About a year or so ago a dear friend shared a CD with me.  She said that a friend of hers put these CDs together and thought that we would enjoy them.  The children LOVED it so we decided to purchase the rest of the catechism cds and have been enjoying them ever since.

The other day a very well known blogger posted about these very cds.  Challies posted about Songs for Saplings along with other music for children.  Challies wrote:

Songs for Saplings is James and Dana Dirksen from Porland, Oregon. They have recorded four albums, one of which follows an A,B,C format while the other three are questions and answers, much like a catechism. I suppose these albums will largely appeal to younger children. They are quiet and acoustic.

He is correct in his assessment of the cds. They are geared toward younger children. But they are beneficial for the entire family.  The catechism cds do appeal to older children more and more in the second and third cds.  There is a great variety in the style of music on each cd. You can even listen to excerpts on their website.

What I love about them is that the children (and us parents) learn the great truths presented in the Westminster Catechism which is derived directly from scripture. Each question and answer also contains the scripture that teaches the truth. This way your children are not only learning the doctrinal truth but the scriptures that proclaim that truth.

Songs for Saplings is a ministry of the Dirksen family and this is what they state on their website.

We create lively, fun songs that attempt to deliver the deepest of Biblical truth in a format that your children will love to listen to. We want them to understand who God is and what He has done, as well as what He wants your children to do and to be. We hope that you will benefit from these CDs and use them to help teach your children about our God and his great love for us.

With Christmas time approaching, what better gift could you give than the gift of music which teaches and proclaims the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ?!

I am pleased to announce that I can offer you a 20% discount off of your order when you buy CDs from their website. This includes the “12-pack bulk pack” which a lot of people order for gift-giving. This does however exclude the 24 and 48 CD bulk packs, which are already heavily discounted.

All you need to do is enter the following code as you go through the checkout: mamaarcher
It’s really simple.

Hopefully you will find this really helpful as you order CDs this Christmas!

As you seek to grow your little saplings……

into strong oaks of righteousness…

Songs for Saplings can be a musical and fun tool for you and your family to use and enjoy!

that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
(Isaiah 61:3b)

Visit SONGS FOR SAPLINGS and order your CDs today! Order some for your friends and family too! Don’t forget to enter the discount code for your 20% off!

Please leave a comment and let me know if you plan on making a purchase and what you think of their music and ministry!

Regardless of whether you order, please tweet, email, and share on Facebook so that others can take advantage of the discount offer!

It seems that when my hubby is gone if something can go wrong it will go wrong.  There have been so many stressful things that have happened since he left.  On top of just being without him it has been doubly hard with all of the added stressers.  I am thankful though that I have a Lord and Savior who reminds me that he is here and I am not alone.  It is still hard to deal with the stress though.  There are days when I know I am not dealing very well with it, I pray for strength to go on.  Then there are days that seem to be almost stress free, I praise God for an easier day.  Then there are those days when I think I am fooling everyone (hehe-yeah right).

This past Sunday was one of those days when I thought I had it all together and was fooling everyone.  As I was speaking with a friend and she made the comment that she could see the stress on my face.  What??  I thought I had it all covered up!

Image by angelsk via Flickr

At first, I was not overly happy that it was showing  but then I began to be thankful.  I was thankful that someone noticed!  It is hard when no one seems to notice or even care!  We military wives are expected to just suck it up and get over it!  That is often easier said than done. It is nice to have someone tell you that you don’t have to be tough all the time and that it is okay to struggle. I tell you, if it was not for my amazing church family here (and one neighbor) I would have no support.  I am so thankful for my church family here and how I can always count on them! I am thankful for how they step in and meet our needs.   I am thankful for how they encourage me, how they remind me to point my focus back on the Lord when I begin to focus more on my circumstances. I am so thankful for the friends that I have there!  I am thankful that  they notice and they care when I have had a rough week!  They have truly shown the love of Christ to our family.

Since my hubby left I have spent so much more time in prayer!  That is a good thing!  I have not had my hubby to depend on and it has forced me to rely more and more on my Savior!  Sometimes though it is good to have that physical hug from a friend.  I am glad that I have that with my church family.  I am thankful that the Lord provided me a family here.

So let me challenge you.  If you have military families where you live (well anyone for that matter).  Take time to notice and take time to care.  If you can see stress on their faces be an encouragement don’t just turn and walk away. Make sure to remember them, their situation, and their struggles throughout the separation not just in the first month. Sometimes just noticing and genuinely caring can make all the difference in their day!

Please leave a comment and share some ways that you encourage others or what others have done to encourage you.

Image by Jeanette's Ozpix via Flickr

Hubby and I once again, the 2nd year in a row, were separated on Resurrection Sunday.  It is hard to be apart but especially on days when you are used to worshiping together.  Here in Alaska the children and I went to church as usual.  We had a church-wide Easter potluck breakfast.  I woke with a migraine.  I had even considered skipping church because of it but decided that we really needed to go.  Since we were having breakfast at church and we were racing the clock, I didn’t eat.  I did however take medicine to attempt to ease the pain in my head.  We arrived at church 5 minutes late but nothing had started yet so that was good.  I was however seeing double by time we arrived.  I was weak and unsteady on my feet.  First trimester pregnancy, no food, and medication on an empty stomach, plus a killer migraine do not make one function very well.  After eating I felt much better and was only left with the headache.

We had a wonderful service.  I love singing the praises of my risen Lord!  We had a muted trumpet that morning which just added more of a majestic tone to our worship that morning.  I sang, looked at the beautiful mountains out the windows, soaked in the sunlight shining in on me, listened to the Word of the God being proclaimed, and rested in the love of the Lord.  It was a glorious morning.  God is soooo good.  I was even blessed that there were NO Easter lillies!!!! Thank you Lord!  I am allergic to them and that would have just intensified my headache.

By time I arrived home my headache was raging again.  I didn’t even cook a dinner.  I hit the bed for several hours but found it hard to even sleep through the pain.  FINALLY, I gave in.  I took some ibuprophen.  Tylenol just does not work at all for me.  My headache eased a bit and I was able to focus and enjoy the call from my hubby.  Thank you again Lord.

Sadly, there was much contrast between our worship service and the one hubby attended.  His worship service was not a good one.  In a manner of speaking, he worshiped alone that morning.  He did go to a chapel service but worshiping was not on the agenda that day.  He actually had the pastor tell the congregation to put their bibles away.  He turned his back to the congregation to “get into character” and then turned around and proceeded to give a monologue from the perspective of Thomas.  Hubby said he thought the reason he must have told everyone to put their bibles away was because almost everything the pastor said was made up and not anywhere in the scriptures.   He also was able to watch another pastor’s (in attendance) son run around on the stage just prior to the service undisciplined and obviously out of control.

I am thankful that even though hubby’s experience was anything but worshipful, respectful, or honoring to the Lord, he was still able to worship the Savior.  Our worship is not dependent upon others.  Even amidst the worst circumstances we can worship, praise, sing, study and read the Word, and pray.

I am thankful that even though we are thousands of miles apart I know that we worship the great God who holds us both in his hands.  There is no better place to be.  Yet, I look forward to the day when hubby is home and we can once again worship our Savior side by side.

Share with me about your Resurrection Sunday celebrations.

A people who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted because their countercultural lifestyles stick out like a sore thumb. When family patterns are reformed, it is so public that everyone notices. Family, friend, co-worker and church member are easily offended by family reforms. – Scott Brown

The Pelagian Captivity of the Church

R. C. Sproul

via Modern Reformation – Print Friendly.

Those of us who are true believers in Christ who pursue holiness and godliness we will at one time or another suffer persecution for our faith.   The ways of God are not the ways of this world and because of that conflict will arise.  Unfortunately, sometimes the persecution even comes from others within the church.  There are even those who see the amount of persecution they endure to be a mark or measuring stick of their holiness.  This lends itself to an attitude that focuses on self rather than the Lord.  Those people not only welcome persecution but sometimes even are the instigators.  Have you ever heard of being your own worse enemy??

Here is my pondering thought for you today.

There is true persecution and suffering but………

Consider this, sometimes it isn’t persecution you are suffering but the result of strife you may be sowing. It takes a very humble heart to be open to the Spirit, to recognize this, repent, and realign our focus on the Lord.  He is our standard and not our perceived level of persecution.

Your thoughts?

When visiting my father a year or so ago, God showed me something amazing.  It was quite a shock to my system and to be perfectly honest I have been a bit gun shy in posting about it.  Why?  Because it may receive some unwanted backlash.  But here I go anyway.

I was visiting and sharing a bit about how God has worked and changed my life and continues to do so.  My father said, “Well, that God thing works for some people but I just can’t believe that.”

I have mulled that statement over and over again in my mind.  I wonder does anyone else see what I saw?

Here a non-believer, unknowingly, stated biblical theology more accurately than many Christians do. Ironic, huh?

I am still wondering if anyone else sees what I saw?

He didn’t say don’t or even won’t.  He said can’t.  How true that is!   It isn’t that he has just chosen not to believe.  He has an inability to believe.

For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”  Romans 3:9b-12

R.C. Sproul puts it this way…..

No vestigial “island of righteousness” escapes the influence of the fall. Sin reaches into every aspect of our lives, finding no shelter of isolated virtue.

Jesus says:

And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” John 6:65

We are unable, we can’t.  It must be granted by the Father.

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.   Romans 8:6-8

I will quote R.C. Sproul once more since he has a great gift with words.

For a person to be able to come to Christ, it must be granted or “given” to that person to come to Christ. God must do something for us to overcome our moral inability to come to Christ. We cannot embrace Christ in the flesh. Without the aid of the Holy Spirit, we cannot come to Christ.

So often we try and take the work of the Lord and make it ours. So many Christians rely on what they think they have chosen.  This is works righteousness.  It is all of God and nothing of ourselves that brings about and secures our salvation in Christ. It is not of ourselves or our own choosing. Simple put, we can’t, only God can.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:1-9

This is not normally something I do, however, I decided to write a brief post for my wife’s blog ; something I have been considering as a result of the recent and ongoing blogger conflict that seems pervasive on the web. The fundamental question I believe many are trying to find the answer to in this quagmire is how to resolve on-line conflict biblically. How does one apply church discipline in this setting? I submit that you can’t. Why? Because the cyber (or on-line) “church”, while a loose affiliation and fellowship of believers in Christ Jesus, which makes up the Body of Christ, is not a local church with members who willingly place themselves under the leadership and authority of common Elders. Elders who meet the qualifications found in 1Timothy and Titus and who are responsible under the authority and leadership of Christ, the Head of the Church, to shepherd God’s people. Because of this lack of true accountability, abuses under the Banner of Christ and claim of Christian love can and do abound. Having said that, I would warn others in this forum not to set yourself up as a pseudo “elder” or mediator trying to exercise authority and accountability over those who have not invited or agreed upon you being in that position.

Now while formal church discipline (taking the matter to the Elders of the local church for mediation) cannot be exercised within the cyber “church”, those who participate in this forum should make every effort – for the glory of God and the name of Christ – to pursue biblical peacemaking. Let me share the following with you from the Word of God and the teaching ministry of Jim Newheiser (The Institute of Biblical Counseling and Discipleship). Some of this is also out of the book, The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, by Ken Sande.

1. You cannot completely avoid conflict (Rom. 12:9-21). Conflict is a result of sin: our selfish pride which desires to set ourselves above all else.
2. Peace is sometimes out of your reach. You cannot make peace at the expense of truth and righteousness (Mt. 10:34-38; 18:15f; Jer. 8:11; Acts 20:28; Pr. 23:23; I Co. 5:6-7 15:33; Titus 3:9-11). There are some people with whom it is impossible to make peace (I Co. 7:15). God does not hold you responsible for the sinful failures of others.
3. Conflict is very dangerous. Don’t make things worse through unbiblical methods of handling conflict. Some fight seeking revenge, verbal attacks, gossip, slander, assault, murder, lawsuits (Rom. 12:17-21; Mt. 5:21-22; Pr. 11:9; 12:18; 14:17; 18:8; 29:22; I Co. 6:1-8). Others flee trying through denial seeking to escape.
4. Conflict brings opportunity: to glorify God, to be more like Christ, to serve others, and to bear witness to a watching world (Rom. 8:28-29 12:14, 20; I Co. 10:31).

If at this point you are thinking about everything the “other person” has done, is responsible for and should confess and repent of….you are thinking of the wrong person. As one offending or offended, it is not your responsibility to set the account straight and make the other party “pay”. Remember vengeance belongs to God and our anger does not produce the righteousness of God. Instead, you should be focused on your responsibility to do all that is within your power to pursue peace (Mt. 5:9 Heb. 12:14).

1. Don’t stir up strife (Rom. 16:1; Pr. 6:19; 26:21; 18:21; 10:19; Ti. 3:10; Eph. 4:29; Js. 1:19; 3:1f).
2. Overlook minor offences (Rom. 14:19; I Pet. 4:8; Pr. 10:12; 17:14; 19:11; 29:11,20,22; 25:28; Mt. 5:39-40; I Co. 6:7; Phil. 2:5f).
3. Confess your sins: get the log out of your eye (Mt. 7:1-5; 5:23-24; Pr. 28:13). You must deal with your own sin before you can help others to overcome theirs. Face up to the root of sin in your own heart (Js 4:1-2; Pr. 2:24; Mt. 15:18). Seek forgiveness for whatever fault you may have (even if it is only 10%). Seek forgiveness biblically (Mt. 5:23-24; II Co. 7:10-11) which includes: (a)addressing everyone involved, (b) avoid if, but, maybe, (c) admit specifically, (d) acknowledge the hurt you caused , (e) accept the consequences, (f) alter your behavior, (g) ask for forgiveness.
4. Be ready to forgive others as God has forgiven you (Ps. 86:5; Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12-14). This means that forgiveness is not optional for forgiven people (Mt. 6:12; 18:21-35; Jer. 31:34). You must make the promises of forgiveness (from The Peacemaker, Mt. 6:12; I Co. 13:5). I will not think about this incident. I will not bring this incident up and use it against you. I will not talk to others about this incident. I will not allow this incident to stand between us.

Finally, if necessary in this forum, find a neutral party all involved can agree upon who can provide godly counsel and wisdom to mediate for reconciliation so that the name of Christ may be glorified. Bottom line: be humble and do all you can to pursue peace – even if that means you must give up your “right” to restitution so that God is not dishonored in your behavior.

PapaArcher

I have been aware of a growing trend for many years.  It saddens me to see this happening.  It is the devaluing of those in ministerial positions.  I will concede that there are many who are clergy who have abused their positions and many who have disqualified themselves because of unrepentant sins, or direct biblical disqualifications.  Those who are called to a position of pastor and elder are held to a higher standard but they are not perfect.  They are called to maintain the high standard, to be quickly and fully repentant when they stumble and sin, and to not use grace as an opportunity to sin.  That being said, those who are lay members in the church should also respect the position that individual holds and the authority that comes with it.  I have seen recently a strong tendency to bash pastors and remove any amount of authority they should carry.

I hear things like,

“I don’t need a pastor, the Holy Spirit is my teacher.”

The clergy system is the root of the church’s problems.

The title of pastor or elder is overrated, we are all called to the ministry.

These statements I find to be very frustrating. Yes, the Holy Spirit is our teacher to guide us in accordance with the scriptures. That point is correct but that does not mean that we do not need earthly teachers. If that were the case then the Lord would not have gifted and called others as teachers, elders, and pastors. I often hear this used when having a discussion with someone who simply disagrees. It is an easy way to say, “I don’t have to listen to you or take what you are saying/teaching to heart.”

The clergy system we have today may have many faults. However, to assume that they are totally set up as a way for power hungry, controlling, high and mighty proud people to loom over you is an assumption one should not make! Such an assumption carries an air of arrogance.  Much of the system is set up for accountability reasons. It is good to have accountability. I am often curious as to why people often assume the worse of the clergy. Why can we not trust that the Lord knows best who to call and that they might just be godly men after the Lord’s own heart?!

All believers are called to minister to one another. However, that does not mean that all believers are called to be pastor or elder. Titles are not what is important but once again that does not mean that we should loose them altogether. Those titles describe a position; a position that carries some authority. That authority is not a man given authority. It is an authority given by the one who called the individual, the Lord. The person called does good to remember where the authority comes from and are humbled by it.

The under-shepherd is a caretaker for the sheep in the fold of the Lord but is still under the Good shepherd. Many believed and followed Christ but they were not all the apostles. In a way, it is like in a marriage. The husband and wife are equal but the wife is not the head of the home. The head of the home is still under the authority of Christ. The head of the home is in a position of authority. Is that authority sometimes abused? Yes but it does not remove the need for the position.

In our culture today, there is a trend to disrespect the position of pastors, elders, and others in the leadership of the church and those who hold those positions. In my mind, this is once again a sign of the culture of independence polluting the body of Christ. It is a way to assert one’s independence. It is a clear sign of a lack of submission to the Lord by rejecting those he has placed in positions of authority within his bride. It is a lack of humility to assume that those in these positions are in it for themselves and that you know better. It is sinful for one in authority abuse their authority but it is also a sin for one to constantly be bucking against that authority.

Church-of-England-Congregation-Stand-up-to-Sing-a-Hymn-

When visiting a church this past weekend I once again saw the blindness of the people of God.  I wondered if anyone else noticed.  This particular church is pretty laid back.  The service begins with a few songs and a prayer to allow for the late comers.  I have heard this spoken by the greeters that the first 10 minutes of the service is for people to get their coffee and to dwindle in to the service.   After the first 10 minutes (the couple of songs and prayer) the congregation sings one more song and then breaks for greeting time and to send the children to their classrooms.  The children’s Sunday school hour is during the worship service.

This particular Sunday there was a guest speaker.  Just as the congregation was being told to greet one another and the children could be dismissed to their rooms the title of the sermon and the scripture reference were displayed on the power point screen.

Getting our Kids to Jesus

Matthew 19:13-14  Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

My husband and I simply laughed but it was not because it was funny!  Do people not see????  Do they not understand???  Do they just not care???  Do they seek comfort for themselves over the task and calling of raising godly offspring rather than simply passing the baton along???

Just as the message of getting our children to Jesus and the scripture speaking of letting the children come and not being hindered lights the overhead board, there was a mass exodus of parents escorting their children from the worship service and returning with coffee cup in hand and chatting with one another (even after the music to call us back to worship was being played).

Some may be saying, “Well, they were going to learn about Jesus.”   I do not have a big problem with Sunday school classes or the like, but I do, however, take issue with that comment in this context.   Why does a church plan the children’s Sunday school hour during the worship hour?  Why must the children’s lessons conflict with the worship time?  When are the parents to teach their children how to approach the Lord Jesus in corporate worship?  Why is it not important to worship the Lord as a family unit?   This seems to me to be a hindrance in permitting the children to come unto the Lord.

Most importantly, why did everyone seem oblivious to what they were doing?  While looking at the message of  “getting our children to God”, rather than embracing the opportunity to worship the Lord of Lords and King of Kings together with their children they rushed them off and out of their hair so they could have an experience all to themselves.  What does that teach?

Many questions and thoughts to ponder upon.  Anyone else feel the sadness as I do or do you just see me as over reacting?