From the beginning of “Serving God and Family” my intentions have been to be as transparent as possible.I have been told that I do not have a very good “poker face” when it comes to hiding my emotions; they are always written all over my face.So, in reality, I guess I am by nature “transparent”.Transparent is defined as being “guileless-free of deceit” or “easily understood or seen through (because of a lack of subtlety)”.
Losing a child, no matter when it happens, is almost unbearable.I say “almost” because, my hope does not rest on whether or not I have children, but in Jesus Christ alone.Four of my sweet blessings are in Heaven with their Creator.Life and death are controlled by God Himself.He is the one who determines when a person is created, how long they will live and ultimately the moment they cease living.He does not owe me an explanation, nor am I arrogant enough to demand one.I know that all things that He allows in the life of the believer are ultimately for their good and His glory (thank you so much for reminding me of this yesterday Mrs. Stacy McDonald).
Can people be insensitive during this time?Absolutely.In fact I think that many people just want to have something to say, and when they can’t find the right words (which by the way there aren’t any), they do one of two things; 1) Remain silent (BEST OPTION) or 2) They say the most outrageously insensitive things that makes you wonder if they have a lick of sense in them.
A sweet friend showed me something that I thought was very well written for a time such as this.And I recommend all who frequent my blog read it, especially before saying anything to me about the miscarriage. I am not trying to be mean, I am being completely transparent.
This is day two of experiencing this current loss and miscarriage.The next few days and months will be a process of many different feelings, both emotionally and physically.God has and will continue to give me the Grace I need to persevere through this trial.Ultimately He will use it for my good and most importantly HIS GLORY!I have peace in knowing that my children are with Christ, the very best place to be.He loves them more than I ever would be able to.
Our baby, Charis Sewell went to be with Jesus today.I began spotting today and when the nurse called me with the results from the Hcg blood work, it only confirmed what I knew was happening.My Hcg levels decreased today and that is indicative that I am definitely miscarrying this baby.
I have cried, and will continue to mourn the loss of our little baby, yet I rejoice in knowing that God is Sovereign and He holds my sweet child in His arms today.My heart breaks each time I lose a baby, no matter how far along I am.Each child is a gift and blessing from the Lord.
My husband and I have chosen to name our little one “Charis” because it is the Greek word for “Grace”.It is only by God’s grace that I am able to persevere through this trial.It is only by God’s grace that I will be able to endure the physical pain that I will experience soon.It is only by God’s grace that I have peace that surpasses all understanding.It is only by God’s grace that I still have hope.It is only by God’s grace that I know I will one day be reunited with all of my children who have gone before me.It is only by God’s grace that I know I will conceive again.
Please continue to pray for me and my husband as we once again experience the loss of a child.We love the Lord and our hope is in Christ.We do not believe this pregnancy was a mistake.We do not believe that God changed His mind.We do believe that God is the Author, Sustainer, and Finisher of life and all that He does is Just and Good.We do believe that even in this loss God will be glorified.We thank the Lord for blessing us with another baby, even if we never got to hold him or her.We do believe that our Charis is with their Creator and we will be reunited some day.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Yesterday was another emotional day.I had another HCG titer and progesterone level blood test done yesterday.A few minutes after 4pm yesterday, the nurse called to inform me that since last Thursday (96 hours ago) my HCG levels had not doubled and my progesterone was still lower than it should be.I am scheduled to do the HCG titer again in 48 hours (Wednesday) and the doctor has increased my progesterone from 200mg to 300mg a day.I am still scheduled for an ultrasound for Friday morning, which we are praying will determine the baby’s age and be able to see a heartbeat.
I am still not experiencing any pregnancy symptoms.The only symptom I am having is just extreme sleepiness from the progesterone.My HCG levels were only 873, which means I may not be far enough along yet (6 weeks +) to have any pregnancy symptoms.
We are praying the Lord’s will be done.He is the only one, at this point, who knows what is going on.While this time is an emotional roller coaster for me at times, I know God is Sovereign and He is not caught off guard or panicked about any of this, and this gives me great comfort.
Please continue to pray that the baby is fine, and that all will be well.
We are still very happy and excited about expecting a new little one, however, yesterday brought potentially grave news as my HCG levels are not doubling as they should every 48 hours, and this causes a bit of concern.We are not sure how far along I am, and will not know until I have an ultrasound, which is scheduled for next Friday (30 Oct) at 11am.I am also scheduled for more blood work on Monday and Tuesday.There are three possibilities in this situation:
1. I am miscarrying
2. I am experiencing an ectopic pregnancy
3. All is normal and fine and the HCG levels will begin to double every 48 hours soon.
Prayer is much needed in a time like this.Fear and doubt begin to inch its sneaky way in, and millions of questions begin to flood my mind.Last night Malachi and I had a discussion about what we would do if this is indeed an ectopic pregnancy.We both understand the risks and complications inevitably for baby and for mom.Just so everyone understands we will not take any steps in terminating a pregnancy that is known to be ectopic.If the baby is still living, then we trust the Lord completely to do as He wills.If the baby is no longer with us, then we will allow the doctors to operate.As hard of a decision as this can be, knowing the complications that can arise which could endanger my life, we cannot justify killing a child.We discussed it last night only out of wanting to be prepared, not because we have any evidence that this is an ectopic pregnancy.
We ask for prayer for the sweet baby that the Lord has blessed us with, for their protection and health.We ask for prayer in regards to my health and safety, but ultimately we ask for God’s will to be done and that He be glorified in all things.
We are not declaring that this is a doomed or failed pregnancy; we just wanted to make those who care and love us aware of the potential situation.I am still taking progesterone, and while my progesterone levels are a tad lower than the doctor would like to see, they are still within normal range, as is the HCG levels.We will know more next week, and until then we covet your prayers and hope to have excellent news by the end of next week.In all things, our hope is in the Lord and His grace is sufficient!
Alright.It is that time of year again, Halloween.What should Christians do about Halloween?How should Christians feel about Halloween?Does God address the issue in His Word?
A couple of years ago I posted an article on one of my myspace groups.As you will read below, the response was overwhelming that “I” was wrong on the position I took on the subject of Halloween.I will defend the Truth until the day I die.I am fed up with complacent compromising Christians who make a mockery of the Lord Jesus Christ and who refuse to accept loving correction.Biblical correction does not always set well with Christians, even though God’s word clearly tells us that “He who hates reproof is stupid.” (Proverbs 12:1 NASB).God is serious when He commands us to “Abhor what is evil” (Romans 12:9 NASB).We are to love that which God loves and hate that which God hates.
As Christians we are called to be “set apart” (Romans 1:1 and John 17:14-19) and to be a “peculiar people” (Deut 14:2).We are not to conform to the ways of this world, but conform to the standards that have been set for us in Jesus Christ.
“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.” Romans 12:2
I totally understand this is a controversial issue within the Christian community, but I also understand that God’s word is cut and dry on the subject of HIS children participating in pagan practices.He is the standard to which all Christians should be striving to achieve.We are not to conform to the cultural whims of the world, but conform to the image of Jesus Christ.Do we miss the mark, always, but by His grace we are set apart as HIS children to bring Glory to Him.Partaking in the festivities of Halloween does not fall under the overly abused category of “Christian Liberty” because God has made His position clear on this matter; “abstain from EVERY form of evil” (1 Thess 5:22, emphasis mine).I am not sure how much clearer He can be on this issue.
Just in case someone wants to throw out the “not celebrating Christmas and Easter argument”, let me go ahead and address that.Does anyone (without googling it) even know the pagan holiday that was celebrated on Dec 25th or the pagan holiday of Easter?Probably not, and that is because the pagan practices are NOT being celebrated today, which means the Roman Catholic Church actually achieved its goal of weeding our those pagan practices by infiltrating it with a Christian practice.I think we all know Christ was NOT born on December 25th.Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection can and should be celebrated in the life of the believer each and every day by living a life that honors and glorifies God.The pagan practices that took place on Dec 25th and on the holiday of Easter are no longer in practice today.This is very much different than Halloween.Halloween was not created to honor or worship the One True Living God, but it was designed to worship a pagan god.This holiday is still being practiced by Satanists and pagans around the world.If the pagan holiday that was celebrated on Dec 25th continued to be celebrated now, than I can assure you the Christian community would pick a different day to celebrated Christ’s birth.So using this argument to justify the allowance by GOD for Christians to knowingly celebrate a pagan and wicked holiday is a moot point.
My entire point with Christians celebrating or remotely giving the appearance of celebrating Halloween is that in order to claim it is “allowable” there needs to be scriptural evidence by providing book, chapter and verse (within context) that God would be pleased by HIS children partaking in a known pagan holiday’s festivities (of any kind).God is either pleased or not pleased by the manner in which we conduct ourselves and the positions we hold to in mind and in heart.God never gives us the impression, within His word, that He is a neutral God, not having a solid position on all matters.Do your research and find out what each thing practiced during Halloween means.What does the jack-o-lantern symbolize?What does dressing up in costumes symbolize on Halloween?What does “trick or treating” symbolize on Halloween?Read up on the history of the Halloween and then test it with the Word of God and see if it is something God would be pleased with or condone.This is what Christians are supposed to do, go directly to God’s word on EVEYRTHING.It is apparent to everyone that the marketing of Halloween does not in any shape, form, or fashion glorify God or represent anything even remotely consistent with His character and nature.Not a single aspect of Halloween or its rituals (symbols within each traditional act) that glorify God and what He should represent to the believer.The holiday definitely preys on the innocence of children when they are in their most vulnerable and impressionable stages.It teaches them the fear of something else other than God, or it desensitizes them to the real evil of satan and his every scheming plans to destroy us all. It turns evil and the reality of demonic influences into a game to be laughed at.Simply putting “happy” in front of the word Halloween, doesn’t make the holiday less pagan.How can we explain the evilness of the holiday and yet allow them to even remotely participate in Halloween’s festivities, and think we are not contradicting ourselves AND God’s word?Basic logic would tell us that saying something is evil in origin and is bad and God abhors evil, yet allow them to participate in it; is ridiculously two-faced.
I leave it to you all who claim Christ as your Lord and Savior, the One who conquered sin, death and the grave; to be like the Bereans and search diligently God’s word on this subject and every issue that comes across your path that should raise the question “Would God be pleased if I…?”After all our lives are not about serving us, but serving an infinitely Just, Righteous, and Holy God who demands that we love that which He loves and hate that which He hates.
Serving God and My Family,
Crystal <>< (SAHM)
(My responses are in red)
Initial Post (Oct 2007)
I found this article and think it would behoove Christians to read it. Malachi and I decided when we got married that our children would not participate in Halloween, nor are we giving any merit to Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. I think as parents we all want our children to grow up with a sound moral compass and not instill in them that lying is "ok" at anytime for any reason. So why would we start lying to them when they are young and impressionable!? Makes no sense to me. Most people I believe do certain things out of a sense of "entitlement". I would love to see where these people can justify their feelings of "entitlement" with scripture.
The other day when we were at the doctor’s office; the nurse asked what Sofia was going to be for Halloween, to which we kept silent and smiled, not wanting to offend this lady. I see now that I should not be ashamed to stand up for what is right. We could have used that opportunity to share our faith, but we felt like we would be "labeled". WHO CARES?! This lady told us that we just can't deprive our child of Halloween...are you kidding me?! Depriving her? I just laughed and laughed at the absurdity of this lady. Then of course I realized that in her ignorance she didn't have a clue!
I posted the article on my myspace blog or you can click on the link below and read it from the source.
I read that article and I just wanted to say that I think it is fine that you choose not to participate in Halloween. If you feel that the Holy Spirit has led you to this conclusion then I think it is commendable and right to follow where you feel you are being led. But, in my own personal walk with God, I have not been convinced that allowing my children to trick-or-treat is wrong. I've read through Scripture and questioned God about it. No definitive answer came to me in Scripture. I have been led by the Holy Spirit to believe that there is no harm in it. I think it's a personal choice and that there is no right or wrong stance on the subject. (Romans 14) I just wanted to put that out there to say that some things are not black and white and that they require guidance by the Holy Spirit. My family belongs to Christ and He knows our hearts and sees that we are not engaging ourselves in any kind of pagan rituals or anti-Christian sentiments when we walk around door to door on Halloween. I don't believe that there is anything wrong with allowing my children to participate in the festivities with family or at school.
*Btw, I'm not trying to start an argument. I respect your decision and I hope that you respect mine as well. I think you are a very godly woman and I admire that you have made a decision about this subject and will stand by it because the Holy Spirit has led you in it. I am firmly rooted in my decision as well.
We, as believers, need to let God's spirit guide us in matters such as these and not try and make other believers adhere to what we think is right. God works in our hearts in different ways.
My Response:
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 1:06 PM
No need to debate or argue over this topic, but what I find in scripture is very much against practicing in celebrations that are pagan or pagan in origin.
I had this debate with a friend yesterday, who has since deleted me from her myspace.
This is my conversation with the friend that deleted me from her myspace. Do people really think that they have hurt my feelings for deleting me? I find this silly and childish. It is like saying "You made me mad and uncomfortable so I don't want to be your friend anymore!" To this I say "wha!")
The bulletin about Halloween is not a popular one I understand this. All who have me on their "friends" list knows that I am sold out for the Lord and not the world. I may be radical by some people's opinions, but I would love to know what standard these people are appealing to? Is it just their feelings? And if so what makes one person's opinion better than another? Opinions are not equal; one opinion will always be closer to the Truth than another one. The real deciding point is what standard of Truth are we appealing to when we feel a need to give our opinion?
When posing an argument to a position I make known that you disagree with, if you are not going to use scripture to back up your opinion then you are wasting your efforts.
Ever since I became a Christian and my life changed, my natural response has been to RE-EVALUATE everything that I held to be true to see if it is pleasing to God. I have found that God is neutral on VERY FEW subjects. My position on Halloween is in harmony with the scriptures. If it is not, then feel free to show me otherwise using scripture because that is the standard.
God Bless
Crystal <><
MY FRIENDS RESPONSE
Halloween has pagan roots stemming from the ancient Celtic festival, Samhain. This harvest festival of the Druids ushered in the New Year, beginning on the evening of October 31, with the lighting of bonfires and the offering of sacrifices. As the Druids danced around the fires, they celebrated the ending of the summer season and the beginning of the season of darkness. It was also believed that at this time of year the invisible "gates" between the natural world and the spirit world would open, allowing free movement between the two worlds. In the 18th century, Pope Gregory III moved All Saints Day to November 1, officially making October 31 "All Hallows Eve, " as a way of claiming the celebration for Christians. However, some of the pagan beliefs and practices associated with the celebration have persisted. There is no direct reference in the Bible prohibiting the celebration of Halloween, or Trick or Treat!!
MY RESPONSE
Of course the Bible doesn't mention Halloween, it wasn't established until well after the Bible was written. It also doesn't mention communism, does that mean it pleases the Lord and that communism is acceptable to God? To say that the passage in Deuteronomy doesn't apply because Christians don't practice child sacrifice is a fallacious argument. That scripture is written as part of God's initial Law in Deuteronomy reflecting God's position on evil practices that the pagans were conducting. God's positions on those things have not changed, because the Bible clearly states that God DOES NOT CHANGE. And Halloween glamorizes the very things that God despises in Deuteronomy 18:10-12. Also, these verses were not written to Christians, as there were no Christians in that time. Christians are those who profess to believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. How could the Hebrews in the OT do this? The Bible clearly states that if we are aware of a pagan association with something, whether it be a meal or a holiday, then we are to refrain from it, lest somebody think we are approving it which can lead others to sin. 1 Corinthians chapter 8 clearly tells us that for the sake of others we are not to partake in anything that is associated with paganism. As far as "becoming all things to all men", that is in reference to bringing the Gospel to every level of mankind. It in no way is implying that we are given allowance to practice in that which has already been established as ungodly. So to say it means otherwise is to take it out of context. It seems as though the verses you bring up you are agreeing that the Bible does disagree with what Halloween stands for. SO the question is, knowing the origins of Halloween, is it pleasing to God that we practice it? If one is not a Christian than the debate on whether celebrating Halloween is right or not is pointless as the unbeliever has bigger issues to deal with. If one is a professing Christian, then the debate on whether to celebrate Halloween is right or not, is based on how much authority the person puts on scripture and God's Commandments in their life. To say that because the BIBLE doesn't mention Halloween and then therefore it is ok to participate in it, is an argument from silence. It is the same as saying that "God likes turtles" isn't said in the Bible therefore God must hate them. The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun. The principles of the things that are going on today have been going on for over 6, 000 years. These are MY convictions based on God's Word, the Bible. To try and use scripture to say that God's doesn't care either way if someone practices in a holiday with it's roots in paganism is proving that you have absolutely no clue who God is and what He commands of us. His very nature and character goes against anything that is rooted in evil! We may justify the harmlessness of a practice because much time has passed between its true roots, but time does not change God, who is timeless and He is just as offended 4, 000 years ago as He is today when we are distracted by ungodly things.
Everyone will have their own opinions and positions on just about everything. As Christians we need to make very sure that our opinions and positions line up with God's Word and His character. Period.
God Bless
Crystal <><
Unnamed Woman's Response:
Posted: Oct 18, 2007 1:56 PM
Crystal-
I wasn't trying to convince you that I am right. I gave you the 14th chapter of Romans as a source of Scripture. But, like you said, there was no Halloween when the Bible was written. I said that I did not want to argue with you and I am not going to because there is nothing to argue about. I respect what you have said and my decision is between me and God. I think that you are right in not participating in Halloween if you feel that is what God's word and His spirit has led you to. And I feel that I am right and justified as well because of what I feel God's word and Spirit are saying to me. This whole debate has nothing to do with salvation or the basic principles of our faith nor does it in any way imply that either of us is not a believer for being one side or the other. It is a point on which we disagree. I think we should agree to disagree.
Romans 14
The Weak and the Strong
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written:
" 'As surely as I live, ' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.' "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
My Response:
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 3:30 PM
Do you believe God's Word and His Spirit will say opposite things to two different people?
Romans 14 is referring to meat that was being sold in the market places, in which some of the meat was from animals that had been sacrificed to idols and some meat was not. What it is saying is that it doesn't matter whether it was or not, we have liberty in Christ, and the Lord blesses both. They didn't need to find out the origin of the meat in order to eat it because of our freedom in Christ.
Notice that Romans 14 is not saying it is ok to go into the pagan temples and take their sacrificed meat. This would be the equivalent of us taking part in Halloween, whether we believe in what it stands for or not, for the fun of it, or to get candy.
God Bless
Crystal <><
Unnamed Woman's Response:
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 5:08 PM
Crystal-
Shame on you for insinuating that God's Spirit is not in me! Who gave you the authority to say such things? It is obviously futile to debate this. Go ahead and think what you want. I never said you were wrong and I never said that I was absolutley right. I applauded you for sticking to your guns.
I used Romans 14 because it talks about letting disputable things remain between God and a believer and not condemning His people for what they believe is from Him. God knows my heart and I am held accountable to no one but Him.
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 5:48 PM
Let me re-word my previous statement. I don't think Halloween is a matter of the Spirit, it's a matter of conscience. You are absolutely right Crystal that the Spirit would not contradict itself. The Spirit says nothing about Halloween and the Scripture does not address it either. It is completely a matter of conscience. I choose to believe that Halloween is not detrimental to my faith, has nothing to do with my salvation and is not contradictory to God's word or Spirit. If your conscience tells you to refrain from participating in it then you should listen to it and you are right in doing so.
My Response:
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 6:13 PM
You cannot say that your application of Romans 14 applies to Halloween, You are using that passage inappropriately.
I am in no way insinuating that the Holy Spirit is not with you. I asked you, can the Holy Spirit tell opposite things about the same issue to different people?
The point is the practice of Halloween was a pagan holiday and IS still a pagan holiday. It is the most celebrated day for Satanist, witches, wiccans and all religions dealing with the occult. Knowing this how can we possibly justify any involvement in that holiday and mark it up as exercising our Christianity liberty? That is absolutely absurd and unscriptural.
I am not judging you, I am judging the pagan holiday of Halloween and how it lines up with scripture! There is a difference and I think you lost that in this entire conversation.
It is completely true that we have freedom in Christ over non essentials.
But if you can, in good conscience participate in a holiday that is currently celebrated by Satan worshipers and witches, for the purpose of harmless fun, then maybe you need to re-evaluate where you received your convictions of Christian liberty. Maybe you should ask yourself why this particular day is celebrated by occult religions?
God Bless
Crystal <><
Unnamed Woman's Response:
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 6:38 PM
I will be resigning from this group. I am sorry that this dispute has gotten so far. God bless all of you.
My Response:
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 6:58 PM
I want to make this known, that I am not telling Christians not to participate in Halloween. I am encouraging Christians to evaluate Halloween in light of scripture. The difference is this:
A. By not participating in Halloween you cannot go wrong.
B. By participating in Halloween there is a possibility you can be wrong.
So, for me not to participate and not allow my children to participate in a known pagan holiday I am NOT sinning or causing my child to sin. However, on the other side, if a Christian does allow themselves to participate then it is "possible" they are sinning and by allowing their children to participate "could" be leading them straight into sinning. So I chose to err on the side of caution, which lines up with scripture. As Christians if we participate in a known pagan holiday we need to ask ourselves why and what for? Are candy and a little "harmless" fun worth the risk?
I just have to ask...why would a Christian in any way defend celebrating a pagan holiday? What is to gain about defending the celebration of a known pagan holiday? Even if you don't believe that you are celebrating the pagan practice, there are those who do practice Halloween for occultic satanic reasons. Knowing this why would any Christian want to be associating themselves with it?
God Bless
Crystal <><
Some other lady who wants to make a comment:
None of that is up to you. it is up to God and God alone. I'm sorry but I'm also resigning from this group because I don't think there is any place for judgment between sisters in Christ. We will be held accountable for what we allow our children to participate in, and it does not hurt you or concern you or anyone else but our spouse and the Lord. So please get off the spiritual high horse you are on and stop condeming people for the areas they believe God has allowed them liberty. There is NO condemnation in Christ Jesus our Lord.
My Response:
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 10:15 PM
Again, let me repeat myself, I am speaking out against a pagan holiday, not those who practice it. If you feel singled out that I have exposed what Halloween is than that is between you and God. Why go through the effort of defending a pagan holiday!?
God Bless
Crystal <><
Posted:Oct 18, 2007 11:08 PM
Also where in the world did you get the idea that I was here to "unify sisters in Christ"? I am all about unity but not at the cost of compromising the Truth! If anyone who reads the Bible thinks that we as Christians are not allowed to make any judgments than you need to read your Bible a little more carefully. It has nothing to do with self righteousness; it has to do with exposing a holiday for what it is. Halloween is a pagan holiday, period. No one can argue with the truth of this.
It seems as though people have been fed that maintaining peace between our fellow people is the common goal, which it is not. We are supposed to be separate from the world, and not take part in those things that are against the Lord or work against Him. Halloween and the celebrating there in conflicts with scripture in that it is a day dedicated to worshiping Satan. How much more obvious can it be that just maybe we as professing Christians would refrain from partaking in it in any way?
Why is this even a debate? Why are their people here defending Halloween? I mean are you kidding me?
It seems as though the ones this has "dinged" are those who celebrate Halloween and wish to continue doing so regardless of the nature of the holiday. Just outrageous! We are to be imitators of Christ, right? Why would we knowingly partake in a holiday that is celebrated with worshiping Satan? Isn't one of our chief goals to not cause unbelievers and those who are weak in the faith to stumble?
Please know that it in no way hurts my feelings or causes me to rethink what I have said here today because individuals want to resign from this group over celebrating Halloween.
As I said in the beginning of this post this is not a popular topic. I believe it is not popular because Halloween has become an American tradition where kids get to dress up and get candy. Yeah seems like harmless fun, until you learn what the holiday is actually celebrating. What is it about this holiday that makes some Christians continue to celebrate it? Is it having fun that they think will be lost if they no longer celebrate Halloween? Are they afraid their children might pitch a fit and demand to go trick or treating because mommy and daddy have allowed them to in the past? (Seems like they set themselves up for that in the beginning) Why even go there? Why not err on the side of caution? God abhors evil. God abhors pagan practices, and Halloween is one of those pagan practices. Where in scripture can anyone show me where God has said, "sure, go have a little fun playing in the pagan pool?"
An alternative thing to celebrating Halloween, would be if someone knocks on your door saying "trick-or-treat" (which you may want to do some research on what that really means) hand out Gospel tracts, or hey I have a thought, share the Gospel with them yourself. This year as you drive around your section of this world, tell me if the Halloween decorations Glorify God in anyway. Halloween was never meant to be this sweet pretty celebration of kids dressing up in cute costumes and getting candy. It is a night to scare people. It is a holiday of instilling fear in people, including those precious little babies that the Lord has placed in our care. Give me a break! There is nothing about Halloween that Honors God or Glorifies Him. It does just the opposite. So why would we want to participate or be associated with it? For fun and candy? Or because you "feel" that you are entitled to have fun because of your Christian liberties. That would be called licentiousness.
Paul tell us in 1 Corinthians 10 we cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and of demons. 1 Corinthians chapter 8 tell us to be careful with our liberties.
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall."
1 Corinthians 10:20-28 tells us that basically once we have been made aware that something we are about to partake in is associated with paganism we are not to partake in it.
"20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." 27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice, " then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake-- "
It seems as though scripture has a lot to say about Christians knowingly partaking in or celebrating pagan holidays. There are very few issues that the Lord is neutral on. I think Christians have compromised to a point where Halloween is no longer offensive to us. It should be repulsive to us, but we have been so desensitized to it, that even we are celebrating paganism. Halloween is a great way to draw children into the occult. Why would we set them up for this?
Again, as you drive around your section of the world, and you see all the Halloween decorations on homes and other places, ask yourself what these decorations glorify and represent.
God Bless
Crystal <><
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Sewell Family’s Big Announcement
This morning we found out through a home pregnancy test that I purchased from here, that we are expecting our 6th baby!While I only have two precious little ones here in my arms, we have 3 in Heaven that we are eager to be reunited with some day, so this baby being “fearfully and wonderfully made and knitted together” (Psalm 139:14)will be our 6th baby!
I am about 4 or 5 weeks along, we aren’t sure just yet.I will be taking progesterone for at least the first 12 weeks just as I did with Charlotte, and having blood work done every week to make sure that my progesterone levels continue to increase.
We are very excited and feel extremely blessed that the Lord would bless us with another baby.We are praying that this pregnancy is a healthy one and there are no complications.We do understand that we are not promised a certain number of days with our children, but we will rejoice and praise the Lord for the time we do have them.
Please keep me in prayer as I venture back into pregnancy. While I am excited and tickled, I am still nervous that something “could” go wrong.My hope is in the Lord, and I know that He no matter what He is Sovereign.Please also join us in praising the Lord for the miracle of life and bestowing such a precious blessing to our family!
“It is imagined that, now we have School-boards, we shall not want Sabbath-schools
so much, but may give over the young to the Secularists. Because the children are to be taught the multiplication table, they will not need to be taught the fear of the Lord! Strange reasoning this! Can geography teach them the way to Heaven, or arithmetic remove their countless sins? The more of secular knowledge our juveniles acquire, the more will they need to be taught in the fear of the Lord. To leave our youthful population in the hands of secular teachers, will be to sell them to the Ishmaelites.”
The battle over the home is a never ending one.Feminism has effectively walked right into the Church and made herself comfortable in the front pew, and has even taken up residence is Christian homes.Men have been emasculated by feminism as they are no longer allowed nor wanted in their God appointed places as Pastor of the Church, or Head of the home.There has been a role reversal since the Woman’s Suffrage Movement, and now men are the “stay at home parent” and the woman is now “the one who wears the pants”. Does anyone else see the problem with this?
When God created man and woman, He created them with distinct roles and duties that were specific to their gender.When Adam and Eve sinned, and were exiled from the Garden of Eden, their gender roles were not changed, only complicated by their own rebellion against God.Now, Adam would have to work the ground in order to provide for His family, and Eve would experience pain during birth and her desire would be to rule over her husband, yet she was commanded to submit to him.Before the fall, all these things worked in perfect harmony according to God’s perfect design.However, our sin has now added a twist in that we are incapable of obeying God without His allowance for it.
As Christian women who profess to be under the grace of God, we now have the ability to serve God in the manner we were initially created to.This does not mean we cease sinning; we are still in our corruptible flesh and in a fallen world, but we have been extended grace that we may Glorify God.(Life is not about me)This means as we “study to show ourselves approved” and examine or test ourselves as to whether we are in the faith, we will learn exactly what pleases God and what does not please Him, and act accordingly.
Everything boils down to two categories, that which pleases God and that which does not please God.With each decision we make, with each thought we think, it will either please God or not please God.When it comes to the roles of the female gender, God has given specific guidelines as to how we are to operate in order to please Him and bring Glory to His name.
Titus 2:4-5 really sums up what a God fearing woman should be doing with her entire life (not just a season of it):
“…and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, andsubmissive to their own husbands,that the word of God may not be reviled.”
The older women are to be “doing” this training, which would prove they themselves have had the same training.The line of logic would then go that when they are older they will be training younger women in how to fulfill their God designed roles.What this verse also implies is that younger women are responsible for knowing these blessed Truths and carrying them out in order that one day they might teach them to a younger generation.Titus 2:5 tells us that should we NOT do these things, we have reviled the word of God.The word literally used in the Greek is “blasphemed” which literally means “to vilify”, “to speak impiously”, “defame”, “revile”, or “speak evil”.
Those are very harsh words.To not “love our husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to our own husbands” is to vilify, speak impiously of, defame, revile and speak evil of the word of God.Whoa!
I don’t think there are any debates on the “loving our husbands and children” part.And I think we can all agree that we need to be self-controlled, pure, kind, and submissive to our own husbands.However, I wonder how many of us just roll right over the “working at home” part of that verse.
How many Christian women try very hard to justify why they are working outside of their homes, while their children are placed in the care of a babysitter, another family member, a daycare or government run institution?How many families are so used to having two incomes that the very thought of the wife returning home causes strife not only in their home but in the marriage?Is this Biblical?It is not.
We have become a culture so fooled and blinded by the works of the enemy that we will object to this part of scripture when it is brought to our attention.We are also a generation who hates correction and reproof.God’s Word says this:
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.”Proverbs 12:1 (NASB)
Do you love discipline?Do you love when another Christian comes to you and shows you through God’s word that you are in sin and blaspheming the Word of God?
Think on that for a moment….
Those who love God will also love His word.Those who love the Lord will desire to be obedient to His commands no matter how unpopular they are culturally.Those who love God and KNOW Him will bear good fruit.Those who Love God and know Him WILL persevere.
Those who do not know God, or love Him, will hate reproof and God calls them “stupid”.Whoa!Ouch!Those who claim to know God, and hate reproof God calls them “stupid”.I think we get the general point now.
Nothing God does, creates, or commands is done arbitrarily.He has a purpose and it is ultimately to Glorify Himself.When we approach His word it should also not be done arbitrarily or with some self serving motive in mind; but it should be done in order to evaluate our positions in relation to God’s inerrant word.If we find that our positions or our practices are not consistent with God’s commands, then we are to change.We are not to seek justification through some “mythical” loophole by mishandling God’s word.This is done by employing Eisegesis (artificially planting meaning into the text) instead of Exegesis (withdrawing the natural meaning from the text) of scripture.
We are instructed to “Study to show thyself approved” (2 Timothy 2:15).This means we are to study God’s word in order to 1) know God (His character and nature and what He commands of us) and 2) so that we can show ourselves approved unto God.We take God at His word and apply it to our lives in order to bear witness as to “Who” we serve, lest we “blaspheme” God’s Word.Pretty heavy stuff.
What does this mean about “working outside of the home”?It means that Christian women should make their husband, children and their homes the number one priority as to bring Glory to God.Since the Industrial Revolution, women have been a fixture in the work place.We can all come up with just about any excuse for why it is “allowable” for women to work outside of the home.These “allowances” are often if not always defended simply by culturally accepted practices and not based on a Biblical justification.
***I do understand there are single mothers who find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place.I am ashamed of the Church as a whole for allowing, condoning and even furthering these women’s need to be in the work place.In such cases, as they are made known to a Christian congregation or individual, there needs to be every step taken to afford single mothers the ability to go home and raise their children as God commands of them by the church fostering/adopting these families.However, what I see happening all too often are individual Christians being made aware of such circumstances and willfully denying aid (if available) by claiming it is the local churches responsibility, not their own personal responsibility.To those persons I say “shame on you for you have effectively abandoned the faith and made a mockery out of Jesus Christ”. ***
Most commonly, however, women who are in the work force are there by choice.Families, even large families can live off of one salary.The husband does not have to be a millionaire in order for this to happen.If the older women were trained properly in the area of home management, which would also include financial management, and they are obedient in teaching the younger women, then all women would know how to be a good steward of the income her husband brings home.
It is a pathetic thing to hear women justify working outside of the home because they need the double income to make ends meet.What are these “ends” we are so desperately trying to meet?It is status.The kind of status that tells the outside world, we have two cars (we can’t afford), a house (we can’t afford), credit cards (we can’t afford), and other luxuries (we can’t afford). It appears that no one ever really learns to “live under their means”.Everyone is always striving for that bigger piece of pie out of a grossly inflated sense of entitlement; which is the “American Dream”.What about ultimately striving for the Kingdom of God?Did we forget about that?
When women embrace joyfully their God given place (which is an honorable one because God deems it so) at home to love and care for their own husbands, it brings Glory to God.When women embrace their God created place in the home to bear, love and nurture children in the ways of the Lord, they bring Glory to God.When older women take God’s instruction seriously to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children, be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands, they Glory God.However, when women reject these instructions from God, they effectively “vilify”, “speak impiously”, “defame”, “revile”, and “speak evil” of the Word of God.
This is not just a current issue, but one that needed to be addressed during the Apostle Paul’s time.This is why he wrote Titus and 2 Timothy and specifically included instruction for women who claimed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.It had to be said so that all would know and be without excuse.Those who refused to submit to God’s word and His design for each gender were known immediately by how they lived their lives.
If we claim to be Christian women, and profess with our mouths to the world that we have a desire to live our lives for His Glory, then we will humbly, fearfully and joyfully embrace the work the Lord has ordained us to accomplish in HIS name.We will die to ourselves daily and in the process through the work of the Holy Spirit become more and more like Christ, losing ourselves in the process.Our own selfish ambitions and sinful desires will have to die as we run hard after the Lord and trust that He will finish the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6).
No matter which direction the culture takes and what our society deems “acceptable”, we should always examine all positions and ideologies with the Word of God.It is the only source of true knowledge and wisdom.God has made His character, nature and His commands very clear to us, and we are all without excuse.When we willfully disregard God’s instructions to us on how to live our lives, then we are deliberately mocking God and the work Christ accomplished on the cross.
Each one of us should constantly be “examining ourselves to see if we are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5) and “studying to show ourselves approved unto God” (2 Timothy 2:15).There are no situations in our life that God does not have a position on how we are to act or react.What we do, say and think will either please God or displease Him.God does not take a neutral position on anything.As a Christian who has been saved by the awesome Grace and Mercy of a Holy, Just and Righteous God, we should long to please Him and bring Glory and Honor to His name.
God has made His position crystal clear on the subject/debate of Christian women (single, wives, and/or mothers –whether married or single) working outside of the home.Search His word and find out for yourself.God’s word will not contradict itself or His nature.If we approach God’s word with an unbiblical position and seek to find justification for it within scripture, then we are mishandling the Holy Word of God and should be ashamed and repent.
We are held accountable for what we do within our sphere of influence.If we know of a Christian single mother within our immediate sphere, then we are to extend our home to her, our resources to her and make it possible for her to be a “worker at home” so that she can raise her own children as she is commanded to.Our homes are not our own, they belong to the Lord to be used for His purposes and His glory.Let us never be so arrogant and selfish that we will not make every effort possible to help single mothers and widows.It is a shameful thing when individual Christians refuse to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Christian women who work outside of the home; which effectively abandons their God given responsibilities (primarily to be submissive to their “own” husband and caring for their children; if older and without children at home, they should dedicate themselves to serving God by teaching the younger women) do not please God.A Church and all its members who do not make every effort to afford single mothers and widows the ability to comfortably stay home with their families as God has commanded them to, displease God and make a mockery of the faith.
"Kids possess no inborn DNA mechanism which signals them, at age four or five, that it's time to leave their homes to be institutionalized in government holding pens."
-Dr. Richard A. Jones
There are many things that burden my heart on a daily basis and one is the issue of Christian parents sending their children to public/private school, and their littlest ones to daycare.Why does this burden my heart so?I believe it is first and foremost a grievous offense to the Lord God Almighty who created these children.Secondly, it is simply unbiblical, and thirdly highly selfish on the part of Christian parents.(This is of course excluding those who are single mothers, in which I place blame on the Church and the Body of Christ.)
Public and Private schools are now back in session for most parts of America, and this means an enormous amount of children are back in the hands of the government (or under some other person’s authority) for 6-8 hoursa day for 5 days out of the week.Does anyone else see how utterly disturbing and wrong this is?
What pains my heart even more is that 4 and 5 year old children will be ripped from their mother’s arms kicking and screaming as they are abandoned to these godless secular humanistic institutions, so that mommy can either go home for the day and have “me time” (or possibly take care of younger children), or go off to place herself under the authority of another who is not her husband.If the situation is the former, the mother may be under the impression that sending her 4 or 5 year old son or daughter is simply the “norm”, “tradition” or a “rite of passage” for her youngster.She may have absolutely no clue as to “whom” she has just entrusted her child’s soul to.I use the word “soul” because education is not exclusive to the spiritual education a soul must receive in order to understand God’s Word and His commandments.You cannot separate “education” from the Christian faith.
God’s word is clear as to how those who fear the Lord should raise their children:
"Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 19 You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 20 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth."
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
This leaves absolutely NO room for sending the children of Christian families to government run public schools, private schools or daycare.God is clear that the process by which we teach our children about Him is to take place all throughout the day.This is not a command that changed in the New Testament.Jesus tells us (I take it as a warning) in Luke 6:40;
"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." Luke 6:40
If Jesus is correct (which He is) then if we send our children into an institution void of God, then our children will in the end, when they are fully trained, be void of God.The current statistics show that an estimated 90% of professing Christian children leaves the Christian faith by the end of their freshman year in college. (Reported in Family Driven Faith By, Dr. Voddie Bauchman Jr., p.215) (I posted this information here)This simply should be a frightening and appalling fact that Christian parents should leap to remedy.However, time and time again Christian parents argue that it is a matter of Christian Liberty, or they even go so far as to say that their child is the exception.Really?I am not so arrogant and naive to say that my child will be that 10% who won’t deny the faith.If I believe that man is totally depraved by nature, then I do not have the luxury of such ignorance.Besides, would I even want to take that gamble?What that statistic tells me is that my child has a 90% chance of going straight to hell by attending public school.So, logically I could state it this way, by sending my child to public school I am effectively sending them straight to hell.No one in their right mind and using sound judgment would make such a hasty decision knowing the odds.
One would make the decision to send their children to public schools out of rebellion and selfishness.There is a litany of information available on Christian homeschool and the state of the government run public schools.Daycare is no different only that it begins the process of institutionalizing our children (and desensitizing them to caring whether they are with their family or not) even earlier. Most Christian parents understand and object to the social ills that plague our nation, like abortion, socialism, secular humanism, atheism etc…, yet while these parents shake their fists at the darkness they are actually feeding the problem by ensuring that their own children adopt the godless worldview that perpetuates the very evils that they condemn. God made the family as the primary educational institution and foundational unit that makes up the Body of Christ. Despite what society tells you, you are more than capable, and in fact most qualified to teach and raise your own children…not the government. If you knowingly and voluntarily send your children to a place that produces godless people 90% of the time, then you are tempting God and do not love your children, period. If you are aware of a single mother/father who must work and cannot teach their own children then do something about it, help them financially or appeal to their church for help. What is plaguing our nation is dual-income Christian homes that sacrifice their children to the god of prosperity and greed. Here are some words of warning:
“Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 18:21 (That means do not jeopardize the wellbeing of your children for the sake of prosperity.)
Can’t pay the mortgage without a dual income? Then let it foreclose. Is maintaining a good credit score worth the souls of your children? Would you rather live in a large home with a lot of stuff at the expense of your children being in danger of hellfire? If so you have effectively denied the faith and are not regenerate; you simply cannot be informed on this issue and at the same time continue on sending your children to the godless institution of public education while still calling yourself a Christian. If you do, then listen to the advice Jesus has for you:
“And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.” Mark 9:42.
Do the research and rescue your children from institutionalized education, if you already have, then spread the word and let’s hold the Body of Christ accountable.
I urge all Christian parents to do the research and obey God’s word when it comes to teaching and raising the most precious things that God blesses us with; our children!The issue of education is not just about academics, it is about our children’s souls.It is a dangerous thing to try and separate education from the Godly commands we have been given as parents to instruct our children in God’s ways, so that we can justify sending them to the most godless and hostile places that are created for the purpose of extracting that which will ultimately save them from God’s eternal wrath.How evil a people we have become to knowingly allow for this to happen, and chalk it up to Christian Liberty.How evil a people we would be if we didn’t speak out against allowing the government jurisdiction over our children’s souls for fear we might offend Christians.It should be offensive to our very core the atrocities that we “Christians” continue to perpetuate, for the sake of money and status.This is not an issue about “well that’s fine for you, but God told me that sending my children to public school is ok for us”.God will not contradict Himself on such crucial issues that deal with the eternal salvation within the body of Christ.
In previous blog posts about this issue I have addressed the most common objections to a complete withdrawal of all Christian children from public/private schools.You can read them here, here, here and here.There simply are no valid excuses or arguments for Christians allowing a godless secular humanistic institution run and funded by the government to educate our children.
Christian parents have been given a huge blessing and gift when the Lord gives them children.He has also required of them to train up their children in the ways of the Lord so that when they are older they will not depart from them, thus laying the firm foundation of what will become their eternal salvation. (Proverbs 22:6). The subject of “daycare” and “Sunday school” will be addressed in my next post.I do not seek to offend anyone, but should one become offended by what I write, there are two likely reasons for this:
1)Throw a stone into a pack of wolves and the first one to “yipe”, got hit.
2)Pride and the refusal to accept that there are no gray areas when it comes to how we are commanded to raise our children should we truly love them and regard the condition of their souls paramount.
In both cases repentance is in order and a total re-examination of what god is being served in their home and lives.
I highly recommend these resources from Dr. Voddie Baucham Jr.:
Family Driven Faith (You can order a copy of this book here along with other great resources)
The Children of Caesar DVD (You can order a copy of this DVD here)
The Church and the Family – Part 1 (You can download this MP3 here and Part 2 here)
We are overwhelmed by the response in prayer for our little Charlotte.She did have her appointment with the Gastroenterologist last week, and I am afraid that news isn’t great.
Charlotte weighed in at 16lbs 7oz, which we thought was great, evidently it is not.The Gastroenterologist said that Charlotte “appears” perfectly healthy, all except when she takes into account her age, birth weight and current weight.Based on those three things alone, she has deemed Charlotte a “malnourished” child.I know, I know…you are all thinking, “but her developmental milestones are being met”.Well, we learned that it is highly possible for a child to reach or even exceed their developmental milestones even if they are nutrionally malnourished.This can be due to a food allergy, or a mal-absorption problem.Charlotte is being tested for both, possibly a gluten allergy, or some other genetic disorder that causes her body not to absorb the calories it requires to grow properly.This means that the sweat chloride test results for Cystic Fibrosis is inconclusive and the potential diagnosis is back on the table.
Charlotte had lots of blood work done this past Monday that will be sent to a special lab in California for testing.One of the tests is a genetic marker test for Celiac’s Disease.This would be where the gluten allergy comes into to play should it be a positive result.It would also be a fairly simple remedy of changing her diet (all of our diets).Charlotte is also being tested for Crohn’s Disease as well, which would explain all of the crying and the inability to gain weight.
Did I mention that Charlotte has cried a ridiculous amount since birth?She was initially labeled a “colic” baby, but in her case “colic” lasted the first 8-10 months of her life!Each time I brought our concerns up to the old pediatrician the answer I received was “all babies cry for no reason sometimes”.Then it was said that all the crying Charlotte was doing was a behavioral issue, that I should just simply “let her cry it out”.Charlotte has always had issues sleeping.She did not start sleeping more than 2 hours at a time until just recently.I am sure you all can imagine the enormous amount of stress that caused me because I was just as sleep deprived as Miss Charlotte.Yes, Charlotte is teething; however, Tylenol, Motrin, teething gel, and/or cold chewing items should help, and calm the crying.In Charlotte’s case she cries for hours on end at night, while kicking and screaming as though she is in excruciating pain. I have been told repeatedly to “let her cry it out”, or that she is just “behaving badly to get attention”.I cannot even describe how angry I become when I am offered this type of advice or opinion about my child.If you would like to know my opinion on the “cry it out” method, go here.
The issue of Cystic Fibrosis, sadly, is not off the table.Charlotte has been deemed a “malnourished child”, and in children who are malnourished the sweat test can show a false negative.If after the tests being run now come back normal, then we must revisit Cystic Fibrosis, which by all accounts would explain Charlotte’s inability to gain weight and all the crying fits could be from intestinal pain.
Another issue that was raised because of Charlotte’s extremely low weight is the issue of illness.Evidently this flu season is predicted to be a fairly nasty one, and we have been advised to basically quarantine ourselves from children who are in daycare or institutionalized schools (public and private).Charlotte cannot afford to get sick, and if she were to contract the flu it could possibly be fatal.She simply cannot afford to lose any weight at all.So, we are not taking the girls to the grocery store with us anymore and limiting the number of “outings” we have to public places.This also means that I am more of a germ-a-phobe than I was before and all who enter my home must take their shoes off (outside) and wash their hands prior to touching anything or anyone.If a person has a sniffle, or has been around adults or children who are or have recently been sick, sorry but they aren’t allowed at my house for now.
The issues we are having with Charlotte’s weight are not new ones.These are concerns that started when she was about 2 or 3 months old.The problem comes in when there is a lack of information to the parents, the lactation consultants and the doctor.One doctor told us that breastfeeding Charlotte was the problem.One lactation specialist freaked out on the phone and told me my child was going to die because I was breastfeeding her.When we would make our concerns known about all the crying, we were told that “all babies cry”, and to “let her cry it out, she will eventually give up and go to sleep.”When we would express concern about her weight, we were either told, “oh nothing’s wrong with her, she is cute as a button” or “stop breastfeeding and put her on formula because breastfeeding is harming her.”Can you see how totally irritated this could cause us to become?I am so thankful for the last lactation consultant I saw who referred us to our new pediatrician who took everything into account on behalf of Charlotte and said “this is enough, we must get to the bottom of this”.She did allow for 3 months to pass because prior to, Charlotte was gaining a pound a month.During her last well check-up Charlotte had only gained 4oz in 3 months, and this was cause for alarm.Then Charlotte got sick, and lost a pound, and that was cause for more alarm.So, here we are today, seeking to find out why are sweet baby can’t seem to gain weight.
We know that people mean well when they leave comments like “oh she is fine, just look at how happy she is”.The problem with this is that no one, other than Malachi and I, are around this child 24/7.To only see her for a few moments would cause one to believe she is perfectly healthy.However, when you take into account her birth weight of nearly 10lbs to her current weight of 16lbs at 13 months, and then realize that is only a 6lb increase in her first year of life, hopefully you see the bigger picture here and realize this is NOT normal.This is potentially very harmful to Charlotte’s growth and development.
I humbly ask for your prayers.In all things we are praying the Lord’s will and His grace to persevere on behalf of our sweet Charlotte.We know that God will provide all that we need to care for our little one, both her physical needs and spiritual needs. Please pray for more patience for me.Charlotte has begun to sleep longer at night, but my body seems to be dragging behind from the past 2 years of no sleep.This means that some days though I try very hard, I lose my patience over small things.Please pray that while we are focusing a lot of attention on Charlotte that we incorporate Sofia into that special time as well.Sofia has been such a blessing.Each night when we say our prayers, she kneels down in front of the couch and prays for Charlotte.“Lord God, pray for my sissy’s heart and her scratch”.She has been praying with us for Charlotte’s heart for a year now, and doesn’t understand that it is all healed, so she continues to pray…my sweet girl.She prays for Charlottes “scratch” in reference to the places where Charlotte has been stuck for blood work.It is really a blessing to Malachi and me to hear our 3 year old praying on behalf of her sister.What a wonderful thing to cultivate in our little ones, prayer on other’s behalf.
We thank each and every one of you who have been faithfully praying for our family and over our family through this time.It seems my Charlotte is a special child that the Lord would allow for all these things to happen to cause complete strangers to make supplication to Him on her behalf!It will definitely be a long 10 days waiting on the results of the blood work, but in all things we know that God is Sovereign and that He will provide all that we need to be equipped for this situation, so that HE gets all the glory.
Want to know when I post? Get an email sent to you!
Remembering Our Babies
People who enjoy my writings
Children are Blessings From Our Lord
Contact Information:
ServingGodandFamily (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Do you have a question or a topic you would like me to write about? Please feel free to email me and I will respond to any questions or topic recommendations as soon as possible.
