Author: Christy Petty

Aspiring to be the Christian Gluten Free Queen of the World. I love writing/blogging, painting, decorating, grand mothering, cooking, helping others BE gluten free, old movies, family, God, animals, my kids, my grandkids, my husband, talking about adoption. I know about painting murals, cooking gluten free, being a mother in law, special needs, cleft palates, Pierre Robin, Celiac, marriage, faith, God, sons, dogs, cats, gardening, a little bit of horses, building a house and living life blessed.
Posted in Exhort Pray Praise...

Do You Hear or Cry “Wolf”?

Posted on by Christy Petty

A friend and I were speaking of ‘Wolf Criers’, having some in our lives. Wolf Criers put the listeners in a tough spot. Is that their intent to cause listeners distress and guilt? Or are they solely concentrating on themselves and getting attention for themselves, with absolutely no awareness of the issues they cause others.

Evan cries ‘Wolf’.

to get off of work, wanting to hang with his gamer friends instead of doing his work.

to get attention. I think being ‘sick’ as a child makes one a bit more ‘needy’, it conditions one to be used to the extra attention.

because he is lonely. Attention, again, but in a different way. Being sick, having something that needs to be fixed gets him out of the mundane everyday and into appointments and questions and conversation directed to him and about him. Evan has two gamer friends, and they don’t really miss him if he is not there. He is lonely.

I have told him the story of the boy who cries wolf many many times. For someone like myself, this story had a great impact on me to NOT inconveinience or lie to others. I hear the story and see the ruin of reputation the boy caused himself, the loss of character. The boy hurt the others by lying and deception, sheep died because of him, the people no longer respected him, he brought shame to his family.  Then there are the others, who hear this story , they see opportunity. Opportunity to deceive and get continued support. They see that concerned caring people will not abandon them to be eaten by a wolf. They see that the rescuers know that they are being used and abused, but still come a running,

Evan is not the worst Wolf Cryer I know, have to deal with. Evan is learning disabled. Some of Evan’s reasoning is, at least, immature. I don’t give that to Evan as an excuse though,I do consider.  I just am not sure if he can always reason into the relm of what his actions DO to others, and what others think about him because of them. I am responsible to Evan, so I do not accept ‘Wolf’ from him.   But what about other “Wolf” criers who are not brain damaged?

So,back to the questions. A bit more in depth though. People who cry “ I have a problem, help me help me. I need help. I can’t because ….. I am in danger because….. I am sick, I hurt” and their ‘issue’ is not as dire as they claim it to be.

Do they actually think they are dying? Do they actually think there is no way out? Do they have no perception of what is really dire circumstances?

Do they realize potential rescuers feel responsible when someone reaches out to them? Do they KNOW who will feel responsible and  those are who they call on?

Does a Wolf Crier get a sense of power when they get someone to come running? Do they get a chuckle at making others concern over nothing to concern over? Is part of the goal to get the rescuer to choose them over their other responsibilities?

Is the need for others to look at them so strong that they are truly willing to be considered a lier and lose all respect? Do they consider what they are doing as deception?

Does a Wolf Crier create their own problem for attention? Maybe not at first, but once receiving attention, do they put out bait, to cause a problem (wolf)? Do they mess up their medication? Overspend just before the water bill is due? Eat wheat when they know it will make them ill? Do they feign chest pains, shortness of breath, something that can not be seen on the outside, that MUST be considered an emergency, because they KNOW it must be considered an emergency?

One more question. Is the hearer wrong to not respond to Wolf Crier? To walk away after knowing there is no wolf?

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 9

Posted on by Christy Petty

8:9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

 

These first few lines I think are linked to 8, remember this is all one letter, Paul is not writing chapter and verse, he is writing a letter.  9 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? Paul does not have to ‘abide’ to man rules or superstition, because he is ‘Free’ a believer, his salvation is not based on pleasing of man, he is making this point to say- I do ‘comply’ to the weakness of these people because it doesn’t matter, it is not a MY way versus THEIR way.  2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Here I wonder also if Paul is not answering another question from the Corinthians? 3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? I think now Paul is moving on to make some more points, using the previous as the way to approach.  6 Or is it only Barnabas and Iwho have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?  It sounds like Paul is defending their being able to receive pay, expenses, meals, gifts, on their mission. 

8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses,“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.”  Let the ox eat as he works, benefit from his efforts. Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. God did not tell us this in his word to make sure the ox were treated humanely, it was an analogy.  11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? The Corinthians should share, and allow the missionaries to receive. Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. Paul does not ask for pay, nor demand it, or set a fee. If they did then people may not hear, because they only see this as a business for Paul- i.e. televangelists.  13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, Priests and such ate the offerings given to temple and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. Paul deserves to benefit, but he does not take, so that it does not take away from the teaching of God, in people’s eyes. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! Paul preaches Gods word because GOD has him do it, the spirit leads him to, it is not because he wants the credit or pay.   17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. If Paul does his ministry for THE pay it no longer a ministry, but a job.  18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ[ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.  Paul is not saying don’t give to us, he already said others receive and God even says to give to the ‘ox’ , what he is saying he does not set a ‘price’ to his work, an hourly charge, he gives the gospel free, and IF someone should want to give to him that is to give to him, because he asked for it.9 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; Paul is not ’employed’ to anyone, nor slave to anyone. He does not HAVE to comply to any persons wishes, he chose to be a servant of God, and thus putting himself in the place to serve all mankind.  20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law,[c] that I might win those who are under the law; Paul takes on his ‘Jewishness’ in order to relate to Jew’s , to present the gospel so they may hear.  21 to those who are without law,  as without law Paul does NOT abide to Jewish law for the sake of the ‘Jews’, not a slave to it. He is not entangled by the law, so he can speak with those who are not ‘Jewish’.(not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), The law is still ‘obeyed’ because it is still what is desired by God, that we be ‘morally correct’. We obey the law not to be ‘saved’ but because we are saved. that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. This is what he spoke of before of those afraid to eat certain foods, ‘weak’ in faith, he does not lord over them, I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Paul ‘uses’ all the experiences, knowledge, God gave him so he can relate to those he presents the Gospel to  That I may save SOME, Paul does NOT say ALL.  23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.  Paul does this, gospel giving with no pay, because he wants salvation for all, not just himself. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Here in this world, only 1st place wins.  Run in such a way that you may obtain it. When you race you race to win 1st place, live your life as a believer, so you can reach, win, that 1st place.  25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.When a ‘runner’ in a race you are conditioned, you train, you eat correctly, you live ‘right’, in order to win Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown,In the world we get a trophy, it gets dusty and rusty and eventually sold in garage sale. but we for an imperishable crown. We believers are racing for a trophy that does not go away, ever.    26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Run, live your life with the certainty of knowing you will/have obtained that crown. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  Paul hits his mark, not a swing miss, he knows what he battles; sin, enemies of the gospel, evil27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. This is reasoning of why Paul strives to not cause others to stumble, to put his needs aside, to humble himself, to abide to the law (not for sake of law but Christ) so that those who he preaches gospel to, are not blinded by his ‘sins’ and they miss their mark, because of him.  Paul says ‘discipline my body’, Paul has to make himself do correctly, even Paul, an apostle, one so obviously ‘chosen’ by God to preach the word, he has to discipline himself to do, what he should. Paul is practicing what he just preached he is showing the weak he too is weak. 
Posted in Missions of LIFE

REAL Missionaries

Posted on by Christy Petty

In some past years our church and church family have hosted  missionaries/ preachers/ teachers from other countries, such as South Africa and China as they attended a mini seminary through out the summer months. This mini seminary course was inspired by a good friend and great man of God, who has a purpose to do for others, by equipping them to spread God’s word. The goal to equip these with the tools to reach others, in their countries, with God’s word.

Tony Reddy, from Durban South Africa was one of the ‘students’ who came to America to be ‘taught’. I have told of Tony Reddy before, in this blog. (Please take the time to read)  I believe that Tony  was not brought into my country, my town, my church, my life so that he could learn how to be a good missionary. I know he was brought so that I, we, could learn what it is to be a true missionary of God.

Since meeting Tony here in Midland God has given us more opportunity, to learn from Him, from him. Keith had opportunity to go to Zambia and go with Tony on one of his many, many  missions..  Then we both made a trip to South Africa, me to help equip a group of women to facilitate a course, and Keith to help equip Tony with a vehicle and equipment to present God’s word to the people in the ‘bush’ of South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, . The last time we saw Tony we were in Lusaka, me again teaching to facilitate. This time with Tony’s daughter Charlene, who herself a great missionary, and to other women from churches Tony planted and grew through the years.  Keith as a chaperone of sorts for we women traveling, and to teach with Tony to some men, and to come along side Tony, and be a comrade in arms, so to speak.

Tony travels by himself sometimes, but usually with others to assist him. To cook, to unpack and set up camp and the meeting area. Someone to help him minister to the sick, physically and spiritually.  Tony’s family has been his travel mates most of the time. Sushi his wife. Charlene is his oldest, she is married and has a son, of her own, he is about 2. Shubael is his son, he is about the same age as my Evan, 23ish.  Tony has a younger son also, that I have not met, he too has made some trips with the family. Charlene and Shubael have recalled childhood memories to me, of travel, sleeping in the bush, on the side of the road, in one room churches on the dirt floors, fond memories. Sushi, Tony’s wife cooked meals for her family and the many that would come to hear Tony share Gods word with them. Their few fish that they bought on the side of the road would feed hundreds. 

This ministry does not sell tickets, nor meals. They do not pass the plate at their meetings. Tony does not have a video series he sells to fund his trips. Tony will travel for days to reach a destination he has heard of through the African grapevine that is needing for the Truth to  be revealed them. Tony makes at least bi annual trips to churches he has built, in the bush, to ensure all the now believers are cared for, to feed them physically and spiritually.  The funds Tony receives is sometimes a chicken, or the invitation to sleep on the floor of the church he previously built, or to sleep in the home of one of the pastor of the church, and possibly meals there.

For the past few years Shubael has been Tony’s right hand man, when he was not attending school or having trouble with the symptoms of his Juvenile Angiofibroma. Trouble being excessive, like days of, nose bleeds.  A Juvenile Angiofibroma is a benign tumor .  Usually these things are taken care of before one reaches Shubael age, if in the US, where we don’t have socialized medicine, yet.It has taken literally years, several doctors, some weird ‘class’ issues, some medical fails but now it looks like Shubael will have surgery soon, maybe in about 5 days. Praise God.

Shubael, is more than the bus boy for Tony, he has grown into a missionary himself. Shubael plays soccer, and has taken that interest into the mission field. He teaches soccer, attracts the young boys with the game of soccer and then presents the gospel. His goal is salvation. I had opportunity in the Lusaka trip to be with Shubael, to watch him work with his father.Shubael is a godly young man, he respects his father, and loves God. Shubael does not sit back and wait for his father to tell him what to do next, or go find him to help out, he was always doing WITH his father. I had to remind myself often that Shubael was only 22. Shubael having a tumor was not something I even knew of until we were a week into our trip, when Tony mentioned as Shubael was on top of the truck tying down equipment that Shubael had  another nose bleed the night before, as Shubel was on top of the truck tying down the equipment.  I have a headache it takes me 2 days to get back in gear and load the dishwasher.

Tony and Sushi will be accompanying Shubael as he has his surgery and recovery in Cape Town, about 1000 miles,/19 hour drive, from their home in Durbin. Of course they will be there, nothing would keep a parent from their child during this kind of surgery. There is risk. Only a few doctors in the world will attempt this. Dangers of: bleeding, paralysis, blindness and death are linked to this surgery. Tony and Sushi will be there. Our prayers will be there. A trip of this distance is costly for everyone! For Tony and Sushi, exorbitant, they receive chickens for payment.  Tony told us over Skype that he figured the trip would cost him about 8000R, which is 900$ american dollar. For a week stay in  hotel in resort town Cape Town about 2000R.-$230 He said he found the cheapest in town, I bet he did. Some of the ‘better’ places we have stayed in South Africa, would be condemned here in the US.  Petro which he can not find the cheapest, just pay what it costs, which is A LOT, would be 6000R-$690.

Today  I was whining to Keith, about a $400 couch I fell in love with at a consignment store,and they won’t drop the price. I have 4 couches and a love seat, one I don’t like much, it is too big and white. I think I need another for Keith’s new man cave. Then Tony Skyped us about Shubael surgery and prayer needs for them and their trip funds. Tony told us he was canceling a ministry trip to Uganda that overlapped with this surgery, even though he would be letting a supporting ministry down.  Keith told him we would pray and we would also work on helping him from here to get some funds. I was humbled.

We called our older boys and a couple of our and Tony’s friends,  just after our Skype with Tony. My ‘men’ and friends responded with the promise of funds to give, Brian, who was in the middle of putting a staircase in his home, was at our home within 30 minutes with a check to send to Tony.  Tony’s faith is moving mountains in America, from  South Africa.

I think I trust God,rely on Him for everything. I think I have faith to move mountains. .Yet……. Evan my 23 year old, that I pray can have a ‘normal’ life beyond his disability, decided it was time for himself to set out on his own. He announced he took vacation time at work and was driving 300 miles to San Antonio. He needed his DAD to help him make hotel reservations, because they could not understand him over the phone. This is what I pray for, independence, knowledge, incentive to grow, the strength and courage to achieve it all, and always a ‘healing’. My prayer was answered. I FREAKED.  Evan returned a few hours ago, alive, proving he IS a man and he can live WITHOUT Mommy.  Evan told me of his adventure, his eating out at Sea Island, twice, then following with Cheesecake Factory, twice. He bought shoes for work. He ate dinner in the hotel restaurant and made friends with the lady who waited on him.  She helped him when his nose started bleeding, by giving him a wet towel.

We will wire our ‘wet towel’ tomorrow, to Durbin South Africa.

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 8

Posted on by Christy Petty

8 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.  My thought is Paul is going through the letter from the Corinthians, asking him what to do about these things happening with us…We don’t know what they said, nor the context, but it looks like from Paul’s response and reprimands previously those asking are trying to find fault in others within their body. They are using their ‘knowledge’ their prestige, what they are proud of in themselves as the reason to point out what others are doing wrong. Paul, I believe, begins this way, “Knowledge puffs up, love edifies’ because of this. This is a reprimand to their attitude behind the question.  Paul is letting them know if you are sure you know it all, above the others, then you are not doing for God, out of love. God knows who loves him, God knows what is truly the desires of the heart. 

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, Paul continues to answer the question, because it deserves a response even though they were asking for the wrong reason. we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. An idol is nothing, even if a man says it is, it still is nothing.  5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), man has made up a lot of things to worship wood ones and pretend Zeus, etc.  6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. For US, Paul and those he answers the question to KNOW there is only one God.

7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; some who are now believers for some, with consciousness of the idol, Those who in the past believed in this idol, who thought it to be important. Maybe like a catholic today who rubs their beads? until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. Some may not know any better, they are caught up in the past misconception.We do know that eating something or not, rubbing the beads or not, has nothing to do with our belief in God, nor his acceptance of us. 

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? You who ‘young’ believers look up to know that idol food is not a bad thing, but they still do. If they see you it causes them to wonder, to question your walk, your integrity, then theirs.  11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. You know this causes those younger, confusion, that they think idol offered food is evil, yet you do eat in front of them, maybe to taunt them? 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. Paul then says, go the extra mile basically, instead of causing turmoil for and with the weaker brother. 

If a friend is a recovered alcoholic you should not ask them to a wine tasting party, he could abstain, but how much fun will he have watching everyone else? . If your sister is gluten intolerant you would not plan her birthday at Johnny Corinos, even though they do have a couple of gluten free meals to offer, the bread will still be there. How is that a special treat for her, take her to Outback who even has a GF dessert to offer. If your neighbor believes that her prayers are heard by her praying with her prayer beads in her hands, or if she wears red shoes on her hands, you should not tell her differently, this could be how she ready’s her heart and mind for God,.  WE know he hears either way, but she needs know too!

Paul, I, all of us that believe;there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live, are WE. We believe that God’s word, the Bible from Genesis 1:1 through Revelations 22:21 is the Truth, every word, today, yesterday and tomorrow. If WE deviate from the Truth ANY at all, we cause someone to stumble. If we change the gospel to exclude anyone or to include everyone, we cause someone to stumble. If WE decide our interpretation of the word is more loving and more accepting, and fits this world better, than what God really said, we cause someone to stumble. If WE decide punishment/consequences/ for sins and disobedience is just to harsh, we cause someone to stumble. If WE decide we have more knowledge than God, we cause someone to stumble, and WE ALL FALL DOWN

Posted in 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 7

Posted on by Christy Petty

7 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: the Corinthians obviously wrote Paul a letter. From the following ‘response’ it was about SEX, having it or not , I assume. It is good for a man not to touch a woman. possibly  someone made the statement of  abstaining from sex so as to focus all on God type thing, and Paul is confirming. 2 Nevertheless, this word seems to go with the idea because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. so not to ‘tempt’ natural desire for sex, have sex with your spouse. I personally don’t read anything into the ‘his own’ ‘her own’ it is just the way they talked. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, women HAVE affection DUE! But how much is due? and likewise also the wife to her husband LIKEWISE TO HUBBY. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. We have authority, I don’t think this means bossy like do this do that, but power. I have no power over my body, I have to make it exercise, not eat sugar, etc. But my body, entices my husband, it causes him to desire me, and visa versa.  5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, to have no sex should/could be discussed that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and just to concentrate on God, something holier than self and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. Get back to the sex of things though, so as not to slip into to ‘bad sex‘. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.  THIS is a ‘peaceful’ way to live. No one HAS to have sex, but if you do then try this way  7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. Assume sexless, no wife to have to deal with. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. I don’t know if the gift is to co habitat with another, or to not 😉

8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; Assumption right.  9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. Get married and have sex.10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. PAUL says don’t divorce. Not just Paul, but God too.BUT if it happens, don’t remarry. . 12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. Paul advises believers to stick out a marriage so as to bring the unbeliever spouse to belief, and to protect the children 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; the unbeliever can make the choice, this would ‘release’ the believers obligation.  a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? By a believer relying on God, and making the choice to not contend, turn the other cheek, peace and contentment could be had, as well as belief for the unbeliever, then ….17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. this seems like a jump back to the previous talking 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Don’t  change your ‘circumstances’ to ‘prove’ belief. Just believe and abide to GOD’s commandments, not mans membership rules. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Your worldly ‘work’ not what makes you believer. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. All believers become a slave to Christ, we are obedient to He. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Do not live out your ‘belief’ to please men. You do not owe the man who presented gospel anything. Christ bought us,we belong to him. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. I would think that would be ‘humble’, for all. 

Now another thought, since this followed the talk about staying married to an unbeliever. What if the question presented had something to do with being married to and having sex with husband or wife who is an unbeliever? And some thinking because they are believers they are better than their unbelieving half?

25 Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. My opinion is based on my guidance from God 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—present distress?that it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There is[a] a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.  Being married , the responsibilities taken when marrying, do take the complete focus off of God. If caring for a husband or wife properly, then the children, world life will get in the way of spiritual life35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38 So then he who gives her  in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.  Maybe the ‘present distress’ is an engaged man, who does not want to consummate and turn the engagement to a marriage. They did engagement and marriage differently than we do now. And people are thinking it ‘unfair’ for him to not continue into the marriage part. Paul could be explaining, covering many things at the same time, that if this guy is not wanting to have make next step it is fine, since he is already obliged to care for the virgin anyway, as long as he is not tempted  elsewhere. Maybe.  

I think it interesting about this ‘letter’  of the things concerning the Corinthians, that they are wanting to tell Paul. This letter at least is about husband and wife sex. The Corinthians who think it all ok for a step son to have sex with his step mother, actually think this is a good thing, are sticking their noses in the business of a husband and wife’s sex life?  It just seems as if their focus is just a bit off.  Possibly this is why Paul side steps to the doing of things for God and not man.  I do wish I could see the letter they wrote!
Posted in Politics

Blood That Speaks: One Reason I’m Voting For Mitt Romney

Posted on by Christy Petty

Blood That Speaks: One Reason I’m Voting For Mitt Romney.

Well Chief of Least is really helpin me out with my restart of blogging!

I had thought yesterday on my posting of political ideas.  I suspect I may have a few less than conservative followers. It is okay, love ya anyway ;). I hope the same is true, for me, from you. If it is not, I will continue though, because I am not a servant of man but a servant of God.

I too struggled with the only option I have as president to be a man who does not believe in the Truth of our One and only God completely. I did not vote for Romney in this primary nor the last. But now Romney IS the only option for me. Lesser of two evils, I suppose. But on the evil scale, believing as a Morman is waaaaaaay below believing as and being Obama.

Character is a HUGE issue. I do not believe you can have any character if you do not believe in something beyond yourself and your own power to make things happen. You must be humble to possess character. Character is based on the morals you have. You can not have morals if you do not answer to a higher power that defines right and wrong. If you do not believe in anything beyond your self you will believe you are right in all you do. I believe Obama is an egotist, at least. I do not believe him to want for anyone but himself. How can someone who is out for only their good lead thousands?

Obama’s phrase this time is he will move this nation forward. Forward? Into what?