Finally! Pictures!!!

Ok. I have promised many people pictures of the little ones for a while, so here they are. The first is McGee playing around in Mama's things, then Bernard hangin' out in the hallway, and third Mama's roses that Daddy got for her last week (I know that is not a munchkin picture but someone asked to see them).

Gardening with Guineas

Alright, here is the promised post about my research on guinea fowl. Most of the information I have gathered came from reading "Gardening with guineas" by Jeanette S. Ferguson. This book was a great, informative read about raising guinea fowl, covering everything from hatching keets to eating full grown guineas.



Guinea fowl originate from Africa and there are three main kinds: helmeted, crested and vulturine guinea fowl. Due to availability and cost, most Americans own helmeted guineas. They come in a variety of colors and sizes. The most common guinea seems to be the pearl grey guinea, which gets to be about two feet long and weighs from 3 - 5 pounds.

Female guineas, or hens, are slightly smaller than the males and can be distinguished by their cry, which sounds like they are screaming "buckwheat!" The males make a "chi chi chi" noise, which can be imitated by the females. Male guineas are far less noisy than their female counterparts, so if noise is a big concern for you and you don't care about eggs, you simply only keep males. Guinea cocks get along fine, unlike roosters who must be kept in limited numbers to avoid them fighting with each other. The primary drawback for raising guineas is their noise. For the first year of life everything is new to them and they squak a lot. They also make quite the racket when something is not as it should be, which is also one of their benefits - they make great "watchdogs." For some, the noise the birds make is enough reason not to keep them, but experienced guinea keepers claim that raising guineas from eggs or day old keets (the babies) is much easier. When you start with babies, you are able to handle them and train them a bit (though they are still a more or less wild bird), cutting down on the noise some.

If you can get past their chatter, there are many benefits to guineas. First of all, they LOVE to eat bugs (ticks, mosquitos, japanese beetles etc.) that are harmful to plants, animals and people. They also eat weed seeds, making the life of a gardener a bit easier. Unlike chickens, guineas do not scratch at the ground and thus are not harmful to the garden. Also, as they walk along, they fertilize the ground. Another upside to guineas is that their waste is not smelly and messy like that of chickens.
Due to their great foraging abilities, it costs less in feed to raise guineas.

Like chickens, guinea hens lay eggs that are perfectly fine for human consumption. They are slightly smaller than chicken eggs, but actually get fluffier and are better for certain baking endeavors. Unlike chickens, however, there is no way to convince guineas to continue laying through the winter. You simply have to wait for spring to begin collecting eggs again. Also unlike chickens, guineas don't typically use the provided nests for laying their eggs, so tracking down the eggs to eat them can be a bit tricky. And, guineas make a great tasting dinner when you have had enough of their noise or have too many birds!


There is much more information available on these wonderful birds, but basically:
- They LOVE bugs and weed seeds!
- They warn you of predators or visitors to your homestead.
- They fertilize your soil.
- They do not scratch up the ground.
- They are not generally smelly or messy birds.
- They lay eggs that are great for eating and baking.
- Yes, they are noisy...

For us, it is worth a couple dollars and some effort to start a few guineas on our homestead and see how it goes. If we end up absolutely not being able to live at peace with the guineas, we can always eat them.

Hope this was informative!
My Family
(Wife Speaking)

Womanly Dominion Book Giveaway!

Lindsay over at Passionate Homemaking is doing a book giveaway for what sounds like a pretty good book for women to read. Just thought I would post about it here for y'all to take a gander at. Have a great day!
My Family
(Wife Speaking)

Womanly Dominion Book Giveaway!

My Family's Philosophy of Education

The purpose of education is to provide our children with the knowledge and wisdom that we, as parents, have acquired through our years of experience and practical application. We are dedicated to the truth, we will not lie to our children nor will we entertain lies and fables. We will not present theory as fact nor will we approve of materials that do so. Our purpose in all of this is not only to prepare them for the tasks and functions of this life so that they may be fully equipped for the tasks that God has set them to; but that they may learn from the mistakes and successes of generations gone by.

Our first goal is that each of our children leave our tutelage knowing that the Jesus Christ of the Bible is the only way of salvation. Our hope in this is that they will also choose to follow his path.

Our second goal is that each of our children learn patience, discipline, and contentment; that they may adapt to any living conditions without compromising the values that have been instilled in them.

Our third goal is that each of our children leave our tutelage fully prepared to take care of themselves and moreover their family, totally free and independent of professionalism; nutritionally, financially, and medically except when truly necessary.

Our final goal is that each of our children leave our tutelage fully prepared to provide their children with the same foundation described herein, with their own particular style and techniques and their own accumulated knowledge added hereunto. That each generation may have the accumulative wisdom of generations gone by instilled in them in their adolescence so that like Job the wisdom and prudence of their youth may be revered among the aged.

Genealogies are not always boring

The genealogical prophecy is a fascinating subject. If my name definition resources are correct, Hidden in the meaning of the names of the lineage of Noah is a message telling of God’s intended redemption of mankind. Observe the results below. Awesome! But, I have a question. Does Cain’s lineage spell out a message of significance as well? Observe the results further below.


Adam = Man (of dust)
Seth = Appointed
Enosh = Mortal
Cainan = Sorrow
Mahalaleel = the Great or Blessed God
Jared = Shall Come Down
Enoch = Teaching
Methuselah = His Death Shall Bring
Lamech = The Afflicted
Noah = Comfort

Man was appointed mortal sorrow, but, the
blessed God shall come down, teaching that
his death shall bring to the afflicted comfort.

Adam = Man (of dust)
Cain = Acquired / Brought Forth
Enoch = Teaching
Irad = Beware
Mehujael = Who Proclaims God
Methushael = Man of God
Lamech = The Afflicted

Man brought forth a teaching to beware, who
proclaims God, for a man of God is afflicted.


So, perhaps, this speaks to the mindset of these two lines. One speaks simply to the carnal aspect of life and only seeing the affliction of one who follows God, and letting that be a discouragement from pursuing a godly life. On the other hand, the chosen lineage fully acknowledges the sorrow and anguish of a godly life on a temporal earth, yet looks forward to our redemption and the comfort of the heavenly kingdom to come. Fascinating!
My Family
(Husband speaking)

The fear in its place

The fear of Hell should not fuel your foundation of salvation. Such is reason enough but, it makes for an unsteady foundation. Those who come to faith by fear are often(not always)more susceptible to deception. Many live as they wish and consider themselves saved because they attend church on Sundays. Others may realize their need to live their lives in accord with the word of God but still remain with an unrepentant heart. This leads to legalism, they get as close to the line of sin as possible without technically crossing it. Usually justifying their actions by taking scripture out of context, dismissing any and all scripture directly contrary to their predicated interpretation.
Your love and appreciation for the Lord Jesus Christ should be the fuel for the foundation of your salvation. The knowledge that all who are without Christ are bound for Hell and eternal damnation should drive you to share your faith in Christ as the total propitiation for the sins of the world. Forgiveness purchased with His blood offered as a free gift from God to all that will accept it. We love Him because He first loved us.

A word from the radio pulpit, Risky

It’s risky when a plain takes off from a runway, but that’s what plains are made for.
It’s risky when a boat pulls out of the harbor, but that’s what boats are made for.
It’s risky when you back your car out of the driveway, but that’s what cars are made for.
It’s risky to live for God in a Godless world, but that’s what we were made for.

Just a few questions for a Bible believing “church-goer”:

Do you believe that the Bible is the absolute, infallible, inerrant, inspired, word of the living God? Do you believe the 66 canonical books to be true and uncontradictory from Genesis to Revelation? Do you believe the entirety of these books to be good for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction (2Tim 3:15-16)?

If yes, then as we are in agreement about the absolute authority of scripture, I have a few questions. If no, let us first discuss scripture’s authority.

Please do not render any answer without solid Biblical support, with each scripture referenced in context.

*Are we supposed to dress up (in your “Sunday best”) to go to church? If so, why? (Matt. 6:25) (1Tim. 2:9-10) (James 2:1-9)

*What kind of fellowship do you get with a 2 min. handshake time? (Acts 2:42) (1John 1:3-7)

*Why do we have a clergy laity separation? (Matt. 20:25-28) (1Pet. 5:2-3)

*If we are to come and “be filled” with what the pastor has been given, where was he filled and why can’t we be filled from the same? (1Cor. 14:24-25) (Heb. 5:12-14)

*How much edification of one another is there when a preeminent speaker preaches to a passive audience? (Heb. 10:25) (3 John 9-11)

*What good does it do to preach a salvation message to the saved on a weekly basis? (1Cor. 3:2)

*Why are we encouraged to invite the unbeliever to the gathering of the brethren? (2Cor. 6:14) (Psa. 94:20)

*Why does America spend over 12 billion dollars annually in church building maintenance alone? Why do we even need a large expensive building when we only spend a few hours a week in it? (1Cor. 4:2) (Acts 2:46-47) (Acts 20:20)

*Why do we tolerate denominational divisions in the body of Christ? (1Cor. 1:10-13) (1Cor. 3:3-4)

*In light of these questions, are we really doing things “by the book”? (Acts 2:40-47) (1Cor 12-14)

Since the time of Constantine, those that are called after the name of Christ have wandered from the foundation He set.
We long to see the gathering of brethren under the headship of Christ, and not any man, as modeled in Acts and elsewhere in Scripture, where each one brings forth moved by the Holy Spirit to exhort and encourage one another, where a multitude of elders hold no exalted position, but being firmly founded in Scripture exist to model Christ and correct and guide when necessary.
The purpose of this post is to get you to think and question the foundation of your beliefs and practices and encourage you to be founded on the true foundation of God’s word rather than the traditions of men.

My Family
(Husband speaking)

Flee From Religion! … Follow Christ!

To the brethren in bondage under institutional Churchianity, I implore you: cast off your beloved chains, put away the traditions of men and move freely in the spirit. Many of you say, “We have no chains! To what traditions are we bound?”
My brethren I say unto you: In nearly every institutional church, I have either heard a sermon or read a doctrinal statement entailing the absolute authority of scripture. Yet, both of these mediums violate the very scripture they attest as their foundation.

A doctrinal statement (typical of denominationalism) is, in itself, divisive; establishing a schism in the body of Christ, and declaring a proud unwillingness to discuss scripture fully until the body is unified in understanding. Such divisiveness spoken against and exemplified in the following scriptures:

Throughout scripture, sermons were not a regular thing, and we do not find a salvation message preached to the saved on a weekly basis. There is a place for preaching but it is not behind a pulpit. The purpose has always been to declare the truth to those that know it not, from Moses in Deuteronomy and Ezra in his book, all the way through Christ in the sermon on the mount and Paul on Mars Hill.

Heb. 10:25 is the scripture they use to say, “Be in church every time the doors are open!” But the scripture says: (Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.). First of all, speaking on the importance of fellowship, how in the world can you call two minuets of handshakes per weak (on average) Godly edification and fellowship? Secondly, what kind of “one anothering” is going on if one man expounds to all and no one expounds to him? We are not supposed to operate in a trickle down inspiration system.

The word for pastor means shepherd and is translated pastor only once in the entire New Testament and where it appears it is not a prominent figure. It is in a list of gifts and callings and in no way describes the office now attributed to it. In fact, we are warned against having a chief speaker. In stead, we are to have a multitude of elders (fully discipled men) overseeing the younger in faith, all of which participate in the gathering. But, what do we have if all study and pray while apart, then come together and preach to each other without a hierarchical system of order? You get “a nation of priests.” Sound familiar?

I attended a Baptist church that had mark 16:15 on the wall. It said ( And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.) yet their first priority in witnessing was come to church, that you may be saved and discipled. Now I’m pretty sure that “Go” and “come” are opposite; and as far as inviting the unbeliever to the gathering of the brethren, the bible speaks expressly against it. We are commanded to go and disciple, then invite the believers to the fellowship. If an unbeliever stumbles in, no problem, but we are not to purpose the event.
…
If we hold these scriptures so dear, why do we fail to follow the guidelines so clearly laid out? This is not meant to vex you, but rather encourage you. Repent of your traditions; obey the Lord in the direction he has given.

My Family
(Husband speaking)

The milk of the word, Discipleship step 1

Introduction
This study is meant for newborn babes in the lord, or simply, those who have yet to be taught. It’s purpose is to lay a sure foundation directly from scripture. Much like when raising children their first nourishment is milk, the more complex proteins broken down into an easily absorbed form.
An annual refresher course is also profitable for those older in the faith so that they remember the firm foundation and do not go astray. Just as football practice every year starts with “This is a foot ball.” so, this brief study undertaken annually keeps us on the foundation laid by Christ and perpetuated by the apostles. All doctrines formed fall under these six foundational headings, if you come across a doctrine that exists apart from/ or in direct opposition to these principals it can immediately be rejected as false.

Hebrews 5:12-6:312For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.(6)1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit.

In 1Peter 2:2 we are told: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”. We have here, laid out in scripture a list entailing what is meant by “the milk of the word” a detailed scripture study of each of these will define the precise meaning. As we can see in vs-14 of Hebrews 5, one should not move on to spiritual meat until these foundations are sure and unshakeable.
Furthermore in 2 John 1:9-11 we read: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds”. May the spirit be your teacher and the scripture be your text, all else that follows is merely the word of man, meant to help you understand.

Repentance from dead works
In reading the Old Testament, and especially the book of Ecclesiastes, we see that when we do any works apart from God weather good or bad they are dead works. In Ecclesiastes Solomon concludes that life without God has no meaning, we live, we eat, we die, if we then blink into nothingness all the pain, toil, and hardships; were pointless. why undertake such an endeavor? But even works that God has commanded can become an offence to Him (Isaiah 1:14-15). It is no wonder that the scripture says that anything done apart from faith is sin (Romans14:23). and this fact helps us to see that indeed all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), if every good deed we ever did before we believed was just as sinful as the wrongs we’ve done the burden laid on Christ for our sakes was indeed tremendous. Initial repentance from sin obviously falls under this foundation stone but this applies to much more. In short any work done without the intent to give God glory is a dead work, and we are to repent from such pointless endeavors. In fact, even if ones actions are entirely focused on giving glory to God, if He did not send you to do that work in the first place, it is a dead work. Many Christians have been burnt out in the calling of another, sometimes we need to learn to say “no” but more often than not we need to seek God’s purpose in us, perhaps we will help for a time, perhaps not. Only God really knows, ask Him. A thorough examination of the following scriptures should render itself useful in exacting the position of this foundation stone.
Psalm115:4-8, Psalm135:15-18, Matt. 8:22, Matt. 23:27, Acts 19:13-15, Romans 6:1-2(chapters 5-8), Ephesians 2:1, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 11:6, 1pet 4:1-6, Revelation 3:1-6

Faith toward God
Again, a large element of salvation falls under this stone, we repent of our former self entirely and turn toward God in faith that He will bury the “old man” whom we have just abandoned. But how is faith manifest in our lives? The evidence of this original faith is a changed nature, resulting in a changed life. It may not be immediately obvious as the spirit works from the inside out. With a little time burning away the chaff, the outward man will soon reflect the inward man, but that will be addressed under baptisms. This subject of evidence of faith is directly addressed in the book of James as follows:

James 2:14-26: 14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Pay close attention to vs-18, the works referred to here are not works of the law but works of faith. And it is essential to understand the difference. The works of the law are ritualistic ordinances which are neither good nor bad, the symbol is nothing, what is symbolized carries all the importance. Such as baptism, the ordinance is nothing without the inward condition it represents. However, it was instituted by the Lord; therefore an able-bodied believer refusing baptism would also bring fourth a symbol of disobedience and even denying of the Lord. To learn more of faith toward God, study the following scriptures:

(Psalms 31:23, Psalms 101:6, Proverbs 28:20, Habakkuk2:4, Matthew 6:30, Matthew 8:5-10, Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 9:1-8, Matthew 9:20-22, Matthew 9:27-31, Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew 15:22-28, Matthew 16:5-12, Matthew 17:14-22, Matthew 21:18-21, Matthew 23:23, Mark2:3-12, Mark 4:35-41, Mark 5:25-34, Mark 9:17-29, Mark 10:46-52, Mark 11:22-23, Luke 5:18-26, Luke 7:1-10, Luke 7:36-50,
Luke 8:22-25, Luke 8:43-48, Luke 9:38-42, Luke 12:28, Luke 17:5-6, Luke 17:11-19, Luke 18:35-42,
Luke 22:31-32, John 20:26-29, Acts 3:16, Acts 14:9-10, Acts 15:7-9, Acts 20:21, Acts 26:15-18, Romans 1:8, Romans1:17, Romans 3:22-31, Romans 4:5-5:2, Romans 9:30-33, Romans 10:17, Romans 12:3,
Romans 14:22-23, 1 Corinthians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 2 Corinthians 1:24,
2 Corinthians 8:7, Galatians 3, Galatians 5:5-6, Ephesians 2:8, Colossians 2:5-7, 1 Thessalonians 1:3,
1 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:22, 2 Timothy 3:15, Titus 2:1-2, Hebrews 4:2, Hebrews 10:38, Hebrews 11, James 1:3, James 1:6, James 5:15, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 1:21, Revelation 2:19)


Doctrine of baptisms
Just to clarify, there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, this has nothing to do with being dunked in a river multiple times, rather it is several points of our Christian lives that will naturally manifest as we learn and grow and the Lord continually cleanses us from our inbred iniquity. All manifestations are not necessary for salvation, nor do they always fall in any set order, but these are the things with witch our lives will be consumed as we are continually reformed into the image of our savior. As the lord works in us and through us his glory begins to shine fourth from us. We are being prepared to act in His name and power.
2 Peter 1:2-4 2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Believers baptism entails being baptized:
Unto Repentance, Into His death, Into His life, and Into the one body.
Which gives way to, or is brought about by being baptized:
With the Holy Spirit
Any of these when recognized by the world may result in being baptized:
With Fire (trials), and ultimately Into His suffering
Each of these seven are explained below:

* Unto Repentance: John baptized unto repentance but after his death this was inseparably tied to the baptism of Christ. We recognize our sin and repent of it, (repentance alone being a gift of God) immediately clinging to Jesus and his promise of salvation, binding our sin to His cross, this is how we are baptized into His death. Initial repentance is but one necessary component of true salvation. In your Christian walk you will find more and more things in your life that are unbecoming of a Christian, as they are discovered repentance of them is necessary, but a rebaptism is not for that would be crucifying our lord afresh, we need only repent and ask his forgiveness this is all part of the continual sanctification and reformation into His image.
(Matthew 3:7-11, Mark1:4-5, Luke 3:3, John 3:22-30 & 4:1-2,
Acts 2:38, Acts 18:25, Acts19:3-5)

* Into His death: that our sins may be buried with Him, and we may be raised to new life with him as well. This is then symbolized by aquatic immersion, our first opportunity to declare our faith in the savior, identifying ourselves with him, this action (immersion) is not necessary for salvation, tough what it represents (death to sin) is the very essence of salvation. However a failure to take part in this symbolic action though able bodied and unhindered would be a violation of the ordinance that Christ himself set in place. Our death to sin is symbolized my the immersion, rising out of the water symbolizes being raised to the newness of life, His life.
(Matthew 10:32-33, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Acts2:38, Acts8:12, Acts 8:35-38,
Acts 9:17-22, Acts 10:45-48, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:31-34, Acts 18:7-11, Acts 19:3-5,
Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, Ephesians 4:4-5, Colossians 2:12, 1 Peter 3:18-22)

* Into His life: To be baptized into His life is the continual process of sanctification and reformation into His image, as we are his and are called by His name Christ lives vicariously through us not just in our “church practices” but in all of life His glory is to shine from us insomuch that even the world can see Christ in us, much like Pharaoh saw the Spirit of God in Joseph. This is all accomplished through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which may at various points result in manifestations of power (the baptism of the Holy Spirit), however these manifestations can occur before the symbolic act of immersion. As we are then one with Christ we are also one with each other in Christ, thus into the one body.
(Genesis 41:38, Romans 14:8, 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Galatians 2:20,
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, 1 John 2:6)


* Into the one body: as Jesus himself prayed we as Christians are to be one. If indeed, we have been baptized into His life this should not be a difficult concept to grasp. If we are each one with Him individually we are then one in Him corporately. The church (body of believers) is to be like a family, one so closely knit that each member is an inseparable part of each other’s lives. Much like in the design of marriage, the husband and wife are to be one flesh, we as the corporate body are to be one in Christ and each individual personally has this same sort of oneness relationship with our Lord and Savior.
(John 17:20-23, 1 Corinthians 1:12-17, 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Corinthians12:13,
Galatians 3:26-29, Ephesians 2:13-22, Ephesians 3:6, Ephesians4:3-6, Ephesians 5:30,
Colossians 3:15)

* With the Holy Spirit: when we are saved the Holy Spirit begins to cleans us that the Lord may dwell within us, He will teach us that we may know the will of God and understand His word. Revelations, prophecy, dreams and visions are wrought through Him. Further, there are times in our walk that we will be utterly consumed and totally overcome by the Spirit and power of God. At this time, God may do many signs, wonders and miracle through us, not for our glory but for His. There may be healings, prophecy, miracles, words of wisdom, revelation of the mysteries of God, tongues (always accompanied by its interpretation). It is not like being possessed where you are bound and have no control over your outside circumstances. Rather the Lord puts in you the irresistible urge to act. (1 Corinthians 14:26-33)When we prophesy let it be at the most three, one after the other, then let the others judge, if a tongue is given let it be at the most three successively, and if there be no interpreter let them keep silent, obviously we have some control. If it be out of order, beyond the individuals control, or there be no interpreter, take heed for the devil and his ministers can counterfeit tongues and curse the name of your Savior (Acts 20:28-30) and even draw you away from the truth and the spirit of God leading you down a path of religious emptiness. Transforming himself into a minister of light he may even beguile the undiscerning into cursing their savior with an unknown tongue. Therefore, read His word to know His voice, and recognize the counterfeit when it comes.
(Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 3:11, Matthew 7:21-23, Mark 1:8, Mark 16:17-18, Luke 3:16, Luke 21:8, Acts 1:5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4-12, Acts 2:17-18, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:15-17, Acts 9:17-22,
Acts 10:45-48, Acts 11:16, Acts 20:28-30, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15,
1 John 4:1-3)

* With Fire (trials): As James says, the trying of your faith worketh patience, and let patience have her perfect work in you. God in his infinite wisdom allows things to come into our lives to try our faith that the chaff (residual sin) may be burned away. When our friends and family forsake us for becoming a “Jesus Freak” and abandoning our former ways of drunkenness, gratification, and violence; That is indeed a trial by fire, a baptism administered by Christ himself. Will we come through the trial as a sward refined in the fire, continuing on the narrow way, scorned and reviled by our former companions? Or will it be revealed that we love the world and all it contains more than Jesus and the eternal life in His kingdom that he has promised? This is usually one of the first trials faced by a new believer, as we learn and grow the world sees it and being diametrically opposed to God and His word, will do everything possible to crush this seed of righteousness. Take strength dear Christian this is but the first of many trials to come; which may result in the shedding of blood for his names sake.
(Genesis 22:1-18, Job, Psalms 119:75, Matthew 3:11-12, Matthew 10:36-39, Matthew 19:16-24 Luke 3:16, James 1:2-4,Revelation 3:19)


* Into His suffering: Most Christians have no interest in receiving this baptism, but remember, “no servant is greater than his master, the world hated me it will hate you also”. Tying in with trials by fire, aside from testing our faith the world may see it fit to cause us physical harm and even take our lives. Will we rejoice that we are counted worthy of chastisement for his names sake? Will we walk out of the furnace without the smell of smoke on us? Will we be received into glory as we entreat the lord not to hold our murderers responsible for our deaths? You may not be ready for this baptism, but don’t worry the Lord does not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to overcome. Just remember, our strength is in Him; though we be weak and feeble Satan himself cannot overtake us, and even the gates of hell cannot withstand us.
(Daniel 3, Matthew 20:22-23, Matthew 24:9-10, Mark 10:38-39, Acts 5:17-24, Acts 7:51-60,
2 Corinthians 4:8-18, 2 Timothy 3:12)

***Note: The following does not pertain to the doctrine of baptisms,***
***but as a curious bit of scripture, baptism for the dead should be addressed here.***
Mentioned only once in scripture, Paul references this pagan practice of baptizing for the dead in writing to the (former pagan) Corinthians, reasoning with them that there is indeed a resurrection and even their carnal mind knew that there must be more to the end of life than the grave. This was an appeal to their former understanding, not a condoning or mandating of the practice, it was merely to help them understand. (1 Corinthians 15:29)

Laying on of hands
Throughout the Old and New Testament we see that those who are called of God for one purpose or another, are often anointed with oil by their predecessor or a prophet and a prayer of blessing is offered. This is often called an ordination. In the New Testament we see this clearly continued in Paul. He was called of God and after years of learning from Christ Himself, The Holy Spirit, and the apostles sent before him, he was officially sent (having been told of God’s purpose in him straight from his conversion). God told the brethren, where Paul was, to send him and Barnabas to the gentiles. So, they laid hands on them and sent them to their destination with a blessing. Ordination, such as this, is but one aspect of “laying on of hands”. A study of the following scriptures will reveal that this practice is always done with prayer and often accompanied with fasting and/or anointing with oil when appropriate. The purpose of laying on of hands is for: ordination (as discussed, an official recognizing of the LORD’S purpose in them, which is already at work), a prayer of blessing (for any reason that it is needed), a prayer of healing (of an ailment or condition), and in some cases, for the receipt of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. However, in all of this, DO NOT DO SO HASTILY! Do not ordain someone because he proclaimed his calling, do so when and if the LORD tells you to. The same goes for the receipt of the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts, and for a blessing, the desire to receive is not a reason to act, the LORD will tell you when he wants you to act in this manner.

(Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 5:23, Mark 6:2-5, Mark 8:22-26, Mark 10:16, Mark 16:18, Luke 4:40,
Luke 13:11-13, Acts 5:12, Acts 6:1-8, Acts 8:14-23, Acts 9:17-18, Acts 13:3, Acts 14:3, Acts 19:6, Acts 19:11, Acts 28:8, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:22, 2 Timothy 1:6 Hebrews 6:2)

Resurrection of the dead
More than a foundational principal of the doctrine of Christ, the resurrection of the dead is one of three essential issues in Christianity; the other two being our savior’s virgin birth and a sinless life of prophetic fulfillment. While it is stated best in the scripture referenced below, the point is this: if Christ did not raise from the dead in bodily form, then He is not God, death conquered Him, and our hope is therefore futile.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19: 12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

One may speculate to their heart’s content about the when, where, and how many; but scripture clearly teaches a final resurrection. Though all the references below are from the New Testament, by them we can clearly see that this was a clear teaching from the Old Testament. Job speaks of the hope of an afterlife transformation, David has confidence that He will see his son again when he died at age two, Abraham when told to sacrifice his son told his bearers to wait here the lad and I will return, and as Jesus said, from the scriptures we know that God is the God of the living and not of the dead, yet God is rightly called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore they being dead must be yet alive in the presence of The Almighty.

Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:23, Matthew 22:23-32, Matthew 27:52-53, Mark 12:18-27, Luke 9:22,
Luke 14:14, Luke 20:27-38, John 2:19, John 5:28-29, John 6:39-40, John 6:44, John 6:54, John 11:24-25,
Acts 1:22, Acts 2:23-32, Acts 3:15, Acts 3:26, Acts 4:1-2, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33, Acts 5:30, Acts 10:40,
Acts 13:28-37, Acts 17:18, Acts 17:30-31, Acts 23:6-8, Acts 24:14-21, Acts 26:8, Romans 1:3-4,
Romans 4:24-25, Romans 6:4-11, Romans 7:4, Romans 8:11, Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 6:14,
1 Corinthians 15:1-58, 2 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Corinthians 4: 14-15, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:20,
Philippians 3:10-14, Colossians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 2 Timothy 2:8, 2 Timothy 2:17-18, Hebrews 6:2, Hebrews 11:35, 1 Peter 1:3-5, 1 Peter 1:21, 1 Peter 3:21-22, Revelation 20:1-10,

Eternal Judgment
The study of eternal judgment often triggers dispute, many struggle with the thought that there is an ultimate consequence to their accumulated action. The fact is that sin has a price to be paid and if God did not require the satisfaction of that debt, He would not be just. He will not change his character for us but He did give us a way of escape. In reading the following verses you will find that Hell is a literal place of fire, brimstone, darkness, and great sorrow, with everlasting conscious torment of all who reside therein, created for Satan and the angels that followed him. Our eternal destination depends on who we follow, Jesus unto eternal life, or Satan (in his many forms, and especially our own lusts) unto everlasting condemnation.

(2 Samuel 22:6, Job 19:29, Job 21:20, Job 21:30, Psalm 9:17, Psalm 11:5-7, Psalm 16:10, Psalm 18:5, Psalm 55:4, Psalm 55:15, Psalm 86:13, Psalm 116:3, Proverbs 5:5, Proverbs 7:27 Proverbs 11:4,
Proverbs 14:32, Proverbs 27:20, Isaiah 5:14, Isaiah 13:9, Isaiah 33:14, Ezekiel 7:19, Ezekiel 18:32,
Ezekiel 33:11, Daniel 12:1-2, Matthew 3:7, Matthew 3:10-12, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 7:19, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 13:24-30 & 13:37-50, Matthew 18:8-9, Matthew 23:29-33, Matthew 25:31-46,
Mark 9:42-48, Luke 3:9, Luke 3:17, Luke 12:4-5, Luke 16:19-31, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 8:51, John 15:6, Acts 2:24, Acts 17:29-31, Romans 2:5-6, Romans 5:8-9, Romans 6:16, Romans 6:20-23, Romans 7:5,
Romans 8:2, Romans 8:6, 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Hebrews 9:27, James 1:15, James 3:6, James 5:20, 2 Peter 3:7, 2 Peter 3:9, Jude 1:5-7, Revelation 1:18, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 11:18, Revelation 14:9-11, Revelation 19:19-21, Revelation 20:6, Revelation 20:10-15,
Revelation 21:8)



Dear Brethren,
As is stated above, the word of man in this document is in no way absolute, if you have any question or correction, please offer it; and upon discussion, corrections can be made. The word of man herein is only meant to assist understanding; the authority is in the word of God. Also if you know of any scriptures not listed for any of these principals that aught to be, please let us know and they will be added to the list; but be sure that the scripture is teaching what is right not rebuking what is wrong. Remember the purpose of this study is to lay the foundation not build on it; that will be left to a later study. Also note: this study will be reformatted to improve clarity of references once I get around to it.

My Family
(Husband speaking)

Home fellowship,1Cor 14 style meetings

We are Christians that purpose to follow the word of God in both it’s directions and example. This is how it’s done:

In the New Testament, we read of all regulatory church meetings in homes. (Acts 20:20, Rom. 16:3, 1Cor. 16:19 there are more)This continued for three hundred years, not for the lack of ability to get an official building, but for the lack of such a need. Buildings create an unnecessary expense and serve to hinder the body in open participation. Whereas a home is a familiar family setting where all brethren are on equal ground regardless of status. It also limits the size so that no one can be lost in the crowd. The goal is that each member learns and grows into a fully discipled qualified elder. (1Tim. 3:1-13)We meet today for the same reason that the early church met, for the breaking of bread in the lord’s supper(taken as a full meal) which develops into the open participatory meeting of 1Cor. 14:26-40

Typically, as people arrive they help prepare for the meal, snack on a few appetizers, and strike up conversations of things profitable. Once all have arrived we take our seats, one brother (usually the host) will stand, bless the food and break the one loaf to be partaken of by all, thus the meal begins. Discussions and encouragement continues through the meal as well as news of Christ’s working through his people. Once all have finished eating the discussions are postponed and the one cup is passed coupled with song and usually prayer. The singing continues as the table is cleared and all share in the cleanup. This moves us into the 1Cor 14 meeting. Where each brother is expected to bring fourth what the lord has been teaching him and his family that week.

Each one respectful to the other waits for a break to interject or conclusion to move on. After a couple hours or so if the weather is fair we would all go for a walk through the woods or down to the creek. If we met nearer the city we would walk to the park. Either way our conversations would continue and the children would play and run as we went, as their parents kept a careful eye. Once our destination had been reached our conversations and their play continued. We would mosey back to the house just in time to prepare supper. The food is blessed and we continue in conversation, song, and prayer as the spirit leads just as had been before. Until one by one families leave realizing that bed time has long since passed. We would typically arrive at 10:30 AM and not leave till midnight.

There is of course a good deal of freedom in this type of meeting, most meet eat talk and leave all in the space of three hours or so. This is simply to give you a picture of what the home church is like. You’ll not find a doctrinal statement nor a denominational label. Such things are divisive.A plurality of qualified elders and the open format guard against false doctrine and wolves among the flock.Children are well trained to quietly play and listen near or in sight of their parents. They glean from the same spiritual food as the adults. Their main guidance is the responsibility of their parents. This continues until 16 or 17 as they take the reigns of adulthood; though they are encouraged to participate more around age 13 as maturity permits.

We of the house church have come to the conviction that we are to follow scripture in both direction and example. If you have not been so convicted, so be it, the Lord has no doubt worked through the institutional church through the centuries and He still works today. But just as we see when Moses struck the rock the second time, God may bless though we choose to do things our own way ignoring His directions. As for me and my house, Our desire is His design.

My Family
(Husband speaking)

Seder significance, Get the picture?

The Passover Seder is truly incredible. Utterly laden with pictures of Christ beyond the scope of this tract to expound, there have been Jews converted simply by the realization of them. This annual feast commanded by God was given as a reminder of past events and a shadow of things to come. The Lord’s supper was the substance of this shadow, which in itself foreshadows the wedding feast of the lamb.

In the Passover, a lamb is to be slain in the doorway of the home with its blood to be put on the lintels and door posts. We see in this a lamb slain between two crosses.

We also have the matzah tosh, a piece of linen with three pockets in which three loaves of matzah bread are placed with a fold over the opening, all together representing unity. (The God we serve is triune and whenever the trinity is mentioned in Scripture it goes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

The middle loaf is taken out (never the first nor the last). This bread in its preparation has been bruised and pierced (as our Lord was for our iniquity).
It is then broken.Half is placed back in the matzah tosh, and the other half is wrapped in a linen napkin and hidden. (Jesus was hidden three days in the heart of the earth). Later in the evening the children go to find it and bring it to the patriarch who gives them a coin or token (our Lord was bought for a price). This bread is called the Afikomen, which means “I have come.” It is then partaken of by all. (This is the same bread of which Jesus said, “This is My body which is broken for you.”)

After the meal, Jesus took the third cup of the evening, which is the cup of salvation, and declared, “This is the cup of the new covenant in My blood.” After this He said, “I will not partake of it again until it finds fulfillment in My kingdom.” Jesus also said, “Do this as often as you drink it unto My remembrance” (luke22:14-23). Interestingly the Greek in this passage uses emou which is a personal possessive- my, and the word remembrance is anamnesis, literally- not amnesia or reminder. So then, Jesus Christ is saying that when we partake of this meal we are enacting a reminder to Him. Much like when God put the rainbow in the clouds he did it to remind Himself of the covenant He made with the earth.

It may make you wonder, if Christ instituted this with His disciples in a Passover fulfillment context; are we given any evidence of how they later understood to follow it; and are we ever given any liberty to change it as we see fit?
(1cor11:23-34) For nearly 300 years it was celebrated as a full meal in accord with the original apostles example and epistles (1cor11:2, 2ths2:15) before it was reduced to only the two main elements and stripped of its fulfillment context and eschatological overtones. It is now widely practiced as a somber remembrance of His death. But why should we mourn? He is no longer dead! He said to celebrate His death until He comes. We are to celebrate with a feast, looking forward to the wedding banquet of the lamb.

In 1cor11 Paul is rebuking believers for the unworthy manner in which they have been eating the Lord’s supper. Paul deals with two major offences-some getting drunk at the Lord’s table and others going home hungry. Clearly then at this time it was a full meal. Some may say that a viable option to avoid this situation is the reduction of the feast to a symbolic ordinance. Though this may solve the drunkenness problem, all then would go home hungry. Paul’s conclusion however is to keep the feast and wait for one another, wait for the saints at the Lord’s table. If you don’t think you can wait, eat at home first.
You may also want to reference the following: Exo12, Exo18:12, Exo24:9-11, Mat26:26-30, Act20:7, Jude12, Rev3:20

My Family
(Husband speaking)

How long was Jesus’ body actually in the tomb?

Is it possible to spend three full days and nights in a tomb then rise on the third day?(Mat. 12:40) VS (Luk.24:7)
Isn’t this a contradiction? We know that He rose before morning began, so that “day” didn’t count, only the night portion. The traditional reckoning totals only 1 day and 2 nights in the tomb. But read on, there is no contradiction…

This seems to be a contradiction until you understand the commanded holidays in (Lev.23). What we know of Christ’s death and burial is this:

*He ate the Passover the evening before His trial. Jewish days are measured from sundown to sundown, therefore the Passover is eaten in the first part of the 14th of Abib. The trial, scourging, crucifixion, death and burial of Christ would have taken place later that same day, the 14th of Abib.
(Lev.23:1-5 & The latter part of all gospels)

*As the sundown, which marks the beginning of the Sabbath, was fast approaching, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea (and the women who never left His side until He was in the tomb) hastily prepared and entombed His body.
(Mat.27:55-61, Mrk.15:40-47, Luk. 23:50-55, Jhn.19:38-42)

*The women, we are told, bought spices to anoint His body and rested on the Sabbath according to the law. (Note that the market would have been closed by the time Jesus was entombed, preventing the women from buying the spices until the morning after the Sabbath.) The priests however asked Pilot for a guard on this day.
(Mat.27:62-66, Mrk.16:1, Luk.23:56)

*The Sabbath we are speaking of would be the 15th of Abib, which is the first day of the feast of unleavened bread and an annual Sabbath, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. On this day the women rested.
(Lev.23:6-8)

*The day following this annual Sabbath would be the 16th of Abib, the feast of the first fruits, in which one would fast until his first fruits offering had been received. This day is also the first day in the counting up to 50 days for Pentecost (the celebration of the giving of the law). On this day, the women would have ample opportunity to buy and prepare the spices. Jesus could not possibly have risen on this day seeing as by dawns light of the 16th He would have been in the grave 1 day and 2 nights and He said “as the prophet Jonah… 3 days and 3 nights”.
(Lev.23:9-16, Mat.12:40, Mat.26:61, Mat.27:63, Mrk.8:31, Mrk.16:1, Jhn.2:19) (Note when they say “after the third day”)

*The weekly Sabbath must then follow on the 17th, as we are told that He rose on the first day of the week. (The 1st is always preceded by the 7th which is the Sabbath.) The women would have then rested on this 2nd Sabbath and gone to the tomb before daylight break on the 18th of Abib and found Jesus risen, after three full days in the heart of the earth as He stated. This would have been on the 3rd day in the counting up to Pentecost, not on the 3rd day counting from His entombment. Reference the time line for clarification.He, indeed, rose on The third day, after three full 24hour days in the tomb.
(Mat.16:21, Mat.17:23, Mat.20:19, Mat.28:1-2, Mrk.10:34, Mrk.16:2-8, Luk.9:22, Luk.18:33, Luk.24:1, Luk.24:7, Jhn.20:1)


My Family
(Husband speaking)

Bible college conclusions

“Freely ye have received, freely give.”

As I have prayed and sought after the Lord’s will and direction in my life, He has seen fit to lay on my heart a teaching from His word. I see today somewhat of a hypocrisy among the brethren; and apparently not one the least bit aware of it. We preach about faith and trusting in God in all things. We preach consistency in the believer as ordered by the nature of God (1 Peter 1:15-16 / Hebrews 13:8) and against having double standards. We speak of fulfilling the role to which God has called you, yet there is something that seems to be hindering us.
A thing of a similar sort was last seen in 19th century England (as far as I’ve heard). In many small churches, and large as well, the preacher’s salary came from pew rentals; you would actually pay a fee and buy your seat in church, with the more costly seats being nearest the preacher. Can you find something scripturally wrong with this? One young preacher did and forthwith abolished this practice in his small church, totally cutting off his entire salary and livelihood. What followed was one of the roughest years of his ministry, as only the poor continued to support him and the rich left the church entirely. But for those who know the rest of George Muller’s story, you’ll remember that by acting in faith and taking an unwavering stance on God’s Word he allowed the Lord to work through him in many powerful ways. Through it all, the Lord met his every need.
I hear constantly things like, “We are not to be like the world,” “Trust in God to meet your needs,” “It is not the pastor’s job alone to witness,” and so on. Yet as I have fervently desired to be equipped to the service for which the Lord has been preparing me and I seek out Bible colleges, I find more and more the entire premise to be in violation of many key principles and in direct violation of Scripture. If I am wrong, I need to be corrected, but what I have found is as follows.


2 Corinthians 9:10 - 12(KJV) 10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
Titus 1:5(KJV) 5For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Read whole book.)
It is the responsibility of the church and the elders therein to equip the saints for service.

Matthew 23:8(KJV) 8But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Do not seek the titles recognized by the world. We are to be set apart from the world. Yet many Bible colleges promote accreditation and titles such as BA, BS, PhD, etc. If a man should seek a worldly title through the study of God, his purpose is unworthy.

Matthew 10:8(KJV) 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (In context)
Romans 12:1(KJV) 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
No minister of the Gospel should be paid for the administration of his duties. The Lord will provide the every need of a faithful servant. Every sinner saved by grace must be raised up and discipled fully. Every man should be in continual pursuit of christlike character resulting in the qualifications of eldership. The goal of raising children is to raise an adult able to raise a child to be an adult. A convert is to be fully discipled insomuch as they will then be able to fully disciple a convert. Such a life and devotion requires total sacrifice, submission, and dependence on God.


James 2:1 - 5, 9(KJV) 1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.2For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
There is no faith or God dependence involved in compulsory giving. If anything, (especially in this case, tuition) that would be respecting the rich man and casting away the poor. Such is sinful!
while i have heard that some bible collages will allow you to sit in on classes without paying for the coarse you'll never receive credit nor recognition for having taken it. beside the fact that this situation is only available to those of us that live near a bible collage with plenty of time on your hands. but for those like me whose time is nearly exhausted securing provision barely sufficient for my family's needs, such situations are simply not available.

My Family
(Husband speaking)

View of Scripture

My original post in 2010 was a simple regurgitated script I learned from a church in California that read,
"The Bible is the infallible, inspired, inerrant word of the living God. It is our rule of living, standard of conduct and final authority in all things." I have learned somewhat since then...

My view of scripture 2015

The cannon

            The Bible is not a book; it is a collection of written works authored by men of God concerning their witness of God’s action or instruction in their lives. What we call the Old Testament was compiled and officiated just over two centuries before Christ, and these are the “scriptures” so often referred to in the New Testament. Jesus never spoke against this collection nor did He suggest that there might be more. He did, however, vehemently oppose the rabbinical tradition passed down from the same period. The Apocrypha, though accompanying this collection, was never considered scripture.

            The books selected for the New Testament represent those that met an exclusive and stringent criteria, hotly debated in ecumenical councils with a great deal of meditative prayer; patterned after the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35). Many of the texts that failed the test are available for reexamination today. We also have historians of the day, like Eusebeus, discussing the debate and reasons for exclusions. While I questioned the inclusion of Revelation for a time, in the end I believe they made the right decision on the cannon of 66 books. The criteria were that a New Testament text must have apostolic authority or sanction with the intent or effect of common circulation among the early church. If a text was widely popular though lacking clear apostolic authority, it had to be ensured to have no conflicts or contradictions with the balance of proven apostolic and Old Testament texts.

Textual reliability

            How do we reconcile textual variances within the Word of God?... Divine preservation of corrupted perfection. God created a perfect environment on paradise earth, but He entrusted that paradise to man. The earth today is a scarred and distorted shadow of what was originally created, yet, despite the effects of sin, the earth is clearly designed that life may thrive. In the same way God gave His perfect word to man, and would continue to do so if only we would listen. Man composed that which God taught so that the spiritually deaf may receive the word of God through their physical eyes. Then generation after generation did their best to preserve that which was passed down to them. Through it all, while discrepancies and typos are evident God has preserved His word that it inerrantly leads us to Him. In both cases, His preservation has been so effectual that we were not only meant to survive, but all together thrive, both physically and spiritually. As to the reliability of the 28,000 handwritten manuscripts dating to within one century of the autograph, while there are no two identical, no variance has affected the core of any text. A variance is usually in word order or spelling differences, occasionally a copyist would miss a line if it started the same as the line before it, or one might accidentally include a note written on the master text in the body of the passage. When all manuscripts are compiled, most discrepancies are easily spotted, while the more difficult have no effect on any major doctrine. Furthermore, even if we lacked any and all manuscripts, nearly the whole of the New Testament could be reproduced from the citations of the early and latter church fathers. That’s astounding preservation!

My approach

            The Bible was not divinely dictated in authorship, translation, or selection. The latter church fathers were prayerfully guided in their canonical discussions, all translators of the sacred texts past and present are gifted linguists whose work compels due consideration, and the authors, having learned from God and walking daily in His presence composed their works to the people of their day addressing the issues at hand with the express purpose of guiding them back to the abiding presence of that same divine Spirit. The Bible was never intended to be our guide; it is our map directing us to our Guide.

            The Bible is not absolutely necessary for our salvation or sanctification. If it were, then its authors and their predecessors would have no hope of either. We do not need to read correction daily, we need to walk in His presence constantly. Should we dispense with the scriptures then? Certainly not! Only realize that the point is to know Him and what He is doing, not just knowing about Him and what He has done. When we know well what He has done in the past we are the more able to recognize the moving of His Spirit in the present. But, rest assured, there will be no trivia challenge or memory verse recitation predicating our entrance into heaven. It’s about walking with Him in spirit and truth.

The interpretation and application of scripture

            The Bible is composed of a variety of writing types; history, poetry, prophecy, allegory, letters of exhortation, and law. In what manner should we understand scripture? That depends... History should be taken as true unless there is due cause to consider otherwise and in that case it is usually our understanding that is flawed because we have read traditional details into the report without realizing it. History comprises the main balance of scripture and is the preserved record of the eyewitnesses of their day. We can learn of God and how to walk with Him from the example of their lives. Poetry should be taken poetically, filled with word pictures and hyperbole. While poetry is woven around the events that inspired it, it is not usually meant to express historical data, but rather, convey the mood and emotion of the event and the effect on the author’s personal connectedness with God. Prophecy should always be read in the light of history, not assumed to have yet to be fulfilled. Sometimes a prophet would proclaim a divine warning, sometimes reveal secrets, and sometimes predict the future, at times with unmistakable directness, and at times in ambiguous word pictures. When it’s direct, you simply have to look for its fulfillment in the history since its authorship. When it’s a vision step one is grasping what the prophet saw, then maybe you can examine history for possible fulfillment. But, with a vision, we often miss crucial details skewing our understanding. Such as the word “like”, for example, when a prophet says he saw something that was “like” a bull, he did not see a bull, but, what he saw gave him the impression of a bull by its traits, characteristics, or emotional effect. And while it may boggle the western mind neither history nor prophecy is necessarily presented chronologically in scripture.

            Parables should be taken allegorically, focusing on the main point not examining the details of its fictional entourage. Apostolic letters are the direct application of universal Christian principles for the issues in the first century church and should be read with the purpose of grasping those principles. They should only be taken as direct when your situation parallels theirs. And the law, God’s direction for how to live before Him. From the law we learn of the divine sense of justice. While sacrifices and ordinances were fulfilled in Christ we can still draw our sense of right, wrong and responsibility from here. The point of the law has always been to reproduce the character of God into His followers. When the prophets exhort the people, they always point them back to the law. And when they pronounce judgment, it is always to a lesser degree than what the law prescribes. Mercy is not receiving your due consequence, grace is receiving an undue reward, and with God, grace and mercy are just. When we exhibit the likeness of God, our sense of justice is balanced by our desire to show mercy.

            The entirety of the Bible has always been meant to direct us to the presence of our Lord; as we are while in the flesh so we will be when freed from it, abiding in His presence or not. If we memorize every line and obey every letter but miss that point, we’ve missed it all!

Quick Update & Moving Plans

It's just the four of us again; Husband's Cousin and her Husband moved on to California December 31. It was nice to put the house back in order and start getting everything ready for the big move.

For those of you who don't know, we are planning on moving to Missouri at the end of March. With some friends of ours(hereafter known as Ps133Husband and Ps133Wife or Ps133Friends for both), we purchased five acres of forrested hillside just outside Laurie, Missouri in the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks area. Our friends are currently in Jefferson City, Missouri collecting farming tools and trying to stay warm while working part time at Best Buy.

So, basically our plan is to pack everything we own into a 5x8 enclosed cargo trailer and drive out there, spend a little time with our Ps133Friends and then head on out to the property. Our first priority once we are actually on the land is for Husband to build us a house! McGee and I will enjoy helping of course, but the bulk of the responsibility will lie with him. (Though Bernard might enjoy playing in the mud, she probably won't be all that helpful in the house builiding endeavors.) To keep costs low, in keeping with what we feel the Lord is calling us to do, we will be building a stone house using an adobe/cobb mixture for mortar (basically that is a spiffy way of saying mud and weeds).

We are already getting things ready. Mostly this involves downsizing to the essentials and a few frills (for instance we will be bringing the trampoline that Grandma and Papa got for the girls. I'm not sure which category this would fit into...The girls love to jump! Though Bernard more bounces than jumps. :) ) We are also trying to get used to life without all of the conveniences, such as electric kitchen gadgets. We feel that the Lord is asking us to work our way toward a completely self sufficient farm environment. To do this, we need to minimize costs, such as utilities. We plan to have some solar power and a generator for needful things, but for a lot of things, we want to simplify and learn new ways to do things or learn to do without.

This last part has actually been pretty easy so far. Rather than plug in the electric vegetable steamer, I now use a steamer basket inside a pot. This will make veggie prep a breeze with a woodburning cook stove. We love steamed veggies! Rather than plug in the crock pot, I will just simmer a pot on the stove. You get the idea. The hardest appliance to replace with a non-electric version was the clothes washer. We bought ourselves a good washboard from Lehman's General Store and I started washing our clothes by hand. It didn't take long at all for us to figure out that we had to find another solution. (Even just for our family of four, laundry took a LONG time.) So, we did a little searching and found this great tool to agitate laundry by hand, much like a conventional washer would. This cut our laundry time down significantly, making the switch manageable. Plus, McGee loves to help with laundry now. Her favorite part is agitating the laundry (however, it still needs a good once over from Mama when she is done). We have also found that the clothes get at least as clean and often much cleaner this way than they used to in the washer. Since I already used a laundry line most of the time anyway, that was one less thing to adjust to.

Our third way of preparing for the move is research, research, research. Husband is focusing on studying up on different building methods and such, while our Ps133friends are looking at vegetables and herbs and I am learning all I can about the animals we would like to have on the farm. So far, we most definately want to start with guinea fowl and chickens and eventually have a few sheep. Right now I am learning about guinea fowl and we are pretty stoked about these little birds. Keep your eyes open for a post on my research findings. You just may learn a thing or two, and maybe even wind up wanting a few guineas yourself. :)

All in all, we are excited to see where the Lord takes us and all that is in front of us, though we will miss Grandma and Papa being so close.
Rejoicing in the day that the Lord has made,
My Family
(Wife Speaking)