Fixed?!

I think I have it fixed! I hope to get some posts done this coming week so stay tuned!

Sorry

I just want to let my readers know that I am having difficulties logging into blogspot on my home computer. I'll try to have posts ready for when I am somewhere where I can post while I look into why I can't do it at home.

Thank you for understanding!

Morality and C.S. Lewis

I just started “book” three of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I was intrigued with his discussion of morality.

“Morality, then, seems to be concerned with three things. Firstly, with fair play and harmony between individuals. Secondly, with what might be called tidying up or harmonizing the things inside each individual. Thirdly, with the general purpose of human life as a whole: what man was made for . . .You cannot make men good by law: and without good men you cannot have a good society.”

His definition of morality intrigued me. He mentions how most people only concern themselves with the first point, which makes sense, and seem to forget the other two points. I decided to look up morality in the dictionary to see what the “standard” definition is.

morality, n, 1 a moral discourse, statement, or lesson 2 a doctrine or system of moral conduct 3 conformity to ideals of right human conduct 4 moral conduct

I quickly realized that I also needed to look up moral

moral, adj., 1 of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior 2 probable though not proved 3 having the effects of such on the mind, confidence, or will

First, I wonder where evolutionists say that our sense of right and wrong come from. I, of course, believe that our sense of right and wrong come from God who placed it in our hearts. With that understanding, Lewis’ description of morality makes sense. We would then want to have harmony within ourselves as well as harmony in what we were created for.

Second, I wonder if the reason why most people only concern themselves with the first aspect of morality is because it is easier to find faults in other people instead of ourselves. We see much clearer how someone else is not harmonizing with others than we can see how we are failing not only others but ourselves.

In our society, people are taught to find someone else to blame for any of their problems and that includes problems with their morality. They will blame it on their upbringing, on their lack of having everything, on their lack of love, etc. No one wants to take responsibility for their own actions and their own lack of morals. They don’t want to admit that they are struggling within themselves. They truly know what is right behavior and what is wrong behavior, but when they aren’t worried about harmony within themselves, they will convince themselves of the opposite because they think it will be more beneficial. If they were concerned with harmonizing with the general purpose of what man was created for, they wouldn’t be concerned with what was more beneficial for only them, but for others as well.

Our society has tried to create moral men by writing more and more laws. As Lewis states, that just isn’t going to work!  You can’t teach men morals by giving them laws to abide. If they don’t have morals in the first place, they aren’t going to care if they break any laws. In reality, they are already breaking the most important laws there are—God’s laws.

The current gun ban proposal is just the most recent example of trying to create moral men. Some people in government believe that if they just make it illegal to own guns, or even certain kinds of guns, that the US will be a safer place for all men. Don’t they realize that the same people who are already hurting people with guns are the same people who don’t care whether they break a law or not. Making another law for them to break (because they are already breaking laws), isn’t going to make them one day just change their minds into obeying the law! People have to have morals in the first place before they even agree to be law abiding citizens.

This discussion on morality will hopefully continue as I continue to read this book. I know that if it is something the Lord wants me to share, He’ll provide the words for me to write as well as the time to write them.

Wisdom from C.S. Lewis

I started reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis at the end of last month. I have found it to be a very through explanation of Christianity so far. My idea of the book from reading just the title was that he was saying that Christianity isn’t much of anything, but he is really describing what Christianity truly is.

I just wanted to share with you some of the nuggets I have pulled from the first two sections of the book (it’s divided into four “books”). You also need to keep in mind that the books within this book are radio transcripts (with minor adjustments for easier reading) that Lewis did in the early forties.

“There is nothing progressive about being pig headed and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world, it is pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistake. We are on the wrong road. And if that is so, we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on.”

“[T]here is a difficulty about disagreeing with God. He is the source from which all your reasoning power comes: you could not be right and He wrong any more than a stream can rise higher than its own source. When you are arguing against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all: it is like cutting off the branch you are sitting on.”

“A live body is not one that never gets hurt, but one that can to some extent repair itself. In the same way a Christian is not a man who never goest wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent and pick himself up and begin over again after each stumble—because the Christ-life is inside him, repairing him all the time, enabling him to repeat (in some degree) the kind of voluntary death which Christ himself carried out.”

“He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it.”

One Glass of Milk

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime let, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”

“You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.”

He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation.

When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown, he went to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words:

PAID IN FULL WITH ONE GLASS OF MILK.

(signed) Dr. Howard Kelly

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: Thank You, God, that Your love is shed abroad through human hearts and hands.

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6

February Reading

I didn't read as many books as I had hoped for February, but February is a short month filled with Valentine's Day, my birthday, and the twins' birthdays so I've been busy.

I have started (but haven't finished) Family Driven Faith by Voddie Bauchman. I started reading a borrowed copy, but was then an anonymous giver blessed me with my own copy so I started over and have been making notes along the way which is taking me longer. I'm truly enjoying it!


I also started Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis just two days ago. So far it is very interesting.


I read and finished Living More with Less by Doris Janzen Longacre. I had requested the library find a copy of Cooking More with Less by the same author. They haven't been able to find a copy of that yet, but they found this. I was quite disappointed at first, but then I really got into this book. It is filled not only with lots of ways to live a more frugal life, but also about being a better steward of what God has given us. It made me realize how financially  blessed I am compared to many in this world. (I'm sorry I don't have a picture of this book as I forgot to take one before returning it to the library.)

I also read and finished The Three R's by Ruth Beechick. At first I thought it might be filled with information I already knew (which is why it sat on my shelf for over a year before I actually read it), but I was encouraged to try some new ideas in teaching the younger girls and also reinforced that they know more than I thought they did for their age levels. Even though I was an English major in college and taught English, I was certified as a secondary teacher so I have always struggled a little with teaching things like phonics and simple arithmetic. A nice aspect of this book is that it gives ideas for a classroom teacher as well as a mother who home schools. I have incorporated some of her ideas and the girls (and I) are enjoying school so much more. I plan on reading her follow-up book, You Can Teach Your Child Successfully as well (maybe in March?!). The Three R's covers first through third grade while You Can Teach . . . covers grades fourth through eighth.

Chickpea & Cucumber Salad

Thanks to some great sales at Meijer this week, I had some cucumbers and grape tomatoes in the refrigerator. The girls actually asked me to make this yummy Chickpea & Cucumber Salad that I created last summer. I was happy to oblige because it is packed with protein and vegetables. I had some corn tortillas in the refrigerator as well so I cut them, toss them with some olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt and baked at 400 for about 10 minutes to make them into chips to go along with the salad. Some of my girls had fourths!

Chickpea & Cucumber Salad

I first poured some olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil in the bottom of a large bowl. I then added a quart of chickpeas. I cut up 2 large cucumbers into chunks (I quartered and then sliced), 1 pint of grape tomatoes (quartered), and large diced a small onion. I mixed it all together and chilled for an hour before lunch.

Prayers Would Be Appreciated

I first need to apologize for not being around and posting like I should. I've been keeping busy with homeschooling, preparing for the upcoming run of birthdays, extra work around the house, and extra responsibilities at church.

My husband took a second job in December and has been picking up 10-30 hours a week with that job. In addition to that and his full-time job, he has become the interim pastor at our church. Our pastor resigned quite suddenly a few weeks ago and since my husband had been preaching once a month already, it was natural for him to step in while we seek a new pastor. The pastor's wife used to lead our Wednesday night women's Bible study and I have taken on that role. Since my husband has been working so many hours, there is a lot more work around the house that I have picked up to ease his work at home and to give him a chance to get sleep.

In addition to all that, we had a goat give birth just two days ago. We have been been dealing with sick kids and have been struggling to keep them alive.

I could really use some prayers. I have been feeling stressed, tired, and at a loss for a number of things. I feel bad coming to my readers to ask for prayers, but I know that many of you are prayer warriors and I could just really use your prayers. I would love to get back to having the time to write posts, but my first priority needs to be getting back to properly ministering to my family. I know that you will understand.

Growing My Mind

One of my resolutions for the new year was to read more. I used to love reading and would devour 1-2 books a day! Then, life got busy and my reading was teaching books, text books, children's books and of course the Bible with an occasional Bible study book. My bookshelves are lined with books that I want to read but just "haven't had the time."

I decided I needed to make the time. For the most part, I am watching A LOT less television. I haven't really watched much in the two years since we unhooked the television in our living room, but I was finding myself watching before going to bed at night. When my husband started working his second job and needed to go to bed earlier, I dove right back into reading because it's a silent activity and most nights I wasn't ready to go to bed when he was. Even on the nights he doesn't have to go to bed early, I still find myself grabbing my book instead of turning on the television.

I am keeping a log of what books I read. I am still reading teaching books, text books and Bible study books, but I am also adding in some "pleasurable" books as well. Of course, even my pleasurable books have an academic purpose because they are on my girls' reading lists for school at some point.

In January, I started off the year by reading Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. This is a book that I've been wanting to read for a long time. I have even started it a few times only to get side-tracked by a busy life. Since we fell in the love with the movie (thanks to a dear friend who brought it with her one time!), I wanted to read the book and see how it compared. I was mesmerized by the plot line and didn't want to stop reading because I was always searching for how it was different than the movie. I enjoyed knowing the characters more deeply and it helped me understand some aspects of the movie that had always perplexed me. It's definitely a great book to read! It did take me two weeks to read it, but in my defense, I had started three other books in that time and had finished one of those three as well.

I then received some books that I ordered with my Christmas money and started Love in the House by Chris & Wendy Jeub and McGuffey's Reader Parent-Teacher Guide by Ruth Beechick. I finished Love in the House in two weeks as well and am still working on the McGuffey's Reader Parent Teacher Guide.

Love in the House was an enjoyable book. Since large families are so rare this day and age, it's nice reading how other large families live and especially those who are doing so on one income and debt free at the same time. I did learn some tips to integrate into my life as well as a great biblical lesson on love.

I was gifted with a free copy of Finding Financial Freedom by Kelly Crawford. It is an e-book that I downloaded, printed out, and read. While most of the information in the book I already knew, I did find some new, interesting ideas to try out. This is a short read and I finished it in one afternoon.

The final book that I read this month is Made to Crave by Lysa Terkhurst. I have been wanting to read this book since it came out last year. A friend loaned me her copy this past fall. I started it when we were on our trip to Texas, but then it got put by the wayside. I decided she might want it back so I better get busy reading it! I really enjoyed it. It made me look at not only my weight loss journey in a new light, but also the emotional and spiritual entrapment of any addiction and to find true freedom, we need to deal with those issues and not just the physical ones.

I am excited to continue reading more and more books. I'm not sure what book I want to start next, but I will finish the McGuffey's Reader Parent Teacher Guide for sure. After that I have more books for school I would like to read, but I do want to pick another novel as well. Any suggestions for a great classic?

***edited to add on 1/31/13 at 8:12 pm*** I finished the McGuffey's Parent Teacher Guide tonight because I ended up with some extra reading time! That's five books in one month!

Would You?

I have seen the following before, but it's so good, I had to share here.

Would You Consider Abortion in These Four Situations?

1. There is a preacher and wife who are very, very poor. They already have 14 kids. Now she finds out she is pregnant with her 15th. They are living in tremendous poverty. Considering their poverty and the excessive world population, would you consider recommending abortion?

2. The father is sick with sniffles, the mother has TB. They have 4 children. The first is blind, the second is dead. The third is deaf and the fourth has TB. The mother finds she is pregnant again. Given the extreme situation, would you recommend abortion?

3. A man raped a 13 year old black girl and she got pregnant. If you were her parents, would you consider recommending abortion?

4. A teenage girl is pregnant. She is not married. Her fiancee is not the father of the baby, and he is very upset. Would you recommend an abortion?

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If you have answered “yes” to any of these situations:

In the first case you would have killed John Wesley, one of the great evangelists of the 19th century.

In the second case, you would have killed Beethoven.

In the third case you would have killed Ethel Waters, the great black gospel singer.

In the fourth case you would have recommended the murder of Jesus Christ.

With U. S. aborticide deaths topping 55,000,000 Americans, only God knows what we have sacrificed in lost human talent and creativity.