"But" Leads to Trouble

Just want to share some thoughts I had lately after a Sunday school class. We were talking about doing God's Will and not our own. Anyhoo, I got to thinking about how when you hear someone use the word "but", it is a good indicator they are about to enter sin. For instance..."I know it's wrong, but..." or "I shouldn't, but..." or "I should, but...". These are phrases often followed by "I'm going to anyway" or "I don't care, I want to..". This is self-will OR self-indulgence and self-will usually or at least often means SIN.

We people are like that many times through out the day. Choosing our own wills over what God would have us to do. The spirit is often willing but the flesh is weak! :)

In the past few months, I've had several people say to me that they know it's wrong to live together before marriage but they are going to do it anyway or encourage someone else to do it to find out how the person is before marriage to avoid divorce later on. This is saying you know better than God! Often this subject or pre-marital relations or abstinence is viewed as only for teenagers and not adults. Hmm, I'm not sure God put a time frame on it in His Word!

I've also had people say they know they should spank their children and discipline correctly and timely but they do not; giving all kinds of different excuses. What this boils down to is lazy parenting! Sorry if that offends but I have been guilty of this at times myself so I can say it! We are "too tired" to do it, or we get concerned about what others will say or think, or we lash out in haste at the child instead of correctly and lovingly giving discipline. If we love them we will correct them! God is the ultimate parent and He chastens whom He loves.

We know we shouldn't eat that dessert or have the second or third helping at meal time BUT we do it anyway to satisfy ourselves. Then we have a belly ache or gain more weight than we would like, etc.

We know we should tell others about Jesus and His saving love and grace but we do not. We worry they will think we are a freak or that they will be offended. ...Hey they may be but we are commanded to tell them, what they do about it is up to them.

Therefore,to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

This verse means that when you know to do right and don't do it, you are in sin! If you know that you are to go to church but decide not to go...you are in sin and need to confess it to God. If you know to witness, to tithe, to be kind, to pray, etc. and do not do those things then these are "sins of omission" and need to be confessed also.

Just some thoughts to ponder....using the word "But" is a sign you may be headed for trouble!

Empty Nesting

Just wanted to share what empty nesting is like ...for us anyways. God helped to ease us into this situation over a period of several years. My daughter was away at Heartland Baptist Bible college for four years (except for summers) and then my son went away for a year at the same college the fall after Jenny graduated. Jenny moved to Batesville, Arkansas for her first teaching job in a Christian school & daycare. She was gone for 9 months (this was our first taste of empty nesting-- her in AR and John in college). She came home for two weeks and then moved to Seattle, Washington for a whole year. Now she is back in Missouri and engaged to be married on June 22, 2013. (Jenny & Ronnie below)

Johnny was home for almost a year after Bible college and then went away for almost five months to welding school. He was home for a month and then moved to Texas last September or October of 2012.

This is his new bride. They got married on March 16, 2013. (Johnny & Kourtney above)

As you can see, God sorta eased us into complete empty nesting. Also God gave us puppies right after John left for Bible college and then there was time helping to take care of my mom and spend time with her before her passing and then Amelia, my niece was born last August (I babysit her several days a month overnight) and now that it is just Bob and I, we have two new puppies. (Bob with Tuff, brown one and Elly, white one)

Some days are hard and I miss my kids a lot but Bob and I have grown even closer as friends and spouses. (and we had a strong relationship and marriage before) The food bill and daily expenses have gone down considerably! There is much more time for romance and quiet time together and even splurging to eat out a little more often. I also don't always have to have a robe on wearing my pjs since John left. Both kids are finally off our car insurance policies.

We have enjoyed gardening and canning and making salsa and pickles and relish, pear butter, etc. for the past three years and we have our current garden mostly in for this year.

So, while I DO miss my kids a lot (especially Johnny cuz he is so far away), empty nesting has its upside too!