I had a date today. And it was a hot one, not as much heat as humidity though. We went to the movies. My date had good manners and even shared his popcorn and drink with me. He didn’t even mind holding my hand while we were walking, very impressive for an eight year old boy.
I took my oldest son to see a movie today, just the two of us. The movie was a little too adventurous for my younger son, he gets scared very easily, and he stayed with my parents. As we were walking into the theater, I noticed how tall my son is getting. I am 5’4”, and he comes up to my shoulder. Pretty tall for an eight year old, I think in the next two years he will catch up to me. He was excited to be at the theater and then to know that he could get popcorn and a drink!! He could hardly wait for the movie to start.
As we sat in the theater, we were talking about different things before the movie started. We were the only people in the theater until the previews started. All sorts of things were going through my mind…happy thoughts, sad thoughts, and lots of things in between.
I was happy to be with him. We don’t often have times with just the two of us. It was a time when I could just enjoy him, and I did. I enjoyed that he would still hold my hand walking in the mall. I enjoyed that he would talk to me and ask me lots of questions, as always! I enjoyed looking at him and seeing the man he will someday be. I almost told him that he was a good date, but he still thinks that kind of stuff is yucky and I didn’t want to spoil it!
I was sad, too. I was seeing the man that he will someday be. We are working so hard during these years that God gives us with him, to help him be the man that God created him to be. It is a little bittersweet to get a glimpse of it though.
I even thought of Proverbs 31. This proverb, in the original language, is an acrostic poem. Lemuel’s mother taught it to him to help him remember the traits of a godly wife. I am sure they are God inspired, or they would not appear in our Scripture. What kind of “words of wisdom” will my sons remember from me? I hope they will remember the Word of the Lord that I try to teach them. I hope they will remember that I tried to daily seek Him and His will for my life. I hope they will see me strive to be a godly wife and mother. I hope they will look for this in their future wives.
A lot of thinking for a dark movie theater.
When we got to my parents to pick up my other son, my dad was not there, he had gone to the store. My mom was inside with my younger son and my nephew. With my dad’s car missing, my son said, “I better get in to help Gi, she will have her hands full in there!” I told him that I think she could handle it, but it blessed my heart that he wanted to help.
It was a good day. It was a great date. I can’t wait for the next one.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Pictures!!
I am making my way into the 21st century. I bought a new digital camera this weekend. I will begin posting pictures as soon as I read the manual, load software, and figure all this out. I promise to add some color and personality to this blog.
Please don't give up on me!
Please don't give up on me!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Christmas in July!
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four calling birds……….
It’s July, right?? Yes, but I ran across an email I wrote during the “Twelve Days of Christmas” and thought I would share it as a “Christmas in July” post.
The Twelve Days of Christmas actually begin on Christmas and end on January 5, Epiphany--or Three Kings Day. It is thought that the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song was a secret code song written during the persecution of the Catholic Church in England.
Day four of the song is the four calling birds’ day. According to the code, we celebrate that “my true love” (God) gave to us the four calling birds (the four gospels- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Aren’t we glad He did!!
Consider the impact of the Gospel on the world, and personally in your own life. I thought about this last week. If it was up to me, and thankfully it wasn’t, I may have ordered them differently. Would I have put John first, to begin the New Testament with “In the beginning was the Word.” just like the Old Testament begins “In the beginning God created…?” Or would I have begun with Mark, whose gospel read like a screenplay--very action oriented--who starts with quoting Malachi and has John the Baptist in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord. Mark writes the fulfillment of prophecy from 400 years earlier at the end of the Old Testament. Or would I have chosen Luke, the “investigative reporter”. His gospel was based on eyewitness testimony and was meant for a very wide audience, to convince them that what they had heard about Jesus was true.
But God chose Matthew to begin the New Testament. Through His sovereignty, He chose the canon of New Testament scripture to begin with Matthew. Was this because Matthew cited so many Old Testament prophecies that were only fulfilled in Jesus? Was it because of the clear presentation that Jesus is the Messiah? I don’t know. I do know that each of the gospels is special in the God-breathed words that we read today. They each give us the Word of God.
And after you read them--your life can never be the same.
Thank your True Love for the four calling birds.
It’s July, right?? Yes, but I ran across an email I wrote during the “Twelve Days of Christmas” and thought I would share it as a “Christmas in July” post.
The Twelve Days of Christmas actually begin on Christmas and end on January 5, Epiphany--or Three Kings Day. It is thought that the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song was a secret code song written during the persecution of the Catholic Church in England.
Day four of the song is the four calling birds’ day. According to the code, we celebrate that “my true love” (God) gave to us the four calling birds (the four gospels- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Aren’t we glad He did!!
Consider the impact of the Gospel on the world, and personally in your own life. I thought about this last week. If it was up to me, and thankfully it wasn’t, I may have ordered them differently. Would I have put John first, to begin the New Testament with “In the beginning was the Word.” just like the Old Testament begins “In the beginning God created…?” Or would I have begun with Mark, whose gospel read like a screenplay--very action oriented--who starts with quoting Malachi and has John the Baptist in the wilderness preparing the way of the Lord. Mark writes the fulfillment of prophecy from 400 years earlier at the end of the Old Testament. Or would I have chosen Luke, the “investigative reporter”. His gospel was based on eyewitness testimony and was meant for a very wide audience, to convince them that what they had heard about Jesus was true.
But God chose Matthew to begin the New Testament. Through His sovereignty, He chose the canon of New Testament scripture to begin with Matthew. Was this because Matthew cited so many Old Testament prophecies that were only fulfilled in Jesus? Was it because of the clear presentation that Jesus is the Messiah? I don’t know. I do know that each of the gospels is special in the God-breathed words that we read today. They each give us the Word of God.
And after you read them--your life can never be the same.
Thank your True Love for the four calling birds.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
One small step..................
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took the first human steps on the moon. I am sure it was a very exciting time. If you listen to old recordings from the time, you can hear his words "One small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind."
The next words he says are not found in the official recording, but can be found in many places online. If you saw the landing, you may remember hearing the words on the live telecast.
According to the scientific data, the moon should be covered with moon dust in very thick layers. The lunar module was actually built on stilts to land in all the dust. The astronauts were told to be prepared to sink in the moon dust when they walked. The moon was supposed to be covered in millions of years of dust, but it wasn't. Armstrong was surprised when he stepped on solid ground. What did this mean? How old was the moon? How did it get there? Where did they make the mistakes?
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day." Genesis 1:16-19
The next words he says are not found in the official recording, but can be found in many places online. If you saw the landing, you may remember hearing the words on the live telecast.
According to the scientific data, the moon should be covered with moon dust in very thick layers. The lunar module was actually built on stilts to land in all the dust. The astronauts were told to be prepared to sink in the moon dust when they walked. The moon was supposed to be covered in millions of years of dust, but it wasn't. Armstrong was surprised when he stepped on solid ground. What did this mean? How old was the moon? How did it get there? Where did they make the mistakes?
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day." Genesis 1:16-19
Saturday, July 19, 2008
In the beginning........
Beginnings. In modern times, this is a very controversial subject. It is not for me. I know the truth and believe it. The true story of the beginning is told in the Bible, in the book of Genesis. In fact, that is what the word Genesis means, “Beginnings”. In my opinion, it is a key book of our faith. Have you ever considered your view of this book? Is Genesis a book you consider filled with “children’s stories”?
The first verse of Genesis, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”, is a key verse to me. In order to BELIEVE the first verse of John, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”, the logic follows that you must believe the other verse. I did not realize that I did not BELIEVE that for years. I was trying to change the truth of the Bible to fit “science”. I realized that I was trying to discount a first hand description of creation. God wrote it-inspired it-and He was there. This is a subject close to my heart. If you are interested, just ask, and I will tell you how God showed me the error of my way of thinking. I am thankful to be one of God’s creations and under His authority. It makes my life much easier to live when I know I must be obedient to Him.
I am trusting that you will take a new look at Genesis. I have mentioned before that I love the Old Testament--I love the New Testament too--that I think we “gloss over” it and view it as children’s Bible stories. While there are many people that our children should know, and know how God was faithful to them, there is a lot to learn for all ages in there. Through the Beth Moore study of The Patriarchs, I came to know, love, dislike, be disappointed by, rejoice with and cry with these chosen founders of the faith. We came to see the DYSFUNCTION in families, the tragic situations, and the very opposite of “children’s stories”. I know I felt sorry for Rachel, made her my favorite “wife” and then got disappointed in her for scheming. I got mad at the brothers for their treatment of Joseph, and then was sad when the consequences changed their lives, and rejoiced as they became the “band of brothers”. I loved Joseph, and then realized be was a brat!
I think this has been the lesson for me, that this is how God wants us to see them. The Bible is the inspired word of God. He wrote the book. He told us this stuff, all the “dirty laundry”. It helps us to see us in them. We can feel the hopelessness of Leah, as her life was not what she thought it would be, and many ladies can feel it personally. We can feel the “control issues” of Rebekah, as she wants to “help” God, and once again, many of us know firsthand. There is hope in seeing the human frailties of the Patriarchs. God used them, and their weaknesses, for His purposes. He can use us too. And most of all, through their weaknesses, we see the strength of El Elyon--the Most High.
Genesis is the book of beginnings. It is the book of how God created us, and showed us the need for a Redeemer. It is the beginning of our faith. And it shows us that through it all, HE IS FAITHFUL!!!!
The first verse of Genesis, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”, is a key verse to me. In order to BELIEVE the first verse of John, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”, the logic follows that you must believe the other verse. I did not realize that I did not BELIEVE that for years. I was trying to change the truth of the Bible to fit “science”. I realized that I was trying to discount a first hand description of creation. God wrote it-inspired it-and He was there. This is a subject close to my heart. If you are interested, just ask, and I will tell you how God showed me the error of my way of thinking. I am thankful to be one of God’s creations and under His authority. It makes my life much easier to live when I know I must be obedient to Him.
I am trusting that you will take a new look at Genesis. I have mentioned before that I love the Old Testament--I love the New Testament too--that I think we “gloss over” it and view it as children’s Bible stories. While there are many people that our children should know, and know how God was faithful to them, there is a lot to learn for all ages in there. Through the Beth Moore study of The Patriarchs, I came to know, love, dislike, be disappointed by, rejoice with and cry with these chosen founders of the faith. We came to see the DYSFUNCTION in families, the tragic situations, and the very opposite of “children’s stories”. I know I felt sorry for Rachel, made her my favorite “wife” and then got disappointed in her for scheming. I got mad at the brothers for their treatment of Joseph, and then was sad when the consequences changed their lives, and rejoiced as they became the “band of brothers”. I loved Joseph, and then realized be was a brat!
I think this has been the lesson for me, that this is how God wants us to see them. The Bible is the inspired word of God. He wrote the book. He told us this stuff, all the “dirty laundry”. It helps us to see us in them. We can feel the hopelessness of Leah, as her life was not what she thought it would be, and many ladies can feel it personally. We can feel the “control issues” of Rebekah, as she wants to “help” God, and once again, many of us know firsthand. There is hope in seeing the human frailties of the Patriarchs. God used them, and their weaknesses, for His purposes. He can use us too. And most of all, through their weaknesses, we see the strength of El Elyon--the Most High.
Genesis is the book of beginnings. It is the book of how God created us, and showed us the need for a Redeemer. It is the beginning of our faith. And it shows us that through it all, HE IS FAITHFUL!!!!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Designer Clothes!
This is my attempt at a fashion post. But let me warn you, it will not be like the others you may read!
I am a window shopper. I could look at lots of things, and not really buy much. I believe in sales, with prices in red and an extra 40% percent off of that. And if you use your 30-60-90 card, you get an extra 15% off. I have in my mind what I am willing to pay and will not pay more. I do have some black pants that I wear to church that cost me $1.98!! Now that is a deal. If I don’t get a deal, I just won’t buy.
If you are from around this area, you probably know the store that I frequent from the descriptions. The other day I was discussing with a friend my shopping at this store. I can look through racks of sale clothing and come away with a hand full to try on. I will guarantee you that each of the items is from a certain designers line. She owns many different clothing lines, but all are under her main line. It is funny to me. I can spot a shirt I like and say “That is so-and-so, I like her stuff!”
How did I end up with all the same labels? Did they all start out as the same shirt and turn into something different by spending time on the rack? Or was it because the same designer had designed them all, and part of her showed in all of them?
Behind this story is the lie that evolution wants us to believe. The reason that the DNA of animals and humans are so similar is that they all came from the same one cell organism that came out of primordial ooze. The line of logic that follows that idea proves itself to be false. We could discuss the ideas of macro evolution, punctuated equilibrium, and Chaos theory, but we won’t. It is not true.
Could it be as simple as it seems? The reason the DNA is similar is……..the Designer. Could one Master Designer have designed and created it all!
I told you, not your same old fashion post!
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17
I am a window shopper. I could look at lots of things, and not really buy much. I believe in sales, with prices in red and an extra 40% percent off of that. And if you use your 30-60-90 card, you get an extra 15% off. I have in my mind what I am willing to pay and will not pay more. I do have some black pants that I wear to church that cost me $1.98!! Now that is a deal. If I don’t get a deal, I just won’t buy.
If you are from around this area, you probably know the store that I frequent from the descriptions. The other day I was discussing with a friend my shopping at this store. I can look through racks of sale clothing and come away with a hand full to try on. I will guarantee you that each of the items is from a certain designers line. She owns many different clothing lines, but all are under her main line. It is funny to me. I can spot a shirt I like and say “That is so-and-so, I like her stuff!”
How did I end up with all the same labels? Did they all start out as the same shirt and turn into something different by spending time on the rack? Or was it because the same designer had designed them all, and part of her showed in all of them?
Behind this story is the lie that evolution wants us to believe. The reason that the DNA of animals and humans are so similar is that they all came from the same one cell organism that came out of primordial ooze. The line of logic that follows that idea proves itself to be false. We could discuss the ideas of macro evolution, punctuated equilibrium, and Chaos theory, but we won’t. It is not true.
Could it be as simple as it seems? The reason the DNA is similar is……..the Designer. Could one Master Designer have designed and created it all!
I told you, not your same old fashion post!
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Doctor is in.
Advice. People like to give it to you, whether you want it or not. And we like to dish it out to others just as freely. Think about the advice you have been given in life, whether sought out or not. Did you get any really bad advice?? I have.
When my oldest was a baby and toddler, I was a part of a mothers group at a church. This is where I got my bad advice. We had a speaker one month that was talking to us about the stresses of motherhood. I still remember her telling us “To stop worrying about missing your quiet time, sometimes life happens.” It was the worst advice ever. I didn’t know it at the time, but I do now after the damage.
Life, for all of us, can get crazy at times. You can be a mother of small children, a mother home schooling her children, a full time working woman, a full time student, a retired woman, and I would dare say even a man and have a crazy life. The craziness just changes.
It was during the craziness of diapers, feedings, and looking for adult conversation that I received my bad advice. Whew! What a load off, I didn’t have to worry about the quiet time being checked off the list, God would understand. I didn’t need to feel guilty about it anymore. The problems were just beginning. Not worrying about it one day turns into a week and into a month and into a year. Could I look back on a year and count how many quiet times I had? I would try again and repeat the cycle over and over. It would continue until God taught me some lessons.
Here is what I learned………..it is not about a checklist. When you begin to miss a quiet time, you see the need for it. It is not about 1. Read a Bible verse, check 2. Pray, check, check 3. Check it off the list, check, check, check. It is discovering the Words your Creator wrote for you. It is talking to the all-powerful, loving God about the love He shows us, the life He gave us, and how He wants us to live that life. It is the process of knowing God and becoming more like His Son. It is knowing that you can’t live a day without Him. These are the blessings that come from a relationship with the Most High.
Now, who is to blame for all those missed blessings? The speaker, for giving bad advice that she thought young mothers needed. Or was it the mothers group for letting someone give unbiblical advice to a group of impressionable young women. Or should I blame the church. Ultimately, the blame belongs to me. I knew when I heard it that it was bad advice, but since it came from a speaker I thought it was true. I can not blame anyone else for my own sin.
We are all in different places in our spiritual walk with the Lord. The wonderful thing about Him is that He meets us where we are. He was there every morning when I wasn’t. He is there waiting for you now.
Go and meet Him, I am sure it will be a wonderful conversation.
When my oldest was a baby and toddler, I was a part of a mothers group at a church. This is where I got my bad advice. We had a speaker one month that was talking to us about the stresses of motherhood. I still remember her telling us “To stop worrying about missing your quiet time, sometimes life happens.” It was the worst advice ever. I didn’t know it at the time, but I do now after the damage.
Life, for all of us, can get crazy at times. You can be a mother of small children, a mother home schooling her children, a full time working woman, a full time student, a retired woman, and I would dare say even a man and have a crazy life. The craziness just changes.
It was during the craziness of diapers, feedings, and looking for adult conversation that I received my bad advice. Whew! What a load off, I didn’t have to worry about the quiet time being checked off the list, God would understand. I didn’t need to feel guilty about it anymore. The problems were just beginning. Not worrying about it one day turns into a week and into a month and into a year. Could I look back on a year and count how many quiet times I had? I would try again and repeat the cycle over and over. It would continue until God taught me some lessons.
Here is what I learned………..it is not about a checklist. When you begin to miss a quiet time, you see the need for it. It is not about 1. Read a Bible verse, check 2. Pray, check, check 3. Check it off the list, check, check, check. It is discovering the Words your Creator wrote for you. It is talking to the all-powerful, loving God about the love He shows us, the life He gave us, and how He wants us to live that life. It is the process of knowing God and becoming more like His Son. It is knowing that you can’t live a day without Him. These are the blessings that come from a relationship with the Most High.
Now, who is to blame for all those missed blessings? The speaker, for giving bad advice that she thought young mothers needed. Or was it the mothers group for letting someone give unbiblical advice to a group of impressionable young women. Or should I blame the church. Ultimately, the blame belongs to me. I knew when I heard it that it was bad advice, but since it came from a speaker I thought it was true. I can not blame anyone else for my own sin.
We are all in different places in our spiritual walk with the Lord. The wonderful thing about Him is that He meets us where we are. He was there every morning when I wasn’t. He is there waiting for you now.
Go and meet Him, I am sure it will be a wonderful conversation.
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