Reaction of an Ordinary Citizen to the Gifford Shooting

Prayers and tears flowing...

Though I vehemently disagree with some of what she stands for, I would not wish this on my worst enemy. NEVER!!

In moments like these it is not about the politics, but rather human life which is precious. The blame game frenzy has already begun, but let us remember where the true blame lies - Criminal Complaint.

I hope that the truth will stand that though there are bad apples in every group, the vast majority of Americans still stand for the beautiful value of life above all things.

It will be a joy to see her pull through.

We must pray for our public officials everyday.

Was Darwin a Racist?

I have read many articles like this and shall I say that the notoriety given to Darwin (and Huxley) in public school textbooks are among the more predominant reasons our children will never be educated there.

http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/12
Was Darwin a Racist?

The Family Catechism

Okay, bear with me and all of this catechism talk. This is good stuff.

Today's society seems to be bent on separating the family unit. Children are away at school, fathers AND MOTHERS who work too much, hobbies and endless extra curricular activity like sports teams and music, technology like cell phones and video gaming, Facebook, I could go on and on and I am sure you could add more to the list.

Dare I say, even many churches hardly recognize the importance of nourishing the functioning, Biblical family. I am talking about the one found in Deuteronomy 6. Yes, local churches swallow the time of mother's, father's and youth in a manner that keeps them separated from worshiping, praying, meditating, witnessing with one another destroying Duet 6.

Busy-bodiness, lack of motivation or vision and a whole host of problems are tearing the Biblical family unit apart.

Doug Phillips of Vision Forum ministries has shared a great idea that he practices with his family to foster their unit and togetherness. He has developed a family catechism. Now, keep in mind that his family catechism can be changed and updated as the Lord shapes and hones them in their faith and vision. Most importantly, it will not replace their theological Catechism which is designed to help them know and love Christ more which is their first priority.

Their family catechism merely highlights what he calls their "family idiosyncrasies". Their unique calling and specific mission as a family and how it fits into God's master plan.

In his words: "I do believe that family catechisms are timely, beneficial, and wise. They represent a legitimate attempt to further implement the discipleship commands of Deuteronomy 6, Proverbs and elsewhere, by formalizing the godly instruction priorities of fathers for their children into pithy, terse maxims that will be remembered by the children and can be passed on for generations."

Find his tutorial here:
The Family Catechism

Here are a few examples:
Question #2:
What is the strategic mission
of the Phillips family?

To defend the crown
rights of Christ in our
wicked generation by
advancing the Kingdom of
God in every area of life,
and by fighting for the
Christian family.

Question# 4:
Who do the Phillip's fear?

Phillipses fear God, but
Phillipses fear no man. For
the wicked flee when no
man pursueth, but the
righteous are bold as a
lion.

Question # 13:
What lifetime Scripture goal
has your father set before you?

To read God's Word everyday.

The Key to a Happy Home?

Christ.

Who is the First and Best of Beings?

Vince has been asking the kids and me these questions and we have been memorizing them along with Scripture proofs during our family worship time together.

"Who is the first and best of beings?" This is the first question in The Baptist Catechism of 1689 which is a slightly altered version of the reformed Westminster Catechism. Hopefully, this question is easy for my readers to answer. The formal answer with Scripture is:

"God is the first and best of beings."

Is. 44:6 "Thus sat the Lord, the king of Israel and His Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last and beside me there is no god."

Ps. 97:9 " For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods."

Other good ones are Ps. 8:1 and Ps. 96:4

I like to attempt to answer the questions on my own then see how my answers compare to the given answers and their Scripture proofs. This helps me correct any false thought patterns that I may have going on in my head. Here is the next question:

What is man chief end?

Try answering it then head to this link to find the answer- http://www.desiringgod.org/about/our-distinctives/our-beliefs/a-baptist-catechism

Home Management and the Domestically Challenged

As we add children to our family, we are forced to deal with weaknesses that we were able to ignore or disguise before.

My name is Misty Smith, and I am domestically challenged. On so many levels, too, but I can only deal with them in baby step portions.

Home management is an area that I should have tackled with baby #3... NO, baby #1! But, I didn't so we have been suffering all of this time. Now baby #4 is a year old, and I am finally making some moves toward progress.

Recently, I have acquired the book Large Family Logistic which has helped me to improve.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!

The changes that have brought us a bit of success?

Giving each day of the week a theme: Monday is Town Day; Tuesday is Laundry Day; Wednesday is Kitchen Day; Thursday is Office Day; Friday is Bed, Bath and Beyond Day; Saturday is a day of fun/rest and Sunday is for the Lord.

If on one of these days "life happens" as it often does--like sickness, ministry opportunity, birthday, field trip, ect.-- I don't have to stress because the day will come again in its rotation soon enough; and I will have another opportunity to tackle that day's jobs in a more comprehensively manner.

For instance, on Laundry Day last week I was unable to get the shower curtains washed because I had a few sick children who kept me distracted. They weren't too bad and could wait a week and I DID get 4 huge loads washed and folded and culled unmatched socks while I sat on the couch snuggling my sick ones. Tomorrow is the next Laundry Day so I will wash the shower curtain, Lord willing along with a whole host of laundry goals I hope to accomplish. I am the type that thrives on 2nd chances... and 3rd chances and 4th chances... which is why this works well for me.

The other feature that I have added to my home management scheme is the use of a timer. On Office Day, for instance, I alternate 15 minutes of playing and teaching the littles with 15 minutes of bill paying, school planning, couponing or whatever seems office-like. This way kiddos are getting their fix of my attention and don't seem to notice when I turn away for 15 minutes to do my chore. I will come back to their world before they realize my attention had been elsewhere. Maybe, during my time segment with them I might have an office job that I can include them in, like opening junk mail envelops or throwing away a pile of expired coupons.

These Home Management improvements have worked beautifully. The question is, can I maintain these changes long enough for them to morph into ingrained habits? I think so... pray for me.

The Bible and Birth Control

I am assuming that there are not many who care to read about the topics of which I post and even fewer agree them. That is okay with me.

If there is one person who might be a little curious and is wondering what the Bible says about Birth Control, grab a cup of tea or coffee, prop up your legs and get comfy. Here is a free audio book called The Bible and Birth Control, The Classic Christian View. You will hear commentary from great theological students like Charles Spurgeon, Calvin, Luther, Wesley, the Pilgrims, Owen, Henry, Baxter and more. This is fairly comprehensive, so if you take the time to listen you are proving yourself to be serious about seeking after Biblical answers to the common practice of birth control even if you may not fully agree. Link below:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&keyword=Charles^Provan