tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-166754092024-03-23T11:09:24.817-07:00Sarah Joy's CornerFor our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
(Psalms 33:21)Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.comBlogger371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-84866597032541154782017-03-10T17:08:00.001-08:002017-03-10T17:10:11.241-08:00Can You Handle Two More Cents Worth? My Take On the Disney's Beast Story.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVnKCif4KwuAjqf52e-CCZZRki1L4mlltamA82p5ibka2xYtdEwclh0pLrUtFjDGMCWpmkB2hTWTBnSLkLlwSkFDLyJOLaBqqxZKXo_4SjGMY8hlatnuzVjkSi2_1QufWCTW6uA/s1600/P1011380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVnKCif4KwuAjqf52e-CCZZRki1L4mlltamA82p5ibka2xYtdEwclh0pLrUtFjDGMCWpmkB2hTWTBnSLkLlwSkFDLyJOLaBqqxZKXo_4SjGMY8hlatnuzVjkSi2_1QufWCTW6uA/s400/P1011380.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Since everyone is putting out their two cents about the Disney movie remake of the Beauty and the Beast, I thought I would do the same. I have a different perspective than I've seen so far, which is why I'm writing this post. Some things to consider: I'm a Bible-believing Christian, so I'm not going to be able to enjoy a movie when the producers just out and say they are trying to teach my kids things I don't believe in. That's a given, and it's all I will say about the recent events. But I wasn't too crazy about the story to begin with.<br />
<br />
I had a problem with the original Disney animated movie, and it always puzzled me when I heard people say that the heroine of this film was a strong woman. When it first came out, I read a review in the newspaper saying that Belle was a great role model for girls. While it is true she is more likable than the bratty Ariel, something bothered me, and it troubled me more and more when I had girls of my own. I didn't want them to see the movie. I didn't want them to think it was romantic. I didn't want them to think it was a great love story.<br />
<br />
Why? Let me take you back to a moment when I was a teenage girl, and I held a little red-haired neighbor in my arms while she trembled in fear. Her mother stood nearby while a police officer, and my father tried to talk her into pressing charges on her abusive boyfriend, who had been terrorizing them that day. I heard her say, "He's not always like this! I love him, and he needs me. I'm just too softhearted!" <br />
<br />
<b>She thought her love would help that monster turn into a prince.</b> She really did.<br />
<br />
Since I've been in ministry work a while, I've seen this play out time and again. That wasn't the last time a girl or woman dampened my shoulder with her tears because of the actions of a selfish, angry man. A woman thinks she's doing something noble by offering love to man who seems troubled. He goes from being a "beast" to turning on the charm when she threatens to leave, and she comes back, sometimes bringing vulnerable children with her, believing that her love will be enough to help a broken person heal and transform him.<br />
<br />
There is only one Person whose love can do that. His name is Jesus Christ. He is in the business of changing hearts and saving souls. Woman, you have a precious heart, and it ought to be cherished, not used. Your love will never fix an abusive man.<br />
<br />
This movie has a beautiful women living in a castle with an angry beast, who doesn't hesitate to terrorize her when he's angry. They share an adventure, and a snowball fight, and suddenly he's not the same. There something sweet, and almost kind about him. After this, he puts her needs first because he truly loves her. It's the fantasy that gets women hospitalized. I wouldn't be so melodramatic, except I keep seeing it happen over and over again, and it makes me sick.<br />
<br />
I've got some soft-hearted daughters. I hope they never get that awful idea in their heads. I want them to find someone who loves them like their dad loves me, like my father loves my mother, like Christ loves the church. So, yeah, we were never too excited about this remake in the first place.<br />
<br />
And now you have my two cents added to many others.Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-66004043040915632352016-05-04T11:17:00.000-07:002016-05-04T11:17:03.601-07:00Just how desperate am I?A hungry woman gathering a few dry sticks on the edge of town was asked by the prophet of a God she didn't worship to make him food from the last scraps she owned. Most likely, this woman had wept in the night over the sleeping form of her son, who she fully expected to die after their last meal together. What was going through her mind when she obeyed this man? Why did she do it? Would you?<br />
<br />
If you were so desperate? Would you put your faith, and the last of your food, in such a chance?<br />
<br />
Probably! I would, if it was my last chance for the survival of my family.<br />
<br />
These are days that seem very discouraging to the Christians I know. We are feeling desperate, and our disappointment is tangible. The American public is more blind than it has ever been before. Even people professing Christ have, in vast numbers, chosen a flagrantly wicked man to flaunts his vile lifestyle, just because he's "better" than the other option. People I know are sickened by the prospects. Hope is differed, and the heart is sick. (Proverbs 13:12) We now have a choice between two socialists. There is no win for America here, no path that does not lead to disaster.<br />
<br />
A few days ago, I read the story of the widow in Zarephath, and God drew me to note the desperation of this woman, and her obedience, which led to a wonderful work of God in her life. Some other verses came to mind.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the <b>poor in spirit</b>: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.<br />Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do <b>hunger and thirst</b> after righteousness: for they shall be filled.<br />Psalms 40:17 But I am <b>poor and needy</b>; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.<br />Psalms 34:6 This <b>poor man</b> cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.<br />Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a <b>broken spirit</b>: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.<br />Psalms 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a <b>broken heart</b>; and saveth such as be of a <b>contrite spirit</b>.</blockquote>
<div>
Just how desperate are we? Do we hunger and thirst after God, or victory? Are we willing to mourn with God over the wickedness about us, or are we just trying to hang on the blessings on past righteousness? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have been so angry over the loss of our blessings, and it is grevous, but if we get what we want politically, would we heave a great sigh of relief and return to normal apathy?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God's people in America live for self and self interests. Church is nothing more than a cultural norm, and the Great Commission is for someone else. We have not be desperate for years. After a breif glimpse of our powerlessness on September 11, 2001, we have sunk back into a contented, entertained apathy, disturbed only by irritation over the loss of freedom. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let me be clear. Freedom is a precious gift of God. But He is passionate about righteousness and the salvation of souls. If we cry over the loss of freedom, yet yawn at the eternal suffering of the lost, we have left the heart of God far behind us. If we are angry about our rights slipping away, yet wink at our own private sin, we stand in danger of the chastening hand of God. How can He bless our lethargic spirit of devotion?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's time we realized how poor and needy we have always been.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's time we recognized our complete dependence on Him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Revelation 3:17-19 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that <b>thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked</b>: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be<b> zealous therefore, and repent.</b></blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We will probably never get those blessings back. As a parent, I know my child is not repentant as long as he is angry over the consequences of his wrongdoing. He is repentant when he wants to obey and hates his sin. Where are we? Where am I?</div>
Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-25771330766074380042015-05-11T10:00:00.003-07:002015-05-11T10:05:56.539-07:00Repost: Bible College Survival Handbook; YourselfI saved this one for last, and I think it's the most important.You
can get along with the authorities, love the classes, and have great
friendships, but still fail completely at college. But I've seen people
who fought the authorities and acted like a snot to their roommates and
acquaintances, but then God got hold of their heart, and He <i>changed them</i>. Your heart, and how much of it God has, is the single most important factor to spiritual success. <br />
<br />
Remember that the devil is actively trying to discourage you. That is, he's trying to remove your motivation, your courage.<br />
<br />
1.
Don't go thinking of plan B, if this doesn't work out. You should be
determined to finish what you start. If God wants you there, and He's
confirmed it in your heart, plan B is just rebellion. Go with that faith
that God is leading you, and determine to let God show you that it's
His job to get you through. My husband and I both had seemingly
insurmountable financial challenges, and I got pretty sick two years in a
row. The sickness caused me to fail some classes! I remember asking God
what I was doing there, when I couldn't have success. That year is one
of my most precious memories, and the things I learned about God's
presence in my life are with me today. God can use anything that happens
in our life, as long as our faith line remains connected to Him. Unplug
it, let doubts come in, and they can ruin what God wants to do!<br />
<br />
2. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #073763;"><i>Modern day me again. Hannah, your mom told me this one.</i> </span></span>Read
your Bible every day, and touch the throne of God every day, just to
pass time with Him, and not to pass a class. Study for classes is good,
but it does not ever, <i>ever </i>replace time set apart to be in God's
presence. You need it. Make it a priority. Find your place to be alone
and do it. (My place was in one of the upper classrooms of the North
Auditorium, and this very annoying young male student liked the same
room, so he beat me to it, and I had to go find another room. In
auditorium part of the building, a student would worship God and pray
while he played the piano, so my devotions were usually accompanied by
this music. He is now serving God on a mission field on the other side
of the world, and the guy who stole my prayer room is now my husband.*)
You will hear a hundred times this year, "Bible college is the easiest
place to get backslidden." ad nauseum. Because it's true. Well, any
place is easy to get backslidden if you are relying on yourself.<br />
<br />
3. <i><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="background-color: white;">Modern
day me again. Morgan, your dad told me that "doing" was not nearly as
important as "being". Working for God vs. being His child and loving
and knowing Him. I kind of understood him, but it took some time for
that truth to hit me fully. I'm still learning it! </span> </span></i>Activity
does NOT equal God is pleased with you! Anywhere you think that God is
pleased because "I'm doing _____" or "I'm getting this blessing_____"
or "everyone thinks ________ about me." is a dangerous, dangerous place
to be spiritually. You are right with God when you get on your face in
His presence every day let Him change you. When you die to the flesh
and carry your cross. Activity is good, but it's only a product of our
walk with God, and sometimes when we get comfortable doing certain
things for God, we think we can swing it without Him. Actually, my
flesh is always confident in this manner. And it's the thing that makes
me want to quit when I make a big mess of things doing them without
God's Spirit. Hypocrite, isn't it? <br />
<br />
This isn't as long
as my other posts, but I hope you take it to heart. If you went to
Bible college because you believe God wanted you to, then give Him
liberty in your life to do what He wants with your life! The "big
secret" to spiritual success (and you will hear tons of sermons on this)
is very simple-being full of the Spirit, walking with God, and getting
out of His way. It can't get old to you-it's your lifeline. It takes
day-by-day checking, tending, and repair.<br />
<br />
<br />
My love and prayers are with you!<br />
<br />
Oh,
one more thing. If, for some odd reason, you find yourself sitting in
chapel, and exhausted. maybe your blood sugar levels are,
hypothetically, weirded out by too many strange snacks and not enough
sleep, and you might find yourself having a very hard time keeping both
eyelids open. Let's say you might have a pack of Listerine Pocket
Patches in your purse, and after fruitlessly pinching yourself, chewing
on your tongue, squirming and trying everything else you know of to stay
awake, it occurs to you that it might be a good idea to use one of
those little strips to "wake yourself up". Refreshing and all that. If
such a thing happens to you, and I'm not saying it will, or that it
happened to me or anything like that, I'm just saying it <i>might</i>, you know. Don't put it under your tongue. Just don't.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*For the record, my husband wishes it to be known that his version of this story is that some cute girl periodically stole <i>his </i>prayer room. Whatever. </span>Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-60788926719031471522015-05-11T09:57:00.002-07:002015-05-11T09:57:41.163-07:00Repost: Bible College Survival Handbook: Other PeopleMy friend, I hope you aren't tired of my unasked for advice yet.
It's not because I think I'm smarter or more spiritual than anyone else,
just that I've done what you are going to do, and this is a collection
of things wise people told me, and things I would want someone to tell
me. Today I'm going to focus on other people. I didn't have any
nightmare roomates, and I hope they can say the same of me. :) That is
not to say there were no differences, because I know we are all sinners,
so differences are inevitable, especially when you are sharing living
space with someone. You can stuff your weaknesses down enough in front
of most people, but someone who can't get away from you is going to know
who you are at the end of the year.<br />
<br />
1. ) Don't despise
people who are different. If you are living in a dorm, you will be
sharing space with people who are different then you. Here are some ways
they might be different:<br />
* Different style of education; public school, Christian school, homeschool<br />
*Different ways of bill paying; you might have to go get a job, someone else might have their parents pay their bills.<br />
*Family
structure; some will be from Christian families with generations of
faithful Christians-what a blessing! Some got saved out of the world,
and no one in their families are saved, but they want to start serving
the Lord, what a blessing! (My husband fell into the last catagory, and
I'm a third generation Christian.) Some had a hard life before college,
there will be young people there with scars most of us can't imagine,
some with rough edges because they came from a rough home.<br />
*Cleanies vs. Messies-you know that's gotta cause some conflicts!<br />
In
any case, let me tell you that you will not understand everyone, and a
good many of them will not understand you. Don't start out with a chip
on your shoulder, and don't be drawn into conflicts. You really can
learn from every one! God just might want you to minister to and help
someone who is different from you, and if you start out despising them,
He can't! Don't whine about other students.<br />
We also are humans
here, and humans naturally despise others. You might say that you
don't, but you have a tenancy inside, called pride, that wants to look
down at others for any of the above mentioned differences. If you get a
roommate who snores loudly, is really overweight, has smelly feet, or
never learned to clean the bathroom at home, is this going to be the
topic when you are with your friends? <i>Most people don't think twice
about mocking others for their stupid problems, but we know right away
that it's wrong if someone does it to us!</i><br />
Please don't make
big deals out of minor things, and don't get all sarcastic about people
who are easy to despise. God loves them as much as He loves you.<br />
2. )
That was a lot of "don't", so here is a "DO!" Look for David and
Jonathan type friendships. Jonathan saw David serving before his
father, and his heart was knit with David's. Why? Because Jonathan saw
a love for God in this scruffy lad that mirrored his own. When you
love God, you love others who love God. I thank God for my friendships
from college, many of whom are just as strong today as then, even though
we don't have a lot of contact with each other. All we have to do is
get together and all of the same things we shared in before are still
there to enjoy, even though we are all in different stages of life now.
Ask God to lead you to people that you can be a blessing to, and who
will be a blessing to you.<br />
3.) Another "Don't". Avoid whiners. Ryan <strike>cornered</strike>
got to interview missionary Rick Martins once at a mission's conference
we were in together. One of his questions was, "As a young missionary,
what kind of things should I try to avoid?" The immediate answer?
"Negative missionaries!" Negative whiners are everywhere, even at Bible
college, even in the ministry. Although it's easy to develop
friendships with folks who share the same whine as me, it doesn't help
me to grow spiritually. Jonathan's heart wasn't knit with a whiner.
These people will happily share their rotten attitude with you and
anyone else, and then walk away and gripe about you! Here's a clue, if
you notice that most of your conversation with a particular friend is in
discussing problems, try to change the subject and put an encouraging
spin on each thing, giving glory to God. A true whiner will get
frustrated quick and have nothing left to talk about. Someone who is
growing spiritually will feel convicted and want to be around you more
because you encourage them to do right.<br />
<i><span style="color: #073763;">Here's
modern day me, with a note on this point. While the method I suggested
does work, I've found it's better just to ask the person if they've
talked to the other person, and kindly but frankly say they should talk
to them and not to me. The other method makes the person not want to
talk to you, and this one might just help them with their problem. </span> </i><br />
4.)
Make godly friendships with people of the other gender. Freshman often
enter their first year with romantic notions that they will make eye
contact with some stranger and their future will be set. Newsflash!
God doesn't use Disney protocol! Just let God work in your heart and
keep your friendships godly and honorable. The Bible tells young
pastors to treat the younger woman as sisters, because they are. Our <i>kinship</i>,
however, is a spiritual one, and not a physical one. In the physical
world, we must protect the honor of our brethren with modest dress,
behavior, and speech. I'm thankful for my friendships at school, that
I've nothing to be ashamed of with the husbands of other women. They
treated me with honor and respect and I did the same with them. So keep
your relationships pure, including conversation.<br />
5.) DO give
other people the benefit of the doubt. I Cor.13:5 says that Charity, or
God's love, does not think evil of others. In other words, it doesn't
make negative assumptions of others. This is easier to do than you
would think. As a rule, give the benefit of the doubt when someone says
something, or does something you could be offended over. In matters of
open sin, or abuse, the Bible tells you what to do in Matthew 18. But
most of our problems with others (especially between ladies) involve
hints and grouchy comments that can be taken in a number of different
ways. Look, if someone has a problem with you, and they aren't willing
to come out and tell you openly, give them the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe they are struggling with something spiritually, or homesick, or
just having a bad year. Compassion and love in such a situation will
give God liberty to touch a heart like nothing else. Patience. You
need it for others, and for yourself; not just to bear your burdens, but
to do it joyfully.<br />
6.) Finally, study Matthew 18 and commit to
deal with all differences and offenses that require action in accordance
with God's command. Also, watch out for others who want to dump their
problems in your ear. If you aren't part of the solution or part of the
problem, kindly but firmly ask why you are being involved. In my
experience, this is a new concept for a lot of young people in
college. Look out for whining (it will be called "burden sharing" or
"getting it off my chest") Look out for slander. (It will be called a
"prayer request") Look out for information swapping. (I tell you how
so-and-so hurt me, you tell me something just as juicy-this information
will usually be used against you at some point.)<br />
<br />
Your
friends in school can be a great blessing to you, and you can be used of
God to help others who are hurting. In a dorm with all kinds of girls,
I promise you that each year there will be someone in close vicinity
that is hurting in ways you can't understand, and God can use you to
encourage them! They can also draw you away from the Lord, as there are
some people there for the wrong reason. Pitfalls come when we start to
get sarcastic and look down on others. So let the Lord have His way!
Remember I'm praying for you.<br />
<span style="color: purple;">This is the second part in a three part series. The first part is </span><a href="http://sarahjoyscorner.blogspot.com/2011/07/survival-mini-handbook-bible-college.html">here</a>.Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-16628079848009726162015-05-11T09:56:00.000-07:002015-05-11T10:09:27.850-07:00Repost: Bible College Survival Handbook: The School<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #073763;">In 2011 some of my friends from church went to
college, and I wanted to send them some loving words. This is what I
would tell myself if I could go back to when I went to college. Now a
couple of my precious nieces are headed out to various Christian
colleges, and I wanted to share those thoughts with them. I love you
both! I'm stunned and thrilled to see what God is doing in your hearts
and lives, and I can't wait to see you again. I'm reposting these because Grandpa requested that I do so.</span></span> <br />
<br />
Hey
you! Getting ready to go to Bible College! I want to talk to you! Are
you excited? I remember getting ready to go, and I was excited, a little
nervous, a little fearful. Once I got into the swing of things, that
first year, I had so much fun. I hope you do to! I talked to my husband
(Who I met that year, by the way.) and asked him that if he could talk
to himself from back then, what would he say to himself. I know I would
like to have a couple words with myself from that year! Here are a few
tips we came up with, and my post was getting long, so I organized them
into separate posts with tips on the school, tips on myself, and tips on
other people.<br />
<br />
<br />
1. If you are going to the
same school I went to, try to start out with a hair do that can get
blown to smithereens and look decent with a finger-combing. I started
out with a pom-pom shaped perm'! Big mistake. (No, I will not be posting
pictures of it.) You may whine about the wind. Everyone is going to be
doing it, just don't overdo it. And don't overdo the hairspray. You'll
regret it every time. Also, memorize Proverbs 30:4, and every time you
go out there into it you will get an object lesson on the power of God.
And when you go into a building, hold your skirt. Just sayin'. (Wind
going sideways hits the building, and then blows <i>up</i> right next to it.)<br />
<br />
2. Get over the rule book. It's a <i>Bible college</i>.
They have to have rules, and some of these rules make certain folks
uncomfortable. If God wants you to go there, then it makes sense that He
will want you to follow the authorities. Even if the rules don't make
sense to you, you should just do it as long as they aren't asking you to
do something wrong. Who knows, you might learn that some of them have
actual reasons behind them. Don't whine about the rules.<br />
<br />
3. The cooking will be different than your mom's. Your mom doesn't have to cook for hundreds of people.<br />
<br />
4.
You will get preached at. A lot. Enjoy it! You'll never have a time
like this again. Just don't forget to bring your heart to the altar <i>before</i>
the service. If God impresses on your heart to make some changes, write
the changes down in the journal you will get. If you are struggling in
an area spiritually, write that down too, as a prayer, in the same
journal. Later, you will be amazed at how faithful God is to answer and
teach you just what you need.<br />
<br />
5. If you never struggle
spiritually, and never feel God pushing at you to make a change here and
there, there are only two options. Either you are so very far away from
God that you have no idea what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you,
or you are <i>not saved</i>. Get that matter fixed! This is a spiritual
battle, and it is no place for half-hearted Christians, or lost people. I
remember coming to that question during a lukewarm time at school, and
God showed me that I wasn't anywhere near where I thought I was,
spiritually. The decisions I made that day gave God the freedom in my
life to lead me to the place I am today, and I believe firmly that if I
had continued to resist Him, I would be out of His will today!<br />
<br />
6.
If there are conflicts between you and an authority, go read Hebrews
13:17 and think about how God wants you to deal with it. He does not
want you to tell all your friends. He does not want you to quit. He does
not want you to self destruct because you are fuming over it all the
time. He wants you to A.) Pray for them, because their duty is to God,
not you. B.) Obey them. If they aren't asking you to sin against God,
why not? C.) If someone is abusing their authority, the school
authorities ought to be notified. If you don't think it's that serious,
then it's not serious enough to gossip or get bitter over. Ok, it's
never serious enough to gossip or get bitter over. That will just make
their problem ruin <i>you</i>, which is unprofitable for you, my friend.<br />
<br />
7.
You are there to study and learn. Have fun, but apply yourself to the
subjects. Get everything you can from them. You will need it later.
Prepare your projects ahead of time, and make time to study. You are
learning to balance work, recreation, and ministry. If you are like me,
you will probably fall out of balance in each of these areas from time
to time. The important thing here is knowing when to correct the
problem, not being perfect all the time. <br />
<br />
8. Take a
typing class the first year, if you don't know how to type, not the
third year like a certain young lady I knew. Duh? (that was me.) It will
make some things much, much easier. Also anything else that will help
you prepare projects, like computer courses; first year!<br />
<br />
9.
Also take time to develop your soul winning skills. You need first to
depend completely on the Holy Spirit. A formula, or list of verses is
useful, but the Holy Spirit knows the need of the heart, so get
connected with Him. Also you need to know your Bible. Prayerfully
studying the Word, just so you can have an answer for anyone who asks is
vital. Don't depend on classes to do this, or your church background.
If you are from my church, I know you have a solid understanding of
doctrine, but you still need to study for yourself.<br />
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10.
Enjoy the school! Enjoy the ministry, the church services, the spirit,
the work. No place is perfect, but soak up all the blessings God has for
you there. I've known some young people who do nothing but whine when
they go to school. Honestly, most of the whiners drop out, or stop
whining. You need those blessings to make it through, and if you are
complaining all the time, they will pass you right by. So have fun, and
enjoy yourself!<br />
<br />
I've got a couple more posts on this
topic up my sleeve. I hope it's a blessing to someone! I sure did enjoy
my time at Bible college. God used it in too many ways to count so He
could put me where I am and shape who I am today.Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-49449412163672673912015-05-02T19:47:00.002-07:002015-05-02T21:00:13.804-07:00How to Get the Most Out of Church<br />
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I have to start by saying that the title of this post is way off base. The point of going to church isn't for us to get an emotional lift, but the fact remains that if you go for the wrong reason, you will miss out on what God prepared for you. If you go with a consumer mentality, you will be looking for a church that gives you more of what you want. <i>(Here's a tip, if you want to go to one of God's churches, the leadership will be more concerned with what God wants than what you want.)</i><br />
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So without any further ado, here are some things to keep in mind the next time you step into church that will help you to optimize your experience.<br />
<i>*note; In all of these remarks, I am talking about a well balanced church with a pastor who loves God's Word and is faithful to the doctrines of the Bible. </i><br />
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<b>1. Remember your pastor doesn't deserve your faithfulness.</b><br />
Gasp. I know that sounds terrible, but stay with me. The Bible says (Heb. 10:25) Christians should not forsake the assembly. It also says that some have the custom of doing just that, but Christians should, instead, assemble more and more as the day comes that Christ will return for us. The Bible also says (Matt. 18:20) that Christ is present in a very special way anytime the church comes together. (More on that later.) If you go to church because you think your pastor deserves that kind of faithfulness, there will come a day when you notice that he is, in fact, not Christ Himself. He is human. He does, occasionally, sin. And you will not want to come to church. When you do, you will sit there and think, "Why am I here listening to this sinner bloviate for an hour?" It isn't worth it!<br />
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We don't attend church for the sake of our pastor. I have had six wonderful pastors in my life, and will say that each one was a holy man of God. Regardless, sometimes I was misjudged or misunderstood. (Not that often, really, but we can obsess over one bad day and destroy all the joy God has for us in His church.) If we go to church because we love Christ, leadership being human will not discourage us. <br />
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<b>2. Church is for broken people, and you are one of them.</b><br />
When God's Word is preached, and the Holy Spirit moves without hindrance, something wonderful happens. We see ourselves without the self-righteous veil that we often place over our motives and actions. While needful, this can be <i>super uncomfortable.</i> One of the most common responses we make, is to misdirect the conviction of the Word of God by saying the pastor has it out for you. I remember once when I was about 10 that a church member brought his brother to church, and after church his brother was furious, convinced that the pastor (my father) had been told everything about his life, and had prepared everything just for him. My dad didn't even know the church member <i>had</i> a brother. I have noticed that this is a go-to response for many people, so it must be part of human nature to deflect feelings of guilt by making accusations against the messenger. (Yes, it is, I catch myself doing it from time to time.)<br />
Go to church expecting God to work on purifying you, your heart, your motives. If you don't, you will wind up sitting there thinking, "Why am I here listening to this guy who hates me bloviate for an hour?" That's a lie, friend. Chances are, if you have pastors like I have had, you have a pastor you weeps over your name in prayer in the watches of the night, and it hurts him and his family deeply when people assume they hate them.<br />
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<b>3. Ask not what your church can do for you...</b><br />
Instead of saying, "This church is not friendly.", BE friendly and fill the need you notice. I've heard people complain about their church like it's some organization they have nothing to do with. It's not the local grocery store, my friend, it's the Body of Christ, of which you are a member. If it's your church, and you feel left out or lonely, don't blame everyone else. Do something about it! You might be the one God has planned to make a difference, but if you react in a selfish way, you will wind up sitting there thinking, "Why do I even go to this church? No one cares about me!" Get involved, and instead of criticizing failings, make the difference yourself. (Note: I am not talking about doctrinal problems or problems with open sin that is not dealt with. I assume you are not going to one of those churches, and if you are, find another church.)<br />
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<b>4. Go to church expecting to have an experience with Christ. </b><br />
Jesus said He would be present in a special way when His church met in His name. In Revelation 1, we have a wonderful description of Him, and He is walking in the middle of the candlesticks representing churches, watching them. In Eph. 5 we are given a vision of Christ as loving husband to the church. His church is special to Him, and you being there is important to Him. I can't stress this enough. When you scorn the church, or just go because you have to, you are disrespecting something that is of great price to our Savior. <br />
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<b>5. Prepare yourself and your family for success.</b><br />
<i>Your stuff: </i> You don't need to be scrabbling under the kid's bed on Sunday morning in your church clothes, desperately searching for matching socks or someone's shoe. Bless the heart of those people whose stuff is always where it's supposed to be, but if you are like me, and your kids struggle to make sure their shoes go where they belong, and they struggle to get their socks into the laundry hamper to be washed, please hear me. Satan will use that little bit of disorganization to full advantage on Sunday morning to create havoc before you arrive to church, frazzled to your last nerve. Make a checklist if you have to and do the under the bed scrabbling on Saturday night when you are in your pjs and ponytail, not nylons and hairspray. (Both perform poorly when worn under the bed.)(Don't ask me how I know this.) Get it all out and ironed from the shoes to the hair ribbons. You will sleep better. Promise.<br />
<i>Your heart:</i> Prepare your heart with an invitation before you go out to the car. You know what the invitation is for right? You ask God what He wants to change, and submit yourself to His will. If you know He wants a commitment, you make it, not waiting till you are "ready". Do this before you go! I am willing to bet that you will have fewer conflicts and discontent with your church.<br />
<i>Your family</i>: They need to be rested, and so do you. Get them and yourself into bed at a decent time, and be ware of life-draining conflicts on Sunday morning. Remember Satan wants you to miss church, but if he can't get you to do that, he will try to get conflicts going. Try to encourage your kids to be more patient with each other, and keep the tone light and joyful. Music can help!<br />
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<b>Finally, be thankful for your church.</b> We often focus on the negative, and we are critical by nature. This can destroy our spiritual life by cutting off the fount of blessing between the church and church member. We should never sit in the pew wondering why we bothered to come. There is a good reason; obedience and love of our Lord. There is a reason for Him to show up as well! He loves this assembly full of broken, needy people who have been washed and are in the process of being formed into His likeness. See you in church!Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-39321106413455057992015-04-26T21:13:00.000-07:002015-05-17T15:10:13.414-07:00Sunday Night Wipe Out, the Unseen BattleAfter the doors are locked, the pastor goes home, he walks through the door and colapses in his chair.<br />
He stares blankly at the wall, his mind working, busy still, going over every encounter, every word, every face.<br />
He remembers hardness when he preached against sin, knowing some are fighting a losing battle against temptation.<br />
He remembers brokeness in some whose lives are filled with pain they've only told him. He hurts with them.<br />
He feels joy at the liberty he had to preach the gospel, and a deep sense of thankfulness for everyone who responded to it. He thinks about them.<br />
Where he senses disunity he is especially concerned, thinking through the dangers of gossip and the damage that it causes. <br />
On his heart is each person in his flock. If he's been shepherding for long, he knows that some who smiled and shook his hand today could try to hurt him and his family another day. He prays to keep loving them when that happens.<br />
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Why am I going over this? I'm bringing a burden many church members have no idea about. Many do not have any idea about the battle that takes place after the lights are turned off and everyone is safely home. But a battle is taking place!<br />
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Satan has a plan for this man who slumps, exhausted in his easy chair. He wants him to quit. He wants him to give up the fight against temptation. He wants him embittered, hopeless, and dispirited. And most of all,<span style="color: #45818e;"> he wants him to just quit, give up, walk away from the ministry forever.</span><br />
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To accomplish this, he prepares lies that, if believed, will tear the faith from your pastor's life, and with it, all his hope and fervor for Christ. Your pastor knows these lies are of the devil, but <span style="color: #45818e;">at this moment, he is spent.</span> He has poured out his heart from the moment his knees hit the carpet of his prayer closet in the morning to the moment he said goodbye to the last saint as they went out the door. His heart is weary, and his mind is weary, and his spirit is weary. <span style="color: #45818e;">There are few times more vulnerable for a pastor than this moment. And at this moment, Satan starts to pour his lies out into his mind. </span>Suddenly he feels like a failure, like his work is pointless, like it makes no difference. He is hit hard with temptation to worry about the people, the church, his family, and finances. I can't stress this enough. I've seen it, and I know. I've been in a pastor's family since I was five, and I have many family members working in the ministry. This happens to every pastor. Some feel more pressure than others, but the fact remains that Satan will hit God's servants when they are tired, every chance he can get.<br />
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Would you do something? Would you fight the battle with him, and take some time after church on Sunday night to pray for your pastor and his family? If you pray for him at any time of the week, and you desire to uphold him like Aaron and Hur held up the arms of Moses, uphold him in prayer on Sunday night after church! <br />
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<br />Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-44822431708106418432015-01-19T12:22:00.003-08:002015-01-19T12:22:47.777-08:00Unexpected BlessingsEven in the possession of a stubborn brown thumb that has faithfully seen every green thing in my life to it's untimely grave, I have had this hankering to plant and grow things for as long as I can remember. I want herbs and salad items I can grow for myself and enjoy chemical-free and worry free. Since we move a lot, I wanted to start with pots and planters, so I've been working with seeds for a while, trying to coax foodstuffs out of my little garden. I've had some success with basil, and that's about it. Here is a picture of my tomato plants in pots. The empty pots were other vegetables that died. If you know anything about plants, you will note that these plants are also dying, slowly. I'm going to let them live as long as I can, but I need to remix the soil so the roots have room to breath, to give the plants a better chance to thrive.<br />
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Poor scrawny things. I sometimes wonder if I should put them out of their misery.<br />Now I want you to look at this:<br />
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This roma tomato plant grew up on accident, because someone left a tomato under the steps. It's a monster! All I've done is water when there is no rain and tie up the branches when they sprawl out, and they continue to do so, producing abundantly, without permission. Isn't that odd? Why would plants that grow up and die after hours of labor, and a wild plant spring up and outshine them all with little care?<br />
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I don't know. This area is fertile, the soil ready, and waiting for someone to do something, anything with it.<br />
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It's a constant reminder to me, every time I go out my door, that I can have dreams and cultivate them, I can work hard in the field God has placed me, make plans and pursue them. Sometimes God just does something outside my expectations. Sometimes He <a href="http://sarahjoyscorner.blogspot.mx/2014/11/when-god-messes-up-your-plans.html">changes</a> <a href="http://sarahjoyscorner.blogspot.mx/2014/11/when-god-stops-you-in-your-tracks.html">plans</a>. Sometimes He just showers out a blessing that, in the end, really doesn't matter much to anything but my own heart. On my best days, I get things wrong, but God can do what He wants. I will stubbornly continue to work with my pots, but I'll also thankfully be enjoying this unexpected fruit along the way!<br />
<br />Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-89428850555374337082014-11-27T07:39:00.001-08:002014-11-27T07:44:47.917-08:00When God Stops You In Your Tracks<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">Here is the second "lost post"! It's so encouraging to review the things God has done, remembering His greatness. He is good!</span></span></div>
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He did it again! Two weeks in a row, God messed up our little plans. Last week, I went with my husband. We stopped at our friend's house, and my husband went on to visit the gentleman who had received Christ the week before, and another contact he had made. When he had only driven down the street, the van started to stall. Now one thing you do not want to happen if you can prevent it at all, is to be stuck in traffic in Mexico City with a broken down car. Our van is pretty reliable, and this was highly unusual. He returned to the house and we all looked at each other thinking, "Now what are we gonna do?" We asked the family we were with if they had any nearby friends or family we could talk too.<br />
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After a few moments consideration, the wife told us she knew her sister had a friend she had been witnessing to, so she called her sister, who lived just around the corner. Five minutes later, the sister and a couple from her block showed up at the door. When asked what they came for, they responded frankly, "We came to find out about salvation!" Soon they, too, were asking God to save them from their sins. The husband had been struggling with a weak heart. He had suffered several heart attacks, undergone open-heart surgery more than once, and wanted to know how to make peace with God. He was so happy after receiving Christ!<br />
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Oh, by the way, the van? Started right up and drove us home afterwards with no problems at all! Ryan said he expects the vehicle he's using to fail every time he goes to do something for the Lord, and all he has to do is wait around for God to bring one of His lost sheep.<br />
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We are supposed to go to the mountains, highways and byways looking for sheep, but we should never be blind to God throwing a wrench in our plans so that we can find one of those sheep in the middle of a problem.<br />
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<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><u><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Happy Thanksgiving everyone! </i></span></span></b></u></span></div>
Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-15976320886069466442014-11-26T07:33:00.001-08:002014-11-26T07:33:41.750-08:00When God Messes Up Your Plans<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #93c47d;">I went back looking over the old posts on my blog, and I found a couple that I never posted. It seems a good time to update them and give them a go. These two things happened back to back, while we were preparing to come to this area, looking for a house. We found the change of plans were not hindrances at all, but God intervening in the lives of people who urgently needed Him. While we tried to follow up on both of these people, we could not, but we know they have found salvation through God's work in our lives.</span></div>
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What's going to happen tomorrow? As a woman, I like to have these things laid out before me as clearly as possible, and as a child of God, I usually don't get what I want! In fact, God has a tenancy to scramble our plans. Every. Single. Time.<br />
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What do we do? Just keep looking for ways to serve! When something comes your way, you can say it was God's plan, not yours.<br />
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We are starting to head out to Mexico City, in the area of Xochimilco, (pronounce that SO-chee-MIL-co) to look for a new area to start a church. Two weeks ago, Ryan headed out with a friend who grew up near this area, and started toward the new area. That's when God changed the plans. The brakes failed. After making it safely off the road, our friend went to get the part he needed to replace and everyone else waited with the car.<br />
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Before long a tired-looking man came walking along with several bags on one arm, and a tired looking toddler on the other. He said, "I'd like to sell you some cookies. We were in a car accident, and my wife and two of our children were killed. Will you buy some cookies?" They bought some cookies, and he turned to go. One of the group attempted to offer some words of solace, telling him that God had a plan for his life. He stopped, and said, "I've been praying and asking Him to show me His plan! It's been so hard, I just want to know Him." My husband asked him if he would like to know what the Bible has to say about eternal life, and he eagerly assented. Soon, he was sincerely asking for the forgiveness of his sins. His name is Christian, and he has a mountain of challenges ahead of him. He told Ryan that he had been fighting depression, lost his job, and was looking for God through his pain. He has also walked ten miles that day, out of his usual course. My husband told him that he wasn't the only one whose plans changed that day. God receives the glory for this salvation!<br />
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Ryan wanted to buy more cookies, and he tried to give them as a gift, because he was so thankful for being given the gospel.<br />
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God is in control. If we are obedient to His will, He might change our plans, but we need to let Him work through the change.Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-20385345606106042782014-08-23T20:34:00.002-07:002014-10-30T06:55:56.270-07:00Modesty Rebound; Boing!I'm amazed by how much confusion has been blowing around Christian circles <i>in regards to modesty.</i> I've read lots of different articles posted to social media criticizing legalistic notions. These posts have made me take a long look at my own traditions, and also at these trends in the community of believers who call themselves by the name of Christ.<br />
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One thing I've noticed is <b>what I call "rebounding opinions".</b> Joe or Jane Christian decides that someone else has a problem with something they do. So they take a defensive position against this error, as far from it as they can. <i><b>Boing</b></i>! The other person is offended. They react by making their own bounce in the opposite direction. <i><b>Boing</b></i>! Others take sides, and soon you have a regular Church battleground where everyone thinks they are fighting the good fight of faith, but no one actually consulted their Bible or their prayer closet in forming their opinion. In fact, the deciding factor is often hurt feelings. All of these people are hurting the name of Christ, and they are usually hurting His Church as well.<br />
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My brethren, or sisteren, these things ought not so to be! God's Word, and His Spirit are enough to guide us into the truth. <i>These will never guide us to attack or despise another Christian</i>. If you feel intense negative feelings in regard to the topic of modesty, where ever you plant your flag, I plead with you to recognize that those feelings must be dealt with biblically before you can be objective about how God wants you to honor Him.<br />
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I would be more than happy to cast off a tradition that is unbiblical, unwise, and harmful. I will have to be convinced through scripture, though. Someone being rude with a standard does not mean the standard is bad; it means someone reacted in the flesh and used their separation from the world to boost their pride. This is what the Pharisees did, and we know Jesus took a dim view of it. But He said things like, "...these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone...."*<br />
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Here are some statements I believe <b>miss the point, leaving undone some spiritual essentials:</b><br />
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1. <b>Modesty isn't about how much of your body you cover with clothes. It's about your heart being humble.</b> Actually, this statement<i> is</i> true. The problem is that it is usually followed by the idea that, because modesty isn't only about the outer covering, therefore the covering doesn't matter very much. A reference to God's admonition to Samuel that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart is common. Step, step, leap! (That's a reference to logic flow.) I feel a bit silly saying this, being obvious, but it's a huge leap in logic to conclude that, <i>because God is <u>more </u>concerned with heart, He doesn't care about what man looks at</i>. Jesus wasn't advocating for people to drink out of cups that were clean on the inside and dirty on the outside. It's just to say that if we only care about what man looks at, we are ignoring our relationship with God.<br />
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Let's talk about the word, "modesty". A quick search gives us a good <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/modesty?s=t">definition</a>: <span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link">1.</span></span><span class="oneClick-link"> the</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">quality</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">being</span> modest; <span class="oneClick-link">freedom</span> <span class="oneClick-link">from</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">vanity,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">boastfulness,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">etc.</span> <span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link"></span></span><span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link">2.</span></span><span class="oneClick-link"> regard</span> <span class="oneClick-link">for</span> <span class="oneClick-link">decency</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">behavior,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">speech,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">dress,</span> <span class="oneClick-link">etc.</span> <span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link"></span></span><span class="def-number"><span class="oneClick-link">3.</span></span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"> simplicity;</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">moderation.</span><br />
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<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">When the Bible talks about being modest, it is a message to women. (I Tim. 2) Men are also admonished to be humble and meek, so they count too, but women are told specifically to adorn themselves modestly.** You might say that this includes not showing off one's riches. Some have said this has nothing to do with showing off one's body, but is talking about wealth. Don't you think that is pushing it a little? Of course it includes showing off one's wealth. It also includes showing off. Women shouldn't show off in their dress. Period. Body, wealth, and all.</span><br />
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<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">Seriously, people! Rebellious little kids try to restrict their parents' admonitions to get away with more of what they want all the time! Any wise parent knows that if they play the game of words with their kids they will lose. <i>"Clean your room"</i> becomes, <i>"Go into your room and pick up every single thing that is not where it belongs and put it exactly where it belongs, and that does <b>not</b> mean to stuff it all under your bed, or shove it into your draws and then say that this is where it belongs, because it is <b>not</b> where it belongs, but put them in the exact place where I want them to be, and where I put them when I put things away, because if you try to find a new home for them, they will not be where they belong and your room will not be clean."</i> (deep, slow, cleansing breath) God doesn't play those games. He said what He said, and you want to please Him, or you don't. If you don't, you will find some way to interpret the Bible to mean something else, and no amount of detailed descriptions will be enough. If you doubt this, see what the Pharisees did with Leviticus. (They butchered the spirit of the law and focused on the details. There are two extremes that do the exact same thing to God's Word.) See also, </span><b><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">non sequitur argument.</span></b>
<br />
<br />
Speaking of Pharisees, here's another one: <br />
<b>2. People who have strict standards are Pharisees who are judging me all the time.</b> Again, this could be true, but it might not be. If you assume that someone is judgmental based on what they are wearing, aren't you being judgmental? Hm? I have some close friends who have different standards than I do, some of them much stricter than I, but it would be unchristlike to judge them. I've also found many who have taught me and inspired me to make changes in my life, based on their wise deportment. I don't always change things, but it's never bad to objectively look at your life and ask God if He wants to make any changes. See also, <b>ad hominem argument.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>3. Men are responsible for their own hearts and minds before God, so a woman has no responsibility in the way she dresses.</b> This one usually comes with a description of a very out-of-balance church, and someone's deeply hurt feelings because of unfairness. Ok, feelings aside, let's be honest about fashion. It objectifies women more than men for a reason. That reason is nothing less than perversity. Why does a man's summer fashion involve loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, but a woman's summer fashion involves tight garments with much more skin exposed to the damaging rays of the sun? Men who wear peek-a-boo holes in their garments and translucient, or skin tight clothing are not trying to attract the attention of women. I'm not saying that a man is perverse by nature, but in our culture, perversity objectifies what men want, and it's obvious by just looking at styles and listening to what worldly people say about them. A Christian who wants to please God will not wear styles that objectify her.<br />
<br />
The truth of that statement, that a man is responsible to God for his thoughts, should not change how we view ourselves as women. I am repulsed by the expectation that I need to show my sexual nature to the world in order to be a complete woman, and I will set markers in my life that will not change with with fashions in order to avoid doing so. Those, I call standards. They do not increase my personal value, but they do show how I value myself.<br />
<br />
I see this statement as a <b>red herring</b>. Yes, God will receive an account from Christian men for their thoughts. What does that have to do with women obeying God's direction to be modest? Why would a Christian woman dress provocatively and despise a man who struggles with his thought life? Is that the spirit of Christ? To disregard a weaker brother who struggles with his thought life is like a wealthy person bragging about and flaunting his goods in front of the poor, and blaming them if one falls into covetousness. This is where the word "modest" really comes into play. Will you push your assets into the notice of others, or will you honor what God blessed you with by using it with meekness and control, respecting others and yourself? (Of course a perverse man will think perverse thoughts no matter what you are wearing, but that's a diversion from the point.)<br />
<br />
Finally, much is said about liberty. I love my liberty in Christ. No one tells me what to do, outside of God's basic line of authority, and we are all subject to scriptures. This is incredibly freeing to a Christian who has felt judged, and it is humbling to the Pharisee who takes unwarranted responsibility over the lives of others. Therefore, pastors don't get to dictate what their members wear outside of church functions. If a pastor feels like he needs to do that, he should look for that line of authority in the Bible. (He won't find it.) Such a person is out of balance.<br />
<br />
Regardless, I do not need to determine how I live my life by rebounding away from such people. If I do, I'm going to end up doing something harmful to the body of Christ and His testimony! I have to find how I live and how I think in the Bible, if I want to have the mind of Christ. He put His liberty aside and humbled Himself to serve others. I am honored to do the same.<br />
*<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mat_23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.</span><br />
**<span style="font-size: x-small;">1Ti 2:9,10 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. </span><br />
<br />Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-44041393453212380962013-06-27T14:42:00.000-07:002013-06-27T14:42:10.055-07:00Prayerletter, May 2013<!--[if !mso]>
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<b><span style="mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">May 2013</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Dear Pastor,</span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We
thank God for His blessing and care of us this past month, and for the faithful
prayer and support from our family of churches that care for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We appreciate your prayer for these requests,
and consider it an honor to represent Christ for you in Xochimilco, Mexico
City.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiFAaQriowN-bl6GnfaCmUa3NuqKjw0X2zKTORBTjScvj0gVjb-hgkQwjc-P84dGbHEmaR5Q1R20VhRS-K66ov1ZP1mxbFjHmFqIx8ge1WD8Ddtkl7MYT4WitkGN95qOlK_drIg/s800/Copy+of+P5257168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiFAaQriowN-bl6GnfaCmUa3NuqKjw0X2zKTORBTjScvj0gVjb-hgkQwjc-P84dGbHEmaR5Q1R20VhRS-K66ov1ZP1mxbFjHmFqIx8ge1WD8Ddtkl7MYT4WitkGN95qOlK_drIg/s200/Copy+of+P5257168.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>May
was Family Month, and we focused on encouraging families and teaching the Bible
in regards to the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our church was
invited to a family conference at Antioch
Baptist Church
in the Federal District of Mexico City, and a good portion of our church
attended every service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a help to
each of our families, including mine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
are seeing some of our families making good decisions in regards to serving and
honoring God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were also blessed to
see old friends there, because this church hosted us nearly ten years ago on
our survey trip to Mexico City,
and the missionary who established the church had flown in to preach with his
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were delighted to see Bro.
Roberto Ramos and his wonderful family again!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3WI87jpOVy6S5jnwixSTE4YEbi-AbXq4YGzXlJ93KK7yIxdzVr1GUdza0PUCAyPCyuyRfGL8f6H3TvRe8eAfEtUUyjVAx_HT7b_9pWvk5p2xB5wf33iia640yrYi7GLMfo3uaw/s800/bro+pedro+ord.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3WI87jpOVy6S5jnwixSTE4YEbi-AbXq4YGzXlJ93KK7yIxdzVr1GUdza0PUCAyPCyuyRfGL8f6H3TvRe8eAfEtUUyjVAx_HT7b_9pWvk5p2xB5wf33iia640yrYi7GLMfo3uaw/s320/bro+pedro+ord.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another pastor ordained to lead God's flock</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9P_c-Z8pXfCuVQOzzKy00yQO4rvNR9pSoGswL7UFSM8OEyojWnZAoxhHFkxphnvyx-j-UBrPAUy4eMv_Dd7IRR-nHpRFKHqoxAIuBCaTkdgnYs9hepEnvCXIU3yAxmMcB5pevQ/s800/P5257188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9P_c-Z8pXfCuVQOzzKy00yQO4rvNR9pSoGswL7UFSM8OEyojWnZAoxhHFkxphnvyx-j-UBrPAUy4eMv_Dd7IRR-nHpRFKHqoxAIuBCaTkdgnYs9hepEnvCXIU3yAxmMcB5pevQ/s320/P5257188.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving a message on the responsibility of the sending church</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Just a couple of weeks later, I was privileged
to participate in the ordination service of one of the men we worked with while
establishing the church in Tizayuca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bro. Pedro Morales has served God faithfully for years, and now he is
going on to pastor a church in Northern Mexico.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been an honor to serve with him and
his wife, and see their dedication, faithfulness, and genuine love of God.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugNSa_BBFu3AuoNXnmsLCBkKPvLVuXGmFLK1wWYyHPGyS3jvuvurLfaQDhYk4xRyDDV-UcdEYTNjaSY3LnDHihYAvU8yr8Ps7aIuFhY8JSOc4nrQ0AYkBB1FTYiIbNxVB7-uTuQ/s800/June2013+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugNSa_BBFu3AuoNXnmsLCBkKPvLVuXGmFLK1wWYyHPGyS3jvuvurLfaQDhYk4xRyDDV-UcdEYTNjaSY3LnDHihYAvU8yr8Ps7aIuFhY8JSOc4nrQ0AYkBB1FTYiIbNxVB7-uTuQ/s320/June2013+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIvH4czV6h3lU1yc91gZTfd4nAHLq5PlCg3YNuoTIEpGxecFfHuNmIpKFAr-QQvWZEMldBxLW3Cg7PIli8FTjzSb74OJrIG-6Jgg-L2rHXBWwWxbKSLBHEu1l_ExXoNUSTsXBig/s800/June2013+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIvH4czV6h3lU1yc91gZTfd4nAHLq5PlCg3YNuoTIEpGxecFfHuNmIpKFAr-QQvWZEMldBxLW3Cg7PIli8FTjzSb74OJrIG-6Jgg-L2rHXBWwWxbKSLBHEu1l_ExXoNUSTsXBig/s320/June2013+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praise God for spiritual victories along with the fun!</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">On the last Saturday of the month, we had a
teen youth activity, a water fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s nothing like a good water war to get the adults wanting to
participate in the youth program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
fact, we had just as many adults as teenagers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before we began hostilities, I preached about our enemies as explained
in the Bible and encouraged everyone to fight the good fight of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we had an epic battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day, one of the teen girls got saved
after the morning service!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew she
was lost, even though she had made a profession of faith when she was a young
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now she knows she’s on her way to
Heaven!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Urgent
Prayer Request:</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Please pray for us as we are
trying to raise the funds needed to travel to the border and renew our
passports in Texas</span></b><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gas,
highway fees, passport fees, and supplies for the ministry and homeschool all
add up to about $2000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please let us
know if you feel God leading you to be a part of this need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpID9etB7l729MpaIQ4fJgTkBtvGOND3eBDCEuU-77qCKjKjFjnfLloZLb4wL8TWbtTsm0PCzyneUNMn6CGQlwitrEf0xUxBXBs2m3QvnkrF4EvG4Ck8RHyc0cWZONXo-Ke7BQ_g/s800/P5257229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpID9etB7l729MpaIQ4fJgTkBtvGOND3eBDCEuU-77qCKjKjFjnfLloZLb4wL8TWbtTsm0PCzyneUNMn6CGQlwitrEf0xUxBXBs2m3QvnkrF4EvG4Ck8RHyc0cWZONXo-Ke7BQ_g/s320/P5257229.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has been a wonderful privilege serving with these brethren. </td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">We are eternally grateful for your prayer
support, most of all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, and God
bless!</span></div>
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Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-78372653808365227632013-06-17T07:27:00.000-07:002013-06-17T07:43:19.701-07:00A Father's Heritage<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad enjoys a new grandbaby's smile</td></tr>
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Yesterday was Father's Day, and I called my dad, and told him how thankful I was for him. He was a great dad to me, and my siblings. I married a man who is a great dad, and so did my sister. My brothers who are fathers are also great dads. None of us have the same parenting style, although we all do our best to parent following the precepts of the Bible. I told my dad we had a good example of a man who taught us what a real man is. A real man of God. My dad didn't really know what I was talking about, because we both know he doesn't float on angel wings. But I don't either, and I don't know anyone who does.<br />
<br />
I just know that my husband and I have, nearly every month of our ministry, tried to counsel a woman weeping over the broken dreams of the man she chose, who turned out to be a selfish, spoiled man-child. I've had my shoulder dampened by the tears of hurting women, and their hurting, often angry kids, because a man thinks he is the center of all things, and can't imagine that he has any obligation to the women he's used or the children he's fathered. As we try to help these women pick up the shards of their girlish dreams, grow up, and take on the heavy burden of providing for their growing families by themselves, I am struck by a gratitude in me that gets stronger with every suffering woman we try to help. These kinds of men are everywhere.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_CtGMIt9bv57PrRjaGCCYm3Q6innbs2BM1V6hiZqnesgk6Sh0rJMRxDn1-c_Fs3nbtEjbI2Nk2-Klnm3Udot9zmhEoGHxbps9LFqXpJVAVHXakfqBnQKT1fL4dn8mZ2eqmnhSg/s1600/3-12-08+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_CtGMIt9bv57PrRjaGCCYm3Q6innbs2BM1V6hiZqnesgk6Sh0rJMRxDn1-c_Fs3nbtEjbI2Nk2-Klnm3Udot9zmhEoGHxbps9LFqXpJVAVHXakfqBnQKT1fL4dn8mZ2eqmnhSg/s200/3-12-08+014.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing computer games with the girls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A real man sees these things as a no-brainer. He can't imagine being able to live with himself without taking care of the basics.<br />
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<ul>
<li>I thank God my dad has always loved us and is still faithful to and loves our mother.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I thank God that he took care of us, that he prayed for us, that he sought our hearts, and that I know he still does pray faithfully for us.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There were men who flattered me, flirted with me, and tried to buy me things, but they did not interest me in the least, because I had received enough wisdom from my dad about how a real man thinks, and how a godly man seeks out a wife. I had also received plenty of loving attention from my dad, so I wasn't looking for that attention from someone else. These girls get all that from a man, and it's as if their brain suddenly flies away. They go after that attention like someone dying of thirst goes after a drop of water.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I thank God that He led me to a man who would fast and pray, and make a decision to love me forever. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I thank God my nephews and nieces are getting the same blessings from their dads, and so are my children.</li>
</ul>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACeN_FrOOz1f7H6LfGUSt4OcRkfzdbWPnehARvBiu3269Zual_zejGC-lglogIB44bugPedp6aNsY0O72y4QjR4kJPlNJ6KUhVLppemC-OS7O_xsxUHoz6HLCsXq0iY4HuXhJzw/s1600/3-12-08+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACeN_FrOOz1f7H6LfGUSt4OcRkfzdbWPnehARvBiu3269Zual_zejGC-lglogIB44bugPedp6aNsY0O72y4QjR4kJPlNJ6KUhVLppemC-OS7O_xsxUHoz6HLCsXq0iY4HuXhJzw/s200/3-12-08+042.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David and his favorite buddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Psa 16:6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.</i><br />
It isn't good luck. This verse was written by a man who received a godly heritage from his father, grandfather, and great-grandparents. I pray that we pass on the blessing God gave us through our father to our children, and that they pass it on to theirs. I hope my kids are able to look past our errors, and receive this wonderful blessing of the goodly heritage of God.<br />
<br />
God truly blessed us!Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-71073239124684856572013-02-18T10:03:00.000-08:002013-02-18T10:03:49.744-08:00Happy Birthday to my little freckled tiger lily!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSt9zXV_BwK_E_jPw63oUC2r6MDBcGF_Yynbn7Em_RvoVj7caIMQaUv4XC0jUd-Pc4Pz8_gpG9EgMr7gQIYUAVgtPd8KXs2o-qrmbBI-zg-gzNgzNkL12o5n_HvnDKBqAEkn63g/s1600/Rebecca++portrait+2011+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSt9zXV_BwK_E_jPw63oUC2r6MDBcGF_Yynbn7Em_RvoVj7caIMQaUv4XC0jUd-Pc4Pz8_gpG9EgMr7gQIYUAVgtPd8KXs2o-qrmbBI-zg-gzNgzNkL12o5n_HvnDKBqAEkn63g/s320/Rebecca++portrait+2011+028.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca Joy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpTawaDjJw53lBPp1Zm15qGbp2zNcPbClpJHI9BcdxXHmCHafnstVTQrhTgAP2iqodnADOw0b3J8bRBt5Kf65dDHKMhx7sAcvB2XF6uC5TG2aZDf_cgJht9dq4qsXeZ0OYN8U0A/s1600/September2012+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpTawaDjJw53lBPp1Zm15qGbp2zNcPbClpJHI9BcdxXHmCHafnstVTQrhTgAP2iqodnADOw0b3J8bRBt5Kf65dDHKMhx7sAcvB2XF6uC5TG2aZDf_cgJht9dq4qsXeZ0OYN8U0A/s320/September2012+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please ignore clutter. Here she is cleaning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARy7WCaVDUy1JgkwPUabaK4c_0_5FaG8Yq_G80lDJhqwrjToxcLxc-MwPkJLIPSIiwBvo0ufEArUh8OIpOHPe1qPjdcn5OWq0DmPqRY1lkZIUVLr3bOUsdR8Xh62_RF3dex0Hog/s1600/April+2012+192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARy7WCaVDUy1JgkwPUabaK4c_0_5FaG8Yq_G80lDJhqwrjToxcLxc-MwPkJLIPSIiwBvo0ufEArUh8OIpOHPe1qPjdcn5OWq0DmPqRY1lkZIUVLr3bOUsdR8Xh62_RF3dex0Hog/s320/April+2012+192.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sharing a laugh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNrHEyKN2xIUd4ra4U7MZWrfxktcPXNuSIlI68pbH9-3Vd_Sc4IxPV5IsGH7_CcsRK5qxWAZRMj6W1v2cSSYAV4Tu59J4FBmRaTdLBB0XtEFEj4glzPMqntda9BiNsC6AAFrrlg/s1600/becca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNrHEyKN2xIUd4ra4U7MZWrfxktcPXNuSIlI68pbH9-3Vd_Sc4IxPV5IsGH7_CcsRK5qxWAZRMj6W1v2cSSYAV4Tu59J4FBmRaTdLBB0XtEFEj4glzPMqntda9BiNsC6AAFrrlg/s320/becca.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">squinting in the sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-cp_Eh8xi0K3ZyjXIp1bwaMHTm_dNDRibvCd73euKGtg1Q4OWo6RCtFyTroL9QhRiWze-uWBLEa2dvRB-T-Y5Oi2Z9eMjZpvYpWv2w_kW2h3xWVFT2WZCt5Kt_g99b6FsUXhWQ/s1600/September2012+141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-cp_Eh8xi0K3ZyjXIp1bwaMHTm_dNDRibvCd73euKGtg1Q4OWo6RCtFyTroL9QhRiWze-uWBLEa2dvRB-T-Y5Oi2Z9eMjZpvYpWv2w_kW2h3xWVFT2WZCt5Kt_g99b6FsUXhWQ/s320/September2012+141.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thoroughly enjoying herself</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-29016882071953899672013-02-14T10:40:00.002-08:002013-02-14T10:40:56.153-08:00I Heart This Kid!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWQeGohaNyRY-uM9J8msBd4nFe1OpHRl4X_Afp1nkF3UrDXf24BSziJjgTRo8G4Xyu6B84Ew2FcfrX-iMLy1H_X5IwuxrAzyFdJHGAiYJ1ovKkFuH0h0AxLJIBudoUB1MXHGICQ/s1600/David+portrait+2011+041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWQeGohaNyRY-uM9J8msBd4nFe1OpHRl4X_Afp1nkF3UrDXf24BSziJjgTRo8G4Xyu6B84Ew2FcfrX-iMLy1H_X5IwuxrAzyFdJHGAiYJ1ovKkFuH0h0AxLJIBudoUB1MXHGICQ/s320/David+portrait+2011+041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This morning this little man woke up with a bound and yelled, "It's Valentine's Day!" He ran to the fridge and brought me a sandwich he had made the day before, wrapped in a paper napkin and tied with a clumsy bow. Tucked inside was a note with two hearts drawn on it. It was a little stale, but it was the best sandwich I ever had.<br /><br />Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-10683244403083150672013-01-21T10:13:00.002-08:002013-01-21T10:13:48.998-08:00The Beautiful Fragrance of Unity<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD1R86N3_QPId6qB2Vf7gusGqQuGWvXsXY4coPlLP_uHttFWoHXvGzBRA-cFRoBJ9pytoF18ZNSkC92adNJSklBOujx362boKfLHflXS9u7C-QMlbkq5Z0iD-u9MX3RpUbjAZ9g/s1600/April+2012+191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD1R86N3_QPId6qB2Vf7gusGqQuGWvXsXY4coPlLP_uHttFWoHXvGzBRA-cFRoBJ9pytoF18ZNSkC92adNJSklBOujx362boKfLHflXS9u7C-QMlbkq5Z0iD-u9MX3RpUbjAZ9g/s320/April+2012+191.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth and Rebecca, in a not-squabbling moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Being a mom has taught me many things, and one of them is how to better relate to God as my Father. I've also learned much about myself as I see reactions and behaviors that are typical of human nature being acted out as openly as only a child can act them out. Children are less concerned about appearing perfect and righteous to others. Adults, on the other hand, frequently have layers of motives behind their actions, and it can be hard to tell why they do what they do. But if you understand more about children and why they do what they do, you will see that adults have the same feelings, and often respond in the same way.<br />
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Let me make an example. When I noticed that two of my little angels were at odds with one another, I put them to work to do a job together, hoping that the comraderie would help them to see things the same way. They didn't trust my judgement on that. Both of them believed with all their hearts that the other was at complete fault, talking about it would resolve nothing, and that the other child would take advantage of them and make them do more work than they needed to do. Needless to say, they did not complete their job. With both of them on the defensive, pushing the other to work, nothing happened. This made a problem for everyone as we had to endure their work not getting done, and the tension they caused in our home. As I looked at them, with their arms crossed, chins jutting out stubbornly, blaming the other person, and taking no blame for themselves, I was reminded of adults (sometimes me!) with the same attitude. (Note, the correction of this problem not being part of my point, I am leaving it out, but it was corrected!)<br />
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We might not take that posture, but in our hearts we despise others. We are always on the alert to see that others do their fair share, and when there is a problem, the last place we look is our own hearts and our own actions. When God gives us clear instructions that we ought to go to the person we have conflict with <i>alone</i> and talk, then go with one or two to judge between, we get uncomfortable, and come up with all kinds of reasons why it's better to talk to <i>all our closest friends </i>about the matter, and why trying to talk to the person in question just <i>won't</i> work. (Read Matt. 18 for a step-by-step how to on personal conflict.) God knew all the circumstances that could happen ahead of time when He gave us these instructions, but we don't see His wisdom when we are justifying ourselves. We end up believing that God is wrong, and that belief comes out in our actions. It also creates a mess for the people of God around us since the work that God wants to complete through us does not get done. We usually end up hurting ourselves and others and damaging the environment of God's house.<br />
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When David thought of how the unity of brethren made him feel, it reminded him of the anointing of the servant of God; that holy day when a person is separated unto God for service. (Psalm 133) It reminded him of the fragrance of the anointing. When we live in unity, it is a testimony to all of our holy separation unto God. It means we are willing to lay aside our own preferences, to humble ourselves at times, and to do it for the sake of the kingdom of God. It means that at times we will need to <i>not</i> stand up for our own rights, because we love Him, and we know that He is grieved when we are not in united.<br />
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As a parent, I understand a small portion of the hurt God feels when His children treat one another hatefully and with pride. I can see the end of this, and am compelled to correct it. My children do not look that far, and need to learn to trust me that learning to work together is way more important to me than the washing of a few dishes. God also sees the end of our squabbling. He sees the good He can do if humble ourselves and follow His word, and He sees the destruction that will come when we resist His wise command. As His daughter, I want Him to experience the fragrance of unity from me and my relationships!Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-34309788111206306742013-01-16T09:20:00.000-08:002013-01-16T09:20:27.294-08:00Homeschool: spelling relief!All of my kids who have spelling started out this year having trouble with their spelling. We have been making extra time each week where we focus only on spelling, and I've come up with some fun games that can help the words and rules stick more fully in their heads. Kids learn in a variety of ways, and while rote memory has its place, it doesn't excite my kids very much. Quite frankly, if they don't care about it, it doesn't stick. <br />
<br />
One of the best games I've come up with is to sing the Spelling Song. To the tune of "Bingo is his nam-o", we sing, "I've got a word it's name is ______, and this is how we spell it: ______" This gets them to repeat the spelling of the word three times to a catchy tune. We then sing it again, with the child saying only the first letter and me singing the rest; then we sing it again with the child singing only the first two letters, etc., until the child is saying all of the letters by herself, preferably loudly! An added benefit is, the longer the word, the more times you have to repeat it.<br />
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I'm also teaching the kids to finger spell letters in sign language. It's a bit slow, but getting the body involved in any way uses a different part of the brain, and thus gives the child another copy of the information to access in case one copy fails. It's really fun to try to finger spell and sing the song at the same time-but not at all easy!<br />
<br />
Then there's the old-fashioned way: write out the word in question a gazzillion times. This also works, and can improve handwriting if the child cares about improving her handwriting. (I'm saying "her" because all my children who have spelling are the female variety.) A side effect of this process is hand cramps, and in our case, some complaning. I use this method for the really unsticky words.<br />
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It's also important to talk about the word list and how the words relate. They usually have two or three different sounds or spelling rules they are working on. "That's a 'wa' sound too, and they're all spelled the same way." If the curriculum doesn't mention the spelling rules being used, I do it! Any way that I can get them to think of their spelling words with interest and relate them together activates their brain, increasing stickability.<br />
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I'm no education expert. Like most homeschooling moms, we just keep trying new things till we find something that works, and this works for us!Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-25806981278655231462013-01-09T15:18:00.001-08:002013-01-09T15:23:48.503-08:00At Looooooooong Last!One of the things that a missionary faces is finding things that they like and are not easily available in their host country. A big one for me is books. I love to read, to learn, and yes, even to study. When the kindle first came out, I drooled. Imagine having all the books you could want at your fingertips, and at thrift-shop prices! Drool, drool. I had to lay that desire down though, because we couldn't afford it.<br />
<br />
Well! I got a kindle for Christmas! What a blessing! (Pardon the triple exclamation points. I'm excited.) <br />
<br />
Some of books I've really enjoyed have been the Canadian West series by Janette Oke. I read them all when I was a pre-teen girl, and enjoyed them, but they take on an entirely new light now that I'm a missionary in a foreign country, with my own language problems and feelings of isolation. These books encouraged me to keep ministering patiently and let the Lord fulfill my unrequited desires in His time. (Which He did with my kindle!)<br />
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I'm enjoying the free books available on the kindle Amazon store, but I've learned that you need to be choosy about what you download! Not everything listed under "free Christian fiction" is suitable for Christians. The reviews are valuable, here, so I don't download a book without reading enough of the reviews to know it's not smutty.<br />
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One book that was very favorably impressed with was, Gods and Kings: Chronicles of the Kings by Lynn Austin. I haven't read any other books in this series, but since the first one was free I tried it out. I've never read biblical fiction that was so "right on". It clearly brings out the fact that there is nothing new under the sun. Following the life of King Hezekiah up to the moment he decides to be "that" king; the one who leads his people back to God. You can see the temptation of God's priests to compromise their convictions for the sake of people, trying to draw them back into the temple worship, as they make a transition from serving God, to serving the people, to serving idols. God's plan is evident as He protects Hezekiah and His own faithful prophets, while devout Jews find the temple abhorrent and defiled. There are adult themes, though (Worship of Molech described in graphic detail.) I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series! <br />
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Well, enough of my jabber for now. Thanks for reading!Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-52979555453918436842012-12-29T14:58:00.000-08:002012-12-29T15:08:53.887-08:00Christmas with no presents? Can it be?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zM5rGnnv_VY7sv2NcBzTqpc6ojxlRBA5di6LWHALZvjnTteRdbuUyG-Sjum9MqiYtLLmd6MDX3ufxKiw1HMlN_pXBBV9YP0WZQePgqHbEOaUjwJwI8UcitaKRjp5WQZdXiU-WA/s1600/October-December+2010+227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zM5rGnnv_VY7sv2NcBzTqpc6ojxlRBA5di6LWHALZvjnTteRdbuUyG-Sjum9MqiYtLLmd6MDX3ufxKiw1HMlN_pXBBV9YP0WZQePgqHbEOaUjwJwI8UcitaKRjp5WQZdXiU-WA/s320/October-December+2010+227.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Christmas Tree from 2010, the Year of 'No' Presents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It all started about three years ago, when we gave Christmas presents, and for whatever reason, all our kiddos were struggling with their attitudes on that day. My children are sinners too, and they had been on the road, were just a bit cranky, and unthankful. Although they received some beautiful gifts, they didn't say "thank you", and started fighting right away. We dealt with their attitudes, and my husband made a decision that the next year, we wouldn't be giving them presents for Christmas. This was not punishment, but an opportunity to see that we can have a fine Christmas without presents.<br />
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To be honest, I<i> wasn't</i> too crazy about this plan, but I wanted to make the best of it. We told each of the girls to work a little every week and earn money, because this next year they were going to give something instead of get. The Bible says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive,". We said that this next year we were putting that statement to the test.<br />
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I was surprised at how wholeheartedly the girls worked, and we added up the total that they were earning. The next year was our first Christmas in Tizayuca, Mexico. They were each doing a little something, earning a peso here and there, and I tallied them up on a paper attached to the fridge. As the holiday season got nearer, they began to get excited about how much they were earning. The week before Christmas we chose a family in our church with health needs, and purchased them a heater to help with keeping their home comfortable. The girls had earned nearly $60 altogether, and they were so delighted to help someone with their own work.<br />
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That is not the end of the story, however! Since we were new in Tizayuca, and it was the first time we lived in Mexico far from the border. We didn't really know how the mail works here. We were pleasantly surprised to see three good-size boxes of presents arrive in time for Christmas. This was unusual, although we had at times received boxes from some dear friends, we had never had so many presents for the children, and this time, they waited patiently, enjoyed the Christmas story being read, and thanked God for the greatest gift He has given us. They had a greater appreciation now of what it means that "God so loved the world that he <i>gave</i> his only begotten Son". I told the girls that God always blesses those who give, and their biggest blessing was to see that God was pleased.<br />
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However, I did not realize what a miracle it was that those boxes even arrived at our door. Now we kind of know how it works. Mail is delivered on a motorcycle. Boxes don't come on these motos. You have to go down and get them, and if the box doesn't have a number to track, it's very unlikely that you will be able to get it from the post office. They don't give you notification that you have a box either; you are supposed to track it, then go and get when you see that it has arrived at your local post office. Since then, we haven't received any boxes from the mail carrier, and several that were sent to us went back because we didn't pick them up in time. The fact three large boxes came to our door was a work of God!<br />
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More than the overload of presents we had that year, I am delighted to see how God has worked in the hearts of all my children. They love giving, and Christmas just gets more and more fun. My biggest challenge in the holiday season isn't finding super gifts for everyone, it's making sure all of them are given an opportunity to exercise their giving muscle, whether it's making something, or earning money to buy for someone.<br />
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It always pays when you put God's promise to the test. While we didn't actually have the presentless Christmas we were planning on having, we got to see that God's heart is giving, and He gives back more every time. Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-20802670395402478412012-12-24T08:58:00.005-08:002012-12-24T09:02:11.306-08:00Inside info on good ol' Saint Nick!<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="http://www.homeschoolfamilylife.com/wp-content/uploads/st-nick.jpg" class="decoded" height="320" src="http://www.homeschoolfamilylife.com/wp-content/uploads/st-nick.jpg" width="144" /></div>
Not much is known about the man named <a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2004/nick.html">Nicholas</a>, who's life's story evolved into the Santa Clause. We know that he was the pastor of the church in Myra, where he was born. Most of the stories we have are legends that have filtered through several different cultures, and there is no physical, written evidence of him from that time. During the third century, the church faced two great persecutions, and Nicholas spent some time in prison for not forsaking his faith. He made a name for himself through his generosity. He had come from a wealthy family, and he gave liberally, trying to do so anonymously. His most famous story, which very well might have some truth in it, is that he secretly gave money for the dowry of three sisters to keep them from being forced into prostitution. Poor children were known to leave their shoes out on their doorstep so he could drop coins into them at night. He wanted people to give the glory to God, not himself, so he did his best to hide his giving.<br />
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As you can imagine, the rumors spread about him, and after his death, many Christians were inspired by him to continue the practice of anonymous giving. As the rumours spread, they began to be corrupted by pagan fantasys, and eventually his legend morphed into the myth we have today.<br />
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So here's my two cents. I think Nicholas, or at least his legend, was a shining example of Christ's Spirit in action in the Christian. We have been given to, the greatest Gift of all. Therefore, it behooves us to give, without grudging; doing our best to let God recieve all the glory. We understand more of God's heart the more we give. This story is far more beautiful to me for it's sweetness and humility than Santa. That's not to say that Santa Clause is the devil. I just think Christians needs to guard their focus, and many times the clown in the red suit is a distraction to us from the heart of God, which is love.<br />
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For us, the trappings of Christmas are all optional. We've celebrated Christmas on the road, without decorations, we've even celebrated without giving gifts to one another. (That's a separate post! I promise to tell that story; it's a good one.) We celebrate this truth, that we have eternal life, an unspeakable Gift that came at an unspeakable price from God Himself; that Christ is one of us, that He knows us, understands us, and loves us anyway, and that without sin, He is able to redeem us to the uttermost. As we are encouraged in Philippians 2:5, to "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" I think we ought to see others with more patience, be more willing to help others, and more willing to tell them of God's Gift. I think Nicholas had that one down! Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-62322851879350928372012-12-17T09:08:00.002-08:002012-12-17T09:08:46.771-08:00Blog rebootMy life has swung way out of the range of my blog to keep up with. We are kept busy with ministry and homeschooling, and the blog is left on that back burner is never getting attended to. I thought I would move the blog off the back burner for various reasons. Family and friends love to keep updated on our life, and I enjoy the interactions with them when I discuss current events. I also want to keep the old creative juices flowing, even though now it's a little out of my comfort zone to stop and think so much at the end of the day. Therefore, I'm not bringing it forward much. I'll prepare one blog post a week, unless something is going on in ministry. (Real life still trumps the internet.)<br />
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Another reason I want to do this is that my daughter has started writing
again on her private blog, and I want to keep her motivated to write
once a week too. If you are part of the cool crowd of privileged
individuals who have received an invite to her blog, you can check it
out. If not, make a comment to request one, and if I know who you are,
I'll send you one. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7OP2slJ4z9JHZWz70Dz1yNOIPJOcO_lblHURXDlqrzbCIZ5EBM_jKUA7YoWpNg1biZP4go9FQ0fNq28lWxnjHTccnzuwOSgXzUGs-55hMg58mIoEvi2DerGQCpVYlxVS6huumg/s1600/David+and+Yolanda%27s+pics+368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7OP2slJ4z9JHZWz70Dz1yNOIPJOcO_lblHURXDlqrzbCIZ5EBM_jKUA7YoWpNg1biZP4go9FQ0fNq28lWxnjHTccnzuwOSgXzUGs-55hMg58mIoEvi2DerGQCpVYlxVS6huumg/s320/David+and+Yolanda%27s+pics+368.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a random picture of a camel trying to stick her head in my window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-34102641296363692442012-11-22T22:23:00.001-08:002012-11-22T22:23:25.093-08:00More pics from the canals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWP4etbm-CBjICs1wSfe447n70g0kAlUNeanUElFg-NOmcTKOdnKDKM3IqLalReg2lRbgo49-0urZyk4-86u2sGm-iaM9MtEt19ycYN8TxnFhkLMb9eGLup8uoDCG-r9Q6MlxYw/s1600/September2012+115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWP4etbm-CBjICs1wSfe447n70g0kAlUNeanUElFg-NOmcTKOdnKDKM3IqLalReg2lRbgo49-0urZyk4-86u2sGm-iaM9MtEt19ycYN8TxnFhkLMb9eGLup8uoDCG-r9Q6MlxYw/s320/September2012+115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbTHx9H5_fP3VG0F-3fq3GSMOk-pa42YYVD7L6LCvui_HZh8Q96vCe7EkWrSjdrSU-vJPVSKeWyIGIOl9xaZNlttYnYgaeYPu6jW2-7TEEHvx-Ukdh_pMvGzUfrtYYiUyYJu4BQ/s1600/September2012+162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbTHx9H5_fP3VG0F-3fq3GSMOk-pa42YYVD7L6LCvui_HZh8Q96vCe7EkWrSjdrSU-vJPVSKeWyIGIOl9xaZNlttYnYgaeYPu6jW2-7TEEHvx-Ukdh_pMvGzUfrtYYiUyYJu4BQ/s320/September2012+162.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-6870119347693024712012-11-22T22:03:00.002-08:002012-11-22T22:03:34.384-08:00Beautiful Canals of Xochimilco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWcM_XldeufkWKwE8s1HLRAsEuZXC4j59IhnaKhfPo4T4vyhp3UUQXTSb8vYslgyCxIMdWHSFe7wKrHuvI1O_eBjMpke2fRCFASThtlqqrPDJhBNLv29XE1G1-gdhD81CvkDDSg/s1600/September2012+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWcM_XldeufkWKwE8s1HLRAsEuZXC4j59IhnaKhfPo4T4vyhp3UUQXTSb8vYslgyCxIMdWHSFe7wKrHuvI1O_eBjMpke2fRCFASThtlqqrPDJhBNLv29XE1G1-gdhD81CvkDDSg/s320/September2012+043.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LT_K_2TiAokOK6BEf3chZE0suN424-NNAlD1lVUnVW8HMw8tSEuqJExH-Ncfr9pBJA5jS6KhAoo4gtoFw343Kxw99qOO4Hn4v0yBDh_lkM7X3gpw5C2WbE8vBugc1ESZh1WACg/s1600/September2012+071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LT_K_2TiAokOK6BEf3chZE0suN424-NNAlD1lVUnVW8HMw8tSEuqJExH-Ncfr9pBJA5jS6KhAoo4gtoFw343Kxw99qOO4Hn4v0yBDh_lkM7X3gpw5C2WbE8vBugc1ESZh1WACg/s320/September2012+071.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our group!</td></tr>
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<br />Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-34467828912483881352012-07-25T12:25:00.000-07:002012-07-25T12:25:03.731-07:00Repost: A little unasked for adviceA young girl asked me for advice the other day. Advice about BOYS. She
met a nice young fellow at camp, and he wanted to communicate with her
as a boyfriend. Now, I understand the young man’s perspective more than
one might think. I know him, and he’s been saved for three months of
his fourteen years. He’s excited about everything that has to do with
church, and he’s lost all his previous ambitions; he only wants to
preach. A young lady who wants God’s will for her life is something new
to him, and it is attractive. (Nothing wrong with that) He doesn’t
yet understand about how to have a Christ-honoring relationship with
such a person, so he is relating to her according to the rules of his
old life. At this point, I assume he doesn’t know any better,
especially since I sent a similar young fellow packing in my first year
of college right when he wanted to “go steady” with me. It wasn’t the
time for me to be thinking about marriage, and I didn’t need any
distractions with my first year of college. When God put me back
together with that guy after we had both matured a bit, we knew it was
His work! For more on this story, go <a href="http://sarahjoyscorner.blogspot.com/2007/12/love-story.html">here</a>, <a href="http://sarahjoyscorner.blogspot.com/2007/12/more-mush-d.html">here</a>, <a href="http://sarahjoyscorner.blogspot.com/2007/12/plot-thickens.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://sarahjoyscorner.blogspot.com/2007/12/wrapping-up-story.html">here</a>!<br />I
told the young lady these things, and also this: You are in a very
important time of your life, and it is a time to guard your heart!
These years, if you are submitted to God’s Holy Spirit, He is preparing
you for His will. He’s building something precious in your life, making
something beautiful. Your relationship with Him is being established,
and you don’t need distractions. These years don’t come back when they
are gone; don’t lose what God is doing in your life!<br />This is for
the young ladies that read my blog. Those of you that I know personally,
I want you to know I pray for you by name often! I know that God has a
plan for you, that it is the best plan for you, and there is something
in your life right now that can destroy you. I don’t know what it is,
but our enemy always puts up something that we have to make a choice
about. Am I going to trust God, or worry about my family? Am I going
to make room for Him in my life, or am I going to seek my own interests,
and let Him have my leftovers? Am I going to pour out my hurts to Him
and leave them there, or am I going to get bitter and angry? One of
these things that can turn us off the path God has laid for our feet is
wrong thinking about romance, boys, marriage, and the future.<br />You see
we ladies are full of dreams! Exciting dreams, dreams that make our
heart go pitter-patter-pumpernickle! There is a powerful ton of emotion
built up behind those dreams, and the hope that those dreams might be
realized in this amazing person is enough to sometimes shut down our
ability to reason. If you have seen the movie Bambie, think
“twitterpated”. And I know whereof I speak. I have talked to a lot
of twitterpated young ladies. You are a smart person, but emotion can
turn the heads of the brainiest among us. For this reason I offer you
my advice. (Yes, unasked for by you, but I love you all to bits, so you
have to put up with it!)<br />• Keep your relationships Christ honoring.<br />•
Make good friends, and keep your closest friendships at a <i>spiritual
level.</i> (I'm talking about all your friends, not just guys, but
especially guys!) Be aware that extra time with someone builds
intimacy. If you run out of things to talk about, you will be tempted
to start bringing up more personal things. Not a good idea!<br />
• Always
keep Christ first, and if any friendship is pushing away your thoughts
of Him, step away from that friendship! Believe me, I speak from
experience, Mr. Right, at Time Right will not push away Christ! I am so
glad I told my “Mr. Right” to “just be friends” when I did! God's time
was perfect. If he’s got a spiritual bone in his body, he will
understand and appreciate what you are saying; if he doesn’t
understand, you really don’t want to tie your heart up with him!<br />•
Also, if God has placed authority in your life, honor it! Honor your
parents, and don’t hide anything from them. Respect your pastor and
consider his advice carefully.<br />• Find spiritual older woman who can
hold you accountable, and pick their minds! Don’t worry about bugging
them, they will love it. Just don’t say you are following my advice to
find someone “older”, or you will get me into trouble!<br />Most
importantly, keep your dreams and desires subjected to God’s will. Seek
His face, and determine in your heart to never deny the Holy Spirit.
You can’t afford at this point in your life to let something come in and
mess up the amazing things He’s preparing you for!Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675409.post-89058708092254954322012-06-23T21:50:00.002-07:002012-06-23T21:51:02.550-07:00Shout out! My Comfort Zone<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcDwaIGpGT1qBbd8uiEz2TSGKEIK9uBi-x7EOU6iGpFBtPLsQ8hJlUECp5cGoAGS6_Ym34KVk3-2owadSWSxXizp51majwCsn2eaHnUW5i8c9gt93dg37VcFF53aY9q8ZOcu1qw/s1600/moms+pillows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcDwaIGpGT1qBbd8uiEz2TSGKEIK9uBi-x7EOU6iGpFBtPLsQ8hJlUECp5cGoAGS6_Ym34KVk3-2owadSWSxXizp51majwCsn2eaHnUW5i8c9gt93dg37VcFF53aY9q8ZOcu1qw/s400/moms+pillows.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large Buckwheat Hull Pillow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know I have many friends who are chronic pain sufferers. This trial is something only another sufferer can truly understand. It involves loneliness, because it's practically invisible, but has the power to take over one's days and nights. I do not suffer from chronic pain, but my mother has for many years, and she has been an inspiration to me, as I've watched her struggle through questions, find God's grace, and grow in it under the burden of daily, continual, debilitating pain. My mom has worked hard on her health, trying to find the right treatments. Now she is starting a new business selling products that comfort. While these do not treat pain, everyone with daily pain understands the importance of comforting yourself in the midst of it. I hope you will check out her website and consider some of these products!<br />
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While again, I do not suffer chronic pain, as her daughter I have enjoyed some of these items, and would love to tell you how they comforted me! The flexible microwavable hot pack filled with rice was used during the birth of a couple of my children to help me through labor. I've also used it many times for muscle pain and a few "out of adjustment" backs. The pack forms to you so you can absorb the soothing heat, and it is wonderful and relaxing. I would not want to be without it in my house.<br />
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I also have two of the buckwheat pillows, and they went with me all over the Western United States, and some areas of Canada on deputation. (The pillows pictured are these.) I took them into every hotel I went to, and they kept my neck from straining after many long hours in the van. For traveling, it was invaluable, and I honestly can't sleep well with a different pillow. It's so much better than a fluff-filled pillow that squishes down gets out of place. They also form to the body and provide support without applying pressure.<br />
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Thank you for taking the time to read this! I'm excited about my mom's new business venture. She's makes wonderful products, and her heart is for others. The site is still under construction, but here it is!<br />
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<a href="http://mycomfortzones.com/">http://mycomfortzones.com/</a>Sarah Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04867276204658978050noreply@blogger.com0