Loverbrains Returns...again!?

Yes, he's home again from another China trip.  He even found a tiny silk robe for Emmer-bean!  AW!  Yes, that's the whole reason he was gone so long...it was hard to find one just her size.  Oh, and a teeny tiny Chinese tea set with Pandas.  Hehehe!

Caleb is enjoying his gifts too...most namely a small, brass dragon and a huge, green dung beetle (captured in amber and made into a key chain.)  Dragons and beetles...what could be better! 

I'm happy too...I can sleep again.  Any crashes in the night are now NOT my problem.  Not that I won't still get up and deal with stuff, of course...Just not alone.  Phew!

In reality, I am most blessed when he is gone.  I have a GREAT network of friends and church family that actually would come to my house in the middle of the night if I needed them.  Just thought I should say that...cuz I do so appreciate them.

Caffeinated Randomness...Friday's Poem

Learning to knit...as I'm sharing Christ bit by bit.

Makin' a few yo-yo....while I'm on the go-go!

Keeping first things first...Praying for continued and greater thirst!

God's blessings galore...and my cute doggie snores!

Leaky with the holy faucet running?

I thought I'd share a few good excerpts from my reading on the Holy Spirit...

D.L. Moody, when asked if he was filled with the Spirit said, "Yes, but I leak."

"Well, what of that? what if you are a poor, cracked vessel, letting out the blessing which you receive ? ... and supposing that I turn the tap, don't you think that if there is a bountiful supply behind, it will keep the vessel full ? But the glass may leak.  Yes, but the fountain will keep it full.  Be not discouraged; these wonderful blessings are ours, not because we are worthy but because Christ loves us.  Christ loves us!  We love also...O Jesus!  Partakers of thy endless life, let us know what it is to reproduce that beautiful life over again for Thy glory.  Spirit of God, strengthen us with might in the inner man.  AMEN."  ~Henry Varley

Are you shining or shaking?

"Anything that comes across our path and puts us in difficulty, at once shows whether we believe in Him and trust in Him, by our response and reaction to it.  We must never allow ourselves to be agitated and disturbed whatever the circumstances because to do so implies a lack of faith, a lack of trust, a lack of confidence in our blessed Lord and God."  ~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

I've come a long way in the area of letting these agitations show.  I was thinking, as I re-read this quote, wouldn't it be so great if I could control those stomach knotting, hands freezing, shaking knees responses...the subtle and often unobservable.  Cuz, that's the stuff that God still sees.  Even when I'm able to pull off looking confident...He knows that I'm not wholly trusting Him.  I don't want to just appear...I want to really BE.

This is such a tall order...I think sometimes I respond in agitation and disquiet simply as an expected response.  For example, when Loverbrains is gone people expect me to be upset, tired and flakey...so, I gladly oblige.  Ugh...no more.  True, I miss him and I'm not going to pretend I don't...but I'm a strong woman when he's by my side and equally when he's not.  He lovingly provides for me while he's gone...and faithfully corresponds and communicates with us too.  Besides the BIG POINT...that God hasn't changed position one teensy bit.  He's my rock solid foundation.  How dare I behave as if it's anything less.

On Sunday we learned about Jehovah Shammah...The Lord is there.  At first, I thought it was going to be all fluffy and lovey..."Aw, God's there...don't be afraid little sheepies."  I was surprised to find that it connected to a much larger part of God's character.  He is ALL-POWERFUL, ALL-KNOWING, and EVERYWHERE PRESENT...and because he's with every believer there is no reason for discontent.  GOD IS THERE...he will never leave me or forsake me...

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  Psalm 27:1

When people ask me how I'm doing...I don't want to give the conditioned or expected response...I want to give the response that shows that I am placing my faith, trust and confidence in my Jehovah Shammah...my Lord who is there...guiding me through every trial and storm, as well as the sunny, Fall days.

I want to be a brightly shining light...a spot of brightness that makes those in darkness come close and inquire...Why are you shining??

"Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life."  Philippians 2:14-16

Hi, I'm an Extroverted Spirit Quencher?

BSF, my favorite bible study of all time, has started up again for this year.  We are studying the Acts of the Apostles.  And let's just say that week two, as we delve into Acts 2...I'm not super comfortable with the study of the Holy Spirit.  Turns out...I think I'm an ESQ...Extroverted Spirit Quencher.

Considering that to most people I am bubbly, energetic and VERY outgoing...I'm not so comfortable with showing the Holy Spirit's outpouring in me...at least in times of worship, public displays of, etc.  I was raised in pretty, proper uptight New England...in a very conservative church.  I just don't communicate with God that way, ya'll.

I'll never forget one time in college, when Jim Cymbala came to Cedarville University.  My Dad happened to be there for a pastor's conference.  At one point, Cymbala encouraged commanded people to literally raise holy hands.  I was like, "Nuh, uh...nope"...then my Dad lifted his hands...and I yanked on his sleeve and hissed, "Put your hands down!"  He said, "Why?"  We've had many interesting discussions about it since.

And I guess this study is bringing that all back up for me.  Although I'm becoming pretty outspoken in my evangelistic quests--trying to encourage others that it can be indeed be done and we live to share another day...I don't get the expected response.  Instead of encouragement and joy, I feel like many fellow believers look at me like I'm crazy.  Maybe it embarrasses them...or they wish I'd shut up...who knows...but I do know that it's not comfortable being different...and yet I've never been more okay with it. 

God sent His Spirit so that believers could sustain a right relationship with Him.  He's not satisfied with mechanical obedience.  I should know, cuz I'm really really good at mechanical obedience.  But that's just it...I don't ever want to be afraid to share or express what God is doing in me.  God's Word is meant to set our hearts on fire in a way that we can't possibly hide...so why do I spend so much time worrying about what other people think...and what He thinks last? 

"What the disciples wanted was not numbers but an essential quality that would keep them BEING the church God intended. Boldness can only be imparted by the Holy Spirit."  ~Jim Cymbala

Hodgepodge Chili...(sounds like a recipe, eh?)

 

1. Do you like chili? Red or white? Beans or no beans? Spice or no spice? Toppings?

Yes, yes....YES!!!  Well...no spice is often a bit rough to choke down but I'd try!

2. Red~Orange~Gold...your favorite fall color?

I love red trees...and I always think if the temperatures are just right I might get a red one in my yard...but alas it never happens.  There is one on the street over that is blindingly spectacularly red...I LOVE IT!

3. Who did you idolize when you were growing up?

That sort of thing was really encouraged in my home...no posters, etc.  I guess if I had to pick a person...probably my Dad...I'm still a Daddy's girl.

4. When was the last time you did something 'arts and craftsy'? Share please.

I have small children...so we are often playing playdoh, painting pictures or some such thing.  I recently moved and reorganized my craft cabinets...and sewing stuffs.  Now that I know where everything is...I've sparked some creative thoughts and plans.

5. What's a place that makes you really nervous?

I'm not naturally a nervous person...so this took some thought.  I think I'm most uptight and nervous in downtown, inner city traffic...all those one ways, etc.  YIKES!

6. Horse back riding...yay or nay (neigh?)

I think most girls go through a horse loving phase.  I sure did...I took riding lessons and rode whenever I could.  I still enjoy having the skill.

7. What is your favorite cliche?

Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.

I think I use these a lot.  Yesterday I used "apples to apples" and "a thing of beauty is a joy forever"...and that was only one blog's worth.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I think I'm doomed to never sleep a full night through again.  And please don't say I have to wait until they go to college...cuz that's just not nice.  My kid's are taking turns not sleeping...(I think Lubby has an ear infection or something...He's going to the Dr.)...The dog got sick and was up hurling and whining in the night.  Of course, that same night....neither kid got up.  Argh!  And then...I just don't sleep well with my Loverbrains.  *Sigh*  I'm weird without sleep.  I admit it.

Congrats!!

I always wanted a sister. Don't get me wrong...I was pleased with my baby brother David Andrew...but sometimes wondered what it would have been like if he'd been Beverly Joy instead. Hehehe...

Now he went and got me a sister. Wasn't that nice?? Her name is Jess!! She's nice. We LOVE her!!

Has anyone else realized that she'll be creating a rhyme...I feel a poem comin' on...Jessica LeE DennY!!!  Okay...maybe I should cut back on the Dr. Suess intake.