CJ Mahaney’s Christmas Book List 2017
7 years ago
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank)
An excellent article by Rachel Jankovic
"Everywhere you go, people want to talk about your children. Why you shouldn’t have had them, how you could have prevented them, and why they would never do what you have done. They want to make sure you know that you won’t be smiling anymore when they are teenagers. All this at the grocery store, in line, while your children listen.
A Rock-Bottom Job?
The truth is that years ago, before this generation of mothers was even born, our society decided where children rank in the list of important things. When abortion was legalized, we wrote it into law.
Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get. In fact, children rate below your desire to sit around and pick your toes, if that is what you want to do. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time doing.
If you grew up in this culture, it is very hard to get a biblical perspective on motherhood, to think like a free Christian woman about your life, your children. How much have we listened to partial truths and half lies? Do we believe that we want children because there is some biological urge, or the phantom “baby itch”? Are we really in this because of cute little clothes and photo opportunities? Is motherhood a rock-bottom job for those who can’t do more, or those who are satisfied with drudgery? If so, what were we thinking?
It's Not a Hobby
Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.
Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.
Our culture is simply afraid of death. Laying down your own life, in any way, is terrifying. Strangely, it is that fear that drives the abortion industry: fear that your dreams will die, that your future will die, that your freedom will die—and trying to escape that death by running into the arms of death.
Run to the Cross
But a Christian should have a different paradigm. We should run to to the cross. To death. So lay down your hopes. Lay down your future. Lay down your petty anhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnoyances. Lay down your desire to be recognized. Lay down your fussiness at your children. Lay down your perfectly clean house. Lay down your grievances about the life you are living. Lay down the imaginary life you could have had by yourself. Let it go.
Death to yourself is not the end of the story. We, of all people, ought to http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifknow what follows death. The Christian life is resurrection life, life that cannot be contained by death, the kind of life that is only possible when you have been to the cross and back.
The Bible is clear about the value of children. Jesus loved them, and we are commanded to love them, to bring them up in the nurture of the Lord. We are to imitate God and take pleasure in our children."
To finish reading ..
Rachel is also the author of a new book, Loving the Little Years. You can buy it here.
"Everywhere you go, people want to talk about your children. Why you shouldn’t have had them, how you could have prevented them, and why they would never do what you have done. They want to make sure you know that you won’t be smiling anymore when they are teenagers. All this at the grocery store, in line, while your children listen.
A Rock-Bottom Job?
The truth is that years ago, before this generation of mothers was even born, our society decided where children rank in the list of important things. When abortion was legalized, we wrote it into law.
Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get. In fact, children rate below your desire to sit around and pick your toes, if that is what you want to do. Below everything. Children are the last thing you should ever spend your time doing.
If you grew up in this culture, it is very hard to get a biblical perspective on motherhood, to think like a free Christian woman about your life, your children. How much have we listened to partial truths and half lies? Do we believe that we want children because there is some biological urge, or the phantom “baby itch”? Are we really in this because of cute little clothes and photo opportunities? Is motherhood a rock-bottom job for those who can’t do more, or those who are satisfied with drudgery? If so, what were we thinking?
It's Not a Hobby
Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.
Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.
Our culture is simply afraid of death. Laying down your own life, in any way, is terrifying. Strangely, it is that fear that drives the abortion industry: fear that your dreams will die, that your future will die, that your freedom will die—and trying to escape that death by running into the arms of death.
Run to the Cross
But a Christian should have a different paradigm. We should run to to the cross. To death. So lay down your hopes. Lay down your future. Lay down your petty anhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnoyances. Lay down your desire to be recognized. Lay down your fussiness at your children. Lay down your perfectly clean house. Lay down your grievances about the life you are living. Lay down the imaginary life you could have had by yourself. Let it go.
Death to yourself is not the end of the story. We, of all people, ought to http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifknow what follows death. The Christian life is resurrection life, life that cannot be contained by death, the kind of life that is only possible when you have been to the cross and back.
The Bible is clear about the value of children. Jesus loved them, and we are commanded to love them, to bring them up in the nurture of the Lord. We are to imitate God and take pleasure in our children."
To finish reading ..
Rachel is also the author of a new book, Loving the Little Years. You can buy it here.
Friday, July 15, 2011
fall in love with the orphans
Pray that God will give you a love for the orphans. Then adopt one (or two, or three) or help someone else adopt!
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction.." James 1:27
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction.." James 1:27
Sunday, July 10, 2011
This article was written by Steve Burchett. I thought this was an interesting thing to read as we head into VBS at church.
Five "Do's"
Do use curriculum that is biblical and precise with the gospel. Ask yourself, "Is this curriculum simply about morals like 'Be nice to your sister,' or does it deal with the Bible and what it says about the character of God (even His wrath), the sinfulness of man, and the cross of Christ?" For a solid example of this, visit www.childrendesiringgod.org.
Do make sure that every teacher is precise with the gospel. You may have excellent curriculum, but if a teacher doesn't handle the Bible accurately, the truth will be distorted. We don't want our children to hear a false gospel, do we? Remember Paul's sobering and stern words in Galatians 1:8, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!"
Do sing appropriate songs. VBS is not primarily a gathering of believers. Therefore, it is inappropriate for the children to sing lyrics like, "Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham. I am one of them and so are you, so let's just praise the Lord." Instead, sing songs that speak about God's character and the saving work of Christ. For examples of songs like this, visit www.sovereigngraceministries.org.
Do send gospel literature home with the children. A large number of the children at VBS have unbelieving parents. Sending home a sheet summarizing the day's lesson with a few Scriptures for the child and parent(s) to look up together is appropriate. On the final day, send them home with an evangelistic book (like Pursuing God or The Eaglet, available at www.ccwonline.org) and a note encouraging parents to read it with them.
Do listen to and laugh with the children. There must be times of seriousness—We dare not treat the gospel trivially! However, children need to know that we care about them and that serious Christians also have a sense of humor.
Five "Don'ts"
Don't confuse the children concerning what is the necessary response to the gospel. The proper response to the gospel is not raising a hand, walking an aisle, or even praying a correctly worded prayer. The necessary response is repentance and faith (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21).
Don't constantly tell the children how great they are. Even if the children obey perfectly all week, apart from Christ they remain enemies of God, and they need to know this. The "self-esteem" teaching of our day, if embraced by VBS teachers, actually works against the children recognizing their need for a Savior. Commend them when appropriate, but don't shield them from the truth about their sin nature.
Don't expect to know for sure if even one child was saved. Certain denominational newsletters highlight the number of children who are supposedly saved at VBS in their respective churches, but how do they really know? They are probably basing their statistics on hands raised, aisles walked, or prayers prayed, but we can't really know that a child has been saved until fruit appears. In John 10:26, Jesus said that a characteristic of His sheep is that they "follow" Him. Is it possible to know, by the end of VBS week, that a child has definitely become a follower of Christ? Keep preaching the gospel to the children beyond VBS, look for ongoing repentance and faith, and forget about denominational fame.
Don't seek to assure a child that he or she is a Christian. We can give children the biblical basis upon which they can have assurance, but the Holy Spirit alone grants assurance. "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16).
Don't think VBS is essential in the church's life. There are many good churches who have never held a VBS, yet they are abundantly evangelistic! How is this possible? They take the command seriously to "Go and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19), but they spread the gospel through other means. Evangelism is essential, VBS is not. However, God might lead your church to host a VBS. If so, be careful to drive children to the Savior
Five "Do's"
Do use curriculum that is biblical and precise with the gospel. Ask yourself, "Is this curriculum simply about morals like 'Be nice to your sister,' or does it deal with the Bible and what it says about the character of God (even His wrath), the sinfulness of man, and the cross of Christ?" For a solid example of this, visit www.childrendesiringgod.org.
Do make sure that every teacher is precise with the gospel. You may have excellent curriculum, but if a teacher doesn't handle the Bible accurately, the truth will be distorted. We don't want our children to hear a false gospel, do we? Remember Paul's sobering and stern words in Galatians 1:8, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!"
Do sing appropriate songs. VBS is not primarily a gathering of believers. Therefore, it is inappropriate for the children to sing lyrics like, "Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had Father Abraham. I am one of them and so are you, so let's just praise the Lord." Instead, sing songs that speak about God's character and the saving work of Christ. For examples of songs like this, visit www.sovereigngraceministries.org.
Do send gospel literature home with the children. A large number of the children at VBS have unbelieving parents. Sending home a sheet summarizing the day's lesson with a few Scriptures for the child and parent(s) to look up together is appropriate. On the final day, send them home with an evangelistic book (like Pursuing God or The Eaglet, available at www.ccwonline.org) and a note encouraging parents to read it with them.
Do listen to and laugh with the children. There must be times of seriousness—We dare not treat the gospel trivially! However, children need to know that we care about them and that serious Christians also have a sense of humor.
Five "Don'ts"
Don't confuse the children concerning what is the necessary response to the gospel. The proper response to the gospel is not raising a hand, walking an aisle, or even praying a correctly worded prayer. The necessary response is repentance and faith (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21).
Don't constantly tell the children how great they are. Even if the children obey perfectly all week, apart from Christ they remain enemies of God, and they need to know this. The "self-esteem" teaching of our day, if embraced by VBS teachers, actually works against the children recognizing their need for a Savior. Commend them when appropriate, but don't shield them from the truth about their sin nature.
Don't expect to know for sure if even one child was saved. Certain denominational newsletters highlight the number of children who are supposedly saved at VBS in their respective churches, but how do they really know? They are probably basing their statistics on hands raised, aisles walked, or prayers prayed, but we can't really know that a child has been saved until fruit appears. In John 10:26, Jesus said that a characteristic of His sheep is that they "follow" Him. Is it possible to know, by the end of VBS week, that a child has definitely become a follower of Christ? Keep preaching the gospel to the children beyond VBS, look for ongoing repentance and faith, and forget about denominational fame.
Don't seek to assure a child that he or she is a Christian. We can give children the biblical basis upon which they can have assurance, but the Holy Spirit alone grants assurance. "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:16).
Don't think VBS is essential in the church's life. There are many good churches who have never held a VBS, yet they are abundantly evangelistic! How is this possible? They take the command seriously to "Go and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19), but they spread the gospel through other means. Evangelism is essential, VBS is not. However, God might lead your church to host a VBS. If so, be careful to drive children to the Savior
facebook making you miserable?
Very interesting article by Tim Challies.
"It seems clear that Facebook is exposing something, some ugly little corner of the human heart. Facebook is all about making life seem joyful—we “like” one another’s happy status updates, not the sad ones; we post photos of our parties, not our funerals; we use it to celebrate births and marriages and new relationships, not to mourn deaths or remember break-ups. Facebook is meant to be a happy place for people. But it doesn’t seem to work out so well. We all think everyone else is happy, but we don’t feel the joy.
And it strikes both ways—when we portray ourselves through social media we do so on our own terms. And of course this means that we present ourselves in the way we want to be perceived, whether or not this is an accurate portrayal. So even while we put only our best foot forward, we look at others and assume that their portrayal is more accurate than our own; we believe that we are the only pretenders, the only ones stretching and exaggerating, trying to keep up. We resent another person for being happy—“She has an amazing life and I don’t!” Or we resent her for being falsely happy—“I know her and I know that her life isn’t all that!”
Read the entire article here.
"It seems clear that Facebook is exposing something, some ugly little corner of the human heart. Facebook is all about making life seem joyful—we “like” one another’s happy status updates, not the sad ones; we post photos of our parties, not our funerals; we use it to celebrate births and marriages and new relationships, not to mourn deaths or remember break-ups. Facebook is meant to be a happy place for people. But it doesn’t seem to work out so well. We all think everyone else is happy, but we don’t feel the joy.
And it strikes both ways—when we portray ourselves through social media we do so on our own terms. And of course this means that we present ourselves in the way we want to be perceived, whether or not this is an accurate portrayal. So even while we put only our best foot forward, we look at others and assume that their portrayal is more accurate than our own; we believe that we are the only pretenders, the only ones stretching and exaggerating, trying to keep up. We resent another person for being happy—“She has an amazing life and I don’t!” Or we resent her for being falsely happy—“I know her and I know that her life isn’t all that!”
Read the entire article here.
Friday, July 1, 2011
baseball
Our summer has been passing by in a blur! We spent many hours out at the baseball field, cheering Grazzin's little league team on. They had a rough season. Won only two games before the playoffs. But they decided to play really hard for the playoffs and managed to land themselves in the championship game tonight. I have to admit that I didn't think they could win but they proved me wrong! What a surprise to see the Yankees beat the best team in the league.
I asked Kaci to hold up one finger to show that we were the winners. She agreed.
She then tried to tell me that she wasn't one and that we needed to take a photo of four fingers. She's so funny!
Abby and Mia had a great time together and Caleb enjoyed the pop. That was Kaci's favorite as well!
The girls and Wyatt loved being at the games. I usually put Wyatt on a blanket with some toys and he loved it. Many nights he would fall asleep on his blanket (most of Grazzin's games were late). The girls usually ran the entire time - enjoying the playground, new friends,and snacks!
We enjoyed our month of June at the ball field and Grazzin had a great time making memories with his teammates. Now it's on to preparing for VBS! (and editing photo sessions)
I asked Kaci to hold up one finger to show that we were the winners. She agreed.
She then tried to tell me that she wasn't one and that we needed to take a photo of four fingers. She's so funny!
Abby and Mia had a great time together and Caleb enjoyed the pop. That was Kaci's favorite as well!
The girls and Wyatt loved being at the games. I usually put Wyatt on a blanket with some toys and he loved it. Many nights he would fall asleep on his blanket (most of Grazzin's games were late). The girls usually ran the entire time - enjoying the playground, new friends,and snacks!
We enjoyed our month of June at the ball field and Grazzin had a great time making memories with his teammates. Now it's on to preparing for VBS! (and editing photo sessions)
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