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United States, Tennessee, Humboldt, English, Susan, Female, 36-40, Christianity, Bible Study, church, music, trumpet, CD's.

Katie's blogchalk:
United States, Tennessee, Humboldt, English, Katie, Female, 30-35, Christianity, Bible Study, church, mom with two kids, full-time student.

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:: Thursday, March 13, 2003 ::

Who's Gonna Read to Me?

Every night Katie's kids want to have their devotional read to them. Every night it's the same routine...kids get their showers, head to bed, and then we inevitably hear Justin shout "Who's gonna read to me?". Every night Katie's kids want to have their devotional read to them. It is actually a motivator for them to get to bed by 9:00 pm, if they aren't in bed on time, they won't get read to. Katie feels blessed that he children love to hear God's Word before they go to sleep, so much so that they make sure to get to bed on time every night...well...almost every night.

Tonight I got an extra special blessing at reading time. I have been sick with a very sore throat which makes talking difficult and painful. Instead of hearing Justin ask "Who's gonna read to me?", he came out to me with his devotional and asked if he could read it to me. I thought that was pretty cool, so we went in to the living room and he read to me. The lesson was a God saying "no!" and how we can always trust His answer. I thought it was awesome that Justin read to me. Isn't that sweet?

As I got up, he said "wait, we forgot to pray!", so I knelt down beside the couch and held Justin's hand in mine and prayed with him. I thanked God for blessing my life by putting Justin in it.

I also pray that God won't let me forget how much I am loved.

:: Susan 3/13/2003 09:54:44 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Throat

I'm so sick. My throat hurts...BAAAAAAAAAD! Went to the doctor yesterday and he gave me some drugs. Antibiotics and a decongestant. I've been downing the drugs for a day and a half trying to get well enough to enjoy the Women of Faith Conference this weekend. It's not looking good.

I still went to work today and the whole time I was thinking "I shouldn't be here", but unfortunately in retail, if you don't have someone to cover for you, you are at work. I hate that part. I did get Tiffany to cover my closing shift for tomorrow night...Tiffany ROCKS! I really appreciate that girl! I will still work a good 6 hours tomorrow though. Hopefully the drugs will have had a chance to work. I've basically been living on drugs and frozen Coke ICEE's that I get at Mrs. Field's in the mall. Gee...no wonder I'm sick!

Bad news today from one of my favorite employees. She gave her notice. She is so busy with school and other family activities that she has decided that work is too much right now. I hope she'll come back in the summer. She's a good employee and I love working with her. I have no trouble finding people to cover the night shifts so I already have someone in mind to take her place. I am still looking for a flexible day time person though. Man, it's hard to find just the right people!

Well, I'm going to go to bed now. Rest. Rest is good.

:: Susan 3/12/2003 10:47:13 PM ** ** [+] ::
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Response to a Comment

I am writing this blog to respond to a comment made on the blog titled "Divided We Fall".

hard to tell if you are being facetious or serious. be that as it may, the words "under God" were not added until 1954, when we had an all-republiccan majority in congress and the white house. so the question is, was our republic always under God or wasn't it? so what then does it matter if we have the words in the pledge? just thinking out loud ...

I guess I was probably thinking out loud myself. VERY LOUD. It's not important as to whether the words "Under God" are in the pledge or not. What is important is that this nation has been very blessed by God. So, the phrase "Under God" was only added in 1954. This is the question I am led to ask now: What was it that motivated the republican majority to add that phrase to the pledge? I will have to do some research in order to answer that question. So, when I finish all my homework from school, I'll attempt to do that. Unfortunately, it may take several years before I finish my homework!

However, my opinion, for what it's worth, is that we have always been under God. I believe that God has blessed this nation from its birth because America was searched out and established for His glory. So, since the comment gives credit to the republican party for this additon, I believe they added that phrase to the pledge because it wanted to publicly recognize God for the blessings He has given us a nation. The prosperity of this nation can only be credited to God alone. For without Him we can do nothing. As time goes on our nation is moving further and further from the life that God desires us to live. We are pushing Him out. When He is pushed far away enough, we will no longer fall under his blessing. We will just fall. That's my opinion. It doesn't matter how big our guns are or how many we have. Without God we have nothing. We are powerless. In some ways, yes I was being facetious but I was also trying to send a message. I praise God for the republican majority that voted Him in! I pray for those who are slowly voting Him out.

:: Katie 3/9/2003 02:37:48 PM ** ** [+] ::
...

One more thing....

Our church is so gifted. God has blessed us with multi-talented people coming out our ears! From finances to teaching to counseling to music to dance to drama, I believe that everything we get from conferences is available to us through the body already. We just need to ask God to help us to seek out and make the most of those gifts. He will provide whatever means to put these gifts to work for the church body and the community.

:: Katie 3/9/2003 01:53:20 PM ** ** [+] ::
...

Church is getting expensive...

I remember when I was young. Christians attended church to hear the word of God taught. There were family outings at the park and tithes paid for materials for Sunday school. That was sufficient. Now, in a world of "No matter how much you have, you always want more, bigger, better", I am somewhat convicted. Has this philosophy of life penetrated into the church? The service isn't enough anymore. Even with all the talent and drama and music of today that is so awesome, we still want more. Now we go to seminars and conferences that are becoming more and more popular. Christian concerts are no longer taking up love offerings. They are charging more money for tickets than many secular music shows. I know.....they have to make a living. It's expensive to put on the big shows and seminars. I must say, I have attended and will continue to attend these things as long as God makes a way for me to do it. I do grow in many ways and I definately benefit from it. I think the biggest reason I attend these events is not actually the event itself. It's the fellowship. It's spending the night in a hotel and traveling with my sisters in Christ. I love, getting to know them on a more personal level. I love it. I'm not here to bash anybody or criticize. I'm just trying to sort some things on my heart.

For example:

This month Sue and I are attending a conference. In order to attend, the cost (excluding hotel and all but two lunches) is $99.00 per person. This is for 3 sessions over two days. At church today, in the bulletin, we were informed that we had to pay the deposit of $40.00 for the youth trip and the remainder of the $246.00 can be paid later. Then, I was approached by the interpretive movement instructor that I would need to purchase ballet slippers, tights and leotards in order for my daughter to be a part of the Easter presentation. This should come to at least $50.00.

Today, there was an awesome sermon. I was so blessed by it and the praise and worship. I felt renewed, refreshed and stronger against the financial blows I have been receiving this year. Then, I read the bulletin, was approached about the things my daughter would need, and thought about how much money Sue and I have been asked to spend the past two weeks. Not including hotel costs for next weekend, the total comes to approximately $500.00. I must say, it put a damper on my spirit before I even walked out the door. I wanted to cry. Not because of the expense, but because I am wondering.......Is this really necessary? Jesus asks us to be like Him. He had nothing but the clothes on his back and the shoes on his feet. People followed him everywhere and he didn't charge one dime. He offered himself freely to all who came. He gave His love, His time, His attention, His loving dicipline, His knowledge, His wisdom, His strength, His body, His blood, His life. He gave. GAVE! He gave it all freely and for freedom's sake.

So, do we need all this entertainment? If so, I have to wonder why? Sure it's fun. I can see this from both sides. I think it's wonderful that we have the awesome music that we have now. I love it! I love going to the concerts and I love the fulfillment that comes from conferences. It was at a Beth Moore conference where I recieved the calling to minister to women and to attend school for this. I am in college now because of that conference. I can see that lives are changed. I praise God that I am so blessed that somebody paid for me to go. She knew God wanted me there. He will always make a way for His will to be done. It can be really fun in the process.

When I approached a precious friend today in regards to the youth trip, I asked, "Do you really think it's necessary that the kids go on a trip that is so expensive? Shouldn't there be some conviction?" She lovingly told me that she can understand my concern but that all the churches are doing it now and it is a very fulfilling experience in many ways. She said it is in-depth Bible study, and it also helps build relationships amongst the youth. She also made the point that it can be very expensive to put up the kids and feed them for a week. I can see her point. Okay, so lets all chip in, rent a couple cabins nearby in a campground, bring our own food and relax in the midst of God's creation. That would reduce the cost wouldn't it? But, would the kids be satisfied with that? If not, then why not? Is it because all the other churches are doing bigger and better things? Oh, okay so then it's right isn't it? Or is it?

Has the church become like the world in the aspect of not being content to gather in God's house and worship God without all the added expense of ballet costumes and fancy choir robes? Can we not learn and grow in our relationships to God and one another without spending thousands of dollars every year on conferences and materials? I am not knocking what is being done. I'm just trying to see things from All perspectives including and especially Gods. Are we a part of the body because we truly seek to please Him and fulfill His purpose in our lives? Or are we just part of the body because it's fun? I love that my kids anticipate going to church. But, if the trips stopped and we went back to studying the word of God with nothing but the Holy Spirt, our church leaders, praise, worship and the Bible would everybody quit meeting? Do these trips cause us to focus or keep us from focusing on the right things?

Okay, I'm about to digress. Each week I meet in the homes of my family SaLT members. We meet together for study, reflection, and fellowship. The homes we meet in are BEAUTIFUL! I sit there and think about how I would love to have a beautiful home like this one or that one. I even get envious sometimes and have to call on God to put things back into perspective. I would love to have a beautiful home, a wonderful husband and a family gathering around the fireplace to sing Christmas carols near the grand piano at Christmas every year. Most anybody would. But, at the same time, there is this other side of me (Maybe I'm schitzophrenic) that feels compelled to give up material possessions in order to be better focused and able to do the will of God. This side of me wants to forget "things" and focus on the calling God has given me. I wonder if having a house would just be a distraction from my call. It would be something that would give me roots and plant me in one place. I would have to have a steady job to pay the bills and It would take away the freedom that I would have (after my kids are grown) to pick up and go wherever God leads.

I am by no means saying that it is wrong for people to have a nice home and material possesions. God lays different convictions on different hearts and I believe it all depends on what His calling is for their life. I'm not saying that it is wrong for the youth to go on this trip. I just can't help but wonder the kind of message that is sent to the poor and needy of the world when they don't know where their next meal is coming from and they learn of the money that is being spent by the church for elaborate youth camps and trips. Aren't we called to minister to the poor and needy? This doesn't just mean baskets at Christmas time! Wouldn't this money be better spent on a missionary trip? I don't know. I am not complaining at all. I just want to know if we are dong the right thing. Just because it's what everybody else is doing doesn't make it right. I have struggled with this for years. I just pray that God will give me an answer. I pray that He will once and for all grant me peace with my convictions. Should I continue to stand against these activities or should I accept them as part of His plan that I can't see?

Well, I'be babbled on long enough. I wish I could say that I feel better now. I guess it's time to pray again.

Father,
I want to be like the lillies of the field.
Amen.

:: Katie 3/9/2003 01:46:04 PM ** ** [+] ::
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