A Mommy and a VP

It's occurred to me that instead of merely trashing The Shack and telling people that their theology is warped, the best response might be to offer them an alternative that you could fully endorse.  Of course, the best source of truth is the Bible, but when it comes to easy chair fiction, The Pilgrim's Progress is a great substitute for The Shack.  Like The Shack, it deals with the problems of human suffering, it allegorizes elements of the story, and it is a super best seller (in fact, the bestselling book of all time, next to the Bible).

Some of you might be a bit worried about reading a book written in the mid 1600s.  Rest assured, the language is a lot easier to read than Shakespeare's verse, but it does require a bit of effort.  You're not going to plow through it at the speed you might read a Danielle Steel novel, but after awhile, you'll get used to the style.  You can even read it online for free here.  If the language drives you crazy, there are modern language versions of it, as well as children's versions (for the kids at heart). 

Pilgrim's Progress is divided into two parts, which were published several years apart.  The first part is the one we most commonly associate with the book.  Few people read the second part these days, and frankly, I think it's a shame.  I suggest getting a book that includes both parts as well as one that cites the scripture verses in the margins (as Bunyan intended).  Some versions drop the scripture references entirely, and it's helpful to read them along with the text, to guide you back to the Word if you have any questions.

The plot is very simple.  A man named "Christian" is an everyman who sets out on a journey to the "Celestial City" (heaven).  He encounters trials along the path, including people who are set on hindering his journey, such as "Mr. Worldly Wiseman," "Mr. Legality," and the "Giant Despair." He slogs along in the "Slough of Despond," walks up the "Hill of Difficulty," and gets stuck in "Doubting Castle."  Here, there are real enemies, but Christian himself also is undergoing a process of sanctification throughout the journey.  In the second part, Christian's wife "Christiana" follows her husband's example and goes down the path with her children. Personally, I think more women should take an interest in her story (but you have to read Christian's first for it to make sense).

It's a very straight forward allegory (some have criticized it as "overly simplistic"), without a lot of a fancy plot devices or emotional manipulation (but I admit that I cry at a couple places in the story), yet there's truth that speaks to many generations.  You'll find references to this book in many great works of literature because it's influenced so many believers across the ages.  It's woven into the pages of Little Women, Huckleberry Finn, and Jane Eyre.   

So while some might argue that The Shack is the book that speaks to this generation (i.e. Eugene Peterson), I'll argue that Pilgrim's Progress is the book that speaks to all generations.

Take Time To Seek God
Asking God to speak to you but not forgetting to thank him for who he is and for what he has done.

Being Honest And Dependant
Admitting your needs and confessing your disappointment with him. Asking for the ability to separate your voice from his.

Hear God In Scripture
God uses scripture to help deal with certain areas with ourselves that need to be worked upon. For example: our daily relationships with family, friends and God himself. He could also utilize his word to confirm something that he has already taught us.

Ask God Questions
No question is too small or too big for God. He will reveal himself to you, give you insight on things that are hidden to you, He will show you how to pray. All you need to do...is ask. This is a way to show him your humility and dependency.

Be Quiet And Listen
You may discover that God is speaking to you..convicting, revealing, exhorting, and communicating with you.

Practice Hearing The "Echoes"
The task of "being still and knowing God" can be quite challenging. Especially with all the distraction of our day-today lives. Finding a quiet place and time each day to fine tune these can serve us a great deal. This can even be in our car listening to music.

How To Know If It Is God
Here the old saying rings true "When in doubt..don't". If you hear the something that goes against God's commands, then you can bet that the message isn't coming from him. God is the CEO of loving and redeeming mankind. Anything other..is not him.

Be Patient...Speak, Listen and Wait
Take time for each of these. When you do, God may surprise you by showing that he speaks to more than you ever imagined.

Now I do  agree that there are some, a very small few, false Pentecostal break away minority groups (such as United Pentecostal church  ), and I also do undeniably agree that  the majority of the Christian Missionary Alliance church members , adherents are non Christians, for they are mere lip serving Christians only for they really do differ  from the main Pentecostal churches when they  had broken away from them.  Now I know very clearly there are many Canadians who rightfully do not believe that our Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper , a Christian Missionary alliance church member now  is a Christian, and neither do I .  Do see http://wittnessed.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/popular-christian-based-readinsg-resources/

The vigor and power of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh.

Owen basically asserts that there is a direct link between our willingness to destroy the pervasive sin in our lives, and our relationship with Jesus, and experience of the Holy Spirit.  I want to be careful here and say that Owen is not saying advocating a super moralism, quite the contrary.  This mortification/eradication of sin is not done through our will, but rather our awareness of need and desperation that leads us to surrender absolutely to the work of the Holy Spirit.

ryan

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...

my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear...

the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...

we have already come.

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...

and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be...

as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise...

then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

James K. A. Smith on the God of Americanism

Scott Prather's perplexed thoughts on voting

Fred Sanders on Voting as a Spiritual Discipline

Scott Stephens on Obamamania and American Exceptionalism

Scot McKnight's advice to a friend on voting and the cause of Christ

Doug Harink's thoughts on Jim Wallis' book, God's Politics, Pt. 1 and Pt 2

Everything from Theopolitical

Halden on the Reactive Politics of Evangelicalism

Michael Westmoreland-White's non-messianic progressive politics

Lutheran Zephyr's analysis of McCain and Obama on evil

Chris Donato's Peace: It's What's for Dinner

Evan Kuehn's analysis of some of the posts in this list

David Congdon's reflections on the party conventions

Also, if you're still not tired of watching videos, you can watch the following discussion that takes place among Shane Claiborne, Charles Colson, and Gregory Boyd: (Christians and Voting; and Christianity and Politics)

Any that I missed?

I also have no hidden agendas, I am not trying to get you to buy anything, I offer everything free, absolutely no money is asked for. There also  is no church to join now as well, I merely try to tell the whole honest truth, positive and negative ones, even about politics, religion or what ever.

http://wittnessed.wordpress.com/

Everyone faces it at one time or another.  Maybe you moved to a new town as a child and had to start a new school- all by yourself.  Perhaps you've just lost your job and have no idea what will be around the next corner.  You might have lost a loved one recently, or are facing that empty nest for the first time.  Whatever it is, we all come to that crossroad.  How will we react to this dark shadow we think is lurking above us?  My first reaction has usually always been dread.  Denial.  Don't face it and it will just go away. Wrong!  My second, (learning slowly to make it my first), reaction is to call out to the One who is patiently waiting for me to do just that.  Once that is done, and my crying and complaining have subsided He gently reminds me in His Word of the blessings He has for me, if I'm willing to follow him.  I am His and He is leading me.  Why would I not embrace where He is leading?

I am reminded of  a few great men of the Old Testament.  Take Noah.  What if he hadn't listened to God about the change he needed to make?  What about Abraham?  Did he question God when he was told to leave the only country he had known?  The Bible tells us in Genesis 12:1 "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee." 

Talk about change!  He had no idea WHERE he was to go, he just knew he was to GO!  And listen to what he would receive for his obedience:  "I will make of thee a great nation; and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curses thee:  and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

And then there is Job.  I think he endured the most change anyone could ever endure.  He lost everything, yet as soon as he heard of his calamity what did Job do?  Cry and mope around?  No!  Job 1:20a tells us that "... he fell to the ground and WORSHIPPED! 

Change is only good when we stop asking "why" and start asking "what".  Instead of WHY is this happening to ME?  Ask, WHAT does the Lord want to teach me from this? How can I bring Him Glory through this time?  When we start realizing that it is through our times of change that we grow we will finally accept change with a more hopeful outlook.

As the rain poured down the other night I awoke with a thought.  I think God wakes me like that sometimes when He wants me to "get" something He has been teaching me.  As I listened to the rain the thought crossed my mind how without the rain the flowers wouldn't grow and bloom into the beautiful array of colors as they do each spring.  If it didn't rain the trees would never burst out with leaves of green or the grass would never grow.  Without the rain and the dark cold nights the sun wouldn't feel so warm and welcome on our faces in the morning.  Likewise, if we don't go through our "rain" we won't become the beautiful fragrance, the sweet smelling aroma to our Lord.  Sometimes it takes a dark, rainy night to truly appreciate the warm, welcoming SON.  It takes CHANGE.

I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.  2 Timothy 2:10

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:10

Blessings Today,

Pammy Liz

Blessings to you and all of the other recipients of this award.  Have a Great Day!!

Blessings Today,

Pammy Liz

This in turn is why the area of the enemy's greatest attack is in the area of unity - in relational conflict, offense, and divisions. He knows that if he can divide then it is harder for him to be conquered.

You know it to be true in your life: with work colleagues, your boss, your family. Sadly it doesn't always look much different in the church - inside individual local churches, or in the church at large. You don't have to search far to find people who don't talk to one another any more, people who argue, people who are carrying hurt, offense, bitterness. All these things must make our enemy rub his hands with glee, and they bring pain to our Father in heaven.

This is why we must be wholly committed to being united, to loving one another, to forgiving one another as Jesus commanded, and to dealing with conflict in the way Jesus commands. Now obviously there are going to be some people - inside and outside the church - who believe different things to me or who do things that I find objectionable. I'm not saying we just cover over differences, but I am saying we need to be committed to loving one another, and ensuring that no root of bitterness grows up and defiles many (Hebrews 12:14-15).

How do we live this way? Check out Matthew 18. Read the whole thing and see not only Jesus' instructions on how to deal with conflict, but Matthew's context in writing. Those who are greatest in the Kingdom are those who:

• humble themselves
• go after the brother who leaves the flock
• deal with conflict in a way that restores and brings unity, and
• forgive as many times as is necessary.

I've also been looking for new home, something bigger (still renting) and I've found it, we moved in last weekend and I am still unpacking.  I have to unpack 4 years worth of memories I had stored in the attic.  Memories from when Pk was born and stuff, just a bunch of junk.  I had a yard sale to get rid of  some, but thanks to Faye we were rained on so, most of the stuff may be sold on Craigslist.  Lots of it is brand spanking new and I need some extra cash so, that will help me a lot.

I've decided I can't handle being a WAHM and homeschool so, I sent my daughter to preschool and my son will be off to daycare in a week or so.  The first week of preschool for my daughter was an experience, the first day she loved it, the rest of the days she cried, but whenever Dad take her she's okay, so may be I am the problem in that situation.

I've also started working with a few of the local shelters and charities to fulfill my purpose, that helped me conquer depression dealing with so many people who have way more problems than me, dealing with drug addiction and not having custody of their chidren.  I see I have alot to be thankful for dealing with the volunteer work.  I've started a charity drive at three of the shelters here and I've gotten everyone I know involved.

So, between kids, work, voluteer work and everything going on in my life, I've been too busy to blog but, believe me I do have a lot to talk about, trust me, so, just a heads up I'm back, I'm making my blog a priority and you may get tried of my ramblings.  Looking forward to writting again hope your interested in my topics.

I don't know if it's accurate - I generally find cultural stereotypes far too simplistic - but it's an interesting observation and it's an important point in leadership. Whether they are American, English, or any other nation, I'm convinced that every leader leads through one of these filters.

Some leaders (myself included) think the Why? is the important question. It's the question that touches people's hearts. It's the first question and the underlying question. It's the one that motivates you to want to answer the other questions.

Other leaders think the How? is important. The Why? is already so compelling for them that they jump straight in at the How. They focus on strategy, on what needs to be done to get to where they believe we should go.

I think there's another - unfortunately rarer - category of leader whose primary filter is the Who? It's the people who are the important thing. They don't really think it's necessary to even think about the Why or the How, because if they just focus on the Who God will work out the other stuff.

Interestingly, from what I see people are also wired to respond more to one of these different aspects of leadership. For some people (and probably to a greater proportion in the current younger generations) the Why? is the important thing to be answered and they want to follow people who answer that for them. Others don't really care about the Why?, they just want to follow someone who appears to know where they're going and How? they're going to get there. Other's don't care about either of these things: they'll follow anyone who cares about them enough to want them to be part of the Who?

So who's right? Personally I think they all are. Not only do different people respond to different answers, but all three elements are essential to good leadership, and to ending up where we need to go.

So what do we do about that? Good leaders are deliberate about addressing all three aspects and growing in their understanding of how people work. However, the best leaders recognize that we're all wired a slightly differently and make a decision to lead alongside others who complement them.

In Biblical terms this is why we see a commandment and a context which doesn't speak about solo Christians or solo leaders. It speaks about a body with many diverse parts - believers with different characters and giftings - who are built together into something glorious that is used by God. It speaks about friends, family, unity, community.

The anguished letter writer - who has denied his faith in Christ and says that has given him peace - asserts that "self-denial is the antithesis of life" and that his homosexuality is his deepest and truest identity.

Having just preached on self-denial and cross bearing, I find the assertion that self-denial is the antithesis of life - well - interesting.

Not just for this young man, but for most of our culture, the claim that self-denial is the path to true life is a tragic truth and impossible teaching. Our selves are always trying to set up cults of worship for us. We carry around our own idols in our hearts and minds and our culture affirms us with choruses of praise for doing so.

There is no end of teaching in our lives that tells us in every way we should affirm the exult the instincts of our inner and true self. We are offered a smorgasbord of identities to put on and place before our identity in Christ. We are taught that it is better to die - or kill ourselves - than betray who we truly are.

Self-denial is hard. The self is fierce and tireless. When told to be subordinate to another - to God - the self is endlessly inventive in coming up with arguments and battling against such a claim.

Lord knows it is the work of a lifetime with God's grace to put all that in its place. Should - because it is so hard or even impossible - should we stop teaching self-denial?

Is the church wrong to teach self-denial? If not, then how should we approach it?