There Should Be No Surprise

I recently saw a comic posted on Facebook about the death of Christianity in America.  On one side was an atheist who said they were not a Christian.  On the other side were two other people: a Christian who said they were, and another person who said that it was advantageous to believe that because it was more accepted in society.  Then it showed a picture of today and there was still the atheist and the Christian, but the guy in the middle had moved to the other side saying the same thing about it being more advantageous to not be a Christian.

That’s the truth people.  Jesus said the road to Him and Life was narrow.  He said there would be deceivers in sheep’s clothing.  That evil disguises itself as light.

Go Into the World

Over the past several weeks, we have gone over ways that you can expand your daily Bible study time to deepen your walk with God.  Today, as we wrap up this series, I’d like to give you some practical ways to make yourself more mobile in your Bible studies and what you then do with your greater knowledge and deeper faith.

Seasoned Mushrooms

My husband loves this recipe and now that it is grilling season, he is all for making these.  The mushrooms cook while you are grilling your other food and are usually ready by the time the rest of the food is done.  I make them up and put them in the packet and he grills them.  The mushrooms still retain most of their flavor, so for someone like me who likes their mushrooms more for texture than flavor, this recipe is not for you.  But for people who love mushrooms, my husband says they are delicious!

 

The Biggest Road Blocks to Daily Bible Times

 

Why do so many Christians supposedly not read their Bible regularly?

I have pondered this questions many times.  Mark and I have had discussions on it.  And I think that I have narrowed it down to six main reasons.

1. “The Bible is corrupted by man and manmade.  It’s not of God.”
2. “The Bible is no longer relevant, important, or needed anymore.”
3. “All we need to remember is Jesus is love and to love one another.”
4. People do not want to be convicted and change their lives.  (Happy Bubble!)
5. There is consistent sin in a person’s life.
6. They are not a true believer.

Chocolate Banana Chips

 

This is one of my favorite homemade desserts.  It takes only a few ingredients, tastes like ice cream, and even kids like them.  Chocolate Banana Chips are regularly made in this house.  You can make as many or as little as you want, just adjust the recipe, and it’s a great way to use up any extra bananas.  Make sure that they are ripe, but not heavily brown-spotted.  Enjoy!

 

Worship

 

What is worship?  In reality, all that I am writing about in this series is a form of worship.  Worship includes everything in a Sunday church service.  Worship includes helping those less fortunate.  If all is done as to glorify God and to be obedient to him.  However, it seems like today with many Christians, worship just comprises the singing portion of a church service.  And that is how I am using the word today in this blog post, but I just wanted to clarify for the sake of correctness.

One of my favorite things to do is to sing.  I love music.  The way it makes you feel an emotion.  The way that you can use it to make others feel emotions.  The way that it can cross all sorts of situations, cultures, and barriers to make everyone feel connected.  It brings together, but it can also divide.  It can be a rally cry.  It will be stuck in your head for days, over and over and over…

Man’s Great End

Lord of All Being,

There is one thing that deserves my greatest care,

            that calls forth my ardent desires,

That is, that I many answer the great end for which

            I am made —

            to glorify thee who hast given me being,

            and to do all the good I can for my fellow men;

Verily, life is not worth having

            if it be not improved for this noble purpose.

Yet, Lord, how little is this the thought of mankind!

Most men seem to live for themselves,

            without much or any regard for thy glory,

            or for the good of others;

They earnestly desire and eagerly pursue

            the riches, honours, pleasures of this life,

            as if they supposed that wealth, greatness, merriment,

            could make their immortal souls happy;

But, alas, what false delusive dreams are these!

And how miserable ere long will those be that

            sleep in them,

            for all our happiness consists in loving thee,

            and being holy as thou art holy.

O may I never fall into the tempers and vanities,

            the sensuality and folly of the present world!

It is a place of inexpressible sorrow, a vast empty nothingness;

Time is a moment, a vapour,

            and all its enjoyments are empty bubbles,

            fleeting blasts of wind,

            from which nothing satisfactory can be derived;

Give me grace always to keep in covenant with thee,

            and to reject as delusion a great name here or hereafter,

            together with all sinful pleasures or profits.

Help me to know continually

            that there can be no true happiness,

            no fulfilling of thy purpose for me,

            apart from a life lived in and for

            the Son of thy love.

The Valley of Vision

Edited by Arthur Bennett