Here they are Whitney. I did two, since I had pictures available for two different things. This was a fun challenge. Keep the ideas coming.
Homemade Strawberry Jelly
Scrabble
My Life on Earth
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Little Man's 4th Birthday
We celebrated Little Man's 4th birthday last night. His birthday was actually Sunday, but his best friend could not come over until last night. Little Man did not care in the least that his birthday was being postponed by one day since his friend was coming over.
I thought I would share pictures with you of his birthday. They are more for Mamaw and Papaw, since they are in Canada right now, and Grandma and Grandpa, who are in Mississippi. We will see them this next weekend for Mini-Me's birthday, and they are going to take the kids back to Mississippi for the week. The hubby and I have plans to get lots done. We will see how that goes.
I thought I would share pictures with you of his birthday. They are more for Mamaw and Papaw, since they are in Canada right now, and Grandma and Grandpa, who are in Mississippi. We will see them this next weekend for Mini-Me's birthday, and they are going to take the kids back to Mississippi for the week. The hubby and I have plans to get lots done. We will see how that goes.
"Exactly what I wanted for my birthday" - the engine wash station
"Awesome" - Tidmouths Timber Yard
George the Steam roller
He got shy when we started singing Happy Birthday.
The kids playing before we ate.
Little Man trying to blow out the candles. Daddy and his friend finally had to help him.
"Awesome"
"Train cars, I don't have these."
Awesome was the word for the night for some reason. Anyway, he had a great birthday, and lots of fun with his friend.
Monday, September 29, 2008
I beat out the Monkey....
| Are you smarter than a monkey? | |
 | YES! You scored 88%, which means that you're 50% smarter than a monkey! |
| 'Are you smarter than a monkey?' at QuizGalaxy.com | |
Busyness...
I love the busyness of the Walks to Emmaus, serving God in whatever you are called to do. It is tiresome, but wonderful, amazing. Everytime, we are surprised by God and his power. Why, I do not know, but yet we are. He never fails, Satan is always defeated, and the pilgrims lives are forever changed, by walking with Jesus for three days.
Just like the story of Cleopas and his friend walking and talking about the days events, and the resurrection of Christ, and Christ walks up and talks with them, but they don't realize it is Christ until he has left. That is the Walk to Emmaus. God the Holy Spirit comes up and walks with you, talks with you, and teaches you. Wow, God is amazing. I was blessed, the hubby was blessed and more importantly the pilgrims were blessed. Can't wait to do it all again in two weeks.
Just like the story of Cleopas and his friend walking and talking about the days events, and the resurrection of Christ, and Christ walks up and talks with them, but they don't realize it is Christ until he has left. That is the Walk to Emmaus. God the Holy Spirit comes up and walks with you, talks with you, and teaches you. Wow, God is amazing. I was blessed, the hubby was blessed and more importantly the pilgrims were blessed. Can't wait to do it all again in two weeks.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
New Favorite Song
I can not find this song anywhere on the world wide web to upload it for you to here it, so you will have to settle for just the lyrics. It is a great song and has been my prayer for my life for quiet some while now. I hope you enjoy.
Use Me
Take my heart, Make it yours Give me eyes to see.
Take my life, I am sure, your are who you claim to be.
And Lord I know you don't need me
And yet I stand here ready and waiting.
For you to use me, for your glory.
Cleanse me, till I'm empty.
Fill me, so the world sees, God Almighty,
the only King.
Take my heart, Make it yours Give me eyes to see.
Take my life, I am sure, your are who you claim to be.
And Lord I know you don't need me
And yet I stand here ready and waiting.
For you to use me, for your glory.
Cleanse me, till I'm empty.
Fill me, so the world sees, God Almighty,
the only King.
Take my heart, Make it yours Give me eyes to see.
Take my life, I am sure, your are who you claim to be.
Use Me
Take my heart, Make it yours Give me eyes to see.
Take my life, I am sure, your are who you claim to be.
And Lord I know you don't need me
And yet I stand here ready and waiting.
For you to use me, for your glory.
Cleanse me, till I'm empty.
Fill me, so the world sees, God Almighty,
the only King.
Take my heart, Make it yours Give me eyes to see.
Take my life, I am sure, your are who you claim to be.
And Lord I know you don't need me
And yet I stand here ready and waiting.
For you to use me, for your glory.
Cleanse me, till I'm empty.
Fill me, so the world sees, God Almighty,
the only King.
Take my heart, Make it yours Give me eyes to see.
Take my life, I am sure, your are who you claim to be.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Another Silly Quiz
1. What time is it
10:13 am
2. What's your full name
Brenda Y---- R----
3. What are you most afraid of
Snakes
4. What is the most recent movie that you have seen on bootleg
Spiderman 3
5. What city do you live
New Market, AL
6. What's your favorite food
Dark Chocolate
7. What's your natural hair color
Red
8. Ever been to Freaknik
No, where is it
9. Ever been skinny dipping
Yep
10. Love someone so much it made you cry
YES
11. Been in a car accident
Yes
12. Croutons or bacon bits
Croutons
13. Favorite day of the week
Saturday, the Hubby is home
14. Favorite restaurant
Don't have one, there is so many restuarants in our area and we eat out seldom
so we don't have to eat at the same place more than once
15. Favorite Flower
Carnation
16. Favorite sport to watch
Golf
17. Favorite drink
Water with lemon
18. Favorite ice cream
Mint chocolate chip
19. Warner Brothers/Disney
Either
20. Ever been on a ship
Yes, on the Danube River in Hungary
21. What color is your bedroom carpet
Ivory
22. How many times did you fail your first driver's test
Once
23. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail
Liz C
24. What do you do when you are bored
Read and scrapbook
25. Bedtime
11 pm to Midnight
26. Favorite TV shows
That 70's Show
27. Last person you went to dinner with
Three of my kids, Missinator, MacDaddy, and the Singer
28. Park or Zoo
Zoo
29. What are your favorite colors
Don't have one, they are all beautiful
30. How many tattoos do you have
None, does a navel ring count
31. How many pets do you have
1 dog that lives at the neighbors house
32. Which came first, the chicken or the egg
Chicken
33. What do you want to do before you die?
See the world
34. Have you ever been to Hawaii
NO
35. Have you been to countries outside the U.S.
Yes, Romania, and spent one day in Hungary, and pasted through Germany
36. Time this survey ended
10:20am
10:13 am
2. What's your full name
Brenda Y---- R----
3. What are you most afraid of
Snakes
4. What is the most recent movie that you have seen on bootleg
Spiderman 3
5. What city do you live
New Market, AL
6. What's your favorite food
Dark Chocolate
7. What's your natural hair color
Red
8. Ever been to Freaknik
No, where is it
9. Ever been skinny dipping
Yep
10. Love someone so much it made you cry
YES
11. Been in a car accident
Yes
12. Croutons or bacon bits
Croutons
13. Favorite day of the week
Saturday, the Hubby is home
14. Favorite restaurant
Don't have one, there is so many restuarants in our area and we eat out seldom
so we don't have to eat at the same place more than once
15. Favorite Flower
Carnation
16. Favorite sport to watch
Golf
17. Favorite drink
Water with lemon
18. Favorite ice cream
Mint chocolate chip
19. Warner Brothers/Disney
Either
20. Ever been on a ship
Yes, on the Danube River in Hungary
21. What color is your bedroom carpet
Ivory
22. How many times did you fail your first driver's test
Once
23. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail
Liz C
24. What do you do when you are bored
Read and scrapbook
25. Bedtime
11 pm to Midnight
26. Favorite TV shows
That 70's Show
27. Last person you went to dinner with
Three of my kids, Missinator, MacDaddy, and the Singer
28. Park or Zoo
Zoo
29. What are your favorite colors
Don't have one, they are all beautiful
30. How many tattoos do you have
None, does a navel ring count
31. How many pets do you have
1 dog that lives at the neighbors house
32. Which came first, the chicken or the egg
Chicken
33. What do you want to do before you die?
See the world
34. Have you ever been to Hawaii
NO
35. Have you been to countries outside the U.S.
Yes, Romania, and spent one day in Hungary, and pasted through Germany
36. Time this survey ended
10:20am
Monday, September 22, 2008
My Yoke is Easy....
So have you ever carried something around that you were not meant to carry around. The answer is "yes" for all of us. We always carry things that God does not want us to carry and we have to be willing to let them go. After two months of praying for others and the issues at hand, not finding any rest or peace, I began to not be able to sleep. I was heavy. I would be in the presence of God and just cry not knowing why.
Saturday, God gave me the opportunity to speak with am amazing Godly man that shepherds "spirituals" as he would say. I will call him Hawaiian Man. While speaking with him Saturday, I was able to let go of the hurt and anger that I had over a situation in my life. I did not realize just how angry I had become, anger I did not know I had inside of me. After speaking with Hawaiian Man, I felt like half the weight of the world had been lifted off of me.
I was able to go through the rest of the day, and go to another service, and be in the presence of God yet again, and seemed to be at rest. My kids and I had a great time worshipping, and praising God and, of course food is always involved. However, once I got home, I began to feel that remaining half of the weight of the world on my shoulders. I could not sleep well, praying for others.
Sunday rolls around, I get up go to church and what do you know God puts that weight in front of me. The weight told me that he loves the hubby and I, and that he does believe what God did in my life and that his problem was not with me. He said exactly what I "thought" would make it better, but it did not (at the time). I was able to tell him that he needed to know how much he had hurt the hubby and I, that it was only through the strength of Christ in us that we were even still there. I was able to say somethings that I had not been able to say, all the while with one of my grown up kids hugging me and another standing with me. What a testament to those kids.
I called an amazing friend, who sounded like my friend, looked like my friend, but was not. It was God through her asking tough questions that I did not know the answers too. After the beating of questions, "what have your been praying about?", "what would make this better?", "has this become a stumping block?", "have you laid it at the foot of the Cross?" ouch, what tough questions, but when asked in love and through love, God is able to break through the hurt and pain.
I knew I had not laid it down and that I needed to lay it down. I began to think about that the remainder of the day. Then I go back for yet another service in the presence of God, and the tough question, "what have you done with it(what you learned on your walk to Emmaus), Community?" Ouch yet again, another sting from God. Immediately after this we get to take communion again, when I ripped off my piece of bread and dipped it into the cup, and took it in, the blood of Christ came flooding back. I fell to me knees that the foot of the cross and laid it down. Telling God I was carrying something that I was never meant to carry. I was holding on thinking that I was the one that needed to do the changing with all the prayer that was keeping me awake. That Satan had me right where he wanted me because I was being ineffective for God's kingdom because I had allowed my hurt and pain, the gaping wound in my heart to rule my thoughts, prayers, my life. Oh, to fall at the foot of the cross and tell God you are sorry, to see yourself lying there looking up at the cross, laying down your sin and burden, your failures, your weakness.
When I got up off of the ground, the other half of the weight of the world that I was carrying was lifted off. It is amazing how we know the fundamentals, but yet Satan still gets us right where he wants us so that we are ineffective for God. He had his grip on me, pulling me and shaking me. Many things Satan can't get me on, but he found one, one that I did not realize I needed to lay down.
"Come to me all you who are wary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29
Last night was the best nights sleep I have had in two months. Praise God, my burden is light and his yoke is easy. And to the "weight", you know who you are, we love you too and I am sorry for any hurt or pain I may has caused you.
Saturday, God gave me the opportunity to speak with am amazing Godly man that shepherds "spirituals" as he would say. I will call him Hawaiian Man. While speaking with him Saturday, I was able to let go of the hurt and anger that I had over a situation in my life. I did not realize just how angry I had become, anger I did not know I had inside of me. After speaking with Hawaiian Man, I felt like half the weight of the world had been lifted off of me.
I was able to go through the rest of the day, and go to another service, and be in the presence of God yet again, and seemed to be at rest. My kids and I had a great time worshipping, and praising God and, of course food is always involved. However, once I got home, I began to feel that remaining half of the weight of the world on my shoulders. I could not sleep well, praying for others.
Sunday rolls around, I get up go to church and what do you know God puts that weight in front of me. The weight told me that he loves the hubby and I, and that he does believe what God did in my life and that his problem was not with me. He said exactly what I "thought" would make it better, but it did not (at the time). I was able to tell him that he needed to know how much he had hurt the hubby and I, that it was only through the strength of Christ in us that we were even still there. I was able to say somethings that I had not been able to say, all the while with one of my grown up kids hugging me and another standing with me. What a testament to those kids.
I called an amazing friend, who sounded like my friend, looked like my friend, but was not. It was God through her asking tough questions that I did not know the answers too. After the beating of questions, "what have your been praying about?", "what would make this better?", "has this become a stumping block?", "have you laid it at the foot of the Cross?" ouch, what tough questions, but when asked in love and through love, God is able to break through the hurt and pain.
I knew I had not laid it down and that I needed to lay it down. I began to think about that the remainder of the day. Then I go back for yet another service in the presence of God, and the tough question, "what have you done with it(what you learned on your walk to Emmaus), Community?" Ouch yet again, another sting from God. Immediately after this we get to take communion again, when I ripped off my piece of bread and dipped it into the cup, and took it in, the blood of Christ came flooding back. I fell to me knees that the foot of the cross and laid it down. Telling God I was carrying something that I was never meant to carry. I was holding on thinking that I was the one that needed to do the changing with all the prayer that was keeping me awake. That Satan had me right where he wanted me because I was being ineffective for God's kingdom because I had allowed my hurt and pain, the gaping wound in my heart to rule my thoughts, prayers, my life. Oh, to fall at the foot of the cross and tell God you are sorry, to see yourself lying there looking up at the cross, laying down your sin and burden, your failures, your weakness.
When I got up off of the ground, the other half of the weight of the world that I was carrying was lifted off. It is amazing how we know the fundamentals, but yet Satan still gets us right where he wants us so that we are ineffective for God. He had his grip on me, pulling me and shaking me. Many things Satan can't get me on, but he found one, one that I did not realize I needed to lay down.
"Come to me all you who are wary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29
Last night was the best nights sleep I have had in two months. Praise God, my burden is light and his yoke is easy. And to the "weight", you know who you are, we love you too and I am sorry for any hurt or pain I may has caused you.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Response to "Taking the Plunge"
We do not know exactly when or where to that we will move, we just know that God has told us it is okay to move. We also know that he will provide the right house at the right time and the right buyer for our current house at the right time. I ask that you all pray for God's will for our lives.
For my kids, I will see you whenever you want to be seen. You are our children. We love you with the same love that we have for the children that God blessed us with. We would and will do whatever we can whenever we can for each one of you.
For my kids, I will see you whenever you want to be seen. You are our children. We love you with the same love that we have for the children that God blessed us with. We would and will do whatever we can whenever we can for each one of you.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Taking the Plunge...
After much prayer and discussion, the Hubby and I (we think) have come to the conclusion that we are going to try and sell our current home and move to one that is bigger. With three children in a three bedroom 1200 square foot house, we are a bit limited on space. Please pray for God's guidance and will. We only want what he wants for our lives. Thank you.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Four things about Me...
Four things about me that you may or may not have known, in no
particular order. The directions are at the end.
Four Jobs that I have had:
1. BioControl Microbiologist
2. Research Associate
3. Wendy's (high school)
4. Wife Mother
Four Movies I've watched More Than Once:
1. Sling blade
2. Diary of a Mad Black Woman
3. Passion
4. Lion King 1 1/2
Four Places I Have Lived:
1. 414 North Montgomery, MS
2. 214 Santa Anita, MS
3. 414 5th Avenue, MS
4. New Market, AL
Four Shows that I watch:
1. Nothing
2. Nothing
3. Family Guy
4. That 70's Show (we don't have cable)
People Who E-mail Me Regularly:
1. Mrs. Goofy
2. My Neice
3. My Nephew
4. Whitney
Four of My Favorite Foods:
1. Everything
2. Everything
3. Everything
4. Dark Chocolate
Four Places I Would Rather be Right Now: (not in any order)
1. Sleeping
2. vacation
3. the mountains
4. Sleeping
Four Friends I Think Will Respond:
1. Laurie
2. Mrs. Goofy
3. I don't know
4. I don't know
Things I Am Looking Forward To This Year:
1. Christmas
2. Fall Vacation
3. getting the election over with
4. Continuing to grow in Christ
RETURN DIRECTIONS:
Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the fun. Hit forward, delete my answers and type in your answers.
Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person
who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known facts about those who know you. Remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you.
particular order. The directions are at the end.
Four Jobs that I have had:
1. BioControl Microbiologist
2. Research Associate
3. Wendy's (high school)
4. Wife Mother
Four Movies I've watched More Than Once:
1. Sling blade
2. Diary of a Mad Black Woman
3. Passion
4. Lion King 1 1/2
Four Places I Have Lived:
1. 414 North Montgomery, MS
2. 214 Santa Anita, MS
3. 414 5th Avenue, MS
4. New Market, AL
Four Shows that I watch:
1. Nothing
2. Nothing
3. Family Guy
4. That 70's Show (we don't have cable)
People Who E-mail Me Regularly:
1. Mrs. Goofy
2. My Neice
3. My Nephew
4. Whitney
Four of My Favorite Foods:
1. Everything
2. Everything
3. Everything
4. Dark Chocolate
Four Places I Would Rather be Right Now: (not in any order)
1. Sleeping
2. vacation
3. the mountains
4. Sleeping
Four Friends I Think Will Respond:
1. Laurie
2. Mrs. Goofy
3. I don't know
4. I don't know
Things I Am Looking Forward To This Year:
1. Christmas
2. Fall Vacation
3. getting the election over with
4. Continuing to grow in Christ
RETURN DIRECTIONS:
Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the fun. Hit forward, delete my answers and type in your answers.
Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person
who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known facts about those who know you. Remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Please Vote....
If you have any problems getting to the voting location, let me know, I will send you the exact link.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Weekend destruction...Rebuilding Monday
So, over the weekend the children find it neccessary to destroy just about everything in their path. As they destroy everything, I think wow I have all that to put back together Monday.
Well, about the only thing they destroy that I don't seem to mind having to rebuild is the train track. I would be lying if I said all rebuilding was horrible, because to be honest the hour and a half I spend rebuilding the train track to make it fit on the train table is fun. The hubby being an engineer of course can do it much quicker, but that is okay, it is still fun.
Enjoy the rebuild.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Question for All???
What does it mean to be a Christian?
I am curious to know your answers. Post them as comments and I will add them to the post. I tell you in a few days what I think it means to be a Christian?
Laurie said...
Originally the word Christian was used to denoted a teacher or leader (saints) of the church. When I say that I am a Christian, it publically identifies me as a follower of Jesus Christ. I am committed to live my life in an extraordinary way. I have a desire for an intimate relationship with Jesus, the son of the ONE and ONLY true living God. In order to become closer to God. The One depicted in the Bible, God's holy word. No additions, no subtractions and no substitutions.
Tommy said...
To commune with God in all his forms: The Father who is our creator and team captain. To emulate the son "Jesus" who is our example and savior. To follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit who shows us the way. And finally to live the life as best we can for our sake and others. For we may be the only Bible some people ever see.
Nikiolee said...
to be little jesus christ and to live in a marvelous relationship with your heavenly daddy and magnificent maker, and to be loved unconditionally. i guess is how i would escribe something so indescribable
September 11, 2008 3:40 PM
Jacob said...
It means to fully be submitted to God. It means to know that nothing you've done, will do, or can do will earn you God's love, but only Jesus Christ and trusting on Him and relying on His sacrifice and His ability to change you to follow God's ways will be able to save you. It means to have not only a head knowledge of this, but a heart knowledge and have it reflected in your life.
Note: I am loving the answers keep them coming.
I am curious to know your answers. Post them as comments and I will add them to the post. I tell you in a few days what I think it means to be a Christian?
Laurie said...
Originally the word Christian was used to denoted a teacher or leader (saints) of the church. When I say that I am a Christian, it publically identifies me as a follower of Jesus Christ. I am committed to live my life in an extraordinary way. I have a desire for an intimate relationship with Jesus, the son of the ONE and ONLY true living God. In order to become closer to God. The One depicted in the Bible, God's holy word. No additions, no subtractions and no substitutions.
Tommy said...
To commune with God in all his forms: The Father who is our creator and team captain. To emulate the son "Jesus" who is our example and savior. To follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit who shows us the way. And finally to live the life as best we can for our sake and others. For we may be the only Bible some people ever see.
Nikiolee said...
to be little jesus christ and to live in a marvelous relationship with your heavenly daddy and magnificent maker, and to be loved unconditionally. i guess is how i would escribe something so indescribable
September 11, 2008 3:40 PM
Jacob said...
It means to fully be submitted to God. It means to know that nothing you've done, will do, or can do will earn you God's love, but only Jesus Christ and trusting on Him and relying on His sacrifice and His ability to change you to follow God's ways will be able to save you. It means to have not only a head knowledge of this, but a heart knowledge and have it reflected in your life.
Note: I am loving the answers keep them coming.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Challenge...
Here is this months challenge. My scrapbooking guru/instructor challenged us to do a layout about ourselves. At first, I did not like this idea, but the more I thought about her point, the more I got it. Her point was that many of us moms are behind the camera, not in front of it; therefore, our scrapbooks are not truly of the family. In my case they are 4/5 of the family. All of my childrens' books have many, many pictures of the Hubby because I am always taking pictures of him playing with them, but there are not pictures of me. (Not to mention, I am not fond of having my picture taken anyway) So I accepted the challenge. Maybe my children will enjoy reading the answers one day.
Here is it Whitney; two challenges in one, this months kit with the about me challenge.
Here is it Whitney; two challenges in one, this months kit with the about me challenge.
Kids will be kids...
Kids will be kids. Last night this is the scene in my living room. Little Man hanging by his ankles being swung around like he himself is a swing. Daddy will tell you he is all grown up, but I do believe these pictures show otherwise. I just think that Daddy is the big kid in this house. I get great joy and pleasure out of watching the Hubby play with the children. Not only is he showing love to them by playing with them, he is showing them that being a grown up does not mean that you have to forfeit all fun in life. Your fun is just not self-focused anymore.
Monday, September 8, 2008
"Worth the Waiting"
"The water of God's Spirit is absolutely free, but we must wait by faith continually to receive fresh infillings of this promise from the Father. This is how Luke ends his gospel narrative as he records Jesus' last words to his disciples:"I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Acts 24:49)
Two thousand years later, this is still the greatest need of the Christian church-to wait regularly in seasons of corporate and individual prayer until we are "clothed with power from on high." These are the garments Jesus will still give his people-supernatural ability, might, and power from the Holy Spirit so we can accomplish great things for God's glory.
Think how seldom this promise is preached and emphasized among us-that we can be clothed with the very power of God himself! It is not through human talent or earthly resources that the true Christian church is built, but rather through men and women saturated with God's Spirit and full of his Word.
The word used here for wait means literally to "sit still." Jesus knew the disciples; lives would be filled with tremendous amounts of evangelistic and teaching activity, but he commanded them to sit still and wait first so God could properly equip them for fruitful ministry. This cycle of waiting on God followed by effective Spirit-filled service is the divine program for all time, not just the New Testament era. Without seasons of prayerful waiting for fresh power, we will see little or no divine assistance in doing God's work. Churches will end up resembling that of Sardis, which the Lord said has "a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Rev 3:1)
Can we not begin to gather across the land in churches and homes to claim this wonderful promise of being "clothed with power from on high"? Why forfeit God's supernatural help, when the signs are all around us that only something from heaven can meet our need? Let pastors begin to lead their congregations in this vital matter of waiting in prayer for God to come and manifest his grace in a greater dimension.
Luke closes his story by relating that the disciples "returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were constantly in the Temple praising and blessing God" (Luke 24:52-53). If we put this together with his account in the book of Acts, we see that they went to Jerusalem, visited the temple regularly, and then apparently ended up meeting in the upper room, where the Spirit descended upon them (Acts 2:1-4). The important thing to note is that they went back to the city "with great joy," for they knew that Jesus was risen from the dead! They also knew he would keep his promise of sending them the Holy Spirit's power. Their attitude was not one of morose and depressed introspection but of a joyful looking at God and his faithfulness.
The other important key to their prayerful waiting on God was their regular practice of "praising and blessing God." The meaning of the Greek word for blessing here is "to speak highly of, to say great things," about someone. The word for praising is used primarily of singing exultation and worshiping God in song.
So there they were; praying, waiting, praising, blessing, singing, and worshiping God with all their hearts. It was not a time of only silence, or only noise, but rather a joyful mixture of the two, for these Jewish folks knew all too well that God is "enthroned in the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3). And all this went on before the Spirit came in power upon them!
God will act the same way today whenever and wherever his people slow down long enough to give him their total attention in faith-filled prayer, praise, and worshipful waiting. He will transform our lives, invade and bless our churches, and equip us to do things beyond "all we [could] ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Eph 3:20)."
Two thousand years later, this is still the greatest need of the Christian church-to wait regularly in seasons of corporate and individual prayer until we are "clothed with power from on high." These are the garments Jesus will still give his people-supernatural ability, might, and power from the Holy Spirit so we can accomplish great things for God's glory.
Think how seldom this promise is preached and emphasized among us-that we can be clothed with the very power of God himself! It is not through human talent or earthly resources that the true Christian church is built, but rather through men and women saturated with God's Spirit and full of his Word.
The word used here for wait means literally to "sit still." Jesus knew the disciples; lives would be filled with tremendous amounts of evangelistic and teaching activity, but he commanded them to sit still and wait first so God could properly equip them for fruitful ministry. This cycle of waiting on God followed by effective Spirit-filled service is the divine program for all time, not just the New Testament era. Without seasons of prayerful waiting for fresh power, we will see little or no divine assistance in doing God's work. Churches will end up resembling that of Sardis, which the Lord said has "a reputation of being alive, but you are dead" (Rev 3:1)
Can we not begin to gather across the land in churches and homes to claim this wonderful promise of being "clothed with power from on high"? Why forfeit God's supernatural help, when the signs are all around us that only something from heaven can meet our need? Let pastors begin to lead their congregations in this vital matter of waiting in prayer for God to come and manifest his grace in a greater dimension.
Luke closes his story by relating that the disciples "returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were constantly in the Temple praising and blessing God" (Luke 24:52-53). If we put this together with his account in the book of Acts, we see that they went to Jerusalem, visited the temple regularly, and then apparently ended up meeting in the upper room, where the Spirit descended upon them (Acts 2:1-4). The important thing to note is that they went back to the city "with great joy," for they knew that Jesus was risen from the dead! They also knew he would keep his promise of sending them the Holy Spirit's power. Their attitude was not one of morose and depressed introspection but of a joyful looking at God and his faithfulness.
The other important key to their prayerful waiting on God was their regular practice of "praising and blessing God." The meaning of the Greek word for blessing here is "to speak highly of, to say great things," about someone. The word for praising is used primarily of singing exultation and worshiping God in song.
So there they were; praying, waiting, praising, blessing, singing, and worshiping God with all their hearts. It was not a time of only silence, or only noise, but rather a joyful mixture of the two, for these Jewish folks knew all too well that God is "enthroned in the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3). And all this went on before the Spirit came in power upon them!
God will act the same way today whenever and wherever his people slow down long enough to give him their total attention in faith-filled prayer, praise, and worshipful waiting. He will transform our lives, invade and bless our churches, and equip us to do things beyond "all we [could] ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Eph 3:20)."
I quoted this from Jim Cymbala. The last two paragraphs sum up the Walk to Emmaus, you "slow down long enough to give him your total attention in faith filled prayer, praise, and worship." I love that quote.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Uuuuuugh....
So last week, I was weeding the flowers beds after cutting the grass. Well, in the process I got into some poison oak, so now I have a itchy, red rash on my arms, neck, back, side, and leg. It is so much fun. I have been taking allergy medication to try and keep if from getting worse. It seems to be helping that; however, I am in an amazing fog. I never know you could move one speed and everything else could move another. Weird, I know. Anyway, thought you all might get a good laugh on this one. Have a great weekend.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Opportunity and Opposition
"These two words start with the same set of letters, and they often travel together. We need never be discouraged when God opens a door to do something for him and we meet opposition almost immediately. This kind of thing happens all the time; it goes with the territory. What did we think Satan would do, anyway-cheer us on?"
In Acts Chapter 14, Paul tells the disciples, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kindgom of God." The Greek word translated "hardships" means to break, crush, compress, squeeze. It signifies distress, pressure, a burden upon the spirit. "Paul included this kind of honest teaching in every town where a church had sprung up. The believers in these churches had to keep in mind always that in the kigdom of God, hardship and persecution are par for the course."
I know from experience when God is telling me to do something or say something that I might met opposition. On occasion I am not met with opposition, but in most I am. I have many examples, but I will start with the most simple one. I don't know if you remember the post where I typed up what God had me to say at my grandmothers funeral (archived March - My Grandmother). For the two weeks prior to this I knew that I was speaking at her funeral because she had asked this of me after speaking at my grandfathers. So for the two weeks prior to, knowing she was not doing well, I began praying non-stop about what God wanted said to her family and friends. As God was giving me the words, I remember fighting him saying "I can not say this, this is for Doug I can not say this."
Well the day of came, I was still fighting God on the words he had given me. On the way to the funeral home I was praying again. I asked God to confirm through a pastor when I got there. I asked the pastor, "am I to give only the good or the whole thing." The immediate answer was the whole thing. Scared, I went to the bathroom, sitting in a chair I was crying and pleading with God, "I can not do this, I can't say this, you have to do this through me, I don't have the strength. I am nothing, you have to do this I can not." I said this over and over again for a several minutes.
When the time came, a few minutes later, I was called to the front. Standing at the podium, I began to speak, but nothing would come out, my throat was paralyzed. I began to agrue with God, "you put me here, you know I had to do this, why would you allow this now." The pastor was behind me and began to say "bless her father" over and over again. After what seemed like minutes, in reality it was probably 30 seconds, God removed the paralysis of my throat and allowed me to speak. Satan, the opposition, did not want me to speak because he know that God was planting a seed in Doug.
After the funeral, at the house, Doug came up to me and said, "I know you were talking to me," I told him I was sorry, and that I knew I was talking to him, but I had too. We talked about it for about 10-15 minutes, then we hugged, while we were hugging God spoke to him through me, all I remember saying was, "God needs you to know.........and Grandma and Grandpa loved you."
After this I was exhausted, but could not sleep because I was mad at God because he did not allow me to remember what I had spoke to Doug. The Hubby said, "it was not for you or you would remember." God was speaking through him to calm me. I say all this to give you one of many examples in my life where God has asked to use me and I say yes, and I am met with opposition (Satan). Being a servant is scary and difficult, but God gets so much glory from it. A few days after the funeral a man told my father, that listening to me speak at grandma's funeral was the closest he had been to God that week. Wow, what glory to God for his power and presence in our lives if we will submit to being his servant and depending on him and not ourselves. I find joy in serving because I know people are seeing God and God is growing me in my dependence on him.
In Acts Chapter 14, Paul tells the disciples, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kindgom of God." The Greek word translated "hardships" means to break, crush, compress, squeeze. It signifies distress, pressure, a burden upon the spirit. "Paul included this kind of honest teaching in every town where a church had sprung up. The believers in these churches had to keep in mind always that in the kigdom of God, hardship and persecution are par for the course."
I know from experience when God is telling me to do something or say something that I might met opposition. On occasion I am not met with opposition, but in most I am. I have many examples, but I will start with the most simple one. I don't know if you remember the post where I typed up what God had me to say at my grandmothers funeral (archived March - My Grandmother). For the two weeks prior to this I knew that I was speaking at her funeral because she had asked this of me after speaking at my grandfathers. So for the two weeks prior to, knowing she was not doing well, I began praying non-stop about what God wanted said to her family and friends. As God was giving me the words, I remember fighting him saying "I can not say this, this is for Doug I can not say this."
Well the day of came, I was still fighting God on the words he had given me. On the way to the funeral home I was praying again. I asked God to confirm through a pastor when I got there. I asked the pastor, "am I to give only the good or the whole thing." The immediate answer was the whole thing. Scared, I went to the bathroom, sitting in a chair I was crying and pleading with God, "I can not do this, I can't say this, you have to do this through me, I don't have the strength. I am nothing, you have to do this I can not." I said this over and over again for a several minutes.
When the time came, a few minutes later, I was called to the front. Standing at the podium, I began to speak, but nothing would come out, my throat was paralyzed. I began to agrue with God, "you put me here, you know I had to do this, why would you allow this now." The pastor was behind me and began to say "bless her father" over and over again. After what seemed like minutes, in reality it was probably 30 seconds, God removed the paralysis of my throat and allowed me to speak. Satan, the opposition, did not want me to speak because he know that God was planting a seed in Doug.
After the funeral, at the house, Doug came up to me and said, "I know you were talking to me," I told him I was sorry, and that I knew I was talking to him, but I had too. We talked about it for about 10-15 minutes, then we hugged, while we were hugging God spoke to him through me, all I remember saying was, "God needs you to know.........and Grandma and Grandpa loved you."
After this I was exhausted, but could not sleep because I was mad at God because he did not allow me to remember what I had spoke to Doug. The Hubby said, "it was not for you or you would remember." God was speaking through him to calm me. I say all this to give you one of many examples in my life where God has asked to use me and I say yes, and I am met with opposition (Satan). Being a servant is scary and difficult, but God gets so much glory from it. A few days after the funeral a man told my father, that listening to me speak at grandma's funeral was the closest he had been to God that week. Wow, what glory to God for his power and presence in our lives if we will submit to being his servant and depending on him and not ourselves. I find joy in serving because I know people are seeing God and God is growing me in my dependence on him.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
More Pictures....
I don't remember where or why I took this picture, but I still think it is cute.
Mini-Me hanging out on Kid-O's bed watching television while she is at school working hard.
Little Man hanging out in Kid-O's room watching television.
Little Man has been going to the big boy barber shop for over a year, but normally it is just him and daddy that go on a Saturday. Well, this time they went Friday and Mommy and Mini-Me went with them. I did not really believe the Hubby when he said Little Man just freezes in place when they cut his hair. The hubby was not kidding, the child did not move.Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Labor Day Weekend
We went to Mississippi this weekend to spend a little time with the Hubby's parents. I thought I would share a few pictures from the weekend.
Mini-Me learning to fly out of the pool.
Kid-O soaking up some rays.
Little Man and Mini-Me on the four wheel with Grandpa.
Mini-Me falling asleep in Grandpa's lap while we played Yahtzee.
Mini-Me waking up in Grandpa's lap, right before throwing up into Grandpa's lap. Soured milk and grape tomatoes just don't mix well.
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