tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post8358497230987799903..comments2023-10-21T04:32:31.262-05:00Comments on Following Judah's Lion: Christmas - A Pathetic IdolRick Fruehhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-18565618207245013222012-12-09T11:30:58.588-05:002012-12-09T11:30:58.588-05:00Yes twinklewonder!
Amazing how He gives us new de...Yes twinklewonder! <br />Amazing how He gives us new desires through the transformation process. It is not us, but Him doing His work in us through His Spirit.<br /><br />Amen Cherie! :)Praise His Name! There is nothing in us desiring to anything of any value for Him. <br />Romans 3:10-12, Psalm 14:1-3<br /><br />ShannonShannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-73871413545940820362012-12-09T09:56:19.258-05:002012-12-09T09:56:19.258-05:00Shannon
=D Praise God!Shannon <br /><br /> =D Praise God!Cherienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-16047256895029485632012-12-09T09:42:23.433-05:002012-12-09T09:42:23.433-05:00"The ways, & fashions, & amusements, ..."The ways, & fashions, & amusements, & recreations of the world have a continually decreasing place in the heart of a growing Christian. He does not condemn them as downright sinful, nor say that those who have anything to do with them are going to hell. He only feels they have a constantly diminishing hold on his own affections & gradually seem smaller & more trifling in his eyes." ~ Ryle<br />"The things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory & grace." ~Lemmeltwinklewonderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17311420498599236466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-12846135032418242262012-12-08T12:45:09.777-05:002012-12-08T12:45:09.777-05:00Cherie,
You mention the Lord chastening those whom...Cherie,<br />You mention the Lord chastening those whom He loves. Yes this chastening is evidence of His Spirit in us. He is teaching and leading us to maturity through the various trials He allows our way. <br />Hebrews 6:1-3<br />"Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ,let us press on to maturity....And this we will do, if God permits."<br />He is doing His work in us.<br /><br />Shannonshannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-53394390042816636662012-12-08T12:00:34.522-05:002012-12-08T12:00:34.522-05:00I am not angry at them for wanting to have Christm...I am not angry at them for wanting to have Christmas, I am angry at myself for not seeing Christmas for what it is sooner. Also, I just came out of the church system and God is correcting me and it will be a bit painful for a while. He only corrects those He loves, and I know He loves me but I have to work out my own salvation as Paul wrote, and that means enduring God's correction. <br /><br />Actually I welcome it. Keeps me clear headed and receptive to His teachings and to His Word. I just feel responsible for my kids. I did not bring them up in the way they should go, not that I had any help from my husband. He operates on which one he can pitch against me all because of Christmas. Not that is was all good before this, but it has intensified. But he won't win, I am going to love him anyway because that is what a wife should do. I pray for him almost constantly because he blasphemes the Lord a lot and I fear for Him. He says he knows God and that the God I serve is not the real God. He says I am too much in the Bible. LOL, if he only knew what he was saying. God will not be mocked. So please pray for him, and my sons. I hope the Lord forgives me for continuing the lie that my parents taught me and that the church systems embraces.<br /><br />Thank you Pastor Rick, thank you Kelli your brotherly and sisterly love strengthens me. I pray that I can be a blessing to you both in your time of need as you have been to me. God Bless.<br /><br />working it out God's way, your sister in Christ Jesus<br />Cherie C.Cherienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-24269682762888402012-12-08T11:58:29.602-05:002012-12-08T11:58:29.602-05:00Welcome Rick!!! :)
We are still being molded and W...Welcome Rick!!! :)<br />We are still being molded and WE like to open our brothers and sisters eyes and hearts regarding pagan traditions but we all are at different levels of spiritual growth. <br /><br />Yes, Iron sharpens iron :)<br />Amen brotherkellinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-65944959303768750272012-12-08T09:41:07.496-05:002012-12-08T09:41:07.496-05:00Thank you, Kelli. Discussions on blogs are one thi...Thank you, Kelli. Discussions on blogs are one thing (iron sharpens iron), but when dealing with others we always need to be patient and gracious.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-21868390756638512762012-12-08T08:34:10.318-05:002012-12-08T08:34:10.318-05:00Cherie praying for you and your situation.
Most a...Cherie praying for you and your situation. <br />Most are participating in the holiday as it is a tradition.<br />It is only His Spirit in us that changes us and sometimes it takes born again believers a few years or several years to see the idolatry in this tradition. <br />You have the testimony of the Lord in your own household and Him changing you.:)<br /> <br />Truth and Love are inseparable, we cannot have one without the other. God's Love is Truth. When you give out the Truth there will be those who will not receive it and will have nothing to do with it. But we have to remember God's Word does not return void and it is sent for His purposes even if they reject it. (Isaiah 55:11)kellinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-28783247882963740522012-12-08T01:45:09.749-05:002012-12-08T01:45:09.749-05:00So if we celebrate the spiritual side of Christmas...So if we celebrate the spiritual side of Christmas it is okay? But the spirit behind Christmas is satan. I am confused a bit here.<br /><br />Is it legalistic to not celebrate a pagan holiday (holy day)? Not being self righteous, just trying to live as I am called to do:<br /><br />Romans 12:1<br />I 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. Just saying.<br /><br />Believe me, I am being tormented almost everyday for not participating in Christmas. My husband wants to divorce me. Yes how the season brings out such love. Another lie from the pit of hell. And I used to go all out for this day thinking I was doing it for the Lord. Wrong. I was doing it for my family so that they would love me and because I loved them. Yes, I loved my kids enough to lie to them about a being who is made equal to God. Yup; I loved them so much that now.... now one is an Atheist and one has turned his back on the Lord. What I did was lie, cheat and steal. I lied to them about this santanic day, I cheated them out of Truth or how to identify it, and I let satan steal their salvation by participating in this farce. Yes, the season of lies, greed, disappointments and stupid movies. Still looking and I do not see Jesus there whatsoever. The best gift I can give my children is TRUTH and Love by being truthful about this season and Love by putting up with the hurtful things my husband says to me about it.<br /><br />God's Grace is sufficient.<br /><br />God Bless.Cherie C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-27691112841381464832012-12-07T14:50:59.945-05:002012-12-07T14:50:59.945-05:0032 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the ...32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,<br />33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.<br /><br />10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.<br />11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.<br /><br />First off the Church has a place "daily" in the world where these observances occur.<br /><br />Second, no one has an ability to comprehend eternity.<br /><br />I suppose all we can do is as the Apostle wrote already the thing we are want to do to the level of maturity we are able to do it which is:17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.<br />18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.<br /><br />michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01744678277860175675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-80963693057343032072012-12-07T13:08:09.190-05:002012-12-07T13:08:09.190-05:00Anonymous said:
"I think the "excesses&q...Anonymous said:<br />"I think the "excesses" are more of a stumbling block to witness to others than celebrating Christmas, in it's pagan idolatry. People are looking for genuine, and they desperately want to see role models, but there are so few. These are the role models that can preach the gospel and prove the gospel has affected their life."<br /><br />So "genuine" Christianity is not participating in the "excesses" of the holidays? But participating in the pagan nature is OK? <br /><br />Our separation from the world is the testimony of Christ in us. The world notices the statement our non-participation with them speaks, over our joining in with them with their idolatry and paganism. When we join in with them, our concern for the Gospel Truth is compromised. Yes Rick, agree that our not celebrating Christmas provides more witnessing opportunities because people notice our non-participation. Perhaps the Spirit will convict many of the reasons for our separation?<br /><br />ShannonShannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-59618047794566698982012-12-07T11:26:12.499-05:002012-12-07T11:26:12.499-05:00I agree. But being careful not to appear self righ...I agree. But being careful not to appear self righteous or legalistic, I believe not celebrating Christmas can provide some interesting witnessing opportunities.Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-53073230220327166252012-12-07T11:15:27.370-05:002012-12-07T11:15:27.370-05:00I agree all here. It's not as simple, though,...I agree all here. It's not as simple, though, to act on it. I look at this as a holiday. A holiday, like the Thanksgiving holiday, or the "Easter" holiday, all secularly celebrated, and culturally implanted in our midst. <br /><br />The bible calls us to be moderate in all things. So, even in secular activities, or our daily lives, we need to be moderate. Moderate in what kind of 'things' we buy, expensive or low-budget necessities, big new cars, or small economy cars, big houses, small houses, etc. Each christian, with their conscience, has to make their personal decisions. <br /><br />I think, maybe, it's all about how we, as christians, present ourselves in this hedonistic culture of excesses. I think the "excesses" are more of a stumblingblock to witness to others than celebrating Christmas, in it's pagan idolatry. People are looking for genuine, and they desperately want to see role models, but there are so few. These are the role models that can preach the gospel and prove the gospel has affected their life. <br /><br />Hearing a minister or preacher deliver a fiery sermon who after the service is whisked away to the airport on first class, back to his palace and cars doesn't convict. It just doesn't convict. Maybe this is why so many christians ask why we don't see miracles, healings,and more deliverance. The priests are living the high life and claim the anointing is on them, yet they live like lords and masters. The OT anointed men of God were usually running away from enemies, hiding, living in caves, not sumptuously feeding and travelling first-class all the way. <br /><br />Back to celebrating Christmas, it would be best if we, as christians, shunned being involved in any of the celebrations, as we know most of them stem from pagan feasts. But, then, it's true, we look like the Grinch if we completely l00% ignore any of it; from our families, friends, and such. But, being a total anti-pagan control freak can also rise up in us this self-righteousness. So, the way I see it, do things like Paul? commanded, do everything in moderation. In Christmas mode, for me, (may the Lord work on me about this further from now on) but for right now, it means, just taking the time to get to see my adult kids and their families and enjoy some time with them; who knows, the subject of Jesus comes up and even as a kid, when I'd watch Charlie Brown, hearing Linus read Luke on Jesus' birth, would make me shed a secret tear, feeling the Spirit of God touch me. These cartoons were done for secular profit, yet they may have planted seeds regardless. <br /><br />I really think the world, unbelievers, know that Christmas in the West is way too profiteering and crass, and they wait to hear blogs like this speak out on the excesses. Conservative cable news channels are livid when they hear about governments wanting to remove trees, mangers, even Santas, from the public squares. The ultra conservatives, who remind their public of their christian roots and heritage, should be the ones who see the Christmas idolism first, yet they are the last to see it, and think they're persecuted for Christ because government wants to remove a statue made out of plastic. The world sees and laughs. They want genuine. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-40665403577305912152012-12-07T08:44:02.252-05:002012-12-07T08:44:02.252-05:00I do not send Christmas cards. The money I give to...I do not send Christmas cards. The money I give to my daughter is the extent to which I "observe" Christmas. My oldest son does not celebrate Christmas, but my daughter and my youngest son still do.<br />I have to admit that aside from the spiritual element, not participating in Christmas is such freedom!Rick Fruehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05879848568892457571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27942026.post-11675662812331043162012-12-07T08:37:11.572-05:002012-12-07T08:37:11.572-05:00We do as you and give money to our daughter for th...We do as you and give money to our daughter for the grandchildren.<br /><br /><br />I do have a question. Do you still send Christmas cards? I have been trying to stop this practice since we do not celebrate the "event". I do not wish to impose my viewpoints on the relatives and friends but it seems a bit disingenuous to purchase and mail the cards. I almost bought a box of "thinking of you" cards and then cowered out.JMDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03639819967286148205noreply@blogger.com