God's Goodness

We've had a Kenmore front loading washer for 10 years, and for the last 2, we've milked it along. Finally the day came to decide on a new washer, which is no small feat given how ridiculously safety conscious and environmentally worshipful the manufacturers are.

That said, there was a price point we wanted and only a very basic washer met this point. I'd asked God for a washer and a dryer for a certain amount (double the cost of the washer alone) if it would be possible, because our dryer has to go through 2 or 3 full cycles to dry one load from our washer (which only works some days, and some times on those 'working' days).

My husband thought to check all the area stores for the model we were narrowing in on, and would you believe a nicer washer was selling for the base model one. It is the same manufacturer so easy to compare the features, and it is unreal but one store had this better model on a super low discount. We went to our preferred store and took the salesman we'd met earlier that same day up on his offer to price match. The great thing was, we also had a coupon at our preferred store, so in the end we got the exact washer I wanted for lower than the one I debated on settling for!

It is God who can do these things for us, and He is so good. We're very grateful and pray He'll continue to help us use the money He's entrusted to us carefully and thoughtfully.

Don't Settle If You Don't Have To

I was thinking tonight about the closeness I feel to the people in my church. 

We've been in other churches for longer than our present situation, and the difference is notable. 

Christian, don't lose heart if you are in a church with only nominal believers. If there is a shallowness and a lack of caring for Biblical doctrine and truth, please look around for a better place to worship and serve. 

So many people in our church truly love Jesus Christ, and they are thinkers. They aren't swept up with so many of the modern movements and the worldliness in so many churches today. 

There are still people who hold hymnals, bring their Bible to church, take notes, pray for each other outside of worship services, and have each others contact information to use it throughout the week. There are churches where conversations are about things that matter, and the music is edifying and gives the gospel message. There are churches where Sunday is a day largely devoted to being in church together, with 2 services, and a mid-week service as well. 

Don't forget how good God is and how sweet the fellowship with true believers is. It is out there, you may just have to get out to look for it. 

Do the Ends Justify the Means?

Something to think about as Christians...

Just because the end results might look fruitful, is how we're going about getting those results pleasing to the Lord? 

Are we holy? 

Yoga promotes great circulation and flexibility, possibly allowing us to serve Him more, but does He want His children connected with this Hindu form of worship in any manner?

Throwing block parties with worldly music might bring people in to the church, but will this method of evangelism go hand in hand with solid Bible preaching, or is this what is happening in the church at large, which has left its first love? 

Isn't this what seeker-friendly means? 

Too many think they can get really close to the line and draw people in while themselves holding to Biblical, traditional Christianity...but we're seeing that isn't the case. As the methods shift closer to the world, so does the doctrine.

The Word is powerful, the message is powerful.

Where are you on the spectrum of trust in this?

Good Reads for Christians Before Voting

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/10/09/donald-trump-has-created-an-excruciating-moment-for-evangelicals/

 https://www.facebook.com/prosapologian/posts/1121708434520674

http://christianresearchnetwork.org/2016/03/03/phil-johnson-evangelical-support-for-trump-proves-the-american-evangelical-movement-isnt-truly-_evangelical_-in-any-historic-sense-of-the-word/


If Hillary Clinton was the lesser of the evils, would you vote for her?

When under judgment, how is a Christian to act?

The answer is: repent. It isn't to skirt the truth or lessen it.

What we associate the name of Christ with matters, and so does WHO we associate the name of Christ with. Do we think we're to avoid misery as Christians?

More importantly, do we think we are to do something wrong in order to make our lives better as Christians? Is it morally right and upstanding as a follower of Jesus to elect a man to office who is a man such as Donald Trump? Do the ends justify the means??

Many in today's church say that yes, the ends justify the means. If stealing or lying ultimately 'helps' it is OK. That is the same logic that can work for a Christian saying they'll vote for Trump. He is untrustworthy but they think he is a safer bet than Hillary Clinton, so they'll 'hold their nose' and vote because the world will be better for them and their children, presumably.

The character traits that have Christians justifying voting for Trump, are they good traits? Is voting out of fear noble? Is choosing someone deplorable OK because you think that will keep a worse person from winning?  What about doing what is right when no one is looking, or when everyone is looking? What about the narrow gate that leads to righteousness?

People under judgment do not necessarily have a good human choice. Therefore they hold back on voting for a person that is an offense to the King they serve. I'm not saying don't vote, but vote for a name you can say is someone that doesn't spit in the face of God and what He stands for, trusting in HIM for your salvation, not any politician.

JDub

How Can I Vote for Trump?

When you realize you've been bought with a price and that as a Christian, who you associate the name of Jesus with is about more than what you may logically conclude, it changes the game in an election such as we're facing.

We all know that Hillary Clinton is a wretched person to be President. The truth is, anyone being honest knows Donald Trump is also a terrible choice. Would Jesus choose the lesser of the evils? Would He associate with a man like Trump? Do we vote out of fear or because we really are convinced that one is better than another, when both are bad? Is that how Jesus taught us to make choices?

Or as Christians are we to accept the fate coming to us because of the judgment of God which we're under? Should we not make the hard choice to stand apart and not cow to the 'a vote for anyone other than Trump is a vote for Hillary' logic? In human terms, I can see how people think that. We all know what 3rd parties do, but again, as people bought with a price, doesn't it mean we sometimes suffer?

My best friend in the world, beside my husband, is a person who I cannot put words to on how special she is to me and how we see things nearly always the same. To be given a friend who I can be completely open with and she me, is only something God could do.

Here is part of what she said to me recently in response to a note I'd sent her:

This week I have come to the firm resolution  (thank God because I was really stressing over this) that I  won't vote for Trump. Not that I was seriously considering before, but I second guessed a bit. This is what came to mind after really weighing things. Again I was always leaning towards not voting for President, but this is what brought me peace- I will not allow fear or hatred to motivate me to violate my conscious. 

Nothing good will come from doing something  in fear or out of hate. I feel no hate towards Hilary Clinton, but see and hear it in others when they talk about her on FB or just in conversation. Many are Christians. It's unsettling . My motivation for considering voting for Trump is more out of fear of what will happen to our country if Democrats are in control,  if I'm being honest. Today, I feel like God impressed on me that fear is not a reason to vote against my conscious. We both know tough times are going to come. It's inevitable. I'm reminded that the Church grew and grows the most during times of oppression and strife. 

The fact that these two people are our choices for President is a reflection on us and our society. I struggled with, but now reject the idea that not voting for Trump means a vote for Hilary. The hypocrisy all around has been eye opening especially in my own party. So much selective moral outrage on both sides. Like you, it really pains me to see people I thought were biblically sound make justifications for Trump's actions and words. Some of the big names have recanted, but I'm afraid their witness has been damaged and they just appear wishy washy or opportunists because it now appears the tides have turned on Trump. Then there are those who will not budge on their devotion to Trump (or Hilary). What fresh hell would it take to make them condemn their own party's candidate I wonder. It seems nothing fazes them.  And I am so guilty of getting caught up in it all, but feel like I need to focus more on Jesus. He truly is our only hope and the sooner this country realizes it the better for us all. I need to be more in prayer for sure. 

 

WHEN WE SEE MORE CHRISTIANS VOTING FOR WHAT GOD WOULD APPROVE OF, WE'LL BE IN A FAR BETTER PLACE THAN WE ARE NOW. CHRISTIANS PRAYING DAILY FOR OUR LEADERS AS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING AND NOT THINKING THAT SOMEHOW A PRESIDENT IS GOING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR US OR THE WORLD. 

 

What I want to know is what all of the Christians who are voting for Trump will say when he proves to be wicked in leadership. How will you justify your 'lesser of the evils' and 'his platform is what I'm voting for' and 'Hilary would be worse'. Will the name of Jesus be marred by supporting Trump? Who do we serve as believers?

 

Our Puppy

I'm so glad a friend encouraged me to take a lot of pictures of our puppy! She is growing at an alarming rate, putting on pounds each week, and that little puppy face is leaving us just as fast.

Here she is Sept 21st-

The Benefit of Being Vulnerable

Have you ever had someone tell you pretty bad news that you didn't have any idea could be possible because you hadn't been given information leading up to such news? For example, a friend suffered a miscarriage and tells you the very sad news, but you didn't even know she was expecting?

It makes for a different response scenario than if you had rejoiced in the expected child and also were feeling the loss. You are still sad for your friend, and are praying, but it isn't the same as you suffering the loss alongside her. 

Being vulnerable and open with friends builds closeness, in the good times and the tough. I'm sure it goes without saying that when we are a shoulder for our friends, they are more likely to be a shoulder for us. Sometimes that isn't the case though. There are people who draw in to themselves when they have a hard time, and if you are also having a go of it, they won't be paying attention to what you might need. There are people who are takers in general; apt to reach out when they need it, but don't check in with others enough to be a regular support.

Be the friend you want to have. God is good and always has shown Himself faithful in this area in my life. Culling what and who need culling, and providing what I need, whether a fresh perspective or someone else.  ♥