A Late Post Because of an Awesome Weekend

It has been a busy week. You may remember how we posted this month would be busy. It. Has. Been. Very. BUSY!

Last week was pretty normal. Mom was doing a big project with her job but still managed to come home for dinner every night. JT was involved with two youth groups, as usual. I have been practicing my flute with the help of a tutor. Dad? Well, I am not sure what my Dad does!

We will put some pictures up later but the weekend was awesome! On Saturday morning, my Dad and I went to a city about five hours away to see Straight No Chaser. The concert was amazing and we had a great time! We spent the night Saturday and worshiped where one of Dad's friends preaches on Sunday morning. A lot of the members of the congregation knew who Straight No Chaser is and were excited we got to see them and were there. After services, we ate lunch at Cracker Barrel and had Chocolate cake, something we traditionally do on Dad-Daughter outings.

In the next two weekends, we will be making two trips to another state. One will be for birthdays in the family. The other will be for the holiday. So, we will have more to post about.

Until next time...

-j&k

Something Worth Considering...

-j

You Have to Laugh...Or You Will Cry

A recent phone conversation:

Shawna: Baby, the internet is not working, I called the company and they are sending us a new modem.

Jeremy: How long were you one the phone?

Shawna: Oh, 45 minutes to an hour.

Jeremy: I am sorry, but if you will turn the modem on, I think the internet will work fine. I turned it off last night when I suspected JT of surfing when he was not suposed to be.

I will enjoy my time in the dog house!!!

 

-j

Walking with the Master

Break Down the Barriers

Jeremy Northrop

 
The Bible speaks extensively of certain people with whom Christians cannot associate themselves or be in fellowship (Ephesians 5:11; Romans 16:17; 2Thessalonians 3:14). The Bible also shows the path of reconciliation or the way that barriers which divide can be broken down. The way in which biblical fellowship can be exercised is in Christ. Paul said, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28). The key to reconciliation is Christ. This is seen in the first statement — “For as many of you were baptized in Christ have put on Christ.” Then Paul mentions specifically three of the barriers which are broken down in Christ.

First, the national or racial barrier is broken down. In Christ, “There is neither Jew nor Greek.” In Christ, there is no racial division but rather spiritual unity. In Acts 10:9-16, this is illustrated very well when the Lord appears to Peter in a vision and explains that there are no longer limitations on animals which man can eat. He also explains how Gentiles can receive the gospel (Acts 10:17-23). This is also seen in John 4 when Jesus goes through Samaria (something not commonly done then — John 4:4) and conversed with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.  There were some who were advocating the idea that Christians of Jewish decent were better than Christians of Gentile decent. Paul was dealing with the foolishness of such a doctrine in the book of Galatians. This, of course, builds up to his statement already considered in Galatians 3:27-28. Christ has torn down any racial barriers by dying on the cross for all.

Next, Galatians 3:27-28 tears down a status barrier. While today, it may be hard for some to imagine the idea of slavery, such was very commonplace in New Testament times. Interestingly, the Bible was not primarily intended to abolish slavery. In fact, the Bible points out good reasons for slavery such as punishment for crimes (Exodus 21). Some have reasonably argued that while the Bible never set out to abolish slavery, the abolition of slavery came as a natural result of Christianity. Paul encourages both slaves and masters who are Christians to treat each other equitably (Ephesians 6:5-9). Paul encouraged Philemon, a runaway slave, to return to his master showing fruits of repentance after he had been converted (Philemon 8-16). While in life, many may have different roles, in Christ all are one. In Christ, the barrier of status is broken down.

Finally, in Christ, gender or sex is broken down — “...there is neither male nor female….” Perhaps of all the barriers mentioned in Galatians 3:27-28, this is currently the most controversial. Many tend to think since God made male and female one in Christ Jesus, there is no difference of roles between them. Passages like 1Corinthians 14:34-35 and 2Timothy 2:8-15 tell of the differences in roles which God intends for men and women. The church has different members each with different roles which together will accomplish the mission of the church (Romans 12:4-5). Accomplishing the purpose of the church, the members are all one in Christ. Men have a role in the church and women have a role in the church. When everyone does their part, the work of the church is being accomplished and the individual members are one in Christ.

The Bible also speaks of different women who were involved in the work of the church in the New Testament. Chloe was mentioned in 1Corinthians 1. In Romans 16:1, Phoebe was commended by Paul. Aquilla’s wife, Pricilla worked with him in teaching Apollos the way of the Lord more accurately (Acts 18:26). There is a work for women and the gender/sex barrier has been broken down in Christ.

Through Christ, so many other barriers can be broken down in addition to the ones mentioned in Galatians 3:27-28. Christ also abolishes cultural, language, geographical, and age barriers. In fact, in Christ there are no barriers or prejudice of any kind. Christ brings unity, not division. The unity is found in obeying His will, not man’s will. The unity is found in being baptized into Him, not someone else. The unity is found in living for God, not anyone else. The unity Christians seek is that all be one with God which will bring about unity with one another. This action will Break Down the Barriers.

-j

Another Week...Another Post

It had been another good week in the family of N. We are richly blessed by the Father of Lights!

This week was Halloween and JT went as the Fonz and I (Kaylee) went as herself which is better than going in a costume (my dad said it was scary and I said "shut up, dad").

Kaylee and Jeremy have been working on scanning old pictures into a digital format. We still have a lot to do but the project is moving along nicely. During the project, everyone gets to ponder about days gone by. We are getting to the point where we have a significant past to think about and ponder.

Everyone is off medicine and seems to be doing well. Jeremy will work this week and things will start to slow down as the entire staff is due to be back at work. Shawna will be getting busy as the big reaccreditation visit is next weekend! Hopefully, things will start to slow down after that! Nope! Then the holidays will be upon us.

Kaylee was sick one day this week and missed a writing test, which she wasn't too sad about. Then another day JT and Kaylee both took their lunches and had sandwiches. However, mom mixed up the sandwiches and ended up "poisoning" Kaylee because she gave her the sandwich with jelly, which she is allergic to. So, short school week.

This weekend, the congregation had a family retreat of which we attended a little bit of it. JT got to go the whole time but the rest of us, due to busy schedules, had to go in bits and pieces. We still feel uplifted and it has been a good weekend.

-js&k