May 26th, 2015

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Stone4

Tuesday, May 26th, 2015

I had totally planned on not posting tonight/today since I thought I would be in Indy with Tami (see previous post). But her plans changed so I had this on my mind and thought, “Why not?”

Question: how often do you think we preach/teach cultural (church) traditions as the norm and think it is biblical?

Answer: A ton!!!

Exaggeration? You may think so but I disagree.

When I read this stone in Randy’s book, my mind immediately flashed to a true story. I once heard of a college professor (of the school I attended) who took a mission trip to Russia. It came time for communion on Sunday and Russians use wine not grape juice. This professor refused to take part in communion because how “Wine should not be used at communion.” (I may have refused for another reason. As a total teetotaler I would have probably gotten drunk. Can you see those headlines: “Visiting pastor gets drunk”?) 🙂 🙂 The story, however, is true.

Question: how much of that was cultural/church tradition or biblical?

Randy makes an excellent point:

It is clear, and unfortunately so, that many beliefs, practices, and traditions in the Christian community are held to be valuable, not because there is anything inherent Biblical value in them, but simply because the former generation held them to be valuable. (p.33)

As much as I hate to say it…I can’t argue with that. We give these passed down traditions “godlike” status, as though God Himself passed them down from Sinai. It would be funny if not so sad. Consider how many things are passed down as biblical when they are nothing more than cultural/tradition: Clothing. Order of Service. Music (style, etc). Version of the Bible. Hair length.

Seems to me like we ought to be taking a good, long, hard look at what we preach/teach and ask, “Is this me or is this Biblical?” Wrestle with that for awhile.

This is an ongoing & random posting from 46 Stones.

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Hero

Tuesday, May 26th, 2015

Our oldest daughter, Tami, came home Saturday for a few days. We are leaving later today (Tuesday) for Indianapolis to spend the night. She has an early morning “shadowing” to do and rather than leave real early in the morning and fight the Indy traffic she decided to go up today and spend the night at a hotel close by. (She is a chip of her mother’s block for sure). They asked me to go with them. I know it is so I can drive my truck and not really because they want my company. 🙂

If a father is allowed to have a daughter as a hero, I am one. I am extremely proud of both my girls, and couldn’t be more proud of Tami than I am right now. After 10 years in one school in Knoxville, (a magnet school the principal said no teacher should teach at for more than 3-5 years), she is embarking on a new venture. She wants to get closer to family (translated: her nephew, Braden), and her aging parents (man, did I just say that?), so she is making the move to hopefully teach in either Indiana or Ohio. She has been through a lot this past year or so. Health issues, many largely brought on by her job. Professional issues (she needed to get out of that school). Family issues (aforementioned family). It is a big step for her without a doubt. At her age (did I say she turns __ in just over a week and a half?) it takes a lot to start over. She had security, tenure, and a solid income, but as I told her, all that is worthless if your physical and mental health continues to deteriorate due to stress.

She is taking the plunge. Whether she will teach again, I don’t know. Whether she will go for more of a one-on-one approach, I don’t know. Whether it will still be in the education field, I don’t know. Where she will land, I don’t know. She will stay with us until she does find something. While neither she, nor I, know where she will land, there is ONE who does.  Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a man (or woman) are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.” I believe that firmly. Tami’s favorite verse is Zephaniah 3:17.

Out of my three family members, Tami not only comments occasionally on my blog, but is also the most consistent in reading it. So I know she will read this: I love you, Tami, and am proud of you. Happy 40th birthday early (June 3rd). Ooops. Ya gotta love me!!!