good sermon...

Last Sunday I heard one of those messages that I really needed to hear. It seems like sometimes there are just some teachings that strike a chord, you know? This one made me squirm, tear up, and feel conviction like I haven't felt for awhile.

Our pastor was actually out on a retreat, and Bill, one of our elders exhorted us.

His topic: bitterness.

He started out by posing thoughts like these:

If you had an imaginary conversation to "put them in their place..." You may be bitter.

If "we don't get along" are words associated with a relationship... You may be bitter.

If you're thinking of retaliation rather than reconciliation...You may be bitter.

If you forgive only when someone asks you for forgiveness...You may be bitter.

If you review offenses over and over in your mind...You may be bitter.

If you have someone, "you're not speaking to..." You may be bitter.

If there is someone you just can't forgive...You may be bitter.

If, when someone asks you for forgiveness, you think, "It's not that easy..." You may be bitter.

If you say, I'm not bitter, I'm just deeply hurt..." You may be bitter.

Some of those really hit home for me. I am commanded in Ephesians 4:31 to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice." And yet, there I sat, stubbornly holding onto bitterness and anger. Bill stated that bitterness is a tricky sin, and I agree! It often seems like it is caused by someone else's sin and so I feel justified in feeling the way I do. So, the next part of his teaching focused on understanding what bitterness truly is:

He used the passage in Heb 12:15 that talks about how bitterness is a root. It's hidden, difficult to remove, it spreads and it bears fruit of its kind. It’s a sin.

Two good verses on bitterness: Acts 8:23 and James 3:14-15.

Next point: The Bible does not give me the right to be bitter:

--I may think I have the right
--The world may say I have the right
--I don't have the right

Next point: Bitterness Has Consequences:

Bitterness that’s shared:
-“Defiles many”
-Takes up the offenses of others
-Spreads virally
-Infects the church with gross evil

Bitterness that’s not shared
-Eats away at you
-Affects you emotionally, psychologically, even physically
-Produces illness
-Leads to other problems
-Slander
-Self-pity
-Vindictiveness/Revenge
-Unforgiving spirit
-Factions
-Funk


He talked about how we will often say, "I'm hurt" rather than, "I'm bitter". But, his point was that hurt turns into resentment which turns into bitterness. Another zinger, "Proud people stay bitter." Ouch!

He talked about how we can come to like being bitter. We enjoy holding things against others and it can become a way of life.

Next point: Getting Rid of Bitterness.

-Bitterness remembers details. "If you have sharp memory of offenses or hurts from long ago, you've been reviewing and you're likely to be bitter."

The first step is to acknowledge the truth.

1 John 3:23 and 1 Cor 13: 7 address love. If I'm bitter toward someone, I'm not loving unconditionally, and I'm therefore in sin. I am disobeying a command that God has given. Man, that's hard to swallow!

Mt 18:32-35 and Mt 6:12-15 both address forgiveness. It's a command also. If I'm bitter, I'm not walking in forgiveness and once again, I'm in sin.

It’s easy for me to talk about how someone wronged me, and use that hurt as an excuse to be bitter, but that does not negate the fact that I'm in sin. A good point he made: "If forgiveness does not already fill your heart before they ask for forgiveness, will you really forgive them from the heart when they ask?" And:" Does God require a strict confession of every sin we commit (that we might not even be aware of) before He has forgiveness for us?" Wow!

He did address the command in Gal 6:1 where we are called to restore a brother who is caught in a trespass. It states that "those who are spiritual" are to be the ones doing the restoring. His point: If I have responded in anger and bitterness to someone and didn't respond in unconditional love and unilateral forgiveness, then I'm showing my spiritual immaturity and do not qualify to be the restorer.
“Bitterness is the sin that disqualifies most would-be restorers.”

-I must recognize that it's my problem
-I must realize that bitterness is a sin that stands alone and that I need to make it right with God.
-I need to realize that bitterness doesn't go away when someone else confesses.
-Bitterness will stay until I deal with it.
-It is a sin against God that affects me and others.

I need to accept the grace that God offers to me and humbly seek his help to get rid of the bitterness inside. It may take confession again and again, and it will probably come back. But, each time, I need to confess it and get my heart right with God.

In case you're wondering, I didn't take incredible notes:-) Bill’s power point slides can be found here: http://www.brbible.org/


What really hit home for me, was when he talked about how bitterness is our choice and ultimately our sin. It really doesn’t matter if I've been hurt by someone, or if I've perceived a hurt; the bitterness felt is my sin. Ouch! So often I will blame my bad attitude, funk, gossip, or just plain mean spirit on someone else. "They did thus and so. They appeared to act this way towards me. They were mean, “ etc. I just really needed to be reminded that this is my sin, my issue and God wants to deal with me.

I remember my mom telling me about a lady who would, when someone said something mean about her, or did something unkind, would say, "we'll just pretend that didn't happen." What an attitude. She chose to forgive the sin then and there. She didn't dwell on it; share it with her friends, and allow her heart to become full of anger toward anyone. She just forgave right then. That's how I want to be!

This same elder who preached Sunday, was one of the first people to challenge me personally to search out unconditional love. There were some issues a few years ago that I was working through, and his exhortation then was to study 1 Corinthians 13, and really work at learning what Christ's love and the love He wants me to have truly looks like. That was huge in my life then. I'm just thankful for the reminder that God gave me Sunday. I've been falling back into some old habits and I needed Him to speak to me.

I'm sorry this is sooo long! Feel free to visit the site listed above for even more detailed information. Good stuff!:)

~Julie

30 weeks and growing!

Hello my adoring public. Today is a special day. Today, I am 30 weeks old. Aren't I looking good? Yes, I'll admit the top adorning me is kind of girly, but I am secure in my masculinity. Besides, I hear that I have aunt Jessica to thank for the look, and I think the color is perfect for mom.

It's funny, I hear mom talking about how big she feels and how she STILL has about 2 more months of carrying me around, and I want to say, "hey out there, what about me?" Fans, I used to have lots of space to move and play, but now my play space is seriously starting to feel cramped. I don't know how I'M going to survive 2 more months. Although, I have to admit, living in here does have its perks. I love doing random things with my feet, arms and head just to make mom yelp, giggle or poke me back. Sometimes I even hear her to tell me to knock it off, (that mostly happens when I go for the bladder bump.) I find it funny. Guess she doesn't.
Ah, yes, the life.

Mom also eats pretty yummy food which is good because I LIKE food. Food is my favorite!

I hate getting pesky hiccups. Mom and dad always tell people to, "Come feel, the baby has hiccups." I hate to break it to you guys, but those aren't cool. I feel like I get them a lot these days.
Although, I have to say, they do provide me with attention, so I guess they aren't all bad...

Mom and dad are so goofy sometimes. The other morning I guess the house must have been chilly because mom was complaining about it. Didn't bother me. I am always perfectly cozy. Dad went and grabbed her this blanket, (nice and manly, eh?) and wrapped her up in it. Isn't that silly? Dad said she looked super cute, even for first thing in the morning:-) She didn't quite agree with him, but girls are like that I guess.

I think I will enjoy meeting them. They say they are getting ready to meet me, mwuhaha! They don't know what they are in for!

That's an update from me at the ripe age of 30 weeks! From mom's belly to your home computer...

~Kid LaRock

Grandpa LaRock's 80th birthday

His party was 2 weeks ago already, (man I can get so behind these days), but I wanted to share this picture of him with Peter and I.

He's the father of Dad LaRock, and 8 other LaRock men and women. It was fun to hear the stories and legacy that he has passed down the many generations that were represented. He's a pretty special man, and reminds me at times of my sweet Grandpa Cole who passed away in 2000. Grandpas are pretty special people!

meet....the bowling ball:)

"Mom, seriously, I'm not a bowling ball. I'm healthy and happy, but I'm no bowling ball."

"I know, son, but you kind of feel like one some days. Look at yourself! I think bowling ball is an appropriate name for you."

"Mom, you're silly! Um so I feel like people are looking at me. What should I do?"

"Quick, baby boy, strike a cool pose! They are looking at you, but that's because you're super cute, even if you do make mommy look like she's carrying a bowling ball around in her tummy."

"So, mom, I'm 27 and a half weeks old now, right? I heard you and dad talking about it the other day. By the way, I like the sound of your voices."

"That's right, you're just going to grow bigger and bigger from here."

"So, what will you call me next?"

"Hmmm, probably basketball and then watermelon:-)"

"Aw, mom..."

Hat Day, 2009

Yes, last week, we had hat day in membership. Here are some fun pics from our event.


Membership girls hanging out, showing off their hats...hehe, while baby LaRock takes center stage!

Mine, yes was a jester hat, hehe. Peter, (who owns said hat) was proud to see it on display.

Abigail on her super, secret assignment in the jungles...of Membership. She was the winner of the best all around hat!

Darcy, looking cute as ever!

Jonathan, being a great sport!

Abby, the Indiana Jones sidekick, looking suave and ready to take on the day.

Rhonda enjoying her day with a fun, classic look:-)

Christina looking cute, too!

Kate working away, sportin' an adorable hat.

Cora the Clown, winner of our most creative hat!

Stephanie the Wizzard, winner of our most funny hat!

And James, who stopped by for some food, brought his own hat, so as not to feel out of place.

mmm, mmm, good

This recipe seemed kind of simplistic when I first saw it, but after I made it I realized that it's really good! It's a good one for me because I'm trying to pack away good protein for the baby.


Beef Stew with Mushrooms and White Beans
1 1/4 pounds boneless beef top sirloin steak, cut 3/4-inch cubes
1 TBSP olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
2 medium carrots cut into 1/4 in slices
2 small onions, each cut lengthwise into 8 wedges
8 oz of cremini or button mushrooms quartered
1/4 cup dry white wine
16 oz can small white beans, (great northern, navy or cannellini, rinsed, drained)
14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained.

In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the beef cubes in two batches, 1 to 2 minutes each, or until the outside is no longer pink. (I did a bit longer b/c I wanted to be sure it was done through.) Remove from skillet and season with salt and pepper.

In the same skillet, heat 1 1/2 tsp olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add carrots, stir-fry for 3 minutes, then add the onions and stir-fry 5-8 minutes more, until crisp-tender. Stir in mushrooms and wine. Continue stir-frying 5 minutes. Stir in beans and tomatoes. Continue cooking 3 minutes more.

Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Cook 2 minutes more until just heated through.
Serves 4.

Quick Update

Yikes, it's been a bit since I've updated this blog. I do want to put up more pics of "the belly" and of the paint job in the baby's room. Hopefully that'll be soon... We're almost to trimester 3, crazy!
But for now, here are some quick takes on the happenings in our life...

--It's cold here...but I'm sure my family in Illinois has it much worse.
--We saw Peggy, (our midwife) on Friday, and baby LaRock is doing swell.
--Baby LaRock is kicking like crazy now, and it feels strange and amazing all at the same time. Joseph came over the other day and I got baby to kick his hand...haha, made him yelp! It does feel strange.
--We started our Bradley birthing class last night. Good times were had by all 5 couples. It was nice to be around other moms with baby bellies!
--Peter is a sweetheart.
--Work is work--I start training the new conference coordinator on Friday.
--Peter is applying for new jobs--pray for that venture if you think of it.
--We had a lot of company over the holidays! Mom, dad and several of the kids came for Thanksgiving, and then Janessa and her husband Justin came for the New Year. It was good to see them all.
--We had fun with the LaRock's over the holidays as well. We had a great poker game between Peter, Mom and Dad LaRock and myself on New Year's eve.
--I'm amazed at how much "stuff" one needs for a new baby!
--I've decided that the many potty runs that a pregnant woman makes at night must be God's way of gently preparing her for the nights when baby doesn't feel like sleeping...
--Peter rubs my tummy every night with this massage oil, and boy does it feel good!

Haha, so much of these are about the baby, but what can I say? He's only altering my life completely:-)

Have a great day!

~Julie