Josh Harris is eaten by a bean bag!

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Doug Wilson on Brian McLaren

Be sure to read this blog post by Doug Wilson.

Brian McLaren...a wolf in wolfs' clothing

As Brian McLaren has drifted further and further off the reservation, I have taken to using scare-quotes whenever referring to him as an “evangelical.” Truth be known, however, he’s no longer even a scare-quotes “evangelical.” If you think I’m overreacting, wait until you hear this.

On August 13, McLaren announced on his blog that he would be observing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This is not a joke. He writes,

“Ramadan is the Muslim holy month of fasting for spiritual renewal and purification. It commemorates the month during which Muslims believe Mohammed received the Quran through divine revelation, and it calls Muslims to self-control, sacrificial generosity and solidarity with the poor, diligent reading of the Quran, and intensified prayer.

“This year, I, along with a few Christian friends (and perhaps others currently unknown to us will want to join in) will be joining Muslim friends in the fast which begins August 21. We are not doing so in order to become Muslims: we are deeply committed Christians. But as Christians, we want to come close to our Muslim neighbors and to share this important part of life with them. Just as Jesus, a devout Jew, overcame religious prejudice and learned from a Syrophonecian woman and was inspired by her faith two thousand years ago (Matthew 15:21 ff, Mark 7:24 ff), we seek to learn from our Muslim sisters and brothers today.”

This explanation is so filled with dangerous and damning error, it’s difficult to know where to begin. For starters, one cannot observe Ramadan as a “deeply committed” Christian. Fasting in the Christian tradition is irreducibly Christocentric. It involves praying to the Father of Christ (Mt 6:18) and longing for the return of Christ (Mt 9:15). The meaning and aim of the Muslim fast has nothing to do with Jesus. How can one observe Ramadan in any meaningful sense and do a Christian fast? The answer is that you can’t. If you try, you will end up distorting the Christian fast with syncretistic gobbledy-goop that is no longer recognizably Christian.

I would warn that McLaren is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but he has dropped the ruse.

HT: Denny Burk

Cast your cares on Him

Psalms 34:17-19

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves(C) the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 112:6-8

For the righteous will never be moved;
he will be remembered forever.
He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Hebrews 10:35-38

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,

"Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him."


Psalms 37:7

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!


Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


Romans 8:24-25

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Walgreens: Free 8x10 Collage--through tomorrow only

Through Wednesday, August 26, 2009, you can order a free 8x10 photo collage at Walgreens. Just go here and create your collage and then use coupon code FUNDAY at checkout and your order should be entirely free!

A small glimpse into the home of Jonathan Edwards

The first impression a visitor would have upon arriving at the Edwards home was that there were a lot of children. The second impression would be that they were very well disciplined. Jonathan aided Sarah in disciplining the children from an early age. 'When they first discovered any considerable degree of will and stubbornness,' wrote biographer Samuel Hopkins, 'he would attend to them till he had thoroughly subdued them and brought them to submit with the greatest calmness, and commonly without striking a blow, effectively establishing his parental authority and producing a cheerful obedience ever after.

Care for his children's souls was his preeminent concern. In morning devotions he quizzed them on Scripture with questions appropriate to their ages. On Saturday evenings, the beginning of the Sabbath, he taught them the Westminster Shorter Catechism, making sure they understood as well as memorized the answers.

Edwards also believed in not holding back the terrors of hell from his children. 'As innocent as children seem to us,' he wrote, 'if they are out of Christ, they are not so in God's sight, but are young vipers....' At the judgment day unregenerate children would hardly thank their parents for sentimental tenderness that protected them from knowing the true dangers of their estate. Always looking for opportunities to awaken the young to their condition, he had taken the children to view the remains of the Lyman house fire that claimed two girls' lives.

By far the greater burden of childrearing fell to Sarah....On one occasion, when she was out of town in 1748, Jonathan was soon near his wits' end. Children of almost every age needed to be cared for. 'We have been without you,' Jonathan lamented in a letter, 'almost as long as we know how to be!'



Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden, pp. 321-323

I discovered who the kids can dress up like on Halloween

I can have four little John Calvins running around....



John Calvin Mask

Paul Washer sermon jam

John Piper – A Problem with Christians in Evangelicalism

Heresy by Javon Mackenzy

Because of his boldness he’s had problems getting signed by record labels, but his music and theology are ROCK SOLID. You can purchase the entire 18 track CD entitled ‘The Narrow Road’ at Javon’s myspace…

http://www.myspace.com/jovanmackenzy

The Gospel as told by: Albert Martin

HT: Transplant Ministries

Is God only a glorified dentist???

Blasphemous.

Bloodmoney: The Inconvenient Truth about Abortion

All I know is that once this is released, it is something that I will definitely see!

Rob Bell and John MacArthur

Rob Bell and the TNIV


John MacArthur on the TNIV:

Happy Birthday Paysie girl

Oh Paysie,
When I found out that I was going to have a daughter, words could not contain my excitement! I never imagined that any ultrasound tech would ever say to me "It's a girl!"

My impatience to have you only got worse as your due date approached. I wondered if I would ever get to meet you.

When you decided to be 10 days late, I figured something needed to be done...so we forced you out. The eviction date was settled to be August 18th. Once things started, it didn't take much convincing to get you out!

From the moment I saw you, I was in love. There is nothing quite like that moment when the pain is over and there is a new life placed upon your chest.

A girl....I had a girl.

Your brothers were doting on you the very moment they met you. My heart was overflowing with the blessings that God chose to give me.

I love watching you grow and do new things. I love how your face lights up and you begin clapping and nodding, the moment you see me. I love how you follow me around the house and never let me forget that you are closeby. I love how you erupt in laughter when your brothers love on you and kiss you up.

You have started saying please when you want something. You say yes to me when I ask you a question. You cruise around the house, wanting to be like your big brothers.

Your hair curls around your ears in the most adorable way. You get so excited sometimes that your whole body shakes. You raise your arms to me in complete trust when you need something. Oh girlie, may your hugs and kisses never end.

I love you more than I can possible express. You are my little Paysie-girl. The daughter that I pray grows up in faith and Godliness. I promise to raise you up to be the woman that God has called you to be....and I guarantee that I will fail miserably. Just know that the Holy Spirit will lead you...and when mommy fails, God will never fail.

Remember that you are loved and prayed for daily.

Your Mommy

The day you were born....

Coming home from the hospital...

2 weeks old....

At your birthday party....

Happy Birthday, my 6 year old!

Oh Gideon,
It is hard to imagine that six years have gone by since I cradled you in my arms for the first time. You came so quickly and surprised us!

We had company over that night. My due date was 3 days earlier, and so far, there was no sign that you might make an appearance! You sure fooled us!

We went to bed around 11pm, and as I laid there, I began to feel the tightness of contractions begin. I got up, being sure not to disturb daddy, and went into the living room to see if labor was starting.

I watched a little tv and went onto the computer, where I timed my contractions. By midnight, they were every 6-9 minutes apart, but weren't too painful yet.

At 12:30am, I decided to wake up daddy and tell him what was going on. He was very excited!! He took a shower and got ready to possibly head to the hospital.

By 1:30, daddy thought he should call our friend Megan to have her head on over to our house. I wasn't even sure this was really 'it', but let him call her anyway. I remember taking a shower, still not sure if this was really labor!

Megan arrived around 1:45am, and we sat on the couch, talking, waiting for the contractions to pick up. We figured that because Nolan's birth took 22 hours, that it would take at least 10 hours until you were born. We were wrong, very wrong!

It was 2:30am, when I stood up and walked over to daddy...and things started to get much more painful. It was as though you got into just the right position and let my body know it! Megan began to get worried when she noticed that it was 3 minutes inbetween contractions. We headed for the door!

We only lived 10 minutes from the hospital, but in mid-August, it was HOT! I made daddy turn off the air conditioning because it was bothering me as I continued having contractions.

We arrived at the hospital at 3am. I was still able to walk, and turned down the wheelchair that was to bring me to my room. But, once the receptionist at the hospital saw me have a contraction, she made sure I was wheeled to Labor and Delivery.

As I was wheeled in, daddy stayed back at reception, since they were having problems with their printer. We thought we would have hours until you arrived, so we weren't worried at all.

The nurses checked to see how far dilated I was at 3:10, and I was at 5cm. I was excited about that, because it seemed to take me forever to get to this point with Nolan. John stuck his head in the room to see how I was, I told him I was at 5cm, and was ready for an epidural. That was an epidural I would never get the chance to have!

By 3:15, the contractions picked up, and they were one on top of the other. John finally arrived back in the room after moving our van, and just stood back, not sure what he was supposed to be doing!

At 3:30, I started to feel nauseaus and told the nurses that I needed to push. They looked skeptical, but checked me anyway....I was dilated to 10cm!!! Needless to say, the doctor wasn't there yet.

I remember the nurses telling me not to push, and pretend to blow a feather. Yeah, right. My body was taking over and was literally pushing you out by itself! The nurses had to keep lowering the heart monitor on you since you kept going lower and lower...it was beyond my control!!

The Doctor showed up at 3:45am, and was told what was going on....he suited up and told me to push!

The nurses had to break my water as you were crowning! I think you could have been born in the bag of water, had they let you.

After one push, I was told to stop and breath as they eased you out. There were no complications and no stitches were needed. I felt great the moment you were born, and had a shower soon after.

You were born at 3:53am.....less than an hour after we arrived at the hospital!

They swaddled you up, and you were laid on my chest. I hadn't even had a chance to put on a hospital gown! You began nursing like a champ and were one of the most beautiful boys (apart from your brothers!) that I had ever seen.

Daddy called up Megan to tell her you were here...and she thought it was a dream because you arrived so fast.

I remember when daddy left the hospital around 6:30am, to get home in time to see Nolan waking up. It was just me and you...all was quiet and calm. I loved on you and held you and was so grateful that God chose me to be your mother.

Gideon David...August 13, 2003...7 pounds 6 ounces...19 inches long

My dear boy, you have grown so much since you turned 5. You are a first grader now! You are able to read a bit and follow along in your hymnal. It has warmed my heart and brought much glory to God, as you have grown in your love for the Gospel.

It wasn't that long ago, that you told me "Mommy, I remember when I didn't love God. But now I do...but I can remember when I didn't." Oh, it brings me so much joy to see your joy that only God can give!! I pray that you continue in your thirst for knowledge of our great God. Though suffering is inevitable, I know you will persevere and become a great man of God.

I love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

The first time I held you...this was right after you were born:

The first week that you were home from the hospital:


You with big brother, Nolan:

Free Book!

You can receive John MacArthur's new book just by filling out some info here

They are giving this away through September 20th!

A quote

"Sir, if a young man comes to the door asking permission to begin some sort of relationship with your daughter, do not only ask him are you fleeing from youthful lusts but ask him this, are you pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace? or Do you go to church on Sunday morning and on Saturday night, you're out there with Bubba and everyone else at a tailgate party?

You see, does this young man pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace and does he do it? If he says yes, then ask yourself with those that call upon the name of the Lord from a pure heart, look at his friends. Look at his friends! Do his friends call upon the name of the Lord with a pure heart? Then, if they do not then know this, there is something wrong with the boy. Birds of a feather flock together. Don't be fooled by romanticism and the deception of this age. Do not be fooled. And don't think sir, that you've done your responsibility just because when the boy pulls up in the parking lot of your house and you're cleaning your gun. Big deal, you've failed at everything else, but you know how to clean a gun. The gun won't scare him. Not at all. Your job is not to scare the suitor, it's to train your children, so that the only suitor they will accept are Godly ones."

--Paul Washer (from his sermon Biblical Manhood pt1)

Get off Facebook and be a man...

A quote

I recently found this comment by a mother of 8. I could not have said it better myself:

I am a mother of eight, but it’s not because I am Super Mom. It’s not because I was born with some rare gift that makes me capable of mothering a large family. It’s because this family God has seen fit to give me has shaped and changed me into the person I am today. It’s because God sends challenges and then follows up those challenges with the graces you need to get through them. Always.

I can live this imperfect life with eight imperfect children, not because I am awesome, but because God is.

This is going to be a rough couple of weeks..

Gideon is turning 6 on the 13th.

Paysie is turning 1 on the 18th.

I don't want my babies to get older :(

A trip to Sam's Club

I haven't had to buy toilet paper in at least 6 years. The last time I can remember...I believe Nolan was a baby. He is now 7.

On Saturday, I put Paysie down for a nap. Jamison was in the high chair with a snack.

One by one, I had Nolan, Gideon and Haddon, each sneak down the stairs to put their shoes on, and then proceed to get in the van.

Why did we sneak? (you might ask!)

Well, if we had announced we were going, it would have created some weeping and gnashing of poor little Jamison's teeth, since he was NOT going with us!

We proceeded to head out to enjoy a tax-free shopping trip for some back to (home)school items, as well as the dreaded toilet paper purchase.

After all of this, I still haven't told you why it's been so long since I've bought toilet paper....well, my husband used to be able to buy it by the case from his employer. But then he was let-go (or should I say fired...something that I will not go into, but believe me when I say to you that it was all on the up and up and was not his fault!)

The last time I looked into our pantry closet...we were down to 2 rolls. That was last week, so I was pretty confident that we were closing in on having to start using paper towels...that is, if I didn't purchase more!

Anyway...

After a few stores, we get to Sam's Club. At first I wandered around lost, since I have no idea where the tp is. Not only is it because they changed the layout of the store around, but also because I have never needed to know where it is!

I finally find it. I tried calling John to see if it was a good price. I don't know what the going rate of tp is nowadays...what, with inflation and all. But, I couldn't get ahold of him, so I picked the cheapest and hoped that it was a good decision. I don't know about you, but I really don't need to have fluffy pillow top tp...it's not like I'm going to be sleeping on it!

I lug the tp into the cart.

Nolan looks at it and asks me what bath tissue is. I told him it is just another name for tp.

He got a sly look on his face...and replied, "I know what bath tissue is. Let's say you are in the bath tub and then you sneeze. You might say...oh, I need some bath tissue!"

We were all laughing at that one.

I said, "Nolan, you always make me laugh. I am so happy that you are my boy."

To which he said, "Yeah, and I'm so happy that you are my woman."

All in all, it was an enjoyable trip with my boys, even if I had to buy tp.

Pizza Hut: BOOK-IT Program for Homeschoolers!

If you homeschool and you have children in grades K-6, you can sign them up for the Pizza Hut Book-It program for free and your children can earn a free personal pan pizza every month they reach their reading goals. I fondly remember doing the Book-It program in grade school and now I'm excited to get to do it with my daughter who is in Kindergarten!

Go here to enroll.

Free Food from Schwanns...

I just did it, so I know it's still good...not sure how much longer it'll last! It's for the first 500,000 new customers!

Click here

Go here...anything $10 or under...and it's yours! FREE!

I end up having to pay .08 cents...that I can pay at my door when it's delivered on Thursday!

GO NOW and SIGN UP!

1 cent Sharpies at Office Max!

Click here and print off your coupon!

Limit 3 per customer!

Hurry...it expires 8/8!

Free Sample of Honey Nut Cheerios and $1/1 coupon

Free sample of Honey Nut Cheerios and $1/1 coupon