.fully committed

Luke 9:23 - And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Following the Messiah and denying oneself daily is not an easy task. Surrender and sacrifice is never "fun", and yet..... it is worth it.

I was reading this week about a practice that was allowed by the church when the Knights of Templar would be baptized. A very weird practice. When one of the Knights would be baptized in the church, they would take their sword with them. They didn't bring their swords under the water, however. As they were immersed, they held their swords up in the air; that way their sword would be completely dry, and they would be completely soaked. It was a soldier's way of saying "I am a Christian, and God can have all of me.....but not this. Not this part." I couldn't help but think of today. How many Christians would be in that same situation, and instead of holding up a sword, they might take a remote control.....or a wallet....

The Bible defines the opposite. God specifically talks about complete and total surrender. No looking back.

Luke 9:61 -  Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Elisha in 1 Kings is a great example of this kind of commitment. Elijah was told to go select Elisha as his "successor," and at the time Elijah threw his cloak over Elisha's shoulders, Elisha was plowing in his field. But when he heard of his calling, "He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant."

He.slaughtered.his.oxen. For his neighbors to eat! It was a complete turn around, and he was running to be a bond slave for his Creator. I think the reason God is so adamant about us surrendering everything is because the one thing we are most reluctant to give up is the one thing that has the most potential to become a substitute for Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9 - "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

Matthew 23

Eight times in the Gospels, The Messiah called the Pharisees hypocrites.....to their faces.

 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in." {Matthew 23:13}

That word hypocrite comes from the ancient Greek classical theater, and those Greek actors were called hypocrites. One actor would often play many different characters, and for each character, that actor would use a different mask. It would be pretty easy to switch masks and become a "different" person to everyone watching....and that audience could get caught up on what people see on the outside, but it's just a mask.

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to His disciples: "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."

"Everything they do is for show." {matthew 23:1-3,5}

The problem that Jesus saw with these teachers was that what they were teaching wasn't a reflection of who they really were. And that is what true followers of Yeshua don't do.

.adoption

Long before He laid down the earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ (what pleasure He took in planning this!). He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son.              {Ephesians 1:4-6 The Message}

"When the [Roman] adoption was complete it was complete indeed. The person who had been adopted had all the rights of a legitimate son in his new family and completely lost all his rights in his old family. In the eyes of the law, he was a new person. So new was he that even all debts and obligations connected with his previous family were abolished as if they had never existed."          {William Barclay}

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come.

.words

This week, I read a statistic that I thought I would quickly share. "The average person speaks between 25,000 and 50,000 words every.single.day." Every day! At the end of the week, that would easily add up to be a book's worth of words. What if someone typed every word you said today? What if you read them back to yourself? Would you read words that you are proud of, words spoken out of anger, or words you would take back if you could?

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. (James 1:18-20)”

This week, lets think before we speak, and ask God to help us choose our 25,000 words wisely!

.Pruning

Matthew 7: 15-20"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits."

 The following is an expert from a book titled Purging your House, Pruning your Family Tree by Perry Stone. If you have time, it is soooo encouraging, and I know that you will enjoy reading it!

   Let's look at a simple process for pruning the tree. It is necessary to remove dead or fruitless branches from trees or vineyards. In a grape vineyard, the pruning process begins after the harvest and during the coldest months. It is done after the plants lose their foliage, which enables the vine dresser to see the branches needing removal from the vine. Trimming will stimulate growth prior to the spring.
   The grape vine is important in the Holy Land. Grapes are listed as one of the seven foods God promised to Israel (Deut. 8:8). The New Testament uses the analogy of the olive tree and the grafting process, comparing it to how a natural olive tree (Israel) received nourishment from the wild branches (Gentiles) that are grafted into the side of the natural tree. Christ called Himself the vine and said that we are the branches and must produce fruit. Any branch that is fruitless will be pruned from the vine so that the other branches will be fruitful (John 15:1-5).
   If you have witnessed God's blessing but presently see no answers to prayer, no results in your work, and feel rather cold in your spirit, you may be encountering a pruning process in which the Lord is dealing with your need to separate form certain habits, bad attitudes, and people. Once you are pruned, then strength will return to your vine. You will sense both mental and spiritual relief after you make the decision to separate from the things that are pulling you down!
    My wife once wrote an article for our magazine in which she shared a story related to her by her sister Shelia. Here is the original article:
       
                  Recently, my sister Shelia was a participant in a conference in California. During the conference there was an opportunity to tour a large, beautiful vineyard. It was what the tour director said that caught her undivided attention. It was a natural law that is parallel to a spiritual law in the Scriptures. She noticed that on some beautiful vines there were red tags marking certain branches.
     As the tour guide was explaining the details of a vineyard, he said, "I am sure many of you are wondering why some of the branches are marked with red tags." He then explained that these were the branches that were healthy, because they could produce leaves, but during the harvest time these branches did not produce fruit. They were marked while they had leaves on them, because once the leaves fell off, it would be impossible to tell which branches were good branches and which were fruitless branches.
     He stated that the branches with red rags would be severed from the vine. If these branches were not cut off, they would be detrimental to the entire vineyard. The branches that did not produce fruit would take the strength from the good vines, eventually killing the entire vine. The man said: "This branch is deceiving, because it looks like it is producing because of the leaves, but there is n fruit on it. The fruitless branch must be pruned, or it will sap the strength away from the other branches."

    Jesus taught us that He is the vine and we are the branches. If a branch does not produce fruit, it is cut off, or pruned, so that it will produce fruit.
     I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without  Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:5-6)
   Often it is a person's hidden sins or inner weights that will cut off the spiritual life that proceeds from God. Unforgiveness, strife, fear and doubt can actually shut off the blessings of the Lord from our lives. We must nip these carnal weaknesses in the bud. People tend to judge their own spirituality by the number of leaves they can count on their vine. However, it is fruit (of the Spirit) that the Lord is looking for in our lives, not just the show.
   The Bible says that we must "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor 7:1). Cleansing ourselves means we are to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us" (Heb 12:1). Instead of asking someone to pray for your personal problems or bad attitude, get out your clippers and start nipping away! We are told to lay aside the weight and to cleanse ourselves. Sometimes God is saying, "Throw the junk in your house in the trash, put filters on the Internet, and tell the cable man to take the X-rated channels off your tube." You choose how much fruit you want in your life. You choose what type of testimony will follow you. Prune off the dead branches so the living branches will grow and mature. The fruit that those whom you love will enjoy blossoming in your life will well be worth the effort!
    

"My God shall supply ALL your needs....."

I am not the best of writers. I would love to be able to easily express my thoughts through words – but it has always seemed to be laborious to me. I long to love writing as many of my dear friends do, and yet I have to struggle as I try to sound eloquent and educated.

Tonight I am in a ‘passionate, fire-y, I have to tell someone’ mood. God’s word is life to me – and there are special days that I get extra enthusiastic about a truth lesson that I have been learning. I know that I never really post on this blog, but I felt like I just HAD to somehow share my little devotion. I am not sure how many people come by and look at my scraps (especially because I am not consistent at all with my posts), but if you are reading this -  thanks for taking the time to listen to my small little sermon. =)

Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened”

James 5:16: “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Nahum 1:7:  “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him.”

Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

As I sit here with my Bible and my book, I am still soaking up the grace and blessing that God has overflowing from His Word. The lessons that I am still learning in Love 101 and The Basics of Prayer are endless, and I rarely seem to get an A in these “truth lessons” I am studying. Still, I am trying.

Below is an excerpt from Amy Carmichael. Out of all the women from history, she inspires me the most. =) And because I am reading her biography right now, I have a feeling that I might just be quoting her a lot more in the near future [though I cannot guarantee that I will be posting here again soon.] :

       Idle young ladies who like to do good will work sofa blankets, smoking caps, babies’ petticoats, and tea cosies…..They will entrap old men and young into buying just one ticket for the exquisite chimpanzee which some kind friend presented to aid us in the liquidation of our church debt (he was sick of the creature however, and glad to get rid of it)….Nobody will escape without being regularly besieged by gypsy women, Queen Elizabeths, Mary Queen of Scots, Robinson Crusoes, Robin Hoods, knights, pages, fools, apes and asses, just to buy this very cheap pincushion at 5/11, and this beautiful pair of slippers at L1.19.10, and this sweet baby doll with real petticoats at 19/6 – and nobody will escape our clutches without being pretty well fleeced – that I can honestly assure you. Oh yes! We shall get the money for our poor dear little church, and everybody will have the pleasing consciousness of having devoted themselves to the noble acuse of screwing, wheedling and extorting money out of a selfish thoughtless public – for the Cause of God! Ah, there is where a little congruity seems to come in. Let us fancy for a moment we are a band of Israelites who want to build a magnificent abode for the Mighty Presence to dwell in. We convene a committee…..Moses says, stroking his beard meditatively, “Ah, the people’s tastes must be considered, in the present state of society we cannot do otherwise, though of course it is not a desirable course to pursue.”

            “But brother,” remarks Aaron, “the Tabernacle must really have decent curtains, and if they are to be of goat’s hair they will cost quite a large sum of money, and then they must be embroidered….” Then Bezaleel speaks: “You speak, my brethren, as if nothing but the curtains should be considered, but there is a great amount of carving in wood and cutting in stones to be thought of and various curious things to be devised out of gold and silver and brass. These too will cost money.” There is a silence. Moses looks puzzled when in a very hesitating voice Aholiab says, “Have not we, Bezaleel, got both time and talent to devote to this work? Could we not spend and be spent in the service of the sanctuary?” But he is quite squashed by the head-shakings of the committee. Such a thing would never do. “What would become of our families if we worked for nothing? Really Aholiab should be ashamed of himself – such an idea!” etc. etc. Suddenly Moses’ face brightens. “Just what I remarked at first,” he says pleasantly, “In the present state of society we must conform a little to the world. We’ll have a Bazaar!”

            “Isn’t it a pretty picture – far superior to: “And they came both men and women as many as were willing-hearted, and brought bracelets and earings and tablets and jewels of gold, and every man that offered, offered an offering of gold unto the Lord.” [Ex 35:22] Three things we may notice:

First as many as were willing-hearted
Second brought their own possessions
Third unto the Lord.

            Now we give unto Mrs. So and So who wrote us a begging letter, or Miss So and So who called the other day with a collecting card and unfortunately we were in and could not get off without giving her something…..May there not be some clue to the money mystery in these thoughts, taking as our keynote three sentences, not very much believed in nowadays:

     “The silver and the gold is Mine.”
     “Ask, and ye shall receive.”
     “My God shall supply all your need.”

1. Is the work for which we want the money God’s chosen work for us, or our chosen work for Him? If the former, will not He see after the money necessary? If the latter, then how can we expect anything better than we have?

2. Can we expect a blessing to follow money given grudgingly?

3. Should we not see that our Root is right, before expecting flowers and fruit?

Pesach 2011

 The sights, smells and tastes of Pesach [Passover] in our home is always enjoyable. Getting ready for the Seder [order of service] normally looks something like this: Six adults in the kitchen laughing, talking, and occasionally screaming while cooking a gourmet meal for the 20+ guests invited. Sorta hectic, yet invigorating!

This year was a little different. Instead of Six in that kitchen, there were Four. And instead of the 20+ guests' impending arrival, there were 6 invited - and they were all related. =) I think we all missed the big crowd around our table, but a family Seder was way more special! Small and memorable, that’s they way it worked. ;) The Four besties were in charge of EVERYTHING Pesach this year; The boys were in charge of the Hagadah [lit: the telling], and the girls were captains of the kitchen and anything food related.

If you have never participated in a Passover Seder, YOU MUST do so! My relationship with God, my understanding of His Word, and my view of our Messiah has grown leaps and bounds by celebrating the same feast He did - the night He died on the cross. There is no way that I could ever describe all of the symbolism and meaning of this night: but I do encourage you to research it and study it!

And without further ado: The W Family Home: Pesach - Monday night 4/18/2011. The day before my amazing mother's 46th birthday!

Of course a Seder is not complete without LOTS of Kosher wine and Juice! Everyone has 4 cups. The Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Deliverance, the Cup of Redemption, and the Cup of Praise.  They represent the four expressions of deliverance promised by God in Exodus 6:6-7: "I will bring out," "I will deliver," "I will redeem," and "I will take."

This is the taste of Pesach. Zeroah [the lamb bone], Karpas [Parsley], Charoset [sweet apple mixture], Maror [bitter herbs. aka: horse-radish], and Salt water. Each tie into the amazing story of how the Israelites were brought out of Egypt.

For 7 days after Passover we eat nothing but unleavened bread - as commanded in Ex. 12:15-16.

^Isaiah 53: 4,5: "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace,and with His stripes we are healed."

The colorful table. ;D

Burning the Hametz [leaven - a representation of sin] outside before sundown!

My little Brootha with my amazing mother! I couldn't be more thankful for them both!

This is my Father - best best best example in the World, with my perrty sis!

Big Nic with me!

"Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe,                                                             The Four Questions....why is this night different?
 who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us
 to reach this season! "

Washing of our hands. I dedicate my hands to the Messiah, the hope of Glory, to serve Him only!

 

The leaders of the seder. =)

Remembering the 10 plages: Blood. Frogs. Gnats. Wild Beasts. Pestilence. Boils. Hail. Locusts. Darkness. Death of the First Born.

Horse-Radish! Gotta love the nose burning/bitter sensation of that veggie. EW! Take a look at those faces! :D

Our meal.

1. Cornish Hens in a tomato, apricot, cinnomon sauce.

2. Tabouli

3. Honeyed carrots and brussel sprouts

4. Spinach and basil mashed potatos

Dessert:
1. Chocolate Souflee
2. Home-made dipped Strawberries and
3. Chocolate Koser Marshmellows

 I love Tripods! The Fam - as of 4-18-2011!

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in Heaven" ^Matthew 5.

Chag Sameach!
**felicia

.knowledge

^Proverbs 9:10 "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. "

What is the definition of knowledge? If you were to define it.....what would you say? Most people would chime in something like: "Acknowledgement, grasp, comprehension, awareness, recognition" [and so on and so forth. You get the picture].

When I looked up that Hebrew word, though, the definition was quite different. "A sense of knowing by experience, relationship, or encounter." This new definition meant something very different.

The opposite of this knowledge is the moral, experiential knowledge of good and evil that was forbidden to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:9, 17.

As I cross referenced, I read some other convicting verses:

^Isaiah 5:13 "Therefore my people go into exile for their lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude is parched with thirst."

^Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being my priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, i also will forget your children."

^Isaiah 53:11 "As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge of the Righteous One, my Servant will justify many."

In other words, because of the Israelite's lack of experiencing/encountering the Holy One, they perished. May we always strive to see, hear, and experience our God. And it starts with Loving Him (Num 6:24-26), Obeying Him (John 14:15), and Reading His Word (Psalm 119). Carpe Diem!

some pictures.

Attention! I am taking a beginners photography class, and here is a couple pics that I have taken so far. PLEASE please comment and tell me what you think! The more feedback the better! Sofar, these are straight out of the camera....because I haven't learned beyond that yet. =) Enjoy!

update.

I have been very quiet lately, haven't I? Even I have noticed AND I missed blogging....but I knew that there would be times of extreme inconsistency! I hope to change that!

Anyway, what have I been up to the last 2 months? Well, January was filled with wisdom teeth pulling, out of town friends visiting, no working, starting a class about Photographing =), French, late night reading, and many face masks and peels. And February was filled with a TON load of school work and starting White Fence Farm back up, my parents 22 anniversary of being married, Breckenridge, snow, picture taking, embarrassing waitress stories, French, and much more that I won't mention.

I really want to give this blog a make-over and start blogging at least once a week, but lack of inspiration has pulled me back. But I really do hope to make this a more picture friendly place. So once I get more picture expertise under my belt, I think you can count on more updates to my family's where abouts and life in general.

That is one step below a promise!

....never fails

love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely; does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

Be Thou exalted over my reputation.

Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must fall into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream. ^A.W. Tozer

recently i have fallen in love with this peom. =) jimmy needham wrote it, and it comes from the quote above. he even reads it on his latest albumn (so go check it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a72yM5D2oSA it's only 2 minutes.)
 nightlights.
be thou exalted over my reputation,
'cause applause is a poor form of soul medication.
and I've tried it for years, but my symptoms remain:
still fretting the day that they'll misplace my name,
still selling my soul for american fame.
treating the promotion of Jesus like a well oiled machine,
advancing His kingdom just to snag some acclaim.
now, i'm both comforted and haunted that it isn't just me though.
i see a nation of people needing to feed their own egos,
parading status like steeples.
do we not know it's evil to love ourselves more than both God and His people?
but see, here's where you turn this poem on it's head,
'cause the greatest among us came as servant instead,
and You humbled Yourself to the point of Your death.
apparently love for the Father's glory runs red.
so friends, will we point to the Son till our own flames grow dim?
will our bright lights become merely night-lights near Him?
words echo once, let them echo again:
be Thou exalted over my reputation

innocent as doves

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

^Matthew 10:16

George Müller.

growing up, i loved the stories of faith that i read about a man - who lived in england- and cared for 10,024 orphans. this same man opened 117 schools that brought Christian education to over 120,000 children. he never made requests for financial support, nor did he go into debt; and still God allowed millions of dollars (equicalent of $150 M) to pass through his hands. through his prayer and example hundreds of thousands were led to the Lord, and he lived to be ninety-three years old. what was his 'key' to success? what brought this unwavering faith and security that drove away the fear and stress he probably could have been under?

^Phillipians 3:7-9
    "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him,"

Mr. Müller's faith in God was strengthened each day and he spent hours in prayer and Bible reading; and, in his later years, he read the entire Bible, cover to cover, four times every year. his prayer was 'legendary', and there are countless stories of modern day miracles, present day examples of God's strength. he prayed about anything and everything - and - expected each prayer to be answered. this courage was not out of pride or false trust, but of faith. it wasn't of a spoiled son who asked for what he wanted, but of a servant who's desires were exactly like his Master's. one who knew His heart well.

when he was asked about his faith, he said:

"I was converted in November of 1825, but I only came into the full surrender of the heart four years later, in July 1829. The love of money was gone, the love of place was gone, to love of position was gone, and the love of worldly pleasures and engagements was gone. God, god alone became my portion. I found my all in Him; I wanted nothing else. And by the grace of God this has remained, and has made me a happy man, and exceedingly happy man, and it led me to care only about the things of God. I ask affectionately, my beloved brethren, have you fully surrendered the heart to God, or is there this thing or that thing that which you have taken up irrespectively of God? I read a little of the scriptures before, but preferred other books; but since that time the revelation He has made of Himself has become unspeakably blessed to me, and I can say from my heart, God is an infinitely lovely Being. Oh, be not satisfied until in your own inmost soul you can say God is an infinitely lovely Bing!" [Man of Faith and Miracles by Basil Miller]

may i always surrender like that. may i always prefer Him. and may i always be a woman of prayer.

when asked about prayer: here are some of the things he said....

"I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.

"Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impressions. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

"I seek the will of the Spirit of God through or in connection with the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also.

"Next I take into account providential circumstances. These plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit.

"I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright.

"Thus through prayer to God, the study of the Word and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters and transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective."

My Father.

My Father.

today is my dad's birthday. he was born exactly 48 years ago. i always love how he is almost exactly 30 years older than i am (because i never have to think twice to remember how many wise years he owns).

i have an amazing papa - and i have come to repect and admire him a whole bunch. i can easily fill a book with all that he has taught me, his funny quirks, and his life experiences (and one day, maybe i will); but right now, i think i will just boast (or brag) a little with all this pride i feel. =)

my father loves God. he loves Him with all his heart, and you can tell when you watch him pray. you can also see it when he worships (often singing off key). ;) one day i want to capture that look, but many times it seems so reverent and too special to interrupt with the sound of a shutter.

my dad is a teacher. when 'my old man' (no offense!) has a passion for something, i want to be the first one to sit down and learn what he hast to say! if there were 2 words that would be his 'soundtrack'.....so to say....it would be Carpe Diem. seize the day. i was taught that seizing today starts with glorifying God, then is closly followed up with how i relate to my family, my friends, and even total strangers.

my papa is handsome! (...notice the exclamation point) and he is almost all mine. =D You see, i have to share him with 2 other girls here. Well - technically - he's my mom's. but she has to share....a little bit.

i can easily to on and on about his amazing adjectives. i feel so luck to be a daughter to a really amazing guy! i get to have my inbox filled an amazing quote, and i also get to see him serve on a regular basis. i get to be the one doubling over in laughter because of an impromptu song, and i also get to see him when he is grumpy with bed hair. ;) all in all = i am so thankful!

i pray that i grow to be as patient, funny, smart, creative, discerning, tactful, and as much of a leader as him. Gary Anthony Wayne. MY dad.

here is an email that he sent this month....so you all get to be inspired - in his own words. ;D enjoy!

~~~~

"Great minds have purpose, others have wishes."  -- Washington Irving, American Author

Gang,

Do you think you have “purpose” in your life? Do you have “wishes” that you hope will come true someday?

Ask yourself the following questions: “Am I living my life with purpose – actually intentionally living with certain actions & behaviors that I am in control of? Or am I living my life more as a general floating around without my direct control with hopes & wishes that might become reality some day if I get lucky?

Most of the world lives within the realm of the second question above. God wants us to live our lives each & every day with a “yes” answer to the first question above. We have the choice as to the mindset we want to implement – and when we implement the correct & godly mindset, then God has more active involvement in our lives and the Holy Spirit can move more powerfully. All we need to do is be open to God’s Spirit by intentionally inviting Him into our lives each day and having control over our emotions & our actions. If we align our actions with God’s commands, He will bless us and we will live a fuller & more abundant & peaceful life. If we live according to our emotions and we live more selfishly, then God will allow natural circumstances to pervade our lives and it will not be peaceful and it will not be in deep fellowship or communion with Him.

In other words, we will reap the life that we sow. So let’s plant seeds of purposeful thought. Seeds of actions & behaviors that God will be pleased with and that will honor Him. Seeds of living life with a definite purpose that great minds possess.

Are we living life or letting life happen to us?

Let’s have the mind of Yeshua. Let’s ask God to develop our minds into His purpose – a great purpose!

Love you all,


Papa

.my favorite quotes

i love quotes. every day i find myself jotting another one down into my 'quote book;' and i continue to look back occasionally just to feel that wow moment again. i think that my dad taught it to me, because - almost every day -  he sends a 'quote of the day'....and with each quote he writes a short, compact little devotion. in his folder i have over 200 emails, and the majority are those passion filled little paragraphs that i have come to love. =)  there are so many times that i don't know how to word things and find myself borrowing from some pretty amazing heros of mine. so here are just a couple that i love, and i'm sure that there will be many many more to come!

oh, and feel free to comment with some of your fav. quotes, too. =)


"Take this rule: whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things; in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself." ^Susanna Wesley

"One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving." -Amy Carmichael

"The nature of Christ's salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior from hell rather than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of Fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness." ^A.W. Pink

“Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord.” ^Francis Drake

"Carnal Christians profess Christ as their redeemer but their actions and decisions are for the sake of their own interests and who they are in themselves rather than God's interests and who He is. Their minds are still the workshops of the devil, for he can persuade countless numbers of professing Christians to try to be Christians without Christ." ^Ian Thomas

"Loneliness is a required course for leadership." ^Elisabeth Elliot

"American Christians have fallen for a counterfeit peace and joy. Instead of going to God and understanding experientially that in His presence is the fullness of joy we go to Hollywood, we go to the music industry, we go to professional sports - and that's where we get our rush and our sense of fulfillment." ^Leonard Ravenhill

"All your circumstances are in the hand of God, therefore never think it strange concerning the circumstances you are in. Your part in intercessory prayer is not to enter into the agony of intercession, but to utilize the common-sense circumstances God puts you in, and the common-sense people He puts you amongst by His providence, to bring them before God's throne and give the Spirit in you a chance to intercede for them. In this way God is going to sweep the whole world with His saints." ^Oswald chambers

I truly believe that when God says no its always because there is a greater yes in the future.

"Follow Me beyond what you can control, beyond where your own strength and competencies can take you, and beyond what is affirmed and risked by the crowd, and you will experience ME, and My power, and My wisdom, and My love." ^Gary a Haugen

"Books are missionaries, they work even while you are sleeping." ^Marlyn Hickey

"God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me...That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave." ^General Thomas ''Stonewall'' Jackson

"It is a safe thing to trust God with the desires of your heart, because they are the desires He has created." ^Amy Carmichael

"A pure heart is one to which all that is not of God is strange and jarring" ^Tauler

"What is the secret of great living? Entire separation to Christ and devotion to Him. Thus speaks every man and woman whose life has made more than a passing flicker in the spiritual realm. It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts." ^Amy Carmichael

"The preoccupations of young women don't seem to change much from generation to generation. But in every generation there see to be a few who make other choices." ^Elisabeth Elliot

"When we deliberately choose to obey God, He will tax the remotest star and the last grain of sand to assist us with all His almighty power." ^Oswald Chambers

“I have rightfully no other business each day but to do God’s work as a servant, constantly regarding His pleasure. May I have grace to live above every human motive, simply with God and to God.” ^Henry Martyn (missionary to India)

“God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks to our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” ^C.S. Lewis

Let's Part the Clouds and Show the World the Son!

Valerie introduced me to a new song this week. I can say that at this moment, right now, at 7:03pm October 9, 2010 - it is my favorite song. ;) So I thought I would right to share it with you! Why not, right?

*inspirationsal music*

Anyway. This song's lyrics are - simply put - "BRILLIANT" (quoting valerie).  So listen and read the lyrics. Then tell me what you think! :D

Signing out from Breckenridge!!! IT IS SO PRETTY HERE!

I like, like to be liked
And no one likes to hear the truth
And I've seen what the truth can do
So I tried, tried to downsize
The part of You that's hard to tell
But the layoff didn't go so well
Beat around the burning bush
Till that fire went away
God was once so palpable
Before the shades of gray

We might as well just fold our hands
If we can't call a spade a spade
Cuz we will miss the heart each time
If we won't ever shoot them straight
These pleasantries shading me and you too
Let's part the clouds
And show the world the Son

We think, think we are helping
By giving You a little flare
But it doesn't matter what You wear
Cuz runways aren't Your forte
You prefer the narrow road
Even though its not en vogue
The gospel looked so very cold
One night as I passed by
So I gave him my best sugar coat
And dressed it in a lie
We might as well just fold our hands
If we can't call a spade a spade
Cuz we will miss the heart each time
If we won't ever shoot them straight
These pleasantries shading me and you too
Let's part the clouds
And show the world the Son
Oh, Oh, Whoa

This living water will not quench us
If its watered down
Its not our place to hide again
This treasure that we've found

We might as well just fold our hands
If we can't call a spade a spade
Cuz we will miss the heart each time
If we won't ever shoot them straight
These pleasantries shading me and you too
Let's part the clouds
And show the world the Son

L'Shanah Tovah!

Rosh HaShanah is coming! It is crazy how time has flown by. It's September! This time of year always brings a smile to my face. :D All the memories every year come back, and I just can't help it! There is 1 short week left until our family celebrates the "Feast of Trumpets" and wish everyone a good year. I am so excited!!!!!

       When we wish each other a Shanah Tovah, a good year, we think of the Hebrew word shanah, or year, and extend greetings for a good year. But the Hebrew root - shin, nun, heh - has another meaning as well, from the verb le-shanot, to change. Further, the same root - shin nun heh - also denotes repetition, as in the name of the fifth book of the Torah, Mishneh Torah, the repetition of the Torah.
        In other words, a shanah tovah, a good year, is a year of le-shanot, of change, of doing things differently and better. And it also denotes a year of repetition, of relearning all the old lessons that our tradition of truth and wisdom has been teaching us for many centuries.
       Shanah is a unique word. And may the new shanah be a unique year, one in which there is both repetition of the old, and change for the better. ~Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins

Cute Ciddos! ;)

Last night I had the wonderful privilege of babysitting. I LOVE BABYSITTING! I always have and always will. Taking their pictures are almost just as fun. To capture the smiles and bundles of joy in a second is what makes me smile....and sometimes laugh! One of the little girls last night told me that when she grew up she wants to be a babysitter. How true is that? I giggled and gave her my consent on such a fabulous choice. =]

Bless His Holy Name

*The soul of every living being shall bless Your Name, Hashem, our God; the spirit of all flesh shall always florify  and exalt Your remembrance, our King. From This World to the World to Come, You are God, and other than You we have no king, redeemer or savior. Liberator, Rescuer, Sustainer, and Merciful One in every time of distress and anguish we have no king but You! - God of the first and of the last, God of all creatures, Master of all generations, Who is extolled through a multitude of praises, Who guides His world with kindness and His creatures with mercy. HaShem neither slumbers nor sleeps. He Who rouses the sleepers and awakens the slumberers, Who makes the mute speak and releases the bound; Who supports the fallen and straightens the bent. To You alone we give thanks. Were our mouth as full of song as the sea, and our tongue as full of joyous song as its multitude of waves, and our lips as full of praise as the breadth of the heavens, and our eyes as brilliant as the sun and the moon, and our hands as outspread as eagles of the sky and our feet as swift as deer - we still could not thank You sufficiently, HaShem, our God and God of our forefathers, and to bless Your Name for even one of the thousand thousand, thousands of thousands, and myriad myriads of favors that You performed for our ancestors and for us. You redeemed us from Egypt, HaShem, our God, and liberated us from the house of bondage. In famine You nourished us and in plenty You sustained us. From sword You saved us; from plague You let us escape; and from severe and enduring diseases You spared us. Until now Your mercy has helped us, and Your kindness has not forsaken us. Do not abandon us, HaShem, our God forever. Therefore, the organs that You set within us, and the spirit and sould that You breathed into our nostrils, and the tongue that You placed in our mouthe - all of them shall thank and bless, praise and glorify, exalt and revere, sanctify, and declare the sovereignty of Your Name, our King. For every mouth shall offer thanks to You; every tongue shall cow allegiance to You; every knee shall bend to You; every erect spine shall prostrate itself before You; all hearts shall fear You, and all innermost feelings and thoughts shall sing praises to Your Name, as it is written: "All my bones shall say: 'HaShem, who is like you?' You save the poor man from one stronger than he, the poor and destitute from one who would rob him." Who is like unto You? Who is equal to You? Who can be compared to You? O great, mighty. and awesome God, the supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth. We shall laud, praise, and florify You and bless Your holy Name, as it is said: "Of David: Bless HaShem, O my sould, and let all my innermost being bless His holy Name!"

*A prayer from the Sidur read every Shabbos! ;) Isn't it pretty????