A Touchy Subject

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time, so I could have raised my kids when life wasn't quite as difficult or as 'evil' as it seems to be today.  It wasn't the easiest back in the 60's and 70's when I was growing up, but it certainly didn't seem as bad as it is today.  Between terrorist attacks on the US, Christians constantly being murdered all over the world, gays and transgenders freely flaunting their sin and it being tolerated by so many, and the intolerance of Christianity, I'm more than ready for Christ to return!! 

I'm saddened that my children are being raised in a world where evil prevails.  I'm sad that they don't get to live their lives without being smacked in the face with liberals and their evil schemes.  It's disgusting what this world has become, and I'm angered about it, so I KNOW that it angers God!  Remember the Flood?  Had God not promised again to flood and destroy the earth, I bet we'd all have been washed away for a 2nd time already! 

All that being said, there are obvious evils in this world and there are some 'not so obvious' evils.  One of the evils that most people don't see, is the spread of Catholicism throughout the world, especially here in America where it seems to be the biggest 'religion'.  When you say that you're a Christian now a days, people assume you're Catholic.  Well, I'm sorry, but I'm not Catholic, I am a born again, Bible believing, Jesus follower! 

Just this week, the Pope visited the US and so many people went crazy over the fact that he was here, almost as if he were God.  It saddens me to see how lost these people are.  The Pope is no more God than you or I.  He is a sinner just like everyone else, just like Mary was (gasp!), and just like the rest of us are.  Don't believe me?

Well, tonight I listened to an amazing sermon online!  The speaker was Mark Cahill. He was spot on regarding the subject of 'Roman Catholicism vs. The Bible".

Here's what it says on his website about the sermon:  "Comparing the 1994 official Catechism of the Catholic Church to the Bible might amaze you with teachings you may have not known about before.  Learn how to reach out to Catholics with the true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ."

To listen, click here, or visit Mark's website and search for it under the Teaching tab (then go to Listen, then to Sermon).

Now, I've read a lot about the Catholic church while homeschooling both my kids.  We've used the curriculum 'Beautiful Feet' to study the Medieval time period from a Christian point of view, and a lot of it stresses how the Catholic church was backed up by Kings and others in power, simply to get what they wanted. It had nothing to do with God and what was right!  It had everything to do with money and greed.  Today, the Catholic church is still the same.   If you're interested, some books we read include:

Martin Luther
Fine Print
Morning Star of the Reformation
The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt By Day
and more...lots more.

I have read and understood just what some of the Christian men sacrificed, all for the cause of Christ.  Martin Luther, William Tyndale, Johannes Gutenburg, John Wycliffe...they challenged Catholicism, they preached on the TRUTH, and they put their own lives on the line, so they could spread the Gospel for you and I.  I highly recommend you listen to Mark's sermon!  He does not preach AT you in this sermon, he simply reads some of the Catholic Catechism then compares it to what the Bible says.  The Bible is God's Word!  The Bible speaks truth and is God's love letter to us. 

Do you believe?  Are you a Christ follower, or are you one who simply goes with the crowd?  Do you tolerate sin in this world?  Maybe it's time to take a look at your heart.  Take a look at what God has done for you and compare it to what's going on around you today in society!  He loves each and every one of us, He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins, and He is coming back again one day to bring His children home...those who believe in Him.  God is love.  Satan is evil.  God cares about YOU.  Satan is selfish and instills that same evil in the hearts of man.  Don't tolerate things that Satan loves, go against the grain and live for Christ.  It will be the best decision you ever make in your life!! 

If you are already a Christian, do you just sit back and tolerate the evil that's going on in this world?  Do you allow it to creep into your home, into your life?  What are you doing to further the Gospel for Christ?  Are you teaching it to your children?  Just like Miss Clara says in the movie War Room (which I HIGHLY recommend you seeing):

“Lord, we need a generation of believers who are not ashamed of the gospel. We need an army of believers who hate to be lukewarm and will stand on Your Word above all else. Raise ’em up, Lord. Raise them up.”

Thanks for reading.  If you are offended, then perhaps I touched a soft spot in your heart.  I don't apologize for doing so.  I shared this so I can help you understand that your future matters!  Eternity is forever.  It's your call, where do you want to spend it?

Memories...the good, the bad & the ugly

These next few days will bring back memories I'd rather forget.    

Sept. 25, 2001 marks the date my Mom passed away.
Sept. 27, 2008 marks the date my Dad passed away.  

I guess it's a good thing that every year at this time I get these thoughts all over with in just a few days.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about both of my parents, but I'd rather not remember watching them die.  Mom suffered from cancer for 7 years, Dad from Alzheimer's and Diabetes...not a good combination!

I took this photo not too long before my Mom passed away.  Little did I know it would mean so much to me now.

 
Both of my parents gave so much of themselves when it came to raising my sister and I.  We were raised in a loving Christian home with not only Christian parents, but strong Christian Grandparents (on Mom's side) as well.  My parents sacrificed and worked hard to give us the best upbringing possible, and I have memories from those years that I hope to never forget!  Family devotions, game nights, vacations, ministering to old folks in nursing homes, playing our instruments together in concerts all over the state on Sunday evenings, and lots, LOTS more.  Holidays were always my favorite because we always got together with our extended family, generally on my Mom's side.  We had so many wonderful years together and I cherish every memory made. 

My husband and I are trying to do the same for our own children.  We make sacrifices (like being a one income family so we can homeschool), and work hard to raise them in a loving Christian home...giving them the tools they need to grow in the Lord and to go out into the world and be an example for others.  I hope one day when I'm long gone, my own children will feel the same way about me, as I do about my own parents...love beyond measure!  I feel more love towards my parents as I've grown older, and as I've raised my own kids, than I ever did when they walked on this earth.  I know now, just how much they did for my sister and I...something I could never have known, had I not married and had children of my own. 

God placed me into the home I was meant to be in, and for that I am forever grateful!  He also gave me a husband who completes me, and two amazing children that we were entrusted to raise.  If there's one thing that I know has been the biggest help, it's been the power of prayer.  Praying for my husband, our marriage, our children, and our children's futures have been something I've been doing since the day I said 'I do'. 

Psalm 116:2  "Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live."

 I Thes. 4:17  "pray without ceasing;"

A new beginning...

Shame on me!  It's been 4 years since I've posted on this blog, and I SO regret stopping. Between Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I got really side-tracked and failed to keep up with my blogging.  I'm sad that I let so much time and so many memories fade away without blogging about them, but I can't let it get to me.  I will just continue where I left off, and will try to be faithful in posting.  

So much has happened though in these four years.  My son graduated high school (homeschool), got accepted to LeTourneau University where he's majoring in Aviation Maintenance, and is now a Junior!  My daughter has grown and matured, now a 9th grader and a beautiful young lady.  My husband got a job transfer, and we uprooted our family after living in CT our whole lives, and moved here to KY.  Hands down, one of the best things we've done.  We love it here, but are still trying to adjust to a new life where we didn't have family and/or friends!  It's taking time, but we're getting there!  We also lost our beloved dog, Cody, just last month.  He wasn't even 9 years old, but his body failed him and we had to make the loving choice to put him down after being so very sick for several months.  It was the hardest decision we've had to make, but we know did the right thing for him!  Our hearts are broken, but we have fond memories of him.  He will always be a part of who we are.

Saying 'goodbye' to my beloved pup.  Hands down, the best dog EVER!

Man's best friend.

So, now I sit here at my computer after all these changes, and think how life just slips by us when we're not looking.  Last I looked, my kids were little and we were just beginning our homeschooling journey. 

My advice for today?  Don't blink!! 

Time goes by quicker, the older you get.  In just 2 months, I will be 50.  Not sure if I should look at it as an accomplishment, or as something to be depressed about.   All I know, is that mentally I don't 'feel' like I'm almost 50.  Physically, well that's another story.  Ha ha!  All I know is that through all of life's ups and downs, God has never ever left us!  He has been with us all along our journey, and although at times we forget that He's there, He is faithful and will never walk away.  I have learned over time to pray more, trust Him more and spend time with people and things that truly matter in life.  I'm different now than I was 4 years ago, but in a very GOOD way.  My heart is lighter, I love more, laugh more and just feel so much closer to the Lord than ever before...because without Him, I am NOTHING!!   

Until tomorrow...