Feb. 27, 2006 - Birthday Party Pictures

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Feb. 23, 2006 - Writing Exercise for You or Your Kids

I've been inspired by all the articles regarding writing in the latest issue of TOS. Here's a great idea I just thought of today:

1. Write a short conversation or event that happened recently on paper. It could just be something you saw or an overheard conversation. Anything! This is your "seed" so to speak.

2. Now look at your entry and brainstorm. Think of all the possible angles, life lessons, Biblical truths, etc. that you could derive from what you've written. (We actually play a game like this at our house sometimes called "Bible Grid")

3. Write down your list of as many different ideas as you come up with somewhere near your entry.

4. Choose one angle and write about it.

Another day, you could come back to your list and write something totally different. Try this with your kids. Let me know how it goes.

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Feb. 21, 2006 - Evaluating Creativity

For all my creative, expressive, got-to-be-me friends with whom I identify all too well.

While it true that man was made in the image of God, therefore man, by nature, is a creative being; a small detail of this truth often remains overlooked. When God created the heavens and earth in Genesis 1, this same phrase occurs five times: “God saw that it was good.” (vv. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21) Then in verse 31, “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”

Too often we claim creativity as the end by which we justify carnality, sensuality, and lewdness as our means. Yet, when God created, He looked at what He had made and evaluated its quality according to a standard, which He alone could pronounce: it is good. Do we examine our “creations” with the same scrutiny? Is this truly “good”? Would God declare it so? Is it in keeping with the God who commanded: “Be holy as I am holy”? (Lev. 19:2)

Why do we clutch our masterpieces with such unyielding determination? Is it because we must have affirmation of the exposure of our own hearts? Is it because we cannot bear the refiner’s fire purifying our deepest inward parts? Must we express ourselves or die? Could it be that some things are only appropriate to express between you and the God who created you - deep calling to deep? Is our creation so dear that we cannot bring it into the light of Him who made everything good? Could it be that finding fulfillment in God alone eliminates the need of seeking affirmation from others?

I am not suggesting that we must allow other fallen humans with tainted opinions of good and evil to judge our works, but I am suggesting we present it to the One who judges the hearts. (See I Corinthians 3:12-15; 4:3-5)

God’s refusal of Cain’s sacrifice in Genesis 4 attests to the fact that God does not accept any and all of that which we imagine and do for him. Cain’s inappropriate response of anger further reveals the condition of his heart. Consider the warning God gave to Cain: “Sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Genesis 4:7). Unfortunately, Cain did not.

God is a God of order and design. His creation – which is very good – attests to this fact. Yet, in our culture, that which is random is praised as being creative. Some synonyms for random are aimless, careless, chaotic, confused, designless – isn’t that the ways things were before God began his creation?

Rather than complaining that others are stifling our creativity, let us ask ourselves this question: how would God evaluate this creation?

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Feb. 18, 2006 - On Seeing the Moon

My youngest (2 1/2) daughter looked out the window the other night and saw the brightest moon shining. "Oooo!" She exclaimed. "I want to go outside and take the moon out of the sky!"

I guess every girl wants the moon!

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Feb. 14, 2006 - Forget Me Not

Some of the saddest verses in the Bible are “But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his counsel. In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wasteland they put God to the test. So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease upon them.” (Psalm 106:13-15)

How sorrowful! To forget what the Lord had done. He initiated their release from slavery, led them through the wilderness, gloriously delivered them by miraculously opening the Red Seat, supernaturally provided for their physical needs of food and water, was living in their midst – his glory surrounded them – oh, how could they have forgotten what he had done! And yet, how many times have I worried or fretted over a tiny problem, forgetting how God has always taken care of me? How many times have I complained about what I don’t have instead of thanking God for his countless blessings?

“They did not wait for his counsel…” Knowing that God led them with a cloud by and fire by night, why would they not wait for his counsel? Have you ever looked out your window at night and noticed a pillar of fire? No? Neither have I. But if I did, would I be more inclined to wait on the Lord’s counsel? I’ve experienced the presence of God in my life, I’ve encountered him on various levels at certain times, I’ve heard him speak to me, but do I always wait for his counsel? Do I find myself making my own plans and then asking God to bless them? Do I make commitments without even consulting him?

“In the desert they gave in to their craving…” How bout it? Ever been in a dry, parched place spiritually? Or even emotionally or physically? It is then that we are the most tempted to give in to our cravings. The things that make us feel good – those comfort foods or activities. I’m not saying don’t ever eat chocolate, but are we using the things of this world – even natural things that we need like food – to replace the longing of our heart that should be filled with God himself?

“In the wasteland they put God to the test…” Is this not the temptation with which the devil tried to seduce Jesus in the wilderness? And the strong Son of God stood against him by speaking these powerful words: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” He triumphed over the enticement to try to get God to serve him by aligning himself with God’s word.

“So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease upon them.” How purposeless! How dissatisfying to have what you asked for but be riddled with disease! Instead of receiving the blessing of God that makes rich with no sorrow, instead of entering into his promises and the abundant life he had planned for them, instead of being blessed with the land overflowing with milk and honey, they died in the wilderness. A hollow, bitter end.

Lord, help me not to forget you or your countless blessings, help me to be thankful and not to complain, help me not to give in to my cravings or put you to the test. I want to enter into all that you have for me. I want your will and way for my life. I want to enter your best. I trust you.

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Feb. 13, 2006 - Braggin' on my kids

We had quite a weekend.

My oldest daughter (13) has a best friend in another state. She wanted to get a special birthday present for her (she will turn 13 later this year). They both love the Elsie Dinsmore books, dolls, website, etc. My dd wanted to get her friend one of their dolls for her birthday. They are a little pricey for a 13 year old with not much money. She tried to figure out a way to earn the money for the next 5 months. As it turned out A Life of Faith was having a writing contest. The grand prize was one of their dolls.

Well, guess what?! She wrote a story; I edited it; we all prayed, and she won!!!! I'm so happy and proud of my daughter. She worked very hard on her story - days and days. And all so that she could give a special gift to her friend. Isn't that sweet?! Her story, entitled "An Unexpected Victory," should be posted soon under their contests section.

The other excitement of the weekend was that my three oldest girls (13, 10, and 5) played in the Suzuki violin federation, and they earned a superior rating for their performances! Yippee!!! Three cheers for them. All that hard work paid off.

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Feb. 13, 2006 - trial and error

This is really an experiment with trackbacks. My favorite state of all is California. I think it's because I was born there, so all my childhood memories center around it. I've never been to Alaska or Hawaii though, but I think I've been to almost all the others. Maybe not Vermont.

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Feb. 13, 2006 - I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED by vibrantfaith


Four jobs you have had in your life:

1. Waitress
2. Music teacher - public and private schools
3. Music coordinator at a church
4. Secret Shopper


Four movies you could (or do) watch over and over:

1. Anne of Green Gables
2. Anne of Avonlea
3. The Sound of Music
4. The Railway Children - "My Daddy!"


Four places you have lived:

1. California
2. Florida
3. Wisconsin
4. North Carolina


Four TV shows you love to watch:

1. I used to watch "Perfect Strangers"
Don’t really watch TV


Four places you have been on vacation:

1. Lake Tahoe, CA
2. Smoky Mountains, NC and TN
3. Williamsburg, VA
4. South Florida


Four websites you visit (almost) daily:

1. goggle
2. homeschoolblogger
3. yahoomail
4. dictionary.com


Four of your favorite foods:

1. Pasta
2. Homemade bread
3. Anything made in Israel
4. Vegetarian buritos with salsa and guacamole


Four places you would rather be right now:

1. California
2. Anywhere in the mountains
3. A Spa
4. Carrabbas Restaurant


Four bloggers you are tagging:

1. TNMOMTO5BLESSINGS
2. Titus2woman
3. JennLovesJesus
4. ccmmum

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Feb. 3, 2006 - OUCH!

My mom sent me this story. I thought some of you would enjoy it.

An honest man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him.

He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up to your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car."

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Jan. 30, 2006 - Lemonade Diet?

Ok, all my friends here are doing this. Has anyone out there in blog land done the lemon cleanse? What was your experience? I'm actually considering it, but I don't want to go through it if I don't lose any weight.
You can read about it here. Lemon Cleanse

What do you think?

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