Darkness

Why is it that I feel the closest to God when it's dark outside? I can pray for hours, meditate on his words and find the simplest answers to questions in the middle of the night! But as soon as I see the sun rising, I feel this close bond fading away a little and things begin to not make as much sense anymore?? Is it that we allow the sun to compete with the Son?? We take the physical warmth and let it overtake the emotional warmth, we take the physical light that our eyes see and let it overtake the spiritual light? And somehow we even let the majesty and beauty of the sun diminish the value of THE SON on our minds for the time being??

A great realization.....

I have realized something great these past few days. I have discovered something amazing. Now that I can understand it, it has opened a whole new way of thinking for me. I think, how silly am I that I didn’t figure this out before. It all began as I was thinking about Christianity in the Country.

Really, it’s not just a religion, it’s a “label.” And there isn’t just one label, there are several and it’s very basically, stereotyping. You see a large percentage of Americans in general consider themselves to be “Christian” then there are they types that call themselves “Born-Again Christians.” There are also countless other names that define these label even more. Mostly it’s distinguishing between the different types of churches themselves. Some would say “I’m a Baptist” or “I am Lutheran” or “I’m a Multi Denominational.” These labels don’t really matter that much to the world around us, they are just categorized in the “high strung, nuisance, preachy person” category of personality types. I try very hard to live my life as an “example” of Christ. I want people to get to know me and know that there is something different about me; I want them to wonder about it, but I don’t want it to be so obvious that I am labeled as a “fanatic.” There is definitely a place for “fanatic” Christian’s in the world. I am not trying to put them down however; I think that sometimes that approach isn’t the right one for some people. Some people can be turned off by it, and thus lost to Christ all together. One encounter, one snide remark, one judging glance can harden a persons heart forever. How is it that even some pastors can’t seem to distinguish between nudging in the right direction, and pushing someone away? They try so hard to “lay down the law” that Christ’s heart of Love is extinguished in them and they turn into a fundamentalist nag to everyone around them.

1 Timothy 1:3-7 “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

I do think that Christ wants us to preach his word, I know it actually, and it’s biblical truth. Christ wants us to go throughout the world and spread his message of Love.

Romans 12:9-21 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"^[b]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."^[c] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Where in there does it say to smack people upside the head with your religion?? It’s the hypocritical Christians out there that talk the talk but don’t walk the walk that are ruining the chances that the rest of us have for actually bring people to the truth about this Earth! Do us all a favor, if you want to be considered a Christian,

Luke 10:27
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

So, all that said, that part really had nothing to do with what I realized the other day! I realized that Christ is the ONLY perfect person, man that has ever lived on the Earth! No, that actually isn’t what I realized, I knew that part…. what I hadn’t put together yet was that because of that fact, I CANNOT expect anyone else on the Earth to be perfect! We are not capable! When I get upset about some minimal imperfection in someone, I need to accept it as just that, no one is perfect. If I want to have a relationship with someone who will never let me down I have to have that relationship with Christ Himself. So, after all these years of perhaps “substituting” humans for that need of a perfect person in my life I have suddenly come to the realization that I was looking for perfection in the wrong place. Shame on me. I should have known. After all it is clearly written that:

1 Peter 1:18-20 (New International Version) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

So, here’s to a new way of looking at my life and the lives of others around me. I also hope that others will grant me the same liberty. I have really always known this, and it probably sounds stupid to some, but I just hadn’t thought of it in this exact way before. That being said I am feverishly aiming towards a better relationship with Him, and I know that I will NOT be disappointed! I hope that anyone who reads this and doesn’t know Jesus yet, to think really hard about this and what He promises to do for you. It’s not just a matter of salvation, though that is the point of Him coming, it’s a matter of a life long companion, a relationship that will never let you down, His cell phone batteries are never out of juice!!

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

---

Carolyn Carty, 1963

Obama Rant

I recently received a Gadget that was supposed to be a “tax calculator” for Barak Obama….. It said I would be getting a check if I voted him into office. I ran through their little calculator and was amazed at their supposed figures. Hmm, let’s see. Our country is in the biggest financial downfall since the great depression, our national debt is higher than it has ever been and they want to bribe me with money that could be paying down our countries debt. I understand the concept of incentive checks and stimulating the economy with it, but, hey it didn’t work last time, are we really going to throw away more of our countries money so that people can go pamper themselves again?? How about passing out checks to families willing to pay down their accrued debt instead of flaunting it in peoples faces as they go out and buy a new “toy.” Sarcasm ahead-Lets make the people actually trying to stay out of debt feel even worse about telling their kids that they can’t afford extracurricular activities yet again because they are trying to stay financially wise and not go screw up their credit score! So, here we are trying to be good stewards of our money and other peoples kids are bragging about going to the mall and having a shopping spree for those new trendy clothes, or that hot new electronic game! Instead of stimulating the economy, our country is bound and determined to push people into more and more debt. Lets take out another loan against our house, it’s okay, the government will bail us out if we can’t make the payments! Sure we don’t even make $4000 a month to cover that new higher interest only loan payment, but we can just skate along until it hits us and then bail and leave mortgage companies to foot the bill. Better yet, how about not helping those mortgage companies that are failing right now because they encouraged Joe Shmoe to take that “new and improved, top-notch, best in the business loan!” Let’s let them figure out how to pay for that house, the one that they encouraged those unsuspecting, clue-less mortgage patrons to buy that was WAY out of their price range!

Sure, this guy is full of hope and he’s making all these claims that he’s just going to re-allocate government funds, and that the country won’t be going into more debt to do this whole stimulus/rebate check thingy. But even the blindest person, has to admit, that if there is debt, even a re-allocation of funds, isn’t a good excuse to go buy that new car. Wake up people! There is a difference between need and want. I NEED groceries, but I don’t need that new toy just because I want it. What happened to saving these fun purchases for holidays and rainy days! Why is it that our nation is so impatient, that they can’t even wait for Christmas anymore!? We need to STOP! DROP! and ROLL!! We are on fire here and if we don’t start paying some of our money for attention, we are going to BURN! This country has ADHD!!

Signing off,

Tifany

Noah's Birthday

Noah is official 8 years old now!!! Here are a few pictures.....

We had a great day and I think he did too :)

Ice Skating Pictures

Here is a photo Blog of the kids first practice... We actually didn't go prepared to skate, as you can tell by their attire, but it was taking Mom way too long to fill out all those papers!! They had so much fun, despite being a bit chilly. But really once you get skating the layers peel off anyways!

Charity Ann She did really well!!!

Cayleb and Charity Ann....

Wacky Hair Noah :) He loved it!!

This one was through the glass, sorry. But can you tell he LOVED being "back on the ice??!!"

Noah and Charity Ann stuck together most of the time :) Cayleb was way to quick for them.... this time! :)

Signing off, Tifany

Ice Skating

So I asked Charity Ann this morning what she wanted to do for an extra curricular activity this year. We had been talking about some dance lessons. I mentioned to her that she could try ice skating since she could take a class at the same time as Cayleb's learn to skate class. She was really excited! She didn't know that that was even an option. I hadn't really thought about it much before this morning, but woke up with a sort of tada moment thinking, Wow, wouldn't it be easier on me if she wanted to try ice skating, instead of dance, then I would only be carting them to one place a few times a week, rather than 2 several times a week! So, I asked, and then Noah heard from her that she was going to be ice skating and he got this left out look and I asked him if he wanted to and he said Yes!! So Then I decided I better take in the contract form from Blaine Home Connections so that they could start that paper work and we could get our lessons paid for out of our stipend. When we got there at 10:15 this morning the "Home School Skate" had just started and the lady was like, we'll they can skate today as their first practice if you want? And of course the kids all said yes, even though they were in T-Shirts and a few even had shorts on! They looked pretty cute out there on the ice in their shorts, t-shirts and skates! :) I got a few pictures but will get more later. Their first class is Friday with a 3 hour practice session afterwards. They are very excited to go back, and this time Cayleb can actually take his skates with him so that he doesn't have to borrow the stinky ones. We may have to work towards purchasing skates for the other two if they are going to stick with it.

Cayleb is learning how to skate so that he can play Hockey, so he's just glad to be back on the ice :)

I am just glad that I won't be going to 2 different places 4-5 times a week!! B'Ham is getting more and more expensive to get to these days, though I did get Diesel today for under $4 a gal. I haven't been able to do that for almost a year I think!! It was a nickel away from $5 for way to long!!

Right now was are playing catch-up on the school we "missed" this morning. My extra kiddos aren't here today since today is Zoie's Birthday and her Mom was able to take the day off and treat her to some fun! We are just relaxing, and enjoying the quiet while Sarah Rose gets her nap. We have AWANA tonight so that will be plenty loud to make up for the peace right now!

Gotta Go.

Tif

Marvelous Monday :)

Yeah, I know I have used that one before, I think..... so lets see what else can we come up with for Monday....
Madd
Moody
Magnificent
Mischievous
Macho
Money
Mooselicious
Marockin
Hmmm..... Okay, I guess we'll go with magnificent this time :)

Yesterday was great. I decided to throw our schedule out the window, and instead created a lot more detailed assignment sheets for each of the kids. That way they could decide what they wanted to work on, yet still have the ability to see what they need to do. So it was fun for them to get those choices, and they could go at whatever pace they wanted to. This was a big plus for the big kids, as they didn't have to wait for me to finish up things with the younger ones before they moved on. Some got done pretty early and had free time, others worked until lunch and a few had just a little to do after lunch. We did spelling together after lunch and also our Konos fun stuff about the Music and Sound experiments unit that we are working on. I felt mush more relaxed about it, not feeling like I was holding anyone back, or pushing anyone ahead either. And it let me work with a few at a time on Math, because the most I got working on Math at one time was 4 and it was all the younger ones.

Six has been an adventure so far, but I am enjoying it and will keep it up :)