So anyway I guess the definition here is taking action above and beyond what is respectable but it ties into our mindset that is prone to wander. I could tie this into faith vs works in that if we try to do things that are legalistic and such it is a sort of ordinance that we add on to God's instructions; also if we don't help others then our faith is dead as James brings out. So I guess I am broadening things beyond going in excess of God's standards and also saying when we don't do enough; that is not technically the definition but I am saying that we need to be in communion with God so that He truly knows us.
Oh yeah the other example was Paul's attempt to go into Bithynia and the Spirit said twice no then a vision redirected him to Macedonia. Now if he hadn't been walking in the Spirit he would have glibly gone there and perhaps his life prematurely ended; we don't know God's logic here. I guess I am saying that men presume that they know things and only rely on their human understanding and not realize that the Word is the living Word and a relationship needs to occur with the living God or they can't be enlightened; and of course we also have to avoid the other extreme of all sorts of extrabiblical "revelations"; crtainly if they disagree with scripture.
That probably holds for what people call "declarations" these days as well. It is good (I presume) to declare things or presume that God's attributes and doctrinal absolutes are things we can count on. That being said; it is more than that it is absolute assurance; however we can't forsee how God will accomplish His purposes through evil men who seem to do nothing but go in other directions. To declare something I think in terms of God's promises prophetically is iron clad; that is how Daniel was able to bring up the 70 years of captivity; and we also know that all events are going to result in the eventual return of Christ and the Tribulation (sorry for those who don't believe it is literal or somehow past us). For all those other than full Preterists we can bank on these facts. The promises God has to protect us is something in part we can hold to; at least in terms of the enemy being defeated on the cross and spiritual protection for every blood bought believer. Some music goes too far; for instance I think we can ask God to protect our family but if someone steps out in sin then the Lord has to deal with it whatever way He chooses if they are a wayward saint. We can't expect God has to save everyone in our family; or any individual for that matter.
We also don't know if God will allow someone to hurt or even kill us ultimately; we know that he preserves us here on earth as long as we have a purpose and ministry. Of course much of the time people want to play games with the prosperity card presuming God wants to "bless them"; of course this is ridiculous when you have preachers out for their own gain; but it is also disingenous to all the believers out there suffering poverty through no fault of their own. Jesus did mention food and clothing and I do believe He sustains His own but it is primarily for His glory. Suffering losss was commonplace to Paul; demonstrating what a true Apostle is in regard to concern of others over Himself.
Presumption is a serious sin. We should seek the truth and God's wisdom in how to apply this truth to our lives. When we seek an "end route" or to make a pathway that God has not ordained, we presume. When we assume to know what another person is thinking when in conversation, we presume. When we fail to pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit before we decide or act, we presume. I guess there are so many ways we can sin by presuming. May God make us more conscious of when we do this so we can ask forgiveness and ask for help to change our ways and thinking.
The second matter; is your part 3 on having as many kids as possible. I thoroughly agree; despite what happened in my circumstances but that is past now and I cannot change it. Obviously we could go to verses about having many arrows in the quiver; for example as to God blessing many children and scripture is where we should focus.
My point I suppose could be that every soul formed is known by God and belongs to God therefore in some way all people meant to exist ultimately will. In terms of those who have stillborn births and I have known a few in recent years and faithfullness waiting for more children; of course a child unborn goes to be with the Lord; I can't see it any other way. So for God's eternal Kingdom and purposes it is one more soldier in God's army.
I guess as a friend I feel bad that you are so deeply affected by this and clearly for many decades it has been something causing stress. Again you have set your own example and no doubt the influence of your life has spread to your family members.
I guess I'll do a segment on population control as the fifth element in humanism as there is much to be said there.
God is still working with young people out there today to show them basic biblical truths as well as the sanctity of marriage.
I will say this carefully but it does demonstrate how the Lord can make something out of a mess often of poor parenting; as many come from homes of professing believers although often families broken through divorce. You have no doubt experience in raising children in the fear and admonition of the Lord through example; but the Lord likes to bring life out of a dead mess.
Yes; I agree that a child won't in some way depart from the way of truth if they are brought up in it on a surface level but may not truly be saved. Yes; I agree that probably more true believers come from good homes than otherwise but I am just looking at general trends here. For me to be the hopeless optimist is different-hope that's ok.
Hi again, I agree with you here. I know the prince of this world is doing everything he can to destroy God's Creation and what is natural. So now you can choose the gender of your unborn child if you want. It's sick. If we could demand a Christian school for everyone, we could solve this. But as it has become where all religions are allowed, this will be impossible and impossible to implement. The world has come further than dictatorial rule, fortunately for that too. Because we should not say that this is not in God's plan. Because He has thought everything out in advance, hasn't He? He saw us in His image when He created everything. Think of the diversity in God! And it must go the way He wants, we cannot avoid it. If Jesus has now said that He will be with me, then He will be with me. Maybe He won't come back before I close my eyes. But He will be with me all the days until the end of the world. And He knows, He is prepared, otherwise He would not have told us all things, and more to come. And Jesus want us to be prepered. GB
These studies show that God has built into the mother/baby nursing bond a cessation of fertility. The average time frame is 9-12 months, but some women's systems go even longer without a return to fertility as long as they are nursing their baby on demand.
I find this fascinating and it held true for me and my friends who nurtured their babies in this way.
For anyone interesting in parenting this way i recommend:
Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Attachment Parenting
Again Richard, I do not think that women should have as many children as they possibly can, because to do so would be to NOT breastfeed their babies which would result in menses and fertility returning soon after childbirth and babies being spaced about 1 year apart.
My point is that God has created women in such a way that we are blessed to have a fertility cycle to be able to conceive babies and that He has built into the mother child bonding and nurturing of breastfeeding a natural delay of the return of fertility for children to be spaced at intervals that are longer than those who do not breastfeed.
I also wish to convey that I am one who believes that cooperating with the way God has created women in regards to fertility and childbearing is in most cases the best way to go as it involves submitting to God's wisdom and having an openness to receive children as a gift from Him. There are times when a longer spacing is best between children than normal. This should be approached prayerfully and in a po-life manner, in my opinion.
Anyway, you and I are long past this applying in our lives, but I do think that this approach is worth being a part of the conversation of Christians who are preparing to marry or to have children.
Totally agree GiGi, I would like to add a few words here. And another important thing about breast feeding is the calories that rush out of the body, after a year or two. Always fresh food available. Always the arrangement. And as mentioned here, a new pregnancy is rare before the breast feedings are finished. So this for the woman to avoid unnecessary stress. And the child grows and thrives with a strong immune system, is a real plus. For the woman should eat and drink healthy during this entire time. You must not stop and do it to lose weight. Continue to breastfeed, eat, drink and the kilos will rush off naturally. Many do not know this, which is so important and have knowledge about. During the entire pregnancy, you should stimulate the nipples with sun, and to pull them out. And lubricate them, so that they get used to handling gums that can be stressful. It passes, no harm done. What more should you not endure in the years to come, I say. Patience, Rome was not built in a day either. GB
I did not state that married couples should have as many children as possible. My point was that we should be pro-life in this area of welcoming children into our lives as God sees fit. In our present culture and circumstances, couples should not only be prayerful about avoid conceiving a child, but they should be prayerful about about seeking conception. God is the one who brings life from the union of a man a wife and we can trust Him in His wisdom in this area.
Sometimes it is best to gladly seek to have a child and other times it is best to wait longer than what would be normal child spacing to conceive or even stop having children. Every couple should go before the Lord on matters such as this.
This topic has not been a burden for me over the decades. It is the way God led me as I sought Him early concerning these matters. When I was 16 and thinking towards my future I prayed, "Lord, I want to think like you on the subject of receiving life from You. I want to be pro-life, not just in opposing abortion, but also in my heart's attitude concerning having children. I want my heart to be pro-life like Yours is, not demeaning childbearing or seeing children as burdens, nor believing that we should have as few children as we can, but in having an openness to how You want to bless my life with children according to You ways."
I know that in the normal scheme of things, a couple who marries in their early twenties will most likely have around 8-10 children in about 20 years, give or take a few less or more. A child would arrive in the family every 18 -30 months if the m other commits to breastfeeding babies without resorting to bottles, formula, and feeding solid early, nor using other mother substitutes like pacifiers. Studies show that mothers who breastfeed their babies on demand will not have a return of fertility for the first 6 months and often will even go longer before their menses return and they begin ovulating again.
So anyway I guess the definition here is taking action above and beyond what is respectable but it ties into our mindset that is prone to wander. I could tie this into faith vs works in that if we try to do things that are legalistic and such it is a sort of ordinance that we add on to God's instructions; also if we don't help others then our faith is dead as James brings out. So I guess I am broadening things beyond going in excess of God's standards and also saying when we don't do enough; that is not technically the definition but I am saying that we need to be in communion with God so that He truly knows us.
Oh yeah the other example was Paul's attempt to go into Bithynia and the Spirit said twice no then a vision redirected him to Macedonia. Now if he hadn't been walking in the Spirit he would have glibly gone there and perhaps his life prematurely ended; we don't know God's logic here. I guess I am saying that men presume that they know things and only rely on their human understanding and not realize that the Word is the living Word and a relationship needs to occur with the living God or they can't be enlightened; and of course we also have to avoid the other extreme of all sorts of extrabiblical "revelations"; crtainly if they disagree with scripture.
I guess that's all on this subject for now.
I presume so anyway... :)
Cheap emoje.
Agape.
We also don't know if God will allow someone to hurt or even kill us ultimately; we know that he preserves us here on earth as long as we have a purpose and ministry. Of course much of the time people want to play games with the prosperity card presuming God wants to "bless them"; of course this is ridiculous when you have preachers out for their own gain; but it is also disingenous to all the believers out there suffering poverty through no fault of their own. Jesus did mention food and clothing and I do believe He sustains His own but it is primarily for His glory. Suffering losss was commonplace to Paul; demonstrating what a true Apostle is in regard to concern of others over Himself.
Presumption is a serious sin. We should seek the truth and God's wisdom in how to apply this truth to our lives. When we seek an "end route" or to make a pathway that God has not ordained, we presume. When we assume to know what another person is thinking when in conversation, we presume. When we fail to pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit before we decide or act, we presume. I guess there are so many ways we can sin by presuming. May God make us more conscious of when we do this so we can ask forgiveness and ask for help to change our ways and thinking.
My point I suppose could be that every soul formed is known by God and belongs to God therefore in some way all people meant to exist ultimately will. In terms of those who have stillborn births and I have known a few in recent years and faithfullness waiting for more children; of course a child unborn goes to be with the Lord; I can't see it any other way. So for God's eternal Kingdom and purposes it is one more soldier in God's army.
I guess as a friend I feel bad that you are so deeply affected by this and clearly for many decades it has been something causing stress. Again you have set your own example and no doubt the influence of your life has spread to your family members.
I guess I'll do a segment on population control as the fifth element in humanism as there is much to be said there.
God is still working with young people out there today to show them basic biblical truths as well as the sanctity of marriage.
I will say this carefully but it does demonstrate how the Lord can make something out of a mess often of poor parenting; as many come from homes of professing believers although often families broken through divorce. You have no doubt experience in raising children in the fear and admonition of the Lord through example; but the Lord likes to bring life out of a dead mess.
Yes; I agree that a child won't in some way depart from the way of truth if they are brought up in it on a surface level but may not truly be saved. Yes; I agree that probably more true believers come from good homes than otherwise but I am just looking at general trends here. For me to be the hopeless optimist is different-hope that's ok.
to continue,
These studies show that God has built into the mother/baby nursing bond a cessation of fertility. The average time frame is 9-12 months, but some women's systems go even longer without a return to fertility as long as they are nursing their baby on demand.
I find this fascinating and it held true for me and my friends who nurtured their babies in this way.
For anyone interesting in parenting this way i recommend:
Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Attachment Parenting
Again Richard, I do not think that women should have as many children as they possibly can, because to do so would be to NOT breastfeed their babies which would result in menses and fertility returning soon after childbirth and babies being spaced about 1 year apart.
My point is that God has created women in such a way that we are blessed to have a fertility cycle to be able to conceive babies and that He has built into the mother child bonding and nurturing of breastfeeding a natural delay of the return of fertility for children to be spaced at intervals that are longer than those who do not breastfeed.
I also wish to convey that I am one who believes that cooperating with the way God has created women in regards to fertility and childbearing is in most cases the best way to go as it involves submitting to God's wisdom and having an openness to receive children as a gift from Him. There are times when a longer spacing is best between children than normal. This should be approached prayerfully and in a po-life manner, in my opinion.
Anyway, you and I are long past this applying in our lives, but I do think that this approach is worth being a part of the conversation of Christians who are preparing to marry or to have children.
As for the record,
I did not state that married couples should have as many children as possible. My point was that we should be pro-life in this area of welcoming children into our lives as God sees fit. In our present culture and circumstances, couples should not only be prayerful about avoid conceiving a child, but they should be prayerful about about seeking conception. God is the one who brings life from the union of a man a wife and we can trust Him in His wisdom in this area.
Sometimes it is best to gladly seek to have a child and other times it is best to wait longer than what would be normal child spacing to conceive or even stop having children. Every couple should go before the Lord on matters such as this.
This topic has not been a burden for me over the decades. It is the way God led me as I sought Him early concerning these matters. When I was 16 and thinking towards my future I prayed, "Lord, I want to think like you on the subject of receiving life from You. I want to be pro-life, not just in opposing abortion, but also in my heart's attitude concerning having children. I want my heart to be pro-life like Yours is, not demeaning childbearing or seeing children as burdens, nor believing that we should have as few children as we can, but in having an openness to how You want to bless my life with children according to You ways."
I know that in the normal scheme of things, a couple who marries in their early twenties will most likely have around 8-10 children in about 20 years, give or take a few less or more. A child would arrive in the family every 18 -30 months if the m other commits to breastfeeding babies without resorting to bottles, formula, and feeding solid early, nor using other mother substitutes like pacifiers. Studies show that mothers who breastfeed their babies on demand will not have a return of fertility for the first 6 months and often will even go longer before their menses return and they begin ovulating again.
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