Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him.

Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?" Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."   Matthew 9: 9-13

  

Respost from September 2007 - Sacred Marriage

I am reading a wonderful book titled "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas. I highly recommend it. It is very well written and a fairly easy read. I wanted to share an excerpt with you this morning. 

"One of the best wedding gifts God gave you was a full-length mirror called your spouse. Had there been a card attached, it would have read "Here's to helping you discover what you are really like." quote by Gary and Betsy Ricucci.

"What is humility? Fenelon tells us "It is a certain honesty and childlike willingness to acknowledge our faults, to recover from them and to submit to the advice of experienced people; these will be solid useful virtues, adapted to your sanctification." We must not enter marriage predominantly to be fulfilled, emotionally satisfied or romantically charged , but rather to become more like Jesus Christ. We must embrace the reality of having our flaws exposed to our partner, and thereby having them exposed to us as well. Sin never seems quite as shocking when it is known only to us; when we see how it looks or sounds to another it is magnified ten times over. The single or celibate can "hide" frustration by removing himself or herself from the situation, but the married man or women has no true refuge. It is hard to hide when you share the same bed.."

Isn't that the truth? We all are sinful creatures, but tend in marriage to point the finger or get into a pattern of blaming our partner. We should first examine ourselves and see where our own sin lies. Whether it be a critical spirit, an angry heart, addiction, etc., we need to first focus on our own sin and repentance because our job is to become more like Christ. We are not in control of our partners' behavior. We are ultimately only responsible for ourselves when we stand before Christ on judgment day. Trust me, I lived the life of blaming another for many years. Guess what, it didn't change anything. Maybe the problem lies within ourselves.......

Just a little humor.

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business….

Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities , but feared her enough to maintain their silence…

She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's
only bar one afternoon...

She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there
WOULD KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING!

Frank , a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away…

He didn't explain, defend, or deny…

He said nothing….

Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house ...

walked home

.....and left it there all night !!!

Empty Promises

Great new sermon series from Pete Wilson at Crosspoint on "Empty Promises".  This series is about idolatry and how to identify the idols we have in our own lives.   Guess what?  We all have them..........

Click here for sermon:
Empty Promises

Quick Update from the ever-crazy Brown House

I hardly know if I am coming or going and sanity is something I have long ago given up hope on.  Emma is cheering this year, Abby and Emma both are playing soccer (practice everyday and sometimes 2 games a week) and all three of the kids are very involved with church - not to mention school.    I know that one day I will look back and miss these days, but right now I am just praying to make it through them.  We have all remained healthy so far this school year and I am praising God for that!  As a matter of fact, I am trying to make it a daily practice to look around and give thanks for all the good things in my life.   Why not? - it sure is a lot better than dwelling on the negatives!  I am still trying to work on my own school - which seems to fall to the bottom of the list most days, but still wanting to work towards completing my Religious Studies degree at Berea.  Chris is traveling a lot these days and I am co-leading a Wednesday night study at my church and will be hosting a girls only study this Fall for the girls in Youth at Winchester Cumberland Presbyterian.  That is my love.  If I could study God's Word and/or lead studies every day I think I would die a very happy woman.   It has taken me a long time to realize my calling, but finally I know that I just love to help others in their journey to study the Scriptures.   

Praying that this post finds all in good health and in constant pursuit of their journey with Christ.   Love to you all - Melissa

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

A Fig Tree Can't Bear Olives

The Fig Tree

We have been going through a situation in our now "previous" church that has caused some great division and dissension amongst the family of believers.   Needless to say, this has mad me very sad.  It seems like this "thing" has grown legs and sprouted tentacles and is entangling people.    Rumors are being spread and there has been division caused between people who love each other and have such good, sweet hearts.   It is so sad to see the body of Christ act the way I have witnessed it acting the past few weeks.  But, God is good and I know he is working all things together for the good of His people and for His glory.   Yet, it is still a hard thing to witness.

A sweet friend of mine reminded me this morning of the following verse and I thought I would share it with you.  It comes from the book of James, chapter 3, verses 8-18:

New International Version

---

8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11Can both fresh water and salt^a water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

My prayer for  all of those still drudging through this situation is for them be peace-loving, full of mercy, bearers of good fruit,  impartial and sincere.   You see, when we align ourselves with Scripture and what God's Word says, there can be no room for division - He will show you the truth and the light and, in turn, you will know where you are supposed to be, whether that be at your current church or another.   He is truth and light.   He will reveal Himself to you and show you Truth.  No darkness can dwell within us or around us  if we are in His will.    Oh if only people would we humble their hearts then God would turn His gaze upon them and bless them.    Lord, help us to be humble..........   

Peace ~ Melissa

What Have You Learned?

Is it just me or were our parents right?   I sure do remember mine telling me to enjoy my childhood - that it wouldn't last long.  Boy,  they were right about that!  I also remember them telling me they knew more about life because they had lived it, and I remember thinking I didn't want to know that they did.  You know why? -  because I "knew" more. I was smart, I was educated and  I was going to change things!  I was going to be different!  I was going to be a better parent, a better spouse and a better person for my community.  I was going to help change things, but first and foremost I was going to have a much more exciting life!  I was going to go places, do things, and never, EVER think like my parents did.  

And now I am 40.  I am married.  I have three kids.  I haven't  "changed" things much that I know of, except a lot of diapers and my hair color.  And, to beat the band, I find myself thinking and saying the same ridiculous things my parents did, except they don't sound so ridiculous anymore.  They sort of ring true.   And the ringing in my ears of the "truth" of their words, has a certain bite.   No matter how true, there is still the bite!

But, the bite for me, honestly and much to my dismay, is not that they were right.  Oh no! the bite for me is that I know they were right.  You see, I miss the slow pace and smallness and security of the world I grew up in!  I miss the fact that without a doubt I could meet up with my best friend on our bicycles every day after school.  I miss going out to the garden with my mom during the summer to pick the ripest tomato for lunch (yes, that was our lunch, along with some slices of white bread and mayonnaise.)   I miss the fact that I knew we were going to sit down as a family every night and eat dinner, and I even miss the fact that I had to clean EVERY Saturday morning without fail.   My most favorite is the fact that no matter what, we were going to go to church every Sunday morning as a family. Those were some of my best memories.

Our world is so vastly different today.   I have given up any chances of a career for 15 years in order to be at home with my kids and STILL can't seem to find the time to make sure we have dinner together EVERY evening.  As hard as I try, I still can't seem to keep up with the pace of our lives.   As educated and willful as I have always been against such a fast-paced culture, I still can't help but be sucked in!   And honestly, I can't even at this point put into words what I feel inside.

All I know is this - Lord, help us.  Help us to slow down.  Help us to live simply.  Help us to go visit with someone on a Sunday afternoon without thinking about where we need to be next.   Help us to sit on our porch and talk with our kids and tell them how things "used to be"..............

Are You Joking Me?

Last week a friend of mine was telling me about a lady at our church who makes prayer shawls.  She told me what a ministry it was for this lady and how much comfort and love people feel when they receive one.  They are not "magic" nor do they make you "closer to God", but they are a symbol of positioning ourselves in prayer and reminding ourselves that we are covered by God.  

Long story short, I wanted one.  I thought "that is so cool!".   I wanted to ask the lady at our church for one, but didn't want to impose upon her, so the thought left my mind........until today!   No joke, look what was on my porch when I got home.   I told NO ONE about wanting one of these, but guess what???  God heard me!   He loves me so much he sent me a prayer shawl from the wife of a co-worker of Chris who lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.   I laughed out loud as I opened the box!!!

Unshaken

Over the past week I have had many people ask me how I have remained so positive during the health issues I have been facing.   I sat down tonight and tried to put some thought into that.    Why have I not been fearful?   Why am I not spending time worrying about the outcome?   Let me tell you why.   I BELIEVE God.   Very simple.  I believe His Word and I believe in Him.

Let me tell you, getting to this place in my life has been a long hard road - and it came at some very big expenses and tolls on my marriage and family, but I wouldn't trade it for the world, because this is what I know - God is faithful.   No matter the outcome, He has a plan for you and for me!   So tonight I leave with you two passages of Scripture that are dear to me and I also pray that if you are feeling discouraged or down-trodden, that you turn you eyes upon Jesus.  Call upon Him.  He will answer - I promise.

II Corinthians  4:8 
We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair;  we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed.


Psalm 62: 1-8
¹ My soul finds rest in God alone;
       my salvation comes from him.


 ² He alone is my rock and my salvation;
       he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

 ³ How long will you assault a man?
       Would all of you throw him down—
       this leaning wall, this tottering fence?

 ⁴ They fully intend to topple him
       from his lofty place;
       they take delight in lies.
       With their mouths they bless,
       but in their hearts they curse.
       Selah

 ⁵ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
       my hope comes from him.

 ⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation;
       he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

 ⁷ My salvation and my honor depend on God ^[a] ;
       he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

 ⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people;
       pour out your hearts to him,
       for God is our refuge. 
       Selah