Love Dare: Back to the beginning...

Ok, so we haven't done as well at the Love Dare as we had hoped. We started strong and then faded quick. It isn't even difficult stuff to do, but we have to be committed to following through and keeping up with it. So, we are starting over from the beginning. I think if we were at a more difficult crossroads in our marriage it would be more motivating to do, but we are feeling really close right now. Not that we don't have stress in our lives, b/c believe me, with all of the life changes we are experiencing we do, but we are choosing to cling to one another and to God. So, we aren't feeling disconnected. The dare is made for any season of marriage, so we are going to try to give it our all anyway. I'll post an update when it is over.

Speaking of stress, I have had weird dreams the past couple of nights that have to be stress related. I must be more anxious about finances than I think b/c the last 2 nights I have dreamed about money. First, I dreamed that James won $25,000 at the casino (No, he doesn't gamble) and we got a $25,000 refund for something on our house. Then James lost both sums of money and didn't think it was a big deal at all. I was so upset b/c that would have solved all of our student loan and van debt and we'd truly be free with absolutely no debt. Then, last night I dreamed that we won a McDonald's lottery on one of those scratch off tickets. We won all kinds of stuff plus $3 million. Shelby and I went outside and danced in the rain, (like it really rains here)and we all discussed our big plans for the money.

I blame Dave Ramsey for my dreams. I have been thinking a lot lately about how we truly are "living like no one else" now, so we can "live like no one else" later. It is rare for a family of our size, at our age, from our socioeconomic backgrounds to live as frugally as we are having (choosing) to. Sometimes I have to admit that I feel sorry for myself for about 10 seconds a few times a day b/c we can't eat out as much as we'd like to or find space in this tiny home to put everything, or go do things that cost money. Then, I remember the goals we have for financial freedom and it is all worth it. Besides,there are blessings to this lifestyle. I am cooking more, cleaning less (b/c of less space), and we are being more intentional about family time: reading, exercising, and playing games together more than ever. So, I guess I should thank Dave and not blame him...

Shelb and Jess

Jesse took this pic of Shelby. No real story here, I just love it!


This is a pic Jesse wanted to take for Uncle Matt to show him that he is a Cheez-it lover too. They are similar in so many ways. They look alike, are both sweet sensitive guys, like a lot of the same foods...smoked turkey, swiss, mustard, cheez-its, sour patch kids, etc, and they use unusual word combinations. For example, several years ago Matt said to my mom that he thought he was "coming up with a cold," instead of "down with." I have several other examples, but I won't embarrass him. Jesse says stuff like that all of the time. The other day when he wanted James to warm up a biscuit for him he said, "Daddy can you fire this up for me?" So cute! At lunch today, he also said, "Daddy, I didn't want crushed eggs," when he gave him fried eggs. Where did he get "crushed?" Matt would have said something just like that when he was little.

We are a book-loving family

Daddy Time. Lucy has been bringing us books a lot lately and crawling up on our laps to read.

These are the books Shelby and I are enjoying right now. I recommend them to anyone who is pregnant or ready to talk to their young children about the miracle of life.

We spend quite a bit of time reading in this family. Each nap and bedtime includes 2 books or 2 chapters out of a book. Many other times during the day the kids can be found looking at books or reading books to each other or snuggled up on Daddy's lap for a story. The best is when we find Shelby reading to little Lucy who is sitting on her lap, or when it is quiet upstairs and we find Shelby and Jesse laying together on one of their beds reading a book. I find that the more I allow myself to relax and read while they are around, the more likely they are to want to read as well.

The same goes for bible reading. This month I am reading 1 Peter daily. I really love this method of immersing myself in one book of the bible for a month. I haven't kept up with reading it aloud to the kids daily, though. I have decided that I will read whatever book I am reading aloud to them a few times during the month, but daily is too much for them.

proof...

I am sure that since we have made so many life changes lately there are plenty of people out there who think we have gone off the deep end. Well, here is all the proof those people need. We got a car. James' Saturn died in October and we were waiting for our tax return to buy a new one. Ever since Dave Ramsey, we have been determined to never buy a car on credit again, so our budget was our tax return. All we wanted was an inexpensive car with relatively low miles to get James back and forth to work. After a few months of looking, this is what we found. A 1999 Mercedes with only 67,000 miles, belonging to only one previous owner. It was almost the exact amount of our tax return. I know, it is a Mercedes. I have already received flack from a few friends and family. I don't even want to hear about the fact that Mercedes are on my "I would never drive" list. Since we have moved here, more than one of my stereotypes have been challenged. Both this car one and the large church one. I am learning to be humble and open to whatever God has planned for us. Kind of funny...

Love Dare Assignment 12: Love lets the other win: Demonstrate love by willingly choosing to give into an area of disagreement between you and your spouse. Tell them you are putting your preference first.

finally got a new camera battery charger...

Lucy is hanging out in the book box after nap today. I love her fuzzy hair and bright eyes.



I had a level 2 ultrasound today, since I am 35. Everything looked perfect. The tech snapped a few 3D pics for me. In a few weeks I will be getting a full dvd of 3D images. My dr. does it for free. I will post part of the video then. In these pics, I think she looks like a mix of all of them. Her lips are fuller, like Shelby's and her button nose reminds me of Lucy.


We tried squeezing them all on the back seat of the van. Too close for comfort. We rearranged later.

Oooo...Kinky

Okay, so I know I will get flack for this post, but it is one of those things I always want to remember and torture my kids with later. We made the mistake of telling Jesse the other night that when he was tiny and we'd be changing one of his stinky diapers, he'd always say, "Oooo...Kinky," instead of "Oooo...Stinky." We used to crack up so hard about it, b/c of course at 1 1/2 or 2 he had no idea what it meant. Still doesn't. Well, when we told him about it the other night he and Shelby thought it was the most hilarious thing they'd ever heard. They kept saying it over and over in the car and we just ignored them. We have found that things like that are usually best ignored and they just fade away pretty quickly, but if we make a big deal about it, it becomes the new fun thing to say when they think we are out of earshot. It was pretty much over until today in the car Jesse told me his top 4 baby names for the baby are "Sally, Phoebe, Tutti-Fruiti, and Kinky." Nice, huh? As far as he knows, it fits the criteria. Smart kid!

Day 11 Love Dare Assignment: Love Cherishes: What need does your spouse have that you could meet today? Can you run an errand? Give a back rub or foot massage? Is there housework that you could help with? Choose a gesture that says, "I cherish you," and do it with a smile.

outgrowing my skin...

At least that is how it feels. Funny, I didn't feel that way before I hopped on the scale at my dr. appt. about 2 hours ago. I was feeling pretty cute and fit for 6 1/2 months pregnant. It's funny how a number can change your visual perception too. Since I got home, every time I look in the mirror I see myself wearing a fat suit. 2 hours ago that wasn't the case. Now, just walking up the stairs feels like a major chore. Lifting my tree trunk legs is a work-out now. Don't get me wrong, I love being pregnant and I am not afraid of a number. I haven't exceeded 20 pounds yet, but it is about a week or so away. Considering I only gained 20 total with Lucy, that is a little disconcerting. Maybe I should cut out the extra cream in my coffee or walk a little longer each day...Or maybe, I will worry about it after the baby comes and just enjoy myself now! James prefers me more curvy anyway!

Love Dare Assignment Day 10: Love is Unconditional: Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse. Something that proves (to you and to them) that your love is based on your choice and nothing else. Wash her car. Clean the kitchen. Make his favorite dessert. Fold the laundry. Demonstrate love to them for the sheer joy of being their partner in marriage.

What I am reading right now...

The first edition of The Gospel According to Jesus won wide acclaim in confronting the “easy-believism” that has characterized some aspects of evangelical Christianity. Over the past 50 years, a handful of books have become true classics, revered world-wide for their crystal-clear presentation of the Gospel and lauded for their contribution to the Christian faith. These extraordinary books are read, re-read, and discussed in churches, Bible study groups, and homes everywhere. John MacArthur’s The Gospel According to Jesus is one of those books. In The Gospel According to Jesus, MacArthur tackles the idea of “easy believism,” challenging Christians to re-evaluate their commitment to Christ by examining their fruits. MacArthur asks, “What does it really mean to be saved?” He urges readers to understand that their conversion was more than a mere point in time, that, by definition, it includes a lifetime of obediently walking with Jesus as Lord. This 20th anniversary edition of MacArthur’s provocative, Scripture-based book contains one new chapter and is further revised to provide Christians in the 21st century a fresh perspective on the intrinsic relationship between faith and works, clearly revealing Why Jesus is both Savior and Lord to all who believe.

This book is so refreshing for me to read because it is confirming the truths that I hold dear. I see so many Christians taking hold of the new, popular, post modern teachings that are out there and within my spirit I have known that there is something wrong. John Macarthur stresses the life-changing conversion that takes place in those who are truly saved. Jesus isn't asking us to join a club or social organization when He says, "Come follow me." He isn't offering us a new group of friends to associate with or a cool place where we "fit in." He is offering a total life make-over from the inside out. Grace is a free-gift by faith. It is not given to everyone everywhere who sins. People who teach that message cheapen the message of grace. Grace requires faith and faith produces fruit in our lives. If we are truly saved and have truly received the precious gift of grace, our lives will look different. With the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we begin to look more and more like Him. If our lives are not changed we have to question our salvation. Controversial, maybe, but true none the less.

Love Dare Assignment 9: Love makes good impressions: Think of a specific way you'd like to greet your spouse today. Do it with a smile and with enthusiasm. Then, determine to change your greeting to reflect your love for them.

Day 8 Love Dare Assignment

Don't have time to post, but I am getting behind in the Love Dare Assignments, so here is Day 8: Love is Not Jealous: Determine to become your spouse's biggest fan and reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on their achievements, take yesterday's list of negative attributes and discretely burn it. Then share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.

2 syllables ends in the long e sound...

Shelby has known about syllables for a while b/c I taught her about them last year in Kindergarten, but Jesse has just recently grasped the concept. The reason he is so interested all of the sudden is because we have told them that we are looking for girl names that are 2 syllables and end in the long e sound just like all of their own names. Shel-by, Jes-se, Lu-cy. I have taught him to clap the sounds to count the syllables. He claps every name he hears that ends in the long e sound and some words that aren't names. Today he was clapping blis-ter. He said, "Hey, we can name her Blister...no wait a minute, we'd have to name her Blistie." The kids and I kind of had our hearts set on Phoebe. It is a sweet, soft sounding, unique, good biblical name that meets all of our criteria plus, there is a Phoebe in Magic School Bus, which the kids are crazy about. James can't seem to get past the character Phoebe in Friends, so I think it might be out of the question. We are still in negotiations. The two we are really considering right now are Sylvie and Jami. We both love Jami. If Jesse was a girl he was going to be Jami. Then, when I got pregnant before Lucy and lost the baby, I always kind of thought in the back of my mind that that was Jami. I still love the name and she'd be named after her Daddy, so we shall see.

Day 7 Love Dare Assignment: Love Believes the Best: Get 2 sheets of paper. On one sheet, spend a few minutes writing down positive things about your spouse. On the other, do the same with negative things. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the day, pick a positive attribute fom your list and thank your spouse for having that characteristic.

I have the cure for baby constipation!

I have officially found the cure for baby constipation. Put her in cloth diapers twice a day and she will have a poopy everytime. Never fails. Although, it really isn't bad with the liners, just ironic.

Love Dare Day 6 assignment: Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.Begin by listing any areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then release any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.

What I miss about Kansas

Now that the "vacation" is over and we are settling into our new life, I find myself missing Kansas more. Not for the unpredictable weather, gusty winds, flat landscapes or allergies. Really it isn't even Kansas I miss, but the people I love who are there. I miss spending face-to-face time with my friends. I am still in weekly contact with the ones who will be my forever friends, but it doesn't replace shoulder-to-shoulder on the couch, face-to-face, let me read your eyes and give you a hug time. I miss bible studies at the feet of ladies in our church who I saw as mentors. I miss living within driving distance of James family and my grandparents and cousins. When we were there we didn't get to visit as much as we would have liked b/c of busy schedules, but the opportunity was always there if we wanted to. I miss my kids' friends. They had such great friends in Kansas. Kids whose families held the same values as us and were good influences on our kids. They were sweet friends to our kids that they will never forget. I also miss my doctor. He has been our family doctor and my obgyn for over 6 years now. There is no replacement for a doctor that cares for your whole family and really knows you and how your family "works."

Lastly, I have to admit that I miss Taco Bueno, Mi Ranchito & Braums. Can you tell where my mind is right now? If I am not careful I am going to surpass the weight I gained with my 1st pregnancy. That's okay. I always lose it, and this is my last, right?

There are so many things I am loving about Arizona, so I refuse to be down about what I miss. I just wanted to be real and honest about how I feel. I know things will get easier here and it will feel more like home with every passing day. Thankfully, we see God at work all around us in all that we do, and that gives us comfort and hope for the future.

Day 5 Love Dare assignment: Ask your spouse to tell you 3 things that cause him or her to become uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.

My beautiful hippy chicken farmer friend

Angel is one of my best friends in the world. It was so hard leaving her behind in Kansas, but I know we will visit each other, so that brings me comfort. A few weeks ago I sent her this apron b/c she has been looking for a gardening apron for a while. I found it on etsy.com and couldn't resist. I wish I could sew so I could make beautiful things like this, but I have to rely on others' talents. That's okay, I love supporting artists who make home-made gifts, especially stay-at-home moms trying to make a little extra income. etsy.com is the place fo gifts as far as I am concerned.

Love Dare Assigment 4: Love is Thoughtful:
Contact your spouse sometime during the business day. Have no other agenda than to ask how he or she is doing and if there is anything you can do for them.

Are we not dreamers?

I am through the first few chapters of Re-Create by Ron Luce and I have to pause to reflect on something I just read. He points out that (although it would be impossible to document) it has long been said that 98% of our population follows our culture and 2% shapes our culture. He says a follower can be spotted by the things they say, such as, "Every Thursday night I can't miss my favorite TV program," or "I've got to have those pants," or lately, "Can you believe what happened on the Bachelor?" Who do you know that doesn't ever say things like that? Hence, the 98%. Most of us fall into that category.

The 2% of culture shapers are those who dare to dream, the innovators. They are the inventors, artists, songwriters, movie script writers, lawmakers, lobbyists, network owners record execs....The sad thing is that a vast majority of these culture shapers are only in it to make money. Luce calls them virtue terrorists. They market what we and our children will buy with no regard of what it will ultimately do to our character, self-worth, self esteem, etc. Luce asks, "Are the only people who can engage our children perverted, money-grabbing dirtbags? Are we not dreamers? Cannot the people who follow the Creator of the universe be more creative and compelling than those who have a creative gift but exercise it in a way that hurts people for the purpose of making millions of dollars? Why does it seem that only secular people are part of the 2%?"

"Can't we dream a dream for our kids and for the kinds of homes we want to raise them in that is stronger than the destructive culture all around them?"

A few examples of innovators he gives are Bill Gates, Tom Cruise an Steven Spielberg, who although they are a part of the 2% that shapes our culture, they do not allow their own children to watch TV or use the computer more that 1 hour each day. What do they know that we don't?

Nickelodeon an Nick Jr. are owned by Viacom who also owns MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and more. Luce points out that Viacom has a "cradle to the grave" strategy with their goal being to make money from people through every era of their lives. They have even created countless hours of programming that glamorizes perpetual adolescence in order to ensure a captive audience well into adulthood. It makes me sick to my stomach, literally, when I hear adults talking about something they watched on MTV. First of all that they would even find it the least bit appealing to watch makes me wonder, and secondly to justify watching that stuff while we are striving to live holy lives that are pleasing to the Lord makes no sense. Our minds are constantly being renewed, constantly growing toward whatever we are filling them with. How can we possibly be growing to become better parents, friends, or human beings by filling our minds with horrible examples of parenting, friendships, or human depravity found on those shows.

How can we become a part of the 2% of dreamers who will influence our culture to win and save the hearts of out youth without guarding our own hearts. That is the first step in building a culture in our homes that is stronger than the culture around us. Are we not dreamers? I have always been a dreamer...always passionate about something and ready to lead a revolution of some sort. At times in my life I was passionate about the wrong things. Right now James and I are passionate about the family. We refuse to sit by and be absorbed by the 98%. We are starting small, with our own family, since that is where it all begins.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16

What I am reading right now

An intense battle is raging for the hearts and minds of America s 33 million teenagers, the largest generation of teens in U.S. history. These teens have an enemy. He has crafted an offensive strategy, stealth tactics, sophisticated reconnaissance and subtle propaganda. You only have to turn on your TV, talk to your teen's friends, go to the movies or listen to the radio to catch a glimpse of his destructive campaign. Ron Luce is sounding the battle cry, calling parents and Christian leaders to wake up to the war against America's teens. Are you willing to reject quiet Christianity and make a world-shaking difference by dreaming new dreams to ReCreate our culture? Now is the time to use your God-given creativity and claim this generation for Christ, because a generation that the world cannot change is a generation that can change the world!



He was a fishing guide and struggling artist from a south George trailer park. She was the beautiful only child of South Carolina’s most powerful senator. Yet once Doss Michaels and Abigail Grace Coleman met by accident, they each felt they’d found their true soul mate.

Ten years into their marriage, when Abbie faces a life-threatening illness, Doss battles it with her every step of the way. And when she makes a list of ten things she hopes to accomplish before she loses the fight for good, Doss is there, too, supporting her and making everything possible. Together they steal away in the middle of the night to embark upon a 130-mile trip down the St. Mary’s River—a voyage Doss promised Abbie in the early days of their courtship. Where the River Ends chronicles their love-filled, tragedy-tinged journey and a bond that transcends all.


I've already shared what this one is about.

I am also still reading through 1 John daily for a total of 30 days.

Day 3 Love Dare Assignment:
Whatever you put your time, energy and money into will become more important to you. It is hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."

latest experiment: happy heinys

I have decided to experiment with all-in-one cloth diapers. I am not going overboard and swearing off disposable diapers or anything, but I am committing to substituting 2 disposable diapers for cloth diapers daily. This will save 14 diapers per week or 2 30 packs of diapers a month. That means a savings of about $20 a month and who knows how much space over time in the land fills. My babies always have sensitive skin and can't handle wetness on their skin, so I am hesitant to try using only cloth diapers. This compromise seems very doable for me. I chose these because they are adjustable, one-size fits all and easy to use and clean. I got 2 of them from diapers.com for $18 each. They will pay for themselves in less than 2 months. They came in the mail yesterday and I couldn't wait to try them. They are so cute and soft and seem to be comfortable. I have already washed them once. LOVE them so far! Oh, and about poopy diapers, I also bought Kushies liners. They come on a roll like toilet paper, but they are thicker. You just tear one off and lay it inside the cloth diaper and if there is a poopy, you just scoop it out and throw it away before washing. That way you don't have to scrape it off the fabric.

Infomercial DONE. Now for the Love Dare assignment of the day:

In addition to saying nothing negative, do at least 1 unexpected kind thing for your spouse today.

We've started the Love Dare!

Last night we watched Fireproof. It was such a great movie. The acting was a little cheesy, especially at first, but the overall message was so awesome. Every couple needs to watch this movie! We are at a really good place in our marriage, but I can remember times when we weren't and I know there will be times in the future when it is tough. All marriages take work. This movie is a great reminder that true love is not an emotion, but a selfless commitment to do whatever it takes even when the other person doesn't deserve it. It paints a very real picture of what happens when we turn our focus inward and how a marriage can change when we determine to get over ourselves and love the other person in a truly unselfish way.

The Love Dare is a companion book for the movie. It is the Dare that Kirk Cameron's father gives him as a last resort to try to save his marriage in 40 days. It is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. The daily assignments are not time-consuming, but they might be emotionally challenging at times depending on your spouses attitude. We started today.

The assignment for today is to demonstrate patience and not say anything negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, we are supposed to hold our tongues and say nothing. {This one might be more difficult for me than James. I am a talker and my words aren't always carefully weighed. This will be good practice for me.}I haven't decided yet, but I might put our daily assignments on this blog so that if anyone wants a taste of the book, they can take the Love Dare. I would encourage people to buy the book, though, b/c there are short commentaries about each daily assignment. Dare to Love!

almost 24 weeks pics

Shelby took a few pics of me to reveal how much I am popping out these days. I weigh more and feel heavier than I look in my professional opinion.

This one is a little deceiving. James says I just look like I ate too much in this one. I promise I wasn't sucking in, it is just the angle.

cheese...

We love cheese in this house. I just know that we will find out that one or all of us has a dairy allergy one of these days since we already have issues with other foods, and that will be a sorrowful day. I can't eat wheat or anything acidic. Lucy can't have nuts or chicken and Shelby can't have chicken. Without milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream or ice cream, we might fade away from lack of nourishment. I wish we could afford all organic, but it is still way too expensive if you ask me. The other day I bought lots of cheese. I got a block of swiss, pepperjack and sharp cheddar. We are in heaven. We each have a slice of our favorite with most lunches. Jesse always asks for "cheese swiss," Shelby likes cheddar or swiss best, James likes pepper jack and Lucy likes cheddar. I like a little of each, sometimes stacked on top of each other. The only drawback about cheese is the constipation it causes in the kids. We have a string cheese rule around here. The kids can only have string cheese after they go number two. It kind of freaks guests out b/c they get so excited when they poop and taunt each other by singing, "I went poop and I get a cheese stick!" We do have a new rule, however, if one of them says, "I get a cheese stick and you don't," they don't get the cheese stick. We are freaks, I know.

Finding a church...being on the lookout for false teachers

is harder than I thought. I have really only been to 4 churches on any type of regular basis in my life. Until Jessica discovered Cedar Ridge, I hadn't considered looking for a church where I felt comfortable, excited, challenged or "at home." I didn't know that there was such a variety in the way different bodies of believers chose to worship, serve, learn, pray and do life together. I hadn't put a lot of thought into what was being taught and whether or not it measured up to the truth of scripture b/c, truthfully, I didn't know much about scripture until my mid-twenties. It took us over a year to choose between Cedar Ridge and the other church we were attending at the time. In the end, God made our path clear. We are so grateful for the years we spent at Cedar Ridge. Now it is time to find a new church home in Arizona and so far we have been to 4 different churches. We have found things we love about each and things that we aren't so fond of, but thankfully we haven't seen anything alarming yet that would rule any out.

By that I just mean our main criteria is that the church we choose must believe that the Bible is the true living Word of God and that it's meaning or value is not influenced by the culture. We have heard or read plenty of post-modern pastors and Christian authors in the past few years who want to water down the truth or sugar coat it to make it more appealing to our culture. They have the mistaken idea that we have to be more attractive in order for people to want to know Christ. As if we are in control and not the Holy Spirit who truly leads hearts to Christ. Some of them aren't even shy about questioning the absolute truths in the bible. We refuse to get mixed up with churches who are so concerned about attracting people that they compromise or diminish the importance of the word of God being true.

In searching for a criteria for recognizing false teachers I came across some important principles to follow on the intouch.org website. There were several, each backed by scripture, but here is a brief summary of a few I want to remember:

1. They will often mention “different views” about God’s Word.
2. They might deny the truth of the Word of God and deal inhalf-truths, affirming some parts of the Bible while picking at certain other key sections of God’s Word.
A false teacher knows that if he can undermine only one portion of the Scriptures, then it will be much easier to destroy our faith in the rest of it. All of our doctrine, the basis of our beliefs, is found in those Scriptures, so the false teacher attacks us right there at the source.
3. False teachers deny the authority of God’s Word and become permissive.
4. They challenge the teaching of Scripture by offering “new ideas,” that are permissive and sensual.
5. We can sometimes recognize a false teacher by his followers. If we pay attention to how they live, we can observe the fruits of hearing a false message. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, we learn that many people will find false teachers to “tickle their ears” with a message they want to hear, and they will turn away from truth.“They will not
endure sound doctrine,” Paul writes. (v. 3) People follow false teachers because the message is convenient and soothing to them. It becomes so comfortable that the truth seems unendurable to them.

According to the author, we can protect ourselves from false teachers. To be safe from false teachers,we must study the Word of God, which reveals His truth on every subject. We should be able to speak clearly the truth about Jesus Christ, His teachings, death, Resurrection, and return; we should know about the three persons of God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and many other doctrinal issues. Second,we should also expose false doctrine and show its errors. Third,we should always be on the alert for false doctrine. Finally, when we encounter false teachers,we must separate ourselves from them.

In searching for a church, if we come across a teacher who displays any of the above criteria we will run the other way. We feel the same way about Christian authors who are choosing to distort the truth in a way that "makes more sense to people," or "tickles people's ears." If I sound passionate about this topic, I am. I want to know nothing less that the truth, even if it is hard to understand or hard to swallow. Whether it comforts or convicts me, heals or stings, give me truth over alluring words anyday.