Wednesday, January 28, 2009

God's Been Good

GOD'S BEEN GOOD (Sung by Legacy Five, I believe written by Tim Parton)

Verse 1
Lately I've been looking back, along this winding road
To the old familiar markers of the mercies I have known
I know it may sound simple but it's more than a cliche
There's no better way to tell you, than to say

Chorus
God's been good in my life
I feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams when I go to sleep each night
And though I've had my share of hard times, I wouldn't change them if I could
'Cause through it all, God's been good

Verse 2
Times replay and I can see that I've cried some bitter tears
But I felt His arms around me, as I faced my greatest fears
You see I've had more gains than losses and I've known more joy than hurt
As His grace rolled down upon me undeserved

Bridge
For God has been my Father, my Savior and my Friend
His love was my beginning, and His love will be my end
I could spend forever trying to tell you everything He is
But the best that I can say it is this

Chorus
God's been good in my life
I feel blessed beyond my wildest dreams when I go to sleep each night
And though I've had my share of hard times, I wouldn't change them if I could
'Cause through it all, God's been good

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Conflict Response

There was something I would like to share in a book I read some time ago, The Peacemaker by Ken Sande. It was about conflict respones. He has a chart in a half circle. One end has escape respones (peace faking), the middle has conciliation responses (peace making), the end has attack responses (peace breaking). I would like to share his thoughts through some quotes on the escape response.

"Escape Response...people tend to use these responses when they are more interested in avoiding a conflict than in resolving it....is common within the church because many Christians believe that all conflict is wrong or dangerous...they will do one of three things to escape from conflict.

1. Denial-pretend the conflict doesn't exist...brings temporay relief
2. Flight-run away...may be a legitimate response when it is impossible to resolve
3. Suicide"

(End of quote)

In any relationship there are small, no big deal, differences that each party can overlook. Like squeezing the toothpaste tube in the middle. It may need some patience to deal with how the other person does things but it doesn't have to be discussed every time. Then there are major differences or offences that can't be ignored. They need to be discussed and worked out. If a person steals from you, commits adultry, abuses you. You can't just use an escape response and pretend like the problem is not there just so you can get along and have peace because it is a fake peace. And if one person is not willing to stop the adultery, stealing, or abuse after you talk about it and talk about it, it is time for the receiving person to say I will not accept your abuse any more and until you can stop doing this and say you're sorry(which is what repentance is) I will not accept the abuse anymore.

In my past church experience, the denial escape response has been used and used until it is worn out. Many wouldn't dare admit they had sin in their life because they were supposed to be holy so you didn't dare admit anything was wrong because they professed to be a holy people, separate and better than any other church and the only ones going to heaven and it was a fake peace.

I spent many years under a ministry who would never admit they were wrong. It was always the "people" meaning the congregation that were the cause of any failure. For years we patiently worked and would have peaceful meetings with discussions when we knew that there was conflict that needed worked out. But these meetings never bore any fruit of the conflict working out. These things compounded over the years until the whole church was full of infection. And then there were multiple splits.

Jesus and Paul were not backward about telling people to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, the "religious, holy people of their day." Here are some Biblical examples.

KJV
Mt 16:6

6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

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KJV
Mt 16:11

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

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KJV
Mt 16:12

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
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KJV
Mk 8:15

15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

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KJV
Lk 12:1

1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

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KJV
1Co 5:6

6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
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KJV
1Co 5:7

7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

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KJV
1Co 5:8

8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
   
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KJV
Gal 5:9

9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

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New people can come into a congregation like that not knowing the infection that is there because there are still members that are using the escape reponse to conflict and will love them right into the congregation. New people get saved because because of the gospel, not because of a healthy congregation. The leaven is still there and years down the road history is repeated.

An example: A doctor can discover a small cancer in a person, leave the cancer there, sew him up, and the outside wound heal beautifully. The doctor and some people may know it is there but they choose the escape response and a fake peace. New people may see that person, not know there is cancer growing inside the person and see nothing but health on the outside. One or a few people may try to tell others we've got to get the cancer out but nobody will listen. Meanwhile the cancer is growing and eventually becomes a major problem and then death.

Isaiah (as well as other prophets) was sent to warn Israel of their condition:

Isaiah 1:5-6 "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment."

One of the books I have on my book shelf is "How to recover from churches that abuse". There are churches that have "cult like symptoms". One of those symptoms is a ministry who can do no wrong and with people following them no matter what goes on. There is fear put on the congregation that this place is the only place you can go and still get to heaven.

It is difficult for me to conclude this post. I, like Paul confessed in a letter to the church, was chief among sinners. And I don't have all the answers. But I will stand on what God has shown me to do and trust Him for what I have no answer for.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Abortion

Some facts presented in church yesterday:

3500 people were killed on 9-11 when the planes were hi-jacked and crashed.
4000 babies were killed on 9-12 and every day thereafter.

Help us all to not get used the dark and the silent holocaust that is going on everyday.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Trials give us experience so we can help others

In every trial of my life God has reminded me that once I "grow" through it I will be able to use the experience to help somebody else who is going through the same thing. God doesn't always keep me involved in the same thing day after day. God knows how much we can bear and when we need to drop things for a while and when we need to pick them up again. I have been guilty of being the "Levite who passed on the other side of the road when someone was bruised and cast aside" as in the story of the Good Samaritan. Since I have been on the receiving end of that same experience God has given me opportunity after opportunity of fellowshipping and reaching out to those who are in the same position. God knows that there are long periods of time when I lay these issues aside. He gives me a breath of fresh air away from it. Then there are times when I come face to face with someone who is still hurting. We share our stories and my indignation is brought to the surface again with what has gone on... and we rejoice in the freedom God has given us to walk in ways that he has shown us.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

I started this post the other day, saved it as a draft to come back to and add to.

Some of the Pharisees were interested in what Jesus had to say and believed on Him. Have you ever heard of a secret disciple? These same Pharisees would not stand up to other Pharisees and say Jesus was right. They would not take a real stand for Jesus. Why? Because they would be persecuted by their own peers, cast out of the temple, scorned. They wanted to believe but not pay the price of believing.

We have the same thing today. There are those who will be friends to those who have been cut off but they will not stand up for them before their church peers. They will not take a real stand for what is right.

Then there are those who will pal with those that have cut people off but not confront them with the wrong they have done. Just try to get along without talking about the things that are wrong. We humans can be so weak. You see if we just keep everything smooth on the top and not take any real stands then we can keep everything real peaceful. But the dirt is still there under the rug where it was swept, thinking nobody would see it or be hurt by it. But people are hurt by it. People have been spiritually lost because of it.

Doesn't Jesus say if you offend a little one woe unto you, it would be better for a millstone to be around your neck?

God is looking for these things to be cleared up, the sin admitted. It is not wrong to admit sin and confess and ask forgivenss. It is wrong to ignore the sin or excuse it or act like it never happened.

Reformed Sheology, there is a link on my blog, had a good lesson the other day. It was about forgiveness. Reading it is better than I can say it and I encourage you to read it. But it talked about offering forgiveness, but if the other person doesn't repent, the fellowship is broken. You can stay in that relationship and be treated the same way they treated you before. You're a slave to them to accept however they want to treat you just so that you can be their friend. If you take a stand and confront them with the issue you risk their anger, their defensiveness and their absence of having anything to do with you. But it is necessary and it is time to move on to what else or who else God leads you to if the other person doesn't want to repent and quit treating you the same old way. We can be friends with everybody in the world if we want to be like a chameleon and blend in with whoever we are with.

God's forgiveness is freely offered, but if you don't repent, you don't receive the forgiveness. The Corinthians thought they were super spiritual because they were willing to get along with everyone with sin in their midst. They thought they were just being forgiving by letting the problem exist and not confronting or taking a stand.

Like I said a few days ago, if we can rejoice that we have it so good while people are spiritually dying along the wayside that have been pushed and trampled, we need the Revelation 3 salve for our eyes.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Chance for a trip to Hawaii

The headquarters of our home business is giving away chances to win a trip for 2 to Hawaii. It is through Ecoquest International and the links are on my side bar. If you will leave a comment on this particular post to give me an indication that you have looked at our products or the business opportunity or both, I will send you a coupon to enter for the Hawaii trip. The company does the drawing and gives away one trip for every 4000 entries.

I will give away 5 and it must be 1 per household.
Can you imagine rejoicing in you warm cozy, home while someone is outside freezing? Let's say it is someone you kicked out of a house you owned because they couldn't pay you rent because they had lost their job.

Now let's apply this spiritually. Can you imagine rejoicing and saying God is blessing in a church when there are those whom you have cut off because they didn't bow to your standards and now you have nothing to do with them?

I think this makes God as sick as it makes me. As Revelation chapter 3 says: You are poor, blind and wretched and think you have need of nothing. Let God anoint your eyes that you may see.

Who is your neighbor? The one you have left by the wayside to die. The one who some Good Samaritan bound up their wounds. The one who Jesus led by the still waters and the grassy fields and restored and comforted through the valley of shadow of death.

Sophie



Julie brought her from Ohio from Dale and Debbie Rude and their children. I think it was September of 2006 that she came as a baby bunny. She is waiting for me to feed her this morning. Cuddling her is good therapy. She is not normally in the house, just occasionally.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Good Morning Lord

Natasa at Slavim Isusa shared some posts this month on those that are suffering for trusting in Jesus. It has caused me to think how easy we have it. We definitely have trials. God doesn't allow any of us to go to heaven on a flowery bed of ease. Our faith needs to be tested. Our Christianity can't just be a nice label that we wear. But there are people that are so hungry for Jesus in places that are not open to letting them have the freedom to worship Him without real danger and even murder should they be discovered seeking Him. It is sobering and makes me realize how precious it is to enjoy reading the promises of God. How much He loves you and me.

I have learned that even though people have failed me God is my life line and He has never failed me.

A song came to me this morning when I woke up. "I want Jesus in my life more than anything." It is a reminder, not how spiritual I am for having those thoughts because it came from God, pulled from memories long ago. But it is a call from Him to draw close. I appreciate His request for a "morning hug".

Friday, January 9, 2009

A corner of my house where you can get a Breath of Fresh Air

Come in and join me at my house tonight. Sit down and enjoy your self in one of my corners. Leave me a comment. I have so enjoyed meeting many new friends on my blog the past year.

Lori and I were putting away Christmas decorations and cleaning tonight. I hadn't gotten a chance to join Show and Tell Friday with Kelli yet. But I have enjoyed what others have shared today. Kelli has a really nice wreath on her door. And I also met some more new friends.
You can do all this too at: Show and Tell

I decided to share one of my favorite lamps.

I like the dangles that hang down and I carefully run my fingers through them. It came from Walmart several years ago and it didn't cost much.

Then here is this small throw that my Mother made. She uses this same design to make baby blankets. She takes different pastel colors of left over yarn to make the individual octagon shapes and then joins them together with white. I have pulled it down some on the rocker so you may see it better.

You can also see here some of my favorite books: my Bible, a book of short stories by Lori Wick called Beyond the Picket Fence, and Come Away by Shel Arensen which is a new one I got while I was away Christmas week. We found a bookstore on our way up to Ohio in Corbin, KY. Come Away is about how to have a personal prayer retreat. The author speaks of spending time alone with God, not a whole day on your knees but prayer, listening to praise songs, enjoying God's beautiful scenery, time in the Word, etc.

I also enjoy this rocker that matches my sofa. Some day I would like to have an end table by the lamp so that this can be my little corner for tea and reading. I love books and have a large collection. Maybe some Friday I will share some of them.Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Passing of a dear Christian sister


I would like to honor a dear sister who was a great encouragement to me. You would have to meet her to experience her sweet spirit. She helped sooth my hurts when I miscarried my first baby. She had such faith. It was an automatic with her to know that the Lord was going to take care of every situation. She was always so calm. She loved children and taught hers to love the Lord and be good achievers. The familys' singing was an inspiration and blended so well.

One of the songs they were known for was "When I Wake Up in Glory"

I shall fall asleep some day and from earth shall pass away,
But my soul shall reach a better land.
All the things of life shall fail as we pass through death’s dark veil,
And God’s way we clearly understand.

When I wake up, wake up on glory,
And to Jesus will sing redemption story.
Oh, I shall see Him face to face who has kept me by His grace,
When I wake up in glory by and by.

When my weary eyelids close and I slump to sweet repose,
Singing hallelujah as I go.
All my sorrows will be past I’ll be free from care at last,
And I’ll leave my troubles here below.

Legacy Five has a song "Hello After Goodbye"

"...we will be with them far longer than we were without them, no doubt. In that beautiful, wonderful hello after goodbye"


Marlene Marie Burton

News Death Notice

BURTON, Marlene Marie 77, of Springfield, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 6:30 a.m. in her residence. She was born October 19, 1931 in Springfield, the daughter of Marcellus and Edna Mae (Davis) Cooper. She attended Springfield High School. She was a devoted wife and mother of fifteen children. As a young woman, Marlene sang with her sisters in a group called the Cooper Sisters. They sang on WIZE Radio for the Negro Business Hour in Springfield. In 1980, Marlene and her husband formed the Burton Family Singers. Marlene taught all of her children to sing. The Burton Family Singers sang locally to teenage inmates at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center. The family also sang in churches throughout the United States. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband Harlen Edward and their children: Melanie (Charles) Clark, Harlen Eric (Carrie) Burton, Pamela (Bobbie) Jones, Paula (Michael) Duncan, Jonathan (Sylvia) Burton, Celeste (Kelvin) Gaskins, Thomas Burton, Rhoda (Gregory "Sarg") Linton, David (Debbie) Burton, Joel Burton, Angela (Zac) Coaston, Charles Burton, and Peter (Della) Burton. She also leaves four sisters: Una (Paul) Peterson, Shirley Robinson, Pat (Gene) Mitchell, Donna Beverly and one brother Jerry (Patti) Cooper; forty-six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Marion "Bud" Cooper, and two daughters, Jill Forbes and Bethany Burton.

We love you and God bless your family.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Legacy Five Concert


We went to a Legacy Five concert tonight. They are one of my favorite gospel groups. Their songs are very encouraging. Here are some pictures taken with my phone camera. Julie had to help me take the boing sound off in the middle of the concert. Every picture I took went boing. It was okay as long as the singing was louder but one time I took one when it was a quiet song and got embarrassed because we were in the second row.






It was a good night of praising the Lord. Also, remember Frank Seaman's son. They found out yesterday he has lymphoma.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Sharing

My mother has always been a very good sewer. We grew up with our dining room always having this huge cutting board on top of the dining table so she could measure and cut draperies. She made drapes for banks and well-to-do people of our small town. Some people wanted a roman shade or a different kind of valance fastened on a wooden frame. She would always come up with a way to make them what they wanted. My dad would build the wooden frame. She didn't charge enough but did a great job and so people were willing to wait on however long it took her to make it. People also came to her with mending or alterations when they couldn't so much as sew a button on. My sisters and I actually learned to cook under her direction while she was sewing. She was also a very good cook and some of my fondest memories are of her rolling out noodles and pie crusts.

She also sewed other projects. Today I am sharing towels she made. She is now 88 and while we were there for Christmas, she wanted to make sure everyone had several. She is losing her memory but is aware of it and is needing assistance so please pray for her.


Here is one hanging on the handle of a stove. She buys dish towels and cuts them in half then takes fabric scraps to cut out the top and makes a button hole and sews a button on.


See other items atShow and Tell

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Reach out and touch someone

Technology is very handy to reach out and touch others. We can hand out and receive a breath of fresh air through the computer and phone. While visiting Ohio I ask by oldest brother about his wife's brother. He said physically he was not doing real well.Max has MS and is very weak and I think on a ventilator. The last time I saw him was at my sister-in-laws' funeral a couple of years ago. He was in a wheelchair then. We visited him with him then and gave him one of our CD's of our family singing. And he so appreciated it. He has a very loving wife who cares for him. He is a Christian and has a very good attitude. He will tell you he is ready for heaven. I felt I wanted to call his home and let them know I was thinking of him. I was surprised today when I called and his wife asked if I wanted to talk to him. His voice was very clear. He said he was laying down and that enabled him to talk better. What amazed me is that even though we haven't seen each other for a long time he said he prays for us every day. He was full of news: his son, daughter-in-law and toddler grandson surprised him and came home from Texas for Christmas. You could tell he loves being a grandpa.

Max is such a blessing. It is great to find out that someone from your past acquaintances gets saved. Pray for Max and his wife. It can't be easy dealing with his illness.