Friday, February 27, 2009

Revelation 19

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Monday, February 23, 2009

I have been thinking....

Here is part of a post I wrote a long time ago....back when I only had about 50 or 60 blog hits per day and most of those were accidental. I am re-posting this because it has been on my mind for the past week or so.

Have you noticed that sometimes people are not what they seem? Sometimes we judge before we know the whole truth. Take me, for example....on a normal day, I can be found wearing nasty clothes emptying trash at our car wash or cleaning empty apartments for my father-in-law. I have found that people treat me differently when I am in my "work clothes". They treat me as if I am "less" than they are. Last fall, I was working at our new house tying the the steel rebar together so we could get the concrete poured....a new family moved in who did not know we actually owned the house and every time I waved at them, they looked away. I'm sure it is because they thought I was a worker instead of their neighbor.

Treating people differently because of their station in life is one of the BIGGEST character flaws I can think of, but that's not exactly what I'm talking about here.....


Ya'll, I believe with all my heart we are living in the last days. I truly believe that the Jesus has gotten up from His seat on the throne and is literally looking to His Father saying "Can I call for them?". We are privileged to be living in such an exciting time.

My concern is that there are many people who go to church every Sunday, who even work in the church, but do not truly have a relationship with Jesus. Matthew 7:21 says "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." We all know that Satan is prowling the earth seeking those he can destroy. Satan's goal is to cause the true Christian to fall so that their witness is left in ruins and to keep those who are not yet believers from truly trusting Christ.

In his quest to keep people from trusting God, satan sometimes causes Christians to have a dull conscience when it comes to sin. He also causes those who "think" they are saved (by works) to continue in their religion and never see that we are saved by grace and not by works. My fear is that there are people who may be close to us all that put on a good act. People who we see at church every week who are active in the house of God, but not part of the Kingdom of God. I fear that we are evangelizing the lost in the world and forgetting the lost who sit in the pews every week.

The tribulation will be terrible (if you want to read about the events after the rapture see the article link below). The horror will be unimagineable. Think about the elderly who have been taught that you just have to "be good and do right" to go to heaven --they will be left behind without food or medical care. Unless they take the mark of the beast, they will starve to death. Think about the young who were old enough to accept Jesus, but just put it off (it could have been any one of us). They will be left to fend for themselves in an evil world without hope. Then think about the average capri pant wearing, Vera Bradley bag toting, ballet flat wearing young mommy. Maybe she thought her church membership saved her. Maybe she thought since her parents were saved she would be too OR maybe she thought that her confirmation or baptism as an infant would save her. Picture her standing over the crib of her precious little baby only to find the baby gone.

This is why we so need to be asking even those who we know fairly well if they truly know the Lord. We need to be dilligent and consistent in our witness and witnessing. I love to think about the Rapture and heaven. I can't wait to see Jesus up close and in person - I dream about it all the time (I just realized I am a Jesus groupie!). Our time here is so short. We are told to watch for His return, but also to work until He comes. There is lots left to do and we may just need to start in our own Judea, no, in our own house of worship.



The Sign of Our Generation by Britt Gillette (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, THIS!!!)

"In the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24), Jesus revealed to His disciples that the primary sign of the end of the age and His soon return would be the restoration of Israel as a nation. However, He didn’t plainly say so. Instead, He once again used the fig tree as a metaphor for the nation of Israel:
“Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know without being told that summer is near. Just so, when you see the events I’ve described beginning to happen, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.” Matthew 24:32-35 (NLT)


The fig tree is Israel. It’s been six decades since Israel was once again declared a nation against all worldly odds. In Matthew 24, Jesus promises that the generation which witnesses the reestablishment of Israel will not die off until the end of the age comes to pass. Given the Bible’s impeccable track record, we have every reason to expect His imminent return. Jesus will return soon, within our generation, and a wise person will prepare accordingly.
Just as the time of His first coming was clearly revealed to the previous generation, the season of His Return has been clearly revealed to ours. The previous generation was unprepared for His arrival. Ours should be watching with a patient and enduring faith, fully confident in the glory we are about to witness. Christ is coming. The fig tree is in bloom, and ours is the generation. "

Now, that, my friends, ought to make you jump up and have a Holy Ghost spell!!!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

A Semi-Blog Post

Just as I was feeling guilty about not blogging this week since Monday, I looked at my sidebar and noticed that I am not alone in losing my bloggy touch.....there are many others who haven't blogged in over a week....some, who will remain nameless (unless you look at my sidebar) haven't blogged in over a month.......Anyway, I have an excuse (don't I always?). The hubs and Kaden have had the flu....the type A flu, which is apparently worse than type B....not that I know anything about the flu or its types. What I DO know is that when your kid and husband have the flu, the Dr. prescribes medicine for the whole family and it costs $75 per person (even if you have good insurance it costs $75)......oh, and I know that stinks.

But I know people who dont have insurance at all or people that dont have a job at all, so I suppose I should be happy with $75....but it still strikes fear in the heart of a person when you drive up to the window at Walgreens and the total they give starts with a 3 and ends with the word hundred.

SIDENOTE: As I am typing this semi-post, Kaden is watching Little House on the Prairie.....he thinks that it was set in the time that I was little (I guess because I told him that I used to love it when I was a girl)......he wants to know if I had to collect eggs out of a chicken house and sell them at a store when I was little or if we rode to town in a wagon...... sad part is, I feel that old some days.

So, just to update you, we are thinking about taking our boys to a Monster Truck show this weekend......and no, there could not be a more redneck thing to do. But, when you have boys, you do what they like and right now, my boys love Gravedigger.....it's hard being the only girl in the house sometimes.....I mean, what on earth does a self- respecting female wear to a Monster Truck show anyway? I don't own any leather and my halter tops are all at the cleaners (do be afraid -its a joke- I don't really own a halter)....anyway, if we go, I will be needing some advice as to what to wear, because the last thing a girl wants to do is look out of place in a room full of rednecks, dirt, and over sized trucks that flatten Winnebagos. So, Monster Truck Show? Yeah that's how we roll here in the south.

I do have some more "spiritual" things to say, but no time to type them today, so maybe tomorrow I can be back with something worthwhile for you to read.

Happy Thursday, friends!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

So Simple

Hey guys!!! Long time no blog, huh? Life seems to get more tedious by the day and blog time has been limited to say the least. Lately, the only time I have had to blog has been after everyone is in bed, and I have to admit that sleep has won over blogging every time.

This past weekend, our church sponsored a "Parent Connect" weekend. The guest speaker was Steve Wright, the Student Minster at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. Our student pastor heard Steve on the radio with Dr. Dobson and decided our church family needed to hear what he had to say. And we did.

Did you know that 70% of teens who are involved in a church youth group will stop attending church within two years of their high school graduation? SEVENTY PERCENT. That means that only 30 percent of the youth in your church's youth group will not "graduate from God" when they graduate from high school. A sad fact, but a true one.

Steve Wright contends that the reason for this is that parents are not discipling their own children, but depending on a couple hours a week with a youth pastor to do the work for them. Unfortunately, I think he is right. The problem is that most parents are not equipped to disciple their kids because they don't spend enough time with the Lord OR with their kids. Many parents cannot disciple their children because they are not spiritually mature enough to do so. Again, sad, but true.

Mr. Wright says the key to discipling your kids is simple: Treasure Christ above everything else. Our kids know what is most important to us....they know what we value most and statistics say that parental influence is greater than any other influence on children. What does that mean? If we value Jesus most in our life, our kids are more likely to value Him most in theirs.

What I want most in life is for Jesus to be first in my kids' lives....which means I need to let them know He is undeniably first in mine.

So, with that in mind, I chose Deuteronomy 6:5-7 as my new LPM memory verses:

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up

Thursday, February 12, 2009

I tried to write a blog post last night, but was so tired I couldnt even make a complete sentence (not that it has ever stopped me before ;-). Today I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off to get ready for Lake's V-day party tomorrow and do lots of new house errands - seriously, I have about 15 places to go today between the hours of 7:45 and 2:30......this afternoon is Lake's guitar lessone and then tonight its basketball. Hopefully, I will be back on the blog soon......

"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"

Have a great day!

Monday, February 9, 2009

PC/Mac or Christian/Christ-follower

Last week? Blizzard (okay a 1/2 inch of snow). This week? Sunny and 70's......Only in the South, people, only in the Sunny South. You guys might have seen this a thousand times. If so, please disregard or watch and make it a thousand and one.



Friday, February 6, 2009

Morals

So, I have been AWOL from the blog this week due to circumstances beyond my control....okay, maybe not totally beyond my control, but I have been snowed in and have been playing with my boys the whole week....okay, not really snowed in like many of would consider snowed in........can you be snowed in with a 1/2 inch of snow? Our local school systems believe so. Many schools are out today and it is going to be 50 degrees. Go figure - snow in the south is really up to personal interpretation. A flake or two causes our grocery stores to sell out of every gallon of milk and every loaf of bread. Suffice it to say, southerners really don't know what to do with snow and ice (other than make snow cream and stay home).

Anyhoo, I really don't have anything blog worthy to say, so you know what that means.......

Personally, I believe every kid should get a few snow days each year....what fun is winter without snow days anyway???? The excitement of watching for your school system on the bottom of the news screen with the word "closed" beside it. Makes me happy just thinking about it. I have wished for Lake to be out for snow and he finally got two days in a row....problem is that he will have to make those days up and we don't know when . We have a little trip planned for spring break....it has just occurred to me that our snow day fun might upset our Spring Break fun. And that my friends, is no fun at all.

What's the moral of this story?
Be careful what you wish for or you might be taking your kid to school in July or even worse, missing vacation because of snow days. Sadly, there is some truth to the saying "Play now, Pay later".

Since there was no church or basketball this week, I got to watch both episodes of American Idol in their entirety. (That never happens). I was cracking up at gay guy with earrings in his lips and a headband around his hair- oh the drama! Or what about the girl with the hair that is actually the color red? What up with that? The girl with the freaky laugh makes me cringe and I mean that in the worst possible way I can think of -- cringe, I tell you. Where do they get these people anyway??? Also, "bikini girl" was most annoying. The girl cant sing well, so the only reason they sent her to Hollywood was because of her bikini. If she had been ugly, Randy would have said "It wasn't good for me, dog" and Simon would have simply said, "It was abysmal" (I am using that word a lot now, Abysmal- I like it). I predict that bikini girl will soon regret her decision to go on national TV (not to mention the #1 show) and try to sing while wearing next to nothing. I regret it for her! She will always be known as 'bikini girl', even after she has three kids and her bikini body has turned into a "fat granny skirt swimsuit" body.

What's the moral of this story?
Don't use your body to gain the favor of men. Women will hate you and you will be embarrassed when stretch marks, flab, and extra pounds take over your bikini body.


I have seen several pics of new babies lately. Lots of friends having babies....lots of bloggers too. I have to admit that seeing these little ones kinda makes me want a little girl. Although I am not the kind of hair bow, dress, and American Girl doll kinda gal, I think a little girl would be fun.....that, and I am sooooo outnumbered here in a house of all boys. I do believe there is some truth to the phrase, "A son is a son until he takes a wife, a daughter is a daughter for all your life". I see all these people buying little pink outfits and wonder what it would be like to have a little girl of my own.......

Moral of this story?
Stay away from people who have new babies 'cause it might get you in trouble and at my age I cant afford to be staying up all night with a newborn....beauty sleep is a must!


Yesterday, I was reminded of a time in Middle School when I wanted to fit in at any cost. A friend of mine who was on my cheerleading squad got the sides of her hair shaved (it was the 80's - everyone had weird hair!). Back long. Sides gone (well mostly gone). I liked the way it looked for some reason and so I did it too. The top of my hair was big (thanks to a body wave and Aquanet firm hold) and the back was just past my shoulders.....The sides? About 1/8 inch long.

Moral of this story?
Don't compare yourself to others or you will end up with a mullet.


I am now being paid back for many things I did to my parents. When we go to the grocery store, my kids put things in the buggy when I am not looking and I have to take them out before I pay (they love to put toys and candy in there just to see what I will do - the other day it was a huge Spongebob pillow - they do it to see if I will notice). They think its funny. Me? Not so much. When I lived at home, I used to love to put different things in my mom's grocery cart to embarrass her. When she would reach the checkout and would start placing her items on the conveyor, she would realize what she had in her hand and be embarrassed in front of the check out clerk and other people behind her in line.

Moral of this story?
Don't put condoms in your moms grocery cart because when she places them at the register for all to see, she will slap you in front of God and everybody.....and then she will say things like "I hope when you have kids, you get paid back for everything you have ever done to me" and you will...... you will be paid back in some way because God has a sense of humor.


Well, time to go and do something productive.......hopefully, I will be back soon with something of importance to say, but until then, have a great weekend!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Snow Day #2

Lake was out of school yesterday because of a terrible snow storm that dumped a 1/2 inch of snow in our area ;-) (Greg and Mari, this is the point where you all laugh uncontrollably). Today he is out because of extreme cold? (It is 17 degrees outside right now....I think that is why they are out....the roads are clear, so cold is my guess). (Insert laughter). We have spent the past 2 days playing, eating, and playing some more and then eating some more. I just finished making the boys pancakes and now we are playing Playstation until its time for Lake's guitar lesson and then on to his basketball game. I assume I will be back on regular blog schedule tomorrow as the temps here will climb into the 50's........

Monday, February 2, 2009

Some Stuff

It's time again for a new LPM memory verse. This time I picked Zephaniah 3:17:

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."

Why did I pick this particular verse?

Because I like it.

Schools let out at lunch time today because of an ice/snow storm that is moving in (there is ice in Knoxville which is just down the road from us). The problem is that the thermometer on my car says it's 40 degrees -- this may come as a chock to some, but this might not turn out to be much of a snow "event". The forecasters here are not necessarily known for their accuracy (but don't tell them that - they call themselves the "Accurate Storm Team"..........too bad they are not so accurate most of the time. I will say that there is some sleet coming down as I type........I did stop by the store for some cream in case it actually does snow. My kids would revolt if there was snow without making snow cream.

Yesterday, after church, I went to Kaden's bedroom to take a nap (which never happens here and I do mena never) and Lake came and rested with me. After we woke up, Kaden came in, jumped on the bed and hugged Lake's leg.....then he looked at me and said, "What? You never saw a guy hug a chicken leg before????" He also asked me if I thought it would be funny if he had some shorts that said "I heart Las Vegas" on the back........He has been singing really loud and asking "How'd ya like that, Simon?" Or "Was that good to you, Dog?" .........I really have no explanation for where he gets these things. Really I don't. BUT, I am thinking it might be time to limit American Idol watching around here.

I have been running errands since 7:30 this morning and I am not done (snow or no snow --- just like the mailman - rain, sleet, snow, hail, dark of night......exhaustion). Gotta run now, but will be back soon with lots and lots of fascinating things to say...........(okay, maybe fascinating is too strong a word ;-).