In case you weren’t aware we have a war going on. No, it’s not between us and “them”……..it’s called the Mommy Wars. How do I know this? In the El Paso Times, Sunday, May 20th I read about it! So what’s the fuss?
The article written by Elizabeth Badinter, a French author, entitled her book, “The Conflict; How Modern Motherhood Undermines the Status of Women”……I do, indeed, fuss.
In reality this came about because the wife of the leading contender of the Republican bid for president, Ann Romney, chose to stay home and raise her five sons. In her case it wasn’t a necessity that she seek outside work. We know that, but there is an underlying issue here not related to need.
My status as a woman is not undermined by my desire to be at home.
My husband’s mother worked as a teacher and during the Depression era it was a necessity. She loved teaching and I imagine she would have chosen to teach regardless of the situation.
So what’s the fuss? Apparently, there are working mothers who resent the idea that those who don’t leave the home to earn a living, really fail to understand the necessity of being a “dual” working mother.
I have only the highest regard for those “dual” working mothers. Getting kids ready for school, lunches packed, working all day, then the nighttime routine……no wonder they are always exhausted.
However, being a stay home Mom doesn’t make us martyrs either. We chose to do that. Working women, many of whom could stay at home prefer working.
The feminist radicals, such as this author, are berating those who have chosen not to work!! Another author of this same mindset wrote…..” women are held back, imprisoned by the current emphasis on “natural” motherhood…..including breastfeeding”.
Since I was one of the “imprisoned” women……I can speak only for myself. At the time of my “imprisonment” I did feel somewhat of a burden…to be available at all times for this tiny bit of humanity who only wanted something from me!! But I felt an obligation as well. This little person was God’s special gift to me…..to nourish and to teach.
Many mothers feel the same……..regardless of their decision about working.
“Whatever you do, do all for the Glory of God…….” 1 Cor. 10:31
I love summer best. I don’t even mind the hot dry days of the desert. The best part of summer is the fresh fruit that appears in the stores. The shelves are filled with ripe, luscious, juicy, fruit…. just waiting for my pie or a frothy smoothie.
The Lord speaks of fruit and fruit bearing in Matthew 7:16. Here the Lord compares lives to fruit… “By their fruit you will recognize (know) them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”
Jesus is cautioning his disciples on how to discern false prophets. He is telling them and us to beware of those who preach a type of Christian gospel but whose lives reflect a personal agenda or perhaps take the Lord’s words out of context and misapply them.
Of course, the Lord knows and wants what is best for each of us. This doesn’t always include being happy, or prosperous, or even healthy.
I can’t explain why some people receive direct answers to prayer and others do not. Why some are healed and others are not. If I knew the answers then I would know the mind of God.
Let no one tell you that they are able to answer those questions. I would have a problem with those who claim to know God’s mind.
If there are those who are given the gift of “discernment”, then how are we to know if they speak on behalf of God?
If what they say is not in keeping with scripture then beware…….just as Jesus taught his disciples. If this includes sending money for prayer, or intercession, or special favors then you can be assured they are speaking falsely.
Beware of “scripture twisting” to suit personal agendas or a particular mindset…taking words out of context or historical background.
In Acts 17:11 ….” for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true”. These Berean Jews were searching for the Messiah. Paul was pleased to show them how Jesus fulfilled prophecy. They knew because they studied.
Test the ‘fruit”……does it seem too good to be true? Do the words “tickle our ears”? Does the sermon draw us nearer to God or the person speaking? Do their lives reflect their speech? Are their words supported in Scripture?
How about us? Does my everyday life reflect the gift of a fruitful spirit?
When I was a kid one of my favorite activities was to connect the dots. The idea was to follow a series of numbered dots, drawing a single line and when finished, would make a picture of something or someone. Sometimes I could figure out the picture before I finished, but then again I couldn’t see anything until the last few dots were connected.
Is that way we see God? We can’t quite figure out the big picture. We are trying to connect the dots in our lives but they don’t seem to make sense. The big picture just isn’t there for us. That is…. until we stand and gaze at our life backward, from where we are now. All of a sudden those dots connect. We could see what God was doing after all.
That’s why faith is important. We can’t connect the dots from where we stand now……….but wait! When looking back on this very moment of time; perhaps a time of doubting, sorrow, sadness, or even joy…….we will see that God was there all along.
Driving my usual route home one day, I noticed the handwritten sign in front of a large church building. In big, bold letters, someone had written……….”God is watching you.” That caught my eye. Of course, He is watching me but seeing those words in print made me think how much God really does know about me.
Several Bible verses came to mind. “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matt 10:29-31) I had to laugh at that one. God made it easy for himself. I have so few hairs for Him to count!
Jesus wasn’t just consoling his disciples with those words but was relating a truth. Since God is Creator and Sustainer of life, then He is all knowing, all seeing and He cares about each of us.
These words must have been of great comfort to those early believers, many of whom would be giving their lives to follow Him. Persecution only seemed to attract more disciples to this new religion or really an old religion whose leader chose to bring greater definition to a codified system of laws.
Do these words bring comfort to you? Or are you, like me, preferring that He only notices me when I am in worship… at times of prayer… or actually being nice to someone? Forget the other times……..too numerous to mention!
Well, if He knows every hair of my head, does that count on the days when I wear one of my cute wigs? Will he still know me if I am a blonde or redhead? Does He count every hair on those wigs?
What from I read………He still knows every hair on my head!
On Friday mornings the EL Paso Times publishes church events in the city as well as commentaries on various topics. The topic for last Friday’s remarks were entitled, “God is love; compassion for us.”
Each of the two articles was relevant to the title. However, in the short article by a Rev. Duke Tuffy, of Unity Temple on the Plaza, he wrote: “God has nothing but your highest good in mind and provides you with love, peace, harmony, compassion and many wonderful things.” Nothing wrong with those statements……..that is, until the last sentence. Rev. Tuffy goes on to say, “That indeed is a lot of power, but it will never be used to harm or punish you in any way. God is good, so don’t worry, be happy!”
Yes, Rev. God is love but so much more. He loves us with compassion that we humans are unable to comprehend. But He is also a disciplinarian. “He disciplines those He loves.” (Proverbs 3:12)
And what about sin? It is a nasty topic and rarely mentioned from our pulpits. Not a happy thought……It makes people uneasy. It might drive them away from services! We don’t like to be called sinners. But it was so from the beginning.
The Hebrew Scriptures tell us about sacrifices for sins committed. God give detailed instructions to those early Hebrews just how they should present their sacrifices. They needed to repent both to God and to their fellow man.
Our Lord came for that very reason! Not only to show God’s great compassion but to be a replacement for sins committed.
Indeed, we as believers know only too well our failings. But that knowledge should bring us to our knees in repentance.
As the great King David said. “I acknowledge my transgression and my sin is ever before me.” (Ps 51:3)
I do wish Rev. Tuffy, would come to the same conclusion. However, he might lose a few of his members.
Living in El Paso, close to a military base, we frequently have families who come to our worship services. We welcome them and always pray for their safety.
Since I teach my ladies bible class, I am particularly overjoyed when any of the military wives visits my class. This particular morning, we were joined by a young wife who didn’t appear to be old enough to have a grown son. She shared her story with me and it touched my heart, how she came to faith while coming from a family of atheists.
She alone of her kin is the only believer. She married young, had a child, who is now 22 years old and is also in the Army. He lived with his grandparents during many of his formative years, and continues to share their belief system. Or should I say their unbelief.
I am only telling this to underscore the importance of parents and grandparents in the lives of their children. Does this guarantee belief in the lives of children? We know the answer. But, as with this young mother, she alone saw something missing from her life.
So what about our unbelieving children? Do we bribe them, ostracize them, and sever ties with them? Of course not!! However, you are not responsible for their faith.
If you raised them with a Biblical world view and they refuse to follow your guidance then they. alone, must bear the weight of their own decisions.
Think Prodigal Son……think Loving Father.
“Train up the child in the way he should go andwhen he is old he will not depart from it.”(Proverbs 22:6) Notice the last part. This verse doesn’t say what happens in between!!!
I read our daily paper every morning while enjoying my first cup of coffee. I usually read the obituaries first. If my name isn’t listed I am really happy!!! Then I read the “Your Views” section. The E. P. Times encourages readers to write their ideas and opinions on current topics. I enjoy reading the articles, however, more often than not I disagree with the writer. Case in point.
A certain Margaret Duran wrote an article published on May 1, 2012. She was ever so enthusiastic about birth control and abortion, although from a different perspective than a “woman’s right to choose.” Her idea simply stated is that over population is the underlying cause of most the world’s problems. Wars, pollution of water and air, depletion of farm land as well as most of the world’s ills are all due to just too many folks. We simply have too many people to sustain on our earth. Any form of contraception and abortion (probably including partial birth abortion) is beneficial to those who are concerned about the earth and what the earth produces. “Curbing population solves practically every real problem we face now.”
I would like to counter Ms. Duran on her erroneous thinking.
First, Ms. Duran, you are here, taking up room on this planet. Perhaps, you should do away with yourself to make room for someone “more useful.” Aren’t you happy your mother didn’t feel the way you do?
Second, the world’s population is actually decreasing. The northern Europeans as well as many other countries, such as Japan, aren’t replacing their population as before. In fact when I checked on the web for worldwide population growth, it seems there will be a big decrease in numbers. Aids, military and civilian fighting, sickness, famines and other calamites are decreasing the world’s numbers.
According to author Mark Steyn in his book, “After America”, Europe and Japan are taking the biggest hit in population decrease. Japan, especially will be 30% of its current population by mid-century.
So Ms Duran, please do us a favor. Don’t write articles which cannot be backed up by statistics. It is obvious that your personal agenda is abortion and population control; those who are qualified to care for their children and those who are not. You would favor a state mandated limit on children. In China, they only allow one child per couple. The rest are murdered. Is this what you want Ms Duran?
In my last blog entitled the Articulate Atheist, I discussed the reasoning behind the thinking of the writer. He misquoted scripture to suit his own preconceived ideas of God and the Christian religion.
However, many well meaning non-believers also express their view of Christianity by being more “open minded”!! Their attitude could be summed up as “so what?”
Cathy Grossman from the USA Today reported on the “so whats.” In a survey by a Nashville based research agency called, Lifeway, several frightening statistics occurred. The research team surveyed students at several universities and here’s what they found.
28% told Lifeway,” It’s not a major priority in my life to find my deeper purpose.” And 18% said that they didn’t believe that God had any plans for their life.
44% of students at Baylor University (I’m sure this speaks for other Christian schools as well) said they spend no time seeking “eternal wisdom” and 19% said, “It’s useless to search for meaning.”
6.3% of Americans were unconnected to God or any religious identity, and willing to say religion is not important in their lives.
Young adults are drifting away from faith. They are uninterested in trying to talk with a diverse set of friends into a shared viewpoint, in a culture that celebrates an idea that all truths are equally valid. This is a culture which says that, “personal experience, and personal authority matter most.”
Hence, Scripture and tradition are irrelevant artifacts. Instead of being followers of Jesus, they’re followers of 5,000 unseen “friends” on Face Book or Twitter.
The “So Whats” appear to be a growing subset among many. In the secular landscape of today’s society we discover that religious faith has no value.
God, faith, heaven, hell, or the search for meaning and /or purpose in life can be summed up in …”So what?”
The Opinion section of the EP Times, (4/20/12), contained a well written article on the inconsistencies of the Bible.
The writer quoted two verses in his belief that scripture is nothing but a collection of stories (the usual comment) and that loving one’s neighbor also is countered by Luke 12:47….”.a servant not doing his master’s work will be beaten” or in Psalms 137:8-9, where the writer is praying for the destruction of Babylon and all its people. This by a God who is supposedly the Creator of all mankind!
There are many writers, more adept than I who can logically refute the charges made by those who see discrepancies in these verses.
These “articulate atheists” are quick to quote verses which might cast doubt on the veracity of the Scriptures. They not only take verses out of context but they also distort the meaning behind the verses.
For instance, the Psalms are a collection of writings by men who were expressing their own feelings as well as their faith in God. They spoke in exaggerated terms and in metaphors. One must read Scripture not only as a collection of inspired writings…….some were a direct commands or instructions…..but must be read in the historical context in which they were given.
This particular atheist finishes his comments by saying…….”I love my children and have not subjected them to a belief system that extinguishes inquiry, has such an abhorrent history and apparently retards logic.”
Christians should never be accused of backing away from inquiry. Blind faith without reasoning is not faith at all. Faith involves commitment as well as knowledge. We don’t leave our brains at the door!
The author is confusing issues. They love doing that. God is not to blame for the horrendous atrocities committed in His name. Also the Lord wrote the greatest love commandments ever given…atheists completely ignore those of course.
He further states “that the Bible was written by men to an illiterate audience.”
How could it be that man alone could develop the principles that have stood the test of time for thousands of years and that has guided and shaped our great nation as well as impacted the lives of millions of people? Not to a fanatical faith such as Islam, but to a faith which has produced wisdom, charity, hope and love.
I have only one question for these articulate atheists……”where do you derive your standard of moral ethics and behavior?”
I don’t sew very often, since my kids are grown. I still find myself repairing torn seams, mending rips, or replacing missing buttons.
I did try repairing blouse which I dearly love. There were loose threads hanging where the seams had come apart. I tried stitching them together. It wasn’t a good job.
Sometimes my life becomes like those loose threads. Nothing seems to be in place.
Why are my dreams and plans for the future not working out? Why isn’t my body cooperating with my brain? Why am I anxious about the future when the future may not be there past mid-night?
Before planning for tomorrow, I must first negotiate today.
Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when He said “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34)
This verse tells me that I cannot control the future. I have only today. Tomorrow is in His hands.
And tomorrow……perhaps I will see that those loose threads all have a meaning. He has fixed the torn seam perfectly!!
AbideLines 