Alcohol

God does not say that drinking alcohol is wrong. But He does say that drunkenness is a sin, and I believe this includes being "buzzed". For consideration, read 1 Corinthians 8:8-13. It speaks of food...but the same principle outlined here can be applied to the topic at hand. "Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." More scripture to consider is Romans 14:1-5 "Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind." If I follow these teachings, then if my acceptance of drinking alcohol is tempting or causing someone else to stumble, or if it is being used to condone another's sin, I am to be considerate of that person and refrain from doing it in their presence. These people are weak in their faith, if they have faith at all, and for me to put this stumbling block before them is a sin. But that person's weakness does not negate someone else's freedom. A Christian may participate in alcoholic consumption in the privacy of their own homes, or with other believers elsewhere, who do not have a weakness regarding the matter, as long as they are thoughtful and careful about those who are weaker. It is not sinful for believers to partake as I've laid it out. This sometimes leads non Christians or weak Christians to accuse those who are free, of being hypocritical. It is definitely wrong of them to accuse a person in such a way. This is unjust judgment. There are many who's consciences are clear before God, and He has given them the freedom to enjoy these things without another's condemnation or accusation. So, if you are a person who is free in your conscience to consume alcohol, then the only restrictions put upon you are that you are not to get drunk and you are not to enable someone else's sin or cause them to stumble with your freedom. And conversely, someone who is weak in their faith is not allowed to dictate that other's not exercise their freedom, nor are they just in accusing them of hypocrisy. Here is something to remember; Romans 12:18 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Romans 14:21-23 "It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin." In short; Do not cause someone else to stumble, and do not impose your weakness upon another or accuse them of wrong of which they are not guilty.

Cryptic Messages

We've all seen them on Facebook. They're the "hook" that people often use to suck us into their world of drama. It can be quite comical, and sometimes embarrassing the way it's done. God never works like that. He doesn't depend on the wow factor of scandal or conflict to draw us in. And His message has remained the same throughout the ages. He says, "Seek Me".

We've probably all sung these words;

"You are my strength when I am weak.
 You are the treasure that I seek.
 You are my all in all."

These words often leave our lips during Sunday morning worship, but do they come from the genuine confession of our hearts that Jesus is the treasure...the ONLY treasure worth pursuing?

When God called Abram, He asked him to uproot himself and forsake everything a man could possibly hold dear on this earth.

Genesis 12:1 "The Lord had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'"

And amazingly, Abram did so. He saw that GOD was the only true treasure and willingly abandoned everything in pursuit of Him.

Fast forward to when Jesus walked the earth and what do we see Jesus telling His disciples?

Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"

His call has never changed. He still desires that we would treasure Him above all other things in life. In fact, the first commandment is still the number one commandment;

"I am The Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me"

or as Jesus said it,

"You shall love The Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"

With God there really aren't any cryptic messages. He is quite clear about what is MOST important to Him. And there is no scandalous wow factor, no drama, no desperate grasping for attention on His part. He simply gives His command, and waits for HIS will to become our treasure. Our only treasure.

With all the distractions in the world, the call is still amazingly clear. More than anything I want to see Jesus. I want to be known by Him. He is the treasure that I seek. He is my all in all.

The Long Journey

"What! Light is energy?" This was Elias(8) this morning as he was reading his 4th grade science text book.

"Mama, did I reduce this fraction right?" This came from Jediah(11).

"Mama, did you know I am good at coloring?" Camon asked as he colored his pictures.

And all the while the others are sitting quietly doing their lessons.

I've been home educating my children from the beginning. There have been many ups and downs during the years, but honestly what has been my greatest challenge as a mother has also proven to be one of my greatest joys.

Not only do I give them an academic education. I get to include in their curriculum, biblical studies and character training in godliness. These are so important to my husband and I that we've pursued this homeschooling endeavor with passion and conviction.

Don't get me wrong. There are definitely days when I've questioned my sanity. The thought of freeing up my days by sending my kids to school is sometimes very tempting. I think of all the things I could get done around the house, or the freedom I'd have to go and visit at the coffee shop in the middle of the morning and I find myself questioning, "why am I doing this?". Then I remember.

I have these children for just a short little time, and then they are gone. The older I get the shorter the days seem to be. And the years as well, pass by so quickly that I find myself wondering where they've gone. Emma is soon to graduate, yet to me, it feels like we just began. I often ask myself, "Did I teach her the right things? Did I give her a good foundation?" and most importantly, "have I done my very best to teach her to fear and know The Lord?"

I know that all things are in the hands of God, but as a mother my earnest desire is to hear my Father say to me, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!". So, I press on one day at a time. And in doing this, I've learned to look for the small things that encourage me to keep going. The small little discoveries like the fact that light is energy, become almost magical when you see the wonder in their eyes. But even more so engaging is the wonder I see in their eyes when they realize that all the great and amazing things in their science text books point to "one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." (Ephesians 4:6) and that this God loves them dearly.

I'm just thinking today, about the "long" journey this endeavor seemed to be at first. And I'm remembering the challenging days when I wanted to give up and hand my children over to the "professionals". But in spite of the difficulties, I do not regret this undertaking.  It has been the most important investment of my life, because I've been pouring unquestioned truth into my children from their infancy. And I know that my efforts have not been in vain.

Not every mother has taken the same path I have. If you are on a different path, do not feel judged by me. I only do what God has called me to do. But if you are a home schooling mom, let me encourage you today:

"be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9

This verse has been a great encouragement to me. I hope it is an encouragement to you as well.