Wordless Wednesday: Fire Dressed for a Ball

Near Bloggy Disaster!!!

Yesterday, just after posting the latest meme, I decided I would attempt to change my blog template...MISTAKE! Apparently, I am not as technologically advanced as I thought, because instead of a new template, computer language filled my site. Yikes, ALL MY POSTS GONE!!!

I prayed and asked the Lord to help me; somehow my old blog reposted complete with all of my previous posts but without all the sidebar extras.

I wanted to add to yesterday's six word meme that oH mY wORD is also tagged, but couldn't because of my cyber-difficulties.

Have a great day and remember...technology is only helpful if one understands how to use it!!!

Six Word Memoir: Meme

I was tagged by Livin' Life to write a six word memoir of my life.

Here are the rules:

Write your own six word memoir.

Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration, if you want.

Link to the person that tagged you in your post.

Tag at least five more blogs with links.

Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!

Jesus-loving, storm-weathered, loving Mom!

And here's who I am tagging:

Not So Classic (You've been on vacation too long!)

Jesus and Dark Chocolate (Educator of God's generation!)

His Resting One (The world changer!)

Plain and Simple (Simply beautiful, hands full with three blessings!)

My (Bro) DSH (You're too young to be retired!)

2008 Christian Battle of the Bands

All I can say...awesome!! The level of talent and anointing was amazing yesterday in the 2008 Christian Battle of the Bands at Redland Valley BIC.

My boys' band, Aftershock, did a fantastic job. I was so proud of them. Their original worship song still plays in my thoughts..."Healer, I call Healer. You are so many things to me, but right now what I need, is for You to heal me."

Fire's True Personality!

Where's Consecrated?

There he is!!

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. W., for all the time, effort and prayer you put into organizing this awesome display of musical talent for Jesus!!!

Thank you, Sweet Mamma B., for allowing Aftershock to practice in the Youth Center.

Most of all THANK YOU JESUS for Your gifts and anointing poured out on the next generation. To You be the glory!!!!

Recipe Raves: Grilled Beef Roast With California Marinade

I tired something new for supper last evening by grilling a bottom round beef roast and it was delicious!!!

I started by partially defrosting the roast in the microwave. I then mixed the California Marinade in a gallon-sized freezer bag. I placed the half-thawed roast in the plastic bag ensuring all surfaces were covered with the marinade and then continued to defrost the roast.

I preheated our gas grill and brushed the top rack with vegetable oil. I then placed the roast on the top rack, turned down the heat to the low setting, and closed the lid. I turned and basted the roast every 10 minutes for two hours. For a medium well done roast, the internal temperature needs to be around 160 degrees. It was getting too close to supper time and still wasn't done, so I removed the roast from the grill and sliced it into 1/2 inch thick steaks.

I replaced them on the grill and continued to baste them every few minutes.

The result was tender and juicy. The pieces varied in doneness from medium to rare (I personally like the rarer ones). We rounded out our meal with rice pilaf and grilled butternut squash (We didn't care for the squash much though).

The original recipe called for the roast to marinade for at least 8 hours and no longer than 24 hours, but since I generally don't plan ahead that far in advance, I modified the recipe.

For anyone wanting to try this, I have included the marinade recipe. Let me know how it turns out if you do decide to try this recipe out.

California Marinade

1/4 cup olive oil (or vegetable oil)

1/4 cup cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)

1/4 cup cooking sherry (or apple juice)

1 tablespoon rosemary (I don't care for this herb, so I omitted it)

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I used dehydrated garlic)

After defrosting the roast in the marinade I placed the marinade in a heat resistant container and placed on the grill to heat it throughly. This is important step to maintain the safety of the marinade. I don't want anyone to get food poisoning. :(

You may want to double the marinade mixture as I ran out halfway through the grilling process.

Bon appetit!!!

Picture of an Olive Tree

Unripe Olives

Last evening during pre-service prayer, a dear woman of God received a picture of an olive tree full of many olives. This tree was being shaken and many olives were falling to the ground. She said she believed the olives represented souls coming into the kingdom of God. My Pastor then prayed a declarative prayer about our receiving the anointing (oil) to gather the harvest.

What's been on my heart regarding this is that there is an appointed time for ALL things...God has appointed a time for each one's salvation, each one's deliverance, each one's healing. God has appointed a specific time for restoration of relationships damaged by sin. If we move out of God's appointed time, then our efforts are mediocre at best and possibly even damaging. If the Lord has revealed an appointed time and we attempt to make the thing happen in our own time...we sin!!!

Ripening Olives

Think about fruit; If fruit is picked prior to it being ripened on the tree (the appointed time), then it is immature, not ready to be consumed. The seeds within the vessel of the fruit are not capable of reproduction.

Ripe Olives

Sometimes unripe fruit will ripen in the process of time, as in a banana, but most times an immature fruit will rot before ever ripening. This happened to me a few months ago with some bananas I had purchased. Most of the time the bananas I buy are a little green, but these bananas were green and never did get ripe, instead they rotted before they could be used.

What do we do? Ask for good judgment and wise and right discernment!!! Psalm 119:66 "Teach me good judgment, wise and right discernment, and knowledge, for I have believed (trusted, relied on, and clung to) Your commandments."

Jesus, give me (us) good judgment and wise and right discernment. Do not allow us to get outside of your appointed time, no matter how much we may desire to see salvations, deliverances, healings and restorations. Your ways are higher, You ways are wiser. Pour out Your Spirit and allow us to see You and hear You clearly. Do not allow us to judge with our eyes (physically), but always empower us to judge by Your Spirit and with Your heart. In Jesus' name!!! AMEN!!!

Olive pictures used by permission from Audrey Delange. Thank you!!!

oH mY wORD tagged me for a "Seven Random Things About Me" meme. Last July, I was tagged by Plain and Simple for Eight Random Things About Me. I don't know how many more random things I can think of but here it goes...



1. I've had eight surgeries in my life time and DON'T plan to have anymore. The body parts under the knife...right foot twice, back (lipoma, aka "fatty tumor", fallopian tubes (tied and removal of tumor), neck (parotid gland tumor), throat (tonsils and adenoids), mouth (wisdom teeth), breast (fibroid cyst) and head (brain). Wow, too heavy; let's get a little lighter!



2. Most of my life, I have looked at the world through symbolic glasses. I take nothing at face value and am always looking beyond the surface, to see a deeper hidden meaning. One of the reasons I love the Bible so much, I suppose.



3. In college, I described myself as an disorganized perfectionist. Talk about setting myself up for failure. I have mellowed a lot since then. I really would like to have a house in better order though.



4. I really enjoy being in an atmosphere were I can let the little girl in me out. I don't think I ever really grew up; I just pretend that I am.



5. My favorite thing to do...walk along the beach as the sun is rising singing to Jesus.



6. I enjoy trying new recipes, sometimes with ingredients I can't pronounce.



7. It takes three left-brained men (Strongman, Consecrated, and Fire) to protect one right-brained woman. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I encourage you to follow the link and find out. :) Oh, let me know how it turned out, if you do.

God Speaking Through the Generations

No doubt about it, the Lord is good and He is good ALL THE TIME. A new revelation of His goodness was imparted to me this past Saturday at CCC when two woman and my pastor spoke God's heart to me.

The first woman, an older woman who has been attending Christ Community Church for over 30 years, spoke life to me when I questioned her about pre-service prayer. I admitted that I was a little timid about joining in and her naturally supernatural reply, "You're not timid. Why would you be timid, it's only praying." Now, that might not sound like a supernatural revelation to you, but I assure you it was to me. I had prayed in the spirit the whole 50 minute drive to church asking the Lord to guide me in this very area. This wonderful woman, affectionately called an FBI girl, was God's mouthpiece, assuring me that I did belong at pre-service prayer.

During the service P. Dave, referenced two Bible verses that have been on my heart recently...another mouthpiece of encouragement from God.

Finally, after the service a middle school aged girl, R.D., came up to me and hugged me. :) She asked me a question regarding my dancing in worship and then proceeded to pray passionately for me in that regard. She ended by stating, "Everyone leans on you. It's time you begin to lean on someone else and cry on their shoulder." Wow, talk about straight from God's heart!!! I assured her that I lean on Jesus' shoulder, but it definitely was a good reminder for me, not to move in my own strength.

Thank You, Jesus, for not leaving me alone in this world!!! Thank You for speaking to and through Your people!!!! I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL!!!!

On Jesus' Chest and Heaven's Wailing Wall

"SUDDENLY I FOUND MYSELF ON JESUS' CHEST
I was inside of His heart! The incense! The thick heavy smells began to overwhelm my senses.” -- Jill Austin

Suddenly, I found myself on the chest of Jesus. Like John the Beloved, I could feel my face up against His linen robes--the soft fabric around my face. I could hear His heart--the sound of eternity--that gigantic chamber of love, embracing me. I felt so loved and so protected.

This intimacy of His heart went deep into my very being. Leaning! I was leaning deeper into His heart. I could feel His arms embracing me. And then, I could feel His heart open up. And I'm drawn into the literal heart of Jesus--the eternal residence of this tremendous heartbeat.

This heartbeat is resounding through all of eternity with the tapestry of sounds and rhythms. It's a celestial worship. Oh, the worship! The glory! His heart was a literal chamber of chanting of prayers. A tabernacle of Glory! The Ancient of Days! This Jewish King!

“THE INCENSE . . . .THE THICK HEAVY SMELLS….THE CHANTING!”

I was inside of His heart! The incense! The thick heavy smells began to overwhelm my senses. The chanting! There was an awakening of my heart to these ancient prayers to God. Holy! I'm going deeper into the thick smoke. I began to perceive that these walls and this tabernacle are not made of stone, but they're made of flesh.

His heart was gigantic. There is this gigantic wall--like "Heaven's Wailing Wall." Every name, every individual, every face, every destiny, every dream was written on the wall of the Lord's heart. But then, I could hear the intercessors and crying out from the lost, from the earth down below.

I could hear crying out, "Oh Lord! Lord, my father! Lord my father! He doesn't know you! Lord, my mother she's in so much pain! Lord, my children!" I could hear the cries and the groans of the intercessors, crying out for the lost. "Lord do you hear their cries? Will you save them?" There's so much pain. There is so much anguish.

HEAVEN’S WAILING WALL!

And then, I could hear the Lord's heart responding. His heart was breaking! This "Heaven's Wailing Wall," it was as though the whole wall was bleeding and crying and groaning in the depths of His being! To each one of the names written on His heart, He goes, "I know your circumstances. I know each one of you so intimately. I feel your pain. I know the anguish! I know the pain you're going through. Will you come to Me? You are not forsaken! Come to Me! I love you!"

Sounds of War

And then, there were sounds of war. It was the sounds of war and violence as these two governments of God and satan are colliding. And then I saw these evil diabolical armies from all the nations of the earth surrounding this great city! I heard a cry! A cry within these ancient walls! The voice of Rachel, lamenting and crying out for her children!

And then, there was another sound. It was a sound that was deep in the heart of the Lord. It was a sound of groans. It was a sound of travail. And then, there was the sounds of the martyrs from underneath the throne, and they were crying out, "How long, Oh Lord? How long, Oh Lord? Will you avenge our blood?"

And then there were the sounds of the demonic, destroying! The sounds of demons, with suicide and hopelessness and depression, saying, "I will destroy you!" There were the sounds of disease, ravishing and destroying bodies! The sounds of tormented, demonized people crying out for freedom and deliverance!

There were cries of the tormented and of the lost. You see, even in Heaven's heart the lost were crying out, "Is there a God? Does He feel my pain? Why was I born? I want to die! It hurts too much to live!"

I hear this great orchestration of all these prayers and worship culminating into a warring crescendo. Such glory! Such awe! Such pain! Such mystery! And then the Lord was interceding and dispatching warring angels. The heavens were at war.

His very heart became Heaven's Wailing Wall! Weeping and proclaiming and calling forth the great love of His heart. He says, "I command My angels to go and war and set the captives free! So many need to come to Me! So many are lost!"

And then He said, "If you want to see My heart, the key to apostolic authority is love. If you want to move in signs and wonders, then you need to know My heart. If you want to see Heaven break into territories and take whole cities, then you need to move with this radical resurrection love!"
"You need to hear what I hear. You need to feel what I feel. Will you have My compassion? You need to have My heartbeat. Are you willing to be a deliverer? Will you let Me come and take My sword, and cut open and circumcise your heart--so that you will feel and so that you will bleed? So that your very heart will become "Heaven's Wailing Wall?"

"Will you feel the pain of the lost and the broken, so that you can intercede and cry out in deep prayer and travail? To help to birth My heart?"
Can I write their names on your heart? Are you willing to become lovers? Will you love with My love? I'm calling you to "Heaven's Wailing Wall."

Jill Austin Master Potter Ministries
Email: info@masterpotter.com

http://www.elijahlist.com/

Posted by permission from the Elijah List see above link.

Outback Steakhouse Giveaway

Promises Fulfilled is hosting a Outback Steakhouse gift certificate giveaway. Click the link to check it out!!!

Apathy...Passion's Worst Enemy

"People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy..." ~Bruce Wayne from Batman Begins

TCC posted this quote in her post, "Monday's Musings."

Who was a dramatic example in your life? I would also say my Mom and Dad provided some of the most important dramatic examples in my life... Mom, by her consistent love, servant's heart and wisdom and Dad by his random joviality and love. A large part of who I am today is due to them.

Is this something you struggle with? Absolutely not! I believe the primary role for a parent is to raise their children by showing them, not only by telling them. My parents never raised me with a "do as I say, not as I do" parenting attitude.

However, who I am today primarily has resulted from my dramatic encounters with Jesus. He has taught me more than I ever hoped to know and showed me that dramatic (passionate) love examples break any bondage.

In my opinion, all leaders should be ones who lead by dramatic, passionate examples. Jesus and my parents are excellent leaders!!!

As Christians, passion should be a part of us...passion for the lost, the hurting, the lonely, the unsaved and the infirmed. However, the road of passion, at least the supernatural kind, doesn't naturally flow from human beings. Supernatural passion, only comes by Jesus. We see His passion and then, empowered by His Spirit, we become passionate.

Human beings tend to desire the road most traveled, the shortest and easiest route to our destination. Instead, I challenge myself and anyone reading this post to take the road less traveled by, and that will make all the difference!

How Fast Can You Type?

48 words

Speed test

Thanks, TCC, for posting this. It was fun, even if I am as slow as molasses in January. :o

I am Blessed, Part 2

I was standing at the kitchen sink today when Consecrated came up behind me and started to hug me and kept hugging me...you know, the loving cheek to cheek kind of hug?

Being a Mom has, by far, been the greatest blessing Jesus has given me!!! Thank you, my Jesus!!

I am Blessed

Yesterday, while teaching General Science to my New Creation Homeschool Students, Fire stuck his head in my classroom door and stated, "I love you, Mommy." For Fire to do this in front of his peers, really touched my heart!!! Later, we hugged in the midst of the lunchroom.

I AM BLESSED!!!!

Poetry Place "Sin Destroys, Teach My Children"

Warning: This post contains a graphic description of sin and may not be suitable for all readers.

Graphite Drawing

by Beautiful Grace

"Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 (Amplified Bible)

It is in this season of the year that I especially remember the sacrifice my Sweet Jesus gave for me and for you. He took upon Himself ALL of our sin and ALL of our iniquity, ALL of our guilt and ALL of our shame. Jesus died for us simply because He loved us and wanted to provide a way for us to be with Him. His love was so great that through the beating and mocking and scourging, He continued to keep His eyes set on the joy before Him. I believe that joy was not only that He would be going to His Father in Heaven, but also the joy of knowing that you and I would have a choice to join Him there for eternity.

About eight years ago, the Holy Spirit revealed the sin I had hidden in my heart, sin that I didn't even realize was sin. Upon the revelation of my sinful heart, I sincerely prayed a dangerous prayer..."Lord show me my sin how You see it." Out of this prayer, the Lord showed me sin's true form and this poem was born. This is why He died for us.

I am forever grateful for His sacrifice!

"Sin Destroys, Teach My Children"

by Beautiful Grace

It appears harmless, innocent, beautiful,

Intriguing, exciting, powerful, even holy,

But sin is none of these things.

It lurks in the shadows of our minds,

Seeking those whom it may devour.

It comes as a thought pondered upon too long.

It disguises itself through the twisted speech

Of the Evil One.

When we allow It into our lives,

It eventually manifests Its true form.

Sin is darkness.

The serpent of old,

Beelzebub, himself, lives there.

He opens wide his mouth

And sinks his teeth deep into our flesh.

His bite transfers seeds of deception into our hearts,

Separating us from our Father.

The seeds sprout and when fully grown

Bring forth death.

"Sin destroys, teach my children,"

The Lord has commanded.

Holy Spirit root out the seeds of sin.

Pull out the weeds, Lord.

Remove Evil's deception from our hearts.

Make us pure,

Righteous,

And holy,

As You are holy.

I Will Shine the Glory of My Bridegroom!

In my poem "Glory to Glory...Changed," I referred to the Bride of Jesus being clothed in a purple turban and golden gown. The inspiration for this attire sprang from a dream I had approximately one year ago. I attempted to recreate how I appeared in my dream for the Princess Party last evening.

Dream: I was preparing to be married to Jesus and was dressed in a golden gown and a purple turban. I felt uncomfortable because of the radiant beauty of my clothing. I remember feeling that I just wanted a white wedding gown.

As I awoke, I asked the Lord about the dream, and I felt He said that He has already made me white, now He wants me to shine His Glory. He instructed me NOT to allow my flesh (self-consciousness) to control the shining of His glory through me for that is why He created me.

I write this post in order to encourage all Daughters of the King to shine His Glory for this is why you have been made!!!

Your Bridegroom has Rescued You, Princess!!

"Listen to me, O royal daughter; take heart to what I say. Forget your people and your homeland far away. For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord...The bride, a princess, waits within her chambers, dressed in a gown woven with gold. In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids. What a joyful, enthusiastic procession as they enter the king's palace!"

Psalm 45:10-11, 13-15

Last evening I had the privilege of ministering to a group of Princesses. Our youth group hosted a Princess Ball for high school aged girls. The night was patterned after the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony and began with light refreshments.

After a time of reflection, the girls repented of anything that might separate them from their Bridegroom and then took the marriage cup of commitment by participating in communion.

Then the young woman recited their vows of faithfulness to Jesus under the chuppah.

In the presence of a witness the Princesses signed a scroll stating that they would remain faithful to their Bridegroom, forsaking all idols and offering their inner beauty and worship from this day forward.

The Bride was then beckoned to enter into the Throne Room where she received her royal crown and was anointed with myrrh (symbolizing death to the flesh), frankincense (symbolizing each young woman's anointing and unique destiny), and gold dust (symbolic of the Holy Spirit and God's glory).

Then the young women were escorted into the King's Garden where they received prayer and prophetic words from the Lord.After this, the Princesses were directed to enter the Holy of Holies where they could spend intimate time with their Bridegroom.

We ended our time with celebration...feasting at a chocolate fountain (Jesus and Dark Chocolate, you'd have loved it!) and dancing.

What Ifs:

I was tagged by Livin Life for this meme. Yeah, anyway, what is a meme?

What if I could meet someone in the art world to chat with?

Definitely, Auguste Renoir!!! His impressionist work reveals the beauty in his subjects through the use of light and soft colors. I actually have a matted and framed poster of "Two Girls at the Piano" hanging on my living room wall. In college, my humanities class took a field trip to the National Gallery in Washington where a Renoir exhibit was on loan from the Louvre. This man had arthritis, the painful, crippling kind, but still continued to paint. He said, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains." Talk about perseverance!!!

What if I could have one wish granted for the benefit of all mankind?

That all men would "see" the beauty of Jesus. It would solve so many of the world's heartaches.

What if I could travel anywhere in the world?

I'm with Classic Mama, I'd go to Israel, but more specifically Succat Hallel. I imagine myself singing and dancing with Jesus there. Just think how awesome it would be to be worshipping there in Jerusalem when Jesus comes back to meet us in the air. Wow, now THAT would be the way to go!!!

What if I could live in a period other than the present, for 24 hours?

I don't want to move into regret, so I'll respecfully decline this question.

What if I could make over three areas of my body?

My brain...That lack of sleep wouldn't scamble my thought processes to the degree that it does.

My endocrine system, specifically those special little chemical messengers, aka hormones, who on a monthly basis remind me that I am woman, and I REALLY am strong!!! REALLY!!!

My mitochondria...these microscopic guys are responsible for the majority of energy our bodies obtain from metabolism. I need about double the amount of energy, so if I double the amount of mitochondria that might work.

What if I could become an animal for 24 hours?

Wishbone, just think of all the great literature I could experience!!!


What if I could bring someone back to life for 24 hours?

The "sinner woman" whose tears washed Jesus' feet and who then dried them with her hair. I want to know what she was thinking, how she was feeling as she intimately worshipped Jesus like that.

Okay...so, now I am tagging Sandy at Dark Chocolate and Jesus and His Resting One! It's your turn! Only if you want to though... :)

Diamonds, Diamonds, Diamonds!!!

Within the last month, I have had three dreams regarding diamonds. The first dream, I only remember it had to do with a diamond, the second, diamond chips were falling into the palms of my hands and the third was much more detailed and is as follows...

2/8/2008 Strongman and I were at some type of church service. The sanctuary was set up with tables- like a cafeteria. We sat toward the back, and we were watching what looked like a play. A church leader approached us in a friendly way and started talking about diamonds. He said the best diamonds have been "milked." He then showed me a rock with many diamond solitaires embedded in it. Each diamond was like a button. I reached out and pushed one and received a slight electric shock. The leader told us that a pure diamond had only one-millionth of something in it.

I also did a little research on how a diamond's purity is determined and I found that, "Events of nature during the diamond's formation can produce inclusions which can trap some of the light rather than reflecting it back out. The fewer inclusions in a diamond, the rarer it is and the more valuable it is." From http://www.kalyanam.com/fashion/diamonds.asp

Think of the spiritual implications of that!!! Diamonds, I believe, represent the spiritual gifts He has given us and their purity is determined with whether they trap the light (hold on to the gift for ourselves) or reflect the light (use the gift in order to bring glory to Jesus).

Please see, "New Diamonds Are Coming" at http://www.hisrestingone.blogspot.com/ for a conformation of my dream and more details about what God is saying to His Bride.

Poetry Place: Your Bride

Your Bride
Beautiful Grace
Thanksgiving 2004

She is a bold lion, listening and obeying.
She runs after her beloved Shepherd,

not caring what others think.

Her passion for the Lord evidences itself without reserve.
She hides no emotion, whether tears or joy,
Because that is who her Bridegroom made her to be.

Love flows so naturally from her being,
Love put there from above, a gift of sorts,
In order to walk through life on earth pleasing her Master.

Rivers of Living Water flow
As this love is released to those around her,
A cool drink of spiritual refreshment in a dry and weary land.

Those who know her marvel at the favor of the Most High God Which rests on her very life.

Many join with her in song,
The song of the Bride.
They listen carefully for the voice of the Son
It is His song they sing,
Repeating the words of it back to Him.

The Bride and Bridegroom’s voices ring together throughout the land
Perfect harmony and melody together blended.

The unity of song releases the power and glory of the Father.
A wave of glory washes over the land
Wiping away all that is not pleasing to Him.
What remains has been washed by this holy flood,
Cleansed, strong, and true.

Make me that Bride, Lord.
You have the power to accomplish anything!

Revelation 22:17

What Color Green Are You?

You Are Olive Green

You are the most real of all the green shades. You're always true to yourself. For you, authenticity and honesty are very important... both in others and yourself. You are grounded and secure. It takes a lot to shake you. People see you as dependable, probably the most dependable person they know.

What color green are you?

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Thanks Livin' Life for the fun test!! :)

You Are Clogs

You are a solid and down to earth person. You seek – and almost always achieve – a really sound balance in your life. You are stylish yet comfortable. Mellow but driven. Excited yet calm. You are the perfect mesh of contradictions. No matter what happens, you have the ability to stay well grounded in your life. People know that they can truly depend on you. You should live: In Europe You should work: At a company dedicated to helping the world

What Kind of Shoe Are You?

Mom Update

Hi All,

Dad and I brought Mom home from the hospital this afternoon. She doing well, but we still need to pray that her breathing clears up. She wheezes and has a moist cough. Also, she will need to see a hematologist (d/t her platelets being lower than normal), a nephrologist (d/t her kidney not working properly while in hospital, o.k. now) and a follow up cardiologist appointment to check her pacemaker and this heart failure that has creped up so suddenly). She is still very weak.

Her attitude is good, and she's glad to get home to her "Best Buddy" (my Dad).

Thank you all for caring,
Beautiful Grace :)

God's Creativity and Blessing in Food

Thank you, Susan the Director, for passing this on to me!!!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and YES science now shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Eggplant, Avocados and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the motility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

Grapefruits, Oranges , and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

Mom Update

Hey, guys thanks for praying.

Saw Mom today and spoke with her internist. She had a fever of 100.7 F. this am. They have not determined the souce of her infection. She very well may have had pnuemonia, but with the back up of fluid in her lungs (d/t the congestive heart failure), pneumonia would have been difficult to see on the x-ray.

Before she can be discharged she needs to have a normal temperture, be stronger and her blood clotting time has to be o.k. Please pray on these three points.

It was good to see mom; she looks much better and I am thankful to have her.

Blessings overflow!!!
Beautiful Grace :)

Mom Update

This morning mom collapsed and her heart stopped for ~ 6 seconds. They placed a pacemaker in her heart this afternoon, and she is doing well. She still has a nasty cough, but is without fever. Thank you, Jesus!!

Thanks to all who are standing on behalf of my Mom.

Love you all!
Beautiful Grace :)

Please Pray

Mom was admitted to the Holy Spirit hospital on Saturday. At first the doctors were saying she had bronchitis, now they are saying heart failure. She had a fever of 102.4 F, so obviously there is some type of infection going on. Please pray that the Lord would intervene in the health of my mother.

Thank you for any prayers you offer on behalf of my mother!!!

Beautiful Grace :)

Valentine Dinner

*Spicy Cream of Crab Soup*

*Salad with Sugar Roasted Walnuts and Strawberries*
*Poppy Seed and Lemon Dressings*

*Shrimp Creole Over White Rice*

*Freshly Baked Challah Bread*

*Chocolate Pudding Pie with Toasted Coconut and Almonds*

2007 Christian Battle of the Bands

Consecrated and Fire joined a few of their friends to compete in the 2007 Christian Battle of the Bands. Their band, Aftershock, tied for 2nd place in the competition.

The 2008 competition is set for April 19th at the Redland BIC Church for any of you who like Christian rock.

I love it when my boys use their mucical gifts to glorify Jesus!!

I haven't veiwed the othe videos that came with the link to Utube. Please use discretion.

If You've Struggled With Fear

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

See His Resting One's posting entitled, "Creating Invisible Walls and Walking Through Them." This young woman's wisdom far exceeds her years. I am blessed to be aquainted with her.

Oh, by the way, while your visiting her blog, check out her posting "Raising the Dead." It's only a matter of time before we hear reports of people being raised from the dead. Our God's power...limitless!!!!

"The Wait Poem"

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of waiting! Waiting causes me to run into Your arms; laying my head upon Your chest, hearing your heartbeat, I feel Your breath upon my neck. I love you, Lord!!!

Thank you, my friend, Jesus' Jewel, for passing this on to me!!!


"The Wait Poem"

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;

Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...

and the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!"

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate

hangs in the balance and you tell me to "Wait?"

I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.

Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate

as my Master replied again, "Wait."

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...

and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.

You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;

you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me

when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love

when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.

You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,

But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,

the faith that I give when you walk without sight

The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask

From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,

what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,

but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see

that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.

And though oft My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still "WAIT".

by Russell Kelfer

Put a Cry in My Heart, Lord!

“Lord, you have to quicken me. It is not even in me to care. Left to my own resources I will walk to the temple every day. I will pass by the multitudes dying all around me. I will come into your house and I will offer up sacrifices of praise and all types of things in your house. But, Lord, I will grieve your heart, because there is no cry in me.” Carter Conlon

We Are a New Creation

"Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

When God instructed me to Home Educate my sons, I was filled with many reservations..."I'm not a teacher," "How do you teach another human being to read?" "Oh, my gosh, ALGEBRA!!!!" But the most heart-stirring question remained..."What about relationships with other kids?" Yet, I trusted God knew what was best for my boys.

God, Most Faithful, responded to all of my reservations and many more of them that have crept up over these last dozen years. One of His provisions has been making available New Creation Homeschool Co-operative.

A co-operative wonderfully fills the needs about which I cried out to the Lord. I can use my background in the life sciences to teach general science and biology, and my sons benefit from taking classes from other moms who excel in subjects such as, ALGEBRA!!!! But a co-op mostly fills the deepest desire I had for my sons...Christian friendships.

Thank you, God, for calling, empowering and providing for everything we needed. You receive all the glory for these last 12 years!!!

The picture above shows myself and two of my New Creation general science students. I love to speak of the glory of God's creation through science, and I love that I am able to form relationships with awesome, godly students!!!

If you are interested in what New Creation has to offer, you are gladly invited to attend our Open House on March 18th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at South Mountain Church in Dillsburg.

Something to Think About

"America is great because America is good. When America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." Alexis de Tocqueville

Lord, help us to be good again. Help us to be leaders of righteousness for the world again. Start with individuals. Start with me. AMEN!!!

Confession of a New Year's Eve

I must confess to my blogger friends...my husband, Strongman, bailed me out of jail last night around 10:30 pm. Well, it was New Year's Eve. What do you expect; you can over look a little over indulgence, can't you?

Oh, hold on, I can explain my story of woe...I just kept landing on that darn "Go to Jail" space and picking up that frustrating card commanding me to, "Go to directly to jail; Do not pass go; Do not collect $200." Do you remember now, the game Monopoly?

Strongman, Fire and I played Monopoly for around 2 1/2 hours last evening, while we waited to see the ball at Times Square make its annual descent. Fire was the designated winner, as he held the largest amount of assets when we decided we had enough dice throwing, money collecting and go to jail fun. We teased Strongman by calling him Lex Luthor and Henry Potter.




Fire, my dear son, saw how poor I had become due to my multiple incarcerations and offered me free rent on his hotel-laden property. I respectfully declined this offer of mercy, because I WANTED TO GO BANKRUPT IN ORDER TO END MY LENGTHY IMAGINATIVE TORTURE!!!

There you have it, my confession...we had a great time, and I'm not sorry for becoming a jailbird. The fun was worth it all!!!

Hear the Sound of Heaven

"Fall on your knees, oh hear the angels voices

Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born

Oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born"

Recently, the Lord has impressed the importance of words. We have the power to speak life or death to people and situations, but none of us can speak life unless we first hear God's voice.

We all have heard the still, small voice of God when we first realized our need for a Savior. We heard and we responded. Our response to His call caused us to become His sheep. Jesus has promised that His sheep hear His voice. We just need to be actively listening for His voice.

He sees the worth in all individuals, because He created every single person on this earth for a purpose, a destiny. And every situation, no matter how dark, has a purpose. God has said, that all things work to together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purposes.

If we listen to His voice, we will hear what God says about that person or situation. We then, as God's ambassadors, have the privilage and authority to speak life to that person's destiny or purposeful resolution to that difficult situation.

My dear blogging friends, take the time this Christmas to fall on your knees, worship Jesus, and listen for His beautiful voice!! Who knows, maybe, He will even allow you to hear the angels' sing!!!

The Wisdom of a Child

God knows, God understands!!!!

Listen to Logan's Calf Story.

Bless you all!!!! :)

"A Vision of the Lost"

Intensity and passion overflow as Booth describes the vision the Lord gave him of the lost. The following account of William Booth's vision will open eyes as the Holy Spirit has His way. Remember this vision as you come upon those faithful bell-ringers of the Salvation Army.

In one of my recent journeys, as I gazed from the coach window, I was led into a train of thought concerning the condition of the multitudes around me. They were living carelessly in the most open and shameless rebellion against God, without a thought for their eternal welfare. As I looked out of the window, I seemed to see them all... millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles. Ignorant- willfully ignorant in many cases- and in other instances knowing all about the truth and not caring at all. But all of them, the whole mass of them, sweeping on and up in their blasphemies and devilries to the Throne of God. While my mind was thus engaged, I had a vision.

I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over it the black clouds hung heavily; through them every now and then vivid lightening flashed and loud thunder rolled, while the winds moaned, and the waves rose and foamed, towered and broke, only to rise and foam, tower and break again.

In that ocean I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.

And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with it’s summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this great rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw that a few of those who were already safe on the platform were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety.

On looking more closely I found a number of those who had been rescued, industriously working and scheming by ladders, ropes, boats and other means more effective, to deliver the poor strugglers out of the sea. Here and there were some who actually jumped into the water, regardless of the consequences in their passion to "rescue the perishing." And I hardly know which gladdened me the most- the sight of the poor drowning people climbing onto the rocks reaching a place of safety, or the devotion and self-sacrifice of those whose whole being was wrapped up in the effort for their deliverance.

As I looked on, I saw that the occupants of that platform were quite a mixed company. That is, they were divided into different "sets" or classes, and they occupied themselves with different pleasures and employments. But only a very few of them seemed to make it their business to get the people out of the sea.

But what puzzled me most was the fact that though all of them had been rescued at one time or another from the ocean, nearly everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it. Anyway, it seemed the memory of its darkness and danger no longer troubled them at all. And what seemed equally strange and perplexing to me was that these people did not even seem to have any care- that is any agonizing care- about the poor perishing ones who were struggling and drowning right before their very eyes... many of whom were their own husbands and wives, brothers and sisters and even their own children.

Now this astonishing unconcern could not have been the result of ignorance or lack of knowledge, because they lived right there in full sight of it all and even talked about it sometimes. Many even went regularly to hear lectures and sermons in which the awful state of these poor drowning creatures was described.

I have always said that the occupants of this platform were engaged in different pursuits and pastimes. Some of them were absorbed day and night in trading and business in order to make gain, storing up their savings in boxes, safes and the like.

Many spent their time in amusing themselves with growing flowers on the side of the rock, others in painting pieces of cloth or in playing music, or in dressing themselves up in different styles and walking about to be admired. Some occupied themselves chiefly in eating and drinking, others were taken up with arguing about the poor drowning creatures that had already been rescued.

But the thing to me that seemed the most amazing was that those on the platform to whom He called, who heard His voice and felt that they ought to obey it- at least they said they did- those who confessed to love Him much were in full sympathy with Him in the task He had undertaken- who worshipped Him or who professed to do so- were so taken up with their trades and professions, their money saving and pleasures, their families and circles, their religions and arguments about it, and their preparation for going to the mainland, that they did not listen to the cry that came to them from this Wonderful Being who had Himself gone down into the sea. Anyway, if they heard it they did not heed it. They did not care. And so the multitude went on right before them struggling and shrieking and drowning in the darkness.

And then I saw something that seemed to me even more strange than anything that had gone on before in this strange vision. I saw that some of these people on the platform whom this Wonderful Being had called to, wanting them to come and help Him in His difficult task of saving these perishing creatures, were always praying and crying out to Him to come to them!

Some wanted Him to come and stay with them, and spend His time and strength in making them happier. Others wanted Him to come and take away various doubts and misgivings they had concerning the truth of some letters He had written them. Some wanted Him to come and make them feel more secure on the rock- so secure that they would be quite sure that they should never slip off again into the ocean. Numbers of others wanted Him to make them feel quite certain that they would really get off the rock and onto the mainland someday: because as a matter of fact, it was well known that some had walked so carelessly as to loose their footing, and had fallen back again into the stormy waters.

So these people used to meet and get up as high on the rock as they could, and looking towards the mainland (where they thought the Great Being was) they would cry out, "Come to us! Come and help us!" And all the while He was down (by His Spirit) among the poor struggling, drowning creatures in the angry deep, with His arms around them trying to drag them out, and looking up- oh! so longingly but all in vain- to those on the rock, crying to them with His voice all hoarse from calling, "Come to Me! Come, and help Me!

And then I understood it all. It was plain enough. The sea was the ocean of life- the sea of real, actual human existence. That lightening was the gleaming of piercing truth coming from Jehovah’s Throne. That thunder was the distant echoing of the wrath of God. Those multitudes of people shrieking, struggling and agonizing in the stormy sea, was the thousands and thousands of poor harlots and harlot-makers, of drunkards and drunkard makers, of thieves, liars, blasphemers and ungodly people of every kindred, tongue and nation.

Oh what a black sea it was! And oh, what multitudes of rich and poor, ignorant and educated were there. They were all so unalike in their outward circumstances and conditions, yet all alike in one thing- all sinners before God- all held by, and holding onto, some iniquity, fascinated by some idol, the slaves of some devilish lust, and ruled by the foul fiend from the bottomless pit!

"All alike in one thing?" No, all alike in two things- not only the same in their wickedness but, unless rescued, the same in their sinking, sinking... down, down, down... to the same terrible doom. That great sheltering rock represented Calvary, the place where Jesus had died for them. And the people on it were those who had been rescued. The way they used their energies, gifts and time represented the occupations and amusements of those who professed to be saved from sin and hell- followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The handful of fierce, determined ones, who were risking their own lives in saving the perishing were true soldiers of the cross of Jesus. That Mighty Being who was calling to them from the midst of the angry waters was the Son of God, "the same yesterday, today and forever" who is still struggling and interceding to save the dying multitudes about us from this terrible doom of damnation, and whose voice can be heard above the music, machinery, and noise of life, calling on the rescued to come and help Him save the world.

My friends in Christ, you are rescued from the waters, you are on the rock, He is in the dark sea calling on you to come to Him and help Him. Will you go? Look for yourselves. The surging sea of life, crowded with perishing multitudes rolls up to the very spot on which you stand. Leaving the vision, I now come to speak of the fact- a fact that is as real as the Bible, as real as the Christ who hung upon the cross, as real as the judgment day will be, and as real as the heaven and hell that will follow it.

Look! Don’t be deceived by appearances- men and things are not what they seem. All who are not on the rock are in the sea! Look at them from the standpoint of the great White Throne, and what a sight you have! Jesus Christ, the Son of God is, through His Spirit, in the midst of this dying multitude, struggling to save them. And He is calling on you to jump into the sea- to go right away to His side and help Him in the holy strife. Will you jump? That is, will you go to His feet and place yourself absolutely at His disposal?

A young Christian once came to me, and told me that for some time she had been giving the Lord her profession and prayers and money, but now she wanted to give Him her life. She wanted to go right into the fight. In other words, she wanted to go to His assistance in the sea. As when a man from the shore, seeing another struggling in the water, takes off those outer garments that would hinder his efforts and leaps to the rescue, so will you who still linger on the bank, thinking and singing and praying about the poor perishing souls, lay aside your shame, your pride, your cares about other people’s opinions, your love of ease and all the selfish loves that have kept you back for so long, and rush to the rescue of this multitude of dying men and women.

Does the surging sea look dark and dangerous? Unquestionably it is so. There is no doubt that the leap for you, as for everyone who takes it, means difficulty and scorn and suffering. For you it may mean more than this. It may mean death. He who beckons you from the sea however, knows what it will mean - and knowing, He still calls to you and bids to you to come.

You must do it! You cannot hold back. You have enjoyed yourself in Christianity long enough. You have had pleasant feelings, pleasant songs, pleasant meetings, pleasant prospects. There has been much of human happiness, much clapping of hands and shouting of praises- very much of heaven on earth.

Now then, go to God and tell Him you are prepared as much as necessary to turn your back upon it all, and that you are willing to spend the rest of your days struggling in the midst of these perishing multitudes, whatever it may cost you.

You must do it. With the light that is now broken in upon your mind and the call that is now sounding in your ears, and the beckoning hands that are now before your eyes, you have no alternative. To go down among the perishing crowds is your duty. Your happiness from now on will consist in sharing their misery, your ease in sharing their pain, your crown in helping them to bear their cross, and your heaven in going into the very jaws of hell to rescue them.

Now what will you do?

Lord, forgive me for times of self-absorption, for listening to the voices of the world and not Your beautiful, sweet voice calling me to jump. May my tears always be for them... the lost! In Jesus' name! AMEN!

A Recipe For Gossip?

Sorry this "recipe" is difficult to see. I tried and tried to make it larger and sharper, but with no success. If you click on the "recipe," it enlarges.

A fellow homeschooling mom, Sue the Study Hall Monitor, and I had a discussion on the destructive power of gossip last week. My friend found this "A Recipe For Gossip" and placed it in my mailbox at our homeschool co-operative.

Chances are many of you reading this post have been hurt by careless words spoken by loose tongues and heard by itching ears, but I exhort you (and myself) do not loose heart or become angry or bitter.

God has commanded us to pray for and bless our enemies. Here's why...Proverbs 18:21 warns us that we will eat the fruit of our words, and that fruit will either be life or death.

Jesus empower us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. Let our tongues be instruments calling forth life!!! In Jesus' name!!! Amen!

A special thank you to the WinePress Publishing Group for permitting me to post their "A Recipe For Gossip."

Consecrated

Consecrated's 18th birthday picture was taken by Auntie MA on Thanksgiving Day at Auntie JL's house. My son is officially a man!!! Wow, I can hardly believe it!!! Its sounds cliche, but very true...it seems like just yesterday I was holding him my arms as a newborn baby.

Consecrated has blessed me with wisdom beyond his years. A few years ago a potential job opportunity presented itself. I knew with home educating my boys I would not be able to work more than 16 hours a week. The part- time position quickly morphed into a full-time commitment prior to my interview. Because the job was my "dream" job, I continued on with the interview even though deep inside I knew there was no way I could handle a full-time job without compromising my sons' education.

I asked Consecrated to pray about the job position, and he wisely responded, "Mom, it's like algebra. A negative times a positive equals a negative. The job might be the right job (positive) but at the wrong time (negative) which would equal the wrong thing (negative)."

What a blessing to have this young man as my son!!!