More later

The Gateway Sabre is our stable driver and one of the straightest flying discs on the market. A fast disc with pinpoint accuracy and a predictable finish late in its flight, the Sabre is versatile enough to hold any line for players of all skill levels. While the Sabre is stable enough at high speeds to compare to more overstable discs, it does so without a lot of fade at the end of its flight.

I am having a blast going "disc golfing" with my son and my daughter went today also. I still am really bad, but I don't take myself seriously - AT ALL.

The color of this disc is a lot prettier in person - I'm still so bad I buy my discs based on how pretty they are - but Tom has given me a bunch so I've only had to buy a putter, this mid-range and a very pretty hot pink one that I liked.

I needed a bag, and I found a general tote bag just the right size on clearance at Walmart for $4.00! Every time we go I make a point of telling Tom that what makes it so much fun is the company I'm in.

for those who keep up with the fitness thing...Fit Friday is posted.

I've nearly given up on the diet thing - I'm hanging in there because health goes way beyond weight loss. The reason for my frustration is graphic (warning for men) but the exercise part is going well.

The night I graduated another man received his honorary AA from the Noorthoek Academy. Fred has Down Syndrome and has been working on this degree for 18 years. I walked their fund raiser a few weeks ago with one of my students that attends there and got a small book of poems that the students wrote.

Here is a poem that this man wrote for his wife (also impaired)

When I Read This to You

As you have touched me,
On Valentine's night I feel
your loving, thoughtful heart
has touched me in very special ways
For a wonderful person is Katy.
She is my Valentine's night
With her red top on
With this ring I thee wed
with red sparkling wine
by the candlelight
by the window.
I am saying something
to you by the fireplace at night.
You may cry when I read this to you.
And I love you so much all the time.

If anybody out there is looking for a charity to throw some money at, please consider Noorthoek Academy - they get no government funding and this is all done through student money and donations. (or you can donate to my "Race for the Cure" page in my sidebar 😉

From a conversation going on elsewhere (Thinklings and Mrs. Blo)

And the subject is Christian kids in public schools.

Here's a resolution from SBC (2005)

Voddie Baucham (who I generally like) explains his stand on removing Christian students from public schools.

• I believe our current government education harms children academically, socially, morally, emotionally and spiritually.

Then what about Christian teachers and other staff. Can we (as Christian educators) in good conscience participate in a system that harms children? Take it to the extreme conclusion and see if it bears out - can a Christian, in good conscience, participate in a system that harms children? Public school? Gay pride day? Kiddie porn? You draw the line - at what point is it okay (on one side of the line) for a Christian to participate in a system that harms children and where (the other side of the line) does it become "not okay"?

If the public schools are harmful to children - then how can Christians participate, even as teachers?

• (...)if the Bible teaches that education is discipleship (Luke 6:40) and we are commanded to place Christ not just at its center, but throughout its warp and woof, then those who have chosen to send their children to the government to be educated have erred.

What is the difference between "error" and "sin"? If we deliberately "err" and send our children off to a system that harms them, how can that not be called "sin"? (this is my attempt to follow the logic along)

• Moreover, the next paragraph makes it clear that teaching children in accordance with the Law of God is ‘required’ of those who believe. Those who do not are called ‘least’ in the Kingdom.

Is Baucham prepared to say that those who send their children to public school are not following the Law of God? (He just did).

• (...)then those who have chosen to send their children to the government to be educated have erred. There is no middle ground.

Is Baucham prepared to say that the Bible is clear, that there is no middle ground or room for choice? (He just did)

My logical conclusion:

Following this reasoning - that there is no middle ground, that Christian parents who choose to send their children to public school are "erring" - not following the requirements of the Law of God - and are intentionally harming their children, academically, socially, morally, emotionally and spiritually. Further, those who participate in that system are knowingly participating is a system that causes harm to children academically, socially, morally, emotionally and spiritually.

Question: Is Baucham prepared to exercise church discipline with those families and educators who knowingly "err"?

Why does this matter? Because of "incrementalism", SBC style. Read Wade Burleson's post, "The Practical Outworking..."

"The Baptist Faith and Message is neither a creed, nor a complete statement of our faith, nor final and infallible; nevertheless, we further acknowledge that it is the only consensus statement of doctrinal beliefs approved by the Southern Baptist Convention and such is sufficient in its current form to guide trustees in their establishment of policies and practices of entities of the Convention."

Adopted by the Messengers of the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio, Texas, June 13, 2007.

How do you get a consensus? You get more and more people thinking the way that you do.

How do you do that? You take a major player to present a non-binding resolution and present any way of thinking that doesn't agree as "error" and "causing harm".

Where will that get you? In time, you have enough people thinking your way that you can vote on whether or not there is a consensus.

There you go, a little time...

Do you think I'm wrong? Remember Burleson's history with the IMB and the gift of tongues? Do you remember the history of the question of tongues in the IMB?

Burleson wrote in 2005:

Again, I think if people are not careful they will see arguments against the new IMB policies on tongues and baptism and believe the problem is simply a theological one. If that's the case, the real issue at hand, the issue that is so disturbing to many of us, will never be grasped by SBC laypeople at large. The Southern Baptist Convention, through trustees of boards and agencies, is narrowing the parameters of fellowship and cooperation to the point that real, genuine conservatives are being excluded as unfit for service in the SBC.

How long will it be before sending your children to a public school will render you unfit for service in the SBC?

Last night, we had some "tom and mom time" - we went out to see "Spiderman" 😉

Then, I went on my 5K walk this morning (found the right warm-up speed and stretches - very little shin pain and broke that silly 60 minute mark).

When I got home, I went to lunch and then disc-golfing with my son. It was my first time ever (and I didn't do so great) but he's pretty good.

It was fun and I really enjoy spending time with Tom.
I have a really good relationship with my kids. For a while, it was really tough with Manda but we got through it. I guess my goal has NOT been to raise "good kids". My goal has been to raise "good adults" and we're getting close.

I haven't encouraged them to hang onto Mom's apron strings and I've allowed them to make many of their own choices (with guidance, prayer and a good track record).

I don't want to be an empty-nester - but I know that when I am it's because my kids are on their way to being great adults and that's a good thing.

One of the things that I truly appreciate is both of my kids' willingness to check in. Sometimes too often (lol). Manda most often will text-message me, Tom calls. I think the reason they're so good about letting me know where they are is - well...I sometimes "forget" to let them know where I am so they have a real understanding of the importance of checking in.

I treat them like the nearly-out-of-the-house-young-adults that they are and they know and appreciate that. And I appreciate them.

So...kids...I appreciate you!

Grace Alone.

A look at "GRACE ALONE, An Evangelical Problem?" by Kim Riddlebarger. This is a fairly short article that asks (and answers) these questions:

(1) What do we mean by the phrase "grace alone?"

(2) What is the human condition according to the Scriptures?

(3) What do the Scriptures say about Sola Gratia?

(4) Why do American Evangelicals have such a difficult time with this doctrine?

(5) How do we respond when these issues are at stake?

1 - What do we mean by the phrase "grace alone"?
Riddlebarger says, "When we use the term "grace alone," what we mean is that our salvation from the wrath of God - our deliverance from hell - is because of something good in God, and not because of anything good in us."

Our works do not - cannot - save us. There is nothing in us, fallen human beings, that brings us to choose God. Sin has touched every part of our lives.

It is only by God's grace that we are brought to faith.

2 - What is the human condition according to the Scriptures?

We are born in sin. Psalm 51:5, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." Even from the moment we are conceived, we are sinful. It is in our very nature - our flesh nature. We are born DEAD in sin. Not sick, not disabled, not "naughty". We are every bit as dead in our sin as Lazarus was in his tomb.

We live in sin. I Kings 8:46 tells us that "there is no one who does not sin" and Proverbs 20:9 says, "Who can say, `I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin'? None of us can say that. We live in sin.

Even if we physically keep the commandments, our heart is wicked. Jesus was clear: adultery can be lust of the heart and harboring hate and anger is as bad as physical murder. For this reason, the accusation of hatred is a very serious accusation.

We are sinners. In Romans 3:10-12 Paul writes; "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

3 - What do the Scriptures say about Sola Gratia?

In Riddlebarger's words,

Simply stated, if the Scriptures are clear that men and women are sinful by nature and cannot do anything to save themselves or even prepare themselves to be saved, the Scriptures are equally clear that it is God who saves by grace alone through faith alone on account of Christ alone. This means that it is God who acts first, upon the sinner, while the sinner is dead in sin. For as we have seen, the sinner is enslaved to the sinful nature and its passions, and will not come to God, as Paul declares. But the good news is that while sinners do not seek God, God seeks sinners. And this is what we mean by the phrase, grace alone

In my words - if it depends on me, on my self, to follow Christ - it's all over.

4 - Why do American Evangelicals have such a difficult time with this doctrine?

In one word - pride. Especially in the United States - the land of independence. We are taught from the day we are born that we can do anything, be anything. We are able.

Hard work is its own reward.

Again, Riddlebarger:

This rejection of sola gratia is not new, in fact, it is an ancient heresy known as Pelagianism. Named for the monk Pelagius (who lived in the fourth century) and who was the arch-foe of St. Augustine, Pelagianism is that teaching which emphasizes the human freedom, sees original sin not as corruption and guilt inherited from our first father but simply the bad example introduced by into the world by Adam. Pelagianism sees grace as simply an influence enticing us to act upon proper information. And it is only natural that rugged, self-made, independent, frontier Americans would naturally gravitate to a theology that emphasized human ability and natural freedom to act. It is from Pelagius and not Holy Scripture that we derive the idea that children are born innocent, not sinful, and it is from Pelagius that we learn that sin is simply that which we do, not what we are. In the words of one historian, "America is very much in favor of this Pelagian idea that every individual can always make a new beginning, that he is able by his individual freedom to make decisions for or against the divine."

5 - How do we respond when these issues are at stake?

There are many people who claim Christ, but who also claim their works, their choice.

First, the Bible does not approach this subject from the perspective that everyone is entitled to a chance at heaven, as do most Americans. This is "election" vs. "free will". And it is a very volatile subject.

Second, the degree to which we argue that we contribute something to our salvation is the degree to which we deny sola gratia. If we say, yes, we are saved by grace alone...BUT...we have to...(insert whatever you believe you need to do to add to (or keep) your salvation here) then we take away from God's grace in order to insert our own power and choice.

Third, sola gratia is the basis for our comfort and assurance as sinners before a Holy God. Every part of me is touched by sinful nature and total depravity. Every action that I take has an undercurrent of sin. If salvation depends on my faith, what about when my faith is weak? If it depends on my keeping the commandments, what happens if I falter?
Lastly, Riddlebarger:

We look to a savior who calls the dead from the tomb when they still reek of their sins; a savior who promises never to leave or forsake us, even when we go astray. We look to a good shepherd who will lose none of his sheep and who declares; "all that the Father gives to me will come to me, and I will lose none of them, but raise them all up on the last day." We look to a savior who died for all of our sins and who kept God's Law perfectly every minute of his life, so that his perfect righteousness could be given to cover our unrighteousness. We look to a savior who was crucified, but who conquered death and the grave and who rose again who ascended into heaven, and who even now is ruling and reigning, all the while praying for us, as our advocate and defender. Sola gratia is most clearly seen in the fact that Jesus Christ came to do for us they very thing that we could no do for ourselves. For he came to seek and to save that which was lost. This beloved is sola gratia, the sinless Son of God, dying upon a Roman cross for the sins of the world, rising from the dead for our justification, and making us alive, through his word, when we were still dead in our sins. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

This is Sola Gratia.

It's been a so-so week.  I've put in a bunch of miles at work so only did one 5k walk at home.

The Weight Watchers piece as actually been pretty good.  I'm back on hormones so my weight will not change (the side effect is weight gain so maintaining is a good thing.)

Some new links:

WorkoutMusic: I really like that when you click on the cd for a list of song it gives you the beats per minute.  I've only purchsed on full cd (although if they had more that I wanted I would).  What I end up doing is deciding on a song and then trying to find the cd on itunes so that I can buy just the song I want.  Then I can put together a walk that lasts the right amount of time to go the distance I want at the speed I want.  I also build in 2 slower songs the same length so I can walk out, walk back home and then a really mellow song to stretch to - and then the real walk.

The Walking Site:  lots of good stuff.  I've learned to pay attention to the stretching.

Power Music: more music by BPM (beats per minutes)

FitPod: Many free downloads in many different speeds - not singles, but put together in workouts of different lengths.

 Do It Sports: Want a timed event?  Find it here!  Hundreds of walks/runs/biking events/swims nationwide.

Want local events?  Running in the USA lets you sort by state and month.

This week the focus is on the walk...

I've got a playlist that will give me a 5K walk in just under an hour - IF I remember the stretches.

I call it "128-131 beginner"

• 131 BPM     Tamacun (Rodrigo y Gabriela)                            3:25 /
• 130 BPM     Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)           3:56)
• STRETCH    A Thousand Beautiful Things (Annie Lennox)
• 126 BPM     My Baby Loves Me (workout, NOT original artist)   4:46
• 131 BPM     Jump (Madonna)                                                3:58 / 8:44
• 130 BPM     Caribbean Beat Mix (from WorkoutMusic              30:34 / 39:18
• 126 BPM     Straight Up (workout, NOT original artist)             4:41 / 43:59
• 122 BPM     Love for Love (workout, NOT original artist)          5:04 / 49:03
• 122 BPM     I can’t wait (workout, NOT original artist)              5:07 / 56:10

(NOTE: I prefer listening to original artists, but many are not good for walking to because of tempo changes.  Rodrigo y Gabriela are great - the link above it to their MySpace page and you can listen to some of their music, including the full lenth Tamacun.  The advantage to remixed workout music is that it's a very steady beat and there are sites that have remixes of a song in three different speeds.)

The "beginner" playlist is what I'll walk to this week - and then I'll take out the slower music at the end and bump up the middle a bit.   My goal is to break 45 minutes for a 5K - what is slowing me down at this point is shin splints - I end up taking really small steps.  Average is 2,000 steps per mile, I end up taking a little over 3,000.  I'm hoping that the focus on stretching helps.

I know the theme is the beauty of the sun - but the free association in my brain thought sun:shadow.

If there is a sun, there will be shadows. In the dead of winter I so look forward to seeing shadows - it means the sun is out!

Psalm 17:8
Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

The sign in front of my church asks, "are you soul-ar powered by the Son?"

Psalm 36:7
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Our God is unfailing love - and there is a shadow. How comforting, in times of trouble to have the comfort of our God's wings giving us refuge in that shadow.

Psalm 57:1
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

As long as we live on this earth or until Christ returns, we will have trouble in our lives. It is in those times that we seek the refuge. What a faithful God we have!

Psalm 63:7
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

We have such a reason to sing! We live in the shadow of the Almighty! It is not because we are faithful - it is because HE is faithful.

Psalm 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

The beauty of earthly shadows is that it means we can see the sun.

The beauty of the SON - is that we can dwell in the shadow of the Almighty.

Are you living in the shadow?:

The scale is not budging - I tend to plateau every 10 pounds + I'm on a medication for a couple of weeks that's making me hold lots of water + I've really bumped up the exercise and that tends to make me stall while my body adjusts to the extra work.

So, I'm thinking that I may stop spending the money on Weight Watchers (since I know the plan and have the tools) - and spend the money on registrations for walks/runs. In the long run, I'll stay on the Weight Watchers plan, eat healthier, lose weight and...

at the same time the money that I'd have spent on Weight Watchers will be just as well spent establishing a commitment to becoming fit in the exercise area as well as in the diet area.

works?

Oh...here's a list of races that I'd like to participate in - well, at the "walk" level, there are few prizes - it's mostly for fun and fitness. And I say "I'd like to" because until the registration is paid, the list can change. So far, the one that I don't want to miss is the Cheetah Chase!