Rob Bell and the TNIV
John MacArthur on the TNIV:
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Happy Birthday Paysie girl
Oh Paysie,
When I found out that I was going to have a daughter, words could not contain my excitement! I never imagined that any ultrasound tech would ever say to me "It's a girl!"
My impatience to have you only got worse as your due date approached. I wondered if I would ever get to meet you.
When you decided to be 10 days late, I figured something needed to be done...so we forced you out. The eviction date was settled to be August 18th. Once things started, it didn't take much convincing to get you out!
From the moment I saw you, I was in love. There is nothing quite like that moment when the pain is over and there is a new life placed upon your chest.
A girl....I had a girl.
Your brothers were doting on you the very moment they met you. My heart was overflowing with the blessings that God chose to give me.
I love watching you grow and do new things. I love how your face lights up and you begin clapping and nodding, the moment you see me. I love how you follow me around the house and never let me forget that you are closeby. I love how you erupt in laughter when your brothers love on you and kiss you up.
You have started saying please when you want something. You say yes to me when I ask you a question. You cruise around the house, wanting to be like your big brothers.
Your hair curls around your ears in the most adorable way. You get so excited sometimes that your whole body shakes. You raise your arms to me in complete trust when you need something. Oh girlie, may your hugs and kisses never end.
I love you more than I can possible express. You are my little Paysie-girl. The daughter that I pray grows up in faith and Godliness. I promise to raise you up to be the woman that God has called you to be....and I guarantee that I will fail miserably. Just know that the Holy Spirit will lead you...and when mommy fails, God will never fail.
Remember that you are loved and prayed for daily.
Your Mommy
The day you were born....
Coming home from the hospital...
2 weeks old....
At your birthday party....
When I found out that I was going to have a daughter, words could not contain my excitement! I never imagined that any ultrasound tech would ever say to me "It's a girl!"
My impatience to have you only got worse as your due date approached. I wondered if I would ever get to meet you.
When you decided to be 10 days late, I figured something needed to be done...so we forced you out. The eviction date was settled to be August 18th. Once things started, it didn't take much convincing to get you out!
From the moment I saw you, I was in love. There is nothing quite like that moment when the pain is over and there is a new life placed upon your chest.
A girl....I had a girl.
Your brothers were doting on you the very moment they met you. My heart was overflowing with the blessings that God chose to give me.
I love watching you grow and do new things. I love how your face lights up and you begin clapping and nodding, the moment you see me. I love how you follow me around the house and never let me forget that you are closeby. I love how you erupt in laughter when your brothers love on you and kiss you up.
You have started saying please when you want something. You say yes to me when I ask you a question. You cruise around the house, wanting to be like your big brothers.
Your hair curls around your ears in the most adorable way. You get so excited sometimes that your whole body shakes. You raise your arms to me in complete trust when you need something. Oh girlie, may your hugs and kisses never end.
I love you more than I can possible express. You are my little Paysie-girl. The daughter that I pray grows up in faith and Godliness. I promise to raise you up to be the woman that God has called you to be....and I guarantee that I will fail miserably. Just know that the Holy Spirit will lead you...and when mommy fails, God will never fail.
Remember that you are loved and prayed for daily.
Your Mommy
The day you were born....
Coming home from the hospital...
2 weeks old....
At your birthday party....
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Happy Birthday, my 6 year old!
Oh Gideon,
It is hard to imagine that six years have gone by since I cradled you in my arms for the first time. You came so quickly and surprised us!
My dear boy, you have grown so much since you turned 5. You are a first grader now! You are able to read a bit and follow along in your hymnal. It has warmed my heart and brought much glory to God, as you have grown in your love for the Gospel.
It wasn't that long ago, that you told me "Mommy, I remember when I didn't love God. But now I do...but I can remember when I didn't." Oh, it brings me so much joy to see your joy that only God can give!! I pray that you continue in your thirst for knowledge of our great God. Though suffering is inevitable, I know you will persevere and become a great man of God.
I love you so much!
Love,
Mommy
The first time I held you...this was right after you were born:
The first week that you were home from the hospital:
You with big brother, Nolan:
It is hard to imagine that six years have gone by since I cradled you in my arms for the first time. You came so quickly and surprised us!
We had company over that night. My due date was 3 days earlier, and so far, there was no sign that you might make an appearance! You sure fooled us!
We went to bed around 11pm, and as I laid there, I began to feel the tightness of contractions begin. I got up, being sure not to disturb daddy, and went into the living room to see if labor was starting.
I watched a little tv and went onto the computer, where I timed my contractions. By midnight, they were every 6-9 minutes apart, but weren't too painful yet.
At 12:30am, I decided to wake up daddy and tell him what was going on. He was very excited!! He took a shower and got ready to possibly head to the hospital.
By 1:30, daddy thought he should call our friend Megan to have her head on over to our house. I wasn't even sure this was really 'it', but let him call her anyway. I remember taking a shower, still not sure if this was really labor!
Megan arrived around 1:45am, and we sat on the couch, talking, waiting for the contractions to pick up. We figured that because Nolan's birth took 22 hours, that it would take at least 10 hours until you were born. We were wrong, very wrong!
It was 2:30am, when I stood up and walked over to daddy...and things started to get much more painful. It was as though you got into just the right position and let my body know it! Megan began to get worried when she noticed that it was 3 minutes inbetween contractions. We headed for the door!
We only lived 10 minutes from the hospital, but in mid-August, it was HOT! I made daddy turn off the air conditioning because it was bothering me as I continued having contractions.
We arrived at the hospital at 3am. I was still able to walk, and turned down the wheelchair that was to bring me to my room. But, once the receptionist at the hospital saw me have a contraction, she made sure I was wheeled to Labor and Delivery.
As I was wheeled in, daddy stayed back at reception, since they were having problems with their printer. We thought we would have hours until you arrived, so we weren't worried at all.
The nurses checked to see how far dilated I was at 3:10, and I was at 5cm. I was excited about that, because it seemed to take me forever to get to this point with Nolan. John stuck his head in the room to see how I was, I told him I was at 5cm, and was ready for an epidural. That was an epidural I would never get the chance to have!
By 3:15, the contractions picked up, and they were one on top of the other. John finally arrived back in the room after moving our van, and just stood back, not sure what he was supposed to be doing!
At 3:30, I started to feel nauseaus and told the nurses that I needed to push. They looked skeptical, but checked me anyway....I was dilated to 10cm!!! Needless to say, the doctor wasn't there yet.
I remember the nurses telling me not to push, and pretend to blow a feather. Yeah, right. My body was taking over and was literally pushing you out by itself! The nurses had to keep lowering the heart monitor on you since you kept going lower and lower...it was beyond my control!!
The Doctor showed up at 3:45am, and was told what was going on....he suited up and told me to push!
The nurses had to break my water as you were crowning! I think you could have been born in the bag of water, had they let you.
After one push, I was told to stop and breath as they eased you out. There were no complications and no stitches were needed. I felt great the moment you were born, and had a shower soon after.
You were born at 3:53am.....less than an hour after we arrived at the hospital!
They swaddled you up, and you were laid on my chest. I hadn't even had a chance to put on a hospital gown! You began nursing like a champ and were one of the most beautiful boys (apart from your brothers!) that I had ever seen.
Daddy called up Megan to tell her you were here...and she thought it was a dream because you arrived so fast.
I remember when daddy left the hospital around 6:30am, to get home in time to see Nolan waking up. It was just me and you...all was quiet and calm. I loved on you and held you and was so grateful that God chose me to be your mother.
Gideon David...August 13, 2003...7 pounds 6 ounces...19 inches long
My dear boy, you have grown so much since you turned 5. You are a first grader now! You are able to read a bit and follow along in your hymnal. It has warmed my heart and brought much glory to God, as you have grown in your love for the Gospel.
It wasn't that long ago, that you told me "Mommy, I remember when I didn't love God. But now I do...but I can remember when I didn't." Oh, it brings me so much joy to see your joy that only God can give!! I pray that you continue in your thirst for knowledge of our great God. Though suffering is inevitable, I know you will persevere and become a great man of God.
I love you so much!
Love,
Mommy
The first time I held you...this was right after you were born:
The first week that you were home from the hospital:
You with big brother, Nolan:
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Free Book!
You can receive John MacArthur's new book just by filling out some info here
They are giving this away through September 20th!
They are giving this away through September 20th!
Monday, August 10, 2009
A quote
"Sir, if a young man comes to the door asking permission to begin some sort of relationship with your daughter, do not only ask him are you fleeing from youthful lusts but ask him this, are you pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace? or Do you go to church on Sunday morning and on Saturday night, you're out there with Bubba and everyone else at a tailgate party?
You see, does this young man pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace and does he do it? If he says yes, then ask yourself with those that call upon the name of the Lord from a pure heart, look at his friends. Look at his friends! Do his friends call upon the name of the Lord with a pure heart? Then, if they do not then know this, there is something wrong with the boy. Birds of a feather flock together. Don't be fooled by romanticism and the deception of this age. Do not be fooled. And don't think sir, that you've done your responsibility just because when the boy pulls up in the parking lot of your house and you're cleaning your gun. Big deal, you've failed at everything else, but you know how to clean a gun. The gun won't scare him. Not at all. Your job is not to scare the suitor, it's to train your children, so that the only suitor they will accept are Godly ones."
--Paul Washer (from his sermon Biblical Manhood pt1)
You see, does this young man pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace and does he do it? If he says yes, then ask yourself with those that call upon the name of the Lord from a pure heart, look at his friends. Look at his friends! Do his friends call upon the name of the Lord with a pure heart? Then, if they do not then know this, there is something wrong with the boy. Birds of a feather flock together. Don't be fooled by romanticism and the deception of this age. Do not be fooled. And don't think sir, that you've done your responsibility just because when the boy pulls up in the parking lot of your house and you're cleaning your gun. Big deal, you've failed at everything else, but you know how to clean a gun. The gun won't scare him. Not at all. Your job is not to scare the suitor, it's to train your children, so that the only suitor they will accept are Godly ones."
--Paul Washer (from his sermon Biblical Manhood pt1)
A quote
I recently found this comment by a mother of 8. I could not have said it better myself:
I am a mother of eight, but it’s not because I am Super Mom. It’s not because I was born with some rare gift that makes me capable of mothering a large family. It’s because this family God has seen fit to give me has shaped and changed me into the person I am today. It’s because God sends challenges and then follows up those challenges with the graces you need to get through them. Always.
I can live this imperfect life with eight imperfect children, not because I am awesome, but because God is.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
This is going to be a rough couple of weeks..
Gideon is turning 6 on the 13th.
Paysie is turning 1 on the 18th.
I don't want my babies to get older :(
Paysie is turning 1 on the 18th.
I don't want my babies to get older :(
A trip to Sam's Club
I haven't had to buy toilet paper in at least 6 years. The last time I can remember...I believe Nolan was a baby. He is now 7.
On Saturday, I put Paysie down for a nap. Jamison was in the high chair with a snack.
One by one, I had Nolan, Gideon and Haddon, each sneak down the stairs to put their shoes on, and then proceed to get in the van.
Why did we sneak? (you might ask!)
Well, if we had announced we were going, it would have created some weeping and gnashing of poor little Jamison's teeth, since he was NOT going with us!
We proceeded to head out to enjoy a tax-free shopping trip for some back to (home)school items, as well as the dreaded toilet paper purchase.
After all of this, I still haven't told you why it's been so long since I've bought toilet paper....well, my husband used to be able to buy it by the case from his employer. But then he was let-go (or should I say fired...something that I will not go into, but believe me when I say to you that it was all on the up and up and was not his fault!)
The last time I looked into our pantry closet...we were down to 2 rolls. That was last week, so I was pretty confident that we were closing in on having to start using paper towels...that is, if I didn't purchase more!
Anyway...
After a few stores, we get to Sam's Club. At first I wandered around lost, since I have no idea where the tp is. Not only is it because they changed the layout of the store around, but also because I have never needed to know where it is!
I finally find it. I tried calling John to see if it was a good price. I don't know what the going rate of tp is nowadays...what, with inflation and all. But, I couldn't get ahold of him, so I picked the cheapest and hoped that it was a good decision. I don't know about you, but I really don't need to have fluffy pillow top tp...it's not like I'm going to be sleeping on it!
I lug the tp into the cart.
Nolan looks at it and asks me what bath tissue is. I told him it is just another name for tp.
He got a sly look on his face...and replied, "I know what bath tissue is. Let's say you are in the bath tub and then you sneeze. You might say...oh, I need some bath tissue!"
We were all laughing at that one.
I said, "Nolan, you always make me laugh. I am so happy that you are my boy."
To which he said, "Yeah, and I'm so happy that you are my woman."
All in all, it was an enjoyable trip with my boys, even if I had to buy tp.
On Saturday, I put Paysie down for a nap. Jamison was in the high chair with a snack.
One by one, I had Nolan, Gideon and Haddon, each sneak down the stairs to put their shoes on, and then proceed to get in the van.
Why did we sneak? (you might ask!)
Well, if we had announced we were going, it would have created some weeping and gnashing of poor little Jamison's teeth, since he was NOT going with us!
We proceeded to head out to enjoy a tax-free shopping trip for some back to (home)school items, as well as the dreaded toilet paper purchase.
After all of this, I still haven't told you why it's been so long since I've bought toilet paper....well, my husband used to be able to buy it by the case from his employer. But then he was let-go (or should I say fired...something that I will not go into, but believe me when I say to you that it was all on the up and up and was not his fault!)
The last time I looked into our pantry closet...we were down to 2 rolls. That was last week, so I was pretty confident that we were closing in on having to start using paper towels...that is, if I didn't purchase more!
Anyway...
After a few stores, we get to Sam's Club. At first I wandered around lost, since I have no idea where the tp is. Not only is it because they changed the layout of the store around, but also because I have never needed to know where it is!
I finally find it. I tried calling John to see if it was a good price. I don't know what the going rate of tp is nowadays...what, with inflation and all. But, I couldn't get ahold of him, so I picked the cheapest and hoped that it was a good decision. I don't know about you, but I really don't need to have fluffy pillow top tp...it's not like I'm going to be sleeping on it!
I lug the tp into the cart.
Nolan looks at it and asks me what bath tissue is. I told him it is just another name for tp.
He got a sly look on his face...and replied, "I know what bath tissue is. Let's say you are in the bath tub and then you sneeze. You might say...oh, I need some bath tissue!"
We were all laughing at that one.
I said, "Nolan, you always make me laugh. I am so happy that you are my boy."
To which he said, "Yeah, and I'm so happy that you are my woman."
All in all, it was an enjoyable trip with my boys, even if I had to buy tp.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Pizza Hut: BOOK-IT Program for Homeschoolers!
If you homeschool and you have children in grades K-6, you can sign them up for the Pizza Hut Book-It program for free and your children can earn a free personal pan pizza every month they reach their reading goals. I fondly remember doing the Book-It program in grade school and now I'm excited to get to do it with my daughter who is in Kindergarten!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Free Food from Schwanns...
I just did it, so I know it's still good...not sure how much longer it'll last! It's for the first 500,000 new customers!
Click here
Go here...anything $10 or under...and it's yours! FREE!
I end up having to pay .08 cents...that I can pay at my door when it's delivered on Thursday!
GO NOW and SIGN UP!
Click here
Go here...anything $10 or under...and it's yours! FREE!
I end up having to pay .08 cents...that I can pay at my door when it's delivered on Thursday!
GO NOW and SIGN UP!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Quilt Giveaway!
Marie Madeline Studio is giving away a beautiful quilt!
Be sure to head over and sign up!
EDITED TO ADD: You must head over to Marie Madeline Studio to enter the giveaway!
Measures 66 3/4" x 90". This happy-scrappy (our official title for the
pattern we invented!) was made with new fabrics and freshly laundered when we
brought it home from our quilting lady. The fabrics featured in the
giveaway quilt are from ModGirls, Bellbottom, Basics, Flower Power, Dance With Me, and Pretty Please!
Be sure to head over and sign up!
EDITED TO ADD: You must head over to Marie Madeline Studio to enter the giveaway!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
After a thorough examination....
After a thorough examination by Arminian church officials, Bob was found to be only “slightly dead” in trespasses and sins.
What If This Guy Came to Your Church?
This video really shows the shallowness of so many churches today. Who are we worshiping here? Man or God?
Re-imagining God in The Shack
by Mary Kassian
This week, Christians around the world will commemorate Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It was at a Maundy Thursday service at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, in 1984, that a four-foot bronze statue of Jesus on the cross was unveiled. But to the shock of the congregation, the image of Christ on the cross was, in fact, an image of Christa. It portrayed Christ as a woman, complete with undraped breasts and rounded hips.
Betty Friedan, the main force behind modern day feminism, predicted that the question of the eighties would be: "Is God HE?" The Christa sculpture was the liberal church's response to the question. And although Evangelical Christians have been much slower to consider female gendered God imagery, the recent phenomenon of the multi-million best-seller, "The Shack," indicates that Evangelicals, too, are succumbing to the feminist pressure to image God in feminine ways. It's a scenario that I predicted almost 25 years ago.
If you haven't read it yet, and are amongst the un-Shacked evangelical minority, here's the story in a nutshell. Mack's youngest daughter Missy is kidnapped and murdered in a remote mountain shack by a serial slime, called the Ladybug Killer. Mack goes through a denial-grief-anger-bitterness cycle until he receives a letter in his mailbox from God who tells him to go back to the shack to confront his point of pain and suffering. When Mack gets to the shack he blacks out and awakens to find himself in a cabin complete with a manifestation of the Godhead. But this is no ordinary Godhead.
read more...
This week, Christians around the world will commemorate Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It was at a Maundy Thursday service at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan, in 1984, that a four-foot bronze statue of Jesus on the cross was unveiled. But to the shock of the congregation, the image of Christ on the cross was, in fact, an image of Christa. It portrayed Christ as a woman, complete with undraped breasts and rounded hips.
Betty Friedan, the main force behind modern day feminism, predicted that the question of the eighties would be: "Is God HE?" The Christa sculpture was the liberal church's response to the question. And although Evangelical Christians have been much slower to consider female gendered God imagery, the recent phenomenon of the multi-million best-seller, "The Shack," indicates that Evangelicals, too, are succumbing to the feminist pressure to image God in feminine ways. It's a scenario that I predicted almost 25 years ago.
If you haven't read it yet, and are amongst the un-Shacked evangelical minority, here's the story in a nutshell. Mack's youngest daughter Missy is kidnapped and murdered in a remote mountain shack by a serial slime, called the Ladybug Killer. Mack goes through a denial-grief-anger-bitterness cycle until he receives a letter in his mailbox from God who tells him to go back to the shack to confront his point of pain and suffering. When Mack gets to the shack he blacks out and awakens to find himself in a cabin complete with a manifestation of the Godhead. But this is no ordinary Godhead.
read more...
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