Talmidah B'Yeshua

The Gospel - AG style

2011-10-16T21:30:00.002-06:00

You were created for love. God was lonely so He made you in order to have someone to love, spend time with, enjoy. Your purpose for existence is to be loved. The problem with this beautiful picture is that God is completely perfect and we are not. He can't coexist with someone who isn't perfect and every last one of us has messed up. The only way to blot out a screw-up like that is to cover it with blood and death, so Jesus became our stand-in. He took all of our mistakes, rebellion, apathy, and covered them with His own blood and death. Scripture says that He could have come down from the cross and saved Himself, but He didn't "because of the joy set before Him." That joy which kept Him on the cross? That joy was you. The idea of being with you for eternity was enough to keep Jesus on the cross to the point of death. He knew you would have free will. He knew you would have the choice to love Him in return or not. He decided the chance you would love Him was worth the certainty of his torture and death. This love story puts Romeo and Juliet to shame. Will you choose to love Him?

Materialism in a New Light

2010-05-15T10:53:00.002-06:00

I really enjoyed Charlie's post at Productive Flourishing. It made me want to see how much junk I could throw out of this house!

Angela and I are in the middle of doing a ton of paperwork and planning for our impending move to Portland. One of the things we’re currently shuffling is figuring out what we’re going to take with us and what we’re going to get rid of.
Few things make you more present about how much stuff you have until you start thinking about moving it across the country. We’re using a service that allows us to pack our stuff into a container and they’ll deliver it when we’re ready, but we’re being charged per every additional foot we’re using in the container.

He goes on to talk about how freeing it would be to get rid of all the stuff around the house that isn't useful, but is simply in the way. I'm typing this as I sit next to a scratching post and play yard for a cat who's been missing for seven months. Time I throw them out? Probably.

Athiest Believes Africa Needs God

2009-06-22T18:14:00.001-06:00

Please read this article!

Rejoice!

2009-06-07T08:30:00.002-06:00

Let us enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts! Let us enter His courts with praise! Let us say, "This is the day the Lord has made - I will rejoice 'cause He has made me glad!"

Joel's Here!

2009-05-30T21:53:00.001-06:00

Joel Judah was born 5/29/09, 17:37 MST, 6 lb 3 oz, 19 1/2 in.

My water broke at 8:15 am on Friday while I was at work. I freaked and forgot to put myself in after-call so another call came in. I took care of that customer and then left work. My labor hadn't started by 10:15 so they induced me then. My contractions got intense fast and so I had an epidural by about 11:30. After that, it was easy peasy. Pushed for about 15 minutes and he was born at 5:37. He's eating/peeing/pooping above par from what they consider to be ideal and I feel like a spoiled celebrity at this hospital. I'm going home sometime tomorrow.

Please pray for us, we're so new at this whole parenting thing... around noon today he ate three times in a row and then was still super fussy even though he was full. When his grandma got here at 2pm and she picked him up he was fine, but in the meantime I had no idea what to do. Other than that he's been really good. I'm just nervous about what if I'm home with the baby and can't calm him down... Also, my body's recovering as the nursing staff says it should, but of course, I'm exhausted and sore. Thanks, guys!

A Valiant Attempt!

2009-05-28T09:40:00.001-06:00

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T09:36:00.003-06:00

Happy Memorial Day to everyone!

Thank you to those of you who've lost loved one in the armed forces or whose loved ones are far from you and you're anxious for their safe return.

Thank you to those of you who are serving far from home.

False alarm.

2009-05-25T09:36:00.001-06:00

No baby yet. Poo.

Baby?

2009-05-24T12:56:00.002-06:00

I might be having a baby. No contractions yet, but fairly certain my water's broken. Will update again when I can.

Prayer

2009-05-14T20:27:00.002-06:00

This monk has worn footprints into the wood in his house... what would the Church today look like if Christians prayed this often?

Birthweight

2009-05-14T18:43:00.001-06:00

Doc is guestimating the baby to weigh somewhere in the 6 lb range, two weeks before he's due. Any guesses on how much he'll weigh when he's born?

Newsboys Change-up

2009-05-12T09:58:00.003-06:00

A few months ago, the Newsboys accounced that frontman Peter Furler would be stepping down and replaced by former DC Talk vocalist Michael Tait. This news was disappointing to many of Peter's fans and many, including myself, felt the transition was handled poorly. I'd already bought my concert tickets and the tour had already started before they made the publicity announcement, even though they'd known for a few months prior. I felt disappointed, but I'm a big girl. Life goes on.

It frustrates me and I just need to rant a little: The folks I'm friends with on the forum are still, months later, crying about this change! They're saying stuff as extreme as the Newsboys should call it quits now and disband! I finally said something on the boards, that we don't need to keep ranting about the same topic and someone I really respect responded saying, "What, are we all supposed to just talk in happiness and sunshine?"

You're still crying over this change? Seriously, people? Buck up. Life will still go on.

[/rant]

Pregnancy

2009-05-08T13:28:00.002-06:00

Month one: clueless
Month two: delighted
Month three: nauseous
Month four: tired
Month five: sore
Month six: antsy
Month seven: anxious
Month eight: achy
Month nine: ready

I'm so ready to have this thing...

Just seeing if Alix really does read my blog...

2009-04-13T14:36:00.003-06:00

A View from the Summit

2009-02-11T13:16:00.003-07:00

I received the following newsletter in an email from a friend. I thought it was a terriffic article. Enjoy.

Love maps
Pastoral ministry can be hard on your marriage. This seems to be the consensus of a number of studies. The pressures on your marriage can come from a variety of sources.
life in 'the fishbowl'
too many demands
too many
hours on the job, translates into too few hours with her and the kids
too many bosses
too little pay
too little appreciation
name your own pressures here: ________________________________
Have you noticed that it doesn't matter what the studies say when it's your own marriage that is in pain? Or as someone once said, 'Problems are academic, until they happen to you!'
Some pastors resolve the pain their marriage experiences because of the ministry by
leaving it for 'secular' work. For some, this is a good choice. For others, leaving pastoral ministry is the end of a dream, the end of a calling, and anything but a good choice.
Another choice is to make sure your own marriage remains a high priority within your calling as pastor. It's hardly an overstatement to say that your calling to be a good husband is a higher priority than your calling to be a pastor. A strong case can be made that the more priority a pastor places on nurturing and building up his own marriage, the more spiritual, emotional, and physical resources he will have for his role as pastor. A significant body of research indicates that men who have good marriages are healthier, live longer, state that they feel more effective in their occupations, and experience many other positive effects.
A pastor who places a high priority on his marriage is fulfilling Paul's exhortation for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, and give himself up for her (Eph. 5:25). What does that kind of love look like in 'real life?'
Dr. John Gottman has made a career of studying the factors that make marriages succeed or fail. He provides a helpful and very readable condensation of his findings in his book, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.
'Enhance Your Love Maps' is the first of the seven principles. Just as a physical map shows the geographical features of a region, a Love Map identifies the important features of your wife's inner world. Gottman writes that 'emotionally intelligent couples are intimately familiar with each other's world. They remember the major events in each other's history, and they keep updating their information as the facts
and feelings of their spouse's world change' (p. 48).
What kinds of things are included on your wife's Love Map? Here are a few of the issues that Gottman has identified:
Who are your wife's closest friends (excluding you, of course)?
What are her favorite hobbies?
What kinds of stresses is she facing now?
What are her favorite foods?
What does she fear the most?
What unfulfilled hopes or dreams does she have for her life?
Knowing your wife's Love Map is a powerful way of showing her you love her. You love her enough to care about the things that matter deeply to her.
How about giving her a different kind of Valentine's Day present this year? Along with the roses and box of chocolates, buy a copy of Gottman's Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. But don't give it to her. Read it for yourself. Then plan a date night - or maybe an overnight at a quiet place alone - where you intentionally focus on becoming more intimately familiar with her inner world.

A View from the Summit. Copyright (c) 2009, Summit Counseling Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Summit Counseling Associates, Inc.
Dr. Craig L. Loving
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
DrCraig@SummitCounselingAssociates.com
303-349-7398

A Thought on our New President

2009-01-20T11:24:00.002-07:00

If, like me, you're not a fan of Obama, keep this in mind:

America is a Democratic Republic. We have the amazing liberty to vote on our officials - many of the world's population is not so lucky. This does leave open the risk of electing a crooked official, but Monarchies, Aristocracies, and Dictatorships carry risks of being led by crooked men and women. The benefit of a Democratic Republic is that, unlike these other forms of government, the time anyone spends in office is restricted.

Also, keep remembering this:

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14 (NIV) If our entire lives are just vapors, how short will four or eight years for a presidency be?
"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." Proverbs 21:1 (NIV) Whether we believe this to be God's will or not - whether we believe Obama is a servant of God or not - God is still in control. Nothing on earth could happen that would be so devastating God can't handle it, and even use it for His glory.

I know many people who believe judgement is going to fall on America because we've elected Obama. As unhappy with the election outcome as I am, Obama is still a man. I don't believe that currently he serves the true God, nor that he was the best man for the job. However, the people have spoken and he is now my president. I must pay him the respect that his office deserves. I also have an obligation, as a servant of God, to pray for my president. God has caused murderers to be great leaders (Moses) and con artists to be great patriarchs (Jacob). He has even turned an adulterer into a king (David) which provided the line of Christ. How dare we say God can't use Obama. With God all things are possible, and the prayers of the righteous availeth much. Let's join, as a global church, and pray for America's leadership - that God would be active in the Oval Office and that His will, not man's will, would be done.

So Much More Than a Baby

2008-12-25T10:45:00.023-07:00

"There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries." W.J. Cameron

For many Christians, Christmas is more than the presents and the tree. It's a celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ-child. It's a time of celebration and thanksgiving to God for this indescribable gift. We imagine a cold night with a serene virgin-mommy, a proud earthly dad, and a cooing infant. We visualize the mood lighting in the stables that we've seen on a thousand nativity scenes before. We picture reverent shepherds and glorious Magi coming to kneel at the feet of Mary, cradling her newborn.

Let's put our old notions of Christmas night aside and let me paint a different picture for you. I don't claim for a second that this is more accurate, just different.

Imagine, instead of the picturesque setting of a warm wooden stable, a cold and dank cave. This cave was converted into a stable, complete with a stone food trough. It smells of livestock. Imagine a man, maybe in his late twenties, uncertain about what being a father would mean - especially when it comes to raising the Son of God. Imagine a teenage girl, sweaty and exhausted from the pains of labor, her hair plastered to her forehead. She has yet to come to grips with the fact that she now holds the I AM against her chest. Imagine a newborn... We've heard about "Little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes," and yet this baby does cry. He still needs to be fed every two hours and his bed is no four star mattress. He lays in the stone food trough, cushioned on straw... not the softest material in the world. Straw can even give someone splinters if they're not careful.

I very much doubt the shepherds came reverently to the side of Jesus. There was, after all, a reason they were shepherds. If they had shown potential as boys, they would have gone on to study the Law. These were the men who were not cultured. After seeing a sky full of angels, they would have wasted no time searching for the baby. They probably appeared at the mouth of the cave breathless. They didn't know how to approach royalty - they probably did not come and kneel by him. They may not have even paid much attention to Mary. As men, they would have paid most attention to Joseph and when they saw the baby, they didn't linger. They left, going to tell others what they had seen.

The Magi probably didn't even appear that night. The star may have appeared the night of Jesus' birth and it would have been several months before the Magi arrived. By that time, Joseph and Mary probably had moved into a home and Joseph had begun doing carpentry in Bethlehem.

Most Christians think of the birth of Christ when they think of Christmas - and that's good. But for me, this time of year, I can't help but think forward thirty-three years.

Mary is now in her fifties and may have been widowed. Her son has had an unusual career and is both hated and revered. Jesus and his trusted friends, probably even the women, share one last Passover meal together. This would have been a time of solemn remembrance of the slavery in Egypt, but also a time of celebration of deliverance! There would have been good food, jokes told, and Jesus would have been soaking in this last night of normalcy with the people he loved - the people he'd decided to die for. Even the Traitor he loved and loved deeply.

After the Traitor left they would have moved to a beautiful garden, quiet in the spring nighttime, and prayed. Jesus turned his focus to what now lay just ahead. As the full weight of what he would go through was brought to mind his heart began to race, his breathing became quick and labored, and his sweat was mixed with blood. When armed guards came with the Traitor to arrest him, his dearest friends fled and abandoned him. In his time of need, no one was there to stand by him. Jesus was illegally tried, falsely accused, and mercilessly ridiculed. Although with barely a thought Jesus could call on his heavenly army and free himself, he remained silent and submissive. He fought every self-preserving fiber in his humanly flesh and did the will of the Father. His lordship was mocked, his kingdom was mocked, his followers were mocked - and yet he remained silent. He deeply loved every single one of his tormenters. He craved their love in return.

Once Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, he willingly died a humiliating, painful death. What a broken heart his Mother must have had. Not so long ago, she carried this child in her own body, was one with him. She watched him grow, hoping for nothing but the best life for her son. The cry of a mother's heart, watching her son die in front of her, is one only a mother can understand. And yet, Jesus understood - God the Father was watching His son die in front of him, and through the heartbreak He even could have stopped it from happening. He could have spared His son.

But the story doesn't end there! Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have hope! Christmas is all about love, and hope, and peace on earth. How are those things possible? Through the sacrifice of God, we can have freedom from things that are evil - Satan, sin, selfishness, condemnation, guilt, judgement - and we can live in the light of his Truth. We can truly be free.

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

The Gathering 2009

2008-12-09T13:08:00.002-07:00

So... I did it.

I bought two tickets to the Ted Dekker Gathering next June. Problem is, I have no one to go with... and it's a week after my due date. Yeah. So I may end up putting them on eBay. But hey - a girl can dream.

Baby Pics!

2008-12-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

A Christmas Questionnaire

2008-11-30T22:52:00.002-07:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer wrapping paper for the time it means the wrapper spent on my gift, however I usually opt for gift bags for the very reason that I don't usually have time to wrap.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Prefer a real tree, but mom's always been allergic so I've had an artificial tree most of my life. Someday, someday, I will get a real tree again.
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually as early as I can get my procrastinating butt in gear - sometimes as early as Thanksgiving afternoon.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually late January, as late as my housemates will allow it to stay up.
5. Do you like eggnog? Adore it. And spiced apple cider. Mmm!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A letter jacket.
7. Hardest people/person to buy for? Dad. He's super selfless and doesn't ever seem like he needs anything.
8. Do you have a nativity scene? Not one of my own - there's one at my mother's house.
9.. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail.
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Pine tree scented bodywash.
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Nutcracker (American Ballet Company starring Baryshnekov and Kirkland.)
12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Whenever.
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yup.
14. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cinnamon hard candy or gingerbread or all kinds of other goodies.
15. Lights on the tree? White ones, not colored ones.
16. Favorite Christmas song? Good question, I don't know. Maybe "Baby, it's cold outside."
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home and have others visit.
18. Can you name all 9 of Santa's reindeer? You've got Dancer and Dasher and Prancer and Vixen; Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen... but can you recall the most famous reindeer of all? *launches into Broadway-style rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"*
19. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel.
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Christmas morning, after breakfast.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The cold weather.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? White is a beautiful winter decoration color, as well as deep purple and green.
23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham with pineapple, raisins, and mariscino cherries.
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Maternity clothes and baby stuff, I think. Maybe Group1Crew's or Brandon Heath's CDs. I don't know, whatever.

I am Thankful.

2008-11-27T15:16:00.002-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want you all to know that I am so thankful to God for all of you. I have so many blessings to count this year. God has given me some amazing friends who have been there for me through these recent months when most people would not have. God has given me an amazing family to rejoice in including a God-ordained, wonderful husband, godly parents, a wonderful brother, and a little one on the way. The kitchen is full of incredible smells and the bounty of the harvest will be on our table tonight. Many of the people I ministered to in South Africa would be blessed in awe of just one of the side dishes we're preparing, but we have more food available to us than we'll be able to eat. We are safe to worship God in our country and I can plan to teach my children of the love of God without fear.

God, why are you so good to me? Why did you decide to pour your blessing out on me, of all people? Surely, there's someone else who deserves it more than I. Your mercy really is new every morning. Thank you for calling me your daughter and for being the benevolent Father you decided to be. I love you!

Sleigh Ride, Relient K

2008-11-13T12:41:00.001-07:00

Relient K - Sleigh Ride from gotee on Vimeo.

Star Wars - John Williams Tribute

2008-11-09T14:40:00.003-07:00

Such a funny video! It was actually lip-synched from a song done by the guys at Moosebutter, but the video just makes it that much better. Enjoy! (And happy birthday, Jonny Schu, this is for you!)

Little Blessing

2008-10-19T15:30:00.004-06:00

God astounds me. Even through all the chaos going on in my life, God provides. He has decided it's time for me to become a mom. After three years of saying, "God, I know what I need! Just give me a baby already!" he waited until I threw my hands in the air and said, "I don't know what to do!" before he brought a little life into mine.

So, ladies who've had babies, what can I expect during the pregnancy? I'm already feeling queasy most of the time (woot woot) and I've slept for the last three days straight (fun stuff). What the heck is gonna happen to my body? What types of exercise routienes are good for mom and baby? I have so many questions! Any advice is appreciated!

I'm Back

2008-10-08T10:32:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the hiatus, folks. I had to take some time away from my internet world to invest in my marriage. There are a lot of issues that have been taking place and I needed to focus on resolving them rather than being online here.

Unfortunatly, the issues have not been resolved and we are going forward with a divorce. Please feel free to email me at agg_115@yahoo.com if you want to talk about it, but I really don't want to write any more than just this on this blog.

And thanks to all of you who've been praying for us during this time. It means so much.

Goodbye for Now.

2008-09-14T16:34:00.000-06:00

I'm taking some time off from the internet. If anyone needs to get in touch with me, you can email AGG_115@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Thank God we are Not Without Love

2008-09-02T21:40:00.004-06:00

I've been in such a broken place lately. I have ripped apart so many things God's blessed me with, including my own relationship with him. I haven't been able at all to process the thoughts and emotions I have right now and so I've been turning toward music to say what I can't. Lately, God's been using Jimmy Needham's new CD, Not Without Love to talk to me. I want to share a few of the songs with you.

Forgiven and Loved

Tell me I’m forgiven and loved
‘Cause I hear it from the street corner priests
On how God is love and how man can be clean
But my joy has been on holiday
And my peace has almost passed away
Tell me I’m forgiven and free

CHORUS
O I tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation
But I bought the lie I still have work to do
Now I’m working nine to five like I can earn my own salvation
But there is no condemnation in You

O whisper to me now that it’s for real
‘Cause in the silence of these walls righteousness lost its appeal
Dirty deeds have done me in
O but that can’t stop the faithful friend
Giving mercy once again as You heal
Here it is I’m feeling it

(Chorus)

O He died, He died to rectify my hopeless situation
And His blood commands my guilt to leave
Now on Calvary I stand
Empty pockets, open hands
O there is no condemnation for me

(Chorus)

Child, you’re forgiven and loved
Child, you’re forgiven and loved
Child, you’re forgiven
And child, you are loved
Child, you’re forgiven and loved

Kaleo's Transfusion Went Well

2008-08-30T21:41:00.001-06:00

I received the following email update from Kaleo:

Dearest Friends in Christ;

yesterday I went into the Hospital for my first and prayerfully only Bone Marrow Transfusion, the procedure went off without a hitch, preliminary tests looks positive and my Platelet counts doubled in only 4 hours after receiving the transfusion, The Doc was quite surprised and all I could do was point to heaven and exclaim "My God He is great My God He is great!" further monitoring is needed but I receive this healing from our God in Jesus name and I will praise His name forever! I want to thank you all for your prayers and emails of encouragement as I am feeling better than I have felt in months! Your obedience to our Lord and consistent supplication on my behalf has not gone unheard, Thank you all so very much for your prayers, for taking the time to lift me up to our God and for standing in faith that God would deliver me through this trials. God's grace and peace surround you all, please don't hesitate to send both Michelle and I prayer requests as we regularly pray together for you all. I end this message with thankfulness in my heart for your love and gratitude for your service to our God.

In His Name,

Kaleo

Thanks, all, for your prayers for his healing.

I have no fear of drowning, It's the breathing that's taking all this work...

2008-08-30T08:58:00.004-06:00

Jars of Clay - Work

Just in case, I will leave my things packed
So I can run away

I cannot trust these voices I don't have a line of prospects that can give some kind of peace
There is nothing left to cling to that can bring me sweet release
I have no fear of drowning
It's the breathing that's taking all this work

Do you know what I mean when I say, "I don't want to be alone"?
What I mean when I say, "I don't want to be alone"

Empty spaces with shadows hit by streetlights
Warnings signs and weight of tired conversations
In the absence of a shoulder, in the abscess of a thief
On the brink of this destruction, on the eve of bittersweet
Now all the demons look like prophets and I'm living out
Every word they speak, every word they speak

Do you know what I mean when I say, "I don't want to be alone"?
What I mean when I say, "I don't want to be alone"
What I mean when I say, "I don't want to be alone"

Do you know what I mean when I say, "I don't want to be alone"?
What I mean when I say, "I don't want to be alone"
What I mean when I say, "I don't want to be alone"
Alone, alone, I don't want to be alone

I have no fear of drowning
It's the breathing that's taking all this work

Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

2008-08-28T12:57:00.001-06:00

Cat House on the Kings

2008-08-28T12:56:00.001-06:00

Praise Report for Kaleo

2008-08-18T08:03:00.001-06:00

Here's a quick update from Michelle:

Kaleo's appointment with his doctor on Friday was a positive meeting. His
doctor told him no need to take the chemo yesterday. *praise the Lord* And
and and......... they have found 2, not one but TWO compatible bone marrow
donors. These coming Tuesday Kaleo has another doctor's appointment to
undergo couple of preliminary test for the bone marrow.

Getting Back in the Groove!

2008-08-15T14:00:00.001-06:00

I feel good!

The song above totally speaks about where I've been. For so long, I've been trapped in a shell and I've hated myself. I hated my appearance, my personality, my mind. I thought I was ugly, frumpy, stupid, a failure, and many other things. I was just coping and every little negative thing I heard about myself wormed its way deep into my brain.

But not anymore! I'm starting to stop caring what other people think of me and just focus on the fact that God made me and He knew what He was doing when He did! I'm not defined by my appearance, how much school I've completed, or what others think of me! I'm coming out of my shell, re-discovering who I am, and I'm loving every minute of it! I feel so good!

Is This Modest?

2008-08-13T14:53:00.002-06:00

Hey, everyone!

There will be a website launching soon called Is This Modest? You can click on the name of the site (to the left) and subscribe now so you won't miss a single post when it launches! The purpose of Is This Modest? (ITM) is, of course, to answer the question, "is this modest?" To do that, we'll have commentary about the general topic of modesty, photos of outfits with short reviews, and a list of stores where people can buy modest clothing.

I'm looking to see if you would be interested in contributing to this site! There are various commitment levels:

Editor
Helps edit posts for content, filters out inappropriate submissions, and helps make sure we have enough writers.
Blog Poster
Writes on the topic of modesty-- anywhere from 100-300+ words on the topic.Carnival Supervisor
Someone who supervises and posts the Modesty Carnival
Comment Moderator
Checks comment queue for posts that need moderation, deals with spam, and helps keep conversations positive.
Outfit Manager
Receives Outfit submissions for judging, sends out e-mails to Quick Reviewers for comment, posts results.
Quick Reviewer
Will be e-mailed image and will give a thumbs up or down around the question "Is This Modest?" and they will provide a short (5 sentence max) comment about their decision.
Outfit Submitter
These people find images for submission into the system to answer the question.
Contest Runner
Helps run Contests and Giveaways.

These jobs are all so much simpler than they sound. Please let me know if you're interested in any of them. There is no required commitment time-period. If this turns out to be not for you, you're welcome to step back down.

I'm emailing as many men as I am emailing women, even though the majority of the modesty talk will revolve around women's clothes. (Let's face it... men just don't have to worry about their necklines as much as women do...) I want both gender's input, though, on what makes an outfit modest and what causes problems with an outfit. We'll also hopefully be talking about having modest speech (steering clear from suggestive topics and language) and other good topics.

Thanks a bunch!

What's Your Cardboard Testimony?

2008-08-11T16:39:00.002-06:00

Mine?

Remind me to get back to you as soon as this season is over - I'm still in the middle of whatever change Christ is making in me.

What's your cardboard testimony?

Lightning in Extreme Slow Motion

2008-08-09T15:17:00.001-06:00

Watch the video by clicking here.

Kaleo's Chemo Decision

2008-08-07T21:27:00.001-06:00

Thanks again to everyone who's praying for Kaleo's healing. He's had (I believe) three chemo treatments and is not debating whether or not to keep it up. Please pray for direction for him in this decision. Thank you.

New Hair

2008-08-05T17:03:00.002-06:00

Before:

After:

My New Hair

2008-08-02T16:43:00.003-06:00

This is a quick shot of my new haircut. I took this directly after the cut, but before the perm and style. I absolutely love my new style, thank you Nicole! Better before and after pictures are on their way!

Personal Betterance in the Furthering of the Educationalness of my... self...

2008-07-31T09:07:00.002-06:00

Just ignore that title. It got away from me.

So I finally know what I want to do with my life! Finally! I want to teach! I want to surround myself with kids who I can pour into, invest in, and help develop into strong men and women. I can think back to so many teachers who made an impact on me. Mrs. Visher, Mrs. Sherbechuk, Mrs. Valdez, Mr. Lynch, Mrs. White, Mr. Mongrain, Mrs. Murphy... (I'm impressed that I know over half of their first names.) Can you imagine how amazing it would be to do the same?

Now, I just need to figure out how to afford the degree...

Writing Guide

2008-07-30T07:30:00.002-06:00

Maybe it's because I felt so uninspired yesterday, but I dreamed last night that someone gave me a writing guide as a gift. Except it was fairly unusual - it had terrible advice! It was advice like, "No need to write the story linearly. Your reader doesn't care what order the chapters are in." It kind of took every form of good writing advice and turned it around to become the opposite.

And it got me thinking, maybe I should publish a book of awful writing tips. Satire sells way better than serious material!

Kaleo Needs a Bone Marrow Donor

2008-07-29T07:26:00.002-06:00

Thanks again for those people who are still praying for Kaleo's healing. He needs a bone marrow transfusion and, so far, has not found a compatible donor. Please pray for God to open the floodgates of heaven and rain down compatible donors for him. He also begins his next chemo session this Saturday. Updates from Michelle and Kaleo follow:
______________________________________________________________
Mighty prayer warriors,

I'm so sorry for the delay of the update :) I hope all is well with all of you. I've in fact attached a mail from Kaleo. Thank you all for your prayers again. Please keep Kaleo in your prayers again. The battle definitely doesn't end here. But at the end, its all worth it, because we're doing our Father's will, mending his business for him on earth.

Let's pray for compatible DONORS.. yes DONORS not just one, I believe our God is not a miser, but when he bless he bless abundantly. If he was a miser, all of us would have been in trouble, and what happen 2000 years ago, might not have happened. Thank God, for being our generous and cheerful giver, so cheerful and gracious that he gave us his son 2000 years ago :)

May God's grace and peace surround you as you read the forwarded message below. Thank you again, and all of you are in both Kaleo and my prayers.

Christ above all,
Michelle
______________________________________________________________

My Dearest Prayer Warriors;

It has been a hard couple of weeks, but the Lord has seen fit to deliver me
through it. Our master surely is merciful and loving. In every storm there is a
promise of calm and though the storm rages around us, we hear the Saviors voice
call to us, reassuring us that he is there and in control. Though our eyes see
dimly and our faith falter God does not, he is the same yesterday, today and
forever. I can not tell you what an encouragement your prayers and emails have
been, I am deeply humbled by the graciousness of the Body of Christ and praise
his holy name for fostering in every one of you the heart of a servant. From the
depths of gratitude unfounded I thank all of you for your love first for God and
then for one another, it is an honor to be a co-servant of the Lord with you
all. The news that my family's tests proved to be incompatible for bone marrow
transfusions was disheartening but I am reminded that I serve the great
Physician and place my faith in Him. The road ahead is difficult, but many have
traveled it before me and have received healing, yet I say with all honesty, let
it be God's will be done and never my own for his grace is sufficient, if I may
serve the master in my weakness to make manifest His glory then I count it all
joy to be found worthy to do so. My doctor has placed me on the national bone
marrow transfusion recipients list and my compatibility will be measured against
the thousands of people who graciously donated their time and marrow to give the
gift of prolonged life to others. My first treatment of chemotherapy was
shockingly easier on me than imaginable and I have every conviction that your
prayers combined with the emails of encouragement greatly speed ed my
recovery from the treatment. This Saturday makes the 13Th day since the last
treatment and I will undergo the second series of treatments as scheduled. Could
you all say a word of prayer for Michelle who has been burdened with worry for
me? Thank you my friends for all your service to the Lord.

For the Saints Abroad:

heavenly Father, Abba, I come before your throne of mercy and grace with a
heart full of gratitude for your servants, whom in service to you has also
served me. Lord how amazing that your people come together in prayer and
supplication to edify one another as Christ edified and encouraged the Apostles.
Lord I praise you and worship your holy name for in your example, in your
instruction your servants came together in agreement, standing in the gap for
one of your own whom they did not know. But they know you Lord, for they love
you because you loved them first. Gracious savior I have read about your
healing, the miracles you have done in the world and I am encouraged, not
because you can heal me, but because my faith has been tested and I have not
faltered because you sent me these prayer warriors, these servants of mercy who
reached out from their lives, their own troubles and cares to lift up someone
they have never met, though I know them all for you are evident in them and I
know you Jesus. So Lord I lift up all the saints who have been praying for me
and encouraging me for your sake and in obedience to you. shower upon them
blessings from heaven until overflowing and provide for their every need. Most
importantly Lord draw them ever closer to a more personal relationship with you
Jesus. Thank you for Michelle O God who has been a pillar of strength for me and
an encouragement in dark times. Lord you knew before I did that she is what I
needed and you brought her into my life at a time where her strength would bring
me comfort and I thank you for that Lord. How amazing you are O god who has
designed the universe and yet ponder upon us who are un-worthy of your
mindfulness. So Lord bring to all my prayer warriors peace, prosperity and
blessings abounding for they have stored up riches in Heaven beyond that of
material things, yet they do it not for noteriety O god but because they are
reacting to the precious gift you freely gave to them, life everlasting in your
presance, how amazing that is to think upon. Thank you mighty God for your power
and grace in my life, made manifest in Michelle and my other prayer warriors.
For these things I pray and thank you Lord, Amen.

God's grace be upon you all,
Kaleo

Update on Kaleo

2008-07-24T08:35:00.001-06:00

Thanks to everyone who's prayed for healing for Kaleo. I have an update from Michelle below:

Dearly beloved,
Hmm.. I've received mails from some of you, sharing about being spiritually attacked, but nonetheless to keep the faith and prayer going. I was talking to a friend from Australia, Dean says, hmm.. I'm sensing that the man downstairs there isn't too happy with what's going on. I say amen!I'm recruiting trouble makers :) Of course the enemy doesn't like it when it's "self-defined territory" is being taken over. We were reminded that in 1 Peter 5:8-9 to be watchful that the devil is like a prowling lion, waiting on to devour on us. Though, we're working with our might, for God's glory, praying in unity for Kaleo, so is the enemy. Well, I praise God for all of you, who chose to withstand by Kaleo and me in prayer, despite being spiritually attacked! Thank you all for being faithful to the heavenly call by our Father in heaven.
I am hereby to give a praise report upon Kaleo's health condition. The Lord hears our cries, when we earnestly praise in Jesus name. Because of all of your faithful and earnest prayers, and God's divine intervention upon his servant, Kaleo is feeling so much better now. In fact, no more feeling of discomfort in his stomach. Don't we serve an amazing God? Kaleo is feeling so much better on the 2nd day after chemo, so well that he was able to go for his mid week service in church today, and even plan to go to work tomorrow. I thank you all for your prayers, emails, text messages and e cards. All of it has been an inspiration and encouragement to the both of us.
Please do continue to keep Kaleo in prayer. Yes, the doctor should be able to evaluate his first treatment soon. His next treatment will be in 13 days. Please also keep his family in prayer, for their bone marrow test result will be out end of this week. Pray again for one another, we're to hold one another accountable, since we're all one in the body of Christ.
I thank you all once again, for your prayers and encouragement. I felt so compelled and convicted, that I wish to leave you all with a prayer;
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you promise to hear our prayers when we pray, where we pray and what we pray. We thank you for your unfailing love that is beyond measure. We thank you and we praise you for you are the God of our salvation, and the God who keeps your promises. In times like these, we get discouraged, taking our eyes off you, and feeding on lies of the enemy, O God of grace and mercy, forgive us we pray. We believe in you, help our unbelief. Lord, may you deafen our ears, and harden our hearts to the lies of the world, only to be obedient to you and you alone, for truly you are the only light the only way, the only truth that our heart will ever cease to recognize and desires to believe in. So God, I commit my brothers and sisters here into your loving arms. Thank you for each and every of their precious lives, may you continue to strengthen them in spirit, that they may overcome the desires of their flesh, keeping strong in faith in you, giving you the glory that you solely deserves. Lord, they have their own struggles, you know their needs, may you hear their prayers. Almighty God, I call upon the name of Jesus for your divine protection to be upon their lives, to protect them of the world, of the enemy. In Jesus mighty name, I pray in faith and taking authority and ownership of my prayer, to break all chains of bondage that binds them to the wills of the enemy. In Jesus name, I pray in persistence and in faith to cast Satan away from this army of prayer warriors. Lord, help us win this battle, for when you are for us, who can be against us? Teach us your ways, to guard ourselves with the armor of God, in this battle. Loving God, we thank you, we love you and we praise you. I now, sealed this prayer with the blood of the lamb, asking and pray all these in Jesus most precious and blessed name, Amen.
May the grace of God continues to be with you all. May you continue to pray with me for Kaleo and his family. I will keep all of you posted of his doctor's evaluation report, and the bone marrow transplant result.
Keeping passion alive,
Michelle

The Front Fell Off

2008-07-22T12:52:00.001-06:00

So funny!

Prayer for Kaleo

2008-07-22T08:08:00.010-06:00

Please be in prayer for a brother in the faith. Kaleo, from Hawaii, has been diagnosed with Thrombocytopenia and Leukemia Chronic. He started chemo yesterday. Please pray for healing for him, a protective covering over him, his family, and friends. Below is the email his girlfriend, Michelle, from Malaysia, sent out, followed by an update from her. Thank you all!
_______________________________________________________________

Sent Sunday, July 20, 2008.

Dear all,

My gracious thanks to all who has prayed for Kaleo yesterday. I'm deeply encouraged and inspired by the prayers, and words of encouragement from all who were there in MYF on saturday. Here's a brief note to take for those who have not been in MYF yesterday.

Kaleonahe Rodney Kaluma, is known Kaleo (pronounce Kah Ley oh) for short. He's turning 23, in September. He's also my boyfriend, whom I've been together for a while. 4 months ago, Kaleo was diagnosed with Thrombocytopenia a kind of disease that is causes the platlet count to be low. His case was caused by Leukemia chronic. At first the doctor says that in his case, leukemia chronic is better than leukemia, as it could be treated with drug treatment. When he got diagnose with the disease it was early stage, before his mom past away, she made sure his sister and him would do regular health check, as the family has a medical history to cancer. However, getting back to the early drug treatment, after 2 treatments the doctor canceled the treatment, because his body was not responding positively to the treatment. And adrenaline shots are not exactly the answer to his illness either, because excessive shots will only affect his heart, though it may increase the platlet count. Right now, his doc is going to start the chemo treatment on him on Monday, means our Tuesday. His doctor is skeptical about the success rate for chemo on his case, because his disease is a unique combination of thrombocytopenia and leukemia chronic instead
of a regular leukemia. If leukemia fails, hes given an estimated life span of 1-2 years.

Yes, the news is all so heartbreaking. He has been very high academic achiever, and most importantly he has been very passionate about God, serving in his church, an amazing prayer warrior, and great counselor. He'd be coming to Malaysia in Aug. I'd love the MYFers to meet him too, when you see him you see Jesus in him. I'm hereby appealing for prayers from all of you to pray for him at least from now till Tuesday night our time. His chemo treatment will take place on Monday 2pm his time. Hawaii to KL is 18 hours difference.

Again reminder: Luke 11:1-11 (Persistence in prayer)
Kaleo's chemo treatment starts on Monday, 21 July 2008, 2pm (Hawaii time zone) - Tuesday, 22 July, 8am (Malaysia time zone)

Keeping passion alive,
Michelle

_______________________________________________________________

Sent Tuesday, July 22, 2008.

Dear faithful prayer warriors,

A super duper big *THANK YOU* to all of you who have committed yourselves to pray with me, and to stand by Kaleo and me in this time of need. Both our gratitudes are beyond words that can be found in every diction, and beyond every math ormula of measure. Fear and anxiety has crept our hearts, crippling us inside, that we begin to question God, until these past few days. The Lord, has touched and blessed both our lives, with all of you. I now understand when God says that as a body of Christ, each and every of us are very important to one another, to stand by each other in times of need. I have to admit, my faith in the Lord, has been on a roller coaster, the
day Kaleo told me that he was diagnose with Thrombocytopenia and that the cause
of the disease was Leukemia Chronic. But these past few days, God smacked his words into my head, well I do deserved every bit of it. Last week, he sent me his word in Luke 11:1-11, about the persistence of prayer, and that we as sinful people would know how to show love and compassion to our love ones, won't He the Heavenly Father, have shown even more? On Saturday, I prayed with so many people, most overwhelming was the one in MYF, I was filled with the spirit, when Ron say a prayer for me, and all in agreement, that I begin to wept. Talk about the
power of PRAYER again. I was then humbled by his grace again, on Monday, another verse from Romans, that God says that everyone has been given a gift, prayer, prophecy, teaching... etc. And that in times of need to pray. I knew that God meant business, and he's dead serious about prayer, when today, I felt so worried, during my lunch time off work, I went to borders, I pick a book by Max Lucado, again the word, PRAY! And another book, PRAY! I pick a bible there, I flipped a page, again it says PRAY!!!
Yes, I'm on fire to build a team of prayer warriors, whether locally, friends overseas, even had prayer request sent to other churches, planet shakers, hillsong etc. But my effort alone will not be sufficient for me to go on, but it is by God's grace, and by all of your willing hearts, to take up the call and to join with me in prayer for Kaleo. In
fact, a big thank YOU to all of you who have helped spread the word, and got groups of people to pray. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Like the Lord says, many are called, but few are chosen. I believe, that it is not by accident, but by God's grace that all of you are in this with me. Thank God for his grace, and thank you all for your willingness and availing yourselves for this cause.

I'm also here to update all of you who have praying faithfully with me, and also words of encouragement, via sms and even sending in e-cards, and phone calls. The day before, Kaleo's family; his dad, his brother and his sister went for testing for bone marrow compatibility. The result will be out end of this week. Today, Kaleo have undergo his first chemo treatment. In the morning, when I spoke to him, he definitely had the right attitude, even had his pastors to pray with him before he went into that room. Just hours ago, after I got back from work, I gave him a call,
and he sounded really sick, he throw up, and felt nauseous. Yes, in times of distress, we feel like giving up, but none of this discouragement is from the Lord.
So let us, join our hearts in prayer for Kaleo, for God's divine intervention upon his life, for healing, and ease of pain. To pray for God's protection over Kaleo against the enemy in this moment of vulnerability. Pray for positive attitude, for love and support, and peace from his surrounding. If its God's will for Chemo to work, then let his will be done. And also to pray for his family test result for bone marrow compatibility. The Lord is good, and always keeps his promises, just as the David the psalmist have proclaim in Psalm 145.

Here is Kaleo's email. Do drop him a line of encouragement; kaleonahe36@yahoo.com
Thank you all again, for taking a moment to read, and to pray continually. And also,
if you do have prayer request, do drop me a line. Would love to pray for all of you.

Christ above all,
Michelle

Oh, the Joys of Homeownership

2008-07-18T21:43:00.002-06:00

So we had a fun weekend. (I know I'm blogging this late, but I just now thought, "Oh! This might be blog-worthy!" I'm a nerd.) We woke up Sunday morning to about two inches of water in our basement. Woohoo, that's always fun. But we had obligations at church and a roommate who didn't, so (I love her, I love her, I love her) she took care of things, sopping up the floor and trying to find the leak, while we headed off to church. The problem is, any time we used any water at all, even to flush a toilet, the drain to our septic system backed up more and more. And not always with clean water. Yeesh. So Monday came along and the plumber found a tree root growing through our drainage system, eighty feet from the house. We're $200 poorer and we have yucky smelling carpet (even after it was shampooed and dried) but we're no longer water-logged down here.

Now, let's just hope the tree root doesn't grow back.

Six Quirky Things About Me

2008-07-16T15:55:00.002-06:00

So this blog has been all but dead. You can thank ~K~ (better known to me as LDP and Phika's mom) over at Building 68 for temporarily resurrecting it. She tagged me with this meme... so here goes.

Here are the rules of this meme:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

I adore every animal except scorpions. Tarantulas? Love 'em. Snakes? Fascinated by 'em. Scorpions? Get 'em away!
I never outgrew every little girl's dream of owning a pony. Or a unicorn. Or a pegasus. Heck, even a griffin would be cool.
Ted Dekker is my hero. If I wanted a name change, I'd change my name to Rachelle.
I make amazing white girl enchiladas. They're far from authentic Mexican, but they are delicious. (And no, they're not made out of white girls.)
I think I dropped my heart somewhere in South Africa. If someone over there finds it, please keep it safe.
For someone who's passionate about playing music, I rarely listen to any.

I'm tagging...

Have fun ladies (and gent)!

Identities of God

2008-06-25T09:27:00.003-06:00

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. God is so very multi-faceted in who He is and how He interacts with us. There are so many different identities to God.

God can be the Origin - the one where everything comes from and what sustains everything.
God can be the Father - the one who watches over us and provides for us.
God can be the General - the one who coordinates the armies and gives missions.
God can be the Lover - the one who is passionate about you.

There are so many more faces to God. He is like a diamond - we can only see several facets at once, but he is so complex.

So, my question to you is, what identity of God do you most relate to? Which one do you most struggle with?

The identity I understand best is God as the Lover. The God of Song of Solomon. I can see God as my fiance and understand that I make him twitterpated. I can believe that he is waiting expectantly for me at the wedding feast. I can believe that one day we'll be united even more intimately than a human husband and wife ever could. And I can't wait for that day.

The identity I struggle the most with is the General. Although I can understand that identity, I can't really see God work that way in my own life. He seems too relational. Can someone explain it to me?

So, again, which identities strike you?

Gnomes, Flamingos, and True Love

2008-06-24T18:47:00.001-06:00

Since not too long after we moved into our house, strange things have been happening. A seemingly unending army of garden gnomes and pink flamingos are appearing in our front yard.

At first, it was one lowly gnome. I believe his name was Martin. Then Nate (was it Nate?) showed up looking for his friend.

We are now the proud (heh) owners of six, sometimes seven gnomes, multiple flamingos, a wraught iron palm tree, and (until it popped) a baloon.

Oh, what must our neighbors think of us?

Oh, and the "True Love" part of the title? Yeah, the fact that they're still there and not in the dumpster is a tribute of my love for my husband. He gets giddy excited when a new one shows up.

All we need now is a kiddie pool in the front yard.

Redeemed and Restored

2008-06-24T07:25:00.004-06:00

Many people relish a good love story, and one of the most incredible such stories in the Bible is that of Hosea and Gomer. Hosea ministered faithfully as a full-time prophet, but then God directed him to marry a prostitute named Gomer - certainly not the typical pastor's wife!

Gomer bore three children - two sons and a daughter - but Hosea was painfully aware that he was not the father (Hosea 1:2). Imagine how the prophet must have felt. But the story gets worse. Gomer left Hosea, the couple was divorced (Hosea 2:2) and she continued to drift from one liaison to the next. To Gomer this was the good life: No need to answer to anyone, no long-term commitments, no end to excitement and variety (verse 5). But at the culmination of every superficial relationship Gomer went away empty. Finally, Hosea found her groveling in poverty and provided her anonymously with grain, wine, oil and money. Gomer proceeded to squander these gifts in the worship of Baal (verse 8).

Hosea must have felt like a sucker to end all suckers. He had married a woman of questionable character who had been, not surprisingly, unfaithful to him. Finally she had left him, participated in trysts with a string of lovers and ended up with nothing at all to show for it. And then this apparently gullible ex-husband had passed her food and money in secret!

At last Gomer hit rock bottom. She found herself stripped naked and compelled to stand in front of a jeering, cat-calling crowd to be auctioned off as a slave. Hosea stood among the gawking spectators that day. But Hosea had come with a single agenda, with the express purpose of buying Gomer back - not as a slave but as his wife! God had instructed him to love this adulterous wife, just as God continued to love Israel regardless of how many times the nation had rejected him and violated his trust.

Each of us is like Gomer. No, perhaps we do not lead lives of flagrant sin, flaunting our bodies in complete abandonment. But we do rebel and run from God in pursuit of whatever we fancy will provide us pleasure. We flee, but God doggedly pursues us - down whatever dark alleys we may choose to hide (Psalm 139:7-10; Luke 19:10). When we, like Gomer, were helpless to save ourselves, God sent the most valuable gift of all: his own Son (Romans 5:6-11). On the cross Jesus Christ purchased us from the "slave market" of sin and redeemed us from the fate we deserved (Romans 6:1-23). And, like Hosea, our Savior has restored us to the position of his beloved (Ephesians 5:2).

Xander

2008-06-23T11:45:00.002-06:00

This is my new, little second cousin. Isn't he precious? He is pictured here being held by his grandmommy, with great-grandma looking on.

Planned Parenthood Racism

2008-06-20T12:28:00.001-06:00

For more information visit:

http://youtube.com/user/LiveActionFilms

http://www.laadvocate.com/

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/feb/08022802.html

The World of Online College

2008-06-12T17:02:00.002-06:00

I've been on the floor for my new job for three days. And I absolutely love it here! I love helping keep students sane while they go through the otherwise hair-pulling financial aid process. I was reading back through my original post about it and reading Jeanie's comment about God putting me into a ministry. And He sure has! I've loved getting to know some of the people here and minister to the students He's brought into my path. What an amazing God we serve!

Wedding Band Boo Boo

2008-06-09T15:27:00.002-06:00

So, funny story:

I take my wedding ring off each night before bed because, as I sleep, my fingers swell. So I went to put my ring on this morning and it pinched me! Turns out, both bands (saudered together) broke all the way through. And our jeweler who we had a warranty through just closed.

So I'm wearing an old promise ring my parents gave me when I started 6th grade. Know what's hilarious? It's too big. It's at least half a size, maybe a size too big. It's so weird.

Thriver's so awesome.

2008-06-09T09:10:00.000-06:00

Thriver's amazing.

(See? I listen to my readers.)

Starvation

2008-05-30T07:18:00.001-06:00

I've been starving my blog.

Sorry 'bout that.

I swear, I'll post again in... maybe... two weeks? Yeah, that sounds fair.

My birthday!

2008-05-12T21:18:00.002-06:00

So I know most of you probably aren't planning on getting me a gift for my birthday. That's totally dandy.

But if you were planning on it, don't. Instead, would you mind taking the money you would've spent and instead donate it to the Leseding Soup Kitchen at http://www.Lesideng.com? Thanks a bunch!

God freakin' rocks!

2008-05-09T18:09:00.000-06:00

But you knew that.

Why, at this particular moment, is one reason God rocks? Because He just landed me an amazing job!

I started looking for a job a few weeks ago when my current wonderful, but not-well-paying job cut my hours. I posted my resume on Monster.com and applied for a few positions. A few days later, an online college called me and said they found my resume online. They asked if I'd be interested in the position. I interviewed several times this week, but I started to get kind of worried the last few days. I knew my heart wasn't right with God and so I didn't feel comfortable praying and asking Him to bless me with this job if I was being rebellious against Him. I met with a good friend (mighty woman of God) last night and God thoroughly used her to bring me back into a right place with Him. I found out today that I got the job! I know, know, know that it's because of my obedience to Him that He blessed me.

So, what will I be doing? I'm so glad you asked! I'll be an Enrollment Service Specialist. I'll be helping prospective and new online students with the financial aid and admissions process, scheduling classes, buying books and software, signing into classes, etc. I'll have about 100 students I'll be mentoring and encouraging, helping them be successful in their online education. This is so right up my alley and is absolutely a perfect position for me!

And I'll tell you what - when you know you don't deserve God's grace and you receive grace and blessings anyway, you appreciate it so much more. It's the sweetest thing - an amazing display of God's love for His bride.

Crazy Beautiful!

2008-05-02T12:32:00.001-06:00

I cannot get enough of this song by Chasen:

My desire is for every woman (and man, too) to see their worth through the eyes of the King. We are crazy beautiful!

Hab a nie dae!

James Cone, Black Liberation Theology, and Barack Obama

2008-05-01T13:13:00.000-06:00

The above video cuts off toward the end, but please watch it anyway. Does it terrify anyone else that our potential future president subscribes to beliefs like this? James Cone is a dangerous man and he, through Reverend Wright, is influencing Obama on a great level.

Some horrifying quotes from Cone:

"Black theology cannot accept a view of God which does not represent God as
being for oppressed blacks and thus against white oppressors. Living in a world
of white oppressors, blacks have no time for a neutral God. The brutalities are
too great and the pain too severe, and this means we must know where God is and
what God is doing in the revolution. There is no use for a God who loves white
oppressors the same as oppressed blacks. We have had too much of white love, the
love that tells blacks to turn the other cheek and go the second mile. What we
need is the divine love as expressed in black power, which is the power of
blacks to destroy their oppressors, here and now, by any means at their
disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject
God's love." [A Black Theology of Liberation, p. 70]

"For the gospel proclaims that God is with us now, actively fighting the
forces which would make man captive. And it is the task of theology and the
Church to know where God is at work so that we can join him in this fight
against evil. In America we know where the evil is. We know that men are shot
and lynched. We know that men are crammed into ghettos...There is a constant
battle between Christ and Satan, and it is going on now. If we make this message
contemporaneous with our own life situation, what does Christ's defeat of Satan
mean for us?...The demonic forces of racism are real for the black man.
Theologically, Malcolm X was not far wrong when he called the white man "the
devil." The white structure of this American society, personified in every
racist, must be at least part of what the New Testament meant by the demonic
forces." [Black Theology and Black Power, pp. 39-41]

"To be Christian is to be one of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen
black people!" [Black Theology and Black Power, pp. 139-140

So, apparently, since I'm white I can't be a Christian.

Now, I know that a few days ago, Obama denounced his support of Wright and the teachings of Cone, but I really think those are empty words. What did Cone say? Let's reread it:

"What we need is the divine love as expressed in black power, which is the power
of blacks to destroy their oppressors, here and now, by any means at their
disposal."

So, would that mean denouncing your affiliation with it if it means getting into office? I think so, yes.

Yikes.

Thankful

2008-04-25T15:20:00.002-06:00

Katie challenged her fellow bloggers to list the top 100 things they're most thankful for.

I kinda got silly halfway through (I know, you're shocked) but here goes:

1. God existing
2. God loving me
3. Salvation
4. Jesus’ temptation (so He knows what I go through)
5. The Spirit’s indwelling
6. Hubby’s love
7. Hubby’s faithfulness
8. Hubby’s passion toward God
9. Hubby’s passion toward kids
10. Hubby leading spiritually
11. Hubby’s willingness to be humble
12. Hubby’s inclination to go to prayer first
13. Godly parents
14. A godly brother
15. A home
16. The ability to bless others with our home
17. God’s protection over our home
18. God’s presence in our home
19. A home church
20. A passionate and upstanding pastor
21. Elders who have character and integrity
22. A Bible study group
23. A great band
24. Great ministry leaders
25. The fact that the Holy Spirit falls each week at our church (gets goosebumps)
26. God’s provision through PartyLite
27. My PartyLite leader
28. My PartyLite friends
29. The hostesses and guests I’ve met through PartyLite
30. The ministry I’ve been a part of through PartyLite
31. The new plants in my garden 
32. My kitty
33. My fishy
34. The fact that my puppy found a good home  
35. Chocolate
36. Lasagna
37. Cheese in general
38. Crème Bruleè
39. Ice cream sandwiches
40. Good weather
41. BBQ (Midwestern-style)
42. BBQ (Pulled pork, Southeastern-style)
43. Berries
44. Plums
45. Peaches
46. Trifles
47. Coffee
48. Italian sodas
49. Chai
50. Bobotie
51. All my amazing girlfriends
52. How God uses my amazing girlfriends to get my butt back in line 
53. God’s redemption
54. My Sunday School kids
55. The privilege of God trusting me with teaching His children
56. God being a Hosea to this Gomer
57. America’s religious freedom
58. The fact that I can own a Bible and not get gunned down
59. The right to vote
60. Actually, civil rights, in general
61. Literacy, even
62. Health
63. Employment
64. Love
65. Joy
66. Peace
67. Patience
68. Kindness
69. Goodness
70. Faithfulness
71. Gentleness
72. Self-Control
73. The fact that people taught me when I was a kid how to name the Fruits of the Spirit
74. The insight I’ve gained into Song of Solomon
75. Humor
76. The violin
77. The piano
78. The guitar
79. Voice
80. Music theory
81. Tchaikovsky
82. Vivaldi
83. Benny Goodman
84. Newsboys
85. Jimmy Needham
86. Stellar Kart
87. Relient K
88. Joy Williams
89. Rachmaninoff
90. Almost being done with this list
91. The new fruits and veggies in our garden
92. Getting the house to myself this whole weekend
93. Mentoring my friend from the youth group
94. Pomegranates
95. Sleep
96. Our BBQ grill
97. Any time I don’t have to listen to country music
98. My work “mommy” who always takes care of me
99. Ice cream sandwiches (did I say that already?)
100. The ways God constantly moves in my life

Shout to the Lord

2008-04-15T21:22:00.003-06:00

American Idol singers all joined together to sing Shout to the Lord the other night. While some are saying this is a travesty (because they replaced "Jesus" with "Shepherd") I say it's an opportunity!

Romans 14:11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"

What a beautiful opportunity to use this as a lead-in to sharing the gospel with American Idol fans! Why should we let Satan have victory over this? Let's use it to further the Kingdom!

Fireball

2008-04-10T00:01:00.000-06:00

Today is National Sibling Day. And I just want to take today to tell all of you how much I appreciate and miss my brother.

First, a fun slideshow: (His nickname is Fireball for his hair. I'll just let you guess which one he is.)

Fireball in Asia, on shore leave.

Fireball in front of the carrier they escort (left) and...well... I don't know (right).

Fireball as a groomsman at our wedding.

By now it should be extremely obvious to you that he's kinda silly. Okay, he's really silly. And I miss him. He joined the Navy and has been having all kinds of adventures in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. He's been to Pearl Harbor, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Iraq, and a miriad of other place.

Fireball and I are only a year and a half apart in age and we always grew up with our bedrooms right next to each other. There was a close friendship we developed at an early age and will continue forever. We were even plotting once to drill a hole through our bedroom walls so we could pass things to each other even if we were sent to our rooms by our parents.

Fireball is full of life and passion for whatever he does. He realizes that people are most important and spends time on-ship ministering to other sailors. I praise God for my brother and am thrilled to be his sister.

There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams. ~Author Unknown

A brother is a friend given by Nature. ~Jean Baptiste Legouve

It was nice growing up with someone like you - someone to lean on, someone to count on... someone to tell on! ~Author Unknown

Our siblings push buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago - the baby, the peacekeeper, the caretaker, the avoider.... It doesn't seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we've traveled. ~Jane Mersky Leder

After a girl is grown, her little brothers - now her protectors - seem like big brothers. ~Astrid Alauda

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite often the hard way. ~Pamela Dugdale

The highlight of my childhood was making my brother laugh so hard that food came out his nose. ~Garrison Keillor

Take today to appreciate your brothers and sisters! (This also includes brothers and sisters in Christ!)

Someone Wants a Puppy...

2008-04-02T10:13:00.002-06:00

I've been searching for a new home for the love of my life. Looks like I've found one. She lives on a 10 acre ranch and will train DJ to become an expert cattle dog. He'll have buddies since she has several other dogs and older kids, and he'll always be mentally and physically stimulated.

I'm so sad for myself, but very happy for him.

Anyone Want a Puppy?

2008-03-26T11:30:00.003-06:00

If you know of anyone in the Front Range region who'd love a dog, please let me know. DJ is a 16 month old neutered Blue Heeler/Border Collie mix. He's the love of my life, but he is too energetic to be around smaller children, so it's time to find a better home for him. I'd love to see him at a ranch or farm, where he can be mentally and physically stimulated.

Shoot me an email if you know of anyone who'd be interested in buying him.

Power! Power! Power!

2008-03-24T23:10:00.002-06:00

He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to
you." As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I
heard him speaking to me. He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the
Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their
fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am
sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign
LORD says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen—for they are a rebellious
house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do
not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns
are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they
say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious
house. You must
speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen,
for they are
rebellious. But you, son of man, listen to what I say to you. Do
not
rebel like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you."

Ezekiel 2:1-8 (NIV)

When it rains, it pours. God is so good!

God's been revealing to me that I'm a timid, frightened, scaredy-cat Christian. I've been mediocre, average, and unexemplary my whole life. But God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power! Power! Power!

I have within my own, physical frame the very word, breath, life, and power which set the sun ablaze. It set the world on its axis. It set the stars in their places in the sky and named every last one of them. I have at my command the power to tumble mountains into the oceans, restore life to the dead, and cast demonic princes out of their hiding places. I have been given authority by the Lord of the heavenly armies over diseases, bonds, and strongholds. I am an heir to the throne of David, through the blood of Christ, and am the bride to the most powerful groom who ever lived.

And yet, I'm so weak and timid.

I don't truly believe I have access to that power. Some other, more mature Christian does for sure. But me? I'm so young, I dropped out of college after failing four semesters in a row, I can't even keep a consistent quiet time or prayer life. I'm a gossip, a sluggard, a coward, a traitor, and many other things. How can God use me for anything more than medeocrity?

But there's Gideon. The youngest brother in the lowest clan. Yeah, God used him to free Israel.

And Moses. A murderer and idolater. Again, used to set God's people free.

Peter probably wasn't even literate. And he was a coward and traitor. But God built His church on him.

Mary was a whore. And one of Jesus' most faithful.

Jacob was a liar. God brought the entire Hebrew nation up through him.

Esther was reluctant and fearful. Again, God saved the lives of His people through her.

How dare I choose to be a coward when God chooses to use me to be bold. How dare I decide that God's not great enough to use someone like me. If he can turn dirt into a breathing human and can turn leprosy into healthy flesh, if he can summon the nations to him and set demons trembling at the sound of his name, what's so special about me that I can't be used?

Oh, God! Forgive me for my lack of faith, my stubbornness, and my selfishness. I don't know how to be used by you, but you're bigger than my lack of knowledge as much as my lack of faith. Show me, make me obedient to you, and do amazing things through me. You are so worthy of my praise! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Easter

2008-03-21T11:32:00.001-06:00

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances. ~Robert Flatt

Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. ~Clarence W. Hall

On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer. ~Douglas Horton

Where man sees but withered leaves, God sees sweet flowers growing. ~Albert Laighton

But from this earth, this grave, this dust,My God shall raise me up, I trust. ~Walter Raleigh

He takes men out of time and makes them feel eternity. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

For I remember it is Easter morn, and life and love and peace are all new born. ~Alice Freeman Palmer

We live and die; Christ died and lived! ~John Stott

And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here. ~St Augustine

The story of Easter is the story of God's wonderful window of divine surprise. ~Carl Knudsen

The biggest fact about Joseph's tomb was that it wasn't a tomb at all - it was a room for a transient. Jesus just stopped there...on His way back to glory. ~Herbert Booth Smith

Jesus cannot forget us; we have been graven on the palms of his hands. ~Lois Picillo

Earth's saddest day and gladdest day were just three days apart! ~Susan Coolidge

He is risen; he is not here. ~Mark 16:6

There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE. ~Linda Grayson

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” ~Luke 24:5B-7

No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown. ~William Penn

Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection. ~Watchman Nee

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. ~I Peter 2:24

The cross was two pieces of dead wood; and a helpless, unresisting Man was nailed to it; yet it was mightier than the world, and triumphed, and will ever triumph over it. ~Agustus William Hare

Mary

2008-03-05T12:26:00.003-07:00

My aunt, Mary, (my father's oldest sister, pictured above with her husband) went to be with Jesus yesterday afternoon. She was a selfless servant of Christ and is now able to worship Him face to face. Please hold everyone who is grieving for her up in prayer. Thanks.

PartyLite is Booming!

2008-03-05T09:11:00.003-07:00

*singsong* God is so good!

I love having a Christian leader with PartyLite! I was pretty down in the dumps ‘cause my shows have all been pretty teeny tiny. I was working with my leader, Jeanne, on some things and she was so sad for me. After we hung up the phone, (I didn’t know this until the next week.) she prayed and asked God to give me a $500 show. She prayed boldly, specifically, and with confidence.

The very next day, I held a show that sold $530.

I also turned in a $380 show last night. I got some good training on Monday and I’m so excited for March! I’ve set high goals and I know that, if God is in it, I will reach those goals.

I was convicted that I am a timid, sparse prayer. I’m afraid to pray outside God’s will, so when I don’t know what His will is, I just don’t pray boldly or with specifics. But how dare I not give Him the opportunity to work amazing things in my life and the lives of those around me? We’ll see what He does in my business, life, and my friends’ lives as I learn how to pray.

Go to my website to see March’s amazing offers for guests and hosts and ask me if you'd like to hear about why March is the best month in the history of PartyLite to join.

My goals for this month? Please pray that God helps me meet them:
Hold ten shows in March.
Book six shows for April by the end of March.
Consistently hold $400+ shows.
Sponsor two or more people in March.

Stellar Kart

2008-03-05T08:37:00.004-07:00

Stellar Kart teamed up with CCMBuzz for the release of their new album, Expect the Impossible, in stores now. CCMBuzz hosted the Expect the Impossible competition, asking contestants to submit a photo of themselves doing something they thought was impossible.

I submitted a photo of my first kiss. Big deal, right? Well, my first kiss was on my wedding day. (And what a kiss it was!) I never expected the email I got last night!

Hi Anna!

Congratulations! You're the winner of our Stellar Kart contest!
You've won a signed copy of the new album - Expect the Impossible - and
two tickets to a show in your area.

Please send us your address where you would like the album sent
and also check out SK's tour dates and let me know which show you
would like to attend. http://stellarkart.com/Dates.aspx

Let me know if you have any questions and if you could, just reply
to this message so I know you've received it. Thanks!

Elena
ccmBuzz.com

So hubby and I going to see Stellar Kart in April! I’m excited for the prize and, honestly, even more honored for being chosen for something like waiting for my first kiss. God is so good!

The Jealous Lover

2008-02-29T09:38:00.009-07:00

First, watch the following video:

Jealous by Phil Joel

(I'm not so excited about the video as I am about the song that goes with it.)

God has been speaking to me through that song. I've never had a problem seeing God as my lover, but I hadn't thought about the God of the Universe being jealous over my affection.

It makes sense, though. If I began to turn my attention and affection toward other men, my husband would become hurt, incensed, offended, and angry. And for good reason! I've vowed to love, honor, and cherish him, forsaking all others, as long as we both live. Because he is passionately in love with me, it's understandable that he would be jealous for my affection.

Jesus is no different. He is even more passionate about me than my husband is - which is saying a lot. When I become absorbed in my own will instead of loving the things he loves, I am basically being unfaithful to him. It's understandable that he becomes jealous.

So, what does a holy, jealous lover look like?

He pursues his beloved. He woos her. She becomes his goal, his desire, his driving force. Winning and keeping her love become the single most important thing in his life. He would go to any length to win her back.

Jesus wooed me. He made an indescribable sacrifice so we could be together. From the beginning of time, he has set up events so he could be intimate with me. My whole life, he has serenaded my heart and wanted nothing more than to have my love. I am his focus, his desire.

Wow.

Growing Pains

2008-02-27T14:38:00.004-07:00

Wow, God knows just what he's doing, does he?

...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1:6)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer 29:11)

God's using all kinds of things to grow me into a more mature, selfless person. It kinda hurts. But I guess we need growing pains if we want growth spurts. I thank God for the people, communities, books, and wisdom He's put in my life lately. You are all a part of making me just a little more worthy of the calling God has put on my life.

I am grateful for (in no particular order):

For my parents: Thank you for displaying godly wisdom, maturity, patience, and many other things in your marriage so I can see how to put godly principles into action.

For my pastors: I have several pastors in my life right now who are praying for and granting wisdom to my husband and I in making our marriage more and more godly.

For Mandi: My best friend has never been afraid to help me grow by bringing areas needing growth to my attention. Thank you for being bold. Thank you, thank you.

For Adam and Heather: I'm excited about the fellowship we're embarking on together. Heather, your encouragement, wisdom, and prayer are making a difference.

For the following books: Jesus on Leadership by C. Gene Wilkes, Stop Dating the Church!: Fall in Love with the Family of God by Joshua Harris, The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do by Mark Atteberry. All of these books have helped renew my passion for living rightly.

For the Weekend Kindness community: Find the community in my sidebar or simply click here. This community is dedicated to exploring and practicing godly relationships. The widom and encouragement I've received through the content there, the content on the contributors' blogs, and conversations with the contributors has been invaluable in growing me to the next level of servanthood in relationships.

For my husband: The patience you've shown me and the desire to be a good husband that you've recently demonstrated not only motivates me, but challenges me and thrills me. Thank you that I know you'll be sticking with me through thick and thin while he figure this whole relationships-God's-way thing out. I love you.

For the Spirit of the Living God: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Why you chose to call me to claim what I'm not worthy of, I'll never know. Thank you that although I've failed miserably in the past and given up, you've always picked me up, dusted me off, and carried me through. I can't express thanks to you enough. I am honored to be your lover.

I am my Beloved's and his desire is for me. (Song of Songs 7:10)

The Truth About Porn

2008-02-26T19:24:00.003-07:00

I was looking at some of the awesome t-shirts over at LiveOffensively.com and read the following article that Jeff Myers wrote. Click here to read the whole thing.

Contrary to popular belief, none of the women in porn like what they have to do on the set, though they often put on that happy face for the camera. The industry preys particularly on insecure women who have not experienced genuine love ... I have been on the phone with models who were about to kill themselves because their friends and family have found out what they have done, or sometimes just due to the personal shame they feel at the end of the day.

The reporting institute for the adult industry boldly brags that Americans view 319,507,200 sites a day. ...their number one viewers are kids between 12 and 17 years old - who have ready access to adult images by the guidelines our Government has currently mandated. The viewing of this material sends a message to your generation that sex is not a wholesome gift from God, but rather a product devoid of love that simply exists to be bought, sold, and exploited for pleasure.

When you discover the truth about porn, you'll find that it is not pretty, glamorous or exciting. Instead, it is a sick monster that has a doll face, and behind the fake smile of its workers are hearts and lives on the edge; hearts that just want to be loved. They are searching, hoping to find the intimacy that only God can bring. I couldn't ignore that, and now I'm changed. I am no longer Jeff Myers the producer. I am redeemed and rescued by Christ, and now I'm focused on fighting against this demonic force in our culture to set others free.

Jeff offers a way out. If you or anyone you know is involved with pornography, please prayerfully consider how to guide them to this resource.

If you are struggling with or if you are a model looking for a way out, I would love to talk with you, please contact me Jeff Myers at www.myspace.com/trumpetjeff

Unity in the Body

2008-02-26T14:27:00.004-07:00

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 1 Cor 1:10-13

I have a community of friends I chat with at the CCMBuzz forums. A while ago, there was a thread that was very intriguing based on prayers for the dead.

See thread here.

A discussion arose concerning whether praying for the dead was effective, blasphemous, or somewhere in between. There were some fairly interesting viewpoints, but that's not why I'm bringing this to your attention. I was impressed that a group of people with a variety of opinions could still maintain a unity in Christ while discussing a difficult topic.

This is the body of Christ as it was meant to be.

Jesus is the only thing that ties us together. Everything else is footnotes. Whether we talk about speaking in tongues, divorce, homosexuality, capital punnishment, head coverings, miracle healings, or the end-times, Christans must look first to the Lord. In doing so, we will remain beautiful and unblemished in the eyes of Christ.

The Servanthood of Jesus

2008-02-25T13:04:00.009-07:00

Growing up in a Christian home has many rich, rewarding benefits. I wouldn't change that upbringing for the world. But every now and then, something amazing and obvious hits me in the face, which I hadn't noticed before because I'd just grown up with that truth.

One of those truths is Jesus as a servant.

It didn't seem odd until just a few moments ago that the Creator King would humble himself and wash the feet of a sinner. How did this amazing fact escape me until now?

When Christ asks us to be like him, he means it. And he means to serve those we love, serve those we hate, serve those we fear, and serve those we ignore. I am nowhere near where I need to be. Thank God, he's willing to help me.

The Mercy Seat

2008-02-25T12:17:00.003-07:00

I can’t help but think of my faith when considering the principle of mercy. For me, God’s mercy is where all other mercy flows from and God’s mercy is where all other mercy points toward.

Enter the Mercy Seat.

When Yahweh first set up people to follow him as their God, he had a temple built and had an area, the Holy of Holies, sectioned off for his spirit to dwell among his people. He had to be separated from his people, or his magnitude of perfection would destroy them. God created humans to have a relationship with, so he wanted to be as close to his people as he could be.

Inside the Holy of Holies, on top of the Arc of the Covenant, was a seat, almost a throne, with two golden angels on top. This was the Mercy Seat. This was where the Spirit of God lived. Once a year, a priest was able to approach the Mercy Seat, after purifying himself, and petition God on behalf of the people. Because of God’s benevolence, he would put off the punishments his people deserved until the next year. This was where life-saving compassion flowed for God’s people.

Since Jesus’ death, that same Spirit of God no longer lives among the angels on the Mercy Seat. Instead, he lives within the bodies and minds of his people. We have become Mercy Seats. We are where God’s life-saving compassion now rests and it’s our responsibility, should even be our passion, to pass that mercy on.

…Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?”Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, ‘Pay up. Now!’ The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ But he wouldn’t do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king. The king summoned the man and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn’t you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?’ The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that’s exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn’t forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy.” Matthew 18:21-35 (The Message)

It makes perfect sense that if something good has happened to us, we should pass that on to others. And similarly, how can we expect to be shown mercy by others when we don’t display that mercy to them?

Let me challenge you: Spend the next few days focusing on displays of mercy. Be full of forgiveness, be quick to advocate on behalf of others, be courageous enough to stand with someone who would otherwise be alone. And when you are shown mercy, take note of it and be grateful for it. I believe very firmly that being merciful does not come naturally to humans, so when mercy is shown, it’s an exquisite thing.

God is so good!

2008-01-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

God introduced me to PartyLite.

I went to a party at a friend's house, just to support her. I didn't really want to buy anything - I kind of didn't want to go because I thought the party would be one big guilt trip.

And now I'm a consultant.

God took me to that party, knowing that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom whenever I have kids and that PartyLite would be my ticket there. I have been so amazed by the support I've received from friends and family and the small successes I've been able to make in just two short weeks.

God sure is good!

How it would have happened if God had used a computer.

2008-01-13T23:00:00.000-07:00

Blasted computers. :p

A Point of View: Radical Islam

2008-01-07T09:47:00.000-07:00

I don't know if the following story is true, but the principles in it are. Please don't stand by and let history make itself. Step up and be a voice.

A German's point of view on Islam
A man whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism.
Very few people were true Nazis, he said, but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.
We are told again and again by 'experts' and 'talking heads' that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.
The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honour kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. The hard quantifiable fact is that the 'peaceful majority,' the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists (Karl Marx and assoc.) were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda,which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were 'peace loving?'
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghanis, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold; we must pay attention to the only group that counts; the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
Lastly at the risk of offending, anyone who doubts that the issue is serious and just deletes this email without sending it on, is contributing to the passiveness that allows the problems to expand.So, extend yourself a bit and send this on and on and on!
Let us hope that thousands world-wide read this, think about it, and send it on to everyone on their email lists and ask them to do the same. The threat of Islam is REAL. This is really why our troops are overseas protecting our shores.

First Corinthians 13, Christmas Version

2007-12-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

-Author Unknown

South Africa Pictures

2007-11-16T13:42:00.001-07:00

Finally, I figured out an easy way to share my pictures with you! Follow the links below!

Album 1
Album 2
Album 3
Album 4
Album 5
Album 6

There are lots - so try not to feel overwhelmed. Enjoy!

The Olympic Bible

2007-11-09T10:16:00.001-07:00

Editorial found in the New York Sun on November 7, 2007.

The organizers of the 2008 Olympic Games in China have put the Bible on the list of items that athletes are banned from bringing with them to Beijing, we learn from a report in the Catholic News Service, picking up an item in the Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. This would seem to undermine claims by a Chinese government official, Ye Xiaowen, who told Reuters last month that China would accommodate the religious needs of visiting athletes. The Chinese official claimed to Reuters that restrictions on Bibles were intended "to prevent illegal vendors from driving up prices, which are kept extremely low by government subsidies." Only a Communist would buy that economic explanation, which makes no sense.As it so happens one of the great challengers of the Beijing regime, the James Madison of Hong Kong, Martin Lee, was in our office recently. The topic of the Olympics came up, and Mr. Lee said he and his pro-democracy allies had weighed the pros and cons and come down strongly against boycotting the games. "If you boycott the games, the games will take place anyway, and you miss a golden opportunity," Mr. Lee told us. An opportunity, that is, to press Communist China for expansion of freedom on topics such as, well, being able to bring a Bible into the country.During the visit here of Mr. Lee, a democratically elected member of the parliament of Hong Kong, talk turned to the way some of America's founders had been emboldened by their religious beliefs. An editor of the Sun asked whether the same applied to those fighting for freedom in Hong Kong and China. Mr. Lee replied, "As a Catholic, I don't mind dying. I go up to heaven. I know somebody is up there, guiding me." It is the fear of sentiments like that that no doubt explains why Chinese Communist authorities would try to keep the Bible out of their country. Once it gets in, there is no telling where the ideas will spread or what will be the consequences.

Strong Woman of God?

2007-11-07T11:43:00.000-07:00

I'm struggling with a dilemma. You see, I've watched strong Christian women my whole life, and I've always wanted to be like them: A woman who is unshakable in her faith, a strong rock for her family, a woman who can show compassion to anyone who needs it, and woman who has the wisdom and insight to lovingly, patiently give council to younger women. (Granted, I am still a "younger woman," so I don't expect to be sought out for council for a while.) But that's not who I am. I've tried to become that woman, and I suck at it.

I am a loudmouth, know-it-all, bossy person. I never mean to be, but I am. I am either too independent from my husband's leadership or I'm too submissive and am overrun by his leadership. I feel like I need to find the middle ground.

So my dilemma is this: How is a humble, submissive, Christian wife able to be a pillar of strength? How can I minimize my ever-present character flaws and become the sweet, encouraging, wise, and patient woman of God?

Hillary, Bill, and Carrots

2007-09-27T11:26:00.000-06:00

My husband and I are both politically conservative, but just out of curiosity, he signed up for Hillary Clinton's email newsletter. He's told me the types of things she emails about and how pointless they are. For example, for several weeks, her campaign newsletter consisted of asking her supporters to choose her campaign theme song. (Did you even know politians has campaign theme songs? Neither did I.)

You can view her latest newsletter, asking her supporters to help Bill eat healthier, here.

After reading this newsletter, it's even more plainly obvious to me than ever before that she has nothing to stand on as far as a campaign and she is in it for the money and power. I just hope lots of other Americans can see that, too.

My Commitment as a Christian

2007-09-19T09:26:00.000-06:00

Found in the office of a young African pastor in Zimbabwe.

"I'm a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed, I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.

"My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, I'm uplifted by prayer, and labor in power.

"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I'm a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me, and when He comes for his own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear."

Being a God-Watcher

2007-09-17T08:28:00.000-06:00

Read a great devotional by Amy Carroll about being a God-Watcher.
This is a great reminder of God's goodness after my mission trip.

Insecurity, Talking, and God's Purpose

2007-09-14T10:54:00.001-06:00

Is it any wonder that countless men and women have studied the human psyche their whole lives and still, it's not understood?
I had a really tough week last week. I'm already incredibly insecure about myself and my abilities, and two people who are very important to me said things about me like I'm a know it all, I talk to much, I dominate conversations, and I think I'm always right. This reminded me that I've also been insulted for being a college dropout (though I never would've used that term before they said it and I realized they were right) and it got me thinking. They're right.
I am a know it all and I talk entirely too much. I care about my opinions much more than others' and I did drop out of college. Now that I think about it, I've been in countless conversations with people, even some of my closest friends, and when I look back, I can tell that they were looking for a way out of the conversation.
So, I got struck hard. Scripture says in James 1:9, "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." In Psalm 12:3: "May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue." Proverbs 10:19 especially convicts me, "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."
According to the Bible, I am unchristlike, proud, and foolish.
As far as dropping out of college, that really got me thinking. I have no skills, no education, and no talents. Everything I want to do for a career is out of my grasp and it's my own fault. (I should have practiced the violin more often, I should have kept my grades higher, I should have...) I'm excited about being a homemaker when I have kids, but I've got to have more of an identity than "Oh, yeah, that's Daniel's wife." or "It's [child's name]'s mom." I do/will cherish those identities, but I want to stand on my own for something. Problem is, I don't have a passion.
I'm interested in many things: Music, kids, horses, medicine, books, dance, etc., but not passionate enough to work hard and get good enough to be successful. I've thought about opthalmology, I've thought about stenography, radiology, marine biology, law, writing, and many other things.
God created me for a purpose, and I feel like it's more than what I'm doing.So, what do I do?
(To the credit of the two people who made comments about me, I've talked with both of them and we're okay. I didn't post about this earlier because I wasn't ready to make it public, but now that healing has taken place with both parties, I can.)

Prayer Request

2007-08-28T11:18:00.001-06:00

My grandfather, Everett, fell on Sunday. He broke his hip in half and had surgery on Monday. He has smoked for 68 years, which has contributed to atrophy of his muscles. Between that and severe osteoporosis, the doctors don’t know if the pins they placed in his hip will even hold. He is a Christian and my grandmother, Virginia, is asking the Lord to take him Home. I think she’s right – I think the best thing for him will be to rest in the arms of Jesus.
Please pray for healing for my grandfather, whether that’s through medicine or death, according to God’s will. Please also pray for comfort and peace for those of us who love him. Thank you all for your prayer.

Who?

2007-08-28T10:15:00.000-06:00

These lyrics totally blessed me this morning!

Who?
Newsboys

How you gonna reckon with a God like this?
When you gonna face what you can't dismiss?
Whatcha gonna say to the soul kiss that is my God?
Fearsome like the sag in a fat man's chair,
Sweeter than a patch of Rogaine hair,
How do you define what you can't compare? This is my God.

And there's no use explaining what can't be contained...

I'm not following a God I can lead around,
I can't tame this Deity.
That's why Jesus is the final answer
To who I want my God to be.
He's who I want my God to be.

How you gonna reckon with a God this great?
Why you wanna measure what you can't equate?
Whatcha gonna say to the check mate that is my God?
Stronger than the burn of an aftershave,
Tender as a burger in your microwave,
Rarer than the air in an empty grave. This is my God.

And there's no use explaining what can't be contained...

How we gonna work this out?
To fabricate a God like this no doubt
We'd end up worshipping a Christ of our own design.
But Jesus doesn't fit that profile. His ways aren't mine.

I'm not following a God that's imagined.
Can't invent this Deity.
That's why Jesus is the final answer
To who I want my God to be.
He's who I want my God to be.

Pictures!

2007-08-20T14:12:00.000-06:00

Now are also posted at www.myspace.com/sibylline07 in my photos section.

Pictures!

2007-08-17T16:29:00.001-06:00

Pictures from my South Africa mission trip are up at Facebook. Search "AnnaGrace Garcia" to find my profile.

South Africa Mission

2007-08-15T08:37:00.000-06:00

My trip was good. I'm still trying to process all the events, but the trip was very encouraging. I heard lots of "horror stories" from last year's team about how bad the poverty is, etc., and all I saw this year were those old stories being resolved into new beginnings.

Last year, a little girl named Isabella was badly burned. As an infant, she had pulled the pot of boiling water off the fire onto herself and wound up with 3rd degree burns over most of her legs and torso. What's worse is that she has a deformed leg which curls underneath herself and when she got diarrhea right afterward, her feces went onto her leg and got her burn infected. By the time the team discovered her, the burns were septic. No one thought she'd live for long. Through tons of prayer and teaching the mother how to properly care for a burn, Isabella recovered. This year, I saw she and her mom. Isabella is a happy toddler. She has scarring from the burns, but no pain. She also has a spiffy new wheelchair that someone donated to her. We're even trying to work out funding so she can get physical therapy and straighten out her leg!

Last year, the team visited a man named Alfred. His large family lived in a canvas tent. All of his daughters had babies out of wedlock, the fathers were not involved with the babies' lives. Alfred and all of his sons were terrible alcoholics. One of our team members found a man passed out drunk, lying next to a napping baby, on the floor inside the tent. He said you couldn't hardly breathe inside the tent because the fumes from the alcohol were so strong. This year, Alfred was at the church tent nearly every time we were there. Two of his daughters became Christians and his sons have sobered up. They no longer live in a canvas tent, but have upgraded to a tin house.

There's much more that happened on this trip, but I need to take some time after work and write them up. When I get my thoughts collected, you can bet I'll share with you some more great stories. In the meantime, check out http://www.aworldaware.org/ and http://www.lesideng.com/ to learn about the organizations we worked with there. Thanks for your prayers and support!

A Little Question about Human Psychology

2007-06-20T13:13:00.000-06:00

Head on over to YouTube and watch the video at http://youtube.com/watch?v=yjC11RKtPco.

Now, tell me: You don't know anything of the plot except that there's a group of men wanting to catch one man. You don't know why, what happened, or who's in the right and who's in the wrong. Yet, you're sympathetic to the single man and when he gets away, you are satisfied.

Why?

What does God want with me?

2007-04-24T12:13:00.000-06:00

This question is actually easy to answer: Your love!

Can you imagine being immortal and all-powerful, but you're the only one of your kind? God spent eternity alone and wanted someone to have a relationship with. So, what about angels? They weren't created to have a relationship with God, they were created to serve God. We were created "in His image." We were caused to need Him. We are desired. "My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me." (Song of Solomon 2:10)

Who is the Judeo-Christian God?

2007-04-10T15:04:00.000-06:00

It’s difficult to define YHWH. This is why his name translates into I AM.

Yahweh Yireh, I AM the Provider

Yahweh Rapha, I AM the Healer

Yahweh Nissi, I AM the Banner

Yahweh Tsidkenu, I AM Righteous

Yahweh Rohi, I AM the Shepherd

Yahweh Sabaoth, I AM the Lord of Hosts

As you can see, Yahweh names all describe an aspect of God's character. It seems obvious to me that YHWH is a God who desires companionship. Why else would He give Himself so many names and make those names so descriptive of Himself? So, we see some of God's characteristics in His names, but this still doesn't answer the question, "who is He?" There are many ways to view God. He takes on many personalities in the scriptures. He is all at once an adoring Father, love struck groom, honorable son, wise teacher, valiant warrior, and master artist. He is even a best friend and confidant. So, what do we make of the fact that God is so indefinable? Allow me to take another tactic at defining who God is. Who is God to us?

God is holy. Lev 19:2 says, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.'" Because of His holiness, God requires His people to be holy, as well. Rom reveals that "...the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Without holiness, we are banished from the glorious presence of God.

God is a redeemer. Rom 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Although we wanted to part of Jesus, He still gave His life for us.

God is a lover. I could read Zeph 3:17 all day: "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." God's love is shown in His sacrifice on the cross, His mercy for the prostitute (John 8:1-11), and in many other instances.

So, while no definition can contain the God I serve, I can live with that. It only means that as I get to know Him better, I will always discover something new!

What is a god?

2007-03-22T13:49:00.000-06:00

God: noun, verb, interjection

-noun
1. the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe.
2. the Supreme Being considered with reference to a particular attribute: the God of Islam.
3. (lowercase) one of several deities, esp. a male deity, presiding over some portion of worldly affairs.
4. (often lowercase) a supreme being according to some particular conception: the god of mercy.
5. Christian Science. the Supreme Being, understood as Life, Truth, Love, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Principle.
6. (lowercase) an image of a deity; an idol.
7. (lowercase) any deified person or object.
8. (often lowercase) Gods, Theater.
a. the upper balcony in a theater.
b. the spectators in this part of the balcony.

–verb (used with object)
9. (lowercase) to regard or treat as a god; deify; idolize.

–interjection
10. (used to express disappointment, disbelief, weariness, frustration, annoyance, or the like): God, do we have to listen to this nonsense?

Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

If we're trying to define the term "god," we first have to specify whether we're speaking of the proper noun, God, or the improper noun, god. I believe we have to define each separately.

While God (YHWH) is difficult to define, a god is not so much. A god seems to be anything mankind will deify. I think definition number seven in the list above is the most accurate for the improper noun, god. A god can even be an inanimate object. In America, we often talk of how one may deify possessions such as a car, house, or job. Even a spouse or child can become a god to us. Many parents experience a close encounter with their child facing a dire circumstance and afterward, their every breath is encompassed with serving their child.

The proper noun, God is often used when referring to the Judeo-Christian God, YHWH. In this instance, definition number one is the most accurate. God is a specific god, the creator, overseer, and ruler. This God has the right to govern our lives, since He is the one who reasoned that we should be created.

A god is anything we give control of our life, whether we intend to or not. However, it seems to me that a God is the only one which actually deserves that control.

The Birth of Talmidah B'Yeshua

2007-03-21T15:31:00.000-06:00

As a friend put it, I've decided to "graduate to a real blog." You can view my previous blog at www.xanga.com/sibylline07. Thanks and have a great day!