A Common Life: June 2020

Knitting a Simple Washcloth

Many years ago when we were in Classical Conversations, my friend and director showed me this method of making a one hour wash cloth. I've lost the pattern several times and now have this lovely video to remind me! If you have also put down your needles for too long, give it a try!

Before You Repost This...

Before reposting or replying on Facebook, ask yourself, "What do I hope to accomplish?"

Next, "Is that goal glorifying to God?"

If a reply, or in response, to someone else's post, "Is your response addressing the core issue? Are you looking at what the person needs to hear or merely trying to change their mind to agree with you?"

Ask yourself, "Am I going to be guilty of contributing to speculations that are unsubstantiated and which will do nothing to further the gospel nor help people think soundly?"

....Recognizing that sound thinking is not based on conjecture or emotionalism. It is fact-based, not a recreation of someone's opinion, formed in order to further their agenda, which may be exactly what they are accusing others of doing with their wild speculations. Don't aid stupidity.

Images I Like

Nothing fancy, but the guy on the electric hang glider was outside my front door on a beautiful evening when we were all sitting outside together. The water is a place my son and I frequent to fish. And...the pizza...you see the size! What can be said? Bliss.

Want to Understand the Bible Better?

These question and answer sessions with Dr. John MacArthur are fantastic.

Recently I listened to Number 74 and truly hope you will take the time to also listen. He covers information on who to marry, witnessing to an unsaved father as a child, is mixed martial arts something a Christian should participate in (ie our freedom in Christ), can I "fast" from electronic devices, and many other useful or interesting topics.

Even if you aren't wondering specifically for your own life, it will be useful to hear sage wisdom in a concise manner. There is something profoundly satisfying about hearing God's word explained by a thorough Bible teacher, no matter what the topic being discussed is, but I think you'll find much of the subject matter relevant. :)

The Negative Pervasiveness of the Internet

I didn't title this post exactly as I wanted to. Really the issue is the negative pervasiveness of Facebook. In November I got on FB in order to sell on the Marketplace. That was all that happened for a while, but by looking at a few things, my News Feed began. It doesn't take long. I 'liked' a friend's business...

We needed roof repairs and our usual man could no longer work (we found out after hiring him for the job during COVID-19) so I joined Stafford Talk to find a roofer--we did, and what a blessing! We had him out a couple of times during the pandemic.

In the course of time, I joined a group about Lost Pets in my area...I'd found two dogs, tried to reunite them with their owners...you know how these things happen.

Eventually I joined a homeschool selling site and that led to a homeschool support site because hundreds of people in my state were suddenly considering homeschooling. As a bit of a veteran, I felt I had something to offer....wasn't it my duty?! (Sigh....)

Isn't this how it goes?

Though some people just lurk and think that is keeping them from the negative effects, they are still reading and being impacted by ideologies and ideas opposed to godliness. We started to see the negative effects of my 'small' endeavors quickly. Just reading the inane comments and bickering really helped me see how the thinking of the masses has penetrated many people's minds and impacted how they argue and take people to task...I saw myself more anxious and worked up about every day things that really were not big deals. So at a minimum, if you have issues with anxiety or anger, help yourself and please get off Facebook.

What I've found is that amid the very nice people and kind-hearted comments, there is a ribbon of godlessness. There is a self-absorption that naturally happens by the very nature of FB. It is a world unto oneself. People see things, interact mentally and sometimes by writing, that creates a part of life and their identity that may not be shared with those in their family. We decide who can see what we post, keep others from seeing...rather than learn to interact with a wide variety of people in real life, we pick and choose in a way that is utterly involved with 'self'. For married people, it isn't hard to see the danger in getting comfortable with the secrecy. Ultimately, we choose to walk among fools no matter how careful we may try to be, and we must be honest about the weakness of our own minds and how easily ideas can impact our thinking. This is why the church is worldly in large part...our thinking is bombarded with things other than Truth day in and day out.

John MacArthur has an excellent sermon on this concept. Stepping back and looking at my few months on FB, I have to agree. I have been utterly amazed at the baseness of comments and self-righteousness of people. We can think we are not being impacted by fools, but just like if our kids are in public school, we are all impacted by those we spend time around. I've felt my anxiety level drop now that I'm only selling again and am not connected to any groups (even the Aldi nerd group has people who get all spun up arguing over stupid things like the name of Mexican street corn...why do I even need to know that?) There are things I don't know going on all around me, but I just have to trust I will know what I need to know.

Hard Cases Make Poor Theology-Public Education for Christians

The original saying is that Hard Cases Make Bad Law. But with theology and how to live the Christian life, I often think of the reality that the toughest circumstances are not what to consider, or the minority issues. In regard to education, of course there is no guarantee of how a child will turn out. There are home schooled children who rebel, Christian school children who rebel, and public school children who rebel. But the outliers are not what we ought to base our thinking on. We need to look at the majority of outcomes to make wise decisions, that is, if we are thinking the ends justify the means.

I'm not one to favor the ends justifying the means, because God's word is the standard. He is clear about how to raise children if we are Christian. I've covered that in various places on this blog. We know He takes His word seriously and we know children are very impressionable. They will become like their teacher the Bible says. Should we test God in that because we know of a few cases here and there that didn't align with Luke 6:40?

Fighting for Your Family

Fighting for Your Family, the sermon series by Dr. Erwin Lutzer, preached in 2013, is full of many good helps for marriages and raising children. Today the radio re-aired 'Children, God's Special Gift' and there were a few poignant reminders. One coincides well with last night's sermon at my church where he reminded us that where sin is, there is an opportunity for grace to abound. Never give up on a wayward child or person because like with all of us, at some point the gospel may get into their heart and a radical transformation will occur.

Another point that Dr. Lutzer made was that Proverbs is a book of.........proverbs. They are maxims that are often true but not ALWAYS true. If we train up a child in the way he should go, most of the time we will see the desired results, but not ALWAYS. He exhorted his listeners to remember not to over estimate the power they have by doing right in the life of their child. This reminds me greatly of the reason to choose the best and safest means to educate Christian children. It does not ensure they will walk in truth all of their life, but in general, the majority will. Likewise, children in a secular environment won't always hold to those secular views, but in general, they will.

Dr. Lutzer gave a great example of this reality that proverbs are merely proverbs (i.e. not promises that WILL definitely happen if we do the right thing in applying them). 'A soft answer turns away wrath.' Well, usually it will, but we all know of times where a person was bent on being angry and a soft answer did nothing to dispel their wrath. Most of the time it will, however, so we try to do just that and dispel wrath by not getting spun up into the mayhem.

Quick Curried Chickpeas, Sauteed Greens, Brown Rice with Peas

This was a new and tasty dinner for two of us, and a side dish (the bowl portion) for others of us who enjoyed meatloaf as their main course.

The curried chick peas took about 30 minutes, which was plenty of time to take care of the other components of the meal! Note, there is not added salt in this dish but those who normally eat it will want to add some or use salted tomato sauce. This recipe omits oil as well.

For the chickpeas: in a large, seasoned cast iron skillet cook 1 diced yellow onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic until soft, about 4 mins. Add 2 cans of drained chickpeas to the skillet along with 20 oz. unsalted tomato sauce, 1 cup of unsalted vegetable broth (could use water) and 1 TBSP curry powder. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick. Add 1/2 bunch fresh chopped cilantro leaves (or couple TBSP freeze dried). Stir occasionally and cook for about 20 mins until thick.

For the sauteed greens, in a cast iron saute 2-4 oz. sliced mushrooms, 3 chopped spring onions, and a colander full of kale, swiss chard and spinach (chop after this loose measuring). Cook over medium heat until wilted and very little liquid from the vegetables remains. The rice is steamed brown rice with thawed frozen peas. I use a rice steamer and just add in the peas when the rice is cooked.

What's Blooming? 6/14/20

Hosta is starting to bloom

Easter lilies from every year at church

The top keeps blooming

The wild mullein is huge

Tomatoes

New chard!

Sunflower coming up

Daylilies are in

Euonymous is very yellow this year

Peaches are still growing

Wheat

The little bunch of wheat is behind the dog's collar ;)

Most years we get a Luna Moth!

Calla Lilly bloomed for the first time this year!

Lavender is almost fully bloomed

Neighbor cat :)

For previous yard updates, go here.

6/11/20

Are Public Schools Bad?

The Harsh Truth About Public Schools

I've chosen the above link to this book because the reviews do a good job explaining where the author is coming from and how he approaches the work. It is one of two books that might challenge what proponents of public education think.

Discussing hot topics is something most of us shy away from. Going along to get along is far easier, but I have never been that sort of person. I love people and I love truth. I can't pretend something is neutral or just 'another option' among other good options. This is tough because of course there are hard cases where single income living isn't an option, or both parents don't agree on private school or homeschooling, or for single parents who can't transport their child or who can't afford anything put the government schools. The thing is, and I'm trying to say this gently--- hard cases cannot shape or hide truth. It is also hard to tell a homosexual that is very kind or a part of your family that you can't accept their lifestyle. It is painful to not be excited with a relative who just got their first house with their girl/boyfriend because they are violating God's standards. But we can't forget God has standards and as His people, we need to stand for those things and not be ashamed. Hard cases like rape can't make us think abortion is ok...rape is horrendous, but killing the child produced is also horrendous.

With that in mind, my point is that government education is not sound for Christians. If we looked at it as a non-option, like many other things in life, we'd figure out as best we could how to avoid it. But the public schools are a part of the American way, and for those who aren't Christians it is very insulting and seems crazy to disparage government funded schools. No one appreciates being told or having it implied that the educational choice they made was somehow not acceptable to some people. People get offended thinking you are insulting the sweet Christian teacher their child had one or two years...they look at all the positives. Of course it is designed to be a positive caring environment (though sadly abuse happens every year in the public schools).

Christians also get offended and they say that only the Gospel matters--how people educate doesn't. They imply that those against public education for Christian kids have a pride problem thinking they are superior. It will be said that you are putting a secondary issue before the gospel. This could not be more incorrect.

My concern with public schools lies completely in the truth that there is an agenda that is very much anti-God, and I do not think it is right to put children in a system for 12 yrs that continually indoctrinates them away from God. From the self-love to the evolutionary beginnings to the promoting of religions that are anything but Christian to the history that leaves God out to the liberal ideals that say being transgender is OK...none of it brings glory to God. People far better at explaining have said it all (see sidebar videos on my blog and books recommended).

Will there be outliers to the statistics, meaning, won't some Christian kids in the public schools remain in the faith? Of course, roughly 20% will.

Sending the most vulnerable among us to be 'salt and light' is unwise when there are adults with their own agendas heavily influencing those kids for 12 yrs, and there is a curriculum, which also does the teaching and is anti-God. That curriculum is heavily influencing them for 12 yrs, and the kids that these tender shoots are in school with are not Christian children. Kids in public schools are far more likely to make friends that are not solid Christians, which we know is not how God wants us to live.

Satan is a deceiver and one of his greatest tools to undermine the effort to reach the lost and undermine Christian parents is government-funded education.

Be brave, Culture! Souls are at stake.

Thinking Biblically About COVID-19 Sermon by John MacArthur

My all-time favorite Bible teacher is pastor John MacArthur. There is depth of study, a sober-mindedness, and a love for God that comes through. He teaches me in a way I remember.

This sermon about COVID-19 is from April, but oh, if you are a Christian, please take time to listen to it.

Thinking rightly is critical in the days we're living in, where right is wrong and wrong is seen as right. It is wrought with truth to encourage the follower of Christ for the days we're living in and the days to come.

Published Aug is the fact only 25 people under age 40 have died in VA from COVID, this is out of the 2500 who have died total. And this warrants damaging America as we have?

Does God Still Mean What He Says in Romans 13:1-2?

6-30-20

There are thoughtful arguments on both sides of the issue of whether churches need to obey the orders to wear masks. Some believe the masks hinder the fellowship and worship we are called by God to exhibit in church. They truly believe that the masks inhibit serving and loving as we're called to do, and I can appreciate that viewpoint. It is surely genuinely felt and in some cases I think it is accurate. Leadership in all churches have had to grapple with this, and I don't envy them.

What is important is that the leadership handle it one way or the other, and that all of us in the church make sure we are doing what we believe God wants us to do. Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as unto the Lord. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church. Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Pastors--shepherd the flock. Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together...

With that, I give you some verses to consider.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Romans 13:1-2 NASB

Submit yourselves for the Lords sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:13-17 NASB

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 ESV

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. Titus 3:1 ESV

Updated Nov 2020

For some, the difficulty lies in that obeying God, when it isn't wanted, simply fails to satisfy emotions. It feels much better to tell someone to 'stick it', particularly when we deeply believe they deserve it. But do our kids need more of that type of example when it comes to authority?

For some, they genuinely believe the government is overstepping and has no right under our Constitution to infringe on our church services.

Overall, I'm not sure I've read where God says if I disagree with the government, all these verses don't apply to me. It would seem these verses are here for such a time as this. Unless we're asked to sin, we should obey.

What would condemnation from God look like in 2020? Remember, it is condemnation upon believers. Punishment from the Alpha and Omega for disobedience to Him.

We need to stand together as believers, trusting in the only One who is just, and thoughtfully evaluate when it is time to step away from following what the authorities say. We can all too easily fall into sin long before it is genuinely warranted. We can also compromise and not do what God wants us to do out of fear. This is why it is a personal decision on whether to wear the masks in church or not, and to not judge others or allow our children to judge others. The discomfort of wearing a mask is not a legitimate deciding factor, for the record.

At some point we will likely find ourselves having to take a stand against an unholy government, but my hope is that we will collectively know when that is, per each of our own states.

Here is an example of a pastor's loving leadership when it comes to the issue of masks from Nov 2020. Clearly he has gone with the view that obeying the Governor is obeying God. What I like is the fact he is a very loving pastor and is clearly stating what they will do and why.

It has been some time since the elders have sent a communication regarding COVID 19. As we have repeatedly emphasized since March, we continue to monitor the developments surrounding the pandemic, and as changes to our response are warranted, we will respond accordingly. In light of Governor _______'s executive order yesterday, November 13, the elders are requesting that everyone ages 10 and older wear a face mask for both Sunday School and worship. Exceptions to this requirement will be the adult Sunday school teachers while teaching, those who are actively leading the service from the platform until they return to their pew, and those who are exempt from the governor’s order.

Because of the immediate nature of the governor’s order we will not be able to provide face masks for the congregation as our supply has run low. As a result, please come prepared with your own mask to wear.

We understand that this decision will result in mixed emotions throughout our church family. However, we ask that for the sake of unity and harmony, everyone extend grace and patience as we move through this season. As always, our intention is to obey Romans 13, and consider the well-being of our church family and those around us.

While this request temporarily removes another area of normalcy from our lives, we want to remind you that God will not change, the content of our worship services will not change, and the love, care, and warmth of our church family must not change. Now, more than ever, we need one another. We love you, are praying for you, and look forward to gathering with you tomorrow to worship our good and great God.