Be an Elijah!

1 Kings 18:1 - 22

*Believe that God can take little old me and make a difference!

 - Revival will not come from the:
1) Corrupt (gov, etc) 1 Kings 16: 30 - 33
2) Carnal (you're either on God's side or satan's)
3) Calloused (lost people in the church)
4) Concealed (afraid to be too committed)

*Elijah was a man consumed by God!

 - If you are going to be an Elijah...
1) Fear the Lord!
       ~in your attitute and your actions (fleshly things)
2) Force the issue! (I want God to move in my life!)
      ~tired of apathy, tired of my friends going to hell! *Make a difference!
3) Fix the altar!
      ~salvation
      ~standards (bring them back!)
      ~surrender

*Let God take over your life!


(this has been another addition from the Back of my Bible)

One of these things is a lot like the other...

Two heads are better than one.

*I snuck taking this picture with my phone while walking behind James and his dad in Wal-Mart. Shhhh, don't tell.

Freedom!!!

Lord, help me, I don't belong here anymore...in this place, this state of existence where so many emotions dwell.  Where love, joy, and peace used to reside for me; then hurt, pain, and deceit, and now...nothingness, void of all feelings aside from one, no two...the first being sadness.  Sadness from what was, from leaving behind what I used to be a part of.  The second being freedom, a release from the longing of being what was, freedom to finally move forward, on to what God has planned for me next.  I'm finally ready to walk in to His presence and arms and let Him calm my heart and restore my joy.  He was there, ready and waiting, I just had to give in.  Jesus has never left my side, His word says He will never leave me nor forsake me!  It's going to be okay...well, of course it is, it was always going to be!  Jesus is my Lord and Savior, it doesn't get any better than that!

*side note :  Wow, I wrote "The storm has passed over" when it had...to a certain extent, in all cases except my heart.

Here, take my tunic!

I have been reading in the book of Luke chapter 6 as of late...verses 27 - 30 say, "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.  To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also.  And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.  Give to everyone who asks of you.  And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back."

I had let this certain organization use something of mine and I was thinking, I would love to use that at home.  Maybe I should go get that, after all they've had it for a long time and it even has my name on it.  Surely I can just ask for it back, no big deal.  I know they're getting a blessing from it but it's mine! I want to enjoy it! (whine, whine, whine)

Well, I'm positive God led me to this passage of scripture.  Still whining - I'm saying..."fine, I will let it go, keep it! And take my tunic too!"  I'll work on the attitute too - He already is showing me that as well.

Parenting Tip #3

Children & Cellphones

When Christian started 7th Grade he decided he wanted to play football and we decided to get him a cell phone.  Oh, it'll be great, he can call us if practice has changed or when he will be back from the away games we don't attend, that kind of thing.  Everything worked out pretty good, he didn't get into trouble with it at school and wasn't calling people or texting them at all hours of the day and night.

We do, however, have this rule that when they go to bed, their phones are to be left with us.  And that we have the right to look at any text messages, etc. on their phone.

During the summer before Christian's 8th grade year, he started 'socializing' with a young lady.  I knew this young lady, very sweet, strong faith...so James and I approved.  At this time Christian had a 200 text message limit per month and free nights and weekends for phone calls (those start at 9 pm).  At 9:01 most nights, girlfriend would call and he would leap from the family room for some privacy.  We just kind of giggled at them, it was no big deal.  Christian did go over 200 text message a few times and had to pay up or work it off and then eventually we got unlimited texting and he started running into the thousands of text messages...whew, just in time.  We never found anything unappropriate on his phone and I randomly checked to avoid the just in case deletion of messages.

Now, on to the summer before Cameron's 7th grade year.  Cameron gets a phone, he is very excited...texts messages everyone and anyone who will let him and maybe some who won't.  He was asking grown ups at church if they had a cell phone and if they said yes...Game On!  He would get their number, I finally had to put a stop to it, he asked a senior lady at church for her cell phone number and I said "Cameron, she probably doesn't text...no texting her!"  "Okay", he said.  I would hear of people casually making comments about getting a random text message from Cameron, most of the time we would laugh about it.  He was obsessed!  Our cell phone mayhem doesn't end there, I found a few text messages that he sent when he was mad at I or James about something...now that hurt.  But when he got a girlfriend during 7th grade, it was really crazy...I would find things like "love you baby" and other equally disgusting things.  (*to learn more about that read parenting tip #2)  Well a breakup later and being busy all summer and he has forgotten all about his phone.  He doesn't care about it anymore and neither do we...so I am going to take his number off his plan, save a few bucks, and just let him borrow someone else's phone when he's off playing a basketball game that is too far to drive to and wants to let us know when he will be arriving back at school so we can come pick him up.

No going back...

Nothing is the same, don't get me wrong, I can deal with change but this is different, this hurts.  Oh, I know that change hurts sometimes but...this is different.

I tried getting lost in a fiction book last week, hoping the hurt wouldn't return, wouldn't find its way back after the passing of a few more days.  I thought that once I got my sweet peace from God that I could move on and that since healing had begun nothing would creep back in to steal my joy.

I still got enjoyment from serving my family, in being with them, loving them...but there's this dark cloud hovering about, reminding me that things can never go back to the way they used to be.

"Be still...be still and know that I am God."  "Take every thought captive..."  My greatest comfort and reprive comes only from the word of God.

-- I was doing so well...at least I thought I was...but then it seemed like everyone else had returned to the normal way of things and I was just stuck.  Stuck on the outside looking in, not being able to return to it but not really moving forward either...because it's not time yet.  Not time to begin that chapter yet, I can see glimpses and I anticipate what things will be like when we start to write that first page.

"From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  Lord, I will try to be patient and wait for You to lead, to guide us through this next journey in our lives.  Help me to focus on what You are teaching me so I can take it and honor You.  Keep reminding me Jesus - I know You are on the throne and that You love me.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord."  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

*scripture references - Psalm 46:10a, 2 Cor. 10:5, Psalm 61:2, Isaiah 55:8, Romans 8:28 NKJV

Doggie Smiles

Do you think dogs smile?  A couple of years ago a friend of mine talked about her dog smiling.  I thought she was crazy, she is but...well, I just figured it was just another one of her quirks and moved on.  Then I took this picture of my dog.

I'm not kidding, this is really my dog, she is not growling, she kinda looks like she's...oh, you know...smiling :) And it makes me smile every time I look at it.

Let 'em eat cake...or not

Recently, a dear friend of mine had a cake-tastrophy and I asked her if I could blog it and she said okay.  I assured her (even though she didn't care) that the names would be changed to protect the innocent.  My friend and I have known each other for over 20 years, she is a doll, she's high maintenance for sure...don't worry, she knows it and she has always reminded me of Drew Barrymore.  So for the sake of this story, I'm calling her Drew. 

Drew has been dying to give me a perm for quite a long time, I always refuse.  My hair is so fine - as in - wimpy, limpy do nothing hair.  I just don't think it would work for me.  She assures me every time that there are better products out there and it would work on me. 

This is probably what she envisions...Not bad...or...well, maybe...anyway

I picture it like this...

or worse...like this...

I will let you know if that ever happens...maybe when I'm really that old!

Well, back to the main story.  Drew has a 9 year old boy, he is her middle child and she wanted to do something special for his birthday.  She decided to order him a special birthday cake, like one of those you see on TV...like Cake Boss.

Drew is a hair stylist, my whole family's hair stylist and she is fabulous.  James and I were in her salon a couple weeks ago, she was working on someone's hair and her phone rang.  I answered it for her...it was the Cake Boss, no...no...it was a lady...that made her the birthday cake.  She said Drew's cake was ready and she could pick it up.  Drew told me to ask her how much it was, so I did. 

The lady said "five seventy five.  I thought that maybe I hadn't heard her right, so I asked "five seventy five?" and she said "Yes, five seventy five".  I hung up the phone and in my head I was thinking...five seventy five? Drew is a little extravagant so I thought maybe she knew it was going to be expensive or it couldn't really be $575, could it?   I know it's not $5.75...nope it's gotta be $575!  I relayed this message to "Drew".  She went bizerk...as any good tax paying citizen would!  $575! for a 9 year old's birthday cake?  It's not even a milestone!  I told her, maybe it's a mistake.  She said "No, I bet that's right! I can't afford that!  What am I going to do?  I'm gonna have to take out a loan...for a birthday cake!  That's more than my car payment!"  She started to tear up a time or two, I was really concerned for her.  I asked her if she wanted me to call her back, that is just ridiculous and especially since she had no idea it wasn't going to cost so much.  She said "no, don't call her back, I'll take care of it"  She was pretty upset when we left that morning.   

I called her the next day to see how everything went but couldn't get her.  I just waited till my next appointment to get the low down on the cake.  As it turns out, she talked to the lady and explained how she had no idea it would be so much and that she couldn't afford to pay that much.  The lady said okay and that they have people that buy cakes that people don't pick up.  (That makes me think this happens quite a bit)  Drew said she bought a sheet cake from the grocery store instead.  She explained how they were cutting the cake and passing out the pieces but that her son hadn't gotten a piece yet.  She asked "don't you want a piece of cake?"  to which he replied "I don't really like cake all that much"...

Letters to God

Movie Review Time!  We watched this inspiring, touching movie tonight on Netflix (plug).  It was pretty fabulous, based on a true story which makes it more incredible and full of faith, love, and hope.  I am so thankful for movies like this, it seems they are just too few and far between.  We've seen the rise since Sherwood Baptist Church brought us films like 'Facing the Giants' and 'Fireproof' and soon to be out 'Courageous'.  I really don't know much about the makers of this film but I'm hopeful they will make many more to come.

Now, about the movie...a child, writing letters to God...that's all I'm telling, I don't want to spoil it for you and besides...Christian is hacking his head off right now so I can't concentrate, poor kid.  Watch it, it's a MUST SEE!

More of my favorite Christian movies...

of course...already mentioned this one :)

and this one, love it!

so good and based on a true story!

this one was first a book by Francine Rivers, it's kinda scary but the message is great!

the very first film by Sherwood Baptist Church

this one is older and I'm sure everyone's heard of it but another one of those based on a true story films

And though not an out and out right Christian film, I loved "The Blind Side", it made my heart hurt.  I wrote the blog 'Selfish Sally' after watching that movie.  These are a few of my picks, what are yours?

NO Compromise!

School started today!  Christian is a Sophomore and Cameron is an 8th Grader.  Where has the time gone?  Only three years before Christian earns a full ride to college and 5 years til Cameron gets some partial scholarships, no...I really shouldn't say that, Cameron is a good student just not as ambitious as Christian.  Boy, they are totally different kids each with their unique personalities, talents (singing being both of their talents), and other things...anyway, that's not what I'm writing about today.

I had originally planned to get up early and make biscuits and gravy this morning to get them off to a really good start but discovered I had no biscuits and didn't want to make them from scratch, oh I have but it's been a while.  So I made blueberry pancakes instead...I woke Cameron up first, he groaned and then shouted "FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!"  I wasn't expecting that, it was hilarious.  He got in the shower and I gave Christian a few more minutes of rest due to him having a cold and coughing half the night.  When Cameron was finished I went into Christian's room and flipped on the light, he half opened his eyes, moaned, and was partially awake so I left the room.  I had to return several times, boy this was going to be a long year if this happened every morning!  I'm sure he and the rest of us will get into a routine again.  He finally slumped his way to the shower and I finished making the pancakes.  We sat down for breakfast as a family and I read a few proverbs to them and from Luke 6:22 - 23 "Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!  For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets."  We talked how they may, most likely will, get persecuted etc and what is really important.  They packed up all their notebooks, pencil, folders, and such and we loaded into the van.  I let Christian drive this morning (gotta get ready for that day as well) and off we were to school.  I had him park between the middle school and high school and then I prayed with them.  Prayed that God would protect them, that they would do everything as if it were for the Lord, that they wouldn't compromise their faith.  I told them "that" would be our theme this year "NO Compromise!"  And we say it as if we are going into battle because that is what high school and jr high is...a battleground.  It's also a mission field, it's filled with lost teenagers, lost teachers and staff, souls seeking for a hope only found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Lord, I pray that You would help my children to be a light for You, to shine for You, to stand up for You and to show others the hope and peace only You can give.

Really??? School???

The summer has flown by and school starts tomorrow.  Most parents can't wait til their little darlings go back but I am just not one of them.  I'm the weird kind that love snow days and early outs just so I can have them home to be with or at least know they're in the house.  Don't get me wrong, there are things I like about school, my kids get to strut their stuff in different areas such as sports, music, academics.  There is Friday night football which is a big deal around here having a hall of fame coach and state titles and all.  Showstoppers is in the fall, a music production put on by Madrigal and choir.  We will travel hither and yon to countless basketball games hoping Cameron won't fall down or get hit in the head or something, oh - I'm just kiddin' bout' that, it hasn't happened yet.  Christian will play golf in the spring which he is already talking about, he believes beyond a shadow of a doubt he will be playing varsity and he might be right, he played on JV last year as the only freshman that played consistently the entire season.  Cameron will rule the middle school as the top dog (8th grader), he will sing in Honors Choir and we will see if his handwriting has improved any...it hasn't changed since 2nd grade.  F.C.A. (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will begin, Christian and Cameron are both leaders in their school, they meet once a week and have a devotion and pray, and the leaders plan activities and outreach events for the school year.  And all these things are all well and good but there is that dreaded down side.  Socially, school stinks!  My kids have to put up with bullies and kids who curse and persecute them for their faith.  It's for these reasons why I dread the school year.  I've thought about homeschooling countless times and still haven't ruled it out.  We've thought about changing schools but it's pretty much the same everywhere.

I will go back to sub, I've actually already been asked to sub next week...there will be good days and bad days, as a substitute teacher I will be adored, ha, by little kids, heartbroken by the stories of their home life, amused by the stories they tell or make up, disrespected by some, irritated with others, but love almost all of them.  I will tell them about Jesus when I can, I know, naughty naughty.  I usually don't start the conversation (well maybe I do sometimes) but I am always going to answer their questions.  Several years ago a little kindergarten girl ran up to me at recess and said "Do you know about Jesus?"  What a question, shouldn't it be that simple and easy for all of us to just ask "do you know about Jesus?"

I know, it's last minute but I am just now today taking the boys to get school supplies, they really don't need much...some pencils, pens, notebooks, and folders.  The thing they need most is to be prayed up which we will do continuously throughout the year.  And if you read this...you pray too :)

Cheap Entertainment!

More family fun on our mini-get-away...if you didn't know, Springfield, MO has a movie theater with FAIR prices. Only $3.00 for admission, any age, any time of day (Free for two year olds if they sit on your lap I believe). We have paid as much as $10 per person before so this is like a dream come true. Of course, the concessions are over priced like always but hey, for $3.00 you can still afford something. Or if you are really cheap and you have a big enough purse...you can sneak, oh eh, nevermind about that...actually James got a Chilly Dilly (Giant Dill Pickle) for $2.00 and the boys each got a drink and popcorn combo that was $5.50. This great bargain movie theater is called The Palace Theatre, look it up and save a buck.

Don't do that, you'll put your eye out!

We took a little minivacation to Branson, MO.

This is what poor folks do for entertainment, make paper air planes.

We each made our own...

James is a master builder at paper air plane construction.

Here's mine...isn't it precious, I have always made paper air planes the same exact way, my family of macho-air plane making boys laughed at my pitiful plane.

This is Cameron's...showoff!

Christian is super excited about his masterpiece!

Well, nobody got their eyes poked out by any paper air planes, Christian's did get stuck in the ceiling fan and I got hit right in the throat by my own husband.

James' probably flew the best, he says because he had a lot of practice in school instead of all that book learnin', the boys' flew pretty good but this is the only way mine could get off the ground...

The storm has passed over

Yes! The storm has passed, healing has begun. As I recently blogged, I have a sweet peace, peace that only God can give. He never ceases to amaze and delight me! I had already received the peace but what He has done since is even more incredible, can't tell ya about that, lol, but you'll just have to take my word for it. Thank You, thank You, thank You Lord!

Sweet Peace

I have vaguely described the storm we are in, very vaguely, because I don't feel I need to share those particulars. What I am amazed at is the overwhelming peace God has given me. I am in awe of Him, He has just laid His hand upon us and taken any bitterness, animosity, or any other ill-willed feeling away. This is true forgiveness and I am so thankful and appreciative to Him for it. Glory to God in the Highest, He deserves all my praise. What a Savior!

Yard Sale!

This past Friday and Saturday we (Christian, Cameron, and I) had a yard sale at my mother-in-law's house in town, no one comes out of town to a yard sale according to James. We have had a couple yard sales in the past at the same location but it has been a few years, mostly due to what a pain in the butt they are to get ready, sit at, etc. This was kind of a last minute deal, the boys originally had a previous commitment to help load moving vans for a family from our church but the family told us the new company they are going to work for paid for their movers. So onward yard sale! We didn't have any clothes this time to sell, I've been donating those to other people or our clothes closet at church, most of the items were the boys'. They had remote control cars, video games, board games, and the like. I drug some stuff out from under the stairs, most of which did not sell and found trinkets here and there. I didn't have a whole lot but I did find some things that I had forgotten I had or had been wondering where it was. We packed the van up with junk, er valuable merchandise and headed for grandma's. On the way we put up the much needed signs since no advertising had been done, then we got started laying things out. Grandma donated some items as well and let the boys have her share, she always does that...it's a grandma thing. Did ya know how boring yard sales can be? Waiting for customers, waiting for customers to buy something, speculating whether they will buy something when they pull up and what that might be...and on and on. Well, we decided we would have a lot of fun regardless if we made a dime. The weather has been pretty hot but on these two days it wasn't quite as bad, it got to low 90s at best. I know, I know. There were lots of mosquitos out each morning so we saturated ourselves with bug repellant and sat on the porch to wait. I brought a few decks of cards along for us to pass the time, the boys and I played Nertz, Rummy, and then we decided to play a family favorite...P.I.G., it is kinda like Spoons but instead of grabbing a spoon you simply put your finger on your nose and the first to spell Pig has to do some kind of task. We always agree upon a task before we start each game. The first task we decided on was that the loser, wait..I don't really like the word loser, the nonwinner would have to strike up a conversation with the next customer about hammers. Then it was on...Cameron got a P, Christian got a P, Cameron got an I (making P.I.), I got a P...Cameron got a G, well since there were still no customers we played again. This time the task would be to skip up the street to the intersection and yell "YARD SALE!" and then skip back down. I really did not want to lose this one because this is a big hill we are talking about. Well, Cameron lost this task as well and performed it with ease...let me tell ya, he yelled pretty loud, grandma's is at the end of a dead end street and we heard him loud and clear. What I find so humorous is that he still wanted to play again. This time the task was to tell a customer that we would sell them everything here for $100 million dollars (in the same voice Adam Sandler does on the movie "Bedtime Stories").

Boy, they really wanted me to lose even though I can't imitate him nearly as well as both of them can. Well if you haven't guessed it yet, Cameron lost again...poor kid.



Christian and I were dying, Grandma was having a good laugh as well and now to just wait for the next customer, I mean, victim. An older gentleman arrived shortly after in a pick up and started to browse, we said "Cameron, you're up" giggling all the while. He sighed, walked down the porch steps and started straightening items, and sort of following the old guy around. Meanwhile, another vehicle pulls up and a family emerges...yea, an audience. Cameron finally works up his nerve and decides he is going to use all his tasks on the same person.

Cameron: "Do you need any hammers?"
Old guy: "No, do you got any?"
Cameron: "No, just asking."
Old guy: "O..K..."
Cameron: "Hey, tell you what, I'll give you everything here for $100 million dollars."



Old guy: "That's a fine deal but I'm gonna have to turn it down."

Grandma, Christian and I are all holding in the laughter, we don't want to be rude you know. We actually played one more time and yes, Cameron lost but we didn't make him follow through on it. The boys made over $150, I made $3.10...go figure. But I had an awesome time with my children making it worth so much more then any amount of money.

It is Well with My Soul

One of my favorite Hymns, "It is Well with My Soul", I love the story of Horatio Spafford and how he came to write this hymn after such tragedy.




These are the words to "It Is Well with My Soul"

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

What now?

What now? Well, that's what I've asked myself many times and so many answers have come. We go on...it's that simple, things aren't what they once were and are never going to be but we go on. We continue to serve God, follow His plan, forgive, love, take His word to people. I can be content in not seeing "the big picture" because I know that God, no matter how we put limits on Him, is limitless, He knows what's best for me, for my family, and He can handle it. I will trust and wait, I'm excited to see what He is going to do in our lives! Our family attended an awesome service this morning, of course we all have those moments when we are listening to a sermon and think 'this is to me', the words I drew from this morning were about how God doesn't always change the circumstance we are in or the 'storm' we are in but He changes who we are. I have told many people about Jennifer Rothschild speaking at a Women of Faith conference and saying these words "regardless of our circumstance it can be well with our soul", it can be! I don't have to understand all the whys, hows, what nows because I know my Jesus is going to take care of me, my family, our ministry. And you know what? I believe it and I trust Him.