Jody Along the Path

Today I am pleased to announce the first edition of the webzine, Bible Study Paths.

The purpose of the Bible Study Paths webzine is to promote enthusiastic Bible study in the individual, small groups, and the Church at large.

There will be articles written by evangelicals, charismatics, pentecostals, liberals, conservatives, and those who cannot (and will not) be put in any of those categories. The views will not always reflect my personal views but I hope they will make us all think and consider why we believe what we do. And I hope they will always “leave us loving God and each other more” (Alden Thompson, Walla Walla, WA, professor and friend).

I hope you find some blessings there.  — Jody

My husband and I were out and about today doing some errands. When we stopped for gas we noticed that our local Teen Challenge was at the adjoining parking lot having a car wash. Our car was really dirty and God had blessed us today with some unexpected income so – we accepted their enthusiastic curbside invitation!

I first became acquainted with Teen Challenge in my hometown in Missouri. Even though that was almost 40 years ago, the then new concept was heralded as innovative to combine faith with proven counseling and group therapy in the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. Years of statistics have shown it to be arguably the most successful program with centers throughout the world.

In today’s economy with donation dollars more scarce and stretched further, Teen Challenge is a place to give and see a high return on your charitable investment. Go to www.teenchallange.com and find a center near you to support!

I am posting this just so you can read J. Lee Grady’s report because we NEED to hear what God is doing in Haiti.  God is showing Himself in very tangible ways and kicking out the darkness that has blanketed this island.  To GOD be ALL the glory!

Suicide has touched my life this week. The son of a woman I know committed suicide. He leaves behind family that is beyond devastated, including his own young children.

Suicide is, and has always been, a concept of life that puzzles me; confuses me; and, yes, really angers me. My first experience was a distant relative that committed suicide when I was about 5 years old. Fifty years later, when that relative’s name is mentioned at a family gathering, the voices go to whispers and everyone has the shadow of that hurt, puzzled look that they had on the first day after it happened. I spent twelve weeks as part of my nurse’s training in a psychiatric hospital. During my twelve years as a hospice nurse, we had six patients who decided they were done with this life. It wasn’t physical pain that drove them but the loss of control. In their final notes they said they thought that ending their life sooner would be ‘easier’ for their families. I believe they were wrong. On every level, the families had a ‘mess’ to clean up and walk through in order to get on with their lives.

Contrary to the theme song from the original M*A*S*H movie, suicide is painful. It is painful to everyone it touches. It feels like failure to everyone it touches. I am not going to attempt to discuss the psychiatric aspects of this disease outcome. I am going to say that as Christian I do not believe that suicide is the ‘unpardonable sin’. Many feel that because suicide is defined as a sin (under the umbrella of the command ‘do not kill’) and the person who commits the sin immediately dies – they die without repenting of that sin. That theory is scary to me as that supposes that I will have the opportunity to repent of every sin that I have committed before I die and so will die with a ‘clean slate’. And, more importantly, it also ignores the extravagant, promised-to-be-sufficient grace that God freely gives.

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:14 (NIV)

But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. When they saw him, they bowed down to [worshiped] him, but some doubted. Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe [obey] all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.             Matthew 28:16-20   (WEB, my additions)

Christian Archy - First Volume in the Areopagus Series

Energion Publications, the publishing company my husband and I own, is asking this question in an essay contest that celebrates a soon-to-be-released series, Areopagus. I am obviously not in the contest for a Barnes and Noble prize (which I would love!) and I am not a judge, but I am allowed to discuss the question here on my blog!

A congregation following Jesus –

1) would be full of worshipers and those who question. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that worship of God would not just happen where it is expected but everywhere that there is His Spirit and Truth. (John 4:21-24) I believe one of the primary characteristics of an intimate relationship with Jesus is His creating an atmosphere where I can worship and I can question. He can handle my imperfect, heart-sent worship and my repetitive, heart-sent questions.

2) would be about His mission: to go and make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey Him. Buildings would be maintained only if they were for soup kitchens, care facilities, or “Open Night Basketball” for youth outreach or softball leagues that include family dinners and small group study with practice. Small groups in homes would be the norm but could include Sabbath School if that was a growing mission. Teachers and leaders would be known by their gifts and joy in service. Leaders would all have “tent-making” jobs because that, too, is an opportunity to reach out. No one would draw a salary from the congregation’s tithes and offerings but everyone could receive financial support if needed. Distribution of tithes and offerings would come, prayerfully, from the fellowship – those who are committed by their prayers, gifts, and service. Even a child who is giving could suggest a need for support!

3) would communicate (witness) to others. These would be joyful, frequent occasions. To those who do not know Jesus or about his love, opportunities to share would be sought, whether locally or abroad. Witnessing to or encouraging each other would be done any time a group met for study, food, worship, or prayer. Sharing what God has done illuminates what God is doing! It also affirms Jesus’ final words: “I am with you always.”

I do not write about parenting as an “expert” but I have received many ‘pats on the back’ for the three great children that I have known since the day they were born. I have become a fan of a blog, Beyond Just Mom, as the posts are real, poignant, funny, and yet written in a way that does not embarrass her children! Her recent posts about her 14-year-old son making a trip to Japan with a school group made me think of all the journeys my own children have experienced. I can say, without a doubt, that like all parents, no matter the species, the difficult days are when you stand still and allow them to fly off on their own wings. Whether their trips take them to their first t-ball game or gymnastic meet when they must step alone into the playing field, or the first dance or social event, feeling awkward and tongue-tied.

It is so essential to allow these excursions because one day they will gather up their clothes and move into a college dorm or their first apartment. If they are blessed from their previous flights, they know they are going to do this alone and survive it. Mom and Dad will not be running to throw themselves in front of the difficulties. But they will also know that Mom and Dad are close as a phone call, text, or email to be advisers if an opinion is requested.

I have a daughter and son who are married to fantastic people and have super grandchildren. I watched them walk down their respective aisles with joy and peace, knowing they had flexed their wings, would have extraordinary adventures, and would teach their children to fly also.

Being a parent is not for “wimps” but God did give us a handbook and He promised we would not have to do this most important job alone.

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I so голова болит секс голова болит секс enjoyed the Twins – Tigers game tonight! It was baseball at its best. It was tenacity. It was excitement. It was individual brilliance. It was individual mistakes. It was team effort. It was a fan-fest! I applauded both teams as they gave everything they had to achieve the goal. Thank you, all coaches and players, for wiping away some of the dirt on American baseball and giving us, lovers of the game, 12 innings of pure pleasure.

If you watch very little TV, this should be a show on your list.

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If you watch only ____ (TBN, CNN, ESPN, etc), this should be a show on your list.

In it’s seventh season this show continues to be an uplifting, positive start to my week. In the best and truest sense, the communities highlighted in each episode, say, “Yes, we can!” There is no doubt that the star-power of the shows bring special “gifts” to the families and companies reap the benefits of advertising. But it is the communities that bring hundreds of volunteer man-hours and thousands of dollars raised to pay mortgages and medical bills that shows all of us that many individuals comign together can make a major difference in a family.

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Whether we come together as a church or a small group of caring citizens, let us look out of our own pits and take the hand of someone near. The single mom down the street could use her lawn mowed and flowers planted in recycled pots. A fresh dab of paint would make them new! The older couple living in the “forever house” would think it new with some paint and elbow grease!

“LET’S DO IT!!!”

A few weeks ago, I received the “2009 Obama Agenda Survey” from the RNC (Republican National Committee). I am a registered Republican. I would say that I chose to register in that party because I do not like ‘big government’ and I am conservative in my views. After receiving this survey and checking online to see the contents of some of their other surveys – I may revoke my Republican registration and become an independent!

The questions were bias and offensive. Offensive to my intelligence. The RNC asked the questions in such a way to get the answers that they порно училки ласкового мальчика страпон wanted so they could produce statistics that they wanted. The questions did not attempt to harvest the ‘will of the people’. It was to evoke an answer that would support the agenda that they already have – not the agenda that I wish they would have.

Example (first question): Do you agree with Barack Obama’s budget plan that will lead to a $23.1 trillion deficit over the next ten years?

First, I am offended that the question does not refer to President

Obama. The man was elected by the people of the United States and deserve the respect of that office.

Second, is there anyone, Republican or Democrat, who totally agrees with a budget that produces trillions in deficit? So if I answer “yes” to the question then I am giving blanket approval to hundreds of items that will never make it through Congress! If I answer “no” then I am disapproving items that should be given consideration and passed. It is Congress who will approve, disapprove, and amend the budget and it is Congress who should take the responsibility – not one man.

So, RNC, keep shooting yourself in the foot and you will lose the next election, too!!!

As September draws near even the churches who have taken a summer vacation have put out their bulletins and dusted off their websites to entice members to sign up for small group classes. Leadership personnel are hit with Saturday and after-work, late-in-the-evening seminars to prepare them for various committee positions and re-certify them to teach Sunday School. A friend belonged to a church that demanded a 30-hour leadership course prior to singing in the CHOIR

and then demanded that you start a small group!

Recent blog posts suggest that the majority of church members find these classes ‘overkill’ and just another reason to avoid church and church membership. “The way we have always done it” is thinly veiled under hip graphics behind monotonal speakers on DVDS instead of live monotonal speakers and felt board. Curriculum must be denominational approved because we would not want to taint our congregants with outside ideas! Do we think their faith walk so weak? And if it is — do we not want them to exercise their spiritual muscles and study the Bible for themselves??!!!

I would like to belong to a church where people are empowered to use their God-given gifts to serve others without jumping through the hoops of seminars and committee approval to begin their service. I would like to belong where it is not “who you know” that brings you into fellowship and service but only the One to Whom you are a disciple and desire to serve as He does.

I would like to be a part of a small group where the members came from different church affiliations and age groups. The only requirements to belong to the group would be respect to all the members and a desire to discuss questions that have been on our minds and seek God’s words. (notice I did not say ‘answers’)
I am finding my place…just not inside a church. Hmmm. папа трахает дочь

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