The Heart Matters

Nurse suspension over prayer ‘could lead to thousands more’

Primary school receptionist ‘facing sack’ after daughter talks about Jesus to classmate

Christian foster mother struck off after Muslim girl converts

Too Christian or Too Narrow?

These are the headlines that have been receiving some media coverage in Britain lately. What do they all have in common? Well, individuals are being censured or facing job loss due to sharing their Christian religious views with those they encounter while on the “job.” Just more evidence of the “end of days,” some evangelicals would agree.

Britain, a country that considers itself primarily Christian, appears to be distancing itself from the open practice of faith. Is this the beginning of a disturbing trend in Britain or just a reflection of what the culture is demanding – total separation of church and state? What about an individual’s right, as a citizen, to the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion?

The secular world is not the only one playing the “Big Brother” card. Even the Church of England has ruled that its members cannot join a  political group that supports views contrary to the church beliefs on racial equality. Just another law or rule rearing its ugly head within institutional Christianity?

So what does this all mean? Has there been an increase in cases against those in America who openly share their faith – any faith? Or is Christianity the only faith deemed worthy of protesting?

On the surface it appears that Christians are targeted for censure. Are Muslim expressions of religion censored? What about atheists? The glaring question is this, “What are we as evangelical Christians to make of all of these recent events?”

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Christian foster mother struck off after Muslim girl converts

A foster mother with 10 years’ experience was struck off after a Muslim girl in her care converted to Christianity, it has emerged.

By Matthew Moore
Last Updated: 8:55PM GMT 08 Feb 2009

The woman has been banned by her local council for failing to prevent the teenager from getting baptised, even though the girl was 16 and made up her own mind to change religion.

The carer, a churchgoer in her 50s who has fostered more than 80 children, has now been forced to move out of her home.

She has lost the farmhouse she rented to look after vulnerable teenagers, due to the loss of income.

Another girl she was looking after has been taken back into care.

The woman, who has launched a legal challenge to the council’s challenge, told the Daily Telegraph: “I just want to get my life back.

“I still hope to resolve this so that I can possibly foster again in the future as I simply enjoy helping young people.”

Religious groups and fostering charities condemned the council’s decision, which comes amid a nationwide shortage of foster parents.

Last year the Fostering Network launched an urgent appeal for more than 5,000 families to come forward.

The ruling has increased concerns that Christians are becoming victims of discrimination in Britain, following the case of Caroline Petrie, the nurse suspended for offering to pray for a patient.

She was subsequently reinstated.

The foster mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, insists that she did not pressurise the teenager to convert, and actually tried to discourage her initial interest.

The girl, who is now 17, was taken into care after being assaulted by a family member, saw baptism “as a washing away of the horrible things she had been through and a symbol of a new start,” the woman said.

“I offered her alternatives. I offered to find her places to practise her own religion.

“I offered to take her to friends or family. But she said to me from the word go: ‘I am interested and I want to come [to church]‘.”

The carer claims that social services were aware that the girl was attending her evangelical church, and council bosses only objected when she they found out she had been baptised.

Apostasy – the repudiation of one’s faith – is strongly condemned in the Koran and is considered taboo in Muslim communities.

Officials advised the teenager to reconsider her decision and stop attending Christian meetings, and in November struck the carer off their register, claiming she breached her duty of care as a foster parent.

“They consider that in some way she should have taken steps to prevent the conversion,” said solicitor Nigel Priestley, who is representing the carer.

He is demanding a judicial review into the council’s decision, claiming they have breached Article 9 of the Human Rights Act, which guarantees freedom of religion for both the carer and the girl.

He said that the teenager, who is now back with her parents, was “distressed” that her private faith had had such repercussions, and is supporting her former carer’s legal bid.

Mike Judge of the Christian Institute, which is funding the carer’s legal case, said: “I cannot imagine that an atheist foster carer would be struck off if a Christian child in her care stopped believing in God.

“This is the sort of double standard that Christians are facing in Britain.”

Mr Priestley said that the council had now offered to review its decision, but said his client was prepared to pursue legal action if her case was not resolved.

The council in the north of Englandm, which also cannot be named, declined to comment on “sensitive issues surrounding a child in care”.

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Vulnerability. Some value this quality in their friends and in themselves. More hold this characteristic with disdain. Not really sure which side I fall on. To share the details of one’s life at times seems so noble – exposing the soul for the sake of connecting with others who are searching and hurting – bridging the gap between individuality and community.

Other times, I wonder if it this just a desperate attempt for attention – to perceive self importance and communal significance – to share the dirt of one’s life just for the sake of becoming a spectacle. I just don’t know.

There are various aspects of vulnerability. The heart lays open and the inner secrets – the fears – the hope and dreams are revealed. We share our weaknesses with one another. But why? It is understanding that we are in search of? To be vulnerable places you in a position of weakness. You could so easily be hurt. It is risky. Dare you expose your heart to some one? What harm could they do?

I suppose the old adage misery loves company is so true. As humans, we experience so many common milestones. We all fall down and scrape our knees which bear life-long scars. Our young and eager hearts grow warm in anticipation of mutual affection – naive at first only to be hardened by heartache and betrayal. Deeper, darker scars are born. These are the wounds common to us all. These are pains we all share.

Christ calls us to bear one another’s burdens. The only way this is possible is to share our struggles and our joys with each other. Just what this looks like – I am not completely clear.

Seriously, we can’t all just walk around spouting off about all of our boo-boos, aches and pains. If you did, the next thing you’d know, it is that you are at a retirement home just waiting for it all to end. Or you’d be alone, having scared everyone away – with your black hole ways. Not how I picture bearing one another’s burdens.

So, how is a brother or a sister to share what is going on? How do you get those in your life to open up about their struggles? Just how does one walk this line? How can I effectively carry another’s burden? This just eats at me.

Relationships – why are they so scary and strange to me?  Why do I desire intimacy more than I can say? Why do I labor over seeming insignificant details? Why isn’t the path clear and straight? Why is it – that I flounder and flop – seemingly making progress, yet all the while treading water – keeping my head barely above the water?

Why is it that vulnerability is just so confusing? Is it just me or do others struggle with this?

Last night, I had an amazing evening with my sisters in Christ. Everyone was sharing what weighed on their hearts. It was a joyful time. It was also a time of sorrow. I am humbled by them – who they are. I just feel so unworthy and unable to love – to help carry the burden. I also feel so damned honored and thankful.

I suppose this is normal. This must be what the walk of faith is all about. I just can’t. I know that I am not able. I am grateful that Christ can.

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Here is a description of a wife of noble character from Proverbs 31: 10-31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously;  her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.  Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom,  and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed;  her husband also, and he praises her:  “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

My mind wrestles with the character of this woman. Her worth surpasses that of precious rubies. I am not even sure what that means. Exactly what does this passage mean for wives today?

This passage is often cited as the ultimate goal for the woman of God. It is frequently placed before harried, exhausted mothers as the crowning achievement of womanhood. So, exactly what does a godly wife look like?

As best as I can tell from this passage she has super natural power. I mean look at what she does. She always has her husbands best interests in mind – including the running of a household that can only be described as some sort of plantation. Not only does it run well, but it is a lucrative enterprise bringing wealth and praise to her spouse.

Gifted. This woman puts Martha Stewart and Rachel Rae to shame – selecting wool and flax and spinning it into amazing cloth. Yes, it’s all about the clothing, isn’t it? Her family is clothed in scarlet and in purple – not just any dye will do. She has plenty of fabric.  Such an abundance of fabric that her beds have coverings. Not only does she clothe those in her household – but there is extra to make sashes and garments. The profits add to the esteem of her husband.

Thrifty. She has an eye for deals. Oh yes, she can sniff out a good buy and turn around a hefty profit through the labor of her strong arms. She purchases land and uses it to grow produce. She not only has enough food for her own but sells the excess for the purchase of wine. I bet she makes an amazing Shiraz.

Industrious. She employs other women and they benefit from her shrewd handling of assets. There is such plenty that she gives to the poor and strives to meet the needs of those in poverty.

Multi-faceted. This woman does it all. She even is an learned teacher – sharing her wisdom with others. People seek this woman out. Her man is praised and respected among the town’s leaders. He is deemed worthy to sit in public meetings.

Joyful. Concerning the future, she has no worries. She can live without anxiety or fear as the needs of her family are met. No bills to be paid. Not debt accumulating. She can live in today – to the fullest – without the weight of uncertainty.

Busy. This woman is never idle. Not that she doesn’t enjoy those around her or laugh in the company of friends. She does. Yet, she always has some purpose in her activity. She rises before the sun and works late into the night. This is a woman of worth – of significance.

Esteemed. Above all, her children praise her name and respect her. They call her “blessed” or happy I suppose. Even that man of hers praises her to others in her presence. I bet that feels amazing to have your husband say great things about what you do when he is away busied with his work. He praises her face to face.

It is a strange sort of compliment. “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Then comes the insightful commentary:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Her character is juxtaposed to that of many other women. Those who portray charm – have a deceptive nature. The value of someone goes deeper than their enchanting methods and ways. As for looks, those fade with time – but character that is something that endures and remains. Character impacts those around you.  People remember that, not how a woman looked in her youth.

How do I rate myself in light of this scripture? I can’t even begin to do so. Geez. It’s not that I haven’t or can’t do many of the things described in this passage. I can and I have.

The problem is that I can’t do it all. I try and then I fail. Either my house and exterior are in order, and then my relationships fall apart. Or it’s vice versa. This must be where the supernatural comes into play – the clinging dependence upon the Lord. This appears to be missing from the text of this passage. Yet, it must be core to her character. How else can she be so freaking amazing?

Without utter and complete dependence on the Lord and identifying with his precepts and will, she could not possible maintain this way of living. She gets it. She must have learned this well in her youth. Look at what she has accomplished.

I’m not sure what to make of all this. I’ve just been wrestling with the balance between my perceived two worlds. But that is the problem. They are not separate realms. They are one and the same united and completed through spiritual dependence.

Perhaps there is still hope for me and my household. Perhaps someday I will depend solely upon the Lord and get my strength and my guidance from Him and His word. Perhaps my husband too will praise my name in my presence – face to face. Perhaps this understanding can yet be manifest in my life. Perhaps …

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This just cracks me up. Thought I’d share this video with those who see David Hasselhoff and just crack up .

Don\’t Hassel the Hoff - Warning this video contain images of Kit the car, a middle aged David Hasselhoff and some 80’s hot babes – MTV style.

Enjoy this tribute to the 80’s – David Hasselhoff style.

Hehehehehe - This just cracks me up!

"Michael, look out!"

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By what standard is a person’s worth measured? Seriously. Look around you. What do people value? What qualities do most desire?

• A stable income with benefits and perks.
• Someone significant with whom to share ourselves and our dreams – to build a life together.
• A family that works together and plays together.
• Children who are successful and have attained a favorable status within the community.
• Deep friendships that carry us through the dark times and give a purpose beyond ourselves.
• Awesome looks and a buff body – far beyond the firmness of youth.
• A home – finely decorated and spacious – the envy of family reunions.
• Lofty degrees – followed by professional accomplishment.
• Adventure and excitement – exotic vacations and thrilling experiences.

This list could continue ad nauseam.

Now as believers, often we dismiss these as values of the world – the desires of those who do not have a relationship with Christ. But I wonder, are we truly being honest with ourselves. Am I? Don’t we all struggle with the “things of this world?”

It is as if I have some sort of internal gauge that subconsciously measures my worth. My worth as a person is measured on performance. I rate my worth effortlessly. It just happens – like breathing.

As a mother of four sons, who has recently entered middle age, I have allowed myself several concessions. I acknowledge that I will never be the wasp-waist girl of my 20’s. Years of cycling and weight lifting has worn my joints. The creaking in my joints advise me not to continue the tissue wearing exercise of my youth. (Regrets, yes some. I really enjoyed working out daily – I need to find some less damaging exercises.)

I have conceded, and then embraced, that my job is to stay at home with my children and to look after my family’s interests. Furthering my education is not in my future. I have closed that chapter in my life. (This is particularly sad for me as I just love studying and enjoy working. I love to get outside of this house and “just do it.”) I guess a bachelor’s degree will have to suffice. The exhilarating climb up the professional ladder is not a height I will attain.

As a result of these decisions, I probably will not earn an income that will support my family. (So much to contributing to the financial security of my family.) No one will lust after my dwelling. My only hope is that they do not mock what I warmly call home. (Why I care if people make fun of my house – I still can’t quite figure.)

These values have long since been removed from my personal list of merits. Yet, I still cling to several others. I deeply desire to succeed as a wife, a mother and a friend – and yes as a servant of the Lord. These are what I struggle – wrestle – contend with – almost daily.

I look at my children. They are so amazing. What a gift and a mighty responsibility the Lord has entrusted to me – (and my husband too). They are the delight of my soul. And yet, they are also the ache in my heart – the kink in my neck – the bitter bile in my gut. I am at a loss – I flounder and do not know what to do. I know what I desire to do and I understand my natural tendencies – but still I am lost. How do I attain excellence as a mother?

God entrusts you with these free thinking creatures who you just fall in love with – even before you get to hold them in your arms. As a mother, you are given the honor of feeling them stir within you. A child moves about and wakens a place in your heart you never knew existed. This is such a great treasure and a mighty responsibility.

I feel the weight of that great burden on my shoulders. At times I am crushed by the enormity of it – at other times it is as if I cannot breathe. My tendency is to react – to plan – to devise – to manage – to monitor – to attempt – to correct. In the end, I usually end up fluttering around like some sort of deranged hen. I function. I deal. I handle. I mediate. But do I enjoy and laugh and revel in joy? Do I rejoice in who my sons are? Am I present? What is the purpose of all this activity? Who the hell do I think that I am?

So then, I am paralyzed. Thoughts race through my head.

“Do nothing.”

“Sit at the feet of the Lord.”

“Be still and know that I am God.”

“Let him who has ears, let him hear.”

“Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you.”

In college I lived in a ministry house. A girl named Louise lived there too. She was always so preoccupied with keeping everything in order. Clean up. Do the dishes. Vacuum the house. … You get the picture.

I would laugh at her in my mind, “Just look at the little Martha.” I would congratulate myself on being like Mary and not busying myself with such worldly matters. “Such a waste of my time,” I would smirk inwardly. “Look at her fret over such mundane things – I am sitting at the feet of Jesus – studying his word and reveling in the relationships around me. Too bad for Louise. I am living the abundant life!”

I acknowledge that my perception of my roommate was by no means accurate or fair, but I think I was on to something then … something I seem to have forgotten in my personal efforts to gain merit and to succeed. In truth I have lost sight of several things.

First, people are important. Enjoying people and letting people know that you enjoy them is key to healthy relationships. I am not saying that I should have been such a sanguine, untidy disaster by neglecting my household responsibilities. It seems that I did understand something about valuing people and the times that you share. As a mother – I can lose sight of this. I forget to enjoy my sons and to express warmth and acceptance towards them. Some how I am always on patrol – seeking violations and implementing corrections.

Second, don’t sweat the little things. I get so agitated when things are out of order. Who gives crap if flour is all over the kitchen and contact paper is stuck all over the wood floors. What is important is that people felt loved and that a good time was had by all. Conversations have a way of just happening while people are having a fun. The mood is relaxed – so too are the people. This way mom interrogations are not the only verbal interactions.

Third, spend some time with Jesus. Sit at his feet. Lean on him and allow him to carry your load. This can happen several ways.

• Spend time in the word. Just read it – get a feel for what was going on. Do this before you get out the commentaries and exegete the passage.
• Even before you read the passage, pray – invite the Spirit to give you supernatural insight. He will.
• Share your struggle with a brother or sister in Christ. Share you burden and enjoy the relationship. God has equipped your friend with a very special gift that may benefit you.

Merits. Just how do we assess our worth? Is it by the world’s standards? Or is our worth determine by what Christ has done, who He is, and who he says that we are as his fellow brothers and sisters?

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Revelations 5:12

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