Monday, April 30, 2012

April. 29. 2012....Happy Anniversary Will and Kate!

All right, I admit I am a "Britophile."  What is that? Well click here and find out. 

With that nickname comes the admission that I am a Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Will and Kate) fan.
As today is their 1st year anniversary, I couldn't resist wishing them the best!  In honor of their anniversary I'm going to give you a "Year In Pictures" post to remember a story that reminded us of those fairy tales we grew up reading as little girls :)

1. Prince William and Catherine Middleton Engagement Picture


2. Prince William and Catherine Middleton's first official live press release



3. Her beautiful engagement ring. (For those of you who don't know, her ring has added special meaning as it was the same ring given to William's mother, Princess Diana, for her engagement.



4. April 29. 2011 marked the special day for William and Kate!  Here she is arriving at Wesminster Abbey.



5. Prince William arriving at Westminster Abbey with his brother Prince Harry



6. Standing at the altar saying their vows to each other and exchanging their rings



7. The married couple leaving Westminster Abbey



8. On there way to Buckingham Palace leaving Westminster Abbey



9. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge



10. The traditional "Balcony Kiss"



11. Their Legendary Second "Balcony Kiss"



12. One of their family wedding photos



13. Royal couple with flower girls and page boys




14. The Newlyweds drive out in their Aston Martin


15. Miscellaneous pictures of the couple since they got married!


 
 


































Happy Anniversary!

 I pray that God leads both of them to a saving knowledge of who He is and what He has done for them. 
Imagine what an impact they would have on the world if they came to know the Lord as their personal Savior!




Saturday, April 28, 2012

Encouragement Found In A Post



I recently read a post on a fellow bloggers blog and she had a guest writer named Jasmine Bauchman, write a post that was fantastic.  The title of the post was "The World Is Watching You".

Here is an excerpt of the article to give you an idea of what it is about.

"If you choose to train to become a homemaker -if you choose to live at home with your parents and serve your family until you become a wife and mother -if you live under the jurisdiction of your parents until you are given in marriage to a godly young man to whom you choose to submit... And especially if you do all of this because of biblical precedent and precept...

Expect some stones to fly in your direction..........
.......don't lose heart. You are different -you are counter-cultural -you are purposeful -"
I really enjoyed the post as it hit home in so many different areas.  Sometimes it can be so easy to be a "Stay-At-Home-Daughter (SAHD)" and yet other times it can be incredibly difficult.  You love being available to help and serve in the many different areas and situations God has given you, that you wouldn't have been able to experience if you weren't at home during this time in your life. You love being with the people that you love the most in the world and being able to work/serve with them every day.  Then the next day you can be wondering if it is God's will that you stay home when the questions/remarks of other people make you feel guilty for leading a life that is counter cultural and unusual (special).  The wave upon wave of sometimes innocent and sometimes not so innocent comments that are said can make you wonder if it is worth it.
Jasmine's post was exactly what I needed when I read it and I hope that it brings as much encouragement to your heart as it did to mine.  For those of you who are not "SAHD" it is still a neat post if you look at it from a Christian's point of view and read the article as if it was written to Christian's set apart in the world. :] Here is the link to the blog "A Little Space" and here is the link to the post "The World Is Watching You."
Enjoy and be encouraged! 

Saturday, April 21, 2012

How do I know?


A few days ago I learned of a devastating circumstance that pulled a family we know apart.  The circumstances and reasons for this break up are not important, but the guilt, hurt, sorrow, pain, anger, worry, fear and so many other emotions are swirling around because of it. 


Bleeding heart flowers (found on google images)

As I was driving home the other day thinking of this family my heart went out to them.  I had, to my shame, judged in my heart, one of the daughters, as being very flippant, unfriendly, rude at times, and very focused on herself.  When I learned of what was happening to their family I was convicted of the thoughts I had had towards her.  I had no idea what she was going through and yet I had judged her. 

As I drove along the interstate and I watched the people drive past me, I thought about all the other times I had gotten mad at people, judged them, assumed things about them, because of what I was seeing in their behavior.  If someone swerved into my lane while driving on the highway, my usual response was anger that someone was either on the phone or not paying attention to their driving and were putting the lives of others in jeopardy.  However, as I thought about this family and what I had assumed about them, it made me think about those people who swerved into my lane and I how do I know if they weren't wiping away tears of sadness because they lost someone dear to them? 

How do I know that the lady in line at the store who cut in line in front of me isn't hurrying to finish her grocery shopping, so she can comfort someone who was just diagnosed with cancer?

How do I know that the woman who walked past me with no smile or word of greeting, but walked right past without so much as acknowleding my existence (even when I extended a smile and greeting to her), may be a Mom who has kids at home that have been sick for several days and she is so tired that she truly did not see me?

How do I know the boy who won't help with cleaning up and seems rebellious and focused on himself, isn't struggling with fear at being told he's "not doing it the right way" and is hurting inside because of lies he believes about himself and others. Like, "I'm worthless",  or "They are thinking (you fill in the blank) about me".

How do I know the girl who came across as flippant, unfriendly, and disrespectful isn't carrying a scarred heart, filled with pain and the only way she knows how to deal with it is to seem "fine" and "in control" even though inside she is reeling with confusion?

How do I know that the people walking past me everyday are fine, because they are dressed okay, act okay, appear okay, when inside they could be falling apart, crying in pain, struggling with issues that we cannot comprehend? 

There is so much pain around us and sometimes it is so easy to forget that since everyone seems either "okay" or "rebellious" or "unfriendly" all the time, we assume it is just the way they are.  But we never know what is going on on the inside of a person.  We never know what a kind word, a smile, a caring heart, a listening ear, a forgiving spirit or a patient response will help someone.

A single bleeding heart
flower
(found on google images.)
Jesus was the perfect example of forgivenss, love, friendliness, a non-judgemental spirit, but a compassionate and understanding heart filled with kindness and a desire to see the true person within.  Not the person they were trying to come across as.

I just wanted to share what was on my heart today.  I'm so thankful God loves me even though I mess up every single day.  As a "little Christ" my focus should be on turning what God gives to  me and sharing it with others, never caring if they "deserve" or "need" it.  Just doing it because God does it to me when I don't deserve it and He knows the needs of every person out there and I don't.

Praying you have a great weekend!




Monday, April 16, 2012

Chosen Vessel


 
The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many which one would He choose?

"Take me, cried the gold one I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like you, Master, gold would be the best!"

The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;

"I'll serve you, dear Master, I'll pour out your wine
And I'll be at your table whenever you dine,

My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment you."

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.

"Here! Here!" cried the vessel, I know I will do.
Place me on your table for all men to view."

"Look at me", called the goblet of crystal so clear.
"My transparency shows my contents so dear,

Though fragile am I,I will serve you with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in your home to abide."

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.

"You may use me, dear Master", the wooden bowl said.
"But I'd rather you used me for fruit, not for bread!"

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay,
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.

No hope had the vessel that the master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;

Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;

Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with my power and might

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.

Spoke to it kindly "There's work you must do.
Just pour out to others as I pour into you."

Author Unknown





Monday, April 9, 2012

Some Inspiration....

God's Amazing Love


His love is unquestionable,
Its power unconquerable,
Its meaning undeniable,
Its mystery unexplainable,
Its sacrifice incomparable,
Its price unimaginable,
Its absence unthinkable![1]
 
 
Google Image


"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16 (emphasis added)

Jesus ~
 the Light of the World, came so we could find our way to God.
 Jesus ~  
the Lamb of God, died upon the cross so we could receive the Salvation of God.
Jesus ~ 
the Bright and Morning Star, rose from the dead so we could live forever with God.[2]

Google Image

I am.....
G - God's
R - Redeemed
A - Accepted
C - Chosen
E - Expression of love.
"God chose you from the beginning." 2 Thessalonians 2:13
 

Google Image

Footnotes: 1. dayspring free printable
                  2. ibid