A Distinctly Different Homestead

Been out and about blogdom and wanted to share some of the things I’ve been reading.

First, Ashley over at Jonash...Two of a Kind and Working on a Full House had a great post the other day called Worthwhile Reading About Children.  Now, she begins the post saying, "Every now and then I come across an article or blog that just really jumps out at me. It’s my thoughts, put into words! I would highlight the parts that speak to me, but that's about everything." Then she posts the content and links from another blog, adding her own comments. I could do the same, but it would get too confusing! So please, go read Ashley’s blog.

My heart is right there with the women addressing this topic. Christians, are you really pro-life or are you just anti-abortion? Do you frown on couples having more than their 2.1 children? Do you lack compassion on mothers of many children because "hey, they asked for it?" Do you trust the Lord with your family size or are you trying to control of this area of your life? Have you noticed the effects of the birth-control culture?  (Note: I followed some, but not all of the links from Ashley’s blog.)

Next, I got around to Michael Bunker’s blog, A Process Driven Life.  He comes on very strong, reminds me of Michael Pearl. Not my favorite style, but at least you know where they stand. I strongly disagree with a good deal of what he believes (Calvinistic predestination, for instance), and mostly agree with others. I like the first bit on his Q&A Friday’s, Issue #44 about children and how too much play can be detrimental. But I especially liked his response to a question about voting. It sums up my own thoughts.

Michael,

I know you do not vote, and you do not encourage others to vote. But aren't you a little concerned about this election and what might be down the road based on the result?

No. The Bible teaches that the fearful are the first folks to get tossed into the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8). I do not concern myself with things that are not my business. Irrational or misapplied fear is a tool used of the enemy to draw professing "christians" away from their true business, and to keep them busy thinking that they are changing things, when in fact they are lending credibility and viability to a system of which we are not supposed to be a part. I have a King, and He is not running for President. If you were an ambassador sent to earth by your heavenly King (and if you are a Christian, you are you know), then you would not entangle yourself with the cares of this world; neither would you ever convince yourself that it was your duty to pick between ungodly worldlings for the mastership of a corrupt and decadent society that has placed itself in competition with Jesus Christ for the hearts and minds of men. I am an observer here, and my time here is not long. Our life here is a vapor, and then we go to give an account for how we served our King. My job is to train up my children, live as peaceably as is possible, defend and provide for God's sheep, stand against unrighteousness and error, and to openly display a very viable alternative to the kingdom of this world. My job is to be hated by ungodly men, and to say whatever is true and necessary to prick the consciences of God's children and to serve notice on a dead and dying world that their judgment is nigh. I am called to feed sheep, fight with wolves, expose danger, encourage and lift up the downtrodden, and be a Christian man in a society that is almost bereft of both "Christians" and "Men". So no... I am not concerned with who the world chooses as their next messiah. I already know the result.

I have a King and he’s not running for president. Amen!

On the heels of that we have Herrick Kimball’s post over at The Deliberate Agrarian, Obama: America’s New Hope. As usual, Herrick gives a simple breakdown of what he perceives the problem to be (I have yet to find myself in disagreement) and what a Godly response might look like. He points out our nation’s obvious rebellion against God and says, "The proper response of a nation in times of judgment is humility and repentance before God. That is not happening. America has, instead, chosen Obama to lead them out of the despair." My stomach turns as I contemplate this reality. But I have peace in the fact that my King is bigger. His Kingdom is coming.

Now, back to Ashley’s blog for Worthwhile reading about Homemaking! Ah yes, what to think about mothers staying at home. And more especially, married women without children staying at home. Good stuff. I’ve had my own thoughts about this over the years as I’ve observed friends and their struggles to find contentment at home with a newborn after having worked a couple years outside the home.

And from my own neck of the woods... Think about the last time you heard a message and were convicted about your behavior. You saw yourself in the mirror and saw an area that needed addressing. What was your response? When you walked away agreeing that you complain too much, gossip too much, drink too much, nag at your spouse too much, lose your temper too often... did you repent? In the true sense of the word, did you turn around and walk the other direction? Did you seek the Lord about changing that about yourself? Or did you find your "righteousness" in agreeing that you’re in sin, but walk away unchanged?

I’ve been meditating on this a lot since a message I heard a couple weeks ago. It’s not enough to be pricked - there’s no righteousness about that. If you don’t change, it doesn’t matter at all. I realized I am so guilty of it.  And I'm seeking to change. Today I came across II Tim 3:7 "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Ouch. I felt that one. I found a lot in II Tim. that convicted me in this area. Oh Lord, don’t give up on me!

Now, I gotta get back over to The Deliberate Agrarian because I see Herrick’s posted something new, something about debt, which is always interesting. 

Good Sabbath to all! The day is blessed and Holy, whether you acknowledge it or not.