You heard it! ...now... Go Tell it!!

Such an ambition song... its always been sung many different ways.  But the words are good to hear as a reminder.... "go tell IT on the MOUNTAIN"

"That JESUS CHRIST is BORN"

Why is this good news worth telling?? A savior has been brought TO us, THE WAY has come so we might unite once again with our CREATOR..

HOW AWESOME and WONDER IS THAT!

traditions: Christmas time

Christmas is just around the corner, well for some people anyway.  A lot of families celebrate it early or later depending on their traditions and/or the people and places to see.

Some of you might be heavy on the santa theme and light on the nativity story... or vise versa

My family tradition growing up was heavy on the santa, and we had a figurine we set up of the nativity, and I think here and there we would try to go to church for Christmas (kind of like Easter).  Christmas Eve would be a day of small treats and snack food to partake throughout the day...family starts showing up at my grandmother's house, and by the time everyone has arrived...we all sit in the tiny living room of about 15 people or so, and unwrap presents.  On occasion here and there, my sister would dress like santa's helper (with me on occasion being "her helper") and we would pass out everyone's presents to them.  After gifts everyone goes home

Then at night my sister and I would put out oatmeal cookies (maybe fudge) and some coffee for santa and go straight to bed "trying to sleep", then by 3 or 4am my sister and I would be up again and see what santa brought us under the tree and on occasion lay under the tree afterwards. 

Once the real daytime came on Christmas Day, my grandmother would be awake asking, "What did santa bring you girls?" and we would show he in detail all the "cool and wonderful things", then later on in the day then the rest of the family would start trickling in one by one to come see what santa brought them (since it was the grandmother's house he brought the whole family stuff and left it there).  Then we would all have our Christmas Dinner (lunch...or whenever my grandmother would say "It's time to eat").

After that we would play with all our toys and hug our family and talk and drink coffee. :D

Tradition:  this is an important thing.  It establishes a memory to revisit each time, an even to remember through routine celebration... just like I talked about smells in my previous blog, it triggers and understanding of the celebration time.

So what's your tradition?

The Smell of Christmas

sniff
sniff
hmm..

"is that?..... fudge you're making Nanny?" 
"Yes, its time to start making it" she says as she stirs constantly with a wooden spoon, making sure the chocolate is nice and smooth
mmm..

Growing up, I remember, smelling certain smells that would trigger the "holiday spirit"
The Hot Apple Cider would remind me of a cold hayride I took once
The hot coco in the freezing air reminded me of Christmas Caroling with my youth group
Fudge brewing in the kitchen reminded me of "Nanny's" giving heart (making treats for EVERYONE)

If I were to imagine these smells right now, it would take me back to remembrance of Christmas.
...to remember it
...to celebrate it
...to not forget about the spirit of giving
...to not forget about my Emmanuel- God with us

Do you have specific smells that remind you of a particular Christmas memory or essence?

Please share:

Hallelujah!

This video is amazing!  Already to say that the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah is Majestic!  But to see the reactions on everyday people's faces:  that is the beautiful thing.

The response of God's reputation proclaimed

Gift Giving

So I know that Gifts is not what Christmas is all about but...

The cool thing about shopping for gifts brings out a character that we tend to put on the backshelf during the rest of the year.  GIVING.

I must be honest and say that christmas shopping can be stressful, due to crowds of people, or the fact that you just don't know what to get "so-and-so" for chirstmas.... maybe just a gift card.

But the effort to sit and think of others and what they like, and what they ARE like, brings the side effects of compassion and putting others first.  And while this is still focusing on gift giving, there is a particular story that I love during this time of year called "The Gift of the Magi"

Its a story of giving a gift that sacrifices one's own best to give to the other.

In a sense, GOD did that for us.  Continue to dwell on others, and to think about the FATHER's love for us and what HE gave.

childlike setting for Christmas

The Lord has always encouraged us to have faith like a child... Trust and Obey
He also tells us to grow with a discerning heart and a strong faith. 

Before I would know the Saviour, I put a lot of effort and excitement towards Christmas, leaving out the oatmeal cookies and coffee for Santa, waking up early the next morning to see what he brought.  As I started a new life in Christ, some things at Christmas weren't lining up.

I had to grow into a discerning heart very quickly... I challenge you to set your traditions and faith before you, and establish them into your family to the best you can to Glorify Christ....

But as a grown up now, I still get excited, and wake up EXTREMELY EARLY, and feel like a kid at heard during this time.

Here are a few recommendations for you and/or your children to help explain Christmas and where it all started. :D

How Many Kings

This Song is so good to ponder on.

When the COLD comes

Just the other day it snowed here in Texas, enough to cover the windshield of the car, and then melted when the sun came up.  We rejoiced in it though it doesn't compare to what I experience in Moscow, RU.

THAT WAS SNOW!! :)

Something interesting about snow that some don't think about is the fact that it works as an insulator, or a blanket.  While the winter may seem like a harsh one, the snow that comes with it is a protector for the ground from the freezing temporatures.

walking area near Kremlin (Moscow,RU) early spring

In Russia, while the fall had not yet seen snow, the city workers rushed around to get bulbs planted in the ground...then when the snow came and blanketed them from the major cold, spring would come and the Tulips with their vibrant colors would burst forth through the snow while it was still melting!

You know where I'm going with this?

The Lord sends times like this in your life to make you bundle up in His stillness and be protected and close to Him, and strengthened and then burst forth with all your colors when "spring" comes.

Under The Christmas Tree

As a kid I loved spending my time gazing at the Christmas  tree and occasionally laying under the tree looking up into it with all the twinkling lights. 

Time disappeared
Cares disappeared
Space around disappeared

All there was was me and those lights
Some would stay their same strength of glow, while others dances to "Angels We Have Heard on High", and some just twinkled like stars in the wintry night.

And my imagination would have me travel through different worlds of thought.

At one point I would imagine what it would be like in a sleigh ride through the countryside with snowmen waving at me and passing by carolers...

Then I would imagine being at the North Pole in Santa's workshop with all the elves and the laughter and the magical reindeer

And I remembered the little figurine manger we would set up and imagined myself there in the barn with the baby... and with the wise men traveling...and the angels singing in the sky...and I have to catch my breathe ..because this is a mystery and a wonder I know not of ..yet... but it seems so beautiful.

And as a child I continued to imagine all these things each year, until one year I started going to church and hear about this story that was REAL.. the birth of a Savior,...and my focal point became more and more clear when I would gaze upon the lights of the tree. And my heart for imagination would take me soaring with the lights.. really trying to picture the glory that the shepherds saw that AWESOME NIGHT!

O Come (Poem inspired by classic Hymn: O Come, O Come Immanuel)

O Come Sweet Saviour
O Come Immanuel
come live among us
God WITH us
come please come

my heart is beating with the rhythm of history

It beats
like a song building up to the climax of the greatest thing
that you will bring
and I will sing

and REJOICE!
for my choice
will be YOU forevermore.


By: Jamie Cook

The Standard: Truth and Compassion

Some friends and I were discussing in a bible study about the difference between the TOLERANCE and the VALIDATION of other religions (with the thinking that what you believe is the TRUTH).

I say we should set the standard, while leaving room for compassion.

The next question is... WHAT IS THE STANDARD?
The answer to that is found in that book on the shelf with dust on it that says "Bible" or the one that we hold in our hand but rarely open.  That is the Standard.  When we read it and read it some more, we will find the standard, the TRUTH.

The second thing you have are events in your life that whisper, and sing, and shout out WHO GOD IS.

With those two things hand-in-hand how could I deny HIM?  But still people do. So now we go back to the question at the beginning:  What's the difference between tolerance and validation of other religions?

While having the responsibility to set the standard (expressing the VALIDATION of TRUTH), Compassion is mandatory to TOLERATE other "proclaimed truths"  I have to say when I hear the word tolerate it makes me think of myself as being lazy and simply leaving them alone and saying "its okay to worship your gods too", but COMPASSION changes everything.  Compassion reaches out with the earnest heart for sharing the TRUTH while exercising PATIENCE.

I was sharing with my friends with a picture example:

picture by Jamie Cook

You have a man standing in the distance and he is to choose his wife from a crowd of ladies.  If the one lady destroyed all the others around her, the man would have no other choice but to choose her, but if she displays her elegance and beautiful and captivating manners and moral standings and her inner strength and light, then she will outshine all the others in the crowd, and therefore she will be chosen from him seeing the truth.

We should be like that woman in the crowd.. to show others (the gentleman and women) what true beauty is, then we are showing the other ladies (other religions) the WAY without destroying, and winning over the man (the lost) without force.

Under Construction

For my viewers, there are a few updates that are going to happen to this blog its going "UNDER CONSTRUCTION".  I'm in the process of trying to become more consistent with entries for you guys.  The idea is to have a post for each category once a week. i.e.

Monday:  Artist's Reflections

This category covers an expression of a topic, event, opinion, etc through poetry, pictures, and videos.  This is a time for you to reflect.  Treat it as your weekly visit to the "museum" or "concert" or your "library"  Relax and enjoy!

Wednesday:  Barefoot Child

We must always conclude that thinking like a child is so much fun!  There is a sense of innocence, adventure, and childlike faith that doesn't let the world bog us down.  This category takes you to that childhood through personal stories, or reminders of things we did when we were a child, playing in the dirt and making mud pies.

Friday:  Bring it Home

With Life being so big, "In My Backyard" its  brought "Home" to the basics and to the intimacy of our very souls.  Where does your heart reside?  Where do you take a stand in those big decisions in life this will hopefully help you drive HOME your thoughts, opinions, and ways of doing things, and take your place in the idea of INTEGRITY and change this world one decision at a time.

I am sorry for my sporadic postings in the past.. as of now this will change.  I just recently started another blog along side this called "On a Mission", discussing and dissecting the idea of what missions and missionaries are all about.  That blog is under construction as well. 

 Look for me within the month of November or the beginning of December.  I will see you again soon "In My Backyard: barefoot in the grass bringing to heart what the BIG world is"

Butterflies in the City

roll out of bed

turn off alarm

feed cat

make coffee

drink coffee while applying make-up

get dressed

sip on coffee

brush teeth

grab purse

lock door

hurry up...

meander through parking lot of apartment

verbally coach traffic around me

rush to switch lanes

impatiently wait for light to turn green

slam on breaks

press on gas

switch lanes again

wait a while to turn into work's parking lot

Finally park

gather purse and keys

slam door

AND THE FIRST THING I SEE when I look up

is a

BUTTERFLY

fluttering about in a frolic above me

so gentle

no rush

no fuss

no schedule

so beautiful

so meek

and I'm reminded of God's beauty in the midst of chaos.

And I breathe in that moment and take my time walking into my workplace

A beautiful creature

for a beautiful reminder

God in the midst of chaos is like Butterflies in the City

On a Mission: Thinking about Death, Life...

On a Mission: Thinking about Death, Life...: (Archive Journal Entry: Russia 09/09/06) There are these times when I find myself thinking about death. Like a little child, we don't wan...

Every Season

This has always been a touching song for me to hear, and always a good reminder as the seasons change.  Also here are the words to reflect on. 

ENJOY!

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

Christians religiously rebelling

Trying to fit in during middle school on was hard to do... I remember being watched by every eye to see if I would join in on the "cussing"... simple thing... but the temptation to do it was there, and the eagerness to fit in was wanted... and to be honest, I joined in a time or two.

When I became a "new creation", a child of God saved by His grace,...things changed.  I started understanding that I couldn't be what I was before.  The lifestyle wasn't easy... trying to say something good about somebody instead of trash talking them and tearing down their character, was very challenging... I started to realize that it was not so bad if I asked for help from the Holy Spirit (my saviour).

Being set apart, being holy, would not be easy in the coming years, it would only get more difficult and challenging...which would urge me to lean more and more on my Jesus for strength and help.

But now... I see it is most difficult to set ourselves apart, to be holy, when we are surrounded by believers, with no challenge.  Its as if we are hungry for social entertainment:  we grow closer and closer to wanting to be "like the world".  Its as if we are setting our journey out to make peace with division among Christians and worldly ways by "religiously rebelling" against our own teachings... because we have a small understanding that we are FREE, but this is what Paul says:

"Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.  But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble."  -1 Corinthians 8:8-13

So we are free to do many things, but we don't want to cause another to stumble and grow week from not understanding.  And especially an unbeliever.

What is your weakness when around others, that's easy to fall into?

I'll make a list of examples: (and I even fall under some of these categories)
1.  Gossip
2.  Bragging about your vices
3.  pushing to see how "bad" you can be while still being "good"

???

Let your standard be set high, and stop trying to always be cool... or fit in... or be accepted by the crowds.. you are not of this world, but a sojourner.  You have found the reason for truly living and are out now to set the example to others on how to find, accept, and live this same truth.

JUST SAY NO

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

FLEE FROM TEMPTATION

** Find a motto to follow and hold yourself (and here's the tricky part) and others ACCOUNTABLE.

simple

"Searching the Soul" by: Jamie Cook

I just wanna run away

find a place were I can pray

To flee from the peoples

and their scruples

I just wanna hide

with you beside

and dig in your word

study Your ways

clean my heart out

give you praise

I just wanna get back to the basics

to a little girl that I was

asking a simple question

who are you God?

why am I here?

and God answers me

"I am that I am"

"You were designed for me"

simple:  I understand

I love You my Beloved Saviour

and I desire to live for You.

and I want to share this great love with others

SIMPLE

...singing with the radio...

I love those moments when I'm in my car on my way to work and I'm at a stoplight and I look over to the left of me.  There is a mom belting out the words to a song, probably a love song or some country song... something mid-tempo to the looks of it, and a meaningful song frong the looks of her expression.

I look to the left of me and there is this young man maybe 16 or 17, and He reclined back some in his seat, cap to the side, and nodding his head to the beat of his heavy base music.

I look in my rearview mirror and see a car full of college kids, dancing and singing to what looks like some rock n' roll. 

This made me think of all the things we sing to on the radio.  Its fun... it passes the time... its entertainment... here is the challenge... have you ever sang a song directly to someone with the words ment actually for them, or a song where when you sang it, you meant what you said?  This hit me one day when I was cleaning my house and playing some 80's music, and Michael Jackson's song "Man in the Mirror" started playing, as I was cleaning I started singing the words to it and yes...sure enough I came across a mirror (perfect timing I know :D ) and realized the realness of this song...and I thought twice about the words I was singing.  I ment what I was singing.

Now here is another challenge:  If you have ever attended a church, or go regularly, or have sang a song in your car where it is about God, have you ever focused on singing that straight to the VERY CREATOR HIMSELF...the God of the universe and the One Who shaped your very being?  Its gets personal really quick. 

I haven't alway gone to church my whole life... but when I started going, and I understood what it was to have a personal relationship with the Lord, my understanding of "HYMNS" and other "church songs" gained a whole other meaning.  One song that is old but very special to my heart is the song "I EXALT THEE".. you should look up those words and sing that personally to HIM... its beautiful.

So the ultimate challenge is:  when you sing a song... think about the audience its directed towards and then sing it in a whole new light.  I leave you with the "Man in the Mirror"

Rob Bell, Francis Chan, and the rest of them

There is a man named Rob Bell who is a pastor at Mars Hill Church in Michigan.  He has come out with many books and has taught in a short film format called NOOMA.  I have seen some of his NOOMA videos and they are pretty good... they capture your attention from a different perspective.

Well not too long ago, He came out with a book called "Love Wins", it raised big contraversy amungst "believers" and "non-believers".  His topic was the issue of Hell, and if there really is one.  His topic was also with the idea that God will take everyone in the "end" even if they reject him. 

This was a reality hit for me that I can't just go to a store pick up a book and trust that it is right.  Most of the time, if we really admit it, there have been times we put our guard down and read something with full trust that it is correct.  Spite the comments from the masses concerning his book "Love Wins", I decided to read it myself and make my own decision instead of the crowd making it for me.


So I started to read, and there was a bump in the road that kept me from speeding through it.  Bell's demeaner was very arrogant, rebellious, and confusing (might I remind you that I still love many of his lessons that I have encountered).  I had to stop many times and research what he was writing, and finding out some things referenced were not correct, though he does pose some good challenging  questions. But his attitude towards the more concservative side of "believers" was like a smack in the face.  Thats when I lost all respect.  I say, if he wants to "win" me over with his book, his choice of words have to persuade me, not leave a bad taste in my mouth. And with that, I still think its okay to be BLUNT and REAL, but as the saying goes, "you can catch more flies with honey, than with vinagar"

Putting aside the manners of his book, He starts to dig into some good topics, but doesn't get anywhere with a conclusion or get a point across.  He leaves you confused.  Honestly I could go on about his book for a while, but that is not what I'm trying to bring home.

I'm trying to point out that we can't put our trust in every author's book.  REALITY CHECK:  they are just as human as you, and just as human as me... not perfect, full of mistakes, sometimes full of ourselves, sometimes thinking we are without fault, and our nature is to always have our own 2 cents to put into a topic or conversation.

Francis Chan has just this past week came out with a book called, "Erasing Hell", to argue against some ideas that Rob Bell has put out there.  I have not read it yet, but I recommend you maybe reading both and pray for WISDOM when "ideas", "issues", "concerns" come to your thoughts and trouble your belief. 

In all things (including, reading books) Seek the Lord with all your heart, ask for His wisdom and He shall give it to you.

Beat the Crowd

The other day I went through the McDonald's drive thru to get some breakfast at 6:00am.  As I was waiting at the window to receive my bag of food, I looked and in the distancne there were a couple of guys having some coffee at a table just chatting away... and that made me think back on the days when I would get somewhere where the crowds had not come yet or the rush hour was hours away..and that feeling of being ahead to have a peaceful moment ...it was a nice feeling.

I get that feeling when the retail store or grocery store has just opened and I'm the first to walk in and they greet me with a fresh, crisp, new "hello" along with a morning smile.  I love that feeling.

Usually I like to sleep in just a little... but when I was at youth camp, I would love to wake up at 6:00am and take a walk on the trail before the camp was loud with teenagers...and where the dew was shimmering all over the path and the leaves..and the sun was just starting to tease its rays over the mountians and the only noise you could hear are the tree frogs and forest birds of various types. - it was refreshing.

And this reminds me that my Lord and Master loves that very thing.  He loves to meet with me first in the morning before the "crowds"...before the "rush hour" of the day comes my way.  That way we get that FRESH, CRISP, NEW communion with God each day...along with that genuine "SMILE OF THE HEART"

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" Lamentations 3: 22-23

My Heart

My heart, my heart
its not perfect Lord
I've collected a clutter
yes..  I hord

Welcome home
I know its a mess
but with you here now
now I confess

And when I confess
my heart starts to be
fresher, cleaner
a brand new me

The cobwebs are cleared
Lord you start to sweep
the floors, the ceilings
chaos piled in one heap

your peace flows in
I can breathe again
my selfish ways
were trying to sneek back in

Kick off your shoes
let me wash your feet
can I get you some ice tea
something to eat?

Make yourself at home
I never want you to leave
you remind me of your promises
that bring me to ease

My heart it welcomes you
but my old nature is very rude
its selfish and has no manners
it wants priority over you

But help me be like you
help me see whats right
help this heart of mine
put up a good fight

A fight for what is right
a love showing the true you
a plan that is bigger than just me
A heart meant to worship you.

Standing in the Card Isle

As I was standing in the card isle I wondered....what could be going through people's minds as they are getting a card.  and more specifically for holidays like "Father's Day"

"should I get him a funny one?"
"...too mushy"
"we're not that close"
"what can I get for my father-in-law, that will have just the right words"
"my son and I are not on best of terms but this is his first child, what card will fit?"
"I don't talk to my dad, but maybe a card might shorten the gap..."
"This one's perfect!"

I will share a little bit about me so you might be able to relate or at least get something from the post on a more personal level.  Not too much detail going into this, but I've never known my dad.  I remember meeting him once as a child but didn't make the connection that he was my dad.  It wasn't until my senior year in college that I started writing letters back and forth with him.  My grandmother has raised me and my mom close by.  My mom remarried when I was a senior in highschool.  And so I have a step father.  Both I love, and I appriciate things about them...  but the ultimate figure I've always looked up to as a father has been my Heaveanly Father. 

So when I was on that isle today looking at cards, I was thinking:
"....oh this one's nice... (for my step father)... but it says dad, and I don't call him dad..... ooo... this one's nice....no.... too mushy.... grrr... I can't find a simple happy father's day card.... I want to tell him I appriciate him ... not that classic hallmark novel card...... guess I'll have to make him one... now to my (father).. .... hmm... all these talk about growing up together.... nope these aren't going to work... this one talks about how he's been there for me.... not going to work... guess I'll make them both a card"

Conclusion:  I am making them both a card- hand made is better anyway.

My point is that you never know what is going through ones mind when they are purchasing a card on the card isle.  Be sensitive to them. you've got the careless ones , and you've got the ones who will use the card as one of their most powerful tools of communication.

second point:  whether you celebrate fathersday or not.... the Creator of you is also FATHER to you.

That moment of Turning

Should I go?
Should I not?
Should I wait?
Should I not?

What will they say?
What will they think?
What will they do?
What will they conclude?

Why do I wait?
Why don't I choose?
Why do I linger?
Am I afraid to loose?

What have I got to loose here?
Its all gain from here on out
What am I waiting for?
I need to kill this doubt.

Here I go
I'm laying it down
my life is nothing without YOU

Forgive me
take me
make me
...something new

reshape me
rescue me
save me from my selfishness

Bring me to the place
Where its all about YOU
and I live
for YOU
because
its all about
YOU

and so my heart steps out
and pivots away from the path of defeat
and onward I turn to the path of YOU

and this moment of turning
so hard to come to
has great peace afterwards
because I rest in YOU.

Tough question.

Are there moments in life when you sit and ponder questions like...
What should I conclude with capital punishment?
What about Abortion?
Women in Ministry?
Does the Creator save all?

Tough questions that make you... cringe to have to face and think about.

I have a blog friend who is confronting these issues on their blog right now.  A series called  CHRISTIANITY THAT MAKES ME CRINGE (see following link for one of the posts): http://www.thescandal.org/2011/05/christianity-that-makes-me-cringe-women.html

I'm not say that their opinion is fact and is  agreeable or disagreeable... but these are questions that might pop up in your life and what do you conclude to?  Do you take the popular vote? Do you go with what the friend next to you says so you don't get flogged? 

Here are a few Survival Tips for Tough questions:
1.  Always ask questions and test all things (Acts 17:11-12; James 1: 2-3; 1Thess. 5:21-24)
2.  Ask for wisdom from the Lord (Proverbs 3: 5-6; James 1:5-6; Psalm 32:8)
3.  Pray for peace in the things you don't understand (Philippians 4: 6-7)
4.  Seek Scriptures (not out of context) (Colossians 3:16; Proverbs 2:1-7)
5.  Seek council, and give room for correction (Psalm 19:20; Proverbs 1:5)
6.  Grow forward: learn, apply wisdom and seek for more wisdom (Romans 12:2; James 1: 2-4)

Check out http://www.thescandal.org/ and comment on their blog your ideas, opinions, insights, help out all who are seeking these questions... I might even touch on these great questions in the near future on my blog.  DON'T FORGET YOUR SURVIVAL TIPS... you don't want to stumble or cause another to stumble.. stay strong my friends.

Pay to Pray

At work today I came across some friends I haven't seen since college and the guy was sharing with me his trip to Thailand.  Him and 5 other guys went there to teach basketball and about the Lord. I asked him what he thought was interesting or different:  He said that while he was there he noticed people would pay to visit a temple to pray to a rock.  "And here we are, and we get to pray for free" he said.  ....wow.

He had a point.  We have a freedom here!  which "we" am I talking about?  I am talking about those who have said YES to the Lord Jesus Christ and have trusted their lives over to HIM.  if you are that "we"  you are free to call upon the Lord.  You don't have to pay to go into a temple to pray.  You don't even have to go into a temple to PRAY!  your body is the temple! 

I tell kids all the time, its like calling God on a cell phone... He's only a speed dial number away..and He's already got His ear to the phone ready for your call.  No phone phone bills, no phone cards to buy.. its free.  How beautiful to think of this freedom we hold... to talk to the CREATOR..the one who SHAPED THE HEAVENS and breathed life into everything!! wow.!

So I share with you and hope you share with others especially those who "pay" to "pray"...that they can call TOLL FREE

You Whisper to Me with Thunder

You whisper to me with Thunder

You calm me with Your breeze

You remind me of your wonder

through lightening and its mysteries

You whispter to me with sunsets

You calm me with Your hues

You remind me of your beauty

through sliver linings with contrasts of blue

You whisper to me with seasons

You calm me with your flowers

You remind me of having hope

their changes display Your Power

You whisper to me with tradgeties

You calm me with a hug and tear

You remind me of Your Victory

Death where's your sting, no Fear!

“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalm 46:10)

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.  For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
(Isaiah 30:18)

What do You think about?

Often I share on this blog what my motto says:  ...Barefoot in the grass... bringing to heart what the Big World is

My mission is just that, at least strive with the best of my abilities. Often I share things that strike my curiousity, concerns, and compassion..

BUT  for this post I want to see what the audience wants.  I want to know what you think about?...what things do you think about often, questions you ponder, things that touch your heart..

Any suggestions?  and I might blog on those topics.. please share, post on here or on the link to this site via my facebook page.

Listening to your thoughts with big ears and still barefeet in the grass :D

Wal-Mart Flowers

As I got off of work ( a busy day at work) I stopped by Wal-Mart to get a couple of things and was going to be on my way out.  ..

 

... But I found myself wandering over to the Garden section of Wal-Mart, and thought, "why, not.." so I meandered over to the greenhouse area and as soon as I entered, its like the world stood still... there was no time, no schedule, no deadlines, no traffic, no troubles... just me and the beautiful fountain in front of me surrounded by hundreds of flowers and a swinging bench.

I breath in the air...and yes... it smells like beauty.... it smells like peace

 As I walk through the greenhouse, my eyes are in awe of all the colors and shapes of the plants.  And I find myself being in awe of the ONE who created these things before me.

I continue my stroll through the greenhouse, I stop and smell a couple of different flowers... believe it or not they have their very own distinct aroma.. ..wow.

And then I come to the Hallelujah chorus of this walk.. I come to the cacti.  Who would imagine that there are SO MANY different cacti!!! when I think of a cactus I think of a tall green stem with arms and lots of pricklies! 

But NO, not these!  some were pokey, some were smooth, some had flowers, some look like they weren't even possibly a cactus!

But I'm getting to a point here... promise :-D

On my way home I was driving and thinking about my time with the Wal-Mart Flowers and I learned a few things..

1.  In the midst of busy lives, The LORD sends peaceful beautiful things our way, we just have to recognize them.

2.  God is a CREATIVE Creator

3.  God says that man is like the flower in the field, It flourishes, then fades away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever

4.  And I continued to be intrigued by the cacti that I saw.

I stopped to get my hair done on my way home and was talking to the hairstylist about all the cacti I saw and how beautiful they were..and she asked me if there were fruit on them yet, I was like "I didn't know that there could be fruit on a cactus!"  she said yes and that she has one at home that grows fruit.

So then that made me think, maybe we can be like the cactus, that may seem tough, sharp, strange looking, but  let our flowers blossom, let the beauty of the Lord shine through and most important, bear fruit to feed (or in a spiritual sense, produce a life that brings others to the TRUTH, to the Word of the Lord which lasts forever). 

In the end, you might say, "I think you have dug too deep into this thought", but like I said earlier, you have to be willing to let the Lord reveal His beauty to you, and believe me HE WILL... its ALL AROUND..and I mean not just in nature... I mean in a baby's eyes, in a father's hug, in a child's giggle, in a rebel's random act of kindness... seek it out...find your "WAL-MART FLOWERS"  if you have a story....share it: we would love to hear. :-D

A Child's Glow

Many of you have heard before about having the faith like a child.  Look closer again at how a child reacts to things in their life, and compare it to your own grown up lives.

I was talking with a mother the other day who said she just had her daughter watch the passion play, showing the story of the Christ all the way up to the Cross and ending with the Empty Tomb.  She said her daughter was shocked when it came to the crucifixion scene. 

"How could they do that to my Jesus!?"
"Why would they want to hurt him so much?"

From the mouth of babes.

I will be the FIRST to confess that I get so caught up with the Easter story, that I forget to think of "my Jesus" and to think about Him as "my beloved".

How beautiful is that child's thinking! Simple and to the Point!

And have you ever watched a kid playing with trains on the floor beside daddy's feet while he's paying the bills at the kitchen table worrying about the to do's in life...  this scenario is strange in a way but picture it.  We are a lot like the daddy, worrying TOO MUCH about the things in life, when we should have that simple glow of joy like the child at daddy's feet, happy with what's in front of him, know that daddy is in control.

A child's Glow is so simple, so beautiful, so loving,
they are easy to trust God, quick to respond to His desires for them, and therefore they glow.

We, (meaning first and foremost, me), get caught up with the grown up life that we forget to think like a child, to have faith like a child, to obtain a child's glow about us. 

Yes we have bills,
yes we are grown ups
yes we can get bogged down with responsibilities
yes we can doubt many things, everything in life
... but we can drive it back home to what Jesus says in Mark 10: 14-16

"...Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child, shall not enter it."

And this goes out to those who rely mainly on facts:  have you ever seen a child receive something, a gift, a card, a piece of chocolate cake... do they pick at it with a fork and ho-hum at it and say ..I don't know about this?... no they receive it with joy and partake of it right away!

partake of this thought:  we should receive the kingdom of God like a child would... think again of how they would respond to a rich slice of chocolate cake..

You are INVITED!

during one of the children's church lessons, I was trying to explain to the kids that it is important and should be exciting to share the WONERFUL GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ and what He did for the whole world. 



orphanage, Russia- BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY Celebrating 3 months worth


We layed it out like a really AWESOME COOL PARTY that everyone is invited to, where they can have cake and icecream, and balloons, and petting zoos and rollarcoaster rides and everything you could EVER imagine (One of them said would it even have the TITAN ride there? of course I said..anything and everything!)  So this awesome cool party with everything there is extending the invitation for everyone.  But I said what if Sue came into the room with everyone else and didn't say a word to them about the party?  Are they goingto know about this really way awesome cool party? NO.  But weren't all of them invited?  YES.  So those who already know about the awesome cool party should tell everyone they know and then the individuals can reject or rejoice in the invitation.

Jesus Shares a similar story,... a parable we have heard before... The Wedding Feast in Matthew 22

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)

I don't know about you, but if I had the opportunity to go to an awesome cool party, one I've been invited to, I hope someone tells me so I don't miss out!  And because Jesus freely gives us a gift of eternal life, I hope that someone tells me about it so I can recieve it. 

That is why it is important to Go and Tell.

Guess what you are invited!!! ... Do you accept?

Vindicate

So precious You are
I see it in the stars
near and far

I see Your might
in the mountains height
the eagle's flight (see how high he goes!)

Merciful are You
waves from ocean's blue
spring comes anew (each cycle)



Lightening lighting up a cloud during storm

 Your Mysteries
the thunder, the lighting streaks
the moans and groans of the earth
I see
I see YOUR characteristics

But Your character is at stake in society right now
here and right now
Lord show me how
..to defend you.

But YOU are the one who defends YOUR cause
you tell me to not worry of how I will defend, but YOU will vindicate me.

So as  I defend Your character to the best of my abilities,
You are right there vindicating me.

How great are you ways!
I will seek you all of my days!

This battle is much bigger than me
Satan wants victory
but I will stand
Lord take my hand
lead me now
to show others how
to Vindicate Your rightful character.

QUESTions

Why have we been created as a human who question?  Well the QUESTION IS... what are our questions....  they must be on a QUEST to be beneficial.  If we are only questioning to stir up and cause dumb founded looks on people's faces...then you are causing a stumbling block in the road.

Now that I have said that... NOW I say to STIR THINGS UP.   Stir up the spirit with questions ...questions on one particular QUEST ...the quest of growing closer to the one who created everything.  Yes, being on a quest for truth is very important... but after you have truth...what then?  It can only be left to say that in the end the truth sets you free...and what is that thing that you are free to do?  To have a RELATIONSHIP with the ONE who created you.

Questions are good, but be WISE in what you ask. 
Stir Up the Spirit, but conclude with PEACE
challenge the mind, but make its very foundation LOVE
hold accountable your brother in Christ, but do it with GRACE

Here is a new challenge for you and for me:
 CALL UPON THE LORD with ALL your Questions FIRST

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."  James 1:5-6

To be wrong...

To be wrong
oh how I long
to be right
so I will put up a fight.

but why do I fight
why?
why do I torture myself with
this myth
that pride is good
and that I should
only look out for number one ... me?

the longer I fight
the longer it hurts
it hurts to be wrong...

But wait..
what is my fate?
is it to late
to be forgiven?

No

and in forgiveness lies hope
and hope gives peace
yes I said peace
not war, not in this heart
I will have no part
because I have found
the sound
of RIGHT

It is right to forgive
it is right to confess
and the wrong will feel right again
and be blessed.

So to be wrong is okay
I do say
I say yes it is because
forgivenss is beautiful
and peace comes after.

-poem, interpretation of guilt and pride finding its way. by Jamie Cook

ALWAYS

Writing this blog is a reminder FIRST and FOREMOST to myself.  It can be easy to take the smooth path of complaining and laziness... to see the glass as half empty... to feel like there is no hope...a dead end... uselessness..

It should be the other way around... even Job in the bible clung onto the Lord.  We should take our troubles and make them opportunities to praise HIM still!




fall snow in Moscow, Russia

 Its raining:  don't worry about your clothes getting wet, praise Him for watering the earth.
Your interview didn't go well:  GOD knows the plans He has in store for you, just wait and see
you can't afford the rent:  HE is a provider
Family Feud:  it helps to Grow, and to trust the Heavenly Father even more and to praise HIM for being such.

Don't be Jonah, when God provided shade for him, yet Jonah still complained! 

These trials are here for a reason, so lets praise GOD for them! ALWAYS

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" Psalm 34:1

Good Memories

OPENING THE WINDOWS and the fresh air of windblown grass, and heavy grey clouds send an aroma to my memories...and I think of youth camp, waking up at the crack of dawn, taking those walks around the camp grounds while the sun was just beginning to stretch his rays over the mountains, and the dew was still fresh, the animals were out mingling before all the people would take over the camp grounds for the day.  The air would be just cool enough to get a chill on a summer's morning.  And in HIS nature alone on walks is where the quiet times where supreme. 

AND AS I SNAP BACK INTO REALITY standing in front of my open window, I think about other Good Memories that remind me of what the Lord has done and how AMAZING He is!

I THINK OF THOSE SPRING BREAKS when all my family was home in the morning (no work or school) and we would actually be bored and say "what do you want to do today" and we would spend our days putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle together, and cook together (well at the time I only was helpful by licking the beaters after my grandmother mixed the cake ingredients).

THE SUMMER WHEN my uncle Johnny came to visit, and him and his buddies would all hang out in the front yard playing their guitar and harmonica and drinking coffee and laughing while my sister and I would go catch "crunchies" (cicada shells) and stick them on our shirts...

THOSE NIGHTS I got a ride from my best friend Diane to church and her dad would be in a meeting afterwards and me and Diane would sit on the back of her dads car and look at the stars...

Those memories
I could go on
they are good to ponder on
they let us not forget what has happened and to give thanks and to count our blessings.

And so today... good weather
a blessing
and a reminder of what He did for my life when I was at youth camp
He gave me a new beginning...a new start  and I will never forget that!

My pastor said at one time that memory plays a big role in our worship, in our daily walk.  If we forget what the Lord has done...we are soon to stray.

So start reminiscing and count your blessings.

Tell Tail Tale: Praise, Humility, and Petition

After a major battle of Narnians and Telmarines, The fellow mice carry to Aslan the severely wounded Reepicheep (first mouse in command- leader of the other mice).  Queen Lucy revives him with her healing potion, and Reepicheep immediately goes to praise and give thanks to Aslan.  As He does, Reepicheep has realized that his tail has been cut off. 

Reepicheep:
"I'm completely out of countenance!" I must crave your indulgence for appearing in this unseemly fashion.

Aslan:
"It becomes you well small one"

Reepicheep:
"All the same great king, I regret that I must withdraw, for the tail is the honor and glory of a mouse."

Aslan:
"Perhaps you think too much of your honor, friend"

Reepicheep:
"Well its not just the honor, its also great for balance..and..and climbing, and grabbing things"

In this moment, Reepicheeps fellow mice are willing to cut off their tails also to sacrifice their honor due to their leader being denied that honor.

Aslan:
"Not for the sake of your Dignity , but for the Love of your people"

And in that moment Reepicheep's tail is given back to him.

Reepicheep: 
"It shall serve as a great reminder of my huge humility"

So much can be taken out of this "tail tale" that is told, maybe you will draw something different or even greater out of this story than i.  But I do want to point out in this story that, The Mouse was grateful, praising his King, but was quick to notice what he was lacking (his tail).  He pleads with his King to restore what he lost, the King mentions to him that he might be thinking too much of his "honor", ... the mouse continues to plead with him, telling him of all the benefits would be if he was given back what he was lacking in.

The key to this story is that the King restores what is lost:  not because of selfish ambition of the mouse, or greediness for honor, but because of the LOVE of his people.  The act of working together in unison, to plead to the King, changes things.  And with the blessing of receiving what was lost, Reepicheep pledges to always remember what Aslan has done for him, and remember his humility.

Continuing into Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Reepicheep talks more about what Aslan has done for him.... He's doesn't forget.

Let Us not forget what the Lord has done.
Let Us come together to petition to the Lord our requests, needs, problems.
Let Us always give praise to our Father
Let Us continue on with a humble heart.

When Life gives you Ice Storms, Make Pot Roast

As the wintery storm came into my town, the streets became like blankets of ice.  The wind blowing at least 20 mph and rain, snow, and ice all falling from the sky at the same time.  DANGEROUS weather to be driving in.  So my cousin and I were snowed in.

With the heater still on, we both still had to wear at least 4 layers of clothing inside.  we shoved towels and blankets where there were any cracks where cold air could possibly come in.  We were home for good, for the whole day.  (not our usual schedule)

Our schedules actually hardly ever allow us to cook together, and now was the time.  Now the disadvantage of the weather, became the advantage for us to cook a pot roast that we had been wanting to make for some time.  We had a good time prepairing it, and then to simply wait on it as the aroma fills the air with roast, bbq sauce and onion smell.  The moment was beautiful.  We knew we had nowhere to go, we weren't rushed, there were no distractions,... just me, my cousin, and the sealed up semi-warm apartment with pot roast aroma dancing in the air.. mmm.

There is a saying some of you have heard before:  "When life gives you Lemons, Make Lemonaide"

Same concept here:  When you have storms, make the best of it.  There is a reason for everything.  A simple thing like quality time with family, or getting balanced with time and tasks.  There might be greater "storms" in your life, depression, family fueding, job troubles, financial bind, etc.  Take that "storm" and make something out of it, seek out the lesson or the blessing, or the opportunity.