Rugged Affection

It's been an interesting day around here! Wendi brought Acelyn, Chris' little 3 yr old niece, to the house for awhile this morning. I had forgotten, how a 3 yr old is nothing but a bundle of energy....whew! Our cats, Sparkie and Charlie, may never be the same again (sorry boys)! This was their first encounter with a little girl, who was just a little too loving for their taste. Charlie managed to hide for awhile, but Sparkie was caught right off the bat. Acelyn had him in a death clutch around the middle, then tried to sling him over her shoulder. Mind you, Sparkie is about as long, as Acelyn is tall!! Oh how, he wiggled and squirmed to release himself, to no avail. All he got was more kisses and rocked like a baby. It was just too funny! His big eyes made contact with mine, as if pleading with me to rescue him, and do it NOW! Then, Charlie makes the mistake of slipping out of his hiding spot. POUNCE, Sparkie is down and now Charlie is the recipient of 3 yr old love and affection. Poor Charlie, he managed to get loose and flew out of sight, like vanishing ink. Really couldn't blame him. So now both cats are free from Acelyn's grip, hopefully never to return. Acelyn and Wendi have been gone for a while now and I still haven't seen those cats! Who knows, they may have decided it was safer in the dog lot with Cloey!
At least, I had my chuckle for the day. Because, now, I'm exhausted! I don't know how, I could have so easily forgotten about how busy and full of "why", a 3yr old is. I hate to admit it, but I must be aging a bit! If they come back, I think, I'll join the cats in the dog lot with Cloey, the black Lab.

Later

Conditional or Unconditional

At Fellowship Church, we have Lifeline groups (small groups for Bible study & fellowship). Our Lifeline group met Saturday afternoon. Everyone was not able to attend, but those who did, had a wonderful time together. During our discussion of the previous weeks sermon on "The Table"(the church), about being served and serving, someone asked an interesting question. A question, that we all pondered on and searched the scripture for answers. The question, as best I can remember it, was "Why do, people in the church, get mad, give up and walk away?" Especially, when, it's not about them, it's about "HIM". We tossed around a few ideas, of what we thought and what we felt the scriptures said, and came up with this answer.............It is because of "service with expectation". In John 13:34, Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." What is it about this command, that makes it different or a new command? Were we not already commanded in the Old Testament to love our neighbor's, as ourselves. this is what Leviticus 19:18 says, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord." Do you see the difference in the 2 verses? In John 13:34, he says to love others, as HE loved you. In Lev. 19:18, it says love one another, as you love yourself. How did "He", "Jesus" love, HE loved , (here it is, are you ready?) UNCONDITIONALLY!!!! How do we often love ourselves, it's often time CONDITIONAL, isn't it? Well, I would love myelf better if I weren't so fat, or if I wasn't so shy, if I could sing good, blah, blah, blah, and the list goes on! When we, love others as ourselves, we love with expectations. We expect to be loved back, we expect to be noticed, we expect to recieve the affirmation ,we believe we deserve and again the list goes on. The thing that makes the commandment in John 13:34 new, is we are now commanded to love others unconditonally. Just like Jesus loved unconditionally, just like he served others unconditionally. He did not, at any time, during his ministry, serve anyone, with the expectation of recieving anything in return, for his service. Some examples of serving with expectation:

1. serving to be noticed or to recieve recognition
2. to be in control
3. to desire to be in authority and the need for power
4. it'll look good on my resume'
5. to try to mask or cover up failure to be obedient

I could go on, but I won't!

The point is, when we (the church), stop serving with expectation and start serving & loving unconditionally, that's when we will be unified and make a difference in God's Kingdom and not until then!

Start today out, by examining your reasons for serving others, do you expect anything in return, or are you serving because you unconditionally love others and expect nothing in return, not even a thank you.

I'll leave you with this thought provoking verse;

"If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

Winter Has Arrived

Whoa! Winter has finally arrived! I need to call Sammy Cunningham and let him know, that yes Sammy, there is going to be winter this year! He and I had a discussion last sunday about how warm it has been. For me, well, I was plenty pleased with it being in the 70's. Sammy, now, he wanted it to come and get cold winter time. (He claims, so that we can hurry and get it over with!) I don't know if I understood that rationale or not. It could never get cold weather and I would be a happy camper. I'm not a cold weather person, I love summer! There is so many more fun things happening during warm weather, like swimming, softball, camping and grilling on the BBQ, or just hanging out in the rocking chairs on the front porch.(I call that, having a "porch party") During the winter there just isn't much to do. For some unknown reason, the TV stations play back-to-back re-runs of your favorite shows(now, that you are actually inside enough to watch TV), a rare new episode, every now and again or possibly not on at all! It's an absolute travesty, that you have 50 some odd channels to choose from and NOTHING to watch! The one good thing about winter, is that it's basketball season. Ed and I really enjoy a good basketball game. We often spend a Friday or Saturday night at Habersham Central's ball game. Although, our daughter has been graduated almost 4 years. The sad thing I realized this season, is that, after this group of seniors graduate, we won't really know any of the kids, playing for Central anymore, maybe 1 or 2, that's all. We do know quite a few youngsters, that are in elementary and middle school, who are awesome athletes all ready. So, I'm sure they will one day be highschool basketballer's and I'll have kids I know to cheer on, once again! Thinking of that, makes me think of Sammy Cunningham again! He used to coach basketball, a few years back. We saw him at one of Central's games a couple of weeks ago. Just so happened, some of his past players were sitting in front of us, and we got to witness him picking fun with them. You could see the joy of years past, spread across his face in the form of a big grin, as he reminisced with them! I wonder, if he too, felt that same twinge of sad realization, that I did on that night, that I really didn't know many of these kids anymore. Actually, some of those kids playing ball that night, were some of his past players, grandchildren. Isn't it something, that 2 hoops with nets, a round ball and 10 players, can be the connective tissue between the youngest of children and the grandest of eldest! It is truly one the highlights of winter!

Anxious Anticipation

It's official!!!!! It's time to start planning for VBS! Yeah, I know......it's still January, but we need to get started planning now. I received our material yesterday! Fellowship Church is going to be transformed into a huge "water park" (fun, fun, fun!)! This years VBS is "Take The Plunge, Make A Splash With Jesus". The kids will be learning some uncommon things, from a very common source, water. You know, Jesus did some mighty things with water!
I'm really looking forward to this years VBS! We want to have a huge blow out for VBS, somewhat like what we have for Fall Festival. A way to reach our community with fun, food, fellowship and the love of Christ. Stan and I talked about using our huge homemade slip-n-slide on the hill, maybe even make another one to go with it. I'm thinking, a slide that ends in a pool of Jell-o, way to cool! There are a few other things we thought of, like, water balloons, dunking tank, water gun fights, cotton candy, hotdogs, popsicle stand, etc. If you have any ideas for something we could do, to make this time super fun, let me know!

Well, I'm off to breakfast! Jill and I are going to treat ourselves to Cracker Barrel and some window shopping.

Later,
Maria

www.myspace.com/nicholenordeman

www.myspace.com/nicholenordeman Use this link to check out Nicole Nordeman's new son "What If".

A lot of times (a great deal of times), music speaks to me more than any other medium. I don't know why, but it does! The lyrics of this song are so poignant, and pointed! It's heart breaking to have friends and family, who don't know Jesus as their savior. Especially, when they try to poke holes in your faith or have questions, you just don't know the answer to. This song, hits it right on the head, it's not about the debate, it's about LOVE, it's about HOPE! And more to the point....."what if" you're WRONG!!!! What then??

Weather Control

Why is it, when it comes a big rain storm, that's the exact time, your windshield wiper blades tear up? Me and mom decided to go to Commerce shopping today. I suggested, we drive her car (save my gas!) and I would drive. Of course we live in the "fog" capitol of the world, Baldwin. I turn on the wipers and the one on the right swishes up with a long tail trailing along. Ok, it's ok, just get down the mountain a little piece and we'll be out of the fog, then I won't need these wipers. WRONG.........it poured. Do you know, there is nowhere to buy wiper blades between Baldwin and Bank's Crossing! Then once we get to the outlet mall, it does quit raining, thankfully. We shopped awhile, although we avoided Kirkland's, cause we both new better than to go in there, checking accounts would be emptied, not a good thing. I just love that store! Shopping always works up a good appetite, Cracker Barrel here we come! Wouldn't you know, we should have made a break for home, instead of eating, while it wasn't raining any more. We've just finished eating and paid the bill......BOOM.....it starts pouring, wind blowing like it was March, mega storm, and we have a torn wiper blade. I know, your thinking why didn't you get wiper blades as soon as you got there. If, your a woman, you know why, there's better things to shop for. We made a run for the car, jump in soaking wet and fire up that torn wiper blade (Ha!). Then, we can't think of one auto parts place there at Bank's Crossing, we'll just try to limp home, I guess. Suddenly I see Pritchett Tire, maybe they have wiper blades, they do!!! They pull us into their garage and put us on some new blades, we're in business now. But, the thing about getting new wiper blades........now the rain stops and out comes the sun! That's all it took to clear the weather up, I've got to let the weatherman in on this little secret, on how to control the weather!
Later!

Doing Battle

Have you seen that commercial on TV about the medication called Cymbalta? It asks in the commercial "Who does depression hurt?" answer "Everybody"! I've found that is so true. It doesn't just affect the "one" who is depressed, but others who love and care for them, as well. Right now my heart breaks and "hurts" for a couple of friends who are struggling. One from physical illness, who just can't seem to get well. I know that feeling of despair, that you will never feel good again, because you have been so sick for so long. But, I also know, that when I was in such despair, the prayers of other believers on my behalf, reached the Throne of Grace. I had to learn to be patient and wait on God's perfect timing, that he wasn't going to allow me to suffer, not one minute longer , than necessary. You say "necessary"! Yes "necessary"!! Scripture teaches us that suffering is sometimes "necessary". Look at Job or what about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! Sometime suffering is necessary to get or focus, refocused.
Another friend is struggling with a spiritual battle. I don't know about you, but I HATE drama and try to avoid it. But, some times it's just unavoidable. We would avoid our spiritual battles if we could. The good news though, is that Our Master is always in front of us, in these battles, leading the way. Just put on the full armor of God. Yesterday, when I was doing my Bible study, I was reading from 1 Samuel 14. It was about King Saul's son Jonathon and his armor-bearer. Jonathon had taken his armor-bearer with him and slipped out of camp, to go around and take the Philistines by surprise. Just Jonathon and his armor-bearer, no other soldiers. As they climbed up the rugged area, to get to the enemy, I can only imagine(based on what I would be thinking!) what the armor-bearer was thinking! Like, oh man! We are headed for certain death, this can't be the right thing to do! But no matter, he continued on without hesitation, followed his master and declared his loyalty, by telling Jonathon, that whatever his decision, he was with him "heart & Soul". What I learned, is that we are like Jonathon's armor-bearer, and our Master is Jesus Christ. If we follow him "heart & soul", even when our human nature is saying NO WAY, this can't be right, the enemies we face will be shattered & decimated! Praise the Lord! The Sword of the Spirit and the Word of God, will both prepare us and protect us! When the enemy is on us, we can't just "tuck tail" and run! Like the old adadge, "you can run, but you can't hide"! I've tried that tuck tail and run thing, it just doesn't work and it always led to more devastation and hopelessness. I too, am battling a spiritual battle at this time and it's my prayer that I will follow the Master, with all my heart and soul, regardless of how scared I am. It's time to get your grin on, go ahead...let's see that smile! Good Job! It's all good...cause HE is all that!
Later Gators!

New Beginnings

Well, it's a now officially a new year. Welcome 2007! Along with beginning a new year, I'm beginning a new blog (actually my very 1st blog!), a new book of devotions for couples (Moments Together for Couples, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey) with my husband and a new study of King David. As for New Years resolutions, I try not to make any, because they always seem to fall by the wayside, long before mid-year. I'm excited about the devotion time with my husband, this will be the first time, we have done our devotions together. We have had an awesome marriage for over 22 years now and are completely devoted to one another. The best blessing the Lord has ever given me is my salvation, coming in at a close second is, my husband Ed. He is kind, patient, loving, compassionate, a good provider and always puts his family before himself. I can't thank God enough for giving Ed to me as my partner in this life! So you can see, I'm really excited to find out what God has in store for us this year, of doing a couples devotion together! For an awesome marriage already......God must have something totally to cool to imagine for us!! Thanks ,Pastor Craig for suggesting this book of devotions, for your flock.
As for my new study of King David, God has been pricking my heart(really hammering at my heart and mind!) that David has something to teach me, something that I really need to learn. I'm excited, yet scared at the same time, to find out what he has to teach me. Does anybody else ever feel that way? Pray for me, as I make my way through God's word, that I will be a teachable student!
Now for this new blog, maybe I can figure out how this works! You'll have to forgive me if I ramble!

Later,
Maria