Dynamic Series – What to Expect

I’m so excited to be discussing this with you beloved, and to start this new science minded series. Hopefully I’ll be able to work some homeschooling lessons in congruency with these Monday posts. My main purpose is to bring God glory by detailing the meticulous way He has designed the principles and laws our world follows. This is a three part series, although each part will have multiple posts, which I will attempt to keep at four posts per subsection.

The first part of this new series will be in reference to aerodynamics, it’s laws, principles, and applications. Next we’ll tackle hydrodynamics, it’s laws, principles and applications. Aero and hydrodynamics are directly related through the study of fluid dynamics, so we’ll discuss their connections to one another as well as their connection to our final subject, thermodynamics. The laws of thermodynamics are a Creationists dream, but far less is said about how these laws effect other subjects in physics. That will be the underlining point of this series, to connect the dots, learn some fun facts, and give God the glory!

As always, dear ones, I’m going to be giving a brief description on each post. This means I’ll be over simplifying majorly complex principles. I pray this series is a blessing to you all, and look forward to the discussions that stem from it. As always, friends, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

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Hymns of the Past – Absent from Flesh!

After witnessing some grievous sins this morning prior to fellowshipping, my heart is heavy, beloved brethren. One of the tremendous differences I see within my own self since God saved me by His grace alone is the desire to be absent from the flesh! Particularly this is true when sin is front and center. This hymn was such a beautiful encouragement to me today. I pray this blesses you all as well, and as always be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Absent from flesh! O blissful thought!

What unknown joys this moment brings!

Freed from the mischiefs sin has brought,

From pains, and fears, and all their springs.

Absent from flesh! illustrious day!

Surprising scene! triumphant stroke

That rends the prison of my clay;

And I can feel my fetters broke.

Absent from flesh! then rise, my soul,

Where feet nor wings could never climb,

Beyond the heavens, where planets roll,

Measuring the cares and joys of time.

I go where God and glory shine,

His presence makes eternal day:

My all that’s mortal I resign,

For angels wait and point my way.

Trip to Custer’s House – Homeschool Field Trip

I meant to write about this last Saturday, brethren, but it slipped my mind. I love to give you all update at least once a month on our latest homeschool outings. I hope it’s an encouragement to my homeschooling friends! Last week we went on a field trip to see General Custer’s home, and a village of Native American huts! Both my husband and I have ancestors within the same tribe, so it’s always fun to see Native American culture. It was also great fun to see the house Custer lived in. Many pieces within were original to the Custer’s, and our tour guide was in character the entire time.

One of my favorite parts of homeschooling is having these opportunities to learn at all times. We’re now launching into a series on Lewis and Clark, who had an exhibit all to themselves at the museum on site. Their path through these parts are marked by signs all over town, so it’ll be a great way to show American history hands on. Many areas all over America, and the world, have tiny historical sites like Custer’s home. Finding them is half the fun, exploring them is the other half!

Kk is a well rounded little learner, she seems to do fine whether we’re learning from experience, worksheets, or reading. You’re little ones might learn better hands on, or by the book, which is why homeschooling is so wonderful, it’s not one size fits all! If I find some really good resources for this time in American history I’ll update this post. As always, beloved brethren, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Thursday Book Review – The Truth Chronicles Book 5 The Chase

Beloved, I’m so excited to finally be able to review the fifth book in the six book series, The Truth Chronicles. Book five, aptly names The Chase, is the most suspenseful, and emotional, of the books thus far. If you recall from my previous reviews on the series, these books follow four teenagers on their adventures through time, and faith. In the first book they invent a time machine, and with one of the four a Christian who believes strongly in Creationism, they set out to prove her wrong. Each book has been jam packed with science, apologetics, and adventure. This one is no different, though it has an emotion twist.

The Chase deals with child abuse, although it doesn’t specify it seems to be referring to sexual abuse. Growing up, our youth are often confronted by the difficult, emotional questions raised and answered in this book. The raw, honest, pain displayed in certain points of the book would even be a comfort for teens that have suffered in a similar way. This is what I love about this book series, it holds no punches. It aims directly at all the issues young people face, all the attacks levied against Christianity, and it answers these questions. It answers the questions without sounding like a sermon, and while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, waiting to see what dinosaurs try to eat them next!

Once again, I have to recommend this book series to every youth group. It opens up so many opportunities for questions, for Gospel messages, and for growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. If you have youngsters it’s a great book to read together, and can help us as adults to recall (rather unwillingly if I’m being honest) what it was like to be young. You can find the kindle version here, the hardback copy here, and the full series here. If you’ve missed my previous reviews here are some links to book one, two, three, and four. As always, dear friends, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Fair Day

Biblical Beginnings is closing early today for…the state fair! Do you have a state fair you go to, beloved brethren? What a wonderful opportunity to share Gospel tracts! I pray you are all having a wonderful day.

Twisted Tuesday – Have Faith in…Faith?

Hello dear friends, I hope this post has found you all doing well. Today I want to talk about a verse misuses in such a way that it binds heavy burdens on many. I’ve seen first hand the hurt this twist in Scripture causes those who genuinely desire to be obedient, yet have been led astray by false teachers. The verse, or I suppose I should say verses, are those in reference to Jesus Christ healing someone and saying their faith had made them well. While there are several verses with similar phrasing I had to pick just one, so let’s go with Matthew 9:22.

In the original Greek text the word faith here is not a verb, it’s a noun. Unfortunately those in the WoF movement have turned it into a verb, suggesting that we need enough of it to become healed. This is another case where the full counsel of Gods Word clears the misunderstanding up. It’s also a point where Church History can be helpful, as faith was never considered a force to be wielded at God before the 20th century. When the Scriptures are taken as a whole we see that there are times when Christ healed those who had no faith in Him, or had no clue who He was. He did this out of mercy, and in the end we see clearly in the Bible that Christ healed everyone He intended on healing.

Suggesting that faith is something we most have, and use, to convince God to do what we want Him to do is a challenge to His sovereignty. It also teaches those who are zealous without knowledge that it’s their fault their children are sick, or that they can’t get well themselves. In this way these false teachers bind heavy burdens upon people, while attempting to placing man in a seat of authority over God’s will. Does God always will for everyone to be healed? If that we’re the case Jesus was disobedient in His earthly ministry. At the pool of Bethesda He only healed one person, though we’re told in the Text that there were many there. Let God be counted true and every man a liar, Christ lived a sinless life in full obedience to the will of the Father. Still to this day God heals those He decides to heal in His sovereignty.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t pray for healing, or for others who are ill. It does mean that we are in no way, shape, or form, responsible for the sickness not being removed. Those who were written about in the Bible having faith had faith in Christ Jesus, not their own ability to believe. In ourselves there is nothing we can boast of, no power, no ability, no magical healing faith. Salvation, sanctification, justification, and yes even the miraculous, are all of Gods grace. This is why I constantly exhort you, beloved brethren, to take the full counsel of Gods Word. Read in context, and recall that chapter and verse breaks are not sovereign, you may have to go back a chapter or two to get the full picture. As always, dear ones, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Series on Feminism in the Church – Part IV Final Post

It’s Friday once again, dear ones, which means we will once again be addressing my least favorite subject. I thought the reading for last weeks post was the most grievous, until I began to research for today. I’m going to discuss the connections between feminism and Wicca/new ageism, so once again I must apologize for the quotes, they’ll be difficult to read. As I’ve mentioned previously, I grew up in a feministic household. I had never made a connection, however, to my mothers feministic beliefs and her turn towards witchcraft. I can see now how easy it is to move toward so called ‘spirituality’ and goddess worship when so much of the literature bends in that direction.

This is a serious indictment against allowing feminism in the church. I’m in no way suggesting that every feminist is a practicing Wiccan, however most of the leading feminists view their movement in a spiritual way. Like anything that steps away from a Biblical structure, it leads down the path towards witchcraft in steps. The end result seems to be atheism, though many stay within a new age mysticism that borrows Christian language. Others continue on to Wicca, or goddess worship. Again, it’s important to note that none of these underlining goals have anything to do with equality. Witchcraft and goddess worship does nothing to help women earn the same pay as men, yet it is pushed in the feminist groups and is direct opposition to Christianity. The Biblical view, on the other hand, of man and woman is equality. As Paul states, we are equal, whether we are male or female, with differing roles in the body of Christ.

My deep concern is that many women within the church that embrace feminism are unaware of these connections. Our leaders, elders, and pastors are vilified if they dare to urge discernment in this area. I pray that this series will help break down some of the walls that have been built between women and men in the name of equality. Let me just remind you, beloved, that in these posts I’ve pointed out feminism’s attack against Christianity, men, and marriage alone with showing its roots and spirituality which oppose Christ in every way. Once again, we have to ask ourselves, in light on the SBC’s wavering and women like Beth Moore’s recent hurtful rhetoric, should feminism be in the church? My stand is clear, friends, you’ll have to decide this for yourself. As always, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

If you’ve missed the previous posts here are links to Part I, Part II, and Part III.

Thursday Book Review – The Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity

Beloved brethren today’s book I’d like to review for you was written by John Bunyan (1628-1688). You’ll recognize him as the writer of Pilgrims Progress and Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners. The Holy Life is a short book, published in 1684 just four years before Bunyan’s death, which expounds upon 2 Timothy 2:19. The style of this book, while not as easy to read or eloquent, is similar to Thomas Watson’s, so it lends itself to organized note taking.

The topic Bunyan addresses here is one dangerously lacking within the discussions of believers today, holiness. Many will, unfortunately, shrug this subject off as ‘legalistic’. That label gets thrown around all too often today, perhaps simply due to a misunderstanding of what legalism actually is. In this book Bunyan never suggests that holiness is a means of salvation, but rather calls believers to a holy life style as means to glorify God, and share the Gospel with onlookers. He decries those who profess the name of Christ, yet have never repented of their sins and put their faith in Him. It was much more evangelistic than I expected, while still stinging with conviction and leading with encouragement to believers.

I would recommend this book to all believers, though it would make a particularly apt gift for elders, leaders, and pastors. Due to the age of this one, it’s in the public domain. This, of course, means it’s free! Also, Librivox has a free audio recording of it as well, which you can find here. Here is the pdf, and paper back, though there does not seem to be a kindle version available, sorry friends. I pray this review has found you all doing well, dear ones, and has blessed you. As always, be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.

Wednesday Testimony – Jeff Durbin

Apologia Studios are doing absolutely amazing work at the abortion mills, and their videos on sharing the Gospel with the lost in various cults are extremely helpful. I’ve been so blessed by Jeff Durbin, his radio program and the other videos they upload, but this one in particular. As far as testimonies go, this is very raw and honest. Have tissues handy, they’ll be needed!

Series on Feminism in the Church – Part III Attack on Marriage

Hello again, dear friends! I hope this post has found you all well. As we return to this troubling series today, please pray for me. The reading material I’ve had to research for this post is grievous. Particularly in this part of the series, with the attack on marriage. Many of us have felt the sting of our parents divorcing, or perhaps were raised by a single parent. I have family members hurting right now because their spouse left them. Marriage is an unmistakably beautiful union, where God takes two people and makes them one. What God has joined together, let no man tear apart. In my last post in this series I explained that feminism can not coexist with Christianity, I hope this post further underlines that truth. I apologize in advance for the quotes, beloved, I’m sure they’ll grieve you as much as they have me.

When Jesus is questioned about divorce in Mark 10 He points to the very first marriage, quoting as He often did from Genesis. In the beginning God made them male and female and the two became one flesh. This is a beautiful thing, dear ones. Marriage is the only thing that God compares with Christ’s relationship to His Church. Husbands should love their wives like Christ loves the church. This alone has placed marriage on such a pedestal that we, as born again believers, must be willing to defend it. Unfortunately, in this case we have to defend Gods plan for marriage against feminism, which is currently creeping into the church. Feminist scholars, often teaching our children in universities, view marriage with as much hostility as they view Christianity.

The question I want to pose here is whether or not feminism should be in the church. You can clearly see my opinion on that question, as I’ve seen first hand the damage that is caused when marriages are destroyed. Every church, and believer, is going to have to answer this question for themselves. What we’ve seen so far this year is that a social gospel is being pushed throughout the Body of Christ, and with it comes feminism. How will we answer this movement? I hope this series will help you all in that regards.

Beloved, let us not forget that we stand on the completed Word of God. When the world tempts us to falter, to set aside, or to go against Scripture it’s time to take a stand. The ‘tolerant’ will slander and abuse you, but stand you must. This is not an option, friends, we have one book, the Bible, that we follow. When the fads and movements of the culture we live in turn away from the teaching therein, we are a peculiar people set aside for the glory of God, we do not follow the culture. So be good Berean’s and study to show yourselves approved.