A Mother's Day Post

This is a special post for Mother's day. Here are some things that my kids love about their mother.

Caleb: One thing he loves about mom is that she helps him make different projects. He loves Mom's sense of humor, especially when she calls them stinkers.

Isaac: He love his mom especially because she teaches him math and he loves math. He is thankful for the hard work that his mom does to make him nice clothes.

Anna: She says Mommy makes pretty dress for me and I love pretty dresses. Anna loves Mommy's good cooking. Mommy's love for me is seen in the food and dresses she makes for me.

Silas: He loves his pretty and funny mommy. He likes it when mommy reads books to him.

Leah: goo goo da da ba ba ma ma oo aha ah. This is what Leah said and I will try translate it for you.
Leah wants to say she loves her mommy. Her mommy takes such good care of her. My diapers are changed. She gives me good food.

So you see Fenna is a great mom. Her children rise and call her blessed. Many women do great things, but she surpasses them all. Happy Mother's day Fenna


Happy Mother's day to my mom also. Thanks for all the blessings that God has given to me though you. Hope you have a blessed day.

 Love Brad

Work Like an Ox

 

"Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox."

 

Proverbs 14:4

 

   This proverb uses the farming practices of the people in Israel's day to teach us a lesson. An ox needs to be taken care of. He needs food and water every day. He needs his stall cleaned. If he becomes sick, he needs treatment. His hooves need a trim every so often. This is a lot of work. Every day of the year  the ox needs your care and attention. All the work may lead  one to consider getting rid of the ox. Sell him or eat him. No more work filling his manger with food. No more mucking out his stall. Maybe without him around you can relax and have some fun. But before you sell the ox consider the last part of the proverb. The ox is used to plow your field. You need him to get the fields ready for planting. No one could plow as good as an ox. His hard work in spring would greatly improve your chances of a large harvest in the fall. In the fall the ox would be used to thresh the grain as well. So without the ox, your harvest would suffer and poverty would come upon you quickly. Wisdom realizes that all the hard and unpleasant work of taking care of the ox is worth it in the end.

 

So how can we apply this now, in our time? I don't know anybody here in our country that plows with an ox and most people don't even live on a farm. I believe this proverb's lesson is similar to our modern proverb, "No pain no gain." In our jobs this is the case. We need to work hard to make a profit. We need to do the unpleasant jobs in order for the business to succeed. We have to sacrifice. The easy way is not the way to success and good results. This truth can be seen in the home. Without children, our homes are cleaner and quieter. Without children we may have more money in the bank. But without the hard and sometimes unpleasant work of raising kids, we will never know the great joys of having children. Children are really worth the time and work we put into them. This principle is also seen in the ministries of the church. They all involve difficult, continual, and costly work in order for there to be a great harvest. Missionaries often work for years before there are any conversions. Elders have to work hard at teaching, rebuking, and shepherding for there to be godly growth in the lives of the church members. I am sure you can see how this proverb can apply to many other areas of life.

 

God's wisdom teaches us to toil and labour in the tasks that He has given to us. When we do, God will bless the work of our hands. Avoiding hard work or being lazy is the way of fools.

2 Thessalonians 3:10b-12, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living."

1 Corinthians 15:58, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

 

-Brad-



A Faithful Messenger

"A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing."

 

Proverbs 13:17

 

 During the US-Mexican war, the future Confederate general Robert E Lee had an important message that was to be given to his general. He traveled over mountainous terrain covered with sharp, volcanic rocks during a storm in the night. When he reached the general's camp, he was told the general had moved on. So he re-crossed the awful terrain to where he was told the general had moved to. Yet again on arrival he was told the general was not there. So he again had to re-cross the difficult ground. This time he found the general and gave him the important message which helped the army gain victory. For his trouble Lee had cuts, bruises and weariness, but also the praise of his general who said of Lee's trek, " the greatest feat of physical strength and moral courage performed by any individual, to my knowledge, pending the campaign." This is an example and illustration of the proverb we are looking at today.

 

A messenger is someone who had great responsibility. His task is to go to whom he is sent and faithfully and accurately give the message entrusted to him regardless of what the reaction would be. His was not always a easy task, especially if the message was not a positive one. Often people take out their anger concerning the message on the messenger. Or, as in the case of David's messengers in 2 Samuel 10, the messengers could be mistreated because the message is misunderstood. The messenger's task was important. Failing in his task could have grave consequences. A messenger who changed the message or failed to deliver it could do much damage. A wicked messenger would surely be found out by the one who sent him. You can be sure that the messenger would lose his job or his life. Whatever would happen, trouble would come to him as the proverb says. There are great consequences for betraying someone's confidence in you. On the other hand a faithful messenger would find favour from the one who sent him. His faithful work would bring blessings to those who employed him. One who faithfully discharges his duties and responsibilities will bring a positive and healthy atmosphere, free from distrust.

 

The applications of this proverb can be two-fold. 1) It is important when we are given responsibilities to faithfully and honestly carry them out without regard for self. The greater the trust given to us, the greater our diligence to keep that trust. It is well that employees should learn this as it will benefit them much in the workplace. 2) This is a principle that can be applied to all Christians and then specifically to preachers, teachers and evangelists. All Christians are called to be ambassadors for Christ. We are given a message by God for this world. We have the responsibility to tell others of this gospel message.  We must get the message right without changing it in the slightest. We must give the message regardless of the consequences. This is not only applicable for evangelism, but also for the teaching of God's word. God has given us what He want us to know. We simply need to take that message and bring it to people. We can't pick which parts of the message we like or dislike--no, the whole counsel of God must be proclaimed. And when it is, then there is healing. Our hearts are sanctified by the truth of God's word. Lives, families, and churches are healed through the Holy Spirit working through His word. Souls find new life as the gospel is preached. But to the one who misrepresents, mistreats, abuses, or neglects God's truth, there can only be trouble ahead of him. God will deal with them as He sees fit. God has made us messengers and gave us His message, let us be faithful unto death to discharge our duties and we will receive a crown of life and a rich reward.

 

    -Brad-

Doctors or Warriors?

 

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healings."

 

Proverbs 12:18

 

     The book of Proverbs contrasts wisdom and folly and the wise and the foolish. Proverbs  has much to say about the words we use. Words are very powerful. We can use them for good or for evil. The proverb we are looking at today, contrasts the way the wise will use words and the way that the foolish will use words.

 

Words like Swords

 

 Sword thrusts are a common picture in the Bible for hateful words. Psalm 55:21 "His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords." See also Psalm 57:4, Psalm 59:7 and Psalm 64:3. David's enemies used gossip and slander to attack David. We can use words like swords too. Our words can cut and wound like swords. Our words can even kill. They can destroy a person's reputation. These words leave wounds that stay with people all their lives. One ugly thrust of a hateful word can cripple a person for as long as they live. In fact, churches are ruined by a few "word" warriors. The people who praise God in the worship service, afterwards, go about hacking down fellow church members. See James 3: 9-10. This is foolishness. This is how the foolish people of the world act. Words that are motivated by hate and bitterness are what characterize the unregenerate heart. Christians are called to something greater.

 

Words like Medicine

 

The wise will use their words to heal and do good. These words will flow from a new heart that wants to love others. The love of God has been poured out into their hearts, and that leads to a desire to love with words. Words can do so much good. They can heal deep wounds caused by someone's words. Wise words will encourage, comfort, and bless others. The wise will correct and rebuke. When they do this, they will do it with such love that the other will have no doubt that their motivation is love. The wise will use correcting words like a doctor uses a scalpel to cut only so that he can heal. Consider Ephesians 4: 29, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear."  The wise will use words to build up the body of Christ. They will speak words that will bring holiness to God's people. They will use words to bring salvation to unredeemed sinners. Wise words can heal great wounds and have a great God-glorifying impact.

 

The truth is we all have used our words like swords. We have been foolish with our words. This should again remind us that we need the forgiveness and grace of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We should again be thankful for the love of God towards unworthy sinners like ourselves. This fresh appreciation of the love of the Lord should motivate us to use our words in love to heal others. By the Holy Spirit within us, we will be able to do so. So when you go to church tomorrow, resolve to use words to bring healing.

                                

      -Brad-



Lessons from a Jewelry-Wearing Pig About the Beautiful People.

 

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful women without discretion.

-Proverbs 11:22

 

   This proverb gives a few lessons about true beauty. A beautiful woman that lacks wisdom is compared to a pig wearing a gold ring in the nose. A gold ring is out of place in the nose of a pig. The gold ring doesn't make the pig look any better. In fact the pig looks silly and the gold ring's beauty is lost. The beauty of a lady is ruined by her lack of wisdom. The outward beauty needs to be complimented by inward beauty. Often a man is drawn to the beauty of a woman and begins to date her. That beauty keeps him with the woman for a time. Later her sinful character comes out little by little. This immoral character begins to repel him. In the end her unattractive inner character overpowers her outward beauty. Thus the man may leave her for someone else because she is as attractive as a jewelry wearing pig. It is indeed sad that beauty is ruined by ugly morals. This doesn't just apply to women, but also to men.

 

   So the lesson is to give more attention to adorning our character with wisdom and godliness then to adorning the outer features. This is what it says in 1 Peter 3:3-4, "Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry; or the clothes you wear- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." We ought to strive to be heart beautiful to God first of all. God delights in holiness. He delights to see His holiness in our hearts. He delights in the holy conduct of his people. We should want to please our Savior with a life of true beauty, the beauty of holiness.

 

   If you are looking for a spouse, it is fine and right to be attracted to someone 's outward beauty. But remember that won't last and won't keep you attracted to her. Proverbs 31:30 says "Charm is deceitful, and beauty vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." So place a higher priority on inner beauty than on outward appearances. Then as you grow old together you will still find her beautiful and a pleasure to live with. For we will all wear out and grow old. We will lose our good looks, if we had any to begin with in the first place. But inner beauty lasts forever. It will make us attractive for as long as we live. 

 

The real beautiful people are not found in Hollywood and on the covers of magazines. The real beautiful people are those who have been born again unto righteousness. In God's eyes these are truly beautiful, and really, only what He thinks matters.

 

 

-Brad-

Christian Education is a Gift

Yesterday we went to a homeschool conference which reminded me that schooling our children as we wish is a great blessing from God. Whether we send our kids to a Christian school or homeschool, we should be thankful to the Lord for this freedom. The freedom to choose how we educate our children is not a given. In many countries everyone must send their children to the public school. The schools are thoroughly atheistic and worldly. There are no other options. In some places, the children of Christians are not even allowed to go to the public school. In some countries, the schools are only Muslim schools. Even when there is the freedom to choose, people may be too poor to afford Christian schooling or unable to access materials for schooling. This is the reality for many Christians. Yet even in such circumstances, God continues to build His church. Christian schooling is not something God needs to accomplish His plans for the church. God never promises that we will have that freedom. But when God gives us the blessing to be able to choose and afford Christian schooling for our children, we should be ever so thankful for that gift.
  In Canada our freedom to choose Christian education will disappear. It is only a matter of time. There is only one thing that can reverse the trend we see in our culture. That one thing is a reformation of the churches in Canada and a revival through-out our country. But unless that happens, the government will take away more and more of our freedoms. And one of the first to go will be the freedom to give a Christian education to our children. A darkness grows and thickens over our country. Men go from bad to worse. We see Romans 1:18-32 being played out before our very eyes. Who knows how long it will take before we are forced to send our children to  public schools? Who knows how long before persecution will become common place and government sanctioned? Even though by law we have the freedom to Christian education, bad men can change good laws. How should we respond to this?
   Let us use our freedom to educate our children now. We must use the time we have to educate them wisely. We must not be lazy or half-hearted. God has given us this freedom; with the gift comes the responsibility to use it faithfully. Let us prepare our children well so that they will have the tools to be able to stand in difficult times. We need to do what we can to train our children to be great Christian warriors. We can't give them salvation, but we can and must teach them diligently from the scriptures. Our time of freedom is short; let us work hard while we can. Lastly, let us be thankful. Let us praise God for the gift to educate our children. Every day we can send our children to a Christian school or homeschool, is a day to praise and thank the Lord.

-Brad-

To Marvel at Life

 

March 2, 2013 and April 28, 2013.

Both are days that are forever etched in my memory.
They are days when I began to realize just how precious each child is.
They are days when I finally understood the pain of an empty-armed mother.
They are the days I found out I had lost a child.

No, they had not been born yet.
I never saw their little toes, their tiny hands, their sweet mouth and nose.
I never smelled that newborn smell.
I never held them in my arms.
They died hidden from my eyes.
They died while still in the womb.

 

Some months later, I was pregnant again.

Very cautious.

But hopeful.

At 11 weeks the bleeding started.

I curled up on the couch and cried.
Emailed a friend to ask for prayers.

I was certain I had lost a third.

That evening, I headed to the ER.

'Just to know for sure,' I told my husband.

They got me in pretty quick.

And, the doctor started asking questions, then checked for a heartbeat.

thump....thump....thump....

I had a hard time believing it but there it was.

thump....thump....thump....

Weeping, I thanked the Lord that this baby was still alive.

 

About 30 weeks later, I'm holding my newborn daughter.

My 7th child.

My 5th child that I am privileged to hold, to smell, to gaze on.

And all I could do and can do is marvel.

Marvel at the beautiful gift of life that God has given us.

Marvel at how any child is born alive.

Marvel at the beauty that is my daughter.

Marvel at the precious gift that each of our children is.

Marvel at the graciousness of God to let us hold and love and care for these children.

'For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your books were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.'
Psalm 139:13-16

~fenna