Assured Salvation?

Happy New Year to everyone :) I am off to a rather slow start this year, hopefully I will find the words to say and thus pick things up a bit.

A recent post on Amish America's website responded to a reader's question of whether the Swartzentruber Amish (one of the most conservative groups of the Amish) believe in assured salvation. The answer to that is, the Swartzentruber do not, the New Order Amish would as well as the Beachy Amish.

But my question to you is do you believe in assured salvation? I personally do not. I was raised in a protestant church that did not teach that we will for sure make it to heaven if we do A, B, and C. I was taught that until we go knocking on Heaven's pearly gates, we do not know whether God will allow us to enter or not. However, I do believe some of the members of that church do believe in assured salvation, my mom included. In attending a Mennonite church and previously a Beachy Amish church, I think that is one of the hardest things for me to grasp. How can anyone know for sure that what they are doing on earth is exactly what the Lord wants, even if we are doing our best to follow His instructions? I also have the tendancy to believe if we go around spouting that we will be going to Heaven when we die, we overlooking God's Will. Are we telling Him what to do by telling others with such assurance where we are going when we die? Are we being prideful when we state that rather than humble? Also, could we do harm to new Christians or those who we are trying to share the Word with by being so outspoken? Just a few thoughts that run around in my head.

Blessings in Christ,

Off topic post :)

I have debated on writing about this topic since it is not a Biblical topic, but I feel the Lord is wanting me to because it is the only thing that has been on my mind for the past couple of days.

My grandma lost her battle with lung cancer on Dec 19th this year. No, she was not a smoker and nor was her husband who passed 37 years ago. I was at work today and a regular customer was saying how someone he works with, a 46 year old man, just recently also lost his battle with lung cancer and was not a smoker either. I understand why people associate lung cancer with smoking, because so many cases are due to smoking or second-hand smoke, but not all. My immediate reaction when the customer told me this was to ask if the gentleman smoked, I instincivley did and immediately felt ashamed because I hate it when pepole ask me if my grandma smoked.

I looked on the CDC's website, trying to figure out how many cases are not related to smoking, and the data as of 2006 was that about 10% of men and 20% of women who are diagnosed with lung cancer never smoked. Lung cancer is also the deadliest form of cancer for both genders. My little plug: if you have an older home, please consider having it tested for Radon. We think that this may be what caused my grandma's lung cancer, but she would not let us get her house tested as she did not want to have to leave it if the test came back positive.

With that all said, I hope everyone had a blessed 2010 and I wish you many blessings for the year to come!

Blessings in Christ,

Finding a Church

As of late, I have been wondering how does one find a church that they feel like they "belong" to? My roommate and I thought we had found a church, it was a 45 minute drive each way. The youth were really nice and we were invited to almost all Church activities, ie. Sunday church (morning and night), noon meal, and some Wednesday night churches. But, what about the youth gatherings? After 4 months of attending this church every week, we were not invited to one youth gathering outside of church hours. Mainly due to the drive and the change in seasons, we have stopped attending this church and have begun to look for a closer church to home. So far, we haven't any luck.

I keep praying that God will lead me to a church where I will feel welcome and enjoy the company of fellow believers, but so far I have not felt drawn to a specific church. Maybe one day in the future He will guide me to a church that He knows will be good for me. Right now I think He is showing me different qualities in a church that I do not care for...

I hope everyone had a blessed and wonderful Christmas!

Blessings in Christ,

Blessings by strangers :)

As of late here I can tell people are getting into a giving mood :) It makes me so joyous! It started off simply by someone buying our meals at Wendy's, yes, it was $4 or so total, but it is still a kind jesture! Then on Friday at work my roommate had THREE packages delievered!! Guess what were in them?! FOOD!! It is such a relief to know that we will not need to take care of groceries for a while to come :) Many churches in our area give food to families or people they feel need the help or deserve it.

I don't post this as to brag at all, but rather to remind us the reason for this wonderful season! How will you pay it forward and spread the kindness that Jesus taught us to show? I haven't decided yet, maybe the next time I am at a fast food place I will pay for someone's meal, who knows, I am sure the Lord will show me what He would like for me to do!

Side note: If anyone is trying to sew their own dresses or aprons and would like some guidance, I am happy to try to help :) I have made several dresses and am feeling better about each one that I make... the last one I made for myself, I am willing to say I made it! HUGE step lol :D

Blessings in Christ,

Who to Obey?

I struggle with this one... more so the balance of it. How much do I obey my earthly father and how much do I obey my Heavenly Father? Where do I stop obeying my earthly father in order to obey God?

I went home this past weekend and Saturday when I got home I did have my veil on and my dad said not a word to me. So Sunday I decided to try a little "experiment". We had gotten lots of snow so I knew we wouldn't be going out nor would anybody be coming over, so instead of putting my veil on, I left my hair in a bun and guess what? My dad actually talked to me quite a bit.

How is it that wearing a veil changes whether a father will talk to his own child or not? I struggled before I moved out whether to obey God and wear a covering or whether to obey my dad and not wear "that thing" in HIS house. Now that I've moved out, I do wear my covering nearly all the time, but when I go home I go back to my inner struggles. What do to? Wear a veil and not talk to my dad? Or not wear a veil and be able to talk to my dad? My mom and sister talk to me either way... no they do not agree with my conviction of covering, but they have come to accept it as mine and I do not impress my conviction upon them which heps immensely I do believe. Maybe time will help with my dad, but I am not sure. I disappointed him to no end when I decided not to go after engineering anymore and to follow God's push. All I can do is keep praying for strength and guidance in how to handle the situation, but no matter how easy it is to say that, it is hard for me to give everything up to the Lord and allow Him to have 100% control over my life.

Blessings in Christ,

Almost there!

I am one step closer to being an EMT! I finished my practical testing on Saturday and passed :) Such a huge weight off my shoulders, but now I get to study for the National Registry exam for EMT's. For the most part I do well with testing, but I definitely do not like it! I don't know yet when I will take the test, I am hoping I can take it soon though.

On another note, I am having difficulty deciding what to write about so if anyone has anything they would like to be discussed let me know and I will do my best :)

Blessings in Christ,

Time to Cover?

I hope everyone had a Blessed Thanksgiving!! I enjoyed my day with my family :) Tonight is my final exam for my EMT class, I will be so thankful when it is over with! I spent 6 hours yesterday studying, but I am afraid I studied too much. As long as I pass the test tonight then I have 5.5 hours of testing this Saturday, but it's hands-on testing on Saturday. Oh boy!

Question for all: What do you feel an appropriate age for a girl to start covering is? One church I was attending for a while, it was when the girl turned 2 that she started to wear her first kapp, then another church I've visited a handful of times it isn't until she is a member that she is allowed to wear a covering (until then her hair is in braids). I personally don't know that 2 is the "right" age for most children, unless the mother is extremely diligent in explaining why she is wearing the covering, but I also do not agree with allowing the girls to go un-covered until they join the church. I would like to say a more appropriate time is when she understands what the covering means, but when one is a part of a church, I understand why there is unity in when it is worn. What do you think?

Blessings in Christ,