Are you Justifying It?

Are you justifying it?

I have something on my heart that I must share. First of all, I wish for you to read this passage.

1Thessalonians chapter 5 (1-23) says 1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are certain things that stand out to me in this passage.

1. “you, brethren, are not in darkness”

2.“You are all the children of light”

3. and because we are children of the light, wear your armour. “putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”

4. “edify one another”

5. listen to the spiritual leaders “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”

6. “warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

7. do not “render evil for evil” but “follow that which is good”

8. “Pray without ceasing”

9. Quench not the Spirit.

10. Despise not prophesyings.

11. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

12. Abstain from all appearance of evil.


Ok, that all said, now I'm going on a rant! I just finished listening to a pod cast by people I would normally hold their opinion in high esteem, but this time I feel they did not hit the mark. They were discussing a game, the latest rage on everyone's phones, that has people walking around towns and cities like zombies. (And I never thought I'd use the word zombies in a blog post!!) And these Christian men actually said they saw nothing wrong with it. REALLY?? Pocket monsters are ok for Christian kids to play with... apparently. Doesn’t that name mean anything?

This rant is about any game or movie or book that uses monsters, magic, demons, powers, and anything else that is evil, and make them look fun, inviting and good. Clearly from the scriptures above, I do not find these kinds of games, moves or books edifying, wholesome and good for myself or my children as a Christian. We are clearly told to “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” That's pretty clear if you ask me!

Teaching children that there is good magic and bad magic is not edifying. Teaching them that pocket monsters are ok, is not edifying. Teaching them that characters that use bad things to manipulate or misuse others to get what they want, is good... is not edifying and it is certainly not God honouring.

You can justify it any way you want. But here is the truth of the matter. Satan wants you to justify it. He wants you to think it's harmless fun, that it's really not evil. But we as Christians are called to walk in the light not the darkness. We are called to be discerning. We are called to abstain from the appearance of evil. To hold fast to what is good. To pray without ceasing.

We are called to stay away from even the appearance of evil!

And get this one. To quench not the Holy Spirit! If He is warning you about something. Listen to HIM!

Now I'm going to ask you to do something. Don't listen to me without going to your own Bible and checking scripture first. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach and guide you in what you should allow or not allow in your home and family.

Satan is desensitizing us. He is coming into our homes and churches through any means possible and desensitizing, and as he does this... immobilizing us. This is the spiritual warfare he has blinded Christians to. If we would but wake up and see it, we would fight on our knees in prayer and watch as God brings revival to our land. Revival that must start in our own hearts and homes.

My husband and I have done spiritual warfare in our own lives. We have learned... the hard way, how the enemy works. This is real folks, this is not just about games, movies and books, this is about the evil in our world that is creeping into our homes... that we are allowing into our homes!

Is that really what you want to be teaching your children?


Listen to this warning Paul gave to Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:1-9 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women laded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was."

(I would like to say gullible anyone, because Satan does it ALL THE TIME!)

If a game, movie or book promotes any of these things that we are warned against, I do not want it in my home.

And with those thoughts, I leave you with this.

Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”



S.L. Kliever

Craft for July

This month I'm going to show you how you can make paper doll dresses out of scrapbook paper....

Because how many of us have paper dolls that have lost dresses and need new ones? Right, it happens.

 First off you need to use one of her 'old' dresses as a pattern. If possible, you want one that is a very simply shape; that has a basic outline.

 Take that dress that will make a basic outline and make your pattern on white paper. Then cut it out and take your pattern to scrapbook paper. Remember to make tabs!

 When you are done, just the basic lines added to your paper dress can give it shape

 I found these dolls really easy to work with and a lot of fun.

 The dresses above are their originals. The dresses below are ones I made from scrap paper! Again, using one of their dresses for a pattern I formed blouses and skirts, which I glued together. One of them you can see is a jumper. A few pen lines here and there gave the dress form. One the pink pok-a-dot one, I forgot a needed tab, so I glued one on.

 Don't be afraid to try out different shapes.

 Hope this helps someone out there who has maybe lost some dresses and needs to make new ones.

Happy Crafting

S.L.Kliever

Best Advice on Marriage and Relationships We Were Ever Given

These are things that were shared with us, and I want to pass them on to you.
Great building blocks to a good solid marriage relationship. Whether you are going with someone, or engaged or married, these are really good reminders. 

1- Pray Together
It's hard to be angry at someone you're praying for and with.
The real enemy wants us to be angry at our spouse, but when we turn to God for help, the enemy has to leave.
The old saying, 'The family that prays together, stays together' has something to it!


2-To Talk... LOTS! And Listen
Always hear both sides to the story, is what we've been told. Works the same in any relationship. You voice your thoughts, they voice theirs. Communication is a two way street. To avoid misunderstandings we need to know where the other person is coming from.


3-Read God's Word together.
We can read all the marriage books in the world, but following God's wisdom, and staying in-tune with Him is the best way to go. It will have eternal effects. After all, our kids are watching.


4-Give Space When Disagreements Arise. Agree On The Important Things
We all know the feeling that comes with disagreement. I'm right, and he is wrong, Period!
We all have different opinions on how things should be done. Yes we need to agree on the important things in life, but there are some areas that aren’t worth battling over.


5- Real Joy
My happiness does not come from my spouse. My Husband was not put here on earth to make me happy. True Joy comes from the Lord.

Jesus first                          

Others second (my spouse)

You last                              

That spells JOY!

When I had bad days and I seek my husband for sympathy, he gives me reassurance, but also reminds me 'The joy of the Lord is your strength'.

6- Learn Your Spouse's needs

We all have needs. We each have a different love language. Finding out these things and working together to meet each-other’s needs is a way of serving each- other and keeping our 'love bank' account filling up. When we neglect each- other, we make harsh 'withdrawals' that can 'overdraw' our love account. Being selfless is key. A good idea is to try and out-serve each-other on a daily bases.  

7- Give Grace

We were given grace when we didn't deserve it! How can be do anything less than what our Savour did for us. We all make mistakes, because we're all human. Instead of the third degree or the cold shoulder, we need to offer forgiveness with grace.

8-Do Re-dos

When you've miss-communicated or had a misunderstanding, ask for a re-do, and do it over to the satisfaction of both parties. It's so worth it. Way better than arguing or the frustration the mishap brings. 

9-Dealing With The Baggage 

We all have baggage from the past that we tend to drag around with us wherever we go. Sometimes these things can creep up between us. We need to put that garbage in it's place. In the garbage can! We should never view our spouse through that baggage and we should never let it define who we are.

Asking the Lord to help us deal with it and telling the enemy he has no business bringing it up, is the first step to victory over our past hurts.

10-The People Who Stand With You

You know that group of people who stood up for you at your wedding? They shouldn't just be there for looks or because 'if you don't ask so and so they'll be offended'. Those people are witnesses and they are there to hold you to your word and to keep you accountable. 

Choose friends who will call you out on something and keep you and your spouse holding to your vows.

Seeking to have a mentor couple is a good idea too. You see that old couple who've been married for over 25 years? Why not ask them to be your mentors?

It's all about working together, growing together, and fighting together not against each-other.

Got any more? I'd love to hear them!

S.L. Kliever

Craft for June

Want to go fishing with me?

The craft for June... Kids Magnetic Fishing Rod and Felt Fish

 A while ago I had noticed our daughter pretending to fish, using her broom! She has a great imagination! It planted an idea in my mind that has taken this long to get done, but I did it, and here it is. I looked this up on Pinterest and found what I needed.

 You will need:
A glue gun
Craft eyes
Magnets small and big
Felt of different colors
String
Scissors
Cotton balls
and Wooden sticks
I got all my supplies at the dollar store

 I simply cut out a fish shape, hot glued a magnet on the inside with a cotton ball, then hot glued the fish together. Some prefer to sew the fish together, but I was short on time and so chose the glue gun. Once your fish is together, hot glue the eyes on.

 I tied my string to a stick and a magnet to the other end of the string. You'll want to secure that magnet really well so it doesn’t fall out!!

My kidos have been having lots of fun with their fishing rods and fish!
here they even 'cooked' the fish for dinner!

Happy Crafting!

S.L. Kliever

Craft for May

The Craft for May, is... A Tablet Holder for travel.

You will need...
-Cardboard
-fabric
-elastic
and a glue gun

I made this Tablet Holder, because we were going on a trip and I had a few shows on my tablet for the kids to watch, but I had nothing to hold it up for them to see (except my arms!), and I couldn't find what I needed in the store... so I made my own. Very cheaply I might add. I only used what I had on hand. The results... well it don't look professional by any means, but it does the job!

 Quite simply, all I did was take a piece of cardboard, cut it to size, cut a whole where the speaker is, then covered it in cloth, hot glued it on, and then hot glued elastic in the corners.

 Next I hot glued on to long pieces of elastic that fit around the headrest of my seat in the van. I put a little extra cardboard on top of the ends, hoping to secure then a little better, then I covered the back in fabric too.

wala! and it works too! we've gone on at least 3 long road trips with this thing, I saved it to the last few hours when the kids needed a little encouragement, and they both enjoyed watching on it... and I enjoyed not having to hold it for them!

happy crafting!

S.L. Kliever

Craft for April

Felt Paper Dolls

About a year ago I posted showing how I made my felt paper dolls, dresses and book for my daughter. Today I would like to show you my addition to that set. See post here

A felt boy, car, tractor, and beds.

 The doll I sewed on my sewing machine, it was so quick and easy, I was tempted to make more. the hair I hand sewed on as well as the face. The book is almost identical to the girl book, so you can see that post on how I made it. For the the boys clothes, car and tractor, I was pressed for time and to sew them all would have taken far too long, to I grabbed my hot glue gun! know what? It worked great! fast and easy. The clothes are pieces of fabric or felt hot glued on to white felt, so they more or less `stick' to the boy. The car and tractor where very simple shapes, I drew on paper first and used as a pattern. Added round black wheels and hot glued buttons in the middle. Both the car and the tractor are glued on to a background, the car white felt, and the tractor black felt. I glued only around the edges as such, leaving a pocket for the boy to `sit in'.

I also sewed 3 beds. 2 for the girls and 1 for the boy. The boys was quite easy as it was just white felt for the back, and a blue peace for the front, folded down at the top to give a blanket look and a smaller piece sewed on with some cotton balls to form a pillow. The girls is the same, but but with a piece of fabric on the front. The beds turn out as pockets or `sleeping bag' style when you are finished.

I'm sorry I don't have photo instructions to go along with the boy and his car and tractor, I was in a bit of a hurry to get it down so we could take it on a trip, and forgot to document my progress in picture.

happy crafting

S.L. Kliever

Conflict

How do you handle it?

            “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23

            When we are meet with conflict of any kind, do we pray this prayer? Or take the attitude, I know I’m right, so I’ll fight to prove it!

            I feel I’m going out on a limb here, because I have watched too many conflicts in churches and family, and I’m not trying to stir the pot, so to speak but ask individually, “What does God require of me?” and as I challenge myself, I pray you will be challenged as well.

How many of you have seen the movie War Room? (raises your hand). Powerful message, was it not? Miss Clare challenged Elizabeth to do her fighting in prayer. Why was that you think?

One thing stood out to me, and it is this: We often think we are right and because we are SO right, in our human nature, we fight for it, cause “We’re right and they’re wrong and we have to have it our way and will fight until we do” and often at all costs! The cost of our marriage, our family relationships, our friendships, and our church family.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me…”

This is the statement of humility.

David was a man after God’s own heart. We all know he wasn’t perfect and he made some horrendous mistakes, so why did God call him a man after His own heart?

Because he allowed God to correct him, and he didn’t take the argument that he was right in what he was doing.

Challenge #1 Seek God in prayer about the conflict.

Challenge #2 Do your fighting in prayer not with the offender

Challenge #3 Let God deal with the offender

Challenge #4 Repent and make things right if God convicts you of being in the wrong.

These are things that come right out of the War Room movie….. as well as the Bible!!!

We all know the fruits of the spirit. So well in fact that we take them for granted. “The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace…. Yadyadyad”

Ok, let’s read a bit of Galatians 5:13-26 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (lustfulness),

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith,

23 Meekness, Temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

            God’s word is pretty clear. Walk in the Spirit and if we walk in the Spirit there will be no room for the things of the flesh. One of the ways we can walk in the Spirit, is to do our fighting in prayer.

            Because the real enemy is Satan.

            Not our spouse.

            Not our family.

            Not our friend.

            Not our church family.

            We must walk in the Spirit, seeking God in everything, and allowing Him to work, instead of taking matters into our own hands!

            Did you get that?

            Allowing Him to work, instead of taking matters into our own hands.

            When we see the enemy for who he is and what he’s doing, it helps us keep things in perspective. Satan is out to destroy. We as Christians should not! If the fight is going to destroy relationships and family, is it really worth it??

            The first fruit of the Spirit is love.

            1 Corinthians 13: 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not Love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not Love, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; Love envieth not; Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Love never faileth....

13 And now abideth faith, hope, Love, these three; but the greatest of these is Love.

If we're not doing it in love... it's worth nothing. 

If we're not doing it in love....it will destroy!

There are many, many verses in the Bible on conflict. I could list them all, but I think I’ll stop here.

I challenge myself and you, my fellow Christian, please follow scripture when you are faced with conflicts. Cover it in prayer and be ready to make it right if God prompts you to do so.

Your sister in Christ

S.L. Kliever