to post about it!!!
Here's what we bought...
Here's what we spent and how much we saved!! Wahoo!!!
Friday, July 31, 2009
I love couponing!!!
We got such an awesome deal today at Publix that I had
to post about it!!!
Here's what we bought...
Here's what we spent and how much we saved!! Wahoo!!!
to post about it!!!
Here's what we bought...
Here's what we spent and how much we saved!! Wahoo!!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Arminianism vs Calvinism revisited
Ecclesiastes 10:20 (King James Version)
20) Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Not even 24 hours since we posted this article, we have been
hearing responses, mostly unfavorably. I feel at this point I
need to explain why we have posted this article. First, let
me say that this is not to pick on any one person. This
is primarily to help people who are "caught up" in these two
systems of beliefs that are not biblical. In the Arminian
arena, we have known many people who are of the belief that
they can lose their salvation. They are constantly being hit
by the enemy, the devil, into doubting their salvation. On
the other hand, in Calvinism, we have met people who struggle
wondering deep down if they are of the "elect" or not. Then
there are those who do not even witness because God has already
"elected" certain people, so why witness? Finally, the worst
case, is where we have known families that by the time their
children become pre-teens, it is determined by the father
whether they are of the "elect" or not. Even one prominent
Calvisist does not even share with his own children, when they
ask, how to become saved. If only they would have looked to
scripture for the answer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and
thou shalt be saved and thy house", Acts 16:31.
Another point I would like to make clear is, I believe John
Calvin was a great man that was used of God. I also believe
that Martin Luther, Jon Hus and others like them were also
great men who were used of God, but each one of these men held
to influences of the Catholic church that were unbiblical.
My other concern is while Calvin's writings were good, scripture
should have more eminence. Reading books about great men is fine,
but when they receive more time than scripture it gives the
adversary an opportunity to attack. Years ago our family was
involved with Bill Gothard's Institue in Basic Life Principles,
as well as, the Advanced Training Institute. This ministry will
always be remembered in encouraging our family in studying,
meditating and memorizing God's word. During those years, there
were multitudes of families who got caught up in reading seminar
materials more than their Bibles. They were known as Gothardites.
As a result of this, these families became divided. Children
rebelled, spiritual lives were shattered and divorce took the
toll on many families. This was a ministry devoted to challenging
Godly families to take a "higher stand", but if not properly
balanced with the reading and studying of God's word, it will fall.
In no way are we blaming the ministry, but those families who
failed to place scripture above all.
In conclusion, there are many great men and women who hold to one
or the other of these beliefs. We firmly believe it has limited
their abilities to be used of God. It is our hope that those caught
up in the extremes of these beliefs will find freedom as they search
the scriptures. (Proverbs 21:30)
In Christ,
Steve Graves
20) Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Not even 24 hours since we posted this article, we have been
hearing responses, mostly unfavorably. I feel at this point I
need to explain why we have posted this article. First, let
me say that this is not to pick on any one person. This
is primarily to help people who are "caught up" in these two
systems of beliefs that are not biblical. In the Arminian
arena, we have known many people who are of the belief that
they can lose their salvation. They are constantly being hit
by the enemy, the devil, into doubting their salvation. On
the other hand, in Calvinism, we have met people who struggle
wondering deep down if they are of the "elect" or not. Then
there are those who do not even witness because God has already
"elected" certain people, so why witness? Finally, the worst
case, is where we have known families that by the time their
children become pre-teens, it is determined by the father
whether they are of the "elect" or not. Even one prominent
Calvisist does not even share with his own children, when they
ask, how to become saved. If only they would have looked to
scripture for the answer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and
thou shalt be saved and thy house", Acts 16:31.
Another point I would like to make clear is, I believe John
Calvin was a great man that was used of God. I also believe
that Martin Luther, Jon Hus and others like them were also
great men who were used of God, but each one of these men held
to influences of the Catholic church that were unbiblical.
My other concern is while Calvin's writings were good, scripture
should have more eminence. Reading books about great men is fine,
but when they receive more time than scripture it gives the
adversary an opportunity to attack. Years ago our family was
involved with Bill Gothard's Institue in Basic Life Principles,
as well as, the Advanced Training Institute. This ministry will
always be remembered in encouraging our family in studying,
meditating and memorizing God's word. During those years, there
were multitudes of families who got caught up in reading seminar
materials more than their Bibles. They were known as Gothardites.
As a result of this, these families became divided. Children
rebelled, spiritual lives were shattered and divorce took the
toll on many families. This was a ministry devoted to challenging
Godly families to take a "higher stand", but if not properly
balanced with the reading and studying of God's word, it will fall.
In no way are we blaming the ministry, but those families who
failed to place scripture above all.
In conclusion, there are many great men and women who hold to one
or the other of these beliefs. We firmly believe it has limited
their abilities to be used of God. It is our hope that those caught
up in the extremes of these beliefs will find freedom as they search
the scriptures. (Proverbs 21:30)
In Christ,
Steve Graves
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Arminianism vs Calvinism
When it comes to the issues of Arminianism and Calvinism we come to a system of beliefs that have divided Christians for centuries. Although we have not had to deal with this in the past, recently it has reared it’s ugly head and we as a family have sensed the Lord’s prompting to search the scriptures for an answer.
Unfortunately, we have seen people we love and respect become divided over this issue. Ministries have even refused to give an answer to a belief in whether they fully support it or not.
Like in the days of the apostles when Jesus walked the earth, they asked him concerning a blind man whether he or his parents sinned that made him blind and the Lord answered, “neither …”.
In Jesus’ day, religious men had taken scripture and boxed it into doctrines that either you were this or this. When it comes to Calvinism or Arminianism, it seems we have the same problem. (Calvinism is named after John Calvin, a French theologian who lived from 1509-1564. Arminianism is named after Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560-1609.)
These two are systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in the matter of salvation.
Both systems can be summarized with five points.
Calvinism’s five points are associated with the word TULIP.
Total Depravity - Total depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin; therefore, human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord.
Unconditional Election - The view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will alone, not on anything inherently worthy in the individual.
Limited Atonement - The belief that Jesus only died for the elect.
Irresistible Grace - When God calls a person to salvation, that person will inevitably come to salvation.
Perseverance of the saints – The concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him.
Arminianism’s five points are:
Partial depravity – That every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to the extent that they are unable to place faith in God of their own accord.
Conditional election - Believeth that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that the individual chooses God.
Unlimited atonement - The belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not effectual until a person receives Him by faith.
Resistible grace - States that God calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.
Conditional salvation is the view that a believer in Christ can of his/her own free will turn away from Christ and thereby lose salvation.
Both of these beliefs have elements of truth, but they also have human reasoning in them as well. We also need to look at the men behind these teachings as well. John Calvin came out of the Roman Catholic Church and brought some baggage that influenced him in some of his doctrines. Jacobus Arminius believed that Calvin’s teachings were out of balance and therefore brought forth his points as well.
Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time… it’s either Calvinism or Arminianism ... But I say unto you ….
When you look to these doctrines both have problems or inconsistencies that don’t pan out totally in scripture.
So, is there a biblical set of doctrines we should strongly consider? May God allow the following beliefs to be consistent with His word. As with the acronym of TULIP, let’s consider the following as good Bereans.
Total dependence on God –
God’s word says that man is a sinner. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God”, Romans 3:10 & 11. Romans 3:23 further states: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”, Romans 3:23
In Romans 1:20, God’s word says that the world will be without excuse. If we are going to be held accountable, and if the only way to consider God’s way is to be prompted by the Holy Spirit, then grace would have to appear to all men as the scripture teaches (Titus 2:11). God’s word also teaches that, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” This verse teaches that God gives every man an opportunity to know him. When He is rejected in the area of salvation, He gives them over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1).
Unlimited atonement –
The blood that was shed on Calvary paid for the sins of the world, just as the brazen serpent that God told Moses to make was able to save all those who looked upon it. The ones that died choose to rebel by not looking. The brazen serpent was something God used for the people to look upon. It wasn’t the serpent that saved them, it was God. (Numbers 21:7-9, John 3:14 & 15, Col. 1:14)
Limitless Grace –
God’s word tells us that God is not willing that any should perish … but all come to repentance. If that is true, then all mankind will be given grace in which they will decide, as it is written “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” Titus 2:11, And he is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:2
Independence from the World –
This means that Christians have the power to over come the world, because as it is written, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4
Preservation of the saints –
God’s word teaches that not only does He preserve His word, but He preserves us as well (Psalms 12:6 & 7). God’s word teaches that he is able to keep us once we enter the kingdom of God through salvation (John 10). Those that he rebukes and commands to depart Him, are those whom He says, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21-23). They were religious but lost.
Conclusion
I am fearful that most of the churches in America are lost and are listening to a watered down gospel. To those whom I know that are “Calvinists”, I believe them to be people who are tired of the compromises that effect churches nation wide and for some reason or another are getting caught up in this issue. May God bless those who seek his face and are committed to His word and His will.
In His service,
Steve Graves
www.timetracts.com
Unfortunately, we have seen people we love and respect become divided over this issue. Ministries have even refused to give an answer to a belief in whether they fully support it or not.
Like in the days of the apostles when Jesus walked the earth, they asked him concerning a blind man whether he or his parents sinned that made him blind and the Lord answered, “neither …”.
In Jesus’ day, religious men had taken scripture and boxed it into doctrines that either you were this or this. When it comes to Calvinism or Arminianism, it seems we have the same problem. (Calvinism is named after John Calvin, a French theologian who lived from 1509-1564. Arminianism is named after Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560-1609.)
These two are systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in the matter of salvation.
Both systems can be summarized with five points.
Calvinism’s five points are associated with the word TULIP.
Total Depravity - Total depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin; therefore, human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord.
Unconditional Election - The view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will alone, not on anything inherently worthy in the individual.
Limited Atonement - The belief that Jesus only died for the elect.
Irresistible Grace - When God calls a person to salvation, that person will inevitably come to salvation.
Perseverance of the saints – The concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him.
Arminianism’s five points are:
Partial depravity – That every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to the extent that they are unable to place faith in God of their own accord.
Conditional election - Believeth that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that the individual chooses God.
Unlimited atonement - The belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not effectual until a person receives Him by faith.
Resistible grace - States that God calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.
Conditional salvation is the view that a believer in Christ can of his/her own free will turn away from Christ and thereby lose salvation.
Both of these beliefs have elements of truth, but they also have human reasoning in them as well. We also need to look at the men behind these teachings as well. John Calvin came out of the Roman Catholic Church and brought some baggage that influenced him in some of his doctrines. Jacobus Arminius believed that Calvin’s teachings were out of balance and therefore brought forth his points as well.
Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time… it’s either Calvinism or Arminianism ... But I say unto you ….
When you look to these doctrines both have problems or inconsistencies that don’t pan out totally in scripture.
So, is there a biblical set of doctrines we should strongly consider? May God allow the following beliefs to be consistent with His word. As with the acronym of TULIP, let’s consider the following as good Bereans.
Total dependence on God –
God’s word says that man is a sinner. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God”, Romans 3:10 & 11. Romans 3:23 further states: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”, Romans 3:23
In Romans 1:20, God’s word says that the world will be without excuse. If we are going to be held accountable, and if the only way to consider God’s way is to be prompted by the Holy Spirit, then grace would have to appear to all men as the scripture teaches (Titus 2:11). God’s word also teaches that, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” This verse teaches that God gives every man an opportunity to know him. When He is rejected in the area of salvation, He gives them over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1).
Unlimited atonement –
The blood that was shed on Calvary paid for the sins of the world, just as the brazen serpent that God told Moses to make was able to save all those who looked upon it. The ones that died choose to rebel by not looking. The brazen serpent was something God used for the people to look upon. It wasn’t the serpent that saved them, it was God. (Numbers 21:7-9, John 3:14 & 15, Col. 1:14)
Limitless Grace –
God’s word tells us that God is not willing that any should perish … but all come to repentance. If that is true, then all mankind will be given grace in which they will decide, as it is written “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” Titus 2:11, And he is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:2
Independence from the World –
This means that Christians have the power to over come the world, because as it is written, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4
Preservation of the saints –
God’s word teaches that not only does He preserve His word, but He preserves us as well (Psalms 12:6 & 7). God’s word teaches that he is able to keep us once we enter the kingdom of God through salvation (John 10). Those that he rebukes and commands to depart Him, are those whom He says, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21-23). They were religious but lost.
Conclusion
I am fearful that most of the churches in America are lost and are listening to a watered down gospel. To those whom I know that are “Calvinists”, I believe them to be people who are tired of the compromises that effect churches nation wide and for some reason or another are getting caught up in this issue. May God bless those who seek his face and are committed to His word and His will.
In His service,
Steve Graves
www.timetracts.com
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
SHE'S HERE!!!
Our precious Mrs. Sykesies gave birth to
a beautiful baby girl early this morning.
She weighed 9lbs 14oz!!!! 21 inchs long!
You go girl!! Praise the Lord for a safe
delivery!!!
a beautiful baby girl early this morning.
She weighed 9lbs 14oz!!!! 21 inchs long!
You go girl!! Praise the Lord for a safe
delivery!!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Our Precious Sykesies!!!
Please be praying that our sweet Mrs. Sykesies
has her new baby soon...she is overdue. We
love her sooo much and are praying for a quick
and safe delivery.
Jess and Mrs. S
"Cutting up!!"
What a face!!
Some of the men of our church.
has her new baby soon...she is overdue. We
love her sooo much and are praying for a quick
and safe delivery.
Jess and Mrs. S
"Cutting up!!"
What a face!!
Some of the men of our church.
Calgon take me away...
One of the bad things that happens
after you take a cross country trip is
that you find yourself reminiscing (sp??)
ALOT!!! Today is one of those days that
I find myself longing to be exploring the
beautiful land I love with those I love...
Our family at the Grand Canyon...
The Grand Canyon...
Along the Oregon coast...
At the Grand Canyon...
after you take a cross country trip is
that you find yourself reminiscing (sp??)
ALOT!!! Today is one of those days that
I find myself longing to be exploring the
beautiful land I love with those I love...
Our family at the Grand Canyon...
The Grand Canyon...
Along the Oregon coast...
At the Grand Canyon...
Happy Birthday, Anna Grace!!
June 28, 2000, our family was blessed with
a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Anna
Grace Graves. Since that time she has
grown into a beautiful, sensitive and loving
young lady.
Happy late birthday, Anna. We love you
and are so grateful that the Lord gave you
to us!!
Anna on her birthday with money from a sibling!!
Our sweet young lady!!
I love this picture...she has developed
such a sweet spirit!!
Anna and her buddy, Liberty, on the Oregon
coast in April, 2009.
a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Anna
Grace Graves. Since that time she has
grown into a beautiful, sensitive and loving
young lady.
Happy late birthday, Anna. We love you
and are so grateful that the Lord gave you
to us!!
Anna on her birthday with money from a sibling!!
Our sweet young lady!!
I love this picture...she has developed
such a sweet spirit!!
Anna and her buddy, Liberty, on the Oregon
coast in April, 2009.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Happy July 4th...late. :)
What fun is a holiday if you can't spend
it with friends? Just a couple people pics
from our fun day.
Our precious Lady Liberty!!
My precious friend, Cathy, and me!!
Gee, I wonder who they were listening to
so intently...must've been good!!
Sam getting refreshed after a rough game
of volleyball.
it with friends? Just a couple people pics
from our fun day.
Our precious Lady Liberty!!
My precious friend, Cathy, and me!!
Gee, I wonder who they were listening to
so intently...must've been good!!
Sam getting refreshed after a rough game
of volleyball.
Our grain co-op
Our family heads up the Wheat Montana grain co-op
for Hillsborough and Polk Counties, we also have
some distant folks on the east coast!!
Every four months or so we have the blessing of
helping approximately 45 families with ordering
and receiving their grain. We actually have over
170 on our co-op list. We really enjoy serving
these families. Here are a few pictures of what
takes place on our pickup day.
THE BIG TRUCK ARRIVES!!!
Wonderful grains from Wheat Montana in Three
Forks, MT. We had the blessing of visiting
their business in May. These are wonderful
people to do business with!!
Assisting a co-op customer...Hello, Mrs. Knecht!!!
(She's down there somewhere!!)
This is how our living room looks after a pickup.
Our grain came really quick this time and some of
the other products weren't here in time for the
pickup. Therefore, we had to bring home about 4,000
pounds of grain and had a second pickup 3 days later.
Thanks to my wonderful family who carried it all in
and then back out to our wonderful customers!!!
I do wish we had taken more pictures of all our
precious co-op folks. They are a special group of
people. They have loved us and showered us with
sweet notes of encouragement and also precious
gifts over the last several years. We appreciate
each and every one of them!!!
for Hillsborough and Polk Counties, we also have
some distant folks on the east coast!!
Every four months or so we have the blessing of
helping approximately 45 families with ordering
and receiving their grain. We actually have over
170 on our co-op list. We really enjoy serving
these families. Here are a few pictures of what
takes place on our pickup day.
THE BIG TRUCK ARRIVES!!!
Wonderful grains from Wheat Montana in Three
Forks, MT. We had the blessing of visiting
their business in May. These are wonderful
people to do business with!!
Assisting a co-op customer...Hello, Mrs. Knecht!!!
(She's down there somewhere!!)
This is how our living room looks after a pickup.
Our grain came really quick this time and some of
the other products weren't here in time for the
pickup. Therefore, we had to bring home about 4,000
pounds of grain and had a second pickup 3 days later.
Thanks to my wonderful family who carried it all in
and then back out to our wonderful customers!!!
I do wish we had taken more pictures of all our
precious co-op folks. They are a special group of
people. They have loved us and showered us with
sweet notes of encouragement and also precious
gifts over the last several years. We appreciate
each and every one of them!!!
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