Saturday, January 4, 2014

World-Weary

Please forgive my silence of late.  I have become world-weary.

Every day, I am barraged from all sides.  The media tells me what to think and what to say.  My conversations are being listened to, my emails scanned.  My home, my animals and even my children are no longer my own.  Taxes, legislation and regulation are crushing the joy out of life.  My desire to live a quiet and simple life has become little more than an allusive fantasy.  The "Class Wars" have been revived in the form of the "Rulers" and the "People" - no longer are we "Americans", we have become "Them" (politicians, judges, law-enforcement and un-elected bureaucrats grasping for power) and "Us" (working "Joe's" supporting the entire country on our shoulders).  "They" make and enforce an unending stream of  laws and regulations while we try to breathe under their oppressive tyranny, entreating "them" for just a modicum of freedom.

As I was expressing my extreme frustration to my eldest daughter, Maid Elizabeth, a quote from the iconic television show "Firefly" came to mind.  River, a young girl about the age of our own Princess Dragon Snack was expressing her opinion of the State's intrusive nature to the State Appointed teacher.  Their conversation was illuminating and in perfect keeping with our own current State of the State.

River:  "We meddle.  People don't like to be meddled with.  We tell them what to do, what to think.  'Don't Run.  Don't Walk.'  We're in their homes and in their heads, and we haven't the right.  We're meddlesome".

Teacher:  "River, we're not telling people what to think, we're just trying to show them how".

And so, I am weary.  Sir Knight and I want nothing more than to raise our children.  We want to teach them the Word of God, grow a garden play with our (future) grandchildren.  We want to live productive and healthy lives and see future generations thrive in the world that we have left them.

I want to bake bread, cook for my family and make wine and cheese.  I want to decorate my home and putter in my flower garden.  I want to pick apples, harvest honey and milk the cow.

As wonderful as all of that sounds, these seemingly harmless, productive endeavors (on which our country was built), are now subject to government license and approval.  The food I choose to cook isn't healthy and needs to be banned.  I don't have a license to make wine.  And cheese needs to be made from inspected milk only.  I must have the government approve my furnishing (making sure they are safe and appropriate) before decorating my home (that had to be inspected by building inspectors).  My apple harvest, along with everything else I grow, must be registered with the local authorities (again, we need to be safe) and the bee inspector is required to check my hives.  And of course, it really is unsafe to drink milk that has not been pasteurized, so that family cow needs to be inspected too.  The Government does know best.

In truth, not all of these mandates have been enacted yet, however, many have - and ALL of them have been, at the very least, discussed with most of them having written legislation just waiting to be voted upon and enacted into law.

How's that for a quiet and simple life?

As much as I rail against the world and all of its brokenness, I am not surprised.  Governments constructed of men (in the greater sense of the word "man") have oppressed people since the beginning of time, and given the nature of man, will continue to do so.  However, it is the "Church" that grieves my heart.

What a group of Pharisees we have become!  Shame on us!  We are supposed to show the light of Christ, but how can we show Christ's love, when we have no love even to show each other?   Our love has waxed cold.  We claim to be "Followers of the Way" but we have no love for one another.  That cannot be.  Church - the world is looking to YOU to show them Christ.  What are we showing them?  That we have nothing to offer.  We show them that we are willing to feed each other to the wolves.  We show them that there is no such thing as judgement, or mercy or grace in the Christians language.  Heck, we even show them that we can't even agree on what to call ourselves or even what to call God and Jesus.  We show them that we believe the Bible (but only the parts we like) and that we would rather trample on another believer than we would walk along side him.  What a group of hypocrites we are!

Just before Christmas, I sat in church and basked in the glow of a new understanding of scripture.  The Holy Spirit revealed a tiny bit of His truth and I could barely wait to get home to share it with all of you.  I was excited, knowing that I had been given a precious gift that I was compelled to share.  What followed grieved me beyond words.

As I shared with you my heart - a lesson of feasting in the manner of Jesus, loving even our enemies and our betrayers and washing the feet of our imperfect family, I was met with an overwhelming derision.  Because I had uttered the word "Christmas", I might as well have been directing people to worship Baal.  Hate proceeded to spew forth, each person proposing to know the state of my heart.  Wow.

All I could think of was "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13:35.  History has come full circle.  We are now so busy trying to follow "law" (all based in scripture you know - just like the Pharisees) that we can't see the truth when it smacks us between the eyes.  We get so caught up on "how" we are doing things that we miss the bigger picture.

Do you remember the invalid that tarried at the pool of Bethesda?  The one that had been infirm for 38 years.  When the waters were stirred, the the sick could be healed, however, this particular man had no one to take him to the waters and so he laid, unable get up off his mat.  When Jesus saw him, he said "Don't you want to be healed?".  The man answered, "of course, but I can't get to the waters".  Jesus said "Take up your mat and walk" and in that instant that man was healed.  With great joy he picked up his mat, but hadn't made it far when he was assaulted by Pharisees.  "Why are you carrying your mat on the Sabbath? - It is unlawful for you to carry your mat on the Sabbath - who told you to carry your mat!!" The former invalid replied, "The man who healed me told me 'take up your mat and go', so I did"!  Of course he did!! He had been an invalid for 38 years.  He was healed, after 38 years, and the Pharisees were more concerned that he was carrying his mat on the sabbath than the fact that he had been healed!  God, in His mercy, had made a man whole and the Pharisees were convinced that He hadn't done it correctly!  Where was their love?  They loved the "law" more than they loved their God.  How that must have grieved a Fathers heart!

Once again, we are a nation of Pharisees.  We are so caught up in the "law" that we have forgotten mercy and grace.  We would rather castigate our brother than walk along side of him while the Holy Spirit does His work in him.  We have lost our love.  Of course, there are those that are so caught up in mercy and grace that they have forgotten that God is also a God of judgement, but that is a post for another time.

In a world that has spun out of control, we need the light of the One True God.  We need the love of our brothers and sisters.  Only through that love can we show the world the Light of Truth.

 While the governments of men burden people with law upon untenable law - the Gospel of Truth sets the souls of men at liberty.  I choose the freedom of God, not the law of the Pharisees.

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13:35

58 comments:

  1. I just found out that it was illegal to celebrate Christmas before 1820.We have been following pagan practices without realizing it.The invalid at the pool was blaming his "problems" on everybody else. He had the "pity me " syndrome. Reminds me of our society right now. Always somebody elses fault. I love your post. I am growing in Christ and am grieved as to how deceived I have been about Christmas and Easter as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Enola,
    I'm sorry you have found yourself so wearied by this world and unkind people. I read your posts with interest and am usually blessed and uplifted by them. Let me encourage you to not be weary in well-doing for in due time you shall reap,if you faint not. Our Savior is always worthy of being praised and obeyed. Keep up the good fight of faith.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It hardly need be said that no Christian parent should convey the Santa Claus lie to his children, but what of the less obviously ungodly social customs? That which is offensive to God in his worship is no cause for celebration in the home. Why should a Christian acknowledge in his home an anti-Christian festival? Would the Lord have approved domestic acknowledgement of the feasts of Baal in Israel provided there were no outward acts of worship? The social customs cannot be divorced from the anti-Christian festival which is the very cause of their existence, however convenient we may find the idea. Romans 14/5 does not apply here since this refers to days once appointed by God in the Old Testament but done away with in the New but the observance of which was tolerated during the transition period from Old to New. The church calendar has never had Divine approval.(c) Society in GeneralThose seeking to give no positive acknowledgement of these festivals amidst all the complexities of life at the office, the factory or the campus should receive the sympathetic encouragement of all their brothers and sisters in the Lord. This path, which the Word of God requires, is a difficult one, but certainly not as difficult as that of Christians in Muslim countries who suffer violence for refusing to observe Ramadan, for example. Should we be less zealous than they to reject the high-days of Antichrist when it is likely to cost us only a few strange looks and sharp words? The liberty our Covenanting forefathers suffered and died to give us was not that false liberty to compromise, but freedom to engage in Biblical worship without civil interference. And we can still reject Christmas and Easter without being arrested. Be thankful. It should also be said that our non-observance can bring an abundance of evangelistic opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, 1 John 3:22 should put an end to all unbiblical celebrations such as xmas and easter.

      Delete
  4. "God works all things together for good for those who love him." Though many elements of our Christmas celebrations might not have sprung out of Bible customs, millions of devout Christians find Christmas to be an excellent time to recall the birth of our Lord, and to be thankful for all he did and is doing for us. God judges the attitudes of our hearts, since those truly reflect our reliance -- or not -- on him. I would rather leave judging others to God, and concentrate on showing my love for him: win others to Christ, rather than try to drive them or shame them to him. You're right, Enola; we spend too much time focused on each other, rather than on our Lord. Forgive us, Lord, and take all those motes out of our eyes! Help us reflect the beauty of your grace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How about this: Celebrate the birth and resurrection of JESUS every Lords Day? No need to have an UNBIBLICAL, pagan based, synergistic "holiday"

      Delete
  5. Thank you so much for this post. I was wondering this holiday season if I was the only one who felt this way. Thanks.
    Throwingtomahawk

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you so much for this post. I was wondering this holiday season if I was the only one to feel this way. Thanks.
    Throwingtomahawk

    ReplyDelete
  7. They inspect your hives?! Can you guys fight then on it?

    Also, is the cheese you make for your own consumption, or for sale?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Sister Enola:

    I can empathize with you completely. It seems to me that, at the heart of the issue, lie two very important concepts:

    1) The very technology that allows you to *instantly* communicate your thoughts, feelings, rants and raves with a global audience of complete strangers, is the very thing that allows them to instantly-- and in most cases, ignorantly-- criticize the inner workings of your heart. In reality, unless someone knows you from face-to-face interaction or extensive interpersonal communication, they *don't truly know you.* If, in fact, all you would like to do is exemplify what's described in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12... then perhaps this globally-broadcasted forum is not part of that landscape?

    2) Criticism, advice or response from "anonymous" sources is, at best, not even worth the time it takes to press the "delete" key. At worst, it is a diabolically-orchestrated attempt to steal, kill and destroy. I would encourage you to filter out (i.e. TRASH) *all* anonymous comments to your blog posts. Don't even give the enemy a foothold.

    May the Lord bless all your efforts to glorify His holy Name. You have made a very positive impact on our family, and we would welcome the opportunity to meet y'all, if you're ever in NW MT.

    Sincerely and humbly,

    Ric Calvi
    Columbia Falls, MT

    ReplyDelete
  9. You know in the early church celebrated the annunciation of our Lord by Gabriel on March 25th. It just so happens that later the Church would decide to celebrate the birth of Jesus nine months later which was December 25th. So much for pagan beliefs. Wedding rings and wives taking their husbands last names are also pagan traditions. But that doesn't stop us from using it. And for all of the arguments about not celebrating Christmas because it is not found in the bible the same thing can be said for the Trinity. You won't find the word Trinity in the bible but we all recognize the Trinity in the scriptures.

    ReplyDelete
  10. You know the early church celebrated the annunciation of our Lord by Gabriel on March 25th. Add nine months to that and you have December 25th. I feel for you though. I'm Catholic by the way. You know how tired I am of explaining to everyone that I don't worship idols. That's one of the problems of Sola Scriptura though. Everyone can be their own Pope. Just keep praying.

    Psalmus David. Judica me, Deus, et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta: ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me. Ps 42:1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christ, the true Head of the Church, has not appointed any universal pontiff or local priesthood, or mass, confessional or penances. If you have been trusting in these things, you have been deceived. If you continue to follow the Pope and his fraudulent claims, you will follow him to hell, which is where we all deserve to go because of our sin and guilt. Only by coming to God and trusting in Jesus Christ alone can our sins be forgiven.The issue is not a mere antiquated squabble. We must make no mistake on this – the issues involved are eternal ones. Christ must be all our salvation or none. He will not share the glory of saving sinners with anybody else. (Acts 4.12)

      Delete
    2. Truth is truth. Your either right or wrong. So which one is it. The Catholic Church or one of the 30,000 or so protestant denominations?

      Delete
    3. The ONLY thing that will save anyone's soul is the blood of Jesus, not tradition or religion.I was raised a catholic and was dedicated to my "religion." I came to know Jesus as my Savior and was sickened as I read the bible and found that all my years of being catholic that I was being led astray. Ask the Lord to reveal Truth, and He will. You soul depends on it.For years I defended my religion while all the time not knowing Jesus.I love the catholics, and all people, and I am commanded by Christ to speak the truth in love. The gospel is offensive to those who are perishing. Are you aware that murderers can go to heaven? It is not our sin that keeps us out of heaven, but our unacceptance of what Jesus did for us. Know that you know Jesus NOW as NO ONE can pray you out of hell. Blessings.

      Delete
    4. @anon 440: The BIBLE believing Protestant churches of course!
      @anon 700: AMEN!!

      Delete
    5. JESUS said,"I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except though me" John 14:6. JESUS is the WAY, not the pope, the "church", traditions of man, mary, holy water, relics, WORKS, penance, indulgences, candles, incense, the re-sacrifice of the mass, etc... I say this In love to all the romanists out there

      Delete
    6. Sorry Ken, most roman churches have statues, crucifixes, pictures of who they think is CHRIST, etc...The second commandment forbids these. If you worship in front of them it is idolatry

      Delete
    7. To anonymous 4:40am, I assume when you say "Catholic" church, you mean the church of rome. Catholic means "universal" which the church of rome certainly is not. Since rome was exposed by Luther along time ago, I'll go with any one of the wonderful Protestant churches you mentioned...

      Delete
    8. The 10 commandments of the catholic church are DIFFERENT than the 10 commandments of the bible. So confusing.

      Delete
  11. My church has moved to my living room where I can pray, read scriptures, and plan random acts of kindness. I have attended so many churches where no one even spoke to me. When I called a classmate from high school to ask for prayers for another classmate, she asked if he was a Christian. When I replied that I didn't know, she said she couldn't pray for him, since she only prays for Christians. At another church that I attended for a long time when my children were young I asked once why we were not invited to anyone's home for a get-together and I was told that because I was a single woman I would be a threat to the wives! I pointed out that the men in that church must not have very happy and secure marriages and pointed out that I didn't go to church to lust after men! How do you explain this to children? So now my grown up children with children and grandchildren claim to be athiests and I do my own thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hearing your stories makes me very sad...and I'm sure that Christ shed some tears for you!

      Delete
  12. I appreciate all of your posts. I have a good grasp on the government control also. It's frightening. People like you are so refreshing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dear Enola,
    I was so touched by your post I needed to reply. John 13:35 has been on my heart for some time now. Where is the love in the church? I was saddened by the reaction of many Christians to the duck dynasty fiasco. This is a family who is not ashamed of Jesus or the gospel, and I will love and support them. If what was said was wrong I have total faith in the Holy Spirit to do any correcting that is necessary. When we live under the laws as the pharisees we also seem to live with a judgmental spirit. As the return of Jesus draws near the body needs to pull together in love. We should be fighting our common enemy, not each other. Thank you for your lovely posts.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I understand your frustration, but don't give up on the hope that others will see the errors of their own thoughts and deeds. As long as we live there is hope we will see the day when all this nonsense comes to pass. I love your blog, your words, your family, your life. You inspire the simplicity of a Godly life in me. God Bless you and your family!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Every time I read a rant about building inspectors, I remember news stories of collapsed buildings from earthquake damage in Turkey or Iran or China and am glad that we actually have building codes here. I am glad that homeowners can do their own work and have someone make sure that the electrical system is not going to cause a fire and burn down their homes.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am sorry that you are so down hearted. It is for good reason but when you get down you do not write and that depresses me. I love your glimpses into your family and their love that they share with each other and with us through you. Where else can I read about a wonderful young lady that saved her money to buy a crossbow! You are doing a wonderful job raising your family and thank you for sharing it with us!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear sister, I grieve that so many met your words of love and encouragement with disdain. Remember that for all those that strike at you, there are so many others of us who appreciate your spirit and your optimism. One of the things that I love about this site is the cheerful nature of so many of your posts. There are plenty of sites out there filled with doom and gloom. You bring the light of hope to us, whether stories about the family that God has blessed you with (and whom God has blessed with you) or the ideas and knowledge that you share. I pray that our Father will refresh you with His love, which is never-ending, and the love from your many brothers and sisters, whom you minister to more than you can know. May our Lord bless and keep you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Enola,
    Please do not be downhearted that others do not "understand" you. They don't have to. Your only obligation is to God, your personal relationship and journey with Him. In the end, everyone must take responsibility for their faith or lack thereof. So, while you are generous and loving in sharing your insights with us, they are a special gift from God for you to cherish. And if we all stop and listen to that still quiet Voice, we too will receive our own gifts from our Father. Please keep sharing your thoughts on faith, family and the simple life you strive for. I, along with thousands of others, eagerly await them. Love and prayers to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Enola,
    I just wanted to let you know how very much I appreciate your blog. Your posts are enlightening and uplifting. You make me feel less alone in this battle against "the man" :) Keep your chin up and your eyes directed on God. Jeremiah 29:11

    ReplyDelete
  20. Peace be to you.

    I am Debra and I started my post with, now that was a refreshing article. Please forgive me if I have contributed to your weariness and was not encouraging to you or your family. "We would rather castigate our brother than walk along side of him while the Holy Spirit does His work in him." Forgive me if I have done this.

    I truly enjoy your mind and spirit...there is substance to you! Substance that can only come from our Father.


    ReplyDelete
  21. Enola. my sister in Christ, please know that I love reading your posts, and I truly feel your heartache at the loss of our freedoms. Know God loves us and He will protect us from the perils of the night.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dear Sister in Christ,
    I read your Christmas upper room post and was both convicted and inspired by it. I even shared your post with my family. I thank you for sharing and only wish I had taken a few moments when I read it to express to you what a blessing you and your thoughtful post are to me.
    In Him, Cricket

    ReplyDelete
  23. Enola, I have been reading your blog for almost a year and this is my first post. Your blog is one I look for on an almost daily basis. Your writing fills me up and inspires me. I have only recently returned to a walk with Christ as Lord and Savior. I was almost 30 years away from actively walking with Him. I get encouragement from your writings. I am writing now to encourage you when others have been tearing you down.Your sister in Christ in Canada

    ReplyDelete
  24. Enola,
    Your words of wisdom are a gift from the loving heavenly father. The few dissenters drown out the appreciation from those of us that listen and are so grateful to have the ability to share in your gift. Please don't let the few discouraging voices quiet the wisdom God has shared with you. I'm sorry we don't say, 'thank you ' often enough. I appreciate you so much that the one opportunity I had to tell you, I began to cry and couldn't even speak. Please know, there are those of us listening, trying to please God and struggle our way through this crazy time in our country's history. It is a sad and dangerous time, but it would be sadder still without voices like yours sharing that wisdom. You are loved by strangers dear sister. Let that love drown out the bitterness you encounter.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Dearest sister in Christ
    Know we love you and are here for you all and love the work you do here for so many people. I encourage you to put the nay sayers aside. They are not worth your time. God and your family are what matters.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Enola, I just recently began to follow your blog and I want to tell you what a blessing you are to me! I was brought up in a wonderful church family. The adults knew all the kids and they mentored us, just as our parents would. We could ask anything, we were supported emotionally and spiritually, and I knew Christ loved me because of them. Fast forward 20years, I have my own children, and I'm amazed at the change in things. You are right...people would rather point out the faults of others in their own congregations as well as constantly point out that 'their church was the true church' and the reasons why! Denominations are not in the Bible and I believe in my heart, that if there was a 'chosen church', such as Lutheran, Catholic, etc. then God would have made sure it was specifically written in the Bible. The 'true church' are ALL those who love and follow God. If people spent more time loving their brethren, what a difference it would make in the world! My children are now in college and I've made it clear to them, by example and not just words, that we are to LOVE OTHERS AS CHRIST LOVES US. Judging others is God's job, not ours.
    I'm sorry that you are world weary. I know that all of us, at one time or another, feel the same way! When I am feeling world weary, I sing the song that Amy Grant made popular so long ago..."In a little while, we'll be with the Father. Can't you see Him smile? In a little while, we'll be Home forever...in a while." Blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Well I loved your Upper Room Christmas writing as i do most of your writings. Follow Christ and do what the Holy Spirit leads and don't worry about the rest. You are posting on a public forum, so you naturally open yourself to critics, that dosnt matter...in all that you do, do it for the Lord..that is all that matters. Write like you are writing for Him alone, I am quite sure that David did.
    JWS

    ReplyDelete
  28. Enola,
    I love your blog, keep up the good work!! As a Reformed Christian and student of history, I cannot in good conscience observe xmas or easter, but do not condemn those that do..

    ReplyDelete
  29. The Spirit calls to each of us, however, not all choose to listen. You have listened and are growing in faith. Your eyes have been opened to those who are not listening, but through your quiet and peaceful manner, you may show them the way. Don't despair - keep the Faith!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You cannot "choose" God, he chooses you. One cannot respond to the spirit, unless God opens your heart through regeneration first. God saves not man. Read Romans 9.
      John 10:27-28
      27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

      Delete
    2. Yes, that is exactly it! Keep the Faith!!

      Delete
  30. Enola, hugs to you. I thought your upper room post was lovely.
    You know what nit-pickers wind up with? A pocket full of nits.

    2 Timothy 2: 14Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

    For people who wish to pick, quarrel, and criticize about the usage of days and terms, I would ask, "Whose feet did you wash today? What log did you take out of your eye today? To whom did you proclaim the freedom of the Gospel today?"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I see so much of the Gospel being preached in these comments. People are searching for Truth. It is VERY obvious by the comments. I use to be the one that was lost, and thought I was saved. THANK GOD I was challenged as to what I believed. Enola, you are world weary because this is not your home. Praise the Lord!

      Delete
    2. Feet washing, logs and freedom, will not save you. Discussion over the word of God and doctrine is hardly "nit picking". Its complacency like this that leads to false teaching and the mess that the evangelical churches in this country have become..

      Delete
    3. Of course orthopraxy does not save - it is the fruit of saving grace at work. Orthodoxy by itself does not save, either. Christ is the one who saves - not one thing we do or say can change what He has done, or its saving power.

      However, what we do or say can bear fruit of grace, glorify and spread His grace to others, or shame it and hinder it.

      James 1: 22-27 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

      26Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

      James 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”a you are doing right.

      And let's not forget James 2: 17-18 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

      Delete
  31. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  32. sorry to hear of your recent experiences and frustration. you already know the true source of Peace, and i'm sure you have and will draw on Him. "... my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

    regarding those who would regulate or dictate how you live... when was the last time they actually called on you at your home? sure, the news is full of their dictates, however in reality they have no insight or direct influence in your home. i stop listening to the news, and their influence on my peace is gone. Peace, and no fear.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph-to quote my Irish aunt-no wonder you are depressed Enola after some of this hate mail! I am sick to death of the Evangelicals dissing the Catholics. We can all agree that Jesus Christ is Lord, so let us start with something positive. Secondly, the Federal Government and its various minions are NOT your friends! That is why we practice OPSEC. Keep your own counsel in most things. We are to be salt and light to the world, and I find your blog to be most Christian in that sense I enjoy reading about your home, children, and life. This President, and his willing fools, have divided this country into camps of enemies. Another 5 years of this fiasco and America will be Iraq, Iran, or some other God-forsaken country.
    We all need to refuse to participate in this idiocy any longer. Different branches of Christianity may disagree on some scripture or religious traditions; but when push comes to shove, I expect all Christians to hang together. Or to quote Ben Franklin (I think), we will surely hang separately. I celebrate Christmas full blown: tree, presents, parties, worship, joy, singing, feasting. I LOVE Christmas! If you want to spend a day in prayer-good on you. If you choose to not decorate and do an unpaid service or volunteerism-good on you. If you want to get rip roaring drunk, as long as you don't drive-good on you. What I will NOT do is stoop to the pettiness of this Presidential Administration. I will not report you to the "authorities" because I have judged you or your lifestyle weird, you aren't part of the correct group, or I am resentful of you and what you do/don't do. I am remaining A Free and Sovereign Citizen in A Free and Sovereign Country-as much as possible. -Stealth Spaniel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perhaps you should read some history regarding the roman "church" bedore you question the "dissing"..... As for this country, it is god forsaken, so get ready for the BIG smackdown!

      Delete
  34. Hahaha, Ben Franklin?! He was a deist fool! Stop worshipping men and listen to GOD!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thank you for this post!!! We too are so very weary, especially my husband. He works hard and more and more of his money is taken to pay for other families who don't (won't) work and to further leftist programs that fly in the face of God. It's depressing.

    We too have felt that the Church has crumbled. So many divisive arguments over if someone is a Calvinist or Armenian, do you or do you not celebrated Christmas, do your girls wear dresses or pants etc etc....and the list can go on yet where are we shining as a holy people who loves and lives simple lives not chasing after the world? I don't know anymore.

    To top these feelings off we have been going through infertility and trying for another blessing only to find out that I'm a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis and now my husband needs a $1200 blood test (of course the insurance company we pay $460 a month to won't pay for it) to determine if he is too.
    Such a blow to us but we thank God for the one child we do have.

    All I know is that God is still on His thrown and he never sleeps. I trust in Him and His character of perfect love, justice, grace, mercy, wrath, jealousy, faithfulness and goodness. I know that no matter how hard life is down here I have heaven to look forward to. Keep your hope alive and trust in our great God.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hang in there. These are difficult times-- "Long is the way that out of darkness leads up to light."

    I don't blame you for getting downhearted-- I've been suffering the same syndrome lately, thankfully I am blessed to have your wonderful words to lift my spirits.

    I hope I am able to lift yours a little too. Even when we disagree, you pick me up and help me keep going.

    Be blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Dear Enola,

    I read this post yesterday and intended to write a note of encouragement to you then. However, I made the mistake of reading the comments and felt bogged-down and world-weary by the tension in the comments between Catholics and Protestants and between those Protestants with differing views. It saddens me greatly to see such hostility in Christ's followers, especially towards one another.

    My husband wisely suggested that I should have written to you regardless so I have returned today to tell you how much I appreciate your blog. I understand how world-weary you feel. Many of us feel the same and the criticism from others can seem overwhelming at times. That is when we need to stand strong together in spite of our differences.

    Thank you for your blog. I always look forward to reading it and had missed it during your absence. Stay strong.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I totally understand what you are saying..my heart aches for you..so I would say
    'turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace." this world is not our home we are just passing through...God Bless.

    ReplyDelete