Last night I went with a group of homeschool moms to see "The End of the Spear". I was aware of the controversy surrounding the lead actor, Chad Allen, and his homosexual activism, but decided to go and see for myself. I can only pray that during the time that Mr. Allen spent with the people and Steve Saint that he was somehow touched with the truth of the Gospel because the film itself, while good, really minimalizes the Gospel and the work that the missionaries were doing there.

The movie is good, it moves at a good pace, although it can be a bit confusing because many of the people look alike. It has a realism about it. But...Jesus is only mentioned as God's Son in what is the only reference to the Gospel, and that reference is somewhat veiled. It is said in a way that made sense to the natives and believers would get it, but it is not a strong enough statement to make unbelievers in a theater get it.

We never really get to see what motivated the missionaries. I have read Elisabeth Elliot's book Through the Gates of Splendor and these missionaries were so motivated by the desire to introduce Christ to those who had never heard of Him. They were motivated by their desire to be obedient to God's call upon their lives. They weren't there to play games or rack up points on their scorecard, they had a sincere desire to reach these lost people for Christ so that they would one day join them in Heaven.

Why are we so afraid to present Christianity to a starving world? What do we fear? We are told not to fear man, they can do nothing to us, yet we dumb it down, we shirk away from the entire truth. I know that they say a movie with a strong Christian message would never play well or make money and that a weak Christian message is better than none at all and someone might find Christ, but if we don't preach and teach exactly what Christianity is, if we dilute the message and make it user friendly, we are fooling ourselves and people are not truly being saved.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Without repentance, there can be no salvation. Paul writes in Acts 26:20b (NIV)
I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.

If our deeds show no repentance for our sins, something must be wrong. Unfortunately, the movie does not show how the natives change, why they have repented, it just shows that some have.

At the end they had a wonderful opportunity to show what God's forgiveness is like, but they muted that as well. It's too bad, because they had an opportunity here to make a wonderful movie about committed Christian men dying for others and then seeing how God moves in people to draw them to Himself and grant forgiveness and salvation, but they softened the message to make it more palatable to the world.

All of that being said, you have to decide through prayer whether or not you will see this movie. I have chosen to pray that God will use this movie and the many opportunities Mr. Allen will have to converse with Christians to glorify Himself and bring Mr. Allen to Christ. If he is such an outspoken advocate for his current lifestyle, wouldn't he be a wonderful, outspoken testimony to God's grace, forgiveness, and righteousness. May the Lord bring conviction to his heart and may Mr. Allen receive God's truth.

Mom's socks...finally!! 

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me". God's grace. No one can save themselves, it is God's unmerited favor.

My knitting olympics challenge! I've joined the Yarn Harlot's knitting olympics. You can too! http://www.yarnharlot.ca

I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I'm using pattern no. 9 from DaleBaby book 155.

Babies are such a blessing!! In the past couple of weeks I've been blessed to visit with the babies of the babies I used to babysit for!! These were not just children I babysat, but they were very close friends of the family and I feel like a grandma. Baby 0's mom was like my first child. I actually babysat for her from the time she was 6 months old until she was 5 1/2 and it was every weekday (all day during the summer, after school during the school year). It was awesome to get to spend time with her and her new little one. I also got to spend time with the girlies-we have all been so busy that we haven't been able to have them out. I've promised them a night at the farm during lambing season (which is just a couple of weeks away!!)

I seem to be staying away from controversial subjects lately, although I had a wonderful conversation with my uncle this morning about politics and how great it is that the liberals are showing us just who they truly are!

I've been working on my "something special for someone special". I'm using Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk. Oh my, it's wonderful. I love knitting with it!!

Myself and Baby P! What a dollie! 

Myself and baby O. 1/2 of my girlies, too! 

I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted. I still want to do a review of 2005, hopefully I'll get around to it.

My mom has been a fan of George Strait for a very long time and I've tried several times to get tickets for her to his concerts, but to no avail. Finally, this time, I did it! The concert was last night and we had a wonderful time. We went shopping and out to eat before we went to the concert. We enjoyed a wonderful chicken marsala/garlic mashed potato dinner at Mondo's.

The concert was very loud!! We went to the new arena in town, and while it's imposing, it's nothing special. I enjoyed it, but I don't understand why my heart had to thump and my purse buzz from the sound. Oh well. George sang for just under 2 hours, so we got our money's worth and mom can finally say she's been to his concert.

My weight loss continues. I was very excited. I went to weigh in at the dr's the other day and I was down another 5 lbs!!! And that was from the month including the holidays!! Working out is still a challenge (and I got completely away from it for about 4 weeks surrounding Christmas), but I'm sticking with it, it makes a huge difference in the scale moving.

I'm still trying to get some of my Christmas knitting projects done. Babies are beginning to pop up again (I still have a couple to complete from new arrivals in 2005), but the new ones aren't due until June and August. I'm working on something special for a special someone. I'll post it after it's been given.

My mom's Christmas present! Mr. George Strait 

Cowl scarf finished! 

A New Year! May it be a blessed one! When I don't have a headache, I plan on reviewing 2005 and looking ahead to 2006.

Thankfully, after 1 1/2 years, we are done car shopping. We were able to get a wonderful deal on a used 2005 Explorer. It has 4x4, so I'll be able to get up my hill when it's snowy or muddy.

Even with a headache, I can put down my New Year's "resolutions" (they are not changes that I can make on my own, I will need the Lord's help!).

1. Pastor Jim spent many Fridays teaching us about judging favorably. We often jump to rash conclusions, not really knowing people's situations or circumstances, and we tend to judge unfavorably. But, it's time to start making a concerted effort to judge favorably.

2. Less procrastination!! This is improving, only because of the Lord's help over the past 12 1/2 years, but it can still be a struggle.

3. Being a better wife! I have been blessed with such a wonderful husband, a man who keeps me where I need to be, he doesn't let me get carried away, which is so easy for me to do!

4. Being a better mom! I want to speak softly! I want to love fully!

The most important thing, I want to grow more intimate with my Lord and Savior. May He be the one who guides me, holds me accountable, teaches me! Less of me, more of HIM!!!