Long Time, No Update

Here's a big one for everyone.  I posted this on my other site and was told that I should post it here too just in case I have some different readers here than at the other one. 

"Ponderings on a Christ-like Lifestyle"

*Disclaimer:  It's a long, hard read but things to think about.

Since I'm still sitting here, waiting to complete all the lessons when Alex gets home, I was pondering some thoughts while listening to one of my favs, David Phelps.  Anyway...this has a little to do with the song that's playing...

Already There

So you say you're all alone
You've been left out on your own
No one sees you on your knees
And Jesus, He's just make-believe
Well brother, I have been there too
I've been broken and I've been used
But He has never left my side
His love is deep and it is wide

Chorus:
Oh, there ain't no mountain high enough
To escape the Father's love
Even rivers will not flow
Where He's told them they can't go
He is everywhere, above and below
Oh, there ain't no ocean wide enough
That can keep you from His care
You see I know 'cause I have tried
You can run but you can't hide
Because He's already there.

I know your tears must fall like rain
I won't pretend to know your pain
So where is God, you shake your fist
If He is love then what is this
Well sister, I have doubted too
That it's too good to be true
But as sure as the sun is gonna shine
He is always right on time

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge:
Before you call His name
Before you shed a tear
Before you knew Him
He was reaching out to you
So take a step of faith
'Cause help is on the way
Hold on, hold on
He's gonna lead you through!

(Repeat Chorus)

You see I know 'cause I have tried
You can run but you can't hide
Because He's already there

© 2006 Soulwriter Music/Word Music

My thoughts were on the fact that no matter where you are, everyone is watching - especially online. 

As a Christian, I'm very aware that my non-Christian friends and family view my personal internet spaces such as Facebook, Xanga, MySpace and so on.  I'm also aware that I have to be who I am, not false or scripted but the real me everywhere I am. 

I also realize that there are things that the world looks for when they read your "about me's", "interests" or "groups" you belong to.  Some people mask this by saying that it's my choice.  We shrug off some things that WE want that are sinful in our lives and claim they're no big deal.  Alas, they ARE a big deal when it comes to showing Christ to the world. 

You know, I just finished working on the last lesson for Kid's RaP.  It's about shining out light; shining the light of Christ through the dark, sinful world.  Hmm.. guess what?  We can't shine for Jesus if there's sinful things that we're publicly showing the world! 

I've been to some sites of people who claim to be Christians and I have to say, sometimes I REALLY wonder where their relationship with Christ is or if they really even have one!  Other Christians shouldn't have to wonder.  If other Christians are wondering about your salvation, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE WORLD IS WONDERING? 

I get so sick of people saying that Christianity is warped and they don't want to be a Christian because of how other so called "christians" act, treat others, and represent themselves.  You know, people do watch all the details. 

Another point is that if we have to think twice about posting something, joining a group, plugging into something that you should stand against, it is probably something that shouldn't be posted or joined.

These are the days of internet life.  This is the hottest tool for Christians to spread the gospel.  We can't spread the gospel on one site (for example Facebook) then go to MySpace and have some questionable content on it.  It's conflicting.  What did Jesus say about that?  Uhh.... "if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Mk 3:25.  

Basically, we'll lead people the wrong way if we are conflicted.  We  will soon fall too. 

Christ made a choice.  He chose to die to COVER and WASH AWAY those sinful things.  Don't let these sinful things stand in the way of Christ!  Remember, testimonies are no longer limited to being face to face with someone. 

My challenge: Reevaluate how you represent yourself online!  Question yourself and pray about your online testimony and presentation.

Think about it.

*Disclaimer:  If you find yourself feeling guilty or on the defensive about any of this, you should definitely reevaluate.  I am also not bashing or pointing this toward anyone in particular! 

Number 5 love language will be coming soon.  I haven't had the chance to read that book lately.  I've been pretty busy.  It should be posted this week.  I'm enjoying all the comments too!! 

Love Language #4

Love Language Four: Gifts

"Children whose primary love language is the receiving of gifts will always make much of receiving the gift.  They will want the present to be wrapped or at least given in a unique and creative way.  this is all part of the love expression. Often they will ooh and aah as they open the gift.  It will seem a big deal to them - and it is.  They are feeling very special as they open the present, and they want your undivided attention as they do so.  Remember, for  them this is love's loudest voice.  They see the gift as an extension of you and your love, and they want to share this moment with you.  Once they have opened the gift, they will hug you or thank you profusely."  pg. 79

"Gifts should be genuine expressions of love.  If they are payment for services rendered, or bribery, you should not call them gifts but should acknowledge them for what they are."  pg. 77

"Remember, not all gifts come from a store.  You may find a special gift as you walk down a winding road or even across a parking lot.  Wildflowers, unusual stones, and driftwood can qualify as gifts when wrapped or presented in a creative way." pg. 78

What gifts have you received that have stood out in your memory?  Why?

Here's a suggestion the book gives in the study guide area...

"Give a gift to each of your children (our case, nephew) within the next month that is not tied to a special occasion.  Then determine whther gifts is the child's primary love language by looking for the following responses: 

1. gives special attention to the packaging of the gift
2. gives special attention to the words or circumstances assocaiated with the gift
3. puts gift in a special place or treats with particular care
4. comments to you or your spouse about the great importance of this gift

Love Language #3

Love Language Three:  Quality Time

"The most important factor in quality time is not the event itself but that you are doing something together, being together." pg. 61

"Quality Time is focused attention." pg. 60

"Quality time is a parent's gift of presence to a child.  It conveys this message, 'You are important.  I like being with you.'  It makes the child feel that he is the most important person in the world to the parent.  He feels truly loves because he has his parent all to himself." pg. 61

I've come to the early conclusion that Ian's primary love language is Quality Time (I'll have to evaluate it once I get to chapter 7 but I'm almost certain of this!  Even Lisa agreed when we talked about it tonight.). 

On Tuesday, I went next door to ask if Ian wanted to help us rake the leaves and be with us.  He wholeheartedly accepted.  He didn't waste time getting his stuff on to go outside.  Lisa was happy to have him "out of her hair" while she cooked (that's what she said!).  I didn't expect him to actually rake (partly because I forgot that I had 3 rakes) but he quickly decided to help out and wanted us to pile them up to play in. 

I layed out some rules first that he stay either on the sidewalk or in the main grass area; he wasn't allowed in the grass passed the sidewalk near the road.  He didn't have an issue with this rule and listened fairly well.  We built a pile although it was kinda small since all the leaves haven't fallen yet.  Then it was time to play.  He was so happy!!  He was excited that we let him jump in the pile, buried him and how Uncle Alex kept throwing him in them.  Once we were ready to bag the leaves, he did it without our asking him to.  If you're wondering, he got lots of words of affirmation and was proud of himself!  I was proud too since he did filled up the 2 bags, even getting leafy matter into his mouth...lol. 

Once we were all done, we put away all the stuff and it was time for him to go home for dinner but he asked Uncle Alex, "Do I have to go home yet?"  He was really enjoying himself.  Alex was happy to know Ian really enjoyed time with him.  We did come inside since I wasn't sure if she was ready for him to come home and we washed his face.  I did call and she said it was done so Ian said goodbye to a worn-out uncle!  He did tell Alex, with a helpful reminder   "Thank you for playing in the leaves with me!"  It was so sweet. 

I took him home and he told Lisa about what we did.  He also claimed that he swallowed a leaf and that if she stepped on him it'd break the leaf.  LOL.  It was cute.  When I was ready to come back to the house, I hugged him, thanked him for helping rake and I had fun playing with him and that I loved him.  He was all smiles. 

I haven't had the chance to ask Ian any questions to confirm some of my suspicions but I'm very sure that he craves quality time with people who love him. 

Some of the things included in Quality Time are:

• Positive Eye Contact (pleasant, loving eye contact)
• Sharing Thoughts & Feelings
• Quality Conversations
• Storytelling

"Quality time is not only for doing active things together; it's also for knowing your child better." pg. 63

How do you feel when people take time out of their day to spend with you? 

Love Language #2

****I was asked "I really have no idea how I would judge how important touch is, I mean how do you tell?" about my last entry.  The answer:  I don't know yet...lol.  "How to Discover Your Child's Primary Love Language" is chapter 7.  I'm not there yet.****

#2 Language is Words of Affirmation   

"Praise and affection are often combined in the messages we give to a child.  We need to distinguish the two.  Affection and love mean expressing appreciation for the very being of a child, for those characteristics and abilitiesthat are part of the total package of the person.  In contrast, we express praise for what the child does, either in acheivements or behavior or conscious attitudes.  Praise, as we are using it here, is for something over which the child has a degress of control."  pg. 47

A key of Affirmation is to not over-do it.  If your praise isn't true, justified or too often kids might perceive it as flattery even if they don't understand the meaning, they still understand the concept of it and it can hurt a child whose L.L is Words! 

"The words 'I love you' should always stand alone in reality or by implication.  To say, 'I love you...will you please do this for me?' dilutes the theme of love.  To say, 'I love you, but I'll tell you right now...' cancels itself out.  The words 'I love you' should never be diluted with conditional statements.  This is true for all children, but especially for those whose primary love language is words."  pg. 52

When people praise you, how do you react?  Do you enjoy the praises?