God Said It. . .

. . . God said that Jonah was swallowed by a whale, then the whale swallowed Jonah, and we do not need a scientist to measure the gullet of a whale.

~ A. W. Tozer

There are people with PhD’s who know so much more about religion and theology and biblical history than most of us will ever desire or care to know. They know how the Bible was constructed. They can present time lines and carbon-dating evidence to prove Noah’s Ark and the Tower of Babel and Solomon’s Temple and the covering used to shroud the body of Jesus.

They can tell you exactly why we can declare certain attributes to God and exactly why Jesus should be perceived as God’s Son. They can give you an absolute conclusive and indisputable scientific argument for Creation. They know the historical events surrounding all that we hold dear and they can give all the theological sides to all of the major conflicts in Christianity. They can explain (or attempt to explain) predestination, sanctification, justification, glorification and all the other ‘tions.

I love the mental handiwork of these people. They make solid hermetic arguments that leave most atheists looking like idiots with speech impediments trying to defend their way-crooked worldview

While . . .

". . . faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
- Hebrews 11:1

. . . the scientific community has done much to bring some of those immovable scientific types to a clearer understanding of God’s World.

But -- for the most part – the extent of their knowing is simply that. Knowledge. It’s all about precise, logical and systematic head knowledge.

Most days, I’m just not there.

I’m a SAHM. Today we made the letter “M” out of homemade play-dough! It’s been in a 175 degree oven for eleven hours now.

I’m a law-school drop-out too.

. . . Sigh.

Have you ever heard this cliché?

God said it, I believe it, that settles it.

So much for Sherlock Holmes.

Why calculate the dimensions of the esophagus of a fish when the God of the Universe already declared that the fish in question did indeed swallow the man?!

Here’s a quick summary of my worldview:

The Bible is the absolute final authority on all things.

And in I Peter 1:24-25, The Apostle Peter made it clear that the word of God abides forever:

"For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord abides forever."

When God speaks, His word (i.e., whatever He says) continues forever and ever--eternally, as a matter of fact! In other words (no pun intended), we can depend upon and totally rely upon what God has said and we can do so throughout eternity with so scientific data to authenticate it!

The Bible is the absolute final authority on all things.

And “God said it, I believe it, that settles it” is good too.

But here’s a better one:

God said it. I believe it. So I’m going to do it!

The test to know that we really know and really believe in God is obedience to His commands.

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
- John 14:21

And – in following the thoughts of A.W. Tozer:

“Salvation apart from obedience is unknown in the sacred scriptures.”
- A.W. Tozer

Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.
- AW. Tozer

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

© Copyright 2008 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

For more In Other Words, visit Deborah at Chocolate & Coffee

12:02 PM | 10 comments | Read More

Conformity. . . In The Church?!

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "

- Romans 12:2

As soon as you throw out the word 'worldly' you've got as many definitions for it as hearers of it. It's important to know precisely what "worldliness" is.

As a girl, I was taught that worldliness included such things as smoking, drinking, dancing, and playing cards. I never did these things -- was never tempted to do these things -- and I felt good about myself was self-righteous. As I got older and my circle of friends grew bigger, I recognized (in my own thinking) that worldliness also included swearing, going to "raunchy" movies, gossiping, and wearing clothing that were "fashionable" but not necessarily modest.

Fast forward a few decades: Today, my list is full up and sated with far more descriptive behaviors.

But this is not what Romans 12:2 is about. To think of worldliness in only these terms is to trivialize what is a far more serious -- and far more subtle -- problem.

The word "world," in Romans 12:2 is actually "age" (aion, meaning, "this present age" in contrast to "the age to come"); and "do not conform," is a compound word having at its root in the word "scheme."

A re-write of the verse might go something like this:

"Do not let the post-modern culture in which you now live force you into its scheme of thinking and behaving."

In the context of Romans Chapter 2, the Apostle Paul is telling Christians that they need to be changed from within to be increasingly like Jesus. And is doing this, the world's ideas will be of no interest because Christians will be able to test and approve what God's will is.

The chief problem in the evangelical church today is that we have been increasingly conformed to the world's patterns. You name it: music, evangelism, preaching, bible-study, small-groups. . . Everything has to be "appealing" and perceived as exciting and new and refreshing!

In my early thirties, I begin to believe that being a part of "church" wasn't so much about being a new person that had been reborn of the Holy Spirit, but that it had more to do with being in "unity" with others. Or better yet: "Community!"

Unity had been (and still is!) mistaken for Truth. (i.e. what God's Word actually says and instructs us to be doing as true believers.) "Unity" had become synonymous with "Truth." And I believed the lie. (And this was early in the new-evangelical movement.)

For many years, I was uncomfortable with this thinking. I couldn't really pin down precisely why, I just wasn't comfortable in my church. And even more than that: I just wasn't comfortable before Jesus when I was alone -- away from the "Community."

It took many years (of studying God's Word) for me to pin down my awkwardness before Him and understand the Truth. God's Word doesn't really have that much to say about "unity" and "community" in the sense that the evangelical church identifies it today. It has everything to say about how a true believer acts and thinks and shares and interacts with the world.

The post-modern culture had forced me into its scheme of thinking and behaving.

I believed the lies:

I believed that simply fellowshipping with other Christians made me a church-member-in-good-standing.

I believed that plain old Bible-Study was boring and irrelevant to my life. I believed that studying and discussing books written by Christian authors was far more applicable to my life.

I believed that bringing Christian Contemporary Music into the church was relevant because it would draw people who might not otherwise come to church. I believed that playing the old Hymns was a turn-off to non-Christians and they wouldn't come to church if we played them.

I believed that making allowances for people who differed slightly in the way of "Salvation" was okay since they were probably on their way to true salvation by just being part of "Community."

And each of these are ways that the church has tried to be relevant to the culture.

Some churches try really hard to find ways. Some churches have committees just to discuss new ideas.

But each new idea is simply another way that the church has been forced into the world's scheme of thinking and behaving. They are all ways that the Truth of God's Word has been sacrificed in order to get more people to attend church.

Is this the reason we have churches? . . .To get as many people through the doors as we can?

By doing this, the church has created a continuity with the world instead of a separateness from the world. Being separate from the world is commanded in God's Word!

The church - as a body - has become "conformed!"

On a global scale, our post-modern world holds "unity" and "community" as the ultimate goal for world peace. If you understand even a small piece of eschatology, you know there is no "world peace."

But it is this "world peace" mindset that encourages socialism, big-government, multiculturalism , relativism, tolerance, etc. in our culture. These schemes are being pushed on us. Sometimes by the church itself!

Even "Christian" agendas (such as The Purpose Driven Church, P.E.A.C.E , 40 Days of Community, multicultural outreach, etc., etc., etc,.) that define "unity" in the sense of a spirituality that transcends all faiths and cultures are manufactured to usher in a new global community where peace will be achieved by consensus and synthesis. (Wrong!)

I am not a pessimist. Really!

My passion - my calling - my purpose - is that Christians be grounded in God's Word. . . . To understand that God's heart is not necessarily what today's churches are dispensing.

I believed the lie myself for many many years!

The saddest part of telling "my story" is that so many professing Christians just don't "get it." They get angry and indignant when this is shown or told to them.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. "
- Romans 12:2

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

© Copyright 2008 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

6:14 PM | 6 comments | Read More

A Class Act!

“When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily; but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability.”
Proverbs 28:2 (TLB)

I am thankful (as always!) for the absolutely clear simplicity and the immersuable complexity of God's Word. And how every day I am able to see more clearly God's heart and desire and perfect plan for everything -- including politics.

But first:

Since it is Thankful Thursday, I am especially thankful today for:

The family cat. Every family (and every writer) should have one. Chloe functions as a soft blanket, a masseuse, an exterminator, and a fairly inexpensive therapist.

All of the neighborhood dogs who stroll by the mud sun-room window while I write. I love observing them walk their people. The dogs are the happiest creatures on earth. The people: not so much. . . . It makes me smile.

Modern bathrooms, plumbing, toilet paper, etc. I've been explaining to Selah and Shepard -- for the last several days --the slighly fertile "mound" in our backyard where the outhouse once stood. In late-summer/early-fall, the fertile ground brings forth an abundance of extra green grass and wild mushrooms. Fascinating! (We live in a 19th Century Victorian home built in 1892.) Children are obsessed facinated by this entire concept of people once having pee'd and poop'ed in our backyard! . . . moving on:

I am thankful for Christain parents who taught me that God's Word is the absolute final authority on all things. Including politics!

Which brings me to Sarah Palin!

This woman is a class act!

By definition, Sarah Palin is a feminist. She is a woman (this is key). She is college educated. She is a professional. She is a working-mom. She votes. She believes in equal pay for equal work. This is what Feminism was founded upon. Right?

Lamentably, there is a vast right-wing conspiracy discrepancy between what Feminism is and what it has become. Sarah Palin’s credentials for inclusion in the Movement are just fluff. They mean absolutely nothing.

To fully grasp what Feminism has become over the last 40 years, you have to pollute both your heart and mind with the sin and immorality that defines the movement today.

Shall we? . . .

When you pay a quick visit to the gutter called Feminism, you will appreciate the reason Sarah Palin is not a feminist. See, down in that sewer? See them? It’s difficult. They are so still and motionless. They are the millions upon millions upon millions of aborted, unborn, silent, dead babies. Precious and beautiful children. They're all dead.

And acquiescence to this abomination is the chief and predominant prerequisite for being a Feminist today. God’s Word says :

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. "

Isaiah 5:20

Feminists are calling "evil good and good evil".

#%@&*!^!!

Sarah Palin speaks for and represents FAR more women in this country than do the hate-filled feminists who are making fools of themselves today.

Sarah Palin is a class act!

I am guessing that Sarah too is thankful that God's Word is the absolute final authority on all things. Including politics!

I am thankful for the common sense of Senator John McCain and his advisors who put this God-fearing, Christian conservative woman on the GOP ticket!

“When good people run things, everyone is glad.”

Proverbs 29:2 (The Message)

“A leader of good judgment gives stability.”

Proverbs 29:4 (The Message)

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen
© Copyright 2008 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

See more Thankful Thursday at Sting My Heart

11:58 AM | 3 comments | Read More

Go Ahead! Revoke my 501(c)(3) status.

" Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. . . "

- Psalm 32:9

See more WordFilled Wednesday at The 160 Acre Woods

1:15 AM | 10 comments | Read More

Hospitality 101 - Proper Use of the Doily

“Hospitality is becoming an almost forgotten Christian virtue in our style of life today… In the New Testament, however, hospitality was a distinctive mark of Christians and Christian communities.”
~Alexander Strauch

from The Hospitality Commands

Our shallow, media-driven, post-modern culture views hospitality (and I admit I often do too) through the exquisite, decorous, picturesque images of Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal. Hospitality has been reduced to the idea of private and pretentious entertaining with delicious dinners and polite conversations. And. . . Yes. I love to plan and execute the possibilities of perfection in my own home . . .

Even my little Selah appreciates the use of a paper doily when presenting her homemade delicacies.

But. . . my whimsy -- and my daughter’s vision of being a creative homemaker -- is a complete distortion of Christian hospitality which has little to do with delicious food and polite conversation. Christian hospitality remains a God-given commandment having little to do with domestic ability and perfection.

When the Apostle Paul urged the Roman Christians to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1), he was specifically instructing them to “be transformed [from the Roman Empire’s way of thinking] by the renewing of your minds,” “. . . hate what is evil,” and “. . . be patient in suffering.”

These are pretty serious instructions for a group of Christians already being persecuted. But then he gives this command:

“Extend hospitality to strangers.”

What was he thinking?!

So what was acceptable “hospitality” in First Century Rome? The New Testament Christians certainly were not detoured by consumerism and the hospitality “industry.” Did hospitality simply mean being “nice?” Reaching out to strangers? Ministering to those with physical needs? And how would the Roman Christians go about doing these things in Jesus’ name when they were already under great persecution by Nero?

In Acts Chapter 2, we learn that these early Christians were devoted to “the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Any hospitality practiced in the New Testament Church had to flow out of this framework of life and worship.

As they learned from the apostle’s teaching, they shared it.
And the Church grew.

As they enjoyed fellowship, they shared the friendship.
And the Church grew.

As they ate meals together, they certainly extended the invitation to others. (They probably shared recipes too!)
And the Church grew.

As they prayed together, they received comfort and power and wisdom – which was shared!
And the Church grew.

As these Christians received from God, they gave back.
And the Church grew!

That’s hospitality: Giving back.
Growing God's Church!

All believers are called to hospitality:

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
- Romans 12:13

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
- Hebrews 13:2

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
- 1 Peter 4:9

Throughout Scripture, godliness and hospitality have always been synonymous. If we are true believers, we have all been called to minister to others. It’s called “Hospitality.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

By the way. . . Presenting hospitality on a pretty doily never hurts.

See Selah's recipe for Hermits at The Goossen Kitchen

And read about making them at The Excellent Homeschool Adventure.

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

© Copyright 2008 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

See More In Other Words at Joyfully Living For His Glory

12:40 AM | 12 comments | Read More

Whatever You Do. . .

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

- Colossians 3:23-24

I don't like to shop at Aldi. where I live. I just don't like the atmosphere. It smells funny, --like wet cardboard -- you have to bring your own grocery bags, and the ceiling is too low.

I don't like Doritos. Call me a health-nut -- call me odd. I just don't like 'em. Never have. And there are restaurants I won't eat at. . . . I do not like Taco Bell. Everything on the menu tastes the same to me.

We all have businesses and restaurants and companies that we avoid. Americans even boycott products from other countries. (Can you say "French" Fries?)

We all arbitrarily and unfairly judge businesses and products. It's an exercise of the free enterprise system and I am more than guilty. Whether it's because we don't share the same political view, or the company's profits are not spent in a way we see as ethical, or the service is bad, or the building is unclean, or the merchandise is not pretty to look at . . . whatever. . . we are all all choosy. We all want the best for ourselves and our families. . . . And without even realizing it, we are being a Proverbs 31 Woman:

"She perceiveth that her merchandise is good."

- Proverbs 31:18

With that in mind, 1 Corinthians 10:31 should be a guiding principle in our lives too:

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

So, Colossians 3:23-34 should guide our every action too,

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

As a Christian, everything I do reflects my attitude toward God. I know in my heart that every move I make is either a testimony of my love for God or disobedience to His Word. There is no relativism in God's Word despite what the world tells me.

Other people see my actions. And they know that they can either depend upon me because I depend on Him and I am working with all my heart, as working for the Lord, not others, since I know that I will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Or they can conclude that I'm just another woman who calls herself a "Christian."

I don't want to be a Taco Bell or a bag of Doritos or an Aldi Food Store. Not that there's anything wrong with these things. I admit: I have arbitrarily and unfairly judged these entities. (Please don't e-mail me.)

. . . But the world does arbitrarily and unfairly judge people all the time. Especially people who wear the "Christian" nametag. . . .

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
- Colossians 3:23-24

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

© Copyright 2008 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

7:06 PM | 2 comments | Read More

Confronting Fundamentalism

I am thankful today for the Blogosphere where all of us are utterly free to express ourselves and agree or disagree with others in the community. We each have the unreserved right to write what we feel and moderate comments however we see fit in keeping with the spirit of our own blog.

The Heart of a Pastor’s Wife received this comment following Tuesday’s Post, “Hanging Christians. . . ”

. . . Don't you think Christians need to let up a little on preaching about sin and start emphasizing more love and acceptance of people who don't believe exactly like we think they should? Not everything is a sin! God is the final judge. Preaching about sin only makes people angry and drives them away from the church. Isn’t God the final judge? I just think that Christians need to learn more about love and acceptance and compassion. Christ was all these things.

With all proper respect to this commenter (who happens to maintain a perfectly attractive and purposeful blog), I disagree.

And in offering an explanation to a comment that I chose otherwise not to publish, I am calling attention to an issue that has effectively altered the Church over the last several decades.

First I should point out that I am not prancing through my church and neighborhood preaching to and labeling everyone I see a "sinner." (My husband did require that I take "Christian Diplomacy 101" as a pastor's wife.)

That said, I do fall into the “Fundamentalist” category when it comes to evangelical labels.

What exactly is a “Fundamentalist?” One meaning the dictionary gives is "one who is immovable from [her] beliefs."

Sadly, the trend over the last 20 years in the “evangelical” church is to lean away from the absolute Truth of God’s Word and the meaning of the term “Fundamentalist” has undergone a change in meaning.

Used to be that the term "fundamental" by definition, meant not only believing in and sharing the Gospel of Christ -- but also pointing out err. That is, showing others -- by the use of Scripture -- that we are by our very nature – intrinsically, inherently and naturally -- sinners.

But the evangelical movement has leaned away from the absolute Truth of God’s Word and has chosen instead to offer the Gospel of Love/Acceptance/Tolerance. The thinking is that to call someone a sinner might offend them. (Oh MY!)

To a Fundamentalist, this sacrifices the Truth of Salvation! And thereby the Truth of Scripture.

How can anyone come to a true faith in Jesus Christ without first seeing their sinful nature and their great need of salvation? The Book of Romans is very clear - and very much addresses sin in full -- and previous to -- the introduction of Grace and Love.

The Gospel of Love and Acceptance alone does NOT offer eternal salvation.

Today, the word “Fundamentalist” is often used as a term of mockery and ridicule – even contempt – against those who still believe that God’s Word is the absolute final authority on all things --including the portions that address behaviors that offend God.

The term “Fundamentalist” is also loosely interpreted to describe anyone who expresses any kind of belief in the teachings of the Bible.

So you can see that there is a collaborative effort made by both the secular media and some “Christians” to smear “Fundamentalists” with the image of being unloving, intolerant, unkind, judgmental, snobbish and unattractive. …All because Fundamentalists believe God’s Word is genuine, accurate and all-inclusive.

When the Apostle Paul was leaving the church in Ephesus, where he had ministered for three years, he reminded the Christians there, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27) What he was saying was, “I have spoken the truth of God’s Good News to you. I spoke the whole truth. I left nothing out. I gave you all the facts.

Sounds a lot like,” Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”

Works well in the state and federal court systems.

Not so well in all churches.

The whole counsel of scripture includes a great deal about sin. If you really examine the major themes of the New Testament, you would find a great number of passages addressing people (including “Christians") who are not living as True Believers.

The entire Old Testament is a chronicle – the complete story – of mankind's sin against God. Beginning in the Garden of Eden and narrated right up to the destruction and rebuilding of the temple in The Book of Nehemiah.

Proverbs and Psalm are abounding with cautions and warnings and reprimands.

The entire New Testament in confrontive in nature. Every New Testament Epistle was written to a local church body with problems. (See I and II Corinthians, James, I and II Peter.)

Turn to the Gospels: In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus confronted people with Truth. Remember the Woman at the Well. (John 4:1-42) Jesus confronted her. He did it, of course, with abundant compassion, concern and kindness. But he did not offer that compassion, concern and kindness by itself. Had he done that, she would have walked away believing she was "okay in HIS sight." And she was not. He confronted her sin.

Remember Zacchaeus (Luke 19)? Remember Nicodemus (John 3)? How about the scathing rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 23?

As a writer with discernment, I fall on the side of "confrontive" rather than "tolerant and accepting." I never want anything I’ve written to be misconstrued. I never want anyone to misinterpret Scripture based on something I’ve written. A misunderstanding of God’s Word can/will have eternal consequences.

As a Christian Counselor, I recognize and appreciate that working with people is a delicate zone that love must guide.

Confronting in Love. What a calling!

It is not a bad thing to be a fundamentalist!

I am thankful that God's Words as revealed in the Bible are just as true today as when they were first spoken by chosen men of God under divine inspiration.

I am thankful that the solutions God provides in His Word are suitable for all the problems we face today.

I am thankful to be counted as one who believes in the absolute inerrant reliability of God’s Word.

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

© Copyright 2008 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

1:06 AM | 15 comments | Read More

Rest. . .

"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you."

- Psalm 116:7

© Copyright 2008 The Heart of a Pastor's Wife

See more WordFilled Wednesday at The 160 Acre Woods

8:15 AM | 7 comments | Read More

Hanging Christians. . .

"Still, accepting God's existence is one thing; honoring His command is another matter entirely. . . "

-Liz Curtis Higgs

from Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible

Remember this?

Is it a vote? Not a vote? If yes, is it for Bush? Gore? Wait, let's attempt to interpret who the voter meant to vote for . . . Oh, wait! You can't make that call, you have political bias! Do you remember this? What a circus!

Same thing happens in Christian circles:

Do you think he's really a Christian? I just don't see any fruit in her life. I wonder if she's even saved. Wait, you can't make that call, you're no better than she is. How can you judge? . . . "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (John 8:7)

Is it wrong to look around and wonder if people who claim to be Christian really are what they profess? Is it wrong to presume that they are simply acknowledging His existence without honoring His commandments? How about questioning and evaluating our own lives? . . .

Here's an example from Christ's own ministry:

"Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men." (John 2:23-24)

Jesus knew the difference between the small-minded, shallow faith of the religious people and the saving faith of a true believer. And in the following verses of John Chapter Three we read about Nicodumus, who was almost certainly the most religiously qualified person in the crowd. Yet, he was lost. Is there a correlation here?

According to Christian pollster, George Barna, there's little difference between today's Christian and non-Christian. You don't have do much research to see the startling similarities between today's lost and "saved." Except for the fact that the "saved" people attend church, there appears to be very little difference at all. The churchgoers think the same, talk the same, look the same, act the same and go the same places to do the same things non-churchgoers do – except that they go to church on Sunday and act religious. And, many churchgoers attend church just to give God (or the pastor) another chance to stir up their emotions. This is the same shallow faith that Jesus did not trust. Correlation? Yeah.

Accepting God's existence and actually reading and embracing His Word are two entirely different matters. Without a love for -- and a living out of His commands -- we are like the hanging chad: We're questionable, undefined, scrutinized, and -- probably and ultimately -- not counted.

Even Hollywood embraces Christ. It is unquestionably a politically correct, new age, designer Christ. What you won't see or hear from Tinsel Town is an endorsement of God's Word. You won't see any Hollywood celebrity honoring His commands. And that is the proverbial line in the sand that separates God's enemy from God's own: His Word – you either believe it, or you don't. Merely calling oneself a Christian does not make it so.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." – Matthew 7:21

"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." James 2:19

The world has no problem with silent and submissive churchgoers who merely acknowledge God's existence. And this is comforting to the silent and submissive churchgoers.

But, let the Word of God pour out of their lips and challenge anyone based on Scripture. . .

Let the Word of God pour out of them to confront a the secular worldview or a political theory (oh, lets just say. . . pro-choice, e.g.) . . .

. . .and you'll see a hatred come out of people's hearts like nothing you've ever witnessed. This is what marked a true believer in the new Testament Church. And it is what still marks a true believer in the church today.

Acknowledging God's existence is pointless. If you don't believe in God -- know God -- and study His Word, your passion is pointless and it will inevitably do more harm than good. Remember, Satan prizes a lukewarm religious person far more than a cold hearted sinner. He can do far more damage to God's Church with these kind of "Christians." You're no more recognizable in God's Kingdom than countless other hanging Christians.

Question yourself.

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." – 1 John 2:3-5

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen
See more "In Other Words" at Miriam Pauline's Monologue
For More Information on Knowing God AND Living out His Commands as a True Beleiver, Visit NeedHim.org

12:21 AM | 13 comments | Read More

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. . . blogging with Mark today at the Grapevine.
Visit The Goossen Grapevine

. . . can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?

- James 3:12-16

I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

- John 15:5

2:07 PM | 1 comments | Read More

Thankful Thursday

I am an enormously thankful woman and the amusing part is that I don’t appreciate how thankful I am until I read other Thankful Thursdays and either fall down laughing or bite my lip to avoid shedding heartfelt tears.

-- I am thankful for my husband who encourages me to follow my passion, practice grace, offer forgiveness, and live a holy life by his example and his testimony.

-- I am thankful for the apples that said-husband picked up off the ground in the Adams City Park.

-- I am thankful that said-husband carried home those apples in his sweatshirt and peeled and sliced them up all by himself so I could make apple pie.

-- I’m thankful that we live in a small town and can walk less than a block to the grocery store to buy vanilla ice cream to go with the pie.

-- I am thankful that we have the money to pay three times as much for ice-cream in a small-town grocery store.

-- I am thankful for the absolutely clear simplicity and the immeasurable complexity of God’s Word.

-- I am thankful for the Holy Spirit’s gift of discernment in my life.

-- I am especially thankful for other Christians with this same gift. A girl with this gift definitely needs friends.

-- I am thankful that God has given me a strangely amusing and just plain goofy family that doesn’t care if I refuse (or simply forget) to shower and comb my hair.

-- I am thankful that I have an incessant need to brush me teeth after every meal.

-- I am thankful for disposable diapers and Pull-Ups. How did my mother do it??!!

-- I am thankful for the overwhelming evidence of GOD – and that atheists and liberals make such idiots of themselves when they open their mouths to argue against it.

-- I am thankful that people who don’t even like me visit my blog. (Please be blessed!)

-- I am thankful for FoxNews. (Enough said.)

-- I am thankful for Christian parents who taught me that God’s Word is the absolute final authority on all things.

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

See more Thankful Thursday at Sting My Heart

12:01 AM | 5 comments | Read More

Laughter . . .

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

- Proverbs 17:22

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen
See More "WordFilled Wednesday" at The 160 Acre Woods

12:01 AM | 10 comments | Read More

In Other Words. . . Pressed Into His Skin

“For at least when we express our anger to God, our wrestling keeps our skin pressing into His. God is still present. When we honestly expose our inflammation, express our soreness, we are still staking our commitment to our relationship with Him.”
- Ann Voscamp, Holy Experience

Ann vividly illustrates a thought that prompts the image of physical closeness with God. I like it. It’s a beautiful and intimate picture to hold on to when we are wrestling with soreness and anger. But the idea should also cause us to reflect on more than the human notion of physical feelings of closeness . . .

Hebrews Chapter 11 records the extraordinary feats of faith achieved by a number of Old Testament saints. These Old Testament saints pressed their skin into God’s, as Ann so vividly illustrates.

These were people who had to struggle. And their soreness and anger was without doubt expressed to God. Who else?! Their negative feelings were not expressed in the same way our culture has learned to “express” its upsetting and perplexing feelings. Sarah’s anger at Hagar was certainly not shared and re-shared and analyzed over coffee in weekly support groups meeting in tents. I just don’t think the Egyptian health care system covered these kind of mental health issues. No. These saints pressed into God as they wrested with their anger. And because they stayed with God, -- expressed both anger and commitment to Him -- their blessings were absolute, perfect and abundant.

Look at Noah.
Look at Abraham.
Look at Sarah.
Look at Jacob.
Look at Joseph.
Look at Moses.
Look at Gideon, Deborah, Barak (No, not that one. Definitely not that one. See Judges 4-5), Samson, Jepthah, David, Samuel, Hosea, Job . . .

The Bible is so full of examples of people whose wresting and inflammation and sadness and soreness kept their skin pressed into God’s – this is the essence of commitment. They accurately and factually staked their commitment to their relationship with the Living God!

According to Hebrews 12:1, there are so many that they are literally lying all around us.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses. . . .

- Hebrews 12:11a

Why do you suppose the writer of Hebrews phrased it like that?

In context with the last half of the verse, it because we are suppose to learn from them, gain knowledge from their experience, follow their example, know that there is a huge number of “never-give-up” believers and that we are not alone.

“. . . let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
- Hebrews 12:1b

Can we compare our hardships and challenges and obstacles to theirs? Maybe. Maybe not. We face conflicts today – some huge and humanly insurmountable – some smaller but no less painful and agonizing. But, like these Bible-saints, we too can press into God until His plan is accomplished.

". . .our wrestling keeps our skin pressing into His. God is still present." What a beautiful and intimate picture to hold onto. Are you close enough to feel His skin? Can you sense His nearness?

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

Join "In Other Words" at Writing Canvas

and visit Ann at Holy Experience

2:35 PM | 7 comments | Read More

The Lesson of the Bumble Bee. . .

I don’t blog too often about the mundane events -- scheduled and non-scheduled -- in our family’s life. It’s just not my flair. Not that there’s anything wrong with it! I laugh-out-loud in recognition, empathy and kinship when I read about crayon-throwing tantrums and rodent-disrupted Scrabble games and bathroom episodes gone (–- well, let’s just leave it there. I laughed-out-loud for a long time -rotflol). A gifted blogger will find spiritual application in the both the humdrum and unexpected. (Have you visited Ann Voskamp’s site, Holy Experience?)

I do consistently find both humor and spiritual insight in the routine of life. Most of my spiritual growth comes silently in the moments of daily“ness”. I just find neither the point nor the time to digest it for all the world to see and read.

However . . .

This morning, Chloe’s behavior and resulting accomplishment met the criteria and her genius will now take it’s place in the blogging kingdom.

We affectionately call our family cat “The Bugger.” She is an indoor cat and, therefore, de-clawed. I’ve never seen a de-clawed cat catch a mouse. Unsure. Can it be done? Our Chloe can catch undersized critters. So we've supplanted the characteristic "Mouser" with "Bugger."

You visit our basement to retrieve frozen peas or pork ribs from the deep-freeze, and you will sidestep and maneuver around dead crickets and flies and big-furry-spiders and hornets and bumble bees. All exterminated, stamped out, and left for the broom by “The Bugger.”

We rarely see any creepy-crawlies upstairs. The pests must breed and multiply and begin their life's journey in the cellar and migrate north. “The Bugger” -- of course -- intercepts and ends the journey.

Chloe must have been sleeping-in this morning in one of the three un-made beds (busted!) because a bumble-bee made its way past the basement stairwell and into the kitchen. Mark and I watched “The Bugger” for over ten-minutes in her plucky effort to catch that bumble-bee.

She batted at it repetitively. Without claws, this was ineffective and powerless. (She is a "lightweight.") She chattered at it (-- you know, the way cats chatter at birds) and she took a crack at sinking her teeth into it. No success. The bumble bee was a fighter.

Chloe did not give up. Ultimately, “The Bugger” used her body to pin the bumble bee between herself and the window glass, and then slither the bee into the corner of the window sill. I'd never seen Chloe actually catch an undersized critter before. Is this how it's done? That little cat used her body - not the claws God gave her - to do the work God had created her to do.

So besides feeling guilty about declawing the family cat (Please don't e-mail me!), I see a spiritual application worthy of the blogosphere. The family cat used what was available to fight her bumble bee battle. And she won! Way to go, Chloe!

What bugs you? And what do you use to battle and exterminate it?

As Christians, the whole world should "bug" us. II Corinthians 4:4 tells us that Satan is the god of this world. He's everywhere. And he's blinding people to the truth. He's even blinding believers. We need to be aware of and prepared to do battle with everything and anything of and in this world! Yeah! That's a big chunk of stuff to do battle with. . . . And what sort of weaponry should we be stockpiling and studying-up on. . . . ?

David used five smooth stones in his battle. (I Samuel 17.) Like David, if we are walking with and trusting God, He can use anything that is available. If we have Faith in God, we don't need too much in the way of material things. Chloe (lacking her razor-sharp claws) used her lightweight seven-pound body.

Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

- I Samuel 17:40

Scripture does not elaborate here, but David did not go out empty-handed and unarmed against the Philistine giant. He used his wits and took what he needed: his faith and confidence that God was with him.

His little slingshot didn't look like much to the visible eye. And if I'd been among the Israelite-Moms standing by witnessing this, I'd have been pretty opinionated about the boy's folly and lack of common sense. I would have been wondering -- probably out loud -- who his parents were and where they were now.

That little sling shot was visible and laughable as a weapon. What was not visible was God's power. That was David's ultimate weapon.

Too many times as Christians, we go out to fight the enemy unprepared and unarmed.

The enemy is everywhere.

Ephesians Chapter 6 lists the armor we are to wear when we go into battle - none of it is visible.

The battle is all around us.

God never sends any of us into battle without first training, dressing and arming us. Here's our God-given arsenal -- how to use it -- and how to secure it:


He gives us: The Belt of Truth.
To Know & Understand: GOD!
Read & Study: Deuteronomy 4:39; Psalm 23:1; Psalm 18:1-3.

He gives us: The Breastplate of Righteousness.
To Know & Understand: The Righteousness of Jesus in our lives.
Read & Study: Psalm 100:3; Romans 3:23-24; Romans 6:23; Galatians 2:20-21; Philippians 3:8-10.

He gives us: The Sandals of Peace.
To Know & Understand: Inner Peace and Readiness.
Read & Study: Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14; John 14:27; John 16:33; John 20:21

He gives us: The Shield of Faith
To Know & Understand: Living by Faith.
Read & Study: Romans 4:18-21; Hebrews 11:1; I Peter 1:6-7.

He gives us: The Helmet of Salvation.
To Know & Understand: Salvation through Christ - Today and Forever.
Read: Psalm 16, Psalm 23; Hebrews 1:3-6; II Corinthians 4:16-18; I Thessalonians 4:17; I John 3:1-3.

He gives us: The Sword of the Spirit: God's Word.
To Know & Understand: God's Word to discern and fight spiritual deception.
Read: Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 4:2-11; I Peter 3:15; Psalm 119:110-112.

Before our military are sent into Iraq or Afghanistan, (or anywhere in the world) they are fully and expertly trained. I am not altogether militarily-literate, but . . . Are our troops given semi-automatic weapons upon recruitment and depolyed into combat right there on the spot? I don't think so. They are given weapons after they are trained. After they are prepared both mentally and physically.

Are we, as soldiers in God's army, any different? We need to be prepared not only mentally and physically, but also spiritually.

As followers of Christ, we've been recruited. Now we need to be prepared for battle.

Are you in the battle? Are you trained for battle? Are you dressed for battle?

If you are, are you winning?

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

Aforementioned Bumble Bee was gently and humanely escorted

to the garbage disposal following photo session.

Please don't e-mail me.

3:54 PM | 3 comments | Read More

This Blogger Supports Palin!

As long as all the left-wing bloggers are in unspeakable condescension heaven over John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin for Vice President, I am going to go ahead and offer my Christian-Conservative-Biblically-Based-Right-Wing opinion in hopefully more benevolent fashion.

(Like I have one? Absolutely. I blog, don't I?) Yesterday, The Heart of a Pastor's Wife had 159 visitors. (This does not count the few stalkers visitors who pop in only to set eyes on the comments page. Odd. They know who they are.) So. . . I know my audience is out there.

U.S News & World Report published an articled this morning, Sarah Palin and John McCain's Cynical Game: It's a cheap political ploy—and any voters who fall for it deserve what they get. Here's an excerpt: "As Republicans meet in convention in St. Paul, Minn., this week, I have a simple question for America's voters watching their TV sets: Does anyone really think Sen. John McCain or Gov. Sarah Palin would have delivered such strong praise for Sen. Hillary Clinton if she had been on either end of the Democratic ticket?"

Are you kidding?! What kind of running-scared commentary is that?! I really believe that the liberal media (USNews in this specific instance) wants conservatives to answer with a "No" so as to make themselves the oh-so-martyred and disrespected victims in the (frankly, non-existent) "sexist" war.

Think again, USNews. We answer "No" because all of the democratic contenders in this presidential race (including the aforementioned Senator) represent everything that Christian conservatives despise. Both the Senator and the Democratic Nominee are radical left-wing extremest who pose a serious threat to the United States of America. Militarily, economically, and socially.

If -- as statistics tell us -- 76.5% (159 million) of Americans identify themselves as Christians, how can a godless, pro-abortion, pro-homosexuality, radical liberal, feminist, big-government-bordering on-Socialism candidate become the gold-standard for all potential leaders on either side of the political aisle? How can this woman and her policies possibly be the fulcrum on which we judge everything the opposing party does?

Good Grief! Am I the only person who is put-off by this? Okay, that's a rhetorical question.

The disdain, arrogance, and disrespect shown toward John McCain and Sarah Palin over the last six days is drawing one of the boldest political lines in the sand in recent political history. Sure the RNC and its supporters speak out against the opposition in not-always-glowing-terms. But the outright hate shown towards the Republican ticket and the supporters of that ticket should make it clear which "side" is acting more "Christlike."

Don't get me wrong. Spriritually speaking, the Grand Old Party is probably just as lost as is the DNC. Every human being is short of God’s perfection and needs Christ. There is no perfect choice for President or Vice-President. But I believe that Conservative Christians have great reason to feel good about the future if John McCain and Sarah Palin are elected in November. Both John and Sarah are unabashed Christians, devoted to family, and devoted to American freedoms as set out in the U.S. Constitution. Without doubt, this is a trying time for both John McCain and Sarah Palin -- a testing of their faith and their patriotism. The testing of their faith in these days leading up to the election can only bring greater wisdom, perseverance and discernment.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (James 1:2-7).

Last Spring, I was asked to serve as a delegate in the Republican Party. . . I said no for various reasons not at all connected with my passion for what the Republican Party stands for. In retrospect, I would probably have still ultimately said no, but I would have had no greater honor as an American that to have supported John McCain and Sarah Palin this week in St. Paul.

... and that's my two cents.

Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

11:44 AM | 5 comments | Read More