UPDATE:
I recognize, am humbled by, and appreciate evidences of the Lord's patience in my own life and in the lives of those around me. He is faithful and continues to bring issues which need to be dealt with to the surface because He is good.

Why are these things lifted to the surface? So that they might be rooted out.

He is after repentance and the pursuing of righteousness.

Let us not take for granted our Lord.
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Thank you for praying. It has been a difficult and interesting week. The Lord has brought confirmation and peace to my soul through the study of His Word, prayer, research, and wise counsel. Praise Him. Glory to Him.

I am currently staying put in the "classical cessationists" camp. I have been given the gift of discernment by the Lord and I trust the red flags (when tested in the above mentioned ways) He grants me. I am learning how to steward this gift in a God- honoring manner. I am aware of the temptations of it's downside/flesh/sinful aspects and I am pursuing righteousness. I am in prayer. I am thankful. I am humbled.

I have many cute siblings who are not pitching tent in this camp and I love them enormously.

I loooooooove Sean Johnson even though he has a bit of a swiss cheese stench :)
We like swiss cheese.

The wedding was beautiful.

What about those doors that seem to lead to NOWHERE??!?!?!??????!!!! Enjoying the journey.

I have no idea what the Lord is doing but I am sure that He is doing something. I have been backed into yet another corner (contemplating, contemplating, contemplating). Life might be easier if I had no concern for such things....but I do.

I would appreciate your prayers for clarity and understanding during a time of seeking Him while I maneuver this unexpected quagmire of man's interpretation I suddenly find myself in.

I do believe we are accountable once we know....and I also believe the Lord is faithful to reveal truth and that He is not the God of confusion.

Clarity. Clarity. Clarity. Please.

I looked down and there was my foot (age 41) next to Jefferson Tuten's foot (age 7.) That little insignificant Converse connection made me smile.

Jemima started guitar today. She's doing REALLY well with the violin.

Drywall complete. Shower demolition complete.

All we need now is some tile, mortar, grout and carpet. We should be set to go in time for CHRISTmas!!!!!

The Shack

"Over the last few months I've been hearing more and more about a book titled The Shack by William Young, who goes by his middle name, Paul. Some, like my mother, are profoundly disturbed by the content of this book. Others are saying that it is the best book they have ever read. In fact Eugene Peterson says "This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress did for his. It's that good."
After reading a front page article in the Life section of USA Today and hearing a comment by a colleague, I decided to open the door on The Shack. Here's the deal: I have to confess that Young's stereotypical characterization of the Father as a large, beaming African-American woman, the Son is a Jew with a large nose, and the Holy Spirit is a mysterious Asian female makes me more than just a little queasy.
Furthermore, virtually every theological heresy begins with a misconception of the nature of God and The Shack is no exception. After chiding those he believes to have misconceptions about the Trinity Young proceeds to compromise, confuse and outright contradict biblical orthodoxy.
For example, he pictures the Father bearing crucifixion scars as well as being incarnated in tandem with the Holy Spirit. Not only so, but he pontificates that Jesus has never drawn upon His nature as God to do anything. Of course those who have read the Bible even once will immediately recognize the falsity of that statement, particularly with respect to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
One more point. Young has Jesus - the Jew with the big nose - declaring "I am not a Christian and I have no desire to make them" - and the them is Buddhists, Mormons, Muslims, etc. - "Christians." Indeed, Young describes Christians as religious fanatics and part of a sinful world system. Of course in sharp distinction the followers of Christ adopted the word "Christian" in the midst of suffering and persecution. You can see examples of that in the Book of Acts written by Luke or by Peter, such as 1 Peter 4:16.
The fact that The Shack is now being touted by those who take the sacred name of Jesus Christ upon their lips is, to me, a sad commentary on Christian discernment. I suppose in the end it is books like this that make the need for discernment ministry ever more necessary."

Hank Hanegraaff


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I read The Shack last year on the recommend of a friend. It was difficult and almost painful for me (red flags EVERYWHERE) to see it through till the end.

The love fest surrounding this book is disheartening and difficult to comprehend.

No it's not.  

I understand it. 

This is where I sit down winded for a moment..... with a glazed look in my eyes....wondering where to go from here?????????? How the heck can any believer in their right mind and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.... think that this book is good? Do I speak on it or remain silent? 

Sigh.

Happy 13th Galilee & Happy 42nd Bradley!

Is there anything better than spending birthdays with your family?

Big 13 opens her very own bank account!


Bradley taking out his aggressions on The Shower Demolition Project.


Dinner w/ Nana and Papa.

UPDATE: PLEASE READ LEST I HAD A PART TO PLAY IN LEADING YOU ASTRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When there is a polarization on issues...I tend to be one of the one's who falls squarely and firmly into a particular camp.
All CHRISTians who voted believe they voted in alignment with the Spirit. All who voted one way....made a choice not to vote the other way. There is a judgement inherently built into that choice. CHRISTians....stand firm for that judgement! Do not shrink from it. Stand firm.

Here's the way I see it:
There will be either confirmation or there will be discipline.

I'm thinking things inside the church might get very interesting over the next few years.

Righteousness will prevail.



Again, do not forget when things get tough.......every single vote had a judgement built into it.
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Okay....I took the Dutch Sheets comment down. Upon further study and research...there is a level of arsenic (overdose!!!!!!!!) interwoven into his ministry...that I am not willing to swallow. btw......no arsenic is good arsenic.

His message was forwarded by another and this just reitorates the NECESSITY to go deeper....ALWAYS....as looney will most likely be mingled with lovely. I was not subscribing to all of his conclusions...but thought some of his thoughts were interesting. In fact, we were discussing a few of those very thoughts this evening around the dinner table. Tossing them back and forth. Bringing them before what we already know to be true. I should've looked into his ministry before posting. I do not support his ministry.
Lesson learned.
www.equip.org

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Here's my lingering question:

When we (believers) clearly disobey in any area of our lives...can this be God's will for us? I know He allows it...and works all together for good etc...but can it actually be His will for us? Or does our disobedience usher in circumstances which are not His will at all????? But will ultimately be used to bring about His purposes???????????

Am I thinking too much?

This is the sort of stuff that keeps me up at nite.

When Worldviews Collide

Still another:
"All mankind love themselves, and...he would be glad to have his blood shed. That would be loving themselves, even unto an eternal exaltation. Will you love your brothers and sisters likewise, when they have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of their blood? Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood? That is what Jesus Christ meant."
Bringham Young, Journal of Discourses.
vol. 4, 00.219-20
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Another unbiblical teaching:
"We were taught that we were predestined to be born into the families we were born into. God had favored us because of our faithful service to him in the pre-existence when there was a great war in heaven. Because we were among the one-third of the hosts who had served god faithfully during the war, we were allowed to come to earth and receive bodies in which to earn our exaltation. We weren't cured with a black skin like those who didn't fight for god and couldn't decide whom to follow. And we weren't like Satan's demons, who chose to follow him and fight against god and as a result were denied the right to come to earth and receive a body in which they could earn their exaltation. Because we were among the faithful and part of the most valiant defenders of god's kingdom in the pre-existence, god let us be born into families that were already in the faith, thereby assuring us the best possible chance of enduring to the end to attain our own exaltation to godhood."
Page 137-138

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by Brian Mackert

One of the many unbiblical teachings of Mormonism:
"Little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin...Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach-repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall be saved with their little children. And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism....But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world.

Book of Mormon, Moroni 8:8-12

Bria's Intro to Multi Media Avid Project.

PAUSE my Music Player first.

Election Day

Bradley took the girls to the pediatrician for their check ups and flu shots while I went to Bible Study.

After piano lessons I hit Starbucks and got a free iced coffee because I voted :)...notice the license plate message ahead of me.

Then we paid a visit to Dr. Libby. Yippie, no cavities!

We wound up waiting for the election results at the Huff's home....

....where our very supportive and encouraging co-op was treated to a surprise showing of Mcabe's Basha's commercial!!!!!!!!




The McCain maffia spent some time in the backyard sweating it out.

Then they moved to the basketball court..... and took out their aggressions there.

Kimberly Haugen