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Seeing God’s Power: Chris Brown

May 17th, 2009 by

Chris Brown was a guest pastor at Bayside church in Roseville, CA.  He currently serves as a Senior Pastor at North Coast church.  He is an incredible speaker and one worth hearing. (I am using ‘The Message’ Bible translation…)

This service we heard revolved around the Power Myth. 

A commom myth that Christians follow is this:

1. We admit that we finally need God’s help. After we exhausted all the options on our own, we finally turn to Him.
(1 Samuel 4:1-3)  Israel went to war against the Philistines. Israel set up camp at Ebenezer, the Philistines at Aphek. The Philistines marched out to meet Israel, the fighting spread, and Israel was badly beaten—about four thousand soldiers left dead on the field. When the troops returned to camp, Israel’s elders said, "Why has God given us such a beating today by the Philistines? Let’s go to Shiloh and get the Chest of God’s Covenant. It will accompany us and save us from the grip of our enemies.

2. We turn to spiritual methods that are proven to work.
(1 Samuel 4:4) So the army sent orders to Shiloh. They brought the Chest of the Covenant of God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the Cherubim-Enthroned-God. Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, accompanied the Chest of the Covenant of God.

3.  We have faith that our God will come through for us.
(1 Samuel 4:5-6) When the Chest of the Covenant of God was brought into camp, everyone gave a huge cheer. The shouts were like thunderclaps shaking the very ground. The Philistines heard the shouting and wondered what on earth was going on: "What’s all this shouting among the Hebrews?

4. We will be beat up, tired, depressed and once again frustrated that God did not come through for us.
(1 Samuel 4:7-11)  Then they learned that the Chest of God had entered the Hebrew camp. The Philistines panicked: "Their gods have come to their camp! Nothing like this has ever happened before. We’re done for! Who can save us from the clutches of these supergods? These are the same gods who hit the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues out in the wilderness. On your feet, Philistines! Courage! We’re about to become slaves to the Hebrews, just as they have been slaves to us. Show what you’re made of! Fight for your lives!" 10-11 And did they ever fight! It turned into a rout. They thrashed Israel so mercilessly that the Israelite soldiers ran for their lives, leaving behind an incredible thirty thousand dead. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Chest of God was taken and the two sons of Eli—Hophni and Phinehas—were killed.

"Rabbit Foot Theology": where we pull out the good old rabbits foot when we need it and hope it provides us luck.

We keep God in a box, and only pull him out when we need him and expect him to take care of us.

What The Bible Actually Says About Using God:

God would rather be with those who fear (profound reverence and awe toward God) him that those who just use him.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 – So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in his presence in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 – But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There’s no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you.

1 Peter 2: 16-17 Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.

Instead of getting religious, get right with God.

James 4:7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. 

Psalms 34:17-18 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.  If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

Mark 12:28-31 One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: "Which is most important of all the commandments?" Jesus said, "The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these."

It is the act of humbly repenting and seeking God, not using Him, that puts you on HIS side.

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We Apologize – Sunday Service Series: John Jenks

May 17th, 2009 by

John Jenks, Pastor at Cascade Covenant Church in North Bend, WA. did a three part series raddressing the negative issues surrounding the Christian church.  This is an excellent series that I recommend listening to and passing on to those you love.  You can hear these Podcasts at:

http://cascadecov.com/podcasts/PodCaster.aspx

The titles are:

We Apologize for Our Violence and Discrimination (4/19/09)

We Apologize for Our Hypocrisy and Arrogance (4/26/09)

We Apologize for Our Superficiality and Stupidity (5/3/09)

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Fathers and Sons Working Together: Scott Brown

May 11th, 2009 by

(Scott Brown was a speaker at the 2009 Christian Heritage Homeschool Convention.  David attended this lecture with me and we both were blessed by it.)

John 5: 17 -22 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son

John 5:30: By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."

The vision of victory for fathers and sons begins in heaven.

Paradigm (pattern, model, standard) Lost
Distance, dishonor, passivity
Lack of love, estrangement, alienation
The devil hates fathers and sons who walk together
We must never forget that the foundation of the universe is a Father’s love for His Son and the sons of men.

Paradigm Found
God is our mentor.  We have what it takes to become a great father.

How God mentors:

  1. Through His commands
  2. Through living examples: Know the Father and the Son and how to emulate them
  3. The example of the Trinitarian Relationship – speak to your father the same way Jesus spoke to God/ God spoke to Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:4 – He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

Move past your earthly father; focus higher.

Romans 8:29 – For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (This happens through the Holy Spirit)

(The Message translation of Romans 8:29: God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.)

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 Peter 1:15 "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;"

1 Peter 2:21-22  "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."

1 Peter 4: 1-3 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Philippians 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Theology s the beginning of wisdom for father and son.

13 Biblical Patterns for Fathers and Sons

1) The father LOVES his son
John 15: 9-10 – As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Danger to fathers – Exercising authority while forgetting tenderness.

Mark 1:11 – And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Too much authority and not enought tenderness equals REBELLION.

2)  The father reigns, designs, and delegates
Ephesians 1:9-10 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Colossians 1: 12-20 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.   He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.   And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.   For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

3)  The father shares his work with his son
John 17:15  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

John 5: 19-20 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.

4) The son fulfills his role as a co-laborer in creation

5) The father exercises authority overs the son
1 Corinthians 11:3 Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

6)  The son joyfully submits to the father
John 8: 28-29 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."

John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

It is the divine calling to have the son ask his earthly father what is his will for him.

The devil would love to have sons look elsewhere and not to their fathers to do their will.

7)  The son loves the father
John 14:31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.  Come now; let us leave.

The love is inseparable from the submission and obedience.  Satan’s best strategy is to have sons dishonor their father.

8)  The son imitates his father’s actions in word and in deed.
John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

2 foot rule- Scott Brown keeps his son within two feet range when he talks to other men and thinks that his son would learn from that discussion.

Application for John 5:30

P – Proximity – have son close to father physically to witness interactions
O – Observation – have son attentively listening
W-  Wisdom – Ask if this is wison or foolishness?
E- Eye Contact – Maintain eye contact with whoever they interact with
R- Relationship- Develop relationships with other godly men as mentors

9) The son knows what the father is doing
John 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Sons need to be with you, fathers!  Read all Deuteronomy 6

10) The father teaches the son
John 8:28 So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.

Father are the primary teachers:

  • Teach scripture. 
  • Mentor them for a skill. 
  • Prepare them for marriage. 
  • Position them for success.

If the father does not teach the children, they will turn to their peers to learn for guidance.

11) The father leads by example and the son —(I did not catch)

12)  The father praises the son for his work

13) I missed this one.

Book suggestion: Dr. Bruce Ware "Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance"

Convictions:

  1. Together is better than separate
  2. Give him work, and limited play
  3. Other boys are not qualified to disciple my son
  4. Thoughts on education:
    1. Plan for son at age 14 to read, write, and memorize scripture
    2. non specialized theological study
    3. basic business terminology
  5. Where sin abounds, grace abounds more.

 

 


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

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Keeping Going: Living by God’s Priorities: Deborah Brown

May 11th, 2009 by

(Deborah Brown was a speaker at the 2009 Christian Heritage of WA Homeschool Convention)

(My personal insight and input is in italics)

-Know your child’s heart:

  • gifts
  • comfort zone
  • judgements

Know what skills you need to teach your son to help him become a husband, father, positive contributing member of society.

Sacrifice v. Regrets
Age 12 – treat your son like a man and with respect.  Ask his counsel.  Help him to become a man.  Relate to him on a more mature level.

Demand v. Inspire
Give them a vision for why they are doing what they are doing.

Let them make mistakes and tell them about yours.

Choosing activities.  Ask:

  • Is this life skill helpful?
  • Will the skill continue to be helpful?
  • Do they enjoy it and have a natural bent for it?
  • What do you want your children to leave home loving?

Many things are lawful, but not all are worthy of your children’s time.

The later years will be full of fruit, if youprepare yourselves now.

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Preparing For Homeschooling: Deborah Brown

May 11th, 2009 by

(Deborah Brown was one of the speakers at the 2009 Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington Convention.)

Insert personal note by Leigh:  I am sure I have discussed this with some of you in the past.  When I was early in my Christian walk, I used to become offended and disturbed when people would use the phrase, "training my children".  I always envisioned them teaching the kids to "sit", "beg", and "roll over", and all that is involved in dog obedience classes. But, as I learned and grew more, I came to realize this term is appropriate and desirable for our children.

The dictionary defines the verb, ‘to train’, as:
-to develop or form the habits, thoughts, or behavior of (a child or other person) by discipline and instruction,
and,
-to make proficient by instruction and practice, as in some art, profession, or work.

After reading this definition, don’t we all "train" our children?  Wouldn’t we be remiss if we didn’t?

Lecture notes.  My insight and input is in italics.

-It is your job (as a mother) to train your children how to do chores with a grateful attitude.  They need to understand their contribution to the family and the benefits.  Once established through home management, this skill will carry into school, then work.

-Folly (state of being foolish, lack of guidance or direction) is bound up in the heart of a child.  It is our job to handle it and to guide it. 

-Training is harder than teaching.

The definition of teaching is:
-to impart knowledge of or skill in; give instruction in
and,
-to impart knowledge or skill to; give instruction to

-Don’t rob your child of the character building experiences they need.  Make sure you follow up to see that chores were done correctly.  "If you don’t inspect, don’t expect."  If you accept jobs half-done in chores, it will be expected to accept a half job in everything else.

-Teach them to love and trust the scriptures.  Teach them the ‘Fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self Control’.  Teach them not just in word, but in deed.

I used to get stressed out when I was told to teach something to my children that I did not have in my own heart, or at least I did not have to the degree that I wanted to.  But that is what we are called to do, and God is so good to groom our hearts right along with our children’s.

-Help them to see the wisdom of the Lord.  Personal and family Bible study, scripture memorization, sharing with your kids how the Lord has impacted your life.

-Help them to help the needy.  Read from the book of James and teach them how to care for community.  Develop a heart for others. Be proactive as a family in serving the local and global community.  Teach that the world does not revolve around them, but that their contribution is integral.

-Ask your husbands what they would want their child to learn.  The husband determines the pathway of the family.

Scripture to consider:

Jeremiah 10: 2:  This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky, though the nations are terrified by them." (Ask what is important to God versus what is important to the world (she even added ‘mainstream evangelism’) 

Ephesians 6:1-4 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." OBEY THE SCRIPTURES AND TEACH YOUR KIDS TO OBEY YOU

Deuteronomy 6:4- 7: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Proverbs 13 , 24,, 51,  1 John, Titus: She did not have particular verses, but referenced these in whole.  I encourage you to read them when you have the chance.

-Suggestion: As a family, read a "Bible in a Year" program

-Invest in your husband first!  This is another "thing" that used to bother me as a new Christian.  How can anyone place someone over their own children??  But, I will tell you this, as I began to place my husband first, my children benefited, and we have a stronger family as a result.  This is  a case where I really had to trust the Lord to give me understanding and now I see the wisdom in His design for us.

-Family Boot Camp: Attitude Adjustment.  This is what the Brown family has when someone has a bad attitude or is struggling with an emotional issue.  The whole family stops what they are doing, and invests in prayer, scripture, role playing, etc. to help the person get back on track or have greater understanding.

–Brown family daily routine

  1. Family Worship
  2. School Work
  3. Chores
  4. Play Time

 

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Menu Plan Monday May 4 – May 10

May 4th, 2009 by

 

MON: Sweet and Sour Meatballs
           Rice
           Stir Fry Veggies

TUE: Molasses Rum Chicken
          Greens from Farmers Market
          Bread from Farmers Market

WED: Veggie Chili
           Cornbread
           Carrots, Cucumber and Dip

THU: Creamy Chicken Linguini
          Green Salad

FRI: Garlic Pork Loin
         Mash Potatoes
         Broccoli

SAT and SUN: Ocean Shores Trip

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Getting Our House In Order

May 3rd, 2009 by

Literally.  We drove back up to Washington to finish getting our house ready to be put on the market.  I can’t believe it’s finally done!!  We worked hard for about 11 days, touching up paint, painting the trim, laying carpet, bark, and gravel,  cleaning and staging.  Major thanks to my brother (Devin), mom, Fabio and Esperanza, Antee Sara, Austin, and Tanya, for their hard work and effort in getting this huge project finished.  We had a home inspector go through our house and made a long list of things to do.  My brother knocked out the majority of that list.  The boys did a great job helping, then keeping themselves occupied when necessary.

The Results:

Fresh gravel on our driveway, as well as on the strip in front of our house:

Fresh bark throughout our front and back yards:

Putting together the queen bed used for staging in the master bedroom:

Enjoying the fruits of their labor:

My niece, KK, has a good little dog walking business in our neighborhood.  She took the boys on a couple of walks with her.  They were so proud that they could walk the big dogs!

The living room.  Fresh paint (used to be a chocolate brown), fresh trim, new lighting, clean and polished floors…

The bathroom.  I had updated the bathroom about a year ago as a suprise for David, but Devin recently added new tile floor, and new hardware for the tub.

The master bedroom.  New carpet, fresh paint and trim…

The family room (entry room?).  Fresh paint and trim, cleaned and polished floors…

View when walking in the door…

The kitchen.  Fresh paint, new stovetop, new vegetable sink, new hardware for regular sink, polished cupboards…a peek-a-boo view of the utility room with fresh paint, and tile, and a new light…



The dining room. Paint, new chandelier, trim, polished floors…

We hope to have it on the market this week!

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Dinner with the Police

May 2nd, 2009 by

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Science: Studying Leaves

May 2nd, 2009 by

We went on a nature walk through a nearby neighborhood and collected leaves to study.  We compared their features and made crayon rubbings…




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Bugs…oh…YEAH!!!

May 2nd, 2009 by

‘A’ found this little fella in his bedroom.  This picture is taken while he is under our bug magnifier.  After studying it and reading about it, we let him go.  We found out it is a house centipede…


Here is a huge grasshopper that landed on a plant in front of our door….

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