Father's Day Giveaway!

Ok, so Father's Day is coming up. Mother's Day is a really big deal. Especially for us, right, ladies? But what about those Daddys in our lives?

Yeah, ho-hum, Father's Day, give dad another tie, and let him watch the ballgame in peace. For some guys, that may be the best gift they can imagine (well - the ballgame part anyway). But how about something a little more this year?

This week I hope to give a way a few things for some dads out there. I'm hoping to have something for every day of the week, Mon-Fri. That's FIVE things to giveaway! So check back every day for a new prize to win.

Today's giveaway is from Vision Forum. An 8 cd set called Give Me Your Heart, My Son.



To learn more about it go here.

To enter the drawing simply leave a comment. And that's it. For every prize, leave a comment and you'll be entered in that drawing. Each drawing will end at noon the following day, Eastern Standard Time. For example, this day's drawing will end tomorrow at noon. I will announce the winner tomorrow. And hopefully have another prize.



Until next time...

More Controversial Subjects

Some interesting questions came up when I posted my view on Easter.













We also don't do Santa or the toothfairy (I totally forgot about that little tradition). We spent a few Christmases by ourselves or with other families that don't "do" Christmas, but since some of my family moved close by, we spent Christmas with them a couple of times. By not "doing" Christmas I mean we don't do the tree or stockings or decorate or anything really. We used to in the beginning of our marriage, but studying things out made us quit. I don't want to make this a long post, so if you want to research it the internet has a plethora of information on the subject. A good place to start is here. A good short article on the history of Christmas can be found here. Here and here are a couple of links that compares Jesus Christ to Santa Claus. Scary? I also know the story of St. Nicholas who was actually a real person. I wonder what he thinks about the figure known as Santa Claus? And that some people believe it to be modeled after him?

Another good comment mentioned the fact that we worship on Sunday instead of the Sabbath (Saturday). Well, technically, our family can't be accused of that since we don't go to a traditional church. :) We meet with other believers whenever we can, and sometimes that is in the middle of the week. I believe that was the way the 1st century Christians did it. They were being persecuted, so they didn't exactly advertise where they would be meeting next.

I could get into a really long discussion on holidays vs holy days, but I'll leave that to others.

Just so you know, we don't go around telling everyone that they are wrong to celebrate these days. In this country, we have the freedom to "esteem one day above another". One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. (Rom 14:5 ) We visit family when they are celebrating and don't go around preaching at them with a sour face, being holier-than-thou. By the same token, we would like to have the freedom to NOT celebrate certain days. If anyone asked us, we simply state that we don't do those things and leave it at that. We don't use that as an opening to blast them with our beliefs and say that they are less of a Christian than us because they do those things. (If I came across that way in my original post, I certainly apologize). If they honestly want to know why we don't celebrate, I would give them the information we've found, and let them decide for themselves.

And if someone argues that I put this on a public forum, well, it's my personal website and I said that I would be writing down some of my thoughts. These are my thoughts. Thank you very much. :)

Everyone is growing and learning new things throughout their life. My question is: Does what you do glorify Christ? I myself fall short so many times. It is a lesson I learn daily, moment by moment. If you think I'm wrong the best thing you can do is pray for me.

I must ask, please don't make this a flaming, YELLING discussion. I welcome comments, but keep it nice and clean. Please.

Until next time...

Is Easter Biblical?

At the risk of losing my readers I am posting this. Click on these links to find out where I'm coming from. I don't belong to this church, nor am I a Jehovah's Witness. I am simply a follower of Jesus Christ and it concerns me when I see other people say the same thing and then celebrate pagan holidays. I am certainly no expert on the matter and our family is still learning as we search for answers. But I ask you, what does the Easter Bunny, rabbits, and colored eggs have to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Does It Matter to God? I do not agree with everything written by this organization, but they do have some very good stuff. If you think they are wrong then research it for yourself and find the truth. Here are some other things on the history of Easter. Fertility Symbols: Beneath the Dignity of God, The Chronology of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection, The Resurrection Connection, Easter: Masking a Biblical Truth.

We are led to believe so many things by people we think are to be trusted, or we blindly follow traditions we have had in our lives for so long. I am troubled that Christians excuse the things they do by saying things like "I'm not celebrating a pagan holiday, I'm celebrating the birth/resurrection of Jesus. We can do it any time we want and I choose to do it now." I ask, "Why?" So we don't look odd in the eyes of our family and friends? Let them mock. Jesus suffered far worse for us. So our children won't "miss out" on fun and presents? Let them be deprived. They will learn a far more important lesson when they see their parents standing for what they believe in. The children of the first century Christians were "deprived" in that sense. I wonder what they think now?

Some people say that Easter is in the Bible. Yes, but it is a pagan holiday in the Bible. It is not wrongfully translated. It is not really Passover. Why would Herod observe a Jewish holiday? He wanted to have his fun and then afterward get back to the work of persecution. (This is one point in which I disagree with the article in the links above).

I hope I don't come across as prideful or critical. I am asking you to search out the reason you do certain things. My children have never hunted Easter eggs and don't believe in Santa Claus. We teach them the truth. And they don't feel deprived. We don't substitute Resurrection Sunday for Easter. We don't do a birthday cake for Jesus at Christmas. At the risk of flames I'm asking, "Why do Christians do these things?" I will also say that the Bible says if you observe one day as special you have the freedom to do so. So please don't get upset with me if you are offended. Ask yourself why you are offended? "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." Psalm 119:165

Now to sound really far out there; I am currently researching the history of birthday celebrations. Currently we have a special meal for the child on their actual birthday, then we have a big party in the summer. A birthday bash we call it (we copied that from the Jeub family). The only difference being that we specifically say don't bring gifts. We give out little goody bags to the kids and fix a big meal for everyone, have fun and games, and pinatas. If you think there is anything wrong with this please let me know. Seriously, I'm not being sarcastic. I want to know if I am doing anything that would cause my brother to stumble. (1 Cor 8)

When we stand before Jesus Christ, will He say, "Why didn't you celebrate Easter and/or Christmas?". No, we will be judged for our works, whether they will stand the test of the fire or not. (1 Cor 3). I am purposely not putting these verses in so that you will look them up for yourself.

Please understand that I am writing this out of concern for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If I did not care, I would not say anything. If you disagree; well, isn't it wonderful that we have that liberty?

And my reference to Easter in an earlier post? We are having a ham dinner, but we are not celebrating Easter. Remember, no egg hunt? :)

Until next time...(if anyone comes back)