steady and constant. Once, someone could be seen looking out the window at me from the second floor. Today, the guard watched me for a while from behind the privacy fence, but when it began to rain again, he got in his car to stay dry. About four or five gathered where they could see us and smoked cigarettes, but they all rushed into the building, almost in a single movement when it began to pour. Maryanne, the elderly escort, left shortly after I got there. (I heard her say something about not being able to sleep "that" late.) A man and woman who had come before I got there came out to their car, and then went back in. Several women who were by themselves came and went.
By now, anyone reading or standing with me knows what I do on Thursdays. Anyone might also know the doubts and misgivings I have about my purpose and strategy. I don't know what I am doing. I do, hwoever believe that God calls me there, and so I trust Him.
That Thursday in April, I left a little early because I became disheartened after a large man escorted a small, young woman to his large pickup truck, glancing at me quickly and recognizing that I was nothing to worry about.
Today, I as I was reading Scripture a couple of women got out of a car and walked across the parking lot in front of me. I broke from reading Isaiah to ask, "Are you contemplating murder in your heart? It is not too late to turn around." She looked at me and continued to walk. I returned to my reading.
Today, I left early, too. I was very grateful for Josh being there. I appreciated his sacrifice on my behalf, but I felt very uncomfortable with it. ...and I felt like a fool, reading scripture and having little or nothing to say of my own.
That day I went late because responsibilities at work prevented me going early; today I went late because those of us who go, agreed to stagger ourselves to have a witness there for a longer period of time. Apparently abortions happen all day long at Planned Parenthood on Thursdays.
That day I was physically alone. I sang alone to the empty wet air. I read Psalms to God alone and Isaiah to the fallen rain. Today, when I got there the parking lot was full, but the sidewalk was empty. As I surveyed the property, Josh, who teaches Greek and makes beautiful music on Sunday mornings drove up in his car and rolled down the window and said, as the rain splashed his face, "I'll be right back!" He drove around the block and parked in front of the Board of REALTORS and came along beside me and held the umbrella for me, and sang with me, and held a sign showing a baby at an early stage of development.
He was there for me. He heard that I came later, and didn't want me to be alone.
That day, people came, but hurried quickly into the building. The rain was steady and constant. Once, someone could be seen looking out the window at me from the second floor. Today, the guard watched me for a while from behind the privacy fence, but when it began to rain again, he got in his car to stay dry. About four or five gathered where they could see us and smoked cigarettes, but they all rushed into the building, almost in a single movement when it began to pour. Maryanne, the elderly escort, left shortly after I got there. (I heard her say something about not being able to sleep "that" late.) A man and woman who had come before I got there came out to their car, and then went back in. Several women who were by themselves came and went.
By now, anyone reading or standing with me knows what I do on Thursdays. Anyone might also know the doubts and misgivings I have about my purpose and strategy. I don't know what I am doing. I do, hwoever believe that God calls me there, and so I trust Him.
That Thursday in April, I left a little early because I became disheartened after a large man escorted a small, young woman to his large pickup truck, glancing at me quickly and recognizing that I was nothing to worry about.
Today, I as I was reading Scripture a couple of women got out of a car and walked across the parking lot in front of me. I broke from reading Isaiah to ask, "Are you contemplating murder in your heart? It is not too late to turn around." She looked at me and continued to walk. I returned to my reading.
Today, I left early, too. I was very grateful for Josh being there. I appreciated his sacrifice on my behalf, but I felt very uncomfortable with it. ...and I felt like a fool, reading scripture and having little or nothing to say of my own.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
What is in a name?
Before my family went on our trip, some brothers and sisters met to discuss our pro-life strategy in the community and church.
One of the things mentioned was a name for our organization. One sister mentioned that the term "pro-life" is old and well-ignored these days. She said that the Monroe County Right to Life organization is dead and that we should not attach ourselves to it. (If I am misrepresenting anything said that night, I apologize; my kids like to pretend that their Mom's memory is slipping as the years rush by.)
So I thought that while I am on my trip, and my time is not being purchased by my employer, I would be able to search the Scriptures and find something catchy and appropriate.
The posts on this blog would support the notion of not using a pro-life theme for a name. That would limit the group to pro-life rallies and abortion clinics and stuff. Not only that, but on these occasions and at these functions and events, such a name would limit its purpose to proclaiming the preservation of physical life.
While I will not back down from the proclamation of the sin of killing a human being based on God's Word, that is not the only truth that I think needs to be proclaimed or the only sin that needs to be rebuked. Therefore, I would not suggest any name that limits us to that issue. We do not proclaim the Pro-life Gospel.
The brother who is apparently spearheading this movement, for instance wants to take our message on campus. There we might not have the opportunity to be pro-fidelity, or pro-integrity if we were simply "Pro-life".
What is some of us wanted to demonstrate at the local strip club up the street, or the local "adult" book store down the street. Would we need to change our name?
What are we doing, anyways on Thursday mornings? Are we saving lives? Are we witnesses for Christ? Are we informing the public? If the latter, then of what?
If we are there to save or protect lives in danger, then our actions and tactics will reflect that. This is shaky ground. We could go the route of the "fanatic" placing our bodies in the way of danger, and spend some time in jail as a result. We could shout slogans and attempt to coerce with logic or worldly wisdom and statistics; or tug on heart strings with emotional messages or shocking rumors. We could think that pictures will turn their heads and hearts to make the right choice.
The very basis of the term pro-life is what? On what is a pro-lifer dependent for their cause? In fact, what is the pro-life cause?
If, however, our message, our purpose, our name is to proclaim the truth, we cannot depend on man's wisdom or our own words to convince or coerce. We would stand on the only firm foundation for any cause. We could go anywhere we are called under the same banner, and proclaim the message that we are called there to proclaim:
I have to admit that I couldn't think of a name that didn't sound idealistic or adolescent. Proclaim has been taken. Procaimers for God sounds like some Awana club. Righteous Rebukers is ridiculouss.
I just keep thinking of Ezekiel.
One of the things mentioned was a name for our organization. One sister mentioned that the term "pro-life" is old and well-ignored these days. She said that the Monroe County Right to Life organization is dead and that we should not attach ourselves to it. (If I am misrepresenting anything said that night, I apologize; my kids like to pretend that their Mom's memory is slipping as the years rush by.)
So I thought that while I am on my trip, and my time is not being purchased by my employer, I would be able to search the Scriptures and find something catchy and appropriate.
The posts on this blog would support the notion of not using a pro-life theme for a name. That would limit the group to pro-life rallies and abortion clinics and stuff. Not only that, but on these occasions and at these functions and events, such a name would limit its purpose to proclaiming the preservation of physical life.
While I will not back down from the proclamation of the sin of killing a human being based on God's Word, that is not the only truth that I think needs to be proclaimed or the only sin that needs to be rebuked. Therefore, I would not suggest any name that limits us to that issue. We do not proclaim the Pro-life Gospel.
The brother who is apparently spearheading this movement, for instance wants to take our message on campus. There we might not have the opportunity to be pro-fidelity, or pro-integrity if we were simply "Pro-life".
What is some of us wanted to demonstrate at the local strip club up the street, or the local "adult" book store down the street. Would we need to change our name?
What are we doing, anyways on Thursday mornings? Are we saving lives? Are we witnesses for Christ? Are we informing the public? If the latter, then of what?
If we are there to save or protect lives in danger, then our actions and tactics will reflect that. This is shaky ground. We could go the route of the "fanatic" placing our bodies in the way of danger, and spend some time in jail as a result. We could shout slogans and attempt to coerce with logic or worldly wisdom and statistics; or tug on heart strings with emotional messages or shocking rumors. We could think that pictures will turn their heads and hearts to make the right choice.
The very basis of the term pro-life is what? On what is a pro-lifer dependent for their cause? In fact, what is the pro-life cause?
If, however, our message, our purpose, our name is to proclaim the truth, we cannot depend on man's wisdom or our own words to convince or coerce. We would stand on the only firm foundation for any cause. We could go anywhere we are called under the same banner, and proclaim the message that we are called there to proclaim:
Psalm 37:5-8
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
I have to admit that I couldn't think of a name that didn't sound idealistic or adolescent. Proclaim has been taken. Procaimers for God sounds like some Awana club. Righteous Rebukers is ridiculouss.
I just keep thinking of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 2:3-10
3 He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' 5 And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious. 8 But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do not rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."
9 Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, 10 which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe.
Ezekiel 3
1 And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel." 2 So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.
3 Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.
4 He then said to me: "Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. 5 You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel- 6 not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate. 8 But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9 I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house."
10 And he said to me, "Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. 11 Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says,' whether they listen or fail to listen."
12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound—May the glory of the LORD be praised in his dwelling place!- 13 the sound of the wings of the living creatures brushing against each other and the sound of the wheels beside them, a loud rumbling sound. 14 The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. 15 I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days-overwhelmed.
Warning to Israel
16 At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: 17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18 When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for [a] his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
20 "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself."
22 The hand of the LORD was upon me there, and he said to me, "Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you." 23 So I got up and went out to the plain. And the glory of the LORD was standing there, like the glory I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown.
24 Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: "Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 And you, son of man, they will tie with ropes; you will be bound so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.' Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house.
Monday, July 10, 2006
There's no place like home, there's no place like home...
And no matter how far away you roam...there's no place like home.
Where's home? Where the heart is, where you hang your hat?
...But then again, you can also never go back, can you?
We just got home from our family vacation. We went home to visit our families in Michigan. It is so good to be home. Home where all my STUFF is. Home where I am the Mother Hen. Home where I am not an intrusion, but rather I am part of the surroundings.
Going to visit family has never been like this year. I have been watching my daughters grow up for the past seventeen and a half years, and this year, things have definitely changed. This year my sister's little girl is planning to elope and she is contemplating buying five acres and a match box for $50,000. My other sister's little girl also graduated and has moved in with her boyfriend and (apparently) all his friends, and a mouse.
This year, I heard my sister praise my parents for the good childhood they gave us, and marvel at how they did it. It truly warmed my heart.
This year also was the year I became the dark ewe to my Mom. Usually, I am the complacent one, and there are others who tend to thwart her well-laid plans, or break her heart. This year it was me. She was more gracious to me than I expected. I am grateful for that.
This year, my Dad and I had a deep conversation about God and what He is all about. Numbers 31 (God's vengeance on the Midianites) caused him to stumble many years ago, and he has never come back from it. Now he sees God's hand as one of injustice and cruelty. This year I found out that a childhood friend's brother was in a auto accident some time ago, and is a paraplegic. He struggled with his faith as a result. My Dad used this as an example: Why would God do that to someone who loves Him? I asked him what Byron is doing now, expecting to hear that he is on the street of Detroit begging bread, and shooting up. He said that Byron is now a minister in his wheelchair.
He who has eyes, let him see.
This year, upon parting, I pleaded with my mother-in-law to seek the Lord in her struggles, but lost my nerve as I hugged my father-in-law. His blood is on my hands.
Well, it is good to be home, and on my way home...
Where's home? Where the heart is, where you hang your hat?
...But then again, you can also never go back, can you?
We just got home from our family vacation. We went home to visit our families in Michigan. It is so good to be home. Home where all my STUFF is. Home where I am the Mother Hen. Home where I am not an intrusion, but rather I am part of the surroundings.
Going to visit family has never been like this year. I have been watching my daughters grow up for the past seventeen and a half years, and this year, things have definitely changed. This year my sister's little girl is planning to elope and she is contemplating buying five acres and a match box for $50,000. My other sister's little girl also graduated and has moved in with her boyfriend and (apparently) all his friends, and a mouse.
This year, I heard my sister praise my parents for the good childhood they gave us, and marvel at how they did it. It truly warmed my heart.
This year also was the year I became the dark ewe to my Mom. Usually, I am the complacent one, and there are others who tend to thwart her well-laid plans, or break her heart. This year it was me. She was more gracious to me than I expected. I am grateful for that.
This year, my Dad and I had a deep conversation about God and what He is all about. Numbers 31 (God's vengeance on the Midianites) caused him to stumble many years ago, and he has never come back from it. Now he sees God's hand as one of injustice and cruelty. This year I found out that a childhood friend's brother was in a auto accident some time ago, and is a paraplegic. He struggled with his faith as a result. My Dad used this as an example: Why would God do that to someone who loves Him? I asked him what Byron is doing now, expecting to hear that he is on the street of Detroit begging bread, and shooting up. He said that Byron is now a minister in his wheelchair.
He who has eyes, let him see.
This year, upon parting, I pleaded with my mother-in-law to seek the Lord in her struggles, but lost my nerve as I hugged my father-in-law. His blood is on my hands.
Well, it is good to be home, and on my way home...
Monday, June 26, 2006
Whoa! God Blows my Mind!
Walking through the cafeteria after church yesterday, looking for Glen. I see him in a hale and hardy hug with the pastor. I'm thinking, "Aw! Glen needed that" when the pastor says, "Glen, if it comes down to you, don't run, don't run."
I had to write this down somewhere, or I will later think it never happened. Even now, my mind questions my memory.
I had to write this down somewhere, or I will later think it never happened. Even now, my mind questions my memory.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
I stand convicted
I stand convicted by the Holy Spirit by means of Bloomington City Councilman Stephen Volan.
Yesterday, I planned to go to the City Council meeting. On the agenda was the allocation of funds to Social Service agencies who have requested funds from the city. Planned Parenthood was on that list. I planned to go, but I did not plan to speak. Then I went to teampyro.blogspot.com to check out their links to their merchandise on Cafepress.com (I tell you all of this because it is the way God takes me where He takes me; I did this to find that but I found what God wanted me to find instead) because I was checking it out for my daughter who wants to merchandise her Crabsterware. One of the Pyromaniacs, James Spurgeon, posts clips from C.H. Spurgeon's sermons periodically. This one, "Turn or Burn" http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0106.htm completely captivated me.
I became convinced, through the recent Sunday School lessons and Ptr. Currell's sermon about wielding the Sword on 6/4/06 (http://site.shepherdchurch.com/app/w_page.php?id=21&type=section), and my restlessness at Planned Parenthood, and reading this Spurgeon sermon before everyone else arrived at City Hall, that I may be there to call the council and Bloomington, America and us to repentance. Also I heard a brother behind me say that it would be good for more people to come forward to speak if only to say that they opposed the using of public funds to fund Planned Parenthood.
So I sat in the City Council meeting last night, my face flushed, my heart pounding in my ears; I may have been sweating, I don't know. I rehearsed many senarios in my head, remembering from time to time that Jesus told His disciples not to plan what they say when they came before the authorities.
As an intern gave a report on the research he did into the history of the Bloomington City Council, I thought about defending myself, "I realize that I appear to be a fool to you... but I'm not." (when they take you before the council, do not worry about what you will say...) As someone did a report compiled by an intern about properties that are petitioning to continue their tax abatements, I thought about flattering the council, "I can see that you are wise and concerned about the plight of the needy." (...do not worry about what you will say for the Spirit will teach you what you are to say at that time.)
Finally they got to the issue of concern. They went through the list of organizations that the committee had decided to present to the council for approval. Then they asked for public comment. I heard Scott Tibbs go forward to speak. Scott often attends and speaks at council meetings. He seemed very at ease, speaking. Then David Canfield spoke. He also spoke well, if not as comfortably as Scott. David Talcott, who must be used to speaking in front of groups while teaching at IU, spoke also. He was calm and quiet and had a well-thought out presentation. Carole Canfield also spoke at the podium. She expressed her disagreement with funding an organization that kills children and that although Bloomington is safe and civil, it is not on Thursday mornings for children in their mother's wombs.
At some point in there, a woman unknow to me came forward to speak. She indicated that she came to Bloomington as a student and stayed. She applauded Planned Parenthood for their contribution to this community and how they help women in distress.
The council asked if there were any other comments. I had decided, sort of (it may have been a ploy to delay the decision), that if I were to call people to repentance, it ought to be after the deed was done (I think I am wrong).
Then the council members made their comments. Some of them were thought provoking and provided material for rebuttal. One mentioned back alley abortions in the same tone that my mother in law does. One said that although this council does not have the power to fix the wrongs of this community/world, (God does...nope) these organizations can fix them. One of them said that Planned Parenthood was not the only controversial organization on the list, and that there was one that helped people get off drugs that was equally controversial (??). Stephen Volan, not once, but two separate times, said (was he looking right at me the second time?) that it is everyone's responsibility to come forward and speak at these events.
Then they voted. It was unanimous. All the petitioning organizations were approved.
Then I thought I would raise my hand and ask to speak. The the head guy started to speak about the next issue on the docket and still I thought I would speak; and then all of my brothers and sisters started to get up and leave. And ... still... I thought I would...speak up...
Then I got up and left too.
Hear the Word of the Lord from Ezekiel, and tremble:
Ezekiel 33:7-9 (ESV)
"So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Yesterday, I planned to go to the City Council meeting. On the agenda was the allocation of funds to Social Service agencies who have requested funds from the city. Planned Parenthood was on that list. I planned to go, but I did not plan to speak. Then I went to teampyro.blogspot.com to check out their links to their merchandise on Cafepress.com (I tell you all of this because it is the way God takes me where He takes me; I did this to find that but I found what God wanted me to find instead) because I was checking it out for my daughter who wants to merchandise her Crabsterware. One of the Pyromaniacs, James Spurgeon, posts clips from C.H. Spurgeon's sermons periodically. This one, "Turn or Burn" http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0106.htm completely captivated me.
I became convinced, through the recent Sunday School lessons and Ptr. Currell's sermon about wielding the Sword on 6/4/06 (http://site.shepherdchurch.com/app/w_page.php?id=21&type=section), and my restlessness at Planned Parenthood, and reading this Spurgeon sermon before everyone else arrived at City Hall, that I may be there to call the council and Bloomington, America and us to repentance. Also I heard a brother behind me say that it would be good for more people to come forward to speak if only to say that they opposed the using of public funds to fund Planned Parenthood.
So I sat in the City Council meeting last night, my face flushed, my heart pounding in my ears; I may have been sweating, I don't know. I rehearsed many senarios in my head, remembering from time to time that Jesus told His disciples not to plan what they say when they came before the authorities.
As an intern gave a report on the research he did into the history of the Bloomington City Council, I thought about defending myself, "I realize that I appear to be a fool to you... but I'm not." (when they take you before the council, do not worry about what you will say...) As someone did a report compiled by an intern about properties that are petitioning to continue their tax abatements, I thought about flattering the council, "I can see that you are wise and concerned about the plight of the needy." (...do not worry about what you will say for the Spirit will teach you what you are to say at that time.)
Finally they got to the issue of concern. They went through the list of organizations that the committee had decided to present to the council for approval. Then they asked for public comment. I heard Scott Tibbs go forward to speak. Scott often attends and speaks at council meetings. He seemed very at ease, speaking. Then David Canfield spoke. He also spoke well, if not as comfortably as Scott. David Talcott, who must be used to speaking in front of groups while teaching at IU, spoke also. He was calm and quiet and had a well-thought out presentation. Carole Canfield also spoke at the podium. She expressed her disagreement with funding an organization that kills children and that although Bloomington is safe and civil, it is not on Thursday mornings for children in their mother's wombs.
At some point in there, a woman unknow to me came forward to speak. She indicated that she came to Bloomington as a student and stayed. She applauded Planned Parenthood for their contribution to this community and how they help women in distress.
The council asked if there were any other comments. I had decided, sort of (it may have been a ploy to delay the decision), that if I were to call people to repentance, it ought to be after the deed was done (I think I am wrong).
Then the council members made their comments. Some of them were thought provoking and provided material for rebuttal. One mentioned back alley abortions in the same tone that my mother in law does. One said that although this council does not have the power to fix the wrongs of this community/world, (God does...nope) these organizations can fix them. One of them said that Planned Parenthood was not the only controversial organization on the list, and that there was one that helped people get off drugs that was equally controversial (??). Stephen Volan, not once, but two separate times, said (was he looking right at me the second time?) that it is everyone's responsibility to come forward and speak at these events.
Then they voted. It was unanimous. All the petitioning organizations were approved.
Then I thought I would raise my hand and ask to speak. The the head guy started to speak about the next issue on the docket and still I thought I would speak; and then all of my brothers and sisters started to get up and leave. And ... still... I thought I would...speak up...
Then I got up and left too.
Hear the Word of the Lord from Ezekiel, and tremble:
Ezekiel 33:7-9 (ESV)
"So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
...For Just such a time as this.
This is the story I told Greg at Planned Parenthood:
This is the story we did in Sunday School today:
In the Sunday School lesson, the wording went something like: Now Philip knew why he had been brought to this place at this time...
Why have you been brought to this place at this time? There are people living across the street that could very well be living across town or across the country. There are people working with you that could very well be working for another company, in another department, in another town, in another country. Heck, you could be working from home, but God has prevented it.
Do you believe that God is sovereign in salvation? Do you believe that He directs your path? Do you believe that He has saved you unto good works prepared in advance for you?
Read with me the Word of the Lord from Ezekiel 3:4-11
Esther 4:6-16 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
9 Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 "All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."
12 When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
This is the story we did in Sunday School today:
Acts 8:26-35: 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth."[e]
34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
In the Sunday School lesson, the wording went something like: Now Philip knew why he had been brought to this place at this time...
Why have you been brought to this place at this time? There are people living across the street that could very well be living across town or across the country. There are people working with you that could very well be working for another company, in another department, in another town, in another country. Heck, you could be working from home, but God has prevented it.
Do you believe that God is sovereign in salvation? Do you believe that He directs your path? Do you believe that He has saved you unto good works prepared in advance for you?
Read with me the Word of the Lord from Ezekiel 3:4-11
4 He then said to me: "Son of man, go now to the house of Israel and speak my words to them. 5 You are not being sent to a people of obscure speech and difficult language, but to the house of Israel- 6 not to many peoples of obscure speech and difficult language, whose words you cannot understand. Surely if I had sent you to them, they would have listened to you. 7 But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate. 8 But I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. 9 I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house."
10 And he said to me, "Son of man, listen carefully and take to heart all the words I speak to you. 11 Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says,' whether they listen or fail to listen."
Saturday, May 13, 2006
My mind is like a seive: Only the chunks remain.
You might recall when I was struggling with how to love people who are displaying behaviours that are contrary to my notion of appropriate behaviour.
My mind is like a seive: Only the chunks remain. So God has to keep pouring that milk through until it turns into cottage cheese and some of it sticks.
I meet them all the time, these people who don't behave. They belong to God, and they belong to the prince of this world. They might be someone as distant as the television or internet. They might be a stranger on the street, a student at the local high school or university. They might be as close as my neighbors, co-workers, children, step-children or other reletives, distant or close.
Enough of that!
I learned a little something last night about how to react. It was a little milky, so much of it washed right through. Here's what stayed: Talk to God.
My kids and I were looking for a graphic to apply the finishing touch to Holly's graduation announcement. She decided on a symbol of wisdom. She has long been an enthusiast of greek mythology-- she is the one who introduced me to the story of Icarus, which might turn out to be ironic-- so she was looking for a graphic of Athena.
I was feeling uncomfortable with the idea of applying a goddess icon to her announcement, and I was trying to decide whether this was silly or not. Glen called and we talked. I mentioned it to him, and he acted like it was trivial either way, and I should do what I want. I hung up with him, and while Holly was in the other room, I talked it over with God. God gave me peace in that He is not afraid of Athena, and Holly is not a Christian. I spoke honestly to Holly about my discomfort with this. She assured me that she does not worship Athena.
For what it is worth, and I have done many things wrong, this was an opportunity to have a genuine conversation with my daughter. It was also an opportunity to have a Father-daughter conversation with my God.
The bottom line is the peace that He gave me over this, and I am looking at other instances in a different light.
My mind is like a seive: Only the chunks remain. So God has to keep pouring that milk through until it turns into cottage cheese and some of it sticks.
I meet them all the time, these people who don't behave. They belong to God, and they belong to the prince of this world. They might be someone as distant as the television or internet. They might be a stranger on the street, a student at the local high school or university. They might be as close as my neighbors, co-workers, children, step-children or other reletives, distant or close.
Enough of that!
I learned a little something last night about how to react. It was a little milky, so much of it washed right through. Here's what stayed: Talk to God.
My kids and I were looking for a graphic to apply the finishing touch to Holly's graduation announcement. She decided on a symbol of wisdom. She has long been an enthusiast of greek mythology-- she is the one who introduced me to the story of Icarus, which might turn out to be ironic-- so she was looking for a graphic of Athena.
I was feeling uncomfortable with the idea of applying a goddess icon to her announcement, and I was trying to decide whether this was silly or not. Glen called and we talked. I mentioned it to him, and he acted like it was trivial either way, and I should do what I want. I hung up with him, and while Holly was in the other room, I talked it over with God. God gave me peace in that He is not afraid of Athena, and Holly is not a Christian. I spoke honestly to Holly about my discomfort with this. She assured me that she does not worship Athena.
For what it is worth, and I have done many things wrong, this was an opportunity to have a genuine conversation with my daughter. It was also an opportunity to have a Father-daughter conversation with my God.
The bottom line is the peace that He gave me over this, and I am looking at other instances in a different light.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Greg @ Planned Parenthood
Greg is an active police officer who was serving as a guard at Planned
Parenthood today, divorced from his own convictions in any way. He
claims Jesus as his Saviour, but right now he is on the job. Someone
else is paying him right now.
It blows my mind to be involved in something that God is doing.
...doesn't it you?
I don't want to spend too much time on this, so I'll just give a few highlights.
Greg was a new guard. I've never seen him, and neither has Carole. So I hollered "Hi" and settled in. He approached me.
His name is Greg. He likes the hymns "Nothing but the Blood" and "Old Rugged Cross." His grandmother used to take him to church. He has been a Christian for 7 years.
He is on the police force and sometimes policemen have to do what they don't like to do. (Not on PP payroll? Police are apparently commissioned for protective duties like this.)
When I left, David and Josh were still talking to him.
I believe that God is opening doors for us to proclaim the Gospel!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Not so much alone at Planned Parenthood
I have said that I have been at Planned Parenthood alone. I want to say that lately that has not been the case (except the first Thursday in April; that rainy day... see the Rain/Impatience/Regret post below). I want to express inexpressible emotions to the following people (I'm not sure they want their full names on the world wide web):
David (Anna's husband and Carver's dad)
Scott (Shannon's husband)
Lucas (off now to see his parents in Africa)
Josh (I think I got this name right--might be Jake, he is a friend of Lucas)
Andrew (plays stringed instruments in our praise band)
Josh (teaches Latin @ a certain state university and Greek @ REPC)
Bob (the official Match Maker of CGS)
Alex (assisted Bob this Thursday...will he be the next match?)
Jennifer (Steve's wife; she's a mother-to-be with moxey)
Carole (David's wife, and long time PP protester)
David (Carole's husband and Disc Jockey)
There was a guy last summer when I was coming later and staying in my van. He would ride up on his bike, lean it against a tree and either stand or kneel and pray for a short period of time. He always came alone after the others had gone.
Dave and Tim have been there, too; and Shauna (Eli's mom). My hero, Glen, has been there several times, too.
This week there was a retired policeman; I don't remember his name. He wasn't a Catholic, and although he said he had a Bible at home he sucked the words off the page when I let him read mine. When I talked about the wrath of God rising up, he thought I was talking about "Left Behind."
(I'm only there for one hour each Thursday, so I can only say who is there when I am.)
God gave Carole a transition into a new house and bookkeeping blues in order to prevent her from going to Planned Parenthood as she thought she ought...was this to give me some alone-with-God-at-Planned-Parenthood-time for seasoning? Sorry, Carole.
I hope I didn't forget anyone, and if I do, let me know.
I have often thought that from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on Thurdays the killing continues, but there is no one proclaimiing God's Word of whom I am aware.
Another thing that ocurred to me: A couple of Tuesdays ago, there was a national wear-an-anti-abortion-t-shirt day (Christ Centered Pro-Life link on the sidebar for shirts) and Carole asked if people would come to PP and stand with her. Apparently on Tuesdays, women come in for their screening. They were coming in by the car-load! I went during the non-peak time (my lunch break 10 - 11am) and was able to talk to someone that day (Sarah; just there to support a friend; goes to ECC). She was very curious about why I was there, since I was (can you guess) all alone. On Tuesdays there are no people on the sidewalk, but the parking lot is very busy.
Please, if I have forgotten anyone, and you are him/her or if you know their names, then leave a comment here and I will edit this post to include them. Also, if you are on this list and want to boldly include your full name, let me know. Conversly, if you want your name removed, let me know.
It is encouraging to stand with Christian brothers and proclaim the Word of God in this dark world. It is not gratitude I want to express, for it is not my place. It is I think fellowship, or the Tie that Binds that wells up within me.
David (Anna's husband and Carver's dad)
Scott (Shannon's husband)
Lucas (off now to see his parents in Africa)
Josh (I think I got this name right--might be Jake, he is a friend of Lucas)
Andrew (plays stringed instruments in our praise band)
Josh (teaches Latin @ a certain state university and Greek @ REPC)
Bob (the official Match Maker of CGS)
Alex (assisted Bob this Thursday...will he be the next match?)
Jennifer (Steve's wife; she's a mother-to-be with moxey)
Carole (David's wife, and long time PP protester)
David (Carole's husband and Disc Jockey)
There was a guy last summer when I was coming later and staying in my van. He would ride up on his bike, lean it against a tree and either stand or kneel and pray for a short period of time. He always came alone after the others had gone.
Dave and Tim have been there, too; and Shauna (Eli's mom). My hero, Glen, has been there several times, too.
This week there was a retired policeman; I don't remember his name. He wasn't a Catholic, and although he said he had a Bible at home he sucked the words off the page when I let him read mine. When I talked about the wrath of God rising up, he thought I was talking about "Left Behind."
(I'm only there for one hour each Thursday, so I can only say who is there when I am.)
God gave Carole a transition into a new house and bookkeeping blues in order to prevent her from going to Planned Parenthood as she thought she ought...was this to give me some alone-with-God-at-Planned-Parenthood-time for seasoning? Sorry, Carole.
I hope I didn't forget anyone, and if I do, let me know.
I have often thought that from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm on Thurdays the killing continues, but there is no one proclaimiing God's Word of whom I am aware.
Another thing that ocurred to me: A couple of Tuesdays ago, there was a national wear-an-anti-abortion-t-shirt day (Christ Centered Pro-Life link on the sidebar for shirts) and Carole asked if people would come to PP and stand with her. Apparently on Tuesdays, women come in for their screening. They were coming in by the car-load! I went during the non-peak time (my lunch break 10 - 11am) and was able to talk to someone that day (Sarah; just there to support a friend; goes to ECC). She was very curious about why I was there, since I was (can you guess) all alone. On Tuesdays there are no people on the sidewalk, but the parking lot is very busy.
Please, if I have forgotten anyone, and you are him/her or if you know their names, then leave a comment here and I will edit this post to include them. Also, if you are on this list and want to boldly include your full name, let me know. Conversly, if you want your name removed, let me know.
It is encouraging to stand with Christian brothers and proclaim the Word of God in this dark world. It is not gratitude I want to express, for it is not my place. It is I think fellowship, or the Tie that Binds that wells up within me.
Erica Said...
Re: Gary, Evangelism, God and our words
Erica said...
I think what was said was what was meant to be said. God's in control. If our words made him commit his life to Christ, where would our trust be? In our own words? We must trust Him. You spoke to him about the first thing we must realize before salvation. Let God do the work.
5/04/2006 9:51 PM
I sometimes spend long periods of time going over and over conversations in my mind. Mostly I listen to the really sharp answers and come-backs I could have made. When it comes to being Christ's witness, or evangelizing, I think of the things I should have said, but couldn't think of at the time.
I thank God for faithful sisters who will help me to see the hand of God, reminding me of my God's great power.
When we started having mid-week evening Bible studies last year, we were talking about this and Joyce said that probably God did not have anything for me to say at the time, because He did not give me the words.
Whoa! I had never thought of that! On the one hand, that could be used as a huge cop-out. "Oh, God didn't give me any words, so I don't have to say anything."..really meaning, "I'm too chicken to say anything, and I don't want to offend anyone, and, that's just not my thing." On the other hand, Scripture backs this up. If I'm out there, making myself available, in obedience engaging people in discussions, well grounded and studied in Scripture, and God constricts my throat, then, He was stopping me from spouting off with my own words.
I was going on I Peter 3:15: "15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
Joyce, however was going on what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:18 - 20: "18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
I could say that Gary wasn't a governor or king, but then in Luke 12:11 & 12, Jesus put it this way: 11 "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
Gary was in a position, in a sense, of authority.
All of this makes me think deeply about this business of speaking. Why sometimes, does my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, and my heart hammer so hard and fast that I can't hear myself think? It this the Lord shutting my mouth against my own words, or is it simply the fear of man. Only recently have I had words of God come out of my mouth without me planning them (Thanks be to God!) and that was at Planned Parenthood.
Remember Hannah, who for a long time longed for a child. God could have opened her womb at any time. In His perfect wisdom, He perfected her prayer through waiting. Moses, could not go straight from the Pharoah's palace to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but God perfected him. God could have given Abraham his promised son at anytime, but waited so that Abraham fully trusted Him through waiting, and stumbling.
I would think my own words clever if I were to be an effective witness. I would think I am a saviour if I were to prevent an abortion, lead someone to the Lord, or anything else.
So God has had me at Planned Parenthood, where the battle line are drawn and sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden. He has had me there with my throat constricted and unable to talk, alone sometimes, quietly reading Scripture, and generally feeling like I don't know why I'm there and what I'm doing... Only knowing that He has called me there.
In my weakness, His strength is perfected. I am totally dependent on Him. Now I read Scripture more boldly, and stand firm as cars drive around me. But, I still know that I look like a fool, and it is not my boldness, but boldness in Christ.
Finally He gave me words, and I think, "I'm cool...Yah!" So then he puts me out there alone in the rain again. Then I realize anew that it is He who has the whole world and the hearts of men in His hands.
I Peter 4:10-11 "10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Also, to fill out the previously cited passage:
I Peter 3:15-17 "15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
Erica said...
I think what was said was what was meant to be said. God's in control. If our words made him commit his life to Christ, where would our trust be? In our own words? We must trust Him. You spoke to him about the first thing we must realize before salvation. Let God do the work.
5/04/2006 9:51 PM
I sometimes spend long periods of time going over and over conversations in my mind. Mostly I listen to the really sharp answers and come-backs I could have made. When it comes to being Christ's witness, or evangelizing, I think of the things I should have said, but couldn't think of at the time.
I thank God for faithful sisters who will help me to see the hand of God, reminding me of my God's great power.
When we started having mid-week evening Bible studies last year, we were talking about this and Joyce said that probably God did not have anything for me to say at the time, because He did not give me the words.
Whoa! I had never thought of that! On the one hand, that could be used as a huge cop-out. "Oh, God didn't give me any words, so I don't have to say anything."..really meaning, "I'm too chicken to say anything, and I don't want to offend anyone, and, that's just not my thing." On the other hand, Scripture backs this up. If I'm out there, making myself available, in obedience engaging people in discussions, well grounded and studied in Scripture, and God constricts my throat, then, He was stopping me from spouting off with my own words.
I was going on I Peter 3:15: "15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
Joyce, however was going on what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:18 - 20: "18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
I could say that Gary wasn't a governor or king, but then in Luke 12:11 & 12, Jesus put it this way: 11 "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
Gary was in a position, in a sense, of authority.
All of this makes me think deeply about this business of speaking. Why sometimes, does my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, and my heart hammer so hard and fast that I can't hear myself think? It this the Lord shutting my mouth against my own words, or is it simply the fear of man. Only recently have I had words of God come out of my mouth without me planning them (Thanks be to God!) and that was at Planned Parenthood.
Remember Hannah, who for a long time longed for a child. God could have opened her womb at any time. In His perfect wisdom, He perfected her prayer through waiting. Moses, could not go straight from the Pharoah's palace to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but God perfected him. God could have given Abraham his promised son at anytime, but waited so that Abraham fully trusted Him through waiting, and stumbling.
I would think my own words clever if I were to be an effective witness. I would think I am a saviour if I were to prevent an abortion, lead someone to the Lord, or anything else.
So God has had me at Planned Parenthood, where the battle line are drawn and sometimes obvious, sometimes hidden. He has had me there with my throat constricted and unable to talk, alone sometimes, quietly reading Scripture, and generally feeling like I don't know why I'm there and what I'm doing... Only knowing that He has called me there.
In my weakness, His strength is perfected. I am totally dependent on Him. Now I read Scripture more boldly, and stand firm as cars drive around me. But, I still know that I look like a fool, and it is not my boldness, but boldness in Christ.
Finally He gave me words, and I think, "I'm cool...Yah!" So then he puts me out there alone in the rain again. Then I realize anew that it is He who has the whole world and the hearts of men in His hands.
I Peter 4:10-11 "10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Also, to fill out the previously cited passage:
I Peter 3:15-17 "15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Gary G @ Planned Parenthood
A new guard at Planned Parenthood today.
His name is Gary and I think his last name starts with a G. His is retiring from law enforcement and he is just starting up in the private sector. Today was his first day at Planned Parenthood, because someone called in sick.
(There is nowhere we can flee from your spirit Oh Lord. You have sovereignty over even microbes!)
He has no opinion on or off the record regarding abortion, he just wants everybody to remain safe.
(Gary, everyone will not remain safe here today; people will die here today.)
He "knows" Jesus and he is certain that Jesus has an opinion about "this."
(Gary said that without a hint of a shudder.)
Gary says he is not a bad person, and he seemed uncomfortable when I told him I am, and that I have been forgiven. He wasn't going to agree that I am bad.
Dear God,
You who alone have made this man, and know his heart. I pray that you would use the feeble words of your servant and turn Gary's heart from stone to flesh. Make him painfully aware of his depravity and grant him your faith and repentance.
In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ,
Amen
His name is Gary and I think his last name starts with a G. His is retiring from law enforcement and he is just starting up in the private sector. Today was his first day at Planned Parenthood, because someone called in sick.
(There is nowhere we can flee from your spirit Oh Lord. You have sovereignty over even microbes!)
He has no opinion on or off the record regarding abortion, he just wants everybody to remain safe.
(Gary, everyone will not remain safe here today; people will die here today.)
He "knows" Jesus and he is certain that Jesus has an opinion about "this."
(Gary said that without a hint of a shudder.)
Gary says he is not a bad person, and he seemed uncomfortable when I told him I am, and that I have been forgiven. He wasn't going to agree that I am bad.
Dear God,
You who alone have made this man, and know his heart. I pray that you would use the feeble words of your servant and turn Gary's heart from stone to flesh. Make him painfully aware of his depravity and grant him your faith and repentance.
In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ,
Amen
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Evangelism: To Do or not To Do
I have tried to rewind the discussion of last week's Bible study to determine how we came to discuss evangelism...
...Were we diverted by our efforts to protect our idols from exposure by reviewing the idols of the culture in which we live? Thanks be to God, who is able to do more than we would ever ask or imagine! As we attempted to cover our idols, He used our attempt to expose another idol: Fear of Man (aka: Pride).
Only in Scripture do I see the admonition to live the life of a gentle and quiet spirit so that they may be won without words. Only in Scripture do I see the admonition to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
Nowhere in Scripture do I see either examples of or commands to keep our mouths shut in order to witness. The shining light is not to the exclusion of proclaiming, verbally, God's truth. The gentle and quiet spirit passage actually does tell the wife of an unbelieving husband to keep her mouth shut, but that is pretty specific.
I don't know about anyone else, but I can find more excuses on my own to keep my mouth shut, and generally need a kick in the butt to get me going. I think that Jesus called this being ashamed of Him before man, and said of that person (me) that He, then would be ashamed of him before His Father.
A dear sister told about when she was a new Christian and she was so filled with the joy of her Savior that from a certain perspective, she might have been seen as "overly zealous". She talked her friend's ear off until her friend didn't want to hear any more. We feel like a fool, and as we look back, we think, " how foolish I was, how could I have behaved so foolishly!" But through whose eyes are we seeing this? Not through the eyes of Christ, I think, but through the eyes of flesh. Would not Jesus have looked at His servant lovingly to see her talking so foolishly to her friend? And wasn't it the Sword of the Spirit who divided her and her friend, causing her friend to all the more vehemently reject the message, and the messenger with it? Would our sister also have taken credit for it if her friend had received with joy the message of salvation and kissed the Son? No, then why would she take the credit for the rejection of the Precious Blood of Jesus?
If anyone understands the fear of man, it is I.
We also need to guard our hearts against pride. It is not to hear our own words or to acheive quotas or goals that we do this; although, I believe He will even use this, while also disciplining His arrogant servant. It is out of obedience to our Master. He calls us to it, and will enable us to do it. He calls us to sow the seed. We need to trust Him to make it grow, or not.
...Were we diverted by our efforts to protect our idols from exposure by reviewing the idols of the culture in which we live? Thanks be to God, who is able to do more than we would ever ask or imagine! As we attempted to cover our idols, He used our attempt to expose another idol: Fear of Man (aka: Pride).
Only in Scripture do I see the admonition to live the life of a gentle and quiet spirit so that they may be won without words. Only in Scripture do I see the admonition to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.
Nowhere in Scripture do I see either examples of or commands to keep our mouths shut in order to witness. The shining light is not to the exclusion of proclaiming, verbally, God's truth. The gentle and quiet spirit passage actually does tell the wife of an unbelieving husband to keep her mouth shut, but that is pretty specific.
I don't know about anyone else, but I can find more excuses on my own to keep my mouth shut, and generally need a kick in the butt to get me going. I think that Jesus called this being ashamed of Him before man, and said of that person (me) that He, then would be ashamed of him before His Father.
A dear sister told about when she was a new Christian and she was so filled with the joy of her Savior that from a certain perspective, she might have been seen as "overly zealous". She talked her friend's ear off until her friend didn't want to hear any more. We feel like a fool, and as we look back, we think, " how foolish I was, how could I have behaved so foolishly!" But through whose eyes are we seeing this? Not through the eyes of Christ, I think, but through the eyes of flesh. Would not Jesus have looked at His servant lovingly to see her talking so foolishly to her friend? And wasn't it the Sword of the Spirit who divided her and her friend, causing her friend to all the more vehemently reject the message, and the messenger with it? Would our sister also have taken credit for it if her friend had received with joy the message of salvation and kissed the Son? No, then why would she take the credit for the rejection of the Precious Blood of Jesus?
If anyone understands the fear of man, it is I.
We also need to guard our hearts against pride. It is not to hear our own words or to acheive quotas or goals that we do this; although, I believe He will even use this, while also disciplining His arrogant servant. It is out of obedience to our Master. He calls us to it, and will enable us to do it. He calls us to sow the seed. We need to trust Him to make it grow, or not.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Something to think about...
Something to think about:
God struck Ananius and Sophyra dead for lying,
(under grace)
but let David live.
(under the law)
God struck Ananius and Sophyra dead for lying,
(under grace)
but let David live.
(under the law)
I hugged my daughter today...
April 6, 2006
I hugged Lydia last night before we went to bed. This morning when I hugged her, she was taller than I!
I hugged Lydia last night before we went to bed. This morning when I hugged her, she was taller than I!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Looking at myself through other windows.
From a conversation between my husband and his oldest daughter:
From a woman that I am just in love with and whom I admire more than I can say:
I Peter 3
1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
Husband: She (my daughter) gets something in her head and won't let it go.
Oldest daughter: She gets it from her mother.
From a woman that I am just in love with and whom I admire more than I can say:
I guess I'm just intimidated by you.
I Peter 3
1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
God, Give me a gentle and quiet spirit by which I will reflect your assurance and mortify my will, my image, and my self. Give me grace to follow my husband with joy and regard my reputation with abandon.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Rain/Impatience/Regret
421 South College Ave.
1505 West Second Street.
A world apart. Just down the street, really.
Why must I go? It was rainy today. There was a meeting here at work. I was not included in this meeting about online classes, but to leave at 9:00 would be to leave my post unattended. To insist that I leave right on time would be to insist that God requires my presence in order to accomplish His will, I think. I also have obligations to my employer. So I waited. I talked to God about it. I trust Him, and I don't think I was denying Him to wait. Abortions happen all day long, apparently at Planned Parenthood.
If I were there to save lives, I would be arrested every week. I would invade the no-fly zone. I would be in the faces of the people there. I would block the way, pleading for reason and justice.
Your purpose defines your activity. Your belief defines your purpose.
I am not there to save lives. I have talked to God about this. He calls me there so I go. He knows who I am, and He calls me anyways. Good and upright is the Lord, and He teaches me His way for I am a sinner (Ps.25). I am available, and last week, He taught me, I think that He will give me words when He wants me to talk. I am there, like Ezekiel, to proclaim God's truth; to warn of coming wrath; to offer the way of Salvation. If God would use me to save a life or to convict of sin and point to Him, I am there.
(Man, that sounds so much like a cop out! God! Search me and know my heart. Create in me a clean and steadfast heart. Reveal any wicked way in me. Lead me on the path of righteousness for your name's sake!)
After my time of worship, I feel close to God. I feel cleansed. I feel like I am saturated with God; through and through and dripping. Sometimes I walk away talking to God or singing to Him still. I seriously feel like my feet are not touching the ground sometimes.
After last week, I looked forward to Thursday morning. I'm sure this is NOT right. Maybe that's why He brought the rain, and sent me there late, and alone. (Alone times at Planned Parenthood are always clarifying times.) I think, if I were honest, I would think that I thought people paid attention to ME last week... I would think that the way I behaved and the words I said made a difference. I would admit that I forgot that only God can change a heart of stone to flesh.
I am not sure why I am there, but I'm pretty sure it is not to bring attention to myself. I'm quite certain that it is to proclaim truth, magnify God and shine a light, not on myself, but on sin. Being in this place of iniquity and death should cause me to be downcast, not uplifted.
When it is raining, no one stands outside to hear my droning. No one stays to ignore more than a sentence or two of Scripture. The rain quickly washes the hymns out of the air to splash on the pavement below.
There was a very large man waiting in a very large pickup truck. Its rumbling motor hummed most of the hour I was there. He seemed to be alone. Then, he turned off the motor, went inside, and came out with his arm around a little girl just as I was preparing to leave. He looked at me, to make sure that I was no threat and put her in the pickup truck and drove away. This time I cried as I walk back down College Avenue to my car. I returned to work soaked and discouraged.
1505 West Second Street.
A world apart. Just down the street, really.
Why must I go? It was rainy today. There was a meeting here at work. I was not included in this meeting about online classes, but to leave at 9:00 would be to leave my post unattended. To insist that I leave right on time would be to insist that God requires my presence in order to accomplish His will, I think. I also have obligations to my employer. So I waited. I talked to God about it. I trust Him, and I don't think I was denying Him to wait. Abortions happen all day long, apparently at Planned Parenthood.
If I were there to save lives, I would be arrested every week. I would invade the no-fly zone. I would be in the faces of the people there. I would block the way, pleading for reason and justice.
Your purpose defines your activity. Your belief defines your purpose.
I am not there to save lives. I have talked to God about this. He calls me there so I go. He knows who I am, and He calls me anyways. Good and upright is the Lord, and He teaches me His way for I am a sinner (Ps.25). I am available, and last week, He taught me, I think that He will give me words when He wants me to talk. I am there, like Ezekiel, to proclaim God's truth; to warn of coming wrath; to offer the way of Salvation. If God would use me to save a life or to convict of sin and point to Him, I am there.
(Man, that sounds so much like a cop out! God! Search me and know my heart. Create in me a clean and steadfast heart. Reveal any wicked way in me. Lead me on the path of righteousness for your name's sake!)
After my time of worship, I feel close to God. I feel cleansed. I feel like I am saturated with God; through and through and dripping. Sometimes I walk away talking to God or singing to Him still. I seriously feel like my feet are not touching the ground sometimes.
After last week, I looked forward to Thursday morning. I'm sure this is NOT right. Maybe that's why He brought the rain, and sent me there late, and alone. (Alone times at Planned Parenthood are always clarifying times.) I think, if I were honest, I would think that I thought people paid attention to ME last week... I would think that the way I behaved and the words I said made a difference. I would admit that I forgot that only God can change a heart of stone to flesh.
I am not sure why I am there, but I'm pretty sure it is not to bring attention to myself. I'm quite certain that it is to proclaim truth, magnify God and shine a light, not on myself, but on sin. Being in this place of iniquity and death should cause me to be downcast, not uplifted.
When it is raining, no one stands outside to hear my droning. No one stays to ignore more than a sentence or two of Scripture. The rain quickly washes the hymns out of the air to splash on the pavement below.
There was a very large man waiting in a very large pickup truck. Its rumbling motor hummed most of the hour I was there. He seemed to be alone. Then, he turned off the motor, went inside, and came out with his arm around a little girl just as I was preparing to leave. He looked at me, to make sure that I was no threat and put her in the pickup truck and drove away. This time I cried as I walk back down College Avenue to my car. I returned to work soaked and discouraged.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Thursday, March 30
NOTE: There are several possible reasons for this post. Three of which I will accept and claim. Four that are pure. Five that are probably true. One that I pray that God will guard my heart against:
#1 I want to brag on myself.
#2 I want the flogging of the righteous.
#3 I want the counsel of the righteous.
#4 I want to remember this.
#5 I need help.
This morning, when I arrived on College Avenue the little, older escort (I think Carole told me her name was Marianne) and a younger (about early 30s) escort were sitting on the curb within the no-fly zone chatting. They looked up as I walked by and I smiled and waved. While I was doing it, I wondered if it would be more appropriate to shout some slogan; I had just walked past the Catholics wondering if I should be encouraging them to trust in the righteousness of Christ alone.
I have a Bible that I have had for about four months. It is to give away. I have had it too long. Pray that I will give it away soon.
I set it down by the telephone pole in the back corner of the parking lot and went and greeted Carole who was intent on someone, but glad for a hug. As I walked away a Friar who was talking to her returned to his soliloquy.
I stationed myself and opened my Bible. I was afraid this morning. I am always afraid, but this morning seemed more so, but it might be just because it was current. Then I noticed this new escort walking toward me. They never walk toward me. I just thought that was odd, and watched her as if she might do something else surprising or maybe she knew me. She walked up to me smiling and said that it was nice to see a friendly face, and quizzically asked if I was with... (making a gesture as if asking for an explanation of my purpose/association).
You have to know that I have talked to God very much about my countenance. My grandmother had a naturally stern-looking, down-turned mouth and she gave it to me along with her hair. My husband and kids are always misinterpreting my looks (well, sometimes;)) and it is because of this countenance. So when this woman said that it was nice to see someone with a friendly countenance, I thanked God inside.
I told her that I was here representing my Lord, Jesus Christ and that I would be happy to talk to her about Him. She backed up and spread her arms out and said that she is an Atheist and that she couldn't imagine that we have anything to talk about, and that He was a nice man, a really good man and all.... I told her that we have a lot to talk about, actually, but she walked away instead.
I thought later of many things I should have said...You know: Jesus could not have been a "good man" because he claimed to be God, so He either was, or he was a raving lunatic, which would make me a raving lunatic too.
That would be the primary one, I guess, but it just didn't come to mind. If you have anything that would be appropriate, please let me know.
There is a guard that I think has only been there for less than two months. He is young. He watches me. The escorts looked at me a lot today. They laughed at me, I think. I am a fool, and I know it.
I have thought that if I saw a woman out smoking a cigarette, maybe I could be brave enough to just suggest that she wait one week, and give her a Bible and my phone number. As I was leaving, though a woman was there but she was caught up in a conversation with a woman to whom I have talked on one occasion. She is a cloud without rain, but I just walked on by. I am pretty much a cloud without rain, myself. Any excuse is a good excuse to keep quiet.
From a comment under the post "All Other Ground is Sinking Sand" (February 23, 2006):
I do not want this cause to become an idol. It is God's word that we proclaim in it's marvelous fullness on Thursday mornings. Ours is not the gospel of pro-life, but the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God has also called us to make disciples of all nations. Go, seek the lost. Tell them about Christ. Find them where you work, where you go to school, where you go to church. Find them on College Avenue on Thursday mornings.
Yes, God is sovereign in salvation, and He has chosen to use you to accomplish His good will.
I hope to be
together with you in His service
&
subject to His word,
Rachel
#1 I want to brag on myself.
#2 I want the flogging of the righteous.
#3 I want the counsel of the righteous.
#4 I want to remember this.
#5 I need help.
This morning, when I arrived on College Avenue the little, older escort (I think Carole told me her name was Marianne) and a younger (about early 30s) escort were sitting on the curb within the no-fly zone chatting. They looked up as I walked by and I smiled and waved. While I was doing it, I wondered if it would be more appropriate to shout some slogan; I had just walked past the Catholics wondering if I should be encouraging them to trust in the righteousness of Christ alone.
I have a Bible that I have had for about four months. It is to give away. I have had it too long. Pray that I will give it away soon.
I set it down by the telephone pole in the back corner of the parking lot and went and greeted Carole who was intent on someone, but glad for a hug. As I walked away a Friar who was talking to her returned to his soliloquy.
I stationed myself and opened my Bible. I was afraid this morning. I am always afraid, but this morning seemed more so, but it might be just because it was current. Then I noticed this new escort walking toward me. They never walk toward me. I just thought that was odd, and watched her as if she might do something else surprising or maybe she knew me. She walked up to me smiling and said that it was nice to see a friendly face, and quizzically asked if I was with... (making a gesture as if asking for an explanation of my purpose/association).
You have to know that I have talked to God very much about my countenance. My grandmother had a naturally stern-looking, down-turned mouth and she gave it to me along with her hair. My husband and kids are always misinterpreting my looks (well, sometimes;)) and it is because of this countenance. So when this woman said that it was nice to see someone with a friendly countenance, I thanked God inside.
I told her that I was here representing my Lord, Jesus Christ and that I would be happy to talk to her about Him. She backed up and spread her arms out and said that she is an Atheist and that she couldn't imagine that we have anything to talk about, and that He was a nice man, a really good man and all.... I told her that we have a lot to talk about, actually, but she walked away instead.
I thought later of many things I should have said...You know: Jesus could not have been a "good man" because he claimed to be God, so He either was, or he was a raving lunatic, which would make me a raving lunatic too.
That would be the primary one, I guess, but it just didn't come to mind. If you have anything that would be appropriate, please let me know.
There is a guard that I think has only been there for less than two months. He is young. He watches me. The escorts looked at me a lot today. They laughed at me, I think. I am a fool, and I know it.
I have thought that if I saw a woman out smoking a cigarette, maybe I could be brave enough to just suggest that she wait one week, and give her a Bible and my phone number. As I was leaving, though a woman was there but she was caught up in a conversation with a woman to whom I have talked on one occasion. She is a cloud without rain, but I just walked on by. I am pretty much a cloud without rain, myself. Any excuse is a good excuse to keep quiet.
From a comment under the post "All Other Ground is Sinking Sand" (February 23, 2006):
I do not want this cause to become an idol. It is God's word that we proclaim in it's marvelous fullness on Thursday mornings. Ours is not the gospel of pro-life, but the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God has also called us to make disciples of all nations. Go, seek the lost. Tell them about Christ. Find them where you work, where you go to school, where you go to church. Find them on College Avenue on Thursday mornings.
Yes, God is sovereign in salvation, and He has chosen to use you to accomplish His good will.
I hope to be
together with you in His service
&
subject to His word,
Rachel
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Oil On My Head
HELLO...HELLo.....HELlo.....HEllo......Hello.........hell.o.o...o..hel...
Is anybody listening? Does anyone hear me? Does it matter?
I wonder sometimes if anyone reads this stuff. I know sometimes I have everything wrong, or at least perverted in some way. Very seldom am I subjected to rebuke or correction or even a good discussion.
I have often quoted verse four and even saw it worked out by Nehemiah. Imagine my surprise to see verse five! Friends, I don't want to be wise in my own eyes! I desire the correction of the righteous.
Well, shut my mouth! God sure has a way of getting to the point, eh?
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Please be bold to correct me where I am wrong. Please, let us reason together.
Is anybody listening? Does anyone hear me? Does it matter?
I wonder sometimes if anyone reads this stuff. I know sometimes I have everything wrong, or at least perverted in some way. Very seldom am I subjected to rebuke or correction or even a good discussion.
Proverbs 26:3-5
3 A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you will be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.
I have often quoted verse four and even saw it worked out by Nehemiah. Imagine my surprise to see verse five! Friends, I don't want to be wise in my own eyes! I desire the correction of the righteous.
Proverbs 17
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.
Well, shut my mouth! God sure has a way of getting to the point, eh?
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Psalm 141:5 Let a righteous man strike me, it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me, it is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it.
Please be bold to correct me where I am wrong. Please, let us reason together.
Psalm 141
Psalm 141
A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me.
Hear my voice when I call to you.
2 May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil,
to take part in wicked deeds
with men who are evildoers;
let me not eat of their delicacies.
5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it.
Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers;
6 their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
7 They will say, "As one plows and breaks up the earth,
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave."
8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD;
in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me,
from the traps set by evildoers.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.
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