Saturday, October 13, 2012

Deeper with Jesus in Rhode Island: Beautiful Impossibilities

I've been reading Lori Roeleveld's blog for a while now. Her latest blog is very challenging and action-provoking, hopefully (rather than just thought-provoking). :) 

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Fly! Be Free!

It's been a long time since I posted anything, and even longer since I've been motivated to really write anything. This has been an eventful spring and summer; with the biggest event being my sweet daughter Emily's graduation from high school. Emily is our oldest child, so this was our first experience with a real graduation. We are home-schoolers, and belong to a home-school co-op, in which classes are taught two days a week by parents or others. They do an amazing graduation ceremony every year. Emily's class was very small, with only 23, but the ceremony took 3 hours, because the parents personally presented their child's diploma along with a short speech, and the students performed music and dance. There was quite a bit of preparation involved for parents, students, teachers, and administrators. It is a very emotional and stressful time, as well as joyful, because parents have to get used to the idea of their child getting ready for a more independent life, college, career, etc.. The ceremony was wonderful, and it really got my emotions on a roller coaster when right at the beginning they played a clip from 'The Andy Griffith Show' in which Andy talks to Opie about setting free some little birds he has been taking care of, keeping them safe in a cage. Of course Andy is talking about baby birds needing to fly and be free, but all our minds were on our own 'baby birds' and we knew exactly what Andy was really thinking about: his own little bird, Opie, needed to learn to fly and to make good decisions on his own. I was almost sobbing, and trying not to show it. There were many people also using kleenex, however. Once I get the 'waterworks' started, it's hard for me to stop; so this did not bode well, as I had uncharacteristically decided to go ahead and give a short speech when my husband and I presented Emily's diploma. This was a brave turn-around for me, as I had originally planned to indulge my shyness and leave the speaking to Eddie alone. But this year has been one of taking new steps for me anyway, or rather of spreading my wings. Earlier this year I sang my first solo in front of an audience, and next week I'm going to a master portrait painting workshop in Raleigh, NC to try and develop the gifts God has given me. The funny thing is, I wasn't really afraid any more. Having the courage to sing earlier this year had knocked my habitual paralyzing fear for a loop. It was gone. I was nervous, but actually looking forward to sharing what I had to say to and about Emily. We got in line by the stage to prepare to give diplomas, and our youngest daughter Abigail, who was sitting with my parents, started crying for me; I motioned for Mom to let her come to us. When it was our turn, I got up there with Eddie and Emily and Abigail, and Eddie spoke first. He did beautifully, but lo and behold, right at the end, he choked up, and then joked his way through the tears. It was my turn, and I grabbed the mike and started talking. I had a bit of trouble remembering to speak into the mike, but I got through my speech with a few tears; and was able to talk through them, instead of letting the tears silence me as I used to do. Here is the text of my speech to Emily.
Emily is our firstborn. And Abigail is our youngest. Emily was present when Abigail was born; and witnessed her birth. The umbilical cord was wrapped around Abigail's neck as she was coming out, and there was a crisis for a minute or two, but everything was alright. It's amazing, then, that after witnessing all that, Emily has decided to pursue an apprenticeship or program to learn midwifery. I'm very proud that she will be helping women and families to have a safe, dignified, and natural a birth process as possible. That is very important. Like the Israelite midwives in Egypt who were obedient to God, and so saved the children of Israel. I'm very happy for her; though it's very bittersweet seeing her grow up. She's a dear, sweet, gentle girl, who loves God, babies, praise dance, history, Snoopy, and of course... chocolate. Emily, as a child, you used to carry around a Tweety Bird toy. Then, you saw your baby sister Abigail be born, and you loved to carry her and take care of her, like a second mommy. Emily I'm proud of your conscientious heart, your responsibility, and maturity. You teach me so much without a word by your gentleness and patience. I love you dearly.God bless you in all your endeavors. As you seek Him, He will continue to reveal His will to you, step by step. This is one of the first memory verses you learned as a child. "His word will be a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path." I love you, Emily :)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Do You Believe in Evolution??? Evolution pushed in Roman Catholic Bibles for Latin America: post by Ken Ham of AIG

Ken Ham just posted this on his blog for Answers in Genesis. Creationism is a subject dear to my heart, and it has always bothered me that the official stance of the Catholic Church appears to be in support of the 'theory' of evolution. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence in support of the literal Biblical account of creation and the flood. Enough to make many scientists turn their back on evolution over the years in recent times. I wonder, how many of my Roman Catholic readers support evolution, and how many support creationism (that God created everything in 7 days, and that the flood account is literal)? '

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Violin Maker


I'm reading The Violin Maker by John Marchese. There's a quote in the book from You Can Make a Stradivarius Violin by Joseph Reid. "Violin making is one of the most noble crafts of man, being one in which the mental and artistic genius of the maker find full freedom. A man's true character and nature will be revealed by the violin that he fashions. If he is a true artist he will build his very soul into the instrument." God is a true artist, and that's what He does for us, His instruments. It's no coincidence that a violin is shaped like a woman, and the church, Christ's Bride, is a woman and the crown of His creation.

Big Daddy Weave - Listen To "Love Come To Life"



A good friend of mine danced to this while her husband sang recently. This song is my prayer lately, in the war between the pull of the world and the gentle drawing of God's Spirit in me.

Saturday, April 07, 2012

Steven Curtis Chapman - Films and Music Inspired by THE STORY "This Is H...



I just saw this after someone tweeted it. I hadn't heard this song by Steven Curtis Chapman before. It's so beautiful, and helps me to focus again on the cross, and get ready to celebrate the resurrection.

Ryan Kelly ~ Were You There?



Ryan Kelly, of Celtic Thunder, shared this today on Twitter. I love hearing artists sing such heartfelt songs of love for the Savior. Especially good to hear Ryan express his faith in Christ, since their shows are much more secular.

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Casting Crowns - Jesus, Friend of Sinners



Here's the song by Casting Crowns that I mentioned in my last post. The song is reminding us that we can't be the light of the world by pointing at sinners in condemnation, as if we ourselves are not sinners too. However, what I 'heard' the other day on the radio was that the world can't see Christ in us, the church, because we are too busy pointing our fingers at each other in condemnation, when we should be showing the world how much we love each other. Condemning the world and condemning other believers are both stumbling blocks to sinners; keeping them from seeing the light of the gospel.
As I said in the first post, there is a place and time for defending the truth against falsehood. It should be done. But taking it upon myself to do this as a constant thing, mainly against one group of Christians, is not what I am called to do. My curious and often obsessive personality can draw me into things that are not my business if I don't pay attention to what I should be doing. I should be seeking Christ first and taking care of my family; and loving the believers around me as well as sharing the gospel with unbelievers I meet. I can't do any of these things by delving into 'Catholic vs. Protestant' theology.
It has been quite a while since I have had the heart to post anything about Catholicism and debate about it. My own struggles have deflated both my pride and my curiosity in that area: two of my major faults. I don't know if I'll ever want to go there again. I'm still very interested in the church and how it should and shouldn't work, but from a more personal perspective lately. I'm not 'sure' of so much as I was before. I don't know if I was right or wrong in all my facts, but I know I was often wrong in my prideful attitude.
I am truly sorry for the things I have posted in an attitude of pride, thinking that I know something when I really don't: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him(1 Corinthians 8:1b-3). To those I have offended, please forgive me.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

The Criminal Who Made Joseph Kony Famous: by Geoffrey Botkin

My daughter shared an article about the Joseph Kony issue which I think is very helpful to gain perspective on what's really happening in Africa. It is written by Geoffrey Botkin, founder of the Western Conservatory of Arts and Sciences. Hearing all the hype a couple of weeks ago made me curious about what the real situation is in Africa. I am glad to have this practical information, and to know that African nations are dealing with the warlords.

Casting Crowns - Behind The Song "Jesus, Friend Of Sinners"



I heard this song today. I'm not sure if it was the first time I've heard it, but it was the first time it got through to my heart. This is a video about the song. I'll post the song next. I am getting something from this song that isn't exactly what was intended; but when I heard them singing about the world not being able to see Christ's message because of our pointing fingers, I saw how the world can't see Christ in us because we're too busy pointing our fingers at each other; at other believers. The unity and love that Christ spoke of in His church isn't there as it should be. I really don't know if what I've said in past blog posts about Catholicism is wrong. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. But I'm getting that even if I was 'right' about some or all of what I have posted about, that much of it was not my business. I had to go through what I went through to learn something, but in the end I didn't learn what I thought I was learning all along. This may make no sense unless you've been with me for a while; but when I posted about Peter cutting off the ear of the servant of the high priest, and I said this was the pope persecuting the servants of Christ the High Priest; well, after listening to this song, I realized that was me, too. There is a time and a place to defend the faith, but sometimes we take things upon ourselves that we ought not. Whether any popes persecuted Christians, do I have the right to decide who is or who isn't a Christian? What do I really know about it? Our earthly church rulers may or may not do well, but we ourselves should love other individual believers and be united with them. I have no idea how this can happen, but I pray it does. That doesn't mean I won't ever speak out if I see something wrong, but I will be much more careful about it. And I pray I'll remember to take the plank out of my own eye first. In Christ,
Jennie

Monday, March 26, 2012

My first solo



Here I am singing my first solo for our Koinonia Dinner Theater fundraiser. This is our homeschool co-op; we're raising money to help buy the property which we've been leasing for the last two years.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Our Anniversary Trip to Cozumel

My husband Eddie made this video of our recent cruise to Key West and Cozumel, so I thought I'd share it here: 

Our Anniversary Trip to Cozumel

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

For Saint Patrick's Day, here is the Confession of Saint Patrick, written in the fifth century, originally in Latin. I enjoy finding and reading things written so long ago by our elder brothers and sisters in Christ, and seeing in them the same struggles and joys, and the same love for Christ that we have as believers today.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Chance Scoggins: Stepping Beyond the Dream

Somebody tweeted this today:Chance Scoggins--Stepping Beyond the Dream. The link won't work, so just go to www.chancescoggins.com and look under the post for March 12, 2012. This, like the Neil Gaiman post, is another one that really hits me where I am right now. Been thinking alot about the gifts God has given me and how I haven't used them and developed them as God would wish me to. Goes back to living in depression and fear and complacency for so many years. This has been a theme in my latest posts, and I keep coming across this idea of pursuing your dreams, using your gifts, and being willing to risk making mistakes in order to do what you were made to do, especially for the purpose of blessing others even if you feel inadequate. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness. "Fear not, for I am with you even unto the end of the age."

Monday, March 12, 2012

The Well of Living Water

I heard this on my local Christian radio station,J93.3FM, last week. A recording of Mark Hall, of Casting Crowns, talking about his new book 'The Well'. He said 'the woman at the well thought she was standing beside a well talking to a man, but she was really standing beside a hole in the ground and talking to the Well'. He said we often draw from so many other things in our lives instead of from Christ, the Well of Living Water. We think we're drawing from a well, but it's just a hole in the ground which cannot satisfy. How true that is.

This really struck me, as I seem to be in a season of uncertainty and changes in my life; and I feel like I've been asleep for many years because of depression and fear, and am just now trying to wake up and live. I feel like I'm wanting to stretch my wings and be willing to make mistakes while trying new things. In the process I feel like I'm being pulled by both the world and by Christ, and I have to learn how to walk in this world, but not be of it. I am tempted to 'be of it' though, since I've lived a sheltered life for so long, and often feel lately that I've missed out. My last post on Neil Gaiman relates to this, of course. I want to be free to do things even if I make mistakes and fall down in the process. I don't mean that one should go out and sin, but that I should stretch myself by using the gifts God has given me. I will make mistakes as I do this, but I will also grow into who God meant me to be.

Pray for me to seek first the kingdom of God and not fall for the world's false substitutes.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes"

Neil Gaiman is a writer in many forms, including novels, comic books, and screenplays. He wrote at least one Doctor Who episode. On his blog in December he wrote this, which is what I need to learn this year and wish I had learned many years ago, since I've always been afraid of making mistakes:
"And for this year, my wish for each of us is small and very simple.

And it's this.

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

Thursday, February 09, 2012

Good Post by Wes King: Where does my inspiration for writing songs come from?

I read this post by Christian singer/songwriter Wes King today on facebook and wanted to share it with you.

Someone wrote me an email and asked me where my inspiration comes from to write songs. This was my response, thought I'd share it.

Well, it may sound trite, but it comes from knowing God, and the desire to know Him better.
The older I get, the more believable the Gospel becomes to me. I believe that God made us to enjoy what He has made, and Himself. There are countless other reasons, but these two are chief, or first among them.
Have you ever noticed that you have more fun at a sport or subject when you are good at it? You get good at it by practicing, and the more you practice the more you know it. The more you know it the better you are, the better you are the more you enjoy it. Thus, joy in increased by knowledge. Remember the verse "You shall KNOW the truth, and the Truth shall set you free". At the heart of Christianity is a knowing.
Sometimes, no often, you practice football, by not playing football, but by doing something like lifting weights, or watching football films. I've never seen anyone take a set of weights out onto a football field during a game, or old films of football games in the huddle. The weight lifting helps you become stronger over all, the films help you understand the over all game better. Both prepare you for the actual game. The weights, and films are not the ends, they are the means.
It takes faith, study, fellowship, and love to even begin to grasp the ineffable dimensions of God's love. In the end, we have to believe that He made us, and loves us, and understands what we are here for.
When we are amazed by that power and love, then our response is to know, and serve, and please the One who loved us so much that He ransomed us from the wages of our sin, and lifts us from our fallen state.
The further down the road to understanding, and knowing the God who loves us, the more our perceptions increase. Where we once saw a sea of green, we now see beautiful blades of grass, the lines and pattern on each one. We see a beautiful lady bug climbing to reach the top of one of these amazing little designs as ourselves reaching for the heights. We see the poetry in every inch of creation because God is a Poet. We see our actions and choices differently because God is telling a story and we want to play the part He has written for us with honor.
In short, we see the design and it's beauty with more understanding, because we believe that there is a Designer. In seeing deeper down, further in, and higher up we become inspired.
Do you remember when you were young and you drew, what to you at the time, was a master piece? What did you do, hide it? No, you called an urgent emergency meeting of your whole family to behold this creative masterpiece by your hand. I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa had to rush over and be amazed as well. You wanted to share the inspiration, the beauty, the childlike majesty.
This is why I write songs. I want to share the wonder, and be in the wonder. I love seeing someone's eyes open wide, the mouth agape, and the unique sound that only humans make when they are amazed by Seeing something that astounds them. Remember Jesus saying, "if you seek me you will find me". I want to seek that majesty with my own eyes and proclaim it, and the glory of the One who is worthy of our wonder. A good song is just one long, "WOW" that rhymes.
God bless you little sister. I pray this helps you. Go, be inspired to be a light to the world. I'm honored you would ask me.
wes

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Evanġeliku: This is My Body ... This is My Blood

Here's a thoughtful blog post by Joseph Mizzi of 'Evangeliku'. My thought is that we should allow for many degrees of understanding ranging from figurative to literal as long as the belief comes from love and faith for our Savior.

Evanġeliku: This is My Body ... This is My Blood: What did our Lord mean when he said, ‘This is my body … this is my blood’? Was he speaking literally or figuratively? It is not my inten...

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

PROTECT A FREE AND OPEN INTERNET!!!

Visit here to find out more about SOPA and PIPA, "the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the PROTECTIP Act (PIPA) in the U.S. Senate — that, if passed, will harm the free and open Internet. These bills endanger free speech both in the United States and abroad, potentially setting a frightening precedent of Internet censorship for the world." On the link, you can also click to find info to contact your Senators and Congressman. Thank you for your concern!

Sunday, January 01, 2012

I Need Thee Every Hour ~ Selah



This hymn keeps coming to mind lately, because often I am forgetful of my own weakness and constant need of God's grace. I try to do things by my own power and understanding, or else I live for my own pleasure and don't remain mindful that I have been called out of this worlds darkness. I need my Good Shepherd every hour, until He comes to gather His flock and lead us to the fold. Remember this with me as we begin this new year.