A hymn of praise

One of our family favorite's is Matt Maher's modern hymn, Christ is Risen, which is of course, perfect for this time of year, as we remember and give thanks for the great sacrifice our Great Savior, Jesus, made on our behalf.

Christ IS Risen!!  Happy Passion Week friends (a bit early I know)!!

You can read my passion week posts, on my blog.





-Abby for the rest of the Kautt Krew 

Halloween

Something that has lain heavily upon my heart lately has been certain holidays and their true meanings, particularly the one with all of the costumes, carved pumpkins and candy. You know exactly which one I’m referring to—Halloween, of course!

Every holiday season, I ask myself, “What exactly is the history behind such and such tradition,” or “why do we celebrate such and such holiday”. I’ve personally never been able to answer such questions when it comes to Halloween.

 

It’s the same every year— I see houses with fake grave yards and ghosts; and youngsters (sometimes adults too) dressed up as ghastly characters (think vampires, witches, zombies, devils, grim-reapers; you get the idea). I’ve even known people, who call themselves Christians, participating in these “festivities”. Well, you might ask me, “Why does this bother you? Just get over it.” As a Christian and follower of The Way, the Truth and the Life, I must look at these questions through Biblical ‘lenses’. And the reason I’m bothered by this holiday— I remember passages in the Bible that say things like, “The devil was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him.” (John 8:44) and “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10)

Why are Christians ‘celebrating’ death and things pertaining to death, when our Savior (Jesus) came to abolish death (2 Timothy 1:10)? He died so we might live, and focus on things pertaining to eternal life. Those who participate in Halloween festivities are really reflecting the character of the Devil, who was a murderer and has come only to steal, kill and destroy (John 8:44; 10:10). They are living as the world lives, are being in the world and of it (John 15:18-19; 17:3-16), are being conformed to the world, not transformed from it (Romans 12:2), and are not remaining unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
So, fellow believers, what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul (Matthew 16:26; Mark 8:36; Luke 9:26)? We have died to sin and are freed from sin; let us not live in sin any longer (Romans 6:2-7, 11-23). “Let us throw off everything that hinders us, and the sin that so easily entangles us. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1,2^a)

“Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.” (Acts 19:19^a)

VBS at Our New Church Home!

Last week, the first full week of us being here, was Vacation Bible School.  This years theme was based off of Hebrews 12:1, "Let us throw off everything that hinders us, and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus."  (A paraphrase.)   It was called "Mega Sports Camp" and had baseball, football, soccer, volleyball and cheer-leading.  Our prayer is that the week was used by God powerfully in the lives of all of the kids that attended - and the adults, too!

Cheer-leading

Flag football

Soccer

Concessions

Volleyball

Baseball/Softball

Telling what we've learned through the week.

Saying and motioning the week's memory verse: "Let us throw off everything that hinders us..."

"...and the sin that so easily entangles us..."

"...and let us run with perseverance..."

"...the race marked out for us..."

"...fixing our eyes on Jesus."  Hebrews 12:1-2

An evening of fellowship

 On Monday evening, we enjoyed a cookout with some dear friend's of ours, the owners of the Local Yocal, a locally grown foods shop in downtown.  They treated us to some grass-fed beef hamburgers, and sides, and homemade Cinnamon/Peach ice cream.  We had a lively discussion about compost, since Matt's background is Agriculture.... Yes, we engage in some strange convos. ;) 

Phoebe-dear watches the H.'s youngest son, Dean (pictured in the college above).  He'll be two pretty soon, and is an active little guy.  The H.'s also have two older children, Abby (10) and Austin (8) who enjoyed playing with Jaden.  They had a "warm welcome" planned for our family upon our arrival - confetti pops and poppers. 

If you live in or near McKinney, please stop in and support our friends' business.  They have some great products for sale, and the store is just a neat place to pop into from time to time. :) 

Thank you Matt, Heather and kiddos for a delightful evening of fellowship!  Y'all are such a blessing to our family. 

Stay-At-Home-Dads

Sex, Marriage and Fairytales

Why I Hate Religion...

Powerful short video! 

SPIRIT OF GOD, DESCEND UPON MY HEART

This lovely hymn is my prayer today:

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;

wean it from earth, through all its pulses move.

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,

And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

Hast thou not bid us love thee, God and King?

All, all Thine own - soul, heart and strength and mind.

I see Thy cross - there teach my heart to cling;

O let me seek Thee, and O let me find.

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh; 

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear - 

To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,

One holy passion filling all my frame.

The baptism of the heav'n-descended Dove - 

My heart an altar and Thy love the flame.

Text:  George Croly                 Music:  Frederick C. Atkinson

Sunday Meditation

³ Let us know,
      Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.
      His going forth is established as the morning;
      He will come to us like the rain,
      Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

Hosea 6:3

Simple Theology

 "...Christianity originally centered on Christ and His kingdom - not on the fine points of theology.  It's rather difficult to put together a detailed theological statement just from the teachings of Jesus.  That's because in essence the gospel of the kingdom is not theology.  It's about people entering into an obedient faith-love relationship with Jesus the King, bearing fruit.  Jesus didn't talk much about theology because that wasn't particularly important to Him.  However, He did talk a lot about fruit.  And He talked a lot about how we are to live as citizens of His kingdom   He taught us what it means to love one another and to love God.  Those things are important to Him." (emphasis added)

p. 38-39, Will the Theologians Please Sit Down, David Bercot, copyright 2009 Scroll Publishing Company

Verses to Think On

I was reading through Proverbs a few weeks ago, and came across these interesting verses.  I thought it was amazing how they all relate to each other, along with one I came across in 2 Corinthians. 

"Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death."  Proverbs 11:4

"In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death."  Proverbs 12:28

"He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage."  Proverbs 11:18

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."  Proverbs 11:30

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."  2 Corinthians 5:21

My thoughts:

No matter how many earthly riches you may have, they will not profit anything when the Day of Judgment comes.  Only righteousness, Christ's righteousness, will have any profit, any deliverance from death in that day.  May we be found in His righteousness, alone, on that day. 

A Plea from an Echo Boomer

In her article "More Than Teacups...a Plea for Biblical Literacy," Megan Gariss practically begs the older generations to teach the twenty-somethings (and younger?) how to study the Bible.  I wept when I read it.  We have failed these young people, and they know it.  I so appreciated her humble request.  I didn't detect any bitterness on her part, only an almost-desperate plea for us "olders" to do what we should already have been doing.  (I think that's what Jesus would call "making disciples.")  We parents must take seriously our responsibility to disciple...starting first with our own children (and granddies).  I believe the Lord will not ask us how many folks we won to the Lord "out there" before He asks if we made disciples of our own little ones.  Sobering.

To You Ladies...

Wow!!

Congratulations Joel!!

Recently our brother Joel received wonderful news concerning his college capstone project.  Joel's project (all 40 pages) was on the role of Christianity in Nazi Germany.   

 His professor had some very nice things to say about his paper: 

"This is a highly professional document that is worthy of publication. I look forward to seeing it as a documentary."

His professor mentioned that Joel's capstone is worthy of being published as a book, and she would like to see a portion of his paper printed in a history magazine!!! 

We are so grateful that the Lord graciously allowed Joel this opportunity to pursue his education, and how He guided Joel each step of the way along this path. 

1.  Topic Choice (Exceptional) Project is especially well-chosen, has significant need; provides strong questions to be answered; explains detailed delimitation; comprehensive definitions of terms; level of treatment. 2.  Topic Description Research Exceptional) Through literature review, describes topic extensively; reader grasps immediately the purpose of the project through documented research in the field; referenced material is well developed to provide validation for importance of the study or project. 3.  Research Methodology (Exceptional) Research plan is clearly and comprehensively described; steps are delineated to provide a replication of the research necessary to answer all sub questions. 4.  Organization of Study, Research, Conclusions (Exceptional) Artifacts of the writer`s study are well-chosen and effectively presented; study sub questions are clearly and comprehensively answered based on the writer`s research strategies; ideas clearly and logically arranged; results of study flow smoothly and are effectively linked; reader can clearly follow discussion and conclusions based on results. 5.  Writing Mechanics Research (Exceptional) Writing demonstrates a sophisticated clarity, conciseness, and correctness: has significant references and citations to reflect comprehensive research. 6.  Citation Format General (Exceptional) Uses reference and citation format accurately and consistently.

Grade: 100

Worship: A Clue to meaning in life

Recently we were listening Christian apologist and speaker, Ravi Zacharias address the question of worship.  One quote that really struck us during the course of the message, comes from Archbishop William Temple:

"Worship is the submission of all of our nature to God, quickening of conscience by his holiness, nourishment of mind by His truth, the purifying of imagination by His beauty, opening of the heart to His love, submission of will to His purpose.  All this gathered up in adoration is the greatest expression of which we are capable."

Another interesting thing Zacharias said, which might be shocking to some:

"If you are not worshiping God in spirit and truth, even God will disappoint you."

 You can listen to all four parts in this series here, here, here and here.

Idolatry

The Israelites worshiped a golden calf in the desert, this was a more blatant form of idolatry, with an actual idol to see, feel and bow before.

 

"Idolatry is not the by-product of forgetting God; it is the means by which we forget Him.... All existential forgetfulness [i.e. forgetting God] begins with suppression, builds on the energy of idolatry, and binds us to an illusion that both numbs the heart to what is missing and blinds us even to our forgetfulness." - Allender (emphasis added)

We remember the Ten Commandments, specifically the First and Second commandments, which read:

"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." - Exodus 20:3-6

We are to take this grouping of verses as a whole commandment, (consisting of two parts) - Worship only the ONE true and living God, and serve Him in such a manner as to bring blessings upon the future generations.  Sadly, due to the Fall of man (see Gen. 3), our hearts are, in the words of John Calvin, idol factories : “The human heart is a factory of idols…Everyone of us is, from his mother’s womb, expert in inventing idols.”

A convicting related verse is 1 John 5:21: "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols." I know that in my own life I struggle with idolatry.  Realizing that has helped me to consider what I am investing my time, and energy in.  If the activity does not bring Glory to God's name, I should not be engaged in it.  Whatever I am doing must be conducted in such a worshipful manner as to leave no doubt in my mind, and in the minds of those observing my conduct, whom I worship.

My aim, with Christ's aid, is to worship and serve Christ alone!

The Excellent Wife of Proverbs 31

While studying to lead a discussion on the Proverbs 31 woman, I found these excerpts in A MODERN STUDY IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS by Charles Bridges (updated by George F. Santa), copryright 1978, Mott Media, Michigan.

"Perhaps one reason for the rarity of the 'virtuous woman' is that she is so seldom desired or searched for."  (p 732).

About verses 11-12:  Her character as a wife is one of "faithfulness," "oneness of heart," "affectionate dutifulness."  These characteristics cause the heart of her husband to trust in her.  "He feels his comfort to be regarded, his burdens relieved, and his mind freed from vexations.  He is at ease in constrained absence from home having left his interests in her safekeeping, while he is sure that his return will be welcomed with a gladdening smile" (p 732-733).

"A faithful wife and a confiding husband thus mutually bless each other.  With such a jewel for his wife, the husband has no misgivings....Ruling in sphere without, he encourages her to rule in her sphere within.  This would reduce or even eliminate any desire for him to be selfish, or to look greedily at other women.  Her faithfulness encourages his faithfulness.  Instead of abusing confidence, she seeks constantly to make herself more worthy of it" (p 734).

"One half, at least, of the picture of the virtuous woman is occupied with her personal, domestic work" (p 734).

She is not a recluse; here we find no "habits of monastic self-denial" (p 735).

Her industrious ways are a rebuke "to self-pleasing inactivity" (p 735).


She possesses "praiseworthy and genuine simplicity of manners," "practical, yet liberal thrift," economy without a miserly spirit" (p 735).

She is full of energy, an early riser, enthusiastic, ready to work, an efficient manager.  Her ways speak of godly self-denial and quiet dignity.  "Instead of murmuring @some inconvenient demand, she sets a worthy example and delights in the works of her hands" (p 735).

Bridges gives more commentary on this admirable woman.  His book is chock full of valuable insights into the whole book of Proverbs.  Each morning at breakfast, after he reads the Proverbs chapter corresponding to that date, David reads from Bridges about one of the verses he just read.  Rich stuff.

TOZER QUOTE

copyright 2011 Kautt Kreations

"A. W. Tozer in THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY  (New York: Harper San Francisco, 1992) says it well:

Before the Christian church goes into eclipse anywhere, there must first be the corrupting of her simple basic theology.  She simply gets a wrong answer to the question, "What is God like?"  Though she may continue to cling to a sound nominal creed, her practical working creed has become false.  The masses of her adherents come to believe that God is different from what He actually is; and that is heresy of the most insidious and deadly kind.

 "Here are words from the Apostle Paul challenging us to think biblically about the nature and character of God.  'Behold then the goodness and seveerity of God" (Romans 11:22; ASV)."

(from a chapter entitled "Slaughter at Jericho" by Steve Fazekas, DEMOLISHING SUPPOSED BIBLE CONTRADICTIONS, Volume 1, Ken Ham, general editor, Answers in Genesis 2010, published by Master Books, Arkansas, p. 72.)

"The masses of her adherents come to believe that God is different from what He actually is...".  Isn't that idolatry?  Creating God according to our own idea of Him?  The solution: gain a thorough knowledge of who He is by studying and obeying His Word.

Verse of the Day - Know Your Flock

"Be diligent to know the state of your flocks. For riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations." - Proverbs 27:23

In the era of Solomon when this passage was written, the shepherding trade was thriving. This analogy of the shepherd knowing how his sheep are faring not only applies to shepherding, but also to one's heart. We must know where we stand in our relationship towards the Almighty, and in our relationships towards our fellow human beings. This passage goes right along with Proverbs 4:23, which reads, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life."

Chivalry is Dead, So They Say

I'm a little confused.  

 

Yesterday I happened across a news story that puzzles me.  

 

Worst date ever: Boyfriend bails as foul ball hits girlfriend

 

At a Houston Astros ball game, a spectator  jumped out of the way of a ball that was hit into the stands.  Nothing unusual there.  But the rub is that the ball struck his girlfriend.  The story gives him a hard time about not doing the chivalrous thing by throwing himself in the way to protect her.

 

So they're saying chivalry is officially dead.

 

I think I know who or what killed it.

 

Feminism.

 

In general, the media promotes feminism - equal rights for the women.  Equal pay.  Equal job opportunities.  Equal treatment, even to the point of serving in combat.  And please don't open the door for the woman.  Thank you very much, she's strong.  She can do that for herself.

 

So why is the media in this case giving a guy grief for treating his girlfriend as a feminist?  She's a big girl.  Let her take care of herself.

 

Let's be consistent here.  Ladies, you can't have it both ways.  You can't be the Helen Reddy lion, roaring, and expect to be protected by the very men you scorn.

 

After thinking about it, maybe this isn't about disgruntled women who want protection.  Maybe this is another instance of media male-bashing.  Have you ever noticed that the TV shows, the movies, the ads on the radio nearly always portray the woman as the smart one and the guy as a perfect dolt.

 

That is counter to God's design.  Read Genesis 1.  Adam was very smart.  The New Testament talks repeatedly about wives honoring husbands as the heads of household.  Feminists hate those passages. But those verses in no way demean the woman.  It's a matter of who is going to be in charge.  And, are we going to follow God's design.  Women can be smart and Biblically submissive.  And men definitely need to be intelligent to lead a family in a way that pleases the Lord.  Even though I'm a woman (and fairly intelligent), I guess I'm just standing up for the underdog here.  I'm sick of the male-bashing.

 

My fellow Christian women, I'm challenging you/me to treat our husbands like the smart guys God designed them to be.  If they act stupid, maybe it's because we expect it or we tell them they're stupid.  Let's honor our husbands and our fathers.  Let's show the world that the Lord's ways are higher and nobler and satisfying.  And instead of criticizing our husbands every time they goof up, let's pray for them.  They've got a tough job.  One day they will stand before the Lord and give account for how they took care of and led their wives and children.

 

Julia