In these matter of moments until we reach eternity, can someone tell me where to find a great pair of jeans?!!!! I'm about to go crazy! I really do have a silly problem. I go to find a pair of jeans...BAM!...in luck....I'm in the dressing room and found the perfect pair....take them home....wear them for an hour....they begin to fall off. I'm beside myself with two new pairs in my closet and they don't fit.
Oh the little blessings in life. They can be such torment.
Can I just share with you the history of this silly muck that I'm stuck in...
The history of denim,
the 18th century in the eighteenth century as trade, slave labour, and cotton plantations increased, workers wore jean cloth because the material was very strong and it did not wear out easily.
the 19th century: the California gold rush the gold miners wanted clothes that were strong and did not tear easily.in 1853, Leob Strauss started a wholesale business, supplying clothes. Strauss later changed his name from leob to levi.
the 1930's: westerns cowboys - who often wore jeans in the movies-became very popular.
the 1940's: war; fewer jeans were made during the time of world war 2, but they were introduced to the world by American soldiers, who sometimes wore them when they were off duty. after the war, rival companies, like wrangler and lee, began to compete with levi for a share of the international market.
the 1950's: rebels in the 1950's, denim became popular with young people. It was the symbol of the teenage rebel in TV programmes and movies ( James dean in the 1955movie rebel without a cause). some schools in the unbanned students from wearing denim.
the 1960-70's: hippies & the cold war; different styles of jeans were made, to match the 60's fashions:embroidered jeans, painted jeans, psychedelic jeans...in many non-western countries, jeans became a symbol of' western decadence' and were very hard to get.
I think that I'm going back to pants...starting a revolution!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
90 Minutes in Heaven
So, I've been missing for a few weeks now...and I've found myself. I'm really not much of a reader, but my mom told me that I just had to read this book. "90 Minutes in Heaven" has consumed my evenings; and therefore, I have missed out on blogging. Anyway, I'm back, a changed person. "90 Minutes in Heaven" has changed my way of thought on life, as it should. Don Piper wrote this book to take account of his actual death and return to earth. Unbelievable! I really recommend it!
Thanks mom.
Thanks mom.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Praying Scripture for our Children
As parents, particularly fathers, it is important that we pray for our children constantly. It is likewise important to train them up to be responsible followers of Christ in every area of their lives. However, the Enemy realizes the importance of prayer and knows if he can keep us busy not to pray for our children, he has opportunities to work his way into their lives. Below is a prayer that was given to me by my mother after I had my first child. She received this written prayer and began to pray through scripture during the exact same season of my life that God became not only my savior, but also the Lord of my life. I believe that through her prayers, the Lord changed the jaded path I was on and brought me closer to His heart. I encourage you to keep this with you and pray this prayer daily that our children will know our heavenly Father and will experience all of the power they can through knowing Jesus and relying on the Holy Spirit.
Dear Father,
I thank You for my children today, because they are a blessing from You (Psalm 127:3). I pray that You will give me wisdom to train them up in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Since I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You that I am saved, as well as my household (Acts 16:31). I pray that my children will not forget Your teachings, but that they will let their heart keep Your commandments, for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to them.
May they not let kindness and truth leave them, but bind them around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts. Then they will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:1-4). May their hearts be open to receive Your wisdom and instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and equity, so that they may have prudence, knowledge, and discretion (Proverbs 1:2-4). May they be eager to listen to Your instruction, so that they will live securely and be at ease from the dread of evil (Proverbs 1:33). May they not reject Your discipline, or loathe Your reproof, but receive it as from a loving Father (Proverbs 3:11-12). As they hear and accept Godly instruction, I thank You that their steps will not be impeded, and they will not stumble (Proverbs 4:10-12).
In the name of Jesus, I bind the spirits of rebellion, foolishness, and stubbornness far from them, so that they will give attention to words of wisdom, and incline their ears to wise sayings. May they not let them depart from their sight, but may they keep them in the midst of their hearts, so that they will be life to them, and health to their whole body. May they learn to watch over their hearts with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:20-23).
May they observe the commandments of their father, and not forsake the teaching of their mother; may they bind them continually on their hearts, and tie them around their necks. Then, when they walk about, they will guide them; and when they sleep, they will watch over them; and when they wake, they will talk with them (Proverbs 10:1). May they heed instruction and be wise and make their father glad (Proverbs 13:20). May they quickly leave the presence of fools so that they will discern words of knowledge (Proverbs 14:7). In the name of Jesus, I bind the spirits of laziness, negligence, carelessness and complacency far from them, so that they will be diligent and rich, with no sorrow added to it (Proverbs 10:4,22). Since I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, (II Corinthians 5:21) I thank You that my children will be delivered (Proverbs 11:21) and that since I fear You, they will have refuge (Proverbs 14:26). I also thank You for the angels that watch over them constantly, who continually behold Your face (Matthew 18:10). Since my children are taught of You, I thank you that their peace will be great (Isaiah 54:13).
Father, I pray that You will remind me regularly to teach Your Word to my children, talking of it when I sit in my house, and when I walk along the road, and when I lie down, and when I rise up, so that their days my be multiplied (Deuteronomy 11:19,21). As I correct my children, I thank You that they will give me comfort and delight, and that they will never bring shame to their mother (Proverbs 22:15). I pray that You will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear you always (Jeremiah 32:39).
Thank You Father, that they shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity, since they are the offspring of those blessed by the Lord, and their descendants with them. Thank You also that Your loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear You, and Your righteousness to my children’s children, to those who keep Your covenant, and who remember Your precepts to do them (Psalm 103:17-18).
Father I pray that since the promise of the Holy Spirit is for me and my children as well (Acts 2:39) that they will desire and seek to receive this wonderful blessing. I pray that their ways will be pleasing to You so that even their enemies will be at peace with them (Proverbs 16:7). May they fear You and hold fast to the highway of upright, so that they will be kept from the evil (Proverbs 16:6,17). May they be prudent and see the evil, so that they can hide themselves (Proverbs 22:3). Thank You, though, that You have not given them a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).
I pray for an understanding and compassionate spirit towards my children, that I can truly perceive each concern they have, and encourage them and give them wise counsel. May I never provoke them to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). And may they continue to abide in Your grace. In Jesus’ Name Amen.
Dear Father,
I thank You for my children today, because they are a blessing from You (Psalm 127:3). I pray that You will give me wisdom to train them up in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Since I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You that I am saved, as well as my household (Acts 16:31). I pray that my children will not forget Your teachings, but that they will let their heart keep Your commandments, for length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to them.
May they not let kindness and truth leave them, but bind them around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts. Then they will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:1-4). May their hearts be open to receive Your wisdom and instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice, and equity, so that they may have prudence, knowledge, and discretion (Proverbs 1:2-4). May they be eager to listen to Your instruction, so that they will live securely and be at ease from the dread of evil (Proverbs 1:33). May they not reject Your discipline, or loathe Your reproof, but receive it as from a loving Father (Proverbs 3:11-12). As they hear and accept Godly instruction, I thank You that their steps will not be impeded, and they will not stumble (Proverbs 4:10-12).
In the name of Jesus, I bind the spirits of rebellion, foolishness, and stubbornness far from them, so that they will give attention to words of wisdom, and incline their ears to wise sayings. May they not let them depart from their sight, but may they keep them in the midst of their hearts, so that they will be life to them, and health to their whole body. May they learn to watch over their hearts with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:20-23).
May they observe the commandments of their father, and not forsake the teaching of their mother; may they bind them continually on their hearts, and tie them around their necks. Then, when they walk about, they will guide them; and when they sleep, they will watch over them; and when they wake, they will talk with them (Proverbs 10:1). May they heed instruction and be wise and make their father glad (Proverbs 13:20). May they quickly leave the presence of fools so that they will discern words of knowledge (Proverbs 14:7). In the name of Jesus, I bind the spirits of laziness, negligence, carelessness and complacency far from them, so that they will be diligent and rich, with no sorrow added to it (Proverbs 10:4,22). Since I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, (II Corinthians 5:21) I thank You that my children will be delivered (Proverbs 11:21) and that since I fear You, they will have refuge (Proverbs 14:26). I also thank You for the angels that watch over them constantly, who continually behold Your face (Matthew 18:10). Since my children are taught of You, I thank you that their peace will be great (Isaiah 54:13).
Father, I pray that You will remind me regularly to teach Your Word to my children, talking of it when I sit in my house, and when I walk along the road, and when I lie down, and when I rise up, so that their days my be multiplied (Deuteronomy 11:19,21). As I correct my children, I thank You that they will give me comfort and delight, and that they will never bring shame to their mother (Proverbs 22:15). I pray that You will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear you always (Jeremiah 32:39).
Thank You Father, that they shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity, since they are the offspring of those blessed by the Lord, and their descendants with them. Thank You also that Your loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear You, and Your righteousness to my children’s children, to those who keep Your covenant, and who remember Your precepts to do them (Psalm 103:17-18).
Father I pray that since the promise of the Holy Spirit is for me and my children as well (Acts 2:39) that they will desire and seek to receive this wonderful blessing. I pray that their ways will be pleasing to You so that even their enemies will be at peace with them (Proverbs 16:7). May they fear You and hold fast to the highway of upright, so that they will be kept from the evil (Proverbs 16:6,17). May they be prudent and see the evil, so that they can hide themselves (Proverbs 22:3). Thank You, though, that You have not given them a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7).
I pray for an understanding and compassionate spirit towards my children, that I can truly perceive each concern they have, and encourage them and give them wise counsel. May I never provoke them to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). And may they continue to abide in Your grace. In Jesus’ Name Amen.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Surrender
I'm giving you my heart, and all that is within
I lay it all down for the sake of you my King
I'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rights
I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life
And I surrender all to you, all to you
And I surrender all to you, all to you
I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross
And all the world holds dear, I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your name
To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain
I lay it all down for the sake of you my King
I'm giving you my dreams, I'm laying down my rights
I'm giving up my pride for the promise of new life
And I surrender all to you, all to you
And I surrender all to you, all to you
I'm singing You this song, I'm waiting at the cross
And all the world holds dear, I count it all as loss
For the sake of knowing You for the glory of Your name
To know the lasting joy, even sharing in Your pain
What amazing words Lincoln Brewster writes in his song Surrender. They are so powerful. How is it that others can so often put my heart's emotions into words so precisely and I struggle with how to spell 'refrigerator?' Is it an o or and e - I never can remember? I so often feel like I can't say what I mean or mean what I say. However, I know when I'm standing in church reading/ singing these words, my heart longs to believe them, to live them, to allow them to change my path. My dreams, my rights, my pride...all such sticky subjects and not ones so easily given up to my Lord. But oh when I do! What a release! What a peace that I'm given in exchange!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
And another thing
So two JW's knocked on my door this morning. A woman, probably 50 or so, and a young girl about 12. The girl held a Bible in her hand and the woman a bag on her shoulder. The woman began to speak and say that she lived in town and was going door to door asking this question, "with all of the terrible things going on in the world today leading to us having so much anxiety, where should we be focused, on the here and now or preparing for our future?" I told her "both." She said "yes, you're right." She offered me a brochure to which I declined and said that my hope is in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. She said that many people answer that way so let me read you another scripture. She said "oh its here somewhere in Psalm 11 (quickly looking, but no luck), or maybe Proverbs 11 (again quickly scanning her Bible that she had pulled out of her bag). She said, "well I can't find it now, but it says that the meek shall inherit the earth." She continued by asking me if I believed that people would be left here on earth while some went to heaven. I told her that the scripture she is looking for is found in Matthew 5 and that it really didn't matter to me one way or the other if people would still be here on earth. I was confident in where I was going. She quickly said thank you and good bye, turned around and took off.
I was a little surprised as to how fast she was willing to give up and how quickly she left my front porch, actually the threshold of my door (a little too close for my comfort). So if any one of you have encountered a JW appearance before you know that the quick 5 minutes haunts you for the entire day. I keep wondering if I said the right thing or made any impact on her at all. Will she come back bringing in the big guns? Will I be prepared? What to say? What to do? Then it hit me over dinner with a friend tonight...did I love her? Jesus says that others will know Him by the way we love each other. So, did I love her? I don't feel much like I did. If I was to, like I love my friends, I would have asked her to come inside, sit down, and have an IZZE with me. But oh the fear! To justify...first she is a complete stranger and I have my precious babies in the living room plus we're dog sitting for a friend, and second, I know she could just school me in scripture. Oh how intimidated we are as believers, as Christians. Where is our armor...where is my armor? I'm such a wuss. I teach my two year old that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her. Who am I? Whats going on? Is there anyone else out there that can relate to just "freezing up?" I don't really think that I said anything wrong, but did I say anything right...righteous, loving, holy, pure, good? Who knows? Like all, the moment has past.
So tonight, I pray for her and her innocent bystander. I pray for their hearts to be open to truth and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As well, I pray for myself. I pray for the Holy Spirit to be alive within me moment to moment. And I pray that I use my time wisely to glorify the living God, to further be prepared to love others and present God's love, sacrifice, forgiveness, grace and mercy before them. I pray for these things to cover my life...woe is me.
I was a little surprised as to how fast she was willing to give up and how quickly she left my front porch, actually the threshold of my door (a little too close for my comfort). So if any one of you have encountered a JW appearance before you know that the quick 5 minutes haunts you for the entire day. I keep wondering if I said the right thing or made any impact on her at all. Will she come back bringing in the big guns? Will I be prepared? What to say? What to do? Then it hit me over dinner with a friend tonight...did I love her? Jesus says that others will know Him by the way we love each other. So, did I love her? I don't feel much like I did. If I was to, like I love my friends, I would have asked her to come inside, sit down, and have an IZZE with me. But oh the fear! To justify...first she is a complete stranger and I have my precious babies in the living room plus we're dog sitting for a friend, and second, I know she could just school me in scripture. Oh how intimidated we are as believers, as Christians. Where is our armor...where is my armor? I'm such a wuss. I teach my two year old that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her. Who am I? Whats going on? Is there anyone else out there that can relate to just "freezing up?" I don't really think that I said anything wrong, but did I say anything right...righteous, loving, holy, pure, good? Who knows? Like all, the moment has past.
So tonight, I pray for her and her innocent bystander. I pray for their hearts to be open to truth and understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As well, I pray for myself. I pray for the Holy Spirit to be alive within me moment to moment. And I pray that I use my time wisely to glorify the living God, to further be prepared to love others and present God's love, sacrifice, forgiveness, grace and mercy before them. I pray for these things to cover my life...woe is me.
Bombarded
Bombarded. It came to mind this morning as I began to read yet another website designed to update prayer worriers of a boy's progress after brain surgery not only three weeks ago. I got an e-mail from a friend back in TX who wanted me to pray for Jerrod Shelton...God answered in a mighty way and He is continuing to do so for another distant friend in TN. Copeland Farley passed away last month and yet her mother continues to share with us how she is dealing with loosing her week old baby girl. This family's testimony is breathtaking. God has used so much pain for so much good. Hundreds of bloggers have been touched by her writings, some even have come face to face with their own salvation. They have truly taken me to another place spiritually, yet I wonder, is there more? Copeland's mom wrote "the depths to which He will take us will only be matched by the depths of His character He longs to reveal." I crave for Him to reveal Himself to me in mighty ways, but wonder if there is more that I'm missing in the blessing. She hurts so desperately. She also wrote, "I also ache for the painless, for the life of ease where there was no need for the knowing." Is this me she is speaking of? Is she aching for me?
It was not until 2 years ago that my granddad died at 92 years old that I had faced loosing a loved one. I felt so blessed in that. He has been the only person remotely close to me to die. His wife is still living and will be 96 in just under 4 months. As we can all say, we never long for anyone that we know or love to pass away. I don't wish that on myself or any one else. However, I long to know the Jesus that she is getting to know. I long to know him at his core. What will that take?.......Life. And even life doesn't always bring believers to know him at his core. Who will it be? Who will be those that he says "flee from me for I never knew you." What is it to know him? If to know him is to trust him, how do I trust him. And when I do, it is not promised that I, and my family, will be protected from this fallen world. Its here and now. Its attacking. Its penetrating families, children, teens, marriages, and hearts. Its almost like I would want to buy some "Life insurance" package that allows me the knowledge to know that nothing bad will ever happen to me or anyone I know and love; meanwhile, I get to know Jesus wholeheartedly with no reservations. Wouldn't that be great? Maybe true deal in this "life insurance" package is that all of my worry and humanity is exchanged for Peace. Peace in knowing that the God of creation cares about measly little me. For whatever happens in my life's path, He cares and will bring Glory to His name, not mine. It may be the best life ever with dances through the wildflowers and/or it may stink (or as an old pastor once said "life sucks dirt"). Well, it may just do that. But for me the the exchange for my life is Peace. Peace beyond all understanding...that's just it, I don't get it. I don't get God's plan and nor should I ever. He is God. What a relief. This girl doesn't have to get it in order to gain it. He is the God that gives and takes away. Let blessing come and let His power prevail over darkness. Let healing take place. Let me be used in the brokenness that surrounds me. And let the God of the universe be revealed.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The Alpha
Is it not just a matter of moments that we are on this earth? Life is so precious, priceless, and yet so short. As a mother of three, I'm always hearing, "they grow up so fast," and "take advantage of this time while they are little." No kidding! My husband and I always say how silly it is to say that and yet how true. I once heard a mother speak at a marriage conference say "when our children are so young, the days are long and the years are all too short."
I wanted to start this blog as I have become truly inspired by a distant friend. She started her blog as she found out that her unborn second child had been diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal disorder. As her daughter turned 8 days old, she left us and went home to her maker, where there she may truly live, free from any illness. This family's story has been published on their blog and they continue to update their heart felt emotions, trials and grief. I first questioned their open door to their family, but quickly took back my inquiry as I learned of some of their postings receiving nearly 600 comments! One most recent was made by a women truly struggling with her own salvation. How awesome is God to use such a broken family through a blog, of all things, to grow His Kingdom! He is outstanding and never ceases to amazing me! Anyway, after reading and connecting with her blog family, I too wanted to belong. I want to be included in God's Glorious appearances.
Truthfully, I really don't know the half of what I'm getting myself into. All I know is that my family deserves my time to remember their fruit and labor. I want to be the one to document when our lives are touched with God's power, His majesty, His healing, and His hand as we walk through this all so short existence. Fortunately, its only a matter of moments before we will walk with our King, sit and dine with him, and share these beautiful memories with him - as He is before them, in them, and follows after them. Oh what precious moments!
Jo
I wanted to start this blog as I have become truly inspired by a distant friend. She started her blog as she found out that her unborn second child had been diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a rare chromosomal disorder. As her daughter turned 8 days old, she left us and went home to her maker, where there she may truly live, free from any illness. This family's story has been published on their blog and they continue to update their heart felt emotions, trials and grief. I first questioned their open door to their family, but quickly took back my inquiry as I learned of some of their postings receiving nearly 600 comments! One most recent was made by a women truly struggling with her own salvation. How awesome is God to use such a broken family through a blog, of all things, to grow His Kingdom! He is outstanding and never ceases to amazing me! Anyway, after reading and connecting with her blog family, I too wanted to belong. I want to be included in God's Glorious appearances.
Truthfully, I really don't know the half of what I'm getting myself into. All I know is that my family deserves my time to remember their fruit and labor. I want to be the one to document when our lives are touched with God's power, His majesty, His healing, and His hand as we walk through this all so short existence. Fortunately, its only a matter of moments before we will walk with our King, sit and dine with him, and share these beautiful memories with him - as He is before them, in them, and follows after them. Oh what precious moments!
Jo
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