Live Well Wednesday

Well FINALLY, I can say I've lost a pound! I think I've sweat it off with all the moving of and unpacking I've done.

The process of getting into our new ministry facility has been full of snags and has called for a tremendous amount of patience on all of our parts...not my strongest trait unfortunately. I actually had a major melt down on Monday when it looked like we were never going to get done with this whole thing. School starts this coming Monday, plus I've been trying to keep up with the school work of 3 of my at risk girls all summer in the midst of all the chaos.

But loosing this one pound as of this morning has been a fresh breeze of encouragement for me. I've been eating healthy, lowered my BP, trying to exercise, it's finally starting to show fruit.

It helps me to have a goal in mind. Mine is the fact that my little weight loss ticker on my blog has not moved in months. It's done right embarrassing at times. I contemplated taking it down, but that would admit defeat and I'm not about to do that. So I leave it there.

Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision the people are unrestrained." Some versions say 'the people perish'. I simply must keep my eyes on the goal. I must mentally set my sights on a prize at the end of the tunnel. If I don't, the end result is being unrestrained, or undisciplined and there will be no success.

That little ticker on my blog is just the first of many more tickers I need to put up for my goals. I have much more weight to take off - not just the 20 I've got marked up there. I need to keep the goal before me to keep me going so I don't admit defeat.

I want this first 20 off by November so I have my work cut out for me since it's taken me this long to loose 1 pound! Why November? Hubby and I are going to Kenya, Africa for 2 weeks to see our daughter and her family and meet our newest granddaughter who is turning 1 on November 1. That's my goal. To feel I'm on my way by meeting my first level goal by the time we leave.

How has your week been? Leave me a message and I'll come around to see you later this evening.

To view others who are attempting to Live Well, click here.

Abiding and A Conversation With My Father

My heart was stirred by the message at church on Sunday about Abiding based on John 15. I hadn't really considered this point before, but it was brought out that one of the most powerful benefits of abiding is answered prayer - "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." John 15:7

If I abide in Him, and I abide in His word and His words (my conversations with Him - treating our prayer time together as a conversation rather than a ritualistic list), I will have answered prayers.

I think it's important to bring out here that I don't abide just so I can get my own way when I pray. Rather, I abide because I desire that closeness with the Lord. Then, when I least expect it, when I'm not even looking, He blesses. Psalm 37:4 - "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart."

When I delight myself in Him, (while I'm abiding in Him) He gives me the desires my heart should have, then the desires of my heart are answered.

Since Sunday's message, I've been asking my Father how can I abide more closely, what are His ways and His secrets to prayer. Here's our conversation.

Lord, are there secrets of prayer that I need to know? I want to climb into the depths of You and learn the power of prayer, so that I am meeting You fully, totally in lovely communion. Enrich my prayer life with Your Spirit's guidance so that I may be pleasing to you in all things.

When you pray; come to Me with the knowledge that you are standing before Me in complete oneness with Me.

Let your cleansing be complete and your mind be clear of obstacles.

This is a holy experience, and it will expand to include your entire being.

You are not merely reciting prayers, nor are you saying empty words.

When you are intimately sensitive to My closeness, your soul is awakened.

This divinely appointed state of being does not remove you from this world so you can make your home in the clouds - no, rather your entire being is made alive and aware of the world around you. You see its beauties as never before.

You see My face in the affection of your loved ones, and you long to give even more to them to make their lives richer, better.

Prayer is not just a thing you do, because My Spirit prays within you constantly.

The inner eye of the Spirit reveals My presence in all things.

I created you to share in My being.

You are loved by Me,

and in loving Me back you are what you were made to be.

I am the Vine and you are My branch.

In prayer you breathe in My breath, you are alive with My life,

and there is no prayer that will go unanswered.

Thank You, Lord for what you are teaching me through Your Words.
(Isaiah 65:24; Matthew 21:22; Hebrews 4:16; Jeremiah 33:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; John 14:23; John 15)

Your Humbly Grateful Daughter,

Monday Musings

Just imagine yourself layin' back, relaxing while the little darlings are outside playing. Should be an uneventful time, afterall, what could they POSSIBLY get into in their own yard.

And then it happens. You here one of the sweet little darlings calling for you saying, "Hey Mom, come see the kittens."

I hope she's stocked up on LOTS of tomato juice! ;)

Sanctuary Sunday

"He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul." Psalm 23:2b,3a

We all need rest. God ordained it so He can restore the exhausted body, soul and spirit.

Allow Him to lead you today to that still, quiet place within your soul. He will calm the stirrings of troubled waters and bring restoration and refreshment.

Come.

Sit.

Be still and know that He is God.

Reflect on Who He is and what He as done on your behalf this week.

Close your eyes and rest awhile.

Thank You!

I'm a little behind in acknowledging some awards that have been given to me.


Bethany (a.k.a. BP) gave me this Arte y Pico award on July 21st. (I know, I'm bad.) I really enjoy her heart for missions, especially the ministry of raising her son. It's been a joy getting to know her this year.




Now I'm supposed to choose five blogs to receive this award. The criteria is the blog should be deserving of this award, whether for creativity, design, interesting material, or contributions to the blogging community, no matter what language. I'm to name each nominee and link to their blog.

This is the part of awards I don't like. So, I'm going to do this differently than the rules say. (I know, I'm a nonconformist!) Each one of you ladies is a deserving blog. You inspire me each and every time I come to visit your blog. So, if you like this lovely award, please feel free to take it and post it. Be sure to link it back to the Arte y Pico blog so everyone knows the origin of this award and post these rules.

Bethany, thank you for honoring me in the way. When I look at the criteria, I'm truly amazed that anyone would even think this blog is deserving. I've enjoyed getting to know you this year and look forward to another great year of blogging together!

Next, my friend Nancie over in Singapore gifted me with these two precious awards on August 9th. The first is the Sharing The Love Award.

This lovely award is created by Crystal @ Memoirs of a Mommy in honor of Noah and the donor of his sweet little heart who ENCOURAGES us to SHARE THE LOVE ! Thanks Crystal! (Click on Memoirs of a Mommy to learn and read this special love story!) The rules for this award are to pass it along to some people whose blogs you love. They make you laugh, smile, leave encouraging comments on your blog. You would like to share some love with them because they have uplifted, inspired, encouraged or prayed for you. Please include this paragraph with the link to Memoirs of a Mommy so that everyone know where this award originated from.

The next is the Friendship Award.

Thank you, Nancie for your continual kind and encouraging comments on all the blogs you visit, not just mine. I see you everywhere I go! You are such an encourager. I am truly blessed that our paths have crossed.

Thursday, my sister Michele gave out this award to all of us sisters. I'm her natural sister, but we are all sisters in Christ. I think all of us deserve this one! The sweet Chocolate Award. Just like I can't imagine life without chocolate, I can't imagine life without blogging with you all!

Ladies, ALL the praise and honor and glory goes to our awesome God. Without Him, there's no purpose in my blogging....or my life. He is my all and all. It's all for Him.

I have a feeling I'm leaving someone out that gifted me even farther back then July. If you have told me you have an award and I haven't acknowledged it, please let me know. I really don't mean to be so rude.

Have a blessed Saturday!

Friday Funnies - Dancing With the Stars

Okay, by popular demand, I am giving you all the scoop on my dancing with Tom Cruise! It happened, for real. I'm about to tell you HOW it happened.

In 1988 I became associated with a man who created a note taking technique that I really connected with. He also developed a form of speed reading called range reading, and a memory technique using mnemonics. I'm sorry, I can't remember his name...JUST kidding! His name is not important to the story, if you want to know you can ask.

Anyway, in August of 1989 we were getting ready to move from Charlotte, NC to Atlanta, GA. This man and his associate asked if I would like to set up a business office in ATL that would promote his techniques and I would make lots of money doing corporate trainings. Mike and I agreed it would be a good idea (which was a BAD idea, but that's a different post), but it would require me going to Los Angles, CA for a several days of training, plus I was invited to be on the panel for an educational forum regarding how to use his techniques with children and teens. I was also part of the live audience for the taping of his new training videos. All of these events were being held at a place where they make and edit films.

One day I got up during the training to get a soft drink from the frig down the hall. As I was walking towards the doorway I turned around and asked if anyone else would like something to drink; I keep walking backwards towards the doorway. I was still walking backwards when I entered into the hallway and found myself bumping backwards into a young handsome man wearing a tee shirt and cut offs. He whirled me around, took me in his arms and whisked me dancing down the hall, all the while he was 'singing' ta-da-dadada to a made up dance tune. When we made it all the way down the hall, he pressed me into a back dip, ran his hand across the top of my head and said, "Darling, we've GOT to stop meeting like this!". He then stood me upright, winked at me and ran off into one of the studios.

At this point there were a dozen other people from this training that saw what happened and raced out of their seats and into the hall to watch in amazement; the women shrieking.

"Oh my goodness!" one of the shouted. "What was it like? Isn't he gorgeous? You're so lucky!"

I just stood there looking puzzled. "I'm embarrassed! Yeah, I guess so, I didn't notice. And why am I lucky, he's just one of the guys that works here."

At that point they all shouted, "THAT WAS TOM CRUISE!!" It turns out he was there to do voice overdubs for this 1986 movie, "Top Gun". It was getting ready to be released as a TV movie, but they had to do some voice over work, taking out all the cuss words. (Ah, the good ol' days! I wish they were they thoughtful now.)

Now, at this point in the story I must confess, I was never a big movie goer. I didn't keep up with the 'newer' actors, and to this day, I've yet to watch 'Top Gun'!

So after hearing that he was there to do voice overs, I said, "Who's Tom Cruise?"

They stood there in disbelief that I had NO idea who he was!

Now since then, I have gone to see my ol' dancing partner in a couple of movies, so I'm not totally out of it! Although I must say he's gone off the really deep end in recent years.


So there you have it as it really happened.

Also on that trip I met Sylvester Stallone...he's really short and he really talks like Rocky! I didn't dance with him though, we just shook hands.

So when's the next auditions for 'Dancing With the Stars'? Certainly if they ever invite Tom Cruise he'll request me to be his dancing partner!

Thankful Thursday

Today, I'm thankful for something that is totally indispensable to me. Can you tell what it is by reading through my post?

~ I'm thankful I can carry it around in my purse.

~ I'm thankful I can flip through it several times a day.

~ I'm thankful that over the years it has become an essential part of my 'attire'. I feel naked without it and can't imagine my life without it. I was almost late for a doctor's appointment because I forgot it and turned around and went home to get it.

~ I'm thankful for the messages I receive through it daily.

~ I'm thankful I've been able to give it away as a gift to those I love and even those I don't even know.

~ I'm thankful I have the freedom to use it anywhere. It can go anywhere, although at some places it's harder to use.

~ I'm thankful for it because it has helped me in various emergencies. I have ICE information clearly marked so it can help others if I am unable to speak. (ICE - In Case of Emergency)

Today, I am thankful for my Bible(s). Did some of you think I was talking about my cell phone? It's amazing how much more 'reverent' and respectful we treat our cellphones vs the Word of God.

It's the first thing I look for in the morning (that and a cup of coffee to go with it! ;) ). This habit didn't come easy, the Lord had to bring me through many trials for me to appreciate the treasure I have in His Word. It's the way He and I stay connected. Oh, that's another comparison, there's never a dropped call! He's always available to me day or night through His Word and through prayer.

Many in this world today are being persecuted because they hold fast to these precious Words of Life. The other day I wrote about the Chinese man who was imprisoned for 10 years because of giving out Bibles. I mentioned the prayer bands given out by Voice of the Martyrs that say Pray for China. An email was sent out yesterday about the Chinese man that inspired these bands. Here's an excerpt:

"Earlier this year, Pastor Bike pleaded with VOM staff to ask Christians to pray for persecuted Christians in China during the Olympics. The pastor voluntarily preaches the gospel openly in China despite being persecuted. He has asked for his identity to be revealed to bring continued attention to the persecution of Christians in Communist China.

Thanks to Pastor Bike’s inspiration and the commitment of concerned Christians across the United States, more than 800,000 prayer bands have been circulated. On Aug. 6, Pastor Bike was arrested while trying to deliver medicine to his ailing wife. His wife and another pastor were also arrested. We have also learned this week that Chinese officials are opening a full investigation of the Olympic Prayer Bands that were distributed to house church members within China. Despite this increased pressure from Chinese authorities, Chinese Christians continue to ask for prayer and to make their plight known."

Dear Heavenly Father,
There is so much those of us in the free world take for granted. We take our freedom for granted, we take Your Words for granted, we take our privilege of being able to own Bibles for granted.

Lord, I'm so convicted by this man's testimony. Am I willing to go to prison for Your Word? Am I willing to give up a few extra minutes of sleep to spend time in Your Word? Am I willing to turn to Your Word for my every need?

Oh my Precious Father, my I be ever devouring Your Word so I can declare along with the Psalmist:

"How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Thy word.

Sustain me according to Thy word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul observes them.

The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Thy commandments.

Establish my footsteps in Thy word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Thy precepts.

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Thy words."

Psalm 119:103-105,114,116, 129-131, 133,134, 147

I'm so unworthy of Your love. I'm forever grateful for Your lovingkindness and gifting me with Your word.

Please be with Pastor Bike, his wife and the other pastor that have been imprisoned for their faith. Be with the countless others that have been and are being persecuted for their faith. Help me to remember to pray for them and lift them up every day.

Create within me a heart that pants for You.

I love you, Lord.

Your Humbly Grateful Daughter,

Thank you, Iris for hosting Thankful Thursday. To read other thankful hearts. Click here.

Random Tag

I've had a long 12 hour day at our learning center (ministry facility). BP tagged me for this one and I thought it looked like fun, so I decided to do this one.

It’s a random tag, and here are the rules!

1. Link to the person who ‘tagged’ you!
2. Post the rules on your blog!
3. List 6 random facts about yourself!
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post!
5. Let each person know they have been tagged by commenting on their blog!
6. Let the tagger know the entry is posted on your blog!

Six random facts about me:

1. I danced with Tom Cruise the summer of 1989.
2. I was my school's mascot in high school - a big black top hat called a Hatter. The town was Hatboro; there used to be a men's hat factory there.
3. I can't get into a bed unless it is made. One time I left the house before hubby was out of bed. That night when I came home and it was time to go to bed, it was unmade (bad hubby!). So there we were, about to get into the bed, but I had to totally make the bed first. Okay, I know, that sounds a little OCD...alright, a lot OCD!
4. In college, I sang in a singing group that performed in front of President Nixon. Afterwards he shook all of our hands.
5. Last week I got an AWESOME deal on a new teapot at Lifeway. It's robin's egg blue and cream and has a warmer with it. It retailed for $25.99 and it was on the mark down table for 75% offm making it $6.49. Then I had a $5 off coupon to use that I got when I pre-bought the new Third Day CD, so I got it for a whopping $1.49!!! WHOOO-WHOOA!!! It's probably the best bargain I've ever gotten!
6. If I could eat anything I wanted everyday, chocolate would be in my mouth EVERYDAY in some way, shape or form. MMMM, I LOVE chocolate dipped strawberries. And then there would have to be shrimp on ice. Oh my! My mouth is watering. I simply must stop these thoughts!

Okay, there's my 6 radom facts about me. Now I'm going to tag:

1. Missy
2. Garden Gal
3. Heather
4. Tiffany
5. Kim the Stone Gatherer
6. Heather at Not a DIY Life

One Man's Hell, Another's Garden

The morning sun was just beginning to peer through the cell bars when the key turned with a noisy, grinding sound in the door. An armed guard held a rag over his own nose and face as he motioned for the prisoner to get up. He bounced out of bed willingly, bowed and smiled at the guard as he walked through the doorway, down the long dark, dingy hall to the door that led to the outside.

As he stepped into the fresh air and inhaled a deep breath, he whispered a silent prayer, 'Thank You, Lord for this day. Thank you that I get to be alone with You all day today." The guard walked several paces behind him, the rag still over his nose and face. The smell was getting worse.

Finally, the guard stopped and motioned the prisoner to continue to his post. He knew the routine. Once again he bowed and smiled at the guard and continued on to do the job he had been assigned to for 10 years.

It was the lowest of all the jobs at the prison. It was reserved for the worst of offenders. No one would have ever picked this job, let alone do it smiling. The prisoner picked up the soiled shovel, jumped down into the hole and began shoveling human waste. For 10 years his job was to make the cesspool bigger, everyday.

He loved his job and the location. No one ever bothered him while he was working. No guards patrolled to check on him or his work. The stench was just too bad. So they stayed away and for 10 years, he meet with his Heavenly Father in what he called his garden. He was doing his job as unto the Lord, and because no one would ever check on him, he was able to quote Scripture and sing hymns and songs of praise at the top of his lungs. His favorite was the hymn "In the Garden" because he was able to walk and talk with His Savior alone, just the two of them, all day, and he would come away refreshed.

What was this man's crime? What had he done to have this unsanitary job and to be treated so poorly? Was he a robber, a murderer, a sex offender?

This Chinese man was guilty of having an unsanctioned home church, proselytizing and giving out Bibles. He was imprisoned for 5 years. As soon as he was released he started his home church back up, inviting people to come and gave out Bibles. Within months, he was arrested once again and served another 5, for a total of 10 years. Each time he was assigned to the same task of digging additional space for the cesspool. Each time he praised God for the privilege of being able to serve Him and to meet with Him uninterrupted. He said he had more freedom and more privacy in prison than he did when he was outside the prison walls because of the foul smell of his work place and his own body.

****
This story has been etched into my memory for 15 years. Singer/songwriter Scott Wesley Brown had personally met this man while in China and shared his story at a missions conference at our church. It has profoundly influenced my life and has been instrumental in shaping my passion for the persecuted church. I still pray for this dear brother in China and wonder is he still digging in the cesspool? Would I be willing to accept my lot with a smile and feel blessed to be digging in a cesspool? Would words of praise, prayer, Scripture memory verses and songs flow like honey from my lips?

The eyes of the world are on China right now. There's no better time to pray for the persecuted church in China, for the countless men and women who are being imprisoned or otherwise punished for merely desiring to worship the Lord.

Sunday morning The President and Mrs. Bush attended a government sanctioned Christian church. Some say it was a photo opt, others were skeptical anything would come of it. Since arriving in China, President Bush has used every available opportunity to encourage China to welcome the role of religion in public life. He shared with China's leader, Hu Jintao that once religion takes hold in a society it can't be stopped. He's used every opportunity to say to the government of China, why don't you recognize the underground churches and give them a chance to flourish?

Voice of the Martyrs is giving away free rubber Olympic prayer bands that say "Pray for China" in English and Chinese. Mine came in the mail Monday and I plan on wearing it throughout the games. It's not too late to order your own free band. Visit Voice of the Martyrs at this link.

For 10 years this brother in Christ rejoiced in his imprisonment, calling it his garden because it's where he could meet with the Lord freely. What about you? What deep hole are you in, is it a physical illness, debt, an abusive relationship? Whatever it is, can you praise Him while you're in that deep hole and sing songs of praise and hymns of comfort?

Love Your Neighbor

This is just too funny!

My daughter, Laura, in Kenya, was trying to press the point with my granddaughter Sarah (6) that her sister Summer (4) was her neighbor and she was to love her. Here is how the conversation went:

Laura, "Sarah you need to love your neighbor."
Sarah, "Summer is not my neighbor."
Laura, "Summer is your closest neighbor."
Summer,"I'm the closanater?"

Gotta love 'em!

You just gotta love this guy!

Mother Teresa once said, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

This little video clip is a living example that we should not judge too quickly. Things are not always as they first appear.

Sanctuary Sunday - Hope

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:5

The source of our hope is not only in Jesus' prior work on the Cross and in the empty tomb. It isn't dependent on our own will-power and commitment to hang on to hope. No, God made sure the fire of hope could never run out of fuel in our hearts. He did this by filling us with his Holy Spirit and pouring his love into our hearts. That same Spirit will help raise us up and give us life when Jesus returns (Romans 8:11).

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who keeps my hope alive and fills me with a sense of Your loving presence. May my life today, and everyday, display my confidence in our love by sharing Your kindness with others.

Your Humbly Grateful Daughter,

Giving Thanks

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever .

Psalm 136:1

It's warm here. Some days it's downright hot and steamy. On top of that we're still having some drought issues. Those drought issues have produced fewer wild flowers for the butterflies and hummingbirds which has made them more reliant on my faithfulness to set out flowering plants, hummingbird feed and fruit.

I really don't mind, I love watching them flutter by my window, enjoying the provisions I have set out for them. I love watching them and providing for them, even though they never thank me audibly. Their thanks are in their continual returning and showing off their beauty for me to enjoy.

God is so good, loving, kind, and faithful, just to name a few of His attributes. Even in the midst of droughts and various trials and tribulations, He is there. Even if I forget to say 'Thank You', He still faithfully provides and shows His lovingkindness to me.

Psalm 136 is one of my favorites. I love it's liturgy style, the repetitive phrase that ends each verse - "His faithful love endures forever". Israel is giving thanks in a chronological way to worship the Lord through the giving of thanks for His goodness to them through the drought and hard times.

Sometimes I use that phrase in my journal or prayer time as I randomly find things to give thanks for. It's a good way to remind myself of His goodness to me. This is especially important when I don't feel like giving thanks. That's actually when I need it the most. If I can't find the words, I open my Bible to this Psalm and read it through. Then I look at some of the things I've written that I've been thankful for in the past. Usually by then I can say Thank You, Lord that your faithful love endures forever. It blesses me and brings Him great joy when I say thank you.

What about you? What would you thank Him for? Many of us are involved in Thankful Thursday. But is that the only day we should be thankful? I'm thankful for the prompt it gives me to be thankful, but the more Thankful Thursday's I post, the more acutely aware I've become of my need to declare my thanks everyday rather than waiting for Thursday to roll around.

Thank You, Lord for You are good. Your faithful love endures forever!

Your Humbly Grateful Daughter,

Friday Funnies

Sometimes it difficult to understand what the Bible is saying, especially if there is a cultural difference. Here's a guy that's breakin' it down so th 10 Commandments can be clearly understood by rednecks.

I hope you all enjoy!