Dad is going out of town for business and will be gone from tomorrow morning until Friday. He'll be home in time for lunch on Friday, though. :o)
Sunday~3 Cheese Baked Spaghetti
Monday~Mexican Chicken Skillet
Tuesday~Southwestern Rollups
Wednesday~leftovers
Thursday~out (Mom and I *smile*)
Friday~Pepper Jack Pizza
Saturday~Cheesy Tortilla Casserole
Today, it was back to OWC to make one last effort to spare the imperiled infants. Again, my beloved Dad and I counseled together.
The first couple to arrive was the couple who had the supposedly dying child. The next was the couple who has the precious little girl. After they got there, the girl who left sobbing yesterday arrived, but this time with her wicked mother. I went to the back and called out. The husband of the woman with the dying baby was the first to react. I wasn't even aiming what I was saying directly at him, but rather at the mother of the aborting girl, but he got out of his car and began making faces at me (he has to be at least 50...and he was making childish faces), and telling me how disgusting I am. Then he called me a foul name. His antics encouraged the murderous grandma to open her window and in-put her two cents (she had already flicked us off as she drove into the drive way). She went on about how sad I was, and continued to hurl a couple of vulgar insults at Dad and I. "Sharon" (clinic worker) had come out earlier to give something to the Daddy with the cute little girl, and she was laughing (I'm pretty sure she and the guy were saying things about me--what else would there be to laugh at at an abortion mill, besides a fool for Christ preaching the gospel?)...I told her she would not laugh when she stood before God on judgment day...she said something as she went in the door, and slammed it. I'm assuming it included foul language, because it usually does. But, who really knows?
Eventually, the husband got back in the car and ignored me, and the mother/daughter killing squad got out...I ignored the mother and pled with the daughter on behalf of her unborn baby; but to no avail. The mother left her daughter there, and blew her a kiss on the way out the door..."Call me later!" I wonder how many babies she has killed. It was clearly her "choice" to kill the baby. I feel sorry for her daughter...albeit, she is still guilty for consenting to the murder of her own little one.
Just as we were about to leave, one last couple came in. I called out, and the boyfriend asked me to please by quiet. Apparently he doesn't know me very well ;) When he came out without his girl, I said "Sir, you are a coward." He said, "Thanks. You're a good person for doing this." I thought he was being sarcastic; Dad did not. As he headed to the car, I made one last plea on behalf of his baby, and then warned him of the judgment to come. Then, Dad and I got in the car and left.
Just as with Baby Chaz, Jehovah saw each and every one of these precious infants today. He saw them months ago; in fact, he knew them before the foundation of the earth. He willed their conception and knitted them together in the wombs of their Mommies...but their Mommies murdered them. Who knows the pain they felt; who knows how many were born alive, and left to drown in a cold, dirty toilet...no one but God and the murderers who want no justice. Only God will see their little bodies as they're "buried" with Orlando's other medical waste. It is a sad day in a country, when human beings made in the image of God are murdered through a government sanctioned "medical procedure" and thrown away as though they're garbage; they're obviously not.
May God have mercy on this nation by granting her repentance...may He raise up faithful preachers of His word, who will preach repentance in the name of Christ, for the remission of sins--in season, and out of season. Indeed, the harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few.
Image from allposters.com
It was back to OWC this morning. Five or six couples came to murder their infant children by labor and delivery abortion. None left, that we know of. Dad and I were there by ourselves (have I ever mentioned how grateful I am that I have godly parents? It is truly a blessing) ministering. No one arrived until about 5 'til 7, which is far later than usual. We were even beginning to wonder whether they would be killing late term babies at all today. Unfortunately, we spoke too soon.
The first couple to arrive was a husband and wife couple. They didn't want our information. After shuffling his wife in the door, the husband came back out to put her purse in the car. He claimed that they didn't want to do this, and it was tragic for them, but they had to because the baby was not forming properly. Truly, though...why kill your own infant just because she or he is not developing normally? Let the child die in God's timing, instead of at the hands of his Mommy and Daddy, and a greedy, wicked, money-grubbing baby killer.
The next couple arrived shortly after the first. They were young, probably college aged. They were hard as they entered the building; hardly a word was said. The boyfriend put his arm around her as they went in, and we didn't see either of them for the rest of the morning. It really irks me when guys act all affectionate as they take their girls into a place like that. It's nauseating, in my humble opinion. If you love a girl, you don't take her to murder a baby. Plain and simple. I wonder how many girls would turn away from those places if the men would just stand up and be men.
Another one or two couples drove in and went in, ignoring us completely.
Then, another very young couple drove in in a pick up truck. The girl looked visibly distraught (which makes sense, as she was preparing to murder her own baby). They rejected the information I tried to give them, and tried to avoid me by walking up the other drive way on the opposite side of the parking lot. Shortly after they entered the building they came back out, and she was crying. They got back in the truck and as they drove away, she had her head buried in her pillow; presumably she was sobbing. Just before we left, the couple came back and went in the building. It is a fearful thing to ignore a working conscience. God eventually gives people over toa reprobate mind, to live in their own wickedness and store up wrath for the day of wrath.
The last couple I spoke to had been there last week on Friday. They had been unable to afford the abortion, I learned today, and came back today to commit murder. I remembered them because of their precious daughter...she looks between 2 and 3, and is one of the most adorable little girls I have just about ever seen. Her smile is simply angelic...what a blessing children are from the Lord! Sadly, that little girl's Mommy and Daddy were there to slaughter her little brother or sister. When I first asked why they were doing it the Daddy said, "No reason." Then, the Mommy got back to the car and the father of the imperiled child claimed that his girl "could not have a second baby." They wouldn't go into details, and when I asked if they would be interested in seeing a high risk specialist he told me, "Look, I'm not crazy." I don't know what he meant by that. When his girlfriend/wife (I don't know which) got back in the car, she was annoyed at me, so they drove to the parking lot and rolled up they windows.
My Dad preached the gospel from the sidewalk, and then we left. Lord willing, we will return tomorrow. I don't know whether we'll be going to reach out to the same crowd we saw today (tomorrow will be the second day of the murderous "procedure") or the later shift, of Mommies in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Please pray that the LORD will use the faithful preaching of His word to turn the hearts of mothers and fathers to their precious babes.
Picture taken from allposters.com
Sunday: Spicy Chicken Chili
Monday: Authentic Spanish Rice w/ Beans
Tuesday: Leftover Buffet
Wednesday: Chicken Helper
Thursday: Enchilada Casserole
Friday: Homemade pizza
Saturday: Hamburgers
This week's meals are easy. :o) Most of them are new. I love Tammy's Recipes.com! Her recipes are always great!
Yep. You did, indeed, read that correctly. Mary Jo, the epitamy of NOW's worst night mare (as some have said) is enrolled in college.
Before you think my 'hard-core' anti-feministic world view is leaving, let me explain (no, no...I'm not against women going to college...I just think it's preferrable for women to remain under the authority of their spiritual head, by living under his roof). I haven't moved hundreds of miles away. I still live at home with my parents, and will remain happily fulfilling the role of stay-at-home-daughter until the Lord allows me to be a wife (at which time I will happily fulfill the role of housewife). I enrolled today in The Homestead College of Bible and Graduate School. I am thoroughly thrilled to see what the Lord will do with this course.
The way it works is...each book of the Bible is worth a certain number of credit hours. So, the entire program is based on studying the Bible. With each book, you read through it twice and then listen to lectures, and do assigments, a project, and an essay about the book of the Bible. This continues until you have gone through all 66 books, at which time, a Bachelor's Degree is obtained (assuming you earn passing grades).
The school was founded by Arnold Pent, who some of you may have heard of through a book called 10 P's In a Pod. The book is about the upbringing of his 8 homeschooled children. His son, Dr. David A. Pent, is now President of the school. After some correspondance, my Dad decided to call him (we looked up his number in the white pages...he and his wife live not far from here). Today, Dad and I went over to his home to talk about the program, and I'm officially a student now. I'm much looking forward to the opportunity of growing my knowledge of God's Word.
Besides being able to obtain a college degree by studying my Bible at home, one wonderful thing about the school is its quite affordable tuition. My entire education will be under $5,000. That is considerably less than any educational institution. My Dad said that for me to earn a college degree at most places, the only way to do it without going into debt would have been for Mom to work. So, this is a real blessing, and I'm quite excited about the opportunity.
They have a number of payment plans. Homeschoolers receive a 25% discount on tuition. They can pay as little as $75/month. This isn't going into debt to pay for college. If you don't pay, then you just don't continue on with the school until you do. It's that simple. If a married couple does the course together, they receive a 50% discount on one person's tuition. After meeting Dr. Pent, I am confident that this will be a great, learning experience; I thoroughly enjoyed his fellowship, and I think his ministry is very glorifying to God.
I know the whole post wasn't solely about frugality, but since it's "Frugal Friday" at Crystal's blog, I figured folks might be interested in hearing about it. So, in addition to announcing my enrollment, I'm adding the post to frugal fridays.
As most of you are probably aware, yesterday a ban on partial birth abortion was upheld by the US supreme court in a 5-4 decision.
Most pro-lifers are hailing this as a wonderful thing, and while I think it would have been completely sick and disgusting if it HADN'T been passed, I'm far less optimistic than those who say that it will lead to fewer abortions, changes in abortion laws, etc. There are a number of reasons for this.
The first is that the ban only takes issue with the actual procedure being performed on a "living fetus." The procedure itself is not banned. This means that instead of delivering the child and murdering him by shoving the scissors into his head, he can just be murdered before labor is induced. Thus, the same gruesome procedure will be performed. It's just that the child will be murdered first.
The second reason is that even if partial birth was banned, that is--the procedure itself made illegal, women could just change their appointments to a different type of late term abortion. I would be incredibly (and pleasantly, of course) surprised if the number of late term abortions went down due to this ruling. There are so many possible ways to do a late term. At Orlando Women's Center, labor is induced and women deliver a premature infant. There doesn't even legally have to be an abortionist ("Doctor") present for the process. Another process is where they rip the baby apart and pull her out piece by piece. That is not illegal, even though it's just as gruesome. The whole thing is like illegalizing beating your wife by throwing bricks at her, while keeping it legal to beat her with a baseball bat or a chair. It's just ridiculous.
Each baby butchered at the hands of abortionists comes out equally dead, regardless of the procedure used. That, my friends, is the problem. America needs to repent of the sin of abortion in its totality...not just the "procedure" that happens to sound the most gruesome.
For those of you who think this, or any limitations on abortion, puts a damper on women's rights, kindly think again. God forbids the shedding of innocent blood. Abortion being legal does not make it right. It was legal just 3 generations ago to own black people; it was legal to lynch them. Was it right? Absolutely not. In Germany, just decades ago, it was legal to murder Jews. Was it right? Absolutely not. In both situations, it was because black and jews, respectively, were seen as sub-human that they were "allowed" the be slaughtered. Why is abortion legal? Because unborn babies are seen as less human. That's why the government sanctions their slaughter. Is it right? Absolutely not.
Women should not have any right to murder their children. The concept of abortion being constitutional due to right to privacy is absolutely ludicrous. The idea that it should be legal to protect women from back alley abortions is equally ludicrous. Why should murderers be safer while they murder? Maybe we should have little buildings all across town for moms to bring their 2 and 3 year olds into when they get stressed and don't feel like they are ready to be a Mom, so they can pay someone to kill them. It's no different. Abortion is this country's sacred cow. People know it's wrong; the conscience of every individual bears witness to that, until it becomes seared. And yet, because it's not "politically correct" to speak out against, people don't. They are cowards.
Abortion will not end until the hearts of Americans are changed by a Holy God. The hearts of Americans will not be changed by a Holy God until the hearts of professing Christians are changed by a Holy God. As David said, "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee." It is only when people who profess to know God actually KNOW Him, and live in obedience to His command to preach the gospel to EVERY creature that people will be saved. Revival has to start in the churches, just as the cleansing in Ezekiel started in the temples. Until people fear God and preach repentance in His name (as Christ commanded) to those who are perishing, the slaughter of innocent children will continue in this country.
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness..."
Lauren McCain, Christian homeschool grad. from Hampton, VA was one of those murdered in the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. I found her MySpace today...the things people had to say about her in the comments are touching. What a legacy to leave, for the Lord's glory. May her godly life continue to touch people now that she is gone.
Today marked the first day of second trimester slaughters at Orlando Women's Center killing place for the week. Dad and I were the only Christians there, and the group was hard, hard, hard. In fact, not one person took a ministry packet. The first woman I talked to told me to shut up and pretty much completely ignored me. She talked on the phone, put her fingers in her ears, laughed...it's sad. Dad and I are in agreement in assuming she has probably murdered many babies; that's the only way an individual could seem so conscience-less. She even told the "Army Mom" mentioned below that she just wanted to get it over with and go home and sleep. "Yeah, I'm tired. I'm going to go home and go to sleep." Being nonchalant while on the verge of committing one of the greatest atrocities under the sun is unfathomable.
Shortly after my first encounter with the aforementioned woman, "Army Mom" pulled up with a girl. Dad walked over to show them a fetal model and offer them a ministry packet, and they went and parked across the street. Dad followed them. "Army Mom" rolled down the window and yelled some; she told my Dad the baby wasn't a baby until "it" takes "its" first breath. She also said "This is God bless America." Presumably, she meant that the "legalized" slaughter of babies is God's blessing on our nation. Quite to the contrary, however, scripture says, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." As she rolled the window up, the young Mom she brought with her yelled "Read your Bible!"
As "Army Mom" walked up to the place of death, I called out to her. Instead of heading back to her car, she approached me, screaming at the top of her lungs. I backed away from her and she continued to follow me as I went backwards, getting increasingly closer and louder. Admittedly, I was quite nervous, as she certainly sounded QUITE angry, and appeared to be potentially violent. I was a coward as I feared man, who merely has power to kill the body. She backed away as my Dad walked up the driveway. He began to call out to her, and she went after him too.
She was screaming to Dad and I both about what horrific things were going on in Iraq and about how we needed to go over there and save the babies who are being killed. "GO TO IRAQ. GO TO IRAQ. GO TO IRAQ." However, what does the conflict in Iraq have to do with the slaughter of 4000 young Americans each and every day. This is not to minimize the tragic loss of life happening over seas, but I can't get to Iraq...however, I can get to Orlando Women's Center. Clearly, she wanted the focus removed from her own sin.
She came out a few times while Dad and I continued attempting to minister. Her behavior changed dramatically when she saw that we had a video camera. Praise the Lord that Patte left the camcorder with me. I know it is an honor to be persecuted for the faith, but I also believe we should take measures to protect ourselves against lawless men and women.
Dad preached the gospel after all the women were inside. They are able to hear inside when we use a small, plastic megaphone outside. After that, we left.
Tomorrow is the second and final day of these abortions. They are labor and delivery. Babies can be (and often are) born alive, delivered into toilets and left for dead. I am looking for a ministry partner for tomorrow; if God is willing, He'll provide one. If not, I will see it as His judgment on those mommies-gone-murderers as He with holds any preaching of His word to magnify what their consciences have told them. It is certainly my prayer that I'll be able to find someone to join me for an hour tomorrow morning...we shall see, though.
God will not bless a nation that continues on in the unrepentant murder of the weakest, most vulnerable, and innocent of its citizens. The greatest blessing America could receive right now is revival. Let us approach the throne of grace boldly and pray to this end.
In view of the tragedy that took place yesterday at Virginia Tech. in Blackburg, VA, as 33 were shot and killed (including the murderer, who took his own life after slaughtering 32 people, including his girlfriend), the Desiring God Blog says the following, posted today:
While others are already making the Virginia Tech massacre a political issue and looking vehemently for someone to blame, let us remember that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Our hearts and the murderer’s.
No x-ray machines, revised gun laws, or fired college presidents will solve the problem. We need new hearts (Ezekiel 11:19, John 3:3). We need Jesus.
The on-line bookstore of Westminster Theological Seminary is going to be having a Sale of The Week each week for the coming weeks. The sale for this week is Reformed Classics, and there are a number excellent books at as much as 50% off! Authors include John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, Martin Lloyd-Jones, and many more! The prices are great, and the authors are good...so check it out. :o) The link is only good through April 22.
Hello, all! Life around here has been pretty good. God is faithful, indeed. I'm planning to be at the abortion mill 2 to 3 days (last week we were there for both late term killing days as well as early killing Saturday, and plan to do the same this week). I didn't have time to do an update on the goings on; perhaps I'll be able to this week.
I've been busy around the house doing chores, cooking, cleaning, etc. I made some cookies for my wonderful guy and sent them in the mail yesterday...hopefully they'll arrive and he'll enjoy them! Yep, I love him! :o) Thanks, Paola, for taking me to the post office!
I also did an auction for him, which is currently up on eBay. Click here to see it. In the coming weeks, I plan to work harder to promote his business; I want to do all I can to help, and it's a good way to prepare to be his own personal help meet, as well! Please pray for things to pick up soon, with his work.
So, what works for me this Wednesday is something I started recently, after being inspired by Erin's blog. I decided to make a few of my weekly chores daily chores. So now each morning, I clean the kitchen counter and sweep in addition to my chores for that day. Every evening before Dad gets home from work, I make an effort to declutter everything so the house looks really nice and clean. Then, I vacuum the main walkway of the house (basically, the front room and the den, and the inbetween space), as well as clean the kitchen counters. After I cook dinner, I do the counters and sink, and also sweep the floor. Vacuuming every day really helps, especially since we have two dogs. Cleaning the counters and sinks every day (and the toilets twice each week instead of once) gives our bathrooms a nice feel...like at a hotel, when every day the bathroom is neat and clean. :o)
Wow...today has just flown by, but at the same time...it's been one of those "blah" days.
I just got an alarm clock, so I've been using that instead of the alarm on my cell phone. The only problem is, I keep forgetting to turn it on. Whoops! I woke up at 4 this morning and looked at the clock, and I just had that feeling of "aaaah" because I realized I still had an hour left to sleep. Alas, the next time I woke up was 6--an hour late! So, I decided I'd just sleep until 7, when I talk to Ben. I have been getting up at 5 so I can do my devotions and go on the treadmill, and then shower before I talk to Ben. But alas, that plan failed.
At 7:04 (I had fallen back asleep), my phone rang and it was Ben. :o) (Yes, yes...I love the guy!) We talked until 8 or so, at which time I was going to go on the treadmill. However, my stomach alerted me that it was indeed hungry, so after checking my email and doing other things on the computer for a while, I made breakfast.
After breakfast, I piddled some and did the chores for today (well...half of them. Mom said she'd do the other half). Then, I got reeeeeeeally sleeeeeeepy. So, I decided to take a nap, and Mom said she'd wake me up at 11:40 (it was 10:55 when I got in bed). I think I finally fell asleep about 11:30. Mom came in at 12....and then again at 12:30. Yes, that's right. I took an hour long nap. :O
I got up and messed on the computer some, watched an adorable video on Crystal's blog (of none other than the adorable Kathrynne, Crystal's little girl) and then went to eat a roll to hold me over until after I ran (I was hungry for lunch, as I overslept).
Finally around 1:30, after stewing about it for a while, I got on the treadmill...and now here I am.
I don't like these days; I hate not getting a lot done. We are commanded to redeem the time, by our Lord, and that is certainly something to take seriously. Hopefully, the rest of my day will be productive. :o)
Blessings!
Unlike most people this week, we won't be having ham leftovers. Our church had a fellowship meal after church, so we didn't make an Easter feast. I'm trying a lot of new recipes this week, so hopefully they all turn out well!
Monday~pepper steak with rice and salad
Tuesday~grilled chicken salads
Wednesday~chicken with curry sour cream sauce, rice, and steamed broccoli
Thursday~pork chop and potato skillet
Friday~Tacos
Saturday~Leftovers
Click here for more Menu Plan Monday posts.
Ever since I started spending time with Ben's family, I've been in a vehicle with many, many people on a fairly regular basis, and while I'm no expert, I've picked up some tips along the way:
Ben has this lovely birdhouse up for auction on eBay this week. Its frame is made from Southern Yellow Pine and the trim, windows, and doors are all Mahogany. The stone foundation is actually made of wood, and each stone is handcarved by Ben, giving it a quite realistic look! The starting bid is $150...even if you don't plan to purchase, at least head on over and check it out! God has truly gifted him with quite a talent!
I know, I know...I already did a post about this just a couple of hours ago, but alas...I've decided to tackle our guest room, as well. I mean, really...I'm a stay-at-home daughter, not even doing schooling right now. If I tweak my schedule only a little bit, I certainly ought to be able to tackle this room, also. As a side note: the only reason the bed isn't made is because we just washed the sheets and haven't made it yet. It's usually made beautifully. :o) Without further ado, here is the room!
So, I don't really even know what all is in there, but I imagine plenty can be gotten rid of. It's so refreshing to throw things away, don't you think? *grin* So, here is my plan, just like last time:
1. What do I want the purpose of my room to be?
It's a guest room...so it should house guests, comfortably, and just look pretty the rest of the time. :) The closet can be used for storage of things like suitcases (which we have in there now), but ought to look nice anyway.
2. What do I need in or near the room to serve that purpose?
Well, a bed...a dresser, night stands. Those things are all in there. I don't know what all is in there, but I imagine some of it will be staying; it just needs to stay in a more organized way.
3. What can I remove from the room?
I don't know yet! :o) I'll figure it out when I go through everything.
4. What problems do I see with this room?
Well, it is a little small for the bed that's in there. Since it's only a guest room, it doesn't need to have extra space like my room and my parents' room, though. It just means that if there's anything around that isn't in its place it looks messier. The corner and closet really need to be tackled.
5. What organizational tools might solve these problems?
Trash bags :o) Haha...just kidding. A lot of it doesn't actually need to be thrown away. I just need to find a place for everything. Perhaps a couple of bins for the closet; other than that...I shouldn't need much else!
6. What habits need to change to solve the organizational problems?
We need to stop putting things in the closet in a messy way; the corner needs to stay neater...I don't really know that we have any other habits, though.
7. What kind of budget do I have to create the organized room of my dreams?
I don't want to spend a lot preferably under $20.
8. What kind of timeline is necessary to organize the room?
I've got 30 days to do this one and the laundry room.
9. What is my plan of action?
Laura over at Org Junkie is hosting a 30 day Organizational Challenge. I am going to do our laundry room for the challenge. I have done a lot of organizing in the past few months, but that is one place I haven't yet dared to tackle...but it needs doing, as you can clearly see in the pictures below:
Needless to say, it needs some work. So now, for my plan of attack. The following questions are included in Laura's post on planning your challenge here. :o)
1. What do I want the purpose of my room or area to be?
Well, it's our laundry room, so it's main purpose is laundry (duuuh), but I'd also like to be able to store all our cleaning supplies in there in an organized fashion, and not be embarassed to open the door when we have company!
2. What do I need in or near the room to serve that purpose?
I need our washer and drier (no problem; they're already there...I'm going to clean under them though!), detergent, etc, for laundry, and our other cleaning supplies, plus the mop and broom.
3. What can I remove from the room?
Nothing, really; it's a matter of getting it properly organized. I'm sure I'll throw away some old cleaning stuff we don't and won't use.
4. What problems do I see with the room?
For one, our dogs sleep in there, so the floor has to have their blankets on it, as it's a tile floor and they are old dogs. With those there, it doesn't seem like it will ever look 100% wonderful. Also, shelving space is limited. There is one long shelf to store all supplies on. Also, the wonderfully large sink (as shown in the picture above) is un-wonderfully dirty. I think it's probably stained with paint and other things.
5. What organizational tools might solve those problems?
I'll probably get some storage bins to keep the different types of cleaner organized.
6. What habits need to change in order to solve the organizational problems?
I think I use the room more than my parents, since I do a lot of the chores around here, so they're (probably) my bad habits, for the most part, that keep it messy. One habit I need to change is not just setting the cleaning supplies on top of the drier once I'm done with them, or shoving them on the shelves, wherever they happen to fit.
7. What kind of budget do I have to create the organized room of my dreams?
I don't plan to spend too much, hopefully under $20. All I need to buy are storage bins, so it shouldn't be too pricey.
8. What kind of timeline is necessary to organize this room?
I'm going to do it in under 30 days, since the challenge only lasts that long. My Wednesday chore is organizing, so I will focus my morning cleaning efforts each Wednesday on the laundry room.
9. What is my plan of action?
We are often told that we limit the atonement of Christ, because we say that Christ has not made a satisfaction for all men, or all men would be saved. Now, our reply to this is, on the other hand, our opponents limit it; we do not. The Arminians say, Christ died for all men. Ask them what they mean by it. Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of all men? They say, “No, certainly not.” We ask them the next question–Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of any man in particular? They answer, “No.” They are obliged to admit this, if they are consistent. They say, “No, Christ has died that any man may be saved if” –and then follow certain conditions of salvation. Now, who is it that limits the death of Christ? Why, you. You say that Christ did not die so as infallibly to secure the salvation of anybody. We beg your pardon, when you say we limit Christ’s death; we say, “No, my dear sir, it is you that do it.” We say that Christ so died that he infallibly secured the salvation of a multitude that no man can number, who through Christ’s death not only may be saved, but are saved and cannot by any possibility run the hazard of being anything but saved. You are welcome to your atonement; you may keep it. We will never renounce ours for the sake of it.
I discovered a site today called 5 Minutes for Moms, through the OrgJunkie blog. They are giving away a brand new Dyson Slim vacuum cleaner. The contest ends on Wednesday, April 4th. You have to add your name to the Mr. Linky by 1pm Eastern Time. I am not a Mom at this point in time, but I have a Mom who doesn't have a blog...and since I should be getting married sometime, I imagine I will be a Mom eventually, if God is willing. :o)
Monday: Leftover Chicken, broccoli
Tuesday: Grilled Chicken Salads
Wednesday: Italian Chicken, rice, salad
Thursday: White Chili
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: leftover tacos
Sunday: We will remember our LORD's resurrection with our precious church family!
Hopefully, my family will enjoy it! :o) I love doing menu plans. It saves money, and helps me save time, too! I found "Menu Plan Monday" on Christine's blog.
So, the years following my joining the church, I didn't really change any, except ofor the worse...not what is to be expected from a new convert, eh? I finished up elementary school and started middle school...I was a typical kid. I had started getting into things I shouldn't have, like using foul language, hanging out with bad kids.
In seventh grade, I started going to the student center at church for Sunday school as well as Wednesday night activities. During this school year, I started becoming aware of the urgency of evangelism, towards the end of the year. I think God was working on me, preparing me for what was the come.
Every summer, the student center at FBCO hosts "Camp Orlando". It's a week-long trip. We stayed in cabins, and they had someone come out and preach 2-3 times each day; it was almost always the same person each day. During the day, aside from the 'fun stuff,' we met with a small group a couple times each day. We would talk about all sorts of spiritual things, like what needed to get out of our lives that wasn't pleasing to God, what people we needed to stop hanging out with, and other such things.
One night, the camp preacher was talking about how important it was to live in a way that glorified God, if we were going to call ourselves Christians. I don't remember all that was said, but it really hit home for me. I felt an incredible conviction of my sin, and cried out to God asking for forgiveness, and asking for Him to help me live in a way that pleased Him...to help me stop doing things that were sinful. Literally, immediately, it just 'clicked.' I stopped cursing right away; it hasn't been the slightest struggle since. A passion grew in me to read and understand God's word, to pray more. I suddenly desired fellowship; I wanted to talk about the things of God. The following school year, people even noticed I was a different person. I evangelized the best I knew how, whenever I got a chance.
Later that summer, I spent three weeks at Appalachian State University, taking a class through Duke TiP. There, my faith was tried. I wasn't quite sure exactly how to go about sharing the gospel, but I certainly knew I needed to. I developed a certain reputation there. While there were a lot of things I could have said and done differently, had I had more knowledge, God used that time to grow me, and hopefully seeds were planted, despite my ignorance about many things.
The first time I was ever 'persecuted' happened to be that first week at TiP. It just so happened that right after it was over, I went to read my Bible, and read the beattitudes for the first time in my life.
"Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you."
Also that summer while I was gone, my Mom's Mom (the one I'm named after) died, after a long battle with emphysema, a lung condition caused by her years of smoking. She had lived with us since I was two, so this was a very hard time for me. How thankful I am that I was able to press into God during that time.
At the time, I didn't relize the reality that I had just been saved at camp; I was told I had recommitted my life. However, looking back, in view of what scripture says about salvation, I have no doubt that until that night, I was still a hell-bound rebel in the Kingdom of God. I don't go to FBCO anymore, so I don't go to Camp Orlando either. However, God used that year at camp to finally get it through to me to repent of my sins and start living for Him, to submit to His Lordship. For that, I am ever grateful.
No matter how much our Lord changes me, there is still so much more left. Since that summer, I have learned a lot more, and grown a lot in my walk with the Lord...but there is still so much more to learn, so much more growing to do. How I long for glory, when we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!
