Celebrating the 4th

The 4th of July!  Special time for most families, and
everybody has their own way of celebrating it.

 

For us, the 4th isn't complete without a visit to Mamaw's and
time with extended family on Dad's side of the tree.

 

The 4th means we pile in on my mother-in-law and anticipate... biscuits!

 

Mamaw is known far & wide for her biscuits.  They are nothing short of amazing.

 

Cooking is just part of the 4th, right?  And there's too much eating that goes on because there's too much good food to sample.

 

 

 

 

July 4th means old-fashioned things, like an ice cream social at church,

followed by fireworks for the kids; older folks sitting around

enjoying the youngers; slower time for relaxing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A visit here usually includes crafts of some kind.

 

 

 

 

Mostly, the 4th means that we visit.  A lot.  Coffee on the carport in the early morning.  Sitting up late to watch T.V. together.  Cooking out and swimming at the brother-in-law's.  It's face-to-face time with those we love and miss...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoping your summer is full of slower days and lots of family down-time. 

Enjoy all the ways God has chosen to bless you!

 

Simple-Minded Defense

So... homosexuality.

 

Gay marriage.  DOMA defeat.

 

The weight of what to say, how to say it... heavy.

 

There are so, so many good articles, blog posts, etc. out there right now; faithful Christian teachers and deep thinkers, capable of practical, rubber-meets-the-road, far-ranging connect the dots sort of thinking, who have been able to project the impact of what's happening in this country on this issue and write well on how to hold up the

 conservative end of the debates that are coming.

 

Unfortunately, my brain is a sieve anymore.  I read these articles and I understand and agree with the points that are made... but I know I am no debater.  I am

sadly lacking in the apologist skills department.

 

I am simple-minded.  Weak, mentally.  No quick thinking on my feet here.  I am the one who thinks of all the things I could've said or should've said well after the fact.  I prefer to call myself... a processor.  Sounds better than "stupid."

 

But this I know, and in this is my confidence:

 

God says that homosexuality is wrong.  His Word is clear.  And I know that I

don't have to worry about changing anyone's heart or view on this subject,

because that power belongs to the Holy Spirit alone.

 

My role is to stand firm on the solid Word of God and let Him work through his Word, which He said would not go out void (Isaiah 55:11), as He sees fit.

 

This?  This I can do.  And it's all I need to know.

 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11:  "Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, not adulterers, not men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

 

Romans 1:26-27:  "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions.  For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;

and the men likewise gave up natural relations women and were consumed with

passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and

receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

 

Leviticus 18:22:  "You shall not lie with a male

as with a woman; it is an abomination."

 

1 Timothy 1:9-10:  "Understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and

whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine."

 

Psalm 86:5:  "For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving,

abounding in steadfast love to all who call on You."

 

Romans 10:13:  "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

 

1 John 1:9:  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."