TAKING MY OWN ADVICE!

Ok, so I should take my own advice! This morning I was reading the last chapter of Second Peter when suddenly the Lord just began to open my heart to a greater understanding of the chapter and related scriptures. No journal with me! That almost never happens. I had mopped the kitchen floor and propped my Bible near the door, mopping my way out to the deck. I didn't go back for the journal and so I made notes in my Bible. I do that often. I know some people are way opposed to that, but it has been one of the most helpful things to me in my Christian walk. I often use the notes that I have made to refer to other scriptures and related thoughts when teaching Sunday school since my journal doesn't always go to church with me. As I am beginning to do more public speaking, I find the studying so much easier because I often get ideas from notes I've scribbled in the margins. My Bible is filled with such entries and they too are like reminders of what the Spirit is speaking to me as I read the Word. Consider making notes in your Bible.

Another little writing tip: If you begin to use a journal and want to start writing a short story (or a long story, for that matter) use this little hint if you are not near the computer. Begin jotting down major thoughts or "scenes" on paper. Don't worry about all the details or time sequence. I often write what is vivid to me at the moment and then when I re-read I number the paragraphs or sentences in the order I want to arrange them. Of course, this only applies to quick writing on paper. If you are at the computer it is so much easier to re-arrange things instantly. By numbering thoughts on paper you can then type them in order when you get to your computer. As a pastor, Clint has often kept a notebook or paper by the bed because it seems that sometimes he wakes in the night with sermon ideas and rather than lose them, he jots down notes.

Today we met Rhiannon for lunch since she was between duties for awhile. They are preparing for harvest and that changes her normal workday. On the way home from meeting her, we stopped at several local business in search of a campfire grill. We looked at lots of styles and a friend invited us to his house to investigate the one he has--the "Cadillac" of all grills. It was really nice! We didn't purchase today, but I think we eventually will. We had a campfire last weekend and probably will this weekend as well. With grandchildren coming on the scene, I can see this happening more and more. It's a really fun part of life on a small acreage. Farm life at its best!

I hope to write a bit about the wonderful things I noticed in 2 Peter, maybe tomorrow. Blessings, LORI

THE FROG IS IN THE BOILING POT

Recently I once again heard the old analogy about how you can condition someone to a way of thinking or a behavior by encouraging them to make small steps in a certain direction. The "frog in boiling water" example was given. It seems you can't drop a frog into boiling water without him jumping right back out, but if you slowly condition him to the water by turning the temperature gradually up, he will stay put and evenutally boil. Immediately I thought of our society. I think we're being "boiled," don't you? There is a definite attempt to get us conditined into accepting all kinds of evil and destructive behaviors and many folks are falling for the lies. Like I said recently when referring to some of the discoveries in my grandparents' WW1 love letters, we've made a drastic societal change. Back then many of the lies we commonly accept today as truth simply would not have been able to be peddled. The society as a whole was still too biblically based as a direct result of the efforts of Christians (though shortly after that time it was to quickly begin a downward slide!)

In my posts on courtship--which I will conclude today--(unless the Lord seems to give me more to say!)--I have been talking about how dating has contributed to a very marriage-destroying atmosphere in our culture. Of course, dating is not the only culprit, but one of many. Our society does not value life today as our grandparents did--that's evident in numerous ways; our policies, our attitudes, how we treat the elderly, etc. How did we slide so far off the track of the Bible, the Word of God, basic freedoms and morals that our nation was founded on and dedicated to preserving? It's just like the frog. Little by little we allow certain things in our lives; we tolerate ideas, entertainment, behavior, and so on that conditions us to a new way of thinking.

Being in the pastorate, my husband and I have heard countless heartbreaking stories of the devastation that is brought on by non-deliberate living. By that I mean that even people in the church tend to just go about life accepting the dictates of society without considering if the behavior patterns match up with scripture--getting gradually boiled in the pot. In every case I'm referring to, the resulting devastation, broken homes, ruined lives, heartaches; can be traced to some sort of biblical ignorance, disobedience or breakdown. If we as Christians would begin to live "deliberately," obeying scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit as if every moment and the whole world depended on us for preservation (they do! Salt preserves!) we'd see a great dose of salt and light begin to affect our society. Jesus left us with a world to evangelize and most of us are not very deliberate in doing it. We just go through life with the attitude that if we are nice, decent citizens we will leave a good witness. Well, that's partly true, but there's more. Let's be people who think things through. Let's be people that search the scriptures (Paul talked of the Bereans being more noble than others because they searched the scriptures instead of just accepting what they were told! Acts 17:11)

A return to more biblically based living (I'm thinking right now of the area of courtship, but there is much more) will take a deliberate move on the part of Christians. Just going about life waiting for the events of life to dictate our responses will not bring about the effect that the world needs to see from us. Teach your children diligently. Stay at home moms--embrace your role and train those children with a deliberate goal in mind--their salvation! If you are a Sunday school teacher, teach deliberately and with a noble heart. Whatever your role, do it with all your might as unto the Lord. Know what you believe and live it. Don't get gradually boiled like the frog.

This seemed like a fitting conclusion to the courtship discussions, at least for now. I'm sure there's more that could be said, and I will write more as I feel led. For now, with the approach of fall I'll turn my attentions back to farm and country living and the spiritual principles that can be gleaned from everyday life on a small acreage!

Last evening we had several friends over for a campfire. I wish I had taken pictures that I could have shared. I honestly didn't think about it. I've got to take my advice and get more "deliberate!" We roasted hot dogs, ate lots of fun food that folks brought along--homemade pickles and salsa, bread pudding, graham cracker treats and one family made hobo pies. They brought along a huge plastic tub with all their supplies. The Mrs. set up a folding table and began to butter slices of bread and gave everyone a choice of blueberry, apple, peach, or cherry pie filling. The bread was spread with the sweet mixture, placed in iron sandwich cookers and roasted. It was frosted when it was ready and we all enjoyed delicious, warm pies! Eariler in the evening, Rhiannon had the big target out and was practicing with her bow. One friend strolled through the red raspberry patch upon my urging and enjoyed a few fresh berries as an appetizer! When the raindrops finally began to pepper us in a more deliberate manner about 10:30, the party broke up. But what fall fun that was! Can't wait to do that again soon! The enjoyment of country life! I thank God for His kind blessing of placing us on this little farm! Blessings, LORI