A place to grow your relationship with God

Archive for the ‘Thoughts’ Category

Why Churches Must Address Noise Levels for Children

My daughter recently wrote about churches and the loudness of the music. If you have not read it, please do. Here is the link Why Churches Should Consider Noise Levels for Children with Noise sensitivity.

I am thankful for my daughter being as high functioning on the Autism spectrum as she is. I know that many other parents have it so much worse than I do. My heart goes out to all of the parents who are trying to figure out what to do. I don’t know why there is more people being diagnosed with autism. However, I am beginning to see it as a test for the churches, after my daughter showed me a verse in the Bible. Here is the verse.

  •  Matthew 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

This is Jesus talking in the above verse. My daughter looks at things differently than I do. She said that to reject a child is the same thing as rejecting Jesus, because those who receive a child in the name of Jesus receives Jesus. Think about those words.

Then she pointed out that the public library is more sensitive than the church is to the needs of the children. So, the test is will the church receive children who are different? Failure to receive all children in the Name of Jesus is failure to receive Jesus.

I am not saying that children should not be taught as much as possible how to behave in church. I am saying that children should be loved, considered, cared for, and appropriate accommodations provided for.

Here are some examples of what a library system is doing.

Notice how accommodating the library is. Various items are being provided by the library to help the children. Unnecessary light and sound elements are being turned off. The library is normally a quiet place. They are going above and beyond by offering to turn off any additional sound elements. I am thankful that the library is offering this. I have not had to use this with my daughter, because the library is already quiet enough for her. Everyone on the spectrum has different issues. It is not a one size fits all kind of thing. I am grateful that the library is trying to do something. I hope and pray that the churches step up and try harder to communicate with the parents about what the needs are and how they can help and support. I do know that the number 1 thing that they can do is take it seriously when the people say that the music is too loud.

At the church we are currently attending, the music is loud. With earplugs my daughter is able to sit/ stand in the back. She is unable to go to the front of the church because of the music.

Category:

Christian Living, Thoughts

Tagged with:

Lust and Its Role in Conflict According to the Bible

Where does war come from? The answer is in the Bible. Look at what James 4:1-2 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Galatians 5:19-21 lists the fruit of the flesh. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. War comes from lust and leads to killing, wrath, and strife. It produces hate.

Jesus has commanded us to love one another. Look at what Jesus says in John 13:34-35. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. This means that the world will recognize us (Christians) by our love for others. Matthew 5:43-48 says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Remember 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity (love) shall cover the multitude of sins.

If people could stop lusting and learn to love one another, war would become a thing of the past. I am fully aware that is not possible on this side of heaven in mankind’s fallen state. However, I also know that Christians are called to be salt and light to a lost world. We are called to show the world the love of God. The world is supposed to notice that there is a major difference in how we treat each other and the rest of the world.

There is an old song that ask the question “War: What is it good for?” The answer is “Absolutely Nothing”. I have attached the song in case you want to hear it.

Songs That Teach: Reflections on Life and Faith

Category:

Songs, Stories and more, Thoughts

Tagged with:

Comforting Bible Verses for Grieving Pet Owners

When a beloved pet passes away it can be hard to find the right words to comfort the ones grieving the loss of a pet. It can be especially difficult when a child is one of the ones grieving.

I have been through process as a child, as an adult, and as a parent. Here are some Bible verses I have taken comfort with and have comforted my children with.

The following verses talks about the future earth. Animals were a part of the original creation and animals will be a part of the future when Jesus reigns on earth. Notice that the animals get to live on God’s Holy Mountain.

  • Isaiah 11:6-9 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
  • Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.

The Bible says that God makes covenants with animals.

  • Genesis 9:12-17 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.
  • Hosea 2:15 And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

God greatly cares about the needs of animals and takes them into consideration before doing some things.

  • Deuteronomy 25:4 “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing [to prevent him from eating any of the grain].
  • Psalm 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey And seek their food from God.
  • Jonah 4:11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?
  • Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? 
  • Matthew 10:31 Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

The Bible says that animals praise the Lord and know his word.

  • Job 12:7-10 “Now ask the animals, and let them teach you [that God does not deal with His creatures according to their character]; And ask the birds of the air, and let them tell you; Or speak to the earth [with its many forms of life], and it will teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare [this truth] to you. “Who among all these does not recognize [in all these things that good and evil are randomly scattered throughout nature and human life] That the hand of the Lord has done this, In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?
  • Psalm 69:34 Let heaven and earth praise Him, The seas and everything that moves in them.
  • Psalm 148:7-10 Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deeps; Lightning and hail, snow and fog; Stormy wind, fulfilling His orders; Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds;
  • Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath, and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
  • Isaiah 43:20 “The beasts of the field will honor Me, Jackals and ostriches, Because I have given waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen.

The Bible says that God owns all of the animals. It also says that animals will be in Heaven.

  • Psalm 50:10-11 “For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. “I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.
  • Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Remember God loves the animals. He created the animals. He even takes notice when one falls to the ground (dies). He also cares for you and loves you.

Category:

Animal Stories, bible, Christian Living, Scriptural Articles, Stories and more, Thoughts

Tagged with:

Modesty vs. Modern Fashion: A Cultural Shift

Immodesty is attributed to the influence of an evil entity or demon. In ancient times, the goddess of prostitution, Ishtar, was worshipped and associated with pornography. The term pornography originates from two Greek words: “porn,” meaning prostitution, and “grapho,” meaning writing. Ishtar, recognized as the first goddess of love, was celebrated by the Mesopotamians in their poems and writings as youthful and stunningly beautiful, with captivating eyes. Ancient stories describe her as a master of fashion, adorning herself with makeup, jewelry, and luxurious clothing to enhance her beauty before appearing in public. Mesopotamian civilizations honored her through marriage and fertility rituals, although her own love life was turbulent. Her passionate relationship with Dumuzi (later known as Tammuz) was plagued by scandal and jealousy. The idols representing her were often depictions of naked women.

This issue has become prevalent in the United States. There was a time when modesty was more common, but now it’s difficult to watch TV without seeing women dressed provocatively to advertise products. The fashion industry continues to normalize revealing clothing, and it’s not unusual to see women wearing dresses that are sheer, have large portions cut out, or are so short they barely cover their figure. Even when the fabric covers the body, it often highlights every curve. This trend is inappropriate.

This is inviting trouble. We should follow 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: “ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Women need to stand strong in their faith and embrace modesty before it’s too late. For guidance on understanding modesty and tips on dressing modestly, refer to “Understanding Modesty in Apparel: A Christian Perspective.”

Category:

bible, Christian Living, Scriptural Articles, Stories and more, Thoughts

Tagged with:

The Changing Standards of Christianity: A Reflection

My Dad often asked me a question. I am going to ask his question here. What changed? Was it not a sin back then? or is it still a sin now?

He asked this question in regard to all the changes in the standards of Christians. He would then give examples of the various changes he had seen in his lifetime. He was born in 1944. He started asking me this question in 2010. He stopped asking with he died in 2019. Thankfully he had made it back to God.

I am going to give some of the examples that he gave me.

ThenNow
All Women wore dressesMost women wear pants
No Christian went dancing Many Christians go dancing
The music was different. Hymns were common. You could never confuse a church service with the music with that of the dance hall/bar.There are praise teams leading the worship that is loud. Hymns are uncommon. My dad once commented that the praise team could make a lot of money playing this music at the local bar down the street. He had no idea what they were singing, but the music had a good beat for dancing.
No fancy lightsStrobe lights are common
Men always removed their hats before praying and when entering the church.Men are seen wearing hats in church.
Movie watching was frown upon mostly.Movie watching is normal.

I now understand that he was really asking why the church looks so much like the world. He was raised in the church by his Grandparents until they died. He then went to live with his uncles. They taught him to drink, swear, and live in the world. Later in life he went back to church and was surprised by all the changes. Because of the changes it took him a while longer to come back. He kept looking for the church that he had left. He said many times if only I could hear my grandpa preach just one more time. If only I had my grandpa’s Bible to look at just one more time.

Now I want you to think about your life. Can others see the difference between your life and the world? If those differences are only that you go to church and the world does not, there is a problem. There are people who are looking for the differences. They need to see the difference. They need to see a grandpa’s preaching just one more time. If you are living a life set apart from the world, it is possible for your life to be the sermon that they need to see/hear just one more time.

Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

Category:

Stories and more, Thoughts

Tagged with:

Faith and Perseverance: Running Life’s Race

Can’t never could because Can’t won’t try. This is something I heard my mom frequently say.

It means that unless you try for sure you will never do something because you didn’t even try.

Remember the story of the Little Engine that Could? “The Little Engine That Could” is a beloved children’s book that teaches the values of optimism and perseverance through the story of a small blue engine that triumphs against the odds. A few other engines that were bigger and better suited for the task refused to even try to help the toys get over the mountain. This story should remind us that perseverance and hope is sometimes the most important things that we could have. Because the little engine tried, the little engine was able to bring joy to the children.

Remember The Hare and the Tortoise? The tortoise won because he kept going. The hare was so puffed up with pride that he didn’t really try to win the race. He took a nap in the middle to the race, but the tortoise kept going.

In Paul’s writings, he compares the life of a Christian to running in the Olympic games. He says that many start, but the prize only goes to the one who finishes the race. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Many people hear the word of God, but not all will start following God. Just like in the story the Pilgram’s Progress, there will be people who start and then turn back because of difficulty. There are some like in the story of the Little Engine that never try because it is inconvenient. There are some people like in the story of the Hare and the Tortoise that think that they have no need of trying because they are just that good. Unfortunately, just like in the case of the hare, they are wrong. The tortoise knew that he was slow, but he also need that he could eventually reach his destination simply by trying.

There’s a country song that talks about how you will never reach your destination if you never try. It is called “The River” by Garth Brooks. In the song it talks about how some people are content to sit on the shoreline. It also explains that they will never reach their dreams or full potential because they do not try. Yes, sometimes there will be rough waters, trouble, but the prize is for the one who does not give up.

Songs That Teach: Reflections on Life and Faith

Category:

Songs, Stories and more, Thoughts

Tagged with:

Understanding Divine Love through “Love Without End, Amen”

There is an older country music song that says, “Daddy’s don’t just love their children every now and then, it’s a love without end amen.”

I was thinking about this song, “Love Without End, Amen”, the other day. It reminds me of my Heavenly Father’s love for me. He doesn’t just love me when I am good. He also loves me when I mess up. He loved me so much that He sent his only begotten son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that I could be reconciled to Him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

In this song it talks about how a young boy has gotten in trouble yet again. He is waiting for his father’s punishment. What he gets instead is a life lesson. His dad explains that Father’s love their children through it all. This is explained as a secret. Later in the song this same boy has grown up and became a father. He is certain that this boy is just like him. When he thinks that he can’t take any more he passes this secrete to his son. The third verse:

“Last night I dreamed I died and stood outside those pearly gates.
When suddenly I realized there must be some mistake.
If they know half the things I’ve done, they’ll never let me in.
And then somewhere from the other side I heard these words again.”

This brings home the message that this song is comparing the love of a real Father to that of God Almighty.

Below is the song in case you want to hear it.

Songs That Teach: Reflections on Life and Faith

Category:

Songs, Thoughts

Tagged with:

Songs That Teach: Reflections on Life and Faith

Songs have the power to make us reflect on various things, some positive and some not so much. They can teach us valuable lessons, and it’s often easier to remember a song than random facts. Below are a few articles I’ve written that feature a song, sharing some of my personal thoughts. More will be added as time goes by.

Inspiring Tales of Faith and Divine Protection

Category:

Songs, Thoughts

Tagged with:

How Children Learn from Their Environment

Have you ever heard this poem?

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

This is a great poem with lots of truth to it. Children learn based on what they see and hear. Children learn by doing and they often copy what they see and hear the adults and other children around them do. It is important to be careful what you say and do around children because they are always watching. It is important how you treat children and others because children learn how to treat others by watching you. Many of the problems that our society has today was create yesterday by how the adults behaved around the children. In order to create a better tomorrow, we must start today by correcting our behavior today.

Children are not born knowing how to act, talk, or walk. They learn by watching the adults and other children around them. So, the next time the child in your care misbehaves, go look in a mirror and see what you are doing and check on what any children around them are doing. Yes, they need to be corrected, but it is possible that your actions or the actions of others need correcting as well. Remember the old adage, Birds of a feather flock together. The people that children are around will cause them to start behaving just like them. Now stop and think about what kind of person you want children to become when they grow up. What kind of world do we want the future to be? Do you like the way the world seems to be going? The future is literally in your hands today. Correct your behavior today for a better tomorrow.

Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

Category:

Stories and more, Thoughts

Tagged with:

Jesus and the Parable of the Lost Sheep Explained

During a recent heavy rainstorm, I checked on my animals. I first found all four cats, and the one dog was under my feet. Next, I checked on the chickens. All but one was accounted for. So, I head into the pouring down rain looking for my chicken. After finding the chicken, and ensuring her safety, I thought about Jesus and the parable of the good shepherd.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So, he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:1-7

The shepherd in the parable leaves the 99 in a safe place. He goes out into the elements and finds his lost sheep. He doesn’t stop until he is successful. Then he brings the sheep back to safety.

This is also a picture of what has done for us. Jesus to came, seek, and to save, the lost. We were unable to redeem ourselves. So, Jesus came to earth and weathered the elements. He endured many hardships, was beaten and crucified all because He loves us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Just as my love for my animals drove me into the pouring down rain to look for my chicken, Jesus’ love for you and me brought Him down from Heaven just for you and me. I only got soaked from the rain. Jesus was beaten and killed by the very people He came to save. Just think about how much love he has for us.

Overcoming Challenges: Faith in Modern Society

Category:

Stories and more, Thoughts

Tagged with: