Illegitimate vs. Legitimate Parenting

Main Entry: il·le·git·i·mate
Function: adjective
Date: 1536

1 : not recognized as lawful offspring; specifically : born of parents not married to each other
2 : not rightly deduced or inferred
3 : departing from the regular

Society has for far too long labeled human kind born in adverse circumstances. Back in the day, children born out of wedlock were labeled 'illegitimate' (I was one of them); and children born whose father abandoned the mother or wanted nothing to do with becoming a parent were labeled 'bastards'. How unfair to the child. . . I and children like me, were considered less than those who had both parents. Many families turned their backs on their daughters, put them out and shamed them while the men walked freely without much ridicule - they were 'being a man'. I have a saying: times change but human nature does not.

The new term 'illegitimate parents' does not mean a man and woman are bad parents. When you reverse the term "illegitimate child" and "illegitimate parent" it means the parents have gotten the order of things wrong. They became parents before becoming spouses. . .God's order is marriage then children. While there are women/men/couples who intentionally have children without the covenant of marriage, I believe there are many who got caught up in "lust" and the passion of the moment whose end result was pregnancy. For those who chose to keep the child rather than abort, the private sin between two people became very public.

Children are precious in God's sight regardless of the timing of their appearance. I thank God that even when we get things out of order, because of His permissive will, we are still able to receive mercy and grace in our times of need.

Does that mean that God abandons us when we get the order wrong? No. . .especially not when we've confessed our sin and dis-order before Him and make that 180 degree turn. God requires all parents to raise their children up with reverential fear and love for Him. He says to teach His laws and precepts to our children at all times and to not forbid children to come to Him.

There are many couples who were 'pregnant' before they were married, but because they 'rushed' to the altar it was perceived as acceptable - but we all can do the math. There are many couples who got under the radar of the church because they were 'not in church' when they were in their foolishness; thus, no one knew nor could condemn. I'm in no way condoning the pre-marital sexual actions of men and women; but we must look through the loving lenses of our heavenly Father if those actions result in the birth of a living soul. Forgiveness, mercy and grace.

We all have sins and past actions that we are not proud of. Many of them are hidden from the masses. We must protect what is precious in God's sight.

What are your thoughts on this?

Meet Me In The Meadow: What It’s All About?

Meet Me In The Meadow: What It’s All About?

I hope you enjoy this devotional piece from Roy Lessin. His writing is not only scripturally sound, it is from the heart of another Encourager! Love you and be blessed by walking in The Son-shine.

What It’s All About?

It’s not about following our career path;
It’s about following His call upon our lives. Matthew 16:24
It’s not about our self-efforts to live for Him;
It’s about letting Him live His life in us. Gal. 2:20
It’s not about our attempts at self-improvement;
It’s about His transforming grace. 2 Cor. 5:17
It’s not about our self-image;
It’s about being conformed to His image. Romans 8:29
It’s not about our abilities to serve;
It’s about His power to equip us. Acts 1:8
It’s not about our human resources;
It’s about His sufficiency. 2 Corinthians 3:5
It’s not about wanting the approval of others;
It’s about having His approval. 2 Tim. 2:15

Umbundu Proverb

BODY IS EASILY SATISFIED, BUT NOT THE HEART.
(Angola 1914)

"Well" Language

Incorporate these expressions into your daily self-talk.

One Hope
-One day, things will change. If I have hope, I have help.
-With God, nothing is impossible.
-I am capable of doing all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
-I will carry on . . . I can make it!

Open to God
-I am a woman open to God. God will meet me in my ordinary.
-Anonymous is an unacceptable reality.
-Reach out and people will reach back.
-I am a woman looking for unexpected opportunity to advance!

Breaking Down Barriers
-My uniqueness does not mean I am inferior or superior. It means I am unique.
-Look for the best in everyone; do not exclude what God includes.
-My freedom does not require the enslavement of another human.
-I will not allow other people’s prejudices to create obstacles for me.
-I am loved and wanted – I belong!

Discovering a New Way of Thinking
-A different harvest requires a different seed (think new ways to achieve new results).
-I shall be transformed by the renewing of my mind.
-I will think on what is true, pure, lovely, excellent, holy, right, noble and praiseworthy.
-Thoughts precede action.
-Godly thinking produces Godly action; let’s get spiritual!

2010 WoW Retreat

Just to keep you updated, I will post the answers to this past weekend's retreat topics soon. The sessions to be posted are:
Transformation, Part 1
Transformation, Part 2
The Nature of Longing (Single womens session)
Living Ephesians 5: Giving Respect (Married womens session)

I pray everyone was blessed by the weekend of 'refreshing' in the presence of our Abba Father. HE is our daddy and there isn't anything we can't present to HIM that HE isn't able to handle.

Blessings and peace to you,
Pastor K

FAITH

What is faith? Over the years we've heard many explanations of what faith is and what faith isn't. In searching through my files, I came across something the Living Spirit of God dropped in my spirit some time ago. Hope you are blessed by it. . .

F fully focuses forward
A actively adjusts attitude
I inspires insightful interaction
T transforms trust
H holds heaven's hand

Hebrews 11:1 - By Faith We Understand "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

FAITH is an action word - it is more than 'waiting'. It is 'doing', 'depending...it is knowing at a spiritual level what is to come. There is confidence in this when you know who holds your future - The Lord God who is Almighty!! Praises be to His name.

These temples of ours. . .

Most of my adult life, I've focused on eating a balance of foods (what I like, what's good for me and sometimes what's not). Believe it or not, once upon a time I was a vegetarian and only put natural products on my skin and in my hair! The Whole Food market (called health food stores then) was a way of life. I felt physically and spiritually alive.

I don't have a weakness for sweets but REAL food! Namely, breads, flavorful entree combinations, and pasta/rice. Then there is working out . . . There are days, I'm convinced that exercise is not essential, but every year I'm blessed to see brings new changes in the 'body' that houses my spirit. I've embarked on a new journey of fitness and ask each of you who have made the same commitment: HOW DO YOU DO IT?

How do you work it into busy schedules, unexpected interruptions, days of 'just not feelin it'. . .