The hard economy has affected many in our nation, including the small town of Edenton, NC.My family and I are part of this community.
Edenton has a summer league baseball team that they represent named The Steamers. This baseball team consist of college baseball players from all over who are invited to play on a summer team. These players are housed and taken care of by residents of the area they are playing for the summer. They go around to different areas and play against those who are doing the same thing to make up these teams. The Steamers are in a financial struggle to be able to continue this for next year. The Steamers were not able to get enough sponsors for this year, so they have to raise $50,000 to be able to have a league next year. We have gone to the last few games to help support our Steamers as they battled Morehead City in the playoffs. Between innings kids participate in races and small competitions that are set up by staff members. My youngest son, Luke, chose to participate in the crab walk race to win a discount on Lawn care. In this race the kids have to use their feet and hands while looking up to the sky and crawl backwards as fast as you can to the finish line. Luke won. He gave the little boy he was racing the prize. Luke told him that he could have the prize because he liked to cut his own grass. Noah and Luke also entered a Frisbee contest. They had small Frisbees that they had to thrown in a hoop or the closest one wins. The prize was half of the money that was earned for the contest- 50/50 jackpot. Each Frisbee cost $2 and the kids wrote their names on a piece of tape on the bottom of the Frisbees.
My husband told our boys that the Steamers were really hurting for money and if they won it would be cool if they gave the money that they won back to the Steamers. All the kids were waiting for the Frisbee toss. They finally started. We were sitting on the other side of the field. We saw the sky full of white little Frisbees. They announced the winner. Luke won! We saw him jumping up and down with excitement. He won $86 which is a lot of money for a kid. He walked out on the field to claim his prize and he told the young man to take the $86 and give it back to the Steamers to help them so they can come back next year. The young man said, “Luke, are you sure?” Luke said, ” yes.” My husband was so proud of Luke he told the young man that he needed to announce to the crowd what Luke had done. The young man agreed and announced it to the crowd. Everyone stood up and clapped for Luke’s generous heart! My husband even called the newspaper the next morning to let them know what Luke had done and to encourage others to help our Steamers. Luke said he loved going to the Steamers games and he thought it was a good place for families to go with their children. Luke wants to be able to go back next year and so do I. Thank you Luke for helping those who need it with your gift of giving.
This morning I woke my boys up and told them that we had to go to a prayer meeting. Some of the people in the community were meeting in our library for Prayer for our Nation. Sadly the room wasn’t packed. My kids were the only kids there. Sadly this was my first time going too. I was off work this weekend which allowed me to take part in this wonderful meeting. We came in and we bowed our heads and we prayed as a group for our nation, for our leaders, for Israel, for our churches, for our military, for boldness for Christ to replace the fear of man, etc… We prayed for an hour. We prayed and prayed. When one would stop praying another would pick up. We prayed as a group that wanted to make a difference by making an effort to get out of the box and talk to God as a group.
I didn’t know many people in our small group but I knew we are all on the same side and I do know the one who we represent, The Lord Jesus Christ. I encouraged both my boys to pray if they had something on their heart. My oldest son, Noah, prayed. He asked for the Lord to give the kids in his age group the boldness they need to stand up for Christ and that they wouldn’t be tempted by peer pressures. His prayers brought tears to my eyes. Although Noah may have been a little nervous he overcame his fears with a prayer of boldness. Thank you, Noah, for your boldness and obedience to God. Thank you for your leadership for praying for all those children in your age groups. After we finished our prayer meeting, some of the prayer warriors came up to Noah to ask his name. He said, “Noah,” and they asked what his brothers name was. He said, ” Luke”. Noah said, “I’m the old testament and Luke is the new testament.” One lady told Noah how his prayer touched her heart and she knew it touched God’s heart. On the way home, Luke said, “mom we prayed for a whole hour.” I said, ” yes Luke.” I told him that sometimes he talks with his friends for an hour and maybe even two hours. I said that it’s OK to stop and talk with God for one hour, for sixty whole minutes. I told him that God was his best friend and we need to spend more hours with Him. Luke said , “you know Mom, that’s right.”
I pray that God will take the scales off our eyes and allow us to see Him as our best friend. I pray that we take time and spend talking with Him and crying out to Him. I really enjoyed our meeting and I look forward to the next one. Thank you Lord for Blessing my heart this week. Praise Jesus!
thedailylily.com 
CF, you have very special children. And, I am proud to know them and their Mother! By the way, “what is her name?” š
It is nice to know that Luke’s father is teaching him to be a giver. The Word of God says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 And, Luke was a cheerful giver.
I know you have to be so proud of Noah to have the boldness and the desire of his heart to pray out loud and to pray for his peers. Noah is so well spoken and has such a desire for right and justice.
May God’s blessings beam upon you and your sons. I am so proud of you for taking a Saturday morning and taking your family to pray. Where are the prayer’s? “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 He found, Noah! Also, Luke and Mom on a Saturday morning.
Oh CF, your sons thrill the heart of God and our hearts, too. Oh for the boldness to speak up the way Noah did, praying the heart of the Father for young men like Noah and Luke to stand up for Christ….an army of youth fighting for rightness and truth. And Luke’s generous little heart!!!….or should I say, big heart, in taking his daddy’s counsel, sacrificing and giving the prize winnings back to the STEAMERS. Good for you, Luke. Good for you, Noah. Good for you mom & dad of great kids, soon to be men of courage and bravery.
What a blessing to read this blog chickenfarmer…to read good news! The good deeds of Luke and his giving and Noah and his praying and you three taking time to put prayer as a Saturday priority. What a great example for others.
May the Lord bless you and keep you all in his constant care as you serve Him, giving you strength and joy and continuous favor.
Miss, what church do you go to? Are you sons in a youth ministry at your church? Does your husband work in the youth ministry? Elder or what? I see he was involved in giving money for baseball? Does your family believe in tithe to your church? You and sons went to prayer, did husband go?
I would like to hear about your involvement and your husband and children with your family local church. Did your son tithe from his win?
With young children and busy lives I hear a lot about sports, and a long laundry list but no church.
Praise God for speaking to others through children and a faithful Mom. Isaiah 11:6
says ‘:…and a child shall lead them.” Thank you Luke and Noah for modeling the
way of the Lord Jesus and for Godly Mother and for a Father who teaches it is good to give.
I am not familiar with Chickenfarmer’s local church or her family’s association with a church. I am sure she will speak to that when she reads. If you want to attend a local church in the area today… I have seen many times on my fb people going to church in the Edenton/Tyler area with their families and loving it. It is called “Happy Church.” You might check that out.
If you are in the DC area looking for a church let us know.
I do pray for families to find and be a part of a local church. My husband and I go to church together. We both believe in the local church and love when families join and work together in their churches. Let us know if you do visit Happy Church, Tyler, NC. And, if you need more info let us know and I will find a friend from FB to give you more info.
CF,
I believe the title of your blog, “a day with my family to remember”, is certainly appropriate! How precious, in the sight of God, that Noah will pray for others like he did. And you, helping Luke to understand that it IS ok to pray to God, for one whole hour. I am glad that Luke took his father’s advice and gave the $86 dollars, back to the Steamers. What great days, to remember with your family. CF, thanks for being a good example, as a mother. May God continue to bless you and your family.
” Happy Home camp meeting starting August 22….”
Wouldn’t it have been more honorable/meant more if someone other than Luke’s father had prompted an announcement to the crowd or called the newspaper?
“Let someone else praise you, not your own mouthāa stranger, not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2
Having three children (now grown) who were involved in lots of sports and activities, I have had some firsthand experience with and saw lots of parents try to promote or brag about their children…parents trying to live out and gratify their egos through their children. Looking back, I don’t think it is healthy for the children.
Interesting, Debi. And excellent topic for discussion. Parents trying to live their lives through their children. Or, want honor for themselves when all honor should go to God. I understand your comment ‘as a parent of grown children’ …we can look back and wish we had or had not…
I would really like to see some honest, open and frank discussions on this topic. Love to see some Dad’s comment as well.
I love this discussion. Over the years, as a performance-oriented teacher, presenting several shows a year with masses of children, I too, have seen at times the “pushy parent” promoting one’s own child when that might have been to the detriment of the student, and thus to the others in the play.
But one of the things that moves me the most is when a parent comes into the school to volunteer to help in the productions because their child is the show but works for the good of all the children, helping me by procuring or making costumes for other children, contributing for the good of the play, helping to present all the children in the best light possible. That honors all the students, the school and in particular one’s own child.
Vicarious living might seem to work but it doesn’t work in the long run. It is a deception and can ruin a child’s demeanor and maybe his/her life when a parent tries to live his/her life thru their children.
MG, understand your point of view as I read it right in my Bible. š “Donāt be selfish; donāt try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Donāt look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:3-11 (NLT) and keep reading, it is wonderful!
Though he was God,[a]
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminalās death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Some thoughts of mine about this subject. So many times we as parents have guilty feelings because we do not have the tools we need to parent. Yet, we refuse to take counsel to acquire these tools. Then if we get a tool or two we think we have a ‘man’s tool box’ and off we go knocking things all over the place because we are a novice with a tool. We so often prefer to blame our parents, teachers and/or God for our lack of and fall in love with this form of behavior. Give me hell but I will not surrender my self pity story for the cause of my children, work or community. I’m it!
Remember, the tag game some of us may have played as children, I’m it, your it, then it and me and off we run. We may grow big fat bodies playing it, yet, we have not developed our minds by training them in the gym of Christ Jesus and His boot camp. I have a belief system based on God’s Word…not to late…just because my body may look grown, fat, skinny, young or old…there is still room in the ‘cross class’ with a desk, pen and pencil waiting for our return to school.
Great conversation for many of us as teachers, students, parents and adm. as school for a new year is just days away. We are school shopping at Wal-mart and Target so let’s make a stop by “The Bible Way” and pick up a few new tools for a new study year. Blessings to all of us as we study, grow and learn and show….
I sure enjoy the lessons, you ladies so willingly share. I, as a parent of 13 year olds, sure need all the counsel I can get. Thanks, for the scriptures and the discussion here.
To answer anonymous questions from comment above. We go to First Assembly of Edenton. We have a wonderful pastor and youth pastor. Yes, my boys are involved with the youth ministeries. My Pastor is trying to offer more small groups but it’s hard to find enough people to be able to achieve this. I teach a Wednesday night class: Turning Point at our church. Pastor said if you are perfect you don’t need this class. This class has wonderful information on how to walk closer to God. How to build a strong foundation for a closer relationship with Jesus. So many people are in bondage and can’t seem to break free. This class teaches you how to break free and not be mastered by anything or anyone. Unfortunately, there must be many perfect people who don’t need this type of class, because I can’t find people who want to take it. I know I have learn a tremdous amount just by teaching it to others. I learn something to help me build a stronger foundation every time I teach a lesson. I do agree with you about the busy lives of young children. Many are playing some type of sport year round. They are so busy, they forget what it is like to be a kid. Busy children also make busy parents. Many people are so busy that they are too busy for God. Not good.
Debi, I do agree with you, that it’s more honorable for someone else to promote Luke’s choice. You are right we must be careful not to be prideful with our children. These children aren’t really ours anyway. They are God’s children. They were a blessing to us to be able to spend time with and get to know them and watch them grow. God has given us a great responsibility by allowing us to be a part of these children’s life. Our job as parents is to teach and train our kids/ God’s kids according to His Holy Word. This is an amazing challenge and I pray, that although I mess up daily, that God will help me by giving the wisdom, knowledge and counsel that I need to help these children to grow up to be Godly Men. I pray the Lord will forgive us and help us as parents daily. Thank you for sharing this with us Debi.
CF, thanks for posting the info about your church in Edenton, NC. Could you give us the times of your services and your class times, etc.? I know all would be invited to visit your church if they are in the area. Also, I am sure the Pastor and congregation would welcome all to come and be a part. I know many people travel to and through Edenton on vacation and holidays. Hope all would stop by to visit your church and church family when they can. Let us know more about your class. I believe we all so need Christian fellowship, teachings and prayers for one another.
And, invite your Pastor to join us here. Maybe he could add to our discussion about parents and children. We would love to have some Pastors interact with us in internet sharing, teaching and praying! We welcome you and Pastor to use the daily lily as a vehicle to let others know about what is going on at “First Assembly of Edenton.”
As I read our thoughts on children and family I am reminded of the fine line between love and control. I am reminded of the line between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit as found in Galatians 5. I am reminded that we have a perfect role model as parent, child, spouse, friend and any and everything we wish to be except (sin, injustice, pride, prejudice, etc. etc.) in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I join with CF in asking daily for God’s wisdom, counsel and knowledge for being a part of God’s family throughout the world. And, part of that is receiving counsel, wisdom and knowledge from one another. Thanks for the open, honest, frank communication. Sometimes we don’t see at first or if we do it is blurry but if we continue to search and seek we will surely see.
CF, what is all this busy, buzzy life? Looking for happiness, love, peace and luck in all the wrong places?
Maybe so Sara. I think it is an addiction. I think people want to stay busy so they feel like they are accomplishing something. I have been there way too much. When someone ask how’s it going and we answer busy, busy doing what. I have really been thinking about it a lot. I think it is another trap from the devil. If we are busy doing stuff other than being busy with God, it has no meaning.We are like a hamster running in a wheel. We are working hard running being busy but we are getting nowhere with/for God. When we die and we are face to face with our Father, He is not going to be impressed with our “busy lives”. BUSY, BUSY, BUSY…… If we had to write down everything we are busy doing, we could probably take a few things off our list and save our energy and time.
We would love to have anyone come join us at First Assembly of Edenton, NC. We are located on Queen Street. Our services start on Sundays at 0930 for Sunday School ;1030 for worship and preaching. On Wednesdays : church starts at 6:30- Bible study group, insight group, youth group (6th grade and up), children’s group, and very young children’s group. We have a prayer meeting on Thursdays at 12:00 pm and Saturday’s at 8:00 PM. We invite you to join us at First Assembly of Edenton
I also think busyness is also avoidance. Maybe there are issues we don’t want to face or confront with others or with God..so we stay busy and distracted…it’s an excuse. One definition of busyness is ‘full of distracting detail’.
God says: “Be still, and know that I am God”; Psalm 46:10
Speaking of excuses, I am reading a book about Heaven that the Lord Jesus Christ commissioned Annie Schisler to write. In one of the scenes the Lord showed her that in ” that day”, the end times many would think that they were the sons of Light and that they belonged to the Lord and not to the evil one. They will have many and various excuses as to why they really belong to HIM and not to satan but to no avail. They will have a multitude of excuses and reasonings as to why they belong to the harvest of the Kingdom of God, but it will not convince anyone. The angels will NOT reap the ones who have all kinds of excuses as to why they did not do what the Lord commanded them to do, or why they couldn’t obey, or follow or execute HIS Word but it won’t make any difference, no matter how good the excuses are. There will be no room or acceptance of EXCUSES.
What He commands us to do , He gives the power and the ability to do it. Either we take all HIS resources to ourselves, sort of like taking the DOVE (HOLY SPIRIT), our Helper, our Advocate, our Counselor, our Enabler, our Wisdom, unto ourselves, like Sara teaches in her book, THE DESIGNS OF ONE’S HEART, or we make excuses as to why we didn’t do it or COULD NOT do it. It will be very, very sad in “that day” for “that people”, the people of excuses.
Clean family fun, at the Steamers’ ballgame. When I read and think about baseball, I see the field, like the plan of salvation:
First base – we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior
Second base – we confess our sins
Third base – we are baptized into Christ
Home plate – We are SAFE! or SAVED!
I’d like to offer a big “THANK YOU” to Luke, for giving the $86 dollars, back to the Steamers. I, too, would like to enjoy some more of their games, come next summer!
Michelle Carter Bradley wrote on FB this am…” Pride comes before the fall. Do we hold Christ in the upmost reverence? For all that we do should be for his glory and not vain glory. It’s so easy to find pleasure in receiving praises for our gifts, talents, and deeds. Remember we do what we do for God; our Kingdom work.”
CF, why did the young man from the Steamers not announce the winner and the prize without a parent having to get up and ask them to do it? Seems like the few times I have attended the games they are announcing winners, fun, etc. ongoing for the fun and interacting of the community.
Are you reprimanding the Steamers for not announcing the winner of the Frisbee game and the good deed your son did?
I, like Chris Vernon, thank Luke, your son, for giving and congratulations to Luke on winning. But, from your blog about ‘husband’ having to instruct the leader of the Steamers how to handle this seems like maybe the Steamers need a PR overhaul. Or, maybe some training for the announcers.
Thanks, Chris Vernon, for stepping up and coaching our team. It’s Saturday morning! I have read and re-read your comment on the plan of salvation on the baseball field. I love your analogy…baseball field and our walk of faith. I know from this I need a COACH!
God wants men to stand up and be a Christian in church, in the home, workplace, and in the community. Please check out the new movie, “Courageous”, that Sherwood Baptist Church, in Albany, Georgia, is presently working on. They have successfully, with God’s help, produced: “Flywheel”, “Facing the Giants”, and “Fireproof.” I hope all will plan to attend this movie. Check out the web at http://www.courageousthemovie.com/
Thanks Chris Vernon for stepping up to the plate and running the bases and making many hits for our family team. You are the power hitter on our team! Thank you for staying steady even when we have to change and learn a new way. You change, sometimes slowly, but you change and we all see it and are privileged to live it. I, like, Sara would love to see the men participate in this blog. I believe God is working on our hearts as we prepare to be a living part of Courageous!
Thank you Needles for sharing the info and link on the movie. It was also inspiring to read of the work this church has been called to in their ‘purposeful’ living.
Miss, a model to see that your whole family is so actively involved in a local church.
Chris Vernon, what a great spiritual principle you bring to the game of baseball. I think if a runner had this in his/her heart or mind it would be an additional incentive to tag that base and keep on running for home. I know I will certainly have your salvation illustration on my mind from now on as I watch the game. Thanks.
Chris, I, too think that was a great “life”parallel that you drew using the sporting game to illustrate the Gospel. Jesus did that a lot. “the Kindom is Heaven is like….” And like Sara commented yesterday to us, we don’t want, any of us, to be left on base. And I hope some of us won’t have to be like the thief on the Cross next to Jesus and “STEAL HOME”!!
CF, I am to know you as and be a sister-in-Christ You delight our hearts with your love of God, your zeal for the Word AND your good humor…all these bespeak the gift(s) of God in you. God knows your name CF!! I see and am touched by the virtues you and your husband are instilling in your wonderful sons; generosity, courtesy, wisdom!, love of God and His Word.
I am praying for you and your family and think of you very often and
Love you very much .
Thinking about what chickenfarmer said with regard to teaching and training our kids the challenge, I see so many times as a school teacher of students as well as my own children how I have taken the easy way out of an uncomfortable situation because it seemed easier on me at the time. Regrettfully, as I look back, it was selfish and prideful and did nothing for the students or children I was there to help.
When I see my foolishness, I want to run and hide and give up. But the Lord wants me to learn and make the change and do it right next time. Applying tough principles is a daily challenge but there is a reward if we don’t give up.
Amen, Debi! We can’t give up. This old flesh, sure wants to sometimes, but we MUST press on! We want God to be glorified! It sure helps having the lily here to encourage each other to press on!
I’d like to thank Chris for helping me to baseball, a sport I enjoy, in a whole different light. Thank you Sara, Gary, MG, Debi and Needles for your wise and encouraging comment. I would also like to clarify my comment sent to anonymous. My children and I go to church on a regular bases, but my husband is not a regular church goer. The Lord has really been dealing with my heart about church. We must know the importance of church but we also must understand the church. When I was a little girl, I would go to church with my family and I knew that was my church; where it was, what it looked like on the inside and outside. It had red carpet with pews lined up on both sides. I remember even the smallest details of my church and I knew on Sunday morning we were to go to our church. We would go to Sunday School give our offerings learn about our lessons then we would go into the sanctuary. There would be some announcements, we would pray, we would sing hymns, we would give our tithe and we would hear the sermon prepared. At the end of church the pastor would ask someone to pray while he walked to the exit door. As well left the church, he would shack everyones hand. This is the church that I remember as a child. You see growing up, I knew Jesus was important. I knew God was important and I knew church was important. Even as a child I knew the importance of church. Even as a child I knew that Sunday was a special day, it was a day of rest, it was God’s day. Christmas was a special time of year. We would have Christmas play. I was always one of the angels in the play. Christmas was Jesus’ birthday. I knew the importance of Christmas. I knew Easter was the Sunday that I would get a new dress and I would wear a real flower pinned to my new dress and we would go to church as a family to celebrate Jesus raise up from the dead. We celebrate the living son of God. Jesus is alive. I knew the importance of Easter, even as a child. These were special days and I knew they were important because my parents taught me about these days and they trained me by dressing me up and taking me to church and participating in God’s church. So, I knew they were important but I didn’t really understand church. I always thought of church as a building of worship, praise and preaching. God has been revealing something even deeper to me about church. I am finally seeing church in a different light, just as I have seen a baseball game in a different light. Church is not only a building place to go, but when we leave our church to go into our daily lives, we are the church. We are all walking churches. We are responsible for sharing what we learn and study in our church building to others. When we have lunch with a friend, we are reprensenting God, Jesus, and our Church. So what are we talking about at our lunchen? When we are face to face with another human being, we are representing God, Jesus, and our Church. What are we speaking, what are our actions towards that human being? When we are at work and we are stress, we are representing God, Jesus and our Church. So how do we act, what do we say, what are our actions while we are under all this stress at work? When we are tired, emotional drained and exhausted and we pull in our driveway getting ready to enter our home with our family we representing God, Jesus and our Church. When things are out of balance in our home and we are very stressed, how do we act, what do we say, what are our actions while we are under stress at home?
Acts 20:18-28 “When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now 19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trails that came to me from the plots of the Jews. 20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike- the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus- the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. 25 ” And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know. 28″ So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock – his church, purchased with his own blood – over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.”
So as we leave our church building, with the understanding that Paul had, we should be able to say “If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know….” in all situtations. I know understand that the church is not just the preachers job but it is my job as well. Church is not just Sundays and Wednesday nights, it’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Church is not just a building on Queen Street, it is me, it is you, it is us and it goes where we go. Thank you Lord for helping me to understand the importance of your church. Thank you for helping me to understand that who ever I am around, I / we are responsible for declaring all that YOU want THEM to know…. WE ARE THE CHURCH……..
Also, I’d like to thank Rena for your encouraging comment. Thank you Brian Sawyer for sharing your camp meeting with us.
Some may look at the above comment on “we are the church” and they may think that they can’t be like Paul. They may say that this is too much pressure, besides how do I know what God wants other people to know? How do I know what will touch their minds and hearts? How do I know what will move them? Everyone is different with different situations. What would I say? I say Saul didn’t think like Paul and they were the same man with a different mind, heart and name. So if Jesus can change a man like Saul into a man like Paul, He can certainly change our minds and hearts. I say He’s changed my mind, heart and He’s given me a new name. When we allow the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse our minds and hearts daily then we can hear the sweet Holy Spirit talking us through each step we take and each word we speak. We must seek counsel daily from the great counselor.. Isaiah 9:6 “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Allow Jesus to cleanse our minds and hearts just as Saul did.
Romans 8:6 ” So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.”
2 Timothy 4:5 “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
We should cleanse our mind daily, so that we the church can tell others all that God wants them to know. We should be united in thought and purpose and not divided by pride, greed or other harmful traps.
1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
Cleanse our minds and hearts daily, lead us Holy Spirit and unite us in our thoughts and purpose….. God’s purpose…. His Will be done.
CF, can one be a part of the church, the family of God if they are not part of a local church in using their gifts, giving their offerings, praying , attending and being accountable?
MG,
I like your comment above, “steal home”. I have watched my boys play baseball and steal home themselves, and it was a joy to score a point, for the team, but we sure don’t want to steal home, like the thief on the cross. Great point!
I have really enjoyed reading this blog. I catch myself logging on in the morning, before leaving for work, and then logging on, when I get home from work.
In fact, I told my wife that this is addicting!!!! By the way, Sara, this would be a good addiction, right???
Chris Vernon, agreed on the addiction! Stay slim, save money, no pills with side effects, staying youthful with healthy minds, out of the box on life issues, no kickback nicotine and gives a choice between sitcom and staying calm! Keeps wives, husbands and families praying and studying God’s word together while providing great dinner conversation and promoting healthy marriages.
Also, promotes friendship and Christian fellowship! Man, Chris V, you are a born genius!
I would like to share a story I read at my school. The main question of the story is,” What would you do if Jesus knocked on your door?” Would you run around, changing your appearence, putting Bibles where other things were? Would your change what you’re whatching on TV,or would you let Him in as your are? What would you do if Jesus knocked on your door?
Ever since I asked Jesus into my heart, I’ve had a different perspective of life. I’ve made different decissions then I would have made in my life. Being a Christian is a great feeling. It has so many advantages. You know that there is nothing to be scared about because Jesus is going to protect you. But you cannot test Him in protecting you, like jumping off a building or something. You also have to believe that he died on the cross for you and me, and that he arose from the grave. Asking Jesus into your heart is a big decission, but is will be the best decission you will ever make in your life.
Sara, I have prayed about your question above. The Lord put something on my heart about this question. If our thumb was cut off from our hand, the thumb would die. There would be no blood supply, no nutrients and no oxygen to keep this thumb alive. The thumb is cut off from the rest of the body and it will die and decay. The body will be affected by the missing thumb. It will be in pain. The hand will not be able to pick things up the same, it’s grip will change and it may have to write a different way. Although, the body is affected by the missing thumb, it can live without the thumb. This is the same way when we are missing from our local church. The church will be able to live without us but it does affect the church when we are not a part of it. It is vital for us to be a part of a local church. It gives us an opportunity to use our gifts, give our offerings, pray with others, and it holds us accountable. If we don’t use our gifts that God gave us, then we will lose those gifts. If/when there is a problem at our church, we should be very careful not to hope around from church to church looking for ”the perfect church”. If there is a problem we need to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. We need to dig deep and go to work using our gift to help our local church grow. We need to stop saying it just doesn’t meet my Spiritual needs and we need help meet the Spiritual needs of others. We need to stop being wishy washy with God’s church. Sara, if we are not part of a local church, we are like the cut off thumb. We will die and rot. So no we can’t be a part of the church and the family of God if we are not part of the local church. Ephesians 5:23 ……Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of His body, the church.”
Last year at Camp Cale, I asked Jesus in my heart. Things have been
going great. So I want to tell you how I asked Jesus in my heart. I was standing beside the picnic table. The wind was blowing hard and the water was rough. Jesus was knocking on my heart for along time and that moment I asked Jesus in my heart. It has changed my life and the way I see things. I am so glad that I went to Camp Cale. For the last 3 years, that I have gone to Camp Cale at the last day there is always a storm while I packed to go home. Last year was the most fun. That was when I asked Jesus in my heart. Jesus has changed my life. I want to be a good boy. I want to give money to people who need it and help people that need help. Thank you Jesus for coming in my heart and for loving me. I love you, Jesus. Luke
Rev. 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. “
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
chickenfarmer it is interesting that you used the thumb for your illustration because the thumb is a bodypart that contains the identity that we are known and by…our fingerprint. And our gift is our fingerprint.
So as you pointed out, it is so vital that we contribute what we have been given by the Lord to the local body so that it can be healthy. To think that if I withold I am harming others puts it in perspective and keeps me reminded that its not just about me and what I can get from the body but what I can give to care about others.
A point well taken, Debi. The gift(s) that I D us are for the winning of souls in general and for the advancement of Body Of Christ in particular. You said, paraphrasing as I see it, that it is deleterious to withhold our gift(s) and/or reserve them for what WE want to use them for and not the Body of Christ with which we should be affiliated.
This morning I woke up with this phrase in my mind. “Lord, Please let me see beyond MY OWN NEEDS. I believe that was a prayer the Holy Spirit placed there for this particular time. This blog speaks about the Body of Christ and its memebers, each of us, community (not just our town or neighborhood, which is a harvest field, but also the Local Church to which each of us has been called. We are called to a church, just like our chilldren are “called” into our familiy. It is meritorious for us to find our “church, support it, work through its leadership, contribute our monies, support its programs with all our hearts, take our kds therel like CF is doing and let our gifts shine in the behalf of the KINGDOM of GOD int OUR CHURCH. Let us see BEYOND our own needs and see the bigger picture.
Do not neglect the gathering together as we see the day approaching. (HEB)
Noah & Luke, you both are becoming good writers of your experiences. We love to read what you write about the things in your lives. You are both becoming godly young MEN!! Keep on writing and praying, obeying your parents and pastors and being leaders in your church groups and community. You will be doing great things for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Noah your asking what I would do if Jesus were at my door but Luke telling me with his scripture He’s already at the door lets me know that I don’t have any time to run around trying to fix something or make my self be something I am not. What I am is what He sees so I better make sure I am trying to live for Him and obey Him each and every day all the time!
Thank you both for sharing and encouraging us with your own story. God bless both of you.
I think God has really blessed us because me and my brother Noah
take piano practice and my teacher gave us a free piano.
MG,
I have been trying to find the scripture you posted, above: “do not neglect the gathering together as we see the day approaching.” I see that you have put that it is in Hebrews, can you tell me where, in Hebrews? I am using the Life Application study Bible, and I’m not sure how it is worded in this version, so my concordance isn’t helping me, now. Thanks.
Luke, how blessed you are to have a piano coming to your home for your family. Can’t wait to hear you play!
needles, try Hebrew10:20 and maybe you would like to read Matthew 18:20.
Dear Luke,
I was so honored to read of your accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior.
What a thrilling moment for you and Jesus. It is so thrilling for me to hear and see you grow in your walk with the Lord. Walking with Jesus bring one adventure after another. Wow! What excitement is ahead of you.
By the way Luke when my mother was loved the Rev. 3:20 verse. She would read it over and over to her when she was ill. It meant everything to her as it should to us. Thanks.
Noah and Luke,
I’m so pleased to hear that you are taking piano lessons. I look forward to hearing you play your favorite songs someday. Keep practicing.
Thanks, Sara, the scripture I was looking for is actually Hebrews 10:25. Read with me, the following verse, again, and the footnotes for it. “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Now, the footnotes: “To neglect Christian meetings is to give up the encouragement and help of other Christians. We gather together to share our faith and to strengthen one another in the Lord. As we get closer to the day when Christ will return, we will face many spiritual struggles, and even times of persecution. Anti-Christian forces will grow in strength. Difficulties should never be excuses for missing church services. Rather, as difficulties arise, we should make an even greater effort to be faithful in attendance.”
Wow, a FREE piano, Luke! I know you and Noah will enjoy practicing now!
Good footnotes Needles. It seems one of Satan’s tactics is to isolate us when we face spiritual struggles. We can fail and feel ashamed and want to hide; or avoid others because of fear of rejection or correction or to avoid pain of confrontation. But from my experience that only prolongs the struggle and puts us in more danger because that’s what Satan wants.
Just like a wolf who stalks a weak sheep who has gotten separated from the herd…he trys to isolate it further and then kill it. But its harder to prey when the flock bands together.
Needles, your footnotes and Debi’s analogy of the wolf and the sheep concerning the Scripture about “not neglecting the assembling of ourselves together, are excellent”. “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matt. 18:20 (see Sara above )
I thought the commentary on what that Scripture means in essence….
“To meet “in His name” means by His authority, in acknowledgment of all that He is, and in obedience to His Word. Wherever two or three are gathered in recognition of Him as Lord and Savior, he is there in the midst. ”
( Believer’s Bible Commentary)
In Context: The promise of Jesus’ presence also has a larger application, but it immediately applies to decisions in matters of church discipline. See 1 Cor. 5:4. (Spirit filled life study Bible.)
I thought this part was VERY INTERESTING and might explain why some people do NOT want to attend church services and ESPECIALLY prayer meetings and intercessory prayer meetings.
“Jewish tradition requires at least 10 men (a minyan) to constitute a synagogue or even hold public prayer. Here, Christ promised to be present in the midst of an even smaller flock-“two or three witnesses” gathered in His name for the PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE!!! That could be church services and prayer meetings for disciplining, correction, repentance, study, rebuking, direction, assignment admonishing as well as for praise and worship,encouragement, teaching, and fellowship.