I have a mean case of the hiccups right now. It's shaking my whole body, and messing up my typing. For example...I wrote jessing up my typing first.....that's pretty hilarious!
I just wanted to share that it's good being loved...I mean with a BIG love!
My children have told me countless times today how much they love me and how happy they are that I'm home. :) They've been jumping around and giggling and showing me all the new things they got this weekend. (OH my! Daddy cut loose in the Goodwill store without penny pinching mommy there to "help" him with their selections" ;)
I can just hear him saying, "Whooie Kids! We're Free! Set Loose in the Goodwill store! Nobody to remind us of reality...and all the reasons we don't "need" these really cool little plastic toys! Run kids! Fly, be FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
I'm just kidding with you. This is a GOOD man I've got! A very GOOD man...forget GOOD..he's gone "From Good to Great"!
He is such a wonderful Daddy. Our children just love him to pieces! Yes, they miss me when I'm gone...but they have a BLAST with dad.
I think it's precious that Shane has caught my Goodwill philosophy. I love getting compliments on my clothes or home decor and then being able to tell them where it came from. Did you know there's even an on-line Goodwill store?
Hmmmm..maybe I don't have to tell you EVERY good thing I know, now do I?!
Oh....yes I do. We learned this weekend at our AZ Precept Bible Study retreat that we aren't to store up our treasures on earth, but in heaven. Guess I gotta let go of my insider information on where the goodies are to be found online.
Just one word of caution if you click on this link....I'll figure out your screen name and I 'll know if you start bidding against me on a favored Chicos outfit.
That could be a problem. ;)
Seriously...go getcha a bargain and then post a picture of it on here, for all of us to enjoy. www.shopgoodwill.com
Shane's takes from today:
new computer chair for me..needed this big time..tall & leather (pleather?) $9.99
Caedmon's birthday present- golf clubs $12.00
etch a sketch for swirly girly Brennan .99m
magnetic drawing thing for Caedmon .99
fleece RED (his all time favorite on me) ????
OK...I'm about to fall asleep at the computer...
Shane, I love you and thank you for all you did in caring for me and the children, and the women of AZ and NM who so desperately needed this weekend retreat.
Let's go to Goodwill one day this week and celebrate!
Brennan: "Mommy I love you all the way to God's Throne and back"
Caedmon "Mommy! I love you all the way to God's Throne and NOT back!"
Brennan "Mommy, I love you all the way to God's Throne and all the way to his mighty right hand!"
Wow. What a great way to be loved!
Thank you family for everything!
I love you all the way to eternity. And definitely never back!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
My Conversation with the Heinz Company Today
I received an e-mail today, forwarded from a friend, from a watchdog group that alerts people to consumer issues that are counter to a Biblical worldview.
I encourage you to click the link below, to watch a video that the Heinz Company aired recently in Europe. After you watch it, come back here and read the rest of my post, ok?
Warning...this clip includes two men kissing. It comes across as promoting homosexual marriages. I wouldn't want my children to see this..so I'm giving you warning for your own.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cXNzcxDrN4
Did you see it?
So...here's my experience with it today...
When I first watched the video, my heart was grieved. I didn't see any humor in it at all. Instead, I saw a very sad commentary on what the reality of life is for some children.
Just last week, the state of California chose to allow gay "marriage". I put marriage in parenthesis, because what they have allowed is not truly marriage.
The day that the legislation was to be enacted, Caedmon heard it on Radio Shine news, and came running into my room saying, "MOMMY! MOMMY! Today at 5pm in the state of California, they are going to allow a man to marry a man, and a woman to marry a woman!"
My first words were, "Kids. We must hit our knees right now. We must cry out to God for the sin of our country. We must beg His mercy."
So we did.
After our time in prayer, Caedmon looked at me and said, "Mommy. I wouldn't want to have 2 Daddies. Yuck! Children need a Mommy. I mean, I love Daddy a lot...but Mommy...you're soft. Daddies aren't soft."
Hmmm...the heart expression of a 7 year old on the issue of gay "marriage".
He went on..."Mommy. Kids need a Mommy. Mommies are tender. Mommies give you lots of hugs and kisses. Mommies are just different from Daddies. I feel sorry for those kids who don't have a Mommy."
Wonder if the Heinz company gave any thought to this?
Well..back to today.
After viewing that commercial, I just stopped and prayed. And yes, it was a commercial that was running in Europe. It's since been pulled, but it did air for a time. Imagine how our brothers and sisters in Christ in Europe must have felt when they saw it.
They didn't have to tune into the MTV awards to see Britney kissing Madonna. All they had to do was turn on their tv set to a seemingly innocent show, and
BOOM! it was right there in their faces!
So, as I prayed, I asked the Lord to give me wisdom as to what He would have me do.
And then, I picked up the phone and called the Heinz company to share my heart.
I had asked the Lord to put the words in my mouth. I didn't want to lead with a threat. I just wanted to be honest about how I, as a consumer, felt about this ad.
Evidently, a lot of other people had opinions too, because I was on hold for quite a while.
When the girl finally answered, I just shared with her that as one of their customers, my heart was grieved by their choice in advertising. I told her that the very people who are buying the product (women who do the grocery shopping) are the very ones whose position in the home has been removed in this ad.
I also shared with her that things in our country are tense enough right now, with the decisions just handed down in CA, and that the perception that their ad leaves in the mind of the consumer is that they are in full support of gay unions, and want the viewers to see them as commonplace.
She was very kind, and explained that the ad was supposed to be a joke, based upon what the product is....NY Deli style mayo. Evidently, what she thought they were trying to express was that when mom chooses this mayo, it makes her food as tasty as though it were made in a NY Deli.
I asked, "Don't you think it would have been humorous if the Mom had been dressed like a deli cook...maybe even with a big tattoo on her forearm, and complete with a NY accent?"
"As it is, the attempt at humor is completely missing, because all we see is two men in a homosexual relationship. I didn't get that this was supposed to be "Mom". I'm guessing I'm not alone."
I encourage you to click the link below, to watch a video that the Heinz Company aired recently in Europe. After you watch it, come back here and read the rest of my post, ok?
Warning...this clip includes two men kissing. It comes across as promoting homosexual marriages. I wouldn't want my children to see this..so I'm giving you warning for your own.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cXNzcxDrN4
Did you see it?
So...here's my experience with it today...
When I first watched the video, my heart was grieved. I didn't see any humor in it at all. Instead, I saw a very sad commentary on what the reality of life is for some children.
Just last week, the state of California chose to allow gay "marriage". I put marriage in parenthesis, because what they have allowed is not truly marriage.
The day that the legislation was to be enacted, Caedmon heard it on Radio Shine news, and came running into my room saying, "MOMMY! MOMMY! Today at 5pm in the state of California, they are going to allow a man to marry a man, and a woman to marry a woman!"
My first words were, "Kids. We must hit our knees right now. We must cry out to God for the sin of our country. We must beg His mercy."
So we did.
After our time in prayer, Caedmon looked at me and said, "Mommy. I wouldn't want to have 2 Daddies. Yuck! Children need a Mommy. I mean, I love Daddy a lot...but Mommy...you're soft. Daddies aren't soft."
Hmmm...the heart expression of a 7 year old on the issue of gay "marriage".
He went on..."Mommy. Kids need a Mommy. Mommies are tender. Mommies give you lots of hugs and kisses. Mommies are just different from Daddies. I feel sorry for those kids who don't have a Mommy."
Wonder if the Heinz company gave any thought to this?
Well..back to today.
After viewing that commercial, I just stopped and prayed. And yes, it was a commercial that was running in Europe. It's since been pulled, but it did air for a time. Imagine how our brothers and sisters in Christ in Europe must have felt when they saw it.
They didn't have to tune into the MTV awards to see Britney kissing Madonna. All they had to do was turn on their tv set to a seemingly innocent show, and
BOOM! it was right there in their faces!
So, as I prayed, I asked the Lord to give me wisdom as to what He would have me do.
And then, I picked up the phone and called the Heinz company to share my heart.
I had asked the Lord to put the words in my mouth. I didn't want to lead with a threat. I just wanted to be honest about how I, as a consumer, felt about this ad.
Evidently, a lot of other people had opinions too, because I was on hold for quite a while.
When the girl finally answered, I just shared with her that as one of their customers, my heart was grieved by their choice in advertising. I told her that the very people who are buying the product (women who do the grocery shopping) are the very ones whose position in the home has been removed in this ad.
I also shared with her that things in our country are tense enough right now, with the decisions just handed down in CA, and that the perception that their ad leaves in the mind of the consumer is that they are in full support of gay unions, and want the viewers to see them as commonplace.
She was very kind, and explained that the ad was supposed to be a joke, based upon what the product is....NY Deli style mayo. Evidently, what she thought they were trying to express was that when mom chooses this mayo, it makes her food as tasty as though it were made in a NY Deli.
I asked, "Don't you think it would have been humorous if the Mom had been dressed like a deli cook...maybe even with a big tattoo on her forearm, and complete with a NY accent?"
"As it is, the attempt at humor is completely missing, because all we see is two men in a homosexual relationship. I didn't get that this was supposed to be "Mom". I'm guessing I'm not alone."
We had a good discussion, and I told her that I am a Christian, and that I hoped that my words had come across in love and gentleness.
She said, "Oh yes. You've been very kind. We've had some people calling in here today who have been very, very mad." (The implication from her tone was more like rude and hateful.)
It was a great opportunity to tell her this..."My Savior is gentle. He is kind. He is loving..and He calls me to be the same. I hope His light has shined through my words today, and I thank you so much for your time."
A few years ago, I don't think I would have been able to handle this with grace. Yet, that's the only way we as Christians will be able to impact a lost world. They have to see Jesus in us.
Maybe you'll consider calling them in love, and expressing your heart on the matter, too?
In Jesus,
Jes
Short and Sweet
OK everyone, give a big "Yippie!"
Precept classes are now up on the web! Yay!
Major KUDOS to all who have been working their little hearts out to make this happen. There may be some kinks in it yet, so please show grace..but hey, we're up! :)
If you are looking for a Precept Bible Study in your area...you can now go to www.precept.org and click on "CLASSES" at the top of the page, and search by state to find a class in your neighborhood.
One note...cities are not in alphabetical order, but states are..so be sure to look though all of the cities in your state.
If you don't see one in your area..hey, there's your invite to start one! :)
You can click on "Workshops" and find when and where YOU can be trained as a leader, and then you can teach others how to study the Word of God for themselves.
If you're a Precept leader, please be sure to click on info@precept.org and send them all the information about your current or upcoming classes.
Also for leaders, go to www.preceptleader.org to find wonderful new tools for class promotion. You can even download the first lesson of your study for free!
Have you considered joining the E-Team? Why don't you pray about it, and ask the Lord if He'd have you come alongside Precept Ministries International as a partner in prayer and support?
If you're in Arizona, or a surrounding state..are you coming to the Ladies Precept Retreat this weekend? For info, go to www.azpreceptretreat.blogspot.com
Happy Digging! :)
Precept classes are now up on the web! Yay!
Major KUDOS to all who have been working their little hearts out to make this happen. There may be some kinks in it yet, so please show grace..but hey, we're up! :)
If you are looking for a Precept Bible Study in your area...you can now go to www.precept.org and click on "CLASSES" at the top of the page, and search by state to find a class in your neighborhood.
One note...cities are not in alphabetical order, but states are..so be sure to look though all of the cities in your state.
If you don't see one in your area..hey, there's your invite to start one! :)
You can click on "Workshops" and find when and where YOU can be trained as a leader, and then you can teach others how to study the Word of God for themselves.
If you're a Precept leader, please be sure to click on info@precept.org and send them all the information about your current or upcoming classes.
Also for leaders, go to www.preceptleader.org to find wonderful new tools for class promotion. You can even download the first lesson of your study for free!
Have you considered joining the E-Team? Why don't you pray about it, and ask the Lord if He'd have you come alongside Precept Ministries International as a partner in prayer and support?
If you're in Arizona, or a surrounding state..are you coming to the Ladies Precept Retreat this weekend? For info, go to www.azpreceptretreat.blogspot.com
Happy Digging! :)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
What I Want My Children to Know About Their Daddy
Today our children and I were having the loveliest of breakfasts together, and one of them asked why it is that their friend's dad has to work so much.
Talk about an open door for rich conversation!
We got to talk about choices, and lifestyles.
I asked them if they know how old the car is that their Daddy drives....
"OLD!" said Caedmon.
"Yes, son. It's 10 years old. And Mommy's car is 11 years old. That's a choice we've made."
Then I asked them if they knew how much their Daddy loves to play golf...
"A lot!" said Caedmon. "And he's pretty good at it!"
"You're right. But how often does play?"
"Not very much."
"Have you ever wondered why?"
"He only plays about 2 times a year, son. That's another choice that your Daddy has made. He's chosen not to play golf often, because it costs a lot of money to play. He's also chosen not to drive a fancy car, and not to fill our home with plasma televisions and all the newest in electronics. He doesn't want to be in debt to those things, kids, because he knows that having all the "stuff" would mean that he wouldn't be able to be home with us. He'd have to be working to pay for those things."
Brennan then said, "YES! And he yoves his childwen, and you too Mommy!" (She's just TOO cute!)
Then we talked about how Daddy and Mommy have made choices to live with less, so that I can be home with them. We discussed what a blessing it is to be able to homeschool, and we talked about how totally unimportant having a Wii really is. :)
I told them that if I was still in the work world, we'd have new cars, and lots of fancy things...but that they wouldn't have me, and that they wouldn't have much of Daddy, either.
I explained to them how much they have to be thankful for in their Daddy...how when I was a little girl, I would have given anything in the world to have had a Daddy that wanted to come home and play with me, like theirs does with them.
Then we listed all of the things that we love about Daddy...it went something like this:
He plays LEGOs with me.
He swims with me.
He wrestles me down.
He builds little LEGO houses for me.
He teaches me how to play baseball..and even coached my team!
He draws with me. I love to draw!
He loves me.
Me too! He loves me too! Oh, and he teaches me about God's Worwd. :)
Actually, that was their list... here is mine:
He's the best looking man I've ever known.
I could get lost in his big brown eyes. (and do!)
He's a gracious (not really!) loser when I kick his tail in backgammon...time and time again. :)
He makes me laugh on the outside. Few can accomplish this, but he does so often.
He gives almost every dish I make, a solid 10. That's a big deal coming from an engineer. :)
He covers me. Under his headship, I blossom. Without it, I'd be lost.
He's a fantastic Dad.
He works his tail off for us, and never, ever complains.
He drives 2 hours a day, and comes in the door with a smile on his face every single night.
He challenges me. I dig this to no end!
He's my best friend.
He loves the Lord, and is SERIOUS about his family knowing and loving Him too.
Shane..we love you, honey. Each of us, deeply..and each for many reasons.
You are so appreciated!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Happy Rebirth Day to Me!
9 years ago today, I was born into the Kingdom of God.
Now, that's worth celebrating!
9 years...thank you, Lord!
I've been quite reflective today, thinking back on all that the Lord has done in my life in the past 9 years. It's been a sweet day, as I've looked at the faces of my precious kiddos and thought how thankful I am that the Lord brought me to salvation before they were born.
Oh..so much to share, but it's past my bedtime.
Just wanted to praise the Lord with you for a moment!
John 3:1
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
John 3:2
this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God {as} a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:4
Nicodemus *said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"
John 3:5
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Now, that's worth celebrating!
9 years...thank you, Lord!
I've been quite reflective today, thinking back on all that the Lord has done in my life in the past 9 years. It's been a sweet day, as I've looked at the faces of my precious kiddos and thought how thankful I am that the Lord brought me to salvation before they were born.
Oh..so much to share, but it's past my bedtime.
Just wanted to praise the Lord with you for a moment!
John 3:1
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
John 3:2
this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God {as} a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:4
Nicodemus *said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"
John 3:5
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Does God Really Care About Our Prayer Requests?
Does God really still answer prayer?
Have you ever asked yourself that question?
Are there times when you are praying for something so big, that you wonder if God would ever truly grant your request?
Or, does the evil one ever tempt you to doubt that God COULD handle this request of yours...since it’s SO huge? “I mean,” says your mind, “He’s sovereign and all, but what about how strong man’s sinful nature is?”
I’ve been there. There are times that I have prayed and prayed about a given subject, all the while battling thoughts in my mind that were telling me that there was NO WAY that it would ever happen.
Have you ever been at this point in your prayer life?
I want to encourage you tonight, as I have just witnessed God answer a huge prayer request in my life.
HUGE! I mean... MOUNTAIN size!
One of these was a request we have been lifting before the Lord for 9 YEARS!
9 YEARS!!!! 3,285 days!!!!
Don’t you think that’s a long time? I mean, for goodness sakes, we’ve been through 3 presidential terms in that amount of time! Yet, today, we saw God answer that prayer request, for His glory. Not only did we SEE Him do it, we were blessed by the fruit of HIM doing it...and guess what – it was ALL for His glory, and for the building up of the body of Christ.
So, I want to ask you another question tonight... WHO do you know that needs Jesus Christ, yet seems by your estimation to be one of those who will never bow their knee?
Will you commit to pray for them for the next 9 years?
For their salvation for the next 3,285 days...or longer if the Lord wills?
What is the situation in your life that seems absolutely impossible? Will you bow your knee before the Father and make your request known to Him with all thanksgiving for Who He is, and what He is able to bring about that His name may be glorified?
Will you do it for 3,285 days? Will you persevere in prayer?
Will you remember my story...that it took 9 years to see God answer this one?
Yet, today...as I and my family walked in the blessing of God’s answered prayer, I didn’t think ONE TIME about the tears that we had shed in prayer begging the Lord to do this given thing.
I didn’t think ONE TIME about all the feelings of discouragement we’d felt through it.
No sweet friend, not ONE TIME.
Today was a day of JUBILEE!
Today was a day of CELEBRATION!
Today was AWESOME!!!
Press on, Christian Soldier. Press on in prayer.
Be steadfast. Be immovable. Abound always in the work of the Lord. Know that your labor is not in vain.
I love how over and over again in the Old Testament we see the words, “That the world may know that there is a God in Israel.”
Time and again when God made a great miracle occur for His people, for His name sake, He said that it was for that very reason...that ALL THE WORLD might know that there is a God in Israel.
Will you pray for God’s hand in your situation? In the lives of your lost neighbors, friends, and family members?
How about for the salvation of your enemies?
What about for your country? That we will repent of our grievous sins before God and return to Him in obedience? Why would God want to answer your prayer? Why does He draw the lost unto Himself? That ALL THE WORLD may know Him, through His son, Jesus Christ.
I gotta share with you, after getting to walk in the shadow of this miracle of God today, my prayers for my lost and dying friends and family members are going to be ramped up big time! I’m going to make a commitment to myself and to the Lord that if I could pray for this last situation for 9 years, I will pray for the next one for at least that long.
Who in your life needs to make your list?
How long will you pray over your list?
9 years seems like a short time, in light of the surpassing glory of God in this answered prayer today.
Tune in again in the next few days...I’ll be sharing with you about Precept Ministries International’s call to prayer for our nation. Click here for more information.
Press on, soldier. Press on in prayer.
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
Have you ever asked yourself that question?
Are there times when you are praying for something so big, that you wonder if God would ever truly grant your request?
Or, does the evil one ever tempt you to doubt that God COULD handle this request of yours...since it’s SO huge? “I mean,” says your mind, “He’s sovereign and all, but what about how strong man’s sinful nature is?”
I’ve been there. There are times that I have prayed and prayed about a given subject, all the while battling thoughts in my mind that were telling me that there was NO WAY that it would ever happen.
Have you ever been at this point in your prayer life?
I want to encourage you tonight, as I have just witnessed God answer a huge prayer request in my life.
HUGE! I mean... MOUNTAIN size!
One of these was a request we have been lifting before the Lord for 9 YEARS!
9 YEARS!!!! 3,285 days!!!!
Don’t you think that’s a long time? I mean, for goodness sakes, we’ve been through 3 presidential terms in that amount of time! Yet, today, we saw God answer that prayer request, for His glory. Not only did we SEE Him do it, we were blessed by the fruit of HIM doing it...and guess what – it was ALL for His glory, and for the building up of the body of Christ.
So, I want to ask you another question tonight... WHO do you know that needs Jesus Christ, yet seems by your estimation to be one of those who will never bow their knee?
Will you commit to pray for them for the next 9 years?
For their salvation for the next 3,285 days...or longer if the Lord wills?
What is the situation in your life that seems absolutely impossible? Will you bow your knee before the Father and make your request known to Him with all thanksgiving for Who He is, and what He is able to bring about that His name may be glorified?
Will you do it for 3,285 days? Will you persevere in prayer?
Will you remember my story...that it took 9 years to see God answer this one?
Yet, today...as I and my family walked in the blessing of God’s answered prayer, I didn’t think ONE TIME about the tears that we had shed in prayer begging the Lord to do this given thing.
I didn’t think ONE TIME about all the feelings of discouragement we’d felt through it.
No sweet friend, not ONE TIME.
Today was a day of JUBILEE!
Today was a day of CELEBRATION!
Today was AWESOME!!!
Press on, Christian Soldier. Press on in prayer.
Be steadfast. Be immovable. Abound always in the work of the Lord. Know that your labor is not in vain.
I love how over and over again in the Old Testament we see the words, “That the world may know that there is a God in Israel.”
Time and again when God made a great miracle occur for His people, for His name sake, He said that it was for that very reason...that ALL THE WORLD might know that there is a God in Israel.
Will you pray for God’s hand in your situation? In the lives of your lost neighbors, friends, and family members?
How about for the salvation of your enemies?
What about for your country? That we will repent of our grievous sins before God and return to Him in obedience? Why would God want to answer your prayer? Why does He draw the lost unto Himself? That ALL THE WORLD may know Him, through His son, Jesus Christ.
I gotta share with you, after getting to walk in the shadow of this miracle of God today, my prayers for my lost and dying friends and family members are going to be ramped up big time! I’m going to make a commitment to myself and to the Lord that if I could pray for this last situation for 9 years, I will pray for the next one for at least that long.
Who in your life needs to make your list?
How long will you pray over your list?
9 years seems like a short time, in light of the surpassing glory of God in this answered prayer today.
Tune in again in the next few days...I’ll be sharing with you about Precept Ministries International’s call to prayer for our nation. Click here for more information.
Press on, soldier. Press on in prayer.
1 Corinthians 15:54-58
But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
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