Cowardice

"A pastor has no right to turn the pulpit into a coward's castle,
and from there attack those in the congregation,
whom he is afraid to meet face to face privately.
It is cruelly unfair to attack an individual who cannot defend himself—
to hold him up, as if on the horns of the pulpit,
before the congregation, (who generally know pretty well who is meant),
and to condemn him without hearing his side,
with the pastor being the only judge and jury."
~J. C. Philpot, "Inquiries and Answers"

Pastors have a tough job.
Everyone relies on them.
Everyone needs them.
Everyone pulls from them.
They're never really "off" work.
Having said that, let me add that there are definite differences between the "good" and "bad" of pastors.

My dear friends, don't believe everything you hear.
Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you.
Not everyone who talks about God comes from God.
There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.
1 John 4:1 The Message

Let me get some traits of the "bad" out of the way.
These would be traits of those that I've personally come in contact with:

1. Confidentiality - or lack thereof ... Sometimes, the pastor tells all under the guise of having the elders pray. Sometimes, they simply talk to their spouse who then tells all to others. Either way, you can be confident that your confidences are not confidential. These folks consider themselves to be too *spiritual* to gossip... but that's exactly what it is. With them, take it all to the Lord and never to them. The tough times will pass but you can be sure the discussion of your past tough times will be referred to in the future.

2. Preaching "Opinion" - as opposed to God's Word .... The pastor is entitled to his opinion just as anyone else is. But when a pastor preaches his opinion as *fact* and tries to twist Scripture to prove it, then it's really bad. There are 66 books in the Bible and I seriously doubt that any one pastor could cover the preaching of the whole Bible in one lifetime. But sticking to God's Word is the best and only way to preach. God doesn't need anyone to add to it.

3. Judging Unrighteously - Oh how many times I've heard folks "gossiping" and the hearer accepts it as fact. Before long, it's mentioned in a sermon as a specific example and disguised as "truth". Now, the pastor has not only been perpetuating gossip by listening to it but has known gone into the domain of spreading it! Verify it first before you use it! And if you just aren't comfortable if asking someone if what you heard is true about them, then that could be a good indicator that you need to let it go. And if you do have the courage to verify it, then have the courage to ask if it's ok to repeat it from the pulpit to the whole congregation. Chances are that you won't get to the first step! Chances are even better that you won't make it to the second! If all that seems like too much trouble and you can't be bothered with common courtesy, then maybe - just maybe- you could tell the gossiper that you won't listen to gossip? Then all of the above is a moot point.

Why take up time with this?
Because we have so many "walking wounded" in the pews today.
And even more that won't set foot in a building that has pews.
All because of the damage done in the name of God.
And it's not of God, for God, or even through God that the damage is being done!
And people need to know that!

Can't Skip!

When my oldest daughter was in kindergarten, I smugly sat back and let her enjoy the half days with a wonderful teacher that she adored.

I was smug because she already knew everything so that meant I was doing such a fabulous job!

We walked and talked and spent much quality time together! She read by age 4. Woo Hoo! I was a super mom! She scored way above grade level and still does! But she missed one thing on her year-end evaluation in kindergarten. Just one! And I was crushed! Depths of despair because I hadn't taken the time to work with her on it!

So the teacher actually had to teach her how to.....

.....skip.

No, I'm not joking! I was truly crushed and thought I was the most awful mom ever! How could you spend time with your child and not teach them to skip?

Since then we've been homeschooling for years and I've learned that my kids will learn everything they need, and then some, in time. And that I was only such an amazing mom with my oldest daughter because God had gifted her in so many ways!

I had nothing to do with it! She would have learned it without me!

So now I'm much more relaxed about knowing everything will come in time and that all I have to do is provide the support!

Now I just enjoy the ride and rarely even compare my kids to any guides! We just keep on keeping on with new concepts as previous ones are mastered. Now I no longer "teach", I "facilitate"!

I just love them and interact with them! They get there! And I remember that for everything they seemingly are "behind" with, they're "ahead" somewhere else!

And all my kids can skip. =)

Is Eating Out the Best Choice?

In my opinion, those who are committed to their child's education and truly care about their child would do well in homeschooling. Those who "dump" their children at school and are not involved in the educational process would not do well with homeschooling. So I don't think everyone should homeschool.

But for others "in-between"- those who don't 'dump' their kids and who are involved and who do care- then homeschooling should, at least, be a consideration. And I don't think that choosing NOT to homeschool is a sin. I just don't want it to be thrown out by caring parents without prayer and research!

For instance: I can tell you that meals cooked at home are better for your children than eating out every day. That's my opinion.

I can add that the environment of eating together as a family makes for stronger family relationships.

I can show you that the food at McDonald's (or wherever) isn't as healthful.

You can then point out that not everyone will cook healthful meals or that you know a particular place that is big on serving nutritious meals.

But I will say that for those who think nutrition for their children is important and are willing to make the effort to research it, then eating home-cooked meals together as a family could be a great choice!
The same can be said for homeschooling!

"Or" not "And".....

Do everything without complaining or arguing,...
Philippians 2:14

Entry Word: "complain" - to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

*Antonyms (opposite): "rejoice"

Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalm 97:12
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Psalm 98:4

You can not do one if you're doing the other.
It's an "either/or" kind of thing...



definition from m-w.com

Chicken, Anyone?

I noticed something interesting this morning as I was feeding the chickens.
They didn't care what I thought; they just followed me around waiting for the food.
And they knew the food was coming from me and that it was coming.
They didn't wonder about food for tomorrow.
They didn't care about yesterday's food-
they knew it had been provided before and would be again.
They were hungry and they would be fed.
That's all they needed to know -

And it hit me.... shouldn't we be more like them?
We can get so caught up in theology that we simply forget to follow the One Who feeds us!
The One Who has the *food* that we need.
And we can simply trust in the fact that He will feed us.
Come hungry!

He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
Psalm 111:4-5

The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
Psalm 145:14-16

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26