sharilynn0408's Blog

I did some research about Dietrich Bonhoeffer because I was curious to know more about him and apparently he was born in Germany and lived during the time of Hitler. He was a German but was against the Nazis, and became a Martyr for his Christian beliefs. Before Hitler's rise he was a Lutheran Minister, and was put in a prison in Berlin the last two years of his life and executed in 1945 for an attempt on Hitler's life. It appears that he wasn't a bad man, but he might have not fully understood all that it took to be a Christian being a member of the Lutheran church. It is a sad thing but unless he would have left the Lutheran church then he wouldn't have been saved as it is taught in the scriptures. There are many good moral people in this world, but unless one does all that the Lord has commanded then he will not be saved.

I guess everyone has been busy lately with school, or work, or maybe a combination of both. We need some more discussions going on because they are so encouraging to me and help me to keep studying more. I am glad Amy that you started this forum. I have tried to tell some others about this site hoping that we might get some more comments on Spiritual matters. I know everybody is with family this weekend for Thanksgiving. I hope everyone had a good day today, but it is sad that the day is over. It sure goes by fast when your having a good time!

I love reading quotes and poetry, and I thought I would share this one with you guys. I thought it had some good points in it with the kind of attitude we should have when we pray to the Lord. I do not know anything about this man who wrote this poem, but I think he might have realized whatever he did was wrong after being put into prison or at least I can tell that he must have been reading his Bible some. I might have to look him up and see if I can find out more about him, and why he was put in prison. Anyway I thought some of you might enjoy reading it. Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. In parenthesis are the notes I made after each line. I would love to hear any comments that anybody would like to share on this subject.

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.

(we are told as christians to "Pray without ceasing", Daniel is one of the good examples we can turn to of someone who fervently prayed to the Lord even when it was forbidden)

Help me to pray and gather my thoughts to you, I cannot do it alone.

(we should always remember that "Our body is a temple of the Lord, and he has given us all that we have, we have nothing without him)

In me it is dark, but with you there is light;

(As Christians we become in the light after becoming baptized while we were in darkness before our sins were washed away)

I am lonely, but you do not desert me;

(Remember the faith of Job after losing everything he had plus having the health conditions that were inflicted upon him. After all that had happened he still praised the Lord and continued to pray. He is another great example for us)

My courage fails me, but with you there is help;

(Remember how the apostles were in prison yet continued to pray and sing songs praising the Lord)

I am restless, but with you there is peace;

(Psalms 23 is a great chapter to remember, We as Christians have peace as we strive daily to be faithful to the Lord so that we can see him in Heaven some sweet day)

in me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;

(Job is a great example of one having patience)

I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me.

(there are somethings that only God knows, such as the number of hairs in our head. We are not meant to understand everything, but in the book of Proverbs we are told that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" In Chapter 3 it says "to trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths."

Father in Heaven praise and thanks be to you for the night’s rest,

(once again a reminder for us to pray daily)

Praise and thanks be to you for the new day.

(we need to be thankful for each day, but we also should not wait till tomorrow to do things for we do not know when our last day will be: Mt. 24:44)

Praise and thanks be to you for all your loving-kindness and faithfulness in my past life.

(Remember how Paul changed his former life and humbled himself after persecuting Christians. He totally devoted himself in serving the Lord as he said "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain")

You have shown me so much goodness; let me also accept what is hard to bear from your hand.

(God is merciful and a patient God in that he sent his only son to die so that we might be saved, "He is not willing that any should perish but all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9)

You will not lay a heavier burden on me than I can carry.

(He must have remembered the passage from I Cor. 10:13 which states "God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, with with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.")

You make all things serve for the best for your children.

("The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16 There are many other passages that could go along with this statement "He is a shield to those who trust him" Keep in mind many are deceived in what one must do in order to be saved, but if we Trust and Obey all that the Lord has commanded for us to do we shall be saved)

Lord, whatever this day brings, your name be praised.

(It seems encouraging this man writing from a prison that he still prayed to the Lord. However, if he wasn't a Christian then even if he prayed to God then his prayers wouldn't be heard in the way that God hears the prayers of a faithful Christian. However, the example as far as remembering God while in prison is a Good example such as: Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego when they were thrown into the fiery furnace for not bowing down to worship the king. Also Daniel being thrown into the Lions den for praying to God. There are many other good examples that could probably have been used.)

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, [A prayer written in Tegel prison, Berlin]

In a recent article that I read at yahoo.com stated that unhappy people watch lots more TV, than happy people.

"The finding, announced on Thursday, comes from a survey of nearly 30,000 American adults conducted between 1975 and 2006 as part of the General Social Survey. While happy people reported watching an average of 19 hours of television per week, unhappy people reported 25 hours a week. The results held even after taking into account education, income, age and marital status.

In addition, happy individuals were more socially active, attended more religious services, voted more and read a newspaper more often than their less-chipper counterparts.

The researchers are not sure, though, whether unhappiness leads to more television-watching or more viewing leads to unhappiness."

If you think about this from a Christian perspective should we as Christians be unhappy? If we are daily striving to serve God, and study his word then we should be happy. We should all be working towards the same goal in making it to Heaven. There are times when are faith might be weak, but it is reassuring that the Lord will help us to make it through those hard times. I Cor. 10:12-13 states "A man should take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." Speaking of the television it states in Eph.4:29 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." If you think of all of the trash that is on the TV should we really be spending several hours a day glued to the screen when there are other many things we could be doing with our time. I know at times I have been guilty of this, but if doing these things whether it is listening to music, watching TV, surfing the Internet, etc. keeps us from serving the Lord then these innocent things could become an idol. Can we all say like the apostle Paul did in Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Death should be something to look forward as Christians as we are all striving to get to Heaven. In Phil. 3:20 "For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." I know that this subject could have been broken up into more than one article, but I thought the things mentioned above were important. They are things I need to remind myself, and I don't think it hurts to keep review certain subjects. They could become things that we forget as we could also fall away. Hope these thoughts are helpful to you guys, and I would love some comments on the subject!

Well I have to say that I am saddened by the results, but not really surprised at how they turned out. The world is getting more liberal and further away from God. They have started taking the "In God WE Trust" from the Bills, and now having a president who will not salute to the flag really worries me. However, we just have to pray now that Obama is now in office that God will continue to watch over us and protect us. We have to pray for the leaders even if we don't like what they stand for or the decisions that they make. As Jesus told his disciples "To love their enemies" that is the kind of example we should follow even if we hate somebodies actions. I am happy that the Gay marriage law was banned in California, but I am sure it won't be long before they do pass it. (I know that doesn't relate to the topic, but It is something that is important) This country might be sorry for voting for Obama in the future, especially if he doesn't do everything he has promised especially relating to the economy. It is gradually getting worse every year it seems. Monica Crowley PHD. on Fox news stated "People are ready for Civil Unions, but not Gay marriages." It was banned by about five percent which is not that much difference, so it could gradually get worse over time. However, for underage girls wanting to get abortions now parents are not allowed to even know that there daughter is having one. What is wrong with this picture. First of all abortion is murder as it is defined by the Bible, but to not allow parents the right to know that their child is getting one is wrong. Do you think that a twelve year old or even a fifteen year old could make the right decision? A twelve year old might not even realize what they are doing, and it just might be that they will regret a decision like that later on. What is your opinion?

I think it is great that your friend is coming to services with you and you never know what could happen just through the example you are setting before her. If she comes with you then she is hearing the truth and that could possibly one day open the door for a Bible study. I agree with what Amy said in her response as well. My friend who is Pentecostal usually always will say "Thank You Jesus" to everything. It goes along with what they have been taught, and the people who are around them. However, that is not saying that something couldn't change if they have the right people around them. It is true that we need to truely be thankful for everything that we have. When we do things it is not a bad idea to even say, " If the Lord wills, or Lord willingly" since it teaches that in the scripture. Since we do not know what another day may bring. I will keep praying about your friend that she might learn the truth through your example.

I am going to share with you guys some points from Jesses lesson last night because it has to do with the upcoming election. It was titled "The Christian and Politics," and I think it was very fitting for the upcoming election. It is important to vote, but it is important to know much about the candidates running for office. Be an informed voter: Prov. 18:13; James 1:19
Be able to dicern between good and evil. Heb. 5:14;Isaiah 5:20
Be Careful in the choice that you make: Romans 12:9;II Cor.6:14;James 1:5
What does he or she stand for? Is he for or against abortion? Jer. 1:5
Does he or she believe in same-sex marriage, and would they support it? Matt. 19:4-6
What is there view on the death penalty? Rom. 13:4
Does he or she support creation or evolution? Ps.14:1, Romans 1
Would God be happy with the decision you make? No matter what happens whether the candidate we want to win gets in office we still are subjection to the government and the rulers. We still need to pray for our president that he might make the right decisions. We need to pray before the election as well. If everyone hasn't voted yet it is important to go vote! A vote may or may not make a difference, but if you want change and you don't vote then you can't complain in what happens later on. It just might be that your vote could make a difference for the right or wrong person to get into office!

Jesse preached a good lesson this morning about maintaining a good Conscience, and how just because one's consciences feels right about something it doesn't necessarily mean that it is the right thing. Growing up maybe you might have watched Pinnochio, and remember a song in it that states "Always let your conscience be your guide." Well it may be that we should not always let our conscience be our guide. Paul in good conscience persecuted Christians until Jesus appeared to him and told him that "it was him that he was persecuting." He totally turned his life around in his service to the Lord. He talked about how there are times when we should have a guilty conscience when we are participating in things we know that are not right. His examples: when we are not attending services regularly. When we where immodest dress. If we should participate or go places we shouldn't as a Christian. When we go to movies that are not appropriate filled with bad language, or other inappropriate content. Do we watch it or do we get up and leave after we watch a little of the content? David must have had a guilty conscience looking upon Bathsheba although until he was confronted about it he did not repent. Do we feel guilty if we do things such as passing through a red light or speeding? It is considered breaking the law although it is not compared to something such as murder or stealing, and we can get a ticket for doing such things. He also mentioned something I thought was important. How often to we try and talk to others about the gospel? If we are not doing our part in helping the church to grow we should have a guilty conscience. I thought there were some good points made in Jesse's lesson, so I thought I would take the time to share them some of those points with you guys. We have two new births at Pruett and Lobit. Baby Abigal was born to Robert and Eden Wooten, and a little girl was also born to Brandon and Araka Smith. Sorry I can't remember the name. The middle name was Ann, but I cannot remember the first. It was also good to see Kim Peck this morning. Please continue to remember her and her family at this time as she awaits results from her test on Tuesday. I know it must be hard having to wait to hear the results. I know that she is one of the most positive and cheerful people that I know, and she would also appreciate all of the prayers. I Hope everyone has had a wonderful Lords Day. Also I hope everyone has voted or will vote soon. Please continue to pray like me that the right one will get into office! This election is so important, and if you don't vote then you just might help the wrong person get into office!

I am not sure how many of you know Ozzie and Mary Badillo who worship at Pruett and Lobit. But she was just baptized last week and it was announced last Wed. I think. We are all so happy for Ozzie and his family as well as for Mary and her choice to become a child of God. Pray for her and her growth as a Christian that she might stay strong and help teach others in the future.

oops, somehow I missed who that message was for, and thought it was for me.

I am not sure if you guys know Lance and Kim Peck, but Kim just had surgery on Tuesday because they found a tumor. Well on wed. night they announced that it was cancer, and it was a surgery that lasted for seven hours. I didn't realize how bad it was until I talked to Anita Proctor who filled me in that it took so long because the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes, and into the heart. However, they think they removed it all. Anyway, she is going to have to start chemo as soon as she recovers from the surgery. She has been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, so please keep Lance and Her in your prayers as well as her family as they are going through this hard time. They announced that they requested no phone calls or visits at this time, but I am sure she would love to receive some cards at this time.

This is a topic that I know has been debated on, and I heard some discussion firsthand on this subject. Here is the arguement:
This was spoken by one of the men in a congregation when he was asked the question about women attending the men's meetings after services. This was brought up because one of the men at the congregation had a wife that wanted to attend the meeting. Neither he or his wife had a problem with it, and this was their justification that it was okay. "I don't think it is a problem as long as the women just sit in the meeting and don't comment. Plus, this is a way that they will know what is going on in the church."
To answer this question I came up to go along with the role of women in the church plus the role that men are to have?

What was the relationship that God had from the beginning?
One man and one woman for life. We have to go back to Genesis chapter two to see this point: Gen. 2:18 "God said, It is not good that man should be alone;I will make a helper comparable to him." Then go down to verse 23, "And Adam said; This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall be one flesh." After Adam and Eve sinned eating of the forbidden fruit God gave both of them certain roles they would have to carry. For Adam, In Genesis 3 he was told he would have to work, and Eve was told she would have to bear children. Genesis 3:16 "Your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you."
Man is to be head of the family, just as Christ is head over the church.
Eph. 5:23. Husbands are also told to "Love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it", (Eph. 5:25)This is very important to establish this point first before we go further. Much is said in the statement," For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the Church." This is the way God intended it to be, and we have to follow God's plan if we are truely a child of God. Fathers are to "not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord."
Women are to dress modestly, (I Tim. 3:9) "not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but which is proper for women professing Godliness, with good works." These next few verses pay close attention to for I think that they are very important. "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith,love, and holiness with self-control."(I Tim.3:11-15) Older women are told to teach the younger women. (Titus 2:3-5) I believe that these passages answers the question.
First, is it a womens place to attend the business meetings, and in doing so would she usurp authority over a man? I don't believe it is a womens place to attend the mens meetings. However, just sitting in there she would not be usurping authority if she was just in there listening. Second, if a husband and wife have the relationship that God intended then she should know through her husband what is going on in the church. If notes are done at the end of the meetings then women who are widowed or single could also be made aware of what is going on without actually attending the meetings. I made some changes after I re-read what I had written and after reading some of the other comments. Scripture is where we get all authority, and that is where these answers are based upon.
If their are eligible men in the congregation elders and deacons are to be appointed. Elders are to oversee the congregation and here are the qualifications of an elder. See (I Tim. 3, I Tim. 5:17,Titus 1, I Peter 5:1-3) Here are some passages for qualities of a deacon: (I Tim. 3:8,12) Even with a congregation having elders and deacons sometimes meetings might be necessary to have as it is not the elders and deacons responsibilites alone in helping the church to grow.

This is a topic that I know has been debated on, and I heard some discussion firsthand on this subject. Here is the arguement:
This was spoken by one of the men in a congregation when he was asked the question about women attending the men's meetings after services. This was brought up because one of the men at the congregation had a wife that wanted to attend the meeting. Neither he or his wife had a problem with it, and this was were they got the justification that it was okay. "I don't think it is a problem as long as the women just sit in the meeting and don't comment. Plus, this is a way that they will know as well what is going on in the church."
To answer this question I came up with some scriptures that I believe will speak against women having the authority to do so. If a woman is allowed to attend the meeting will she just sit and be quiet and not usurp athority over the decisions that the men in the congregation are suppossed to make? Second, what kind of a role is a man suppossed to have verses the role a woman is suppossed to have?

What was the relationship that God had from the beginning?
One man and one woman for life. We have to go back to Genesis chapter two to see this point: Gen. 2:18 "God said, It is not good that man should be alone;I will make a helper comparable to him." Then go down to verse 23, "And Adam said; This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall be one flesh." After Adam and Eve sinned eating of the forbidden fruit God gave both of them certain roles they would have to carry. For Adam, In Genesis 3 he was told he would have to work, and Eve was told she would have to bear children. Genesis 3:16 "Your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you."
Man is to be head of the family, just as Christ is head over the church.
Eph. 5:23. Husbands are also told to "Love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it", (Eph. 5:25)This is very important to establish this point first before we go further. Much is said in the statement," For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the Church." This is the way God intended it to be, and we have to follow God's plan if we are truely a child of God. Fathers are to "not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord."
Women are to dress modestly, (I Tim. 3:9) "not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but which is proper for women professing Godliness, with good works." These next few verses pay close attention to for I think that they are very important. "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith,love, and holiness with self-control."(I Tim.3:11-15) Older women are told to teach the younger women. (Titus 2:3-5) I believe that these passages answers the question can a woman attend the mens meetings after services.
First, is it a womens place to attend the business meetings, and in doing so would she usurp authority over a man? The answers to those questions I believe is yes, backed up by the scriptures we just covered. I don't believe it is a womens place to attend the mens meetings. I am not sure all women could just sit in a mens meeting without speaking and being silent. Second, if a husband and wife have the relationship that God intended then she should know through her husband what is going on in the church. If this sort of thing is started at a congregation what will be next? Women being allowed to lead singing, and women being allowed to Preach a sermon? I think starting something like this could stem out other problems in the church. We have to be very careful what things we allow to happen, and if we believe that something isn't right we shouldn't just sit back and let things happen. We have to talk to either the elders or one of the men of the congregation about it. I would love for anybody to share your thoughts on this subject with me. Scripture is where we get all authority, and that is where these answers are based upon.
If their are eligible men in the congregation elders and deacons are to be appointed. Elders are to oversee the congregation and here are the qualifications of an elder. See (I Tim. 3, I Tim. 5:17,Titus 1, I Peter 5:1-3) Here are some passages for qualities of a deacon: (I Tim. 3:8,12)

That is kind of a hard question. I have a few in mind. One of them is Proverbs 31 because it describes the qualities of a woman who truely fears the Lord. It tells of the kind of wife and mother she should be, and if she is one that truely fears the Lord then she will be praised. This is the kind of a woman that each one of us women should strive to be like. One of the others would be I Cor. 13 because it describes some of the qualities of how a Christian should love one another. I think it could also be read at a wedding because that is also the kind of love that should be between a husband and a wife. Jesus said" that the greatest of these is love".

Glad to hear that he is home for the hospital, and thanks for the update on Finner.

hope Roy gets to feeling better. I am sorry to hear that he is having health problems right now.