Reviews of Christian TV Shows

As a rule I do not watch a lot of tv.  Generally at night Jon and I will watch prerecorded news shows ( DVRs are the best invention!)  We also watch Duck Dynasty:)  The kids watch a lot more tv than we do, I'd much rather read a book!

But last night I watched two episodes of "the Duggars" and then a new TLC show called "Preaching Alabama"  The Duggars just kill me.  I do not know why I watch them because I feel they are in an evangelical "cult".  Yes I believe they are Christians but I think they have things a bit warped.  They follow a sect of evangelical Christianity that promotes a form of legalism  that affects families.  What I mean if their leaders (several who have fallen into sexual sin themselves) try to dictate how a family should live regarding their dress, non birth control, homeschooling, courting, even the length of a person's hair.   I grew up in LEGALISM and I hate the smell of it.  That being said, I do think the Duggar family try their best to live for God.  There is a sweetness about them, especially the kids, Michelle, well I just want to shake her sometimes and Jim Bob is a bit over the top.  I do not care for their PDAs (public displays of affection) or anyone's, my kids would die if my husband and I acted like that in public!

That being said "Preaching Alabama" is the opposite evangelical extreme......  it's a family -an older retired preacher daddy and mama.  Then two daughters who are married to ministers.  The 6 of them are starting a church in Alabama   Let's just say there is none of the Duggar  legalism there, tattoos and piercing abound. 

But there is something that drives me BATTY....I do not care if someone has tats or wears a long dress BUT when the focus is on the outward, whatever the outward looks like, then that is wrong.  What I'm saying is there can be legalism to dress a certain way to be considered "cool" also.  I see that with ministers now.  We have some friends, older than us who dress cooler than my teenaged son!  I just laugh at 50's something year olds who wear "holey" jeans and a cool shirt to preach in so they are "relevant"   Got a secret for you....You're NOT cool, you just look funny.  And yes I laugh at you! 

When I see anyone going out of their way to dress a certain way, I have to wonder what is going on?  I think the way the Duggars dress bring WAY more attention to their bodies than if they just had on a decent shirt and a pair of jeans.  To me that is modesty-not bringing undue attention to yourself.   if you are going to go horseback riding WHY do you feel the need to wear a skirt over a pair of pants?  That makes people look at a person more than if they just had on jeans and a shirt.  (that was part of last night's episode) 

Ok the same goes for the "I'm free from legalism" extreme......  when you have tattoos, body piercings and silly awls in your ears, all you are doing is bringing attention to your outward body.    Then I've seen those folks, become legalistic AGAINST people who did not dress cool or have tats and piercings LOL!!!

Our church runs the gamete from people who dress very conservatively to bikers:)   It's not about the outward.  The bikers are just that bikers, they dress in what is comfortable for them.  The conservatives wear what they are comfortable in and no one has a point to prove!

Anyhow I was so troubled by the new show.  Here this family is starting a church.  I KNOW that someone edited their hours of film, we've been on TV enough to know not everything said and done gets on the final cut.  BUT I was troubled by many statements made.

In the evangelical church world (Pentecostal and non Pentecostal) there is a "new" way to start a church.  First let me say there are sooooooooooooooo many older churches that could be renovated like our church.  I know in our denomination, we close as many churches as we open yearly.  So a lot of the older churches already OWN buildings debt free but rather than work on the buildings and regrow the church in number, most just throw their hands up and want to go start something new.  Statistically people will come to a new church. 

So the new idea is to rent/buy a "non church" looking building, give it a silly non biblical  name ie Movement Church, Ignite, Fuel Church, Journey, Lift, Flood gates, Epic church. Life, Bridge,  Lifebridge, etc and etc......  (although I kinda like the name Journey church)   Then instead of calling themselves CHRISTIAN they are now called "Christ followers"  (Christian is too old fashioned)

Then inside has to be all cool.....when we were redoing our church, I was advised we should paint a wall BLACK ....I just laughed and said we are a country church and our folks would think we'd lost our minds trying to be "cool"   There is nothing wrong with a specific color, it is just yet again the focus becomes on the outward things, rather than focusing on God.

Anyhow this show is telling the story of the new classic non denominational church plant....but it is telling it badly.

One thing that is "cool" in the evangelical is doing things for the community.  Y'all know I'm ALL about giving and doing for others BUT the difference is I don't believe you should do for others as a TOOL to grow your church!

Doing things as a tool to grow a church makes me very uncomfortable.  For example this church first gave out little baggies of laundry detergent with some pamphlet about their church to people in Laundromats.  That didn't go over good.  Then they tried a "Free" carwash so they could "serve" their community.  No they did the carwash so people would feel obligated to come to their church.  That's a marketing strategy, "do something to make someone feel indebted to you then they will do what you want them to do"  The bible teaches us to do things for "those who can not repay us" 

But what bothered me most is the lament the pastor's wife (co pastor- I won't even go there)  would keep saying....  she was so upset that not enough people would come and GIVE so they could keep going.    They had committed to buying so much equipment and things for their church that they felt they needed the income from the new members to make it.   I can truly say I've never thought like that!

The way we look at things is IF God wants the church to go on....He will be the provider.  It might come from church members or from a surprise source but GOD is in control. 

Let me tell you as a pastor's wife I do understand wanting to grow a church.  I'd love to see our church bursting at the seams every Sunday NOT to pay the bills but that people were coming to Christ, living for God, finding victory in their life, being a part of a fellowship.......

We have chosen to live modestly.  When we redid our church, we did it nice, but we also did not buy the most expensive carpet, sound system, media system...etc....  we stayed in the middle.  We were determined not to go into debt and not to use money too freely on THINGS!   For example we used to go to a church that has a large beautiful chandelier in it's large lobby.  When I learned the chandelier had cost over $40,000 I felt SICK!  To me that is a waste of God's money.  I've seen too many needs and hungry children to spend $40.000 on a light fixture......

One area that we've never struggled in since we have pastored is trusting God for the finances.  My husband does occasionally preach about tithing and giving.  It's in the bible and it's a GREAT way to live BUT he shares that it is a JOY to give to God and others.  And I do absolutely believe in living with an "open hand approach", keep our hands open and NOT clutching onto things, being free to be able to give.  God does bless folks in many ways when they give to others and to the work of God but maybe not in just financial ways.   There is just something freeing about giving to others! 
 
Recently I've also watched "Preachers of LA"  People had asked me if I'd seen it for a year or more so I finally remembered to DVR it....  Talk about foolishness.....  That show more focuses on the individual pastors and their families' private lives.....LORD HAVE MERCY as my grandmother would say!  I watched 3 or 4 episodes and all I can say is thank God I do not personally know any preachers who live like those ones..... 

One show I watched last year was "Snake Salvation"   The pastors on there were straight up crazy, handling snakes but what I did like about them was the fact they actually seemed to care about the people in their community with true compassion.  Of course they thought the answer for the folks was to "get saved and handle snakes" but there was a focus on people and not things.  Of course the show was stopped when one of the pastors got "out of the faith" and got bit by a rattle snake and died....

So what do all these shows have in common???  They show extreme people who are a bit off.  Last night's tv viewing will cause me to go back to my news shows for sure!   I was very disappointed in the new show "Preaching Alabama"      I have mutual friends with them so that is a bit awkward but I have to be honest, I do not like how that show portrays Pastors!    I really dislike the "new" way of church planting and feel that while numbers may come in (or may not, more than 80% of those type of churches fail within 5 years) DISCIPLIES are not made!  People don't learn to walk with God through life.  Often these churches do surveys to see what the community thinks it wants.  That sounds good right?   I think it is wrong,  the church is coming with the answer for the need whether a person lives in the hood or the richest mansion in the city.


Ok my ranting is over, maybe.....these are things I think about and think deeply about since I am a pastor's wife NOT a co-pastor.....like I said that is another rant all together!

Big House News!

Big news on our house today!

Habitat for Humanity has us up on their website:)  You can click here to see it.  You can also see how to be a part of the building, there is a place to sign up if you live in this area & want to work on the house.  If you'd like to give to the project, you can also give here!
https://www.mymissio.com/missio/the-clanton-family-habitat-home


I had a chance to ride by the property today and WOW there is a lot going on!  The "footers" are done, the concrete blocks are started.  This is the view facing the front of the house



This is facing the south side and MY room:)

 

 

 

 the front again

this is facing the back

I thought they may have gotten some things done but I didn't know they'd gotten this much done:) 


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The domestic adoption of the little boy I told you about yesterday has generated some responses:)  If you responded, PLEASE check that you sent in your contact info.  Someone sent something but didn't send a contact number.  PLEASE check!

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Well I'm just a bit overwhelmed by all of our good news on the house, it's becoming real!   Looking forward to see the walls go up next Friday! 

Domestic Adoption Opportunity

Domestic Adoption Opportunity!!!


I was contacted today by a friend about a baby here in Florida who is up for adoption.  He is a healthy bi racial newborn boy and his mom wants him raised by a Pentecostal family.  If you are interested please contact   janna.adoptionadvisors@gmail.com      or by  phone 330-398-0186.   Please say you found out about the baby from my blog.  I'd love to hear that:)

Fees are estimated 24-26k everything included. Don't freak over the fees, their are grants and even more than that God can do miracles in the situation.  I spoke to the director of the agency and she has a heart for adoption.   If you are interested, you do not have to live in Florida.       http://www.hopeembraced.org/About-Us.html
   
Please share and forward this as the birth mother wants to complete the adoption asap!


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We are also helping out Druz Orphanage  again.  As I shared before it was a full orphanage AND THEN two other orphanages had to evacuate to safety there, so they are full.  Many of the new children are sleeping on the floor.  I showed many pictures in this post http://myreallifebyyvonne.blogspot.com/2014/09/urgent-please-read.html   things were not so critical during the hot summer but Ukraine has very cold winters and these special needs children need to be off the floor.   They need at least 55 cots with mattresses.   The need is almost $100 per bed. 

You can give directly to L2O
Life2Orphans, Inc6326 E. Sandra Terrace
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254


http://www.life2orphans.net/make-a-monetary-donation.html  or you can give on line!


You can also give through our church
Grace Church

7060 Berry Road
Zephyrhills Fl 33540

but it is quicker to give directly to L2O


Please pray for their well situation, the money is there for it but they've had an issue with the company that was going to do the well and in getting a signature.  The funds are being held until the situation is resolved.  Hopefully that will be soon!!!!!!!!  Please pray!  It is seems close to being resolved so pray that it will be soon!

Don't be Left Behind!

Well I took a little vacation from blogging.  We've just been busy running and doing a lot lately that I didn't' have time to sit down and blog.

We've had a lot of rain and one day Sarah decided she wanted to go out no matter what!  She loved the soft warm rain but didn't know quite what to think of it.

 

the cat wanted to stay in!

 

 

 

 

Last night Jon took the boys to a movie and I took the little ones to the races!

 

 

Here is where things got dicey.....

Sam decided he wanted the nicer car, as you can see Sarah didn't like it

 

 

this picture is too funny, I took it a second before she let out a blood curdling scream!  I almost dropped the phone!  Sam backed away, still smiling so he didn't lose face but he came and sat on my lap and left "the girl" alone!!!!!!!

 

 

 

Jon took the boys to see Left Behind!

 

 

 

He said the movie was very scripturally based.  The funniest thing is a "church lady" (y'all know what I mean) sat right behind Steve.  The lady talked to the movie the whole time and was amening it.  At the end of the movie a scripture came up on the screen and the lady said "it's time for an altar call, somebody needs to get saved!"  So the movie has the endorsement of the "church lady"   LOL

I didn't go because I am scarred for life by the trilogy movies "A Thief in the Night" that I grew up watching in church in the late 70's and early 80's.  Those movies scared me so bad.  If you were not blessed to be raised up like me you might not know those movies.....  But basically they were 3 movies about the Rapture and the Tribulation.  For me, they only gave me bad dreams and no hope.  A lot of things like that gave me a bad feeling.  But the bible shares that the Coming of the Lord is our HOPE....  It took me years to understand that as a Christian I had nothing to fear. 

So there is the book set and other movies along the "Left Behind" trademark and Steve and Shad have always enjoyed them.  I think the other movies have just come out as videos, not through the theater.  I would never watch with them.  And I worried about them watching because I was afraid it would scare them like it did me.  But it doesn't seem to do that, maybe they've been taught more Grace than I was and feel secure enough.


I grew up hearing "Jesus is coming soon"  It was preached, we had the movies, the songs, and the little Chick tracks.  It would petrify me!  Our choir would sing "The King is Coming" and I'd break out in a cold sweat!   Then around the 80's the emphasis changed....we were (as Christians) going to change this world, we didn't have to think of the "sweet by and by".....now it's not too cool in some circles to mention Jesus's coming but looking at the signs around us, one can't help but think......is this the "end times"?

Years ago the thought of Jesus's coming filled me with fear, now it fills my heart with hope!  I do believe the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation and I believe one day, life as we know it will end.  I look forward to that day knowing whether I am dead or still remain I will be caught up to meet Him in the air.


1 Thessalonians 4
¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Selah & Sam

Yesterday Selah had an unusually aware day.  She responded all day to us, tracking with her eyes.  When her brain trauma therapist came, Selah was able to track the lights almost every time.  It was so exciting to see her like that.  The therapist has some exercises for the nurses to do during the day.  We always hope for some changes.  However today she is not as responsive.  I cried today thinking of everything.....   I was telling our nurse more about her before the accident and the memories just hit me, the loss of never hearing her make her little funny noises or grab at my leg.....I miss all that could have been....

Over all she is doing absolutely great but it's hard to see her not as responsive as yesterday.   She has had a small problem with her heels.  Recently the brace company took her regular leg brace for some work and left her with her night braces which just have never fit right.  So one of the nurses noticed a red spot on each heel.  Thank God they caught it soon or she could have had a breakdown on her skin. 

Sam has learned something NEW, he can pick up his toys and put them away!!!!!!!!!!!   Steve takes credit for this, he said he taught him how to do it.  Sometimes Sam will get preoccupied with a toy in the midst of putting them away LOL  It's really cute to see him do this

He continues to do GREAT on his schedule.  He is very happy and relaxed.  Everyone can tell a difference in him. 

We had an interesting experience today with our indoor/outdoor cat.  She went out for a while, it was dark and rainy.  She came back to the door with sandspurs and weeds caught up in her hair, and she was puffed out.  We think something chased her in the woods, maybe whatever is taking the cats.....It took a while to get all the burrs out of her.  Whatever happened, it's kept her inside today!  She hasn't wanted to run out at all!

So the rains continue here in Florida.  I love rainy weather but this is starting to make me sleepy:)

Hope you all are having a great week!

Car Rides and Iphones

Last night  car ride....



 

 

 

With the extra chairs gone, Sarah has much more room to play and she is taking advantage of it!

 

 

Y'all know I walk most mornings, here are some pictures from today's walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can not tell by this picture but this is a steep hill.  It makes it look flat, but it is not

 

 

 

 

my fav spot LOL!

 

 

 

Ok I'm not a big liker of birds.  I do not understand why folks want them in their homes at all!  I don't mind seeing a blue bird, or a cardinal, or an owl flying around but birds don't do much for me.  However I do like the sand hill cranes AKA SWAMP BIRDS LOL

 

This morning there were two couples out eating while I was walking and they let me get right up on them to take pictures.  One couple was ticked off at each other.  They were making noises I'd never heard Swamp Birds make before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there were some other birds out

the baby ducks are almost grown up

 

 

 

 

 

I think the pictures turned out great with my new Iphone 6 camera!  Yes I have an Iphone 6 and NO I did not stand in line.  And it was basically free with the exchange of my old Iphone 4 and I have waaaaayyyy more data for free on it!  Our monthly plan is less expensive than before. 

 

I'm so NOT the one to have to have anything new that comes out.  I was quite content with my old phone that I've had for a few years.  When I first got the Iphone I was mad and felt tricked!  I liked my "old dumb phone" so much better.  It took me about six months before I could get used to it.    I was mad all the time dealing with it.  Technology and me do not go together.....

 

But last week my son Steve got a text saying he could trade in his phone for a basically free new phone.  I agreed to go with him to the Phone store because he promised to rub my back through a Dr Who show....I'm a sucker for having my back rubbed!  So we went in the store to LOOK....and walked out with two new phones and a 2 year contract (I've been with the company since 1997 so I didn't mind the contract)  I have to say I LOVE the phone.  It is bigger and I can see things on it!  That is the best part LOL.  Plus most of the things are the same so no new tech shock for me!   So I'm glad he talked me into getting these.  I didn't get the one that is bendable but just the Iphone 6, it's nice.  I do like the picture quality on it too. 



So if you already have an old Iphone, or any smart phone, you might want to look around and see what different companies are offering.  I couldn't believe the deal we got.

 

 

Well today was another crazy busy Monday.  We've all been busy.  Hope you all have a great week!

Happy Sunday!

We worked yesterday and went through ALL of Jon's books and the boys' stuff.  Managed to pry a big box of clothes/games/junk from their hands.  We also  ended up with 4 boxes of books, one box went to the chapel library.  So with the exception of the one box, I put everything in the church foyer this morning and told folks to go through it and take stuff.  I had a little jar so folks could give an "offering" if they wanted to.   I made $11 for the Orphan fund!!!!  Whatever is left after the Spanish service will go to Habitat for Humanity's thrift store.

 

 

And look who is standing at church!

I think it is a HUGE step for her to be standing somewhere besides home. 

 

 

 

 

we start by holding hands

 

 

 

 

 

then she pushes my hands away

 

 

 

And Claps!

 

 

 

Look at those little legs!  so happy to see them straight and supporting her!

 

 

 

 

then she takes a step into me for  a hug!

 

 

 

A few weeks ago Jon and I discussed the fact we'd probably have to buy her a wheelchair.  She had reached a plateau with even using the walker.  THEN she surprised us and begin doing this standing, we literally play the standing game hundreds of times a day.  She will hop/crawl over and reach for my (or anyone's) hands and pull up then push away and stand and clap till she falls down. Then we start all over again.....and again.....    She is doing it just like a baby does.  NOW she will take a step towards me before she falls.  Sometimes she falls in towards me and sometime she goes down on her bottom.  But she even seems to anticipate the fall and many times can right her self up before she falls.  We are thrilled with this new progress, it's beginning  to click with her!

 

 

After church we headed to our favorite local spot with some friends!

 

 

 

 

Sam loves his daddy!

 

 

Hope you all are having a good weekend!  We are here, just wished that the weekend was longer!  Monday is our crazy day....so time to get ready!