Session Notes

How Can I Cut My Spouse’s Apron Strings?:

“ Talk about how the two of you would like decision making to work. Would you prefer that the two of you make choices without getting input from either set of parents? Are there some decisions you’d ask one set of parents about, but not the other? Be aware that asking for parents’ advice can be a slippery slope. It may leave them feeling the door is open for them to give you input into other areas, or even to ”correct“ decisions you’ve already made. Credit each other and your in-laws with goodwill toward your marriage”

This is a good article, with the exception where it does not acknowledge conflicts with believers needs to be handled differently. If both couples believe in Jesus’ risenness one needs to approach them as no one party is “right.” Both have the Lord living out His righteousness in them. I like the point that one makes changes themselves and discuss it, if the issue is risen by the other party. This is according to the God’s leading.

Shovel Writings: Those other guys:

“The funny thing is that we really would relate to what these guys wrote about if we weren’t so busy trying to make what they wrote fit into our ”applications“ of our reinterpretations of their words.”

This is a good point so we will share our interpretations and not be just silently going along with church/religious culture. It challenges us to go back and receive God’s perception. I find it sad it often silences people for fear they will deceive.

Shovel Writings: A Quick Synopsis:

“This is totally unexplanable since I am innocent in the matter, so I can do nothing but leave it in God’s hands.
To this:
Since I did nothing to bring this on what the hell is God doing!!??

”Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.“

That’s when some young guy by the name of Elihu jumped in to tell Job
that he was tired of listening to Job flaunting his wisdom above God
while justifying himself before God.  Then God made himself known
to Job and also made it known that HE was the one who would speak for
Job.”

This is an excellent illustration of the progression of our thoughts/feelings to God giving His perspective.

Shovel Writings: Disclaimer:

“I’m not saying that you haven’t heard this before, because if you are of God then you ALREADY know the truth.  What I have discovered is that ANYTHING … even good stuff … will demand that you shift your focus from Christ! ”

This is a central message. If we focus on promoting the good things of life the Good News, of the risen Christ, is not clearly recognized. This is the point. It is not about avoiding “the ”world“

Shovel Writings: Inferiority?:

“ I’ve heard some really strange things here from believers who have some fantastic insight into grace, but have threads of legalistic views intwined in the very grace they speak of and cannot see it.  I’m sure that all of my views are not the final say by any means and that God willing (I KNOW that He is) I will become of any worldly fabrications that I myself possess and trust the Lord to remove these stumbling blocks
SHOVEL: For I determined to know nothing among you except Christ and Him crucified.  Remember that?  How simple it is.
FRIEND: YES, I am crucified with Christ daily BUT NEVERTHELESS I live, but not I BUT CHRIST THAT LIVETH IN ME
SHOVEL: Don’t lean upon the daily thing, the tense is that you HAVE BEEN crucified with Christ. Done, finished!  Now, do you see the ”among you“ in the verse I quoted, 1 Cor 2:2?
FRIEND: yes
SHOVEL: Paul said he determined to know nothing among THEM except Christ and Him crucified!!  Why do you suppose he said that?”

This is a intense to the extreme stimulating grace discussion. One is either of the belief we are either alive to Christ/the Spirit of God is in us or it is not the case. “God remove any block I create.”

Shovel Writings: Walking in faith?:

“ He just says, in God’s own way and in His own time He will move us out of the desert and into Life … we ARE in Life now, ‘in Christ … he always stressed about ‘being real’
Shovel: how so?
Friend: ‘being true to yourself and what we feel on the inside … never was our identity in Christ taught
Shovel:   … wow, what a trap … it is amazing how easily our thoughts can be pulled from our true life
Friend: he stressed how all things are lawful … yes, and they are, we can truely live anyway we want
Shovel: and we call that, ”being real“, huh?
Friend: but, BUT we have a New Life in Christ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shovel: yes I used to hold to a particular view … about Romans 6 … and walking in Newness of Life … I heard it from a couple other guys … it didn’t seem right. … It was this – that until you come to count upon that fact …. reckoning, it is called … until you ”reckon“ yourself dead unto sin and alive unto God … you cannot walk in newness of Life. ”

This is a stimulating dialogue. When we walk in what is already true, the risen Christ/we are dead to sin, this is walking in faith. May it be so.

Are vitamins good for you?: Sci-Tech: News: News24:

“She saw nothing wrong with people taking a low-dose one-a-day multivitamin and mineral supplement.




There was evidence that people taking low dose supplements had reduced rates of chronic disease.




”It certainly doesn’t do any harm, and could well do you some good,“ she said.




However taking doses many times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) could be seriously harmful.




Collins said she saw four or five people a year whose health was affected by high levels of supplements, and at least one a week who was taking an ”inappropriate“ dose of vitamins or minerals.



The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin C is 60mg and for magnesium 300mg. – Sapa-dpa”