Our Corps band is on a quick tour in the UK!
We have heard positive reports.
Take a look at our site and you can see for yourself.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Jesus loves the little children
I am the mother of five children. I had a miscarriage between Natasha my third daughter and Emma my forth. Why would I share something so personal on a blog site? I am not totally sure. All I know is that today I need to write it, to make it known.
We don’t always understand why certain things happen. Why some suffer and others never seem to suffer- as if it can be measured.
Today, I went to a funeral, a funeral for a six month old baby. The mother had been living at our shelter. She had the baby prematurely and it grew from two pounds to eight pounds.
I can’t say that I have ever seen a baby in a casket before. When we walked in we were led to the front of the Baptist Church to view the little one in his white christening outfit. The service began with the minister stepping up to the pulpit and singing accapella;
“Jesus love the little children, all the children of the world….”
Later at the graveside, everyone was given a white carnation to place on the casket. They lowered the little box and the mother let out a scream of grief that made my knees weaken and my heart want to scream with her. I looked down at my white carnation sprayed blue and thought…every life is valuable; every life has meaning- no matter how short.
So, I guess I mentioned my baby, the one I never held, not in grief nor to seek out sympathy of any kind but more to validate the existence of that life. A life short lived, held only in my womb like a dream. Yet, loved and valued from the moment it was conceived.
Jesus loves the little children.
We don’t always understand why certain things happen. Why some suffer and others never seem to suffer- as if it can be measured.
Today, I went to a funeral, a funeral for a six month old baby. The mother had been living at our shelter. She had the baby prematurely and it grew from two pounds to eight pounds.
I can’t say that I have ever seen a baby in a casket before. When we walked in we were led to the front of the Baptist Church to view the little one in his white christening outfit. The service began with the minister stepping up to the pulpit and singing accapella;
“Jesus love the little children, all the children of the world….”
Later at the graveside, everyone was given a white carnation to place on the casket. They lowered the little box and the mother let out a scream of grief that made my knees weaken and my heart want to scream with her. I looked down at my white carnation sprayed blue and thought…every life is valuable; every life has meaning- no matter how short.
So, I guess I mentioned my baby, the one I never held, not in grief nor to seek out sympathy of any kind but more to validate the existence of that life. A life short lived, held only in my womb like a dream. Yet, loved and valued from the moment it was conceived.
Jesus loves the little children.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
New friends on Xanga and Blogger
I found this quote today on a friends xanga site , she is new to the xanga world and blogging. Stop by and say hi!
Now about the quote, maybe you have heard it before? It was new to me and hit me with a holy yes!
Now about the quote, maybe you have heard it before? It was new to me and hit me with a holy yes!
Brennan Manning:
" Quit keeping score altogether and surrender yourself with all your sinfulness to God, who sees neither the score nor the scorekeeper, but only His child redeemed by Christ. " ═ Abba's Child
I have another friend who has just joined Blogger he Walksinthewoods! You won't want to miss his writing. He is humble and a gifted writer ( and much more!). Check him out and throw him some encouragement.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Tired-Not the sleepy kind
Tired of effort,
Worn from the fight.
Thoughts race,
Opinions rise,
Speculations distract,
Rumors wound.
Silence is a virtue.
Quiet is under rated.
Even as an extravert,
Being still,
Worn from the fight.
Thoughts race,
Opinions rise,
Speculations distract,
Rumors wound.
Silence is a virtue.
Quiet is under rated.
Even as an extravert,
Being still,
Resting
Quiet,
Silence,
is gold.
Too many
Too many
man made rules.
Too many walls.
So many subjects,
Too many words.
I like words
Too many walls.
So many subjects,
Too many words.
I like words
and yet sometimes
There are too many;
Spoken,
thought,
shared.
There are too many;
Spoken,
thought,
shared.
Words are not always preceded by thought.
Everyone wants to be heard,
No one wants to listen.
Everyone wants to be right,
Cutting edge of thought
and opinion.
A voice crying in the desert of my soul says :
“Be quiet, Be still,
Spend time in My Word.”
What is the rest?
Noise,
Interference,
Static.
Turn off the world and let me hear you Lord.
Turn off my mind and whisper my name.
All that’s within, Give it to Him.
Make still Lord, Come heal Lord,
And whisper my name.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
ZAP! ZAP!- 2 Kings 1:1-11
Some passages of scripture just amuse me! This passage below makes me smile.
My imagination gets the best of me. I imagine Elijah’s tone being very matter of fact. I imagine him almost bored with the situation. I also think the angel of the Lord in vs. 15 has a great line and should be par-phrased with a New Jersey accent….
But most of all this passage makes me wonder.
My imagination gets the best of me. I imagine Elijah’s tone being very matter of fact. I imagine him almost bored with the situation. I also think the angel of the Lord in vs. 15 has a great line and should be par-phrased with a New Jersey accent….
But most of all this passage makes me wonder.
Do we tremble at the word of the Lord?
As men and women of God, can we call down the fire of heaven?
Makes ya wanna say ZAP! ZAP! Doesn’t it??! LOL! ;)
– If you don’t have a clue what I am talking about take a minute and read the passage below!
2 Kings 1
The Lord 's Judgment on Ahaziah
1 After Ahab's death, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, "Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury."
3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?' 4 Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!' " So Elijah went.
5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, "Why have you come back?"
6 "A man came to meet us," they replied. "And he said to us, 'Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, "This is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!" ' "
7 The king asked them, "What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?"
8 They replied, "He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah the Tishbite."
9 Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down!' "
10 Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.
11 At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, "Man of God, this is what the king says, 'Come down at once!' "
12 "If I am a man of God," Elijah replied, "may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!"
15 The angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.
Now don’t anybody get carried away…..The Sons of Thunder were rebuked by Jesus for wanting to call fire down from heaven on those who didn’t respond or behave as they thought they should. ( Luke 9:54)
If I am a woman of God....... :)
As men and women of God, can we call down the fire of heaven?
Makes ya wanna say ZAP! ZAP! Doesn’t it??! LOL! ;)
– If you don’t have a clue what I am talking about take a minute and read the passage below!
2 Kings 1
The Lord 's Judgment on Ahaziah
1 After Ahab's death, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, "Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury."
3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?' 4 Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!' " So Elijah went.
5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, "Why have you come back?"
6 "A man came to meet us," they replied. "And he said to us, 'Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, "This is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!" ' "
7 The king asked them, "What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?"
8 They replied, "He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah the Tishbite."
9 Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down!' "
10 Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.
11 At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, "Man of God, this is what the king says, 'Come down at once!' "
12 "If I am a man of God," Elijah replied, "may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!"
15 The angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.
Now don’t anybody get carried away…..The Sons of Thunder were rebuked by Jesus for wanting to call fire down from heaven on those who didn’t respond or behave as they thought they should. ( Luke 9:54)
If I am a woman of God....... :)
Saturday, May 20, 2006
weakness and temptations
I have a weakness for dried Mangos. I buy them at Costco and to my shame...I can eat through a whole bag by myself. If they are in the house.....I am aware of their presence in the cupboard. It takes all my will power to fight the urge to take another and another. I justify myself and say..."it's fruit!"
I have gone weeks without buying them so the temptation would not be there.
Yesterday, I passed by them twice in Costco. A little voice said..." go get them, there are worse things you could be addicted to."
Justification won over and now they torment me in my home. Nothing seems to silence them except when the bag is empty and then the guilt comes. ( you should see the calorie count on these things!)
The Mangos may not be the worse thing in the world to be tempted by but the process of temptation is the same. It's all apples and....in this case mangos!
Friday, May 19, 2006
Change
Some change is good.
Like a metamorphosis
of a caterpillar to a butterfly.
Wings are given,
A fuzzy worm learns to fly.
Some change can paralyze.
Like Joni Eareckson Tada,
in a moment everything is different.
God says “My grace is sufficient;
my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Some change is for growth.
A seed placed in the cold dark ground,
The pruning of a rose bush,
The plowing of a wild field.
All, in time will produce a greater harvest.
God places us in an ever changing world.
Living through experiences that are unpredictable,
Relationships that can shift,
Weather and catastrophes that can terrorize.
In all of it, he says,
“I the Lord do not change.”
Like a metamorphosis
of a caterpillar to a butterfly.
Wings are given,
A fuzzy worm learns to fly.
Some change can paralyze.
Like Joni Eareckson Tada,
in a moment everything is different.
God says “My grace is sufficient;
my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Some change is for growth.
A seed placed in the cold dark ground,
The pruning of a rose bush,
The plowing of a wild field.
All, in time will produce a greater harvest.
God places us in an ever changing world.
Living through experiences that are unpredictable,
Relationships that can shift,
Weather and catastrophes that can terrorize.
In all of it, he says,
“I the Lord do not change.”
Today change becomes known to many. Whatever change may come to you,trust in the one who is greater. Trust in the one who never changes.
He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
His name is faithful and true!
He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
His name is faithful and true!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
What I consider loss
A few weeks ago we concluded a Bible study on the life of Paul. I was inspired by the words Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 3.
vs. 3-4 says “….we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-though I myself have reason for such confidence.”
Then Paul goes on to list his credentials within the Hebrew faith. He list what he could boast about by human standards and yet ends his impressive resume with vs. 7 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
He even is so bold as to say “I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
I began to think about the things that I could boast in, my “Army credentials” and I wrote the following:
I was dedicated to God under the Army flag before the age of 6 months.
I was a Jr. Soldier by the age of 7.
I was an Honor Jr. Soldier, Commissioner sunbeam, a graduate Corps Cadet and enrolled as a Sr. Soldier by my 15th birthday.
I attended every Youth Councils and worked every summer at an Army Camp.
I was a corps helper for a year and went on Summer Service Corps the summer before I entered the training school.
I was commissioned as an officer at the age of 22.
I am a fourth generation Salvationist on my mother’s side, a fifth generation Salvationist on my father’s side.
I am a 3rd generation Officer.
I know what it means to be “Army,” both the good and the bad.
vs. 3-4 says “….we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-though I myself have reason for such confidence.”
Then Paul goes on to list his credentials within the Hebrew faith. He list what he could boast about by human standards and yet ends his impressive resume with vs. 7 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
He even is so bold as to say “I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
I began to think about the things that I could boast in, my “Army credentials” and I wrote the following:
I was dedicated to God under the Army flag before the age of 6 months.
I was a Jr. Soldier by the age of 7.
I was an Honor Jr. Soldier, Commissioner sunbeam, a graduate Corps Cadet and enrolled as a Sr. Soldier by my 15th birthday.
I attended every Youth Councils and worked every summer at an Army Camp.
I was a corps helper for a year and went on Summer Service Corps the summer before I entered the training school.
I was commissioned as an officer at the age of 22.
I am a fourth generation Salvationist on my mother’s side, a fifth generation Salvationist on my father’s side.
I am a 3rd generation Officer.
I know what it means to be “Army,” both the good and the bad.
But, as Paul…
"Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake for Christ. What is more, I consider everything loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ and be found in him, Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law ( or good programming :)-Carole's addition ) but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
"Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake for Christ. What is more, I consider everything loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ and be found in him, Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law ( or good programming :)-Carole's addition ) but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
Monday, May 15, 2006
Number 4 turns 4!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!
May 16th - Emma Jayne Bate
From the look on her face I would say the party on Saturday went well! We saved a few presents for her to open on her real birthday and she will also take cupcakes to her school.
May 16th - Emma Jayne Bate
From the look on her face I would say the party on Saturday went well! We saved a few presents for her to open on her real birthday and she will also take cupcakes to her school.
Love this!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Mother's day
My MOM
Red balloon game in the hallway.
M& M’s tossed, from a window high.
Ice cream cones just after shopping.
Memories of my mom, and I.
Sitting on the sandy beaches,
Splashing in the Kittles cove.
Skating on the frozen lake top,
Warming by an old wood stove.
Steaming bonnets in the kitchen,
Pointing to the songbook line.
Yorkshires cooked for Sunday dinner,
Movies, just the “girly” kind.
Now I look at my own daughters,
I’m the mom, how can that be?
When they stop to think and ponder,
I wonder what they’ll think of me.
Quotes of the evening
These quotes are from the instillation of our National Commander last night at the temple in New York.
" We need a leader who will call the legions of salvation soldiers to battles worth fighting!"
Commissioner Philip Needham in his charge to Commissioner Israel Gaither.
"We need to know what it is to be serving in the smile of our King" Commissioner Israel Gaither
" God doesn't take second hand glory! It is all for His glory.." Commissioner Israel Gaither
" Soldiers don't hide in citadels!" Commissioner Israel Gaither
" We need a leader who will call the legions of salvation soldiers to battles worth fighting!"
Commissioner Philip Needham in his charge to Commissioner Israel Gaither.
"We need to know what it is to be serving in the smile of our King" Commissioner Israel Gaither
" God doesn't take second hand glory! It is all for His glory.." Commissioner Israel Gaither
" Soldiers don't hide in citadels!" Commissioner Israel Gaither
Wild Life of Montclair
I know God created all living things.......
but..
There was a big,huge, size of a basketball, groundhog on my deck tonight.
The dog scared it to the fence of the yard and then caught it between it's teeth...shook it hard and then dropped it...only to look back at the 5 of us screaming at the top of our lungs like little girls! ( ok! so four of them were little girls)
I have seen some big rodents before but this wins the prize!!
I have never seen groundhogs in our yard but our neighbor now tells me he has seen two. He also said they live in the creek near our house.
My dog has all her shots but by law she now needs to get another shot. ( there was blood seen after the struggle)
My husband is in Britain. Most people have the impression that I am independent...(they are wrong and not just when it comes to squirrels on steroids!!)
My daughter was to have a four year old birthday party in our back yard tomorrow.....
I'll be lucky to get her near the back door.
To tell you the truth.....I've been looking under my feet and over my shoulder ever since I saw it. You'll be lucky to see me in the backyard untill I shake it off.
Pest control said to call animal control.
Animal control said to call the police and if it is as big as I said...they told me it is probably pregnant.
What would the police do??
Yuck!
If you go to the link you can see the fun he is having!!
Friday, May 12, 2006
Intimate Intercession
I just finished this book. I enjoyed it so much and it will be one of those books that I will read again and again. Take a peek inside at this link:
The Sacred Joy of Praying for others
Here is a quote that was included in the book:
“I think about people I know, the saints with their swollen ankles or their knobby hands, the rickety prayer warriors who don’t have the physical strength to open a pickle jar but who set whole legions of demons flying for cover whenever they kneel. Some are pious misfits, holy eccentrics. Most are just ordinary, with nothing but the presence of God to distinguish them from all the other people on the face of the earth.”- Mark Buchanan.
I have been so busy lately but when I have had a moment this book has been inspiring. It has warmed my heart from the cold monotony of “list” praying and has called me to an intercessor prayer that fills heaven with a sweet fragrance.
The Sacred Joy of Praying for others
Here is a quote that was included in the book:
“I think about people I know, the saints with their swollen ankles or their knobby hands, the rickety prayer warriors who don’t have the physical strength to open a pickle jar but who set whole legions of demons flying for cover whenever they kneel. Some are pious misfits, holy eccentrics. Most are just ordinary, with nothing but the presence of God to distinguish them from all the other people on the face of the earth.”- Mark Buchanan.
I have been so busy lately but when I have had a moment this book has been inspiring. It has warmed my heart from the cold monotony of “list” praying and has called me to an intercessor prayer that fills heaven with a sweet fragrance.
Friday, May 05, 2006
BUSY
New Jersey Youth Councils this weekend…we leave today. My oldest daughter will be joining us…the first Youth Councils for her. WOW! They grow so fast.
May 6th is a special day, not only is it Youth Councils but more importantly in our house, Lydia my second daughter turns 12! She was upset that the Army always has youth councils on her birthday so we did a big bash with 12 kids last weekend.
May 6th will be a big day for David Payton and Marika ( last name to hard to spell…soon to be Payton) they will be getting married in Ithaca, N.Y. and a Baker wedding at our corps same day! Yeah Tracy and Brian!!!
We have Cadets on Sunday which is good since Al is here with three kids and I will still be at Youth Councils.
So it is a busy weekend and Monday is officer’s councils for N.J., they have asked us to speak about the corps. All the corps in the division takes a turn sharing what God is doing- Monday is our turn.
Then Tuesday the N.J. Youth Band leaves for the tour of Scotland and Ireland. Alastair is going with the youth band and will stay over in Britain waiting for our corps band. Our corps band has been invited to play at Royal Albert Hall at the end of the month beginning of June. So he comes back after all that. In- between all this we will have some of the wedding visitors from the Eastern Europe Command staying with us after the Payton wedding. It will be fun to see them!
In short, pray for us…it is a busy time and so much is happening.
God is good and He is faithful!
Carole
May 6th is a special day, not only is it Youth Councils but more importantly in our house, Lydia my second daughter turns 12! She was upset that the Army always has youth councils on her birthday so we did a big bash with 12 kids last weekend.
May 6th will be a big day for David Payton and Marika ( last name to hard to spell…soon to be Payton) they will be getting married in Ithaca, N.Y. and a Baker wedding at our corps same day! Yeah Tracy and Brian!!!
We have Cadets on Sunday which is good since Al is here with three kids and I will still be at Youth Councils.
So it is a busy weekend and Monday is officer’s councils for N.J., they have asked us to speak about the corps. All the corps in the division takes a turn sharing what God is doing- Monday is our turn.
Then Tuesday the N.J. Youth Band leaves for the tour of Scotland and Ireland. Alastair is going with the youth band and will stay over in Britain waiting for our corps band. Our corps band has been invited to play at Royal Albert Hall at the end of the month beginning of June. So he comes back after all that. In- between all this we will have some of the wedding visitors from the Eastern Europe Command staying with us after the Payton wedding. It will be fun to see them!
In short, pray for us…it is a busy time and so much is happening.
God is good and He is faithful!
Carole
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Dry bones- vast Army
Ezekiel 37:1-10 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Ezekiel 37
The Valley of Dry Bones
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.
2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.
3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."
4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath [a] enter you, and you will come to life.
6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.
8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' "
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Only you know Lord if change is possible.
If I preach the word of God faithfuly - speak out your word and If I call for your breath, your Spirit to come and breathe new life into us.......
Will the God of Ezekiel bring it all together once again?
"and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet"- A VAST ARMY.
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Ezekiel 37
The Valley of Dry Bones
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.
2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.
3 He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
I said, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know."
4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath [a] enter you, and you will come to life.
6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.
8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' "
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
Only you know Lord if change is possible.
If I preach the word of God faithfuly - speak out your word and If I call for your breath, your Spirit to come and breathe new life into us.......
Will the God of Ezekiel bring it all together once again?
"and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet"- A VAST ARMY.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Thoughts on grace
Tim Miller has written some good thoughts on grace...they got me thinking. No time to put it all together....this is just what came in the moment. I am sure the list could be much longer. Thanks Tim!
Radical grace
A grace that saves
A grace that stoops down
A grace that listens to the long winded
A grace that hugs the clingy
A grace that welcomes the homeless
A grace that loves the legalist
A grace that forgives the unforgivable
A grace that forgets past offences
A grace that cares for the traditionalist
A grace that embraces the confused
A grace that comforts the wounded
A grace that gives boundaries
A grace that brings justice at just the right time
A grace that punishes wickedness
A grace that gives every possible opportunity to repent
A grace that doesn’t overlook but gently calls to account
A grace that pursues
A grace that knows it all and loves anyway
A grace that will call me a friend
A grace that will risk reputation for me
A grace that knows when to humble
A grace that knows when to praise
A grace that has no strings attached
A grace that overflows
A grace to give
A grace to share
A radical grace for those who do not dress like me, think like me, look like me, smell like me, see things the way I see them or agree with me……even when I know I am right.;)
The same grace that I want for myself
-undeserved
Give me, Lord, to share with others
-unreserved.
Radical grace
A grace that saves
A grace that stoops down
A grace that listens to the long winded
A grace that hugs the clingy
A grace that welcomes the homeless
A grace that loves the legalist
A grace that forgives the unforgivable
A grace that forgets past offences
A grace that cares for the traditionalist
A grace that embraces the confused
A grace that comforts the wounded
A grace that gives boundaries
A grace that brings justice at just the right time
A grace that punishes wickedness
A grace that gives every possible opportunity to repent
A grace that doesn’t overlook but gently calls to account
A grace that pursues
A grace that knows it all and loves anyway
A grace that will call me a friend
A grace that will risk reputation for me
A grace that knows when to humble
A grace that knows when to praise
A grace that has no strings attached
A grace that overflows
A grace to give
A grace to share
A radical grace for those who do not dress like me, think like me, look like me, smell like me, see things the way I see them or agree with me……even when I know I am right.;)
The same grace that I want for myself
-undeserved
Give me, Lord, to share with others
-unreserved.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
I will need a box of tissues today!
For all those who helped with Anya's evangelism question and all those who helped her to raise money so she could be the maid of honor in David Payton and Marika's wedding---THANKS!
Today my friend Anya arrives in the States. Today she will be in my home. Today I will be able to hug her, laugh with her, cry with her, listen to her, share with her.
Pray for her husband and little girl Lena who are missing her in The Republic of Georgia. Pray for her corps in Rustavi and the leaders of the Eastern Europe Command.
There are so many from that command that I will not be able to "beak bread with" unless it is God 's will to someday send us back. I love them, I miss them. Through Anya and our visit, I will be remembering them.
Today my friend Anya arrives in the States. Today she will be in my home. Today I will be able to hug her, laugh with her, cry with her, listen to her, share with her.
Pray for her husband and little girl Lena who are missing her in The Republic of Georgia. Pray for her corps in Rustavi and the leaders of the Eastern Europe Command.
There are so many from that command that I will not be able to "beak bread with" unless it is God 's will to someday send us back. I love them, I miss them. Through Anya and our visit, I will be remembering them.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Corkboard Judgments
"She was elusive. She was today. She was tomorrow. She was the faintest scent of a cactus flower, the flitting shadow of an elf owl. We did not know what to make of her. In our minds we tried to pin her to corkboard like a butterfly, but the pin merely went through and away she flew."
Jerry Spinelli in his scholastic book StarGirl
My 7th grader came home with this book yesterday. She was excited about it and said it is about a "new" girl. The quote above was on the back cover. I wondered if my daughter likes this book so much because she understands what it is like to be the "new" girl. Even I could relate to the words on the back cover. As an officer’s kid I know what it is like to have people trying to "pin me to a corkboard like a butterfly." Come to think of it, I don’t think we have to be a “new” kid on the block to have that experience. We often try to put people in categories, neat packages or "pin" them down so we can figure them out. The hope I see is found in the end of the quote…"but the pin merely went through and away she flew."
May we all learn to live above other people's judgments.
As a pin hinders the flight and very life of a butterfly so our words and judgments can harm the flight of one's spirit.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Looking deeply
I don't dig beneath the surface for things that don't appear before my own eyes.
~ John Singer Sergent
Sometimes I like to stand before a painting and get lost in it.
I attended the Boston Museum of Fine Art School, a long time ago.
At the Museum students associated with their school could get in free. I took advantage of this as often as possible. One of the paintings I stood in front of and sometimes even sat on the floor in front of was John Signer Sergent‘s Mrs. Fisk Warren and her daughter. ( pictured above.)
I am not sure if it was his style that drew me to this painting or the looks in the eyes of Mrs. Fisk Warren and her daughter. I think it had something to do with how he caught the relationship of the mother and daughter leaning on each other. I found it comforting especially as I was learning to live on my own at the time (without Mom or Dad!). I was also thinking of my future and wondering if I would have children, maybe a daughter and if I would have that same connection. Years later, I now look back at this picture and I still am drawn in. It is the style, the faces, the comfort that I see in the relationship caught on canvas. I now have four daughters of my own and realize that the peace on their faces captivates me. :)
This past Friday my husband and I took our girls to the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Arts in Manhattan. We stood together in front of Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir and even a few John Singer Sergent paintings. His style reminded me of those days in Boston.
Running through the museum with my four girls was fun. Through the Egyptian exhibit, past the Tiffany stain glass windows, through the statue hallway and even through the modern art rooms. We passed through centuries together and some paintings caused us to stop and stare…they pulled us in.
Monday, April 24, 2006
A glimpse of the Divine
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Making a mountain out of a mole hill!
When my daughter Heather was 4 years old she got her first splinter in her hand. I tried my best to remove it gently but it was difficult since Heather was screaming before I even touched her with the tweezers. The splinter was in the palm of her hand and almost at the center. I coaxed and pleaded with her and then finally I said in frustration "You must be still if I am going to get this out!" Heather grabbed her little hand from me and opened it up so we could both look at it. She then said "Mommy I am sorry I am screaming but it really hurts....( now touching the center of her palm and rubbing it gently with tears still on her cheeks) ... it hurts just like Jesus with the nails on the cross."
I looked at her wide eyed and grinned thinking... WOW! Are we dramatic in our family or what??!! I am sure the location of her splinter had something to do with her train of thought.
Then the question came to my mind.....
How often do I turn the splinters of life into a cross to bear?
I looked at her wide eyed and grinned thinking... WOW! Are we dramatic in our family or what??!! I am sure the location of her splinter had something to do with her train of thought.
Then the question came to my mind.....
How often do I turn the splinters of life into a cross to bear?
Easter may have come and gone for us but today was Easter for my friends in the Eastern Europe command. May you experience resurrection power every day!
He Lives!
May our light and momentary troubles achieve for us an eternal glory that will far outweigh them all!
2 Corinthians 3: 16-18 (NIV)
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 3: 16-18 (NIV)
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
Monday, April 17, 2006
Lord of the Dance
Sunday we joined with the Central Presbyterian Church for our Easter service. We are sharing space with them while we are waiting for a new building.
We sang the Lord of the Dance.
How awesome is the thought of our Lord so free in His Spirit that He dances through it all!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
In-between The Cross and The Resurrection
This day,
The in-between day
When all is lost and Hope has died.
We give up,
We grieve,
Confusion has it’s way.
We think back on
Words said,
Events experienced,
Things we thought we understood.
This day,
The in-between day,
We feel like we’ve been had.
The group brings no comfort
Loneliness sets in.
And satan foolishly thinks he wins.
This day,
The in-between day
When all is lost and our Hope has died.
We sit in darkness
Unaware of what tomorrow will bring.
Psalm 37:6 “ He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, The justice of your cause like the noon day sun.”
( Philippians 3:7-11)
The day in-between the Cross and the Resurrection has always intrigued me.
The first disciples, the friends of Jesus they didn’t know what was coming. I can not imagine what they went through on the day in-between.
Jesus was gone- dead and buried.
All their eggs were in one basket! :)
Nothing made sense anymore.
The poem above came to me today before my feet hit the ground this morning. It's there "as is"- as it came to me.
I think for me, I have days like this at times, “in-between” days where I look back and doubt all the Lord has done and said. Days, where satan seems to win and laugh at me for my foolish faith.
Lord, help me to remember that tomorrow is a New Day and The Victory will be more than we could ask or imagine. We know the story and what the next day brought for the disciples and his followers. The example has been set, keep us faithful Lord, even in the “in-between”.
The in-between day
When all is lost and Hope has died.
We give up,
We grieve,
Confusion has it’s way.
We think back on
Words said,
Events experienced,
Things we thought we understood.
This day,
The in-between day,
We feel like we’ve been had.
The group brings no comfort
Loneliness sets in.
And satan foolishly thinks he wins.
This day,
The in-between day
When all is lost and our Hope has died.
We sit in darkness
Unaware of what tomorrow will bring.
Psalm 37:6 “ He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, The justice of your cause like the noon day sun.”
( Philippians 3:7-11)
The day in-between the Cross and the Resurrection has always intrigued me.
The first disciples, the friends of Jesus they didn’t know what was coming. I can not imagine what they went through on the day in-between.
Jesus was gone- dead and buried.
All their eggs were in one basket! :)
Nothing made sense anymore.
The poem above came to me today before my feet hit the ground this morning. It's there "as is"- as it came to me.
I think for me, I have days like this at times, “in-between” days where I look back and doubt all the Lord has done and said. Days, where satan seems to win and laugh at me for my foolish faith.
Lord, help me to remember that tomorrow is a New Day and The Victory will be more than we could ask or imagine. We know the story and what the next day brought for the disciples and his followers. The example has been set, keep us faithful Lord, even in the “in-between”.
Friday, April 14, 2006
He is Risen!
CRISTOS VOS CREST!
VI ESTNO VOS CREST!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!
VI ESTNO VOS CREST!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen indeed!
When we lived and served in the Eastern Europe Territory, every Easter we greeted people with the above phrase. Every conversation on Easter day began with those words.
I really miss this tradition.
Last night at the shelter we had a Bible Study on the Case for Easter. The book outlines the facts that we have to prove the resurrection.
We read in the book of John the account of Mary seeing the risen Lord. I love this portion of scripture.
The Bible study teacher Beth Moore helped me understand this portion better. She believes and I agree with her that we miss some very important body language in these verses.
Let me explain:
Imagine how excited, how devoted, how upset Mary had been and now Jesus was there in front of her!
I imagine that when Jesus said “do not hold on to me” that Mary didn’t reach out to touch him…..but it was more like she tackled him! Grabbed hold of him like she was never going to let go!! She lost him once and she would not loose him again! Jesus was saying “do not hold to me for I have not yet returned to my Father.”
Some synonyms for the word hold are: grasp, clutch, seize, cling to, embrace, and cleave to.
If we read that portion again with any of the synonyms for word hold. We can imagine Her clinging to Him.
He was trying to let her know…..He was not staying. He would have to go back to the Father; she would need to learn how to cope without him there physically.
Jesus gave Mary a task, a responsibility in that moment. He told her to go and tell “the brothers.” (The disciples) So Mary Magdalene the women who had once been filled with 7 demons was the first to share, to proclaim, to preach the good news which is Christ is risen! There is victory over death and sin!
Her message, the first message ever spoken about Jesus “I have seen the risen Lord!
None of the men believed her. They were not ready for her message. But soon they would know that what she saw, what she proclaimed was true.
Ken Greer wrote “It was in garden ages ago that paradise was lost, and it is in a garden that it is regained!”
A woman was the first to give into a word of deceit and a woman was the first to speak the Truth that would restore all mankind who believe the lies of sin and satan.
May this weekend be a celebration of our living Lord who has the power even today to bring life to any situation! We serve a Living Lord!
CRISTOS VOS CREST!
VI ESTNO VOS CREST!
VI ESTNO VOS CREST!
Thursday, April 13, 2006
A Spiritual Calling
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"Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck.
Your profession is what you were put on earth to do with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling."
Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Prayer from ca.337
I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and a near,
Alone or in a mulitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison,
against burning,
Against drowning,
against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness Of the Creator of creation
St. Patrick (ca. 377)
I have heard some of this prayer before when other people have prayed, not realizing it was from St. Patrick ( as in St. Patrick's Day!). The bit I highlighted I have never heard before and it really resonated with me.
The Basin and the Towel
This past Sunday we sang this congregational song to the Salvation Army tune of Brantwood.
I was so moved by the words that the old tune didn’t distract me as it could have.
(I placed in bold the phrases that spoke to me the most- I could have put all of it in bold!).
The Basin and the Towel
The basin and the towel
And God upon his knees
What graciousness is here,
What holy mysteries!
How needs of mine assail me when
I watch the Master and his men.
Such love he bore his own,
All selfless to the end,
To take the servant’s part,
On dusty knee to bend,
And girded with humility
He kneels to minister to me.
His lowliness is might,
His meekness majesty,
His holy hands can touch
A traitor lovingly!
Let pride be broken when it sees
That kingly love upon its knees.
The basin brims with grace
As Jesus comes again.
He holds the towel to me
To serve men in his name
To share in Christly ministries
I can but fall upon my knees.
Words: Edward Read
(I placed in bold the phrases that spoke to me the most- I could have put all of it in bold!).
The Basin and the Towel
The basin and the towel
And God upon his knees
What graciousness is here,
What holy mysteries!
How needs of mine assail me when
I watch the Master and his men.
Such love he bore his own,
All selfless to the end,
To take the servant’s part,
On dusty knee to bend,
And girded with humility
He kneels to minister to me.
His lowliness is might,
His meekness majesty,
His holy hands can touch
A traitor lovingly!
Let pride be broken when it sees
That kingly love upon its knees.
The basin brims with grace
As Jesus comes again.
He holds the towel to me
To serve men in his name
To share in Christly ministries
I can but fall upon my knees.
Words: Edward Read
Monday, April 10, 2006
My heritage
I heard today that if you don't know where you have been ( your history) you will have touble finding your way. ( your future)
Therefore, I look back as I have been reminded this weekend and today of my heritage.
I met some relatives from Canada this weekend. We are all descendants of Rosa Jane who was my Father’s maternal grandmother. Rosa Jane who is pictured here at the age of 18 in 1898 later….had ten children! 5 boys and 5 girls. ( some of her grandchildren include my father- Lt. Col. Norman Voisey, Major Len Ballentine, Major Colleen Price- as you can imagine there are many more...I just mentioned those I have met with this past week.)
My Aunt on my mother’s side just posted a picture of my maternal grandmother passing out "The War Cry" as a cadet (seen below). She would have been around 18 in this picture. If Retta was around today April 10th, it would have been her 89th birthday. She had four children.
Therefore, I look back as I have been reminded this weekend and today of my heritage.
I met some relatives from Canada this weekend. We are all descendants of Rosa Jane who was my Father’s maternal grandmother. Rosa Jane who is pictured here at the age of 18 in 1898 later….had ten children! 5 boys and 5 girls. ( some of her grandchildren include my father- Lt. Col. Norman Voisey, Major Len Ballentine, Major Colleen Price- as you can imagine there are many more...I just mentioned those I have met with this past week.)
My Aunt on my mother’s side just posted a picture of my maternal grandmother passing out "The War Cry" as a cadet (seen below). She would have been around 18 in this picture. If Retta was around today April 10th, it would have been her 89th birthday. She had four children.
So my history includes these beautiful women who were active in The Word and in spreading the gospel.
If I look forward to my future- my four girls-I have quite a lot to pass on to them.
God is faithful from generation to generation to those that love Him and keep His commandment. (Gen 20:6)
Friday, April 07, 2006
No leg to stand on!
It never ceases to happen, I will preach a sermon and then the next week or even as early as the week before the sermon is preached…God makes a point that the words are just as much for me as for anyone else!
I preached this last Sunday on how, perfection is found in Christ. How no one is perfect yet we are called to be like Christ. I shared some of it on recent blogs.
It may not seem like a big deal to most but God knows how to humble each of us in His own loving way. (Names have been changed to protect the innocent!)
The phone call went like this:
Me: Hi,
Cathy: Hey! Where were you tonight?
Me: What do you mean where I was tonight? (Panic sets in and corps calendar rushes past my mind too quickly to read)
Cathy: Oh! You forgot???
Me: (silent trying to remember and see if there is anyway to pull this off without admitting that, I forgot andI still have no idea what we are talking about.)
Cathy: (wanting to help) Oh, I would have called earlier if I knew you forgot, I thought you were just busy.
Me: (still without a clue) No, I forgot. I totally forgot.
Cathy: Well, your present was there. That’s why I assumed you were busy. Who brought your present for you?
Me: Cathy, I still don’t know what you are talking about…( tail between legs- HUMBLED, feeling humiliated….would like to make crackling sounds and loose connection mysteriously!)
Cathy: (Sweet and now feeling my pain) Oh, I feel so bad, really! I would have called you earlier, I am sorry- so sorry. It was Tina’s bridal shower tonight. How did your present get there?
Me: I didn’t send a present; it must have been from the other Carole. (Mind thinking, almost every woman from my corps would have been there- heart dropping quickly….realizing more humiliation to come)
Cathy: I should have called earlier; I am so sorry, so sorry.
Me: Cathy, it isn’t your fault…I just blanked out. It isn’t your responsibility to remind me of major events. I am not sure how I forgot ….but I did. Don’t worry, thanks for calling.
Cathy: what are you going to do?
Me: I’ll give the family a call and tell them I blanked out and I am sorry.
Cathy: I wish I called earlier.
Me: Thanks!
Cathy: Bye
Me: Bye
A phone call was made to the family. The Mother said “ You have four kids, don’t loose sleep over it, it will be ok.”
Me thinking- wish I could blame this on the kids!
How interesting is it that our nature kicks in and looks for anything that will help us “save face” in uncomfortable situations. We will even blame anyone who may be standing near by.
Prime Example: Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the snake and the snake didn’t have a leg to stand on!
( bad joke….feelings of embarrassment returning!)
I preached this last Sunday on how, perfection is found in Christ. How no one is perfect yet we are called to be like Christ. I shared some of it on recent blogs.
It may not seem like a big deal to most but God knows how to humble each of us in His own loving way. (Names have been changed to protect the innocent!)
The phone call went like this:
Me: Hi,
Cathy: Hey! Where were you tonight?
Me: What do you mean where I was tonight? (Panic sets in and corps calendar rushes past my mind too quickly to read)
Cathy: Oh! You forgot???
Me: (silent trying to remember and see if there is anyway to pull this off without admitting that, I forgot andI still have no idea what we are talking about.)
Cathy: (wanting to help) Oh, I would have called earlier if I knew you forgot, I thought you were just busy.
Me: (still without a clue) No, I forgot. I totally forgot.
Cathy: Well, your present was there. That’s why I assumed you were busy. Who brought your present for you?
Me: Cathy, I still don’t know what you are talking about…( tail between legs- HUMBLED, feeling humiliated….would like to make crackling sounds and loose connection mysteriously!)
Cathy: (Sweet and now feeling my pain) Oh, I feel so bad, really! I would have called you earlier, I am sorry- so sorry. It was Tina’s bridal shower tonight. How did your present get there?
Me: I didn’t send a present; it must have been from the other Carole. (Mind thinking, almost every woman from my corps would have been there- heart dropping quickly….realizing more humiliation to come)
Cathy: I should have called earlier; I am so sorry, so sorry.
Me: Cathy, it isn’t your fault…I just blanked out. It isn’t your responsibility to remind me of major events. I am not sure how I forgot ….but I did. Don’t worry, thanks for calling.
Cathy: what are you going to do?
Me: I’ll give the family a call and tell them I blanked out and I am sorry.
Cathy: I wish I called earlier.
Me: Thanks!
Cathy: Bye
Me: Bye
A phone call was made to the family. The Mother said “ You have four kids, don’t loose sleep over it, it will be ok.”
Me thinking- wish I could blame this on the kids!
How interesting is it that our nature kicks in and looks for anything that will help us “save face” in uncomfortable situations. We will even blame anyone who may be standing near by.
Prime Example: Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the snake and the snake didn’t have a leg to stand on!
( bad joke….feelings of embarrassment returning!)
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Spring, well almost!
Spring
Flowers break through
The dirt,
trees budding,
Hope warmly falls fresh upon us
as spring awakens our senses.
Winter is sometimes too long.
We forget what warmth feels like.
We forget what beautiful means.
Our souls become dormant, cold
We sleep, we work, we walk, we wake
All we know is winter upon us and in us.
Then out of the cold
Flowers break through the dirt - trees bud,
And there is warmth again.
Hope and new life.
March 16th, 2005
This past week we have had some great spring days......flowers are blooming, blossoms on the trees.
Today as I look out the window, snow is falling.........again ( sigh) .
It reminded me of a poem I wrote a year ago.
Winter is sometimes too long!
Don't let your spririt be discouraged, you may see snow but spring is promised and is here!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Mercy and Jealousy
League of Mercy Sunday was this past Sunday at the Montclair Corps.
We send out 8 groups of people with the War Cry magazines, a small gift and a quartet to play Easter music. The 8 groups cover approximately 16 nursing homes in the area.
As we were entering a wing of a large facility, the quartet was starting to set up and an elderly man named "Bill" came up to me. He immediately began telling me how he used to teach a Bible study in this very nursing home before his health began to deteriorate. He went on to say that a Christian television station is how he is feed spiritually now, keeping it on in his room almost all the time. Bill had such light in his eyes, joy on his face yet his body was frail and weak. He told me he was born again in 1953! He seemed to muster up some excitement in the opportunity to share that fact. As we were speaking one of the other residents yelled for the band to stop playing…"Make them stop playing!!" she screamed. Bill turned and smiled at the women then looked straight back at me and said “She better get used to that kind of music for it is all we will hear in Glory!” I agreed, matching his enthusiasm and said “We will have plenty of time to worship there.” In that very moment he got a twinkle in his eye like Santa Clause, leaned in closer to me and said with a grin of a mischievous boy “Yes we will, and I am closer to getting there than you are!”
I could almost hear the taunting of ….nah, nah …na, na na! in his tone.
I can not tell you what effect his words and even more so …his attitude had on me in that moment.
“I am going to get there before you!” he said with a grin.
All I could say was…"You’re making me jealous Bill!" and to tell you the truth, he was.
We send out 8 groups of people with the War Cry magazines, a small gift and a quartet to play Easter music. The 8 groups cover approximately 16 nursing homes in the area.
As we were entering a wing of a large facility, the quartet was starting to set up and an elderly man named "Bill" came up to me. He immediately began telling me how he used to teach a Bible study in this very nursing home before his health began to deteriorate. He went on to say that a Christian television station is how he is feed spiritually now, keeping it on in his room almost all the time. Bill had such light in his eyes, joy on his face yet his body was frail and weak. He told me he was born again in 1953! He seemed to muster up some excitement in the opportunity to share that fact. As we were speaking one of the other residents yelled for the band to stop playing…"Make them stop playing!!" she screamed. Bill turned and smiled at the women then looked straight back at me and said “She better get used to that kind of music for it is all we will hear in Glory!” I agreed, matching his enthusiasm and said “We will have plenty of time to worship there.” In that very moment he got a twinkle in his eye like Santa Clause, leaned in closer to me and said with a grin of a mischievous boy “Yes we will, and I am closer to getting there than you are!”
I could almost hear the taunting of ….nah, nah …na, na na! in his tone.
I can not tell you what effect his words and even more so …his attitude had on me in that moment.
“I am going to get there before you!” he said with a grin.
All I could say was…"You’re making me jealous Bill!" and to tell you the truth, he was.
Vincent
Ray Livingston and his friends came to Montclair Sunday night. They sang love songs and songs from Broadway. We enjoyed the presentation as we sat around round tables drinking coffee, eating cookies and cheese balls!
We heard songs from Miss Saigon, the Phantom of the Opera and even the 80’s Ballet “Almost Paradise” sung as a duet with Lindsay Waiksnoris.
One of the songs that Ray sang on his own was "Vincent". Which is a song about Vincent Van Gogh and it describes in a very poetic manner the works of Vincent and the tragedy of his death. I have always loved this song. I was 9 years old when my Grandmother did a program in Home League on famous artist. I remember very vividly the story of Vincent as she told it. I remember being moved deeply by it and intrigued. When I look at his paintings I always think that I would have understood him. I remember thinking that at the age of nine.
I found this quote on line that is said to have been written by him:
We heard songs from Miss Saigon, the Phantom of the Opera and even the 80’s Ballet “Almost Paradise” sung as a duet with Lindsay Waiksnoris.
One of the songs that Ray sang on his own was "Vincent". Which is a song about Vincent Van Gogh and it describes in a very poetic manner the works of Vincent and the tragedy of his death. I have always loved this song. I was 9 years old when my Grandmother did a program in Home League on famous artist. I remember very vividly the story of Vincent as she told it. I remember being moved deeply by it and intrigued. When I look at his paintings I always think that I would have understood him. I remember thinking that at the age of nine.
I found this quote on line that is said to have been written by him:
"I want to get to the point where people say of my work that man feels deeply."
After the evening program at Montclair, I spoke to Ray about the song and he told me if I could write a sermon that included this song he would come and sing it for me! That sounded great to me and I left wondering if it was possible…
I’ll let you know.
In the mean time here are the lyrics to “Vincent” and his painting "Starry Night".
After the evening program at Montclair, I spoke to Ray about the song and he told me if I could write a sermon that included this song he would come and sing it for me! That sounded great to me and I left wondering if it was possible…
I’ll let you know.
In the mean time here are the lyrics to “Vincent” and his painting "Starry Night".
VINCENT
Don McLean
Starry starry night
paint your palette blue and grey
look out on a summer's day
with eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills
sketch the trees and the daffodils
catch the breeze and the winter chills
in colors on the snowy linen land.
And now I understand what you tried to say to me
how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen they did not know how
perhaps they'll listen now.
Starry starry night
flaming flow'rs that brightly blaze
swirling clouds in violet haze
reflect in Vincent's eyes of China blue.
Colors changing hue
morning fields of amber grain
weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
And now I understand what you tried to say to me
how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.
perhaps they'll listen now.
For they could not love you
but still your love was true and when no hope was left in sight
on that starry starry night.
You took your life as lovers often do;
But I could have told you Vincent
this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.
Starry starry night portraits hung in empty halls
frameless heads on nameless walls
with eyes that watch the world and can't forget.
Like the stranger that you've met
the ragged men in ragged clothes
the silver thorn of bloody rose
lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.
And now I think I know
what you tried to say to me
how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.
They would not listen they're not list'ning still
perhaps they never will.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Being Perfect
Matthew 5:43-48 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Love for Enemies
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
How perfect are we??? We strive for excellence in so many areas of our lives.
We pride ourselves on high standards and making good choices…yet we are far from perfect!.
In this passage Jesus calls us to perfection, "as our Heavenly Father is perfect", each example He gives is in relation to relationships…..
If our "Christianity" doesn’t have a positive effect or any effect on our relationships…
the people around us…
the ones we like and dislike….then maybe we are not Christians!
If we are perfect in every outward attempt and display but are not relating to those around us with the excellence and high standards of love that Christ lived by…then we are not Christ like!
Christ was about people. Christ is about relationships with others and relationship with His Father….everything else was secondary.
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Love for Enemies
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
How perfect are we??? We strive for excellence in so many areas of our lives.
We pride ourselves on high standards and making good choices…yet we are far from perfect!.
In this passage Jesus calls us to perfection, "as our Heavenly Father is perfect", each example He gives is in relation to relationships…..
If our "Christianity" doesn’t have a positive effect or any effect on our relationships…
the people around us…
the ones we like and dislike….then maybe we are not Christians!
If we are perfect in every outward attempt and display but are not relating to those around us with the excellence and high standards of love that Christ lived by…then we are not Christ like!
Christ was about people. Christ is about relationships with others and relationship with His Father….everything else was secondary.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Holiness Manifesto
'The Holiness Manifesto', from in the current issue of Christianity Today Is an interesting read. It is a re-statement of the Wesleyan Doctrine of Holiness that has been released by the working participants of the Wesleyan Holiness Study Project. This group of theologians includes Salvationists who also serve on our international doctrine council, Lt. Colonel Lyell Rader, Dr. Roger Green and Dr. Jonathon Raymond, and are all committed to addressing the need for the clear and compelling articulation of the message of holiness in our churches today.
A quote from it that stood out to me was :
"Holy people are not legalistic or judgmental. They do not pursue an exclusive, private state of being better than others. Holiness is not flawlessness but the fulfillment of God's intention for us. The pursuit of holiness can never cease because love can never be exhausted. God wants us to be, think, speak, and act in the world in a Christ-like manner."
The whole article is worth the read! Let me know what you think...
A quote from it that stood out to me was :
"Holy people are not legalistic or judgmental. They do not pursue an exclusive, private state of being better than others. Holiness is not flawlessness but the fulfillment of God's intention for us. The pursuit of holiness can never cease because love can never be exhausted. God wants us to be, think, speak, and act in the world in a Christ-like manner."
The whole article is worth the read! Let me know what you think...
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
reflections of vacation
We can ride upon indigo seas
To islands colored emerald green.
Where warm sun rays kiss our skin
Where soft sea breezes stir within
Where waves carve caves and soften rocks.
Where reality fades, imaginations spark
We can dance beneath with fish in schools
And touch the stars that lay in pools
Where little turtles swim on by
Where sting rays look as if they fly
Where translucent jelly fish bob and float
Where people smile and never gloat
We can soar on motors over hills
Racing friends and seeking thrills
Where women hold on with all their might
Where men set hearts on higher sights
Where a thousand butterflies live on a farm
Where friends can laugh and memories form.
Vacations are a gift from God
His beauty shared, we stand in awe
From the sunrises to the sunsets
From the warm blue skies and the ocean depths
To think that all my eyes drank in
Was imagined,
Was created ……all by Him.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Vacation
I am going on vacation for 10 days. Snorkeling, sun bathing, adventures await me! My in-laws are at my house ready to watch the girls. I have bought my flip flops, suntan lotion and my husband has our passports! Will you forgive me if I do not update for awhile? We sail out of New York harbor as pictured above and will travel to the eastern Caribbean.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
FOOTLOOSE!
Sequence of events:
Mhairi born in 1983
Footloose movie premiered in 1984
Carole graduated High School in 1985
I am going this Friday to a high school performance of FOOTLOOSE the musical. A friend of mine is in the musical and I am very excited to see her perform. I saw the move when it premiered in 1984! I was in High School at the time. So the idea of now watching a High School play that was in the movies when I was in High School has made me feel a little….shall we say uncomfortable! ;)
When I discussed this with my lovely Scottish friend Mhairi she said “those were great years the 80’s!”, seeing as she was born then!
Add in the fact that on Sunday I will be one year closer to a new decade (not in the new decade.... just closer!) and you can see where I am going with this!
Friday, March 03, 2006
Looking up
I saw two men today standing at a bus stop. Both of the men were wearing suits, warm coats, winter hats and gloves. They were both waiting for the bus into New York City. One looked impatiently up the street in the direction the bus would arrive and the other one was looking up. I only saw them for a moment because I was driving past them in my mini van. But in that moment I saw something that made me smile. The man, who was looking up, had a glint in his eye and a grin on his face. It had just started to snow and the flakes were big and fluffy. It was cold but instead of becoming miserable and impatient…..he looked up and watched the snow flakes fall. He looked like a kid and I imagined him wishing he could catch the snow flakes on his tongue! He was enjoying the moment and it made me smile.
As I continued down the road to my destination, I thought of the two men and the lesson of perspective. Both at the same spot in life, both with the same circumstances yet one was impatient longing for something better to come along and the other found something beautiful right where he was waiting.
Perspective is powerful!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
What am I good at?
Heather and Natasha
My daughter Natasha was sitting in the mini van with me this past Sunday morning. We just pulled into the parking lot. I started to gather my things when I heard my 8 year old say
" Mommy?"
"Yes, Natasha" I answered without looking in her direction, making sure my Bible and sermon were where I had placed them.
"Mommy, I was just thinking about how Heather is good at so many things. She is good at singing, skiing, drawing, art and acting. What am I good at?"
Looking straight at her, my mind quickly jumped to list all the things I knew Natasha was good at. A little panic set in, I never liked these "comparing ourselves"comments especially between sisters. I was just about to answer her when all of a sudden she tilted her head to the side and made a face like a lightbulb just turned on above her head. She smiled at the thought that seemed to have just entered her mind and looking at me she said " I know what I am good at Mommy! I am good at loving God." I smiled at her and said " Yes, Natasha you are very good at loving God. You have a very tender heart."
The words hit me but the depth of what she said didn't reach me until we were half way through our Holiness Meeting. In the meeting the band played a selection and the verses of the chorus were about being accepted and how God takes us as we are.
Then Natasha's words hit me....well, more like knocked the wind out of me.
" I am good at loving God". I heard her confident voice repeat the words in my head.
I thought to myself--That wasn't even on my list.....It should be on my
list.......It really is what it all is about ...right?
We try to be good at so many things.....
a good worship service, a good sermon, a good band, good programming, good evangelism, a good reputation, a good family, a good ministry.
But all of it is just noise.....a clanging cymbal without....love.
Let's be good at loving God. I want to be good at loving God!
Let's not only add it to the list......let it be the list.
"... But, the greatest of these is Love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
Monday, February 20, 2006
Evangelism and Anya
This is Anya dedicating to God our Emma when we were in The Republic of Georgia in 2002
My friend has just been appointed to lead an evangelism committee. She reads my blog every day from the Republic of Georgia. She asked me if I could ask my blog community if there are any new ideas or suggestions for evangelism. Here is her question: "I was wondering if you could help me... could you please, post on your blog a question on how other Corps officers do evangelism at their Corps. Maybe they can write something on what has worked and what hasn't."
My friend's name is Anya and she is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. She was our translator in our first appointment to St. Petersburg central corps. Then later, when we were transferred to the Training school for the Eastern Europe command she became the translator for the school. God during this time called her to be an officer. During her two years in training, she translated Salvation Story into Russian and fell in love with a Georgian Cadet named Dato Kotrikadze. Dato and Anya serve together in Rustavi, Georgia with their beautiful daughter Lena. Recently she sent me a letter telling about the winter in Rustavi. I am sharing this to give you an idea of how the officers in The Republic of Georgia live and a little insight into Anya's daily life.
Anya's Letter:
We are busy at the Corps, we have more people coming, and we would like to see more young people coming. Could you please pray for us, so we can have wisdom and passion to attract them to Christ. We had a 4 day winter camp,with about 30 kids coming each day.
Last week we had a little crisis here. I don't know if you watched it on the news but we had problems with the gas, coming from Russia..and we heat our flat with gas and the electricity. So, we didn't have gas for a week and then we also had problems with the electricity. It came only in the evening and for a few hours. When there was 8 degrees in our flat, Dato decided to get a stove which works on wood.I never thought that I would ever need to use it! But it was fun and it really heated our flat, especially the kitchen area where it was.
Yesterday, at last, we had the gas coming and the electricity back to normal! I think I learned to appreciate some given things :) On the top of all we had very low temperature, like 8 below in C, and snow, for a whole week! It was beautiful but I just felt for those who couldn't heat their flats.
My friend's name is Anya and she is originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. She was our translator in our first appointment to St. Petersburg central corps. Then later, when we were transferred to the Training school for the Eastern Europe command she became the translator for the school. God during this time called her to be an officer. During her two years in training, she translated Salvation Story into Russian and fell in love with a Georgian Cadet named Dato Kotrikadze. Dato and Anya serve together in Rustavi, Georgia with their beautiful daughter Lena. Recently she sent me a letter telling about the winter in Rustavi. I am sharing this to give you an idea of how the officers in The Republic of Georgia live and a little insight into Anya's daily life.
Anya's Letter:
We are busy at the Corps, we have more people coming, and we would like to see more young people coming. Could you please pray for us, so we can have wisdom and passion to attract them to Christ. We had a 4 day winter camp,with about 30 kids coming each day.
Last week we had a little crisis here. I don't know if you watched it on the news but we had problems with the gas, coming from Russia..and we heat our flat with gas and the electricity. So, we didn't have gas for a week and then we also had problems with the electricity. It came only in the evening and for a few hours. When there was 8 degrees in our flat, Dato decided to get a stove which works on wood.I never thought that I would ever need to use it! But it was fun and it really heated our flat, especially the kitchen area where it was.
Yesterday, at last, we had the gas coming and the electricity back to normal! I think I learned to appreciate some given things :) On the top of all we had very low temperature, like 8 below in C, and snow, for a whole week! It was beautiful but I just felt for those who couldn't heat their flats.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
A question of the relevance of poetry
This poem was group inspired by Allison, Seth, Stephen and myself. ( words were limited to the magnets that were available to us!)
I seem to have this ability/gift that comes and goes called poetry. I have tried to read about it. I have tried to produce it on my own and yet the only time I feel it is any good at all is when it flows from me out of some kind of inspiration. I have only started sharing some of my poetry in the last couple of years. It usually is too personal to share. I often wondered what is it good for? What is it’s purpose? Other’s have tried to answer my question to no avail and in the end I figure it is just for my personal reflection or edification.
In my study for my sermon this Sunday….which was snowed out! I came across and interesting commentary on Numbers 11:25:
“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again.”
The commentary is Commentary on the Torah by Richard Elliott Friedman. On page 463 I read the following: “ Numbers 11:25. “They prophesied.” What exactly do they do ? Prophecy in the Bible does not primarily involve prediction. It is not that they are going about telling the future. What is happening that makes it obvious to Moses, Joshua and apparently everyone that they are doing something that is associated with prophets? Some suggest that they are in some sort of trance, but trance behavior is not generally part of what is pictured in the fifteen books
Of the prophets in the Tanak or in the case of prophecy in the Tanak’s narrative books. What is typical of prophecy, as opposed to historical narrative, in the Bible is that prophecy is in poetry ( or combinations of poetry and prose).
Biblical prophecy has the characteristics of oral formulaic poetry. That is, the prophet composes on the spot, using lines that he or she has already composed and memorized, and mixing these “formulas” with new lines that occur to him or her spontaneously. When such poems occurred to ancient poets, the poet must have felt inspired. And people who watched and listened to them must have perceived them to be inspired as well. When a man spontaneously says
They’ll beat their swords into plowshares
And their spears into pruning hooks
A nation won’t lift a sword against a nation,
And they won’t learn war anymore.
We can easily imagine him and his audience feeling that it is God moving through him. Further evidence that they are doing something musical or poetic comes from the other most famous biblical instance of such group prophesy : King Saul joins in a group of prophets, he prophesies with them, which astounds everyone. And in that case the text notes that these prophets are accompanied by musical instruments. ( 1 Sam. 10:5)
See also the story of Aaron’s and Miriam’s challenge to Moses in the coming chapter. They have experienced prophecy, and they say, “ Has YHWH only spoken through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken through us? God responds with a declaration about the nature of prophecy, saying that Moses’ experience is different from all others, and the important thing to note here is that the words of God are in poetry ( Num. 12:6-8). (emphasis mine)
Some think that biblical prophecy involved some sort of ecstatic state. That is possible, but it may be more inspired state, both in an Isaiah and in a case like Saul’s or the seventy elders here, in which one who does not normally speak in poetry is now moved and enabled to do so.”
I am not sure what I think of this.
I don’t think that all people who can put a rhyme together have the gift of prophecy. I know that some of my own poetry has been just reflections of what I am seeing and feeling. It’s my way of processing and I don’t think it is prophetic, at least not all the time! ;)
I do know this:
I like the idea of God speaking in poetry.
That he doesn’t find it cheesy or nauseating or useless but
even God is known to speak poetry to those that He loves.
So I walk away from this discovery with this:
Firstly, in my great romance with God, He not only promises to sing over me. (Zephaniah 3:17) but, He may occasionally speak words of poetry to my heart.
Secondly, concerning the purpose of poetry- if it’s relevant and is used by God than that’s good enough for me!
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Sandown, NH
I am going to my “happy place!” Do you have one of those? You know, the place you can retreat to in your mind to escape or find rest from the cares of the day?
My “happy place” is tucked away in my mind and has been engraved on my heart since before I can even remember.
It’s an old burlap hammock that used to hang between two birch trees. When I climb into it and lay back…..with some wiggling around I always find the perfect spot. Then it seemed as if I am floating. One leg usually dangles over the side and my foot rest on a snake like tree root which conveniently forced its way through the ground in a perfect spot to push off from. Then keeping a steady, gentle rock of the hammock I am close to peace and rest.
Looking up, I see a canopy of light green leaves flutter above me with a gentle breeze. The summer light shining through them makes them look translucent. Usually in autumn, they turn yellowish or even gold like in appearance then they glitter and dance above like a flapper from the forties.
If I sit up in the hammock, the house my Granddad built is behind me, the lake is in front of me at the bottom of a small hill. Lilly pads cover the cove inlet in the summer and sunsets fall just over the horizon on the other side of the lake. The same lake, I swam across with my Grandmother, skipped rocks on with my Grandfather and ice skated on with my brothers. In the summer, the lake was the color of ice tea and in the winter it was frozen so solid that we could walk out to the middle, around a small island and even play hockey on it! Once I saw a fish in the ice. The fish was perfectly frozen, caught off guard by Jack Frost’s little trick meant it was unable to move till spring. I stood staring at it for a long time and imagined the ice thawing and the fish swimming away as the thickness around it gave way, setting it free.
My whole inner world can be seen from that hammock!
It was my Granddad’s hammock but we all fought over it in the same way we would fight over the front seat in the car or the window seat in a plane. Even the adults would fight for it! It was the perfect place.
I remember daydreaming, reading, drawing and floating in that burlap sack between two birches as early as I can remember and well into my teens.
Later, when I was in college and returned to Christ, rededicated my life to Him…..I spent the first two weeks of my NEW life, every morning in that hammock. My time with God, my devotional life started there. I would get comfortable and with my Bible and a cup of coffee, I gently rocked. I gently started each day with God under a canopy of lime green leaves and pillars of white birches.
Both my grandparents are with the Lord now. The house is sold and someone else gets to stand amongst the birches of Sandown and look at the sunsets and lily pads.
But I can’t say I miss it…..because like I said……It is engraved on my heart and I go there often. I figure, if I can still see it when I close my eyes…still feel the burlap under me and hear the water lapping the shore of the cove…..then I haven’t lost it but have taken it with me.
Do you have a “happy place”?
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Going Deeper
My weakness overwhelms me at times….the fear of not living up to expectations…. Not being good enough….Jesus reminds us that only God is good. We will always stumble, we will always fail….we are always sinners who fall short of the glory of God…
George MacDonald says in his book of unspoken sermons “ Many, alas! Have looked upon his face, yet never seen him, and have turned back; some have kept company with him for years, and denied him; but their weakness is not the measure of the patience or the resources of God.” pg. 182 ( The Way)
With scuba diving you have to practice "failing" in the water before they would let you go deeper. You have to allow water to get into your mask, you have to learn to loose your air piece. Then learn how to clear your mask and retrieve your air piece. They made us practice in the shallow water so that we still had our feet on the ground. I wanted to scuba dive so badly but I didn’t do so well at the “how to recover from possible problems” lesson. Finally after several tries I looked at the instructor and said “ I really want to do this!” He agreed to let me go deeper but I would have to hold his hand. I took his hand and we went deeper and deeper into the water. There was a whole world down there with bright colored coral, eels and painted fish. Before I knew it I was swimming and breathing on my own. I felt like I was flying and I never would have seen any of it if the instructor hadn’t taken my hand and led me deeper.
My fear of failure almost kept me from experiencing a whole other world….what keeps us from Going deeper with God…
“Our weaknesses are not the measure of the patience or the resources of God.”.
George MacDonald says in his book of unspoken sermons “ Many, alas! Have looked upon his face, yet never seen him, and have turned back; some have kept company with him for years, and denied him; but their weakness is not the measure of the patience or the resources of God.” pg. 182 ( The Way)
With scuba diving you have to practice "failing" in the water before they would let you go deeper. You have to allow water to get into your mask, you have to learn to loose your air piece. Then learn how to clear your mask and retrieve your air piece. They made us practice in the shallow water so that we still had our feet on the ground. I wanted to scuba dive so badly but I didn’t do so well at the “how to recover from possible problems” lesson. Finally after several tries I looked at the instructor and said “ I really want to do this!” He agreed to let me go deeper but I would have to hold his hand. I took his hand and we went deeper and deeper into the water. There was a whole world down there with bright colored coral, eels and painted fish. Before I knew it I was swimming and breathing on my own. I felt like I was flying and I never would have seen any of it if the instructor hadn’t taken my hand and led me deeper.
My fear of failure almost kept me from experiencing a whole other world….what keeps us from Going deeper with God…
“Our weaknesses are not the measure of the patience or the resources of God.”.
Deeper Lyrics and Words by Delirious
I want to go deeper
But I don’t know how to swim
I want to be meeker
But have you seen this old earth?
I want to fly higher
But these arms won’t take me there
I want to be, I want to be
Maybe I could run
Maybe I could fly, to you
Do you feel the same
When all you see is Blame in me?
And the wonder of it all is that I’m living just to fall
More in love with you [x2]
I want to go deeper
But is it just a stupid whim?
I want to be weaker
Be a help to the strong
I want to run faster
But this old leg won’t carry me
I want to be, I want to be
Maybe I could run
Maybe I could fly, to you
Do you feel the same
When all you see is Blame in me?
And the wonder of it all is that I’m living just to fall
More in love with you [x2]
Maybe I could run
Maybe I could follow
It’s time to walk the path
Where many seem to fall
Hold me in your arms
Just like any father would
How long do we have to wait?
How long, we’re going all the way
And the wonder of it all is that I’m living just to fall
More in love with you
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Asbury Revival
Revival at Asbury College!
Habakkuk 3:2 “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.
http://www.asbury.edu/press/chapelcontinues06
Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
God's word to women
I would like to share a site that I have found recently. It is about God's Word to Women.
I found the word study, scripture for women and articles very insightful. These are not young feminist who have set out to dominate the men. Take a look at who the women are behind this web site!
Who We Are . . . and Are Not!
From Left to right: Pat Joyce, Gay Anderson and Barbara Collins
God says that He will "...use those things that are weak to confound the wise."
I Cor. 1:26.
Who we are... We're three women from Texas--Barbara Collins, Gay Anderson and Pat Joyce. Barbara and Gay came to the Lord in the 60's and Pat in the 70's. Although we are all ordained ministers, we have found our identity in Him; and He's been our life since we first met. On this basis, we would like to share some of the truths we have discovered.
God is presently calling women to the full redemption for which they were created and which He purchased for them on Calvary. He wants woman to walk in the fullness of the original, pre-Fall relationship that He had with her as well as Adam. The three of us are only a tiny part of this great move of God but we pray that we will be faithful to the call He has given.
What we are...and are not. We do not identify ourselves as feminists. Placing the word Biblical before feminist, or saying Christian feminist does not solve the problem. The word feminist has come to be identified with a radical posture that maintains that women have few differences from men, or denies the need for men, or at best presents men as lesser beings like some of the TV sitcoms. We believe man and woman offer a completion and strength to each other. Woman was created as a help (counterpart, partner) to man--not inferior in any way.
We do adhere to the belief that women and men are, and have been, treated differently by our society, and that women have frequently and systematically been unable to participate fully in all social arenas and institutions including marriage. We carry a sincere desire to change that situation, especially as that participation relates to ministry within the church, the home and the Body of Christ-at-large.
We believe that much of the present-day attitude in the church toward women comes identified with tradition and human precepts rather than Bible truth. When the church is cleansed of denominationalism; human tradition; prejudice that includes race, gender status or class; bondage to culture; and customs, then the church will be ready to demonstrate the unity and the oneness for which our Lord prayed in John 17.
In the Magna Charta of Women published in 1919, Jessie Penn-Lewis quotes Dr. Katharine Bushnell who said, "The church which silences women will be found to silence the Holy Ghost," and "a sect or sex, or race which attempts a monopoly of the Spirit's voice and power, will find that the Holy Spirit will flee far from it." (p. 102) Jessie Penn-Lewis continues: "God's time has come for the emancipation of women, but it will be woe to the world and terrible loss to the Church if they are not won for Christ and for His service. For it is certain that if Christ does not get hold of the women of today, the devil will." She concluded by saying that "it will be woe to the serpent and to his kingdom if those whom he has so oppressed and persecuted lay hold of the fact of his utter defeat at Calvary and in the power of their triumphant Head turn upon their foe in assurance of victory." (p. 103) Let it come, Lord!
Although the three of us are only a small part of this great move of God, we are committed to being faithful to the call He has given us.
We are honored to have been mentioned in Vinson Synan's new book The Century of the Holy Spirit in the section on Spirit-filled Women written by Dr. Susan Hyatt.
Here is the link:
http://godswordtowomen.org/main.htm
I found the word study, scripture for women and articles very insightful. These are not young feminist who have set out to dominate the men. Take a look at who the women are behind this web site!
Who We Are . . . and Are Not!
From Left to right: Pat Joyce, Gay Anderson and Barbara Collins
God says that He will "...use those things that are weak to confound the wise."
I Cor. 1:26.
Who we are... We're three women from Texas--Barbara Collins, Gay Anderson and Pat Joyce. Barbara and Gay came to the Lord in the 60's and Pat in the 70's. Although we are all ordained ministers, we have found our identity in Him; and He's been our life since we first met. On this basis, we would like to share some of the truths we have discovered.
God is presently calling women to the full redemption for which they were created and which He purchased for them on Calvary. He wants woman to walk in the fullness of the original, pre-Fall relationship that He had with her as well as Adam. The three of us are only a tiny part of this great move of God but we pray that we will be faithful to the call He has given.
What we are...and are not. We do not identify ourselves as feminists. Placing the word Biblical before feminist, or saying Christian feminist does not solve the problem. The word feminist has come to be identified with a radical posture that maintains that women have few differences from men, or denies the need for men, or at best presents men as lesser beings like some of the TV sitcoms. We believe man and woman offer a completion and strength to each other. Woman was created as a help (counterpart, partner) to man--not inferior in any way.
We do adhere to the belief that women and men are, and have been, treated differently by our society, and that women have frequently and systematically been unable to participate fully in all social arenas and institutions including marriage. We carry a sincere desire to change that situation, especially as that participation relates to ministry within the church, the home and the Body of Christ-at-large.
We believe that much of the present-day attitude in the church toward women comes identified with tradition and human precepts rather than Bible truth. When the church is cleansed of denominationalism; human tradition; prejudice that includes race, gender status or class; bondage to culture; and customs, then the church will be ready to demonstrate the unity and the oneness for which our Lord prayed in John 17.
In the Magna Charta of Women published in 1919, Jessie Penn-Lewis quotes Dr. Katharine Bushnell who said, "The church which silences women will be found to silence the Holy Ghost," and "a sect or sex, or race which attempts a monopoly of the Spirit's voice and power, will find that the Holy Spirit will flee far from it." (p. 102) Jessie Penn-Lewis continues: "God's time has come for the emancipation of women, but it will be woe to the world and terrible loss to the Church if they are not won for Christ and for His service. For it is certain that if Christ does not get hold of the women of today, the devil will." She concluded by saying that "it will be woe to the serpent and to his kingdom if those whom he has so oppressed and persecuted lay hold of the fact of his utter defeat at Calvary and in the power of their triumphant Head turn upon their foe in assurance of victory." (p. 103) Let it come, Lord!
Although the three of us are only a small part of this great move of God, we are committed to being faithful to the call He has given us.
We are honored to have been mentioned in Vinson Synan's new book The Century of the Holy Spirit in the section on Spirit-filled Women written by Dr. Susan Hyatt.
Here is the link:
http://godswordtowomen.org/main.htm
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Married Women's ghetto RANT
Married Women's ghetto RANT,
is an article by Captain Danielle Strickland. You can read it at J.A.C. on line :
http://www.armybarmy.com/article1a.html
I highly recommend it. It is passionate and raises some good questions. I appreciate her honesty and her willingness to lay it all out there.
Is she right? Has she gone too far? Is she exaggerating??
Hmmmm…….
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Random words of love
My littlest one, Emma is three and a half. She has just started randomly telling me that she loves me. It usually isn't related to anything. We can be doing nothing and she looks up at me, grins and says “Mommy, I love you!". Her eyes are so full of love and she always looks as if she just HAD to tell me. There is nothing like the pure, innocent love of a three year old. Every time she says it, all on her own, my heart melts, I feel great and really..... kind of "gushy"!
Today, I got a free coffee at Starbucks. I think they feel bad for me with my addiction and all. They just gave me a tall skim latte and wouldn't take my money. I left laughing at the fact that I am in there so much, they are now giving it to me free and then I thought.......you know, God loves me! God bought me a coffee today. It seemed as if He walked out of the Starbucks with me to my car as we laughed together at that thought ..........and then it happened!
I randomly said it......" I love you God!"
All of a sudden, I thought of Emma saying those words to me and I wondered.......does God feel the same way that I feel when Emma says those words to me? Does His heart melt when I randomly express my love for Him, even over a seemingly small incident?
I like the idea, that God's heart might melt or that He likes hearing me say...."I love you!"
Maybe, God even gets a little "gushy" when His children randomly tell Him that they love Him.
Today, I got a free coffee at Starbucks. I think they feel bad for me with my addiction and all. They just gave me a tall skim latte and wouldn't take my money. I left laughing at the fact that I am in there so much, they are now giving it to me free and then I thought.......you know, God loves me! God bought me a coffee today. It seemed as if He walked out of the Starbucks with me to my car as we laughed together at that thought ..........and then it happened!
I randomly said it......" I love you God!"
All of a sudden, I thought of Emma saying those words to me and I wondered.......does God feel the same way that I feel when Emma says those words to me? Does His heart melt when I randomly express my love for Him, even over a seemingly small incident?
I like the idea, that God's heart might melt or that He likes hearing me say...."I love you!"
Maybe, God even gets a little "gushy" when His children randomly tell Him that they love Him.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Quote for the artist
"Where the Spirit
does not work with the hand
there is no art"
Leonardo Da Vinci
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