Mannaword

It continues to snow here. It is very beautiful, cold but lovely. We are out and about like normal as this type and amount of snow will not keep us in. There are storms in some years that keep us house-bound for a day or so, but never more than that.

The big difference between here and parts south is that we are accustomed to snow and our road crews etc… handle it very well. I am grateful for both – the snow and the road crews.

Don’t forget about Friday night Fellowship at Psalm 19 tomorrow evening for all nearby. We always have a wonderful time in the Lord’s presence.

I have just published a “Memory Slideshow” for the Fall Conference 2010. You can see the show here:  http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Slide_Shows.html

I will be posting here very soon. Much has occurred and I am full with “stuff” that needs to be shared. So plan on revisiting soon.

I have not forgotten my blog, nor my blogging friends. I have several ideas churning in the prayer closet for the continuance of this “Submission” theme, because it is very important in our spiritual lives.

However, today, I just want to refer you to my web site where I have placed our video of our Psalm 19 Christmas Celebration. I think you will enjoy the lesson the Lord gave. http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Videos.html

I will be back in a day or so.

My last teaching in the “possess The Land” series is now up on our web site. It is Faith’s Response. For those of you who have chosen to follow – Enjoy. If you have yet to watch -give it a go – you will be glad you did.  Go to:

http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Videos.html

More on the “submission” topic soon. Right now I am preparing for a trip to Hamilton, Ont., Canada for a week-end of ministry at the Joshua Center. Prayers are so appreciated. Lauren is driving and will be leading some worship.

I have just read an excellent post at http://betterexegesis.blogspot.com/ and I urge all who are interested in the Greek rendering of the difference between “submission” and “obedience” to go there and read. I will not attempt such an analysis here.

Submission is an attitude of the heart that simply wants the will of another person. Obedience is the action that will follow when submission is in place. As such, submission is a gift you choose to give and only you can choose to do so. Obedience can and at times is a requirement that others can demand. Submission, on the other hand, is an attitude of heart that each person can choose to give to another. It is commanded in the New Testament as a requirement for the church to live in harmony, and for the marriage to be successful in Christ.

However, if the husband does not hear Ephesians 5:21 and understand that this attitude is required of him in reference to others, and he then attempts to demand it from his wife, there will be war. However, if it is lovingly taught and encouraged by mutual submission first, then it is a joy to watch it flow and increase the love and obedience in Christ between us.

Much of the “Christian” teaching we have experienced about marriage has encouraged a “Lordship” attitude from the husband. This same attitude is condemned by the Lord in reference to the way Christian leaders are to work in reference to the church. (Mark 10:41-45) So if we violate one passage to confirm our view of another one, something is terribly wrong.

The submission data must be heard by all so all will have opportunity to respond to the Lord in this attitude, and to respond to others in through this empowerment. I say “empowered,” because I believe only the Lord can work this inside us. Rebellion is so much a part of us that we often do not even recognize it. All of us must be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out the reality of the holiness, through submission, that the Lord has imparted and invested into us.

More later.

It has occurred to me that many do not understand the difference between submission and obedience. We obey (often with gritted teeth and an angry interior) and think we are being submissive. As a woman often haunted by the “submission” necessity in marriage and often carried into the church, I have wrestled with this and the scriptures for many years.

Many years ago, another Bible teacher whose name is Janice Wise, taught that “submission” and “obedience” were two separate items. As I pondered this, it became a beacon of light into the Scriptures and into my Lord’s empowerment in my life. I praise Him for giving her that revelation and it has become an ever deepening revelation inside me.

I find that most of the time, we regard them as synonymous. This causes much condemnation and anxiety in hearts as we search for areas of disobedience to correct them. All the while, the problem with disobedience is not the action so much as the heart behind the action.

Let me explain. Submission is commanded for all Christians. “…submitting to one another in the fear of God.” (Eph. 5:21). (By the way, the next verse is not separate in content from this one as in the Greek the word “submission” is not written, but referred to only as connected to this verse. More on that in another post). Submission is for all who belong to our Lord Jesus. It is not action, but rather the deep heart motivation for the action. Submission implies that I am regarding another’s will above my own. If I do the action, but disregard the will, there is no submission. So submission is the work of and with the Holy Spirit in our closet of fellowship with the Lord.

Obedience is seldom the problem. Disobedience stems from a core  that we label rebellion. That is because the heart has not accepted another will, but is insisting (inside) on its own. All of us live here – some more than others. I am very grateful for totally forgiveness and lavished grace as I live in my Lord and discover the areas in my heart that remain “upright” instead of bowed to Him and therefore to others.

Submission is a freedom word and is often the “eye of the needle” where we are invited to enter and find an openness, wideness and  freedom in the Spirit we have longed for instead of constriction and condemnation.

More later.

I have just put the video of our last Friday Fellowship up on our web site. http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Videos.html

Those of you who are listening regularly, please enjoy. For others who might enjoy the programs, give it a go. The Lord is so very warm with us and gracious in showing us His purposes through His word. How blessed we are!

It is a good day! It is Friday and most of the world is gearing up for the week-end. Here at Psalm 19 we are in the office and getting some things ready for our conference which begins next Friday. Tonight I am to perform a small wedding and then it is just a normal week-end. I am not teaching at all this week-end, and so I will just rest and relax in our Lord’s love. May your week-end be full of Him as you enjoy the breath he has given.

I have just put a new slideshow up on our web site. It is of the Friday Fellowship of September 20, 2010. It also has music by Robyn and Diane. Go take a look. I think you will enjoy it. Tina Hook was leading worship and Lauren Godfrey preached on “Chosen to Mature.” That teaching video is on the video page of the site.  http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Slide_Shows.html

It is Fall in Central New York and today the leaves are falling as the rather stiff breeze blows through them. It is a bit dark, although not yet raining. I love this season! It is time to enjoy the cooler weather and the sweaters and the smell of wood smoke burning somewhere. I love the smell, but Joe and I are both quite allergic to it so just enjoy an whiff now and again.When we were munch younger we heated with wood – no problem then for which we were grateful. We are also grateful we no longer heat that way.

I have put up two new videos on our web site; Lauren’s teaching on “Chosen to Mature” which was #4 in our “Possess the Land” series; and my most recent one #5 in the series “The Anointing Breaks the Yoke.” I have left the series up on the web, so you can listen to all 5 if you choose and travel this way with us through what the Lord is doing among us. Just go to: http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Videos.html

I will try to be more diligent about this blog. I have let it go too long without posting. Thank you for all who read and for all who join us in prayer. Blessings.

Several of you precious ones enjoy our teaching videos on our Psalm 19 web site. I just put a new one up. Thank you for watching and listening! Go to:

http://www.psalm19ministries.org/psalm19ministries/Videos.html