tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60952756934501814412024-03-19T04:35:09.337-04:00Free to FlyWelcome! Freedom - physical, political, spiritual, financial doesn't come easy. It doesn't occur naturally. It takes joyfully engaged, focused and purposeful living. This is a place to be encouraged, have fun and maybe share some laughs and inspiration! Enjoy!She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-66835676924985450392008-11-05T07:01:00.002-05:002008-11-16T18:23:45.302-05:00Long Time Coming<div align="justify"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/closed_sign.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/closed_sign.gif" border="0" /></a>August 2008. That’s the last time we got to visit. It’s been a long time comin’, but this is my last post to this blog. I can’t put my finger on why. I resisted the urge to do this since May. Remember when my husband went back to work? It was <em>really</em> hard to get back in the groove of blogging, <strong>even though</strong> when I had to semi-give it up in April when he was out of work for a while with his broken arm. It pinched real bad to alter my habits and step away from the PC. I thought once it was everything back to “<em>normal</em>”, that I couldn’t wait to get back “on” on a regular basis. But, it wasn’t like that. I kept feeling like I was being invited to something sweeter, better. I didn‘t answer the invitation. That’s just the truth. <span style="font-size:85%;">I didn’t.<br /></span><br />What I did instead? I COMPROMISED! Yeah, that’s a beautiful word, is it not? Not so much? Yeah, I know. A little time <em>away,</em> a little time <em>on</em>. That got me through the summer. I had loads of stuff I wanted to blog about, but I also had a “check” about them. Not yet. Not time. When we left off in August, something unexpected came up on a Friday that completely took my attention away. Diverted my energies to something else. In regards to blogging – I was immediately paralyzed. At first I kept in touch. Then I couldn’t even do that.<br /><br />2 things. I’m very visual, and back in late April, early May I kept picturing my blog with a picture of a window, shutters closed, and “<strong>Closed for Business</strong>” written across the front. I did NOT like the picture. I resisted. <span style="font-size:130%;">Kicking and screaming</span>, I resisted. By October the picture was of me in my living room, company pulling up in the drive, knocking on the door <em>(i.e. visiting me on the PC),</em> me peeking through the drapes, so as not to be seen. But, I can’t make myself let them in. I can’t open the door. A sort of paralysis.<br /><br />A hundred times I felt it would please God for me to shut down the blog. A hundred other times I felt it would please Him that I should push past the malaise, dig deeper and do better than I left off. Indecisive paralysis. Pathetic, eh? In my weak and partial defense, anytime I would try, my computer would “lock-up”, dial-up would be a pain, nothing would work. It seemed pretty clear that I just needed to give up the ghost. Never been good at that, though. Sorry.<br /><br />Now that I am over the “hump” of decision, I hope to be in contact with those of you who are inclined to forgive my absence, and trust that you remain in my heart and in my prayers. I didn’t keep in touch, because I didn’t know what to say, and didn’t <em>(and still don’t really, but now I am resigned to it)</em> know what was going on. Because that’s the other part of this. There IS a metamorphosis of some sort going on. It almost feels like a bad thing. Definitely a strange thing. But, my God says “No, it’s a good thing”. I see changes in me, that I don’t understand and aren’t clear to me. But, I think a little dose of belated obedience may help things along. As I type, I see more and more clearly, that I am on the right track. And I am excited at what the future holds.<br /><br />Things are good here. God is still on the throne. <span style="font-size:180%;">He reigns.</span> Always will. He’s on the throne. But I haven’t been heeding Him. He gave me an invitation back in April. I am going to see if it’s still good. Better late than never, at least I hope!<br /><br />I want to say <span style="font-size:130%;">THANK YOU</span> from all of my heart to yours for your friendship, kindness, and encouragement. Please know that you each, if you ever visited, made my life richer in ways you will never understand. May God richly bless you in your lives in every way, and keep and hold you high above the fray of life, as you give Him glory and honor and praise.</div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-1363589380369690102008-09-01T08:02:00.002-04:002008-09-01T18:51:28.652-04:00Pleasure in the Pain - Really?<div align="justify"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/af5293f73f6266101f2a4cd9f6ba2661.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/af5293f73f6266101f2a4cd9f6ba2661.gif" border="0" /></a> Just like a rose has beauty, that can only be obtained by risking the thorns, so life has a beauty and joy to be attained only through enduring pain. Back in early July I blogged about some <a href="http://inchristwearefreetofly.blogspot.com/2008/07/scattered-thoughts.html"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Scattered Thoughts</span></strong></a>, among which was the phrase <span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Pleasure in the Pain</em></span>. Here were some of the thoughts about this phrase from that post - <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>"I have to admit - this one irks me. This one <strong>is not</strong> engraved in my heart <strong>just yet.</strong> I believe it. But, I struggle tremendously with it. I don't have wisdom to offer in this one. It is a new concept to me. I will share from my journal here as well. "I asked God about this yesterday as I swept, as I admitted I was NOT feeling pleasure in the pain. "Where is the pleasure, Lord? I'm not feeling this." <span style="font-size:85%;">So far what I have is this</span> - <strong>"For the Joy set before" </strong>me<strong> </strong>- <strong>its the pleasure of knowing, of being "<span style="font-size:130%;">fully persuaded</span>" that <span style="font-size:180%;">God is sovereign </span><span style="font-size:100%;">and at work </span><span style="font-size:130%;">in the midst of the pain</span>, in order to bring glory to His Name, to make His Word true</strong> - <span style="font-size:85%;">What Words do I believe Him for?</span> "</em></span></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#666666;"><br />This phrase and this concept have continued to wander through my mind and to blossom into something a bit more fruitful. I am going to <strong>take a leap of faith</strong> and <span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong>try</strong> </em></span>to lay out my discoveries about a painful topic to discuss. Because pain, for all of us, is <em><strong>real</strong></em>, and <strong><em>personal</em></strong>, and <strong>we don't generally want</strong> to <em><strong>air out</strong></em> or <em><strong>discuss</strong></em> or <em><strong>"touch"</strong></em> our boo-boos. </span><em></em><span style="color:#666666;">Here's h</span></span><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="color:#666666;">oping </span>that putting these thoughts out here will be a worthwhile endeavor, that something in here will bring hope and comfort to us! </span><span style="color:#666666;"></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=links_neon_arrow_an3_19003.gif" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 95px; HEIGHT: 265px" height="335" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/links_neon_arrow_an3_19003.gif" width="133" border="0" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br />In late July, through several circumstances, it became clear that I was to study the Sermon on the Mount. The way it all came to a head was one of those wonderful pile-up of occurrences where you <strong>know</strong> The Holy Spirit is practically<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"> flashing a neon arrow</span></strong> - saying </span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>"Here-Here! I have some good stuff for you to know! You <strong>need</strong> this!".</em></span><span style="color:#666666;"> It was a wonderful time of study, and it was all good <em>(of course)</em>, but, in particular there were 3 treasures I came away with. This was without a doubt, my most prized. <span style="color:#ff0000;">Matthew 5:4</span> </span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em><strong>"Blessed and enviably happy </strong>(with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace)<strong> are those who <span style="font-size:180%;">mourn</span>, for <span style="font-size:180%;">they SHALL be comforted</span>".</strong></em> </span><span style="color:#666666;">I have to say, <strong>on the surface</strong>, this still is not exciting to me when I read it. <span style="font-size:130%;">Sorry</span>, call me shallow, but, I can't get excited in my own messy, human self, to consider the prospect of mourning. And I don't really think we are meant to. <span style="font-size:180%;">Rather</span>, I <em><span style="font-size:85%;">think</span></em> we are to have an expectant, confidence that <span style="font-size:180%;">God</span> in His<strong> utter goodness</strong>, <strong>doesn't allow our grief, our pain to be wasted. </strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#666666;"></span></div><span style="color:#666666;"><div align="justify"><br />Here is how my Strong's Concordance helped me to discover the truth in God's Word on this subject, as I wrote in my journal about my discoveries: </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />"To mourn as it is used here means just what it says, i.e. mourn or grieve. <strong>But, the real treasure is <span style="font-size:180%;">comforted</span></strong>. Which means to <strong>call near</strong>, i.e. <strong>invite</strong>, invoke, <em>(<strong>by imploration, consolation</strong>)</em> <strong>beseech, call for</strong>, (be of good) comfort, <strong>desire</strong>. 3844 – <strong>near, from beside, at the vicinity of, proximity</strong> to. 2564 – <strong>to call</strong>. What do all these definitions combine to tell us? This - <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">our grief is our invitation to draw near to Our Maker, Our Abba Father, Our Comforter.</span></strong> <span style="font-size:180%;">Our grief calls us near to Him, like nothing else <em><span style="font-size:100%;">(unfortunately)</span></em> does</span>. This speaks to me of a recurring theme lately. It seems The Holy Spirit <strong>is encouraging</strong> me <em>to believe</em> and <em>seek</em> to know the <strong>pleasure in the pain.</strong> <strong>To me this is a biblical promise of it</strong>.<strong> </strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>If</strong> </span>I combine<em> <strong>the invitation to come near to God during my grief</strong></em>, with the specific <em>“blessing”</em> mentioned in this scripture,<span style="font-size:130%;"> <strong>then</strong></span> I see that <strong>there is an opportunity to know God in way that allows us to experience His favor, and having </strong>a <em><strong>very personal revelation</strong></em> of His matchless grace". So went my notes....</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />In the middle of July, <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,381250,00.html"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow</span></strong></a>, left this world for one far, far better, <strong>as we all hope to do one day,</strong> due to complications from cancer. As I watched person after person share their testimonies that weekend, about <strong>how he lived his life</strong>, <span style="font-size:130%;">and <strong>how that living had enriched <em>their </em>lives</strong></span>, I had many thoughts. One, again being the idea that <span style="font-size:130%;">you can't run from the pain and have optimal life.</span> Many forms of Eastern religion strive for <em>"nothingness</em>", <em>"detachment" </em>and variations of that philosophy. However, <span style="font-size:130%;">only</span> Judaism and Christianity <em><span style="font-size:130%;">embrace</span></em> the pain <em>and look</em> to the overcoming strength we have through our confidence, our hope in The One who not only created us, but Who <strong>we abide in</strong>, Who <strong>lives in us</strong>, and Who is <strong>working a far greater treasure in </strong>and<strong> through us than we can imagine</strong>. My Mama and I were speaking on the phone about Tony Snow's life and death and this principle, and she shared with me about an anecdote she found at <a href="http://onecosmos.blogspot.com/2008/07/on-participating-joyfully-in-sorrows-of.html">One Cosmos</a>, <em>(an intellectual sort of blog a bit over my head - but worthy</em>). In the story, Tony was being interviewed about 1 year ago, and all that he had to live for was the topic, i.e. all the reasons NOT to want to leave this earth <strong>just yet.</strong> <em><strong>You know</strong></em>, the part that makes going to our REAL home heartwrenching, mostly for those left behind. And Tony Snow turned to the man who was interviewing him and said words to the effect <span style="font-size:130%;">"Isn't it great to love this much?", <span style="font-size:100%;">with tears in his eyes</span>.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br />To me this is a poignant illustration of the fact that when we run from the pain, when we choose denial, and cover-ups through activities to hide and anesthetize ourselves from the pain, <strong>we rob ourselves of the richness that could be ours</strong>. The richness of acknowledgingthe pain, running to the Father and sobbing, <em>"This hurts, <strong>it hurts</strong> <strong>so bad</strong>!</em> <strong>I don't know</strong> <em><strong>what to do</strong> or <strong>where to go</strong>, PLEASE help me, Father! Make this count for something, turn this to something that will strengthen me, make me more like your Son, BE GLORIFIED in my life, in the lives of our family. Be glorified!</em>" The grooves yielded pain makes in our heart <strong>etch out more room for Him to live inside of us.</strong> I believe that when we hide from, fight or otherwise try to mask the pain, we run the risk of destroying ourselves, of turning bitter, or becoming brittle. Right now, I can't point to any good reason, its just an instinctual belief. And I can look at my life and see that no painful experience I or people I know and love have gone through, <strong>has ever failed to bring an etched beauty to our lives</strong>. Like those candles that were the rage years ago. They were very beautiful when lit. They were etched out on the inside so that when lit, the cut pattern showed. Our pain cuts a beautiful pattern on the inside of us, hollows us out, carves off some of that sin nature, so His light can then shine through, yet again, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Christ in us, the hope of glory!</span></strong></div><p align="justify"><strong>CLOSING:</strong> As I prepared to put this together this morning, I sought further examples in scripture. Here are an Old Testament and New Testament examples that I believe illustrate the promise and invitation to KNOW GOD more completely, the invitation to draw near to Him in a brand new way, found in Matthew 5:4. </span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>"</strong><strong>I had heard of You</strong> <em>[only]</em> <strong>by the hearing of the ear, but now my</strong> <em>[spiritual]</em><strong> eye <span style="font-size:180%;">sees</span> You</strong>. <strong>Therefore I loathe</strong> <em>[my words</em>] <strong>and abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes."</strong> <span style="color:#666666;">These are Job's words to God at the end of his fiery trial, <strong>just prior</strong> to the Lord turning his circumstances to showers of blessing. </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">Job 42:5-6</span> </span>This feeling and knowledge <strong>always</strong> follows knowing God at a <strong>deeper </strong>level. It is good for us. And now, <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."</strong> Acts 7:55-56</span>, a passage from Stephen's martyrdom. Note - he SAW The Glory of God, Jesus, and an opened up Heaven! </p><p align="justify">His pain was NOT in VAIN!</p><p align="justify">Neither is your pain or my pain. It's not in vain. It's not for our destruction. Whether the pain is from our own personal failures, or the blindsiding, t-bone that life can hit us with, <span style="font-size:130%;">no pain that we will run to the throne with will be in vain</span>. We can claim that for ourselves, and for our loved ones.</p><p align="justify">Don't let pain have the last word, <span style="font-size:130%;">let God!</span> </p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"<strong>28 We are assured and know that</strong> <em>[God being a partner in their labor]</em> <strong>all things work together and are</strong><em> [fitting into a plan]</em> <strong>for good to and for those who love God and are called according to</strong> <em>[His]</em> <strong>design and purpose</strong>...<strong>31</strong>What then shall we say to <em>[all]</em> this? <strong>If God is for us, who <em>[can be]</em> against us? </strong><em>[Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] </em><strong>32</strong> <strong>He who did not withhold or spare</strong> <em>[even]</em> <strong>His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all <em>[other]</em> things?</strong> <strong>33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect <em>[when it is]</em> God Who justifies</strong> <em>[that is, <strong>Who puts us in right relation to Himself</strong>? <strong>Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen?</strong> Will God, Who acquits us?]</em> <strong>34</strong> Who is there to condemn <em>[us]</em>? Will Christ Jesus <em>(the Messiah),</em> Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? <strong>35</strong> <strong>Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love?</strong> <em>Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation</em>?<em> Or calamity and distress</em>? <em>Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword</em>?...<strong>38</strong> <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">For I am persuaded beyond doubt</span></strong> <em>(am sure)</em><strong> <span style="font-size:130%;">that neither death nor life</span>, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39 Nor height nor depth, <span style="font-size:180%;">nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord</span>.</strong> Romans 8.</span></p>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-51358698278763824352008-08-31T19:33:00.003-04:002008-08-31T19:41:51.294-04:00Free to Fly Flashback!<div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hey everybody!</span> I sure hope you are all enjoying your Sunday evening! I haven't been able to get to the PC to put my thoughts in order, but I am so very much looking forward to doing so and to getting around to visit! Tomorrow I will be doing that. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />In the mean time I was working in my journal, and saw some old notes, from last fall. It reminded me of a post I did based on those notes and I felt it was quite timely, really, even more so now that 1 year ago. <span style="font-size:180%;">So, if you feel life is placing you at a crossroads</span>, <a href="http://inchristwearefreetofly.blogspot.com/2007/10/monday-night-football.html"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">this one</span></strong> </a>is for<span style="font-size:180%;"> YOU! </span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Much love, and prayers,</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Maria</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Click<strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"> </span></strong><a href="http://inchristwearefreetofly.blogspot.com/2007/10/monday-night-football.html"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">here to read this post</span></strong> </a>on choices.</div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-58997175164889276392008-08-28T09:43:00.007-04:002008-08-28T12:17:33.792-04:00Joy!<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Joy.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Joy.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Joy.gif"></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:180%;">Good morning all!</span> Hope Ya'll are hanging in there today! We're hanging in there too! Things are good here at the Ponderosa. <span style="font-size:130%;">But what does that mean when I say good?</span> Does that mean that there are no <em>"issues"?</em> All bills paid? Vehicle (yes, that IS singular) all maintenanced and in hot shape? All projects moving forward, yard perfectly mowed, and no dust bunnies? Have I and each member of my family set and achieved all appropriate spiritual goals? Well, that would be an emphatic <strong>NO</strong>! This is not the Cleaver household, this <em>IS</em> the planet earth, where we are <em><span style="font-size:130%;">promised</span></em> troubles and <strong>MORE</strong> importantly<span style="font-size:130%;"> <strong>an answer to them all</strong>! <span style="font-size:100%;">Why do I bring this up today</span>?</span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br />Because it is my heart to throw a life line of hope, a reminder that <em>all</em> <strong>is not</strong> lost, <em>all</em> <strong>is not</strong> topsy-turvey. What keeps us going, what is the characteristic that allows us to enjoy life, in spite of and <em><strong>in defiance</strong></em> of obstacles? <span style="font-size:180%;">Joy</span>. The <strong>joy</strong> of the promise, the answer, the sufficiency, the abundance, the overflowing, eternal, majestic, overwhelming, <span style="font-size:130%;">life-giving wonder <strong>of Jesus</strong></span>. Joy unspeakable and full of glory!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><br />Got bills to pay?</span></strong> Jesus will give you wisdom, give you time, give you favor, give you opportunity to get it done - maybe a little at a time, but if you will consistently seek Him and do your part, you will look back and see how far you have come....just <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">DON'T STOP</span></strong>! </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000099;"><br />Got a family issue, with spiritual roots?</span></strong> Get in the presence of the Lord - <em>get <strong>in</strong></em> The Word. You <span style="font-size:180%;">need</span> the strength of it, the life, the wisdom and change of perspective it will give you. <em>Take that Word with you </em>everywhere you go, <em><strong>chew</strong></em> on it, <em><strong>pray</strong></em> it, <em><strong>declare</strong></em> it, <em><strong>sing</strong></em> it <em>(while you drive, mop, clean the shower, pay your bills on-line, travel to a meeting, etc).</em> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>DON'T STOP</strong></span>! <span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>("<strong>This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth</strong>, <strong>but you shall meditate on it day and night,</strong> that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. <strong>For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.</strong> Have not I commanded you? <strong>Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."</strong></em> Joshua 1:8-9)</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Got a habit to kick</span></strong> or trying to make a new one? Trying to break free of a stronghold in your mindset? Turn your back on a sinful behaviour?<strong> </strong></div><ul><li><div align="justify"><em><strong>Keep your eyes on HIM</strong></em>! He'll keep you in His perfect peace. </div></li><li><div align="justify"><em><strong>Acknowledge</strong></em> you can't do it without Him. And don't think too far ahead. Just take it one day at a time, remember - it's <em>"give us THIS day our DAILY bread"</em>! Even the provision in the wilderness was <em><strong>daily</strong></em> manna. </div></li><li><div align="justify"><strong>Testify</strong><em> </em>of your desire to see His change in you</div></li><li><div align="justify"><em><strong>Thank</strong></em> Him for the victory that is yours because of Jesus completed works!</div></li><li><div align="justify"><em><strong>Determine</strong></em> to let Him live in and through you TODAY!</div></li><li><div align="justify">When you fall, <em><strong>get right back up</strong></em> - be quick to!</div></li><li><div align="justify">Then <em><strong>do it all again tomorrow</strong></em>! <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">DON'T STOP</span></strong>!</div></li></ul><p align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Got a hurt to heal? A grief to endure?</span></strong> Stay tuned! That's my next post!<strong><span style="color:#000099;"><br /><br />Why <em>do we have</em> so much trouble anyway?</span></strong> <span style="color:#ff0000;">"<em>So that</em> [the genuineness] <em>of your faith may be tested,</em> [your faith] <em>which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire.</em> [This proving of your faith is intended] <em>to redound to</em> [your] <em>praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ </em>(the Messiah, the Anointed One) <em>is revealed. <strong>Without having seen Him, you love Him;</strong> <strong>though you do not</strong> </em>[even] <em><strong>now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious</strong></em> (triumphant, heavenly)<strong> <span style="font-size:180%;">joy</span></strong>. [At the same time] <em>you receive the result</em> (outcome, consummation) <em>of your faith, the salvation of your souls</em>." 1 Peter 1:7-9</span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#006600;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">He</span></strong>, most emphatically, <em><strong>IS </strong></em>our <span style="font-size:180%;">JOY</span>!</span></p>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-580436064256881242008-08-27T07:32:00.006-04:002008-08-27T09:25:24.252-04:00Rain, Rain Go Away, 1st Day of School, & THANK YOU!<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/ts5.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 161px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="322" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/ts5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Fay, Fay - go away! Phew! As I type this I just heard the weather woman say that Fay is still bringing the wet stuff, maybe to some of you all. Fortunately, it is not so much now days, and should be gone soon! I have to say, that we were <strong><em>so blessed</em></strong> to only get lots of rain. Not flood porportions here, like in some towns. Not much at all in wind damage, either. And to do without electricity for a day or two, well, that's just an opportunity to be reminded how good we have it in the USA, and <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">how many luxuries we take for granted</span></strong>.<br /></div><div align="justify"><br />Well, we navigated our way through the paper maze and our youngest, <em>(my home school student for 8 years!)</em> is at school getting his schedule for his first day of 10th grade <span style="font-size:180%;">today</span>! God was in all the details, every step of the way, and that made me so happy as we went along. I was able to be <strong>confident</strong> that God was handling this. I truly felt like a passenger in a vehicle, with a VERY capable driver! <em>It's my hope that our son will have that same assurance as he goes about his day today, through out this week, and through out this year</em>.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />I want to <em>especially</em> say <span style="font-size:180%;">thank you</span> for hanging in there with me, <strong>and many of you have had kind comments and prayers for my family</strong>. And I can't tell you <strong>how much it encouraged me and caused me to draw strength,</strong> knowing that God was working and moving through hearts of friends and family all over the place <em>(thanks partially to the internet)</em> to pray for my family. We all thank you!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />I will be posting later today, but I didn't want to wait a minute more to tell you all that your prayers matter and so does your friendship!</div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-12166904934001302182008-08-13T10:26:00.005-04:002008-08-13T13:08:02.475-04:00Transition!<div align="justify"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/summer.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/summer.gif" border="0" /></a> I wanted to take a few minutes to explain my absence. This summer there's <span style="font-size:180%;">Lots</span> of change in the air. Changes in me. Changes in my role in <em><span style="font-size:130%;">SEVERAL</span></em> areas. We are all doing well. I guess it would be better termed as <span style="font-size:180%;">transition</span>, rather than simply <em>"change".</em> <em><strong>But,</strong></em> times of transition are precarious, often frought with challenging situations <span style="font-size:85%;">which make you want to </span><span style="font-size:78%;">give up</span>, when there is <span style="font-size:130%;">truly</span> no going back, and so you <em><strong>must</strong></em> <span style="font-size:130%;">go </span><span style="font-size:180%;">forward</span>. Paul spoke one time of having an open door of opportunity, and with it many adversaries. And I feel like that's what's ahead of my family, myself, my husband, and both of our sons. Especially our youngest. Opportunity. Lots of it. A wide open world. The thing about opportunity and the transitional state of crossing over the threshold from the previous to the <span style="font-size:180%;">new now</span> is that, we <em><strong>DO</strong></em> have an enemy and we would be <span style="font-size:130%;">wise</span> to remember our enemy is not the people who make us count to ten, turn red in the face, and grind our teeth. Oh, sorry, you've never done that? <span style="font-size:130%;">:)</span> <strong>No,</strong> when opposition comes, and the opportunity to given in to a defeatist attitude, we must rather remember, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but <span style="font-size:130%;">MIGHTY through </span>GOD to the pulling down of strongolds. We <strong>must</strong> train our hearts and minds and mouths to moving forward and letting go of our right to be hurt, or angry or even weary. We must continue to engage in life and faith and love. All the while moving <em><strong>forward</strong></em>.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />So, the transitional place I find our family is a good place filled with life threatening challenges. But, God is good, He is at work, He goes before us, He covers us and watches our back. He is our life, our salvation our future and our hope. There are a couple of analogies from when a pregnant mother gives birth to where I am at. First being, I understand <em>(I had c-sections ahead of time so I don't know from experience)</em> that just prior to labor the baby <strong>is very still</strong>. That fits me, because inside I have felt "very still" and any blogging I have done has been usually with great effort in the last 3 months. I understand it better now, as the stillness is a time of preparation. During birth <em>(the transition period)</em> sometimes something happens to the umbilical cord, which endangers the child, threatening it's life supply of oxygen infused blood. Well, that is a picture of situations I have been facing. When the umbilical cord gets twisted or caught in someway, this has to carefully be treated. This is simply an anology of things, of people needing much prayerful attention and me not being able to multi-task as well as I'd like. I have just only been able to perform my daily tasks, go about daily living in the moment, <em>pray,</em> and <em>pray</em>, keep moving forward and it seems to take <span style="font-size:130%;">ALL</span> of my attention right now. There has been absolutley <strong>nothing</strong> left in me to visit, comment, or post. But, <span style="font-size:130%;">you are all in my thoughts and prayers</span>. I know there are moves, and not moves, college, jobs, financial challenges, health challenges, and many more things all in between the lines facing you all, and being experienced and <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">you are in my heart</span></strong>. I just wanted you to know.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />I <strong>can</strong> say this: I have several things to accomplish in the next few days. At the end of those things, I <em>believe</em> I will have successfully gotten our youngest enrolled full-time in a local public high school as a sophmore. My heart is excited for him, because I believe that this is part of God's design for him, and <span style="font-size:180%;">I KNOW that he will be blessed and will be a blessing</span>. I am in much prayer for him and his circle of friends. Like Psalms 127, I believe he is like an arrow being sent out to accomplish the great things God has for him. There has been a great struggle for his heart and spirit. It is <em>so hard</em> to witness a loved one or anyone for that matter, struggle with life and death choices of which way they will go in life. Lest you think I am being over dramatic, let me just say the question of which way our lives go IS most defintely a life and death question. And no one can make that choice for you. No <strong>one</strong> thing anyone says to you, or book they give you, or song they play for you does it. It is a sacred dance between God and us, us as an individual, and there is no one else that can dance your step for you, and <strong>no one</strong> <em><span style="font-size:130%;">that you can dance their step for them</span></em>! </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />So, if I can succesfully navigate <em>(and I believe I can)</em> the paper hoop to get him in, then next Friday on <span style="font-size:180%;">22 August</span>, I will no longer be a home school mom, and our "youngun' will be embarking on the next phase of his journey, and I am <em><strong>very excited</strong></em> for him. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I am not sure this post is making sense, but its the best I can do right now. <strong>I can assure you I will be able to focus more and post, visit and comment, when that date arrives</strong> and we have been successful at making this transition.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><br />Oh, here is a definition of transition:<br /></strong>1.movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change: the transition from adolescence to adulthood.<br />2.Music. a. a passing from one key to another; modulation. b. a brief modulation; a modulation used in passing. c.a sudden, unprepared modulation.<br />3. a passage from one scene to another by sound effects, music, etc., as in a television program, theatrical production, or the like. –verb (used without object)<br />4. to make a transition: He had difficulty transitioning from enlisted man to officer. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><br />Much love and prayers to you all! "See" you 22 August!</strong></div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-44697503335677889262008-07-31T08:49:00.007-04:002008-07-31T09:34:46.620-04:00ABCs of the Word - Be of Good Cheer!<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/b.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/b.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div align="justify">My new Bloggy friend found over at <a href="http://greylikesnuffie.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Grey Like Snuffie</strong></span> </a>is hosting <a href="http://greylikesnuffie.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>The ABCs of The Word</strong></span> </a>every Thursday. Every once in a while I will be chiming in. Today I'll just let the scripture speak for itself. These words come from the Amplified Bible, which takes the King James and gives the Hebrew (OT) and Greek (NT) more descriptive meanings to some of the words which don't translate as vividly into our English.<br /><div align="justify"></div></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em><strong><br />"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence</strong>. <strong>In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration</strong>; <span style="font-size:130%;">but <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>be of good cheer</strong></span> [<strong><span style="font-size:180%;">take courage; </span><span style="font-size:130%;">be confident, certain, undaunted</span></strong>]! </span><span style="font-size:180%;">For I have overcome the world. <strong>[I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you</strong>.]</span>"</em> John 16:33</span></div></div></div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-11446310612741151252008-07-30T11:26:00.006-04:002008-07-30T15:58:10.588-04:00He Has Gone BEFORE Us!<div align="justify"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/beach.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/beach.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I was typing a comment early last week at a friend's site. As I typed I realized that something we all often count on and rely on is the fact that we believe and we know that <span style="font-size:180%;">God goes <em><strong>before</strong></em> us</span>. It is something I contemplate prayerfully more and more as I grow older. It <strong>gives me great comfort</strong>. On behalf of myself, but <em>most especially loved ones</em>, and situations that life brings us to. It is so reassuring when you view those situations from the vantage point of God BEFORE you. <em><span style="font-size:130%;">What really excited me</span></em> though as I typed I <em>"flashed"</em> on a scripture I had used in a header a while back. And I realized that the two concepts go together. Let me show you:</div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#006600;"><em>"And <strong>the LORD descended</strong> in the cloud,<strong> and stood with him</strong> there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. <strong>And the LORD passed by <span style="font-size:180%;">before</span> him,</strong> <strong>and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">merciful </span>and <span style="font-size:180%;">gracious</span>, <span style="font-size:180%;">longsuffering</span>, </span><span style="font-size:180%;">and abundant in goodness and truth</span>, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin</strong>, and that will by no means clear the guilty;..."</em> Exodus 34:5-7. </span>See?</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><br />He goes before us and He is with us</strong>. He dwells within us, and we abide in Him. As He goes <strong>before</strong> us, <span style="font-size:130%;">He goes <em>in His mercy</em></span>. Stop and contemplate right there. <strong>He has gone before you</strong> into that medical waiting room, or into that court room. <em><strong>He knew</strong></em> about the car accident, <strong>He has gone before you.</strong> He is with your son and your daughter, on the battlefield, in the school room, on the bus, in the locker room, in the guidance counselor's office. <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">He has gone before them</span></strong></em> <strong>in His MERCY</strong> preparing grace, goodness and revelatory truth to light their path.<br /><br />We must teach them to look for signs that He has been there BEFORE them! We must remember to look ourselves!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />We live in <em>very uncertain</em> times. Financially, relationally, politically, you name it. But, <strong>we have a CERTAIN God</strong>! We have a <strong>CERTAIN Word</strong>. We can take Him at His Word and then we can rest assurred as we go out into that wide, wide world, and send our loved ones out into it. We can go like David went to Goliath. <em><strong>He ran to the battle and He went confident of the Name of the Lord! </strong></em></div><p align="justify">I used these beautiful tropical pictures to show that a God <em>who took such care</em> <strong>to make sure</strong> that EVEN in a <strong>fallen world</strong> <span style="font-size:130%;">we would have signs of His beauty and care for us</span>, that SAME God has gone <strong>BEFORE</strong> <em>us,</em> and <strong>BEFORE</strong> <em>our loved ones</em> - preparing a way of goodness, mercy, longsuffering <em>(that's how He treats us - He suffers long on our behalf!)</em> and in truth and graciousness. </p><p align="justify">Ok, now that we know He has gone before us, you got your running shoes on? You ready to go run take out Goliath? Ready, Set, RUNNNNNNNN!<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=tropical.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 414px; HEIGHT: 275px" height="437" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/tropical.jpg" width="414" border="0" /></a></p>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-89407844173046202382008-07-29T21:34:00.004-04:002008-07-29T22:32:14.942-04:00A Bird in the Hand<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/birdinhand.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/birdinhand.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><em>"A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in The Bush"</em>, or at least that's the age old proverbial saying. It has <span style="font-size:130%;">always</span> <strong>seemed</strong> the prudent course to take. You know..."Don't let go of what you have, in the <em><span style="font-size:130%;">"hopes"</span></em> you might get those two over there in the bush..right there....oops...hurry...they're getting away! Agghh"! :) This has always seemed the way to go. Until last night, and <em><strong>even then</strong></em> it was actually in <strong>retrospect </strong>that I thought of the saying and the irony of turning it around for wisdom, at least in a certain type of situation. I can't take any credit for realizing it ahead of time! </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Last night as I was thinking of the pattern of laying things down that I have been on the last 6 months or so, and I was reminded of this saying. I thought how that saying is so true <span style="font-size:180%;">EXCEPT</span> when it comes to God. <span style="font-size:180%;">When God asks us to lay something down</span>, <em>it is ALWAYS for our good</em>. Even if we can't see it. Even if it doesn't seem to make sense. Sometimes it's even something that many would say God doesn't care about. Let me say from personal experience...<span style="font-size:130%;">He Cares</span>! He is an intricate God, He's made us complex, and that means if you touch one area of our life, there is <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">no telling</span></strong> the domino effect it can have. Not to mention the benefit to us in "denying" ourselves, picking up our cross and following Him!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />In God's economy when He asks us to lay something (our "bird in the hand") down, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">we can be sure</span></strong> He has something else to give us, "two birds in the bush" so to speak. But the thing is, we want to know <strong>WHAT</strong>? What will happen if I let this go? And God just doesn't work like that. It's a matter of faith, and a matter of surrender. He can't bless us unless we approach Him in faith, and unless we obey. It's that simple. So, when God prompts you to give up a habit, let something go, <strong>you can ask</strong> <em>What</em>? What will You give me in return, or Why does this matter? I just don't imagine you getting an answer. That's just <strong>not</strong> how He rolls! <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">:)</span></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><br />I'll give you some examples in my life</strong></span>. Last August in a mid-week service during praise and worship, I felt impressed to change a habit of mine. And the funny part is the impression was <em>very clear</em> and <em>succinct</em>. Only when I try to verbalize it, it seems to take more words, does that makes sense? You ever have that happen? <strong>Anywho</strong> - The habit I had to surrender is <span style="font-size:130%;">I had to give up being a pajama mama</span> - <strong><em>ever.</em></strong> Yup, that was one of my nick-names for about 2 years. Because on days that I didn't have to go to town or have company over, I relished being able to have class in my pjs! Now let me say in my younger day, that might have been cute. But the weight I have put on the last 4 years is not giving me <em>"cute days"</em> anymore! Weight ages you, like you would <strong>NOT </strong>believe! Regardless, the impression in my heart was that God wanted me to <strong><em>"be bold and beautiful"</em></strong> and that "<em><strong>you have prayed and taught your son to look for a certain type of girl, someone who among other things will value herself and take care of herself, but you have not given him a picture of that in his home".</strong></em><br /><br />See, I had rested on my laurels. My life as a <em><strong>former career woman</strong></em>. The laurels of the day, after day, after day, after day, of getting up at 4:00 - 4:30 a.m., having Bible and prayer time, make lunches, get shower, get children ready for school, get my hair and make-done, everyone's looking good, been fed and got a meal to take, let's run - and then go, go, go all day and come home and you know, lather, rinse, repeat! But, that was then, this is now. What my son was <strong>now seeing</strong> day, after day, after day was an aging, overweight <em>(sorry ya'll, <strong>not beating myself up</strong>, just stating the facts!)</em> woman in her pjs <strong>too often,</strong> <strong>too late</strong> in the day, and sometimes not putting make-up on the <em><strong>entire</strong></em> day (OK for some, but <em><strong>as I have aged</strong></em>, <strong>my skin <em>needs</em> that extra care</strong> - not the skin of my youth <em><strong>for sure</strong></em>! :). And don't even mention the shabby attire for around the house. <span style="font-size:130%;">Not</span> attractive, but, defintely cheap. Some things just needed to be thrown away! Some better choices had to be made for what to wear around the house. And I had to learn <strong>to not go near the PC</strong> until the shower, excercise, make-up and hair and decent clothes got done <em><strong>EARLY!</strong></em> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Before you think this was just in my head, I can tell you that I so wanted to believe that. But it turned out not to be the case! At first, I was really good about it. Then one Saturday I decided to "take the day off" and wait until <strong>just before</strong> I attended a birthday party at about 1:00 pm. <em><span style="font-size:130%;">Because I was home by myself, after all</span></em>! Let me just say that <strong>I could have kicked myself</strong>! I missed out on a terrific opportunity to help out a family member, <em><strong>because they needed someone to come right away</strong></em>! Since I had to jump in the shower first, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">guess what</span></strong>? Yup! I missed out on a great opportunity, someone else was able to get there in time, <em>but I was soooo bummed</em>! I would like to say that was the last time I missed out. But I have to confess, I kept trying to get out of it (winter, etc.). Time wore on, and I still was <strong>not</strong> taking God up on His offer to "let go of my bird". I found myself facing the most frustrating, stressful and <em><strong>unusal</strong></em> sort of situation with a loved one <em><strong>(completely unrelated to this)</strong></em> and all of a sudden it occurred to me, <em><span style="color:#ff0000;">"I wonder if you were doing <strong>that thing</strong>, you know that you felt like God put on your heart, if you would be dealing with this issue now <strong>if you had been obedient?</strong>"</span></em> I was chagrined. But, <strong>I still didn't</strong> obey! <em>(Gosh this is embarassing! rolls eyes, shakes head)</em> <strong>Anywho</strong> - I finally got going and started the whole thing, excercise, shower, make-up, decent clothes, <strong>early</strong> every day<em><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"> (My vanity makes me add for clarity's sake, that I am a known shower freak, but the point was, I was way too slack about how I took care of myself, as far as attire, make-up and excercise</span></strong></em>). In less than 7 days the situation I had been facing turned COMPLETELY around! What's even better, is I didn't do it for that purpose. <strong>I did it because I knew that it was the right thing to do,</strong> and frankly I was just sick of being so undisciplined. <em>I didn't do it to "get" something</em>! <strong>But,</strong> <em><span style="font-size:130%;">He gave to me <strong>anyway!</strong></span></em></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />The pay-off has been terrific, the guys know I look much better, though they loved "pajama-mama". Some days one of them (husband or son) will STILL ask, "<em><strong>Are you going somewhere</strong></em>?" I <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>love</strong> </span>it!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=Sugar.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 225px; HEIGHT: 227px" height="504" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Sugar.jpg" width="225" border="0" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br />The second thing is much shorter. Remember my post about <a href="http://inchristwearefreetofly.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-is-my-alabaster-boxtoday.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">my alabaster box?</span></a> Well, by Thursday of that week, there was no longer any doubting that God <em><span style="font-size:130%;">really was</span></em> asking me to give up most of my sugar. Don't know that its forever. And I am not extreme about it. But, many days I now have <strong>no sugar at all</strong>. And some days I feel like I am "allowed" a little bit. You would have to know how <em><strong>extremely</strong></em> fond of all things sweet I am to understand <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">this</span></strong></em> <strong>I did not seek on my own</strong>! I <span style="font-size:180%;">was most definitely led</span>! :) But there's been such a grace for it, its been great! And within 5 days of letting sugar go, <span style="font-size:130%;">I lost 4 lbs</span>! <em>That was t<strong>hrilling</strong></em> since I was stuck on a plateau at that point!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Last night I surrendered my Bible Study that I have been hosting and teaching since January 2007. I LOVE my Bible Study and the girls! We have so much fun & I am <em><span style="font-size:130%;">so jazzed</span></em> by the time everyone goes home, that I can't go to bed until 12:00 or 1:00 a.m. God <strong>ALWAYS</strong> shows up, and <em>always</em> confirms His words to us through the next few days. It made it <strong>really hard to be sure</strong> that <span style="font-size:130%;">I was "hearing" right</span>. And I kept getting stuck on this <em>"What if I am wrong, you can't just go start another Bible Study and say, oops! I goofed! If I'm wrong, <strong>I may never get another chance again</strong>"</em> I mean, if I was wrong, <strong>I knew God would look out for the people who had been attending</strong>, because that's how God is, He'd make sure they were covered. But, I felt like I could not afford to "make a mistake". <strong>I wanted to keep my</strong> <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><em>"bird in the hand</em></strong></span>"!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Needless to say God has a way of getting through to my sometimes <em><strong>hard</strong></em> head, sometimes <em><strong>crowded</strong></em> mind. He reached me, and by yesterday <span style="font-size:130%;">I knew</span>, <span style="font-size:180%;">and I had peace</span>. I was a little lost feeling last night, but, I just pressed in and made a stand of faith. I am looking forward to what is next. <span style="font-size:180%;">I am so sure</span> I won't regret letting my <em><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>"bird in the hand"</strong></span></em> go and I will be looking forward to my <em><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">"two in the bush"!</span></strong></em></div><div align="justify"></div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-58829642938452073702008-07-29T10:29:00.004-04:002008-07-29T10:44:28.556-04:00Greetings! Been Real Busy IRL! Sorry!<div align="justify"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Smileys.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Smileys.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Just a quick note to say that though I haven't blogged, I have been studying <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">a lot</span></strong>. I have lots to post on and hope to have opportunity to do so this afternoon. Tomorrow morning at the latest! Hope you all are having a fun summer! </div><br />I will leave you with a question, and we can chat about it when I come back - <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Is a bird in the hand truly worth more than two in the bush</em></span>? I always thought I knew that answer until last night! I have decided I have a new answer! How about <em><strong>you</strong></em>? </div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-59792923793874435072008-07-23T11:23:00.007-04:002008-07-23T13:50:19.472-04:00Family Nicknames - Terms of Endearment<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Jellybeans-1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Jellybeans-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div align="justify">Remember the post <a href="http://inchristwearefreetofly.blogspot.com/2008/06/weddings-tuxedos-and-cowboys.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Weddings, Cowboys and Tuxedos</span> </a>about the wedding hubby and I went to in June? Well, what I <em><strong>didn't </strong></em>tell you is, as we prepared to leave early that afternoon, up come one of our famous afternoon thunderstorms. Florida is known for these. They come suddenly, leave just as suddenly, then<strong> out comes the sunshine</strong>!<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Well, as I sat in kitchen putting on my heels, listening to the downpour I saw something shiny on the wall opposite from me. It's the wall behind the stove. As I peered at it, I realized it was a STREAM of water <strong>running</strong> <em>(not walking)</em> down the wall. Clearly something around the exhaust fan pipe on the roof had come lose. As I showed it to my hubby, <strong>up came the thunder</strong>. <em><strong>Whooowheee!</strong></em> Was he hot to trot! This has been a year of repairs, <strong>but for every repair The Lord has graciously and wonderfully provided for us</strong>. And the things truly outside of reach to repair at this time, <em><strong>mercifully</strong></em>, have not needed it. We have a list of things we want to replace as we can. But there is nothing on there that we are lacking at this time, its just the knowing the time is apporaching, where it will NEED to be replaced. He was under the impression that possibly the whole roof was in need of replacement. I made the strategic <em>(bad timing!) </em>error of pointing out the possibility that it could just be around where the exhaust pipe comes out in the roof, i.e. something simple, followed by <em>"Hey, we could put some of the plastic stuff around the pipe until we fix it!"</em> <span style="font-size:180%;">Not my smoothest move</span>! But, I wasn't done! <em><strong>No</strong></em>, not by far! As he rattled out the concern he had at so many things to be replaced, I followed up with this <em>"Well, it really hasn't been that bad, Honey. We have been able to handle it all, and the really super expensive things are hanging in there!" </em>Again, not good timing! It makes me laugh to type it! We went on to the wedding, which was about 30 minutes away, and we got our happy on, on the way there. We were giggling by the time we got there.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Anywho, he shared with me that <em>he was just getting a little overwhelmed and exasperated at the things facing him to replace and repair</em>. <strong>And wait for it, wait for it</strong>....he just didn't need to hear from Mrs Polly Sunshine! <em><strong>Tee-hee</strong></em>! We both laughed at that! I <em><strong>DO</strong></em> have tendency to be optimistic, and I do trust God a whole lot. But I also have my struggles! Mercifully, mercifully, we don't struggle at the same time. We balance each other out! Thank the Good Lord! But, if you <em><strong>HAD</strong></em> to peg each of us, we have concluded that his nickname is <em><strong>Rolling Thunder</strong></em>, always quick to be the voice of caution! Mine would have to be <em><strong>Mrs Polly Sunshine</strong></em>, because sometimes I need to just listen and keep my cheerful thoughts between me and God, until a more fortuitous time presents itself!<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">And we recently told our youngest that makes him <em><strong>Little Thunderhead</strong></em>! He also has the nickname <em><strong>Jellybean</strong></em>, and that is probably his favorite. Even my oldest had one growing up, <strong><em>Jamie-doo</em></strong>, was his. <span style="font-size:130%;">My Mama did a great job of calling all her 4 children by various terms of endearment</span>, and <em><span style="font-size:130%;">we all knew that those names meant we were loved</span></em>. It made us feel special, and cared for. I have been thinking how important that is to a child. When I was a supervisor at the Sheriff's Office, I had a few that <em><strong>needed</strong></em> a nickname, and I was always happy to oblige.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I love that when we go to Heaven we get a brand new name. <em><span style="font-size:180%;">I can hardly contain myself at the thought sometimes of what that name might be. </span></em>What secret about myself, that He knows, and I don't yet see and appreciate!<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So, how about you all? And nicknames? <em><strong>Any terms of endearment</strong></em>?</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Much love,</div><div align="justify">Mrs Polly Sunshine!</div><div align="justify"></div></div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-17931804951701960792008-07-22T08:00:00.002-04:002008-07-23T09:06:28.884-04:00Why Do We Do That?<em></em><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/71cf848.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/71cf848.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Does it ever bother you when people put all their hope in a person</span>? Instead of where it ought to be? Even more perplexing is the tendancy to turn on same said person, as soon as anything looks questionable, shaky or Heaven forbid like difficulty or failure. It's part of our fallen nature to do this. But, it's also a part of our humanity that I will <em>never, ever</em> make peace with.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />What am I speaking of</span> exactly? Well, in my Bible reading sometime at the beginning of April, I got thinking on it again. Deuteronomy 34 <em>(which btw has SOOOO much good stuff in it)</em> is where God lets Moses <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>see</strong></span> the promised land, <em>though he will not be making the trip there</em>. He wanted him to be able to see it. Then he was calling him home to paradise. Here's the verse that I have been mulling over <em>"<strong>And He buried him</strong> in the valley of the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor<strong>, but no man knows where his tomb is to this day."<br /><br /></strong></em></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong>Why</strong></em> did God see to it that Moses' body was buried <strong>where no people knew</strong></span>? <em><strong>Because He knows us SO well. </strong><span style="font-size:180%;">He</span></em><span style="font-size:180%;"> <strong>knew</strong></span> that people would get tripped up over the relics of Moses' body. He <strong>knew</strong> that<span style="font-size:130%;"> our tendancy to want something tangible</span>, would cause some of us to take our spiritual eyes off of Him, and start looking at the physical world around us for security. In further illustration that satan knows our weaknesses, we see in Jude that satan disputed with Michael the archangle for the body of Moses right here, <em>"<strong>But when</strong> [even] <strong>the archangel Michael, contending with the devil,</strong> judicially argued <strong>(disputed) about the body of Moses</strong>, he dared not [presume to] bring an abusive condemnation against him, but [simply] said, The Lord rebuke you!" .<br /><br /></em></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify">I've been thinking about this problem that is in all of us a whole lot since I read this in April. Then along came the healing revivals in Lakeland. Now, this is tricky, because <strong>I do not begrudge the wonderful reports of what the power of God is doing there</strong>. <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">I am always glad ANYTIME that God is glorified </span></strong></em>and people are blessed and that certainly seems to be happening.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">What is bothering me, <span style="font-size:180%;">is I believe <strong>every</strong> day <strong>we all</strong> have the <em>same opportunity to seek God</em> <strong>with GREAT expectancy</strong></span>, in our own prayer time or in our own congregations. Don't get me wrong, I know that God does certain special things at certain designated times. I hope I do not give the impression otherwise. <strong>I am not limiting Him.</strong> <em>Rather on the contrary</em>, <span style="font-size:130%;">I believe <em><strong>WE</strong></em> ARE LIMITING Him</span>. In general, we <em>(either people of faith or people who think about the possibility - seekers I'd say)</em> seem to look for that "<em>special person</em>" <strong>who can reach God <em>for</em> us</strong>. It is an unfair burden on our spiritual leaders. One which they are not meant to bear. We have to seek God for ourselves. While pastors have a role <em>(as shepherds),</em> it is <strong>not the spiritual "superstar</strong>" role our humanity keeps trying to put them in. <span style="font-size:180%;">Love, affection, respect, and financial support for our shepherds - these things are <strong>all</strong> right and good. </span><strong>Looking to that person to do what we can believe God for ourselves, this is what is seems not good or healthy. </strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">ADDED ADDED ADDED ADDED ADDED</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">******</span>I have had a couple of questions about Lakeland.</strong> Sorry! It was such a big deal where I live <em>(because I live within driving distance to it), </em>that I didn't take into account you might not know. So here goes. A youngish<strong> </strong>man with quite an extraordinary testimony, who travels around the world and ministers somewhat prophetically, often in healing, and encouraging people to seek God visited a church in Lakeland<strong>,</strong> I am guessing sometime in April<strong>.</strong> Anyway, it was one of those weekend services/meetings that the Holy Spirit is said to have really impacted everyone mightily, and by Sunday night families were hearing of it and watching it on TV, and loading up and driving to it <em>(it's a town in central Florida).</em> People came from all over the world.They had to get bigger and bigger facilities to house all the people. I have known of good that came from it, and have also heard of the typical things that make something like this questionable and disturbing.<strong> I haven't been myself.</strong> I am <strong><em>very careful not to sit in judgement</em> of what is there. That is not my place</strong> and when the Holy Spirit <strong><em>does</em> </strong>get moving things<strong> <em>can be</em></strong> very uncomfortable to us in the natural. <em><strong>I just know that my concern was the over the top fascination with it.</strong></em> It seems to have died down as far as people's interest now.<strong> </strong>But all during May and June you could go to a couple of churches that I know of and watch it on TV<strong>. ???</strong> It was like all these many people forgot that<strong> we ARE the church</strong> and this <strong>is not what God made us for. He didn't make us to sit in chairs and watch Him move on TV. We are to be LIVING lives that testify. God is in the everyday, longing for us to make room for Him to work in and through us, to love, to serve, to be bold and courageous. Where is the passion for THAT?<span style="color:#ff0000;">****** END OF ADDITION<br /><br /></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong></div></strong><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I know people are going to Lakeland for different reasons. I am sure <em><strong>many</strong></em> go with healthy, faith-filled hearts. I also believe that many go because they want to be where the action is, they <strong>want</strong> <em>someone to help them make contact with God</em>, where they are not sure how to. And in the midst of it all God knows it all, and its no surprise to Him, and He is able to meet all right there, in all different states of faith and motives. <strong>He's so merciful to us.<br /><br /></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:180%;">I am just so hungry for us to all expect <em><strong>more</strong></em> from Him right here in our towns, in our homes, and in our congregations. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">It takes an effort</span>, a self discipline, <em>(one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit - because we don't have much of this on our own). </em>But, I am determined to expect great things from Him, daily and weekly.<em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> Why?</span></strong></em> <strong>Because He is a Great and Good, and Tender God, and to expect anything less is insulting to Him.<br /><br /></strong><em><strong>"Then</strong> some of the <strong>scribes and Pharisees said to Him, Teacher, we desire to see a sign or miracle from You [proving that You are what You claim to be]. But He replied to them, An evil and adulterous generation (a generation morally unfaithful to God) seeks and demands a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."</strong></em> Matthew 12:38<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I can't escape this disturbing sensation when I hear everyone talking about Lakeland, and I feel like He (God) is saddened <em><span style="font-size:130%;">that we just don't get it</span></em>. Jesus could only be one place when He was here before. <span style="font-size:130%;">But now, He resides in all who believe and abide in Him</span>. Why are we seeking for a man's ministry in Lakeland? <span style="font-size:130%;">Why <em><strong>do</strong></em> we <strong>DO</strong> that?<br /><br /></span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I hope this is not upsetting to anyone. <strong>I mean NO disrespect to God or the wonderful work He has chosen to do. </strong>Feel free to comment. <span style="font-size:130%;">It's cool if you are seeing it different</span>. I am totally open to the fact that I may be seeing it all wrong. I'm sure He will get my heart straightened in this regard and all others before my time here is done!<strong> :)</strong></div><div align="justify"><strong></strong></div><div align="justify">Well, duty calls! Take care! And remember -<strong><span style="font-size:180%;"> <em>expectancy</em></span><em>!</em></strong></div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-91170157565686553602008-07-21T22:00:00.000-04:002008-07-22T07:59:58.499-04:00Why Seek Ye The Living Among The Dead?<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/worship.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/worship.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/EASTERTOMB_m.gif"></a>A few years ago, a line in the scriptures pertaining to the Resurrection story really <em>"got"</em> to me. I knew that though I <em>"got"</em> it on one level, there was<em> (and is)</em> a wealth of meaning there, which I would look forward to the Lord revealing in His good time.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Lately the line has been <strong><em>"poking"</em></strong> me more and more, like so <em>"remember, remember, look me up, ponder, seek The Lord, don't miss out!" </em>So, I have been looking at it, pondering, seeking. It <span style="font-size:180%;">haunts me really</span>. I feel led to post on it. But, in such a way as to let it speak what it will. <span style="font-size:85%;">Not so much of my thoughts on it</span>. <span style="font-size:130%;">That will be</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">at a minimum</span>!<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=EASTERTOMB_m.gif" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 286px; HEIGHT: 224px" height="240" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/EASTERTOMB_m.gif" width="286" border="0" /></a></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"<strong><em>Now upon the first day of the week</em></strong>, <em>very early in the morning, <strong>they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared,</strong> and certain others with them. <strong>And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre</strong>. And <strong>they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus</strong>. And it came to pass, as <strong>they were much perplexed </strong>thereabout, behold, <strong>two men stood by them in shining garments</strong>: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth,</em> <em><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">they said unto them,</span><strong> Why seek ye the living among the dead?</strong></span> He is not here, but is risen:"</em></span></p><p align="justify">Just some data for you to consider. <span style="font-size:130%;">They came <strong>seeking</strong>,</span> the way the word <em>"seek"</em> is used implies worship, or you could say a worshipful attitude, or intent behind the seeking. They brought their gifts <em>(like we do)</em>, early in the morning on the first day of the week. <span style="font-size:180%;">However</span>, where they went seeking, they found He wasn't there, <em><strong>not any longer</strong></em>. He was gone. He was RISEN. </p><p align="justify">I will share that since I first saw this, what really spoke to me was <span style="font-size:130%;">how often we go seeking life <strong>where there is no longer life</strong>.</span> <em>Or maybe <strong>never </strong>was</em>. Since that time its my prayer that the Lord will not let me or my family waste our respective short time here, looking for life outside of <span style="font-size:130%;">the only source of life</span>.</p><p align="justify">More lately the thought is that sometimes we hang onto things where once where God's plan for us <em><span style="font-size:130%;">was,</span></em> <strong>but now</strong> that time/season <em><span style="font-size:130%;">has passed</span></em>. <strong>It gives me pause</strong>. So I am considering where His life is flowing best in my life. Trusting Him to make clear if it is time to surrender any parts, so that the life He does live in me, can have free access and flourish even more. As in the pruning of a favored tree or shrub!</p><p align="justify">That's all I am going to say for now. <span style="font-size:180%;">If this left you with more questions than answers, well then GOOD!</span> That means I did well! <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Happy seeking</strong>!</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=FirstEaster.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 308px" height="763" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/FirstEaster.jpg" width="632" border="0" /></a></p>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-36122622918990236322008-07-21T17:53:00.012-04:002008-07-21T18:50:41.841-04:00Beyond The Night<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi1XqksYISzBSYdz9b3zb8GxCpq9idsbS0I4sS2ylIBJHczCqdmJep7lWPzRCoucBIZrvFpYBhacQL3DO21ODDUmOqeBHzPHXrgr91ab26U5_B3xIPSzizftb57Sow6FNayxyzWeBFtwT/s1600-h/GPR+beyond+the+night.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225592270738249218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi1XqksYISzBSYdz9b3zb8GxCpq9idsbS0I4sS2ylIBJHczCqdmJep7lWPzRCoucBIZrvFpYBhacQL3DO21ODDUmOqeBHzPHXrgr91ab26U5_B3xIPSzizftb57Sow6FNayxyzWeBFtwT/s320/GPR+beyond+the+night.jpg" border="0" /></a>When I was in 4th grade I was taken to the eye doctor. I <span style="font-size:130%;">still </span>remember coming home and being able to see the Christmas tree clearly from the kitchen with my brand new glasses! Before it had been blurry, indistinct smudges of brightly colored lights, decorations and tinsel <em>(remember tinsel?).</em> My baby sister is in the same boat as me. We are both <strong><em>EXTREMELY</em></strong> nearsighted. Those experiences made the wonderful book, <em>"Beyond the Night"</em> a real page turner for me. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Without giving the plot away, I can tell you it's a smart mix of Sixth Sense combined with When Harry Met Sally! The setting is mostly 1970s. There are several struggles with light over darkness, and even learning to <em><span style="font-size:130%;">embrace</span></em> the pain of the darkness as a means of <em><span style="font-size:130%;">gaining</span></em> the light available always even in the most dark of circumstances.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em><br />Here is an excerpt</em></span> from a teenage brother and his baby sister discussing why he has decided no more Sunday School for him. We can<span style="font-size:180%;"> all</span> relate to struggling with our faith in some fashion, at some point in our lives:</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Malcom:</strong></span> "I've given up on fairy tales."</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Maddie:</strong></span> "I haven't."</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Malcom:</span></strong> "You will. Someday, something will happen to you, and you'll realize that God either doesn't exist or He doesn't care. And you'll be right where I am, wondering why you've wasted your time with prayer."</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />I love the way the story and the romantic conflict cause you to humbly reconsider how <strong>you</strong> might feel or believe <em><span style="font-size:180%;">when life throws that hateful curveball</span></em>. <span style="font-size:180%;">Ultimately</span> many of us <em><span style="font-size:130%;">would reconcile</span></em> with Christ. That doesn't preclude the <strong>very real</strong> chance we would intially struggle with fear, struggle with the unknown darkness of the future.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />This book <em>"Beyond The Night",</em> written by Marlo Schalesky (really a neat, neat lady!) , can be purchased <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntk=title&Ntt=beyond+the+night&action=Search&N=0&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1&Go.x=19&Go.y=12"><span style="color:#ff0000;">here</span></a> for a sweet, sweet deal! I recommend it HIGHLY for yourself or any female in your circle from 15 up. <em>"Beyond The Night"</em> is being promoted through the most excellent <a href="http://www.glassroadpr.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Glass Road Public Relations</span></a>.</div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-17176978482884396842008-07-20T18:10:00.002-04:002008-07-20T20:31:45.299-04:00Rome Wasn't Built in a Day! It's Worth The Wait!<div align="justify"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/img057.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/img057.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">This is just a quick bundle of thoughts. I keep thinking of the Colorado River, and those beautiful red rocks in Utah. Both show the etching of much time. <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Much</span></strong></em> wear and tear. <span style="font-size:130%;">And it wasn't to destroy them</span>. <span style="font-size:180%;">It was to form and chisle them!</span> To make beauty that testifies of the glory of God and blesses us to see!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=2008KimberleyUStrip060.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 356px; HEIGHT: 358px" height="576" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/2008KimberleyUStrip060.jpg" width="408" border="0" /></a></p><div align="justify">Many times the promise God puts on our hearts, the desires, the hopes the dreams, <em><strong>they take much time to manifest. </strong></em>For lots of reasons. Some we will talk about, I hope soon. <span style="font-size:180%;">But the point is <strong>God</strong> doesn't change His mind.</span> He takes His time, <em><span style="font-size:130%;">because He knows we are fragile</span></em> and it takes time to be changed into the divine image of His Son Jesus Christ. Its coming. <em>I </em>am chaning, <em>you</em> are changing, <span style="font-size:130%;">every time we get in His presence, every time we get in His Word.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=100_3750.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 342px; HEIGHT: 320px" height="687" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/100_3750.jpg" width="760" border="0" /></a></p><div align="justify">Here's what He tells us in Hebrews 3:14</span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">"<em>For we have become fellows with Christ</em> (the Messiah)<em> and share in all He has for us, <strong>IF only we hold our first newborn confidence</strong> <strong>and original assured expectation</strong> [in virtue of which we are believers] <strong>firm and unshaken to the end."</strong></em></span> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><br />That's a <span style="font-size:85%;">little unsettling</span>! Something major in the development <span style="font-size:130%;">is up to us</span>! <span style="font-size:130%;">We must stick to Him, cling to Him, abide in Him</span>, <strong>so that we will not lose hope</strong>. He is trustworthy! <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">That's</span></strong></em> exciting!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />What beauty is He at work chiseling into your life? Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him, <strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;">But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit</span></em></strong>: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />If, like me, you are making changes that seem to take such a long time to manifest the desired results...Hang in there! Hold on tight to Him! It's worth the wait! </div><div align="justify"><strong><em></em></strong></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=2008GrandCanyonVacation055.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 314px; HEIGHT: 239px" height="740" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/2008GrandCanyonVacation055.jpg" width="564" border="0" /></a></p></div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-13214298680545000062008-07-19T10:02:00.003-04:002008-07-19T11:43:55.707-04:00Making Every Day Living Extraordinary!<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/flowers-11.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/flowers-11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I have several different ideas rumbling around in my head. <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">All of them pertaining to making the ordinary every day lives we live</span> <em><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">EXTRAORDINARY!</span></em> </span>See, I am so <strong>not </strong>a domestic diva like so many of you neat ladies! Yes, I stay at home. Yes, I believe in making a good home for my family and a welcome home for visitors. But, I don't sew. I am not a decorator. I am not particularly crafty. This will never, <em>ever</em> be one of those sort of blogs because blogging by nature is an extension of our own paticular personality, and that's just not me!<br /><br />But, that doesn't mean I don't love to bake, or that I don't recognize a great idea when I see it! Or that all teen angst aside I haven't had <span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong>many</strong></em></span> wonderful experiences as a wife, mother and friend to fuel some posts to inspire you in this regard. Towards that end, here is a <em>wonderful, easy</em> recipe from my <strong>absolute favorite cook</strong> on television. She is such a neat person. I love her story and how much she has overcome in her life. You can click on her name below and it will take you to her website. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="center"><strong><br /><br /><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=mac-n-cheese.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/mac-n-cheese.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br />From the website of <a href="http://www.pauladeen.com/recipe_view/104"><span style="color:#000099;">Paula Deen:</span></a></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><em>Creamy Macaroni and Cheese<br /></em>Ingredients:<br />2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni <em>(an 8 ounce box isn't quite 2 cups)</em><br />2 1/2 cup <em>(about 10-ounces)</em> grated sharp Cheddar cheese<br />3 eggs, beaten<br />1/2 cup sour cream<br />1 <em>(10 3/4-ounce)</em> can condensed Cheddar cheese soup<br />4 tablespoon <em>(1/2 stick)</em> butter, cut into pieces<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup whole milk<br />1/2 teaspoon dry mustard<br />1/2 teaspoon pepper<br /><br /><strong>Directions:<br /></strong>Boil the macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. In a slow cooker, combine cheese/butter mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well. Then add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>Yield:</strong> 12 servings <strong>Prep Time:</strong> 5 minutes <strong>Cook Time</strong>: 3 hours <strong>Ease of Preparation</strong>: Easy<br />Recipe courtesy Paula Deen</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">I picked this recipe because I have noted in some of my visits that some younger families are having to make grocery money stretch</span></em>. <strong>This means they buy less meat</strong>. <span style="color:#ff0000;">This recipe gives lots of calcium, protein and flavor. You can get it ready and let it cook in the slow cooker (crock pot) <strong>and it won't heat up your kitchen</strong>. It will go nicely with some veggies cooked like you enjoy for a nice hot lunch or dinner.</span> Also, cheese is great to buy on sale and stick in the freezer, <strong>when you plan to cook with it. Thawed cheese crumbles easy which for cooking is convenient. And since it <em>does </em>crumble easy it helps if you don't have a food processor!</strong></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><em>Be on the look out for future posts on making every day lives</em> <span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Extraordinary!</strong></span></div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-63858160930098348222008-07-18T11:43:00.006-04:002008-07-18T13:37:04.078-04:00Confessions of a Semi-Reformed Control Freak!<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/happiness.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/happiness.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">This is by way of a confession and a hope that someone else out there could benefit from my mishaps! I started to title this <em>"Do You Find Yourself Depending On Someone Else's Happiness For Your Own?". </em>Never in my wildest dreams did I consider that <strong>I </strong>would <em>ever</em> be or stand for becoming such a person. Yet, there it is. I have succumbed to a great temptation of motherhood.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />During recent weeks, we have careened around on the carousel of our youngest's life, where he struggles to find his way, his faith, and his place in this world. Facing temptation, peer pressure, a truly unfair harrassment by two families at our church <em>(which we are trying to get a handle on), </em>and numerous challenges that are unique to the youth of this particular culture, which includes <em><strong>so many things</strong></em> that we of our generation, and those before us really didn't have so much issue with. And don't get me started on the whole impact of the romances that have scarred him and made him a cynic. <span style="font-size:130%;">It's hard some days</span> to remember what a day was like at home just 2 or 3 years ago. Sometimes when I read my dear friends blogs I can't even make myself comment, because I don't know what to say to their successes and joys. I'm happy, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">truly I am,</span></strong> for them. I'm just not walking that out right now, and <em>it can be painful to relate to their ability to live out the scriptures in a way that I have seemed to fall terribly short.</em> You may remember a post where I spoke of <a href="http://inchristwearefreetofly.blogspot.com/2008/03/happy-hollisters-and-chocolate-souffles.html"><span style="color:#000099;">following a recipe</span> </a>to make one thing, and instead opening the oven to find a completely different food product.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=holdinghands.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/holdinghands.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="justify"><br />You mothers and even aunts, and grandmothers<em> (God bless you)</em> will relate when I say that when your child, niece, nephew or grandchild is cut, <span style="font-size:180%;"><em>you</em> bleed with them</span>. When they struggle, <em>you feel pain</em>, <strong>with them</strong>. When they fall, you long to pick them up, and help set them aright. <span style="font-size:180%;">Wish they were like weeble-wobbles</span>. That is my biggest problem. <span style="font-size:180%;">Weebles wobble, but <strong>they don't fall down</strong></span>. <span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>I seem to fear the falling down the most.</strong></span> I would spare him the horror of a life lived other than what he knows to be true. To whom much has been given, much is required. That weighs on me. You want them to understand the stability and confidence, the completetion and contentment that will ONLY be found in relationship with the 1 Friend and Family member WHO WON'T Let You Down. He won't stab you in the back, egg you on to a path of destruction, he won't do drugs, lie, cheat or steal, He won't mock you, degrade you, lead you astray or try to reinvent you to suit His urbane tastes of dress, music and attitude and or sexuality. Like many of this young generation, my son has been brought up to KNOW The Truth. He <em><strong>believes </strong></em>in The Truth, and stands up for it. But, he is somewhat distracted with life and unsure how to translate that belief system into what he sees adults he respects living out. So he feels frustrated, sometimes frantic, and sometimes hopeless at his ability to live an authentic life that reflects the ideals he believes in, and unwilling to hear ideas for solutions to the problem.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />He is on a leg of the journey that mostly we can only love him and pray him through<strong>. But</strong> <em><span style="font-size:130%;">we want</span></em> to do so much more. Though trust me, I am finding that those two jobs <span style="font-size:130%;">are <em><strong>so much</strong></em> more difficult, weighty and challenging than we realize, most of the time.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> I assure you that <span style="font-size:180%;">he will</span> find his footing and faith, and it will be <em>more resilient</em> and <strong>shining</strong> than it would have been, had he led the sterile, happily ever after I couldn't help but <strong>want </strong>him to have. He was a gift from The Lord to us, <em>like every child is</em>. And we have raised him, as best as we knew how, to love and serve The Lord. The Lord <strong><span style="font-size:180%;">will </span></strong>make up the difference. He and the Lord will get along just fine, <span style="font-size:130%;">just as his Father and I have found our way in the Lord</span>.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />So that is the background. <strong>The issue at hand today<em> is,</em> during the past few weeks I have noted that my happiness is becoming<em> overly dependent on </em>his<em> happiness</em></strong>. That's not healthy for him, me, my husband and I, or anyone at all. Not. Acceptable! :) It is essential that now as always, <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>my joy comes from my hope in the Lord</em></span>. <span style="font-size:180%;">And that transcends circumstances. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">What sort of witness is it to him, if I am encouraging him to find stability in the sureness of God, yet I have none to display for my fears for him? Is God sure? Or is He not? Hmmm...you see my dilemma. </span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />So, I am learning, <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>yet again</em></span>, to release our young man to the wild and wide open life of knowing, loving and being loved by the Lord. I am telling the Lord <em>"He <span style="font-size:180%;">is</span> Yours, <strong>of course</strong>, have your way in his life! Help him to hear Your voice above ALL others! Help him Lord to be strong, yet obedient to You, Help him <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>know</strong></span> when to bend and when to stand, when to submit and when to fight. Give him a desire and a hunger for You, Your presence, and Your righteousness! Help him to be a Godly mate, and grant him a Godly mate! Heal him, draw out the hurt and disillusionment. Help him to have the joy and satisfaction that comes from being a vessel used by You! <strong>And Oh sweet, sweet Lord, don't let one tear, or any pain be wasted or get the best of Him, but only let it </strong></em><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">bring </span><em>YOUR best into him!"</em></strong></div><div align="justify"><em></em></div><div align="justify"><br />You may be saying, well, this is just a Mom thing, I don't see it as a control issue. <span style="font-size:180%;">Oh, but it is</span>! As an oldest child, and a person who lives to make sure everyone is happy and communicating and feeling validated, let me just say that I recognize the trademarks. It is just a "pretty way" of trying to have OUR way! We <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">can not</span></strong> make ALL the choices, we <strong>can not</strong> control the outcomes, we can't even pray the "PERFECT" life into being. As I have written before, <span style="font-size:180%;">beauty is born out of ashes.</span> Remember Jesus had to DIE <em>before</em> He could rise! Why would it be any different for us? Or our children?</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />I hope that you will forgive me my eccentricities as a wife and mother. Hopefully you can relate <em><span style="font-size:85%;">at least a little</span></em>. I certainly hope you <strong>great success</strong> at instilling Godly values in your young charges, and then <span style="font-size:180%;">RELEASING</span> them to their adventures in life. Let them be able to see you loving and living life. Save your angst for your prayer closet <em>(or shower as the case may be!</em>), let your joy be evident always! And YES, we ALWAYS have a reason for our hope and our joy! Right? <span style="font-size:130%;">Wish me well at relinquishing control, Ya'll!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br />Much love!</div><div align="justify">Maria, a semi-reformed control freak! :)</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=happiness-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="83" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/happiness-2.jpg" width="264" border="0" /></a></p>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-46883808566088906892008-07-16T01:27:00.002-04:002008-07-16T17:52:03.676-04:00The Power of Light Over Darkness<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/sunnyskies.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/sunnyskies.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/mirror.gif"></a></div><br /><div align="justify">In the last 24 hours I have been humbled to read two different blogs by two completely different women. Each opened up and shone the light on either a recent hurt or a past series of painful life events. <span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong>Very powerful</strong></em></span> in the effects to the writers and the readers alike. Like pebbles on a pond, the words, the truth out in the open bring ripples of healing across time, and across geographic distances. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Considering the bravery in bringing the hurts to light, the strength of character to take such bold steps, I couldn't help but remember how in God's grand design there is no darkness<span style="color:#ff0000;"> "</span><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: <strong>God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]"</strong></span> 1 John 1:5.</em> He has designed us to carry His light and live His light and shine His light where ever we are, where ever we go. <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The light that He is</span></strong> <em><strong>in us</strong></em> <em>warms</em> people, <em>exposes</em> darkness, <em>brings</em> truth to bear,<em> allows</em> healing and conviction and courage to be fostered. I love when the Bible tells us that where He is <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">there are literally no shadows.</span></strong></em> That's because He <em><span style="font-size:130%;">IS </span></em>light, and He is <em><strong>everywhere</strong></em>, there is no place to cast a shadow because the light comes from all directions. I reckon while we are here in this life, on this earth, we are intended to as containers of His light, <em><strong>IF</strong></em> <strong>we will dare</strong> to let our light shine, <span style="font-size:180%;">cause the shadows to flee</span>!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Hearing the experiences these two, different women told, and seeing the impact the <em>"light of day"</em> had in taking some of the power of the hurt away, caused me to consider how we all gain inspiration and strength as we bear witness to another's struggles, heartache and victories in life. It reminded me to be grateful for <strong>the gift of people courageous enough to not only overcome in life, but to share the very personal struggles</strong>, and think of how we are subsequently moved to silently cheer them on, from our heart to theirs. The prayers squeezed out through our pursed lips, spiking towards Heaven, as we read or listen as the case may be, eggs our sisters on in the pursuit of life that is whole, liberty which is spirit deep and happiness which is invincible. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />If you have</span></em> a story inside you to tell, <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>don't fear letting it out into the light of day</strong></span>. <strong>You <em>never know</em> the lives you help find THEIR freedom <span style="font-size:180%;">when you dare to shine the light</span></strong><span style="font-size:180%;">! <span style="font-size:100%;">You'd never suspect the sting of pain that is removed from your heart in so doing</span>. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#006600;"><em>Why do you think</em> the enemy fights you so hard to hold it back, and threatens you with senseless fears to keep it in?</span></span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"><br />"That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], <strong>among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world</strong>, Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life,"</span></em> Philippians 2:15-16 <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>and</strong></span> <em><span style="color:#ff0000;">"Sing for joy, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth, and break forth into singing, O mountains! <strong>For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion upon His afflicted.</strong>"</span></em> Isaiah 49:13</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Have I mentioned I think you ladies are the greatest? You bless me no end! Shine on!</div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-67688780521946523122008-07-15T20:00:00.004-04:002008-07-15T21:59:53.897-04:00Adopted, Chosen, Belonging, A Part of the Family OR Hired Help?<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/69696_SP.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/69696_SP.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Prodigal Son.</span> Since I was a child I have heard and thought about this parable many times. I have identified with all the players, to varying degrees over the years. It is a mecurial passage in the scriptures, because its message to you, personally, varies depending on your vantage point at any given time. Sunday I was perusing several chapters in Luke, and came across it. I wanted to read it and glean something new, something I have missed until now. That was my prayer.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Later that evening, I was reading more of my <em>"What is Your God Language"</em> book, by Dr Myra Perrine. The portion of the book that I was in was describing the crazy, wild unconditional love which our Maker has for us. Also, how we miss out so much on comprehending and receiving His love for us. There were many wonderful quotes she included besides wonderful insights she offered. The theme seemed to dovetail into what I had taken away from my time in Luke 15 earlier in the day. Then I dropped in on <a href="http://razors-edge-of-insanity.blogspot.com/2008/07/grace-answer-to-unworthiness.html">Bunny 's blog </a>for a visit yesterday. Imagine my surprise to see that she had been really, truly blessed in hearing a wonderful message on grace <em>(undeserved favor)</em> based on Luke 15!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Here's what I got. Though, I am still processing this and will be for a long time, I think. Consider this an invitation to ponder with me.</div><div align="justify"></div><ul><li><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"And am no more worthy to be called thy son: </span><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">make me as one of thy hired servants."</span> </em></strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">I have read these words countless times. I have heard them quite a few. I am sure many of you have as well. But, Sunday the emphasis was on considering the Father as Our Father, and the sons as fellow believers. And, I can tell you, we were a sad, droopy lot in some respects, <strong>but not without hope</strong>! Think with me about the approach of the Prodigal here, we always tend to think he was humble, <strong>and rightly so</strong>. But, the thing is - we stop there. We don't usually <em>(or maybe it was just me)</em> consider that beyond the right beginning of humilty, <strong>a healthy relationship could not go forward, couldn't develop without the Prodical son <em>receiving the grace</em></strong><em> his father so eagerly extended to him</em>. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>And then</strong> assuming his rightful place of responsible sonship at his Father's side. He was made for so much more than hired help! <strong>So are <em>we</em></strong>!</span></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><ul><li><div align="justify">What do I mean? Well, after the apology, after the extended grace, after the celebration, <strong>there would be work to be done.</strong> As a son, as a functioning part of the family, <span style="font-size:130%;">he had work to do to help his father carry on the family business</span>. <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>As do we</strong>.</span> If we are too busy feeling like we belong in the pig pen, or in the back row, <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>waiting for the moment we might feel worthy of what has been bestowed on us</em>, <strong><span style="font-size:100%;">we will never be able to function in the capacity which The Father intended from the beginning and intends to this d</span>ay</strong></span>. Because, remember we talked about He doesn't change His mind.</div></li><li><div align="justify">Ok, 'nuff said there, we are still pondering there. <strong>Now let's look at The <em>Other</em> Brother!</strong> Lookee here: <em>"<span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>And he was angry, and would not go in</strong>: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. <strong>And he answering said to his father</strong>, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: <strong>and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends</strong>"</span> </em><strong>Hear with personal ears</strong> what The Father said to him, and says to us today <span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><em>"<strong>Son, THOU art EVER with me, and ALL that I have is thine."</strong></em> </span></div></li></ul><p align="justify"><span style="color:#333333;">I don't think I can add to that, nor do I need to. <em>What more can be said?</em> We are adopted into His family, joint-heirs with Christ. <strong>We are ever with Him,</strong> He lives inside of us! <strong>All that He has is ours!</strong> <strong><em>What The Other Brother is lacking</em></strong> is <strong>what we many lack in the family of Christ</strong>. The right mindset. Its not about our performance. Its <span style="font-size:130%;">all about who He is in relation to us</span> and who we are in relation to Him. We are His, He is ours, we belong to Him, we were bought with a price. <em>The Other Brother was "ever with" His Father</em>, and was so focused on his list of do's and don'ts, and <strong><em>so caught up in his performance instead of enjoying the relationship that was his for the enjoying</em></strong>! The Other brother was so focused on his performance, that he missed out on the pleasure and joy of his rightful relationship with The Father. He was thinking more like a hired hand. We don't want to fall into that trap. It's not about what we do for Him, Our Father. Its ALL about who He is to us and for us.</span></p><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#333333;"><p align="justify"></span></span></p><span style="color:#006600;"><span style="color:#333333;">There is so much more that could be said by deeper and swifter minds than mine! Yet I am content to ponder this for awhile.</span> </span><span style="color:#333333;"><em><strong>What are YOUR thoughts?</strong></em></span>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-85751638434032091432008-07-15T13:43:00.004-04:002008-07-15T14:08:43.674-04:00I Woke Up Yesterday With This Song in My Head<div align="center"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/rain-1-1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/rain-1-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">I woke up yesterday with this song in my head. I haven't heard it in a long, long time. We use to do it once in a while at our church. It is still running around in my heart and mind today. So I thought I would see if I could find it for you all to sing along with me. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#003333;">I Have a Friend</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#003333;">by Clint Brown<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus, Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus, Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">He's a rock that I lean on</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">He's my shelter from every storm</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus, Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus, Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">He's a rock that I lean on</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">He's my shelter from every storm</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#003333;">Oh, let the rain fall, let the wind blow</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">There is a place, that I can go</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus, Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus, Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">He's a rock that I lean on</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">He's my shelter from every storm</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#003333;">Oh, let the rain fall, let the wind blow</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">There is a place, that I can go</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#003333;">Oh, let the rain fall, let the wind blow</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">There is a place, that I can go</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, stick closer than a brother</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, stick closer than a brother</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#003333;">I, I have a friend, His name is Jesus</span></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=Shelter-From-The-Storm.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Shelter-From-The-Storm.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#000000;">He is my shelter, my rock, my victory!</span></p></div><p align="center"><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zwCuQvOyxlY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zwCuQvOyxlY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-76348548012516605792008-07-14T09:11:00.007-04:002008-07-15T14:15:25.760-04:00Where Are You Looking?<div align="justify"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/sos.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="442" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/sos.jpg" border="0" /></a> Fourth of July was just a little more than any of us in my family planned on. So goes life. Then there was <em><strong>more</strong></em> drama Sunday evening which was unsolicited, unforeseen, and unrelated. <strong>Jeesh!</strong> No rest for the weary sometimes it seems! </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />It reminded me that we can not always anticipate and know what lies ahead. But, we are not left without a hope or help. These 2 different incidents were beyond my ability to patch together, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">in any sort of way</span></strong>. <span style="font-size:180%;">Only God could do it.</span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />When you have one of those dark, hard hitting, sudden events that you are powerless to fix. <span style="color:#009900;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Where do you look?</span> <span style="font-size:180%;">Who do you call?</span></span> I learned long ago that all <span style="font-size:180%;">I need IS my Lord</span>. <span style="font-size:180%;"><em><strong>Only</strong></em> He will do.</span> Ok, my Mama <strong><em>did</em></strong> call to chat, I confess, I <em><strong>did</strong></em> sob (<em><strong>something</strong></em> about Mamas!) I <em><strong>did</strong></em> say "Pray, pray, pray" (she's a great prayer warrior!)! But other than that, other than keeping busy from one day to the next, I just kept encouraging myself in the Lord, I kept praying. Throughout the time there was a refrain in my head - it was part of this psalm. It went like this <em><strong><span style="color:#006600;">"where does my help come from? My Help comes from the Lord - which made heaven and earth."</span></strong></em><span style="color:#000066;"><strong><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=rain_05.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 348px; HEIGHT: 626px" height="626" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/rain_05.jpg" width="296" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><br />Psalm 121<br /></strong>I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.<br />My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.<br />He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.<br />Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.<br />The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.<br />The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.<br />The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.<br />The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify"><br />I thought I would share this because, trouble <strong><em>does </em></strong>come from time to time! But, we are not made to be vanquished, or to be ruined. <span style="font-size:130%;">God is near to hear and save. To give us strength, to give us grace, to renew our hope and vision.</span> We are still moving forward from the two skirmishes, but <span style="font-size:180%;">we have come <em><strong>so much</strong></em> further-<strong>so much more gracefully</strong> than it looked possible a week and a half ago.</span> And besides,<strong><span style="font-size:130%;"> <em>my help comes from the Lord!</em></span></strong> So, I know at the end there is good!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em><strong>Remember</strong></em>,</span> when trouble comes, <strong>He is near, He is enough and He won't waste any pain, any tear</strong> <em><span style="font-size:130%;">if you will just trust it to Him as you keep moving forward</span></em>.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=thsos.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/thsos.gif" border="0" /></a></p>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-41093897007118293302008-07-12T13:06:00.012-04:002008-07-13T07:26:04.080-04:00Scattered Thoughts<div align="right"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/ScatteredThoughts.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/ScatteredThoughts.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify">Ok, this photo came up when I looked for something to illustrate "Scattered Thoughts". I couldn't resist the pretty colors! I'm a sucker for that! But, to be <strong><em>really</em></strong> truthful, it doesn't represent <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">MY</span></strong> scattered thoughts! <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Mine</em></span> would be more like a collection of pretty gems mixed with a collection of broken toys, and some pretty flowers tumbled in there, along with some stanky dirty old laundry (<em>you know like smelly old socks and such</em>!) I don't know how to get a picture like that, so words will have to do!<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=Fasting.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 334px; HEIGHT: 219px" height="255" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/Fasting.jpg" width="334" border="0" /></a></p><p align="justify">The last week of May, several of our church's Pastor's were impressed that it was a time for those were were so inclined to participate in a type of fast. Our Praise & Worship Team <em>(choir, Music Team, whatever your church calls it - same thing) </em>was the primary group led in this regard, along with of course, our Pastor and and his wife (<em>who is our co-Pastor</em>). How it came about was interesting in the way that God will lead through the Holy Spirit various individuals at the same time. Then at the right time, they all compare notes and find they are on the same track together! </p><p align="justify"><strong>What format was this done?</strong> Our Pastor and his wife, the Praise & Worship team and our music Pastor, <strong>all</strong> went on a 40 day fast that was like this: no sugar, no fried foods, and only 5 hours of media a week, at most. Several <em>(like our Pastor and his wife</em>) were led to do a bit more. They took the first 3 weeks for a Daniel fast and continued with that through much of the fast, because that is how they were led. The opportunity to participate was opened up to the whole congregation, and only God knows how many people took the opportunity to grow in this area.</p><p align="justify">For me, I got excited when I heard about this. I was <em><span style="font-size:130%;">hungry</span></em> for it! <strong>Yes</strong>, <strong><em>I was hungry</em></strong> to be part of The Body of Christ participating in a fast, <em>for those who were willing</em> to humble ourselves and seek God for spiritual growth in our own lives, and the lives of our families, for greater impact to come from our lives and into our community. For Christ to have <em><span style="font-size:130%;">free access</span></em> in our lives that we might be more effective servants in the kingdom of God. </p><p align="justify">I did my fast a little different, since I'm not a member of the Praise & Worship Team. One of the things they asked us to do, was to keep a journal of the things we were learning, hearing and observing as the Lord would make it clear to us in our prayer and study of His Word. </p><p align="justify"><em>Some of them</em> I thought it would be good to post on. Just as words of encouragement. Consider this a buffet of words from which you may or may not find any that suit you, at this time. You never know when the application, in your case, is just around the corner!</p><p align="justify">1) <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Adore </strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">- Early on (it started June 1st), I was "thinking to the Lord" when I had a few minutes of quite time one Tuesday while my son was in music practice. In the middle of my thoughts I started praying to the Lord that we will be a congregation that would be faithful to Him, and that we will be people <strong>who are over comers</strong>, and that we will be people <strong><em>who Adore Him.</em></strong> I began to comprehend how the act of adoring Him, the discipline of the mind and heart to focus on His worthiness to be adored makes <em><strong>everything</strong></em> else in our lives: hurts, challenges, hopes, dreams and even victories be viewed the right way. As<strong><em> subordinate</em></strong> to Our Magnificent Father and Saviour Christ Jesus. There is a rightness and peace that is only available to us when we remember "with whom we have to do" <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=65&chapter=4&verse=12&end_verse=14&version=9&context=context">(Hebrews 4:13)</a>.</span></p><p align="justify">2) <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Bountiful</span></strong> - At this particular season in my life, there are 2 ways God gets through to me. 1 is to impress me with a certain word, and I study it and pray on it and just let it steep in my thoughts like good hot tea! That's why so many of these are just one word. This was something that I felt he was reminding me and challenging me to develop an awareness of in my thoughtlife and prayer life. To let it become part of who I am to understand, and allow myself to experience that He IS a bountiful God, and we are to live lives that reflect bounty. He is in all things a bountiful God. Jesus is in all things a bountiful Saviour, King and Priest.</p><p align="justify">3) <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Splendor</strong></span> - He is a God of splendor. The way He loves us and what has been done for us and given to us is a splendid thing indeed! To know Him is a splendorous thing. He makes life splendid!</p><p align="justify">4) <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Irrevokable</strong> - <span style="font-size:100%;">He gives gifts that are irrevokable. He does not change His mind about the gifts and callings He places in and on people's lives. God is not fickle</span>. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">He has established a covenant with us that is irrevokable. He is not "a God that He should lie" <em>("God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: <strong>hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good</strong>?"</em> Numbers 23:19). In Him are all His promises yes and Amen, <em>("For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us,...</em><strong>was not</strong> <strong>yea and nay</strong><em>, <strong>but in him was yea</strong>. <strong>For ALL the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us</strong>. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God".</em> 2 Corinthians 1:19-21). He watches over His Word to perform it ( Genesis 26:3, Deuteronomy 9:5, 2 Chronicles 6:10, and of course "<em><strong>Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it</strong>."</em> Jeremiah 1:12) . He has challenged us to remind Him of His Word. In Him there is no shadow of turning. Would that it were true in our lives. Help me Oh, Lord!</span></p><p align="justify">5) <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Clean Slate</span></strong> - I did 2 posts that touched on this a little. Here is an excerpt from my journal "He gives us a clean slate in so many ways. Each life in forgiveness, each day so many new and fresh ways. Will we receive it and take Him up on the bounty, adventure and grace of a clean slate?"</p><p align="justify">6) <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Pleasure in the Pain </strong></span><span style="font-size:100%;">- I have to admit - this one irks me. This one <strong>is not</strong> engraved in my heart <em><strong>just yet</strong></em>. <span style="font-size:130%;">I believe it</span>. <em><strong>But, I struggle tremendously with it.</strong></em> I don't have wisdom to offer in this one. It is a new concept to me. I will share from my journal here as well. <em>"I asked God about this yesterday as I swept, as I admitted I was NOT feeling pleasure in the pain. "Where is the pleasure, Lord? I'm not feeling this." So far what I have is this - "For the Joy set before" me - its the pleasure of knowing, of being "fully persuaded" that God is sovereign and at work in the midst of the pain, in order to bring glory to His Name, to make His Word true - What Words do I believe Him for? "</em></span></p><p align="justify">There were some scriptural themes that popped up frequently during this time for me. I am sure I haven't seen the last of those principles and themes! That means I will be posting on them, Good Lord willing!</p><p align="justify">I can't wait to hear from others at our church what they have learned. It really helps me process stuff to get on here and chat with you all. I appreciate so much the format and relationships we share which make this possible and a joy!</p><p align="justify">God bless!</p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>P.S.</strong> I had several typos! Guess what?! I was so focused on what I was doing, I couldn't figure out why my reading glasses were bothering me - turns out one of the lens had popped out, UNBEKNOWNST to me! LOL! </span></p></div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-65950581317238598572008-07-12T12:15:00.007-04:002008-07-12T15:30:03.692-04:00Cat's Got My Tongue & More to Follow<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/cat.gif"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/cat.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">How's things going in you-all's world? I am in a weird place mentally right now. I'm fine. But, I just can't hardly make myself write a post, visit or comment. I think about you all and pray. But, it's like when I get to the PC, <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>cat's got my tongue</em></span>, <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">and I am all locked up</span></strong>. I have numerous topics and thoughts I want to write about. Lots of ideas, and things I see in the Word that I want to bring to life and light. But, like a sci-fi force shield, <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>when I approach my PC</em></span> it just stops up, evaporates, sounds silly or too deep or pretentious and presumptuous. So, I back away from the key board. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I don't even like getting on the PC right now for <em>any</em> reason. From time to time I just get a burst of mental energy that says "I <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">can</span></strong> do this, <em><strong>at least</strong></em> this once". That's is what brings me to the keyboard now. I just wanted to say I am not a fly by night sort of person. I feel like I am letting you all down. At the same time I just can't post any ole thing. I will say that inside I am in a bit of a state of flux. Maybe that is part of this mental malaise.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">If I have not visited you or had an uplifting post when you needed it, please accept my profuse apologies. <span style="font-size:130%;">I will have another post called </span><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>Scattered Thoughts</em></span> coming up.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Much love to you all! If anyone knows how to make those cool signatures some of you have, and you feel like pointing me in the right direction for that, I'd sure love it! Even if you can send me the link you use for it, that'd be great.</div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-38291102734862669742008-07-04T12:14:00.009-04:002008-07-04T14:07:33.202-04:00My Country 'Tis of Thee!<div align="center"><a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/american-flag.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/american-flag.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify"><strong><em>Happy Independence Day, Ya'll!</em></strong> Yesterday as we headed to the beach, I thought about this song. I was saddened to think that <span style="font-size:130%;">though I could roll the memory bank and hear it in my head and heart,</span> <span style="font-size:180%;">most children and even young people in our country today</span>, I don't believe can do that. <strong>Where will we be if we don't do a better job of passing on America's cultural history and tradition to our children?</strong> As I researched the lyrics for this posting, I further saw the emphasis on the role education plays in strengthening liberty, as noted by the author in the lyrics. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />This particularly pricked my heart "No tyrant hand shall smite, <em><strong>While </strong>with encircling might<strong> All here are taught the Right With Truth allied</strong></em>." Can we really say that "all" are taught that? Especially the last 4o years or so?</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em><span style="color:#333333;"><br />Lord, America has <strong>so much</strong> to thank you for. <span style="font-size:180%;">We honor You and give You all the glory today for the freedoms and privileges we enjoy. </span>Help us do a better job of honoring you, loving each other and leading lives of excellence, both in word and deed. Help The Church to do what the government was never intended to do. Teach us to be good citizens once again. Do a work in our hearts and minds, because we don't seem to know how to do this ourselves. Don't let us watch a pedestrian be run over and not move to help. Not ever again. Don't let us know that someone is hungry or without electricity and not help them. Not ever again. Don't let us hold back from our tithe. That is part of how we fund the help others need. God bless us, we need You! Bless, keep, encourage and keep safe our military, and first responders and their families! Thank you, Father for the opportunities You have blessed us with! The goodness, the richness. Now help us to give back! To stand strong! To serve You by serving others! Lord, deliver us from the disease of apathy!</span></em></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000099;">My country, 'tis of Thee </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Lyrics </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">by Samuel F. Smith - 1832</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">My country, 'tis of Thee,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Sweet Land of Liberty</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Of thee I sing;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Land where my fathers died,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Land of the pilgrims' pride,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">From every mountain side</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Let Freedom ring.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">My native country, thee,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Land of the noble free,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Thy name I love;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">I love thy rocks and rills,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Thy woods and templed hills,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">My heart with rapture thrills</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Like that above.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Let music swell the breeze,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">And ring from all the trees</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Sweet Freedom's song;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Let mortal tongues awake;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Let all that breathe partake;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Let rocks their silence break,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">The sound prolong.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Our fathers' God to Thee,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Author of Liberty,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">To thee we sing,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Long may our land be bright</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">With Freedom's holy light,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Protect us by thy might</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Great God, our King.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Our glorious Land to-day,'</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Neath Education's sway,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Soars upward still.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Its hills of learning fair,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Whose bounties all may share,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">behold them everywhere</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">On vale and hill!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Thy safeguard, Liberty,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">The school shall ever be,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Our Nation's pride!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">No tyrant hand shall smite,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">While with encircling might</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">All here are taught the Right</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">With Truth allied.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Beneath Heaven's gracious will</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">The stars of progress still</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Our course do sway;</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">In unity sublime</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">To broader heights we climb,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Triumphant over Time,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">God speeds our way!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Grand birthright of our sires,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Our altars and our fires</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Keep we still pure!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">Our starry flag unfurled,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">The hope of all the world,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">In peace and light impearled,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#000099;">God hold secure!<br /></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/?action=view&current=d.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 381px; HEIGHT: 571px" height="629" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/d.jpg" width="457" border="0" /></a></p>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6095275693450181441.post-24278863647136176512008-06-30T05:17:00.006-04:002008-06-30T05:53:21.054-04:00Healthy Husbands and Celtic Thunder!<a href="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/wootwott-1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/freetoflyinstauggie/wootwott-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Hope everyone had a ducky weekend</span>! Ours was good. I came home from church yesterday to a yard with cut grass! Yep! <span style="font-size:180%;">Hubby is all better now</span>, and even off to work this morning! <span style="font-size:130%;">What a glorious answer to prayer. </span>As much as he hurt Friday <em><strong>I was really concerned about him</strong></em>. Every time we sat down to eat a meal and say grace, we prayed for his healing and strength and thanked God for <strong>all He is so good to us for</strong>. <em><strong>I am so glad</strong></em> he's up and at 'em!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br />Wanted to say if you get a chance to catch the show <strong><em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00152PFAM/ref=amb_link_6476362_1/102-1286043-5501766?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=special-offers-1&pf_rd_r=1EA8W8CAQARK2MNE979H&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=369954901&pf_rd_i=B00152IAIQ"><span style="color:#000099;">"Celtic Thunder"</span></a></em></strong> on your local PBS channel, and if you like that sort of music, <strong>do check it out</strong>. Saturday evening we watched it and it was a lot of fun to watch. <em><span style="font-size:130%;">Lots</span></em> of talent. We love Celtic music and dance, so that is what drew us. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Well, duty calls, Cheerio!</div>She Rose Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04468898873508947166noreply@blogger.com6