Monthly Archives: October 2006

Hubby’s pumpkin masterpiece

The Gremlin as Darth Vader (complete with voice change helmet)

The Imp as “Not a Princess!” (peasant girl)

The Sarge as (what else)…… a Soldier

Yes, it is that time of the year again. The question always arises of, “To Celebrate or Not to Celebrate?” We have tried hiding out and not participating. I did not feel especially convicted about it, we were attending a church that preached we were celebrating Satan if we went out. In the vein of not causing the weaker brethren to fall we abstained that year. I kept thinking that that was giving Satan WAY MORE credit than he deserved. God made the day, God conquered Satan. As a child of God, I don’t need to fear Satan trumping God’s power. Christ did not hide from sinners, He walked among them and shone His light on them. I think that as Christians, we make a bigger difference shining our light than we do hiding. Instead of being pious and shunning our neighbors, we can go amongst them and use manners, dress appropriately, pass out tracks, candy, or whatever God nudges you to do.

God justified His people to eat meat offered to idols as long as they weren’t doing the offering and it wasn’t causing the weaker brethren to fall. I have spoken to self proclaimed pagans that think Christians are humorous because their actual pagan rites don’t involve dressing up like princesses and going door to door to greet neighbors and acquire candy. I think there is a definite line between dress up/pretend and ritualistic paganism. We pray for conviction regarding this, the opportunity to shine our light on others, and look for teachable moments to bring awareness of “the world” on a controlled basis to our children.

In addition to staying home, we have gone to grandma’s house and visited family, went to the alternative Harvest or Reformation parties at our church, and we’ve been to several nursing homes.

I think my favorite so far, has been going out to the nursing home with our homeschool group. Each family was encouraged to bring something to give the residents. The children and I worked on handmade cards for 300 people for weeks. We made little pumpkins that had a hand written message from the children on one side, and the pumpkin parable (salvation message) on the other side. We dressed in appropriate costumes, practiced our manners and social skills (the boys were learning to shake hands in “man-fashion” that year), and passed out cards, smiles, and LOTS of HUGS. It was so much fun and the residents loved being able to fuss over the children. The children were not so shy because they liked to tell what they were dressed as, and talk to the “grandmas” and “grandpas.” We ended up going back there to visit several times to get our “grandparent” fix. There are so many lonely people that have lived incredibly rich lives that would love the opportunity to pass on their wisdom, love, and experience. This is such a wonderful avenue for everyone involved.

This year, we did not find a group that does this. We will be passing out candy for the first time, since we have never lived in a subdivision before. Next year…..who knows? We look for chances to shine wherever God places us.

Yesterday we were in the store looking for a costume and picking up a few things. This lady walked by and I remember noting her because she seemed set apart for some reason. Like she had a light around her. I see things like this often enough that I didn’t think much about it. While we were still looking at costumes, she walked up, gave me a weird look, reached out and touched the Gremlin, and walked away without saying a word. It happened so fast that I didn’t have time to react and the Gremlin just looked confused. She had brown hair to her shoulders that was cut in layers, petite build, and eyes that were intense but weary. She wore jeans and a turquoise sweater. She didn’t wear any makeup. She was a little older than me, probably 40’s, but not the elderly type that likes to pat young children on the head…..and she didn’t pat him, she touched him on the side of the head near his face. In this day and age, I don’t make it a habit to touch other people’s children……what was THAT all about!? It was just weird.

Recently I was studying in Matthew and came to some information about Judas, the disciple that betrayed Christ. I wanted to look further into his life, his choices, his demise, and what information can be applied today.

1. Judas Iscariot was called to be a disciple of Christ and given authority by Christ to cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, and to
preach, “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” to all who would listen (Matthew 10:1-4).

2. Judas went to the Chief Priests to initiate the betrayal of Christ, they did not corner him first. (Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10) There is
some speculation as to why he began to choose wrongly which I will get to next.

3. Satan enters Judas and causes him to go to the Chief Priests (Luke 22:3, John 13:2)

a. Gill’s Exposition of the Bible states that Satan physically possesed Judas, entered into his heart, whispered into his
ear, caused a spirit of madness, and encouraged wicked thoughts that lead to sin due to a weakness in Judas’ character.

b. The character flaw was greed. Judas was in charge of the money purse for the group (John 13:27-29) and All of the disciples
had been chastised by Christ earlier for grumbling against a woman who anointed Christ with expensive perfume. They had all
been discussing that it would be better to sell the perfume and then give the money to the needy. Christ scolded them, and Judas
left to the Chief Priests. (Mark 10:3-10)

d. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown’s Commentary states that Judas was struggling with his choice, but hell was already in his heart. At the
meal where Jesus dipped bread and named him as the betrayer, he had his final chance to change his mind. At that point he
was “severing himself forever from that holy society with which he never had any spiritual sympathy.”

e. Matthew Henry Complete states that Judas was chosen by Christ to fulfill the foretelling of the betrayer in the Scriptures
(Psalm 41:9). It had to happen this way to fulfill prophecy. Judas was chosen before he was born for this purpose.

4. Jesus warns Judas that it would be better if he hadn’t been born, than to betray Him (Matthew 26:24-26)

5. Jesus tells Judas to do what he must quickly, the other disciple are not sure what Jesus means. They speculate that it has to due with his
duties as their treasurer. Christ is, in essence, telling Judas to drop the pretense of being His friend and get it over with. Judas leaves.
(John 13:27-30)

6. Judas returns later with the soldiers, greets Jesus as a friend with a kiss, and the soldiers arrest Him. (Matthew 26:47-49)

7. Judas becomes remorseful after he saw that Jesus was condemned and was not going to go free (Matthew 27:3)

a. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible states, “It was not such a repentance by which he became wiser and better; but an excruciating,
tormenting pain in his mind, by which he became worse; therefore a different word is here used than what commonly is for true
repentance.” He was not sorry, he was horrified with the knowledge that his actions would lead him to eternal damnation. The
consequences of his choices had caught up with him.

b. Jamieson, Fausset, Brown states that Judas very well may have believed that Jesus would get out of this. He had witnessed first
hand, Jesus in His dealings with the religious leaders in the past. Jesus had always shut them down and walked away. Judas may
have believed that this was a way to make quick money with no harm done in the end. Dark thoughts and lack of scruples led to
the betrayal of Jesus, but finding out that He wasn’t going to walk away this time, brought fear and the realization of what he had
just done and the fact that it would not be undone.

8. Judas tries to return the money to the Chief Priests but they reject it because it is blood money and they call it as such. They also argue
with Judas that innocent or not, they don’t care because they have Jesus. Judas throws it at their feet to rid himself of the evidence of his
evil doing. (Matthew 27:3-9 and Acts 1:16-18)

a. A field is bought, either by Judas himself or by the Chief Priests using the blood money because the money can not be put in the
temple treasury. The field is to be used to bury strangers so that they would not be buried amongst the Jews, because even in death
they did not want to be around these undesirables.

b. Judas fell headlong and burst forth in the air. (following are from John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible)
– hung himself and rope broke (most common interpretation)
– Satan, being done with Judas, throws him down and bursts forth from his bowels before Judas hits ground
– Judas is strangled by squinancy, a throat affliction that cuts off airway and falls to ground, (Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions)

c. Judas’ body was buried or left to decompose in the field for strangers and undesirables, called Akeldama, or “field of blood.”

9. Prophecy was fulfilled.

Thoughts:

1. Possession- Judas was acting under the power of God doing miracles and healing the sick.(Matthew 10:1-4) With that kind of authority granted directly from Christ, how can he then be possessed by Satan?

a. Matthew 7:21-29 discusses how many will cry out to God and say,” Lord, didn’t I do miracles, prophesy, and cast out demons in your name? Christ’s answer is, “Depart from me I never knew you.” evidence of spiritual gifts does not mean you are saved, rather, “he who does the will of the Father.”

b. If Judas was fully possessed by Satan, then under Old Testament law, when he died and had not sacrificed appropriately, he would have been bound for hell. Then Judas would be held responsible for Satan’s actions. I don’t think the full possession thing works. It is my opinion, that he was dealing with Satan directly but he was choosing his courses of action.

2. Free Will – Judas had free will to direct his course of action in response to Satan’s temptations and having had Jesus as a mentor for all this time. If Judas had free will, why could he not repent of this sin to save his soul. The betrayal of Christ had to happen in a way that fulfilled prophecy. That meant someone was going to be in Judas’ position as the betrayer. Someone would be sent to hell for the act of rejecting the Son of God. Free will leaves a lot of unanswered questions in my mind. I believe we do have free will to some degree, but it could not be complete free will. Just as a parent lets a child make decisions based on maturity levels, but steps in where the child is not ready to handle. That same parent also must allow the child to make poor decisions in some instances, when the child refuses to heed the parents’ instruction.

3. Predestination –

a. Lucifer, the angel of light rejected his position in the presence of God to try to usurp God and His power. God knew it was going to
happen, yet, he chose to allow it. (Revelation 20:1-2, 10, 15 and James 2:9) God will loose Satan after Christ’s 1000 yr. reign
(end times), so that those living may chose or reject God with full knowledge of both, during their lifetime. (Revelation 20:1-10)

b. (Romans 9 read entire chapter for clarity) this chapter discusses that God hated Esau (the older twin of Isaac and Rebekah) but
loved Jacob (the younger twin) before they were born and had done anything good or bad. It discusses that God chooses whom He
chooses, and uses those who are not chosen to work toward His ends, in the life of those around them.

c. This choosing has something to do with God knowing our entire life before we are born. He knows the ending, He knows how we
will react when pushed, He longs for all of us to come to Him, but He will not force us. He gently woos our mind and spirit with the
Holy Spirit. But He ultimately knows who will choose to come to Him and who will reject Him. If by predestination it means God
has fore-knowledge, I think there might be something to this.

d. We see this with Judas. Judas is making choices. Satan is whispering to his heart. Christ is sad to watch the path that will lead him
to destruction. He does not confront, embarrass, or stop Judas, He knows the ending, He is sad to watch this happening, but He
allows Judas to make choices. Choices that will fulfill prophecy, but with a sadness of watching a child go down the wrong path.
He taught Judas and lived with them for a time. But he still allowed Judas to make his own choices full well knowing what they
would be.

This began as an effort to prove that predestination was false. That salvation was more dependent on MY choice, than on God exercising His choice. This is what I had always learned in church, in a Christian School, and in a Christian College. “Predestination was the theology of zealots and cults.” Then I began to search scripture for myself and realize that there was a lot I was overlooking or just plain ignoring!

This is NOT a comprehensive list of verses. The Old Testament contains many references to God choosing Angels, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Israel, etc… I had no problem with those. However, I struggled to accept that God could elect those for salvation. It just didn’t seem fair. Until you realize that God’s purpose in creating man was to have us fulfill his purposes and bring HIM glory. (How does my choosing HIM, glorify Him?)

One struggles with the issue of free will. I heard one pastor explain that we have free will, but it is free will to choose which vice will be our primary downfall. We are incapeable of choosing righteousness because of our sinful state. But because God chose us first, we can live life with the help of the Holy Spirit, that better reflects our redeemer. (John MacArthur, Grace to You Ministries)

Another pastor explained it this way, “There is a narrow gate to get into heaven. Some will find the gate but see no need to go through it. Others will be content where they are and not bother to even look for the gate. Others will be compelled to find it and struggle to make the journey at any cost. When they do find it, they will read the sign above the gate that says ‘For whomever will come,’ and will walk through the gate. As they turn around to look back, they will see the back of the sign reads, ‘For those I have chosen’. ” (unknown pastor)

My favorite explaination is that of 3 men that disregarded the warning signs on a river that boaters should turn back. They merrily head their boat past the signs choosing not to heed them. The waters get churning and rough but they continue to ignore the bigger signs and more urgent warnings. Finally, the boat capsizes and the men are sucked under the waves and about to drown. A man in a helicopter spots them and throws down a ring to pull the one man to safety. Does the man protest loudly that his free will is being violated or does he grab the tow line gratefully? Was the helicopter pilot obligated to pull any of them out of the water in the first place? Are the boaters justified in being angry that some in their party didn’t make it danger signs were posted for ALL to read? (Pastor Dan- Calvary Bible)

But that’s not fair, I had to do the choosing to get to that point! There is no such thing as double predestination. We can’t choose God first, if Scripture says He already chose us before the beginning of the world. Scripture is truth. We were chosen, called, elected. God doesn’t have to be fair in our eyes. He is Just, He is GOD! How arrogant of us to try to mold God into our view of how He should be. We may not fully understand it, but Scripture says it is true.

***Please, don’t take my word for it, I provided these verses as a starting place for your own research and for quick reference. This is NOT a comprehensive list of verses. ****************

——-Elect—–
Matthew 24:22 Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.

Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

Matthew 24:31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Mark 13:22 for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

Mark 13:27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

Luke 18:7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?

Romans 8:33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;
——–Chosen——
Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Romans 11:5-11 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. 7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened;

Colossians 3:12-13 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

2 Timothy 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory

Titus 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

Revelation 17:14 These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

—————Chose—-
John 15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love

The Invitation
Recently, a dinner invitation was sent out. It was from a wealthy business man of a company that is known world wide. It explained that he had a job offer for all that attended. He explained that the invitation had been sent out to many others, the event was not black tie, but there would be dinner, and gifts given regardless of our acceptance of the job offer. It sounded like a fun night. Hubby and I were baffled how we got on this gentleman’s list, but we were definitely interested.

Job Details
Two days after receiving the invite, we received a booklet explaining the job details.
1. Previous education and training was irrelevant
2. He would handle any training or equipment costs
3. Some positions would be prestigious, others would not
4. Regardless of position, we would all be paid the same amount
5. Travel and relocations may be required
6. A company logo cap would be given to all in attendance, as well as other gifts
7. Housing, clothing, and food would be covered by the company
8. Other companies may offer positions, but we must never accept

Ok, so the “gifts”part sounded a bit weak, but the job position sounded too good to be true. There had to be a catch, NOBODY pays for housing, clothing, food, and training! That must mean the pay would be low. What could this guy possibly want us to do!? It all seemed very cryptic and vague. He definitely had our attention though, and we eagerly looked forward to the dinner party.

Behind the Scenes
Being the curious types we are, and living in the age of technology, we decided to research this company and the owner. We Googled and surfed, and dug up a whole bunch of information on him. None of it was negative, he had been involved in a lot of philanthropic types of organizations, schools built in third world countries, homes for the homeless, orphanages, educational programs to help the abused and neglected….he seemed to be quite the humanitarian on a world-wide scale.

We figured others would be as curious as we were, so we did a search for any other keywords that would give us an idea as to how many, and who the invite was sent out too. There were too many to count! They were from all over the globe, all walks of life, I recognized some famous names, but the other comments I followed lead to a house wife, a student, a farmer, a factory worker, there was even a homeless guy that posted from a library computer! There was definitely no set pattern to link us all. It made the invite even more confusing.

We finally stumbled upon one site that claimed to run by one of the man’s employees. He said that his boss had sent out invites from two lists. One list was the people he was POSITIVE would accept his job offer, the other list, was a group that worked for the competition or people he felt might reject his offer. When the employee asked why he bothered to invite the second group, the business man told him he wanted to give them something to think about, and it made him happy to give out gifts.
We posted several questions to the employee, but he never got back to us.

The Dinner
The day arrived and we all gathered for the dinner. Some came in tuxedos, others in suits, many were in their jeans and t shirts. All were buzzing curiously about our host and his curious proposal. He greeted each person warmly and as a close friend. He seemed genuinely excited that each of us attended. He reminded me of a little kid a Christmas……he was brimming with excitement and I could easily see how happy it made him to lavish his generosity upon others.

The evening was a blast. The food was great, the conversations were fascinating with the anticipation and blend of people in attendance. Throughout the night, he called names and gave away checks for large amounts of money, airline tickets, a mini van, and rent for an apartment for a year. He would announce the gift and ask the person how they were going to use it. This was the most bizarre part. The woman who he gave the mini van had been in a car accident 3 weeks earlier that totaled their family vehicle. The man who received rent for a year, had just lost his job and was on the verge of being evicted. How could this man have known these things!? Money buys a lot of things, but there is no way he could be gathering such specific information on so many people!

Then came the point of the evening. He announced that he wanted everyone to come work for him in his company. He described the wealth we would share in if we accepted would not be so much financial as it would be peace of mind. He explained that he had chosen us because each person we would suit a specific purpose within his corporate plan. He handed out contracts that stated he would provide all our basic needs if we had any problems we could speak to him and he would handle it. Upon retirement with his company we would receive riches beyond measure and a place in the beautiful compound he was building. He implored us to think about it and either accept or reject his offer. Then he left the room.

Many of us signed on. We were eager to work for this man and each of our lives would change dramatically from that point on. The contract was laid out that he would see to our shelter, food, and clothing (as he saw fit) while we were on active duty for him. Some of us had nice homes, some lived very modestly, but we would be provided for and we could lived without worries through the good and the bad times. Then, upon retirement, we would share in his generous wealth and be secure that we had a loving community in which to age. A lifetime of financial burdens would be lifted, all we had to do was accept his offer. His “job” for each of us was to tell as many other people about his offer. Some he would send abroad, some would stay home. He warned that many people may think we were angry, but his goal was to set this offer before everyone. He understood that many would decline it, but he wanted to make the offer available to anyone that would listen.

The ones that chose not to sign on had many different reasons. One of the men at our table was very well off. He worried that he would lose some of his notoriety and prestige among his colleagues. A young college student behind us said she would accept this position in a couple years when she was older and more settled. Some were comfortable with their present position in the competing companies and were not prepared to walk away from that. Whatever the response, the businessman accepted all of our answers and handed each person a logo cap to remember him by and a check for a large sum of money, to “help us on our way” as we left. Years passed and this scenario was repeated over and over again to others both in dinner parties and through the employees that had chosen to tell others.

As some of the employees began to retire from active duty for the businessman, others that had rejected the offer began to complain. “He granted us a gift of money before!” they groaned, “Why won’t he let us move into his community now!” The businessman would sometimes send them a check to ease their struggling, but he did not permit them to move into his community. The others raised their voices and tried to slander the businessman. They suggested that he was a tyrant and too controlling. That his workers were not really happy.

Many of the others that had rejected the offer, were found moving about the company wearing their company logo hats and looking busy, but still not signing the contract. The business man allowed them to walk in and out of his corporation, sometimes he would even assist them with family problems and emergencies. But he knew they were not his employees.

The Conclusion
You see, the businessman had known all along which people would accept his offer. He knew because he had created them. The businessman represents God. He chose those who would follow Him long before He made the earth.

Ephesians 1:4-5 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the kind intention of His will

John 15: 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

2 Timothy 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity

2 Timothy 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory

Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

God realized that many would choose to stand against Him. He longed for each one to accept His gift of eternal life through His Son. He did not ask them to work hard to attain it, He only asked them to accept it. But He knew they would not. Even so, He loved them and was kind to them. He gave them life, families, comforts. He allowed them to share in His world, to enjoy the wind, the sunsets, the laugh of a child, the embrace of a loved one. Out of kindness, He still chose to bless them greatly in this life.

Those who were chosen, sometimes ran the other way. Sometimes they sought Him at a young age, but sometimes, He would gently draw them, calling to them until they were willing to listen. Tugging at their hearts until they realized that they were indeed being called to something higher. Something beyond themselves and their every day existence. The realization that there is so much more is the pull of the Holy Spirit, working in your heart. As a response to this pull you have two options.

The first option is to embrace this undeserved gift and be unspeakably grateful for it. You were chosen for His delight and purpose! We don’t fully understand why, because we try to limit God to being in OUR image and course of thought. He isn’t….He is so much more, and we may never fully comprehend His ways. But for whatever reason, if you feel that tug on your heart, realize that God is calling to you. Because He loves you, He chose you, and He desires to bless you and conform your life.

As a result of acknowledging this gift of grace with a truly broken heart. He will guide your ways and transform your thinking. As you seek to know Him through Scriptures. Your eyes will open and you will understand the meaning behind the words that made little sense to you before. Actions do not save you, Jesus has already died to pay the ransom for our sins. There is nothing we can do to cover our sins. Only Jesus can wash them away and all we must do is come to Him in sincerity and thankfulness.

The 2nd response to God’s tugging at your heart is to ignore it. You can make excuses, or try to WORK your way to God by following church rituals and doing good things. It won’t save you. You can put on the “corporate logo cap” and roam the halls of your local church, perish, or synagogue. You may even send up a few prayers that seem to be answered. But you are not saved.

To be truly saved from eternal separation from God, you MUST
1. Acknowledge that Jesus is the only way to salvation
a. That Jesus was crucified, died, and rose again to pay the price for our adoption and sin
b. Jesus in His righteousness is the only one able to make this payment

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

2. Believe that you are loved and chosen run to Him and repent (what a thankful heart this produces!)
a. Regardless of what you did in your past, God will wash it away and adopt you
b. Know that the evil one will whisper lies about God not being able to love you..Ignore him

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.

3. Commit yourself to growth by seeking to know God through Prayer and Scripture
4. Depart from patterns of behavior that are not in line with what God teaches in Scripture
a. The book of Proverbs is a great place to discover how God expects us to behave
b. There must be evidence in our lives, as a result of the change and growth if it is genuine

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

John 15:2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:5-6 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather the and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

————
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, and you feel His tugging on your heart….please don’t keep putting it off! Accept the gift that He is offering to you and leave the old ways of thinking and behaving. My illustration is not perfect, but the Bible is very clear because it is perfect and un-erring. For further explanations by men with much more training and eloquence than myself, check out:

“Boasting in Riches of What God Has Done” Pastor Dan- Calvary Bible Church, Ephesians Series, week 05

“Letting God be God in Salvation Too “- Pastor Davis – Grace Baptist Church, Oct. 8th sermon

Today was homeschool park day, but all the homeschoolers were at other meetings and events through the larger hs group. We only met two families with older children. Most of the moms there had toddler and preschool children.

We met a mom with a toddler that made cute sounds and babbled incessantly. The Gremlin fell in love with this little girl that wasn’t even two. He followed her around and made sure she didn’t topple off of things or get to close to the edge. Both of us, as moms were a little baffled by the bond going on with them. One comment made it perfectly clear, “Mom! Isn’t she the cutest little thing? She sounds just like an Ewok and she’s about the same size!” Ahhhh yes, the excitement of having a real live Ewok-child from Star Wars to play with….it’s all very clear to me now.

The preschool aged brother of the ewok-child was not as sweet and was a trifle clingy. First he drug around one of my children by the wrist, insisting they be pirates. The Gremlin is very easy going so he agreed and played pirate for a while. When he got bored and tried to encourage the bat-man boy to play over with the other kids, it did not go well. He started shrieking and bawling like he was heart broken. The Gremlin hates tears, so he climbed up where the boy couldn’t grab at him, and tried to talk him into playing with the other kids.

Forever the “pleaser” child, the Sarge stepped in to save his brother. He distracted the boy, and offered to play pirate for a while. Staging break outs and inching closer and closer to the other children with each “escape.” Finally he made contact with the others and the bat-boy realized he didn’t have Sarge all to himself. This set off the bat-child who began shrieking. He tried to entice the bat-child to the main playset with the others. Again this was met with refusal and gnashing of teeth.

Mothering instincts kicked in, and the Imp went over to pat his head and settle him down for her brother. She played with him happily for quite a while, she even got him to be piratey on other pieces of playground equipment near to other children. But then, she too, had reached her limit. When he began protesting and wailing at her departure, it broke her heart and she returned again, to sit with him. The mother of the bat-child finally removed him for a diaper change, so the Imp hugged him goodbye and slipped away with one of the girls her age.

It was interesting to see how each child dealt differently with the little bat-boy. It gave us a good topic for discussion on the way home about being clingy and jealous with friends, working out solutions for difficult personalities, and applauding them all for taking the time to befriend the little guy.

Everyone came home rosy cheeked and wind blown. Each child felt good that they had reached out to someone today. But the Gremlin was sad that we couldn’t keep the little Ewok-girl. She really did make the coolest sounds!

Laura at Peanut Patch wants to see state of my refrigerator for her latest Meme. HA! Nothing to see here…..I’m a former fly baby, and I guess it took better than I thought. *****grinning from ear to ear and feeling SPECIAL***** (Thank you for not requesting to see the INSIDE!) Note the lovely stack of phone books from various places we’ve lived, and the pile of miscellaneous web sites, grocery lists, and recipes on the left side…..there is also a few rust spots on the front because the previous tenants kept it in the garage. The rust helps hide the fingerprints!