A SOCIAL GOSPEL AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

Let me just start this out with first saying, that MLK did some great things in his lifetime.  He drew attention to injustices leveled against minorities in a time that was less then flattering for our nation.  I have no problems giving him kudos for that.  HOWEVER, I DO have a big problem flaunting him as a "saint" or a man that I want to emulate.  He was the largest proponent of  a social gospel in his time.  By his own admission, he didn't believe in the inerrant, infallible, literal word of God; the virgin birth of Christ; His death and Ressurrection.  He viewed the Gospel as just another belief alongside the Greeks and other "myths."  How then can you be a Christian, a follower of Christ and deny these fundamental truths??   I contend, you cannot. 

In his paper titled "What Experiences of Christians Living in the Early Christian Century Led to the Christian Doctrines of the Divine Sonship of Jesus, the Virgin Birth, and the Bodily Resurrection" he writes:

But if we delve into the deeper meaning of these doctrines, and somehow strip them of their literal interpretation, we will find that they are based on a profound foundation. Although we may be able to argue with all degrees of logic that these doctrines are historically and philolophically untenable, yet we can never undermind the foundation on which they are based.


A more adequate explanation for the rise of this doctrine is found in the experience which the early christians had with Jesus. The people saw within Jesus such a uniqueness of quality and spirit that to explain him in terms of ordinary background was to them quite inadequate. For his early followers this spiritual uniqueness could only by accounted for in terms of biological uniqueness. They were not unscientific in their approach because they had no knowledge of the scientific. They could only express themselves in terms of the pre-scientific thought patterns of their day.


The last doctrine in our discussion deals with the resurrection story. This doctrine, upon which the Easter Faith rests, symbolizes the ultimate Christian conviction: that Christ conquered death. From a literary, historical, and philosophical point of view this doctrine raises many questions. In fact the external evidence for the authenticity of this doctrine is found wanting. But here again the external evidence is not the most important thing, for it in itself fails to tell us precisely the thing we most want to know: What experiences of early Christians lead to the formulation of the doctrine?


The root of our inquiry is found in the fact that the early Christians had lived with Jesus. They had been captivated by the magnetic power of his personality. This basic experience led to the faith that he could never die. And so in the pre-scientific thought pattern of the first century, this inner faith took outward form.



Now, I don't set myself up as judge and jury of MLK...I am not God and don't claim to know his heart.  However, if he held to such thoughts on the very fundamentals of the Gospel...I find that troubling.   He did some great things for racial equality, but as a Christian man he was misguided at best.  I DO believe in the inerrant literal word of God, the virgin birth of Christ who came to die on a cross and rise again for my sins...because He loved me so much.  I also believe as the Bible teaches there is ONE way to Christ, not many...not whatever religion you want to seek in your own way.  Our society has become too "accepting" and "politically correct" to see TRUTH anymore. It's saddening  :(

BEING A BETTER MOM

My husband and I are preparing to go to a marriage seminar this Spring and invest in US.  I love my husband more than anyone on this planet, aside from parents of course.  But it will take work to make it last, and I want it to go the distance.  As I was browsing their site at www.familylifetoday.com  I found a blog just for mom's.  I found this list at the following URL http://tinyurl.com/63ggq5v  (don't wanna get busted for plagerism on my blog LOL) , called 8 Ways to be a better Mom.  I thought it was very insightful, and which of us mom's can't use a little encouragement to better ourselves??  Anyway, here it is:

1. Make your relationship with the Lord your number one priority. If you’re too busy for God, you’re just plain too busy. Make time for the most important things. You won’t regret it.
2. Get a consistent routine in place. Make your routine simple (maybe even just five or seven things you want to do in the same order every day), write it out, and make yourself stick with it for three weeks. After that, you’ll probably find it’s become somewhat of a habit. Don’t set your expectations too high. If you’ve never had a consistent routine, you’re not going to go from chaos to a regimented schedule in two days. Start small, take baby steps, and make loving and enjoying your children your priority — far above a clean home or strict schedule.
3. Read aloud from a plethora of good books. Look at the pictures together. Talk about the stories. Stop and listen and answer your children’s questions. It’s not about finishing the book; it’s about investing in your children’s lives.
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Ask yourself, “What will matter 25 years from now?” and then live your life accordingly.
5. Take advantage of teaching opportunities. It’s amazing the things you can learn and explore together when you’re willing to stop what you’re doing and seize a teachable moment.
6. Praise your children liberally. Do you correct or criticize your children more than you praise them? As parents, it’s our role to guide and nurture our children, but that doesn’t mean we can’t also be their biggest cheerleader!
7. Realize that no mom — however put together she might look — is anywhere near perfect. Stop comparing. Stop feeling guilty. Focus on what works for your family and be okay with the fact that you aren’t gifted in all areas.
8. Don’t give up. Being a mom is hard, hard work. If you’re anything like me, you have days when you feel like you just can’t do it anymore. And I’ve come to learn that I can’t, in and of my own strength. But “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I believe I could use some improvement in #'s 1,3,4,and 6 the most.   Being a mom is hard sometimes (especially if also working full time like yours truly) ...but we CAN with Christ's help!!  Hang in there sister... Our kids are our legacy...let's invest in them a very special part of ourselves, so that they will be prepared for life.  Next time you feel too rundown to read them a story, do it anyway.  It will matter....and it is way more rewarding to see your child smile then catching up on that TV show you wanted to watch!!  Those Hollywood actors/actresses don't idolize you like your children do.    I will endeavor to do better, what about you??

Homework

Another brag.  We've been working on neatness and spacing with his handwriting.  This is SUCH an improvement!!!!

Sent from my Windows Phone

MY SWEET LITTLE BOY

This post is a shameless brag on my little Caleb.  At school today he was recognized for his giving nature.  If you know my sweet boy, then you know he has a big heart.  He loves to help and care for others around him.  I'm so proud of him getting this accomplishment.  He is very proud too!! I hope he never loses his tender heart and sweet spirit.  CALEB MOMMY IS SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!! YOU ARE SUCH A SPECIAL LITTLE BOY. Love, mommy <3<3

I AM A FRIEND OF GOD

On the way to work this morning, Phillips Craig and Dean's Song "I AM A FRIEND OF GOD" came on through the speakers.  The words hit me like a ton of bricks.  I am a friend to the Almighty Creator of the Universe.  The ONE who reached out to me while I wandered around in the darkness of sin.  My Bible Reading was Ephesians 1 this morning.  vs. 7-8 stood out.  They are as follows:

"In Him we have redemption (delivery, rescue)  through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace ( mercy, clemency, pardon)  that He lavished (to give in great amounts with NO LIMIT) on us with all wisdom and understanding."  NIV

Wow!  I need rescued...usually from myself.  My own negative thoughts, or my insecurities.  I need rescued from my words...especially when I get in the flesh which happens far more often then I would like.  My biggest struggle is with my words...and trying not to use curse words.  It's my thorn in the flesh I think, the one thing God uses to remind me that I'm a screwup and need HIM.   This verse makes it clear though, I've been RESCUED through HIS blood and granted a PARDON when I don't deserve it. Not only did He give me grace once, He LAVISHES it on me...on us.  There is NO LIMIT to the grace He gives.  I take that for granted sometimes.  The closest thing I can relate this too is my wonderful husband.  He spoils me, He looks out for me, He gives me what I want most of the time, even if it means he does without.  Also, we do the same for our boys.  We spoil them, we shower them with love, we kiss their boo-boos and forgive them of their many childhood mistakes.  No matter what they do, they are still our beautiful little boys on loan from God. Sometimes, though we forget they are children and get angry.  I know it's a shock...we aren't perfect parents!! LOL  However, that doesn't mean we stop loving them, or taking care of them.  HOW MUCH MORE SO DOES GOD DO THIS WITH US???  Indeed, even in my most ugly wretched state...I AM A FRIEND OF GOD!!   PTL!!!!!!!!

Baby It's Cold Outside

I really like that song. Not sure why but I do. LOL It's been a long morning so far. Nothing fascinating going on today. I'm at work dealing with people who are more hateful than usual. It's to the point I want to start offering free prune juice samples at my desk. Maybe that will help them feel better and not hate life so much, or those of us who have no choice but to encounter them out in public.

Hopefully the remainder of the afternoon will improve. Hopefully...but I'm not holding my breath. In the meantime I'll sit at my desk with a stupid grin on my face and do my darndest to stay off the radar.

And on a random note, enjoy the song that I love so much!

New Year's Eve



We went shopping for our "party." The boys enjoy unloading the cart...so why not let them?? lol



So we attempted to have a "party on New Years Eve.  It was basically us watching "Despicable Me" as a family.  The boys got to stay up late and munch on popcorn, gummy angry birds (yes I know,  I'm raising nerd children...just like their momma) and potato chips.  Healthy eh?? LOL 

Then Caleb decided he wanted to stay up til midnight to see the "ball drop."  He was so excited. For 5 hours that's night, that is ALL I heard..."when is the ball gonna drop mommy??"  LOL  so when midnight actually came, after all the anticipation...I cracked the bubbly (NO I DID NOT GIVE MY CHILD CHAMPAGNE) sparkling grape juice and the ball dropped.  Then Caleb says...That's all mommy? That's all it does??? I guess it was very anticlimactic for him...poor thing.  Of course as soon as his head hit the pillow he was OUT.  He asked me today if he could stay up till midnight again.  My reply was, nope not til next year.  It's way past your bedtime and mine...lol 

Um....apparently midnight is still too late...this is what I should have been doing. LOL

Caleb was actually awake, but faking that he wasn't  haha