Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Helping Haiti

My heart has always had a soft spot for Haiti ever since visiting the country in 2007. We have friends who have adopted from Haiti through an orphanage and I keep my eye on them, knowing that someday the Lord may call us to adopt from there as well. The orphanage is God's Littlest Angels.

I receive their prayer emails and feel a strong connection to the work they do and the precious children they help. This past week one of their own workers died and has left behind children of her own. You can read the story here: God's Littlest Angels in Haiti under July 18 & 19ths postings.

The staff at GLA is taking donations to help the kids receive an education, food, and cover the funeral costs. The thing that struck me is that if every person who is on the prayer list gives $4.13 the need is met. So, I thought I'd spread the word. Do you have $4.13? Can you skip a trip to Tim Horton's? I chose not to put money in my clothing envelope this month because really, the future of these kids is way more important than a new top. So, if you feel the Lord leading you, it's as easy as clicking a button to submit a donation....God's Littlest Angels in Haiti » Blog Archive » Exilia’s Children – How Can You Help?

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Book Review: Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner

I've been trying to gather my thoughts on this book for well over a week. I think I have a love hate relationship with it. I totally get what the author is saying yet at the same time I totally disagree. So, I'll try to share my thoughts....

The overall premise of the book is that we as followers of Christ, born again Bible believing Christians, we need to go into all the world and preach the Good News, be a light, and make a difference. I totally agree.

The premise that we are all salt is solid. The pastor is no more salty than the gardener. The teacher no more salty than the mechanic. The Elder no more salty than the garbage collector. As Christians we are all salt. I totally agree.

The premise that Christians are missing from the scene of voicing their opinion and beliefs in todays society I agree with also. So often we don't speak up for truth when it isn't in our comfort zone.

Okay, that takes me through the beginning of the book. This is where I start to struggle. The author continues to go through the areas of society where there is no salt; movies, tv, literature, and art. Briner practically blames the current state of media & the arts on Christians for removing themselves from these arenas. He also states that Hollywood does not have an anti-Christian/liberal agenda. And this my friends is where I wholeheartedly disagree.

Briner says we need to encourage our children to be christian movie writers, authors, artists, ect. I would agree that Christian movies, literature, and art would be wonderful. As a mom, I could not in all wisdom direct my daughter to Hollywood to act or write. Briner says there is no hidden agenda so our children aren't in harms way in Hollywood but again I disagree. I see a liberal agenda, I see drugs, alcohol, sex, and ungodliness.

Because I believe that there is an agenda, I believe that a few Christians in Hollywood will not restore morality and purity that God so desires for His people. I also believe that as people living in a time closer to the return of Jesus, we are going to continue to see these arenas grow darker.

Briner also talks about the negative effect boycotting has. Now, those who know me know I am an activist at heart. I don't shop at Ambercrombie and the like due to immodesty, Old Navy & Home Depot due to supporting homosexuality...my list can go on. I do not give the money God has entrusted to me to places that actively oppose Him. I believe in fleeing from evil and standing for what is morally pure and right. I believe in voicing truth through boycotting, letters, petitions, ect so clearly Briner and I disagree here.

Lastly, I feel Briner many times offers up options to water down our stances. To compromise. Briner talks about writing books that secular audiences would publish and read and the need to be well rounded and read secular books so our children see us balanced. Personally, I don't want to be balanced. I want to be like Jesus.

Love it and hate it all at once. I won't compromise. I won't fill my mind with the secular ideas and agendas of this world. I won't steer my children into an environment that is without doubt anti-Christian.

Those are my thoughts on Roaring Lambs ...I am a roaring lamb just not as Bob Briner would ask me to be.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Book Review: Confident Parenting by Jim Burns

The summer days have allowed for some of my favorite activity...curling up in the hammock with a good book. The peace and quiet and beauty of nature just relax me every time. I'm finishing books faster than I can blog them so maybe I'll catch up today.

I picked up Confident Parenting by Jim Burns at Ollies...oh, how I love cheap books at Ollies! My overall opinion of the book was that it was good. A lot of what was said I have heard before but some if it is always worth a repeat.

Before I get into the nuggets I liked I have to make the point that I disagree with the author on his take of generational sin. I do not believe in generational sin. I do however agree with inheriting sin-tendencies. If you come from a family of alcoholics there is a risk associated with that family legacy. I do not believe in punishment for the previous generations sin. I believe Christ died for our sin and cleared the slate of previous sin from previous generations.

That said, here are my nuggets:
  • Parenting takes perseverance, endurance, and intentionality.
  • Caring for your family is your highest calling on earth. This is huge for someone like me who struggles with pleasing the demands of everyone around me. I have been called to a season of raising kids for God, of schooling them and being home. This means I can't be "in ministry" and running all over. The reminder that this is my high calling was needed.
  • Implement a Sabbath: a lot spoke to me here...again...because I didn't do it the first time I learned it!
  • The lesson of the Sabbath is to ruthlessly find a rhythm in your life to rest and restore your soul, and the soul of your family.
  • Have the courage to go against the grain of the culture and find time for replenishment.
  • We tend to neglect our own need for solitude and replenishing relationships, then we wonder why we are so burnt out.
  • When couples are overcommitted, they become unconnected.
  • When it comes to the climate of our homes, we set the emotional thermostat. (hmmmm, two books in a row with that message??)
  • Our goal as parents is to create a grace-filled home where love and grace reign but discipline is unswerving.
  • Begin with the end in mind. This was huge for Drew & I when we had Abby. Setting character goals up front has helped us make decisions along the way.
The book is set up with questions at the end of each chapter to help you analyze and implement what you learned. One of the action steps I really liked is that the author and his wife get together every 6 months to discuss each child and where they are at and what they need to work on to reach their goals. Our best friends do this yearly and I think it is so wise and intentional.

So, my goals are:
1. A more consistent Sabbath rest
2. Make more time for replenishing relationships/activities to avoid burn out. Especially during the long months of a homeschooling winter!
3. Make time with Drew to analyze were the girls are at, what we need to work on, and see how far they have come.

And you?