April's Assignments

(Mom's on the phone.)

Mom: "I've been looking at your blog, everyday."

Me: "You have, what do you think?  Do you like it?"

Mom: "Yea, I got a question, though, what are those pants you have on?"

Me: "What?  What pants Mom?"

Mom: "You know, those pants you have a picture of, why did you take a picture of them?"

Me: "Oh, those pants.  Well you see, I was trying to link up with BigMama on her Fashion Friday Edition but I realized that they are giving fashion advice and I was needing fashion advice so I haven't posted there lately. Why, don't you like them?"

Mom: "No!"

Me: (smiling) "Why not, don't you think they look like me?"

Mom: "No. And what shirt do you have on?"

Me: "A t-shirt and a denim shirt".

Mom: "And what shoes do you have on?"

Me: "My uggs".

Mom: "Oh."

Me: "You don't like it?"

Mom: "It all looks big, a little big and slouchy."

Me, "uh huh.  I posted that a long time ago did you just now go through the whole thing?"

Mom: "No, I saw it back then, I just kept forgetting to ask."

Me: "I like my pants, I wear them all the time." 

Mom: "Well, I got to thinking a while ago that they probably are really cute in person, so you can wear your pants and your shoes, cause I'm your mamma and your probably cute in them."

Me: " . . . thanks Mom". 

Ahh, you never stop being a daughter, I love it.  Thanks Mom for checking in on me everyday and for remembering to ask me what I am wearing, with an exclamation mark for that question.  I love you Mom.  

On a side note, I wrote about my assignments for April, one being write about Mom, (check!)  and two take a phot0 of daughter

waiting to be Mom. (check, check:)

American Idol Top 5

They all look so nice, every single one of them, from the contestants to the judges to band, I love it!  Oh, I get it, it's Standard's from the Rat Pack, this should be good.  Right up Matt Giraud's alley.  

Mentor Jamie Foxx.  Impressive resume, oscar for Ray, yep Giraud's gonna love this, & Dream Girls, I still need to see that movie.  And he's classically trained in music, didn't know that.

D says, he's very talented.

First up, my man Kris Allen - The Way You Look Tonight

Foxx told him he would make an record with him!  (whoa)  Says we could be blown away and not even know it.  

D - I thought he did really good, I don't think he was at the top last night, I thought he did real good until I heard everybody else sing.  

SS - I wasn't feeling blown away, maybe I was and didn't know it.

Alison - Someone To Watch Over Me

BTW Happy 17th Birthday, now that she is 17 and all maybe, we can relax in the songs she is singing department.  No?  I did notice that she commented that she was too young to have a boyfriend and then blushed.  I saw her for the first time really act like a teenager, like a young lady.   

D - I think it will make a difference, she did just turn 17, so I don't know.  I thought her performance was real good, I liked it better than the last two weeks, I thought she looked really pretty.  

SS - I thought she followed Foxx's advice and I felt a little zing - some excitement from her performance.  That's the first time I felt that.  

D - I agree with Simon, I don't think she believes she will win.  But she's only that age and she can be mature and be awesome for that age but she is still young.  She doesn't have the confidence level that someone 15 to 20 yrs older than her is going to have.

SS - Yes mam.  (I raised her, that's my girl).

Matt Giraud -  My Funny Valentine

"is stoked about this week", I knew it.  

Jamie says "it's a BIG SONG".  ought oh.

D - I thought it sounded different but I agree with Paula and Simon.  It was really different and maybe everybody will disagree, I don't know, but I liked it alot.

SS - I feel that he gave it his all.  I worry that because he excelled at the technical difficulty's of a "BIG SONG", that we (me) as the general listening public, won't understand what we are hearing.   I don't think I did.  I did record last night's show and I need to listen again.

Paula and Simon said, "by lowering the key we got to hear a different side of Matt tonight."  and "believable, authentic BRILLANT!"

SS - I'll buy that.

Danny Gokey - Come Rain come Shine

Jamie said, "go get it dude"

Love the trombone, Danny's making a nice impression in the suit, heck, they all did.

D - I thought it was better than it has been, like ever.  He was bluesy and he did really good at the end.

SS - Welcome back Danny.  

D - ditto

SS - I thought he out performed himself, he pour it out and I think we saw where Danny shines at.

Adam Lambert - 

D - hahah, haha, I have nothing to say to that. (SS - yea right) I hated it, I really did, I hated the whole thing.

SS - . . . umm, ? ? ? .aah (sigh)   curser blinking, what do I say about Adam?  He can hit notes, he can sing,but I don't like him.

SS - D, do we want it to go into it any more? 

D -  no! I don't even want to think  about it.  It scared me, the whole tongue thing.  I bet it was dry when he finally put it back in his mouth.  hahahahaha.  Yea, that's right.

SS - I thought Elvis was back in the building with that snarly lip thing, he was chaneling Elvis.

D - Dude, Elvis is so much better than him, you shouldn't even be talking about Elvis, just because he looks a little like Elvis!  Did I mention that I hated it!

SS - Okay then. 

D who do you think is going home?

I think Alison or Matt, I'm hoping for Alison.  I like her, they all are really good.

I think Danny did the best, Matt was good but Danny did better than him.  I didn't like Adam at all. (@#?)

SS - I agree with you.    

Only three weeks left until the big finale (what will I do for a Wednesday post then)  Check out BooMama for all the fun.  There are some really witty, brillantly smart, funny people there.  Very entertaining.  I'm gonna miss ya when it over. 

Titus 2 Tuesday

Titus is a small book in the NT.  I couldn't find it, I had to look at the front to see where it was.  It has 3 chapters and a grand total of 46 verses.  It is located between 2 Timothy and Philemon (an even smaller book with one chapter and 22 verses)  so basically Titus is right before Hebrews.  

At A Teachable Heart she ask the question, "What have you learned from another Christ following women"? Go check out the other post, but first read mine :) Thank you.

The women who most has influenced me is Beth Moore.  I owe my life to her.   I'm sure she wouldn't see it that way, but I feel strongly about her ministry and I know you do too.  

I don't know her personally but I am sure that, not only are we the same age but, we would have been best friends if I had gone to college.  She went to what was known as Southwest Texas State at San Marcos.  Now, I think it is Texas State, I should know that because several of our dollars and our sweet pea KP went there for a year.  That was where I wanted to go but . . . that's a story for another day, maybe.  Anyway, she has passionately follow Christ and lead me and countless others to an authentic relationship with the One and Only Jesus.

She has inspired me to tell my own ragged tale of following Christ.  She took my hand, through a video screen and gently lead me through some of the worst memories of shame and guilt I never thought I would get over. She was to me then and is now, the hands and feet of Christ, leading through heartfelt stories and even humor directly to the Throne of Grace.  She does that constantly and consistently, showing compassion with her words and her voice.  She never speaks curses over someone, she never judges the hurt and broken places we have been, she just simply, passionately, sincerely shows you The Way to healing, wholeness and freedom.

The first verse that I learned from her, in the first bible study I did with her (we'll she wrote it, it's not like she came over to my house or anything, but I'm just sayin')

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, 

because the LORD has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners, 

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor 

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion - 

to bestow on them a crown of beauty 

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD

for the display of his splendor.

Thank you Father for Jesus and thank you Father for the gift you have given Beth Moore, Beth thank you for your sensitivity to follow what God called you to do and for having a heart for other women and reaching out.

I think you are a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.

"It is for freedom that Christ set us free." Galatians 5:1  

It's New Music Monday

It's Monday and I promised new music for Monday's and it's the day before Tuesday which is American Idol night!  (refer here to the post where I admit that I am crazy, eaten up with American Idol)  Never mind, there isn't one, but maybe there should be!

(Side Note: Please scroll down to the bottom of this page and pause the music I have attached.  I wish there was an easier way to do this.  I tried to put it on the side but it didn't fit.  Sorry for the inconvenience, anyone with suggestions, I'm open.) 

I've come up with what I think is pretty smart, combine the two!  How 'bout that.  

Kris Allen is my favorite contestant and to get everybody primed and ready for tomorrow here is two reasons for you to fall in love with him and his music.

    

After all, it is all about the music.

You're welcome. See ya tomorrow.

He Denied Him Three Times - Yet He Is Risen, Indeed

I received this e-mail on Easter Sunday, Resurrection Sunday.  I had been struggling with a way to write my feelings for Christ that weekend and when I read this on Monday morning, I felt that this was worth passing on.  I, however, stumble.  I denied Christ.  I hesitated.  I walked away.  I didn't want to offend anyone.  As I write this now I feel a lump in my throat and a sickening in the pit of my stomach.  I am sorry that I did not have the courage to write it then.  But I am posting it now.  What Satan meant for harm, God uses for good.  I hope that you enjoy this and find revelation or maybe comfort in the message here. 

A message to all members of ChirstianNation

He Is Risen 

"Our faith rests on the resurrection of Christ.  Without it we have no hope of redemption.  The reality of the resurrection is a historical factuality that reinforces our faith.

Evidence of the resurrection is demonstrated by the rapid spread of Christianity-advance by men who once doubted, deserted and denied Christ, yet ultimately gave and lost their lives for him.  Men usually don't die for a cause they internally know to be a lie.  The resurrection forever changed the world.  It split time in half and today, 2 billion people profess to be Christian.

The question is "what do we do with him"?  As C. S. Lewis put it:  Christ is either a liar, lunatic or Lord.  Every soul will make this decision, and in doing so wagers their eternity.

Some think they have an out by claiming our ancient scriptures are unreliable.  Some say there is no  proof of God.  Some say God is found in all religions.  Yet the core of all excuses is Christ.  Scripture rest on Christ, as he himself taught and quoted from the OT and his disciples recorded his words in the NT.  While Creation is evidence, God's character rests on his Son.  The Apostle Peter excludes false religions:

     "by the name of Jesus Christ . . . salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.  Acts 4:10, 12

You know you have the right faith when society freely and regularly uses the Lord's name when cursing.  When was the last time you heard counterfeits like "Allah", "Buddha", "Mohammed" and "Joseph Smith" used as profanity?

The spirit which ridiculed and despised Christ is at work today.  Why?  Christ never stopped ministering - He continues to work through us.  Do we stand with him or distance ourselves lest we also suffer ridicule and mockery?

To allow Jesus to be put to death by sinners is a love I cannot comprehend.  Yet I am grateful for God's love, for what love I have to offer, I do so because God loves me."

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him.  "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.

But he denied it before them all.  "I don't know what you're talking about,: he said.

Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "this fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."

He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"

Immediately a rooster crowed.  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken:  "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."  And he went outside and wept bitterly.

1John 4:19  We love because He first loved us.  Thank you Lord Jesus, thank you.

American Idol, Just One More Thing . . .

People!  Don't ever do that again!  Disco AI night was  . . . just . . . bad.  Awful.  Scary.  Who told those people they could sing?  And who said she could wear that yellow dress?  I thought she was gonna show something when she knelt down (that was a really nice way of saying what ever it was she was doing!)  And that first lady, she couldn't sing, I mean that was embarrassing, how old is she anyway and the guy?!  YUK!!!  They were plastic living proof that Disco is Dead.  American Idol producers don't ever do that again!

I was on my way to bed when I realized that I. must. post.  

Seriously.  That was really bad, scary bad.

OK, sorry but I'm just sayin'.  It's like trying to get Adam singing "Ring of Fire" out of my mind.

I hope I haven't offended anyone.  Momma always said (or was that grandma) anyway "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all".  Well I never could stop myself as hard as I try so I'll finish with something nice.

Archaletta was great.  I don't know how to spell that kid's name but, you know.  

American Idol Makes History - Kickin It Off!!

SS - Love the start, way to jump right into it!!  In keeping, we are are gonna do the same.

D - It was a cool disco night.  

Lil 

D- She seem like she had fun, but it wasn't great, but they said she couldn't talk the day before, I feel sorry for her.  She's going home, I think.

SS - I thought it was the best performance I'd seen her do. With that said, she's still at the bottom, will go home.

Kris - 

D - He did awesome!  He may not win, but I will buy his CD.  I need a nap, put that down, after I get through cleaning the radiator, and the coils on the a/c, it's going to be 97 degrees today. (random idol thought)  

SS - Love his take on the song, totally original. 

Danny - 

D - I thought it was good, is he going to sing Christian music?

SS - That was happy Danny.

D - He's kind of corny the way he dances. I hope he meets somebody and falls in love and has kids, but then he can't be a superstar.

SS - Why? 

D - I don't know, cause he has to stay home with all his kids, that I've got dreamed up for him. 

SS - hmmm?

Alison - 

SS - Hot outfit, Hello, again lyrics a little too much for my 16 yr old, anyway, 

D - I though she was trying to make a statement, like I am a contender, I'm surprised Simon didn't say it was indulgent, but I thought it was indulgent.  

SS - well I decided the hot stuff she was referring to was picante, I can live with that.

D - I don't think she'll go to the finals, do you?

SS - I think she'll be in the top four.

Adam - 

D - I thought he was gonna cry.  I thought it was good, I wish he would clean up without doing the same look every time.  I mean yea he's awesome . . whatever.  I'm sure Perez Hilton will vote for him.

SS - I thought it was pop music, I couldn't remember what the original song at the end which may be a complement to Adam.

Matt - 

D - Oh Matt . . . I thought that he did good.  I'm staying with him to the very end, I'm  riding this thing out with Matt.  I thought that the vocals were good.  I loved what Paula said, he picks song like she bowls. hahaha.

SS - I think that he really poured his heart out.  It was a strange night for me, because the two best performances of the night were the songs didn't sound like disco at all.  So those that did, I didn't like as much.  It seem to me that it put everybody else at a disadvantage it they were not  completely original.

Anoop - 

SS -  It's funny, I don't really have anything to say for Anoop and honestly I felt this way last week, it's all beginning to feel blah, blah, blah... he has pretty vocals, he is a classy guy, he could sing ballads all day, it feels a little boring to me.

D - He is very talented, he's really good, he can really sing, I don't like him.  I've been listening to Bryan Adams all week, I don't think he should ever sing Bryan Adams again, EVER!

SS - The only two original contestants in this show are Kris and Adam.

Quote of the night goes to Ryan Seacrest talking to Adam about Paula - "you melted her into a pool of Abdul"

D whose going home?

D - I hope Lil Anoop but I think Matt will.

SS - I voting Anoop and LiL.

(A little side note), we are the last ones to link up with BooMama every week, so next week D says that I can't be playing around and traveling through airports on Tuesday night.  I will be in front of the TV at seven and we will be talking at eight and running the race to get our comments on that night.  

I Need a New Post

What is it about Thursday?  For me, it's the post American Idol blogging extravaganza hangover.  So, I need a new post, what will it be?  

I don't know, senseless random stuff, I guess.  Maybe I could call it "Sensless Random American Idol Hangover Thursday's".  No?

Well here goes on the senseless random stuff.

D's baby has gained one whole pound since she was born.  Yeah!

Today she doesn't feel well, her first sick day, and doesn't want to eat.  Boo.

I started walking (for exercise) this morning and it dawned on me, maybe because I have a friend named Dawn, that I should have been praying while walking.  But I didn't think of that until I was almost done.  Mostly because I was yelling at my dogs the whole time. First to not cross under the fence and go chase the cows and two to quit licking my hands.    

Dawn is an amazing young women.  She is very smart.  She is a very good mother to her two sons.  And she is an amazing friend.  She is also the same age as my oldest daughter and close to the age of my youngest daughter, who I am happy to say are also friends. 

Off subject,  I love this generation that are in their twenties and early thirties.  I could be biased since that is my kids age.  OK I am biased but it's understandable, I bet some of you love this age group too.

She inspires me to do . . . alot of things.  Things like pray while I walk.  Dig deeper in the Scriptures, she is my Siesta Scripture memory partner and apply scripture to my daily life.  She holds me accountable.  Funny how I don't want to let Dawn down but I can let God down. 

That is a much deeper subject that I am happy to drive into, just not today on senseless random idol hangover day. 

Anyway, Dawn headed up this "Love the Soldiers" campaign where she got her RA's and GA's and her whole church (along with three other churches) involved in sending boxes to the troops.  She has followed up with prayer key chains for the men's names that we sent boxes to.  

So, in thinking about Dawn's walking and praying thing, I decided this morning that everytime I wash my hands (refer to the paragraph where I am yelling at my dogs for licking my hands) I will pray for my soldier.  

And another thing, prayer is the key, so how fitting that key chains were made to remind us of our soldier to pray for.

And also, soldiers are the key to our freedom this country has and the rest of the world wants so bad that they hate us for it.  

Whew, dove off into a deep hole there.  

Because it is senseless random idol hangover day, I popped right back up.

See, I told you - random-post American idol-hangover, not senseless though.  Nothing senseless about prayer for our soldiers.  

Pray America.  

Top 7, This is American Idol

Good morning to all our AI fan-natic friends.  D and I are getting together again this week (and every week after) to talk about our impressions on this weeks show.  As always a BIG thank you goes out to BooMama for her linky inter webby genius.  That's right, I said it, she's a genius. 

BTW, did any of you see her post this week on her son where she showed a picture of him at 18 months?  Whew girls, go get you some of those sweet baby cheeks!  That was one of the cutest I've seen in a days.  That's right because my own sweet grand babies have "sweet cheeks", too.  Um, yummy.  

But I digress.  So on to American Idol. . .

SS - I just want to start out saying,  "I LOVE THE TWO JUDGE THING!!!  Danya what did you think? 

D -    I didn't like it because what if one of the other judges didn't like the performance and had something else to say.  I thought the show went really fast.

SS - Also, there is a brief appearance from the "husband" RS is joining us again tonight.  His comments are always so inspiring, short and sweet and to the point, just like him.

First up, Alison Iraheta singing "I don't Want To Miss A Thing"

SS - is her hair redder?  I guess she's gonna keep the red hair thorough this thing,  I kept waiting for her to change but it's not happening.

RS - (I kid you not, he didn't know that I had just wrote that comment) "what's the matter with her hair"?

SS - "it's really red"

RS - "on purpose"?

SS - "yep"

D - I thought she did really good, I liked it, she does good every week.  I agree on her hair, I think she worked on it some more this week.  It's like burnt orange red now, maybe that's just my TV.

Simon says she's the only girls hope left in this competition,

SS - so, that is no big news.  I predict that there will be no female American Idol this year.  Yep going out on a limb with that one.   I liked her performance , ok.

D -- poor Lil, dude, she's trying but she just doesn't have it, do you think she'll get a record contract?

SS - I'd be surprised if she does, but maybe.

Anoop Desai - "Everything I Do I Do For You"

SS - I gotta admit, no one can sing Bryan Adams as well as Bryan Adams.  I like that Tarantino told him to rough it up a bit.  I don't think he did as much as he should have.  He's just got a sweet kind of voice to me so, we'll see.  Another thought struck me, he is still in the competition when he was the second chance guy.  How 'bout that.  I guess that says something to second chances.

RS - "voice too high"

SS - So, I thought he tried but I don't think he really dug down that deep, so oops, there goes Randy with the "I love you you know that, brother dawg" stuff, not a good sign, oh no, he loves him?  I thought it was gonna be you weren't that stinkin great but nope, you found your zone, What do I know?  On a positive note, Anoop is always classy, he should get votes just for his class act.

D - it was better than I thought it was gonna be, I love that song you know that.  It is one of my all time favorite songs ever!  But he worked it out.  He didn't sound as good as Bryan Adams.  He is talented he really is, at the beginning he wanted to be the crazy rock it out guy, but now he's doing all these ballad's.  That's true Mom, he is the second chance guy.

Adam Lambert -  "Born To Be Wild"

SS - The funniest thing I read was on PajamaMama's recap, her very wise 13 yr old son guest wrote last night and I can't say it any better than he did . . ."you scare me"  go check out her post, so funny.

OK so Adam's mascara was back, someone else wrote "manscara and guyliner" too funny.  Please dear Lord, don't let this guy influence our young . . . can you girls just imagine looking at all our young men with makeup and black fingernail polish on!  ugg! OK so the guy can sing but I didn't like his performance last night, I thought it was indulgent.  There I said it for you Simon. 

RS - "that song was made for a man to sing wasn't it"? (now that's funny I don't care ho you are)

 SS - "he's in his KISS mode"

RS - "who"

SS - "he sounds like Heart to me"

RS - "who"

RS - "that was originally sung by Steppenwolf"

SS -  (that from a man who was always at work and missed the whole cultural revolution thing, he has no idea who anyone is or what they did, I had to tell him who Toby Keith is)

RS - I didn't like it.

SS - me eight, sweetheart.

D - Umm.  I didn't really like it, I really didn't.  I thought Simon was gonna say it was indulgent crap, but he didn't say that.   He sure can hit those high notes, but I looked away I didn't want to see his  tongue.  "he scared me"  hahahaha, no wonder my kids don't want to watch American idol but Caleb was dancing, I'm not gonna lie, he was dancing"

SS - he doesn't stick his tongue out so much anymore.

D - oh, well they must have told him.

The Judges - Paula waxes philosophical

Simon - upside; vocals incredible, downside; that was like watching the "Rocky Horror Picture show"  hahaha  I love Simon, he is always honest, maybe not always right but always honest with what he feels and he will say what no one else dares say.  So right there I like him.

Matt Giraud - "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" 

SS - I love Matt, but it fell flat for me

D - Yea, it did, it really did, I love him, I voted for him one time, it went right through it wasn't even busy, I got through the first time!  I think Lil should go home before him.

SS - yea me too, but I do think he's in trouble.

Danny Gokey - "Endless Love" 

poor Danny, he really was feeling it last night.

D - that was about his wife, you know it.  I thought he did really good.  

SS - Nice.  Oh that was such good advice from Quinten for our boy Danny, "put your hands in your pockets so the emotion would come out of his eyes"  I'm thinking that is good advice for all of us.

Judges - Paula - blah, blah, blah, grab us, wow us, . . . something something. . . where does she get all this stuff?

D - I don't know, she's smoking something . .  I don't know, what did she say, I don't remember what she says and Simon just rolls his eyes, he doesn't even try to hide it.  I think she has a thing for Danny, don't say I think she wants to sleep with him, people are going to think I'm horrible.

O.K., moving on.

Kris Allen - "Falling Slowly"

SS - One thing I want to say here is that Kris really has been the most consistent contestant.  He brings it every week, steady on, I think I have a very good idea what kind of album he will make.  And I will buy it.  I loved the beginning, I loved the middle, Oh I love the high note.  So nice.  He's better than Adam.

D - I thought it was awesome, I thought it was really good, I don't think Randy knows what he was talking about, I thought it was a moment.  It was the best performance of the night.  He won't win, though.

SS - He might, it might be between Adam and him.

D - You think?, he's not a power house vocal.

SS - Yea but he brings it every week.

Lil Rounds - "The Rose"

D - I thought it was better.  But for some reason she just can't make the judges happy.  I see the disappointment, the longer it goes on the worse it get for her.

SS - I like again Taratino's comment for her to commit!

D - I think there are a lot of performers who come on and can't sing I still want to know what happened on the Lady Gaga thing.  A lot of people get record deals can't sing as well as the contestants do here.

SS - ok, so what your saying is  you really like Lil and you want them to get off her back.

D - I do really like Lil, I think she can sing, I'm saying either get off her back or let her go home, I'm starting to feel sorry for her.  They thought she was going to win this thing and now she just done a big belly flop.  I think they thought she was going to do really really good and she's just not doing what they thought she was gonna do, then they got to the big stage and we just lost Lil.

SS - I think what your seeing here is the big stage thing. I've heard them talk about that before.  Sometimes they are really good until they get to the big stage and then they fall apart or they haven't showed too much and then they get to the big stage and Wham, they bring it on.

D - I think it is a waist of really good talent.  You know, like someone who is really book smart and they go and get all this education and then they get out in the real world and can't hang in there.

(Side Note-I think D is really passionate about Lil.)

Recap

Top performance of the night - hands down, Kris Allen.  Both of us agree on that.

Whose going home?

D - oh, how many can I pick . . . I think Matt might go home, I don't want him to but I think he might or Anoop.

SS -  Matt, I'm afraid.

SS - I will buy Kris', I will buy Matt's, I will buy Danny's music, anyone else will have to proved to me that they should get my money.  That really is pretty good to have three out of the top ten that I want to buy their music already.

D - this season is awesome, I like Danny, he's awesome, I love Kris, I like Matt, I like Alison, I'm just in love today.  It's a good day, Anah slept most of the night and I feel rested.  It all good.

Titus 2 Tuesday

Right Living

1.You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.  2. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

     3.Likewise, teach older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  4.Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5.to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 

     6. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

Titus 2: 1-6  NIV

A God Filled Life

Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine.  Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love and endurance.  Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness.  By looking at them the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives.  We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior.  Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.  

Titus 2:1-6  

The Message

   

Titus 2 Tuesday is an opportunity to write about the women in your life that has been an encouragement to you.  Someone who has mentored and helped you grow as a women.  

What an awesome opportunity it is to be able to think on these things and bring up memories of women who have inspired and helped you along the difficult road called wife, mother, women.  

I was asked this very question one time.  Back when I was just really growing in Christ.  So, I guess I will talked about Kristi Longley she is younger in years than me but wiser in her walk with Christ and was a leader for me.  

She was the one who lead the bible study that brought me more healing than anything I have ever done in my life.  That was the Breaking Free bible study from Beth Moore.  She and her husband were a part of a group of teachers that moved to the town I was living in and they made a definite mark on the town and school for Christ.

The word was getting around the school that she was going to lead this bible study, and I knew that I knew, that I wanted to be in this group, yet she never asked me.  I kept finding my way to be around her, I would make eye contact with her.   I think she was only planning on fellow teachers being her bible study group.  I can understand that after all I was a Parent and parents can be the enemy of teachers.  One day I saw her at the local quick stop and I decided to take matters in my own hands and ask.  She had little choice but to say yes, "If you promise to be faithful and come to all the meeting"  she said.  I promised.  And I was.  

To be completely accurate I did miss a few, but I kept up with all my homework and the nights that I had to miss she let me borrow the video to watch at home.  Those times must have been God moments because those were the most cleansing, healing, wash me clean, crying my eyes out moments I had ever had with God.   I was healed.  Right then.  Right there.  

She asked one night on our way to a Beth Moore event who was the one women who influenced me most for Christ growing up?  The honest truth is I don't remember one.  My first moment of someone bringing me to Christ was Christ himself through the Holy Spirit.  Or maybe it was Pat Robertson.  I don't know, I live in the country at the time 15 miles from a town where I knew no one and 500 miles away from anyone I had ever known.  

I was hungry to change my life and I was seeking God.  I found Him on the 700 Club.  So Pat Robertson was the one who brought me to Christ.  

He was the first.  

Many women have followed.  

That will be next Tuesdays post.

     

I Guess I Took a Break

I don't have to tell you that I was busy, every body's busy and I don't have to feel guilty for not blogging all last week, but I do and I was.  Not too guilty, though, I just missed the action.  I'm wishing I had older post I could re-run when I don't have the time to write, but I don't.  Yet!  hah, maybe someday, we'll see.

I've been listen to a song by "Eli Young Band",  I love the way the authors wrote the phrasing in this song.    

      . . . for as much as she stumbled, she's running . . . for as much as she runs, she's still here

That was me.  Back in the day.  I was unsure of myself (weren't we all) and I followed the crowd.  Funny thing, the crowd that I thought was "everybody" turns out, wasn't so many.  Just a few.  The real everybody was doing their homework, minding their parents, listening to their teachers, looking realistically at their futures and not closing doors.

Not me.  I was stumbling.  Childhood can be very hard a girl.  

When I had my first child, I was instantly afraid of her teenage years.  I asked every person I found who had raised teenagers, how they did it and did it work out for them.   I was always reassured that it was going to be alright but I had my doubts.  I knew a little too much to just believe that everything would turn out alright.  I didn't think it just happened.  I knew that kids face some mighty tall dragons.  That there are some things that are never gonna be alright.  Not by yourself anyway. 

 

"Enter through the narrow gate.

Like anyone who is led  astray, it was slow, at first.  Just one little compromise at a time.  Just one twisting of the  truth I had been raised with. 

 

 For wide is the gate and broad is the road 

that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

Matt. 7:13 

I knew who Jesus was.  I had heard about Him and I believed them.  I believed the ones who told me about Jesus on Sunday mornings.  I believed the one who stood behind the pulpit and told us about hell and damnation with a thundering voice, but also delivered to us the hope of salvation.  I even went down front with a group of kids during a youth revival one summer to accept Jesus in my heart as Lord and Saviour.  But still, 

I twisted that truth.  

And then, I justified that step.  

And then I followed the crowd. 

And then I jumped into that pit.  

I ran to the lier and tried to believe what they said.  

That it was nothing.  

For years I lingered there.  Feeling that I didn't deserve anything better.

 . . . she carries memories around like souvenirs down in her pockets

  

Never getting over it.  And not letting anyone else off the hook either. 

she should have let some go by now but can't seem to drop it.

Says forgiveness ain't nothing but a lifeless tire on the shoulder of her soul that never rolls

When we damage ourselves so deeply, the pain is too much to handle by yourself, so everyone pays.  Everyone who happens in . .  that thinks that they can love you.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matt. 7:14

  

It took a long time for me to finally want better for my life and especially for my children.  For me, it took having children to see the world outside of myself and to grab for what was better.  I found myself remembering those years spent in church and I desired the know the One who said, "I AM the way, I AM the truth, I AM the life." John 14:6  The change came when I wanted to believe Him not them and to know Him for myself.  

The singer in this song says that he was

. . .hoping to find something quicker than heaven to make the damage of her days disappear . . 

The Truth says,

  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11: 28 - 30

Jesus is saying that the call to rest is a call to obedience.  His truth says I AM the Name above all names.  Jesus is the only name under heaven and on earth by which you can be saved.  He says, "come to me, I will heal your broken heart and give you rest".  

Forgiveness came, after holding onto my brokenness for 25 years, when I finally I let go and believed. 

Forgiving others is easier (for me) than forgiving myself.  If you have unforgiveness against yourself, there is One who can honestly heal you.  He is big enough.  

 . . . for as much as she stumbles, she running 

for as much as she runs she's still here. . .

You can't run out of the reach of God.  You haven't surprised him.  You haven't made him love you less and you can't make him love you more.  He is beyond our thoughts beyond our understanding but not beyond our need.  He is more than enough.  And He is alive and well today. 

"It is done.  

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

 the Beginning and the End.

To him who is thirsty I will give to drink 

without cost 

from the spring of the water of life." 

Revelation 21:6

  He is Risen, indeed.

Season eight top 8

Hey there D, how's the baby?
She's great mom, she has her days and nights mixed up, so we're up all night, every night. I decided that is just not going to cut it so today I worked on keeping her up more.
Ah it will get better, it so hard to be little.
Yea, she's so sweet. I love her.
Now that's some good stuff, right there folks. Amen and amen.

We've got to get our minds on the show here are you ready? OK, here we go, the theme is "the year they were born" this could be interesting.

Danny, born 1980, sang "Stand By Me" -
SS - Danny looks great tonight, yea no more white jackets!
D - Danny's good, I like Danny.
SS - I don't know what to say here, he can sing, he stands on the stage well, but I am not connecting. There I said it.


Kris Allen born 1985
D- Not as good as last week, but that's alright, everyone is entitled to an off week.
SS - Agreed, he could have chose a better song, but he is talented and I can see him going far in the music business. Apparently he's hot. I think he's cute.
D - I think he's cute too, until I find out how much younger he is than me. I'm feeling old.


Lil born 1984
D - I'm hoping she knocks it out of the park tonight.
SS - I still can't figure out what is going on with her. Her feed back after the judges is the same thing she said last week. I think I'm over her. I had her picked to be in the number 2 slot and now I don't think she should be there at all. I agree with the judges tonight, she can sing but her performances are karoke. She should be in the bottom tomorrow night.


Anoop born 1984
D - wasn't he in the bottom three last week? I don't think that performance will save him.
SS - He has a nice voice but I don't think he is a recording artist. I can't see it. Anoop is probably a very nice guy but he should be going home soon


Scott born 1985
SS - it's painful to watch him get critiques from the judges, his emotions show on his face. But I still don't think he should stay in the competion
D - we all know.


Allison born 1992
I love Bonnie Raitt, lets see what she can do with this...
D - I think she is the best 16 year old on the show, ever! She is going to get a recording contract.
SS - I love the song, I thought she started out strong but ended up a little lost. Maybe it because a 16 year old is singing about something she has never experienced.


Matt born 1985
D - Matt is awesome, I like it all, the way he was dressed. . . . Did I tell you that I was up all night?
SS - I thought his performance was solid, I like his jazzy side, he's a cutie and I will buy his music. I think I've said that before.


Adam born 1982
D - (yawn) hum? oh yea, he was really good.
SS - He was the best of the night for sure. Seriously. He is a performer, his bag of tricks is deep, he will be around for a long time after American Idol is over.

I don't know what's up with me tonight, in the immortal words of Randy, it was just alright for me.
(my mom is on the phone and she and dad watch every week) Hey mom, what do you think?
Who's your favorite?
G-ma - Lisa and the tall guy.
SS - what, who? Lisa and the tall guy?
G - ma - Oh, are you talking about dancing with the stars?
SS - no mom, where asking you about American Idol, who are your favorites?
G ma (& Fofo) - Oh, well, Adam, Anoop and Allison.
SS - who's going home?
G ma - um, I think Lil will go home.
SS - I don't know mom, I'm not feeling it this week.
G ma - I know me too, that's why I'm studdering, they sure do dance good on dancing with the stars.

D and I agree, the top performers for the night were Adam, Matt and Allison, in that order.We said it last week and have to say it again this week, Scott should go home. As sad as it is, I mean it hurt my heart to see him stand up there.

Tune in again next week with BooMama and check out all AI post.
So do you watch Dancing with the Stars? Maybe we should tune in.

Tell Me One More Time . . .

Tell me one more time about Jesus.

Tell me one more time about Grace.

Today as I listened to this song from Vince Gill I was thinking about God's grace and how His compassion is new every morning.  And that brought my thinking around to baby Grace.

     Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, 

for his compassion's never fail.  

They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.  

Lamentations 3:22-23

  

I think the most amazing thing about looking into the face of a baby is how pure and innocent they are.  It must be one of the closest comparisons we have to the holiness of God.  Some of the other comparisons would be to His Majesty such as the sky, the stars, the sun rising or setting, the mountains, the ocean etc. But His children . . . His people, now that's something to behold. 

 

 Tell me Lord, just one more time . . .  Lord, when I think I have blown it, you gently show me the plans you have for us.  Just when I think that I have dropped the ball, you show me that I never had it in my hand to begin with.  And you gently show me the love you have for me in the love I have for others. 

We love because he first loved us. 

1John 4:19 

One of the greatest gifts we are given is the loved ones we have in our lives.  The thing that grieves me the most, is when I see families and relationships torn apart from a lack of love.  They alone are the most precious gifts.  

I am so thankful for the choice that was made to love.  

Remind me one more time, Lord, make yourself known to me and satisfy me Lord, for nothing else will ever do.   

  

April's Assignments

So far the month of April has asked me to - take pictures of   "daughter" through the wepicture{this} a mamarazzi photo blog and to write a post about Mom in a writing challenge from Scribbit.  Antique Mommy is the guest judge.  

So first things first.  Go to Danya's and stay for a few days to help out.  Plenty of daughters there and plenty of picture taking opportunities.  Maybe I can spend some time with KP and get some pics of her, as well.  Also, I ran into a friend at church who is a professional photographer and she has agreed to teach me a few things.  Woo hoo, that's gonna help.  Who knows, someday I just may understand how I got that picture to look good.  

All the while thinking on the subject of "Mom".  And thinking of my unique angle on the subject.  My mom, being mom, watching daughter be mom, watching daughter waiting to be mom. Mom remembering her mom.  I see this can take on a life of it's own.  

Thats all for now but it is only the 5th day of the month.  I am buzzing with ideas already.      

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it . . .

  

Mission Accomplished

Well almost.  I need a little help from the honey to hang the mirror but other that that I'd say I made some progress.

And added a little spring to the dining table.

RS asked me how long I would leave this up?

I don't know, for a while anyway  :)

And the breezeway?

Much better.

I used things that I already had and just used them in different ways.

Yea!  And now to go do some laundry :(

Today is the Day!

Today is the day I get this cleaned up.  

Yes, it's Christmas crap, um stuff, and I just left it here.  But, today. . . well I 'm gonna put it up.

And this, it's left over from moving.  Most of the people who come to visit come through this room. . . but today, well you'll get the picture, right after lunch.

And this mirror

is going right here.

Check it out, while these first four pictures were downloading, I got the first thing finished.

Check one.

Big Sister and the Father

Baby Grace came home today, big sister developed a bad cough and just couldn't go to school, so she got to escort little sister home.

I'm thinking that cough may have gotten a little better once she realized that she was going to be a part of bringing the baby home.

Last night while Mom was still in the hospital she was crying for her mother and her sister, "I just need them to come home", she said, "I miss her already".  She pulled out every stop in the book.  Using all her feminine wiles, "You don't love me as much as you used to 'cause we have the baby now".  Poor Daddy, he probably didn't see that one coming.  

Her great grand parents tell the story of taking her to a restaurant and watching her flirt with a little boy at the table next to them.  This little boy didn't know what hit him.  He couldn't take his eyes off her, walking backwards out of the restaurant, he ran into the wall.  He didn't see that one coming, either.

Daddy was very reassuring to her and at some point must have told her to quiet down and go to sleep because little brother pipes in from his bedroom, "I'll sleep with you, so you can be quiet".

I wonder if, in his four year old brain, it didn't dawn on him that if he was home sick with a cough, he would get go to pick up mommy and baby, or if he just really likes his school.  They say when they go to pick him up all the kids are clamoring for his attention, evidently he's quite the "thang".  However he is no dummy and today as daddy was driving him home he notices that he's not stopping at Sarah's school.  "Where's Sarah?"  "She's at home already."  "oh."   Luckily the neighbors came by and invited the big kids to go with them to the park to fly kites.  That was very thoughtful and kind of them.  I'm sure I will hear the rest of this story in a day or two.

So today they have mommy and baby home and the family is complete.  Tucked in safe and sound in their home.

I thank you Lord, that you are sovereign, that your way is perfect and that your laws are just.  Thank you Father for your creation and thank you Father that you loved us enough to send Jesus.  I thank you Lord that your hand is on this family and I pray Lord for their protection.  You know their going out and their coming in.  I pray Lord that they will seek your ways and look to you for your wisdom in all things.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen. 

   

 

Pictures for the Family and Friends

These are the best that I have for now.  Sorry, some of the pictures that I thought would be great were blurry.  I am looking forward to next week when I stay to help out and I get to take more.  

In the meantime we will have to make do with these.

 

Big Sister

They have waited for this moment.

Baby Grace

As usual, when dealing with a newborn, these pictures do not do her justice.

Baby Grace

Hi everyone, I'm really posting this Tuesday night, it's just that it is technically Wednesday morning.

Today was an amazing day. Did I tell you guys that Anah Grace was coming today? I did.  Well, she's here.   And so beautiful.   And perfectly healthy.  We were all a little nervous because you just don't take it for granted that it is all going to go that easy.  I will praise God even in the storms, but I am soooo thankful that today was not one.

One of our prayer warrior friends called at 1:30 and told us she prayed that it would go fast, baby Grace was here at 2:05. Danya was only at a 5 at 1:00.  Whoa, when she prays for things to go fast, people better get ready!

Danya did great and is doing well tonight.  We were able to watch American Idol together (which is a weird thing to put in the middle of the miracle of birth, but we have this thing and ... well I'm hoping you understand).  I will have that post ready tomorrow when I get back home and also show off a pictures of the baby.

Did I tell you that she is beautiful?  I did.  She is.

Thank you Lord Jesus, what a beautiful creation life is.

I am afraid that I am simpled out and just can't be any more creative than that.

Have I told you lately that I love you guys? I do.