Favorite Audio Sermons

I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Bible preachers:

We sometimes listen to S.M. Davis sermons online while we fold laundry (follow the link and scroll down until you reach his name). Even Drew enjoys them.

I try to plan our weekday outings so we'll catch Richard Ellis on the radio. I love it when preachers actually reference scripture in their sermons. ;)

Californians have no excuse. Raul Riese preaches truth! This is another radio program we try to catch when we're out running errands.

I just found these free Voddie Baucham sermons. Guess what we'll be doing this week?

Enjoy!

Yippee!!!

I am so excited. Candy is doing a series about evolution on her blog and it's a subject I've been wanting to study.

I have not done any in depth study on evolution vs. creation, but I will admit that I go into the discussion with some bias.

1. As presented in high school, evolution made absolutely no sense to me. I just could not understand how a big bang and some primordial soup turned into plants, animals and people. Oh, and who made the primordial soup?

2. Let's say I read a book about dogs that says something like, "300 million years ago this type of dog would have been a such and such." Huh??? How could anyone possibly know what a particular type of dog was 300 million years ago? Where are the records of what was going on back then or even that there was a back then.

3. Let's say I read a book that says, "Some animals, like snakes, use their jaw bones to hear. The bones in human ears which allow us to hear evolved from jawbones of these animals." Huh??? I could possibly understand a snake evolving into another type of snake, but the jawbone of a snake turning into the bones in human ears??? Besides, I thought we came from monkeys.

(While paraphrased, the above examples come from actual books produced by extremely popular book companies. That is one reason I am very careful about the type of books I buy.)

4. I believe the Bible is God's word and I believe His word is true. So when God says He made it, I believe He made it. When He says six days, I believe it took six days. Otherwise He would have said "six time periods". When He says He made each thing according to its kind, I believe He made monkeys and He made man instead of making monkeys turn into man.

In fact, He said He made man from the "dust of the ground" and "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life". (Okay, I'm rambling now, but I just love that part. I love, love, love that He breathed life into Adam. It reminds me of my babies taking their first breaths. And it reminds me of how He keeps my heart pumping and my lungs going from day to day. Life is an awesome gift from God!)

5. I've heard it suggested that perhaps God used evolution in the process of creation. Why would He do that? I don't understand why an omnipotent God would need to use evolution to create the world. And I really don't understand why it would take him 500 million years to do it.

6. I was really excited to see Candy use the word "stalactite" in one of her posts on evolution because we learned about those on our trip to San Antonio. Our tour guide was great, but I did not buy his comments about a single stalactite taking a million years to form. Do you know how long that is? I am sure it appears they would take that long to form, but an omnipotent God (or a flood He caused) could create one in an instant. My God can do anything!

So my beliefs about creation and evolution are admittedly simple, and that is fine with me as, "the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom..." (1 Corinthians 1:25) and "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise..." (1 Corinthians 1:27) The bottom line for me is - I serve an omnipotent God!

Feel free to share any links you have on the subject, even if they don't line up with my thoughts above. I would like as much information as possible so I can teach my children, and I think it will be fun to learn something new. Right now I am sitting here laughing at myself. It's amazing how much I have to say about a subject I don't have strong feelings about.

It's not easy being Queen.

The Good Life...

I overheard the song, The Good Life by hip hop artist Kanye West. I looked up the lyrics and they are not worth posting, but in Kanye's opinion happiness is about fame, travel, expensive cars, women, money and alcohol. Sorry... I just don't buy it. I doubt Kanye is truly joyful and at peace.

The media props up celebrity and wants us to think that is the road to happiness. Fit bodies, casual sex, designer clothes and mansions. But have you read anything about Britney Spears lately? How about Lindsey Lohan? Remember what celebrity did to Michael Jackson? Fame and fortune can't buy happiness.

The world says our kids will be happy if we give them expensive gadgets and freedom to be with their friends. But despite the cell phones, ipods, video games and peer obsession; eating disorders, sexual deviancy, depression, cutting are on the rise. Our children are crying out to us in pain.

The experts will tell you the key to being a great wife and mother is to pursue a career, "me" time, divorce, open marriage or lesbian relationship. They say, "your children will be happy knowing you are fulfilled." But children don't care about whether or not our needs are met, they care that we are joyfully meeting their needs. You don't need "me" time to do that. And you certainly don't need a divorce. Divorce is like death to a child.

Ten years ago I thought I wanted to become a lawyer. I thought I wanted money, a career, respect and admiration. I thought I wanted to be known. But the Lord tucked me away in the suburbs and gave me a husband and three lambs to tend.

Then I thought I wanted a writing career, outside commitments and "me" time. But God said all you need is ME.

I'm so glad the Lord gave me what I never knew I wanted. I spend my days reading stories, wiping bottoms and cleaning up spills. I am known only by the ones who matter, and I have never been so content. I have never been more at peace.

My husband, my children, my home - that's my good life. Yours may not look like mine.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." Mathew 6:33

Don't seek things - seek His kingdom.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his GOOD, PLEASING and PERFECT will. Romans 12:2 (emphasis mine)

Turn the TV off, put the magazines down, stop listening to the experts and seek Him. What could be better than His perfect will? THAT's the good life.

My Daily Bread...

Still reading a Proverb a day and I hope you'll join me. There's some good stuff in there!

My Daily Bread...

Proverbs 2 and 3

My Daily Bread...

Proverbs 1

My Daily Bread...

Romans 7

Starting tomorrow I'm going to read through Proverbs - one chapter for each day of the month.

My Daily Bread...

Romans 6

My Daily Bread...

Romans 5

My Daily Bread...

Romans 4

My Daily Bread...

Romans 3

My Daily Bread...

Romans 2

My Daily Bread...

Romans 1

My Daily Bread...

2 Peter 3

My Daily Bread...

2 Peter 2

My Daily Bread...

2 Peter 1

Because this is MY blog...

And I can say what I want here, I want to share with you ladies something that is heavy on my heart. Something which I have been attacked for saying.

If you are not a Christian, you may think I've lost my mind. If you are a Christian who thinks I've lost my mind, I challenge you to read your Bible.

Many of us are struggling with our children's behavior. We do live in a toxic environment, and in some very rare instances, there is a medical issue involved. But in most cases, we need look no further than modern day, faulty parenting techniques.

There is something very wrong when kids can't leave the park without throwing screaming fits, when parents have to chase their kids to get them in the car, when we can't take them to the grocery store because they'll make us buy them things, when 8 year olds are having "meltdowns" because they can't have what they want.

My children are not perfect, so I say this without pride. My heart hurts for struggling mothers and their children. And to those of you I know personally, I cry for you. My greatest fear is that a generation will be lost.

Some modern day "experts" think they are smarter than God. These experts are asking, "Did God really say...?"

Well Yes, God has said, "Children obey your parents." (Ephesians 6:1)

And Yes, God has said, "Honor your father and mother." (Ephesians 6:2)

God has also said, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace." (Hebrews 12:11)

Here is what else He has said.

Notice He did NOT say, "Parents please your children."

Nor did He say, "Win them over with your love."

I do not understand the current grace-based movement which twists scripture into a feel good parenting philosphy. Nor do I understand the move towards seeing physicians and psychologists regarding our children's behavior. They do not teach courses on biblical discipline in medical school. Unless these physicians have raised three or four children into godly adults, they have Nothing to offer me by way of advice on parenting.

"For our struggle is NOT against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12, emphasis mine)

As parents we are in a spiritual battle for our children's lives and souls. Previous generations seemed to understand this.

My mother once told me the story of when my uncle got caught stealing money from his brother. His mother, my sweet Granny, told my uncle she would NOT let him grow up to be a thief. She spanked him every single day for a week. (And don't let her sweet face fool you, my grandma could take down any rebellious young man.) When grandpa got home, he did his son the same favor. Do you think Grandpa took pleasure in spanking his little buddy? Of course not. Did Grandma want to see her little boy cry? No mother does.

Now if you think this post is about spanking, you are way off the mark. This post is about doing what it takes to save our children.

"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) Do you want the devil to devour your children? Do you want your children lost to a life of drugs and crime?

Stop focusing on your children's wants and focus on their needs. Forget self-esteem and build character in your children. Self-esteem is not a biblical concept. The Bible tells us to humble ourselves and esteem others. (Phillipians 2)

Put those parenting books down and open your Bibles. Read a chapter of Proverbs each day, if nothing else. Save your $10 co-pay and find a couple who has raised godly children to adulthood. Sit yourself at their feet and be prepared to take notes. Live with them for a week if you must.

Arm yourselves with the belt of Truth, the breastplate of Righteousness, the gospel of Peace, the shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17).

Fast and pray. Get down on your knees and cry out to God.

Don't fall into bed at night exhausted because your children have harrassed you. Fall into bed exhausted because you've been fighting for their lives and souls. You are raising your children for the Lord.

I know there are some out there who disagree with me and will employ all manner of nastiness to keep me from speaking my views. If you post nasty comments here, they will be deleted. Re-read the title of this post. This is MY blog.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

For those of you who know and love me, I ask you to pray for me. There is a spirit of deception at work in our culture, and I feel the Lord is telling me to Stand.

On Discipline...

Taken from the NIV, emphasis mine.

"The evil deeds of wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for his lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly." (Proverbs 5:22-23)

"The corrections of discipline are the way to life." (Proverbs 6:23)

"He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame." (Proverbs 13:18)

"Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die." (Proverbs 15:10)

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline." (Proverbs 13:24)

"Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death." (Proverbs 19:18)

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." (Proverbs 12:6)

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." (Proverbs 22:15)

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death." (Proverbs 23:13-14)

"The rod of correcton imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." (Proverbs 29:15)

"Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul." (Proverbs 29:17)

Don't bother getting mad at me, God said it.

My Daily Bread...

1 Peter 5

My Daily Bread...

1 Peter 4