God's House Series

 God's House

In this blog series we will discuss every element of Christian activity.  We will discuss every areas of church activity with one goal in mind...."How does this activity bring us closer to God and will it help us not only with our outreach to the world but with our personal relationship with God.  How will this activity help to pave the way to Heaven."

We appreciate all your comments and hope this series will inspire you and bring you closer to God.

The following links will take you to all the articles written about God's House.


What's wrong with America?

The Importance of Sanctification

The Pastors role in God's House - Part I

The Pastor's role in God's House - Part II

The Pastor's role in God's House - Part III

The Pastor's role in God's House - Forgiveness

What's wrong with America?

I love this country!  I want my free America back.  I want to feel safe.  I want to feel like my grandchildren (nope...none yet - but hopeful) will have the same wonderful opportunities that I had.  I want to feel like my children will be able to make a living and have the same great life that I had.

Last week a friend confided.... "I feel like America is going to Hell in a hand basket and there's nothing I can do about it.  I'm so depressed."

I think we all feel that way.  We are being pushed around by political correctness, hatred, greed, sin, anarchy, corruption, crime, personal assaults and.....we don't even feel safe within our own church communities.  Add to that the economic pressures and trying to argue with spoiled liberal brats and it can feel like the good life is ending.

I'm currently reading a great book, 5 Ministry Killers and how to defeat them.  (Use my amazon link to purchase this book)  In his book, Charles Stone gives a lot of statistics from the Barna Group as well as other polling institutions.   Stone stated, "If the Barna Group is right about the twenty million who sit in the pews each week, and leave wondering if church is worth their time, then plenty of them probably sit in my church as well."

Wow....20,000,000 unsatisfied Christians.  That's a lot of people who aren't being fed.  Now before we jump on pastors too hard....I agree with Stone that it's not totally up to pastors.  I bet half or more of those 20 million aren't prepared to "receive" anything even before the pastor takes the pulpit.  (More on that subject later).

I would like to suggest that before we run out the door to protest all the things that are wrong in our society - maybe we need to do a little research on the roots of problematic people.  For example, take this picture I received from a friend.  The poster says..."Give us Free Healthcare, Jobs, no taxes, house, food, You owe us America!  We will shoot more police in Arizona until we get free!"

I'm not going to jump on my justified soapbox and ask - "Who does he think he is?  No one should have the right to "shoot more policemen".  Why should I support him?  He looks well enough to work.  Which brings up the question.... "Has he shot policemen before?"  Why wasn't he taken in for questioning?

The question I am going to pose is....what brought this guy to the protest?  What is his past?  Why does he feel he has the right to force his way on Americans who built this country?  Why does he feel justified in his hate...in his need to kill authority figures?  Does he have a faith?  Is he a criminal?  Does he know about our constitution?  What did his mom teach him about society and how to live within a society?  Did his parents teach him about hard work and obeying laws?

Those questions are important.  Without answering them we don't really know the people that are trying to hurt us as individuals and destroy us as a nation.  Where is the church in all this?  Are we spreading the message of the gospel so thoroughly that other nations want our faith as well as our country?

Where are parents in this fight?  Are we training our children to be good citizens?  Are we training them to grow up and build a stronger government that will reach the goal of our founding fathers....to be a light on the hill - a beacon to the world?

As we protest and as the Tea party movement grows, we must answer many of these questions.  As a teacher and family specialist - I am concerned with two huge segments of our society.  I'm concerned with the declining influence of the church on individual lives.  I'm also concerned with the declining influence of parents on the future of their children. 

I hope you will join me for a series of posts on God's House.  We will be asking some huge questions about the validity and power of the church in a contemporary society.  Tomorrow we will discuss "Sanctification" and if it plays a role in today's church.

I've already discussed parenting as an important factor in changing America.  Children will always throw temper tantrums when they don't get what they want.  Debbie's definition of a temper tantrum is when a child or adult refuses to listen to the facts or reasons and chooses physical action and selfishness over intelligent understanding. 

Hum....does that apply to the protest on immigration?  No one in America is denying the "lawful" path to citizenship.  Just because a task is hard doesn't mean that it's wrong.  Does "temper tantrum" apply to political correctness and much of the liberal agenda? Hum....  Does "temper tantrum" apply to areas of the church?  Hum....

Let me know what you think.

God loves you,

Debbie

Open Letter to Glen Beck

Dear Mr. Beck,

I agree with everything you teach on your show.  I believe in Faith, Hope and Charity.  I believe in America and her founding fathers.  I believe there has to be a hidden motive for why so many politicians are pushing the progressive agenda and I don't believe that it's for the common good.

I think you are a highly intelligent man and I'm grateful that you are so quick to highlight other intelligent people. 

But....America will NEVER turn around and be the country it once was unless you talk about the complicated area of parenting.  Honor can't be demanded, it can't be legislated and it can't be part of a business plan. 

Honor and many of the other traits you encourage your listeners to demand - must be learned.  I was so impressed when you had the men from Liberty College on your show.  Great show!  Great men!  But even faith doesn't always overcome dishonor in humans. 

Do you know what you call a jerk who becomes a Christian?  A Christian Jerk!  I've met a lot of those types over the years. There are times when God chooses to change a man 100%, deep down, over and under, in every way.  But that's not the norm.  Most of the time God saves the soul and it's up to training, pastoral care and determination of the individual to change the temptations lurking deep in his personality.

Real honor is learned and perfected over time.  An adult that has been disciplined and trained from day one will have an easier time being honorable.  It takes time to create an honorable adult.  Honor is learned when we "lose" as well as when we win.  Honor is learned when we have heroes like your Dad and mine to set the pace.  Honor is learned when we are required to be compassionate and to care.  Honor is learned when we are required to be intelligent and to look for the facts - "question with boldness".  Honor is learned when we are required to sacrifice for the good of others. 

It takes a long time to create an honorable adult - that's why it must begin with parenting.  It must begin when a child enters the toddler stage. 

I look at some politicians and all I can see is a spoiled child trying to be a bully.  I put the blame squarely where it belongs....their parents.  Parents can cause children to have a distorted view of others.  Some children become bullies and those usually wind up in juvenile detention.  Others don't like the crime route so they learn to play the system.  They figure out how to cover their bully tactics with a betraying smile.  They slither and move in circles that allows them notoriety and fame while deep inside they are as cruel and deadly as any enemy.

I watch your show everyday as you point out crime, inc. and every other vermin that wants to destroy our freedoms.  I understand that while apathy got us to this point, if we don't stop it - America is doomed.  Progressives like to say they are willing to co-exist and that if we just give them this amount of space they will be fine.

That's a lot of garbage.  Evil and good cannot co-exist.  It's not possible.  The very definition of evil is that it must conquer.  Evil is not a passive state.  Progressive is not a passive state.  We must understand that there are many causes that sound good on the surface but they are not passive causes.  They are causes that must conquer.  And that's where America really needs to wake up.  We need to be teaching our children to be strong and how to fight.  They must be honorable - yes - but if an honorable man can't fight for what is right....he will be conquered - honor or not. 

We have to be stronger and rise to the top or we will be conquered.  All the awakening in America is great!  I am so thankful for the things you are doing to train America!  But without parents learning how to raise honorable men and women - the future is not secure.

One last point....learning how to raise that child is the most important thing a parent can do - and it's where a parent is the most venerable.  If a new parent doesn't have a good role model and chooses a contemporary parenting book loaded with styles that will prepare a young child to accept progressive thinking....a parent can do his best and yet the child will rebel.  Most contemporary psychology is progressive and there's a lot of foolish advice for parents floating around.  Unless parents seek out non-progressive ways to view and raise their families, they will set the stage for progressives to inch into their homes. 

I wouldn't write this letter if I didn't have answers to the questions I've raised.  How can a parent raise an honorable child that will not rebel and won't accept progressive ways?  That's a huge subject and would take a book to cover it.  I covered a lot of specific ways in my book, Discipline Exposed - surviving fried worms and flying mudballs.  Here are a few general tips that will help.

1.  Your child isn't going to fly if he's tethered to the ground by your bad habits.  If you want your child to grow into an honorable adult, you must be his role model.

2.  Discipline invades 100% of anyone's life.  Your child's future marriage depends on discipline.  His job success depends on discipline.  Your child's children and their success will depend on discipline.  Your child's ability to accept your faith will depend on discipline.  Your child's ability to be an honorable person will depend on discipline.  Your child's grades will depend on discipline.  Your child's relationship with you will depend on discipline.

If you don't get discipline right - you and your child will suffer!  Please read my book!

3.  Expose your child to those in need and require them to sacrifice to help.  Don't just give your child money to put in the Salvation Army bucket...help him be excited about giving part of his allowance.

4.  Teach your child how to find the truth.  Make TRUTH and living by values that are TRUE a goal for your family.  Don't just make rules....teach your children the TRUTH behind those rules and why they should be in place.

5.  Point out the end results of other lifestyles.  Don't just wait for your child to head down a destructive road without any information.  Start when they are young to help them look around at others and their lifestyles and ask the question...."Will that bring me happiness and joy even at the end of the road."

I have many more suggestions....but this letter is probably already to long.  My website, book and three blogs (including Mommy Detective blog) are here to help.
I appreciate what you are doing but I hope you will give parents more information on "how" to raise an honorable "future".  And for those of you who are reading this....check out the 80 relationship classes I offer at http://www.debbiejansen.com/
 
God loves you,

Debbie Jansen
Mommy Detective

Farmers are always smarter than bureaucrats

I am sick and tired of listening to government "think tank" ivy league immature kids who want to spout off about grades and how smart they are - when in actuality the common man with an entrepreneur spirit will create successful solutions ten times faster than a liberal who hasn't worked a day in his life and thinks all knowledge comes from books. (Did I say Obama and his administration out loud?)

I love this video.  Problem solved!  Unfortunately since these guys don't have some major degree behind their name, they probably won't be taken seriously.  How about helping them out by flooding the Administration with links to this video.



God loves you,

Debbie

I love children....they give us such joy!

Ron sent me an e-mail that made me giggle.  I hope you enjoy it as well. 

What Is Butt Dust??

What, you ask, is 'Butt dust'? Read on and you'll discover the joy in it! These have to be original and genuine. No adult is this creative!!

JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister.... After a while he asked: 'Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?'

MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was.. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, 'If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.'

STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. 'I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window.'
BRITTANY (age 4) had an ear ache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle.. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?'

SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. 'Please don't give me this juice again,' she said, 'It makes my teeth cough..'

DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: 'How much do I cost?'

CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in it?'

MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: 'Why is he whispering in her mouth?'

TAMMY(age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?'

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.' Concerned, James asked: 'What happened to the flea?'

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget

This particular Sunday sermon......'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

God loves you,

Debbie

Government video....both fun and sad.

Thank you to everyone that sent get well wishes.  Yes, I've had another little complication and set back.  Hopefully I'm on the mend again.

A friend sent the following in an e-mail and I couldn't help but smile.  Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.



God loves you,

Debbie

Are you training leaders or stupid followers?

Being a follower isn't necessarily bad if you are following a person who truly knows the right thing to do.  The problem with many of the masses today is that they can't tell the difference between a good leader and a bad leader. 

If you want your children to survive in school, in business, in marriage, in politics, in faith and in their adult lives in general....you must teach them to be leaders, respectful followers and decisive mature adults who can tell the difference between good and bad.  If you don't give your children these vital traits, you not only doom them to failure but you also doom our society to failure.  If they don't have the ability to recognize right from wrong, they can be led astray by any huckster that comes along.

Remember....there's no way around the fact that each and every parent in America will play a role in the future of this country.  You can't hide and you can't give your responsibility to anyone else.  If you have a child you will determine how your child changes America. 

How?  Even if you choose a nanny - you will have determined how that child is raised.  If you choose permissive non-responsive parenting - you will determine the outcome of your child's life.  If you listen to the wrong parenting advice and in the end it doesn't work....the decision for how your child was raised is directly related to your decision. 

If you raise a spoil brat, he/she will continue that tradition and through his future generations will infect the community they live in.  They will infect that community with dysfunctional families that are unable to contribute positively to the community because they are totally consumed by their dysfunctional behavior.  Think of all the worry, pain, sorrow and time that is wasted on divorce, teen pregnancy, crime, delinquency, drugs, alcohol and a host of bad behaviors. 

It takes time and positive energy to create and move forward.  If you lazily continue on a path to destruction - you rob this country and your community of people who can accomplish great things.

"NO...NO....You can't put that on my shoulders.  It's my child's fault that he didn't turn out right!  I loved him and gave him everything, how he turns out is not my fault!"

Sorry kiddo.  If you don't search for a parenting plan that works.....your child won't turn out right and yes....that's your job! 

Now...having said that, There's no perfect parent and there's no perfect child.  BUT....it is our responsibility to raise good children who can take their place in society and be strong leaders who know right from wrong.

Here's the good news.....as long as there isn't a physical or medical problem....I have NEVER met a child that didn't want to do the right thing and get praised for his action.  What I have met are a lot of confused children who don't know what "the right thing" is!  That's where the rub comes in.  You - the parent - must know "the right thing" so you can pass that nugget of information on to your children. 

Don't know what that is????  Keep listening and learning.  Read a parenting book.  Have a speaker come to your church or organization.  I would love to come.  OR...Check out my Mommy Detective Blog

If you are like me you'll make some mistakes but you'll keep working on it and when your children are older you'll be able to stand on the biblical principle..."Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

God loves you,

Debbie