1 Pet. 3:13-17
"And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?........For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."

I missed posting this day, but basically Dad just talked about being ready to give a defense for our faith.

1 Pet 3:18-20
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water."

The Bible says that no one seeks God, and we know that nobody has ever deserved salvation, and yet Christ was willing to suffer for sinners who hated Him.

Noah worked on the ark for 120 years and God waited 120 years to give people the opportunity to repent. During that time, God put the demons in prison who were running rampant around the earth. We cross-referenced Luke 8:31 which talks about the demons not wanting to go to the "abyss".
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Today, Beth and I were busily putting "grommets" into Roxanne's dress, and everyone that walked past us seemed to feel compelled to make "Wallace" jokes.

See Good Days

1 Pet. 3:9-12
"not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For 'He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.' "

Here Peter is quoting Ps. 34 to emphasize that the Old Testament teachings support the New Testament commands just listed.

To "turn away from evil and do good" is to REPENT. We are to seek peace and pursue it (go after it), for blessed are the peacemakers.

So whose prayers does God hear?
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Tonight in the kitchen I called Beth to come lick the chocolate icing off of the beaters and got a nostalgic feeling for you, Paul. Beth hardly knew what I meant- I think you always beat her to it!!!!!!!! BTW, the cake is for celebrating Josh's diploma and y'all can have some tomorrow night!!! Yea! Can't wait to see you.

I wonder what God was thinking, when He created you..........

1 Pet. 3:7-9

"Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;"

Here is revolutinary Christian behavior- the man, though far superior in natural strength, will NOT push around his wife. In other cultures, this is often the case!

Will a man's prayers be heard? Dad mentioned that him and I praying together nightly for years has made a tremendous difference in our kids' lives.

God has blessed us so much, and to whom much is given, much is expected. We should give much to others.
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Today, Beth and I went to the Amish market to buy her a soft pretzel and I refrained from buying one for myself. But I did buy one for Josh. After two more errands were accomplished, that second pretzel was no more. Bad, bad Beth and I .... and then when we get home we find 2 reasons for Josh to be celebrating today! Oh I feel so guilty.

1 Pet. 3:1-6
"Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear..............beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit................and are not afraid with any terror."

The "likewise" is referring back to God's desire for us to submit to civil government and to masters. A wife is to submit with respect and not with fear, even if her husband is not a believer. In most cultures, women have to submit to their husbands whether they want to or not. These verses bring comfort in that a woman should not be afraid to submit to a man and in fact it may be the way to bring him to Christ.

Dad also mentioned that this does not apply to women submitting to any other men, just their own husbands. And if a husband is abusive, that would fall under the punishment of the civil government.

My own experience is that biblical submission to my husband has brought great blessing.

In His Steps

1 Pet. 2:21-25
"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 'Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth'; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness- by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

"By whose stripes you were healed." This is an incredible picture. How can it be that wounds can provide healing? (Josh' comment) Yet the perfect man suffers so that the suffering man is made perfect. What an awesome God we worship!

As a very lost sheep, I now have a Shepherd. I am no longer getting lost. I am dead to sin and alive to righteousness.

Thank you Jesus for being willing to come to earth and die for my sin. May I now follow in Your steps, living sacrificially for others.

Beth's comment upon going to bed Sun. night during halftime of the Redskins game: " Our team needs flubber!" ( we had watched the "Absent-Minded Professor" on Sat. night)

What a Friend We Have In Jesus

Instead of posting on today's sermon, I want to write a bit about a neat dvd clip that we watched in Family Bible Class about a hymn.

Joseph Scriven, the author of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", had just finished his university education and was ready to marry his childhood sweetheart. One day before the wedding, she died from a fall off of a horse.

Joseph moved from Ireland to Port Hope, Ontario, Canada and started a life of helping widows and the poor and tutoring children. He fell in love again and a few weeks before the wedding, his fiance was stricken with pneumonia and died.

Instead of turning his back on God and living a life of self-pity, he was glad to find a Friend to help him with his burdens. May this always be our choice- to face life and it's troubles with God as opposed to facing life and it's troubles without Him.

Oh what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry,
Everything to God in prayer.

Love Your Enemies

1 Pet. 2:18-20
"Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God."

This passage led us into a discussion highlighting the difference between accepting individual injustice and when nations are justified to rebel against unjust authority. Making the distinction seemed to clear up the muddle. Of course, this was not at B. discussion, but a day when J. was contributing.

Dad pointed out that perhaps we should not apply this to the employer/employee relationship in America, because we have job mobility and can just leave a bad situation. It is much more pertinent when a person is bound somehow to an unjust master or boss. And how Christ wants us to handle that situation.

Some justice must be reserved for eternity and it is better left in God's hands.

This will be a "dry" week with Dad gone. Sorry.

Musings on Summer Swimming- The Black Line

There are 2 choices when swimming laps at our local pool. One may choose the "lap lane" which is always free of kids, or one may choose to swim in the open part of the pool. The problem with the enclosed lap lane is that there is no black line to follow on the bottom of the pool. This causes one to be constantly bumping into the wall or the rope. So I chose the black line, even though it meant that I had to be searching ahead for kids and willing to stop, say "excuse me" and resume swimming.

One day when I was swimming laps, it occured to me that the black line is a picture of the Holy Spirit in my life. I desparately want to stay on the straight and narrow path that God has foreordained for my life. Sure there are obstacles, things get in my way and try to push me out of God's will. But I just have to pause and then proceed on the black line.

The empty lap lane is sometimes tempting. It appears like it would be so much easier to swim over there without interference. But being off my black line causes me frustration. So I will stay on my black line, even though sometimes the line seems long, narrow, and unvarying. The PROCESS may be tedious, but there is always a great sense of accomplishment at the end of 50 laps.

Are you on the black line today?
( My apologies to A.- who spent her laps in the unmarked lap lane! Hmmm...)

The Great I AM

Some quick notes from today's sermon:

The text was John 8:48-59. This is a very confrontational time between the Jews and Jesus. They call Jesus a liar, a terrible accusation. The Jews were confused about who their spiritual father was. They thought that God was their father whereas the devil really was their father. And they didn't understand that God is Jesus' Father.

Pastor C. read an interesting study of the 1200 descendants of Jonathan Edwards vs. the 1200 of 2 nonbelievers. Edwards' descendants were politicians, lawyers, professors, preachers, etc. Hundreds of upright citizens. The nonbelievers' descendants didn't contribute a thing to society but filled prisons and led deliquent lives. Very interesting. "Generations tell the story of who you marry!"

quick notes:
"To look into your Judges face and see your Savior"
"Wake up every morning and say to the Lord, 'Show me how to make you happy today with what I do and say. I want to please you.'"
"Obedience can be achieved if we walk with the Lord and rely on His power."