Kaleb + Jenni + Elijah + River: September 2013

I have been thinking about tackling a post on music. And how important it is to protect our minds from worldly lyrics.

So here goes:::

Psalm 104:33 ESV / 146 helpful votesI will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

I do not understand why people who claim to LOVE Jesus fill their minds and souls with today's popular music. Songs that sing about being drunk, being high, having sex and many other ~~gross sad nasty icky debouched~~ terrible worldly things should not even being entering our ears. Today's popular music does not glorify God. The music glorifies the world. It glorifies losing your inhibitions and setting your mind aside and listening to your feelings. The ears of believers need to be protected. It is a serious thing.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 34 helpful votes
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

We need to have our minds open and our hearts need to be guarded. Music is powerful and it sits inside of our minds for our entire life. It is important that we are careful about what we allow to come out of the speakers in our homes, phones and especially in our cars. As Americans we spend a lot of time in our vehicles and the songs that play on the popular secular radio stations should not be playing in our cars! Not when we sit here and claim Christ as our Savior. If you have dedicated your life to Jesus, then that includes your ears and the music you allow to permeate your brain. I was thinking that I would put some lyrics of some popular songs on here and talk about them. But then I prayed and realized that, that defeats the purpose. I have not and will not be listening to ~~popular~~ secular music ever again. I refuse to listen.
I now only listen to KLOVE Christian radio or local Christian radio, Christian music I have downloaded or podcasts from my favorite Pastors. I know that whatever I put into my mind affects how I see the world. I strive to apply God's Word to my life. I have decided to give my whole life to Jesus. That includes what music I listen to.

There are many artists that make music that talks about their relationship with Jesus. They have a goal. That goal is to spread the gospel of Jesus. The truth about life. Their music gives hope to it's listeners. It talks about LOVE, joy, peace, kindness etc.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 ESV / 26 helpful votes
It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools

I want whoever is reading this to think, what does the music you listen to do for your soul?
Does it uplift you?
Does it bring you joy?
Does it help you to glorify your Savior??
Does it shine a light in the darkness?

OR

Does it make you ruminate in your own feelings?
Does it make you feel connected to the world?
Does it make you feel cool?
Does it include bad language?
Does it worship things of this world?

Romans 12:2 ESV / 619 helpful votes
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

WE KID OURSELVES IF WE JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE FOR CURSING, DRINKING, SLEEPING AROUND, DOING DRUGS {ETC.} WHEN WE LISTEN TO MUSIC THAT GLORIFIES THE AFOREMENTIONED THINGS.

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 163 helpful votesBut I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

This verse above leads me to believe that singing about sins is the same as doing them. God looks at our heart. Our actions, yes, they are important but so is what we think and say. Singing songs about being drunk and falling in love for the night {aka sexual encounters} is not pleasing in God's eyes.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 93 helpful votesIt is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 15 helpful votes
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Allowing sin of ANY form into our lives is not good.

S I N = S L A V E R Y

Galatians 5:1 ESV / 70 helpful votes

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

We cannot expect to grow in Christ if we allow ~~bad nasty ugly~~ sinful music into our lives.

CUT IT OUT

I cannot help but think, what is stopping you from having your minds on while listening to music?

THINK about the lyrics that you are singing!!

It is important!

Show some self control, think about what Christ would want you listening to and choose the right songs.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 253 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control

As Christians, Christ Followers, Children of God, it is important that we remember who we represent. We are God's people. He has redeemed us through Jesus, He is Holy. Only HIM. We have to remember that through the Blood of Jesus we are set free. We are free to struggle. We are free to live for God. We are free to choose a life that honors our Savior! Allowing worldly music into our lives, does NOT honor God. It saddens Him.

Pay attention tot he words in the songs you are singing and listening to. it is important that the songs we sing dont poison our souls.

Now that I am a mother, I take this even more serously. The things we allow our children to hear affect who they become. It changes how they view life. It is important that from the moment of conception that little life is flooded with love and calming words. The lyrics of most songs that are coming out of the radio these days, are not good. Think about that next time you have the radio on with your children in the car. Even if those children aren't born yet. I paid close attention to what I listened to when I was pregnant. And now, with little ears in the car, I pay even CLOSER attention. I make sure that songs are appropriate! There is nothing appropriate about being "sexy and knowing it". Imagine what kind of image that is putting into the mind of a child. Sexy isn't a word a little child should be allowed to say, but if it is coming out of the car speakers, how can we tell kids they can't say it.

WATCH THIS

We could be singing praises to Him. We could be singing about our blessings. We could be singing about our testimonies of how we once were lost and now we are found. The list could go on and on. There is a type of Christian music for all genres. The excuse that Christian music is boring, dull is no longer valid. Some of my most favorite Christian Music artists are FAR from dull.

I will post a few of my most favorite songs at the bottom of this page.

My last words
are not directed to people who are Saved. This is not for people who have had a salvation experience and love Jesus. These next words are for people who read the above paragraphs and either felt mad inside or possibly guilty. Or perhaps, my words just confused you.

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known[c] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which heset forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

BE THE VOICE

Search your soul - - if you are not claiming to be a Child of God, these last words are for you. You are on a different page of life. You need to think about your eternal future. If you have past shame or guilt - - Lay it at the foot of the Cross. Because Jesus died to save YOU!

You. Yes. You.

Lord, help me to honor you with my choices. Help me to stand firm against the evils of this world. I am not perfect, only You are and only You can change my heart. I want to keep my eyes on You. Guide me as I make choices that will impact not only my future but the future of those I encounter in my life. Help me to be a light in this darkness around us all. Give me strength to continue to choose righteous things over worldly things. I pray that this touches someone out there and they feel encouraged! That is the cry of my heart, to be a light.
To shine brightly for You, Father.
In Jesus' precious and Holy name,
Amen.

|||Here are some of my favorites|||

This band is one of my all time favorites. Their love for God is captivating. --->> Let Jesus carry you!

The end of August was a blast! My mom, Nona, Elijah and I drove to Kansas. Elijah was able to meet all of his Rilinger family members. That is my mother's side of the family through my late grandfather, George! They are a great bunch of people.
I have two great aunts that are Nuns. They live in Leavenworth, Kansas. We had a wonderful time with them. We stayed in the guest quarters of the Motherhouse. It was a delight to be there!
It was restful and relaxing. To be surrounded by women that have dedicated themselves to the Lord is phenomenal. Simply wonderful! I cannot even put it into words. These women have the light of Christ within them and it is beautiful!
Here are a few photos from all of our adventures.
We also visited my late Grandfather's brother Ray and his family. His daughters drove from Kansas to MN to come to my wedding. It was lovely to make a trip to see them. They make me laugh so hard.
I made everyone laugh when we first got there.
Imagine a garage full of people you don't know.
All laughing and smiling and introducing themselves.
I said, "the resemblance is crazy. I don't know whether to laugh or cry!"

My great uncle Ray looks so much like my late grandfather! It was almost hard to look at him. It felt like Popop was sitting at the table. But it was Ray.
I know it helped Nona to be able to be around all of my grandfather's family. And reminisce and laugh and joke around with everyone!

Elijah had a well baby 6 month check-up in August. He weighed 21.3 pounds and was 28 inches long!! SUCH a growing boy!

Hummingbirds were EVERYwhere at the end of summer! So my parents set up two feeders to enjoy watching them fly all around. I have a youtube video I will post.

Elijahbear loves to watch the family dog

a safe way for them to meet

Playing on the bed at the Motherhouse

missouri river

snuggle time

being silly

first time in a pack n play

St Mary's college in Leavenworth

The building we stayed in

I was doodling during church! I am always so inspired by God's word

Right down the road from the Motherhouse

Dessert was so good! Caramel brownies and chocolate blueberry cupcakes!

We visited my Great Aunt Lorraine - this is her in 1950

to the far right is my great grandfather george and great grandmother alice

My moms cousins took us all around to the different churches. This is where my grandpa went to school and church as a young boy

Ebear was in awe!

Nona loved being there!

The view from the farm where my grandfather grew up! BEAUTIFUL!

U T A H

We flew to Utah over Labor Day weekend and stayed the following week.

It was great to see everyone.

Trips are always intense but with a baby, it is even more crazy!

It's hard to know what to pack and what to leave at home.

I ended up not packing warm enough clothes for the climate we were in! So as we were camping we took a drive to the nearest town and shopped at a Deseret Industries.

We were camping up in the mountains and it was cold in the mornings and cold at night. So I found two cute sleepers (Children's Place) for the cold times.

It was beautiful to be there!

The mountains were all around us and they were mesmerizing.

Simply breathtaking.

Because we live in Minnesota and it is so flat here, being near the mountains is a real treat.

I am always reminded of how great God is by looking up at the mountains.

The majesty

The beauty

love

We stayed with Kaleb's parents in their camper. Kaleb, Elijah and I slept on the table that turns into a bed. Thank GOD, for memory foam pads! It was very comfortable. It was a tight squeeze but we stayed warm. Actually, with those two heaters, I stayed quite warm.

Being able to met everyone was a wonderful thing! There were so many people! It took the first day to just be able to keep everyone straight! :) Buteventually I was able to learn everyone. And place the kids with the right parents.

I had fun making a craft and painting a wooden plane for Elijah's room! :) And it turns out that the plane I painted matches the one that came with some vinyl decals I purchased in Utah. THAT makes this mama really happy!