Posted in potpourri, theology

Potpourri: From Ordinary Father and Ordinary Family to Giant Fancy Things.

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

It’s March already! How are you doing with your New Year’s Resolutions? LOL. I didn’t make any but I admit that though I printed out Challies’ Reading Challenge and picked the Avid level (4 books/month) I have not read as many books as I’d planned. I am disappointed in myself. I will do better this month. So far I’ve read “Behind a Frowning Providence”, “Just Do Something”, and “From Death to Life” as well as several stories in my “Fireside Book of Dog Stories” and being halfway through an Agatha Christie mystery.

March seems to be coming in like a lion. We have received so much rain in February (and January too) that it broke records. More record breaking rain is on the way for the first week of March. Continue reading “Potpourri: From Ordinary Father and Ordinary Family to Giant Fancy Things.” →

Posted in prayer, theology

Pray without ceasing

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I used to edit a newspaper. I reported all the news in the paper, too, lol. Chief Cook and Bottle Washer. It was a local community weekly, so I was constantly on the road, driving around the community in my rounds as a roving reporter. As I went along, I liked to read signs and bulletin boards. I wrote this editorial just prior to my gracious salvation. As the Lord was drawing me toward Him, I was thinking about prayer and what it meant. Continue reading “Pray without ceasing” →

Posted in christian persecution, martyr, Sunday martyr moment

Sunday Martyr Moment: James, Timon, Parmenas, Philip

Posted on by elizabethprata

I am reading Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. According to this summary from Christian Book Summaries,

John_Foxe_from_NPG_cleaned“Writing in the mid-1500s, John Foxe was living in the midst of intense religious persecution at the hands of the dominant Roman Catholic Church. In graphic detail, he offers accounts of Christians being martyred for their belief in Jesus Christ, describing how God gave them extraordinary courage and stamina to endure unthinkable torture.” Continue reading “Sunday Martyr Moment: James, Timon, Parmenas, Philip” →

Posted in discernment, theology

In most recent teaching, Beth Moore declares Catholicism “a denomination”

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

A dear sister sent me information related to a new ‘teaching’ series Beth Moore has begun, called, “Developing Compassion for the Sexually Abused – Part 1“. Apparently there are three parts to the series. The sister wondered if this is an indication that Beth Moore (ever eager to capitalize on any and all trendy or faddish waves, says me) is preparing to capitalize more overtly on the sexual abuse issues that have arisen in the wake of the Houston Chronicle’s exposé one year ago this month, the #MeToo movement, and Moore’s own “Letter to My Brothers” published in 2018.

I replied that I appreciated the information, was inspired by her insight, and promised to review the series (painfully, I’m sure) and get back to her. Continue reading “In most recent teaching, Beth Moore declares Catholicism “a denomination”” →

Posted in discernment, theology

Spiritual Formation: What is it, and is it as innocent as it sounds?

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

It’s encouraging for me to hear from women who ask penetrating and insightful questions, and are training their discernment to detect truth from error. Ladies who adhere to sufficiency of scripture, who want to engage with people on the basis of the Rock, and not feelings. I’m so grateful for sisters in the faith.

I received a question about Spiritual Formation. What is spiritual formation, and how do I help a sister who is caught up in it? Continue reading “Spiritual Formation: What is it, and is it as innocent as it sounds?” →

Posted in sin, theology

Sunlight changes everything

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

We are experiencing the 4th wettest February in our area ever, and that was last week’s stats. It has continued raining and the rain totals might be broken by now. It’s been a wet one all right, and with all the rain, it’s been dark, too.

We have had one day or so of sun this week. We joke, walking around muttering, ‘what is that strange orb in the sky? What is that weird yellow hue above us?’ Lol.

I have a window that faces west. In the afternoon in seasons when it’s positioned just right, the rays shine straight in and illuminates my hallway. It makes a wonderful glow from the bedroom into the living room. Continue reading “Sunlight changes everything” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Our temptations

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I found these three items today and they matched so well I thought I’d pass them along to you for your consideration.

The verse below says that every man is tempted. Of course we know that the word man here is generic. It isn’t saying that every man is tempted and no woman is tempted. The word in Greek means no one, or literally, ‘not even one’. It means that every person on earth who ever loved or will live, is tempted to sin. (Except Jesus). Continue reading “Our temptations” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Dock Queens: A Sailing Story

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I was a liveaboard sailor for a few years. We usually anchored out somewhere for free. If we had to get to shore for supplies, we’d take the dinghy and putt-putt in to land. We went to a dock rarely but sometimes you had to. You’d need to fill the water tank, or the fuel tank, or we were expecting a delivery of something from the marine store that the dinghy was too small to transport over the waves and marine traffic.

We enjoyed strolling the dock and seeing other boats. We liked observing the different tie-ups people employed, or learned different knots for our ropes. We liked the sway of the boats at dock or hearing the masts creak in the wind. Nautical sounds. Continue reading “Dock Queens: A Sailing Story” →

Posted in encouragement, theology

Some encouragement in dark days: Those who love Christ Alone

Posted on by elizabethprata

By Elizabeth Prata

I’m upset over the feminism in my denomination. I was raised by a feminist mother and my sister’s a feminist professor at a state University. Liberal to the core and so, so blind. I have skin in the game. However, I want to take a moment to extol the glory that is the unblemished church.

Last Saturday, Saturday Feb 15, dawned cold and rainy. It was hovering at freezing, and dark. No more miserable a Saturday morning could have been scheduled for the mini-conference at church. Yet 40+ people came. Was it a breakfast potluck, warm & full of good food? Was it a birthday party, with promise of music, laughter, and cake? No. It was a viewing of the intense 2-hour religious documentary American Gospel: Christ Alone. College students, young marrieds, couples with children, older saints, came in ready to learn, exalt, and fellowship over doctrinal truths. Continue reading “Some encouragement in dark days: Those who love Christ Alone” →