I tried to post this yesterday in the comments, but blogger must have went wild. This is response to the comment from the last post.
Typically I don't come out swinging like that when it comes to Bible translations. I've never been a fan of the NIV, but it was mainly for the missing scriptures. When I stumbled across this I had to pass it along. As for Virginia Mollenkott, here are just a couple links: Way of Life an interesting, if not disturbing read; and AV 1611 which is apparently a 1611 KJV only website. As for King James being a homosexual. I don't know for sure. Most of what I've read says that the accusations didn't even surface until 25 years after his death, and that it originated from his arch nemesis. A quick google search turned up these pages: The first one seems to be written by a homosexual "christian", here. Another one that I found by a homosexual "christian" utilized filthy language, therefore gets disqualified from getting a link from me. Here's another. The next three oppose the thinking: here, here and here. What I do know is that he only promoted the translation of the scripture. He didn't take part in it.
As for books. The best that I've read is "Which Version Is The Bible?" by Floyd Nolen Jones. It's very detailed in the history and canonization of the Bible, who translated what and what the other Bible translations are missing or changing. I let a friend borrow it, but if I can get it back, I'll certainly pass it off to you.
Just to sum it up. I believe that all faith and foundation come from the word of God. If you can't believe that God has preserved His word for us and remains infallible, then how can you know what portions of the Bible to trust and what to disregard? And there are too many contradictions between translations for them all to be correct. The history that I've studied on the subject convinces me that the KJV is the authorized and preserved version.
Hope this helps to at least see where we come from. I don't like to stir up controversy or be divisive, but we too like to find truth.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Christmas Gift Ideas
I stumbled across a news article the other day. These selfless ladies across the pond are gifting the world with their own sterilization. They both feel that having a child would only add to the problem of climate change and overpopulation. One went so far as to have an abortion before sterilization. All for the sake of the earth. One made the comment about meeting her second husband "We both passionately wanted to save the planet - not produce a new life which would only add to the problem." What a caring lady.
The other lady in the article filtered through several boyfriends before finding the right one. Her revelation of the evils of childbearing went like this: "I realised then that a baby would pollute the planet - and that never having a child was the most environmentally friendly thing I could do."
How much of yourself are you willing to give this holiday season?
Next up for the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender christian in your life: the Gay and Lesbian Bible.
We have here another lady who did the world a favor. She's the first of all previous bible scholars who could actually translate the bible properly. A bible that does NOT speak out against homosexuality. Up until now, we had no way to translate some of the Hebrew and Greek words accurately. But now, we have a bible that caters to the gay and lesbian christians. "Don't feel comfortable coming to the Lord and allowing him to change your life? Don't worry about it! We have a bible that says you can live in the sinful, hell-bound lifestyle that your accustomed to!" If you go to the "About Us" page of the website, she gives some ridiculous example of why she needed to do this. And no, she didn't do this just for the gays and lesbians. She did this to get the accurate translation into the hands of a misled world. She just happened to name it the Gay and Lesbian Bible.
And lastly as I was doing some research, I found out that the original NIV translation had a very open, very active lesbian on it's translating team. In fact, she believes that God is a woman. She also believes that Jesus was born parthenogenetic (because Mary had a child without male fertilization); meaning that "born in parthenogenesis; that parthenogenetic births are always female; that in some cases, therefore, he would be willing to refer to Jesus as 'she' -- up until the last minute of sex reversal, in which case Jesus remains chromosomally female throughout life, but functions as a normal male and looks like a normal male". If your curious about who helped translate the holy, infallible word of God into the train wreck that is the NIV, do a search for Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. She's very proud of her work.
Being an engineer, I have a theory. I think we should pick and island and put the sterilized ladies (and their mates) as well as the gay and lesbian christians on an island. Let them have all the food and water they need for survival. Than check on them in 50 years. See how the commune is thriving. I have a feeling that Darwin may have been right. The weak of the species would die out. Obviously the sterilized men/ladies won't be reproducing. Even more obviously the gays and lesbians won't be reproducing (unless they're cheating). How can this thinking be right? Do they not understand science and biology? My head hurts...
The other lady in the article filtered through several boyfriends before finding the right one. Her revelation of the evils of childbearing went like this: "I realised then that a baby would pollute the planet - and that never having a child was the most environmentally friendly thing I could do."
How much of yourself are you willing to give this holiday season?
Next up for the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender christian in your life: the Gay and Lesbian Bible.
We have here another lady who did the world a favor. She's the first of all previous bible scholars who could actually translate the bible properly. A bible that does NOT speak out against homosexuality. Up until now, we had no way to translate some of the Hebrew and Greek words accurately. But now, we have a bible that caters to the gay and lesbian christians. "Don't feel comfortable coming to the Lord and allowing him to change your life? Don't worry about it! We have a bible that says you can live in the sinful, hell-bound lifestyle that your accustomed to!" If you go to the "About Us" page of the website, she gives some ridiculous example of why she needed to do this. And no, she didn't do this just for the gays and lesbians. She did this to get the accurate translation into the hands of a misled world. She just happened to name it the Gay and Lesbian Bible.
And lastly as I was doing some research, I found out that the original NIV translation had a very open, very active lesbian on it's translating team. In fact, she believes that God is a woman. She also believes that Jesus was born parthenogenetic (because Mary had a child without male fertilization); meaning that "born in parthenogenesis; that parthenogenetic births are always female; that in some cases, therefore, he would be willing to refer to Jesus as 'she' -- up until the last minute of sex reversal, in which case Jesus remains chromosomally female throughout life, but functions as a normal male and looks like a normal male". If your curious about who helped translate the holy, infallible word of God into the train wreck that is the NIV, do a search for Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. She's very proud of her work.
Being an engineer, I have a theory. I think we should pick and island and put the sterilized ladies (and their mates) as well as the gay and lesbian christians on an island. Let them have all the food and water they need for survival. Than check on them in 50 years. See how the commune is thriving. I have a feeling that Darwin may have been right. The weak of the species would die out. Obviously the sterilized men/ladies won't be reproducing. Even more obviously the gays and lesbians won't be reproducing (unless they're cheating). How can this thinking be right? Do they not understand science and biology? My head hurts...
Monday, November 26, 2007
Works, Faith and Salvation
Answering the comment left on the "Faith, Works and Salvation" post: No. This gentleman was not saying the same thing. He has no assurance of his salvation. He feels that he has to fight and work everyday towards gaining his salvation. His belief does not offend me. If he has no surety of his salvation, I feel sorry for him, but he does not offend me or my faith.
As for you not changing your worldly ways after you're saved, true conversion will bring about heart changes. Heart changes bring about the desire to change your life. A circumcised (converted) heart is crushed at the thought of offending God. That's what James is saying about faith and works. True faith brings about works. Think of Simon the sorcerer in Acts. He believed Philip when he preached; was even baptized. I doubt his conversion was real. Why? He still had his heart set on himself. He wanted to wow the people with the Holy Spirit. So much so, he was willing to pay for that power. He hadn't changed. Read in chapter 8 of Acts, verses 20 through 24. Peter doubted his conversion also. So much so that he said he was going to perish along with his money. His heart was "not right in the sight of God". Doesn't sound like a saved person to me. Salvation starts in the heart and ends in the heart. I can't give you faith, nor can I take your faith.
I'll finish with a few verses.
Galatians 2:20 and 21 - 20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Hmmm, Paul says he lives his life by faith in the Son of God. He also says that if we are living by the law (works) that we are frustrating [to set aside, that is, (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate: - cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to nought, reject] the grace of God; AND that when we frustrate the grace of God, we have caused Christ to die in vain. That's pretty harsh.
Galatians 5:1-26 (focus 4-6) - 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Is it fair to say that the circumcision that Paul speaks about is a work?
When we work in our flesh, our works always die out. I've seen many times where people try to take on the ministry (or lifestyle) of someone else without Spiritual conviction, only to become frustrated and swing 180 degrees in the opposite direction. Not once or twice, but time and time again. Like the man in James who doesn't ask in faith, he's "like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
Once again, I know that I didn't exhaust the scriptures, but I do hope that you see where I'm coming from. I also hope you read some of the referenced scriptures from the other post.
As for you not changing your worldly ways after you're saved, true conversion will bring about heart changes. Heart changes bring about the desire to change your life. A circumcised (converted) heart is crushed at the thought of offending God. That's what James is saying about faith and works. True faith brings about works. Think of Simon the sorcerer in Acts. He believed Philip when he preached; was even baptized. I doubt his conversion was real. Why? He still had his heart set on himself. He wanted to wow the people with the Holy Spirit. So much so, he was willing to pay for that power. He hadn't changed. Read in chapter 8 of Acts, verses 20 through 24. Peter doubted his conversion also. So much so that he said he was going to perish along with his money. His heart was "not right in the sight of God". Doesn't sound like a saved person to me. Salvation starts in the heart and ends in the heart. I can't give you faith, nor can I take your faith.
I'll finish with a few verses.
Galatians 2:20 and 21 - 20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Hmmm, Paul says he lives his life by faith in the Son of God. He also says that if we are living by the law (works) that we are frustrating [to set aside, that is, (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate: - cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to nought, reject] the grace of God; AND that when we frustrate the grace of God, we have caused Christ to die in vain. That's pretty harsh.
Galatians 5:1-26 (focus 4-6) - 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Is it fair to say that the circumcision that Paul speaks about is a work?
When we work in our flesh, our works always die out. I've seen many times where people try to take on the ministry (or lifestyle) of someone else without Spiritual conviction, only to become frustrated and swing 180 degrees in the opposite direction. Not once or twice, but time and time again. Like the man in James who doesn't ask in faith, he's "like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
Once again, I know that I didn't exhaust the scriptures, but I do hope that you see where I'm coming from. I also hope you read some of the referenced scriptures from the other post.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Ghost Town
It’s just after nine o’ clock and it’s like a ghost town in here (work). Why? Deer hunting season started yesterday. Judging by the quietness of the office area and the emptiness of the cubes and shop floor, I’ll bet that the company is at about 20% today. Yesterday was about 25%. The beginning of gun season is like a holiday. In fact, up until a couple years ago, the whole shop shut down as a paid holiday on the first day of gun season. Then, with much surprise to management, they found out that not everyone was hunting on this day off! At that point, they re-instated November 15th as an actual work day and gave everyone an additional vacation day to use at the employees discretion. It’s obvious to me that most people still use this day as a holiday. Hunting is still a way of life up here.
Another factual specimen. A couple years ago, President George W. Bush made a trip up to the UP. He’s only the second
Faith, Works and Salvation
I know that I'm way overdo to finish my thoughts on the Headships post. This should be relatively brief.
I've only ever met one man that verbally told me that you could only find salvation through works. Most people will dance around the issue and dip their toe in the water, but will stop short of jumping in with both feet and actually saying that salvation comes through works. This man could not imagine that God would only require your faith. His example; "If I stood here and told you I had a fifty dollar bill and you could have it, believance alone will not get you this fifty dollars. You have to step up here and grab it."
Ephesians 2:8 starts:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
What about James 2:17 which says: 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. This passage does not say that faith coupled by works saves. It says that faith without works is dead. It's eluding to your faith producing works. Read verse 18 (James 2:18). It says that his faith will produce works. He also says that you can't have one without the other. He is not condoning the thinking of faith and works separated. He said that his faith is proven through his works. Good works is a by-product of true faith. A faith without works is not faith, or is dead faith.
How do you keep your salvation? Through faith! Read: 1 Peter 1:5 ("kept through faith unto salvation"). Jude 1:3 says to "earnestly contend for the faith" unto salvation. Many places he tells them to hold onto the things that first saved them (faith). To go back to that which first saved them (faith). In Hebrews 3, more than once the writer tells them to hold fast the confidence unto the end.
Alright, now that I made my case for salvation, back to the headship. If the un-spiritual husband tells you to cut your hair, put on pants, put on make-up, wear jewelery and stay home from church...does this mean the end of your salvation? Of course not. I just showed that your salvation comes through faith. I also showed that your salvation is kept through faith. Your mean heathen husband can make you do a lot of things, but he can't take away your salvation. Just like the martyrs of history. The biggest push of their persecutors was for them to recant and or deny their faith. Turn their backs on their salvation by grace through faith. They screwed their tongues to wood. They disemboweled them. They burned them and threw them into the wild animals. They took their scriptures and destroyed them. Locked them up and prevented them from going to church. But they went to the death and grave with their faith in salvation. Just as a woman can live amongst a cruel husband and be obedient to him, and still keep her faith; which in turn is confirming her salvation.
I know this is elementary stuff for some. Anyone who chooses to pick up the scripture, read it and actually believe what it says knows this. But the contrary is being preached from pulpits and believed among the congregation. Make sure that your confirming the preaching in your church with the authority of the scriptures. And as a final note, I certainly did not exhaust the scriptures with the passages I used. I know there are more to support this. I just ran out of time to run them all down. Besides, it will give you something to do.
I've only ever met one man that verbally told me that you could only find salvation through works. Most people will dance around the issue and dip their toe in the water, but will stop short of jumping in with both feet and actually saying that salvation comes through works. This man could not imagine that God would only require your faith. His example; "If I stood here and told you I had a fifty dollar bill and you could have it, believance alone will not get you this fifty dollars. You have to step up here and grab it."
Ephesians 2:8 starts:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This is pretty clear as to what saves us. It is by the grace of God, through our faith (once again, made available by God) that we are saved. Not by works. If it were by our good works, what is the point of the coming and suffering of Christ? So many before Christ lived lives of good works. Alright, so what about verse 10 of the Ephesians passage? Ephesians 2:10: 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Yes, it says that we were created to do good works. No, it does not say that we are saved through good works. I already pointed out to you what salvation comes by. God loves for us to do good works. It pleases Him. A couple more references. Jesus himself said that a persons faith has saved them. See Luke 7:50 (read the preceding verses also). The woman who anointed his head with oil and kissed his feet. He forgave her of her sins and made the proclamation "Thy faith hath saved thee". Also in Luke 18:42 he also made the same statement to the blind man. Also in 2 Timothy 3:15, 1 Peter 1:9 and more. In fact, in Galatians 5:4, it says that if you are justified by the law (works), you have fallen from grace. Meaning if you put your faith in the law, you have turned away from God's grace. Your faith is in works, not in God. Also see Romans 4:4.
What about James 2:17 which says: 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. This passage does not say that faith coupled by works saves. It says that faith without works is dead. It's eluding to your faith producing works. Read verse 18 (James 2:18). It says that his faith will produce works. He also says that you can't have one without the other. He is not condoning the thinking of faith and works separated. He said that his faith is proven through his works. Good works is a by-product of true faith. A faith without works is not faith, or is dead faith.
How do you keep your salvation? Through faith! Read: 1 Peter 1:5 ("kept through faith unto salvation"). Jude 1:3 says to "earnestly contend for the faith" unto salvation. Many places he tells them to hold onto the things that first saved them (faith). To go back to that which first saved them (faith). In Hebrews 3, more than once the writer tells them to hold fast the confidence unto the end.
Alright, now that I made my case for salvation, back to the headship. If the un-spiritual husband tells you to cut your hair, put on pants, put on make-up, wear jewelery and stay home from church...does this mean the end of your salvation? Of course not. I just showed that your salvation comes through faith. I also showed that your salvation is kept through faith. Your mean heathen husband can make you do a lot of things, but he can't take away your salvation. Just like the martyrs of history. The biggest push of their persecutors was for them to recant and or deny their faith. Turn their backs on their salvation by grace through faith. They screwed their tongues to wood. They disemboweled them. They burned them and threw them into the wild animals. They took their scriptures and destroyed them. Locked them up and prevented them from going to church. But they went to the death and grave with their faith in salvation. Just as a woman can live amongst a cruel husband and be obedient to him, and still keep her faith; which in turn is confirming her salvation.
I know this is elementary stuff for some. Anyone who chooses to pick up the scripture, read it and actually believe what it says knows this. But the contrary is being preached from pulpits and believed among the congregation. Make sure that your confirming the preaching in your church with the authority of the scriptures. And as a final note, I certainly did not exhaust the scriptures with the passages I used. I know there are more to support this. I just ran out of time to run them all down. Besides, it will give you something to do.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Headships
I just wanted to quickly cover a portion of my last post. Not that there's been a huge public outcry over what I wrote or anything, but I want to show that what we believe comes right from the word of God. And one more thing before I get started. I am not a dictator in the house. I do like order in the house, but that's just because my wife has spoiled me with keeping an orderly house. For the most part, I'm not too demanding. The reason I point this out is because I don't want people to think that I am extremely tyrannical, constantly shoving down my wifes throat that she must submit to me because thus saith the Lord!! Most of the scripture I'll run through is directed to the wives. I really have no business reading that portion of scripture. This is a subject for my wife to deal with. I have my own hurdles, like loving my wife (not that it's hard to love my wife; she really makes it very easy) and keeping her spotless and without wrinkle.
First of all, the headships are covered pretty unquestionably. Ephesians 5:23 says: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. We know without a doubt that Christ is the head of the church. For Paul (through inspiration of God) to compare the husband/wife relationship to that of Christ and church, it must be merited. I Corinthians 11:3 states: But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Enough said about headship? These verses are pretty straight-forward.
Most of the arguments against this that we hear go something like this: "I believe that a woman should always obey the Bible and not man." Okay, lets see what the Bible says about wives obeying your husbands. Ephesians 5:22 says: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Most women try to make this verse say something that it doesn't. They get hung up on the "as unto the Lord" part, as if trying to make it say that you submit to the Lord as opposed to your husband. It clearly states that you are to submit unto your husband, just like you would submit unto the Lord. And men, see who this is directed to? And what's it say? Women, submit yourselves unto your own husband. Not "Husbands, see that your wives submit unto you." This is an issue for the wives to work out. Typically, she doesn't need your help, and certainly doesn't need to be reminded of this. Also women, see how it says to submit unto your own husbands? Not someone else's husband, including the pastor/preacher/minister. Titus 2:4-5 says that the aged women are to: ...teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Hmm... this says that if your not obedient to your own husband, the word of God is blasphemed.That sounds pretty serious. How do these things get swept under the rug. This is a serious accusation. If a woman is not obedient to their husbands, they are blaspheming the word of God. Definition of blaspheme, in case you're wondering: defame, rail on, revile, speak evil. Who wants to be accused of that? But that certainly is referring to a Christian husband. Most women wouldn't have a problem subjecting to a Christian husband. Women can't be expected to be obedient to a non-saved, non-spiritual husband can she? Let's look at the Ephesians passage all put together. Ephesians 5:22-24 states: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Once again, a comparison of how the church is subject to Christ. It also says that a wife is to be subject to her husband in every thing. Everything means every thing, doesn't it? Except in spiritual matters, right? Well lets look at another passage. So far, we've just heard Paul's opinion...and he wasn't even married. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:1-2 that: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Peter says, to the wives, that if there are any unbelieving husbands, wives should be in subjection [to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto] to their husbands, that their conversation [behavior: - conversation] towards him might win him to the Lord. So even if your husband is not spiritual, even if he is not saved, it is very clear that the woman is supposed to be obedient, submissive, in subjection to him regardless.
Historically:
From what I've seen, and I've become pretty observant, women who come out from under the husbands authority (headship) have homes and households that leave much to be desired. A vast majority of these homes have unhappy or broken marriages and rebellious, wayward children. Conversely, I've read stories (and met) unsaved families living in complete harmony because the wives are under the headship of the husbands. The children are unsaved and unchurched, but are obedient to the parents. This proves to me that the women have a lot of control to set the mood of the family. It also goes to show that the writers of the Bible knew that God's direction not only applies to those in the Church, but is a natural order in the world also. As the devil tries to take over the world, it would make sense that he would start in the home. And as much influence as the wives/mothers have in the homes, this seems to be a prime target.
Before you say to me or to yourself that being obedient to a non-spiritual husband may effect your salvation, I'll try to get my thoughts together and post on this as well (Faith, Works and Salvation). And if you still have issue with what I wrote, take it up with God in prayer. Read through the referenced passages. God wrote it. These are His ideas. If you still have issues, let me know and I will try to clarify. Or better yet, ask your husbands! 1 Corinthians 14:35 And if they (women) will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:
First of all, the headships are covered pretty unquestionably. Ephesians 5:23 says: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. We know without a doubt that Christ is the head of the church. For Paul (through inspiration of God) to compare the husband/wife relationship to that of Christ and church, it must be merited. I Corinthians 11:3 states: But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Enough said about headship? These verses are pretty straight-forward.
Most of the arguments against this that we hear go something like this: "I believe that a woman should always obey the Bible and not man." Okay, lets see what the Bible says about wives obeying your husbands. Ephesians 5:22 says: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Most women try to make this verse say something that it doesn't. They get hung up on the "as unto the Lord" part, as if trying to make it say that you submit to the Lord as opposed to your husband. It clearly states that you are to submit unto your husband, just like you would submit unto the Lord. And men, see who this is directed to? And what's it say? Women, submit yourselves unto your own husband. Not "Husbands, see that your wives submit unto you." This is an issue for the wives to work out. Typically, she doesn't need your help, and certainly doesn't need to be reminded of this. Also women, see how it says to submit unto your own husbands? Not someone else's husband, including the pastor/preacher/minister. Titus 2:4-5 says that the aged women are to: ...teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Hmm... this says that if your not obedient to your own husband, the word of God is blasphemed.That sounds pretty serious. How do these things get swept under the rug. This is a serious accusation. If a woman is not obedient to their husbands, they are blaspheming the word of God. Definition of blaspheme, in case you're wondering: defame, rail on, revile, speak evil. Who wants to be accused of that? But that certainly is referring to a Christian husband. Most women wouldn't have a problem subjecting to a Christian husband. Women can't be expected to be obedient to a non-saved, non-spiritual husband can she? Let's look at the Ephesians passage all put together. Ephesians 5:22-24 states: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Once again, a comparison of how the church is subject to Christ. It also says that a wife is to be subject to her husband in every thing. Everything means every thing, doesn't it? Except in spiritual matters, right? Well lets look at another passage. So far, we've just heard Paul's opinion...and he wasn't even married. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:1-2 that: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Peter says, to the wives, that if there are any unbelieving husbands, wives should be in subjection [to subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto] to their husbands, that their conversation [behavior: - conversation] towards him might win him to the Lord. So even if your husband is not spiritual, even if he is not saved, it is very clear that the woman is supposed to be obedient, submissive, in subjection to him regardless.
Historically:
From what I've seen, and I've become pretty observant, women who come out from under the husbands authority (headship) have homes and households that leave much to be desired. A vast majority of these homes have unhappy or broken marriages and rebellious, wayward children. Conversely, I've read stories (and met) unsaved families living in complete harmony because the wives are under the headship of the husbands. The children are unsaved and unchurched, but are obedient to the parents. This proves to me that the women have a lot of control to set the mood of the family. It also goes to show that the writers of the Bible knew that God's direction not only applies to those in the Church, but is a natural order in the world also. As the devil tries to take over the world, it would make sense that he would start in the home. And as much influence as the wives/mothers have in the homes, this seems to be a prime target.
Before you say to me or to yourself that being obedient to a non-spiritual husband may effect your salvation, I'll try to get my thoughts together and post on this as well (Faith, Works and Salvation). And if you still have issue with what I wrote, take it up with God in prayer. Read through the referenced passages. God wrote it. These are His ideas. If you still have issues, let me know and I will try to clarify. Or better yet, ask your husbands! 1 Corinthians 14:35 And if they (women) will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Words of Wisdom
It’s amazing what gems you’ll stumble across if you sit quietly and listen. These words of wisdom were overheard at my company picnic this summer.
A mother to her child: “Eat your supper, not your butter!”
Hmm…may not have everyday application, but should probably file it away for future reference.
Then just a couple weeks ago I was playing a game with Grace, our 4 year old. She was ready to move on to another game:
Grace: “Where are those ‘burp-sticks’?”
Me: “Burp-Sticks?”
Grace: “Yeah, Abigail’s little burp-sticks.”
I thought for a minute. Then it occurred to me that the day before she was playing with Abigail’s ‘hiccup-sticks’. Abigail had received Pick-up Sticks for her birthday from a grandma. Somehow a transition transpired from ‘Pick-up Sticks’ to ‘Hiccup-Sticks’ and from ‘Hiccup-Sticks’ to another bodily function; ‘Burp-Sticks’. Sometimes it’s like detective work just figuring out what your little ones are trying to say.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Church, Family and Church Family
Wow, it's been a while.
First off, we're all doing well. It's evident that we're headed into the winter up here. We've been winterizing the house by splitting and stacking wood, putting storm windows in, cleaning out gutters and raking the yard. My wife said the forecast looks like cold and wintry mixes possible this week with highs in the 40's. Seems too early to be experiencing this, but we are in the UP. Geographically, we're more than half-way (to the north) between the Equator and the North Pole.
We've had a rough week. We found out a while back that we had some distinct (and probably major) doctrinal differences with the church that we've been attending. At first, we thought that we could overlook them and just enjoy the fellowship. We love the people and they truly helped us get through a difficult time. Then some things transpired. With encouragement from the ministers wife, my wife gave counsel to some questioning women. The next Sunday, the counsel was ripped apart from the pulpit (by the ministers dad who was filling in), completely butchering the passages that she used. The question was regarding the headship at home. My wife said that the husband is the head of the wife and not the minister. She referenced Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3 and Titus 2. Each passage specifically states the hierarchy (this may be the wrong word) of the home, without condition. It was preached that a non-spiritual man can't lead a family properly. That if he tells her to do something opposed to the word of God (or opposed to the minister), that she should come out from under his authority and do what's "right". By doing something "opposed to the word of God", I mean if the husband insisted that she stay home from church or cut her hair (ref. the passage in 1 Corinthians 11 regarding hair/covering). It's obvious to us that these are not issues that would cost the wife her salvation. The church felt otherwise. And why should she submit to him, he doesn't love her like Christ loved the church.They made it very conditional (not even mentioning the passage in Peter that specifically says that if your husband isn't a believer, submit to him so that your chase conversation (conduct) might lead him to the Lord). After this, we sat back and watched for a while. We noticed a few things. First, the minister always stated the fact that it was easier to get women into the church than it was men. My theory: by telling the women to disobey their husbands and listen to the minister, this is creating huge amounts of dissension in the home. If she constantly runs to the minster with her problems, what's this doing to the man's self-esteem? No wonder your husband doesn't "love you like Christ loved the church". And what's the point of him trying to lead his family when you're running to the minister double-guessing every decision he makes? As a man, I wouldn't go to that church either. I believe these ministries are destroying families. One poll I read stated that this denomination had the highest divorce rate among all denominations. I can believe it. They had a revival-type meeting last week. We went for one night to "observe". What we noticed was how fake-ly happy the women looked, how unhappy the children looked and how beat-down the men looked. And it was obvious that the women controlled the service. Not by the up-front leading like preaching or song leading; that would be too obvious. They were much more "worshipful" and much louder "praisers". They controlled the mood of the service. I know that might not make sense, but if you sit back and watch, you might see what I mean in your own services. Besides this, we couldn't even feel comfortable inviting others to attend the church because the other doctrinal differences. I'm glad we teach doctrine to our children at home or else this could have completely confused them. Needless to say, I let the minister know that we wouldn't be worshiping there anymore. I'm sure he'll be out to talk. We pray that God opens his heart to the truth. We'll still be friends.
Another observation we had over the weekend. This time it was Sunday at another church we were visiting. We found out that this church was of the "Free-Will" theology, meaning that once someone was saved, there was no way to lose their salvation. We also noticed that they had a huge children's ministry. I was a bit baffled for a while. I wondered what percentage of the kids that came (which it was mentioned that 25 kids came on the bus that morning), stayed in the church for three, five, ten years. I know that if one comes to the Lord, it's all worth it. And I'm not opposed to children's ministries, but shouldn't the main push be for the parents? Get them into the church? I understand that not every parent is going to be receptive of the gospel, but shouldn't that be at least a focus. Then the children just kind of ran wild. One girl had on the roller-skate shoes and was zipping in and out of the sanctuary. Then something hit me there, also. Seeing their stance on salvation, they had in mind to get the kids in, lead them in a "sinners prayer" and baptize them, then let the children run free if they chose to. According to their doctrine, the children are eternally saved regardless of the lifestyle they move onto. Their invitation to salvation seemed so passive and cold. It nearly made me shiver. We won't be going back there either.
We're going to take a break and study at home what we believe and why. First, I'm going to break down the Apostles Creed and study it out, giving scripture references. Then we'll move on to more of a Knapp's Statement of Faith. We may take a break somewhere in there to visit a home church we know of about 30-40 miles from us. I really want to solidify our core and our foundation first. I also need to find a place to baptize one of the children. Eshell checked on-line the other day the temperature of Lake Superior (just a few miles from us)...a chilly 48 degrees. Lake Michigan, about an hours drive, was about ten degrees warmer.
That's it for now. Keep us in your prayers that we survive our first Yooper winter!
God bless!
First off, we're all doing well. It's evident that we're headed into the winter up here. We've been winterizing the house by splitting and stacking wood, putting storm windows in, cleaning out gutters and raking the yard. My wife said the forecast looks like cold and wintry mixes possible this week with highs in the 40's. Seems too early to be experiencing this, but we are in the UP. Geographically, we're more than half-way (to the north) between the Equator and the North Pole.
We've had a rough week. We found out a while back that we had some distinct (and probably major) doctrinal differences with the church that we've been attending. At first, we thought that we could overlook them and just enjoy the fellowship. We love the people and they truly helped us get through a difficult time. Then some things transpired. With encouragement from the ministers wife, my wife gave counsel to some questioning women. The next Sunday, the counsel was ripped apart from the pulpit (by the ministers dad who was filling in), completely butchering the passages that she used. The question was regarding the headship at home. My wife said that the husband is the head of the wife and not the minister. She referenced Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3 and Titus 2. Each passage specifically states the hierarchy (this may be the wrong word) of the home, without condition. It was preached that a non-spiritual man can't lead a family properly. That if he tells her to do something opposed to the word of God (or opposed to the minister), that she should come out from under his authority and do what's "right". By doing something "opposed to the word of God", I mean if the husband insisted that she stay home from church or cut her hair (ref. the passage in 1 Corinthians 11 regarding hair/covering). It's obvious to us that these are not issues that would cost the wife her salvation. The church felt otherwise. And why should she submit to him, he doesn't love her like Christ loved the church.They made it very conditional (not even mentioning the passage in Peter that specifically says that if your husband isn't a believer, submit to him so that your chase conversation (conduct) might lead him to the Lord). After this, we sat back and watched for a while. We noticed a few things. First, the minister always stated the fact that it was easier to get women into the church than it was men. My theory: by telling the women to disobey their husbands and listen to the minister, this is creating huge amounts of dissension in the home. If she constantly runs to the minster with her problems, what's this doing to the man's self-esteem? No wonder your husband doesn't "love you like Christ loved the church". And what's the point of him trying to lead his family when you're running to the minister double-guessing every decision he makes? As a man, I wouldn't go to that church either. I believe these ministries are destroying families. One poll I read stated that this denomination had the highest divorce rate among all denominations. I can believe it. They had a revival-type meeting last week. We went for one night to "observe". What we noticed was how fake-ly happy the women looked, how unhappy the children looked and how beat-down the men looked. And it was obvious that the women controlled the service. Not by the up-front leading like preaching or song leading; that would be too obvious. They were much more "worshipful" and much louder "praisers". They controlled the mood of the service. I know that might not make sense, but if you sit back and watch, you might see what I mean in your own services. Besides this, we couldn't even feel comfortable inviting others to attend the church because the other doctrinal differences. I'm glad we teach doctrine to our children at home or else this could have completely confused them. Needless to say, I let the minister know that we wouldn't be worshiping there anymore. I'm sure he'll be out to talk. We pray that God opens his heart to the truth. We'll still be friends.
Another observation we had over the weekend. This time it was Sunday at another church we were visiting. We found out that this church was of the "Free-Will" theology, meaning that once someone was saved, there was no way to lose their salvation. We also noticed that they had a huge children's ministry. I was a bit baffled for a while. I wondered what percentage of the kids that came (which it was mentioned that 25 kids came on the bus that morning), stayed in the church for three, five, ten years. I know that if one comes to the Lord, it's all worth it. And I'm not opposed to children's ministries, but shouldn't the main push be for the parents? Get them into the church? I understand that not every parent is going to be receptive of the gospel, but shouldn't that be at least a focus. Then the children just kind of ran wild. One girl had on the roller-skate shoes and was zipping in and out of the sanctuary. Then something hit me there, also. Seeing their stance on salvation, they had in mind to get the kids in, lead them in a "sinners prayer" and baptize them, then let the children run free if they chose to. According to their doctrine, the children are eternally saved regardless of the lifestyle they move onto. Their invitation to salvation seemed so passive and cold. It nearly made me shiver. We won't be going back there either.
We're going to take a break and study at home what we believe and why. First, I'm going to break down the Apostles Creed and study it out, giving scripture references. Then we'll move on to more of a Knapp's Statement of Faith. We may take a break somewhere in there to visit a home church we know of about 30-40 miles from us. I really want to solidify our core and our foundation first. I also need to find a place to baptize one of the children. Eshell checked on-line the other day the temperature of Lake Superior (just a few miles from us)...a chilly 48 degrees. Lake Michigan, about an hours drive, was about ten degrees warmer.
That's it for now. Keep us in your prayers that we survive our first Yooper winter!
God bless!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
It Is (still) Well With Our Souls
As expected, we still have our moments. Some days are better than others. Sundays are hard for Eshell. Any day that I have time to dwell on the loss of Isaiah is hard for me. Yesterday happened to be one of them. I met Eshell and the kids for lunch. On my way back to work I lost it. Then I lost it again on my way home from work.
The notes, cards, phone calls and e-mails have been a real blessing. Also, we know that we still have tons of prayer coverage; for which we are very thankful. Thanks to all who read my last post and commented; either through the comments or through phone/e-mail/cards. To get things out like this helps me heal. The story of the Shunammite woman has also helped. Read it in 2 Kings 4. She only ever wanted a child. The Lord blessed her with one. Then he died. She ran in desperation to the man of God (Elisha) and fell vexed at his feet. The Lord chose to raise the child up, but before He did, she exclaimed "It is well".
After things have had a chance to settle down, my mind has also struggled with thoughts like: "Did you really do all that you could have done?" I know it seems completely nonsensical, but it has plagued me. I remember a couple years ago when Regan Clem posted about the loss of his twins (I wish I could find that post). He struggled with some of the same feelings. Could I have prayed a different way? Maybe I should have prayed for Eshell more earnestly and her bleeding would have stopped, letting the baby stay in longer. I knew at the time that I was completely helpless to do anything in my own power and strength. That's why I gave it God at that time. Why now do I try to take it back from God?
I know that what happened, happened for a reason. I also know that it happened for our good (Romans 8:28). (That last sentence was hard to write and is even harder to understand.) We may never know why or how on this earth. But we still trust God and His plan for us.
We are doing well, but prayers are still much appreciated. Thanks for all of the support!
Troy
The notes, cards, phone calls and e-mails have been a real blessing. Also, we know that we still have tons of prayer coverage; for which we are very thankful. Thanks to all who read my last post and commented; either through the comments or through phone/e-mail/cards. To get things out like this helps me heal. The story of the Shunammite woman has also helped. Read it in 2 Kings 4. She only ever wanted a child. The Lord blessed her with one. Then he died. She ran in desperation to the man of God (Elisha) and fell vexed at his feet. The Lord chose to raise the child up, but before He did, she exclaimed "It is well".
After things have had a chance to settle down, my mind has also struggled with thoughts like: "Did you really do all that you could have done?" I know it seems completely nonsensical, but it has plagued me. I remember a couple years ago when Regan Clem posted about the loss of his twins (I wish I could find that post). He struggled with some of the same feelings. Could I have prayed a different way? Maybe I should have prayed for Eshell more earnestly and her bleeding would have stopped, letting the baby stay in longer. I knew at the time that I was completely helpless to do anything in my own power and strength. That's why I gave it God at that time. Why now do I try to take it back from God?
I know that what happened, happened for a reason. I also know that it happened for our good (Romans 8:28). (That last sentence was hard to write and is even harder to understand.) We may never know why or how on this earth. But we still trust God and His plan for us.
We are doing well, but prayers are still much appreciated. Thanks for all of the support!
Troy
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Another Soldier Down
We've lost another soldier in the war. You won't hear about him on the news. He was actually to be a soldier-in-training. The war wasn't for oil, or to overthrow a dictator. This was a much more important war. This was a future soldier in THE WAR. The war of Biblical proportions. The war of good versus evil. He was to be trained up in the Spirit and in Truth. He would be as an arrow in the hands of a mighty warrior. He would do great things for the Mighty King. But the King saw fit to call him from service. Now he sits at the King's own banqueting table. Although he left a family that loved him, he now entertains a company that loves him more. A company who knew like no other what was best for him. The very company that created his entire being. The company that knit him together in his mothers womb. The company that breathed the breath of life into his nostrils and lungs. This is the company that called him home.
Sunday, September 2, 2007, I was in the shower getting ready for church. Eshell came in and was chatting with me about typical stuff. Just as I was finishing up she said "I'm bleeding".
We knew from an early ultrasound that she had complete placenta previa; which means here placenta was completely covering her cervix. The doctor gave her some restrictions and said that if the condition didn't correct itself, they would take the baby c-section ten days before her due date (December 21st). They also said that she may experience bleeding (without pain), but this was typically common between 27-34 weeks and that we were to promptly bring her in.
She was now 24 weeks. She was bleeding heavily and was experiencing a lot of pain. I called the OB doctor and they said to bring her to the birthing area of the hospital where they could check her. She managed to make it out to the van and after I confirmed that she and all of the children were buckled in, I proceeded to speed to the hospital. I was driving about 75mph on highway 41 into Marquette with Eshell insisting that we were going to get pulled over. I disregarded her. We then got pulled over. As the State Police officer was walking up along our van, I stuck my drivers license out the window and said "Officer, my wife is hemorrhaging and I need to get her to the hospital". He said "Go ahead" so I took off again.
We got to the hospital, and after a circus show, made our way to the birthing area. The children waited in the waiting area while we got Eshell settled. They would try to get her bleeding under control, but if they couldn't they would have to take the baby via c-section. Things appeared mellow for a while, so I told Eshell that I would take the children home and feed them and let the ministers wife come and sit with them so I could be with her.
I took the children to get a sandwich and took them home. As soon as I got them unloaded I got a call from Eshell saying they were going to take the baby and that they couldn't wait for me to get there. I got the children inside and called the minister and let him know the situation and to have his wife come out and sit with the children. I was then off again to the hospital. I cried and prayed that the Lord would be with them. I prayed "Lord, they came into this world as your children. If you choose to take them now, they'll leave as your children".
I arrived as they were finishing up the procedure. The doctor came in and informed me that Eshell was doing well and that she would spend a few minutes in the recovery room while she was coming around. The baby was stable and was being attended to by the neonatologist. She informed me that he came out fighting at a length of 12 inches and a weight of 1 pound 8 ounces. Isaiah Nathanael would be his name, born at 12:22pm on 09/02/07. The Lord gave that name to Eshell shortly after she gave birth to Susanna two and a half years ago. Eshell recovered, but they had to give her a pint of blood due to her heavy bleeding.
After she came around, we prayed together often. When we were able to see Isaiah, he was in an incubator with wires and hoses running from everywhere. He had a machine breathing for him. We'd seen this before with some of our other children. The difference is, our next smallest child was born weighing 5 pounds 2 ounces. We prayed for a healing to his body, but we also gave him back to the Lord at that time. We had prayed that if the Lord was going to take him, to do it quickly. At about 9:45pm, the doctor came in and said that there was nothing more he could do...our baby was going to die. We had requested that in this situation, we wanted him unhooked from his machines and brought in to us. As I held him, I cried and prayed. I told God that it wasn't too late to perform a miracle. They pronounced him dead at 10:05pm on 09/02/07. God did not let me down. We are not bitter nor angry at God for choosing not to heal our baby. He knows far better, how could we doubt Him? We cried and called out to the Lord to comfort us. I've never felt a pain like I felt when I gave my baby back to the nurse. It felt like she took a part of my being with her. We cried and prayed some more and an amazing peace covered us both. God's Spirit was so evident, we were again comforted. We could both honestly say, and did say, that "It is well with my soul". I spent that night with Eshell in the hospital room.
I got up early the next morning and went home. I wanted to be there when the children woke up. As they woke up, I let them know that mommy was doing fine, but that Isaiah didn't make it through the night. The two oldest took it very hard. The little ones didn't understand. I tried to comfort and pray with them all.
Eshell had the best doctors and the best nurses that I believe I've ever met. They truly made this all easier. Eshell had the nurses and the social worker who were evaluating her mental state in tears. They came to "counsel" her, but as she began to tell of God's goodness, they both wept. They actually let her come home a day early (Tuesday) because they thought she would "heal better at home". And one nurse mentioned to the doctor that she had a great faith in God and that would help her get through. My mom, mother-in-law and father-in-law were all up here for help and support. Between that and our church family...what a blessing! And I know we had prayers coming in from all over. What a comfort to know you're smothered in prayers of the saints.
We had the funeral for the baby on Friday. I thought it would be difficult. I had given the baby's spirit to God as he lay in my arms on Sunday night. Now I would give his body to the grave. Eshell and I prayed before going to the funeral. The minister did a beautiful job, and God was faithful and comforted us. We cried when the ministers wife sang "It Is Well" at the graveside. I'm sure we'll have our moments of sorrow. I'm sure things will jog our memory of the small amount of time we got to spend with him. But we will always remember the grace that God gave us to get through this.
On Wednesday when I was finally able to turn on some music again, I had the Isaac's family CD in the car stereo. The song with the same title as this post came on and it ministered to me as did several songs on the CD. Hard to imagine bluegrass music ministering. The specific lyrics that touched me was "the fight before the victory; the cross before the crown". This is a bump in the road to the victory. The victory that Isaiah is already enjoying. Please pray that God would continue His mercy on this family. That we would not begin to doubt Him. We do serve a God that has the power to heal, but will comfort when He doesn't. Praise Him for His divine will and grace.
Sunday, September 2, 2007, I was in the shower getting ready for church. Eshell came in and was chatting with me about typical stuff. Just as I was finishing up she said "I'm bleeding".
We knew from an early ultrasound that she had complete placenta previa; which means here placenta was completely covering her cervix. The doctor gave her some restrictions and said that if the condition didn't correct itself, they would take the baby c-section ten days before her due date (December 21st). They also said that she may experience bleeding (without pain), but this was typically common between 27-34 weeks and that we were to promptly bring her in.
She was now 24 weeks. She was bleeding heavily and was experiencing a lot of pain. I called the OB doctor and they said to bring her to the birthing area of the hospital where they could check her. She managed to make it out to the van and after I confirmed that she and all of the children were buckled in, I proceeded to speed to the hospital. I was driving about 75mph on highway 41 into Marquette with Eshell insisting that we were going to get pulled over. I disregarded her. We then got pulled over. As the State Police officer was walking up along our van, I stuck my drivers license out the window and said "Officer, my wife is hemorrhaging and I need to get her to the hospital". He said "Go ahead" so I took off again.
We got to the hospital, and after a circus show, made our way to the birthing area. The children waited in the waiting area while we got Eshell settled. They would try to get her bleeding under control, but if they couldn't they would have to take the baby via c-section. Things appeared mellow for a while, so I told Eshell that I would take the children home and feed them and let the ministers wife come and sit with them so I could be with her.
I took the children to get a sandwich and took them home. As soon as I got them unloaded I got a call from Eshell saying they were going to take the baby and that they couldn't wait for me to get there. I got the children inside and called the minister and let him know the situation and to have his wife come out and sit with the children. I was then off again to the hospital. I cried and prayed that the Lord would be with them. I prayed "Lord, they came into this world as your children. If you choose to take them now, they'll leave as your children".
I arrived as they were finishing up the procedure. The doctor came in and informed me that Eshell was doing well and that she would spend a few minutes in the recovery room while she was coming around. The baby was stable and was being attended to by the neonatologist. She informed me that he came out fighting at a length of 12 inches and a weight of 1 pound 8 ounces. Isaiah Nathanael would be his name, born at 12:22pm on 09/02/07. The Lord gave that name to Eshell shortly after she gave birth to Susanna two and a half years ago. Eshell recovered, but they had to give her a pint of blood due to her heavy bleeding.
After she came around, we prayed together often. When we were able to see Isaiah, he was in an incubator with wires and hoses running from everywhere. He had a machine breathing for him. We'd seen this before with some of our other children. The difference is, our next smallest child was born weighing 5 pounds 2 ounces. We prayed for a healing to his body, but we also gave him back to the Lord at that time. We had prayed that if the Lord was going to take him, to do it quickly. At about 9:45pm, the doctor came in and said that there was nothing more he could do...our baby was going to die. We had requested that in this situation, we wanted him unhooked from his machines and brought in to us. As I held him, I cried and prayed. I told God that it wasn't too late to perform a miracle. They pronounced him dead at 10:05pm on 09/02/07. God did not let me down. We are not bitter nor angry at God for choosing not to heal our baby. He knows far better, how could we doubt Him? We cried and called out to the Lord to comfort us. I've never felt a pain like I felt when I gave my baby back to the nurse. It felt like she took a part of my being with her. We cried and prayed some more and an amazing peace covered us both. God's Spirit was so evident, we were again comforted. We could both honestly say, and did say, that "It is well with my soul". I spent that night with Eshell in the hospital room.
I got up early the next morning and went home. I wanted to be there when the children woke up. As they woke up, I let them know that mommy was doing fine, but that Isaiah didn't make it through the night. The two oldest took it very hard. The little ones didn't understand. I tried to comfort and pray with them all.
Eshell had the best doctors and the best nurses that I believe I've ever met. They truly made this all easier. Eshell had the nurses and the social worker who were evaluating her mental state in tears. They came to "counsel" her, but as she began to tell of God's goodness, they both wept. They actually let her come home a day early (Tuesday) because they thought she would "heal better at home". And one nurse mentioned to the doctor that she had a great faith in God and that would help her get through. My mom, mother-in-law and father-in-law were all up here for help and support. Between that and our church family...what a blessing! And I know we had prayers coming in from all over. What a comfort to know you're smothered in prayers of the saints.
We had the funeral for the baby on Friday. I thought it would be difficult. I had given the baby's spirit to God as he lay in my arms on Sunday night. Now I would give his body to the grave. Eshell and I prayed before going to the funeral. The minister did a beautiful job, and God was faithful and comforted us. We cried when the ministers wife sang "It Is Well" at the graveside. I'm sure we'll have our moments of sorrow. I'm sure things will jog our memory of the small amount of time we got to spend with him. But we will always remember the grace that God gave us to get through this.
On Wednesday when I was finally able to turn on some music again, I had the Isaac's family CD in the car stereo. The song with the same title as this post came on and it ministered to me as did several songs on the CD. Hard to imagine bluegrass music ministering. The specific lyrics that touched me was "the fight before the victory; the cross before the crown". This is a bump in the road to the victory. The victory that Isaiah is already enjoying. Please pray that God would continue His mercy on this family. That we would not begin to doubt Him. We do serve a God that has the power to heal, but will comfort when He doesn't. Praise Him for His divine will and grace.
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