Live Nativity

Our church is putting on its second live nativity (December 4 & 5) and I'm the costume coordinator again.  A group of us work on the costumes and those days have been teasingly dubbed the Grace Fellowship sweat shop ;-)

(You can see a hint of the costumes to the left but that's only about 1/4 of them)

There are 80 volunteers involved this year and they aren't just from our church.  Wow!

Its fun and exhausting but so worth every minute of it.  Especially when you hear how much it blesses people and reminds them why they celebrate Christmas to begin with.

To all the volunteers..........THANK YOU!!!

What characters are my family this year?  Noelle is Mary, Kyle is a shepherd, Kirk is a wise man, and I'm a villager (so I can help where needed and take pictures :-)  Hopefully, I'll get us together (in costume) for our family Christmas photo.  Some of the families did this last year and the pictures were great!

I am taking off today through Saturday to focus on Thanksgiving and enjoying my family.  I just wanted to share while I had a few minutes.

I Continue to Stand in Awe of You, Lord Jesus

I am continually humbled by my Lord and Savior. I'm very moved by all expressions of worship and after watching/listening to this song just had to share. Enjoy!


When I Speak Your Name by Gateway Worship

Rainbow

Noelle was washing dishes last evening. She looked out the window and saw...

Life Right Now

My life feels so strange lately. I'm sure it has a lot to do with my dad dying from cancer and him not knowing the Lord. But there is so much else that I don't share with anyone but God. Sometimes I feel trapped by my life. Most of the time I just keep moving along and leaning heavily on my Jesus, or like now, just letting Him carry me.

This morning, I was reading a book that was recommended to me. I'm not particularly fond of this author's writing style, it comes across as rather offensive in some areas. However, there is a lot of truth in what she has written. This book was supposed to enlighten me on educating my teens but instead of that, it made me realize the many chains I have on my own life. They are chains that I have no way of removing either.

With this realization, I was struck by a major need to get out of this house and go for a walk. To be out in God's creation. So, I got dressed, grabbed the leash, the dog, a water bottle and my camera. There is a route that I walk sometimes that is about 2 miles long and in the woods for most of it. It was very peaceful and Owen was grateful for the exercise as well.

The first thing we saw that made me get out my camera was this doe. She stood there and watched me get the camera out of the carrier and after the first picture decided to take off.
Trying to take pictures with a dog attached to you is a little difficult, hence the slightly blurry pictures. Here are some of the different views along my walk.Owen loves the woods, so many new smells and so little time with mom dragging you along (or keeping you by her side).I have some video I took as well but its taking too long to upload them. I'll try again later.

Sometimes getting out and about really helps you refocus and recharge.

Poem

I've always liked poetry and used to write quite a bit of it when I was a teenager. This poem was brought to my attention on an e-list and I wanted to share it with you.

WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"
by Carol Wimmer

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not shouting, "I've been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost! That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian," I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian," I do not wish to judge
I have no authority--I only know I'm loved

Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

So Sweet!

God Lives at the Post Office

Our 14-year-old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.

She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick...

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith," in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, When a Pet Dies. Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

A Journey

I have some friends who are finding their way in regards to what they believe. I am on the same journey myself. About a year ago I heard a message preached by Paul Washer (Shocking Youth Message) and it so completely confirmed my thoughts on what I read in the Bible. I must strive to compare my walk with Scripture, not what I feel or others think. Here is a video compilation of one of Paul Washer's sermons (Examine Yourself ).



If you want to listen to more of his sermons then go here.

A lot of discussion has mentioned the term "Churchianity" so I did a Google search and found this wonderful article. What a great description of the True Church, the Bride of Christ!

However, I don't think it is wrong to be a part of a body of local believers who gather together to fellowship and worship together. I also fellowship with a body of believers online. I worship with my family and on my own.

I don't have it all figured out, I'm continuing to learn and grow. This is why I like unschooling so much. Christian Unschooling is about helping/letting my kids find their walk with God, as well as finding my own. He created us all with a purpose - To have Life in Him.

Here is a video of the true Gospel, not the watered down version that is so prevalent today.

New Direction

Kirk and I have been doing a lot of talking and praying as well as listening to the kind of preaching that actually challenges and convicts us where we need it. I still believe in child-led learning because the Lord created us as unique individuals with gifts that glorify Him. We can't neglect that as parents. What is changing for us is how we operate as a family so that it lines up with scripture. God was speaking and leading us in this direction before we heard the sermons/teachings of Paul Washer and Voddie Baucham Jr. What they say echos how we have been feeling about the church in America.

I am not asking that you agree with me, it wouldn't matter if you did or didn't anyway. I'm writing this down so that I will know the day I commited myself to this new adventure with Jesus. I don't want to stand before Him one day and have Him say, "I knew you not." I want to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Top 10 Predictions ....

No Matter Who Wins the Election

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him,

and God approves this message!

ISN'T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS REALLY IN CHARGE


(this came in an email from my friend Lois)

Praise Dance

Our dance team Praise in Action was part of a local festival Ministerium Night last night. The band Unforsaken was playing as well and made room for us on stage. They worked it out for us to dance during their breaks from playing and to give us a break before our next dance. It was a real blessing and we appreciated all that they did. They even announced us before each dance :)

The road to last night was not an easy one. When we were initially asked to do this (February), I was so excited for the opportunity and so were the other dancers. A new dance was found for us to work on in May and then people's schedules, dislikes, fears, and a pregnancy came into play and it was beginning to look like there wouldn't be enough dancers to fulfill our obligation. I was plagued by nightmares, doubts, and fears that made me wonder if the request should have been accepted in the first place. I hadn't been having these kind of struggles with our dancing before, so where was all this coming from?

Looking back on it all now, I believe it was a spiritual attack. The new dance was a dance of spiritual warfare, something new for us. When we take a stand against darkness, it tries to convince us that we are not worthy and will put whatever stumbling blocks in our way that it can. I also believe God allowed it to happen so that I would learn to trust Him even more.

Last night was testimony to perserverence and trusting God. My daughter stepped up and filled a spot in the first dance, two dancers that initially didn't plan on dancing were in the last two dances (we'd done these ones in the past), we received many affirming comments afterwards, and the band leader even joked that one of their members was leaving the band to join our dance team ;)





Note: We did three dances to the songs "Till the Walls Fall" by Martha Munizzi, "Shackles" by Mary Mary, and "Sovereign" by The Parachute Band. (All these dances, and more, are available here.)

A Gift

GRACE

G - God's

R - riches

A - at

C - Christ's

E - Expense


I heard this the other day and wanted to write it down before I fogot :)

Malachi 3:3

It says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mentio n anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought abo ut God hol ding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says:

'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front o f the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.

'If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

We all need to remember that God is watching over us, and that whatever we're going through, we'll be a better person in the end.

Another Rant

They're our kids! God gave them to us, the parents, to raise! We know the kids are smart and learning all the time. They're wonderful people! We don't send them to public school because how we raise them is our business, not the business of the school district or the government.

Our kids' learning is none of your business either, so stop asking how "school" is going. We don't "do" school, we live our lives and learn as we go, completely natural. When God's word says to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it", it DOES NOT say to do it like the schools do it!

And while I'm on the subject (I'm sure there are exceptions), why does the church resemble school so much in the way it does things? Sunday School segregates the kids, youth groups segregate the teens, 20s groups segregate the young adults, and home groups segregate the adults; just like school segregates everything!

We were watching Hoosiers and got to talking about how so many things in high school are a popularity contest. Our conversation made me realize that I've seen a lot of people living their lives like they're still in high school. Why? They were in an artificial environment for 12 years of their lives and don't know how to live and think for themselves. Many of us didn't buy into the crap though, that's why those of us who can unschool.

In the movie Mickey, the kid repeats sixth grade. The teacher comments on how the kid acts as though he's seen the material before and is getting straight A's. Oh, please, as if a school in NV would have the exact same curriculum as a school in DC. I know kids who transferred to a school in the next county, who were doing great at their old school, and ended up in remedial classes at the new school.

You know, I probably could keep going but now that I've vented, I feel better =D


Note: I am not ripping on families who send their kids to public school. Its every family's choice. My point is that it is not "our" choice and I'm giving you a little insight as to why (there are many more reasons and I'm sure I'll post about them eventually).

A Rant

I have such different ideas and feelings than most people and I have found it easier to just keep my mouth shut. Why? I'm tired of hearing how wrong I am, sigh.

I keep asking the Lord why I'm so different. I feel caught in a world all my own with God as my only friend. He and I talk constantly and His guidance keeps me going. I can talk all I want and let it all out, I feel so secure in knowing He is big enough to handle it all. When I am spent or have let it all out, there is sweet contentment and I feel His presence so fully. He never yells at me, puts me down, or criticizes me. If there is something I am not seeing or understanding we talk about it. There are many conversations that happen over and over again. He is still patient with me and doesn't beat me over the head. I am human and there are consequences that I have to accept sometimes. Sometimes God shows mercy. I want to parent my kids the same way.

I want them to look to God for their life's plan. He created them for a purpose. We as parents are to help them find that purpose but not through force. I keep having certain people tell me that I have to force my kids to do certain things. If I don't, then I am teaching them to be lazy and quitters. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE!!!! There will be consequences to all of life's decisions and my kids will learn from them just like I have. Just like we all do. We, as adults, can talk with our kids about our life's experiences. Yes, adults have wisdom to share but we certainly don't know it all.



Note: This is a rant, it may or not make sense to you but I feel better ;)