A Chronological Bible Reading 16 Entering the Ark

 Genesis 6:22-7:9

Some observations:

• When God saw Noah, he saw righteousness.
• Lamech was Noah's father.
• He died 5 years before Noah entered the ark
• Noah was when born when Adam was still alive.
• Noah lived about 126 years before Adam died. 

I just have to stop and think about what Noah could have learned from Adam. It did not seem like anyone was paying any attention to the things of God, except Noah.

I think this is so fascinating!

A Chronological Bible Reading -17 The Flood


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 Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print

A Chronological Bible Reading 15 Noah

Noah found grace
Genesis 6:8


Thank you God for your grace on our lives. Help us to always look to you for guidance and wisdom.


Genesis 6:9-21 Instructions for building the ark


Birth of Noah's sons

Genesis 5:32; 6:9-10; I Chronicles 1:4, Shem, Ham, and Japheth


Death of Lamech (Noah's father)
Genesis 5:30-31 777 years old


Death of Methuselah (Noah's grandfather)
Genesis 5:26-27 969 years old

A Chronological Bible Reading 16 Entering the Ark


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 14 Birth of Noah

Genesis 5:28-29

Death of Enos
Genesis 5:10-11, 905 years old

Death of Cainan
Genesis 5:13-14, 910 years old

Death of Mahalaleel
Genesis 5:16-17, 895 years old

Death of Jared
Genesis 5:19-20, 962 years old

Noah's Life and Related events

Corrupt civilization as sons of God marry daughters of men
Genesis 6:1-12

What a sad state of affairs. To be so bad that God wants to start over. Praise God for his mercy!


A Chronological Bible Reading 15 Noah


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 13 RECAP

This has been an incredible experience for me reading the bible in chronological order. It has really slowed me down and I have paid more attention to things.



God created Adam. Adam died (sin).


Adam had Abel and Abel died by the hand of his brother Cain,
Seth had Enoch and Enoch is translated to heaven.



All these fathers may of had dreams and expectations for their sons to do great and mighty things. It did not happen that way.



However, Jesus God's only begotten Son will take care of all this pain, loss, and shattered dreams when we read how He will come to save us from our sins. ( I find great comfort in knowing it has already happened!)


A Chronological Bible Reading 14 Birth of Noah


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A Chronological Bible Reading 12 Adam's Descendants Pt. 4

Genesis 5:22, Enoch's Walk with God



Genesis 5:24, Translation of Enoch, he was 365 years old



Genesis 5:5: 7-8, Death of Seth at 912 years old



Seth saw the departing of his good son. Maybe not literally but Seth did not out live his son on this earth. That must have been difficult. Did Seth know that God had translated Enoch because he had greater plans for him?


A Chronological Bible Reading 13 RECAP


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 11 Adam's Decsendants Pt. 3

I Chronicles 1:3; Genesis 1:3, Birth of Methuselah

Genesis 5:25, Birth of Lamech

Death of Adam
Genesis 5:4, 930 years old
How many of those years did he spend in the garden? The stories he must have passed on to his children and his children's children about the Garden of Eden. The quiet evening times with God. The first day that he saw Eve. Sharing some of the more interesting names of the animals.

Oh, how we need to appreciate and value our older generation. They hold the secret nuggets of wisdom only shared with a willing listener.


A Chronological Bible Reading 12 Adam's Descendants Pt. 4


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 10 Descendants Part 2

Genealogy of Wickedness



Line of Cain


Genesis 4:16-24, Of the two lineages (Righteous and Wickedness), each one had a son named Enoch

Cain marries and has children. For the sake of argument, I will say this is mercy on Cain to find a woman to love him and take care of him. His wife was able to bare him children which is considered a blessing in the Bible.

A Chronological Bible Reading 11 Adam's Descendants Pt. 3

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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 9 Descendants Part 1

Genealogy of Righteousness
I Chronicles 1:1; Genesis 4:25; 5:3, Birth of Seth

Genesis 4:26; 5:6, Once Enos was born people turned toward God.

Genesis 5:9, Birth of Cainan

I Chronicles 1:2; Genesis 5:12, Birth of Mahalaleel

Genesis 5:15, Birth of Jared

Genesis 5:18 Birth of Enoch

Why weren't people looking toward God? What was particular about Enos that people started to turn toward God after he was born?

Were Adam and Eve still fussing about being kicked out of the Garden? Did they pass that discontentment down to their children?

The Bible doesn't say. We may never know until we get to heaven.

A Chronological Bible Reading 10 Descendants Part 2


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 8 History of First Civilization

Cain and Abel

Genesis 4:1, Birth of Cain
Genesis 4:2, Birth of Abel
Genesis 4:3-10, Cain kills Abel

Abel was doing what God wanted him to do and it turned out bad. Sometimes doing good is not rewarded with good. God gave Cain good counsel but Cain was going to do what he was going to do. (Was Cain a teenage at this time?)

Genesis 4:11-15, Cain is marked

Again, we see how we can plan what we will do but we can not plan the consequences. We need to be careful of our choices.


A Chronological Bible Reading 9 Descendants Part 1


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 7 Expulsion

Genesis 3:21-24

God already knew it was going to happen. He supplied them better cloths for their new life outside of Eden. This was probably a disappointment but not a surprise. God already had a plan in place.

I found that comforting to know that my failures are not a surprise to God. He already has a plan for me. My mistakes are God's opportunities to show me who really is in charge of my life. It is God and not me.


A Chronological Bible Reading 8 History of First Civilization


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 6 Consequences

Temptation and Fall

Genesis 3:1-7, Eve is talking to a serpent. The serpent puts doubt in what God has said.
vs. 6, Eve saw that the fruit was pleasing to her eyes. She then desired wisdom. (Wasn't she already wise?) Once Eve doubted what God said, she doubted herself.

Genesis 3:8-19, For the first time-God had to go looking for Adam and Eve.

Genesis 310, The One that created them was looking for them and they hid because they were now afraid of Him. They realized they were naked and were ashamed. They lost fellowship with God.  Looked what they "gained" by disobeying; Fear, shame and aloneness. No, they did not drop dead from eating the fruit but that would be a delayed consequence. There was so much immediate damage that they did not plan for. Isn't that true still today. We can't plan on everything that could go wrong when we disobey.

Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent.

Genesis 3:16, Eve should have had children before this...


A Chronological Bible Reading 7 Expulsion


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 5 The Sabbath

The Seventh Day
Genesis 2:2-3 God rested. God blessed rest. He separated it.
Exodus 20:11 God hallowed the day of rest

The society that we live in desires everything to be fast. Instant. We do not take the time to rest. We have so much that we want to accomplish that rest is not appreciated for the value that it holds.

The Creator of the universe, the God of all things took time to rest. To get away from the work and relax.

It must be important if God does it. We will also see when God does come to earth in the flesh as Jesus that He continues to separate himself and rest.

Take time to rest, it is important.

A Chronological Bible Reading 6 Consequences



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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

The Chronological Bible Reading 4 The Garden of Eden

Genesis 2:9-17 The Tree of Life and the Tree of Good and Evil

God Creates Woman
Genesis 2:18-25 It was not good that man was alone
Creation Concludes

Names given
Genesis 1:27 man created in the image of God
Genesis 5:2 God called their name Adam (No, it was not a typo. God used the word "their")
Genesis 3:20 Adam called his wife Eve

Man's dominion over creation
Genesis 1:28-30 God said be fruitful and multiply. How come they did not have children in the garden? Did they fall so quickly? Maybe if they were being fruitful they would not have been caught with the fruit.

Creation Completed
Genesis 1:31 It was very good
Genesis 2:1 creation was finished
John 1:3 God made everything

Next, is the day of rest.


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 3 Creation

Day one Genesis 1:2b-5, light/darkness
Day two Genesis 1:6-8, water separated from land
Day three Genesis 2:5-6, 1:9-12, plants
Day four Genesis 1:14-19, sun, moon and stars
Day five Genesis 1:20-23, Fish and birds
Day six Genesis 1:24-25, animals
             Genesis 2:7,  man

I believe the Bible teaches that the creation days are literal 24 hour days because God says, "the evening and the morning were the...day" God spoke everything into existence. That is why the trees and other plants are old. God made trees and plants, he did not plant seeds. He made adult plants and adult animals that could reproduce. He made a man not a boy who needs to be looked after.

I find it interesting that God made the plants before the sun. God also created the fish before the bears probably to give the fish a head start!

There's more!


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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 2 Fall of Satan

The question is, when did Satan fall? It is interesting to me how I have never really given it much thought. I thought it happened before creation. I am fine with putting the fall of Satan between verses 1 and 2 of Genesis chapter 1. I believe the Bible speaks of creation in 6 literal days. I also believe in a young earth.

The Chronological Bible starts with John 1:1. Jesus. The Word. Before anything was created there was Jesus as the Word. This verse made me think of Psalms 119:89, "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."

Then Psalms 90:2, before everything that was created, He is God.

Genesis 1:1, creation of heaven and earth

Isaiah 14:12-18, the fall of Satan

Ezekiel 28:13-18 description of the creation and fall of Satan

Genesis 1:2; Jeremiah 4:23-26; Isaiah 45:18; Genesis 2:4, description of the earth

This seems like such a rocky start for the creation of the earth. Let's see what happens the first week!

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Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Chronological Bible Reading 1 Introduction

I try to read my Bible every day. The God says that the Bible is cleansing (Eph. 5:26). Since I take a shower everyday to keep my body clean I should make sure my soul and spirit are cleansed everyday as well.

I read the King James Bible because I believe it is God's word. I need to know what God is saying to me no matter how hard it is to understand because I want to do what is pleasing to God. I do not think the King James Bible is hard to read. I love my King James Bible.

I have started to read The Reese Chronological Bible by Edward Reese.  It is the King James Bible in Chronological order. Have you every thought about that?  I am going to have a lot of fun posting my readings and sharing what I am learning.

Mr. Reese makes it very clear that no one agrees on some of these dates but it is a great tool to help you study your Bible better. Only the King James Bible verses are inspired and they are they most important thing.

Before I can get started I need to address an issue about creation. I am going to tell you where Mr. Reese stands and then I will share with you how I am going to present it because of what I believe.

Mr. Reese stated that he believes in the Late Creation Theory. I have looked it up and even asked my Facebook friends which include preachers but did not get a response. Mr. Reese does believe in a literal 24 hour day for creation.

I am familiar with the Gap Theory. Basically, it is that God created the heaven and the earth, Gen 1:1. Then Satan fell and God had to start over with Gen 1:2. That is how they say the world is millions of years old.

When did Satan fall? Was is it before creation? Was it after God started creation? Did it have to take millions of years for Satan to fall?

Please continue reading here to find out where I stand on this issue.


Reese, Edward. The Reese Chronological Bible. Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1980. Print.

A Long Declaration

...that needed to be written a long time ago.

I am writing this to give you back the baggage you have placed on me. I am tired of being bitter and angry about the treatment that my family and I received and also my dear friends. You were so selfish about the way that you “counseled” your church members. Everything was about you and how it benefited you. You have caused so much damage here in the Reno/Sparks area. You think you are invincible but I think others have thought the same thing as well and look what happened to them.

The reign of destruction reaches very far. Still today there are so many people not in church because they cannot trust their pastor because they believe they will be used just like you used them. I hear them talk of the “church” like it was a cult. I believe them. It is a cult. It hurts the cause if Christ. It hurts a Christian’s walk. It ruins a church’s testimony in the community.

Anyone who has crossed paths with that church have a heart breaking story to tell. I am so embarrassed to admit that I was associated with that church.

I hate how you “counseled” me to stay with a man who would beat me. You, and your mother both said to stay. You did not value me at all. To think that I was trapped with a man who wanted to control me and when I did not obey, used physical measures. You just stood by and said to pray and read my bible more. Your mom even convinced that it was my fault because I must not be a good enough Christian.

I hate how you counseled me to just give him over to the computer for the gaming and God would take care of it. I was not to “nag” him about it. Just let God take care of it. That was so horrible to deal with. It was so degrading.

Countless women with the same marriage problems came through that church and you kept telling them to stay. Pray through. What kind of a person would allow women to continue to be abused? Probably a person who hates women. Probably a person who hates people in general. Probably a person who does not value life. Probably a person who is not saved.

Is that what your daughters get to look forward to? Tolerance. Turning a blind eye.

I hate how you handled the subject of pornography. It didn’t count because it was not real people. A lie straight from the pits of hell.

I hate how you make women feel less spiritual based on their outward appearance. The thinner they were the more spiritual they were.

I hate how you won’t confront abuse of children. That sickens me. Your actions are cowardly.

I hate how you treated members so poorly that they would just leave.

I hate how you kept raising the standards so that not even Jesus could reach them.

I hate how you twist God’s Word to control people.

I hate how nothing was more important than obedience. Obedience to your rules and way of thinking.

I hate how you want husbands to control their wives.

I hate how you treat wonderful people different.

I hate how you treat broken people.

I hate how you toss them aside.

I hate how you would do things in private but preach against them from the pulpit. (Children always give their parents away.)

I hate how you used people and then don’t care that they leave.

I hate how you judged people as worthy and others as not worthy.

I hate how you played favorites so openly and the trouble that it stirs up.

I hate how you make others sacrifice when you have plenty. I hate how you act like you are poor and you are not.

I hate when you deceive people and think it is ok.

I hate how you keep telling people that you walked away from sports when you know you were fired.

I hate how you think you control other pastors and act like they can’t do anything without your permission. That they will not be blessed of God because you don’t approve of what they want to do.

I hate how you said that the men that left this church would not be blessed in the ministry that they felt led by God to start.

I hate how you preach against people. I hate how you do it so specifically that we can tell who you are talking about.

I hate how you punish people from your pulpit.

I hate how you treat children. In public you seem so great and then when no one is looking you are abusive and controlling.

I hate how you are mean to people.

I wonder why you are acting like a minister when you do not like people.

I watch what people say about that church and you and it breaks my heart. It is like a reign of terror is in this Reno/Sparks area.

I struggle in so many areas because the years I spent there. You took advantage of me and women like me. You want control. People do not matter. Only your agenda. You say it is about God but it is not. The fruit says it is not. Good trees do not produce bad fruit.

I have not been able to go forward because of the damage in my heart. Everything I wanted to do had to be approved. Disapproval was given in abundance at that church.

I hate that I have carried it this long. I hate that even though I am not there, you are still controlling me. I hate when people bring you or the church up which makes the emotions and anger resurfaces like the pain is still fresh.

I hate that I judge pastors like you are the standard. You are a very poor example. I have met great men that want to serve their church and not rule it.  They love the Lord and love people.

For all that you could have done for people and have chosen not to, I know you will be judged for the judgment you have judged others and then some.

Look around and see the damage you have done in the name of God. Families struggle and then fall apart because of how you are leading. You lead people in areas where you would never go. You are not a servant you are a ruler. You like to be king but do not know how to manage your kingdom.

You hurt, manipulate, use, punish, control, demean, and cause good people to turn away from church and a loving God. That makes me so angry!

I hate that it looks like you are getting away with this. The destruction and havoc that goes so far and so deep in myself and others.

I have to give this to God. I have to get out of his way so that He take care of you. I have to let this anger, bitterness and hatred go. I have so much going on that is so good and beautiful and I do not want you to taint it any more.

I serve a loving God who knows just how to take care of his own. This should make you worry because you are getting away with all of your lies and God is not doing anything to stop you.

My Saviour has taken such good care of me these last 5 years. But really he took care of me all along. He brought me to this great place of peace and joy.  

I ask God to forgive me for putting you and your position as a pastor higher than the plans that God had for me. I ask God to forgive me for the hatred and anger that has turned to bitterness in my life. I ask God to forgive me for not trusting Him more and trusting man too much. I ask God to cleanse me from this and make me whole so that I can fully enjoy His blessing on my life.

Thank you God for showing me this ugliness in my life. Who am I to be writing this about someone else? I need healing and cleansing from it. I need to forgive. A true and sincere forgiveness. I am not perfect. I have treated people in a way that would shame Jesus. I want to use this as a learning tool. I want this to draw me closer to you Father.

If this causing the reader to want to share their story then here is your platform. However, please examine yourself and look for healing and comfort from the One who can give it.

Once you write it here, leave it here. God knew about it all along and He will take care of us just like He always has. Now that it is out in the open let God heal you.

There is no need to name names. God knows who we are talking about.

God bless you and me as we go on our journey to a better place and leave this behind us.

A letter to Anna

Dear Anna,

My dear, dear, lady. To have every one know your heartache. I can only imagine that is very overwhelming. Take a deep breath.

Foremost I want to say that this is in no way your fault. You did nothing wrong. There is nothing wrong with you as a woman or a wife. There is nothing wrong with your Christianity or mothering of your children. He built this kingdom and now you all have to live with the public shame and reproach not just on your family but on the name of Jesus. Your husband did this to himself and his family and to the cause of Christ. No matter what you did you could not have made difference. He would have made these choices anyway. This is the way he wanted to go. Everyone has temptations and choices. He was weak and did not pass by them he enjoyed sin for a season.

You have several options. You could stay with this man, you could separate for a while, or you could divorce.

If you stay you will have plenty of guidance from people who took this path. In my opinion, you should do a few things before you go down this path.
         1. Make sure there is true repentance. Things need to be different. You are making the rules
             now.
         2. The computers need to be put on lock down and put in a common room in the home. No 
              more late night computer sessions.
         3. Counseling as a couple and individually. Not with someone you know but someone who can
             hold your husband accountable. You need to be able to safely talk about your feelings
             about his behavior against you and your children.
         4. You need to forgive to go forward. You cannot drag bitterness with you if you are going to
             stay. That will take much prayer and time. You can not hurry this. It will not happen
             overnight.

If you choose to separate for a while that might help you with your healing. It would give you time to process things without the pressure of him being there watching you. You need time and you may need some space to decide what you want to do.

If you decide to leave and file for divorce, the world would not fault you for doing that. They would applaud you. They would say you did the right thing. Then they would leave you out in cold and criticize your parenting publically. Most Christians would leave you and you would be left with very few but true and loyal friends. If your husbands repentance is not true, if he still thinks he is the boss of the home, and if you know better and feel that this is the best for you and your children then you must do it. It will be a hard road but you deserve to be valued and cherished. You are an amazing woman your heavenly Father has a wonderful plan for you and your kids. He will provide for you. It will not be an easy decision but if it God's plan for you then it will be blessed.


Pray, my friend, lots and lots of prayer will help you through this difficult time of decision. Stay in the bible. You will find wisdom and comfort in those pages.  Please do not make the decision everyone expects of you. Please do not make a decision out of pressure. Make the decision that God would have you to make because then He will be there with you every step of the way.

What ever way you decide to go Anna, God bless you. Our prayers are with you.

A Letter to Mrs. Duggard

Dear Mrs. Duggar,

First of all, I can't imagine how you must be coping with everything about your family being broadcasted for everyone to see and feel that they have to give their opinion on how they would have done it. It is so much easier when things are going good and we can share Jesus with the good we are doing. When things happen that shame Jesus we may feel like we are useless to His cause and we can never be in the fold again. Those feelings are hard to get past. But they will pass.

I have prayed that my children would get caught when they are doing things wrong. I want them to feel like they cannot get away with anything. I am glad that your son got caught and had to admit that he was doing wrong. If allowed to keep going unnoticed it really could have been so much worse. He really was a hypocrite and living a lie. God said enough. God still has a plan for your son and his family if he is willing to make some drastic changing. It will take some time, healing and mending of trust but God can do it.

To watch our children go through hardship is very difficult. Watching them go through hardship when it is self inflicted has got to be torturous. Knowing that it was their choice to do wrong. That this did not have to happen. Feelings of helplessness are hard to get away from.

I think some day your family may recover from this but I think it may be in quiet undocumented ways. Ways that you can reach out to other mothers who have children that greatly disappoint. How do the parents go on? There is a mourning process, how long does that last? The trust that is lost, how do you give the child chances to rebuild? Is there more that needs to be dealt with before it is exposed to the world? Such difficult questions without clear answers.

Mrs. Duggar, please stay on your knees and stay in your Bible. The Bible will heal, cleanse and give wisdom. We have to remember that no matter how devastating our circumstances are that God is still on the throne. Since your son is a Christian than he is in God's hands. So he is in good hands.

I have to say that some would blame the wife for not taking care of her man that made him turn to the internet and other women to be satisfied but I completely disagree. Your daughter in law is most likely a very good woman who would have done anything for a loving and caring husband.  Your son is the one who is responsible for this mess not her. I just wanted to make my stance clear on that.

Finally, we are all just one choice away from being caught doing wrong. Most of us will never have to experience our deeds good or bad being played out on the news. I hope this makes your stand for God stronger and not weaker. I hope you discover who your true friends are through this trial. I hope you get to know God on a deeper level as you seek him in prayer. Stay strong for God. Your other children need you.



Respectfully,

Terri-Ann

The Weakest Link

"Parents of gay or transgendered children are the weakest link in the church."

Well, that is what Kathy Baldock author of "Walking the Bridgeless Canyon" said to me during her discussion at Truckee Meadows Community College in the Spring of 2015. She was invited to speak for about an hour on her book. She wants to help build a bridge between the church and the LGBT community. She gave some history about how the church has treated the LGBT community over the last several hundred years and how it has changed so much in the last couple of decades. The church is still very far behind the world's view.

I thought at first that maybe this could happen but it really can't. It is not that the church is against the LGBT community but it is one group that says die to the flesh and live for God and the other says be true to yourself and you should be able to express how you truly feel. One group says, "less of me and more of Jesus" and the other group says. "I have the right to do what ever I want and you have to accept that."

It is a bridgeless canyon for a reason. There is not meant to be a bridge built by man from one side  to the another. The bridge is Jesus and what he has done on the cross. You can see and then use that bridge when you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.

What Ms. Baldock said at the end of discussion when I pressed her about the different bibles she was using was that it wasn't about the bible. Well if it is not about the bible then how can a profitable discussion occur about God's love and mercy to mankind. That is a Christian's guide and source of wisdom. It is not antiquated, it is the living book that God uses to speak to us.

She also said that the weakest link in the church is the parent of a gay child. That statement caught my attention. It took me a while to process that. So I am weak. Hmm...really. It made me instantly think of the verses about being weak.

"To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak:

I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

I Corn. 9:22 KJV

Is God putting me in this position for a bigger reason? Can I be a help to other Christian parents that have a gay or transgender child? How can I be blessing? I do not have the answer to those questions yet. I know through prayer and searching the scriptures the answers will come.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,

in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

II Corn. 12:10 KJV

 

 

Is it just me or do you find that when someone says something negative about you, you make a choice of determined effort not to be that? Well, I knew for sure that I was not going to be weak and I for sure was not going to be the weakest link when it came to supporting God's Word in the church house.

 

I have a lot to process about these verses. I will leave you with verses that have been such an encouragement to me since I left that meeting.

 

 

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

 

I Corinthians 1:25 KJV

 

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."

Consequenses

I  chose to make a very difficult decision in my home a couple of weeks ago. It seemed  that it hurt me more than it did the child. It actually broke my heart. I felt like I was in mourning about it for several days. But I know that I did the right thing. I hate making the hard choices. I hate calling out one of my kids. I hate being the enforcer. I want to be the good guy too however that is not what I am called to do. I want children that know that there are consequences. That there is a price to pay for your actions. I want my children to learn that while they are here at home where it is safe instead of when they are older and out in the world where there is no safety net.

I pray for wisdom and God's word says it will be given liberally to me however at times I think that if this is my with wisdom than I can't believe how completely inadequate I would be with out it. I need God all the time. Every day and every moment.

I have doubts. Isn't that part of being a good parent? Making sure you are going in the right direction. Seeking wisdom and counsel so that you stay on track. It is not easy being a parent. No one can parent my children better than me. I am the best parent for them. Even when it is hard. Especially when it is hard.

Pride Festival Experience

Today I agreed to take my son to the Pride Festival at Wingfield Park in downtown Reno. I had some trepidations about it but I did not want him to go alone. When ever I talk to people about going to events like this they seem to wonder why I am nervous. They act like it is no big deal. It doesn't matter if I am talking to Christians or not. However, I still have concerns. Maybe rightfully so.

As we arrived parking wasn't that bad and a nice bonus, it was free. As we got closer to the event we saw quite a few people wearing rainbow attire and or flags and such. We saw the first entrance was blocked by a gate with a sign that read exit. There was a person there opening the gate and letting people out.

When we got to the entrance they were collecting a $5 suggested donation. It just did not seem like a suggestion when you got to the front of the line. I told them I was not expecting to pay and only had $3, one young man said he could swipe my credit card. I declined the offer. Then they said the $3 was close enough. I thought that was weird because through all the advertising I read, even on the website it did not mention this "suggested" donation.

I let my son lead the way and we approached the area we saw a sign. Adult side to the left and Family side to the right. Of course he wanted to go to the left but because of what was implied I said we may have to leave sooner if we did that. So we went to the right.

The first space we came to was a spot for "free speech." It was empty. My son said, "So in America if I wanted to speak my mind I could only do it there?" I replied that if you disagreed with this festival you were free to do it right there.

The next booth was religious booth that had rainbow stickers with the words "God loves you" on them.  This booth and the free speech spot were both located out side of the circle of booths that we were about to walk into. I found that interesting. As we walked past the booth some one hollered my name. It was from the religious booth. A man from my work was in the both. I stepped over and introduced my son and he introduced the other people in the booth. I asked how he was doing and he responded that he was doing well. Then the conversation just dropped. He did not explain what his booth was or what they were doing there. It was a little awkward. So I said I would see him later and to have a good day.

Then I noticed some other booths that were there. The TMCC Compass group was  there. That group is a LGBT group from the college. There was also TMCC and UNR. There was another college there but the name escapes me now. Washoe Legal Service, Wells Fargo, JCPenny's, Martini radio and 106.3 were there as well. There were a couple of other churches there but they were in the inner circle if you will and not with the first one we came across. They just let us walk by and did not engage with us. There were maybe a dozen booths there in total. No one engaging us as we walked by.

I met up with the Smith's from work. They were looking at the Greyhound dogs that were there. They were dressed in matching rainbow shirts and had been apart of the parade that had started the event. They were having so much fun. We exchanged hello's and they explained that they were very interested in getting dog but not for another year. Their young girls were still afraid of dogs. Little did they know that having a dog would be like having a third child. Anyway, we said our goodbyes and headed on our way.

There was nothing really left to do and it had only been about 10 minutes to walk around and see the booths. So my son suggested we go to the Adult side. I warned him that I was sure that it was not a good idea for me. He was not an adult and so he should not go over there and I WAS an adult and I know I should not go over there. So he in his great teenage wisdom suggests that he go over there by himself and walk around for just 10 minutes. I said no, like as in N to the O, no. If he wanted to go over there then I was going to go with him. Does that sound like fun? He said sure! What is wrong with that boy?

We start walking into the area and it was behind a wall so you really can't see what is going on until you get over there. You can hear that they are doing a karaoke contest but what I hear as we come around the corner is my son saying,"Mom turn around, don't look!"

I have to pause right here and say that when I raised my kids I tried to protect their eyes and their ears from the things I thought would not be good for them. There is a children's song that goes "Oh be careful little eyes what you see...oh be careful little ears what you hear...The Father up above is looking down in love...oh be careful little eyes what you see."  So very often as we were in the mall or I would be driving them down the street I would see something inappropriate I would instruct them to look down until we passed by. So my son has some idea of what would be inappropriate for me and really for him to be seeing.

Back to the festival. So my son has to say this to me a couple more times. "Mom, look over hear for a minute. Stand right here or just keep walking." He did not seem to be enjoying himself. You might say, "Well of course not, his mother is with him!" However, I still think he would have felt uncomfortable there. I will tell you why.

With all the talk of how the LGBT community is just like everyone else. They just want the freedom to be themselves. Society just needs to accept them for who they are. They give the impression that they are like the Family side of this festival with the churches represented and the business and health care providers. Nice and kid friendly.

But really it was the Adult side that showed who they are and what they want to be doing. The Adult side was not kid friendly what so ever. They had adult booths there. They had an individual walking around in a male body part costume. My son even commented, "Who would want to dress up like that and walk around in public?" There were some men there dressed in over the top drag, like the diva type you may see on TV. There were other men there half dressed with their upper bodies painted. There was the all gay men's choir booth and other booths along that line. We walked through this side much quicker than the Family side.

As I briefly looked around it amazed me what they were celebrating because it was not the lasted supreme court battle that was won about same-sex marriage. They were not celebrating monogamy, they were celebrating the flesh and all that it wants to fulfill. They were viewing each other like a peace of meat and how they wanted to prepare it before they feasted on it. Even the talented singer that was scheduled to show up was treated like a slab of meat. Who could get their hands on him first?

As my son and I were standing there getting ready to leave the area I saw a man walking in dressed like a woman. He had a wig on and a dress that looked very matronly. He looked to be in his forties. His hands were clasping a clutch purse right in front of him. He did not look comfortable. He looked scared and fragile. Not in a feminine way but in a way that made me think he was nervous about being here. Afraid to be seen by someone he may know.

On the way out we met up with an old friend from church. He was with a friend. They talked about looking forward to meeting the singer Lance who was arriving shortly for a meet and greet. Our friend could not wait to meet him and could care less about Lance having a husband. We said our goodbyes and then I ran into Cathy who is an author. She wrote a book seemly about building a bridge between the church and the LBGT community. It wasn't quite like that but we greeted each other and then went on our way.

We were done with the event in less than 45 minutes. It seemed to me that my son was disappointed. It wasn't about fun and freedom like he had expected. The event was boring unless you wanted to engage yourself with the atmosphere on the Adult side.

My son  saw a few people from school there but he did not speak to them. We did stop at the Hillary for president booth. We just wanted a sticker. She wanted us to sign up for a  reminder about voting. So we did. Well, my son did. Still no sticker. Then she wanted him to register to vote. I said no thank you, we just wanted a sticker. She reluctantly gave us each one. My son commented that he wanted to study up on the issue first and then make a choice. He then commented how he wanted to talk to me about the subject Adult 101. What?! He said he meant about voting, and other responsibilities of being an adult. You will have to read another blog to find out what he needed to know for passing the Adult 101 class from this mother/teacher.

I think the LGBT community is pulling the wool over the eyes of society. They are trying to make believe it is all about the "Family side" when in reality it is about the "Adult side." No one cared about what services where being offered on the Family side. The straight families that were there were alone on the Family side. The LGBT community was on the Adult side doing what ever they wanted. Is that why they want to be accepted? To act inappropriate in public? Is that why they want equality because they want to bring out what they do in the dark into the light? Is that supposed to be ok with everyone? I do not think when we stand up for a gay person being bullied that this is what we are agreeing to. I think we are agreeing to peaceful living not public display of lusting after the flesh.

The event showed me that
1. I must love people. That is what God would want me to do. No matter who they are.
2. I must lead by example. My kids are going to go do what they are going to do. I need to be right here in this spot when they return. They will need to know where to find me.
3. Stay on the family side. I never want to qualify as an Adult.

To Offend or Not To Offend, That Is the Question.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalms 119:165

 

 

Lately it would seem that every one is offended about something. It is all over the news. Whether a flag offends or marriage offends; It doesn't matter whose side you are on everyone is offended. How does Jesus handle offenses?

 

Let's start with when Jesus offends the Pharisees:

 

"Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended,

after they heard this saying?  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matthew 15:12-14

 

Jesus just got through with telling a story in parable. So the meaning of the story may not be completely clear to everyone. He was referring to our heart and how when we speak it comes from our heart. Were the Pharisees offended because they understood His meaning and were then convicted about their behavior or did they not understand His meaning and that offended them? Either way Jesus knew and He knew how He was going to respond to them. 

 

He wasn't.
 

Jesus was not going to respond to them. He said let them alone. He didn't gloat or boast. He knew what was going to happen in the end to them and He left it at that. He took no action against them.

 

 

Here is another example in Matthew where Jesus has an opportunity to offend but choses not to:

 

"And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee." Matt. 17:24-27

  

 

Here is Jesus the Son of God. Should He have to pay taxes? Just to make sure that He did not offend anyone, Jesus went ahead and paid the tax. He took action. In this situation it mattered that He did not offend.

What is the difference?

 

In the first example Jesus was speaking the truth. He was speaking to a crowd that wanted to know more of what he was saying. They were others there as well, however, they were not there to learn but to find fault in what He was saying. In this case, those Pharisees were going to be offended no matter what Jesus had to say.

 

In the second example Jesus knew what the letter of the law was and He also knew that there were people out there waiting to catch him in an alleged wrong doing. They would take the spot light off of what Jesus was doing for the Kingdom and put it on the fact he did not pay his taxes. Jesus did not want people to talk about whether he paid his taxes or not but how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

We can follow Jesus' example by keeping our eyes on the big picture and not being bogged down with what the world is choosing to do. If God wants us to be a lawyer, or a judge or a law maker then fine get in the fight to strengthen our laws or create better ones but for most of us God has a different plan. We need to stop fighting with people on the social networks and work harder to win our neighbors, friends, and co-workers to the Lord.

 

Our life should speak of how important it is for people to learn of God and trust Jesus as their Savior.

That will offend plenty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for Me…

As for Me…

"But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15b

 

      This is where Joshua is making a proclamation to Israel that they can do what they want but he is going to follow after God. It is such an aspiring story of courage and defiance of the masses. We see this verse on signs in people's home making that same stand against the world; We will stand for God.

     As a family starting out you may see this verse and think, "yes, I want my family to stand for God." You might even put some decisions in place as your children start to grow of how you will train them and also what you may do if they choose not to follow God. Your strong and confident that your family WILL serve God. You will raise your family better then you were raised and better then what others may or may not be doing at church. If Joshua can make this decision in that primitive culture, surely we can do it today.

      

     I have so many pictures and videos of my children saying and doing things for the Lord. Whether it be memorizing verses, singing in the choir, or helping out in class. They are so adorable. My sons made commitments when they were young to be preachers. One of my sons said that he had made a decision to be a missionary to India. He also wanted to be a detective so he decided he would be a missionary but when he wasn't preaching he would be a detective. Oh, they are so cute when they are young. So many times we went out and did things together for the Lord.

    

     But then the day comes when your child says that he does not want to go to church any more. That it is not his church but his parents church. He does not know for sure if there is a God or not. He only knows of his parent's God. He wants to figure it out for himself. Is that wrong to do? Should it have been something to cause me alarm? I don't think so.

      Isn't it a good thing that I have encouraged honest and courageous talk from my children? The fact that he felt comfortable enough to talk about this in this manner is critical to our relationship. When he approached me he was defensive about it because he had already told his father about what he was thinking and it did not go very well. I knew that I had to act in a different way.

    The advise I get from the church is to show him to the door if he doesn't want to follow the rules in my house. I could tell him it is my way or the highway. He is 16 years old. Is that a wise decision on my part to present to 16 year old that he either goes to church or he has to move out? Is that what that verse was saying? As for me and my house, so just move out when you don't agree with the statement. I do not think so.

   What would God do? He would listen. He would not feel threatened. He would encourage him to search for the truth. He would be there for him as he went through this journey and answer more questions. He would not abandon him. He would guide him back to Himself. God does not need me to defend Him to my son. My son knows the bible and he has seen a lot. He has seen hypocrisy all the way from the preacher, the church, and in his own home. Mind you I realize no one is perfect but there are some things done on purpose with no care as to anything or any one else. It is just done out of selfishness.

     How does this verse apply to my household even when the children start going in their own way? It means I still stand. I do not move. I stay put doing what I am supposed to be doing. When the children take notice of me while they are searching for answers I need to be just doing what God would have me doing. That means I do not have the liberty of doing my own thing but making sure I am doing God's thing. As for me...I will serve the Lord.