Life is busy... life is great!

I haven't posted anything in about 5 months because life is just crazy since our Jonah has joined us. He is a precious little boy who is now crawling around and trying to stand up against furniture.

Jeremiah loves his little brother, but sometimes forgets that he is still too small to wrestle and doesn't know how to catch balls that are thrown at him. I am looking forward to seeing their relationship progress as they get older.

Who Inherits?

My dear cousin is a great person who challenges my thinking in so many ways. Because of our conversations, I have been forced to go back to Scripture to figure out the truth rather than relying on the human propensity to wrongly judge or determine someone's spiritual fate despite their actions. It is so easy to despise someone for their sin instead of realizing that their sins are no more sinful than mine. So, then, who gets to inherit heaven?

Homosexuality is charged, in Christian circles, as a sin worthy of death and separation from God forever and ever Amen. However, what makes a Christian? Acts 2:21 says, "... whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." And Acts 16:31 says "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." And last, Ephesians 2:8 says that it is "by grace you have been saved THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast."

Now, that certainly gives me the impression that even someone who has committed "mortal sins" can definitely be saved. Believe on Christ... believe in His redemptive work... believe that it is only through HIM that you can be saved from sin. It says absolutely nothing about one's pet sins... because you know that we all have them. What is yours? Vanity? Eating too much ice cream (overindulgence and gluttony)? Coveteousness? So then, who are you to judge someone else who happens to be sinning in sexuality? It is just the same as you... they are JUST THE SAME AS YOU. They still require God's grace and forgiveness as you do.

Now, here is a perplexing verse. 1 Corinthians 6:9 -- "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor HOMOSEXUALS... will inherit the kingdom of God." That seems pretty clear. However, it also includes thieves and those who covet. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that even I have done that. So let's look at the next verse... "And such WERE some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus..." GREAT!! It says "were". Meaning, we are no longer. However, I know that I still lapse. Don't you? Does it mean only if we aren't in a consistent pattern of sin?

Many Christians fall into a pattern of sin. Does that mean they are no longer saved? Or that they were NEVER saved to begin with? My upbringing has confused this issue for me for so long that it is important to search out what God has to say on the matter and not wrongly judge or assess people's spiritual state lest I get it wrong and mortally offend someone.

I was brought up to believe that shunning people was an acceptable form of "punishment" for sins. Whether or not the person was believed to be saved, they would be shunned for real or percieved sins... naturally, we were the ones judging that. Our verse of defense in these actions was 2 Thessalonians 3:14 "And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed." However, we often forgot to "note" the next verse in which it states very clearly that this is only for those who are "brothers" and to not count him as an "enemy". The shunning with which I was involved (and still am... BEING shunned, not doing the shunning) was not loving, nor was it assumed that it was for brothers and sisters in Christ. The whole point of this admonishment was so that unsaved neighbors would not look in and see what was going on and think that Christians approved of that persons' actions.

So, is that not the same view we ought to take on everything else? A Christian person who decides to continue their homosexual activities is shunned, but they are certainly NOT our enemies. We are to encourage and exhort them as our brother or sister in Christ. Not everyone who engages in homosexuality is unsaved. That is a very common misconception... one that I held until very recently. It is kind of like the process of discipline mentioned in Matthew 18. If a BROTHER sins, you go to tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he doesn't hear, then take a couple witnesses. But in all of this is the hope of forgiveness and restoration to the church and to God.

Who is our brother? Will you love them no matter their sins?

Happy Pills

Quite a bit has happened in the last month. Aside from starting my weight loss goals and working out, I have also been to the doctor to discuss my postpartum depression.

First things first. Since starting my workouts and diet plan, I have lost a total of 12 pounds. I took a brief hiatus from working out because I was feeling rather ugh-y from two periods in three weeks... the joys of re-entering the non-pregnant state. I am going to start my workout regimen again next week... the Biggest Loser workout tapes are on request from the library.

The next most important thing that happened was that I was diagnosed with postpartum and was prescribed some "happy pills". I am no longer the "Mother from H---" and the boys are very happy about that. Honestly, though, it was very apparent to me that I was not reacting the same way I usually do and couldn't seem to enjoy anything about my life. That is not normal for me. Now, I feel like I am myself again and am not overwhelmed or having a breakdown when I have to leave the house. I am enjoying my children again.

Jeremiah is going to be turning three this June. We are planning a school curriculum for him and it will consist of (most likely) four subjects: music, Bible, reading and math. I have already begun his Bible teaching. We have a "Bible book" that I read to him during his breakfast time and we are learning one verse a week. He has learned Genesis 1:1 and is currently learning Genesis 1:27... he has been asking to "learn another one" which shows me that he is enjoying his education and is ready for more.

Well, that is my family update for now.

Jeremiah grabbed the home phone from me and was pushing buttons (which he knows is not allowed) and when I asked him about it he said, "I'm talking to someone... CHILL!"

Gotta deal with that boy!

What is love?

In the dictionary, love (the verb) has so many definitions. It is to have profound tender, passionate affection; to need or require; to benefit greatly from. All of these apply when speaking about our relationships with others. But, is there a different kind of love when thinking of the marriage relationship?

Obviously, we are all familiar with what Scripture says love is: "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a).

That description, though, shows that love is not just a feeling. Love is also a choice. Love is there regardless of one's feelings at the moment. Love remains because of a commitment made to one another. It doesn't matter what the reasons were for taking vows. All that truly matters is that the vows were taken before God and must be kept. It doesn't matter if there are disagreements or struggles or confusion about whether or not love exists now. All things can be worked out between two followers of God.

That probably sounds trite and not nearly thought out enough; but I do truly believe it is the truth... not to mention, the right thing to do. God hates broken relationships. And, yes, I am one to talk about unresolved relationships (oh, the irony). As far as depends upon yourself, be at peace with one another. Make a relationship work. If both parties are amenable, reconciliation and love and peace will be restored because both will be working on their side of the relationship.

It sounds like I'm making it out to be so easy or simple. I'm not. This is complicated. There are a lot of things that need to be dealt with. Maybe the marriage took place too quickly and didn't give either of you time to recover from the past; but you belong to each other and are perfect together. It would be wrong to walk away because of struggles and arguments over family issues or confusion about whether or not you love each other. I know you do. Don't give up until you realize it. I do truly believe that God meant you two for each other. You understand and support one another like no one else ever could. You truly do complement each other and that is a gift from God. Don't let your families divide you... you are one in Christ and cannot be separated without severe damage to you both.

Jeremy has admonished me to not take everything to heart and overly burden myself with my friend's problems and concerns. I really am trying not to. The last thing I want to do is push my friend away because of the added stress of my concern. It must be heartwrenching to be dealing with these issues and I only want to be a support and a cause of good counsel.

I really care about you, friend. Don't hesitate to call me if you want to talk.

Which Things are "Loss"?

Yesterday at church, our pastor was teaching on Philippians 3:1-11. Paul refers to his heritage and education within the Judiaistic beliefs system. He was zealous and blameless according to the man-made laws of his day. But when he saw Christ and his heart was changed, he realized everything he thought was good and right was actually not important or counted to his benefit... it was counted as "rubbish" or "dung".

What things in my life did I count on? Before salvation, I counted on my righteous behavior. I wasn't a bad kid. I obeyed my parents without fail. I had a bad attitude many times, but it was well-concealed. I was a good little hypocrite.

After salvation, in my daily life.. I am trying to be a godly wife and mother. I am trying to have a good attitude concerning my responsibilities and duties which are neverending. What am I trying to gain? Is it earthly peace and contentment? Am I trying to save my children (in whatever manner you choose to apply it)?

I have really been struggling with what I have been doing and whether or not it is "enough". Yes, I have an infant and a 2 1/2 year old... but is that really an excuse for not doing/being more? Am I fulfilling my responsibility as a mother in terms of their spiritual growth and knowledge? I have been really lacking in that area and am trying to find a children's Bible that would fit well with our childrens' age... it MUST be accurate and preferably not selective about only telling certain stories. I want the whole Bible for my children to begin learning and understanding who God is and why He is important in their lives.... whether they choose to believe or not.

"...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (v. 14)

Crumbs and Curses

I did really well last week, but this weekend the temptation of brownies and cookies got the best of me (I don't even LIKE cookies and brownies much). I gained 4 of the 5 lost pounds back. So, I am basically starting all over again. But I WILL do it.

I have 4 more exercise videos from the library and I am starting it today. Back to tracking everything I eat.

AND NO MORE COOKIES OR BROWNIES. NOT A ONE WILL ENTER THIS TRAP. -- a vow by Wendy Young

Week 1

I have succesfully completed my first week exercising and dieting (by watching how many calories I eat) and.... LOST 5 POUNDS!

I'd say that is a pretty good result.

Monday: Exercised with Kathy Lee Gifford cardio tape and stayed properly on the diet.
Tuesday: Exercised with The Biggest Loser cardio tape and stayed on my diet.
Wednesday: Day of rest because of soreness from the BL tape... a little loose on my diet.
Thursday: Did some butt-buster exercise for 5 minutes and rested because I was still sore.
Friday: Exercised again with the BL tape... stayed on my diet.
Saturday: Day of rest (because it's a weekend!) and splurged a little on the diet (because it's the weekend!).

All in all... very well done, I think. :-)

Did weigh: 230
Now weigh: 225