Colossians

I wanted to title this "Commands of Colossians" but I was afraid that might be off-putting.  I love the commands of the New Testament.  I love it when Jesus says do what I said, and makes us responsible for what He has commanded, then empowers us to do them.  But, in this culture, people don't like being told what to do.  That is sad.  They think authority is evil, but God's authority is for our protection.

Colossians 1:17  He (Christ Jesus) is before all things and in Him all things hold together. 

So when we lean on Christ, when we draw near, hold fast, (more of my favorite phrases) we are completing the circuit or plugging into it?  ((electrical analogy---seeing as how my husband is an electrical engineer, and my youngest is an electrician))

Colossians 2:2  "...KNIT together in love."   (sorry, but I am a knitter---so I jump on those verses)

Commands of Colossians:

1:10  Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work.  (it is not a suggestion) 

Walk...bearing fruit...good work 

1:12  Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.   (what/who are "saints in Light?")

1:23  if you continue in the faith firmly established.  (continue is the command to me)

2:6  ...as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk in Him,

2:8  See to it that no one take you captive through philosophy and empty deception,

2:18  Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize

2:19 (taking the liberty of rewording the command here from the negative)  Hold fast to the Head Christ (the whole Body of Christ) grows with a growth which is from God.

3:1,2  "...keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  vs. 3  For you have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God.

3:5  Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 

(idolatry is immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed.  where/how am I immoral?  impure?  passionate as in crusader arrogance, where do I have evil desires? where am I greedy?  I curse and say bad words when I am angry, frustrated, impatient.)

Col. 3:5-11  Put aside:  immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech from your mouth, do not lie to one another, put on the new self... where there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman, BUT  CHRIST IS ALL AND IN ALL

vs 12-17  You are chosen of God! Holy and Beloved. 

Chosen of God, Holy, Beloved, Christ is all and in all...in you.  Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other, forgive just as Christ forgave you. 

Put on Love which is the perfect bond of unity, let the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in one body and Be Thankful.  Let the word of Christ rightly dwell in you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 

How do we admonish one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs?  I think it points to a corporate worship.  singing together---which means we need to assemble together, and maybe too, as responsibility and knowing the psalms we sing! 

(keep all the previous verses in mind---in context---are you sitting down??)

Colossians 3:18 WIVES BE SUBJECT TO YOUR HUSBANDS, AS IT IS FITTING IN THE LORD.

(still with me?  do you find this offensive? irritating? mean? don't miss the blessing.  hang on. repent and stay with me here)

Don't lift it out of context and beat your wife or daughter or daughter-in-law with it.  Keep it in context.  Go back and re-read Colossians so far, if you need to.  "Fitting" means right, good, proper. 

fun aside:  I see Mammy, in the movie, Gone With The Wind, saying: "It ain't fittn'...it just ain't fittin' " for something Scarlet is planning on doing. 

"Subject" to your husbands is important for unity and peace and "in the Lord" reveals by the Lord's power and done as UNTO the Lord plus not as in a crime and/or being an accomplice. 

Only You, Lord, can empower, motivate, show me how to be subject to my husband without sinning in my heart, without eye rolling, without respect.  quietly.  lovingly, just as Christ is subject to His own Heavenly Father: serving, praying earnestly to, communicating, beseeching, (see Gethsemine) but when it is time to move, time to act, time to go to the cross, do so with honor, love, willingness, without fear, doing your job, your duty, giving your loyalty, devotion, giving all without reservation on that cross JUST AS CHRIST.  Just as Christ:  obedience, endured, was spat on, beaten, despised, misunderstood, meek, praying for His enemies.  When your husband asks you to do something hard, something you'd rather not, something painful, even to the point of death, remember Christ our example.  Jesus asks us to submit. Be subject to our husband even as Jesus is/was subject and submitted to the Father.  And as our example--we don't do it blindly, but LIKE Christ, we tremble, sweat blood, pray for this cup to pass from us, yet we TRUST, go, serve, do, even if...

Even if ...

Hard times are coming when marriage is under attack, ridiculed.  I think this privilege---this opportunity is not being taught to women.  Our Christian daughters and dear daughters-in-law need to know that soon the world will revile, despise them for being subject and submitting to their husbands.  But it is a GIFT, on this earth, now.  in time.  not in heaven.  We can only do it now.  We are going to be given the daily, hourly, private or maybe public opportunity to demonstrate Jesus Christ, our example, as a wife.  To submit, to be subject to our husband.  I tremble, Lord.  For me, for my daughter-in-law, for the friends and women at my church, and the women in the Body of Christ:  Help us not miss this unique opportunity to stand up for marriage.  Marriage is Biblical, created by God!!  God's design.  God's purpose.  God's objective and mission.  Give us Your supernatural strength in our hour of need, Lord.  When persecution comes, when teaching our sons and daughters, at church, in public, for we desire to hear:  "Good and faithful servant" when we get to heaven.  

The enemy, in the disguise of the equal rights women's movement has been attacking and depriving women of this for years.  Men are told to Love their wives just as Christ:  even being willing to lay down their lives for her.  provide. protect. And it is easy when respect, love, trust is there.  But, computers can be hacked, reputations ruined, silly laws broken, or immoral laws--stood against costing a man his livelihood and family security.  When a husband has to stand for what is right, he answers to God and often it costs him his life, his job, his ability to provide for his family.  Please give my daughters-in-law and granddaughters the knowledge of why You set it up this way and a clear understanding of the privilege to be Christlike in subjection and submission--but only to our own husband and only as unto God.  We are not told to be subject to other women's husbands.

This opportunity, this test, this obedience, posture, needs to be done in the Filling of the Holy Spirit, hourly, daily, in the household tasks, in the watchcare over the children, teaching of the children, as well as in deference to the husband in household  decisions, plans, upkeep, as well as decorum at church, in public, with friends, encouraging your friends to be so also with their own husband...for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health...  Watching your husband's back, serving, sensitive, respectful, loving and gentle.  I tremble.  I am afraid because the tests often blindside us and I am guilty of being unkind, frustrated, impatient, sarcastic, mean, selfish, picky, unforgiving, moody. 

When we get to heaven and we see the stack of crowns of missed opportunities, it will be too late.  And I have been married 35 years...lots of wasted opportunities. 

When those who shack up, live with---before marriage, they miss these opportunities to be like Christ.  To love just as Christ.  To forgive just as Christ, to serve, wash feet, endure persecution, endure beatings, being spit on, slapped by the world, by the cruel religious, dirty, mean, immoral crowd, who see you as a threat.  They are the truly intolerant.  Please get us ready, Lord.  Gird up our loins.  help us strap on the full armor of God, know our scripture, and how to use it, help us know when to speak, when to fight, when to stand, when to wait, when to run, when to endure.  In Jesus name.  Help us remember that Jesus is the example for the husband as well as for the wife.  Only here can we do this.  Only here on earth, in time, before we die or are raptured, can we honor Your Son, Jesus, in suffering, in service, in persecution, in sharing the Gospel, in boldness.  Keep us with our priorities in proper perspective.  Help us avoid  crusader arrogance, fear, phoniness, idolatry, greed, gluttony, escaping into books, movies...bring EVERY thought into captivity for Christ.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Colossians 3:23  Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men...it is the Lord whom you serve.

Mrs. Clara Martin Williamson

Today is my husband's Mother's Birthday---she would be 93.  Born in 1920, but forever 33 as she is in heaven.  Can't wait to meet her.  She died just after Bob left home for the Army.  He has told me the story of what a struggle it was for her to attend his commissioning.  He has told me of stories of growing up with seven brothers and sisters, so I know she was a saint in more ways than one. 

I love the stories about how Bob's Mom was a Sunday School teacher, and how as a little boy, he was fascinated by these giggling girls.  She also played the piano, and kept the books for her husband's construction business.  I cannot imagine being the Mom of eight---and when the triplets were babies, Bart was also still in diapers. 

I wish she could see what wonderful women the triplets have become.  And what would she say to hear so many are pastors, Sunday School teachers, soldiers...among her sons, nephews, and greats. 

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Clara Martin Williamson.  She was a daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, wife, Mom, Grandmother---what a legacy. 

Fun With Twitter

10,555 tweets
1,464 following
783 followers

Numbers that can disappear tomorrow! Computers crash. Internet is fragile. Pictures and files are lost. or you can be thrown into twitter gulag. Isn't that special?

But, with twitter---news is instant. You can chuckle with your funny and/or satire tweets, cry at the news of a fallen soldier, murdered baby.

News from around the world--because my sons could be deployed again, so what is going on over there? And what is the president up to? Reducing the military, cutting library programs for kids, turning off the AC in commissaries and yet expecting troops to go over there where they HATE us and bring peace?! That.

Twitter is a place to encourage other believers, stand up and be heard. Get alerts to sermons, and be amazed at the pithy words of the master satirists.  Poke fun at each other, keep a sense of humor.  Yes, twitter is fun.  Mostly, to retweet what others say, as in, "wow, I like that!" or "wow, I like how you worded that."  I agree.  Amen, I believe it.  I agree.

Light Blogging lately. conquering twitter.

I am still alive. Enjoying the challenge that is twitter.  Still need to find a book for dummies on the subject. 

I stayed home with the grandbabies Memorial Day Sunday, and was so sad to hear that our church has given up on a nod.  they mixed up Memorial Day and Veteran's Day for years, but sad to hear they gave it no mention at all.   I got to thinking, if I were a pastor---and that'll NEVER happen, as our church do not believe women's role is pastor/teacher above men.  But, if I were pastor, and were tasked writing or composing or delivering a Memorial Day message, which book in the Bible would I turn?  Chronicles.  First Chronicles.  My o My, the gems there.  All those lists---valiant men, men of honor, trained, ready, provisioned, prepared, wow.  Names upon names...to let us know what happened to the rest of the story. 

For example, in Genesis, we leave Hagar and her son with an angel visit, and a promise.  Sure enough, the promises come true.  Ishmael has lots of sons, and his descendants are listed.  Esau, Keturah's sons...listed and accounted for.  The book seems to hone in on David, as if it was written in his time.  Details only he would know, and a cleaned up version of certain events...maybe his son, the wisest, Solomon wrote it.  or at least started the writing of it.  One translation says it is one of the last books written chronologically...first and second Chronicles together. one book. 

If you were needing a Father's Day message---"heads of households" and "heads of their father's households" would preach.  The phrase appears over and over. 

So, between searching Chronicles, and figuring out twitter, and listening to the Blazecast---Scott Baker's interactive show online, and Stu and Pat--and a little of Glenn, I keep busy.  Refilling the birdfeeder, watching the grass grow, and talking to the white cat in the back yard who has adopted us.  Fathered by the old white tom we used to call Phantom for his face markings....this white guy has similar stains on his head---more in the shape of a v.  He loves to sit in the windowsill and watch the birds swoop in to the feeder, see him, and fly off. 

Saw my Mother Memorial Day weekend, too.  She stayed with my brother in Grapevine, but we motored up to see her Saturday and Sunday.  Helped our son, James with da babies as his wife was on a women's retreat.  The babies were so cute.  Baby Matthew is walking full time now.  Amber's folks have driven out from California.  So glad they are finally getting to see them in almost a year. 

Rain yesterday brought cooler weather.  So nice to be able to open the windows.  Had to get a new AC the Friday before Memorial Day, and the new Freon or motor or something gives a faint burnt smell.  I hope it fades.  Or, maybe the new carbon filters I ordered will help. 

Bob teaches Sunday School each week, so Saturday he is busy composing a lesson.  They are good lessons, so I am grateful.  (why don't we spell it greatful?). 

an update on my menopause---absurd name if ever there was one.  I had the heaviest, blot clot filled months of December, January, February, March, April and then half way through May--it stopped.  wow.  a break.  I had bought a case of the heavy-duty purple overnight pads.  I hated to go anywhere because I need to sit on a towel for leakage.  We will see. 

Years ago, I went to doctors and just wanted them to explain that it would get messy, heavy, but eventually stop.  Instead they advised hysterectomies, surgery---ridiculous at my weight, and with sleep apnea and allergies...no thank you.  Stuff (supplements) different ones---chiropractor, friends, relatives suggested had bad side effects.  I noticed I was getting sensitive to the sun!  And sun is good for mental health in reasonable doses...and in chasing babies.  So, I stopped all supplements. 

Life is good.  Twitter is fun.  I have a few "followers". what a hoot!  It is a way to encourage, teach, reach out, learn, keep up on the LATEST news...receive links to live tornado storms, etc.  Watched the El Reno one blow up online from a small cloud to the biggest recorded one ever.  I still can't believe the weathermen were so scared from the week before's storm that they advised people to get in their cars and out run it south.  It was way too late to clog the roads.  18 or 19 died.  Even three storm chasers.  amazing.

More later from Momisaverb.

Hey Jude, what a pertinent and fascinating Book of the Bible you are.

I am so spoiled as Bob knows more about computers and can help me out of my wrong turns into malware.  I clicked on the wrong thing on Friday, being impatient---and it took HOURS to remove that malware.  yikes.

 

I am also thankful that God has provided me Bob as Sunday School teacher.  Sometimes it is hard to be quiet...and let him study on Saturday.  (and Sunday morning...like right now) 'cause I have been reading the book of Jude this week, dissecting the verbs, lists of bad boys, and pondering certain phrases...and can't wait to ask Bob about them.  It is amazing to me how when we have questions about the Bible, God answers within days or weeks with a radio preacher's sermon, or sermon at church, or even a special speaker.  I about had a religious experience one time when I had a question about the anointing feet with perfume stories, and this speaker from England came to our church and preached the VERY passage I was going over and over on my own.  God is good.

 

We need to be ready to combat the culture.  Marriage is being questioned, and the homosexual agenda is evil.  Like is says in Jude, the license for evil among our own who want to use grace to justify their immoral behavior! yikes.  And I like the Net Bible translation better---they are not "hidden reefs at your love feasts", they are rocks along the shore as in a shipwreck analogy---pillars in our churches, false teachers spouting--- 

 

I can't wait to ask Bob about our command to "contend for the faith" versus was the worst Michael could say to satan over the body of Moses: "the Lord rebuke you!"  (also in Jude).  And I love how Jude highlights stories from Sunday School---and makes us responsible for them in the church age.  Balaam was a story that looks tame but fun for little kids because the donkey talks! But, you have to dig around deeper to find out that Balaam was guilty of encouraging the infiltration of Israel through the women of Midian:  sexual immorality!!  yikes.   It would be like North Korea unable to get their nukes to work, so he sends north Korean prostitutes to undermine our government and nation.   or it would be like radical islam, unable to knock down the new Freedom Tower, sending the Muslim Brotherhood to rewrite our textbooks, and military training materials...and Balaam sitting there protesting, but I did not send the prostitutes, nor the Muslim Brotherhood, I just ADVISED them that that is how you take down the USA. 

Legacy

What if a grandfather wanted to tell his grandchildren, great-grandchildren even great-greats that he loved them, and thought of them, and prayed for them..?  Yes, that grandfather would tell his children and grands, by living to be almost 100 and telling them every day in word, and deed.  He would write letters to those far away, and postcards they could keep.  He would record things in diaries, and write funny things about trips they might enjoy reading and sharing.  And he would try to set up his will such that the great-greats knew someday that they came from a farm.  A farm he desired to keep together and keep in the family to provide a place to raise food though the world go to hell. 

Once upon a time, our God rescued and set apart a people He loved.  To help them remember where they came from He directed them to celebrate once a year with a special feast.  In that family feast, were all the elements to teach the children what happened and repeat the promises that no matter how hard things get, God is coming back to rescue them and rule and set everything right. 

Just a small people, on a small plot of land. Set apart, and rescued down through the ages, though dictators have tried to exterminate them, God preserves a remnant, and gives them the task of keeping His Commandments written in the Torah.  They have changed some celebrations, even Jesus came and pointed out where they had strayed from the letter of the Law.  All the elements pointed to Him.  Jesus Christ is our Passover. 

The rest of the world hates the Jews because they are a tiny flame, a light to the world that God keeps His promises.  There will come a time in the future when the enemy tries to wipe them out and when unsuccessful again, turn and try to kill all who follow Jesus.  In Revelation, it says the enemy will be drunk on the blood of the saints.  Align yourself with the Jews, and Jesus, and persevere until the end. Some may be called upon to defend themselves, some will be taken captive. Again. Do no despair. God is in control.  God wins in the end.

Saints in Christ

As Christians, we are saints in Christ.  It does not mean we are perfect this side of heaven, but because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are positionally in Him.  His. 

I don't want to turn my Dad into an idol.  Neither do I want to dwell on the past because we all make mistakes.  We all sin.  Jesus died for the sins of the entire world. 

If I could have---no regrets---but, because I blubber easily, I'd like to list a few things I'd like to tell Dad thank you:

Thank you, Dad, for giving me a love of learning about God, the Bible, taking me to visit the pastor's wife, Mrs. Algrim, who explained the gospel to me at 10 years old.  Your conversion and mine are linked by that week in October 1963. 

Thank you for taking us to church faithfully after that...to learn more about the gift of salvation Jesus paid so dearly for us.  Thank you for showing us by example how important it is to go to church, learn God's Word, pray with, sing with and encourage others.

Thank you for giving me a love of music, especially, singing.  I am sorry I was never a good enough pianist to accompany you, as you longed for me to be.  Thank you for giving me voice lessons---from you, from professionals, from teachers.  From early age---what was I, five or six?? when you taught me the "Where is Love" song from Oliver.  You taught me to love musicals. 

Thank you for giving me a love of books, of reading, and learning.  Thank you for being such young parents with energy, a love of people, parading, inviting people into our home. 

Thank you for taking me to school, picking me up, making me responsible, accountable,

Thank you for teaching me to drive...and insisting on excellence because a huge automobile can do serious damage if you do not pay attention.  (even though I resisted, knowing I could never drive as safely as you)

Thank you for moving us to Texas my sophomore year in high school where we could attend church and study the Bible every night and where I met my future husband, and learned to socialize.

Thank you for trying to impress on me the importance of staying in shape, eating right, taking vitamins. 

Your boldness in sharing the gospel was amazing.  Your boldness as a salesman was impressive--sorry I did not turn out to be the salewoman with NFIB you desired me to be.

Thank you for giving me away to my husband 35 years ago, even giving up your wedding ring to help move the ceremony along.   Thank you for providing for me growing up--I never went hungry.  I knew you loved me.  And I knew you and Mother enjoyed the grandsons.

Thank you for the phone calls, the wisdom, the modelling of good behavior, paying off debts, gracious hospitality, opening your home to all, and most of all--

How do I thank you for your Voice?  God gave you a tremendous talent, but you worked at it, took lessons, cultivated an opera Voice and yet you chose us.  You could have been famous.  You could have gone to New York or Hollywood, but you decided family was more important and you saw the dangers lurking in fame.  You chose us.  Your children and grandchildren and now four great-grandchildren will never know what all you sacrificed for us.  But, we thank you, and we thank God for you---and while it was hard to watch you struggle physically these past few years, you modelled perseverance.  Grace.  You were given the tests of blindness, liver failure, and challenges from your bi-pass intestine operation (30+) years ago.  Yet you used your voice to bless others in solos, leading the singing, entertaining, plays (in Illinois), and around the house--we were blessed. 

Even your last days here, you sang out, "It is Well" in the chorus of that famous hymn.

Forgive me for talking you into wearing cowboy boots with your tux for a solo before wearing cowboy boots with a tux was cool. 

Forgive me for being judgemental, a bad speller, fat.   In heaven, my faults will be gone, too.  I can't wait.  Love you, Dad.  I know you are having a wonderful reunion with Kenny, Skoneee, Dick Duke, your parents, grandparents, Abby's great grandmother, (Abby said, now you can be friends with her again! wise little six year old). 

Maybe God has a plan for your Voice as Jesus comes back and sets everything right.  Shout to the Lord.  Sing out a new song.  Praise His Name.  

yes, this is what I'd like to tell my Dad.