tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28648313398410021472024-03-12T19:34:42.230-05:00Southern Living and other peeks into my psycheSing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.comBlogger381125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-66247844091756927232013-07-20T21:59:00.004-05:002013-07-20T22:11:55.622-05:00Living Small And Getting Smaller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You may be surprised to hear this. I am attending college. My load is crazy. For this particular semester, I had to scale down almost every activity that causes me to be away from my desk for more than 15-20 minutes. In those short increments, when I give my rear-end a break from the chair, some things get done in our little Barndominium.</div>
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We harvested the sunflowers from our garden and tried our hand at roasting the seeds for snacking. Obviously commercial growers have figured some things out that we do not have a grasp on. -yet-</div>
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I'm not sure I can really enjoy these roasted seeds because I am obsessed with checking every.single.one for holes. Why? Because worms (and squirrels) had also been snacking on the sunflowers, that's why! There's no way I can just grab a handful and chuck them in my cheek to happily crack away. Can't do it. Also, I soaked these seeds all night long in salt water and still did not achieve the awesome saltiness I prefer. If the zombiepocalypse happened tomorrow, we wouldn't be capable of sustaining ourselves by growing our own food, but we're getting there. At least the cardinals don't care about worms in the seeds.</div>
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It was in the mid-nineties today, but I couldn't care. I had a hankering for Simi's potato soup and that was that. I tracked down her "recipe", then I messaged her for clarification. She's one of those amazing cooks that doesn't really write down recipes. She puts "some" of this and "a couple spoons" of that and voila - deliciousness. I went for it anyway, and it was good. Not as good as if Simi had made it but I suppose that privilege is for another day.<br />
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It was an interesting study in our family unit getting smaller and our impending empty nest. Used to be, I would make a giant pot of soup like that and it would feed our large family and we would have a little left over for lunch the next day. As the years have gone by, I have seen my leftovers become larger portions. Although, the dishes created in bulk cooking are still outrageous! The youngest is off on a mission trip this week and that left just three of us at the dinner table. That also left a portion that will feed us lunch tomorrow, a portion that will go in the freezer that will provide another meal another day, and another single serving portion that will go in the freezer that someone can pull out when only thinking of themselves.<br />
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I wonder if I will like cooking for just two, or if I will find it somehow less satisfying. Who am I kidding? I don't like cooking at all.<br />
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Then, the bad thing happened. I was preparing to fill my Hawaii cup with ice water (cause I am still trying to kick the evil soda habit) and I accidentally knocked it to the floor. I've already replaced the lid for this cup because it broke in a fall, but today was the last straw for the poor thing. I said goodbye to the pieces and the fond memories of being hosted in Hawaii and the sweet care package Mary sent me before I ever got there.<br />
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Aloha, dear cup....<br />
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Blessings on your day, my friends</div>
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Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-66307504222625748572012-11-25T22:45:00.002-06:002012-11-25T22:45:50.734-06:00Carpenters Bluff Bridge<br />
I love bridges.<br />
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Today hubby took me on a photo-taking date to the Carpenters Bluff Bridge. The bridge has been spanning the Red River since 1910. You can read more about the bridge <a href="http://bridgehunter.com/ok/bryan/carpenters-bluff/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Trains used to pass on the bridge, but it has been converted for vehicle traffic. Cars can only go one direction at a time and they go way too fast , if you ask me. <br />
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The foot bridge is even more scary.<br />
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The bridge appears to be coming apart at the seams.</div>
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Blessings on your day, </div>
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<br />Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-980077435076768212012-11-15T08:58:00.001-06:002012-11-15T09:13:06.716-06:00Seventeen<br />
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Our youngest.<br />
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Seems like they were born sometime close to just yesterday. 6 feet and 4 inches of boy twin will tell you that this is not so. Today we stand in excitement, celebration, and ~yes~ a little bit of trepidation to announce that they are <i><b>seventeen</b> </i>. I have written about this some; <a href="http://sing4joy-southernliving.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-babies.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://sing4joy-southernliving.blogspot.com/2008/11/november-15-1995.html" target="_blank">here </a>.<br />
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Though they are twins, in typical fashion, they are each attacking their
special day quite differently. Boy twin, just wants to get through
school - if it were up to him, he would have stayed home today. He
chose to open <b><i>all</i></b> of his presents, leaving no wrapping un-torn.
Grandpa got him a very particular Swiss Army Knife (They all tell me
that every man must have one. I agree. But he is not a man, he is my
Sonny-Boy.)<br />
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Girl twin<i> </i>, who has been telling her friends all month that her Birthday
was coming, put on a special dress, Birthday Princess Ribbon , Birthday
Tiara , and the brand new make-up that Grandma made sure she was able to
open and use on her special day. She chose to open her gift from
Grandma, and just 2 from Mom and Dad so that she would have more to
enjoy when she came home.<br />
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As we step into this final year of major influence over their lives, where they take more of the reigns and we practice letting go, I am filled with many emotions. It is becoming real that these small creatures , the last additions to our little family, are soon going to be flying off in search of life, love, fame, fortune, education and deciding who they really are without the constraints and close guidance of their parents.<br />
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One year. One year to pray like I've never prayed before. One year to show them Jesus every day. One year to ask more leading questions like, "Is it worth how hard you are going to have to work for that?" "How does that fit into your faith?" "Do you <b><i>really</i></b> want to do that??" One year to issue less commands like, "Eat your vegetables." "Be kind." "No you may not watch bloody chainsaw sexpot vampire f-bomb movies<i> </i>. I don't care if every other parent lets<b><i> their </i></b>kids." One year to practice waiting for them to ask for my opinion rather than throwing it at them with the force of a hurricane every chance I get. (I don't really do that.) (I don't think.) (Much.)<br />
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Sonny-Boy hugged me this morning.<i> I wonder if he will hug me when he comes home for Thanksgiving with his wife and children....</i><br />
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Blessings on your day friends,<br />
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<br />Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-89646386840509295362012-11-11T12:58:00.000-06:002012-11-11T12:58:47.902-06:00Veteran's Day *repost*<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnzFXFF5mEe3u8HtcCDMaRKZwQLg2SCdtknO4omdN9plTj1fuKye1MMVLZGJUE9XlaQVP94zzF1SVBiA-SLSseNeodFZG-Dhtu0UuOKAd4RdHHBxcBunicq_v_00o_6DytaGTxU6WgaXG/s1600-h/veteransdayblend.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267428340466525618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnzFXFF5mEe3u8HtcCDMaRKZwQLg2SCdtknO4omdN9plTj1fuKye1MMVLZGJUE9XlaQVP94zzF1SVBiA-SLSseNeodFZG-Dhtu0UuOKAd4RdHHBxcBunicq_v_00o_6DytaGTxU6WgaXG/s400/veteransdayblend.gif" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande; font-style: italic;">With deepest gratitude to those who have willingly stood in service to this country and to those who have willingly stood beside them.</span></span></div>
Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-18266154741207968592012-11-01T08:38:00.000-05:002012-11-01T08:38:02.265-05:00Generation to Generation<br />
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It is that time, once again, for P.W.O.C International Conference. An incredible time of worship, study, fellowship, growth and squeals from every direction. I will not be in attendance this year and, of course, I am sad about that but it doesn't mean that I cannot go before God in prayer and thanksgiving for this wonderful conference and the life-changing transformations that happen there.<br />
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A lot goes in to making these conferences happen. Women work tirelessly (these take about 2 years to plan), dedicating their gifts and talents to the glory of God. From the prayer warriors, to the local conference team leaders, to the workshop leaders, to the International Board. <br />
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Today, as I begin my prayer journey and women from all over the world begin or continue to travel to Nashville, Tennessee ~ we will start with J. Moss. Why? Because we must praise.<br />
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Blessings on your day, and your journey my friends</div>
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<br />Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-6786842592681980642012-10-11T17:56:00.000-05:002012-10-11T17:56:12.407-05:00She's Not Broken Anymore<br />
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*Quick note* I switched computers and I haven't been able to access my blog from the "new" one. Google is on the case and will hopefully be helping me with that soon, but in the meantime, I am at my old laptop which has the info stored for automatic use....<br />
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You remember my beauty...some of you have met her in person...(I apologize for lack of a better picture; see above quick note)<br />
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She has finally been given the name Caliope. It means "Beautiful voice." My goodness does she have a beautiful voice.<br />
Sadly, a few years ago I began to notice that her voice was changing. There began to be a metal-like string vibration noise coming from her E and B strings and other things were happening too. As you can see, Caliope is very special. What you cannot see in this picture is that Caliope is a 12-string guitar. There is an incredible amount of pressure on her at all times and she began to show signs of stress.<br />
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I took her to the local guitar repair shop, which at that time was in Rosepine. They shipped it to their best guy in Lake Charles. He called me with the news that he was unwilling to even attempt repairs to this guitar because of the danger to the finish. And so it went. Several attempts rendered the same response, "Put her on display." Then one day entered.....<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Thompsons.Guitar" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgAlLIpXneoRfxmtTQrsxQqPeAqEknMH1mXHmw70REdKAwTjUZm6The8r9cb_OopontI_eTPHuX2QEr81ca_vPvta1N7Z4U7l_2811T8TGHmE_nPg6uKYwYWhUduunIDs3E0K0khZ_0tB/s320/270222_125247634226324_1863587_n.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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I heard about him through my friend <a href="http://jenstersmusings.com/" target="_blank">Jenster</a>. Jenster has heard Caliope and she felt my plight! He said he was willing to have a look at her. The trouble was, He is all the way in Pennsylvania and I am not. This was also during the time when we were doing construction in the Barndominium and it was no good place to be storing a sensitive guitar. I asked, "Can you look at her and tell me if you can repair her without destroying her?" This gracious man agreed to house Caliope with him for as long as it took to repair her (if he decided he could) and then for as long as it took for me to have a healthy environment for her to return to.<br /> The calendar would show this to be nearly an entire year. By the time UPS dropped her at his door, she had MAJOR cracks and her bridge was separating from her body. When he had given her time to show all of her colors,(cracks) and
completed all repairs AND there was a suitable environment for her to
come home to, he carefully packaged her back up and sent her home. I have included some of the work and pictures of some of the damage from his page. If you click on the first picture, it should take you to the album where he explains all the work he did.<br />
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This guitar means a great deal to me and this man lovingly, patiently and carefully restored her to playable condition. She WILL eventually have to be retired, but he assures me that I have several good years left to play her before that day comes. </div>
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I very highly recommend Thompson's Guitar for your most complicated or not as complicated repairs.</div>
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Blessings on your day, </div>
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Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-81356909026725937032012-04-05T10:28:00.004-05:002012-04-05T16:59:09.168-05:00It's On!Today we are doing battle.<br /><br />There are a lot of you dealing with spiritual corruption, division and lies. Today, in the name of Jesus, we will pray against that.<br /><br />Philippians 4:6 instructs us to, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God</span>."<br /><br />And 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us to, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Pray continually</span>."<br /><br />Praying down lies and spiritual corruption. Praying up God's wisdom, strength and armor. I'll be dropping specific scripture prompts throughout the day. You can do this!<br /><br />Begin with Matthew 6:33, "<span style="font-style: italic;">But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you</span>."<br /><br />In this battle, we must first understand that this is not about us. This is about God and His glory. His church and His people. If you are joining this battle because you are feeling wronged or irritated about a way that you have been treated, <span style="font-weight: bold;">stop</span>. Refocus. Seek first the kingdom of God. This is not about you. Angry on behalf of God? Okay. Hunker down.<br /><br />In battle, we must arm ourselves.<br /><br />On to Ephesians 6:10-20, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-29350e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]"></sup><span style="font-style: italic;">flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual </span><i style="font-style: italic;">forces</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> of wickedness in the heavenly </span><i style="font-style: italic;">places</i><span style="font-style: italic;">. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; </span><sup style="font-style: italic;" class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-29354f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]"></sup><span style="font-style: italic;">in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil </span><i style="font-style: italic;">one</i><span style="font-style: italic;">. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and </span><i style="font-style: italic;">pray</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in </span><i style="font-style: italic;">proclaiming</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.</span>"<br /><br />Praying for a clear conscience...<br /><br />1 peter 3:16-17, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."</span><br /><br />Praying that those who would speak up for righteousness will have the boldness of Nathan and the hearers of their words will have the heart of David...<br /><br />II Samuel 12:1-13, "<span style="font-style: italic;">The </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="nivsmallcaps">Lord</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. </span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="NPST"><span class="reftext">'</span>Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.' </p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="NPST"><span class="reftext"></span>David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, 'As surely as the <span class="nivsmallcaps">Lord</span> lives, the man who did this deserves to die! <span class="reftext"></span>He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.' </p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="NPST"><span class="reftext"></span>Then Nathan said to David, 'You are the man! This is what the <span class="nivsmallcaps">Lord,</span> the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. <span class="reftext"></span>I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. <span class="reftext"></span>Why did you despise the word of the <span class="nivsmallcaps">Lord</span> by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. <span class="reftext"></span>Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’</p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="NPST"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://bible.cc/2_samuel/12-11.htm"><b></b></a></span>“This is what the <span class="nivsmallcaps">Lord</span> says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. <span class="reftext"></span>You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”</p><p class="NPST"><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"><a href="http://bible.cc/2_samuel/12-13.htm"><b></b></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the </span><span class="nivsmallcaps"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lord.</span>”</span></p>Don't fret because of evildoers, but continue to commit your way to the Lord...<br /><br />Psalm 37:5-6, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Commit your way to the </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="nivsmallcaps">Lord;</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> trust in him and he will do this:</span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun</span>."<br />Liars, be aware - the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world...<br /><br />II Corinthians 10:1-6, "<span style="font-style: italic;">By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete</span>."<br /><br />We will forgive as Christ has forgiven us...<br /><br />II Corinthians 2:5-11, "<span style="font-style: italic;">If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="reftext"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. </span>"<br /><br />Warning against rejecting wisdom...<br /><br />Proverbs 1:20-33, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Wisdom shouts in the street, </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">She lifts her voice in the square; </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> At the head of the noisy </span><i style="font-style: italic;">streets</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> she cries out; </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">At the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings: </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And fools hate knowledge? </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Turn to my reproof, </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I will make my words known to you. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Because I called and you refused, </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And you neglected all my counsel </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And did not want my reproof; </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I will also laugh at your calamity; </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I will mock when your dread comes, </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">When your dread comes like a storm </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">When distress and anguish come upon you. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Because they hated knowledge </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And did not choose the fear of the LORD. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“They would not accept my counsel, </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">They spurned all my reproof. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And be satiated with their own devices. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And the complacency of fools will destroy them. </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">But he who listens to me shall live securely </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And will be at ease from the dread of evil.</span>”<br /><br />Matthew 18:19 tells us there is power in numbers, "<span style="font-style: italic;">Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.</span>"<br /><br />"Almighty God, the giver of all good things, without whose help all labor is ineffectual, and without whose grace all wisdom folly, grant, I beseech thee, that in all my undertakings thy Holy Spirit may not be withheld from me: but that I may promote thy glory, and the salvation of both myself and of others." - Samuel Johnson 1709-84<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-81142569463950545652012-01-30T11:54:00.005-06:002012-01-30T12:52:57.495-06:00The Things I Don't Want To DoThe things I don't want to do....<br /><br />Too many to list, really. I was reminded today that I am forever telling my kids that we all have to do things in this life that we don't want to do. Then when it comes to the things that <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I</span></span> don't want to do, well, let's just say that there are lots and lots of them that I am pretty good at not doing.<br /><br />I have changed my schedule up at the mat in an experiment to be able to take care of things that I need time to take care of, like nurturing my growing business and taking care of hearth and home and the <span style="font-style: italic;">things </span>that God has blessed us with. Also *cough* carving out time for physical activity. Bleck.<br /><br />I was going to tell you that today, I did one of those things that I didn't want to do but as I am writing this, I realized that I did THREE things, NO, FOUR things I didn't want to do. Praise the heavens, there is hope for me yet! I 1.)Got up and took the kids to school 2.)Went to the gym 3.)Ate fruit 4.) Cleaned the van. This is a big task when you live in a normal place, but when you live in a place that does not yet have a proper driveway - it can be pretty daunting to clean up after all the getting in and out of dirty feet. Not to mention eating on the way to here or there and just general living.<br /><br />As I was doing my best to do that which I don't want to do, God was kind enough to show me a stack of opportunities that I miss when I decide not to do that which I do not want to do.<br /><br />As I put my hands on things to clean, move, stock or listen to, I was blessed with the memory of where they came from and prompted to send up special prayers for each. I had to refill my Tissue Cozy and prayed especially for the friend who made many of these in the wee hours during her heaviest grief after losing her daughter. I changed out my mirror dangly and hung the lovely wooden cross and prayed especially for the friend that gave it as part of her testimony after losing her husband. I keep the mirror danglies aka my 'sparklies' in a lovely wood box with a verse from Joshua and I sent a special prayer up for the friend who led me in a study of Joshua. I prayed especially for a friend who is touched by music and knows that I am too so she felt compelled to gift me her favorite new CD (2 actually). Finally, I prayed especially for my favorite worship leader who writes and sings songs that are straight from and for my heart ~ one of the rare instances I actually buy a CD rather than download the album.<br /><br />And +of course+ the music was blaring the entire time! You are welcome neighbors.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnqbda-hGwlpmhyphenhyphenFk7nlBna3KJyJodEALg8LzFYlGvrwbHFXQyFZPkId092IXT-y1IdNajOaDb26g98K9yGhMP-Ulb_heizV0GBYh_hd5Tn6PmmNeCydMFSmDAoEMmI7lyw65freldJJ9/s1600/2012-01-30+cleaning+car.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnqbda-hGwlpmhyphenhyphenFk7nlBna3KJyJodEALg8LzFYlGvrwbHFXQyFZPkId092IXT-y1IdNajOaDb26g98K9yGhMP-Ulb_heizV0GBYh_hd5Tn6PmmNeCydMFSmDAoEMmI7lyw65freldJJ9/s320/2012-01-30+cleaning+car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703485209047984754" border="0" /></a><br />Today, my special prayer for you is that you find the blessings in doing the things you don't want to do.<br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-5701295315485945032012-01-02T15:27:00.005-06:002012-01-03T09:22:54.525-06:00Let Your Light Shine - 2012My friend GeorgiaGirl has prompted us to pray about assigning a life verse (of God's Word) to this year; for ourselves, for our families or both. I guess I've always been intimidated by mission statements because you have to first quantify what it is that you want to accomplish and then you have to set about doing it. It's not like a to-do list of practical, needs-based action. It's about what you want your life to mean. What you want your life to stand for. That's pretty deep territory my friends.<br />I'm feeling compelled to this idea. Perhaps because I am getting older and the meaning I see in things, places, people, actions is changing. Perhaps because in my growing older, I have more to look back on and more of a view of what my legacy is. When you're 19, you look back to see how many things you've gotten to do YOUR way since you became an adult. When you're 39 you look back to see what the things you have done YOUR way have gotten you and how they have impacted others. That reflection is for another post, but it does cause you to question, "Where do we go from here?"<br /><br />We go to Matthew as he recorded Jesus.<br /><br />Matthew 5:16 (NASB) "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."<br /><br />This is a little ironic considering that this was part of the theme verse for <a href="http://pwoc.org/">PWOC</a> last year. What can I say? This is my verse "for such a time as this".<br /><br />And, because I am who God made me to be, I must have a theme song as well!<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/B07iK9uh9qY?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />We Are by Kari Jobe...<br /><br />Every secret, every shame<br />Every fear, every pain<br />Live inside the dark<br />But that's not who we are<br />We are children of the day<br /><br />So wake up sleeper, lift your head<br />We were meant for more than this<br />Fight the shadows conquer death<br />Make the most of the time we have left<br /><br />We are the light of the world<br />We are the city on a hill<br />We are the light of the world<br />We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine<br /><br />We are the light of the world<br />We are the city on a hill<br />We are the light of the world<br />We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine<br /><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="http://www.sweetslyrics.com/Kari%20Jobe.html" title="Kari Jobe lyrics"> </a>Let the light shine, let the light shine<br /><br />We are called to the spread the news<br />Tell the world the simple truth<br />Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His Name<br />So let his love break through<br /><br />We are the light of the world<br />We are the city on a hill<br />We are the light of the world<br />We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine<br />We are the light of the world<br />We are the city on a hill<br />We are the light of the world<br />We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine<br /><br />(she wrote this song based on 1 Thessalonians 5)<br /><br />I'm going to live in the light, make the most of the time I have left, remember that I am meant for more than this so that my light will shine in such a way as to glorify my Father in heaven.<br /><br />I plan to live this out by:<br /><br /><br />*Getting more acquainted with the Bible. The format this will take in 2012 is reading it through in a year. Since my beautiful day planner has it all laid out for me, I'm hoping that will help me stick to it.<br /><br />*Taking time to pray. I mean, I pray. Every day. However, I often miss the opportunity to stop and pray over decisions. Big and Little. I tend to use logic first. Jesus gave us a model of prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 and that helps me incorporate the current <a href="http://pwoc.org/">PWOC</a> theme. :)<br /><br />*Getting healthy. Mainly through losing *cough* 50lbs. But also, by eating well and being active. (Let's face it, unless you actually ARE expecting, it sucks to be asked when you are expecting.)<br /><br />Blessings on your 2012 my friends,<br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-65738013160395614132011-09-26T09:23:00.003-05:002011-09-26T09:27:32.572-05:00Backdoor BluebirdSaw this little cutie out my new backdoor...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvn5kW2WCMzRsC1Qpj_EKNhklPBKO4O0_rnp4CgqQFLjJ6uoH8qNmkThpdPsSMchz1rW_8PsHZkY8F1wUaycZUPaTyri1vOf_tT1Z3UCEhxXgmhRUEd7fJjaE6hiCQ6HWZTtgyuC8aaG8E/s1600/IMG_6294edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvn5kW2WCMzRsC1Qpj_EKNhklPBKO4O0_rnp4CgqQFLjJ6uoH8qNmkThpdPsSMchz1rW_8PsHZkY8F1wUaycZUPaTyri1vOf_tT1Z3UCEhxXgmhRUEd7fJjaE6hiCQ6HWZTtgyuC8aaG8E/s320/IMG_6294edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656674341799188530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Blessings on your day,<br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-59687275513230932032011-09-22T10:26:00.010-05:002011-09-22T13:13:06.765-05:00What Do You Do When........you have a 2-car carport that weighs a ton and needs to be moved a couple of acres away?<br /><br />Dismantle it and put it back together where you want it? NO! Of course not. Silly.<br /><br /><br />You chain it to itself and then hook it to the John Deere and drag it where you want it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here you can witness hubby pulling it backwards and already about 1/4 of the way to where it needed to be...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ah_haGY5olWpnqNprO5b0N9mDLgPbvLTHs7-zN8JSSZLIS8w6q1JoqtyEjKEp6kvvKNF-JwfByMu6oIzoAL3TRn8CqcC91h8JA_z53zrMwCAnQE35nrFJh3DYhtHKZWa8vjDerHGjjul/s1600/IMG_6133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ah_haGY5olWpnqNprO5b0N9mDLgPbvLTHs7-zN8JSSZLIS8w6q1JoqtyEjKEp6kvvKNF-JwfByMu6oIzoAL3TRn8CqcC91h8JA_z53zrMwCAnQE35nrFJh3DYhtHKZWa8vjDerHGjjul/s320/IMG_6133.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655237931330053554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ah_haGY5olWpnqNprO5b0N9mDLgPbvLTHs7-zN8JSSZLIS8w6q1JoqtyEjKEp6kvvKNF-JwfByMu6oIzoAL3TRn8CqcC91h8JA_z53zrMwCAnQE35nrFJh3DYhtHKZWa8vjDerHGjjul/s1600/IMG_6133.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YCZ0n1D78-2dt2tsZyWzdhc9PIZxdamkiimpuGSHmPT9pfkpMHIugeqMrvx-jMntB-5CyLtSwlyaV2hUIZ4d8cJnyEP045uejn0IzTv5uc53MSBprTnzs2NscgKM1FslMj_jEWrggThA/s1600/IMG_6137.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YCZ0n1D78-2dt2tsZyWzdhc9PIZxdamkiimpuGSHmPT9pfkpMHIugeqMrvx-jMntB-5CyLtSwlyaV2hUIZ4d8cJnyEP045uejn0IzTv5uc53MSBprTnzs2NscgKM1FslMj_jEWrggThA/s320/IMG_6137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655222423629182386" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />WHOA Nelly!! A little too close for comfort. (Don't tell the parents - that's their trailer.)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1DC5iwLGOwpc2CSZRTgXEuLWyPYd1remdKZ63zdMMoE7hBUUrSlnUOMVkqSIbiCbQ47SKIPCLicpsGjltai9vgpuC6HfFo5HdzcttKIVmekC5wQeo3adnrKA2YOCIeLwQLSJw7KVt_wj/s1600/IMG_6140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1DC5iwLGOwpc2CSZRTgXEuLWyPYd1remdKZ63zdMMoE7hBUUrSlnUOMVkqSIbiCbQ47SKIPCLicpsGjltai9vgpuC6HfFo5HdzcttKIVmekC5wQeo3adnrKA2YOCIeLwQLSJw7KVt_wj/s320/IMG_6140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655234103858997090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then hubby had the idea to pull from its sides...it was just like tractor skiing!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqf-A9ayKoY_8U2B22HL5oooleJLhoLTc7vsPaN_NXvuFdUkSGodhKJxx6-yaS0RJdZUYCz-9D8Mmmaku-qpOQFjIx6VZhIsMYbqbEdcE-kyRw-bZSsp169GoN69JzEyuyh1eH911J3gv/s1600/IMG_6145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqf-A9ayKoY_8U2B22HL5oooleJLhoLTc7vsPaN_NXvuFdUkSGodhKJxx6-yaS0RJdZUYCz-9D8Mmmaku-qpOQFjIx6VZhIsMYbqbEdcE-kyRw-bZSsp169GoN69JzEyuyh1eH911J3gv/s320/IMG_6145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655209984708844658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqf-A9ayKoY_8U2B22HL5oooleJLhoLTc7vsPaN_NXvuFdUkSGodhKJxx6-yaS0RJdZUYCz-9D8Mmmaku-qpOQFjIx6VZhIsMYbqbEdcE-kyRw-bZSsp169GoN69JzEyuyh1eH911J3gv/s1600/IMG_6145.JPG"><br /></a>Here's where it ended up. Yes, it did bow in a little bit but was easily corrected once the chains were removed.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgMhZKMqjYXL-qbesGHBS9CMvxaXnE5k7GvbxEstbIaomzX8K69MTqmQTZ3iWGgpn6WY17wlwMqnRHR3EniS86ZxUZfqWJtuq3PeU-SUi4Eu-Tj5s5XwdfoTYgzKU2wIpZ-tjfsuP7DII/s1600/IMG_6150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgMhZKMqjYXL-qbesGHBS9CMvxaXnE5k7GvbxEstbIaomzX8K69MTqmQTZ3iWGgpn6WY17wlwMqnRHR3EniS86ZxUZfqWJtuq3PeU-SUi4Eu-Tj5s5XwdfoTYgzKU2wIpZ-tjfsuP7DII/s320/IMG_6150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655209241280125490" border="0" /></a><br />Blessings on your day,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTq0PZ4tJ6Vn4n9tNMWroYBEU06e1Ea5_xHYJ8j3fzKkPQiDDBHpTLvZ4l6ByK5CP9zyedA4czHTZ3SeSBGyHwpQoeRruFvK6P2OyexWUG2EbG5xsOLjYBbl9qrkf9RUXjiIXEbsB1Aq2/s1600/IMG_6150.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-66014558335591841092011-09-02T11:48:00.004-05:002011-09-02T12:09:45.888-05:00A Lesson In Godly Friendship ~ A BFF Chat Transcript
<br /> BFF: .....when you look at it through God's eyes
<br />you are going to be able to see that 'greater love has no man than this... that he lay down his life for a friend"
<br />you are getting to sacrifice for your husband.
<br />you have the honor of laying your life down for him
<br />and what satan would have you do is to focus on getting your needs met
<br />instead of trusting that God will meet all your needs according to his riches in Christ's glory
<br />
<br />S4J: you are being rude.
<br />
<br />BFF: (that was a bunch of stuff that earns me a punch in the nose)
<br />
<br />but honestly, that is the truth and you know it
<br />every time it goes through your head that people aren't meeting your needs or considering you, you need to take those thoughts captive because satan is trying to take from you the joy of serving your husband
<br />
<br />S4J: you have left me with no choice but to order pizza
<br />with extra cheese
<br />and pepperoni
<br />
<br />BFF: of this great sacrifice you made for him...
<br />
<br />HAHAHA
<br />
<br />...and he is using the same thing that you did to bless your husband as a device to make you bitter toward him
<br />so remember that you are not fighting your husband
<br />you are fighting satan
<br />when hubby asks you to walk one mile, you are going to walk two.
<br />and then satan loses
<br />and God can be in charge of what you need
<br />
<br />S4J: you have lost your mind
<br />
<br />BFF: hahaha. i have not.
<br />you know i am right.
<br />you know it as well as i know you would say the same to me
<br />because i love you
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Blessings on your day my friends,
<br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-82690080758382368222011-08-06T08:51:00.005-05:002011-08-06T13:48:17.876-05:00116 Degrees And An Epic UpdateHi y'all! It's been a long time hasn't it? I know you mostly know the bits from being friends on facebook, but I thought I would dust off the old virtual stationery and sit down and give an update.<br />The weather here in North Texas (as in everywhere else in the nation) has been hot! Yesterday the thermometer on the back porch read 116 degrees! It's all that people can talk about (including me.)<br />It has been about a year since the kids and I moved from Fort Polk while hubby was finishing up his final months of a 20 year career in the Air Force. When he retired, we had been married for 15 years. Added all together, the deployments and separations due to his job equaled 4 solid years. 4 years of our 15 year marriage spent apart. This past year has been such a blessing of having him home and the sure knowledge that we won't be facing <span style="font-style: italic;">those kinds of separations</span> anymore. I would never undo those years <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">and</span> I am thankful to be in a new phase.<br />During the past year we saw many changes. We have already moved 3 times. Our second Daughter joined the Air Force and was medically disqualified and sent home after several months of making a go of it. She moved in (next door) with Grandma and Grandpa and is working several jobs to save up to get her own place and waiting for school to start this month so she can work on getting a degree in physical education. 18 is proving to be a lovely and difficult age for us to watch her be. I say, "watch" because that is all we can do now. She's a precious girl, finding her way and making some choices that make us wince and duck and get on our knees in prayer. I remember those years in my own life and thank God every.single.day that He pulled me through and out of those onto a solid foundation of believing and trusting in Him.<br /><br />Our oldest daughter will be leaving her teen years behind next week. You want to talk about pulling through. Her son is 2 1/2 and she is a good, good Mommy. Again ~ a child making choices that sent us to our knees. Of course, we would love for her to be married and we are very fond of her boyfriend. Even so, we are ever thankful and proud that they are working together in love to raise their son and making him a priority.<br /><br />The twins. Oh my the twins. They are starting their sophomore year in High School. And their second year in North Texas. They will be 16 in November and will be learning to drive soon. TWO of them. Learning to drive. Aaaaannnnnddddd back to my knees I go. :) Boy twin stands 6'3" and girl twin 5'4". No, they are not identical. Yes, people still ask me that.<br /><br />Along with our daughter, Hubby will be attending college in the fall to earn a degree in welding. He has been wanting to do this for many years, and thanks to the GI Bill, he will begin working that dream into reality in just a few weeks.<br /><br />We are coming upon a challenging life situation, which, of course, is nothing new. We have been living in the rental house next door over to our property for the past year and we received a letter stating that we are required to sign another year rental agreement or move out. We will be moving out.<br /><br />We are making some bold choices about what to do next that will certainly take dedication, patience and prayer. (Is there a theme here?) The ideas that we had about what life would be like on the outside aren't the reality that we are living. Although I do have 3 jobs, they are not providing the income that we thought I would be able to achieve once I could work outside the home full-time and although Hubby's retirement pay is enough to live on if one has no debt and is not trying to build a new home, it is not enough to live on if you<span style="font-style: italic;"> do</span> have debt and <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> trying to build a new home.<br /><br />So, we are now entering the beginning phases of plan "D". We are outfitting the barn with some living space and looking into bringing a travel trailer to our property to supplement that living space and we are moving onto our own land. Finally. Plan D allows for us to be investing back into our own future, rather than the neighbor's future and will allow us to easily live within our means. The plan is to work our debt <span style="font-style: italic;">elimination</span> plan to completion and then build our house. Now don't get all wound up about, "Living in a barn?? Living in a trailer?? With four people and two dogs???" I did say it was going to be challenging. We have agreed that we will do it as long as we can possibly stand it and we are trying to make it as comfortable and doable as possible while staying within the budget we have for this endeavor and when the day comes that we can no longer deal, we will make other arrangements.<br /><br />I celebrated my 39th birthday. I tell you what folks, I have really enjoyed my 30's. I will live this last year of them with joy and look forward to my 40's being even better!<br /><br />I have had amazing blessings in this last year that I have been able to travel for photography and worship and although these trips have not been money-makers, how many people get to go to Hawaii for free and spend a week taking pictures of their friends and making new ones? And how many people get to say, "I got to travel to lead women to Throne of God in worship and all needs were taken care of." Well, I suppose a lot of musicians get to say that, but not me. 'Til now.<br /><br />We have been attending a local church for some time now and I have begun to sing with the Praise Team. This is a church in transition and we are treading carefully on letting our hearts get too deep until we know for sure this is where we are supposed to be, but the people are so dear and the doctrine is sound. We shall see.<br /><br />Blessings on your day my friends,<br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-42883226496268287172011-05-21T14:11:00.003-05:002011-05-21T14:15:19.203-05:00CohabitationHow cute is this?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweKim4RP2sHAwwNQ4UZKYEDHTcuNVgNn75RiTzksWMnhheaR8EA16pTenopq0T0Zyp9r1V64n9J6RF9l5ZicYyocaMDYQ14PUmfYzQ3LhFd-WcnAgxHALLN_vb020T8GLQLYC2i_GUgqT/s1600/IMG_3808editlogo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweKim4RP2sHAwwNQ4UZKYEDHTcuNVgNn75RiTzksWMnhheaR8EA16pTenopq0T0Zyp9r1V64n9J6RF9l5ZicYyocaMDYQ14PUmfYzQ3LhFd-WcnAgxHALLN_vb020T8GLQLYC2i_GUgqT/s320/IMG_3808editlogo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609249511572711458" border="0" /></a><br />Blessings on your day,<br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-5331627043545498552011-05-19T13:19:00.004-05:002011-05-19T13:22:42.193-05:00Did I mention....Not sure if I mentioned that my in-laws bought the laundromat in the next town over. For the time-being, I work there. It's a good clean living. Hahaha. :) I had to.<br />The problem is - we are located right next to a donut shop. Um. Yum. This is no good for my waistline OR my allergy to soy. Today I had this idea....<br />I am going to take myself over there and see if she can make me a batch of dough without soy that I can freeze at home and fry up in canola oil ~er~ once in a while.<br />Worth a shot right?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-72508019256807277552011-05-16T12:47:00.003-05:002011-05-16T12:55:13.680-05:00Alabaster BoxHeard this song at church yesterday. Really struck me.<br /><br /><br />" You don't know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box..."<br /><br /><div class="s_left_7">You can watch the video<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YksTJKm9hQ4"> here</a> and find the lyrics below.</div> <table class="b-more-lyrics" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td class="b-more-lyrics-td"><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <div class="b-facebook-twitter-button"> <div class="b-fb-like"> </div> </div> <div class="b-lyrics-header-container"><h3>Cece Winans<br />Alabaster Box lyrics</h3></div> <div class="b-lyrics-ringrone-container"> <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="lyrics-ringrone" href="http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/xtra/click_contest.php?ug_from=tabs&url=http://www.ringtonematcher.com/co/ringtonematcher/02/noc.asp?sid=NOMOros&artist=cece+winans&song=alabaster+box&campaign=lm"> <span class="ring_left"></span><br /><span class="ring_right"></span> </a> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px;" id="songlyrics" align="left">The room grew still<br />As she made her way to Jesus<br />She stumbles through the tears that made her blind<br />She felt such pain<br />Some spoke in anger<br />Heard folks whisper<br />There's no place here for her kind<br />Still on she came<br />Through the shame that flushed her face<br />Until at last, she knelt before his feet<br />And though she spoke no words<br />Everything she said was heard<br />As she poured her love for the Master<br />From her box of alabaster<br /><br />Refrain<br /><br />And I've come to pour<br />My praise on Him<br />Like oil from Mary's alabaster box<br />Don't be angry if I wash his feet with my tears<br />And I dry them with my hair<br />You weren't there the night He found me<br />You did not feel what I felt<br />When he wrapped his love all around me and<br />You don't know the cost of the oil<br />In my alabaster box<br /><span class="b-lyrics-from-signature"></span><br />I can't forget the way life used to be<br />I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound<br />And I spent my days<br />Poured my life without measure<br />Into a little treasure box<br />I'd thought I'd found<br />Until the day when Jesus came to me<br />And healed my soul<br />With the wonder of His touch<br />So now I'm giving back to Him<br />All the praise He's worthy of<br />I've been forgiven<br />And that's why<br />I love Him so much<br /><br />Refrain<br /><br />And I've come to pour<br />My praise on Him<br />Like oil from Mary's alabaster box<br />Don't be angry if I wash his feet with my tears<br />And dry them with my hair (my hair)<br />You weren't there the night Jesus found me<br />You did not feel what I felt<br />When He wrapped his loving arms around me and<br />You don't know the cost of the oil<br />Oh, you don't know the cost of my praise<br />You don't know the cost of the oil<br />In my alabaster box</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-82197575353928994702011-05-07T12:34:00.005-05:002011-05-07T12:55:23.747-05:00Well, I tried...This is part one of my very healthy, completely soy-free, low calorie lunch on my lovely fiesta dinner plate. (Part two is in the oven)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQxkdQEsvE-fFHz33opQD8lUA4RFnI0Ynjxr6KJrxZbP1pNGyf30A6NWyd1IBSoCWKpeL-ySceEe6mLwDMgV0ZT_uyCkkMhEY_txeE8BQyxFA4jMjiaM82V3zXydyZK40GcS06H00s3t6/s1600/IMG_3555.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQxkdQEsvE-fFHz33opQD8lUA4RFnI0Ynjxr6KJrxZbP1pNGyf30A6NWyd1IBSoCWKpeL-ySceEe6mLwDMgV0ZT_uyCkkMhEY_txeE8BQyxFA4jMjiaM82V3zXydyZK40GcS06H00s3t6/s320/IMG_3555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604029516916996546" border="0" /></a>Green beans soaked in chicken stock, grapefruit with one packet of stevia for sweetening, scrambled egg whites and iced tea sweetened with Stevia.<br /><br /><br />I have been craving those fried green beans that you can get at TGIFriday's that are absolutely delicious, and, well, to be perfectly honest, not all that healthy for you. So I took it upon myself to attempt to recreate these things using only ingredients I could have. This is the result...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCNH_ome2zfeXSp9yX3Jek42yRKFjtfSz7N6XOhb1EBV92ypWEZokPQYZf6otq-WYypPodhDTYNaBST-lBLIYCH1BKbRlctOPFkVt578ll5EqGFPvOJxgxOpiNr1JoQgRjigUb2Vtxvj1/s1600/IMG_3557.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCNH_ome2zfeXSp9yX3Jek42yRKFjtfSz7N6XOhb1EBV92ypWEZokPQYZf6otq-WYypPodhDTYNaBST-lBLIYCH1BKbRlctOPFkVt578ll5EqGFPvOJxgxOpiNr1JoQgRjigUb2Vtxvj1/s320/IMG_3557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604032113874674114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It took me an hour to prepare and cook these.<br /><br /><br />They were awful. I think I can modify my recipe in the future and they will be good but I may just decide to follow the fried recipe (using canola oil) a great once-in-a-while so that I can have quality over frequency.<br /><br />Please don't ask me for this recipe. You will not like it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-13391188663325525342011-02-23T21:09:00.003-06:002011-02-23T21:15:41.817-06:00Strays!Haven't we all had a stray dog in our yard? Us too!<br />Guess who visited us the other day....<br /><br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />|<br />V<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYX-W7wEYcEsvAu-s0NVoy87Fsd18qi0NwSILnWLSJpCuV9PLpVoGJqYyca0EHK4ohL4f_yYh-VwgzmOLZtV6ReZd9CvACZd588oHPCQ1C5g93uFw7t7GTYA9k-h5fSYZLk-iQEJe6VAw/s1600/IMG_6637edit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYX-W7wEYcEsvAu-s0NVoy87Fsd18qi0NwSILnWLSJpCuV9PLpVoGJqYyca0EHK4ohL4f_yYh-VwgzmOLZtV6ReZd9CvACZd588oHPCQ1C5g93uFw7t7GTYA9k-h5fSYZLk-iQEJe6VAw/s320/IMG_6637edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577088983918428706" border="0" /></a><br />We had a stray pig!!<br /><br /><br />Blessings on your day,<br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-10922706594435196592011-02-16T08:11:00.007-06:002011-02-16T09:51:26.428-06:00Backpacking Through Joshua - wk 6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.backpackingthroughjoshua.blogspot.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5dCG1B9rjuR1UUk9st2dh5nEjGo04S8PA8Cbqt8fSuFVM2ApkhTkc4vg_QfqeD7FOmgwQlzqB2u-tR0mYRc-TnkHI3ZS7tk-yze3Glz7VwXAhtuZW_3dP9qBmSe108JnqRw7-KKRDqij/s320/joshua+logo+with+border.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574293600787792162" border="0" /></a><br />This week we read through Joshua chapter 6. Now here's some fun. So, up until this point, the Israelites have been working pretty hard to gain ground in life. Fighting or struggling through every forward motion. Well, except at mealtime. Now, they have crossed the Jordan River and are ready to take the city of Jericho and all that is in it. This is a mighty city with mighty warriors in it and it is shut up tight like a bank vault. How on earth are they going to even get through the fortifications, let alone taking over the city itself with mighty warriors protecting it.<br /><br />"No worries Joshua ~ just walk around the city once a day for a week, blowing horns. Then on the last day, go around 7 times, blow horns and yell. The city is yours. done."<br /><br /><br />Um.<br /><br />What?<br /><br />I imagine the people of Jericho, although they have heard about God and the blessings He has bestowed upon Israel, are watching from atop the wall on the first day, turning to each other in disbelief, "This is what we've been afraid of? Have they had too much wine?" "Seriously? They're making a parade and that's how they're going to defeat us?" I also imagine that at least some of the Israelites felt silly presenting this 'attack' and must have wondered if God wasn't just trying to humble them or even have a laugh at their expense.<br /><br />What I find really really cool is that they obeyed anyway. At least there is no mention in chapter six of naysayers or ill-behavers.<br /><br />Our focus this week is that God is omniscient. He's a know-it-all. No, not like S4J is a know-it-all, or your teenage son is a know-it-all. He is THE Know-it-all. He really does, know.it.all.<br /><br /><span class="pron">(<img src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/obreve.gif" align="absbottom" />m-n<img src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/ibreve.gif" align="absbottom" />sh<img src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.gif" align="absbottom" /><img src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/schwa.gif" align="absbottom" />nt)<br /></span>having infinite knowledge or understanding<br /><br />God knows, understands infinitely. So when He is prodding you, or even giving you very clear, step-by-step directions you can be assured that He already knows everything that will follow. He already knows how my seemingly strange and useless actions will affect the circumstances and people I am surrounded by at any given time. So that's the big stuff - God knows how to win wars, take down walls, stop rivers.<br /><br />And He knows the small stuff. Be still my heart. He knows every grain of sand on the shore. He knows every star in the sky. He knows every time my heart has been broken. He knows my secretest secret dreams. He knows my strengths and weaknesses (He made me!) and how to use them to His glory.<br /><br />Who do you want in charge of your life? Someone who read, "Being in Charge for Dummies" or someone who knows every word of every book ever written? I'll take door number two.<br /><br />Uh oh, here comes application. If God, the greatest kindle of all times, is in charge of me, then I have to submit to His leading. When He asks me to do something outrageous or completely ridiculous in my mind, I can and should obey in full confidence knowing that He's 'got this'. The best part of applying this truth is the comfort I can take in knowing that, along with the big stuff, He knows the little stuff too.<br />P = <span style="font-weight: bold;">P</span>utting it out there<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What's the most ridiculous thing you've ever done for God's glory? </span>Washed the dishes. Yes, I think washing the dishes is ridiculous. But, to glorify my Father in heaven, I will do it.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Have you ever NOT done something you knew God wanted you to do?</span> Yes. God wanted me to apologize and ask forgiveness of someone who had tortured me for nearly my entire adult life. He wanted <span style="font-style: italic;">ME</span> to apologize. <span style="font-style: italic;">ME</span> to ask forgiveness. Um. No.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What was the result?</span><br /><br />For a couple of months I refused. I stopped taking communion, I nearly quit music ministry. I knew I was wrong, I knew I was being a hypocrite, and I knew that I could not serve in that condition. But I was willing to live the consequences rather than be the one to say, "I'm sorry." What a mess. I 'knew' doing so would not change any behavior on the other end and felt I was justified in the things that God was asking me to confess and repent of. What a mess. Did I say that already? Then God said this to me, "I suffered a horrible, excruciating, death on the cross for you and you cannot say two simple words to someone I love?" Um. Yes.<br />So I did.<br />It went down pretty much like I had expected but the thing I have to remember is that I do not see everything. I do not hear everything and I do not know everything. God knows how He is working in this person's life and how He used me in it and I certainly hope it brought Him glory that one who professes to know and love Him, put down her pride and humbled herself before someone who does not.<br /><br />W=<span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span>orship<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yncz3ZO98h0?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-6895715801625021202011-02-11T10:10:00.000-06:002011-02-11T21:56:44.794-06:00Backpacking Through Joshua - Wk 5<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.backpackingthroughjoshua.blogspot.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGjrIGMLai9NUkGvw3nKKROp9nE08_xdwyAsu6jXWYYPUDeyRHxMmI5wd_HugNKH1sc5KlYbfkpdZdmLzo2KqDO8mbpc5OorESC0Wwv0ElP-B3FMc-13FKXfgVhP1QC2QUQs_WFpYVjOp/s320/joshua+logo+with+border.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572624201918465858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Focus: God is holy<br /><br /><br />P = <span style="font-weight: bold;">P</span>utting it out there<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 125%; margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;font-family:Symbol;font-size:10pt;color:black;" ><br /><br /></span><ul><li><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;font-family:Symbol;font-size:10pt;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">·</span></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" lang="en-US" ><span style="font-family:courier new;">Have you ever met someone that you could tell was a Christian by first impression? </span><br /></span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" lang="en-US" >This has been a tough question for me to answer.<br /><br />I can't say that there has <span style="font-style: italic;">never</span> been anyone who I could tell <span style="font-style: italic;">by first impression, </span>was a Christian, but I can tell you that I can't think of one. Been trying all week. Let's be honest, if you take away settings that you meet people in, such as church, or at Bible study, or prayer shawl knitting ministry; if you take away outward physical markers such as jewelry, bumper stickers, long skirts, long hair, white collars, etc.; if you take away activities such as handing out tracts, preaching in the town square or huge crusades, what <span style="font-style: italic;">first impression</span> indicators are you left with? A smile? A certain 'light' in the eyes? A soft but sure posture? The fact that they didn't curse in the first 3 sentences they spoke in your presence?<br /><br />I've met people who I thought were Christians and found out I was wrong. I've met people who I thought weren't Christians and found out I was wrong.<br /><br />Just don't remember meeting someone without any of the outer physical indicators that I knew was a Christian by first impression. Which brings me to the next part of that question.<br /><br /></span><ul style="font-family:courier new;"><li><span lang="en-US" style="font-size:100%;">Do you think you are easily recognizable as a Christian? Why or why not?</span></li></ul><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" lang="en-US" >I suppose, you could easily assume I am a Christian when you see me at church. You could assume from the cross hanging from my neck that I am a Christian. You could assume because you only ever hear Christian music playing in my car that I am a Christian. As far as by first impression, I don't know what people would say about me in this area.<br /><br />Except for this one lady.<br /><br />She came through my line at work and after a bit of conversating about I don't even remember what, she said to me, "I can tell you're a Sister." I thought she meant that she could tell that I have a sister! Then she clarified, "I can tell that you are a Sister in the Lord. You just have this way about you." I told her that indeed I was, I thanked her for her kind words and told her that I hoped I would see her again.<br /><br />Lord, please help me to<span style="font-style: italic;"> always</span> have that way about me.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" lang="en-US" ><br /></span><ul><li><span style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;font-size:100%;color:black;" >·</span><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" lang="en-US" >Modern Christianity tends to value ‘blending in’ more than standing out– </span><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" lang="en-US" >agree or disagree</span><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" lang="en-US" >? Why or why not?</span></li></ul>This one is also a toughy for me. I suppose it depends on your surroundings and what you view as "blending in" and "standing out". And how do you measure "blending in" or "standing out" against being set apart, holy, salt and light? I can stand on a box and yell to all who will hear that Jesus loves them. People have been reached this way. I can quietly listen to someone talk about their deceased love-one with earnest interest and care. People have been reached this way too. I say, in answer to this question, God has gifted us all differently, given us different temperaments, different 'hot buttons' and aside from direct directions, like the ten commandments, has set us to reach the lost in different ways. We cannot ever discount or sideline Scripture that doesn't fit into our idea of how things should be, but if we were all flies, there would be no bees to make the honey to catch us.<br /><br />We <span style="font-style: italic;">can </span>reach the lost. Some will do it by blending in. Some will do it by standing out.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br />W = Worship<br />The first two songs are about personal holiness, being set apart for God. The second 2 are songs of worship to a most holy God.<br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V0Byp7aK2DA?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Tl2i0m2hncA?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wUp7oxOLans?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pf9uP6b7qns?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-6603870364810423392011-02-10T11:13:00.003-06:002011-02-10T11:17:00.666-06:00The Results Are InIt is with a tinge of let-down that I announce that Sing 4 Joy did not place in the Department of the Army level of the 2010 Digital Photography Contest. *sigh*<br />Can't wait 'til they open the 2011 contest!<br /><br />On a less let-downy kind of note, Sing 4 Joy is getting branded! Pretty soon I will have my very own custom logo. Yahoo!<br /><br /><br />Thank you all for your encouragement and well-wishes!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-78985226346612407122011-02-08T13:07:00.005-06:002011-02-08T13:32:59.085-06:00Aloha With A KissDid you even know that Hershey's makes Kisses with macadamia nuts in them??<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5tNHIjwT2fbEOyimsW4Yd267zqa_EFvthBEsO79wHSGhnKx4PCoZ-QHf6kxMwA42KolNHuB-htQyVnLrNK90YByy4PengnIANhol_jzwvnyGmLZBYTqZfqVG6kYr_rNYYlOohkSdCEwS/s1600/IMG_6573.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5tNHIjwT2fbEOyimsW4Yd267zqa_EFvthBEsO79wHSGhnKx4PCoZ-QHf6kxMwA42KolNHuB-htQyVnLrNK90YByy4PengnIANhol_jzwvnyGmLZBYTqZfqVG6kYr_rNYYlOohkSdCEwS/s320/IMG_6573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571400960856924498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I selflessly bit into one to prove it to you...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyInS5iJQjUC_vYmKgq3T7ldnSRXz6yw_XrBSZUseIQfQKVChNUWJsbZHjZEPpVe6qxsuFr0BzzNZ-AjRe1GaKpqRZgr8Wg4NJM0KqcIi_FgK3Y9RjkRN5JlX79Mc9i33P4YlfuypUGxk/s1600/IMG_6570.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyInS5iJQjUC_vYmKgq3T7ldnSRXz6yw_XrBSZUseIQfQKVChNUWJsbZHjZEPpVe6qxsuFr0BzzNZ-AjRe1GaKpqRZgr8Wg4NJM0KqcIi_FgK3Y9RjkRN5JlX79Mc9i33P4YlfuypUGxk/s320/IMG_6570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571400196314746722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and look at the little banner!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca_b1cO9E-tVxci6hnroxbwB7Ur8WPloam21iefIsjItgFesc3zCUIghcHVXOcEgWrhGk3bIz_fqvHSQkT4Hq6bEJVByO5FvNjrpPvxwbLSVzM77TL3XUyrjd1yIXcFamia4zGEAP9xl2/s1600/IMG_6568.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgca_b1cO9E-tVxci6hnroxbwB7Ur8WPloam21iefIsjItgFesc3zCUIghcHVXOcEgWrhGk3bIz_fqvHSQkT4Hq6bEJVByO5FvNjrpPvxwbLSVzM77TL3XUyrjd1yIXcFamia4zGEAP9xl2/s320/IMG_6568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571399276140080514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Have I mentioned that I am going to Hawaii?<br /><br />Aloha my friends,<br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-44953452967279333262011-02-03T09:55:00.009-06:002011-02-03T10:36:03.945-06:00Backpacking Through Joshua - wk 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://backpackingthroughjoshua.blogspot.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguinb0kOKdbki6T6CMkBP3kJj6I9NZ3iwe9Y2PLWKxw37n6Av6QQjvLfVokne1OsVZumigNdcGvDUOraWVBbOZSHiV2TJgtPUTR2xrvtdetNaxicZnjaqDKwuPSH7BirKgl2p71Os0XEhy/s320/joshua+logo+with+border.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569485506875052226" border="0" /></a><br />This week we are reading out of Joshua Chapter 4; but before I stop at camp, I was so excited to read Amber's encouraging comments today about making it to week 4. I know that I have felt pressed against and pulled away from my time in God's Word while doing this study, so it was especially excellent to have that acknowledged and addressed by our head backpacker! Remember - we wrestle not against flesh and blood....take a few moments, get your groove on and remember we serve a mighty God, a powerful and holy God.....<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uD4Zysx1PZI?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Week 4's Focus - God is Unchanging<br /><br />So, the Israelites have crossed over the Jordan and God tells them to erect a stone memorial so that this event can be remembered (paraphrase strictly mine) "<span style="font-style: italic;">that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever."(Joshua 4:24)</span><br /><br />Amber says this in our text, "Sometimes I lose track of my experiences with God's unchanging character and start to do a 'Peter in the middle of the sea who forgot to look at Jesus and started sinking' style panic attack. But when I remember that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow I can weather storms much better." Then she lays it out there....<br />"I'm looking forward to hearing how you intentionally remember what God has done in your life and how you use that to teach your children or the other people in your life when we reach CAMP."<br /><br />...intentionally remember....gulp.<br /><br />It is now Thursday, and I have been unable to post anything, save for 2 worship songs. I have struggled all week with answering this week's questions because I continually draw a blank.<br /><br /><ul><li>How do you keep your memories of the Goodness of God alive?</li><li>Do you feel comfortable sharing the things God has done in/through/for/to you with your children? Your friends? Your family? Your coworkers? Why or Why not?</li></ul>I have been picturing all week the lack of stone memorial in my front yard. The lack of 'Jesusfish' sticker on my car. The lack of Billy Graham style crusades I have led.<br /><br />And I was all prepared up until just a few minutes ago (after adding a couple more worship videos) to come humbly before you all and admit that I cannot think of one.single.way in which I keep my memories of God's goodness alive, of how I share these memories with my children or those around me and then it hit me.<br /><br />HELLO WORSHIP!<br /><br />I SING 4 JOY! *jumps up and down and giggles and claps* I sing all.the.time of God's goodness, His faithfulness, kindness, love, patience, power, greatness. I sing to my children. I sing to my family. I sing to my friends. I sing to my coworkers. I share, with you, the bloggy world, how I am moved by God to repentance, good behavior, forgiveness, loving others, etc, through the music that I share with you.<br /><br />And so-----without further ado----<br /><br />W = <span style="font-weight: bold;">W</span>orship<br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UtWl0_BZYyg?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="255"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f4pq54UQkdQ?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A8zHJhPalLY?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="330"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Blessings on your day,<br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-87006179524349220332011-01-31T09:45:00.006-06:002011-01-31T11:49:26.653-06:00SeasonsI remember when she fit on my lap.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGADPwHFQFazbsz3sd-xHYh_WvY3zdDQjpR-uU5yAyy1_oAk3-NHpi6kFj0DjRc2Qnzit3SC_6aYz9zhgn_NmN0muUzLjwvdpnF0Nasb-_ew1FlOk2gC-iPI17KIhrSVNdVCBY31YuZA2/s1600/alyssa+and+judi+1996.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGADPwHFQFazbsz3sd-xHYh_WvY3zdDQjpR-uU5yAyy1_oAk3-NHpi6kFj0DjRc2Qnzit3SC_6aYz9zhgn_NmN0muUzLjwvdpnF0Nasb-_ew1FlOk2gC-iPI17KIhrSVNdVCBY31YuZA2/s320/alyssa+and+judi+1996.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568377149645502866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Today she walked through the door to her future...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWy83HKHpnXm4wesYOPlikxVJ_RpmV-8yQsXZC5S7uXdRHv9a3q3jFQb9UWaHjT2nNlvRZyc_RD47LFdVJuhfeFEnKCdLs1OyX7LoyzE-DoQW3D3Ubv6qae0NKbg_IWFabHPJM3IGIbLu/s1600/IMG_6144edit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWy83HKHpnXm4wesYOPlikxVJ_RpmV-8yQsXZC5S7uXdRHv9a3q3jFQb9UWaHjT2nNlvRZyc_RD47LFdVJuhfeFEnKCdLs1OyX7LoyzE-DoQW3D3Ubv6qae0NKbg_IWFabHPJM3IGIbLu/s320/IMG_6144edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568377031501971042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our daughter has committed the next 6 years of her life to service to this great nation. Aim high and Godspeed!<br /><br /><br /><br />Blessings on your day my friends,<br /><br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864831339841002147.post-58982868121740980672011-01-21T18:48:00.008-06:002011-01-25T10:49:54.328-06:00Backpacking Through Joshua - wk 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.backpackingthroughjoshua.blogspot.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SsmR_xF-GtSRfxe9tkxySOkfJ4tJbueSElSgGlwSopEWALDxGUiJKGPr3GgEBbWA9WoaUrmiIahKUJtCDk0H7raY6LW9Xvnn4JVtcJ7ToHGO2toKRnOdw-5DFU7UHnrUrn59w2C95BKB/s320/joshua+logo+with+border.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566149089199379794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here we are in week 3. I had a little more steam this week. Conviction will ^hopefully^ do that for you. I say "conviction" not "guilt".<br /><br />Focus: God is our leader<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />M</span> = <span style="font-weight: bold;">M</span>ore to read<br />Follow God<br />Week 3 ~ here we are at the banks of the Jordan river "at the time of harvest, when the Jordan overflows all its banks" (Joshua 3:15). God says, ' okay guys, its time to get this done. See that overflowing river? The Levites are going to carry the Ark into that river and stand in it while you all cross to the other side. Get clean. GO!' (paraphrase strictly mine). I'm a visual sort of girl so I wanted to <span style="font-style: italic;">SEE</span> what I am reading about to have an idea of how big their following-faith would have to be. I found this picture of the Jordan River, although I don't think it is yet overflowing its banks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://revelationcity.com/Jordan.asp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzKerbbmAguGjkQN0HIU71DoS4XgOXaHcQZ4yhgXOcr7r-Woed3UBqjlfrbb35nko-TrXSjf5l0j5ilfsjTbhQEW86WkUJyBRYdFf4ETGBUR8ZmdH-IPCIe_GLHfe3gyAoIz-uARBuAgT/s320/jordanrivercopyrightsoftkeymultimedia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566154016145338146" border="0" /></a>'Sooo, You want us to step in and then stop? In that river there? And be still? While holding the Ark?' I don't know about any of you, but I have had a couple of unpleasant experiences with being swept away or pulled under by water that otherwise seemed fairly benign and I have a little idea of what it can do. I can already tell you that I would have a really hard time with this instruction. I can feel the fear taking over and causing me to list all the reasons why this is a bad idea.<br /><br /><span class="hw">fol·low</span> <span class="pron"></span><div class="pseg"><i>v.</i> <b>fol·lowed</b>, <b>fol·low·ing</b>, <b>fol·lows</b> </div><i></i><div class="ds-list">To come or go after; proceed behind <span class="illustration"></span></div><div class="ds-list">To go in the direction of; be guided by<span class="illustration"></span></div>To accept the guidance, command, or leadership of<br /><br />Aha. This is not God telling the Israelites to go into the Jordan River. This is God telling the Israelites to proceed behind Him, to be guided by Him, to accept the leadership of Him.<br /><br />Also, let me make this clear ~ this is not <span style="font-style: italic;">ME</span> telling the Israelites to follow <span style="font-style: italic;">ME</span> into the Jordan River. That would be stupid. Plus, I really would be frozen at the banks. We have already established that the God who is leading the Israelites is a God who keeps His promises and is worthy of our trust. The Israelites already know that God can stop a mighty water from flowing because He has already proven it. I suppose I could make the argument that the circumstances of the Israelites' faith in the time of Joshua, and the circumstances of my faith are very different. I do not have God, through a cloud, leading me and I do not have manna showing up daily for me to pick up and eat and I did not SEE the Red Sea parted, blah blah blah. I HAVE however chosen to believe in God and, through His Son Jesus Christ, receive forgiveness of my sins and live in eternal relationship with Him. I believe that God is who He says He is and does and has done what He says He does and has done. Therefore, my faith should be no less equal than that of the Israelites. If God led them, He will lead and <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> leading me. Now where's that river??<br /><br />P = <span style="font-weight: bold;">P</span>utting it out there<br /><br />1. Are there some areas in your life in which you allow God to lead more than others?<br /><ul><li>Most definitely. To be perfectly and, well, embarrassingly honest, I do not ask God to lead in most areas of my life. Sure, the big stuff I go to Him about. And I do mean, BIG. We're talking crisis level. The rest of the time(and the reason I am in this study) I just.handle.it.myself. ~working on that~</li></ul>2. Tell of a time you followed God's leading into an unfamiliar territory.<br /><ul><li>Several years ago I was asked to pray about taking on the role of Worship Leader for our military women's Bible study. So, I laughed. Then I agreed to pray (although, I really felt that the answer would be a resounding "You are not qualified!"). You know what? I prayed and God said, "You are who I want to be there at this time." (notice the period? end of sentence?) You know what else? I WASN'T qualified. I couldn't even read music OR play an instrument. How does one <span style="font-style: italic;">LEAD</span> worship in these circumstances? You don't. You step aside and let God lead. I heard once that God does not call the equipped but that He equips those whom He calls.<br /></li><li>Ps ~ where my journal pages started for week 3, the scripture quote is this, "For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared." Proverbs 3:26</li><li> Thank You God.<br /></li></ul><br /><br />Worship =<br /><br />By His hand He leadeth me. Ahhh.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/c_yQeuo7auw?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Where You go, I'll go. Where You stay, I'll stay...<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DoU8zBQE6Q4?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" width="340" frameborder="0" height="221"></iframe><br /><br /><br />Blessings on your day,<br /><a href="http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/?action=view&current=sing4joy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q45/HisGirlAmber/sing4joy.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a>Sing4joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03675232083320126860noreply@blogger.com6