Aside from the obvious, my 3 favorite people in the Bible are Hannah, Ruth, and Esther. I like them so much because their lives speak volumes to what Godly womanhood means. Not one of them felt entitled to anything just because they were women but because God had promised and led and directed them. Here is one of my favorite passages from Esther:
"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14
The book of Esther is unique in that it is the only book that never makes direct reference to God. Never. Truly some of us live our lives with never a direct instruction from God, at least not that we are aware of. We can feel His presence but some never feel God speaking directly to them or through them. However, we all know that God is active in our life. We know He moves. Just the same as we know He moved Mordecai and Esther when we read this book.
In this verse Mordecai explains to Esther that if she is quiet and stands her ground the evil plot that Haman connived to bring down Mordecai by way of destroying the Jews will fail. If she moves too quickly destruction is a foregone conclusion. He then says, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Well, God knew. He put her there to foil yet another plan of Satan to destroy God's chosen people. The same can be said with each of us.
Whether or not you feel as if God has led you overtly, He has a plan for you. If you are yielded to Him fully He WILL put you in the right place at the right time. The decision is then yours to heed that leading or to walk away. To stand or to fold. To speak or remain silent.
He never fails us but surely we do fail Him. Resolve today to seek the knowledge of His directing hand and then to follow that lead.
Love to all!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
PCOS, IR, and Me: My Story
This article contains personal and medical information. If you are uncomfortable knowing that much about me, stop reading. I would prefer if this article made its way around the world so PLEASE read on. Share this with your sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, etc. especially if they are overweight and have some of the other symptoms I will list at the end of this article. I am not embarrassed to share this information, in fact, I welcome the opportunity.
When I was young I was normal sized, literally, right in the middle of the growth charts. About as average as a kid gets. That changed dramatically when I was 8. In the summer I was playing t-ball and running around with my cousins yet my body gained about 50lbs that summer without a diet change.I wasn't guzzling soda or gulping down seconds and thirds. Nothing was different. That fall I had to get my first bra at age 9. It was a 36C. To put that into perspective for all those not familiar with bra size, the average woman in America is a 34B as an adult! The need for a bra was caused by both the weight gain and a drastic change in hormones, though I didn't know that at the time.
The first indication that something was wrong came when I was 11, weighing nearly 150lbs. I began to have severe lower abdominal pain mostly on my left side. The doctor I went to, whose name I thankfully can't remember, told me it was nothing to worry about because I was just having premenstrual cramps. The problem that my mom and I explained to him was that I had never had them before neither was there a family history of any PMS symptoms. He basically rolled his eyes and suggested that I might feel better if I lost weight. Really? That hadn't occurred to me.
Needless to say I didn't go back. I did develop an unhealthy distrust for doctors because apparently they were all morons who made assumptions and suggestions without bothering to listen to me. Consequently, I avoided any doctor until the pain was so severe I missed days on end of school lying in bed crying because there were no answer or hope. I was 14 then. Through various circumstances God led me to another doctor who didn't think I was a fat slug who did nothing but search for attention by making up the pain.
Over the following 3-4 months I endured more tests than the average person endures in their entire life. I had countless blood tests, ultrasounds, and examinations. I had 2 exploratory CT-Scans with the barium shake and the barium enema (which is as fun as it sounds.) I even had a colonoscopy because they thought I might have colon cancer. When all was said and done, all they could tell me was that I had a cyst on my left ovary. It needed to be removed immediately. 3 weeks later I had surgery to remove my left ovary, fallopian tube, and an 8 lb ovarian cyst!It had been growing unchecked since that first doctor when I was 11. No wonder I looked pregnant.
After the surgery, the surgeons told my parents that the cyst had grown so large for so long that it was hemorrhaging back into itself and was turning gangrenous. It would have burst within 2 weeks releasing all those toxins into my body. More than likely it would have been fatal. On the upside it was pretty cool to have an elevator pass at school and show everyone my staples and scar and to tell my friends that the doctor wanted to remove my belly button. That would have looked even cooler! He didn't actually have to remove it. He went around it instead.
So after all this, one could reasonably expect a diagnosis, right? Such was not the case for me. All they said was that I had a "hormonal imbalance." They gave me birth control pills to regulate my hormones and told me to try to lose some weight. Again with that. As if I hadn't been trying that for years. Not to mention the fact that a major side effect of birth control pills is weight gain.
Here I go through my teenage years at 200lbs and gaining, on the pill, getting acne, losing the hair on my head but growing some on my chin and neck, having depression, not being able to eat because of nausea, constantly swinging between diarrhea and constipation, and never being normal. How did I deal with it? Apathy. I decided that since I couldn't lose weight why should I even try? I began to eat anything and everything in mass quantities. I decided that I would hop in the band wagon of fat women who "loved" their heaviness and really weren't unhealthy. (That great line from Hamlet, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" comes to mind immediately.)
Apathy was a rather nice band-aid for the wounds I was inflicting on myself and those left by others. I got through high school with another 30 lbs and a bad attitude. Continuing on my road of apathy and distrust I avoided doctors except for my gynecologist who still didn't have a definite diagnosis for me. She just kept pumping me full of birth control pills.
Fast forward to age 22 when Thad and I decided (as if it were our decision) that it was time to have kids. I stopped the pills after talking to my doctor who wished me luck and told me to try to lose some weight. I had a couple of false positive pregnancy tests and no periods over the next 15 months. while I didn't mind the absence of of them I was concerned. I finally asked my gynecologist why no one knew what was wrong with me. She said, "well, its probably your PCOS. It makes it hard to get pregnant." UHM, my what? I told her I had no idea what she meant. I had never heard of PCOS before. She scribbled something in my chart and told me to have the nurse give me a referral to an endocrinologist. A what?
I went to the new doctor. I wasn't happy about it though. I had been having my blood drawn and an "intimate" exam every three months since I was 15. Why did I need someone else to explain this to me? Fortunately, this guy was good. The first step of the appointment wasn't good - I had to weigh. For the first time in my life my weight frightened me. I was 25 and weighed 308 lbs. I'll never forget that moment. It took every ounce of strength I had not to cry. I knew part was from the whatever that had been going on in my body but, sadly, I knew that I had contributed to the monstrous beast that perched on the scale.
The appointment got better. He actually had answers. He told me that I did, indeed, have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome but that wasn't the root problem. I had something called Insulin Resistance. (Before you think it, ask it, or say it...NO, I'm not diabetic. But I could be someday.) IR is a condition in which the insulin response to food intake is insufficient. It causes the body to think it is always in "starvation mode." My muscles are deaf to the insulin message and do not take it in. Unfortunately, my fat cells think I'm never eating enough no matter how much or how little I eat. In that mode the fat stores everything! I could live on water and lettuce and still gain weight at an alarming rate. Thus the idea that just better nutrition and exercise would fix me up is FALSE. I know its false because I have tried it. I spent one year of my life eating 1200 calories a day and doing a 2-hour workout, 4 times a week. In that year I lost 4 lbs. Yeah, only 4.
This insulin issue causes my estrogen and progesterone to be out of whack and my testosterone to be really HIGH! The testosterone is why I grow hair in all the wrong places. It all contributes to the weight gain. So after all this illumination, for which I was incredibly grateful, I asked the obvious question: How do we fix me so that I can have babies? He reply wasn't what I wanted to hear. "It would help if you lost some weight." I gritted my teeth and stifled some frustration. Before I could scream about my inability to lose weight he said, "The problem with that is IR and PCOS make it nearly impossible."
I was dumbfounded. Finally someone realized that other than me. He gave me some samples and a prescription for Glucophage, a diabetes medication. But I'm not diabetic. He knew that, of course, because he had his head on straight. He said my periods would regulate and my hormones would come closer to normal. As a result and a big bonus, if I began to eat better and less I would see gradual weight loss. darned if he wasn't right.
Since that visit I have had to find another endocrinologist who is probably the best doctor I've ever come across. He is remarkably intelligent with an insatiable appetite for research but he doesn't run headlong toward something just because its the latest thing. I also have a new OB/GYN who I found through my endocrinologist because I wanted someone who would listen to him and understand that PCOS is NOT a gynecological problem.
Now I am surrounded by a wonderful team of physicians that understand my faith and my desire to not be a pincushion. I believe wholeheartedly that these men were put in my path to bring about God's will in my life. I was designed and created from head to toe to grow, birth, and nurture children. It was and still is the desire of my heart. When I surrendered my desire to His will and timing I got my answers and my health.
So what are the results of my journey?
* 3 babies I shouldn't have especially with one ovary.
* A dramatic weight loss (from my all-time high of 320 lbs to my current pre-pregnant weight of 243 lbs)
* The knowledge that I know my body better than anyone and trusting that meant booting the bad doctors.
* Conventional medicine isn't inherently bad. Find doctors that understand your beliefs and can work with them. All of my physicians understand that I don't credit them with my health improvement or my 3 miracle children. I credit God for leading me to them and giving us all wisdom in my situation. I believe that each child was a direct, Hand-of-God miracle much like Hannah (1 Samuel 1)
* I learned to look at women and girls who look like me in a different light. I used to see them the same way everyone else does. I thought they are fat because they eat too much. My experiences have taught me to wonder if she doesn't know that she might be fighting a losing battle against an enemy she doesn't even know exists. Occasionally, I even approach strangers and implore them to see an endocrinologist about PCOS and IR.
* I now know that Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is NOT an illness best treated by a gynecologist. It is not so much reproductive but hormonal. All hormones, even female ones, belong in the domain of the endocrinologist. It is also not a condition best treated by a fertility specialist. When you treat the underlying condition, the infertility usually resolves.
* I don't take diet advice from just anyone. For some reason people are compelled to share their diet secrets with me unsolicited. "I cut out high fat and lost 30 lbs." or "I only eat organic." or "I cut out everything from a box." or "All you have to do it eat more fruit and less red meat and you could look like me." or "Never eat anything after 6pm." (The ridiculousness of this statement is something I could write about endlessly. Weight is about math - calories in minus calories out. there is no magic time of day.) Nope, I have a filter now. I think these people are so uncomfortable with my size they want to be my rescuer. A nice thought but very belittling. I know what food to eat, how much, and when. I also rarely share my own diet advice for the same reason. I only do it when asked.
You can take the quiz here for a better idea of your risk. I suggest printing it and taking it to your physician to discuss your risk and have the blood tests.
When I was young I was normal sized, literally, right in the middle of the growth charts. About as average as a kid gets. That changed dramatically when I was 8. In the summer I was playing t-ball and running around with my cousins yet my body gained about 50lbs that summer without a diet change.I wasn't guzzling soda or gulping down seconds and thirds. Nothing was different. That fall I had to get my first bra at age 9. It was a 36C. To put that into perspective for all those not familiar with bra size, the average woman in America is a 34B as an adult! The need for a bra was caused by both the weight gain and a drastic change in hormones, though I didn't know that at the time.
The first indication that something was wrong came when I was 11, weighing nearly 150lbs. I began to have severe lower abdominal pain mostly on my left side. The doctor I went to, whose name I thankfully can't remember, told me it was nothing to worry about because I was just having premenstrual cramps. The problem that my mom and I explained to him was that I had never had them before neither was there a family history of any PMS symptoms. He basically rolled his eyes and suggested that I might feel better if I lost weight. Really? That hadn't occurred to me.
Needless to say I didn't go back. I did develop an unhealthy distrust for doctors because apparently they were all morons who made assumptions and suggestions without bothering to listen to me. Consequently, I avoided any doctor until the pain was so severe I missed days on end of school lying in bed crying because there were no answer or hope. I was 14 then. Through various circumstances God led me to another doctor who didn't think I was a fat slug who did nothing but search for attention by making up the pain.
Over the following 3-4 months I endured more tests than the average person endures in their entire life. I had countless blood tests, ultrasounds, and examinations. I had 2 exploratory CT-Scans with the barium shake and the barium enema (which is as fun as it sounds.) I even had a colonoscopy because they thought I might have colon cancer. When all was said and done, all they could tell me was that I had a cyst on my left ovary. It needed to be removed immediately. 3 weeks later I had surgery to remove my left ovary, fallopian tube, and an 8 lb ovarian cyst!It had been growing unchecked since that first doctor when I was 11. No wonder I looked pregnant.
After the surgery, the surgeons told my parents that the cyst had grown so large for so long that it was hemorrhaging back into itself and was turning gangrenous. It would have burst within 2 weeks releasing all those toxins into my body. More than likely it would have been fatal. On the upside it was pretty cool to have an elevator pass at school and show everyone my staples and scar and to tell my friends that the doctor wanted to remove my belly button. That would have looked even cooler! He didn't actually have to remove it. He went around it instead.
So after all this, one could reasonably expect a diagnosis, right? Such was not the case for me. All they said was that I had a "hormonal imbalance." They gave me birth control pills to regulate my hormones and told me to try to lose some weight. Again with that. As if I hadn't been trying that for years. Not to mention the fact that a major side effect of birth control pills is weight gain.
Here I go through my teenage years at 200lbs and gaining, on the pill, getting acne, losing the hair on my head but growing some on my chin and neck, having depression, not being able to eat because of nausea, constantly swinging between diarrhea and constipation, and never being normal. How did I deal with it? Apathy. I decided that since I couldn't lose weight why should I even try? I began to eat anything and everything in mass quantities. I decided that I would hop in the band wagon of fat women who "loved" their heaviness and really weren't unhealthy. (That great line from Hamlet, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" comes to mind immediately.)
Apathy was a rather nice band-aid for the wounds I was inflicting on myself and those left by others. I got through high school with another 30 lbs and a bad attitude. Continuing on my road of apathy and distrust I avoided doctors except for my gynecologist who still didn't have a definite diagnosis for me. She just kept pumping me full of birth control pills.
Fast forward to age 22 when Thad and I decided (as if it were our decision) that it was time to have kids. I stopped the pills after talking to my doctor who wished me luck and told me to try to lose some weight. I had a couple of false positive pregnancy tests and no periods over the next 15 months. while I didn't mind the absence of of them I was concerned. I finally asked my gynecologist why no one knew what was wrong with me. She said, "well, its probably your PCOS. It makes it hard to get pregnant." UHM, my what? I told her I had no idea what she meant. I had never heard of PCOS before. She scribbled something in my chart and told me to have the nurse give me a referral to an endocrinologist. A what?
I went to the new doctor. I wasn't happy about it though. I had been having my blood drawn and an "intimate" exam every three months since I was 15. Why did I need someone else to explain this to me? Fortunately, this guy was good. The first step of the appointment wasn't good - I had to weigh. For the first time in my life my weight frightened me. I was 25 and weighed 308 lbs. I'll never forget that moment. It took every ounce of strength I had not to cry. I knew part was from the whatever that had been going on in my body but, sadly, I knew that I had contributed to the monstrous beast that perched on the scale.
The appointment got better. He actually had answers. He told me that I did, indeed, have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome but that wasn't the root problem. I had something called Insulin Resistance. (Before you think it, ask it, or say it...NO, I'm not diabetic. But I could be someday.) IR is a condition in which the insulin response to food intake is insufficient. It causes the body to think it is always in "starvation mode." My muscles are deaf to the insulin message and do not take it in. Unfortunately, my fat cells think I'm never eating enough no matter how much or how little I eat. In that mode the fat stores everything! I could live on water and lettuce and still gain weight at an alarming rate. Thus the idea that just better nutrition and exercise would fix me up is FALSE. I know its false because I have tried it. I spent one year of my life eating 1200 calories a day and doing a 2-hour workout, 4 times a week. In that year I lost 4 lbs. Yeah, only 4.
This insulin issue causes my estrogen and progesterone to be out of whack and my testosterone to be really HIGH! The testosterone is why I grow hair in all the wrong places. It all contributes to the weight gain. So after all this illumination, for which I was incredibly grateful, I asked the obvious question: How do we fix me so that I can have babies? He reply wasn't what I wanted to hear. "It would help if you lost some weight." I gritted my teeth and stifled some frustration. Before I could scream about my inability to lose weight he said, "The problem with that is IR and PCOS make it nearly impossible."
I was dumbfounded. Finally someone realized that other than me. He gave me some samples and a prescription for Glucophage, a diabetes medication. But I'm not diabetic. He knew that, of course, because he had his head on straight. He said my periods would regulate and my hormones would come closer to normal. As a result and a big bonus, if I began to eat better and less I would see gradual weight loss. darned if he wasn't right.
Since that visit I have had to find another endocrinologist who is probably the best doctor I've ever come across. He is remarkably intelligent with an insatiable appetite for research but he doesn't run headlong toward something just because its the latest thing. I also have a new OB/GYN who I found through my endocrinologist because I wanted someone who would listen to him and understand that PCOS is NOT a gynecological problem.
Now I am surrounded by a wonderful team of physicians that understand my faith and my desire to not be a pincushion. I believe wholeheartedly that these men were put in my path to bring about God's will in my life. I was designed and created from head to toe to grow, birth, and nurture children. It was and still is the desire of my heart. When I surrendered my desire to His will and timing I got my answers and my health.
So what are the results of my journey?
* 3 babies I shouldn't have especially with one ovary.
* A dramatic weight loss (from my all-time high of 320 lbs to my current pre-pregnant weight of 243 lbs)
* The knowledge that I know my body better than anyone and trusting that meant booting the bad doctors.
* Conventional medicine isn't inherently bad. Find doctors that understand your beliefs and can work with them. All of my physicians understand that I don't credit them with my health improvement or my 3 miracle children. I credit God for leading me to them and giving us all wisdom in my situation. I believe that each child was a direct, Hand-of-God miracle much like Hannah (1 Samuel 1)
* I learned to look at women and girls who look like me in a different light. I used to see them the same way everyone else does. I thought they are fat because they eat too much. My experiences have taught me to wonder if she doesn't know that she might be fighting a losing battle against an enemy she doesn't even know exists. Occasionally, I even approach strangers and implore them to see an endocrinologist about PCOS and IR.
* I now know that Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is NOT an illness best treated by a gynecologist. It is not so much reproductive but hormonal. All hormones, even female ones, belong in the domain of the endocrinologist. It is also not a condition best treated by a fertility specialist. When you treat the underlying condition, the infertility usually resolves.
* I don't take diet advice from just anyone. For some reason people are compelled to share their diet secrets with me unsolicited. "I cut out high fat and lost 30 lbs." or "I only eat organic." or "I cut out everything from a box." or "All you have to do it eat more fruit and less red meat and you could look like me." or "Never eat anything after 6pm." (The ridiculousness of this statement is something I could write about endlessly. Weight is about math - calories in minus calories out. there is no magic time of day.) Nope, I have a filter now. I think these people are so uncomfortable with my size they want to be my rescuer. A nice thought but very belittling. I know what food to eat, how much, and when. I also rarely share my own diet advice for the same reason. I only do it when asked.
Here are some of the hallmark symptoms of PCOS:
*Fewer than 8 periods per year.
*Heavy to very heavy periods.
*Irregular bleeding.
*Sudden, unexplained (non-diet induced) weight gain
*Fertility problems.
*Adult acne.
*Hair growth in places that are typically male: chin, neck, upper lip, chest, abdomen.
*Balding or thinning hair on head.
*Darkening or discoloration on neck, face, between folds of skin, etc.
*Skin tags.
*Type 2 Diabetes or a family history of Type 2 Diabetes (particularly if your mother had Gestational Diabetes while pregnant with you.)
*Sluggishness, lack of concentration, shaking, uncontrollable hunger and mood swings.
*Fewer than 8 periods per year.
*Heavy to very heavy periods.
*Irregular bleeding.
*Sudden, unexplained (non-diet induced) weight gain
*Fertility problems.
*Adult acne.
*Hair growth in places that are typically male: chin, neck, upper lip, chest, abdomen.
*Balding or thinning hair on head.
*Darkening or discoloration on neck, face, between folds of skin, etc.
*Skin tags.
*Type 2 Diabetes or a family history of Type 2 Diabetes (particularly if your mother had Gestational Diabetes while pregnant with you.)
*Sluggishness, lack of concentration, shaking, uncontrollable hunger and mood swings.
You can take the quiz here for a better idea of your risk. I suggest printing it and taking it to your physician to discuss your risk and have the blood tests.
If you live in the Nashville area and believe you have PCOS, please send a comment with your email and I will give you my doctor's information if you do not have an endocrinologist.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
A Wonderful Article and Resource
Just yesterday I got my latest issue (June 1, 2008) of Woman's Day Magazine. I truly enjoy this magazine because it is frank, down-to earth, not filled with smutty articles about tings that shouldn't appear in the checkout aisle, and still has a sense of morality. They even include a scripture in each issue. Anyway, this issue had an article that is very personal to me. On page 72, I read about my life, or at least it felt that way. The article is titled "I thought I'd never have kids."
Lesa Childers relates her battle with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, also known as PCOS and Stein-Leventhal Syndrome. When I was reading it I felt like I could have written it. She talked about her struggle with irregular and heavy periods, her weight gain, type 2 diabetes and especially infertility. Living this life of not menstruating for as long as 12 months (I topped out at 15 months,) never knowing if or when she would have break-through bleeding, uncontrollable weight gain, depression, and a slew of other symptoms all with NO ANSWERS! Years went by before a doctor finally told her a definitive diagnosis.
Fortunately she did not go through what I and many others did. For those who know the story, I apologize for the repetition. For those who don't please read my post "PCOS, IR, and Me: My Story."
Please pick up a copy of this issue of Woman's Day and educate yourselves.
Lesa Childers relates her battle with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, also known as PCOS and Stein-Leventhal Syndrome. When I was reading it I felt like I could have written it. She talked about her struggle with irregular and heavy periods, her weight gain, type 2 diabetes and especially infertility. Living this life of not menstruating for as long as 12 months (I topped out at 15 months,) never knowing if or when she would have break-through bleeding, uncontrollable weight gain, depression, and a slew of other symptoms all with NO ANSWERS! Years went by before a doctor finally told her a definitive diagnosis.
Fortunately she did not go through what I and many others did. For those who know the story, I apologize for the repetition. For those who don't please read my post "PCOS, IR, and Me: My Story."
Please pick up a copy of this issue of Woman's Day and educate yourselves.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Today's Reading....
This is part of a passage that we learned about yesterday in church. I wanted to share some thoughts I had about it.
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:3-6
We hear a lot about being united in our faith, being one strong force for change. While this is truly a Biblical ambition it can be taken to the extreme. We cannot become so driven to unity that we ignore those things that are false doctrine. For example, we cannot just accept that someone is a brother or sister in Christ because they say they believe in God. Not even all denominations that claim to be Christian really are. Any teaching that puts a human on equal plain with Jesus is a false doctrine. Any teaching that claims a "later revelation" is false. There are no two ways about it. God is what He says He is - in HIS Word!
A further extreme of unity is the idea that because God created all humans we should be one no matter our belief system. Its ridiculous to say that just based on God's love for us we can accept and tolerate any religion. He didn't. Why should we?
Does this mean that any difference in denominational opinion is a reason to dissociate with those of others churches? NO! Often our small differences divide us based on tradition more than what the Bible actually says. The fact is that we, who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are united in the same Holy Spirit regardless of our denomination.
Really and truly there are very few denominational differences that are "salvation issues" or those things that could compromise our eternal destination. Whether or not we have music during worship or do we let our women teach and preach or raising our hands in worship. These things are not at issue when we lay our hearts at the feet of God's throne. I will expound in a future post on issues that can compromise our salvation.
Is there are way to know if a particular belief is false doctrine? Why, yes, there is!
1. The Bible is very clear that there is ONE mediator between God and man. That's Jesus. Anyone position that attempts to elevate a person or false diety to an equal plain with Jesus is false. 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6
2. Anything that attempts to remove Jesus' Godhood and make him merely a man or good teacher is false. John 1:1-51; Revelation 1:1-20; Revelation 22:1-21
3. Any person that cannot confess with their mouth Jesus as their Lord and Savior doesn't believe in their heart. Romans 10:9-11; Matthew 10:32; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:1-4; 2 John 1:7
So, in short (Ha Ha,) strive to have unity with those that truly confess Jesus as their Lord regardless of what the sign says over the door of their church. Don't allow yourself to be led into the belief that all is acceptable. If you have fellowship with someone whose belief system doesn't fit the criteria above, WITNESS TO THEM! Ask them to join you in a study of these things. If you need more help, PLEASE feel free to contact me. If I can't find the answer, preacher Daddy can.
Love to all!
"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:3-6
We hear a lot about being united in our faith, being one strong force for change. While this is truly a Biblical ambition it can be taken to the extreme. We cannot become so driven to unity that we ignore those things that are false doctrine. For example, we cannot just accept that someone is a brother or sister in Christ because they say they believe in God. Not even all denominations that claim to be Christian really are. Any teaching that puts a human on equal plain with Jesus is a false doctrine. Any teaching that claims a "later revelation" is false. There are no two ways about it. God is what He says He is - in HIS Word!
A further extreme of unity is the idea that because God created all humans we should be one no matter our belief system. Its ridiculous to say that just based on God's love for us we can accept and tolerate any religion. He didn't. Why should we?
Does this mean that any difference in denominational opinion is a reason to dissociate with those of others churches? NO! Often our small differences divide us based on tradition more than what the Bible actually says. The fact is that we, who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are united in the same Holy Spirit regardless of our denomination.
Really and truly there are very few denominational differences that are "salvation issues" or those things that could compromise our eternal destination. Whether or not we have music during worship or do we let our women teach and preach or raising our hands in worship. These things are not at issue when we lay our hearts at the feet of God's throne. I will expound in a future post on issues that can compromise our salvation.
Is there are way to know if a particular belief is false doctrine? Why, yes, there is!
1. The Bible is very clear that there is ONE mediator between God and man. That's Jesus. Anyone position that attempts to elevate a person or false diety to an equal plain with Jesus is false. 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6
2. Anything that attempts to remove Jesus' Godhood and make him merely a man or good teacher is false. John 1:1-51; Revelation 1:1-20; Revelation 22:1-21
3. Any person that cannot confess with their mouth Jesus as their Lord and Savior doesn't believe in their heart. Romans 10:9-11; Matthew 10:32; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:1-4; 2 John 1:7
So, in short (Ha Ha,) strive to have unity with those that truly confess Jesus as their Lord regardless of what the sign says over the door of their church. Don't allow yourself to be led into the belief that all is acceptable. If you have fellowship with someone whose belief system doesn't fit the criteria above, WITNESS TO THEM! Ask them to join you in a study of these things. If you need more help, PLEASE feel free to contact me. If I can't find the answer, preacher Daddy can.
Love to all!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Well Worth a Family Outing
Last week Thomas and I went with his supplement school on a field trip to Kentucky Down Under! It was wonderful. I can't recommend highly enough this great educational family park.
They focus on animals and lifestyles of Australia. This is not anything like a typical zoo. The enclosures are not off limits to the visitors. With the help of the very well educated staff we went into the enclosures with the animals. They have one enclosure with grey and red kangaroos, wallabies, emus and black swans. There is a lorikeet cage where everyone can feed the birds while they climb all over you.
There are a few educational presentations including one on reptiles and amphibians. Across the field is the Wool Shed which has a fenced in pasture where we watched a demonstration of their Border Collie, Robin, running the sheep with great precision. The wool shed houses several different types of sheep including those breeds that are most popular in Australia and New Zealand. There was a presentation with visitor involvement about life on a Australian Sheep Station. Everyone in our group got to milk their Brown Swiss Cow named Faye. A few of the students even got to bottle-feed some sweet lambs.
As with most of South-Central Kentucky, Kentucky Down Under has a cave. It was lovely. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. He even got a chuckle or two at my hugely pregnant body trying to traverse some of the tighter squeezes in the cave. I laughed too so it was okay.
A small flume plays host to gem mining via bags of mine silt. Their gift shop has nice souvenirs at reasonable prices. I bought four items that weren't junk for under $12. The Outback Shack has the typical fare plus things like bison and veggie burgers and salads. Even it isn't expensive. The admission is affordable, and the drive isn't bad at all, only 90 minutes from Nashville.
They focus on animals and lifestyles of Australia. This is not anything like a typical zoo. The enclosures are not off limits to the visitors. With the help of the very well educated staff we went into the enclosures with the animals. They have one enclosure with grey and red kangaroos, wallabies, emus and black swans. There is a lorikeet cage where everyone can feed the birds while they climb all over you.
There are a few educational presentations including one on reptiles and amphibians. Across the field is the Wool Shed which has a fenced in pasture where we watched a demonstration of their Border Collie, Robin, running the sheep with great precision. The wool shed houses several different types of sheep including those breeds that are most popular in Australia and New Zealand. There was a presentation with visitor involvement about life on a Australian Sheep Station. Everyone in our group got to milk their Brown Swiss Cow named Faye. A few of the students even got to bottle-feed some sweet lambs.
As with most of South-Central Kentucky, Kentucky Down Under has a cave. It was lovely. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. He even got a chuckle or two at my hugely pregnant body trying to traverse some of the tighter squeezes in the cave. I laughed too so it was okay.
A small flume plays host to gem mining via bags of mine silt. Their gift shop has nice souvenirs at reasonable prices. I bought four items that weren't junk for under $12. The Outback Shack has the typical fare plus things like bison and veggie burgers and salads. Even it isn't expensive. The admission is affordable, and the drive isn't bad at all, only 90 minutes from Nashville.
There is a coupon in the Entertainment Book for Buy One Get One Free admission. We plan to go again after Baby Scalf 3.0 is born. This time with the whole family.
Here are some pictures of our trip:
Thomas and a friend watching the peacock shake his hinder at us. He just wanted us to know how intimidating he was.
The hands-on reptile and amphibian presentation.
Inside the kangaroo enclosure for a presentation.
Loving on a 'roo!
Thomas and 2 joeys. This was one of the coolest things ever!
Thomas and his lorikeet.
Watching the sheep herding demo.
Milking Faye. That stool was none to comfortable on this pregnant body.
Thomas milking Faye.
We had a fantastic time. If you are looking for a fun and educational family outing you can't go wrong with Kentucky Down Under! It is also a great school or church trip!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Things I Learned on a 700 Mile Road Trip
First, you should know this is not a undertaking for the faint of heart nor the sore of behind! Especially when young children are in the traveling party. I don't know how my parents did 8 trips between California and Tennessee in a Datsun with no air conditioning. They definitely get extra points.
Now for those Things I Learned:
*The speed at which 5 year old kidneys process bottled water increases with a direct correlation to the anticipation of arriving at your destination. For example, we had to pull over between six and eight times within the last 50 miles of Orlando so Thomas could "paint" the guardrail or water the weeds.
*There are a remarkable number of vehicles on which turn signals are optional equipment. I naively thought they came standard and their use was required. My fellow motorists in Georgia and Florida were kind enough to educate me.
*Passing on the right is the new black.
*There are an infinite number of Cracker Barrel restaurants on I-75 between Chattanooga and Orlando.
*The only differences between Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg and Orlando/Kissimmee are the terrain (mountains vs. swamps), alligators, and a 15% mark-up on everything.
*Its legal to advertise practically anything on a billboard in Georgia. This mostly refers to the ads that proclaim "couples welcome" and shout about how much they are not wearing. They also have trucker discounts and showers (gross!) Nope, I'm not kidding. I wish I were.
*The best pecans, tangerines, and peach cider can be found at Big Rosie's stand just outside of Valdosta, Georgia off I-75. We sampled pecans that had been shelled the day before and tangerines that were so sweet and juicy! They were so fresh and yummy. He is the farmer so the prices were reasonable also.
*You must stop at some point and release the children from the confines of the car and let them run. Of course, you are saying, "well, that's obvious. They need to stretch their legs." True, but I mean for your sake. They are like bottle rockets that you are trying to trap in the bottle. They will explode. You will be hit by the shrapnel.
*Toll roads are expensive. Not just the tolls but the "Convenience Stations" that are provided so you don't have to exit to get gas or a snack. Every time you exit, you pay. Every time you enter, you pay. I think when all is said and done unless you are just going to the bathroom the amount spent is a wash.
*Everything that offers a discount to the major attractions and hotels is a time share scam. DON'T GO! Run for your life! Use the Official Visitors Bureau. Their discounts are for real.
Now for those Things I Learned:
*The speed at which 5 year old kidneys process bottled water increases with a direct correlation to the anticipation of arriving at your destination. For example, we had to pull over between six and eight times within the last 50 miles of Orlando so Thomas could "paint" the guardrail or water the weeds.
*There are a remarkable number of vehicles on which turn signals are optional equipment. I naively thought they came standard and their use was required. My fellow motorists in Georgia and Florida were kind enough to educate me.
*Passing on the right is the new black.
*There are an infinite number of Cracker Barrel restaurants on I-75 between Chattanooga and Orlando.
*The only differences between Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg and Orlando/Kissimmee are the terrain (mountains vs. swamps), alligators, and a 15% mark-up on everything.
*Its legal to advertise practically anything on a billboard in Georgia. This mostly refers to the ads that proclaim "couples welcome" and shout about how much they are not wearing. They also have trucker discounts and showers (gross!) Nope, I'm not kidding. I wish I were.
*The best pecans, tangerines, and peach cider can be found at Big Rosie's stand just outside of Valdosta, Georgia off I-75. We sampled pecans that had been shelled the day before and tangerines that were so sweet and juicy! They were so fresh and yummy. He is the farmer so the prices were reasonable also.
*You must stop at some point and release the children from the confines of the car and let them run. Of course, you are saying, "well, that's obvious. They need to stretch their legs." True, but I mean for your sake. They are like bottle rockets that you are trying to trap in the bottle. They will explode. You will be hit by the shrapnel.
*Toll roads are expensive. Not just the tolls but the "Convenience Stations" that are provided so you don't have to exit to get gas or a snack. Every time you exit, you pay. Every time you enter, you pay. I think when all is said and done unless you are just going to the bathroom the amount spent is a wash.
*Everything that offers a discount to the major attractions and hotels is a time share scam. DON'T GO! Run for your life! Use the Official Visitors Bureau. Their discounts are for real.
Long Time, No Type
Yeah, I know I said that I would be back sooner but life and fatigue and everything else has conspired to keep me away from the computer.
Prepare yourselves for an influx of articles on everything from the Pie Competition to Gatorland to Things I Learned on a Road Trip!
Prepare yourselves for an influx of articles on everything from the Pie Competition to Gatorland to Things I Learned on a Road Trip!
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