Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Funkadelick

Lately I have been in this horrible "funk" that I just can't seem to shake. All I want to do is sleep, I'm not hungry (if you know me, that is TOTALLY ab-normal), and I can't seem to find the energy to write about all of the great things going on in my life.

I read Perry Noble's blog yesterday about "Doing Battle With T-Bone" and it really hit home for me.

How many of us allow Satan to have a foothold in our lives and allow him to rob us of our joy? I know I will be praying for the Lord to replace that joy in me and to send Satan running with his tail between his legs. Can I get an "Amen!"?

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Yes, I was actually speechless

Yesterday Kale was playing in the back yard by himself while I got some things done around the house (you know, catching up on some of my TiVo shows - important stuff). I went to check on him after a few minutes and I couldn't believe my eyes. I was actually speechless (if you know me, this is a miracle from God Himself).

I saw my three-year-old throwing a football up to the top of the slide on their playground. I looked further up the slide to see that he had propped a hula-hoop at the top of the slide to serve as a target.

He's THREE!!!!!

Of coarse when I called the hubs to tell him we have a genious on our hands, he took ALL credit. I guess he thinks since they look like they were cloned in a labratory that he also inherited Jake's "Geniousnisity" (one of Jake's many made-up words).

What was I getting myself into when I prayed for all boys? Did my brain forget the part about the sick obsession with all things related to sports?

On a side note, Jacob has decided to join wrestling. We won't go into the monster it has created regarding the hubs (he wrestled for 14 years, and he's from Pennsylvania ~ you do the math). We'll get into that one later. Just know this: Jake spent over 2 hours online last night (after dragging the boys to several stores for 2 hours) trying to find Jacob the "perfect pair of wrestling shoes".

Someone kill me now.

I Couldn't Have Said It Better

A friend of mine wrote a post a while back on Proposition 2 (the Texas Marriage Amendment) and I just came across it yesterday. I know the vote is over and the amendment passed, and this is probably a mute point by now, but I think it is still worth reading and stopping for a moment to analyze our own agendas. This was my favorite part:

"Jesus seemed to link sins and sickness in a way that makes me uncomfortable. When he heals a paralytic he says, “Your sins are forgiven.” What does that mean? I don’t fully understand the connection, but I know that sin and sickness were equally birthed in a garden a long time ago, and perhaps it would help if we gave them equal care. I’m not sure what that entails; smarter people than me can make suggestions. But I was bothered that on Tuesday, I received four e-mails in one day urging me to keep homosexuals from marrying, and yet I have never received a single e-mail urging me to keep them from dying."

You can read the entire post here.

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Just UN-do it!

So I went in to change the look of my blog (because I realized that WAAAAY too many people were using the cutsy pink look), and I lost ALL of my links and a bunch of other stuff! What's up with THAT, Blogger?!?! Can't a girl make a few minor changes without losing everything she's worked hard on? I'm not a techy...that stuff took me FOR-EVER to figure out. Isn't there an "un-do" button or something I can push to get it all back???

I wish life had an "un-do" button, don't you? Like when your mouth speaks before your brain can say "NO! Don't audibly say what you're thinking!" Or when you flash back to an old boyfriend and say, "What was I THINKING?!" I would give anything to be able to go back and erase ever having premarital sex....with waaaaaayyyyy too many people. To erase saying horrible things to people I love. To erase not doing marriage God's way instead of MY way. To erase ever doing drugs and drinking.

I made a lot of choices in my past that I wish I could go through and hit the "un-do" button - I'm sure everyone has, but I know that God allowed every detail of my life to happen the way it did for a reason. I know that every bad choice, every bad boyfriend, every night of partying until I couldn't think straight, every sexual encounter will eventually be used for His glory; to help reach out to someone who doesn't know Him.

So instead of dwelling on the mistakes I've made (or pretending they never happened) and begging God to "Just UN-do It!", I'll go to bed tonight knowing that He has a plan and a purpose for me that wouldn't be the same without all of my "junk".

Sunday, November 13, 2005

Home is Where the Hart is...Minnie Hart that is.

I'm home in Tulsa this weekend with the boys for a much-needed visit and time with the fam. I was able to book a jewelry show so I can write the whole trip off (plus go home with more dough in my pocket than when I came up here).

Right now I'm smelling the amazing scents of Grilled Pork Chops, Home Made Mac-N-Cheese, and Fried (yes, fried) Green Beans. MMMMM, MMMMM! So good it'll make you want to slap yer momma!

What is it about good ole' southern comfort food that makes your heart feel good?

Today at Sandy & Duane's church, they had a guest speaker that talked about the miracle of digestion. Not only the the ability to digest food that ends up turning into skin, bones, muscle, and tissue, but the ability to digest God's word and be made into the person He intended you to be.

I'm going to digest some good ole' comfort food and find comfort in some good ole' fruit from my Father. Then I'll probably take a nap. (Jealous??)

Appreciation!

Last Wednesday we held our Preschool Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at our house. It was such an awesome time to get to hang out and get to know all of our amazing volunteers that play such a huge part in "Making it Happen" week in and week out at FC Alliance.

There were about 30 or so adults and what seemed like 1,000 kids (really it was about 25), but you would have never known we had that many people in our house. It was unbelievably relaxing and Jake and I didn't feel pressure once thanks to Corrie, Guy and LaShelle (you guys ROCK!).

We enjoyed some yummy grub, great conversation, and we got to know everyone on a much better level than we can accomplish in the few minutes of interaction we have with them on the weekends.

What a blessing it has been to be able to serve next to each of these outstanding individuals! They have all played a part in my life change and growth in my walk with Christ. Thank you all for what you do!! We appreciate you SO MUCH and could not do what we do every week without every single one of you!

Friday, November 11, 2005

My Soap Box

So I have been working on this post in my mind for several days. I have prayed about it, I have thought about it, and I have waited patiently for the right time to write down my thoughts on this subject. The reason I have waited so long and put so much thought and prayer into it is because I am SO PASSIONATE about it and I don't want that passion to come across as anger or sarcasm. Please also know that this IS NOT directed at any one person, so please do not take this personal. Okay, here goes:

On a regular basis my "Inbox" gets FILLED with emails from people sending all kinds of chain letters telling me to "Take A Stand" against this, and "Fight Against" that. My favorites are the ones that say "If you love Jesus, you will forward this to 100 of your friends". I don't know about you, but I do not beleive the Bible says I have to forward garbage emails that cram political stances and religious fanatical propaganda to prove my love for Jesus. Nowhere in scripture does this get backed up. In fact, in my research I never found that Jesus ever organized a government protest or asked people to put their names on a piece of paper that said they were against the illegal Roman occupation. And what about the Apostle Paul? He just taught people about Jesus - PERIOD! He wasted no time on issues or boycotts.

My next favorite is people who try to push their own personal convictions on me. "Well, we don't think Christians should watch prime time television, or celebrate Halloween". I agree that there is a ton of garbage on television and Jake and I filter everything we watch. I don't agree, however, that we shouldn't celebrate Halloween (if you feel convicted about not celebrating Halloween, that is totally cool by me! I do not look down on you for that). Can you think of a better way to reach out to your community for Christ? You have a slew of people coming to your door. Literally hundreds of opportunities to plant seeds. You can think of a TON of creative ways to reach these people on their own level and invite them to church, or share your testimony with them. Tell them what God has done and is doing in your life. Get to actually KNOW your neighbors instead of just waving 'hello' to them.

In my opinion, and this is just my opinion, my Christian brothers and sisters that take these kinds of stances are sheltering themselves inside their "Christian Bubble" and are becoming so out of touch and naive to the world that they are completely clueless on how to reach out to the lost; how to relate to people of the world for Christ. God has not sent us here to place ourselves in a "Holy Huddle" limiting friendships to be with only Christians, doing business only with Christians, only watching Christian movies (which, by the way SUCK and do nothing but prove to unbelievers that Christians are lame and uncreative), and only listening to Christian music. That is not taking any risks for Christ!! (Thanks, Amanda!)

Please hear me on this: We are not sent here to take political stances, to boycott companies or products, or to sign our names on a piece of paper to say we are against something or someone! The Bible clearly states that we are here to Tell People About Jesus Christ and to set an example of what it looks like to be in love with Him. Political stances, "standing up" against something (meanwhile never telling them what you DO stand for), and cramming that down people's throats is NOT winning people for Christ. It is drawing a line in the sand and looking down on them with judgmental eyes saying, "I'm right and you're wrong and you're a bad person because you do ___." Guess what people, you are just as much of a sinner as the next person. You will never lay eyes on someone that God did not create, and love, and has a purpose for.

I am not for Gay Marriage, gambling, abortion, and many other things, but these people don't have a sexual orientation problem, a "choice" problem, or a gambling problem - they have a Jesus problem! They need someone to share the love of Jesus Christ in their life.

They don't need some self-righteous Bible-thumper telling them that what they're doing is wrong and that they're going to Hell. That only re-enforces their already warped perspective of what it means to be a Christian. I used to be one of those people that was Hell-bound and had a bad opinion of Christians, so I know what I'm talking about! The only Jesus Christ I ever saw was someone who looked down on me for living a wheels-off lifestyle, or pushed their propaganda down my neck. Not until I attended Fellowship Church did I find out who Jesus Christ REALLY was: The son of a loving God sent to die for me so I could spend eternity with Him. And all I had to do was believe in Him! And guess how they grabbed my attention? They played a "Police" song at the beginning of the service that tied into that days message, they used lights, sound, and CREATIVITY to tell me about Christ. They customized the way they taught the Gospel on the level that would grasp a non-believer. They gave me no choice but to sit back and listen to what they had to say.

WOW! Have some of us lost perspective on what we're here for or what?! People are dying real deaths every day - and many of them are going to a horrible place called HELL to spend eternity! That should bother us all to the point that it keeps us up at night. Jesus has called us to be deeply concerned for PEOPLE - not issues or boycotts.

So what are you going to "Stand Up For" today? How about loving your neighbor and sharing the Truth of The Gospel with them with your actions, your lifestyle and your humble spirit. How about setting a humble example and waiting for someone to ask you why you choose to do certain things in your life, instead of pushing it on them? How about listening to them first and getting to know them and then share how Christ can fill that enormous void in thier life?

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Secret Code??

My three-year-old, Kale, is still potty training. With all of the change in scenery and such during our move (we lived with my MIL for 2 months while we were waiting on our house to be completed), we put him back in Pull-Ups because he decided to block out the previous 4 months of blood, sweat and tears that went in to potty training him. Now that we're in our house, he has the #1 thing down just fine, but what is up with boys and pooping??!! My oldest son went through this, too, so I know it's not just Kale. It's like he wakes up in the mornings and his sole mission is to figure out a new way to poop somewhere that doesn't end up in the toilet. And what is up with the timing?? Do they all decide to let loose when you're walking out the door? And it's always when you're running late. Is there some secret 'Kid Code' that I don't know about?

When you're pregnant, no one ever tells you these things. No one ever tells you that you will have someone else's poo under your fingernails, on your hands, and on your clothes. *By the way - if you ever notice something is under your nails and you think it's chocolate - don't eat it!!! I speak from personal experience. No one ever tells you that you can't have a phone conversation while your son is on the toilet for fear of embarrassment when they call out for all to hear, "MOOOOOOM! I'm done pooping! Come wipe me!" Of coarse, at this point, I'll gladly welcome that scenario, because that would mean he's actually sitting on the toilet!!

I want to get my hands on this Secret Code. It's probably chocked full of great things like "How to scream loud enough for ALL of Wal-Mart to hear you!", "Never let Mommy use the bathroom alone" and, my personal favorite, "When you feel like you need to throw up in the middle of the night, ALWAYS go to your mom's side of the bed and let it loose".

Ahhhhh! The joys of motherhood! :o)

Marital Bliss?

For 8 weeks I took a Tuesday evening Power Source class (topical bible study) at Church entitled "Bliss or Miss". It was on marriage and it focused on how we, as wives, could make the first step to change ourselves and take the initiative to be the wives that God intended us to be, no matter if our husbands were behaving as godly men or not. It was truly life-changing and not only would I recommend you taking the class when it is offered again, but I CHALLENGE you to do so! Man, did I ever realize how much I needed to improve as a wife and how even the simplest actions reaped the BIGGEST rewards!!!

Now that my class has been over almost two weeks, I feel myself slowly slipping into my old habits of being disrespectful and easily irritated. I took this class for a permanent change in my marriage, not just a 'quick fix'. I am praying that I have the ability to hold my tounge when I'm about to say something I shouldn't and for me to make the first move to get our relationship back on track. No one ever said marrige would be this much work, but I'm in this thing to the end, baby! I'm going to make it the best that God has intended for us or die trying!!

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

Yes, it really is this simple, People!

Written on my son's pencil:

"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so"

It really is that simple. So why do we try to comlicate it and make it into something so overly-dramatic? Thanks, God, for once again knocking me upside my head. Props to you!

Derrière Nightmare

So I was un-packing stuff and came across some old pictures from the days when I actually worked out every day. There it was - a picture of my butt. Just my cute, little, non-cellulite, perfectly-shaped butt filling up the entire shot, in a bathing suit (barf). Of coarse I ran to the bathroom to see if my butt NOW comes close to resembling my butt THEN. Not even in the slightest sense. So to make myself feel better I ran straight for the tub of Breyers Coffee-flavored ice cream and scooped myself a HEAPING bowlful. I stood and stared thinking, "It's 1:30 in the morning, Minnie. You really shouldn't be eating this." Then Harley (the only other girl in my house) stood by my side and looked at me with the eyes that said, "Yes you should. And you should add a river of syrupy, gooey caramel and top it off with a large mound of Easy Whip." I took the dog's advice. We girls have to stick together.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Flippin' Genious

My Jacob is not like all of those "other kids". There - I said it. **Don't get me wrong. I am NOT one of those moms that thinks their child is superior to all other children. There is nothing that gets under my skin like a mom who sits and says, "SO! How old is your son? When my Susie was that age she was studying quantum physics." Those moms deserve to be flipped in the forehead.** Okay, back to story:
Jacob has a wit that amazes me daily. He says things that prove he is constantly thinking and breaking things down. And he is CREATIVE!!!! For Halloween most 6-year-olds want to be a character from Star Wars, or some other super hero. I was all prepared to be able to go down to Party City and purchase an easy-schmeazy $20 costume and be done with it, but NOOOOOOO! Jacob decides he's going to be a freak like his mom and get all into Napoleon Dynamite (okay, I'll admit it - I was a little jazzed at the idea and totally pumped that my kid is a flippin' genious). So, after WEEKS of searching on the internet and hours of driving around with two kids in tow, we finally found a Napoleon wig online. That left the glasses, 'Vote for Pedro' shirt and moon boots. Weeeeeelllllll, since I had to drop 25 bucks on his sweet wig, we didn't have anything left in the kitty for a pair of SEVENTY-DOLLAR moon boots (yes, people, that's a seven with a zero after it)!! Apparrantly, we're not the only ones who are Napoleon fans and every teen-ager this side of the hemisphere has been snatching these boots up from wherever they can get their hands on them. (LUCKY!) So we had to compromise on the rest of the costume, sure (rain boots instead of moon boots, a plain white tee with black letters instead of red ones, and blue sunglasses with the lenses popped out instead of the nerdy brown ones), but he's 6...he'll get over it. I still think he made a pretty cute Napoleon. John Heder would be proud. I know I was!