Sometimes the best things in life are those that come along when they are least expected. This is true of many things in my life. For some people this could be a new home, moving to a new town, or state, leaving a job, having a baby, .... endless list. It might be as simple of wishing for a bowl of soup on a cold day and having it given to you.
Though my visit might not be such a gem, I thought it was time to, since I was poking around on your blogs my friends, to give a quick update on life in our neck of the woods.
Our oldest is happily married. I couldn't ask for a better wife for him. She is a jewel and they go together like a pair of gloves. If you haven't already, their wedding photos are on our site www.boazbaptist.com under wedding pictures. We also put up a page for them as they seek God's will for ministry and work.
Now our second oldest is in Florida at PBI. Yes, that is Pensacola BIBLE INSTITUTE, not PCC. (No offense intended) After his trip to Sicily last summer, God's will was made clear about a situation, and we are just waiting for a few more things to fall into place before sharing more info about that. We've also put a page up for him. Josh.
We've added alot there--homeschool page, videos, audio stuff....check it out someday. www.boazbaptist.com
Over the last bunch of months, there are some situations that God really resolved for us. Have you ever been in a position where you think you should ________ but you don't.? Deep down you know one day a choice will have to be made and acted upon but you keep hoping that day will never come. Well, those days have come for us. At the moment of "impact" the pain was unbearable, and could have destroyed us, except that God didn't allow that to happen. Oddly enough, now that it is over, there is an odd element of relief, pressure has been let off that we didnt' even know or feel was as bad as it was. I wish that none of the bad stuff had to happen, but now that it is over, it is nice not waiting for it to explode, or wonder why we "felt" the way did.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Behind on things
It feels like that is the story of my life...being behind on things....at least for the last 20 yrs. or so. Funny that those years seem to have flown by so rapidly, like a blink if you will. One day my firstborn baby is just minutes old, and then, POOF, he is 22 yrs. old.
When my babies were babies, older women often commented how quickly the years go by. At the time I felt pretty overwhelmed with feeding, dressing, cleaning, washing,... that I just wanted the dependency on me to let up, just a little bit. Funny thing is that it felt kinda sudden. Like one day they needed me for every little thing, and overnight they needed me for very little.
The truth is, their needing me didn't really go away, it simply changed. What I was needed for became more important, and was much weightier than matching their shirt and pants, or tying their shoes. Fulfilling physical needs was bypassed by the the spiritual, education, emotional and mental needs.
Though I have often joked about being a referee all day long, for years on end, these past few years have really brought me into reality.
I've always known my children were supposed to grow up, and go out to have a life of their own. Make no mistake knowledge and reality are not the same thing. Reality has alot more attatched to it.
Along the way we dream of what we want for our children, how we pray their lives will turn out, and plead with Father to shield them from repeating our mistakes. Moms have many hopes and dreams for their babies. You look at the newborn babe in you arms and wonder who will they be when they grow up, hoping that they will get saved and love and serve God with their whole heart, mind, strength. With each passing milestone, you look forward to them reaching the next, and the next, and the next,....and then, without any warning, you realize with dread, that every milestone they reach takes them that much closer to the day when they will hug and kiss you goodbye. It matters not how long they will be gone....hours, days, weeks, months or years....that pang in your heart is unmistakeable. It can't be swept aside.
Time doesn't "heal" the ache, it just lets you get used to the empty place they leave behind. And some nights you still cry yourself to sleep.
When my babies were babies, older women often commented how quickly the years go by. At the time I felt pretty overwhelmed with feeding, dressing, cleaning, washing,... that I just wanted the dependency on me to let up, just a little bit. Funny thing is that it felt kinda sudden. Like one day they needed me for every little thing, and overnight they needed me for very little.
The truth is, their needing me didn't really go away, it simply changed. What I was needed for became more important, and was much weightier than matching their shirt and pants, or tying their shoes. Fulfilling physical needs was bypassed by the the spiritual, education, emotional and mental needs.
Though I have often joked about being a referee all day long, for years on end, these past few years have really brought me into reality.
I've always known my children were supposed to grow up, and go out to have a life of their own. Make no mistake knowledge and reality are not the same thing. Reality has alot more attatched to it.
Along the way we dream of what we want for our children, how we pray their lives will turn out, and plead with Father to shield them from repeating our mistakes. Moms have many hopes and dreams for their babies. You look at the newborn babe in you arms and wonder who will they be when they grow up, hoping that they will get saved and love and serve God with their whole heart, mind, strength. With each passing milestone, you look forward to them reaching the next, and the next, and the next,....and then, without any warning, you realize with dread, that every milestone they reach takes them that much closer to the day when they will hug and kiss you goodbye. It matters not how long they will be gone....hours, days, weeks, months or years....that pang in your heart is unmistakeable. It can't be swept aside.
Time doesn't "heal" the ache, it just lets you get used to the empty place they leave behind. And some nights you still cry yourself to sleep.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Since my last post about our son, much has happened.
For those who may have missed it, in a nutshell, last Friday [8/28/09] (it seems like much more than a week ago) he came to me and told me he felt that God wanted him to go to Bible school. This didn't shock me, but where he picked surely did. The school he was selecting is one that he has repeatedly commented to us about what is wrong, doctrinally, with the place. It made very little sense to me as a mom and as a Christian. When he told me I was physically ill. Then he went to Daddy and told him. Then it becomes a blur of bad attitude and grudges on my sons part. At the end of the day, he was on his way to a bible school without our blessing (not that that is necessary), and against his own assessment of the place.
Now to bring you up to date from Friday....
Sat. we talked to him for a long time on the phone. He stood his ground. That also made me wonder if my "gut" was wrong about where he'd chosen to go. He is normally very sensitve to the LORD and is well grounded in what he believes, so I had to ask and reask myself, am I upset because my son is leaving home unexpectedly, or is it truly an unrest in my heart and soul put there by the LORD. The last thing we want to do is impose our will on our child over Gods, but at the same time, if we see a danger sign flashing and he misses it, isn't it a good idea for us to at least say, hey, did you see that sign back there?
Sunday night we talked for several hours again, voicing our concerns, and reminding him of his own statements=hypocrisy and how we believed he needed to come home, even if it was not a permanent return home, to make things right between us. He really didn't answer.
Monday morning we talked and I literally begged him to come home and make things right with us. NOT to keep him home, but to at least embark on the next step of his life's journey in pursuit of God's will and ministry to do it without any hard feelings between us. He agreed to come home.
In between that phone call, he spoke to the head of the bible school who compelled him to linger there while he called us. During the 2 1/2 hour phone call, being accused and having our privacy invaded, bringing up past "crimes", my son still hadn't left for home. We thought he was well on his way during that time. Even after the phone call, he still didn't leave right away, because he wanted to talk to him more. Finally, around 6pm he headed back to us, arriving around 11pm. He looked horrible, and it was painfully obvious that he hadn't slept in many days, and prior to his leaving us he complained to me that he hadnt been sleeping. That night he slept though.
In the time between his coming home, we sought the counsel of other pastors whom we respect, who would be able to look at things neutrally, and show us if we were way off base, or not. They had nothing to gain or lose. What we were told from these brethren only reinforced our position on the matter. None of the counselors spoke against the pastor/church specifically, but none were in full agreement with the handling of the matter. And all found the 20 yr. old is a man doctrine odd, laughable, and lacking wisdom and discretion. That doctrine is the hinge used to justify all that went on behind the scenes that we only learned of AFTER what I will share with you a little later on.
The next morning, we gathered him to us with his sister present and discussed at length many things, including the phone call that shredded us as parents, made us feel violated, betrayed, judged etc. Hours later, with a calmness upon from the LORD, he still stood his ground. Bob decided to contact those pastors who we'd spoken to the day before. Then after hearing them, our son stated he was going into the woods to pray.
Many things went on during this time, but I felt as though we were literally fighting for our son, and for his life. We felt as though this other person was determined to steal our son from us any way he could.
Not too much later, our son returned to our room, and the second he walked into the room I knew the LORD had done something wondrous. The relief in his gait and face proved it. When he announced he was going back to pick up his stuff and come back etc, he decided to tell us the whole truth of the mess he'd made.
With the help of 2 other people, one of them the head of the bible school, they, the 3 of them, lied to us, snuck around, and hid from us that he was planning to leave home and come to that school. He told us he threw things in our face, so he could make his father mad to throw him out of the house. Then he told us that he had chosen "that school" because it was the path of least resistance, and that God had already been leading him to another school, but he was refusing to go for too many reasons to tell.
The head of "that school" had conspired to get him to come there, and to keep him, by conveniently agreeing to let him leave his belonging in his house. Hence, the trip back to get his stuff.
After full confession was made, we rang up another pastor we respect, who has a bible school in his church, and gave him the scenario of what went on. His suggestion was simple and wise-pick 3 schools or 5 or... parents and adult child pray together about which one and the one they all agree on is the one you go to. Simple. By the end of the phone call we all knew that he was going to PBI in Pensacola, FL. That was Tuesday night.
Wed. morning my son and I hit the road early-5am headed back to the pastors house to get his stuff. With the timing of all this, our schedule was tight. PBI orientation is on Monday, and it is a long drive from here to there. The trip, though tiring, was so fun in the sense that we talked and talked and just had a ball together. See the sneakiness broke fellowship. Once he'd gotten that out and stopped running from what he already knew was God's leading, the peace came in. On the drive he called the pastor and told him he was coming to get his stuff and when we'd arrive. We got there as planned timewise but he was not home, only his children. We quietly and quickly packed his belongings, he said goodbye and we drove off. We did stop to fellowhsip with some beloved ones before heading home.
The trip home was through some beautiful countryside we'd never seen before. And we got home here in PA around 11 PM.
Long tiring day. Our son slept soundly that night and last night. Yesterday he sorted clothes and stuff, packed all he could manage, and we geared up for his departure.
Unlike his leaving last Friday, my crying was not tears of gut-wretching grief but joy and sorrow. Another phase of life is beginning. He is leaving his twin after 20 yrs. He is embarking on adulthood on his own, but with God he is sure to be successful.
Shortly after 11am he drove away, teary-eyed but so joyful, and without any doubt or secrets about what he is doing or where he is going.
There are hundreds of details I've left out for the sake of time. . I am torn between feeling that I should tell the world about who and where, and yet I do not want to destroy anything either. I will say that the handling of this was shocking. We cannot imagine wanting a godly young person to come to your Bible school in such an underhanded manner. It would bother us. It did bother us. For anyone who knows of whom I speak, please know that we are not bitter.
Thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for our son, traveling on faith and fumes--he needs God to provide for his needs. He is truly going out by faith-no job, no savings, just a few dollars. Praise the LORD that Stacey and her husband are gracious enough to let him stay with them until he can get settled. Please pray for God to enable our son, and all our children to serve Him above and beyond what we think or ask.
For those who may have missed it, in a nutshell, last Friday [8/28/09] (it seems like much more than a week ago) he came to me and told me he felt that God wanted him to go to Bible school. This didn't shock me, but where he picked surely did. The school he was selecting is one that he has repeatedly commented to us about what is wrong, doctrinally, with the place. It made very little sense to me as a mom and as a Christian. When he told me I was physically ill. Then he went to Daddy and told him. Then it becomes a blur of bad attitude and grudges on my sons part. At the end of the day, he was on his way to a bible school without our blessing (not that that is necessary), and against his own assessment of the place.
Now to bring you up to date from Friday....
Sat. we talked to him for a long time on the phone. He stood his ground. That also made me wonder if my "gut" was wrong about where he'd chosen to go. He is normally very sensitve to the LORD and is well grounded in what he believes, so I had to ask and reask myself, am I upset because my son is leaving home unexpectedly, or is it truly an unrest in my heart and soul put there by the LORD. The last thing we want to do is impose our will on our child over Gods, but at the same time, if we see a danger sign flashing and he misses it, isn't it a good idea for us to at least say, hey, did you see that sign back there?
Sunday night we talked for several hours again, voicing our concerns, and reminding him of his own statements=hypocrisy and how we believed he needed to come home, even if it was not a permanent return home, to make things right between us. He really didn't answer.
Monday morning we talked and I literally begged him to come home and make things right with us. NOT to keep him home, but to at least embark on the next step of his life's journey in pursuit of God's will and ministry to do it without any hard feelings between us. He agreed to come home.
In between that phone call, he spoke to the head of the bible school who compelled him to linger there while he called us. During the 2 1/2 hour phone call, being accused and having our privacy invaded, bringing up past "crimes", my son still hadn't left for home. We thought he was well on his way during that time. Even after the phone call, he still didn't leave right away, because he wanted to talk to him more. Finally, around 6pm he headed back to us, arriving around 11pm. He looked horrible, and it was painfully obvious that he hadn't slept in many days, and prior to his leaving us he complained to me that he hadnt been sleeping. That night he slept though.
In the time between his coming home, we sought the counsel of other pastors whom we respect, who would be able to look at things neutrally, and show us if we were way off base, or not. They had nothing to gain or lose. What we were told from these brethren only reinforced our position on the matter. None of the counselors spoke against the pastor/church specifically, but none were in full agreement with the handling of the matter. And all found the 20 yr. old is a man doctrine odd, laughable, and lacking wisdom and discretion. That doctrine is the hinge used to justify all that went on behind the scenes that we only learned of AFTER what I will share with you a little later on.
The next morning, we gathered him to us with his sister present and discussed at length many things, including the phone call that shredded us as parents, made us feel violated, betrayed, judged etc. Hours later, with a calmness upon from the LORD, he still stood his ground. Bob decided to contact those pastors who we'd spoken to the day before. Then after hearing them, our son stated he was going into the woods to pray.
Many things went on during this time, but I felt as though we were literally fighting for our son, and for his life. We felt as though this other person was determined to steal our son from us any way he could.
Not too much later, our son returned to our room, and the second he walked into the room I knew the LORD had done something wondrous. The relief in his gait and face proved it. When he announced he was going back to pick up his stuff and come back etc, he decided to tell us the whole truth of the mess he'd made.
With the help of 2 other people, one of them the head of the bible school, they, the 3 of them, lied to us, snuck around, and hid from us that he was planning to leave home and come to that school. He told us he threw things in our face, so he could make his father mad to throw him out of the house. Then he told us that he had chosen "that school" because it was the path of least resistance, and that God had already been leading him to another school, but he was refusing to go for too many reasons to tell.
The head of "that school" had conspired to get him to come there, and to keep him, by conveniently agreeing to let him leave his belonging in his house. Hence, the trip back to get his stuff.
After full confession was made, we rang up another pastor we respect, who has a bible school in his church, and gave him the scenario of what went on. His suggestion was simple and wise-pick 3 schools or 5 or... parents and adult child pray together about which one and the one they all agree on is the one you go to. Simple. By the end of the phone call we all knew that he was going to PBI in Pensacola, FL. That was Tuesday night.
Wed. morning my son and I hit the road early-5am headed back to the pastors house to get his stuff. With the timing of all this, our schedule was tight. PBI orientation is on Monday, and it is a long drive from here to there. The trip, though tiring, was so fun in the sense that we talked and talked and just had a ball together. See the sneakiness broke fellowship. Once he'd gotten that out and stopped running from what he already knew was God's leading, the peace came in. On the drive he called the pastor and told him he was coming to get his stuff and when we'd arrive. We got there as planned timewise but he was not home, only his children. We quietly and quickly packed his belongings, he said goodbye and we drove off. We did stop to fellowhsip with some beloved ones before heading home.
The trip home was through some beautiful countryside we'd never seen before. And we got home here in PA around 11 PM.
Long tiring day. Our son slept soundly that night and last night. Yesterday he sorted clothes and stuff, packed all he could manage, and we geared up for his departure.
Unlike his leaving last Friday, my crying was not tears of gut-wretching grief but joy and sorrow. Another phase of life is beginning. He is leaving his twin after 20 yrs. He is embarking on adulthood on his own, but with God he is sure to be successful.
Shortly after 11am he drove away, teary-eyed but so joyful, and without any doubt or secrets about what he is doing or where he is going.
There are hundreds of details I've left out for the sake of time. . I am torn between feeling that I should tell the world about who and where, and yet I do not want to destroy anything either. I will say that the handling of this was shocking. We cannot imagine wanting a godly young person to come to your Bible school in such an underhanded manner. It would bother us. It did bother us. For anyone who knows of whom I speak, please know that we are not bitter.
Thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for our son, traveling on faith and fumes--he needs God to provide for his needs. He is truly going out by faith-no job, no savings, just a few dollars. Praise the LORD that Stacey and her husband are gracious enough to let him stay with them until he can get settled. Please pray for God to enable our son, and all our children to serve Him above and beyond what we think or ask.
Monday, August 31, 2009
It's been a few days, and we have spent many hours on the phone with J. As the quiet son, it is hard for talkative parents to get much out of him, and for him to get his thoughts out. This morning, after yet another restless night praying off and on as the hours passed, I am unable to shake off my misgivings about where he is choosing to go. Much of these are borne from his own comments against the place, for a variety of reasons, including doctrine. I know I should be happy that he wants to get into the Word, and learn, and get training for the ministry. I wish we felt as though we were sending him out of our home with our blessing. If not for the doctrinal issues, and his own fault-finding, we might have been able to do this. I know I am just babbling but I really need to vent to someone about this. We are all pretty burnt out from the trials of life we've been dealing with. I am holding onto Rom. 8:28 for dear life, again. I am so thankful for the precious promises of God in His Word.
Earlier today we learned how we are percieved by someone and that has filled in many gaps for us. It explains the why behind the feeling of being tolerated that we have during visits. That is hard to take. And it is pretty humbling, and humiliating to know that people feel justified to point out things in your life, when they don't really know you at all.
Please pray for our family. Pray for my husband as the head and father of this family--for wisdom and grace, and that all the fruits of the spirit would be manifested in his life for all to see; for me that I will be able to keep it together until we get over this wave that is over my head right now, that I will be able to forgive the hurt and pain inflicted by people involved, and not hold a grudge against them for their judgement of us; for our children that they will be grow to be godly men and women giving their very lives in service to God, and will not allow the failings of their parents, and the stupidity of our mistakes, mar them or cause them to grow bitter towards us, or others.
I feel like a part of my private life has been invaded, and trust that was broken will take many years to restore. God is able to heal the brokenness. My heart is broken. I am extremely hurt and upset by the revelations of this afternoon.
And I am feeling betrayed by some I love deeply because they have misplaced their loyalty.
Pray for me. Pray for us. God has blessed us greatly and He is good to us, and I know that in the end we will see the good in this occurrance, but at the moment the wounds are too raw for me to feel anything but resentment, pain, fear, uncertainty, anger. Though it would do me no good at all, I want to hang someone out to dry, royally. Pray for me. Pray for us.
Earlier today we learned how we are percieved by someone and that has filled in many gaps for us. It explains the why behind the feeling of being tolerated that we have during visits. That is hard to take. And it is pretty humbling, and humiliating to know that people feel justified to point out things in your life, when they don't really know you at all.
Please pray for our family. Pray for my husband as the head and father of this family--for wisdom and grace, and that all the fruits of the spirit would be manifested in his life for all to see; for me that I will be able to keep it together until we get over this wave that is over my head right now, that I will be able to forgive the hurt and pain inflicted by people involved, and not hold a grudge against them for their judgement of us; for our children that they will be grow to be godly men and women giving their very lives in service to God, and will not allow the failings of their parents, and the stupidity of our mistakes, mar them or cause them to grow bitter towards us, or others.
I feel like a part of my private life has been invaded, and trust that was broken will take many years to restore. God is able to heal the brokenness. My heart is broken. I am extremely hurt and upset by the revelations of this afternoon.
And I am feeling betrayed by some I love deeply because they have misplaced their loyalty.
Pray for me. Pray for us. God has blessed us greatly and He is good to us, and I know that in the end we will see the good in this occurrance, but at the moment the wounds are too raw for me to feel anything but resentment, pain, fear, uncertainty, anger. Though it would do me no good at all, I want to hang someone out to dry, royally. Pray for me. Pray for us.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Treasures of My Heart.
Last Saturday was the biggest event in our family in a LONG time. It was a first for us--our oldest son got married. His wife is a dear sweet girl who I feel more like I've adopted.My affection for her is above in-law quality.
Always the weepy one, I was half a bucket of tears for days before we left, and of course, at rehearsal, and the ceremony.
The spirit of God fairly oozed out the windows and doors during the ceremony. Many, many prayers had been offered on their behalf for this important occassion, as well as the months of difficulty, testing, and trials they endured to reach the altar.
All I could do was praise the LORD for redemption, mercy, grace. He is so kind and sweet to us, and seeing the two lovebirds gazing intently into one anothers eyes, not another soul was in the room to them, it overwhelmed me. I do not deserve such blessing and joy. IT is just too good. God is TOO good to me. And I am ashamed at how often I take it for granted, take Him for granted.
Please visit our site at www.boazbaptist.com/ and click on the photo of the newlyweds to see wedding photos. If you scroll down to David sitting in the wagon, at less than 2 years of age, click on him to be taken to our video page to view "A Perfect Gift" which is the title of the slideshow that opened the floodgates and so many memories came rushing at me.
My heart if full with these thoughts of making the most of the moments we have. We can only live for the now. We can't plan to do, or go, or be. All we have is this second to breathe and do our best for Jesus sake. Do all to His glory and you'll never regret it.
Now go grab some kleenex before you click away from here.
Always the weepy one, I was half a bucket of tears for days before we left, and of course, at rehearsal, and the ceremony.
The spirit of God fairly oozed out the windows and doors during the ceremony. Many, many prayers had been offered on their behalf for this important occassion, as well as the months of difficulty, testing, and trials they endured to reach the altar.
All I could do was praise the LORD for redemption, mercy, grace. He is so kind and sweet to us, and seeing the two lovebirds gazing intently into one anothers eyes, not another soul was in the room to them, it overwhelmed me. I do not deserve such blessing and joy. IT is just too good. God is TOO good to me. And I am ashamed at how often I take it for granted, take Him for granted.
Please visit our site at www.boazbaptist.com/ and click on the photo of the newlyweds to see wedding photos. If you scroll down to David sitting in the wagon, at less than 2 years of age, click on him to be taken to our video page to view "A Perfect Gift" which is the title of the slideshow that opened the floodgates and so many memories came rushing at me.
My heart if full with these thoughts of making the most of the moments we have. We can only live for the now. We can't plan to do, or go, or be. All we have is this second to breathe and do our best for Jesus sake. Do all to His glory and you'll never regret it.
Now go grab some kleenex before you click away from here.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
6 Days Until the Wedding
There are many other things I should probably be doing. Where have you heard that before? Perhaps as you read this you are thinking the same thing. But I need to take a break and put my thoughts into words.
We are all getting super excited here. The countdown, which began in January, is almost finished. By this time next week, our family will have grown one member larger. My hubby was teasing me, at first, that this was the easiest labor I'd ever have, and this "birth" would be pain-free. I won't go that far. It's been easy, but my new daughter...I can't think of enough things to say about her. She is absolutely head-over-heels in love with our son, and she loves the LORD and trusted the LORD to bring her prince charming to her in His time. If she hadn't waited THIS wedding would not be taking place at all.
All this past week I have just been a bundle of emotions. One moment I am caught up in the excitment of a wedding, in our family. Then the very next I find myself wondering if I will make it through the ceremony and after without blubbering like a baby. Hey, I can watch total strangers get married, and I tear up. I've kidded my sister about bringing a case of kleenex, and we've agreed not to look at each other until after they are pronounced husband and wife.
This new season of life, is being entered at a far higher speed than I'd ever imagined. Back when my lambs were under age 13, we often pondered how the LORD would bring them a spouse. My faith was pretty big the day I stated that God would bring them to our front door if necessary. There was no need to fret, or hunt for him/her. And if God does it, you'll know it.
Little did I know then, just how much truth I had spoken. But that is a story...ok....there are 2 stories...for another day.
As I said I shoudl be doing other things, and since I have cleared my head a bit, I am going to set about getting to it.
Pray for the LORD to bless the newlyweds as they embark on a wondrous, lifelong journey.
We are all getting super excited here. The countdown, which began in January, is almost finished. By this time next week, our family will have grown one member larger. My hubby was teasing me, at first, that this was the easiest labor I'd ever have, and this "birth" would be pain-free. I won't go that far. It's been easy, but my new daughter...I can't think of enough things to say about her. She is absolutely head-over-heels in love with our son, and she loves the LORD and trusted the LORD to bring her prince charming to her in His time. If she hadn't waited THIS wedding would not be taking place at all.
All this past week I have just been a bundle of emotions. One moment I am caught up in the excitment of a wedding, in our family. Then the very next I find myself wondering if I will make it through the ceremony and after without blubbering like a baby. Hey, I can watch total strangers get married, and I tear up. I've kidded my sister about bringing a case of kleenex, and we've agreed not to look at each other until after they are pronounced husband and wife.
This new season of life, is being entered at a far higher speed than I'd ever imagined. Back when my lambs were under age 13, we often pondered how the LORD would bring them a spouse. My faith was pretty big the day I stated that God would bring them to our front door if necessary. There was no need to fret, or hunt for him/her. And if God does it, you'll know it.
Little did I know then, just how much truth I had spoken. But that is a story...ok....there are 2 stories...for another day.
As I said I shoudl be doing other things, and since I have cleared my head a bit, I am going to set about getting to it.
Pray for the LORD to bless the newlyweds as they embark on a wondrous, lifelong journey.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Flashback to the "80's
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Today was a good day of working for the LORD and a modernized attempt to get the gospel to the masses via the internet.
Before I explain what we did, allow me to share the history behind what we were able to do today.
June 23, 1986--at that time we lived in Astoria Queens, NY. At the time, we were so small, that we couldn't afford to rent a place for services. We met in our apartment once-a-week for Bible study, which we conducted like a regular church service. There was singing, prayers, fellowship, and sermons.
To be public, and open to guests, we would meet as a group on the same street corner at the same time every Sunday. The address was printed on all our tracts. Obviously, only the serious enquirers showed-up. After waiting a reasonable amount of time, usually 15 - 30 min. we would walk back to our apartment for some light refreshments and church.
Always on the lookout for interesting or different ways to get people's attention, Pastor Bob got the idea to start a phone ministry.
Pastor Bob's idea was to record a short gospel message on an answering machine. This was a painstaking process. There were no hi-tech gizmos available to help us. Pastor Bob would write up his sermon. It had to be exactly 3 minutes or the cassette which played on a loop would record over the beginning of the message.
We also had business cards printed up with the title of the message or a catchy short phrase or question that would peak the curiousity of those who found the cards, and phone number. When the message and cards were ready to go, we would make a "midnight raid". Literally. With rolls of scotch tape and stacks of cards, we would go to areas that were busy by day, and tape these cards to doors, storefront gates and windows, apartment building entrances, parking meters, etc. Any place we could tape them without causing damage to property, we put them up.
By the time we arrived home after our raid, the phone was already ringing off the hook. Hundreds of calls came in after these raids.
Though we don't know if anyone ever got saved as a result of this ministry, MANY people heard part or all of the Gospel.
A total of 5 messages were done.
Speeding up to the present day, we still have the original cassettes these messages were recorded on. They have been digitized, and today they have been put back into use.
If you would like to listen to any, or all of them; please follow the individual links below. Share them with your friends, relatives, acquaitance. Feel free to link your website or blog to them too.
Absolutely FREE GIFT Are You Prepared? Need Good News?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Missions Conference Pre-thoughts, and encouragment for mothers
Missions Conference, pre-conference exposition
I go to meetings like these expecting God to work, and do something in us, for us, with us, on some level or other. Don't get me wrong the fellowship is tops, but I want the preaching to help me, and my family. I desire with all my heart that my children will surrender their will and lives completely to Him and His will. That might mean they will be living in a a foreign land, that my crowns will be out of arms reach, but my prayers, love, care, will be able to reach millions of miles if need be. Praise the LORD they need only reach around this orb we live upon and call earth.
Part of me wants them to be missionaries, to go where we cannot go, to do what we are not able to do. By no means are we over the hill, not quite, yet!
Since Bob's accident, and surgeries, his foot and ankle have remained weak. This is in addition to problems with his neck, and on-off problems with his lower back. The foot adds to all these, and they seem to feed off each other. Therefore, a lot of physical moving, walking, etc, he is only able to tolerate for short amounts of time.
Our children, are our legacy, for the physical and the spiritual. It amazes me how much farther along they are in spiritual matters and knowledge, and how giving they are, compared to where I was at their ages.
Being a mother taught me so much of those lessons, and still I feel utterly selfish and unlearned. In many ways, when we became parents, we began "grooming" our children to love, honor, obey, and serve. Not only their parents, but God. He has blessed our minute efforts in ways we never envisioned way back when. Which is why I am almost sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the next steps and stages.
In these years of isolation, past, present, and future, oft times I have felt rather useless for the work of the LORD. My resume' of works, by most Christians standards, are few. That is because many people view the work of the LORD and fulfilling your duties, obligations in the physical as non-spirtual work. I must confess that I think that way too. Ok, I used to think that way. What changed my mind? Paul. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God"
Changing diapers, scrubbing floors, making a pie, dusting, sweeping, washing, weeding, .... all the daily activities that encompass homekeeping and mothering, and being a wife, can glorify God.
God doesn't want us to work for the works sake. God does NOT US, I repeat, God does NOT NEED US, to do work for works sake. The Omnipotent Holy One can do all things, and do them perfectly. What He cannot do, is glorify Himself. He doesn't worship Himself. God doesn't rise from the Throne and swagger to the mirror and admire Himself, saying, Oh my, I am a Glorious God, and Oh how I worship Me. God states He is THE God, and makes known all His attitributes and glories, but that is for us to praise and worship Him. To fear Him also. He is worthy of all our glory and praise. That is what He created us to do, to bring glory to His name. He alone is worthy of it. Ladies, you can praise the LORD when the children are sick, and your umpteenth load of wash is swishing away. We can glorify God by making your husband his favorite dinner or pie, by ironing his shirt, or stroking his brow. You and I glorify Him when we hum hymns of worship, when we thank Him for His goodness, and when we love our children, and others. Matthew, I believe, wrote, "if ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me", Jesus words' (I hope I didn't misquote that) In us, we want to be doing BIG things, that people SEE, and think LOOK at ALL they have done. Remember the tortoise and the hare....slow and steady. Doing the little everyday, seeming mundane things...being faithful...God blesses faithfulness.
The seasons of trials and struggle come and go, but being faithful will see you through....NOT because of YOU but because of Him.
I am stopping here....and I pray you are encouraged and that you will be faithful in the little things that seem/look unimportant to the world or even to the people at you church. You do right by your husband, children, and fulfill your role and duties, and God will be glorified by your service.
Do all to the Glory of God.
I go to meetings like these expecting God to work, and do something in us, for us, with us, on some level or other. Don't get me wrong the fellowship is tops, but I want the preaching to help me, and my family. I desire with all my heart that my children will surrender their will and lives completely to Him and His will. That might mean they will be living in a a foreign land, that my crowns will be out of arms reach, but my prayers, love, care, will be able to reach millions of miles if need be. Praise the LORD they need only reach around this orb we live upon and call earth.
Part of me wants them to be missionaries, to go where we cannot go, to do what we are not able to do. By no means are we over the hill, not quite, yet!
Since Bob's accident, and surgeries, his foot and ankle have remained weak. This is in addition to problems with his neck, and on-off problems with his lower back. The foot adds to all these, and they seem to feed off each other. Therefore, a lot of physical moving, walking, etc, he is only able to tolerate for short amounts of time.
Our children, are our legacy, for the physical and the spiritual. It amazes me how much farther along they are in spiritual matters and knowledge, and how giving they are, compared to where I was at their ages.
Being a mother taught me so much of those lessons, and still I feel utterly selfish and unlearned. In many ways, when we became parents, we began "grooming" our children to love, honor, obey, and serve. Not only their parents, but God. He has blessed our minute efforts in ways we never envisioned way back when. Which is why I am almost sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation of the next steps and stages.
In these years of isolation, past, present, and future, oft times I have felt rather useless for the work of the LORD. My resume' of works, by most Christians standards, are few. That is because many people view the work of the LORD and fulfilling your duties, obligations in the physical as non-spirtual work. I must confess that I think that way too. Ok, I used to think that way. What changed my mind? Paul. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God"
Changing diapers, scrubbing floors, making a pie, dusting, sweeping, washing, weeding, .... all the daily activities that encompass homekeeping and mothering, and being a wife, can glorify God.
God doesn't want us to work for the works sake. God does NOT US, I repeat, God does NOT NEED US, to do work for works sake. The Omnipotent Holy One can do all things, and do them perfectly. What He cannot do, is glorify Himself. He doesn't worship Himself. God doesn't rise from the Throne and swagger to the mirror and admire Himself, saying, Oh my, I am a Glorious God, and Oh how I worship Me. God states He is THE God, and makes known all His attitributes and glories, but that is for us to praise and worship Him. To fear Him also. He is worthy of all our glory and praise. That is what He created us to do, to bring glory to His name. He alone is worthy of it. Ladies, you can praise the LORD when the children are sick, and your umpteenth load of wash is swishing away. We can glorify God by making your husband his favorite dinner or pie, by ironing his shirt, or stroking his brow. You and I glorify Him when we hum hymns of worship, when we thank Him for His goodness, and when we love our children, and others. Matthew, I believe, wrote, "if ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me", Jesus words' (I hope I didn't misquote that) In us, we want to be doing BIG things, that people SEE, and think LOOK at ALL they have done. Remember the tortoise and the hare....slow and steady. Doing the little everyday, seeming mundane things...being faithful...God blesses faithfulness.
The seasons of trials and struggle come and go, but being faithful will see you through....NOT because of YOU but because of Him.
I am stopping here....and I pray you are encouraged and that you will be faithful in the little things that seem/look unimportant to the world or even to the people at you church. You do right by your husband, children, and fulfill your role and duties, and God will be glorified by your service.
Do all to the Glory of God.
What Can I Give?
April 6, 2009
Today my mind is wandering to the future. Many questions are whirling around in my head.
Alot of them have come about as a result of the mission's conference last week. The need for workers in the fields is great. Each missionary, each field, made me ask, "Is that where one of my children will go?"
In our flesh, in our physical world, at least in our family/home, we don't have much to give as far as money goes. Yes, our home is beautiful, glory to God, and it is a great gift of love from Him to us, but our home is more than just the painted walls, and furnishings. What we have to give is priceless. We have offered up our children for His use. Now I realize that their full surrender to God is a personal choice that they must make for themselves, but we as parents desire our children to be vessels fit for the Master's use. Our heart's desire is that God will take them and use them, and that not one of them would refuse Him.
These thoughts have alot of emotions attatched to them. As a mom, in one way the last thing I want is for my children to go live in a distant land, and only visit with us every few years. I don't want to go to bed at night and wonder if my child is safe or being watched or taken to prison for preaching the glorious Gospel of Our LORD Jesus Christ. In my flesh, in the natural mother's heart, I don't want them to go very far from home, EVER. But with eternity in view, I want them to go for God without thought for dear old mom and dad. I want them to be consumed with Jesus. In fact, the last few months I have really begun to expect that in my golden years, if the LORD tarries that long, I will sit in my rocker, praying for my children, grandchildren, and maybe great-grandchildren, to stay by the stuff, to keep on for God, to fight the good fight, to finish the course, to reach for the prize of the high calling of God.
My mind is set upon them all being far from me, and yet close to my heart. I am expecting them to be warriors and servants in distant lands, to go to the regions beyond and to say with all that in them is, "Here am I LORD send me"
And if the LORD determines that they need not all go so far away to serve Him, then i will be extra blessed.
I give up my children for the service of the KING of Glory-Jesus Christ. What more can I give?
The other question that naturally follows, well several of them, are: when and where will they go? will they marry? who will they marry? when will this all come about?
David is on the verge of marriage, Godwilling. What plans are in his future after that?
We are so isolated, it is hard to keep my eyes of the practical issue of meeting prospective brides or grooms. Years ago I wrote to a precious sister about this matter. I told her that I believed that if necessary God would bring them to our front door-their car could break down, or asking for directions, or "accidentally" finding the wrong house. When I get a case of "how in the world will..." I remind myself of this...God's way are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. He can do anything, nothing is impossible with Him. All we know is we want God's choice.
When a family friend was about to marry, I began to fret, and wonder how we would ever be able to give our daughters wedding gowns and pull-off even a small wedding. This was going through my mind on a Tuesday as we drove home from town. Tuesday was the day that the clothes house was open (over the years we have gotten many items from them free of charge) so we decided to stop on the way. We ran in and then out pretty fast for us. But oddly enough they had a wedding dress that particular day. Never before had I seen one there.
As we drove up the hill for home, I went on and on about the wedding dress, chiding myself for not getting it. After we unloaded the van, Bob told me to take Charity back and look at it again. Off we went. The wedding gown was still there. We carefully removed it from the hanger, and one of the workers came over and held it close to Charity. I looked like it would be a perfect fit. Then more of the workers gathered nearby, formed a circle and prayed for her. They GAVE us the dress! As we were leaving they asked when she was getting married. I just had to laugh as I told them, she didn't even have a "boyfriend". They were amazed, and yet happy to give the dress to her.
To Charity, it seems to be a promise that one day she will need that gown.
To me, that was more a blessing to me than to Charity, because I'd be wondering about buying all the things you'd need for a wedding. It was God's way of telling me, in a dear, loving, gentle way, "Terry, see, you don't have to worry about anything. I've got it all under control"
During the missions conference, they had special sessions for just the ladies. The speaker was Mrs. Ireland. They were in the U.S. but soon returning to the Ukraine where they are missionaries. She spoke on the topic of "Prodigals". I wasn't able to talk to her but she really helped me by repeating my own words back to me, though we have never met. But during her lesson she said something very profound. "Control is an illusion" God is the one at the controls, He allows things to occur for our good, and learning.
The greatest thing I can do as a wife and mother is to stop trying to control anything and reliquish control to my great Father, who doeth all things well.
The future of our family will be full of changes, the unexpected-good and bad, but God is in control. And we know His way is perfect.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Yipee!!! David is on his way back to the USA. Have you any idea how much I missed him? We talk daily on the phone, often more than once. The inability to do that made it much worse, like when you are fasting and you feel like you are starving but on a day when you weren't fasting you might skip a meal anyway.
David was able to call us 3 times. He called us very late Thursday night. He sounded exhausted. He was guarding a bodega where the tools are stored. Remember my mentioning that Bro. Ritchi lost all his tools because of theft. One thing interesting, in an icky way...he was telling us about the dogs down there. They travel in packs and are pretty much wild, and that they were eating at the horses legs. Ewww. And iguanas are everywhere, and the people eat them, alot. For photos of the work visit http://childrenslighthouse.blogspot.com/
We sat up late watching movies last night. It was fun and something we rarely do.
My shoulder and neck are feeling much better than last Sat. Still achey. However, I feel like if I don't get back to doing more than cooking, school, and email bits and pieces, I will go insane. I cannot stand to sit around and do nothing for very long. Maybe all those old movies where the Mom or Gramma says "Idle hands are the devil's workshop" have affected me. But if you think about it, the saying is true.
In one sermon Bob was recording the preacher was saying that the trouble with young people, teens in particular (1970-1990) **IMO this includes college age and singles these days** they don't have enough to do. Back in the era before the 50s 60s, farming was a huge occupation. The family farm was kept running by the family who owned it. This included the children. Chores were done before and after school. In the busy season of planting to harvest, sun up to sun down, people were doing something and had very little free time for "recreational activities" and sports were frowned on, though of as for the well to do only. By the end of the day, even being given permission to go to town meant nothing really, they were simply too tired, wanting only to rest and sleep. Into the next decade children were still choring, even city children. They did housework, yardwork, had paper routes, etc. Which kept them out of trouble moreso than the idle children of the weathly folks or the spoiled brat everyone knows about.
With ERA, rampant divorce, free *love* (fornication, adultery, homosexuality) the family and home began a downward slide. Gender roles started to blur. Children of unwed mothers gradually became typical, and is not accepted. Children have become the ones who lead their parents. Parents answer to the childrens wants, not just needs. Parents want to be a friend to their child. To be their friend they have to be nice, and give in, and please the child, which means letting them do what they want, when they want, if they want, and all the work falls on Mom, or Dad, or both. These parents are failures ad parents because they are not preparin their children for life in the real world. Why do you think college campuses and college towns all over America have trouble with drinking, drugs, parties, etc with 18,19,20 yr. olds causing trouble? 10-20 yrs. ago most of them would have been married and working, raising a family. Today they are still being babies with parents too foolish to pay for their parties. Is it any wonder that so many moms and dads can't wait for their children to turn 18 and leave home. They are so selfish, lazy, whiney, and rude they can't stand to live with them. It's easier to pay for them to party at college/university than it is to have them nearby. If these young people had to pay for their education themselves; if they had jobs, responsibilities, accountability to someone, they wouldn't be causing mayhem and unrest.
We were shocked when the Steelers won the superbowl that mobs were roaming the streets of Pittsburg setting fires, overturning cars. Imagine if they lost? Yikes.
I'm really on a roll lately....see I am very opinionated and judgmental. That is why people are hard on me...reap what you sow right.
I didnt plan to write so much, or ramble on...I planned to pop in for a few minutes to visit with you. Guess I did visit...did I overstay my welcome?
Ok dear girls--take no offense please bcz inside I am still very much a young girl--I must take my leave for today, and get to my list of put off tasks, most of which is sewing. Don't cry for me though, I do love to sew. And as I sew I commune with the LORD, work things out with Him, pray etc...plus the end result gives me alot of satisfaction and sense of purpose.
If I don't pop back in later today, I pray that you will all have a wonderful weekend, and that the LORD will speak to you, and use you, and make and mold you as He sees fit. This is my own prayer for myself and family.
Love you all,Terry at home in PA
Friday, February 27, 2009
Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation... This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children,
everyone you know.
After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.
1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do : The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it . As soon as the car crashes bail out and run.. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor , and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side.. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!
8.. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.
Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ---- This e-mail should probably be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America 's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well. Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry.. Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life.
everyone you know.
After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.
1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do : The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!
2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you.... chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat: DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it . As soon as the car crashes bail out and run.. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor , and in the back seat
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side.. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)
6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!
8.. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.
9. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was weird. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.
Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ---- This e-mail should probably be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America 's Most Wanted when they profiled the serial killer in Louisiana I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life. A candle is not dimmed by lighting another candle. I was going to send this to the ladies only, but guys, if you love your mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc., you may want to pass it onto them, as well. Send this to any woman you know that may need to be reminded that the world we live in has a lot of crazies in it and it's better to be safe than sorry.. Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Are you ever surprised when you wake up and realize that it is Thursday, ALREADY?! I am.
An usual thing has happened to me in the last few years, time is speeding up. My gramma use to say that at you get older time goes faster. Now I KNOW what she meant. Months seem like days... February will be over in 2 days!!!!!
Over the last few days, I have heard snippets of sermons that Bob is digitizing and more than one has hit on the "time factor" from the perspective of redeeming the time. How do you redeem time? We hear loads of sermons on doing things "now is the time", and preaching on "what is your life? it is even a vapour..." All of us have heard these sermons, perhaps to the point that we just want them lighten up.
Redeem means to buy back. But how do you buy back something that can't be bought or sold?
I don't know what the preachers said, but this is just a few ways we can redeem the time, in my humble opinion, for what it is worth.
Do what you can, when you can. If you can help someone today, do it. Proverbs has a verse about that. No-one knows that consequences of a kind word, or gesture. Now think of that in reverse.
Make the most of the time you have, in other words, don't waste time. That doesn't mean we should skip sleep, stop taking vacations, never play a game or sit around resting, or fellowshipping(that is a ministry too).
Jesus told the disciples to rest. The Bible has a lot of verses that tell us to be still, to rest. We are not good for anything if we are overly tired. I think a lot of folks are going to be surprised at the Judgement Seat when their pile of deeds is billowing smoke black as night, to reveal a teeny pile of crowns, and some of those people who appear to do nothing will be receiving mountains of crowns. Maybe it was the difference between motives, or pride-to be seen of men. Some people can't stand to be doing the hidden work of God. They have to be out there in the front, up front, so everyone can see. But the hidden man of the heart is going to be judged, and who we really are will be revealed. Will we have to be ashamed? Many parts of a car engine are hidden, but does that make it any less vital? If that hidden part breaks, doesn't it need to be repaired? Is the bolt of the battery any less necessary than the tires? Without either functioning properly the car is hindered.
The body of Christ, comprised of all Believers, needs the little freckles on the pinkie toe, just as much as the beautiful curly hair of the head, or the genius brain, and pounding heart. All are part of the body, and have a function. Most of us would prefer to see the curly hair vs. the heart or brain. A broken tooth affects the body.
We need to be less hard on the bretheren who stray, in the sense that they need to be restored. Surgery, a cast, or therapy might be needed to get them back to health and full working order, but how will they even be willing to allow that if we kick them when they are down. Reach out an try to lift them up, try to help. Then if they slap your hand away, it is on them.
My mind is wandering a bit now...again the thinking of my brain has been fuzzy of late with the pain meds i am on....
Redeem the time....don't dwell on the past...sin or not...what was done or not done. Move forward today, do what you can today. This moment is all you are certain to have. Tomorrow might not come for you, or me.... tomorrow might be the day eternity begins.
Redeem the time by putting all the effort that once you put into vice, or your occupation, and put that effort into serving the LORD, doing His work. As wives and mothers, our best efforts in serving the LORD and doing His work is to love and serve our husband, and our children. To pray for them, feed them. Make a nice home for them. Provide clean clothes and sweet scented sheets, and peaceful place to rest. THEN once we accomplish all that, you might be able to go out of the home and reach forth you hands. Or you can train your children to do that with you, by your side. Go to the needy family with a bag of groceries or clothes for a new baby, and let them carry the sack, or hand it over. Let them learn by doing. Let them begin at a young age to redeem the time. Their days, like ours are numbered.
Redeem the time by reaching out to sisters in the LORD who don't have a godly husband, who are lonely, who are tired, who are sickly, who are weak....they need you! They are your ministry. It takes only a few moments to address a card and mail it. The message contained therein isnt the big thing, it is the TIME you gave the time you REDEEMED, that means so much. Have you ever gotten the mail on a bad day and had your frown turned upside down because someone sent you a note, card or letter???? Remember how you felt??? You can make someone feel that way too.
Redeem the time....don't leave unsaid, unwritten or undone what you feel led of the LORD to say or do today. And a side-note here...many times the Holy Spirit tells us to do or say or write to _______ and we ignore him, we put it off,...we are too busy to stop. I contend ladies that much of our busyness is of our own doing, mismanaging our time (Guilty! myself) and is a tool of the devil to keep us from doing as the Holy Spirit bids us to.
I love you ladies, all of you, and pray that all of us will take stock of our life and redeem the time, for it is short.
An usual thing has happened to me in the last few years, time is speeding up. My gramma use to say that at you get older time goes faster. Now I KNOW what she meant. Months seem like days... February will be over in 2 days!!!!!
Over the last few days, I have heard snippets of sermons that Bob is digitizing and more than one has hit on the "time factor" from the perspective of redeeming the time. How do you redeem time? We hear loads of sermons on doing things "now is the time", and preaching on "what is your life? it is even a vapour..." All of us have heard these sermons, perhaps to the point that we just want them lighten up.
Redeem means to buy back. But how do you buy back something that can't be bought or sold?
I don't know what the preachers said, but this is just a few ways we can redeem the time, in my humble opinion, for what it is worth.
Do what you can, when you can. If you can help someone today, do it. Proverbs has a verse about that. No-one knows that consequences of a kind word, or gesture. Now think of that in reverse.
Make the most of the time you have, in other words, don't waste time. That doesn't mean we should skip sleep, stop taking vacations, never play a game or sit around resting, or fellowshipping(that is a ministry too).
Jesus told the disciples to rest. The Bible has a lot of verses that tell us to be still, to rest. We are not good for anything if we are overly tired. I think a lot of folks are going to be surprised at the Judgement Seat when their pile of deeds is billowing smoke black as night, to reveal a teeny pile of crowns, and some of those people who appear to do nothing will be receiving mountains of crowns. Maybe it was the difference between motives, or pride-to be seen of men. Some people can't stand to be doing the hidden work of God. They have to be out there in the front, up front, so everyone can see. But the hidden man of the heart is going to be judged, and who we really are will be revealed. Will we have to be ashamed? Many parts of a car engine are hidden, but does that make it any less vital? If that hidden part breaks, doesn't it need to be repaired? Is the bolt of the battery any less necessary than the tires? Without either functioning properly the car is hindered.
The body of Christ, comprised of all Believers, needs the little freckles on the pinkie toe, just as much as the beautiful curly hair of the head, or the genius brain, and pounding heart. All are part of the body, and have a function. Most of us would prefer to see the curly hair vs. the heart or brain. A broken tooth affects the body.
We need to be less hard on the bretheren who stray, in the sense that they need to be restored. Surgery, a cast, or therapy might be needed to get them back to health and full working order, but how will they even be willing to allow that if we kick them when they are down. Reach out an try to lift them up, try to help. Then if they slap your hand away, it is on them.
My mind is wandering a bit now...again the thinking of my brain has been fuzzy of late with the pain meds i am on....
Redeem the time....don't dwell on the past...sin or not...what was done or not done. Move forward today, do what you can today. This moment is all you are certain to have. Tomorrow might not come for you, or me.... tomorrow might be the day eternity begins.
Redeem the time by putting all the effort that once you put into vice, or your occupation, and put that effort into serving the LORD, doing His work. As wives and mothers, our best efforts in serving the LORD and doing His work is to love and serve our husband, and our children. To pray for them, feed them. Make a nice home for them. Provide clean clothes and sweet scented sheets, and peaceful place to rest. THEN once we accomplish all that, you might be able to go out of the home and reach forth you hands. Or you can train your children to do that with you, by your side. Go to the needy family with a bag of groceries or clothes for a new baby, and let them carry the sack, or hand it over. Let them learn by doing. Let them begin at a young age to redeem the time. Their days, like ours are numbered.
Redeem the time by reaching out to sisters in the LORD who don't have a godly husband, who are lonely, who are tired, who are sickly, who are weak....they need you! They are your ministry. It takes only a few moments to address a card and mail it. The message contained therein isnt the big thing, it is the TIME you gave the time you REDEEMED, that means so much. Have you ever gotten the mail on a bad day and had your frown turned upside down because someone sent you a note, card or letter???? Remember how you felt??? You can make someone feel that way too.
Redeem the time....don't leave unsaid, unwritten or undone what you feel led of the LORD to say or do today. And a side-note here...many times the Holy Spirit tells us to do or say or write to _______ and we ignore him, we put it off,...we are too busy to stop. I contend ladies that much of our busyness is of our own doing, mismanaging our time (Guilty! myself) and is a tool of the devil to keep us from doing as the Holy Spirit bids us to.
I love you ladies, all of you, and pray that all of us will take stock of our life and redeem the time, for it is short.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Greetings in Jesus Name,
I am David Leib. On February 12th, 2009, I will embark on my second missions trip to Honduras. A small group of us are being sent from Old Paths Bible Baptist Church, of Holley, NY. Co-pastored by Pastor Joe Cammilleri and Pastor Jay Folk.
As a welder and laborer, I will be assisting with construction projects at the Children’s Lighthouse orphanage in the city of Choluteca. This is a ministry of The Ritchie family. http://childrenslighthouse.blogspot.com/ Please visit their website, where you can see photos of their work and labor for Christ. You can read about our previous visit in the April 2008 archives.
Choluteca is in the southern portion of Honduras.
Please pray for me, and for our group ,for our safety, and that The LORD will help us, and bless our labour for Him. I will be taking a two-week, unpaid leave from work. I will be in Honduras for two weeks, leaving the U.S. on February 12, 2009, returning on March 1, 2009.
If The LORD leads you to assist with my expenses, please make checks or money orders payable to David Leib.
Send to: David Leib
6258 N. Lake Rd.
Bergen, NY 14416
Please pray for me as I seek God’s will for my life. Thank you for your prayers. They are very appreciated.
The Kings Craftsman,
Please call me if you have any questions,
Comments, or suggestions 814-289-7379
David Leib
kingscraftsman@aol.com
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;”
Ecc. 9:10a
I am David Leib. On February 12th, 2009, I will embark on my second missions trip to Honduras. A small group of us are being sent from Old Paths Bible Baptist Church, of Holley, NY. Co-pastored by Pastor Joe Cammilleri and Pastor Jay Folk.
As a welder and laborer, I will be assisting with construction projects at the Children’s Lighthouse orphanage in the city of Choluteca. This is a ministry of The Ritchie family. http://childrenslighthouse.blogspot.com/ Please visit their website, where you can see photos of their work and labor for Christ. You can read about our previous visit in the April 2008 archives.
Choluteca is in the southern portion of Honduras.
Please pray for me, and for our group ,for our safety, and that The LORD will help us, and bless our labour for Him. I will be taking a two-week, unpaid leave from work. I will be in Honduras for two weeks, leaving the U.S. on February 12, 2009, returning on March 1, 2009.
If The LORD leads you to assist with my expenses, please make checks or money orders payable to David Leib.
Send to: David Leib
6258 N. Lake Rd.
Bergen, NY 14416
Please pray for me as I seek God’s will for my life. Thank you for your prayers. They are very appreciated.
The Kings Craftsman,
Please call me if you have any questions,
Comments, or suggestions 814-289-7379
David Leib
kingscraftsman@aol.com
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;”
Ecc. 9:10a
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