tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post3202399447842193826..comments2023-10-21T04:32:31.262-05:00Comments on Following Judah's Lion: Rick Fruehhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-7829793568159926812011-11-21T19:50:50.554-05:002011-11-21T19:50:50.554-05:00Hi Lisa G.,
You're right in that as wives, we ...Hi Lisa G.,<br />You're right in that as wives, we must wait for the Lord to change their hearts. And we're to influence them not so much with words but by our actions...our holy conduct. <br />When my husband was a kid, his mother was very against pretty much everything that seemed fun or worldly. She was a sour-faced woman who hated everything and went around telling people they were going to hell for (wearing pants, trick or treating, smoking, listening to music with drums or any music that wasn't hymns from after 1943, or...any number of other things). That will turn people away from Christ real quick and almost guarantee rebellion. That's the way she was. No way can I even begin to have that attitude - nor would I want to - but especially not with him.<br />So, in our house I have to be very careful how I approach these things. I must be gentle and prayerful, but then - even without his having that background - that's how I should be anyway.<br /><br />Thank you for understanding, sister!<br />LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-91149061359593399542011-11-21T15:20:31.043-05:002011-11-21T15:20:31.043-05:00thank you for this post. as i get to know the Lor...thank you for this post. as i get to know the Lord more, the less i want my family to participate in "holidays" that depart from Who Jesus is and what He has done. i really appreciate the suggested greeting/farewell at the end. i didn't want to say either of the usuals, so this alternative is perfect.<br />--nikkiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-69591875218813562112011-11-21T13:59:34.401-05:002011-11-21T13:59:34.401-05:00Thanks Rick for you thoughts in this post, and all...Thanks Rick for you thoughts in this post, and allowing us to add our own.<br />Lisa, my husband does not wish to stop celebrating it either- and as wives, that leaves us to pray and wait for the Lord to change their hearts- a really tough thing for me to do, admittedly. I did however begin a few years ago to share with my sons (and extended family who profess faith in Jesus) why I believe that the practice is unbiblical. I am so blessed that my teenagers love the Lord and are very teachable, because like you, I have encountered some tough opposition with the extended family to the notion that there is anything wrong with the practice. Mostly, I am dismissed as being just too serious, and reminded that I am not in a leadership position to have any opinion that has much weight, never mind it's roots, or what Galatians teaches. First I defected on Halloween/Hallelujah parties and patriotic holidays, and that was bad enough, but to touch the sacred cows of Easter and Christmas seem to be one step too far. I wonder if those who are elder take it as a rebuke, because after all they were instrumental in passing the tradition to our generation, or if it is because they really believe that if it was such a big deal the 'leaders' in the Church would be the ones to address it. I have decided that if I have to be the one to take a relational hit as I examine and prove all things and hold fast to that which is good, then so be it. I know I am only responsible first, to Him for this Truth He has given me, and secondly for what I teach my children in this regard. If I can only live up to what He has called me to, then I know I have served him well. It's not comfortable at all, I (that is my flesh) would much rather just blend in and go with the flow... but Lisa, I pray that God receive all the glory in our lives, and perhaps our children's choices will effect a change in the Church that we would have never imagined- Although I do wonder if He will tarry long enough for that to ever be.....Lisa G.Lisa G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14980125333379611207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-45941109570490692682011-11-21T12:28:03.159-05:002011-11-21T12:28:03.159-05:00Thanks, Rick...
I read that before and read it aga...Thanks, Rick...<br />I read that before and read it again today and I agree with it.<br />I don't celebrate Christ's Mass and I don't celebrate the winter solstice or Hannukah or Kwanza or whatever else people celebrate. I just sort of ignore it all. <br /> <br />In the past I have made my point to people as to why I don't recognize Christmas - and they look at me like they really can't begin to understand. I was told by my grandmother that I needed to get the Christmas Spirit! And she's supposed to be a Christian.<br />I told her that I didn't need the Christmas Spirit as I had the Holy Spirit and that is the only Spirit I need or want. Again I get the puzzled look and nervous smile. Whatever makes you happy, she said. I said, no, whatever makes the Lord happy. She still didn't get it.<br /><br />So, now I just wish everyone a happy holiday and sort of try to ignore the whole thing. My daughter and I enjoy making mitten and snowflake cookies and decorating with snowmen. It gets to be a long, dark winter and that sort of lightens it up a bit. It's just a fun thing, you know.<br /><br />I'll be glad when the scrooge and santa shows are over, though they give an opportunity to discuss what Christian giving really is and what following Jesus really means.<br /><br />One can come down on the false traditions and speak out against them - or one can let one's light shine with truth and joy, spreading the love of Jesus every day of the year. Which one might be more effective? <br /><br />LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-9831361557096639412011-11-21T11:29:28.700-05:002011-11-21T11:29:28.700-05:00Something to read, Lisa.
http://judahslion.blogsp...Something to read, Lisa.<br /><br />http://judahslion.blogspot.com/2010/11/celebrating-christmas-here-is-good.htmlRick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-31089978740599926982011-11-21T11:15:45.723-05:002011-11-21T11:15:45.723-05:00I agree with you wholeheartedly on this, Rick. My...I agree with you wholeheartedly on this, Rick. My husband doesn't want to stop celebrating it, though, so - there it is.<br /><br />However, I've gently explained to our daughter that Jesus was most likely born in the fall and that the origins of Christmas are pagan/catholic. She came up to me one day and suggested we call it something else - because even though she was only nine at the time - she could see that continuing to celebrate Jesus' birthday was hypocritical. She suggested "winter celebration". It's not Christian, not entirely pagan - and she gets to continue receiving presents and making cookies (in the shapes of mittens, snowflakes and snowmen). And it's just what it is - a winter celebration - a time to enjoy getting together with people and having fun with them. In a way, I think, it's a good compromise. She's fully aware that the day isn't meaningful to Jesus - but it is an excuse to have fun with friends and family when the skies are gray and it's cold and snowy.<br /><br />As far as spending money...most of what people get from me is homemade jam and bread. And what I say to people is "Happy Holidays" because that includes all the days that people consider special to themselves. I don't believe in - or even care for - Christmas. But...others do. Even though I don't believe in it - it doesn't mean I need to go around all bristly...lecturing people on it. I prefer to just sort of ignore it and spread Jesus' love wherever I go. <br /><br />LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com