President George W. Bush gets my vote!

I have my priorities – instead of watching the Bush/Kerry debate, I shall be enjoying dinner with my best friend: Mrs. William Byars, a.k.a., the other half of my brain, Debbie! Yeah! Debbie is taping the debate, so I do plan to watch it later.

I like it when my President speaks to me instead of his opponent! Kerry, on the other hand, postures too much, uses empty rhetoric with circular logic and speaks only to hear the sound of his own voice. Not unlike a mockingbird (which, by the way, has over 22 calls it has copied from other birds and no unique call of its own...and is obnoxious and personally assults me auditorily while I am trying to sleep at 2:30 a.m.)!

I must say I will vote for President George W. Bush. I believe he is doing the job he was elected to do. These are my opinions: I believe he needs to be re-elected to finish what he started. Kerry is a farce, an ill-tanned politician and a waffler.

Laura Bush, the First Lady, is a classy woman who has brought dignity, grace and modesty back into the White House. I’d like to meet her one day.
Here’s information on how the campaign is going for the Bush/Cheney ticket.

May God’s will be done this election year. Regardless of who is elected to be the President for the next four years, I am confident God is sovereign and in control.

I’m praying for President George W. Bush.

Let freedom ring!

By the way, if you are 18 and eligible to vote, make sure you vote! It is your Constitutional right and responsibility!

Hmm...I don't think I've ever waxed political before! Interesting. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow. He.he.he...

dogledanje!!

Student Ministry Event Calendar

In an effort to keep those who want to be in the know, in the know, we are developing a

CBC Student Ministry Event Calendar Blog

After a bit of review and refinement, we'll post a link to it on the website. For now, click here to take a peek at what looks to be a promising resource for event information, among other miscellaneous data. I wouldn't mark it as a "favorites" just yet. The location of hosting this information-type blog may change. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, drop me a few comments, by commenting to this post, and let me know what you think.

As the Class turns....

(or, Will vacuous rhetoric burn our minds?)

“Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap….” sounds the cadence of Miss Jones’ Ticonderoga number two pencil bouncing up and down upon the table top. Slightly humored, she observes her class focusing their attention upon the tapping pencil. Up and down the multiple pairs of eyes jump in rhythm with the school bus yellow writing instrument. All pairs, but one.

“Ah yessss,” Miss Jones silently ruminates, “Mary has ended her twaddle and is waiting for my judgement upon her suggestions.” She notes no guile or defiant challenge in the behemoth-sized girl’s gaze. Mary’s beady eyes fill with a simple, yet eager, expectancy. Unlike most of her students, Mary’s mind harbors a vast storehouse of tedium and detailed intelligence (albeit, some fantasy details misaligned with actual facts). If one could transcend the callow exterior, which belied the young lady blossoming within, a malleable, delightful mind awaited an engaging educator. “Does the girl have no governess or genteel influence in her life?” Miss Jones ponders as she assesses the gangly shell of the child.

With cat-like grace, Miss Jones turns to her map collection and slowly pulls down the detailed drawing of the North American Continent. As her eyes expertly skim across the delineated borders of states and provinces, she catches the barely audible sound of whispers and ill-repressed giggles.

“Class?” Miss Jones calls in her velvet-toned voice. Immediately, all noises cease with the exception of the mechanical humming of the bell clock. From some distance, disturbing the artificial silence, whisking, methodical strokes of the grounds-keeper raking trespassing maple leaves from immaculate greens can just be detected. She wonders absently why the guardian of the grounds vainly toils to eradicate irrefutable proof of a waning summer and an ensuing change in weather. Frequently every Fall, Miss Jones often fantasizes about running barefoot across the campus lawns while releasing the captured leaves from their non-biodegradable Hefty-bag prisons.

Refocusing her thoughts to the task at hand, Miss Jones rests her manicured finger upon the first suggested province. After a moment of consideration, she withdraws. Amused, but retaining a stoic face, she pivots to face her students.

Will Miss Jones chide massive Mary for her incorrect assumption? Will Mary wilt under the piercing gaze of Miss Jones? Will the bell ever sound, releasing the students from Miss Jones’ enclave? Tune in again (not necessarily, tomorrow) to see where creative verbosity takes us…until then pursue creative rhetoric.

Great is Thy Faithfulness...

Psalm 36:5-12 Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O LORD, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come upon me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the doers of iniquity have fallen; They have been thrust down and cannot rise.

Lam 3:21-25
This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

This is one of my all time favorite hymns. God is so good!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Refrain

As we come to the close of September, we arrive at my favorite time of the year: The Fall! I love the Fall! I am a cold-weather, sweater-wearing, soup/chili cooking, "I can see my breath" breathing, harvest loving, November 21st is my favorite day, kinda person. Not to mention we gain an extra hour of sleep in the fall. I DO love the Fall!

Can you smell it? Fall is just 'round the bend.

Praise God!
dogledanji!!

2 Canadian Provinces, eh?

"Oh, I know, I know Miss Jones! Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!" squeals Mary, in her annoyingly nasal high-pitched Canadian accented voice.

Miss Jones gazes across the classroom and finally rests her eyes upon the pudgy, rotund hand of Ms. Hickcox waving enthusiastically at the back of the room. At that moment Miss Jones is lost in thought, trying to remember what exactly, this display of eagerness reminds her of.

"Miss Jones?" eager Mary calls out.

Shaking the cobwebs of sleepy thought from her highly intelligent brain, Miss Jones refocuses her attention upon the large student.

"Please stand and give us your answer," Miss Jones gently commands.

Clumsily, like a stunned cow rising from a steep gully, Mary attempts to stand. The feat proves unsuccessful as Mary's left foot engages the desk leg tipping both girl and inanimate object onto the floor.

"I'm okay...I'm okay!" Mary confesses as she rights herself and manages to stand.

"Well then, child, which two Canadian Provinces do you recommend, and why?" Miss Jones queries.

Smoothing her rumpled skirt, Mary looks adoringly with her beady brown eyes and replied, "We should research Nunavut, er, also called 'Iqaluit' and Prince Edward Island, which is also known as 'Charlottetown'..." and pauses to wipe spittle pooling at the right corner of her mouth, then resumes "Why? Well, because Nunavut has a very particular flag unlike any of the other provinces. And, Prince Edward Island, well, because," and she pauses again to wipe her dripping nose with her sleeve, "because, 'tis where the famous spider and portly pig engaged in webbed conversations."

Tune in tomorrow to see if Miss Jones banishes Mary from the classroom for utter incompetence and fabrication of facts or embraces her suggestions with enthusiasm. Heaven help us...

Psst! Are you sleeping?

“I sleep, but my heart waketh.” Song of Sol. 5:2

From Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening Devotionals:
Paradoxes abound in Christian experience, and here is one-the spouse was asleep, and yet she was awake. He only can read the believer’s riddle who has ploughed with the heifer of his experience. The two points in this evening’s text are-a mournful sleepiness and a hopeful wakefulness. I sleep. Through sin that dwelleth in us we may become lax in holy duties, slothful in religious exercises, dull in spiritual joys, and altogether supine and careless. This is a shameful state for one in whom the quickening Spirit dwells; and it is dangerous to the highest degree. Even wise virgins sometimes slumber, but it is high time for all to shake off the bands of sloth. It is to be feared that many believers lose their strength as Samson lost his locks, while sleeping on the lap of carnal security. With a perishing world around us, to sleep is cruel; with eternity so near at hand, it is madness. Yet we are none of us so much awake as we should be; a few thunder-claps would do us all good, and it may be, unless we soon bestir ourselves, we shall have them in the form of war, or pestilence, or personal bereavements and losses. O that we may leave for ever the couch of fleshly ease, and go forth with flaming torches to meet the coming Bridegroom! My heart waketh. This is a happy sign. Life is not extinct, though sadly smothered. When our renewed heart struggles against our natural heaviness, we should be grateful to sovereign grace for keeping a little vitality within the body of this death. Jesus will hear our hearts, will help our hearts, will visit our hearts; for the voice of the wakeful heart is really the voice of our Beloved, saying, “Open to me.” Holy zeal will surely unbar the door.

Phil 2:21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

The other day, on the radio, I heard a story about an elderly lady named “Mother Mitchell.” She was a Godly woman who loved the Lord, His bride: the church, and eagerly looked forward to being with Him forever in Glory. However, she didn’t live her life sitting at home wasting away, waiting for death or the Lord’s return. She was quite active in living out her faith through prayer, sharing the Gospel and mission trips. At 90 years of age, Mother Mitchell had an opportunity to visit Africa on a missions trip. She told her church family to leave her body in Africa should she die while there. And, indeed, she did die in Africa, and they buried her there. The speaker remembered that Mother Mitchell would wear a beautiful corsage every day of her life. When asked about the corsage, Mother Mitchell replied, “I want to be ready when the Bridegroom comes to gather me.” Wow!

Phil 2:21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

Are you ready for the Bridegroom: Jesus Christ? As a new creation, we are to seek Christ Jesus, not our own interests.

I want to be ready! I want to be found faithful!

2Co 5:14-17 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Where do your interests lie today?

It's Cookie Makin' Time!

Well I am off to punch out and make several dozen cookies for tomorrow night's Mid-Week Youth Group Encounter. What?

Me no know.

Yeah, well, I agree with Frank. If either of us began to write like Hameson...well, I'm certain there would be a general laying on of hands and casting out of some vile thing...er...um...as they are dressing us up in our new pretty white jackets.

No Bake, Chocolate Chip & Chocolate Chip w/Walnuts - here I come!

Yum. Too bad I'm on a non dessert dietary plan. Oh joy.

Er, rather, it IS a joy!

I love you all!
dogeldanji!!!

Are you free???

Free, by Stephen Curtis Chapman

The sun was beating down inside the walls of stone and razor wire
As we made our way across the prison yard
I felt my heart begin to race as we drew nearer to the place
Where they say that death is waiting in the dark
The slamming doors of iron echoed through the halls
Where despair holds life within its cruel claws

But then I met a man who's face seemed so strangely out of place
A blinding light of hope was shining in his eyes
And with repentance in his voice he told me of his tragic choice
That led him to this place where he must pay the price
But then his voice grew strong as he began to tell
About the One he said had rescued him from hell, he said . . .

I'm free, yeah, oh, I have been forgiven
God's love has taken off my chains and given me these wings
And I'm free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom I've been given
Is something that not even death can take away from me
Because I'm free
Jesus set me free

We said a prayer and said goodbye and tears began to fill my eyes
As I stepped back out into the blinding sun
And even as I drove away I found that I could not escape
The way he spoke of what the grace of God had done
I thought about how sin had sentenced us to die
And how God gave His only Son so you and I could say . . .

And if the Son has set you free,
Oh, if the Son has set you free
Then you are free indeed,
Oh, you are really free
If the Son has set you free,
Oh, if the Son has set you free
Then you are free, really, really, free

Oh, we're free, yeah, oh, we have been forgiven
God's grace has broken every chain and given us these wings
And we're free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me
Because we're free, yeah, the freedom we've been given
Is something that not even death can take from you and me
Because we're free, oh, we're free
We are free, we are free
The Son has set us free
If the Son has set you free
You are free indeed

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (KJV)

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (NASB)

From Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening for Sunday:

This “liberty” makes us free to heaven’s charter-the Bible. Here is a choice passage, believer, “When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee.” You are free to that. Here is another: “The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee”; you are free to that. You are a welcome guest at the table of the promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you please, without let or hindrance. Come in faith and you are welcome to all covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. In the depths of tribulations let this freedom comfort you; amidst waves of distress let it cheer you; when sorrows surround thee let it be thy solace. This is thy Father’s love-token; thou art free to it at all times. Thou art also free to the throne of grace. It is the believer’s privilege to have access at all times to his heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread all before him. It matters not how much we may have sinned, we may ask and expect pardon. It signifies nothing how poor we are, we may plead his promise that he will provide all things needful. We have permission to approach his throne at all times-in midnight’s darkest hour, or in noontide’s most burning heat. Exercise thy right, O believer, and live up to thy privilege. Thou art free to all that is treasured up in Christ-wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what thy need is, for there is fulness of supply in Christ, and it is there for thee. O what a “freedom” is thine! freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!

Are you free? Because of Christ, I am free indeed!

Walk in Christ!

On a Lighter Note (la...la...la...la....)

Bible Knowledge Test

The following statements about the Bible were written by children and have not been retouched or corrected (i.e., bad spelling has been left in).

1. In the first book of the Bible, Guinessis, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.
2. Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree.
3. Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark.
4. Noah built an ark, which the animals come on to in pears.
5. Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day, but a ball of fire by night.
6. Samson was a strongman who let himself be led astray by a Jezebel like Delilah.
7. Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.
8. Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread which is bread without any ingredients.
9. The Egyptians were all drowned in the dessert. Afterwards, Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten ammendments.
10. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.
11. The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
12. Moses died before he ever reached Canada.
13. Then Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.
14. The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.
15. David was a Hebrew king skilled at playing the liar.
16. He fought with the Finklesteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.
17. Solomon, one of David’s sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
18. When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
19. When the three wise guys from the east side arrived, they found Jesus in the manager.
20. Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.
21. St. John, the blacksmith, dumped water on his head.
22. Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do one to others before they do one to you.
23. He also explained, "a man doth not live by sweat alone.
24. "It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.
25. The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.
26. The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
27. One of the opossums was St. Matthew who was also a taximan.
28. St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.
29. A Christian should have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

http://www.bible.org/bits/bits-10.htm<-----this is where I found this bit of humor. I didn't make it a link as the site said not to bookmark it as the location may change. So, now you know.

Keep smiling! Keep praising God!
dogeldanji!!

Football, Snack Shop Duty & the Real World...

I went to Jameson’s Fresh/Soph football game yesterday! Yeah! They won, 21-0. Goooo Hawks. Jameson was looking mighty fine in his football gear, I might add. Frank and I noted how modest the freshman cheerleading squad was dressed. Yes, their skirts were short, but not hiked up or high cut on the sides and the tops were very sporty with a high v-neck cut. I was impressed.

At last night’s Varsity Football game, I had Snack Shop detail (which Frank came along to and was tremendously helpful!). As I had done the Little League duty in year’s past, this wasn’t too different. I was pretty beat by the end of the evening and Frank was overheated, but still smiling and being pleasant to everyone. You have to admire a man who can be personally tired and hot, but not make those around him pay for it. His can-do attitude and willingness to help is always a positive influence on me. I need to learn to be more like him, especially in this area. Frank’s my hero!

I had invited Miss Jenna to come along and help me out in the Snack Shop, unaware that those under 18 cannot work in the Snack Shop (legal, insurance reasons…blah, blah, blah). Indeed she came (did I mention we were at Valencia High School’s campus???) and was a breath of fresh air! Jameson also had to attend the Varsity game and sell 10 programs. As Jenna couldn’t help me, she assisted Jameson with the selling of programs. They managed to sell his quota and had fun watching the game and occasionally visiting us at the Snack Shop.

When you’ve spent the last 13 years of your son’s school life in a private, Christian school environment, the Real World of public high school can be quite…um…the best word to describe this really escapes me…but "shocking" will do for now.

Another Snack Shop gal, and freshman’s mother, worked next to me most of the evening. Her name is Stacy and she is a Christian. Her son, Josh is a friend of Jameson’s. He too, recently left the private school sector. She said that after her first day or two of dropping him off at school, she was ready to yank him out and enroll him back in private school! Just then, three females…er…young ladies…er…girls walked up to the window. They were very immodestly dressed and appeared to all have had selected areas of their bodies augmented (cosmetic plastic surgeon augmentation). All the other mom-workers were rude and ignored these customers. I helped them out and sent them on their way. Welcome to the world of football moms and the clash of the teenybopper football groupies. So, Stacy looks at me and says, those girls are mild compared to some of the gals at El Dorado.

A bit later, Jenna and Jameson come and grace us with their presence. As soon as they left, Stacy asked who the "young lady" was with my son and that she obviously doesn’t go to El Dorado. At that moment, I was so proud of Jenna! She looked beautiful (she’d probably prefer I say "cute"), but was dressed modestly (though fashionably) and conducted herself as a Christian young lady should. She was smiling and being polite to those around her (adults & students alike). She was such a stark contrast to the other female students wandering down to the watering hole. I explained who she was (a friend and a student in our church youth group) and Stacy said, ah yes, she’s a Christian…that explains it, that’s why she’s so different.

Hope springs eternal. There was no "acting", no "I’m at church so I need to act a certain way," it was just Jenna and Jameson, interacting and having fun, enjoying their evening…being salt & light.

Are you being salt & light in your world today?

Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Mark 9:50 Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.

I love you all!
dogeldanji!!

How's your treasure???

Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What we love, we love to talk about.

What are you talking about lately?

What do you treasure?

• Last night at Youth Group we listened to a sermon from John Piper. His emphasis was on not wasting your life. The one thing I remember the most was the demonstration on comparing what we treasure in life. He said something like, "as you’re eating food, are your treasuring God more?"
  
• Are you seeking satisfaction, fulfillment and comfort from food or God? Do a reality check. Take out the word "food" and put something else in there: friends, prestige, accomplishments, reputation, fun, being clever or witty, boyfriend/girlfriend, work, future plans, trips, money….
  
• The point is who or what do you treasure most? What you treasure, you fear the most of losing. To put it another way, are you more fearful of falling out of a right relationship with God than making new friends and "fitting in" at your school?
  

I’m lazy. Laziness is a sin.

• I found myself laughing yesterday as I was driving home from work. I was on the phone with my mom and she was being "mom." She was warning me to not overdo it (whatever it is) and to get my rest. With her southern drawl she said, "now remember, Marlizbeth, you had mono[nucleosis] when you were younger [15 yrs old and thanks to sharing an orange juice bottle with Denny Pearson, who was infected with mono and didn’t bother to tell anyone – really! I would LOVE to say I contracted it kissing an infected person…but I did not] and they [proverbial experts] said you’d always need to take it easy and get plenty of rest."
  
• It then hit me where I got the idea it was okay to justify my being lazy. Such pride! Like I knew more than God and I was an exception to His standard. I’ve played that "mono" card [recording] so many times that it has become a natural part of my life and excused, glossed over or made me not responsible for the fact that I am lazy.
  
• Earlier in the same day, I’d had an email exchange admitting my lifelong battle with my weight was largely due to being lazy. And, my love or treasuring food more than God. I think that is why Piper’s particular illustration with food struck a respondent chord deep down inside.
  
• So, I did go to bed by 9:45 p.m. last night, but I didn’t go to sleep. I spent time with God. I repented of my laziness and asked God to reshape my heart so I can treasure Him more than everything else….food, sleep, fashion, money, people’s opinions, EVERYthing.
  
  

Some of you don’t have a problem with laziness. It seems, this young man in the following passage pretty much lived an exceptional life. However, he lacked one thing.

Mark 10:17-22
As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.
You know the commandments, 'DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'"
And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up."
Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

Do you treasure God more than all you have and are able to do?
Think about it.
Please do keep me accountable on the laziness.
Be encouraged.
It is never too late to run after God.
Ready, set….g…stop.
Be still and know that God is God. (Psalm 46:10)
Be real.

Dogledanji!!

Sarah, I concur...

Frank & Jameson need to UPDATE their blogs!!!

Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Tropical Storms...Fair Weather

Luke 6:46-49 "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."

I am fascinated and terrified by the extreme weather patterns deluging the Eastern Seaboard, the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean right now. I marvel at the ensuing raw power of the weather and the helplessness of the lives affected. The names of Ivan, Frances, Gaston and Charley invoke dread, fear and feelings of utter loss. At times, my stomach clinches and tears sting my eyes as images of whole neighborhoods reduced to stacks of rubble flash across the screen. I could not fathom living in these areas and getting prepared for something so violent, unpredictable and inevitable.

It is amazing to see the images of people boarding up windows, loading up cars, purchasing supplies and deciding whether to evacuate or not. Most people leave the area in the path of the storm, but many choose to stay and “ride it out.” To the last person, every one is concentrated on and getting ready for the imminent devastating storm. Once they have done all they can do, they simply wait, watch, gather is groups of friends, family or neighbors and weather the storm.

All this reminds me of our Christian lives. The storms of life are imminent. There is no particular season for the trials and tribulations we will face (though, more often than not, they seem to follow some spiritual victory). However, we can either prepare for the storms or let them catch us off guard. It is the storms that shake us and reveal where our true foundation lies.

Psa 112:1, 7 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who greatly delights in His commandments.
He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Fall in love with God. Focus on Him. Take time to know God. Abide in Christ. Let no one thing, person or position take the place of putting God first in your heart and life. Trust God in all things. When the storms of life come, you will be ready and though affected, not damaged or devastated.

Mark 4:36-41 And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.

Fair weather is found resting in Christ Jesus.

dogledanji!!

Keep your focus on Christ...no matter what!

Romans 8:1-2; 26-301Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Phil. 1:2-6 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

I Thess 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

God is faithful, sovereign and holy. In God’s Word, things are often repeated to stress their emphasis and importance. In Isaiah 6:2-4, the Seraphim are around God’s thone. Vs. 3 says, “And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory."

How does the holiness of God impact you?

I love each of you dearly.

Keep your focus on the Lord. Don’t be like Peter and get distracted by the tumultuous storm raging around him.

dogledanji!!!

A quiet Saturday morning...

Last Sunday, Michael was teaching about being thankful God made tastebuds. Up and til about a day or so ago...mine were out of whack (or "afflicted" as some sweet southern belle might drawl).

This morning, they are doing their job with great finesse (if that is possible). Other than hearing, responding and visiting the lair of the Starbuck's Siren and feasting my palate upon a Chai Latte Venti, iced (is that the correct way to order it?)...a perfect cup of coffee in the morning is heavenly.

I miss quiet.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE people (especially neighborly visits and random enticements to hearken to the siren).

When I awaken to a quiet house (everybody is gone) and am able to putter around the garden a bit (to view and inspect my bountiful harvest of 8 pumpkins and 1 cantaloupe), I am well with the world.

When I am able to simply relish a GREAT cup of coffee while spending time with God and reading His Word, my soul is refreshed and I feel at peace. It is no wonder my Lord woke up early and went off to spend time with His Father. No distractions, no pulling and pushing of the masses, no hard of hearing and slow of understanding disciples. Simple, serene, satisfying quiet alone with the Lord God Almighty.

I think I am on a song kick lately. Now I am reminded of "In the Garden." Look for the site below to find the whole hymn, but a few lines flow across my heart and embrace my soul. Just like time spent alone, in quiet, with my Lord. :)

I come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses
and the voice I hear,
falling on my ear
the Son of God discloses

And, He walks with me
and He talks with me
and He tells me I am His own
and the joy we share, as we tarry there
none other has ever known.

This site has the history and the rest of the words to this hymn.

I love you Lord!!

dogeldanji!!

Random oddness

Either I have a fatal flaw in my brain or I'm not understanding how a spreadsheet program can understand every 4 years is a leap year and there is an extra day in that year!

Open a new Excel spreadsheet and in column A, Row 1 type 7/1/2003 and in column B, Row 1 type 6/30/2004. In column C, format the cell (or column) to be a number with no decimal extensions. In column C, type in the following equation: +B1-A1+1 and hit the enter key. If done correctly, you will get the number 366.

Using the same columns, but row 2, type in the next year of dates (i.e., 7/1/2004 and 6/30/2005). If done correctly, your new number in column C will be 365.

Amuse me, keep doing the next sequential set of fiscal years and when you get to 7/1/2007 to 6/30/2008, your number again will be 366.

HOW DOES EXCEL know it is a leap year and adds the extra day? Must be a programming thing. I guess it could be cause every 4 years is a leap year (as well as a Presidential Election year).

Randomly bizarre!!!

Okay, I feel better now. Just had to share that bit of oddness. It was freaking my boss (Debbie) out.

So, then, have a great Friday!
dogeldanji!!!

His Eye is on the Sparrow...

Matthew 6:26
"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

Matthew 10:29-32
"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven.

Hymn – His Eye is on the Sparrow
by Cavilla D. Martin, 1905

“Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.”

-Civilla Martin

The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain

Mark 4:36-41
Leaving the crowd, they *took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there *arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

Be encouraged. God is in control!

dogledanji!!

Amazing . . . Ants!

I believe I’ve discovered the type of ants that have colonized, set up perimeter outposts for reconnaissance and boldly invaded my pantry. Well, I’ve actually narrowed it down to either the Argentine Ant or the Pharaoh Ant. I’m hoping it is the Argentine Ant as the other variety is quite nasty and will attack you whilst you are sleeping (which already has me spinning into fits of itching, scratching and frequent visits to the ladies’ room to inspect my body).

I want to go on record and thank God for all the swarming hordes of ants He has allowed in my life. In this, too, I am pointed back to Him.

I truly detest them and, as Sally & Frank observed last night, I will go into a frenzy of nonsensical mumbling and quite a nasty, short, snippy behavior/attitude. I think they were relieved to let me leave the house on a hunt for ant baits.

Though ants are truly a nuisance, but not particularly harmful to humans, I guess my ultimate aversion to them relates to my natural need to be in control of things and have order in my life. Which should be an instant red flag that my focus has once again shifted off of Christ and onto me…me…me. Granted, it is not wrong to rid your home of pests and insects…but it is wrong to over-react to their presence and fly around the room, spouting off non-Christlike epithets and in general, acting like a complete imbecile (of which I was a superb example last night).

In Proverbs, Solomon points the sluggard to observe the ant (Proverbs 6:6-11).

Interesting facts about ants.

• They never sleep during mild weather.
• They carefully carry their eggs from the nest closer to the surface where it is warmer for the eggs. Then, as the day wanes and cooler temperatures increase, they carefully move the eggs deep within the nest for protection from the cold.
• When it rains or turns colder, they will take a piece of wood or tile and drag it until it covers their hole, thereby preventing the inclement weather from invading their homes.
• And, I guess they do sleep in the deep winter. They don’t store up food for the winter, cause that is when they don’t really need it.
• They gather and store food during the good weather. (Unless, of course, they are California Ants…where the weather is temperate and never grows so cold as to snow!)
  

I’ve neglected my time with the Lord lately. I could argue that I’ve been silly busy and working late into the night to get "things" done. Or, that I’ve been really tired and needed to catch up on my sleep. Or, that I had a summer cold and needed some "down" time. There is no valid excuse for neglecting my time with the Lord. I’ve been a sluggard in my relationship with the Lord.

So, the little ant, I am told to observe and learn from, has reminded me of a really valuable lesson. I need to remain diligent, disciplined and devoted to God spending time with Him in prayer, study and abiding rest. People, problems (like ants) and the daily struggle of life (or school, or relationships, or conflicts, or financial situations, etc…) will always swarm into my life (which doesn’t belong to me – remember?). If I have not been feasting upon God, I’m going to blow it in all those circumstances and be rendered useless for the Lord. I’ll miss out on the opportunity to serve Him, obey Him and be a useful vessel for His purposes and ultimate glory.

When you are faced with problems – do you exude Christ or someone else? Your answer will show you where your focus is.

Thank You, Lord, for the ants!

P.S. This link has some suggestions on Natural Ant Control Tips. I’ll let you know how they work!

Happy Birthing Day Anniversary & 1st Day of School

Happy Birthday to Sarah Rhiannon Jones!

Happy 14th anniversary of your birthing day. I wonder why it is we honor the one born and not the one who bore the one we celebrate? It is a rather symbiotic thing don’t you think? Without the one to bear the one born, whom would we be celebrating? Mother’s Day – most of you will respond. That is WHY we have Mother’s Day! Hmmm…it seems a bit unfair. We lump all the Moms into one day of celebrating them, and then we celebrate all the birthing days of those born daily. Seems out of balance to me. Must be another Hallmark device we’ve succumbed to like dim-witted ninnies.

So, congratulations to Judy Jones for giving birth to her youngest14 years ago today. Well done!

Happy first day of school to Jameson!

I hope all is going well for him today and that he finds all his classes, finds someone to have lunch with and really likes all his teachers! Sheesh, can you tell I'm a mom or what???

Have a great day in the Lord!
dogledanji!!!

Frog or Scorpion: Horizontal Grace

I wear many hats nowadays: mother, wife, daughter, sister, leader, disciple, mentor, counselor, peacekeeper, disciplinarian, mercy-giver. One hat I considered as I drove to work today was “grace extender.” The grace God grants to me, do I show grace like that to those around me? Do you?

The Scorpion and the Frog

Somewhere in the foggy recesses of my mind I remember a story I believe Frank told me about a scorpion and a frog.

Frog is sitting by the side of the stream when Scorpion approaches him.
Scorpion says to Frog, “allow me to crawl upon your back while you swim across the stream, so I can get to the other side.”
Frog considers and claims, “No! How do I know you will not sting me as I am taking you across? If you sting me, I will die.”
Scorpion explains to Frog, “If I were to sting you, I would not be able to get to the other side.” Seeing this logic, Frog agrees to take Scorpion across the stream.
Midway through the stream, Scorpion stings Frog.
As Frog is dying, he exclaims to Scorpion, “But I thought you said you wouldn’t sting me!”
Scorpion replies, “I am what I am. It is my nature to sting you.”

As believers, it is NOT our nature to sting one another. We, every last one of us, are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). The following passage explains how we are to act towards one another.

Rom 12:9-18 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Rom 14:7-13 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

I am convicted about being a youth leader. I am to be a frog and not a scorpion. My responsibility is to shepherd, not sting. My calling is to show the love of Christ, teach the Truth in love, show mercy and extend grace to those around me: whether I am stung or not. Because, it’s not about me. It is all about Jesus Christ. This life. My life…which is not my own, but now hidden in Christ Jesus (Col. 3:1-4).

Do you extend grace to those around you? Or are you a Scorpion?

Pierced to the heart...

Do your eyes glisten or does your heart begin to hammer when you hear the familiar notes ring out our national anthem? In a few days, we will once again be shown images of the Sept. 11th terrorists’ attacks in New York. When you see those images, do you tear up and catch your breath at the horrendous images of devastation, then images of bravery, hope and a nation united in rebuilding, but not forgetting what happened?

I do! I do!

What about when you hear the Doxology - do you get teary-eyed? Or, when you hear someone has become a new believer - does your heart quicken and rejoice? What about when a Christian discusses a triumph in their walk with Christ or a challenge - do you catch your breath and praise God?

Sometimes I do! Sometimes I don't!

Oh that we were like the early church! What kind of body would we be if we, as believers, were united in the Spirit and willing servants to the cause of Christ? Would it be we could forget the trivial and focus on the essential? Would it be that we would forget about our own needs and seek to meet the needs of those around us?

I want to! I want to!

Act 2:37-47 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!"
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Where is our continual devotion to the teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer? Where is our sense of awe? Where is our giving to those who have need? Do we even know what others need? Where is our gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all people?

I need to! I long to! I am willing to!

May we be pierced to the heart and fall in love with God! I will pray this for you. Ooooh, pray this for me! Let it begin with me.

Yes Lord, let it begin with me!