Friday, April 22, 2011

Answering Questions ~ Part Five

Thank you for taking our questions, Mary Ann.

Mine has to do with your earlier post about the "trustee" who came to your house and made your business his... it sounds like you were expected to tithe? To me that sounds like a worldly idea. Was this an expectation in your church?
In our church district, we were expected to give something during each communion service, but there never was any pressure about how much that should be.

No, we were not expected to tithe. Our church as well as all the other Amish I'm familiar with did not believe in tithing. They think tithing is a worldly practise.
 
The Somerset County Amish also didn't believe in having auctions, bake sales, or anything along that line for raising money for school and church expenses. Their reason behind it was they didn't want the public to support their schools or church.
 
They still needed to get the money somewhere so they taxed all the married people. I don't know how their system worked or what percentage we paid because our bill was a grand total of $8.67 per year. (Teacher's in Somerset get $11.25 per day so we didn't even pay for a day of school.) We would have been happy to pay a hundred or more if it would have saved us from going through the deal of having to answer all their questions.
 
We also gave alms at communion but those funds were hardly ever touched.  Hospital bills were helped by asking for freewill donations.
 
I also have wondered if you've ever read Beverly Lewis' books and how you feel about that. Truly, a lot of the things you described from your growing up years, courtship and wedding reminded me of things I've read in Beverly Lewis' books. If you have never read them, will you promise not to judge her books by the movies that are only based on her books?

Yes, I have read some Beverly Lewis books. She is a talented author who writes great fiction.  There are bits and pieces in every book that I have to smile at because it's not Amish, but since it doesn't hurt the story, it's not too hard to shrug it off and enjoy the plot.
 
I've heard rumors about these two things and wonder what the true answers are.

Do Amish people wear deodorant?
And do Amish women wear bras?

Speaking from personal experience the answer is yes to both questions.

I would love to know more about you as a person:

If you were stranded alone on a deserted island, and you could only bring 5 things, what would they be? (No people. Ha Ha!)
What is your favorite tool or kitchen gadget?
What is your most favorite meal? (including beverage, main dish, and dessert)
What is your favorite song?

If I were stranded on a deserted island alone I would like to have my Bible, a blanket, fire, a huge supply of bottled water, and if I could really choose anything I'd go ahead and bring a house too.

My favorite kitchen tool or gadget...... I really like my cast iron pans and my blender.

My favorite meal would have to be fried cheesy potatoes, fried chicken, seven layer salad, and sweet corn for main course. Cold, sweet, fresh water from our well. (When Sunbeam first tasted it after we moved last year she sat around sipping water all day saying it tastes like chocolate milk. It doesn't taste like chocolate but it is sweet.) Dessert would be my mother-in-laws cherry pie. She makes the best!

My favorite song keeps changing. Right now this is one of my favorites.



Hi, thanks for the opportunity to ask a question. I'm wondering ...what is one thing (if anything) that you miss the most about the lifestyle you left behind? Thank you.

God bless. :)
Every once in a while I think it would be nice to have a ride with our horse and buggy again.

13 comments:

  1. My goodness, you've answered so many questions! It's so nice of you to soothe our curiousities with your honest answers!
    How will you spend your Easter time?
    BLESSINGS!

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  2. Thank you so much for being willing to answer so many questions. And I love that song, I've never heard it before.

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  3. Ok, now I'm curious....why do/did you (your church) consider tithing worldly? My church considers it a Biblical command that we must obey, though we are not pressured to tithe. That's between us and God.

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  4. Thank you for sharing some interesting and truly delightful memories and information with us about the Amish lifestyle.

    I grew up around Mennonites and my own background was very strict fundamentalist, so I can relate to many of the things you write about, even though I was not Amish.

    Have a wonderful, blessed Easter.

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  5. As always this post is an interesting read. I had to chuckle over the deodorant subject, not that it's funny, but that we've been experimenting with alternatives that don't cause Alzheimer's disease as they say aluminum sulfate does. Seems that some of the old ways or new alternatives may be safer than our modern methods, afterall. We believe we are suppose to tithe, too, just because the Bible says to do it..

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  6. Hi! I'm also wondering about the tithing. Thanks for answering all of the questions! Have a great Easter!!

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  7. I hope you and yours have a wonderful Easter. :)

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  8. Happy Easter to you and your family. Thank you for sharing with us this week and including the link for that beautiful song. I'm curious about cheesy fried potatoes. Maybe you could share that recipe with us sometime. Blessings to you all.

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  9. Thank you for answering all these questions.

    And wishes for you to enjoy family/friends on this spring-time weekend!!!

    Gentle hugs,
    .♥.

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  10. I agree with you whole-heartedly on your choice of favorite meals! I love potatoes any way I can get them, and cheese too. Both together is even better. Fried chicken, fresh salad, fresh corn, cherry pie? I'm getting hungry!

    Thanks for answering all the questions - you're very brave to let us ask!

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  11. About the tithe, Jesus was admonishing the leaders about their spirit of religion and adherence to the law without mercy. Jesus stated that they were opening and ceremonially correct in the Old Testament laws on the tithes but that they left out justice, mercy and faith. The Old Testament law stated there was really a 30% giving, 10% each to the temple, the widows and orphan fund, and the priestly tithe. We are no longer under the law. The Apostle Paul stated we are to determine in our own hearts how much God would have us give and give it joyfully.

    In the event of the widow’s giving the temple tithe, the point was that by comparison she gave more than the rich did because she gave out of little while they gave out of much and could do more. The tithe teaching often causes those who can do more to not do so because they feel they have done their duty when God requires more of them because of their greater blessings. It is about the issues of the heart, the contrition of the heart, not about the law. The benevolent work of the Lord has been abandoned in the body of Christ today because of the erroneous teachings on tithe and prosperity.

    Most people today believe the over-consumption myth of families and therefore blame those in poverty of squandering finances causing their own failures. This deception leaves the rest to bear no responsibility for helping those who are in trouble. James warned about this, as did Paul, it is prejudice against those who cannot do well for themselves. So many begrudge giving to families that year after year cannot rise above their “station”, so they would rather believe a deception than assist families. The Bible warned this would happen as it did several times in Christendom’s history. It is nothing new under the sun; it is about the same condition of the heart and mercy towards their own of the faith. In the book of Acts it stated there were none among then in need, not so today.
    Mrs. J.

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  12. The song you shared is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it and for your Q&A series.

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  13. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions! It seems that we are sort of kindred spirits in many ways. I have a real love for cast iron cookware myself, with several dutch ovens, skillets, and corn bread pans.

    I loved that your answers to the five items on the deserted island were all quite practical. I figured they would be because whenever my formally Amish grandma chose practicality over luxury, my Grandpa always said, "You can take the girl out of the Amish, but you can't take the Amish out of the girl!" Ha Ha!!

    You're favorite meal sounds amazing...right down to the sweet well water! I'd love it if you would be willing to share your fried cheesy potato recipe some day on your blog. It sounds wonderful!

    The song you chose was a beautiful tune as well, and it brought tears to my eyes as I listened to it.

    Thank you for sharing with us all. Your blog is always a bright spot to visit.

    Blessings,
    Lynell

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.