Earth Quaking Experience

     I experienced my first earthquake at my grandparents' house in VA on August 23, 2011.

     I was going into the house when I heard a big "BOOM!". At first, I thought it was the ac coming on. But then, the ground started shaking and I didn't know what it was. I heard the neighbors and my cousin Joshua shouting ''EARTHQUAKE!''. Then I ran to the driveway and stood there. I heard the garage doors shaking and I thought that everything in the garage was falling.

      I heard Grandma yelling in the house but I didn't know why. So I ran into the house. She had been calling for me and my cousins to come to her. My cousins came running up the basement stairs. Once we were all inside the earthquake only lasted a few more seconds.

     A few days later, on August 25th, at 1:30 in the morning, we had an aftershock and it woke most of us up.

     I am thankful that the Lord kept us all safe through the earthquake.

- Michelle Lea Lundquist

THOUGHTFULNESS

The ladies at church are reading through JR Miller's book Things To Live For. In January we read the chapter called The Grace of Thoughtfulness.

JR Miller says:

"Too often our thoughtfulness is an afterthought; the problem is to get it to its true place, where it will become motive and inspiration to gentleness, instead of pain and penitence over a failure in love’s duty."

God says:

"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." 

Romans 15:2

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others," 

Philippians 2:4

What a challenge to be more thoughtful and to be prepared whenever a need should arise.

The Spirit of Charity ....

"It (a charitable spirit) disposes persons to consider not only their own difficulties, but also the burdens and afflictions of others, and the difficulties of their circumstances, and to esteem the case of those who are in straits and necessities as their own. .... a man of charitable spirit is is apt to see the afflictions of others, and to take notice of their aggravation, and to be filled with concern for them, as he would be for himself if under difficulties. And he is ready, also, to help them, and take delight in supplying their necessities, and relieving their difficulties." - Jonathan Edwards (Charity and Its Fruits)

Colossians 3:12 

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, 

compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

YOUR WORD

YOUR WORD is a LAMP to my feet

and a LIGHT to my path.

    Psalm 119:105

"Each man should use the word of God personally, practically and habitually, 

that he may see his way, and see what lies in it." 

(Spurgeon, The Golden Alphabet)

Birthday Gifts

There is nothing like  HAM - SAUSAGE - eggs and a little bit of BACON for a hearty breakfast on your birthday. 

So here they are:

HAM & SAUSAGE

HAM, SAUSAGE & a little bit o' BACON 

Stop on by this winter and maybe I can share some breakfast with you!

"Thruth in the Inward Parts"

Notes from today's sermon on Matthew 5:33-37

"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' "But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; "nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. "Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."

1. Old Testament teaching on vows and oaths
• Numbers 30:2-3
• Vows - toward God
• Oaths - toward people. God is witness, judge, executioner of both. Examples: marriage, courtroom.
• 2 Chronicles 6:22-23
• Deuteronomy 6:13 - Fear the Lord your God and serve Him
• Oaths are always in the name of God. Be careful not to use God's name in vain (3rd Commandment)
• Eccl 5:1-5: not a sin not to vow. Do not vow rashly or hastily.
• Judges 11 - Jephthah ended up sacrificing daughter
• Saul - almost cost Jonathan his life
• Herod - John the Baptist killed
• God takes oaths to give us assurance
• 9th commandment - do not lie
2. The practice of the scribes and Pharisees
• Matt 23:16-22 - Made a distinction/levels of oaths. Made some binding and some not. The closer to God's name the more it was binding. Ex. If swearing by Jerusalem, not binding. If swearing while facing Jerusalem, binding. Talmud is written laws to try and tell every way one needed to act to keep vow/oath. 81 pages of 12 pt font.
3. Text
• v34-36: Jesus is not condemning all oaths (Quakers). God and others (Paul, David, Abraham) take oaths.
• This is a corrective to bring back to spirit of the command
• James 5:12 - Lest judgement. Be willing to put yourself at risk with an oath to help others
• Courtroom where someone's life is at stake
• Marriage where a picture of the gospel is at stake. Husband/Wife/Children are at stake
• James 4:13-16
• Hebrews 6:13-20 - God takes oaths so we would know he is God. Immutable/unchangeable. Oaths have a function to help end disputes.
• Paul took 7 oaths in scripture. Rom 1:9, 9:1, 2 Cor 1:23, Gal 1:20, Phil 1:8, 1 Thes 2:7, 10
• v37 Truthfulness - we should be affirming and denying things
• Geneva Bible has "let your communication" stronger and much closer to intent.
• 1 Peter 2:21-22
• John 14:6 - Jesus is the truth
• Psalm 15:1-5 - Swear to own hurt and do not change. Blessing on those with yes, yes and no, no.
• Devil is father of lies
4. Application
• Apply immediately any applications the Holy Spirit convicts you to do. Do not wait!
• Many societies have deceit built into culture. Poverty and corruption abounds
• Church - we will at times have 2 levels of Yes. We need either firm commitments or at minimum communicate our intentions/expectations.
• Parenting - exasperating, not following through on discipline
• Marriage - raise the level of transparency and complete truthfulness. Build total trust.

Ice Skating

Karen's 17th birthday...

We surprised her by going ice skating. 

No one had ever been and it was fun.

The ice rink has Homeschool Day every Tuesday and the price could not be beat (unless you find a frozen pond). They provided skates as well as "buckets" for learning to skate. 

Samuel loved the ice! There was no thought of not letting him try ... I think he was the first one on the ice!! Robert pushed him for a while - Samuel kept the biggest smile on his face as he slid across the ice with his bucket and best friend. After a while Robert did need to stand up ... so Samuel took the bucket and headed out across the ice, just he and his bucket!

Dueteronomy

Our church, HOPE Baptist, has just finished a 2 year study of Deuteronomy. On Saturday we will conclude as we began, with the reading of the book of Deuteronomy.

We have enjoyed being able to study Dueteronomy. What a treasure it is to read the Word of God.

'Oh, that they had such a heart in them 

that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, 

that it might be well with them 

and with their children forever! 

Deuteronomy 5:29

As we conclude, we have been challenged to remember what we have studied. To remember where God has challenged us and to not lay aside the teachings and convictions God has laid on our hearts.

Joshua 8:35

There was not a word of all that Moses commanded 

that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel,

 and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them.

Nehemiah 8:3, 18

And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. 

And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God.

Nehemiah 9:3

And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law 

of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day; 

for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the Lord their God.

If you are interested in listening to this series, you can find it here:
Hope Baptist Church Sermons

Favorite Movie

Our family received The Runner from Ravenshead at Christmas.
The children all enjoy it, and have watched it over and over.

Family comments:

Michelle - "I like it because it the cast is all children."
Mary - It has a "surprise" ending
Stephen's favorite line... "One biscuit only!"

Check out a video clip here:

The Runner from Ravenshead

Coconut Balls

2 – 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 – 7oz. jar marshmallow cream
4 cups coconut (14oz bag)
2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts
Mix cream cheese and marshmallow cream until well mixed.
Add coconut and pecans.
Roll into small 1 inch balls. Place in freezer for at least 1 hour.
12 oz bag chocolate chips1 TBL shortening
Meanwhile melt chocolate chips and shortening in small crock pot.
Dip balls into the melted chocolate and set them on wax paper until chocolate hardens – about an hour.
Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Makes 75+ balls