I think that there might have been some confusion from my blog by what I was reading from others blogs and the comments that they were getting, and I want to clear it up very fast. I want to make it perfectly clear that we are not being critical of anybodies views at all, and that we are not perfect by any means - we just try to live our lives as best we can to serve God. What was meant by the blog was that in all simplicity we don't celebrate Christmas in any religious way at all. We just treat it as any regular day, and any regular holiday. We refuse to be a part of anything that will suggest that we celebrate Christmas as Christ's birthday, but we don't ignore him in any way on this day. Each and everyday should be a day to celebrate His birth, His life, and His Death. The only one that we are told to celebrate on a certain day is His death(on the first day of the week). I appreciate all of the blogs, comments, opinions, and especially all of the time of studying, prayers, and discussions that went on through all of this. I by no means was trying to be critical of people's views or opinions and if it came across that way then I apologize. I would hope and pray that if anyone saw anything that myself or my family was doing that was going against God's word that they would immediately come to me or Clint to let us know so that we could go and study and pray about the matter and change our ways if it be more pleasing to God. I hope that this may clear up any confusion on the matter. If there are any thoughts or questions about it please comment or send me a private email and I would be more than wiling to discuss it. My email address is krsces1214@aol.com.
In Christian Love
Monday, December 29, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Should You Celebrate Christmas?
My father-in-law past out these fliers at church on Sunday. So I thought that I would put this in my post. Very good and something you might want to send to other people of denominations.
"Many changes are taking place among brethren. One change growing increasingly popular is the formal observance of religious holidays, specifically Christmas. Preachers are preaching Christmas sermons and congregations are singing Christmas songs in the assembly and during what they call special occasions for "Seasonal Music." Drama has entered the scene with some using special costumes, performances, and even coral productions. These type observances of holidays in the context of the church as a religious activity is a relatively recent innovation among churches of Christ. Are these practices simply an expression of being non-traditional, or do they pose a danger? At the very heart of this change and all other changes is the question of Biblical authority. We must have God's implicit or explicit approval from His word for what we do in religion (1 Cor. 4:6, Col. 3:17). Does God desire for us to celebrate His birth? The only way to know is to look to the Bible. He has not in any passage so indicated, and the Bible contains all religious truth (2Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3). Neither Jesus nor any inspired writer ever even hinted for His birth to be celebrated. We have as much authority to set aside a day and celebrate any event in His life: such as His transfiguration, His trip to Jerusalem at 12, Etc. The Lord did indicate we are to commemorate His death every Sunday (1 Cor. 11:23ff, Ac. 20:7). Man emphasizes the birth of Jesus, the Bible emphasizes His death. A Christian should, before participating in any activity, measure the activity by God's words, not by what one feels, or how spiritual one thinks an activity may be. To participate in any activity simply because it is not traditional is folly.
What about partaking of Christmas as a national holiday? There are 2 extremes: one says nativity scenes and caroling songs celebrating His birth are good spiritual activities. The other extreme says Christmas has religious origins (which are not scriptural) and therefore any activity (Christmas trees, lights, gifts) is wrong. In (Ex. 34:26) God's people were told not to boil a goat in its mother' s milk. Why? It was discovered that this practice then was the way to approach a heathen god. This practice today is not associated with the worship of heathen gods. The principle today is how a practice relates to current cultural connotations, not its ancient origins. What does the practice mean to society now? Lighting a tree, giving gifts, eating turkey, are not necessarily associated with a religious observance. Thousands of non-religious Americans do this without assigning a religious significance to them. (There is nothing to prevent our enjoying this season in this manner. We can do all this without celebrating Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. (Gospel Journal, Dec. 2000, 26) We should avoid using symbols that associate the holiday with unauthorized religious activity (nativity scenes, Etc.) but Christians are free to observe it as a festive national holiday. To observe it religiously identifies us with religious groups that worship God in vain (Mt. 15:9). If it is observed by any brother as a religious holy day, then such is implicitly forbidden. There is no Biblical authority to observe Christmas or any other day as the birthday of Jesus. The apostles and the early church did not teach others to, nor did they, observe Christmas as being the birthday of Jesus. If Christmas in any way pertained to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) or to making the man of God perfect (2 Tim. 3:16-17) it would have been revealed in the Bible. But such is not in the Bible. Instead, Paul warns us against observing religious holy days that are not authorized by the Bible (Gal. 4:10-11). Thus Christians should not send greeting cards that imply we are observing Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. Neither should parents teach their children this deception at this time of year.(Gospel Journal, 25). Some say to say Christmas is to say Christ. To say Corpus Christi would be doing the same. "Thursday" comes from the worship of the heathen god "Thor." Are we honoring Thor by saying Thursday? God doesn't hold us responsible for such ancient links. So Merry Christmas. (Piloting the Strait, 251-261)." This was written by H.D. Simmons
Hope that this might help anyone understand a little more and maybe use as a teaching tool to help someone else understand. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
"Many changes are taking place among brethren. One change growing increasingly popular is the formal observance of religious holidays, specifically Christmas. Preachers are preaching Christmas sermons and congregations are singing Christmas songs in the assembly and during what they call special occasions for "Seasonal Music." Drama has entered the scene with some using special costumes, performances, and even coral productions. These type observances of holidays in the context of the church as a religious activity is a relatively recent innovation among churches of Christ. Are these practices simply an expression of being non-traditional, or do they pose a danger? At the very heart of this change and all other changes is the question of Biblical authority. We must have God's implicit or explicit approval from His word for what we do in religion (1 Cor. 4:6, Col. 3:17). Does God desire for us to celebrate His birth? The only way to know is to look to the Bible. He has not in any passage so indicated, and the Bible contains all religious truth (2Tim. 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3). Neither Jesus nor any inspired writer ever even hinted for His birth to be celebrated. We have as much authority to set aside a day and celebrate any event in His life: such as His transfiguration, His trip to Jerusalem at 12, Etc. The Lord did indicate we are to commemorate His death every Sunday (1 Cor. 11:23ff, Ac. 20:7). Man emphasizes the birth of Jesus, the Bible emphasizes His death. A Christian should, before participating in any activity, measure the activity by God's words, not by what one feels, or how spiritual one thinks an activity may be. To participate in any activity simply because it is not traditional is folly.
What about partaking of Christmas as a national holiday? There are 2 extremes: one says nativity scenes and caroling songs celebrating His birth are good spiritual activities. The other extreme says Christmas has religious origins (which are not scriptural) and therefore any activity (Christmas trees, lights, gifts) is wrong. In (Ex. 34:26) God's people were told not to boil a goat in its mother' s milk. Why? It was discovered that this practice then was the way to approach a heathen god. This practice today is not associated with the worship of heathen gods. The principle today is how a practice relates to current cultural connotations, not its ancient origins. What does the practice mean to society now? Lighting a tree, giving gifts, eating turkey, are not necessarily associated with a religious observance. Thousands of non-religious Americans do this without assigning a religious significance to them. (There is nothing to prevent our enjoying this season in this manner. We can do all this without celebrating Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. (Gospel Journal, Dec. 2000, 26) We should avoid using symbols that associate the holiday with unauthorized religious activity (nativity scenes, Etc.) but Christians are free to observe it as a festive national holiday. To observe it religiously identifies us with religious groups that worship God in vain (Mt. 15:9). If it is observed by any brother as a religious holy day, then such is implicitly forbidden. There is no Biblical authority to observe Christmas or any other day as the birthday of Jesus. The apostles and the early church did not teach others to, nor did they, observe Christmas as being the birthday of Jesus. If Christmas in any way pertained to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) or to making the man of God perfect (2 Tim. 3:16-17) it would have been revealed in the Bible. But such is not in the Bible. Instead, Paul warns us against observing religious holy days that are not authorized by the Bible (Gal. 4:10-11). Thus Christians should not send greeting cards that imply we are observing Christmas as the birthday of Jesus. Neither should parents teach their children this deception at this time of year.(Gospel Journal, 25). Some say to say Christmas is to say Christ. To say Corpus Christi would be doing the same. "Thursday" comes from the worship of the heathen god "Thor." Are we honoring Thor by saying Thursday? God doesn't hold us responsible for such ancient links. So Merry Christmas. (Piloting the Strait, 251-261)." This was written by H.D. Simmons
Hope that this might help anyone understand a little more and maybe use as a teaching tool to help someone else understand. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Happy Anniversary
Today is mine and Clint's 6 year anniversary. Wow how time flies by so fast when your having fun, and in love. We went out to eat last night and Clint asked me what my favorite moment of us was. I couldn't think of just one I had about 500 in my head. I had 3 from each one of our kids birth- 2 from finding our I was pregnant with our children( Kori was a big surprise), when we sold our house, when we moved back home to be with our family, when Clint got his job here in Corpus, and I could go on forever. Then he said take the kids out and just my favorite moment with just the 2 of us. Well I still couldn't just pin down my most favorite, so he told his favorite was when I told him that I loved him. It was very sweet. We have know each other for 10 years- we talked about when we first met which was at church. His dad had just moved down here for a new preaching job and we went over to introduce ourselves and he told me that I had nice teeth and that I needed to meet his son. He then called his son over to meet me and told Clint to look at my teeth. We met up later and I then asked him out first to my senior banquet at church, and then went bowling after that. I knew the moment that I saw him the very first time that I was going to marry him. We eventually lost touch with each other, went on to do some stupid stuff in our lives, and somehow about 3 or 4 years later we got our lives back on the right track and found each other again. He took me out on a boat to a little island thing in the bay to ask me to marry him( I guess he took me there b/c if I said no he could just leave me there.) And 4 months later got married. A very fast wedding since we and everyone else had to leave to get to my brother's football playoff game.(which he lost.) Went to Hawaii for our honeymoon, which was absolutely beautiful and we have said that every 10 years we are going to go back. Our first house was our fourplex on Spring Loop in College Station. We met great people there which formed into great friendships that we have to this day. Clint is the perfect husband, and father that I could of asked for. He is there for me physically, emotionally, spiritually, and anything else that I need. He is a great Christian example to me and is the perfect helpmate for me. He has given me absolutely everything that I have ever asked for: 3 beautiful children(hopefully 4 one day), trips, houses, cars, and he sacrificed by leaving a great job so that we could move back home so that I could be closer to my family(which turned out to be the best thing that happened to the both of us)- and most importantly he gave me the ability to stay home to raise our kids which was a very big issue for me. He has made all of my dreams come true and I couldn't ask for anything else. So in these very short 6 years we have moved 3 times, had 3 dogs, 3 kids, and 6 cars(perks of working in the car dealership). So I just wanted to let y'all know how these 6 years have been. Sure there have been plenty of ups and downs but that is what a marriage is. And I wouldn't change any of it. So if Clint reads this one day then I will end on telling him Happy Anniversary and that I love you so much and thank you for everything that you have given me. It has been a great 6 years and can't wait to see what the rest of our lives has in store for us. "Forever and Always-Grow old with me and the best is yet to be." A quote I got from a sign in Hobby Lobby. I loved it when I saw it.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Happy Birthday Mom!!!
Yesterday was my mothers 50th birthday. I can't believe that she is 50 since she looks nothing like it. I hope to look that good when I am her age. I love her so much and hope and pray to be just like her. She is a great example of a strong christian women- who stands up for God's word no matter what- and lets people know what they are doing wrong in a very loving but stern way. She is a great wife to my dad which will be 30 years this April. And of course lets not forget how wonderful of a mother she is to me and my 2 sisters, and my brother. She quit her job when she had me and stayed home to raise all 4 of us- which I appreciate so much. she was always there for us when we needed her, brought us our lunch or homework to school when we forgot it, drove us to all of our softball, baseball practices and games. Which after doing Chase's first year of soccer this year and waiting at his practices I now realize isn't any fun at all. So thank you mom for doing that. Always had dinner on the table for us when my dad came home from work, clean clothes to always wear, rooms and house was always spotless- which I still work on, helped us out with our homework, did projects with us, and so on. And I am most thankful for her instilling in us daily God's word and for spanking us especially me when we needed it. If it wasn't for her discipline I don't know where any of us would be. If I can be half of the wife and mom that she is I will be OK. So a very happy birthday to you mom- I love you so much and hope that there are more wonderful, and happy years to come. Lord willing. So to my mom I call you Blessed from Proverbs 31. b/c you really are the Virtuous women that I strive to be.
A Fun Filled Month
Well this month for me is filled with numerous parties, taking pictures to get just the right one for our christmas card, and trying to get every ones presents in time for christmas. I always start out this month with my aunts annual cookie and ornament exchange party. Always great to spend time with christian women, and also without the kids (although this year Reef tagged along) I made about 5 1/2 dozen Pumpkin Chip Cookies which I might add were very good. We get there about 9am and eat breakfast together- then Katie has a few christmas games that we play which are getting harder every year. And then we sit around for the ornament exchange and lastly gather around the table to get cookies from everyone else. My aunt also makes a cookbook of the cookies that were made that year- so we go home with a cookbook of all the cookies that were made that day.
I finally got a great picture of my kids the very next day out at my granny's house, in a wagon, with their Santa hats all on. They are actually all 3 looking and with big smiles on couldn't of asked for anything else.
This Thursday we have the party for couples from the church- which will be yet another fun party filled with presents and good christian fellowship. Then that next Monday we have the annual ladies christmas party at the annex for all of the ladies in the church. (another party without kids), this is always fun b/c it is such a good mixture of old and young at the party- great food, and great fellowship as well. We sing a few songs, and do the present exchange which is fun in itself- trying to watch the elderly ladies steal presents from other people. (enough said)- I think the oldest ladies will be 90 and probably the youngest will be 19. So a great mixture of people.
Finally right before christmas we take the kids from church around caroling to the ones in the church who are elderly, can't get out or are in the nursing homes- this is our second year to do this and I think the kids really enjoy it. And afterwards we usually go back to someones house for cookies and hot chocolate.
In between all of this I have to find time to get presents for my kids, and other family members. So let the fun begin
I finally got a great picture of my kids the very next day out at my granny's house, in a wagon, with their Santa hats all on. They are actually all 3 looking and with big smiles on couldn't of asked for anything else.
This Thursday we have the party for couples from the church- which will be yet another fun party filled with presents and good christian fellowship. Then that next Monday we have the annual ladies christmas party at the annex for all of the ladies in the church. (another party without kids), this is always fun b/c it is such a good mixture of old and young at the party- great food, and great fellowship as well. We sing a few songs, and do the present exchange which is fun in itself- trying to watch the elderly ladies steal presents from other people. (enough said)- I think the oldest ladies will be 90 and probably the youngest will be 19. So a great mixture of people.
Finally right before christmas we take the kids from church around caroling to the ones in the church who are elderly, can't get out or are in the nursing homes- this is our second year to do this and I think the kids really enjoy it. And afterwards we usually go back to someones house for cookies and hot chocolate.
In between all of this I have to find time to get presents for my kids, and other family members. So let the fun begin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)