Christian Hospitality: Top Fave Five

Good Times are Ahead!

Are you getting excited about the approaching holiday season?
I can’t wait!

Seeking inspiration, this week I spent some time searching through my archives for articles about autumn mirth and merrymaking. I hope you’ll enjoy these five links to popular posts at Chrysalis and my hospitality site, Susannah’s {Kitchen}. If you've seen them before, it doesn't hurt to jog your memory. Right?

1. Why Christian Hospitality? 10 Good Reasons to Open Our Homes

There are many Bible verses which encourage hospitality. Find out why...

2. The Jewish Feast of Booths (Tabernacles)

This joyful celebration called Sukkot runs from Sept. 23 - Oct. 1 in 2010, and it will conclude at sundown on Friday. Review the Christian symbolism behind the seventh Levitical Feast of the Lord.

3. 13 Ways to Celebrate (U.S.) Thanksgiving

Here are a few ideas to help make your family gathering more meaningful than simply gorging on delicious holiday fare. For example, consider organizing a children’s parade, a “Pie and Praise” event, or reading Lincoln’s Proclamation.

4. Let Grandparents Shine at the Holidays

Discover three ways the elder folk in your family tribe can serve as valued story-tellers.

5. Parlour Games and Amusements at the Table

Do you know the rules to The Minister’s Cat, Squeak Piggy Squeak, and Elephant’s Foot Umbrella Stand? If not, learn how to play these thoroughly entertaining parlour games.

6. (BONUS) For the Happy Hostess: Special Order PLUS Size Vintage-Inspired Aprons

These are the prettiest 1X to 4X apron styles anywhere on the internet! This week I received an order for six aprons from a sweet sister who is organizing a church auction. Let me know if need PLUS size aprons for a similar fund-raiser, bazaar, or function.

Related: Join us for Susanne’s popular Friday Fave Five meme at Living to Tell the Story.

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Rom 12:13) Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Pet 4:9)

Photo: JustinBugsySailor (Flickr)



Up Next—Marriage Monday: Our Sacred Commitment

What are you really looking forward to this holiday season?

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Marriage Monday is Coming!

Seeking Your Submission

Please join us for Marriage Monday on Oct. 4, 2010—that’s next week! Many of us now have our fall schedules in full swing and life is very busy once again. Time is flying by! Did you realize that Christmas is just three months away?

On Monday, let’s slow down. Take a breather. And enjoy some precious fellowship. It’s such a pleasure to gather on the first Monday of every month to share our joys, wisdom, and even our struggles in marriage. Isn't it?

Your Words Have a Big Impact

If you’re a regular contributor, I want to thank you for your strong support of this ministry. Did you know that countless women around the globe come to Chrysalis each month in search of your encouragement? They may not be contributors like you, but they do read. And even if they don’t comment, be aware that your words are touching their lives in profound ways.
I can't wait to meet you in heaven some day!

(See my screen shots below to get an idea of the metrics.) Do you think we can grow Marriage Monday to reach even more married Christian women? Tell your friends!

General Topic: Our Sacred Commitment

The general topic for this month is “Our Sacred Commitment.” It’s a serious topic that warrants our consideration as married Christians. Agreed? Following are four title options. Choose one, and let the Spirit lead you where He wants you to go. The last option, a “wild card” is open to your creative imagination. Thanks for taking the time to share your story.

1. “A Cord of Three Strands is not Quickly Broken”
2. How We Survived Our Marriage Crisis
3. Take Two: My Second Marriage Thrives by Grace
4. Your Title Goes Here

Are You New Today?

If you’re new to Chrysalis and Marriage Monday, you are welcome here! Please jump in and join us on Monday. Choose one of the titles above, write your heart out, and then come back and link up. Your entry doesn’t need to be fancy or clever, and you can make it as long (or short) as long as you like.

After you leave your permalink, take some time to visit a few of the other contributors. Introduce yourself in the comments; I guarantee you’ll meet some very high-quality blogging women if you do.

For a general introduction to Marriage Monday, click here. If you would like to be added to our Blog List, please click here.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecc 4:12 NIV)

Screen Shots (click to enlarge)


Traffic spike in Statcounter on Marriage Monday (September)


Inlinkz' Total Views and Link Clicks (July, August, September)

Photos: tcherncom (Flickr)


Up Next—Friday Fave Five: Christian Hospitality

Have you chosen your title?

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NEWS: Celebrating 100 Years of Scouting

"Celebrating the Adventure.
Continuing the Journey"

Did you catch the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics last February?
Did you watch any of the snowboarding competitions? Maybe you remember boarder Shaun White win a Gold Medal after performing his spectacular stunt called the Double McTwist 1260.

This summer Shaun White delivered an exciting “Go for it!” message to thousands of youth gathered at the BSA National Jamboree. (Photo above.) Held every four years at Fort A.P. Hill Virginia, it must have been day to remember. I think it’s admirable that Shaun is willing to give some of his time to the Boy Scouts of America, since the organization is busy celebrating 100 years of scouting all across the country this year. A dizzying array of centennial events can be found at the official celebration webpage.

Four Generations of Scouts

I’m proud to say our family has been involved in scouting in both the United States and Canada for four generations. Scouting's core values—Leadership, Character, Community Service, Achievement, and the Outdoors—have guided the young men to maturity on both sides of our family. While not expressly Christian, the moral development of young men is intentionally fostered within the scouting program.

Following in the footsteps of e-Dad, five years ago our son achieved the highest rank called Eagle Scout. His grandfather and great-grandfather both served as Scout Masters, and two of his grandmothers were active in scouting as well. (I was a Brownie—that counts too!)

If you’re looking for a wholesome skills-based program for your son(s) I highly recommend the Boy Scouts. Visit their official Facebook Page for a general overview of their many excellent programs.

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." (Luke 2:52 NIV)

How Scouting Began

Eleanor Clark a third generation Scouting grandmother, feels training young people is the only way to reclaim our nation. She has started a nationwide Scout recruitment push through her new book, The Legacy of Lord Baden-Powell. (WinePress Publishing, July 2010)

Through this book, a fictional narrative about the British founder of the scouting movement, Eleanor lays the groundwork to recruit as many boys as possible. Her intent is to rally current Scouts to learn the history of Scouting while earning their Scouting Legacy activity badge and recruiting other boys in the process. Her goal is to reach one million new Scout members and change the nation for the better.

The Legacy of Lord Baden-Powell is fast-paced and full of all the antics of active Boy Scouts. Entertaining and educational, young readers will:

• Discover the real values behind what the program offers to boys who put God and Country first in their lives.
• Understand the words “Be Prepared” and “Reverent.”
• Acquire the skills that allow them to face problems with confidence.
• Earn the Scouting Legacy activity badge
• Find out what really motivated Lord Baden-Powell

Related

•Are you parenting all boys? If so, you'll enjoy meeting these friendly Christian mothers of boys within the Chrysalis Cafe community. (Listed in order from younger families to older.)

1. Raising Z Boys
2. Heart for Him
3. The Better Part
4. Joyfull Living
5. Outnumbered Mom
6. Blue Cotton Memory
7. Forever His
8. Janette’s Sage

• "Bringing Up Girls" & "Girls Gone Wise." Advice for Christian Parents in a World Gone Wild by Chrysalis

• If you join the Carnival of Homeschooling this week, you'll glean from a wealth of knowlege presented by some very savvy SAHHMs.





Up Next—October Marriage Monday Reminder & Topics

Has your family has been active in scouting?
What is most memorable to you?

Read More

The Walled City of Jerusalem

Five Favorite Jerusalem Facts

Do you enjoy looking at maps? I do too! Since this great city figures so prominently in the Bible, it's important to be able to identify key Jerusalem landmarks including the Temple mount, the Mount of Olives, and the Garden of Gesthemane. (Find them?)

For Susanne's popular Friday Fave Five meme at Living to Tell the Story, I'd like to share the following information discovered during my personal study time this week. (Pop quiz tomorrow!)

1. At the time the Israelites entered their Promised Land, Jerusalem was held by a local tribe, the Jebusites. Bounded on three sides by valleys, it was a natural stronghold. King David sent his men up through the water tunnel to take the city. David built himself a palace and his son Solomon built the Temple on Mount Moriah. Jerusalem's importance as a site chosen by God for His special purposes dates from His call to Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice in this same location on Mount Moriah (Gen 22).

2. Jerusalem is often called Zion. The name may mean "citadel" or "fortress." It seems initially to have referred to the ridge on which the Jebusite fortress was placed. From this it was transferred to the Temple Mount, hence the references to Zion as God's holy hill (Ps 2:6). Thus Zion is often the holy center of Jerusalem, not Jerusalem itself.

3. After the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, the Temple was rebuilt. This "Second Temple" was enlarged and embellished by Herod the Great during an extended 40-year building project. Attacking from the weakest point in the north, the Romans destroyed Herod's Temple in 70 A.D.
The sole physical remains of the Temple are parts of the retaining wall around the Temple enclosure, most famously the Western Wall, known as the Wailing Wall, where Jews still lament their loss.

4. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'" (Rev 21:1-4 NIV)

5. Psalm 122

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Our feet are standing
in your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.

That is where the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.

There the thrones for judgment stand,
the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
"May those who love you be secure.

May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

For the sake of my brothers and friends,
I will say, "Peace be within you."

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.


Images: Historic Jesus & Topographical map of Jerusalem



Up Next—100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts

What else can you add to my knowledge of Jerusalem?

Read More

Spiritual Growth: Your God-Given Gifts (2)

Book Review (Part 2)

Discover Your God-Given Gifts
by Don & Katie Fortune

This is the second post of a two-part review of one of my all-time favorite books, Discover Your God-Given Gifts. If you missed it, you can read the first post here.

The authors have presented their material in a straightforward, understandable way. They identify three categories of gifts or charisma in the Body of Christ:

● 7 Motivational gifts (natural) – Romans 12:6-8
● 9 Manifestation gifts (supernatural) – I Corinthians 12
● 5 Ministry gifts (leadership) – Ephesians 4:11

The focus of this book is the natural or Motivational gifts. Everyone has a gift! No one has been left out. The seven Motivational gifts are: Perceiver, Server, Teacher, Exhorter, Giver, Administrator, and Compassion.

Q. "Is it possible to have all seven of the motivational gifts in my life to some extent?"

A. "The answer is yes. We will see during the testing process that you have some scoring, no matter how little, in each gift. We are all endowed with enough of each gift to be able to operate in that area to some degree, when called on… Don’t ever let the knowledge of your particular motivational gift keep you from ministering in other areas. While it is true that… a compassion person would be aware of the hurting person sooner than others and move to meet the need, it does not mean that others are not able to reach out with compassion when it’s needed."—The Fortunes

According to 1 Peter 4:11, there are two distinctions within Motivational Gifts, leadership-speaking gifts (Perceiver, Teacher, Exhorter, Administrator) and practical-serving gifts (Compassion, Server, Giver). Each gift is of equal value.

Characteristics of the Administrator
(Self-Test)

We blogging Moms are a chatty bunch, so I’d like to summarize the authors’ description of the Administrator—a speaking gift and a "born leader." Other words that would describe this gift are facilitator, organizer, ruler, leader, superintendent. A person with this gift:

___1. Is highly motivated to get things organized.
___2. Expresses his ideas clearly.
___3. Prefers to be under authority to have authority.
___4. Will not take responsibility unless it is delegated.
___5. Will take the lead if no specific leadership exists.
___6. Enjoys working on long-term goals and projects.
___7. Is a visionary person with a broad perspective.
___8. Facilitates resources/people to accomplish goals.
___9. Enjoys delegating tasks and supervising people.
___10. Will endure criticism for the greater good of all.
___11. Has great zeal and enthusiasm for his projects.
___12. Finds greatest fulfillment in working toward goals.
___13. Is willing to let others get the credit.
___14. Prefers to move on to new challenges.
___15. Constantly writes notes to self.
___16. Is a natural and capable leader.
___17. Knows when to to introduce new methods.
___18. Enjoys working with and being around people.
___19. Wants to see things completed quickly.
___20. Does not enjoy doing routine tasks.

Problems of the Administrator include a) becoming upset when others do not share the same vision or goals b) developing an outer callousness due to being a target for criticism c) can regress to “using” people to accomplish own goals
d) tends to drive self and neglect personal and family needs e) neglects routine home responsibilities due to his intense interest in his job.

Biblical examples of gifted Administrators include Joseph (Genesis 30-40); King David; and James the brother of Jesus.

Characteristics of the Giver (Self-Test)

The authors say that of the seven motivational gifts, this is the least likely to be identified by the one who has it. This person has an "all-round" balanced personality, shares several traits of the server, can be a leader or a follower and has a love for the Word of God. However, the Giver is unique when it comes to the use of resources. A person with this gift...







___1. Gives freely of money, possessions, and love.
___2. Loves to give without others knowing it.
___3. Wants to feel part of the ministries contributed to.
___4. Intercedes for needs and the salvation of souls.
___5. Feels delighted when his gift is an answer to prayer.
___6. Wants gift to be of high quality.
___7. Gives only by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
___8. Gives to support others or to advance a ministry.
___9. Views hospitality as an opportunity to give.
___10. Handles finances with wisdom and frugality.
___11. Quickly volunteers to help where a need is seen.
___12. Seeks confirmation of the amount to give.
___13. Has a strong belief in giving tithes and offerings.
___14. Focuses on sharing the Gospel with the lost.
___15. Believes God is the source of his supply.
___16. Is very industrious with a tendency toward success.
___17. Has a natural and effective business ability.
___18. Likes to shop for bargains.
___19. Is definitely not gullible.
___20. Possesses both a natural and God-given wisdom.

Problems of the Giver

According to the authors, Givers do not have as many problem areas as some of the other gifts. Givers mainly wrestle with pride or lukewarmness—like the rest of us. Also, Givers may a) try to control how contributions are used b) tends to pressure others to give c) may upset family and friends with unpredictable patterns of giving d) tends to spoil their own children or other relatives e) may use financial giving to get out of other responsibilities.

Biblical examples of Givers include Abraham (Genesis 13-14, 22); Solomon; and Paul—who possessed secondary speaking gifts as well.

Summary of the Seven Gifts

Don’t recognize yourself in either of these descriptions? Space (and copyright) prevent me from quoting the entire contents of this book. However, following are a few words that characterize each of the seven gifts. It’s useful to compare them, and begin to grasp how marvelously God has structured the Body of Christ.

● Perceiver
__admonish__challenge__correct__dramatize__expose
● Server
__assist__detail__entertain__follow__help__wait on
● Teacher
__analyze__educate__learn__research__study__use logic
● Exhorter
__advise__counsel__encourage__guide__peruade__talk
● Giver
__acquire__budget__donate__entertain__evangelize__invest
●Administrator
__achieve__command__create__govern__lead__strategize
● Compassion
__be gentle__care for__comfort__feel__love__sympathize

Discovery Books Series

There are two more excellent books in the Discovery series including Discover Your Children’s Gifts and Discover Your Spouse’s Gifts. I’ve read all three paperbacks again and again. The information has been invaluable in helping me direct my children’s development, helping me to understand my mate, and helping me to work with others more effectively.


Around the Mom blogosphere, you may have noticed a wonderful abundance of Exhorters, Perceivers, Administrators, and Givers!

Photos: samuelcharlessolomonthethird, natmandu, Fatkatjr (Flickr)



What are your primary (and secondary) motivational gifts?

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Spiritual Growth: Your God-Given Gifts (1)

Book Review (Part 1)

Discover Your God-Given Gifts
by Don & Katie Fortune

You may have heard the fable of the Six Blind Men and the Elephant.
A group of blind men are led to an elephant and each grabs one part of the animal—side, tusk, trunk, leg, ears, and tail—and then describes the elephant in terms of the part he is holding—an elephant is like a wall, a spear, snake, tree, fan, and rope. Then they argue with each other about it, each insisting on his own perception as the only true description of an elephant.

We smile at the silliness of the argument and recognize that moral of the story is about the importance of diverse points of view. No one has all the answers, no one knows the complete picture, and it’s important to be humble and open to the ideas of others. So it is with diversity within the body of Christ. Each one of us brings our own perceptions to every situation.

Personality Types

Despite the truth of our "snowflake" uniqueness, psychologists have variously categorized the ways in which people are similar to one another. For instance, Carl Jung identified four personality "types" as a preference for thinking over feeling and sensing over intuiting. Perhaps you’re familiar with the Meyer’s Briggs Type Indicator (EI-SNTF-JP) which is based on Jung's work.

Within secular Learning Style Theory seven (or eight) different kinds of intelligence have been identified (e.g. linguistic, mathematical, spatial). In Christian circles, Tim LaHaye has researched and written about The Four Temperaments which were observed in ancient times. More recently, Gary Chapman has presented The Five Love Languages in his popular best-selling books.

So which model of personality is the very best?

Book Summary

In his loving wisdom, God has laid out for us the "mother of all Type Indicators" in the Bible. Found in Romans 12:6-8, Paul outlines a total of seven natural or “motivational gifts” given to humanity. Each of us is born with one strong motivational gift that shapes our personality; some people also exhibit a less dominant secondary gift.

Authors Don and Katie Fortune do a masterful job of explaining the characteristics of the seven Biblical motivational gifts in their book, Discover Your God-Given Gifts. The book’s easy self-tests help readers discover which of the seven Biblical “personality types” best describe them: Perceiver, Server, Teacher, Exhorter, Giver, Administrator, or Compassion.

Three Categories of Gifts in Scripture

The authors begin their book by giving some biblical perspective. They point out that there are three categories of gifts described in Scripture: the seven Motivational (natural) gifts described above; the nine Manifestation (supernatural) gifts outlined in I Corinthians 12; and the five Ministry (church leadership) gifts outlined in Ephesians 4:11. We are commanded to use our gift to benefit others, for it was designed by the Creator to overflow from us to those around us.

The authors also note that our gift can be observed in childhood, and like donning a pair of tinted glasses, our gift colors all we see and do. The authors’ fascinating research has shown that God bestows some of the gifts more frequently than others. For instance, there is a greater need for followers than leaders.

According to the authors, Scripture teaches that there are two distinctions within the motivational gifts, speaking gifts and serving gifts (1 Pet 4:11). Here is the authors’ outline of the gifts and their frequency of appearance in the Body of Christ. Remember that each gift is of equal value.

The Seven Motivational Gifts

4 SPEAKING GIFTS

● Perceiver 12% — Declares the Will of God (Spiritual)
The eyes of the Body.
● Teacher 6% — Researches and Teaches the Bible (Mental)
The mind of the Body.
● Exhorter 16% — Encourages Personal Progress (Psychological)
The mouth of the Body.
● Administrator 13% — Gives Leadership & Direction (Functional)
The shoulders of the Body

3 SERVING GIFTS

● Compassion 30% — Provides Personal Support (Emotional)
The heart of the Body.
● Server 17% — Renders Practical Service (Practical)
The hands of the Body.
● Giver 6% — Shares Financial Assistance (Material)
The arms of the Body.

Joy is the By-product

"The best way to measure whether or not you are operating in the sphere of your motivational gift is to take this simple test: Joy is the by-product of operating in your motivational gift. Frustration is the by-product of trying to operate outside it. Joy is always a byproduct of what is in the will of God for you. Joy can never be sought as a goal or an end in itself. But as you function in the giftedness that God has given you, you will have joy."—The Fortunes.

Barriers to Expressing Your Gift

The authors say a few of the reasons believers may not be expressing their motivational gift include lack of teaching, lack of spiritual feeding, spiritual bondage, anger, pressure to conform to a certain image, poor self-image, irresponsibility, and other sin. "God the Holy Spirit wants to be released into our lives to become that well of living water, the sap that flows as we abide in the vine. We have observed that the ongoing flow of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life invariably increases the pure and effective flow of his motivational gifts.”—The Fortunes.

My Reaction to This Book

This is one of my all-time favorite books! Its message unraveled the mystery of why at a party, some
of us prefer to sit in the living room to talk (and talk and talk), while others retreat to the kitchen to help with serving and clean-up!

Re-issued by Chosen Books in 2009, Discover Your God-Given Gifts has been updated, revised and expanded. I bought my original copy in the early 1990s and it has occupied a place of honor on my bookshelf for many years. In fact, I own several lending copies, and I just bought a copy of the newest version. Yes, sisters, it's that good!

The ideas are presented with skill and common-sense, and the self-tests and charts are easy to understand. I've learned why I think and act the way I do; my primary and secondary gifts; how to overcome conflicts with others; and what careers and ministries suit me best.
To use the authors’ words, "understanding our gifting has much to do with whether life is fulfilling or frustrating, fun or frantic."

Amazon.com's reviews of this must-have book are here. Other Discovery books in the series include Discover Your Children’s Gifts and Discover Your Spouse’s Gifts.

Your God-Given Gifts (Part II)

In my next post, I will present an in-depth discussion of TWO of the motivational gifts outlined by the authors: Administrator (a speaking gift) and Giver (a serving gift). I’ll look at the character traits associated with each gift, typical problem areas, and biblical characters who demonstrate these gifts. I will also offer a sample of one of the book’s self-tests. Please stop by Chrysalis again!

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. (1 Cor 12: 12-14 ESV)

Photos: Google Images. o2ma2 & alton (Flickr)



Up Next—Spiritual Growth: Your God-Given Gifts (Part 2)

Have you identified your primary motivational gift?

Read More

"How 'The Shack' Seduced Evangelicals"

Help Your Friends Discern Biblical Truth

Have you read The Shack? I confess, I haven't read it yet. So why, you might ask, am I talking about a book I haven't read? Good question!

The answer hast to do with popular culture. Just like there's no avoiding Oprah, Avatar, or The Da Vinci Code, there's no avoiding this mega best-selling book. Numerous articles, blog posts, forums, and discussions have come within earshot. And I'm very disheartened by what I've read about the widespread acceptance of The Shack by evangelical Christians.

If you have read The Shack but don't quite know what to do with its message, I want to bring a new non-fiction book to your attention.
It might help you pin down why you feel uncomfortable with Paul Young's work
of fiction.

When you have a few minutes of free time, consider the claims found in Burning Down the Shack by seminary professor James de Young,
a former colleague of William Paul Young's.

First, from the book's description:

"Millions have bought into the theology of Paul Young whose book, ‘The Shack’ portrays God as a loving, black woman. Similar changes in appearance were given to Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The story of pain and redemption then resonated with the public.

But is Young's worldview important? Is his theology that big a deal?

James De Young thinks so. In fact, it's so important that he's written a compelling book challenge to 'The Shack.' In 'Burning Down the Shack,' De Young manages to shed important light on the implications of Young's pluralistic faith, and provides readers with a gripping counter-balance to the popular little volume that's spent many weeks on the best-seller lists.

Exploring the nature and character of God from Scripture, De Young concludes that it is necessary to proceed carefully with 'The Shack,' lest important truths be skewed and even jettisoned. Without being confrontational, De Young makes the case that dangers can lurk under the foundation."

Important Article Discusses Burning Down the Shack

This weekend, do take the time to read,
“How ‘The Shack’ Seduced Evangelicals”
by WorldNet Daily. Here's a short excerpt from the article:

…with 10 million copies in print, "The Shack" has been on numerous best-seller lists for more than two years and become an iconic work among enthusiastic evangelicals, with many buying multiple copies to hand out to their friends. But De Young believes the acceptance of "The Shack" by evangelicals and their institutions is evidence of a church in need of renewal.

"I'm really dismayed to see that Christian publishers and radio programs, TV programs have basically imbibed the feel-good spirit of 'The Shack' and have not critically examined the theology," he told WND. "If you point that out to them they feel offended. They feel that you're being overly critical. They feel something like, 'Well, can't you look beyond the doctrine and appreciate the story.'"

Read full article…

Related

“Theology: Is God HE? Re-imagining God in ‘The Shack’”
posted by Chrysalis

Photo: tremotrav (Flickr)



Up Next—Discover Your God-Given Gifts

Have you read The Shack? Your raves, rants, reactions?

Read More

Wednesday: Word-Filled & Wordless

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
(Is 53:12 NIV)

Discover a celebration of Christian creativity on Word-Filled-Wednesdays at The Internet Cafe. Also, you'll enjoy getting to know the bloggers who participate in Wordful Wednesday, A Beautiful Mess' Wordless Wednesday, School in the Kitchen's Wordless Wednesday, 5MFM's Wordless Wednesday, Live & Love... Out Loud's Wordless Wednesday.


Reflection: Isaiah & Bible Study Fellowship

Warm jackets, jumping into big piles of leaves, shiney brown chestnuts, and new school supplies all come to mind when I think of autumn. Funny how so many new activities begin, just as the current year is "dying." The Jewish civil calendar starts in September, and the faithful just celebrated Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). That makes much more sense!

This week, I'm also thinking about my women's Bible study with BSF International. We'll be studying Isaiah this year, and I'm really excited to go deep into the book some scholars have called the "Romans of the Old Testament." On Thurday morning, we'll be having our very first session.

Listen to this amazing overview:

"The Book of Isaiah, one of the most important and best-loved books in the Bible, is sometimes called the Gospel of Isaiah because of the good news that characterizes its message. Indeed, no other Old Testament book contains as many references to the Messiah as does the Book of Isaiah. Its sixty-six chapters contain crucial passages that allude to Christ's incarnation, earthly ministry and atoning death and glorious world-wide rule. ...

Isaiah also has been called the Romans of the Old Testament because like the Book of Romans, it sets forth God's case against sinners, unveils the wretchedness of the human heart, and reveals the way of salvation for Israel and the world. Under the hammer blows of Isaiah's message, God calls sinners to repentance and graciously promises forgiveness. It is no accident that in Romans Paul quoted Isaiah seventeen times more than any other New Testament author. And, like Romans, Isaiah is a profoundly theological book that deals with a number of vital doctrines."—Herbert Wolf

Related: In the Spotlight: A. Wetherell Johnson (BSF Founder)

Photos: BeccaG & Dark Matter (Flickr)



Coming Soon—How The Shack Seduced Evangelicals

Have you ever participated in BSF classes?
Your thoughts?

Read More

Welcome to Marriage Monday

Private, Public, or Homeschool?
Why Our Decision Works for Us

Why did we choose a private Christian school? Young families today with school-age children face tremendous pressures, and our family is no exception. Our country’s ongoing moral decline means that many negative forces are vying for our children’s hearts and minds.

Our increasingly secular society disregards and even undermines the beliefs and moral values of most Christian families. Raised in secular backgrounds, we wanted to be absolutely certain our children were launched with a Christian worldview, were educated in a solid academic environment, and were safe from violence.

Reality Check: Private vs. Public

• Stronger Academics
The benefits of private schools are often significant, and many private schools place high priority on academic excellence. Students tend to be more motivated, parents are more involved, and the distractions that are common to public schools do not exist in the private school world. Studies show that students in private schools score higher on standardized tests, and send more graduates to college than public schools.

• Greater Safety
Schools have changed a lot over the past few decades. Many public schools now have security guards or police stationed inside, and metal detectors have become commonplace in an attempt to keep out dangerous weapons. One of the benefits of private schools is safety. In addition, a major benefit is that the parent can have a say in the moral direction of the education by choosing an appropriate private school.

• Lifelong Benefits
Private schools aren't just for the wealthy, either. In many cases, private schools have shown in research to be a key element in breaking the cycle of poverty. The benefits of private schools aren't just academic. Private school students from poor families are three times more likely to go to college than a public school student from a poor family. And the private school is by no means an isolated ivory tower, with 23 percent of private school students being persons of color.

• Global Stats
The statistics aren't just limited to the U.S. The benefits of private schools have been shown around the world, with private school students performing better in New Zealand, Great Britain and several other countries.

This information has been excerpted from SchoolTrans.com. More thoughts about comparing public, private, and homeschooling options is available at
Focus on the Family.

How to Manage Your (Whopping) Tuition Bill

When it comes to paying for a private school education, there are several options open. The most important advice is simple: don’t be afraid to ask. If you need financial aid, just ask. If you feel you deserve a discount because you have several children at the school, consider asking. Also, research the availability of scholarships, grants, tuition payment plans, vouchers, and faculty & staff discounts.

Remember too that there will be considerable financial sacrifice involved, including fewer vacations, older cars, and/or a smaller home. This is the reality we wrestled with for the decade our two children were in private jr. high and high school. And then all the college tuition bills began rolling in after that! God was pleased to show us how to make it all happen, and private school was a decision we have never regretted.

Be Aware: What a Christian School Cannot Do

a) substitute for a quality home environment

b) guarantee a perfect school environment

c) increase the level of your child’s intelligence

d) duplicate parental love and support

e) replace the spiritual influence of a parent (Read more...)

Where to Begin Your Search

The United States is blessed by a rich diversity of excellent private schools. These diverse schools—often faith-based—help fulfill the American ideal of educational pluralism and collectively contribute to the common good. The Council for American Private Education provides a list of organizations representing the following denominations: Catholic, Episcopal, Evangelical, Friends, Lutheran, and Reformed.

Related: Book Review: One Million Arrows by Julie Ferwerda

Photo Credits: familymwr, SideShowMom & automattias (Flickr)

Do you have any questions? I’ll do my best to answer from our personal experience.

Today is Marriage Monday. Join Us!

If you would like to link a post for Marriage Monday today, take a minute to read the overview of our topic, “Adding Kids to the Mix.” Choose one of the four titles listed here and then tell us what you've learned about marriage and children. Remember, you're the expert!

Today we're celebrating three years of blogging together about marriage. Anyone who links up today is eligible for my Cupcake Giveaway. Read More...

You’re welcome to add your link any time up until eleven PM on Wednesday. Please include a text link back to Chrysalis, or you can use one of these graphic buttons if you prefer.

Plan to meet here again for Marriage Monday on Monday, October 4, 2010. Next month's general topic is, "Our Sacred Commitment." Four title choices will be posted in two weeks.

If you're new at Chrysalis today, please accept my invitation to join our Marriage Monday community. I'm e-Mom your hostess. Welcome! You might want to read an introduction to this meme and how to join the Marriage Monday Blog List.

Thanks for contributing your wise thoughts to Marriage Monday today, sister!



Photo Linky

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Marriage Monday is Coming!

Aquila and Priscilla sittin’ in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
First comes love
Then comes marriage
Then comes Priscilla with a baby carriage
How-many-children-will-they-have?

Did you learn this jump rope song as a youngster? Do you remember the cadence? Do you recall the fun of turning the rope as fast as you could after the very last line? The object, of course, was to get the jumping girl “out” as quickly as possible!

Adding Kids to the Mix

Silly rhymes from the school yard bring back fond memories, but like me, you probably didn’t think much about the important lessons they taught until this moment. The key message I received from this one—long before any serious discussion about the birds and the bees—was that babies naturally follow after the wedding. Filled with wonder, that sounded pretty sweet
to me!

Right in the beginning, God’s very first commandment to men and women was to
“be fruitful and multiply.” Over the past three years, we’ve discussed a wide variety of topics on Marriage Monday, but we’ve never covered one of the most obvious fruits of our conjugal love—our kids!

Celebrating Three Years: Cupcake Giveaway

As we enter our fourth season of blogging together about marriage,
I thought it would be fun to celebrate with some sugary and delicious kid food: Cupcakes. At my vintage apron i-store, Susannah’s {Kitchen} I posted “Audacious Red Velvet Cupcakes Lazy Baker Recipe” which you can make right now if you want. Remember to top them with cream cheese frosting!

Also, as my "thank you" for participating in this meme, I’d love give you the opportunity to win a box of the Barefoot Contessa’s gourmet Red Velvet cupcake mix. (A $12 value.)

Everyone who links a post on Monday using one of the four titles listed below is eligible for this Cupcake Giveaway. You can double or triple your entry by Tweeting about this announcement for Marriage Monday or by sharing a link in Facebook. Just let me know that you’ve done so in the comments on this post.

The Giveaway winner will be announced on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010.

Seeking Your Submission

Please select one title below, and run with it! If you’re new, you’ll find a general introduction to this meme here. You can join the Marriage Monday Blog List here. I can’t wait to read your entry on Monday, Sept 13, 2010!

1. Raising Boys: What NOT to Do
2. Public, Private, or Homeschool? Why our Decision Works for Us
3. Killer Time Management for Busy Families
4. Favorite Books Our Kids Will Keep Forever

And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Gen 1:28 ESV)

Photos: Robert S. Donovan & Kevin H. (Flickr)



Up Next—Marriage Monday: Adding Kids to the Mix

Did you select your title?

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Women of Faith (Q&A Cont.)

Last weekend my daughter, Paula and a group of ladies from her church all climbed in a van bound for the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Women of Faith speakers Patsy Clairmont, Lisa Welchel, and Andy Andrews all spoke at this "Over the Top" conference for Christian women. I asked Paula to share what was especially memorable about the weekend.
(Aug. 27-28, 2010)

Click here to read Part 1. Here is conclusion to our interview.

3. Paula, you were telling us about Lisa Welchel's portion of the program on women's relationships.

Lisa concluded by saying that she believes that close friendships on earth are vital to having a more rich and full understanding of God. In her new book Friendships for Grown-ups she says,

I know, beyond a doubt, that friendship is a journey, as is faith. I would have not been able to hear or believe […] words from the Lord before taking the steps toward being a friend and receiving one. Henry Cloud [Christian psychologist and author of 12 “Christian” Beliefs That Can Drive You Crazy] expresses so beautifully and succinctly how to recognize God in the face of friendship:

"We see this continually in clinical practice, especially among Christians who can’t sense any closeness to God… Only after they have worked on connecting to healthy people do they gradually begin sensing God more. They learn the spiritual truths only when the physical ones are in place."

I, like many people I’m sure, have always longed to have sweet intimacy with God that I’ve seen modeled in women of faith like Beth Moore but have been mystified as to how it is achieved. Now I understand that it is within in a circle of friends and of faith where one learns to be vulnerable and then takes the risk to become vulnerable with God. THAT is where true relationship with the Lord begins.

4. Practicing forgiveness is necessary throughout our lives. Did Andy Andrews share anything that was helpful?

Andy gave a very interesting definition of forgiveness which I think captures the true meaning of the word:

Forgiveness = Anger resolution

In the face of anger, “I’m sorry” doesn’t always settle the issue. There is a distinction between a simple mistake and a choice to do something one knows one shouldn’t. A mistake is something "I'm sorry" covers. A deliberate choice requires forgiveness to wipe things clean. In those instances, forgiveness must be deliberately asked for. We must remember:

Forgiveness is a decision, not an emotion.

When we truly offer (or receive) forgiveness it means a right relationship can be restored and continued. We should choose to extend forgiveness to others and ourselves and not hold a grudge against anyone (including ourselves). If this is not done, especially in the case of a parent-child relationship, rebellion/shutting down/drawing back may be a result of offenses that were not forgiven and finally something has been done about it.

After the issue has been resolved we must be wise in how we proceed. Forgiveness and trust are not the same thing. We can choose to forgive a person while still selecting carefully how and in what ways we trust them. The degree of trust is an option; forgiveness is not.

5. What are the seven steps we can follow to help someone going through a difficult time?

From personal experience on the receiving end, Patsy Clairmont suggests that those who wish to support others keep these things in mind:

• Prayer matters. Pray with them and for them.
• Be there physically. It can make all the difference in the world. Show up.
• Show you care - Write notes. Say "I love you" consistently. Love makes a difference. It can give them the courage to take that next step when they think they're at the end of their endurance.
• Help them get out and about. Take them somewhere away from the source of the trial.
• Change can be good. Encourage them to accept change in the situation and identify ways that it can be positive.
• Recovery is a process. Be merciful to them (and encourage them to be merciful to themselves) as they recover.
• Never give up!

6. What was your biggest surprise over the course of the weekend?

It amazed me that I felt the Lord speaking so clearly to me through each session. I had been praying that He would, I just didn’t imagine that it would be so obvious!

Please Come Again!

This is some powerful teaching! Thank you so much for sharing your impressions, Paula. I feel like I was right there beside you. Please come visit Chrysalis again. Love and warm bear hugs, Mom xoxo

Our daughter, Paula is married to the love of her life and now lives in Washington D.C. Smart and outgoing, she also works with AWANA kids doing creative theater ministry at her church. With a good head for numbers, she’s also in sales and training at a local copier distributorship.

Related: Discover more about Paula in our Marriage Monday interview, "Bathtub Wisdom."


You can learn about future Women of Faith "Over the Top" Conferences here.

Photos: Grace Baptist Church

Up Next—Reminder: Marriage Monday is Coming!

Did you learn anything new from this interview?

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