O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E

Isn't this just the typical response we have when it comes to obeying God? We sing the song with love and joy, smiling like a child, but then we end up doing our own thing.

Sami in the Icebox

Why is obedience so hard? Is it the lack of faith, trust, or belief.  We went to Turkey Run as a family on Saturday. Brad had been away all week long in California. Thus he wanted to spend some family time together.  We took trail 3, it goes through the punch bowl, up and down 140 steps, then we had to climb down two sets of steep ladders,  onward to the icebox, finally we returned to the suspension bridge.

Rachel talking us out of the ladder

Rachel absolutely refused to go down the ladders.  I am unsure if it was a matter of fear or lack of trust. He big fat Mom had no qualm of tackling the ladder, she even watched me go down. However, for Rachel she opt to run the whole trail back, almost all of it. Instead of taking the easy road down.








She missed some beautiful sites along the way. She also had to work harder to get to the end.


Doesn't this signify most of our Christian walk? I know it does mine. I often am too stubborn to follow the path God leads me and take the longer route.

I recall in geometry I learned the closest distance between two points equal a straight line. I always joke I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. Sadly that is true, and also apparent in my walk with Christ.

Deeper with Jesus in Rhode Island: Running from a Crazy Man

Deeper with Jesus in Rhode Island: Running from a Crazy Man

My Beauties

Beauty outside my window

Proverbs 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame:

Why is sex such a stumbling block for men? Is it the sex, or the Pride that they think they can get away with it.

I was sad when I heard the news. Even though it didn't surprise me, I was still sad. I hurt for the people and the members of this church. I know the anguish, the betrayal they feel.
 The news I am referring too FBCH.
I understand, because I had a Pastor when I was a teenager that was morally corrupt. This man destroyed my church, damaged my life. Ironically, my former Pastor graduated from this same college, about the same time Jack Schaap did. They must have known each other.

Does this surprise me? No. Jack Schaap was a heretic the was obsessed with sex. Here is some proof
Schaap Preaching on July 8,2012

Marriage: The Divine Intimacy.

Any Pastor obsessed with sex and constantly preaching it, will have problems. How do I know this? Well the Bible warns about it
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:
For a pastor to preach a sermon, he must prepare one. When he is constantly obsessing about sex in their sermons, then he is constantly thinking of it. Now I am not saying they should not preach on sin, I am saying if it is one particular sin that they are concentrating on, then it must be a struggle he is having with in. 
God tells us in Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. He isn't saying it to sound pretty. It's there as a command, to protect us.


I have seen four men of God fall in this same manner. In each case, his family was hurt beyond reason. I have seen two churches collapse due to this. Lives changed for ever, potential servants of God reluctant to darken a church door now.


It personally about destroyed my life. So how do we over come. How does FBCH overcome this?
In Bible college a verse that stuck very close to me was Ps.118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. 
Right now your trust has been obliterated. It may be very hard to trust in any man. May I suggest you memorize verses on trust, loyalty, faithfulness, and apply it to your life. Don't build up man because he is a pastor. Build up God,  and Him alone. He is the one that will not let you down.
Attend a good Bible believing church. Be active in it. Satan will make you doubt, He is good at that, so keep God's word close to your heart and stay in it constantly. Seek wise council, no matter how hard it is. I know that is hard because who do you trust? 
Hold fast and surround yourself with Christians that have strived to continue the race. Build a relationship with them.
The first thing I had to do when I wanted to get right and overcome this tragedy was get myself in a good church and surround myself with people that loved God. Who did I KNOW was real and stood in their faith? I moved 3 hours away to find that place. It's been almost 9 years, and my faith and trust in God has grown dramatically.
Don't quit. No matter how hard it will get, always stay serving God. In your current church, or another you feel safe in.
Remember people are praying for you. God knew this was going to happen. He knew you would be experiencing this pain. He will guide you through this.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.


You can and will survive.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

And there is not a God........

Lance Armstrong is a self proclaimed atheist. I am wondering if he wishes there was a God now.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/lance-armstrong-faces-fresh-doping-charges-from-usada/2012/06/13/gJQAefnPaV_story.html

Lance Armstrong faces fresh doping charges from USADA

View Photo Gallery — Lance Armstrong faces fresh doping charges: The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency brought formal doping charges against Lance Armstrong in an action that could cost him his seven Tour de France titles, according to a letter sent to Armstrong on Tuesday.

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By Amy Shipley, Published: June 13

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency brought formal doping charges against former cyclist Lance Armstrong in an action that could cost him his seven Tour de France titles, according to a letter sent to Armstrong and several others.

As a result of the charges, Armstrong has been immediately barred from competition in Ironman triathlons, a discipline he took up after his retirement from cycling in 2011.

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The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is bringing doping charges against seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, threatening to strip his victories in those storied cycling races.

USADA charging letter to Lance Armstrong and others

On June 12, 2012, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency notified Lance Armstrong and five others of alleged anti-doping rules violations.

In the 15-page charging letter obtained by The Washington Post, USADA outlined new allegations against Armstrong, saying it collected blood samples from him in 2009 and 2010 that were “fully consistent with blood ma nipu la tion including EPO use and/or blood transfusions.”

The charges represent the latest chapter in a long-running saga over whether Armstrong used banned substances during a cycling career that, along with his successful battle against testicular cancer, made him a national hero. Though for years Armstrong has successfully fended off challenges to his legacy, the action by USADA this week represents perhaps the most serious threat because of the anti-doping agency’s unique position of authority in the athletic drug-testing world.

The 12-year-old agency, which is funded jointly by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the federal government, almost never loses cases, though few athletes have the financial means or iconic status of Armstrong.

Armstrong has never tested positive for drugs, and on Wednesday he vehemently denied the USADA charges.

“I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one,” Armstrong said in a statement released by his publicist. “That USADA ignores this fundamental distinction and charges me instead of the admitted dopers says far more about USADA, its lack of fairness and this vendetta than it does about my guilt or innocence. Any fair consideration of these allegations has and will continue to vindicate me.”

Readings

This summer I had the girls write down the goals for the summer. Sami my 12 year old put down to read 1 spiritual book a week. This week she is reading "Dressing for the Lord" by David Cloud. Today, a bus kid came by our house wanting to play and visit with Samantha.
I allow this because I  believe we should be a light of the world, however, it is always in a control setting. Michelle asked Sami "Why she always wore dresses" Wow! what conversation for pre teens. Sami beamed up explained what she knew and had been taught about dressing for the Lord, and modesty. This book is a great tool for modest Christian women trying to explain why we dress a certain way.

This has so encouraged her to finish reading this book.