I don’t clean the house often enough for Linda’s tastes. I must admit that cleaning is the last thing on my mind. Oh, I have the time, but I seem to be blind when it comes to clutter. Until I want to find something buried in a mound someplace.
Today I felt like taking a bold step and clean up the clutter on the couch and coffee table. No-one ever sits on the couch so it becomes a repository for everything transitory. What’s even better is that the coffee table is right against the couch so the two of us can really pile it on at times. Today I decided to dive in. Grabbed a couple of bags and began sorting it out.
First the garbage, kleenex tissues rolled up into little balls. A few wrappers from candy, a cup cake wrapper, the remains of shelled nuts and a popsicle stick. Oh, can’t forget the empty pop-can and the empty bag of chips, doritos and an un-named bag of mysterious origin. As well as a plastic container that held a few chips.
Now the major throw-aways. We just took out a temporary subscription to the Spectator. Haven’t read most of them. They are being delivered bound by a rubber band. So I save the bands in a dish and throw out the paper, two, three, four and the old tv guides for the past month.
Next came the potential file-aways. Letters and other correspondence as well as three shopping magazines and a few not so important fliers. Of course there always seems to be the manditory puzzle magazine or two with accompanying pens and pencils enough to outfit a classroom.
Next come the books I have read over the past month. As well as the two books I am curently reading. Not to mention two bibles I use to read and reference and the how to draw book I just started. Then there are her books as well.
Showing real signs of progress now. Just a bunch of random papers and bits and pieces missed from the first cull. At last, only one piece, an 8×11 sheef of paper remains. I pick-up the offending litter only to find that it too was covering an object. It was a book. This is the title:
Living Organized
proven steps
for a clutter-free
and beautiful home
😉
Joe.
THAT is HILARIOUS!!!!
Ruth say’s †That’s cute and funnyâ€. I say “that’s priceless and very funny.â€
Isn’t that called Murphy’s Law? I think you could write a book about your life some day Joe. What would you call it? You could call this chapter: †Discovering Order through Chaos.†lol
Linda thought it was well written and funny… she just wished I was writing about someone else’s couch. Remember folks, in this home, the hubby is the house spouse.
😉
Tell Linda not to worry about it. Our couch is clear, but we haven’t eaten at our kitchen table for a good while. It is too buried. One item on my list of things to do is to clean it off.
We don’t have a house spouse. We have a cat. But he’s not very helpful.
Joe, that’s too funny!
You might benefit from flylady. She sends daily emails with little tasks for the day (just 15 minutes a day) that really help people keep on top of things. It’s not laziness or a lack of organization or any other negative thing; It’s that some people process information and mentally organize things differently. Check it out (you can always unsubscribe)
Oh, I don’t know Sheepdog. The way things are now I can put on my archeologists hat, travel to a far off distant room, start diggin through the mounds and discover how the people of the home lived months ago… and in some places years. (the attic is one such place) Very informative, to find the long lost book I was reading. Great treasures re-discovered, my ten-pin bowling ball. Mysteries solved, that peanut butter sandwich that went missing on the last hunt.
My adventures may be small but they are mine.
Hey – That sounds like my office!
… and my room
… and..
… oh, blasted.
never mind.
LOL… I’ve read the thread about your office… and about your email…
I don’t know about “never mind†but I have heard of Neverland. Come to think of it, bob your hair and wear some tights and you could make a decent Pan. You could fly above your domain with the pets following. Or would they be your tribe?
I think you are both losing it! Your †never mindsâ€! Is that like †never landâ€? Did you see Elvis under any of that stuff? I think I’m getting another brain cramp. Time for bed.
or was that Michael Jackson? I get the two mixed up.
How on earth could you get Elvis and Michael Jackson mixed up?! YOU are losing it, Dougie!
Michael Jackson had the Neverland Estate which he ended up selling after his latest criminal trial.
Elvis gets dropped off by UFO’s from time to time to pump gas at remote locations across the United States. Gosh – EVERYBODY knows THAT!
Thanks for setting that straight for me Sheepdog. Obviously, I’m not everybody. I thought Elvis had the Never Mind Estate. What would I ever do without you? I guess driving bus in TO has left me not up to date on current events. UFO’s? You have got to be kidding. With all of the Elvis impersonators running around, how would you tell the difference?
Why does Michael Jackson want to look like a white guy? Just one of those questions I’ve always wanted to ask.
There I go again Joe…getting off topic. What is the topic anyway? Oh yah…Cleaning up! Time for a shower and bed. Night!
“Why does Michael Jackson want to look like a white guy?â€
I don’t like Michael Jackson. But a black man not wanting to look like a black man actually makes sense to me. There is so much racism… it’s disgusting and dehumanizing.
Sometimes people do things that may appear outrageous, but really they’re just trying to survive and/or save their sanity.
Actually, I never liked either one of them as artists. I feel sorry for both of them the way they ended up. I think that’s what too much money and fame coupled with too little character does to people. Of that era, I do enjoy the Beatles music the best. Now they were very talented and creative. Just imagine the worship music they could write if they were Christians. I bet it would be pretty awesome stuff. That’s what I pray for with the artists today. That they come to know and love Jesus and focus their creativity on worshipping him. You either like something or you don’t. Just personal preference and taste.
My dislike of Jackson is related to his behaviour, not his music.
I quite liked Elvis. Elvis was a Christian, by the way. He did sing worship music and, I believe had entire albums of gospel music.
I think that is how Elvis started out, by singing gospel music. I don’t think that is the same note he finished on. Something went wrong along the way. His lifestyle, from what I have read was certainly not a Christian lifestyle and his behaviour did not reflect Christ either nor did it appear to be Christ centered. That is where the money and fame and lack of Christ like Character destroyed his humble beginnings. Is he in heaven? Only God knows that. But he was not some one I would look at and say there is a man that reflects God’s glory through his behavior and lifestyle. Some of his music was ok. I’m surprised you like it because it had more of a modern day country flavour than hard metal rock.
LOL… Blogging dynamics… who knows where a thread will take you.
The last time I heard Elvis sing or saw an Elvis flick was back in 1971(?) at the Capitol theatre in downtown Hamilton. It was a rock concert on 4 films and Elvis was one movie and Elvis want-a-be’s a the second. I was stoned out of my mind. At some point soon after I went into latent puberty (mental?) and never watched or heard his music, by choice, again.
There are lots of Christians who don’t “fit†the traditional Christian lifestyle – but they are still Christian. There are people who appear to live the “Christian lifestyle†who are definitely not Christian.
And being messed up doesn’t make one a non-Christian. If that were the case, we’d all be doomed.
None of us knows what other people think about when they are alone in the dark. None of us knows what others cry out to God about. None of us could withstand living under a microscope.
What a celebrity looks like to the media and the world is often very, very different from what he is really like. The media and busybodies like to focus on people’s foibles and mistakes and blow them all out of proportion. The good in them doesn’t sell papers, doesn’t get viewers.
There are people in this world who are Christians who did far more terrible things than Elvis did on his worst day.
Dougie; I like a lot more things than metal or rock -haha… You’re right that I can’t stand country, though. I wouldn’t have characterized Elvis’ stuff as country (most of it, anyway). Haven’t you heard him described as the “King Of Rock’n’Rollâ€?
I googled Elvis and in my search found this site: http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/elvispresley.htm
I know some of it is true. As for the rest?
Sheepdog…. I think we need to look to scripture to see how we should be living as Christians and not what WE think is right in our own eyes. Many people think they are Christian because they live in Canada. Go figure? What makes you a Christian is following the teachings and example of Christ, like his deciples did . If there is no evidance in our lifestyle to indicate any change from our old life that has taken place, I would seriously question whether a real conversion has taken place. There is a battle we all face between the flesh and the spirit. Paul talks about this, but he also says we have the power to overcome sin by the spirit because of what Christ has done on the cross. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit and a good tree cannot produce bad fruit. That is how scripture teaches us to discern between the real and the false.
Colosians 3: 5-10
†Put to death therefore. whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways , in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator.â€
I know it is a tough pill to swallow, but we are not promised a cushy, easy, pleasureable ride when we become Christians. In fact we are told to take up our cross and follow Jesus. He ended up on a cross and suffered to death. We have not been asked to suffer to death in this counrty, even though some of our brothers and sisters have been martered in other countries, but Jesus said who ever is NOT willing to take up his cross is not worthy to follow him.
Those are not my words, but his. The bottom line is that when one is truly following Christ you will see it in their lifestyle and in their actions, not by their words only. Words followed by actions = evidance.
Yes I have heard of Elvis referred to as the “King of Rock and Rollâ€. When you hear todays country…tune in to 95.3fm sometime, many of the songs have a very “rock and roll†sound to them. I call it modern country. If you liked Elvis’s rock you would like artists like Faith Hill, Tim Mcgraw, Rascal Flatts. It is very “rocky†type country. Try it you might like it!
“I think we need to look to scripture to see how we should be living as Christians and not what WE think is right in our own eyes.â€
I think the key word there is how WE should be living – So I should look to scripture for guidance on how I should live – NOT to figure out how to pass judgment on somebody else.
Colossians 3 gives us some guidance as to how we should live. It’s not a criminal code by which to judge others.
You speak of the bad tree producing good fruit and vice versa. That was something Christ said in reference to false prophets.
In that very same chapter (Matthew 7), Jesus says:
1″Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3″Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.â€
“What makes you a Christian is following the teachings and example of Christ, like his deciples did.â€
Perhaps we need some pastoral intervention here… But I disagree with that statement. I think that what makes you a Christian is that you believe. Once you believe and accept Him, you begin the process of change. Remember that even His disciples fell asleep in the garden and denied Him at the end. That doesn’t mean they weren’t Christians.
People are at different places in their journeys. Because someone has not yet “arrived†is no reason to claim that they are not Christian; It’s not enough reason for us to judge them.
People struggle with different issues. There is no one who doesn’t. How dare we put ourselves in the position of God by passing judgment on those people.
“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.†John 8:7
Re the music: “If you liked Elvis’s rock you would like artists like Faith Hill, Tim Mcgraw, Rascal Flatts. It is very “rocky†type country. Try it you might like it!â€
Of course I’ve tried listening to it – Otherwise how would I know that I don’t like it? I’d rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than Faith Hill. .. sorry.
My like for Elvis was in the early 1970’s; It’s now 2007.
Besides, the stuff of Elvis’ that I liked was the gospel/inspirational stuff. Even back then I chose Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie over Elvis for rock.
Still, it doesn’t mean he wasn’t talented. The guy had a powerful voice. I can’t even sing in the shower for fear that small animals will be injured.
“Once you believe and accept Him, you begin the process of change.â€
Exactly! If there is no change then has the process really started? That is my point. We can’t use grace as an excuse to continue bad behavior. Yes we are all at different stages in our walk, but if there is no apparent willingness to move toward the goal of the high calling of Christ and repent of our sins then is there any forgiveness forthcoming?
We can’t judge? Scripture indicates we cannot judge the non-beleiver because they have already been judged, but there is judgement within the body of believers.
1Corinthians 6 2-3. †Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!â€
1 Corinthians 5:12 (Apostle Paul speaking)
†What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. †Expell the wicked man from among you.â€
Sheepdog. The bottom line is this : we must pour out grace and forgiveness on everyone in an effort to bring that person to Christ who is the healer and deliverer, but in the process we cannot condone or accept sinful behavior as “normal Christian behaviorâ€. Love the sinner, but hate the sin. It is a balancing act that if orchestrated by the Holy Spirit can have eternal and wonderful results. We in the church (generally) I think have become so accepting of everthing that we have forgotten that God hates sin and the line between what is sin and what is not is becoming more obscure and harder to identify. God is not confused about what he considers sin and what he doesn’t and he is very clear in scripture on that subject, so shouldn’t we be just as clear with others?
I disagree with your interpretation of God’s clear statement.
I’m not going to have an argument. I will call to your attention your statement on another blog that you have made a conscious decision not to judge others. If everything is clear in your own mind and you are certain that you are right, then you go ahead and do your thing.
As for me, I have no interest in judging that which I’m not qualified to judge, especially since I am far from perfect, not without sin, and don’t have all of the facts about other people’s hearts, spirits, and do not possess the wisdom of God.
Hmm… this particular thread seems to have become bipolar. Perhaps it is a good time for Patti to step in and give that balancing word of wisdom? Or perhaps a dose of lithium… (not the battery)?
I’m enjoying the thread, I just don’t want a wrong seed to be planted and nurtured. Perhaps I should re-name the thread Cleaning Up and the great “Is Elvis Saved Debate�
Keep Enjoying the Banter.
It’s ok Joe. We’re still all friends. And I find discussing scripture from different angles very enjoyable. Sheepdog has told me she also enjoys a good debate. Isn’t that right? So if you want to stop that’s ok, I will, but I think debating these issues helps us to understand different perspectives and learn new ideas. Teach me something and maybe I’ll teach you something! Convince me you are right. Maybe we are both right , and in the end can always agree to disagree and still love each other like brothers and sisters are supposed to.
Please…somebody else join the discussion. I welcome that.
Sheepdog, what are you disagreeing with? I am not the author of those scriptures I quoted. What is your interpretation of them? I would be interested in hearing that. You will notice I purposely quote allot of scripture because I do not want my opinion interjected into the conversation. Some of these issues I believe you will have to take up with God since he is the author, not me. Scripture is our guide and we use scripture to interpret scripture so it is not coming from us but from the one who created it.
I don’t mind a spirited debate. Just keeping an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t go someplace other than 1Cor 13:4-7 keeping in mind 9 “For we know in part and we prophecy in partâ€â€¦ 10 “waiting for the Complete to come.†Right now we are all speaking as children, understanding as children.
Thanks Joe. I agree, but it looks like the debate is over unless someone else who enjoys debating steps in. What is your position on what has been said so far? Scripture is full of what appears to be contradictions. Don’t judge…..do judge. This can be very confusing for non believing seekers. I know because I have spoken to many of them and allot of the issues and questions I raise came from them, not from me. So I’m just as interested in finding the answers to these things so I can go back to them with some answers. Many of the questions deal with real life issues like marriage, sex, sin etc. People are looking for spiritual answers to worldly problems. I’m not a bible scholar so I’m always looking for people that are wiser than me for answers. Even the scholars differ in their opinions. I do believe the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth. I get pretty stubborn over scriptures that are very clear and not open to allot of interpretation and to the basic fundamentals of the faith. I don’t care is some guy has 28 letters after his name, if he says it’s his professional educated opinion that Jesus is not God he is not going to budge me one inch on what I know to be the truth. The same goes for many other fundamental truths that are being challenged in our modern day liberal churches.
Any comments?
I really appreciated Joe’s comment: “1Cor 13:4-7 keeping in mind 9 “For we know in part and we prophecy in partâ€â€¦ 10 “waiting for the Complete to come.†Right now we are all speaking as children, understanding as children.â€
What a person believes to be fundamental truths may not be truths at all. The Pharisees were pretty sure in what they believed. Talking to them did nothing to budge them.
To truly learn and to really connect during a discussion, one must be sure enough to be unsure.
I’m not a pharasee. I do understand the fundamental truths of the scripture such as Jesus is the son of God and part of the tri-une Godhead and nobody will budge me from that truth. There is no uncertainty in my mind with regard to these truths and I don’t need any uncertainty to discuss them. They are not up for discussion at all in my mind. If you feel you have to be sure to be unsure about them then you go ahead and do your thing. There is such a thing as fundamental truths with which if you do not believe them you cannot call yourself a Christian. You agreed to these truths when you became a member of the church. If you have doubts about them and are unsure what you believe then perhaps you should speak to one of the pastors and get some clearity on them and reafirm your committment to them. What I wanted to discuss was the apparent scriptural contradiction of Judging verses not judging and reason together an acceptable answer. This is not a fundamental truth and can be discussed with a possibility of having multiple correct answers. As can issues like baptism, gifts etc which are not elemental prerequisits to salvation.
Anyway I like what Roy said this morning. Lets keep it simple. I love Jesus, you love Jesus and that makes us his siblings and I love you cause you’re my sister and that’s all that really matters.
So lets talk about simpler things like sunsets and dogs and fishing and stuff like that.
Um….Joe, did you get your house cleaned up?
And – that’s all I got to say in this conversation! Sorry, no lithium tonight. I do however, have dark chocolate with burnt almonds, which normally I would not share, but if it would be helpful, I am willing to make the sacrifice.
Hey, we wrote 42 letters to soldiers in Afghanistan tonight! How cool is that??!!!
I know what you mean sheep dog. I’m the type of guy that will sit and listen to someone’s idea of truth for hours at a time. I try to understand exactly what they believe until I can defend their position better than they could themselves. Then I sit back and ask the Lord, “OK, so where are the holes in this line of reasoning?†The answers are always awesome and helps me to see the weaknesses in my own belief and/or the importances of certain biblical truths.
Of course once I have gone over the faulty material I don’t revisit it because someone decided to change the outward packaging. I just write what God has shown me and then send any enquiring minds to the relevant page.
Patti.. That is very cool.
This is the last attempt I am going to make to try and get my point across as clearly and succinctly and as gently as I can. If I fail to communicate then I think I will give up and try some other medium of communication because it will be obvious that I stink at this one.
Joe. Look at the back of Crossfires bulletin and you will see what I am referring to as fundamental truth. Perhaps there is some confusion with regard to the definition of †fundamental truth†or some would referr to it as †absolute truthâ€. This truth is fundamental to our Christian belief therefore you cannot be “unsure†about them unless you want to remain a non-Christian. . There is no alter interpretations and they are not †up for discussionâ€. If you believe them you are a Christian, if you don’t you’re not. It’s that simple. Sheepdog seems to believe by her comments that there is a possibility that in her own words:
“What a person believes to be fundamental truths may not be truths at all.â€
(Sheepdog….I’m not picking on you or trying to be mean or argumentative. You know I like you and respect you. You are a very smart lady. Nor do I judge you with regard to your heart or your faith. I know you have a heart the size of the Grand Canyon. I just want to make sure we are on the same page with regard to this issue of “Fundamental Truth†because this is an issue that is very important to me. Sometime I may get the opportunity to tell you why.)
Here’s what we say at Crossfire:
WHO WE ARE
We believe the bible to be the word of God, the only true rule of faith and conduct. It brings real direction and purpose to life.
We believe there is one God, who is Father, Son, and Holy spirit. One comes to know Him and experience His salvation through his son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are convinced that the gospel is the greatest news the world has ever received.
God still heals minds, souls and bodies. He is still baptizing people with the Holy Spirit, equipping them to be witnesses in the real world.
I personally will not budge from believing the above truth since it is fundamental to my Christian belief and I am certainly not the least bit unsure about it, nor am I a pharasee for not budging from it.
Are we in agreement with these fundamental truths and did I communicate what I meant effectively?
I would appreciate your input.
Joe, love the statements from 1Cor.13. So good. It’s true, we only know in small part the ways of God. None of us can truly know the heart and mind of a person. As one with significant exposure to death and dying, I can tell you that a person can be fully aware of what is happening around them in their dying moments. While the body may not be able to respond outwardly, the spirit may well be able to respond. Perhaps in a person’s dying moments, they find the courage (if you will) to take a step of faith in trusting God. Truthfully, none of us will know this for certain until we reach heaven.
To my ‘list of questions to ask God when I’m in Heaven’, I’ll add “Is Elvis in the building?â€â€¦but only after finding out whether or not Adam (ie. Adam and Eve) had a belly button. For the record, that’s been nagging at me for years!
TLC. I was at the funeral of a life long friend just this past week. He died from lung cancer. A terrible and painful death. His wife was a Christian, but he was not and resisted God all of his life. He had made friends with another Christian man. While in the hospital he gave his life to the Lord about 3 weeks before he passed away. I rejoice that he is in heaven now and I will see him again some day. He said: :†I wish I had done this soonerâ€. I praise God that he did do it and for that friend that invited him into the fold. He had such a peace about him the last few days of his life.
Isn’t God awesome!
ps. The minister at the funeral mentioned the story of the thief on the cross that received Christ at the last moment. I beleive this with my whole heart. The bible says anyone who crys out to the Lord will be saved.
For those of us who have received Christ long before we die I think knowing what we beleive ny way of “fundamental truth†is still important so we tell others about it. We are to be embassadors for Christ spreading the “Good Newsâ€. We need to know what that is. The man that witnessed to my dieing friend knew that truth and was able with the help of the Holy Spirit to relay that truth to him effectively and in a way he could understand. His heart was already prepared to reveive it. I know many seeds were sown along the way. P. Roy talked about seeds Sunday morning and how they need to die to have life. What a great illustration of the resurection!
While I agree with what you are saying about being ambassadors for Christ, I feel it important remember that we each have different spiritual giftings. I am not gifted with evangelism – some are, and that’s great. I know it doesn’t make me any less loved by God, I’m just not called to evangelize to the lost. I realize that God did issue the Great Commission, but I also know that moving in an area outside of my giftings is, for all intents and purposes, stepping outside of the protection of God’s wing. That doesn’t mean that at some point in my life I’ll end up called to foreign missions, or another such field, it just means that I’m not meant to be there at this moment. God has other things for me to do here.
All that being said, it is still my responsibility to seek out God…to read the Word, and to “delight myself in the Lordâ€. Perhaps my form of ‘reaching out to the lost’ is one less visible. Isn’t a great portion of all communication non-verbal? People know that I’m a Christian, and so they watch me…how do I respond to stressors, to situations? That’s my form of evangelism.
My gifting is not evangelism either. But when my collegues see me reading a bible on my 20 minute break in the lunch room at the subway station they start asking me questions. Just yesterday, I was doing my devotion and a driver came in and he asked ,†is that a bible you are reading?†You wouldn’t believe the conversations I get into. I once had about 12 people in the middle of a busy day at my division where I work listening to a conversation I was having with one of the guys over a question he had for me about a bible passage. This guy was a Buddist and we were having a long series of conversations on certain issues and truths. Many of the points have raised in this post conversation came from some of these encounters. They ask me questions, and if I don’t have an answer, I ask you guys so I can get some help on some answers. Unfortuneately, what I am getting looks more like resistance and argument than answers. i may start a group just to discuss bible questions, because i don’t think blogging is going to accomplish what I need to help others. I want to see people get a relationship with Jesus, get their life on track, be fruitful and get to heaven. Why? Because God has given me a real love for people I cannot explain. Joe mentioned 1 Corinthians 13. That is my signature at the bottom of my emails. I love that scripture. I have some other comments that the lord revealed to me on that judgement issue but that will have to wait for another time since I am out of time now.
You guys have a great day and God bless you.
“I also know that moving in an area outside of my giftings is, for all intents and purposes, stepping outside of the protection of God’s wing.â€
What an excellent point and a good way of stating it! I hadn’t thought of that in quite this way.
“People know that I’m a Christian, and so they watch me…how do I respond to stressors, to situations? That’s my form of evangelism.â€
Thank you for saying this. Although I believe this to be true and sometimes remind others of it, it’s a useful and validating reminder for those of us who are not traditional or stereotypical “evangelistsâ€.
I want to thank everyone for their contributions to this thread. I do believe however that it is time to retire the thread. Hope you had as much fun posting as I have had in reading them.