'She worketh willingly with her hands'

I would like to share with you a bit about the handicraft venture that I have started. Right now I make earrings and maybe I will branch out into other types of jewelry, utilitarian items, and paper craft. It's called Eishes Chayil Handicraft. You can visit the website here.

I used to hold up Proverbs 31 as an idol but now I understand it was the woman's fear of the one and perfect God that made her worthy to be praised. Everything that she did flowed from her love for Him. If I do get married (God-willing), here are some of the ways I am preparing: maintaining a solid relationship with God through Jesus Christ '…so that in everything [I] may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior' (Titus 2), eliminating student loan debt, strengthening skills in areas that will generate income from the home, budgeting, and learning how to maintain a household.

Whether single or married, I hope to redeem the time for Christ and his Kingdom with integrity and excellence. Click here for a wonderful exegesis on Proverbs 31.

Pride Dings

Have you ever been in a situation involving another person or group of people where you were left feeling angry, upset, or depressed? I have identified for myself the source of pain associated with those feelings: pride.

"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee." ~ Ezekiel 28:17

I am committing with the help of the Holy Spirit to see those moments as "pride dings" and get on with life. What a delight it is to cast off oppressive thoughts and walk in love.

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. ~ Isaiah 26:8

Autumn: crisp air and sweet spices

It's so funny how smells ignite memories. Today I had simply salted popcorn, although it was microwaveable it had the same distinct aroma of stove top popped corn - something my grandmother's sister would make when I was a child. I was very tasty. I may not buy pre-buttered popcorn again! My grandma would always get freshly shelled peanuts from the field and roast them in the oven this time of year. I'm looking forward to getting to the State Farmer's Market to get some peanuts to roast. I'm really digging scratch or semi-homemade cooking. Last night I made my first attempt at chicken pot pie!

In Christ Alone

My Statement of Faith

The foundation and compass behind my writings...

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord in November 2006. I belong to a non-denominational bible teaching church that promotes foundational truths and family values. I believe:

• The inerrancy and total authority of Scripture, as the 66 books of the Bible and the inspired Word of God.
  
• There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• In the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father and His return in power and glory.
• In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling every Christian is able to live a godly life.
• That all people are lost sinners and must turn to Christ (he is the only way, the truth, and the life and no one can come to the Father except through him) in saving faith and repentance for regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
• In the resurrection of both those who believe in Jesus and those who do not believe: those believing to eternal life with Christ and those unbelieving to eternal punishment in a literal hell.

Diversion Round-up

Here's a round-up of diversions within the past six months that really stuck with me.

Lake of Fire
A really thorough look at the pro-life / pro-choice issue in this country and who the players are/were. My first hand look at the horrors and consequence of abortion.

Expelled
Opened my eyes to what “academic freedom” really is and what it should be.

John Adams
I have not read the McCullough book but the mini-series is so very fine. It reinvigorated my interest in American History. It's crafted very well and the acting is superb. I love that a lot of the script and character traits were lifted from first-hand accounts and actual correspondence that the founding fathers and Abigail Adams wrote.

Atonement
Paints a bleak picture of moral relevantism. Wonderfully, beautifully acted and directed.

The Dark Knight
Excellent film on every level. Everyone is not going to like you (period) for doing the right thing and standing firm. The end is really powerful, Batman's sacrifice...I loved Gary Oldman delivery of "because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he's not a hero. He's a silent guardian. A watchful protector. A dark knight".

There Will Be Blood
An awesomely directed character study of a prideful man. For example – notice each time Plainview interacts with his son he always leaves him to tend to the oil. It foreshadows their meeting near the end. As a Christian, Preacher Sunday was a bit uncomfortable to watch – especially with his declaration at the end but it is true that people have denied the Lord for pride, money, and a host of reasons.

Watchmen (Novel)
An honest deconstruction of the superhero genre (as I perceive it – only having watched superhero films, not comics) I had mixed feelings are the end of it though. It shows the extremes of both sides through Rorschach and Veidt; Dr. Manhattan as the ultimate “Deus Ex Machina” and a god that doesn't care. Everyone else is the Everyman. I make sure to read about the writer before I read their work – to be aware and prayed up, I don't really do it with film because there are many forces at work in that medium. Unfortunately I did not do that with Watchmen. I know now that Alan Moore is a hippie pagan – literally, he worships a Roman snake god. Still, I am glad that I read the novel. It is the only graphic novel I have ever read. I read Mere Christianity before this book. In one of the chapters, C.S. Lewis describes how he believes God experiences time (he is not bound by it). Not to compare Dr. Manhanttan with The One who was, is, and is to come, but the whole chapter in Watchmen with Dr. Manhattan on Mars actually helped me understand that concept better. I could also see the influence Watchmen had on works like “The Incredibles” and “Heroes”.

Currently reading: The Picture of Dorian Gray
I saw the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen recently, although a really lackluster movie, I was most intrigued by the relationship between Dorian Gray and his portrait. I'm reading the preface of the novel now and it talks about the French aesthetic or decadence movement (do whatever you feel like doing) in the early nineteenth century and how it influenced Oscar Wilde. Wilde was lying to himself that “art and morality cannot be separated”. I believe that the basic premise of the work contradicts his statement.

Finishing Well

There are two forces diametrically opposed to God: sin and free will. It is why we must die to self and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We can "be accountable" to each other but we can deceive each other just as easily but there is one who can discern our hearts and minds.

There will be no stowaways. One day, each person will have to give an account of their life on this Earth. There are numerous real life and biblical examples of those that did not finish well. Take Gideon...most know him as "the mighty man of valor", the leader of the army of 300 that gained victory over the Midianites by the hand of God. After a time, pride and his golden ephod would cause Israel to turn away from the Lord.

Pride is at the root of every sin. Be watchful my brothers and sisters. Stand firm in the faith.

References: Romans 6:2-11, Judges 6-8

Back to the Basics

I feel that this is a season of being stripped bare. There are so many things I am confronting and grieving over in my heart...anarchy ...arrogance. I have asked the Lord for endurance to stand firm during this time. As a reflect upon the past and think about beginning the 24th year of my life I am yet hopeful. He has already given me far more than I deserve.

The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation

Sola Scriptura ~ Scripture alone is the standard.

Soli Deo Gloria ~ All for the glory of God alone.

Solo Christo ~ By Christ's work alone we are saved.

Sola Gratia ~ Salvation by grace alone.

Sola Fide ~ Justified by faith alone (a "living" faith, i.e. Hebrews 11).

"'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.'" (John 14:1)

Rejoice in the Lord Always

I've been thinking about the young model that plunged to her death. Read the article, "Suicide Model Said to Be Confused About Life, Lonely", here. It reminded me that billions of lives hang in the balance of Heaven and Hell each day. It is so important to share the gospel. There is so much despair of life in the world.

Yet while we are sinners (Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23). God loves all and sees beyond outward appearances. He desires to be reconciled with us and the only way that can happen is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is Truth and knows the truth about everything!

Contentment.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:11-12)