random thoughts | Designing 31

am I a Christian?

I suppose that in order to know if I AM a Christian, I should understand what it means to BE a Christian.

The Christ of this word is Jesus of the Bible. the Son of God [only begotten].

And -ian has several meanings: belonging to or relating to; a person belonging to or coming from; typical of or resembling; adhering to or following; and adherent of; a person who specializes or is an expert in.

So by these definitions, a Christian would be a person who belongs to Christ [I do, do you?]. aka: saved [by grace through faith]

But further than that, a Christian would be a person who resembles Christ and/or adhere’s to His teaching. or someone who is an expert in Who Christ is and what He teaches.

I do suppose that most of you reading this blog are, indeed, saved [Christians]; but are you [am I?] actively BEING a Christian?

Do I resemble Christ? [producing good works and the fruit of the Spirit as He did in His earthly ministry]
Do I adhere to His teachings [as opposed to blindly following a human]?
Am I striving to be an expert in Who He is?
Do I study His teachings [the Bible] and try to apply the truths learned?

Do you?

I suppose that in order to know if I AM a Christian, I should understand what it means to BE a Christian.

The Christ of this word is Jesus of the Bible. the Son of God [only begotten].

And -ian has several meanings: belonging to or relating to; a person belonging to or coming from; typical of or resembling; adhering to or following; and adherent of; a person who specializes or is an expert in.

So by these definitions, a Christian would be a person who belongs to Christ [I do, do you?]. aka: saved [by grace through faith]

But further than that, a Christian would be a person who resembles Christ and/or adhere’s to His teaching. or someone who is an expert in Who Christ is and what He teaches.

I do suppose that most of you reading this blog are, indeed, saved [Christians]; but are you [am I?] actively BEING a Christian?

Do I resemble Christ? [producing good works and the fruit of the Spirit as He did in His earthly ministry]
Do I adhere to His teachings [as opposed to blindly following a human]?
Am I striving to be an expert in Who He is?
Do I study His teachings [the Bible] and try to apply the truths learned?

Do you?

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what am I leaving behind?

by tascha | 2 comments

what am I leaving behind?

This is a poem my Granny sent my mother long ago… and in turn, my mother gave it to me-written in my granny’s beautiful hand… though the ink has faded to nearly unreadable.

The gift is not in the paper but in the thought behind it. and the time taken to pen it. and the time taken to teach and pray. Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Granny.

A gentle reminder to each of us that the most important parts of our children’s lives are not gained by being able to buy everything we see but in taking the time to be a part of their childhood and SHOWING [not just verbally teaching] them about God and His love for them and their whole family.

Have a blessed day.

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what did you say?

by tascha

My husband sent me a link the other day for an article entitled ‘Christian Cussing?’

This topic is actually something that had been on my heart and mind for a couple of months now, as I listen to my children mimic my speech.

As crazy as it may seem [today], I want my children to be well-spoken, use proper grammar and even know what the words they use mean.

With that being said, it is difficult for my children NOT to be exposed to illiterate speech. We live in an illiterate society.

[I am in no way trying to imply that every single person we come into contact with is illiterate. This is a generalization made from simply listening to people around me and is not meant to offend, just make aware. Words are important.]

{Even more importantly} I also do not want my children uttering profanity.

BUT, what is profanity? What is unacceptable speech?

Is it just the ‘major’ cursings [the Lord’s name in any way other than speaking to or about Him, the 4-letter words, etc. I am not going to spell them out]?

Or are slang [replaced] words wrong, too?

The linked article at the beginning of this post has quite a list of slang-I will not try to delve into that. Please read what he has listed. Some of those expressions I had never heard of. But several I had, and seeing their origin made me question whether or not I should say them let alone my children!

In Psalms 19 the Bible says:

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

If I am expressing words simply to let my emotion have voice [as the majority of reasons for cursing, swearing, or whatever you call it] are these ‘words of my mouth being acceptable in the sight of the Lord’? They have no use other than expressing feelings. They often are not even used in proper context. [Is God going to bring damnation on an object just because you don’t like it?]

These are just some thoughts that have been in my heart for a while.

Ecclesiastes 3:14

I would love to read your opinions [kind words, please], but I must show one example that puts shame on my head.

I have often spoken the words ‘oh my goodness’ when I am at a loss of how to express shock or sadness. Each time, I would feel a prick in my spirit that those words were being used vainly, but I did not fully examine it until recently [not many days before I read that article].

One question I finally faced gave me my shame:

Who/what IS my goodness?

Do I even HAVE goodness apart from The Good One?

So is that not in essence saying…. Lord, I have no respect for your name or the simple fact that You are good.

As I said. Just a thought.

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examples

by tascha | 2 comments

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea…But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. I Corinthians 10:1-6 [portions]

We probably all know the story of the nation of Israel leaving Egypt and their subsequent wilderness wanderings. Paul tells us that we can learn from their decisions make centuries ago. They were our examples. They {the Israelites} were baptized, and ate spiritual meat, and drank of the Rock which was Christ {verses2-4}, but yet they went astray and lusted after evil things-which are described in the verses following. And again in verse 11 we are told that they are an example of what not to do.

A thought that struck me was this: do I see people who claim to be saved being led astray and mock them and their “christianity” or do I see them as an example to me to learn how NOT to lust after evil things as they also lusted?

[a side note: we should always be in prayer for those we see going astray and confront them Biblically when necessary, love them always, but we should never condemn them on impulse.]

Then another thought came to me that was even more convicting: What am I an example of to others? Do I show others what the rewards are of living a life consecrated to God? Or am I an example that others should heed of the consequences of lusting after evil things?

the evil things listed

in verses 7-10 include:

idolatry {what is getting in my way of serving God with my whole being}

tempting Christ {do I test His goodness through taunting}

murmurings {do I complain or whine when a situation seems impossible or even is just a little different than I desire}

For today: Let my actions for today be as such that those around me {namely, my children} will see the rewards of a life lived for God and also that the one I was made to help {my man} can benefit from those rewards!

living of the gospel

by tascha | 2 comments

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. I Corinthians 9:14

We ALL know {and I’m talking to believing ladies here} that we are to preach the gospel and teach all nations and be witnesses, but do we live of the gospel?

If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior then our job is to preach/teach the gospel to others. To be a witness of what we know to be true-Jesus can save and change a person. BUT, do we live of the gospel? Of meaning “route, progression, procedure, program or curriculum.” Is the gospel our ROUTE? Is it our PROCEDURE in life? Have we made the study of it our PROGRAM or CURRICULUM?

On those days when I am ‘stuck’ at home and do not come in contact with anyone besides my own children, who have heard the gospel many times already, I tend to feel as though there is no part of witnessing I can do. But on the contrary, there is much I can do. I SHOULD do, but often {always} fall short of doing.

I need to LIVE OF THE GOSPEL:

It should be the route {path to a specific destination} and procedure {set of steps taken} I take in my chores {have you ever asked God what needs to be done first? me either}.

It should be THE study of my life: be on my lips continually as I instruct the precious souls in my care each day.

For today: I am asking the Lord to guide my thoughts to remember His love for me when dealing with my children.