Early Father's Day Gift, Post by David

For those of you who do not know it, I am multi-faceted, with many interests besides cars, and trains. Among my other interests are architecture, Black and White chemical development photography (Ansel Adams, O. Winston Link), carpentry and wood-working, Art-Deco, Jazz, and aircraft. So it's not that I'm just a mechanical nightmare looking for a place to happen. The mechanical stuff that I like must be aesthetically pleasing. Many automobiles, railroad locomotives and train-sets (a complete passenger train as envisioned by its designers - Raymond Loewy, Henri Dreyfuss, Otto Kuhler, John Fredrick Harbeson, Paul Philippe Cret, and Richard Dilworth), aircraft, and buildings built between 1935 and 1974 are quite beautiful in design. The Golden Age of America was reflected in the products that it produced.


So when I mentioned that I thought that North American Aviation's (XB-70) Valkyrie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_XB-70_Valkyrie) was one of the most beautiful planes ever built and they knew that there was a model available down at the local Hobby Lobby, I should have known that I would wind up getting it. Daniel and Sarah-Kate (Susan included) picked it up for me as an early Father's Day Present on the Saturday before Memorial Day: an Italeri 1:72 scale model that could be built as either version 1 or version 2, with both USAF and NASA decals. It's been a long time since I had built a model, so I dusted off my files, created a space on the drafting table and started to build it last Saturday. The model, like the airplane (the only one left is a Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio) is huge at 31.5" long (without the Pitot tube being installed on the nose) and 17.5 inches wide (with the wingtips in the "up" configuration for take-off, landing, and low speed maneuvering). To show how big the real thing is, consider that the pilot sits 20 feet off of the ground. Here's a picture of the plane to give you a sense of scale http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:XB-70.jpg. (Yes, that's a B-29 Strato-Fortress next to it on the right!)

It's basically finished, with the need for body putty at the seams, blending the putty in with 800 grit wet-dry sand paper, painting and sanding. I've mentioned that this model is big, but words don't seem to do it justice. Here is a picture of me holding it just after finishing it to show just how large it is. Now to find a place to display it....

Rejoicing & Mourning

 

By Kerry S. Doyal, Grace Bible Church, www.GetGraced.org

No Doubt:
Tiggers are much more fun to be around than Eeyores. Yet Eeyores need love too. And tiring Tiggers need you to be hoppy & happy with them.

One of the most powerful gifts we can offer is that of empathy. Feeling the pain or planning the party with those who are celebrating or commiserating.

In a highly practical list of best family practices for believers, Paul urges us in Romans 12:15 to:

"Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn."

Who do you know that recently received good news? Celebrate them! Note their news, award, accomplishment with genuine joy - even if it was good news you did not receive.

Who is grieving, discouraged, taking lumps from life right now? Let them you know are sorry, pray for (WITH) them, send a card, share a tear, heft a hug, slip a twenty.

Party with the blessed.
Hurt and weep with the wounded.

The challenge is to not resent those celebrating when you feel life is kicking you in the shins. Nor are we to gloat over the hurting, even if - according to us - they "are finally getting their comeuppance, paying their dues."

"Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn." (NIV)
 
I (Susan) think this is one of the areas that we, as a body of Christ Followers, tend to slip.  I know I do.  I also know that it is this very thing that causes people to feel isolated in the church.  I've been there.  I have felt SO isolated from the fellowship because health problems prevented me from attending services.  And I know at least 3 other ladies that have also felt the same isolation because of similar situations.
 
I am not writing this to say "Shame on you," but instead as a challenge to all of us. 
 
 
So rejoice and celebrate with the Tiggers in you life.  BUT don't forget the Eeyores.  Make a phone call, send a card, deliver a meal, ask "How can I help?  How can I pray?"

How many Blessings do You enjoy?

"O what a happy soul am I!
Although I cannot see,
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be;
How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don't!
To weep and sigh because I'm blind,
I cannot, and I won't."

- Fanny Crosby

The following came in an email we subscribe to.  Do we do any better than the church in this anecdote?  I pray we do but fear we do not.

Subscription info is at the bottom of the post.

Caring Churches

A church newsletter mentioned a man who visited eighteen different churches on successive Sundays. He was trying to find out what the churches were really like. He said, "I sat near the front. After the service, I walked slowly to the rear, then returned to the front and went back to the foyer using another aisle. I smiled and was neatly dressed. I asked one person to direct me to a specific place: a fellowship hall, pastor's study, etc. I remained for coffee if served. I used a scale to rate the reception I received. I awarded points on the following basis:

10 for a smile from a worshiper

10 for a greeting from someone sitting nearby

100 for an exchange of names

200 for an invitation to have coffee

200 for an invitation to return

1000 for an introduction to another worshiper

2000 for an invitation to meet the pastor

On this scale, eleven of the eighteen churches earned fewer than 100 points. Five actually received less than 20.

The conclusion: The doctrine may be biblical, the singing inspirational, the sermon uplifting, but when a visitor finds nobody who cares whether he's here, he is not likely to come back."


SUBSCRIBE INFO
Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com

Godly Mothers Needed

Mother: God's Servant

by Charles Stanley

Before a child ever hears about the Lord at church, he or she witnesses a parent's example of faith. For this reason, all children share the common need for a godly mother.

Love toward God multiplies and spills out from believers onto others, including sons and daughters. God's care is pure and unselfish - much different than what the world offers. When we experience His concern, provision, and protection, it's easier for our children to grow up loving God.

Every child needs a mom who trusts God. A perfect mother is unrealistic. And she wouldn't be good for her kids in the long run. Witnessing Mom's trust during trials and heartbreaks is the way children learn to place their faith in God. Teaching little ones to trust ensures they'll always know the heavenly Father is close, even when parents aren't.

Every child also needs a mother who knows how to pray. A wise mom teaches her children how to access almighty God. Dr. Stanley still recalls his mother's voice as she knelt next to his bed each night. Thanks to her, he understood very early that God was always listening and willing to respond to his prayers.

A mother serves many people, including her spouse, children, extended family, and friends. But she must serve the Lord first. When she accepts God's love, practices trust, and keeps a daily discipline of prayer and Bible reading, she'll find the strength to fulfill all of His requirements.
 

 I Love You Mom.

 

Prayer Heard and Answered

I posted on May 5th about the need and power of  prayer in the believers life.  Sadly I failed to put into practice what I said I believed. 

Today was different.  We started our school morning with prayer.  I specifically prayed for encouragement for my husband in his job today.  About 2 hours later he called.  His tone was very upbeat.  He had just come from a meeting with his new boss.  This was a meeting that he probably went into with a not so great attitude.  A meeting that could have meant more discouragement.

Instead GOD used this meeting to clarify to his new boss the process that he goes through and all the paperwork involved in his job as 'Fleet Services Specialist'. David is now encouraged that something will be done to streamline the process so that he will be doing what he is supposed to do (spec and order vehicles etc.) instead of doing a clerking job.

I was in tears as he told me the positive things that will happen as a result of this meeting. Of course he heard the catch in my voice and asked why I was crying.  Praise God for answered prayer!

We have made a commitment to each other and our children to devote ourselves to a time of prayer as a family after supper each evening.

Won't you join us?  If you would like to make your own commitment to prayer as a family, please post a comment on the blog.

Special Needs Week

This is from my niece Jenna, Axels Mom.

People need to understand that children with
special needs don't have an illness, so there is no cure & it's
not contagious. They only want what we all want, to be accepted.
99.9% of you probably won't copy and paste this. Will you do it and
leave it on your status for at least an hour? It's Special
Education...week, and this is in honor of all the kids who need a
little extra help & understanding. ♥

Lack of prayer in the life of the Believer

"...one concern of the devil is to keep saints from prayer. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray." - Samuel Chadwick

Twenty-six years ago 5/4/1989....

David and I went out for the first time.  I had to work that evening so he kindly came to the restaurant, waited for me to get off work, followed me home, waited for me to change clothes while being 'grilled' by my parents.
 We then drove back into town to a pizza joint that is no longer in existence.

To be continued...

WHATEVER my God ordains is right

This is my prayer today.  May I learn AND chose to be content whatever my lot

Definitions from Webster 1828

Whatever: any thing that may be
Ordain:  To appoint; to decree
Decree: In theology, predetermined purpose of God...whose plan of operations is like himself, unchangeable
Right: Freedom from error

Paul writes this to the Philippian Believers:
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians chapter 4.

Whatever My God Ordains Is Right

Original words by Samuel Rodigast, 1676
Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1863
Music and alternate words by Mark Altrogge

Verse 1
Whatever my God ordains is right
In His love I am abiding
I will be still in all He does
And follow where He is guiding
He is my God, though dark my road
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all

Verse 2
Whatever my God ordains is right
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path
I know He will not leave me
I take content, what He has sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day

Verse 3
Whatever my God ordains is right
Here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, or need, or death be mine
Yet I am not forsaken
My Father’s care circles me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all

Verse 4
Whatever my God ordains is right
Though now this cup in drinking
Bitter it seems to my faint heart
I take it all unshrinking
My God is true, each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart

Set Me Free, Casting Crowns

It hasn't always been this way


I remember brighter days

Before the dark ones came

Stole my mind

Wrapped my soul in chains

Now I live among the dead

Fighting voices in my head

Hoping someone hears me crying in the night

And carries me away



CHORUS

Set me free of the chains holding me

Is anybody out there hearing me?

Set me free



Morning breaks another day

Finds me crying in the rain

All alone with my demons I am

Who is this man that comes my way?

The dark ones shriek

They scream His name

Is this the One they say will set the captive free?

Jesus, rescue me

CHORUS

Set me free of the chains holding me

Is anybody out there hearing me?

Set me free



As the God man passes by

He looks straight through my eyes

And darkness cannot hide

Do you want to be free?

Lift your chains

I hold the key

All power on Heav'n and Earth belong to Me

You are free

You are free

You are free

Are We Seperate Enough?

"Parents, what are your children learning from your worship? Do they see the same excitement as when you go to a basketball game? Do they see you prepare for worship as you do for a vacation? Do they see you hungry to arrive, seeking the face of the Father? Or do they see you content to leave the way you came?.....They are watching. Believe me. They are watching." - Max Lucado


We studied Acts 2: 37-41 in our Sunday evening service last night. This is the account of the result of Peter's Sermon at Pentecost.

After hearing Peter, the scripture tells us they were cut to the heart and asked, "What shall we do?"

Peter said to them“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

That last sentence, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." sparked a discussion about what 'crooked generation' means AND are we, the followers of Christ seperate enough from the world.

I think that we are not set apart enough for the world to notice much of a difference.

So what if we go to church on Sunday morning.  How we behave and what we choose to do AFTER church is what matters.

Years ago when I was working at a restaurant I dreaded the Sunday night crowd.  They came in after the Sunday evening service and were the most difficult to please, the worst tippers and generally just a bad witness. I used to do anything I could to help the waitress assigned to wait on them.  It was always a big group, they sat in the big dining room and the kids sat apart from the parents which made writing up orders more difficult.  I happened to have a couple of waitresses on my staff that were members of this church, those waitresses got good tips, but beware if you weren't part of their group...

So, where does that leave me?  Well for one thing, David and I have chosen to tip well when the service warrants it.

But mainly we have tried to be different...different from the world, different in our expectations, different in how we spend out time and money....different

does it matter?   I think it does.

So we will continue to be, do , think, speak differently. Are we good at it?  It depends.  Could we improve?  Yes

I want our children to become used to being different.

I want my life to count for something.

For a good resource read John Piper's 'Don't waste your life'  It was written after Piper's battle with cancer.

Let us choose to be different because we serve a holy GOD.  Holy means set apart.  We need to be set apart.

Check out my new job

 Here is the 'where'   Whatever Kids


Here is the 'why'   Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Here is my bio from the site  I'm Susan, wife to David for 20 years and homeschooling Mom to Daniel and Sarah. I have been blessed by God with a wonderful husband who wants me home to raise and teach our children. I have been crocheting for at least 14 years and enjoy teaching others the craft. I also weave baskets and sew. I look forward to passing on my knowledge of crochet to others.

Philosophy:
Whatever Kids provides "enrichment" opportunities to enhance your child's current education. Our goal is to make knowledge accessible and affordable for all ages in a comfortable environment where Christ's love is evident.

Praise Him With Us

I saw the cardiologist yesterday. He reviewed all the tests done at the hospital on Wednesday, Thursday Saturday & Sunday. EVERY SINGLE test was negative for ANY heart damage or blockage.
After I gave him a detailed account of all that had been going on, he asked if I had ever had a neck injury. Why yes, I have. I told him the details of the injury and he shared with me an incident that had happened to him. He had 2 slipped discs in his neck but without neck pain. He had terrible pain in his upper left arm.
I also had not had any neck pain until yesterday. But Dr Colavita is 99.9% sure that my chest pain was related to my neck injury and the arthritis in my neck.
So, he recommended the neurologist that he used and I will see Dr Petty next week
We are so thankful. I do have significant risk factors, bad family history, diabetes, HBP, high triglyceride's, weight... So David and I are going to follow the South Beach plan and increase our exercise. We started last night and walked 1 mile last night.

So Praise Him with us and ask Him that I/we will stick to our plan and be successful in becoming more healthy.