Christmas song #12 Welcome to Our World by Amy Grant
Month: December 2010
Teaching: The core fundamental disciplines and practices of every Christian
Every Sunday I provide videos and valuable links to the Truth or Tradition teachings. We’ve been following the Truth or Tradition teachings for many years now and they have truly blessed our family. We have found peace and happiness through our beliefs and we walk confidently for God. My hope, by passing on this information to you, is that what you find here, or on the Truth or Tradition website, will guide you to a better, more blessed and abundant life.
If you would like to read my views on religion and how we got started with the ministry, you can read this.
Let’s get started:
The other day I (Dan Gallagher) was thinking about what it means to be a disciple of Christ, and was reminded of my martial arts experience. For a number of years I studied several martial arts styles, and no matter how much I knew, or how long I had studied, or how proficient I became, we always started each training session with a warm up where we practiced the basics of blocking, kicking, punching, and other fundamental moves. Similarly, no matter how long we have stood for Christ, no matter how much we know, or how proficient we become in our calling, we should stay grounded in the basics of discipleship.
So what are some of the basic disciplines of discipleship? Well, it just so happened that a few days after thinking about the basics, I was having a conversation with my friend, when he rattled off a rapid salvo of five things every Christian should do: pray, study, give, witness, and fellowship. “Now really,” I thought, “how simple and fundamental is that?” Yet I asked myself, “How many believers really do those?” My real personal conviction came when I reflected on how I am too often neglectful of these simple practices, and I doubt that I am the only one who allows the pressures or pleasures of life to distract me from these spiritual disciplines.
Although, for instance, I may be strong in prayer or study, I find that I am not consistently strong in all five areas. Every athlete, musician, craftsman, or artist knows you can never get far from the basics if you are to maintain or increase your level of expertise. The more proficient one is in the fundamentals, the more skillful he becomes in the advanced techniques. My self-conviction came when I realized I needed to continue rehearsing the basics with greater zeal, that is, with the same zeal and consistency that I once practiced martial arts. I do not believe that discipleship is only a matter of practicing these five things, but I do believe God desires we excel in these five areas, so let’s briefly look at each one.
Prayer
Our best example of a vibrant prayer life is, of course, Jesus, who counted prayer as an indispensable priority. He rose early to pray, sought out solitude to pray, and prayed before every major life decision, like praying all night before he chose his Apostles. He also prayed in times of great need, like in the Garden of Gethsemane before he was taken captive. He also told us to pray until we get our answer. [1] There are even four places in the Church Epistles where we are directed to pray constantly. [2] And when we are tired and don’t feel like praying with our understanding, we can always speak in tongues and know we are communing with God perfectly. Undoubtedly, prayer is a fundamental discipline that is vital to our relationship with God and the Lord Jesus.
Study
Sometimes I am mentally tired and just don’t feel like reading my Bible, but when I exercise discipline and force myself to do so, I find myself greatly encouraged and strengthened. I often feel deeply satisfied, like Ezekiel, who said the Word of God “…tasted as sweet as honey….” [3] God tells us that His Word is the sword of the spirit, so if I am neglecting it, I have to wonder how sharp my sword is. If neglected, my sword won’t cut well and could do more harm than good. How so? Neglecting the Word could lead to using verses out of context or wrongly applying what God says, and if we do that, we really do not have God’s Word. I believe one of the principal reasons we should study is stated in Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Christianity is all about a relationship with God and the Lord Jesus, and allowing them to speak to us through the Written Word is integral to that. No one can be much of a disciple if he doesn’t know his master’s will.
Giving
The other day a close friend confessed that he has a tendency to hold back in his giving, and sometimes gives so others won’t think he is not a giver. Sad to say, I can relate to him. How often does that little voice in our head say, “But what about me, what about me, what about me?” One of the greatest paradoxes of Christianity is found in self-sacrifice, because it is only when we lose ourselves that we find ourselves. We cannot be genuine followers of Christ without being givers, for the two are inseparable. Although our giving should include money if we have it to give, it is more about having a lifestyle of preferring others before ourselves. Discipleship demands that we develop a giving heart.
Witnessing
At one time or another I have participated in many different types of sharing my faith with others. For one year I even went door-to-door in an attempt to reach every person within a set distance from my home. While there is nothing wrong with going out to share the Word like that, I have come to believe that my whole life, who I really am, is the best way to witness. At one time I had to fill in for my wife, Lori, who usually did all the banking for our business. When I began to take care of the deposit with the teller she connected my name with Lori’s and realized I was her husband. Every teller then came over and introduced themselves to me while lavishing praise about what a wonderful and godly woman my wife was. Lori would be the first to tell you that she is not good at “witnessing,” but her life tells another story. I left the bank that day with a new lesson on what it means to be a witness for Christ. We are all supposed to be prepared to speak of Christ at every opportunity, and should do so, but a good disciple goes beyond words by having his actions also proclaim Christ.
Fellowship
The Church Epistles use the metaphor of a body to describe the relationship Christians are to have to each other. When a body is healthy, each part is in communication with the other parts. It is when parts of the body miscommunicate or become out of sync with the rest of the body that illness and disease take over. Christianity is “a team sport,” and we are to develop intimate relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ. How can we fulfill all the commands to love one another, submit to each other, or serve one another if we are not in relationship with one another? Isolation often leads to deception, so we must fight to stay connected. Sometimes I hear people who do not fellowship with others use the excuse that there is no one near them with similar beliefs. I too love to fellowship with people who are like-minded on doctrine and practice, but when that is not available we should still seek out others who at least love Christ. Discipleship demands that we seek out relationship with other saints.
Those who practice the basics of Christian discipleship will often find areas in which they excel. Anyone gifted as a teacher has discovered that because he has practiced teaching. How will you know if your gifting is in encouragement if you are not fellowshipping with others where you can provide encouragement? In the same way that my karate skills improved when I faithfully practiced the basics, your quality of discipleship will improve when you concentrate on these five fundamental areas. Consider focusing on one of the basic disciplines each week for the next five weeks and see how it changes your life.
You can find the original article here.
If you have any questions, or would like to learn more about God’s wonderful message, please visit the Truth or Tradition website. You can also keep track of the ministry through their Facebook page, their YouTube Channel, or follow them on Twitter.
Thanks for reading.
(Comments have been turned off. The information is here to inform and bless you. God granted you the gift of free will – take it or leave it).
More from Write From Karen
No Parade This Year
Finally got the band pictures I ordered of Jazz from this past season’s competitions today:
This one was at the Broken Arrow Invitational in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
This one was taken at the Bands of America competition in St. Louis.
The band didn’t get to march in our city’s Christmas parade today – the wind chill was just too much for any mortal to stand. This makes the second year that the band has canceled marching in our parade. I hope Jazz gets to march in the parade at least once before he graduates!
I was really bummed that it didn’t work out, but after stepping outside and not only being blown away but nearly having my ears iced off, I can understand why the band director made the call.
Oh well. Maybe next year. 😦
A Creative and Festive Alternative to Sending a Christmas Card
I was reading Momma Blogs A Lot’s blog this morning and she linked to a series of videos by the Foster Family.
I can see why Jen loves their videos! Very creative and festive.
And by the way, Jen has posted a pretty cute (and moving!) video tribute to her daughter, too. Check it out!
Christmas song #11 There is a Star that Shines Tonight by Sheryl Crow
Aloha Friday: Vent!
Aloha! Kailani is the brain-child behind this fun Friday meme. If you feel inclined to answer my question, please post your answer in the comment section. Sound fun? Of course it does! Want to answer more questions? Hop over to An Island Life and play along!
(Please feel free to answer the question below, even if you’re not playing Aloha Friday!)
My question:
Vent! What’s going on in your life right now that’s driving you nuts? (Come on, you can tell us. It won’t go any further than this here blog).
Friday Craft: Homemade Christmas Tree Ornaments – Part Two
Time to decorate your tree!
I’m sure it looks FABULOUS darling, but wouldn’t it be fun to add a few new items to your fabulous tree?
Of course!
Here are some cute homemade ornaments that caught my eye from Family Fun:
These curious ornaments will make a purr-fect addition to your Christmas tree this season.
Materials
* Wooden craft spoons
* Acrylic paint
* White card stock
* Glue
* Pipe cleaners
* Seed beads
* Fine-point permanent marker
* Green tissue paper
* Red beads or glitter
* String
Instructions
1. To make each one, first coat a wooden craft spoon with acrylic paint. Paint a patch of the same shade onto a piece of white card stock and let the paints dry.
2. Cut a 1⁄2-inch square from the card stock, then cut the square in half diagonally and glue the 2 triangles to the top of the spoon for ears. For a tail, curl a 6-inch piece of pipe cleaner and glue it to the back of the spoon.
3. Glue on black seed beads for eyes and draw a face with a fine-point permanent marker. Add a holly collar by twisting two or three 1-inch squares of green tissue paper around the tip of a pencil, then glue them in place, adding a few tiny red beads or glitter for berries. Glue on more beads for buttons.
4. Make a hanger by tying a piece of string into a loop and gluing the knot to the back of the spoon. Let all the glue dry completely before hanging.
Sometimes a simple idea, like shaping strands of beads into ornaments, is all it takes to check off most of the people on your child’s gift list.
Materials
* Pipe cleaners
* Transparent craft beads (5- to 10-millimeter diameters)
Instructions
1. Bend an end of a pipe cleaner into a 90-degree angle. Have your child thread on beads from the opposite end, stopping a half inch from the tip.
2. Twist together the two ends, and the strand is ready to shape into a star, a candy cane, or another festive object.
Variations:
Twist together the ends of two pipe cleaners for a longer strand, or attach short beaded lengths to add a striker to a bell or holly berries to a wreath.
Here’s a real treat for your tree: a candy cane-like ornament that points the way to Santa’s place.
Materials
* Large craft stick (ours was 4 ½ inches long)
* Acrylic paint: white, green and red
* Craft knife
* Permanent marker
* Glue
* Small green felt holly leaves
* Red mini pom-pom berries
* White glitter
* 5-inch piece of ribbon
Instructions
1. Coat a large craft stick (ours was 4 ½ inches long) with white acrylic paint and another with green paint. Let them dry, then add stripes of red paint to the white stick.
2. Use a craft knife to cut a 3-inch section from the green stick, notching each end to create an arrow shape, as shown. Write “North Pole” on the sign in permanent marker, then glue the sign to the red-and-white craft stick.
3. Next, glue on small green felt holly leaves and red mini pom-pom berries. If you like, add dabs of white paint, then sprinkle on white glitter for snow.
4. Finally, glue both ends of a 5-inch piece of ribbon to the back of the signpost for a hanger and let the glue dry.
Create the perfect little ornament that your kids can make in a jiffy.
Materials
* Craft knife
* Craft stick
* Glue
* Paint
* Cord
Instructions
1. For each mini sled, you’ll need 6 colored craft sticks.
2. To fashion the steerer, use a craft knife to make an angled cut at each end of 1 stick, leaving a 2 1/2-inch piece (A). Save 1 end (B) and discard the other. Lay 2 whole sticks side by side and hot-glue piece A across them, near the top.
3. Cut another stick in half at an angle and lay 1 half on each side of the 2 whole sticks, as shown. Glue piece B across the 4 sticks, near the sled’s center, trimming it if necessary.
4. Finally, glue on the 2 remaining whole sticks for runners. When the glue has dried, attach a length of cord to hang the sled and have your child decorate the sled top with puffy paint or glitter paint.
Dressed in red jackets and Tudor bonnets, these wooden soldiers are ready to stand sentry around the Christmas tree.
Materials
* Old-fashioned clothespins (no springs)
* Acrylic paints (white, black, red, brown and gold)
* Red and black pom-poms
* Glue
* Gold thread
Instructions
1. Begin by painting white or black trousers on each clothespin. Holding the clothespin by its rounded top, paint the portion from the upper edge of the split down to the tips. Line up finished clothespins on the edge of a shoe box (as you would if you were pinning them on a clothesline) and let them dry completely.
2. Next, mix dabs of red, white and brown paint to create a skin tone and use it to paint the soldiers’ heads. Paint red jackets on the sections between the heads and the trousers. Again, let the paint dry completely.
3. Now, paint on distinguishing details, such as gold buttons and buckles, black arm outlines and facial features, and white gloves.
4. Glue a red or black pom-pom onto the heads to create the soldiers’ bonnets.
5. Lastly, loop a length of gold thread around each clothespin below the soldier’s head to use as a hanger.
You can find more homemade ornaments here and here.
Christmas song #10 Santarrific by Harry Connick Jr.
More from Write From Karen
Silence
(I look like I’m about to puke, don’t I. Actually, that’s how I feel when I force myself to swallow my words).
You would think, after being with my husband 23 years (20 of those as his wife) and 18 years as a mother, I would learn the fine art of shutting my trap.
Not so!
Though, to be fair to myself, I am better than I used to be.
I used to be the sort of person who said whatever popped into my head. And if you know me at all, you know what a disaster that must have been. Because you see, I’m a cynical person at heart. I tend to assume that everyone around me doesn’t have a clue as to what they’re talking about and that I, of course, know all and have a MUCH better idea.
If people would only shut up and listen to me.
I was (okay, still am), pretty lethal when I get angry. Because when I get angry, my vision tunnels, my thoughts tend to snap to attention and I’m focused and fully prepared to cut the person I’m angry with down so far they need a step ladder to tie their shoes.
And the scary part? I honestly don’t care who gets hurt in the process – all I care about is getting in the last word and walking proudly out of the smoke from my burning words with the taste of bitter victory on my tongue.
This sounds like I’m boasting. Believe me, I’m not. This is a part of myself that has kept me awake way too many nights with regret. I wouldn’t say I’m an irrational person, but I definitely tend to speak my mind before really thinking the repercussions through.
This is mortifying in and of itself, it’s especially disastrous when I act this way with Kevin or the boys.
In case I haven’t made myself clear, I’m a controlling person. I know this comes as a shock to many of you, but alas, it’s true. (*smirk*) And for many years, it was either my way or live with my pissy attitude – and trust me, I could make my family’s life hell if I chose to.
After years of this despicable personality trait, my family is, in essence, scared of me.
*sigh*
This gives me absolutely no joy in admitting that to you. I am, in fact, quite ashamed of myself. I’ve been working hard, over the past several years, to just chill the hell out, to shrug things off, to KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT.
It’s been a challenge, to put it mildly.
This has never been more applicable than right now – now that we have an 18-year old son who has way too many of his mama’s moody stubbornness than what’s good for him. You can imagine how much we clash.
It’s been incredibly hard to let go of him these past years. It’s especially hard for me to accept the fact that now, he’s a legal adult. He has the RIGHT to make his own decisions, and his own mistakes. I’m there if he needs me, but he has to decide whether he needs me or not; I am no longer in a position to DEMAND that he need me or listen to me.
Jazz is still at that age (or perhaps it’s just his personality, and I pray it’s his personality) that he will still talk to me. And he even listens to my opinion. He doesn’t always take my advice, but he at least considers it.
Dude? Wants nothing to do with me. Well, on the surface at least. I can tell by his body language that he still wants to hear my opinion about something but would prefer to be tortured to an inch of his life before he would ever admit it. In the meantime, I just need to keep my opinions/thoughts/advice to myself because the kid simply doesn’t want to hear it.
Believe it or not, I have learned to keep my mouth shut with Kevin. But it didn’t happen over night. It took YEARS of fights and self-loathing to finally train myself to think before I speak with him.
I’m now trying to do the same with my oldest son. I’ve been knocked off-kilter with Dude because the rules have changed with him – as rules are apt to do when your children get older. I’m adapting, but not nearly fast enough, I’m afraid.
The thing that grounds me, that actually makes me keep my mouth shut, is the thought that if I DON’T, I could very well damage our relationship – if I haven’t already.
I am learning, FINALLY learning, that I am indeed capable of being silent. Now I just need to embrace that realization.
Write From Karen 