Introducing Josiah Benjamin

I know this post is a bit delayed but apparently we have a bit of competition as I have seen pictures of my baby popping up all over the web. The culprits know full well who they are...LOL. So without further ado, I introduce, Josiah Benjamin Hunter, the newest addition to the Hunter clan...

The Five Scariest Things You Can Do This Halloween

(I recieved this newsletter article from Vision Forum ministries this week. I thought it was so good, I just had to share it.)

       The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. (Proverbs 8:13)

                                           By Doug Phillips

Our country is in the grip of a fear crisis. The tension because of this fear is almost palpable. There is fear over elections, fear over the economy, and fear over hundreds of other issues ranging from the environment to terrorism.

The one fear that America is missing is a fear of the Lord. As a people, we no longer fear God. Because we do not fear God, we no longer hate evil (Proverbs 8:13).

Instead of hating evil, Americans toy with it. We toy with holidays like Halloween that were conceived in evil and that promote the “cute-ification” of evil, whether that evil takes the form of witchcraft, sorcery, ghoulishness, or some other form of malevolent imagery paraded before our children. We laugh at the very things that the Lord describes as “abominations,” and we find ourselves obsessively fascinated by, and attracted to, all things dark.

Yet we do not fear the Lord.

Those who “hate evil” are very scary to a secular society that fears man more than God. They are scary because they dare to declare that there are absolute standards by which society must be governed. They are scary because, if they are successful, industries like Hollywood that make billions of dollars by promoting ungodly fear will lose their influence. They are scary because such people will not be swayed by political candidates who use fear as a tool for manipulation.

With this in mind, I offer you the five “scariest” things you can do this Halloween:

1. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to not make light of evil. Halloween was conceived in evil and has remained a celebration that uses children to promote a fascination with darkness and superstitious fear. Simultaneously, it makes light of things that the Bible describes as evil. Stand against such things, and the world will find you very scary indeed. The fear of the Lord makes men turn from evil (Proverbs 16:6).

2. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to not be fearful. The media wants you to be afraid of everything from overpopulation to global warming. The politicians want you to be afraid of the economy and political instability. God wants you to do what is morally right, trust Him completely, and never be gripped by an ungodly spirit of fear. You can place your trust and hope for this nation in the King of Kings. Jesus said: “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:4-5). Believe this, and you will be light to the world.

3. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to completely skip Halloween and remember Reformation Day. It was 493 years ago that Martin Luther nailed his world-changing 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church. These theses included rebukes to ungodly fear and superstition. 501 years ago, sometime near October 31, a baby named John Calvin was conceived who would dedicate his life to eradicating an ungodly fear of superstitious beliefs and proclaiming the gospel of grace. His emphasis on reformation, revival, and the sufficiency of Scripture had such far-reaching implications for nations like the United States that he has been described by Christian and secular scholars alike as the true founding father of America. The Reformers did something that was very scary to the world of their day. They stood against all forms of dark superstitions which grip the minds and souls of men. It was their emphasis on the fear of the Lord and the wisdom of Holy Scripture that was used by God to liberate untold numbers of men and women. But to remember the Reformers instead of Halloween is very scary to the world. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

4. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to refuse to watch or allow your children to watch any of the toxic Halloween and horror films emerging from Hollywood. America’s fascination with ungodly fear has made horror the most popular and fastest-growing film genre amoung youth. When parents allow their children to toy with this genre, they promote ungodly fear, and they contribute to the fear-factories in Hollywood that prey upon the youth of our culture. Say “no” to Hollywood horror and you will be dangerously scary to the media elite. “Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence....?” (Jeremiah 5:22).

5. The scariest thing you can do this Halloween is to get on your knees as a mother and father and pray that the Lord will send you many, children who will fear God, not man — children who will especially shun the glorification of witchcraft, the bondage of ungodly fear, and the “cute-ification” of evil that is promoted through holidays like Halloween. Cultures that toy with evil end up being cultures of death. The Christian response is to be a people of life. That means babies. It means fearing God by honoring His command to “be fruitful and multiply.” It means remembering that the Scripture describes children as a “blessing” and a “reward.” Raise children that fear God more than man, and that will be answer enough to our Halloween- and darkness-obsessed culture; for if you trust God over your womb and commit your children to a holy education, you will be very scary to the modern world. “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 34:11).

Happy 10th Birthday, Jalen!

We were planning on a little something different, but God had something else in mind by bringing Josiah a few weeks earlier than expected. Because of this, we decided to have an impromptu celebration at the house which was actually one of two parties, as Jalen celebrated with his baseball team, as well. Jalen said this was the best birthday ever! So, thanks to all of our family and friends for making this day so special!

Jalen's First Cello Recital

This is a video of Jalen's first cello recital with the Suzuki Institute of Royal Oak. He played Twinkle Suzuki Variation D (May, 2010). Great job, Jalen!

Air on the G String by Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin

This song is one of my absolute favorites. Enjoy!!!

A Day at the Auto Show

This is a pic of Jalen and T-2 at the autoshow last month. Afterwards we went out for dinner and dessert. It was a blast!

Jalen's Big Day

Tonight, right before dinner, Jalen asked me if there was anything he needed to do before getting saved. He had asked me the same question about three weeks ago and was wondering if he needed to say a bible verse or do something special. At that time, I advised him that there was nothing that needed to be done but encouraged him to speak to me and his dad first so that we could make sure his understanding was clear.That was the first conversation about salvation that he initiated and happened to be the second day after we started homeschooling him.

Well, homeschooling these past few weeks has been an exercise in dependance. I had no idea it would be so tough. This week has been particularly challenging. And then, right before dinner he asks the question that would totally change my frame of mind. Seemingly out of nowhere, he demonstrated that he too is concerned for his soul.

"RaShawn, is there anything I need to do before I get saved?"
"No, why?"
"Well, I'm ready!"
"You mean you're ready to get saved?"
"Yep!"

Be still my soul! Inside my heart is jumping for joy! Praise the Lord and Amen!

Tupac was at his men's bible study group, so I calmly asked Jalen if we could wait until he got home so he could pray with us. He said yes. I then went in the next room to franitcally text his dad the good news. After a little back and forth texting, we decided it was best not to give the enemy an opportunity to steal the seed, so I immediately explained the plan of salvation to Jalen again and prayed with him to trust the Lord as his very own Savior right then.

It's funny how just a hour ago I was exhausted, discouraged and ready to go to bed, wondering if the homeschooling day would never end. Now, I'd much rather prefer it didn't...

God's Plan of Salvation

If you were to die today are you 100% sure you would go to
HEAVEN? Yes___No___?
Please read the following if you answered 'No'
to the question above.
Could you honestly say the following??

Jesus Christ, "I am just as good as you. I have never lusted in my heart; I have never lied; Never cheated; Never stolen anything; Never hated anyone; Never thought a dirty thought. Never said anything wrong; Never lost my temper. I am just as good as you are Jesus. I have never sinned. "

Now, if you are truly honest with yourself, you know that somewhere, somehow you have sinned. You know that you could not compare yourself to the Holy Son of God, Jesus Christ.

BECAUSE OF THE ABOVE, THE BIBLE SAYS THAT
YOU ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD."For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" ".your iniquities have separated between you and your God..."

YOU HAVE BROKEN THE LAWS OF GOD"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." "For the wages of sin is death..."

YOU ARE CONDEMNED BY GOD AT THIS MOMENT."... he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" "The wicked shall be turned into hell..."

BUT JESUS CHRIST LOVES YOU AND DIED FOR YOU."But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN."Jesus saith., I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT."For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

NOW THAT YOU HAVE THE TRUTH THE DECISION IS YOURS!

WILL YOU REPENT?"The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out," Repentance is when a person admits his guilt to God, and sincerely desires in his heart to get right with God.

"...repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."

WILL YOU TRUST JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR?"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again from the dead. He paid for your sins on the cross. That is why He is called the Saviour. You cannot save yourself by good works; baptism, church attendance, sacraments, going to confession; giving money, praying to Mary and the saints, or trying to live a good life. In order to be saved, you must completely put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

CAN YOU AFFORD TO WAIT?The most important decision that you will make in this life will be that of either trusting or rejecting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Don't take a chance! Call on God now! You might not be alive tomorrow!

DEAR FRIEND,
In your own words pray and tell God that you are guilty as a sinner, and that you now believe that Jesus Christ is the Saviour, and that you now want to completely trust Him, and ONLY HIM as your Lord and Saviour.

(Bible References: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 3:4; Heb 9:27; Isaiah 59:2; John 3:18b; Hebrews 9:27; Psalm 9:17a; Romans 5:8; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6;1 Tim 2:5; II Peter 3:9; Acts 3:19a; 20:21; Romans 10:13)

The Hunter's are Having a Baby!!!

Now that the Lord has blessed my husband with the gift of eternal life, God has finally seen fit to bless my tummy with the gift of a new life as well. Yes, the Hunter family is expanding and we are so excited! God's timing is perfect and He makes all things beautiful in HIS time. Praise the Lord and amen!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them."
Psalms 127:3-5a

Hunter Vow Renewal Ceremony

I think this is a great pic. You can even see the reflection in the piano...

Hi guys! These are a few of my friends from Ann Arbor Baptist Church. They played a special arrangement of Be Thou My Vision, my absolute favorite hymn! It was beautiful...

This is my Pastor, Ken Hampton, of Grace Bible Chapel preparing for the service.


And this is a picture of the groom's mom, Juakson Carpenter, with her guest Eugene Clark.

My oldest sister Pam did all the floral arrangements. I thought she did a fabulous job. This was her first time doing anything like this. We were all quite impressed...

My sister Tiffani planned my wedding and went above and beyond to ensure everything went smoothly. Thanks, Tiff!

Hi, Ariel! She looked very lovely and did most of the special arrangements. Thanks, Ariel. Your choices were wonderful!!!

My niece Britany is as cute as a button...

This is a picture of my godsister Dawn.It was such a blessing that she was able to stand with us!!! Thanks, Dawn!

CeCe was a great helper and assisted Ariel while she played. Thank you CeCe. You were such a blessing!

Karla, what a blessing! Thank you for using your gift for the Lord's glory. I got goosepimples just listening...

Just adorable! Need I say more?

Not quite sure what Pastor Hampton was saying here, but clearly it was funny...

Our rings...

The cake...

The flowers...

The emotions...The end!

Or should I say...The beginning... :-)