Far Above Rubies

Down With Self-Righteousness!

{ 05:49, 2006-Sep-7 } { Posted in Ramblings } { 6 comments } { Link }

     Wondrous new things, these blogs! A little over a year ago, I didn't even know what a blog was, and I still run into people who dont know either. I am hopelessly trying to explain it to my mom, who won't read my blog because she's too busy, and she still insists on calling her mass emails she sends out for her business her "blog."

    I have a few I read faithfully because I really enjoy the writing of the owner, but I really love to random blog-hop just to see where I land and who I can get to know. Through this method, and by following links to other blogs not hosted by homesteadblogger or homeschoolblogger, I have noticed that there are a handful of blogs out there that have been following a disturbing trend. I call this trend the "I'm a better mother/homeschooler/homekeeper/wife/and biblical scholar and I have the inside track to heaven" bloggers.

    Sound kinda harsh? I don't mean to be. And I certainly don't think there's ANYTHING in the world wrong with filling your blog with daily life stories, advice and ideas on all manner of homekeeping and homeschooling things, and using your blog as a means to declare your faith and to witness to any who read it. I believe blogs can be a tremendous witnessing tool!

    What I have a problem with is bloggers who use their site as a platform to bash other women over the head with their "me"ness and make you think that if you deviate in any way from their prescribed lifestyle (which is surely and divinely dictated to them from Above) you are an apostate and doomed for hades.

    Now, there are many ways of doing things out there that I simply do not subscribe to. I do NOT, however, belittle those who do things differently from me. Here's a sampling of the many things I DON'T do...things for which I have been labeled an apostate and "lukewarm" Christian. Let them think that. God has not laid heavy on my heart the fact that...........

I am not a prairie muffin~ I only own a couple of skirts and wear them only when necessary. I can't fathom gardening and working out in a dress, but if you want to, sister, more power to you! I don't mill wheat to make my own bread- don't have time, and I have yet to figure out that darned sewing machine! I try to grow my hair long, but it's so thin and whispy and is so prone to split ends, I mostly keep it shoulder-length. I would LOVE to go without cosmetics, but I struggle with adult acne, so spackle I must. Does not doing these things lessen my ability to worship God and let His light shine through me? I am not going to let anyone call me vain and empty because I like my hair styled or wear makeup, or call me a lazy housekeeper because I don't make everyone's clothing from scratch or know how to feed my family on $10 a month

I am not a KJV only-ist- I have visited a few blogs written by women who take the position that the King James Version is the only God-endorsed bible in existence, and that all others, including the NIV (which I have and use) are corrupted, perverted, and actually authored and influenced by Satan himself. Okaaaaaay. Now, I have no problem with the KJV. I personally cannot read it because it is written in Elizabethan English and is simply just too hard to follow. One blogger states, "No adult should have aproblem with reading the KJV, as it is written at a 5th grade reading level!" Well, my 5th grader could read it, but he couldn't understand it! I handed him my NIV, had him turn to the same chapter, and he was able to tell me exactly what the scrpiture was talking about. And I'll add that I was an honors English student in college, having scored perfectly on the English portion of my ACT entrance exams. In the second grade, I walked across the hall to join the 6th graders for reading class each day because my reading skill were so advanced, and I STILL can't follow the KJV flawlessly!
    I won't get into the issue about other versions being inaccurate and corrupted, except to say I have read countless commentaries disproving that they are. I trust my NIV to bring to me God's Word, my daily bread. God has not convicted me for reading the "wrong" bible.
Note: truly corrupt bible versions are those of false religions, which have been changed to contain false doctrine and deny the divinity of Jesus Christ

I do not believe it is wrong to step outside your home for fullfillment!!
    There is one blog in particular I am referencing now, but I have seen others take this stance. It is the stance that "You are a wife and mother and have no business seeking rest, refreshment, or fullfillment outside the walls of your home."
    I love my family fiercely. I adore my husband and believe he was brought to me by God. My 3 rambunctious boys can be a handful, but I love them with all my heart. I feel honored and blessed to be able to serve God in my home as a wife and mother, and I take all associated duties seriously, while still having fun with my family. At one time I hated my house, feeling it was too small, not pretty enough, I didn't have pretty furniture or matching dishes/linens/wall hangings, my yard wasn't landscaped...I was the picture of discontentment. I have grown to see my home as my castle, with my husband as king and I as the queen! My job is to make it as clean and inviting and warm as possible, and I relish the task.
    This particular blogger I speak of proceeded to browbeat me for daring to be a MOPS group leader. For those who have never heard of MOPS (a worldwide Christian organization), it's for moms of preschoolers. Meetings are twice monthly and include a great buffet lunch, guest speaker, craft time, and a discussion/chat time. I signed up to lead a group this fall. She told me I must have done so because I hate my children who obviously are misbehaved, that I hate my home, and that I hate my husband because I was seeking feminine friendship. Alrighty then.
    Her contention was, "Any kind of women's bible study, conference, retreat, or gatherings steal you away from your God appointed station in the home. Friendships with other women are wrong and take the place of intimacy with your husband. All you need is your husband, your four walls, and your bible, NOTHING else!"
    This really hurt me, which is just one reason I do not read this woman's blog anymore. Yes, my first priority is God and serving Him by being the best wife and mom I can be, according to His will. If ANY outside activity I took part in conflicted with taking the best care possible of my family, I would quit in a New York Minute!
    I have met some great ladies at MOPS. There is premium care for my 20 month old son, and my 2 older boys love to go and be youth helpers and help take care of the babies. I felt led to become a group leader, and it is my hope I can use that position as a means to lead even one woman to Christ. It in no way interferes with my home duties. In fact, I have a separate schedule set aside for those 2 Wednesdays each month that lets me get everything done that DOES get done on Wednesdays in my home.
    I think if this particular blogger is completely fullfilled in her home and doesn't want any friends or to have any opportunities to bring Jesus into the lives of anyone else, that is her right. But, it is not HER right, nor anyone else's to tell me I am blaspheming God by belonging to a women's group.
    I suspect these women, no matter how they wish to appear otherwise, are just like you and I. They argue with their husbands, they get aggravated with their kids, who are NOT perfect angels all the time, they want to scrap homeschooling and stick their kids back in Public school when days get rough, let the house go when they have a headache, and occaisionally miss a day of bible reading.
    I am dismayed to think that a fledgling Christian wife and mother may visit these sites, read them, take them as gospel, and come away feeling that they are hoplessly unrighteous (which we all are) and could never possibly measure up. I pray for those ladies.

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{ 07:27, 2006-Sep-7 } { Posted by Kitty }
Amen Amen Amen !! You go girl. You said it all and right.
Kitty

Oh dear!

{ 07:03, 2006-Sep-8 } { Posted by tioga12 }
Sounds like you have been running into some "self-promotors" here...a potential danger of blogging, I guess. Don't let it get to you.
Remember, God looks at your heart-He alone knows our true motives.

That's the beauty of it all.......

{ 07:23, 2006-Sep-8 } { Posted by gokings13 }
That's why Jesus calls us to a "PERSONAL" relationship with Him.........it's personal.
What He has for me, He may not have for you, and what He calls you too, He is not requesting of me. AS long as what we all do, lines up with Scripture, we are in His Will.
The Body is made up of many parts......we all cannot be Heads. Although some of us take on the role of 'heel or buttocks" all too well (he he) each one has his or her place in the Body.
I am perfectly comfortable in the skin God gave me, and the role He has called me to. Since God is with me.....who shall I fear? Not man, woman, or their opinions!!
Laura

Edited by gokings13 on 2006-Sep-8 at 07:24

I love Laura's comment

{ 10:15, 2006-Sep-8 } { Posted by Darcy }
As for MOPS.....I was a MOPS member for 11 years and during that time I volunteered in several different capacities. I have been a table leader and I was on steering for crafts, finance, and facilitating the discussion group leaders. (Not all at once mind you, heaven forbid!) No doubt it was a busy time and not always easy with 3 preschool children but I know I was a better mother to them because of this ministry than I would have been otherwise. Receiving companionship and encouragement from other moms was so vital in helping me to know that what I was going through with my own children was not new or unusual. My husband was always supportive of my role in MOPS and encouraged me to use God's gifts to me to bless and encourage other weary moms in the same way I had been blessed. If you haven't yet been to one of the national conventions, they are wonderful too! I always enjoy your blogs so I am off to add you to my friends list....stop in over at my place some day on your blog hopping, I'd love to get to know you :). Darcy

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{ 08:56, 2006-Sep-18 } { Posted by Vickig97 of W@H }
No matter how closely our walk follows God's perfect leading in our lives, we will always encounter those who find fault with our steps. If our precious Jesus experienced naysayers, how much more so shall we.

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{ 07:53, 2006-Sep-30 } { Posted by weareqf }
Amen, Sweet Sister!!! It takes all kinds to make the world go round!! I'm sure glad that our Father made the world so diverse and thankful that all flowers aren't red or all yellow. There is beauty in diversity and my calling is to support other moms to follow God's leading and not the crowd!! Anyway, just catching up on your blog!! :-) Blessings, Kris