Busy??

just checking in to let everyone know we are alive...we are busy this summer just like everyone else in the world; however, I do feel that the Lord has given us an unusual summer of incredible richness and delight as we have tried to be diligent vs. busy "with the basics". Switching gears from busy to diligent is no easy task...and takes a great deal of intentionality: Thanks be to God we have the Holy Spirit to do just that! Since graduation, we have been given a little more opportunity to be diligent together as a family...and what a BLAST we have had!!!!
The gospel calls for a great deal of intentionality in our lives...and what a joy to work through so many areas and see the passivity of so much of what we do and have.
These are not "formulas for success" as we are so often given in self help books, sermons, or conversations...these changes are changes only the Spirit can bring to light and that truly do give such an indescribable simplicity and freedom to life in Christ.
It all started with 1 new year's resolution. I had no idea what it looked like...I just wrote down Simplify...and started praying for the Spirit to draw out areas of clutter (personally, materially, and spiritually) and to produce radical changes that could only be attributed to the Gospel's work in my life.
It's easy to be busy....everyone is busy.
Only Christ can make everything in life worth doing diligently.
Are you intentional for the Gospel in all your "busyness"?
As Christ followers, we are here for the purpose of Glorifying God through the Gospel's work...are you diligent or busy?
Don't muster up changes that you need to make...We can't do anything good apart from the work of Christ! Pray in faith that God will reveal sinful areas of clutter for the Spirit to radically renew because of the freedom we have through the finished work of Jesus! This gives GREAT cause for rejoicing in the Work of the Trinity in very tangible ways.
Soli Deo Gloria!!!

If you can stomach this...

I LOVE listening to sermons as I go about my daily tasks here at home. PArtly because I get lonely and enjoy the "adult" conversation...but also partley because I know it is falling on the ears of my 2 young toddlers who roam about unsuspecting as they play. I have my favs that I like to listen to...but toady I decided to do something alittle different...and I made sure it was during nap time because I had a feeling I would not be encouraged by truth as I listened in.

I was presented with the opportunity to listen to a sermon by a man that I would not normally listen too; However, his "sermon" topic and some chatter I had seen on facebook peeked my interest and I decided to listen in to the sermon. Needless to say, I was unimpressed and indeed a bit cynical as I listened to this man rant about why young men are leaving fundamentalism...and my lasting thought was...no sir, you have it all wrong..."sermons"-more like a soap box- like this are the reason so many young men are leaving (running as fast as they can) away from fundamentalism!

Pastor Dan Sweatt from Berean Baptist Church in Georgia. This session, entitled Young and Restless was recorded at the South Regional Fellowship of the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International which met at The Wilds, a Christian camp in Brevard, North Carolina April 6-7 of this year.

I was super duper relieved to see that Dr. Kevin Bauder wrote an essay as a rebuttle against this presentation entitled: Time to Speak Up and if this rebuttle were in audio format I would have gladly played both in the presence of my toddlers.

If you decide to listen in to this session, please promise me that you will do yourself the wonderful favor of reading the essay Dr. Bauer wrote after you listen in...if you can stomach the entire session!

ENJOY (if that is the right word!)

I will be tuned in to see what comes of this as Dr. Bauder gives a wonderful call to action at the conclusion of his essay.

Does Satan Exist?

Mark and I enjoyed watching this online last week as our "date" (aren't we romantic?). I guess the nightline program only aired the highlights due to time restraints, but I would highly recommend taking the time to watch this debate. Mark and I enjoyed it and I hope you do as well.
Nightline Face-off: DOES SATAN EXIST

Is it possible...

...for we as Christ redeemed believers to be "taken advantage of" in terms of kindness and charity? This thought has been keeping me awake at nights and challenging me in my day to day encounters with those around me for the last several months.

1 of the many situations that caused this whole conversation with myself...

A needy neighbor whom I wanted to share Christ with needed a ride somewhere...I willingly agreed...then the next day she wanted some food...I was overjoyed to share or my abundance with her...the next day she needed to come in and vent...I hesitated b/c I don't do well in those situations b/c I know nothing I say will help unless this woman allows Christ to radically consume and change her thinking, but I gladly accept her into my home...the next day she needs a ride somewhere else, the next day she is asking me to cosign a loan (which I explained we don't do for anyone...including ourselves)...and then the next day... ...

I am sure many of you are familiar with this scenario. There are needy people all around and my immediate fear is that I will be taken advantage of by "these" people.
I have asked several people for their thoughts on this recently...and I must admit that I have heard several words of concern...but no scriptural foundation apart from being a good steward.
I have been thinking through this and would like to know some of your thoughts on the topic.
Can we as Cross focused believers, who claim that all we are - is found in Christ, and all we have - is from Christ, and all we do - is for God's glory, continue to embrace the mindset of caution due to "being taken advantage of" as we go about our daily lives?
As I have reflected back over scripture...I notice just how completely and utterly Christ was "taken advantage of", yet he continued about doing the "Work of the Father".
Any thoughts for me as I process this thought?
I would love some dialogue from those of you who read this post...AnneBrumbaugh@gmail.com