Last night Les and I went to see Les Miserables, actually drove to Fort Worth to see it in a theater instead of waiting until its out on DVD like we usually do. I Love The Story of Les Miz! I have seen the musical twice at the Bass Hall. Considering the cost,of shows at the Bass and my budget, that is a REALLY big deal! We were very excited about the movie COMINT out and could NOT believe it did not come to Stephenville. Shame, Cinema Six...bad, bad...
Anyway, we took the time to go see it; soooo worth it. The first time I saw it on stage, I stood and wept at the end, uncontrollably, I was so moved by the story of redemption, forgiveness, grace vs law, love, relationships. All of these are brought out even stronger in the movie because You can get the emotions of the characters; you see their faces, hear the agony in their songs. Also, you can understand every word they say. Every scene makes complete sense, you are never wondering what happened. Hugh Jackman is great, and Anne Hathaway really amazing. I forgot she was acting, her portrayal of a hopeless single mother was so real. When the movie was over, we just sat watching the credits. I was barely able to breathe, and could not stop crying. It wasn't just totally saaaad, it was just so moving.
When we were leaving, we made a rest room stop. The Ladies room was full of crying women standing in line. The conversations went something like this...
Did you just come out of Les Miserables?
Yes, wasn't it amazing.
I can't stop crying.
Have you see it before?
Is it this good on stage?
I've never seen it before, I can't stop crying.
I didn't think she (pointing to her friend) was going to make it.
What an amazing story.
Oh, Fantine.
I love the ending.
It was so good.
I KNOW.
Yes, the Bass Hall production was wonderful, but I understood everything better in the movie.
I didn't know what the story was. It was so sad.
Les was waiting when I walked out. I just said, "I love women."
There were no conversations in the men's room.
Women are always ready to share.
Our purpose is to encourage women to pursue a growing, passionate relationship with Jesus Christ through support, fellowship and discipleship. We strive to provide many opportunities to help women grow in relationship with Christ; to live the abundant life that Jesus promised, a life of joy and freedom, and to have relationships that are healthy and fulfilling.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
The Unknown God
Acts 17:22-28
22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
"'In him we live and move and have our being';
When I have read this portion from the book of Acts, I have always thought that the people of Athens were very religious, that they had altars and temples to every god they knew about, and they had an altar set up to cover any god that they did not know, just in case they left someone out. But, today I read something that made their action clear and profound.
The ancient Greeks believed in many gods, thousands in fact, a god for every need, every situation. The gods of Rome and Greece were more like superheros, beings with very human characteristics, but with power to do a lot of damage. But, according to a Greek philosopher, Porphyry of Tyre, who lived AD 234–c. 305, they also believed that there was one god above all others. He wrote, "The first God is incorporeal, immovable, and invisible...neither is vocal language nor internal speech adapted to the highest God." They believed that this God over all other gods was a formless spirit being, distant, invisible, unknowable, a god who did not show himself or reveal himself to humans, who was concerned with humans, and not moved by their plight.
When Paul showed up in Athens, he would have known this. He was explaining to the people that this God who they believed was above all the other gods, was in fact real. He was the creator of everything, Master of all in heaven and earth. But, He is not distant and unknowable, hidden and unapproachable, unconcerned and uncaring. He wants to be known. His hope is that his creatures will seek Him, and, if they do, they will find Him.
It is wonderful to me to see that Paul introduced these people, not to a God they had not heard of before, but to The God they believed was there, but was too hidden, too distant for them to ever know. What hope this would have brought them.
We serve and love the Great God, who has revealed Himself to us.
John 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Morning
It is early on Christmas morning. We have few plans for the day. We celebrate Christmas with our children and grandchildren the Sunday before Christmas, to make schedules easier. So, today will be simple. We will join Emily and Doug for breakfast, mostly to enjoy the fun and excitement of the children showing off their new toys. The rest of the day will be spent packing. That's ok, it will be good to get that done. And, we had a great time on Sunday, enjoying a meal together, giving gifts to the grandchildren (it's always the cheapest, simplest, last minute item that ends up being the favorite toy), and having a gift exchange game with the adults.
Yesterday, Christmas Eve, was a hard day for me. This was the first Christmas after losing my Dad, and my Mom has declined drastically since last Christmas. A few other situations were also on my heart, which altogether made me sad. We ran a few errands during the day, really didn't have enough to keep occupied, then arrived at my sister's house just as she and her son were taking my mother into the house. Mother was having a good day. She enjoyed being surrounded by her family. She "walked" around in her wheelchair and hugged every one, smiling, visiting.
The most difficult part of the evening for me was our traditional singing of Christmas Carols. We tried to remember when we started this, but all we could come up with was that close to 50 years ago, my parents went to a party where they sang songs, and they copied the song sheet that was used (I can't figure out how they made copies then), and we have been singing every Christmas Eve since then. My Dad lead the singing for many years, until he passed the responsibility on to one of his grandsons. Although Jon officially lead, Dad continued to start every song. As soon as we ended one, before we could catch our breath, he would start the next one, and he sang them fast, even Silent Night. Daddy enjoyed this so much. He loved being with his family, and being in the living room together singing the traditional songs of Christmas was the best. So, doing this without him was hard. I sat by my mother, who sang out with so much enthusiasm. She tries so hard to do things and she has a great attitude. It was sweet to hear her sing those songs she loves so much, but also so sad. I tried hard not to cry because I knew that would be upsetting. As I told my sister at the end of the night, it was a good night, hard to get through, but worth it.
This morning, I woke up at 5:00 to the sound of thunder. I had to get up to see if it was actually raining, and it was. It was raining hard, and still is. Two hours of steady rain is such a gift. We need it so badly. Last night, the weather forecast showed possible rain or snow in the afternoon, but not in Stephenville, which was too far south. I prayed again for rain, asked God to please send it our way.
When I got up this morning, and stood on the porch watching the rain, my heart felt that this was a promise, that God is going to come through in some new ways, a reminder that He is here, that He can and will do the unexpected, unpredicted, unexplainable.
Yesterday, Christmas Eve, was a hard day for me. This was the first Christmas after losing my Dad, and my Mom has declined drastically since last Christmas. A few other situations were also on my heart, which altogether made me sad. We ran a few errands during the day, really didn't have enough to keep occupied, then arrived at my sister's house just as she and her son were taking my mother into the house. Mother was having a good day. She enjoyed being surrounded by her family. She "walked" around in her wheelchair and hugged every one, smiling, visiting.
The most difficult part of the evening for me was our traditional singing of Christmas Carols. We tried to remember when we started this, but all we could come up with was that close to 50 years ago, my parents went to a party where they sang songs, and they copied the song sheet that was used (I can't figure out how they made copies then), and we have been singing every Christmas Eve since then. My Dad lead the singing for many years, until he passed the responsibility on to one of his grandsons. Although Jon officially lead, Dad continued to start every song. As soon as we ended one, before we could catch our breath, he would start the next one, and he sang them fast, even Silent Night. Daddy enjoyed this so much. He loved being with his family, and being in the living room together singing the traditional songs of Christmas was the best. So, doing this without him was hard. I sat by my mother, who sang out with so much enthusiasm. She tries so hard to do things and she has a great attitude. It was sweet to hear her sing those songs she loves so much, but also so sad. I tried hard not to cry because I knew that would be upsetting. As I told my sister at the end of the night, it was a good night, hard to get through, but worth it.
This morning, I woke up at 5:00 to the sound of thunder. I had to get up to see if it was actually raining, and it was. It was raining hard, and still is. Two hours of steady rain is such a gift. We need it so badly. Last night, the weather forecast showed possible rain or snow in the afternoon, but not in Stephenville, which was too far south. I prayed again for rain, asked God to please send it our way.
When I got up this morning, and stood on the porch watching the rain, my heart felt that this was a promise, that God is going to come through in some new ways, a reminder that He is here, that He can and will do the unexpected, unpredicted, unexplainable.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Celebrate!
Christmas is a special time, most of us agree with that. There are a lot of different views about why it is special, how it is special. If you watch TV, you might think that we celebrate the fact that we have money, there is much we can buy, and we should buy a lot. Or, some think that we celebrate family, or even that we celebrate peace, love, and harmony. Some people do not believe that we are to celebrate Christmas at all, because it is not in the Bible, and we do not know when the actual birth date of Jesus is.
True, the Bible does not give the date of Jesus birth, and does not tell us we are to celebrate it by giving gifts and decorating our homes in lights. But, the story of the birth of Jesus sure shows a lot of celebrating.
Just look at these verses that are from events surrounding the birth of Jesus.
Luke 1:13-14
13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,
Luke 1:30-33
30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
Luke 1:41-42,44
41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry,"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Luke 1:46-48
46 And Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
Luke 1:67-69
67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
Luke 2:8-14
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2:20
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:27-32
27 And he (Simeon) came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."
Luke 2:38
38 And coming up at that very hour she (Anna) began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Matt 2:1-3,11-12
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
So, as you go about our busyness this week, shopping, cooking, preparing, attending special programs, remember this truly is a time to celebrate. And, as you become frustrated by the commercialism, the indulgent spending of our society, the abuse of this season, still, remember that it truly is a time to celebrate.
We have reason to celebrate.
Don't stress about gifts, don't get sucked into overspending, don't be distracted by the advertising...but DO CELEBRATE! Jesus has come! That is reason to celebrate.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Women of Christmas
It so interests me that God used women in VERY significant ways to introduce the Savior of the world. As a woman who is a Christian, who is passionate and zealous for Christ, I have struggled to walk in balance. I love the Lord, have a hunger for the Word, and a studious mind. But, in the church, I have often been treated with condecsension. I have been silent as men tell jokes that demean and trivialize the female mentality, and heard sermon after sermon by men which undermine female roles in the Bible.
(Not at Cottonwood, but a lot of other places in the past)
But, then, as I read the account of the birth of Jesus as told by Luke, the account which is most often read during the celebration of Christmas, I see the role of women as significant and meaningful.
The book opens with a priest named Zechariah.
And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Luke 1:5-7
Elizabeth is the first woman of the Christmas story. She was old, and barren. No curse was greater for a woman in the ancient world than to be barren. She was also righteous. She walked blamelessly in all the commandments and statues of the Lord. She knew the law, and obeyed it.
As Zechariah was serving, an angel appeared to him and told him that his wife would be having a baby, a son whose name would be John, a special son who would be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb, and would be greatly used by God to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Lord. Although Zechariah had doubts about God's ability to do this, Elizabeth conceived.
At this point, the narrative immediately goes to Mary. The angel Gabriel appears and exclaims that she is favored by God, and that she will conceive a baby by the Holy Spirit, and that baby will be the son of The Most High, the Messiah. The angel assured Mary that God was able to do this, even though she was a virgin, then he told her that her relative Elizabeth was pregnant, and Mary went to see her
As soon as Elizabeth, she knew.
"And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry,"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:41-45
That must have been extremely encouraging to Mary, to have confirmation of the word that God had given her.
This is the biggest news in the history of the world! And there are two people who know it, both of them are women. I am not speaking anything against men. But, I believe that maybe God was making a point here. He is showing us that things are changing in dramatic ways.
During this time in Israel, as well as the other nations, women were considered second class citizens in every way. In a trial, the testimony of a woman was not admisable evidence. Women could not own property. Most women were not educated and could not support themselves. Women were the property of men. I'm not making this up. This is well documented in the world of this time. If Mary and Elizabeth went out and told the people that Mary would give birth to the Messiah in 9 months, no one would have believed them. God could have revealed the truth to Mary's father, or to her almost husband Joseph first, and that would have been more expected, but He didn't. An angel did eventually tell Joseph, to confirm that what Mary had told him was true.
The fact that God revealed to two women that the Messiah was coming would be astounding to the people of that day.
Consider this; Mary was under the rule of her father until she married, when she would be ruled by her husband. If her husband died, she would have to go back to live with her father, unless she had a son who could take care of her. Mary could not own property. She had very few rights. YET, she could carry in her womb the tiny fetus that was God. She had the ability to nourish that baby, to protect Him, to provide for Him in every way. That is an amazing fact.
After Mary gave birth, she and Joseph took Jesus to the temple for the required offerings. A man named Simeon was there, waiting, God had told him that he would see the Messiah before he died. He knew that Jesus was the one, and blessed him. Then, a woman named Anna came.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38
First, Anna was a prophetess. There are only 4 prophetesses named before this, and the word is used so casually, without much explanation. Anna was married 7 years when her husband died. From that time she lived in the temple area, worshiping, fasting, and praying all the time. God revealed to her the reality of who Jesus was, just as he had Simeon. She gave thanks to God, and then she began to spread word. Anna is the first evangelist. She went to those she knew who were also waiting for the Messiah to come.
Jesus came as the Savior of the world. He came to save us from our sins, to restore us to be in relationship with God. He came so that we would be restored to the place of representing God on earth and bringing Him glory.
Jesus also came to sit things right. One of the aspects of the work that Jesus came to do was to bring women out of the bondage of servitude and show that God created women to be image bearers of God, nothing less; gifted, intelligent, able, faithful.
The women surrounding the birth of Jesus reveal that God loves and honors women just as he does men.
(Not at Cottonwood, but a lot of other places in the past)
But, then, as I read the account of the birth of Jesus as told by Luke, the account which is most often read during the celebration of Christmas, I see the role of women as significant and meaningful.
The book opens with a priest named Zechariah.
And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Luke 1:5-7
Elizabeth is the first woman of the Christmas story. She was old, and barren. No curse was greater for a woman in the ancient world than to be barren. She was also righteous. She walked blamelessly in all the commandments and statues of the Lord. She knew the law, and obeyed it.
As Zechariah was serving, an angel appeared to him and told him that his wife would be having a baby, a son whose name would be John, a special son who would be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb, and would be greatly used by God to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Lord. Although Zechariah had doubts about God's ability to do this, Elizabeth conceived.
At this point, the narrative immediately goes to Mary. The angel Gabriel appears and exclaims that she is favored by God, and that she will conceive a baby by the Holy Spirit, and that baby will be the son of The Most High, the Messiah. The angel assured Mary that God was able to do this, even though she was a virgin, then he told her that her relative Elizabeth was pregnant, and Mary went to see her
As soon as Elizabeth, she knew.
"And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry,"Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord." Luke 1:41-45
That must have been extremely encouraging to Mary, to have confirmation of the word that God had given her.
This is the biggest news in the history of the world! And there are two people who know it, both of them are women. I am not speaking anything against men. But, I believe that maybe God was making a point here. He is showing us that things are changing in dramatic ways.
During this time in Israel, as well as the other nations, women were considered second class citizens in every way. In a trial, the testimony of a woman was not admisable evidence. Women could not own property. Most women were not educated and could not support themselves. Women were the property of men. I'm not making this up. This is well documented in the world of this time. If Mary and Elizabeth went out and told the people that Mary would give birth to the Messiah in 9 months, no one would have believed them. God could have revealed the truth to Mary's father, or to her almost husband Joseph first, and that would have been more expected, but He didn't. An angel did eventually tell Joseph, to confirm that what Mary had told him was true.
The fact that God revealed to two women that the Messiah was coming would be astounding to the people of that day.
Consider this; Mary was under the rule of her father until she married, when she would be ruled by her husband. If her husband died, she would have to go back to live with her father, unless she had a son who could take care of her. Mary could not own property. She had very few rights. YET, she could carry in her womb the tiny fetus that was God. She had the ability to nourish that baby, to protect Him, to provide for Him in every way. That is an amazing fact.
After Mary gave birth, she and Joseph took Jesus to the temple for the required offerings. A man named Simeon was there, waiting, God had told him that he would see the Messiah before he died. He knew that Jesus was the one, and blessed him. Then, a woman named Anna came.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38
First, Anna was a prophetess. There are only 4 prophetesses named before this, and the word is used so casually, without much explanation. Anna was married 7 years when her husband died. From that time she lived in the temple area, worshiping, fasting, and praying all the time. God revealed to her the reality of who Jesus was, just as he had Simeon. She gave thanks to God, and then she began to spread word. Anna is the first evangelist. She went to those she knew who were also waiting for the Messiah to come.
Jesus came as the Savior of the world. He came to save us from our sins, to restore us to be in relationship with God. He came so that we would be restored to the place of representing God on earth and bringing Him glory.
Jesus also came to sit things right. One of the aspects of the work that Jesus came to do was to bring women out of the bondage of servitude and show that God created women to be image bearers of God, nothing less; gifted, intelligent, able, faithful.
The women surrounding the birth of Jesus reveal that God loves and honors women just as he does men.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
COTTONWOOD LADIES RETREAT- Shame OFF You!
MARCH 1-2, 2013; at the MCM Elegante Hotel, Abilene
Do you feel like your best just isn’t good enough?
If you persistently feel you don't measure up, you are feeling shame— that vague, undefined heaviness that presses on your spirit, dampens your gratitude, and diminishes your joy.
God convicts of sin, but He never shames us. With conviction, God gives power and encouragement, but guilt and shame rob us of power and motivation; strip away our joy and peace.
What are signs of shame?
I am bothered by every small criticism.
I always question my abilities.
I have a hard time saying no or facing any kind of conflict.
I feel like I have to be perfect.
I always question my abilities.
I have a hard time saying no or facing any kind of conflict.
I feel like I have to be perfect.
I can’t celebrate my gifts and accept God’s blessings without apology.
Shame is a powerful thing. It can weigh on your heart and mind, diminish your sense of self-worth, and impact the way you live in the world, the way you come before God, and the way you relate to other people.
Don’t let the enemy’s accusations or your own negative self talk strip you of the power that God promises.
Cheri is a gifted speaker and writer, best known for her practical and passionate application of God’s Word. Her messages of grace, faith and freedom inspire others to wholeheartedly trust God and pursue His purpose for their lives. Spunky and insightful, Cheri brings vibrancy to everything she does. Cheri serves the local church alongside her husband Randy, who is the Campus Pastor of Gateway Church Frisco in Frisco, Texas.
She and Randy have two children, Drew and Lindsay.
Come prepared to have a great time, make new friends, connect with wonderful Christian women, participate in exciting, uplifting worship, and most of all, hear from God.
Invite your friends and family to be a part of this weekend of fellowship and teaching in a warm, accepting environment.
Bring your Bible and everything you usually need for a weekend. Dress for comfort.
Reduced rate for registration with payment by February 1.
Registration by Feb. 1 after Feb 1
4 people in a room $60 $75
3 people in a room $70 $85
2 people in a room $80 $95
1 person alone $125 $140
Scholarships are available for women who attend Cottonwood.
Payment plans are also available.
Price includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday, and late night snacks on Friday, as well as the room and retreat expenses.
There are many good restaurants near the hotel for supper on Friday.
For our special Friday Night Fun time, after the first session, we will play our own version of “Let’s Make a Deal” so bring a silly costume, make a “pick me” sign, and be prepared for dealing.
.We can check in early Friday afternoon. The hotel has an indoor pool and hot tub you can use Friday afternoon.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
"Nothing in Common..."
I got my first Christmas cards this week, two are from very special young women. I have had a lot of very special friends in my life. I have especially loved having friends that are not exactly my age. That makes my life rich and full. I have VERY close friends who could be my mother. They are not like mothers to me, they are simply really good friends, with whom I share a special bond.
I have other close friends who are young enough to be my daughters. I am blessed by those friendships. This week, I got cards from two young women who were sweet blessings to me a few years ago.
I was asked to be a mentor to Danielle. At the time, I was pleased to be a part of her life, but I knew that she was well grounded in her faith and she has a very godly mother, so I was not sure why I was needed. The solution was that we met as friends, we worked on some Bible studies together, we talked about her school and my children, about our mutual faith and passion for God, and eventually about her boyfriend who became her husband. After she married, she moved away. Now, she is a wonderful wife and mother to two adorable little girls.
Jessica came into my life in a more casual way. She and Les played on the same softball team! I know, that was crazy. Les was asked to play on the Baptist Student ministry team. He was somewhat older than everyone else, but he was an excellent pitcher and a good hitter. Running the bases was not his strong suit. Anyway, I digress. I instantly loved Jessica's fun loving personality and her zeal for Christ. We became fast friends. Later, she worked for the church with the youth ministry, and we enjoyed being co-laborers in ministry. She also married, and eventually moved away. I loved seeing her with her husband and precious son and daughter.
I don't understand people who feel that their friends have to be just like them...same age range, same stage in life, same interests. I remember talking and laughing with my much younger friends, and later remembering that we might have little in common outwardly, but God knit our hearts in a special way. Thanks, girls, for the Christmas cards and sharing your lives with me.
I have other close friends who are young enough to be my daughters. I am blessed by those friendships. This week, I got cards from two young women who were sweet blessings to me a few years ago.
I was asked to be a mentor to Danielle. At the time, I was pleased to be a part of her life, but I knew that she was well grounded in her faith and she has a very godly mother, so I was not sure why I was needed. The solution was that we met as friends, we worked on some Bible studies together, we talked about her school and my children, about our mutual faith and passion for God, and eventually about her boyfriend who became her husband. After she married, she moved away. Now, she is a wonderful wife and mother to two adorable little girls.
Jessica came into my life in a more casual way. She and Les played on the same softball team! I know, that was crazy. Les was asked to play on the Baptist Student ministry team. He was somewhat older than everyone else, but he was an excellent pitcher and a good hitter. Running the bases was not his strong suit. Anyway, I digress. I instantly loved Jessica's fun loving personality and her zeal for Christ. We became fast friends. Later, she worked for the church with the youth ministry, and we enjoyed being co-laborers in ministry. She also married, and eventually moved away. I loved seeing her with her husband and precious son and daughter.
I don't understand people who feel that their friends have to be just like them...same age range, same stage in life, same interests. I remember talking and laughing with my much younger friends, and later remembering that we might have little in common outwardly, but God knit our hearts in a special way. Thanks, girls, for the Christmas cards and sharing your lives with me.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Christmas Night of Worship
Our women's group used to have a Christmas party every year, with a crazy "Chinese" Christmas gift exchange. We had a ball, crazy fun! But, a few years ago, we decided to have a more meaningful event that would focus on the birth of Jesus, a night of worship. In the past, we have had an artist who painted while we sang Christmas songs, dancers who danced to the songs, as well as women who sang or played instruments, and some who read Scripture or other writings about the birth of Jesus.
This year, we seemed to not have any of the painters, dancers, singers, or players of instruments available! We planned an evening of worship, gathered last night, and it was beautiful. We began at 4, with a few who came early to cook and decorate.
As women entered, they were greeted by these two helpers, (Verna and Sable) who gave each one a paper with a song on it, which indicated at which table she was to sit.
We got our food and sat at the assigned tables for fellowship and to answer questions that were also handed out at the door.
After our fellowship time, we began our program with a wonderful instrumental medley of Christmas songs brought to us by the musicians of Gateway church ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J9lB-TBpNc)
Jeannine Hambrick had put together an inspiring compilation of scripture and readings, brought by a number of different women.
We were deeply moved by Josh Groban singing O Holy Night, accompanied by a video montage from the movie The Nativity. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU
After Josh's song, we sang traditional carols by candlelight.
The evening was so sweet, a simple expression of worship and celebration of our Saviors birth.
This year, we seemed to not have any of the painters, dancers, singers, or players of instruments available! We planned an evening of worship, gathered last night, and it was beautiful. We began at 4, with a few who came early to cook and decorate.
As women entered, they were greeted by these two helpers, (Verna and Sable) who gave each one a paper with a song on it, which indicated at which table she was to sit.
Jeannine Hambrick had put together an inspiring compilation of scripture and readings, brought by a number of different women.
We were deeply moved by Josh Groban singing O Holy Night, accompanied by a video montage from the movie The Nativity. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU
After Josh's song, we sang traditional carols by candlelight.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Allergy Relief
I have never had trouble with allergies, but my husband sure has. For his whole life (at least the adult part of it) he has suffered with allergies. Just like clockwork, every December he would have an allergy attack, which led to a sinus infection, which led to strep throat or bronchitis. After a dose of antibiotic, he would feel better, but continued with a lot of sneezing and drainage through the winter. As the years went by, the symptoms got worse, until he would need several dozes of antibiotics during the winter.
Three years ago, he was sick all winter with allergies and bronchitis, went through multiple antibiotics, and developed asthma. So, on top of the coughing, gagging, spitting, and sneezing, he was now wheezing! The following year was even worse. Last year was not as bad, but this October, the cycle started again, with allergies and a sinus infection, which required two rounds of antibiotics to clear up. After a week of feeling better, he began to develop another infection.
This time, he searched the Internet for allergies which cause of chronic bronchitis. He was surprised to find that many of the allergens which cause his symptoms are not airborne, but are foods. The most common food allergies that cause respiratory reactions are sugar, dairy products, wheat, and yeast.
So, beginning on November 1, he stopped consuming those products. Within three days he was clear of allergy symptoms. It has been amazing; no coughing, gagging, spitting, sneezing, or wheezing.
Today is Nov 29, and he has had a month of health, during the season that he normally suffers the most. He has not eaten any of the foods, except an occasional cheat. We have discovered that the main culprit is sugar. At one meal, he ate a salad X and was surprised by an immediate episode. I realized that he had used a Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing which had a lot of sugar. But, today, he had a catfish sandwich, the first yeast bread he has had all month, and he had no problems. So, it seems that sugar is more of a problem than yeast.
We are so excited to find out this "secret" and wanted to share. Maybe someone else with allergies could get some help.
A little side effect is that his eczema has improved, and he has lost 12 pounds.
Three years ago, he was sick all winter with allergies and bronchitis, went through multiple antibiotics, and developed asthma. So, on top of the coughing, gagging, spitting, and sneezing, he was now wheezing! The following year was even worse. Last year was not as bad, but this October, the cycle started again, with allergies and a sinus infection, which required two rounds of antibiotics to clear up. After a week of feeling better, he began to develop another infection.
This time, he searched the Internet for allergies which cause of chronic bronchitis. He was surprised to find that many of the allergens which cause his symptoms are not airborne, but are foods. The most common food allergies that cause respiratory reactions are sugar, dairy products, wheat, and yeast.
So, beginning on November 1, he stopped consuming those products. Within three days he was clear of allergy symptoms. It has been amazing; no coughing, gagging, spitting, sneezing, or wheezing.
Today is Nov 29, and he has had a month of health, during the season that he normally suffers the most. He has not eaten any of the foods, except an occasional cheat. We have discovered that the main culprit is sugar. At one meal, he ate a salad X and was surprised by an immediate episode. I realized that he had used a Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing which had a lot of sugar. But, today, he had a catfish sandwich, the first yeast bread he has had all month, and he had no problems. So, it seems that sugar is more of a problem than yeast.
We are so excited to find out this "secret" and wanted to share. Maybe someone else with allergies could get some help.
A little side effect is that his eczema has improved, and he has lost 12 pounds.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Be Grateful; Be Healthier and Happier
During the month, as I considered that whole idea of giving thanks, I had the thought that I am sure that giving thanks is beneficial to us. I have learned that when God gives us commands, He does so, not just because that is what He wants, but, also because it is best for us.
So, I "googled" it! Boy, was I right. There have been a number of studies done, and many articles and blogs written about the benefits of just being grateful. I read a few totally secular articles, and compiled a few of the facts about those benefits. Remember, these facts are taken from scientific research studies by secular researchers.
The research is summarized in Robert Emmons' new book Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier (Houghton Mifflin, 2007)
Emmons' book reports on several studies. In the first, he and his colleagues divided participants into three groups, each of which made weekly entries in a journal. One group wrote five things they were grateful for. Another group described five daily hassles and a control group listed five events that had affected them in some way.
Results from a second study suggested that daily writing led to a greater increase in gratitude than weekly practice. The results of that study produced some surprising discoveries.
1. Gratitude makes us happier.
A five-minute a day gratitude journal can increase your long-term well-being by more than 10 percent.a1,a2,a3 That’s 2.5x the impact of winning more than $1,000,000 in the lottery!a4
Lottery winners show a huge spike in happiness, followed by a quick drop. Those who kept a gratitude journal slowly raised their level of happiness until it passed the lottery winners, and the levels just kept increasing.
2. Gratitude makes people like us.
Gratitude generates social capital – in two studies with 243 total participants, those who were 10% more grateful than average had 17.5% more social capital.b1
Gratitude makes us nicer, more trusting, more social, and more appreciative. As a result, it helps us make more friends, deepen our existing relationships, and improve our marriage.b2
3. Gratitude makes us healthier.
A study reported by Emmon's group showed results among a group of people suffering from various neuromuscular diseases. People using daily gratitude journals reported more satisfaction with their lives and were more optimistic about the future than the control group. Interestingly, the gratitude group also reported getting more sleep, spending less time awake before falling asleep and feeling more refreshed in the morning. Those who engage in gratitude practices have been shown to feel less pain, go to the doctor less often, have lower blood pressure, and be less likely to develop a mental disorder.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that gratitude can have a protective effect against heart attacks. Studying people who had experienced one heart attack, the researchers found that those patients who saw benefits and gains from their heart attack, such as becoming more appreciative of life, experienced a lower risk of having another heart attack.
4. Gratitude makes us more optimistic.
Gratitude is strongly correlated with optimism. Optimism in turn makes us happier, improves our health, and has been shown to increase lifespan by as much as a few years. I’d say a 5 minute a day gratitude journal would be worth it just for this benefit.
5. Gratitude reduces materialism.
Materialism is strongly correlated with reduced well-being and increased rates of mental disorder. Materialism is that it makes people feel less competent, reduces feelings of relatedness and gratitude, reduces their ability to appreciate and enjoy the good in life, generates negative emotions, and makes them more self-centered.
1) Keep a Daily Gratitude Journal
This is probably the most effective strategy for increasing your level of gratitude. Set aside time daily to record several things that you are grateful for. (Typically, people list three to five.) You can write when you get up or at the end of the day. Pick a time that you will consistently have available.
2) Use Visual Reminders
Two obstacles to being grateful are forgetfulness and lack of awareness. You can counter them by giving yourself visual cues that trigger thoughts of gratitude. Emmons says he puts Post-It notes listing his blessings in many places, including on his refrigerator, mirrors and the steering wheel of his car. Another strategy is to set a timer on your phone to go off as a reminder.
3) Have a Gratitude Partner
Social support encourages healthy behaviors, because we often lack the discipline to do things on our own. Just as you may be more likely to exercise if you have an exercise partner or participate in a class, you may be able to maintain the discipline of gratitude more easily if you have a partner with whom to share gratitude lists and to discuss the effects of gratitude in your life.
4) Make a Public Commitment
We feel accountable when we make commitments to others. Tell your friends, a class, Bible study group, or write it on facebook!
So, I "googled" it! Boy, was I right. There have been a number of studies done, and many articles and blogs written about the benefits of just being grateful. I read a few totally secular articles, and compiled a few of the facts about those benefits. Remember, these facts are taken from scientific research studies by secular researchers.
The research is summarized in Robert Emmons' new book Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier (Houghton Mifflin, 2007)
Emmons' book reports on several studies. In the first, he and his colleagues divided participants into three groups, each of which made weekly entries in a journal. One group wrote five things they were grateful for. Another group described five daily hassles and a control group listed five events that had affected them in some way.
Results from a second study suggested that daily writing led to a greater increase in gratitude than weekly practice. The results of that study produced some surprising discoveries.
1. Gratitude makes us happier.
A five-minute a day gratitude journal can increase your long-term well-being by more than 10 percent.a1,a2,a3 That’s 2.5x the impact of winning more than $1,000,000 in the lottery!a4
Lottery winners show a huge spike in happiness, followed by a quick drop. Those who kept a gratitude journal slowly raised their level of happiness until it passed the lottery winners, and the levels just kept increasing.
2. Gratitude makes people like us.
Gratitude generates social capital – in two studies with 243 total participants, those who were 10% more grateful than average had 17.5% more social capital.b1
Gratitude makes us nicer, more trusting, more social, and more appreciative. As a result, it helps us make more friends, deepen our existing relationships, and improve our marriage.b2
3. Gratitude makes us healthier.
A study reported by Emmon's group showed results among a group of people suffering from various neuromuscular diseases. People using daily gratitude journals reported more satisfaction with their lives and were more optimistic about the future than the control group. Interestingly, the gratitude group also reported getting more sleep, spending less time awake before falling asleep and feeling more refreshed in the morning. Those who engage in gratitude practices have been shown to feel less pain, go to the doctor less often, have lower blood pressure, and be less likely to develop a mental disorder.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut found that gratitude can have a protective effect against heart attacks. Studying people who had experienced one heart attack, the researchers found that those patients who saw benefits and gains from their heart attack, such as becoming more appreciative of life, experienced a lower risk of having another heart attack.
4. Gratitude makes us more optimistic.
Gratitude is strongly correlated with optimism. Optimism in turn makes us happier, improves our health, and has been shown to increase lifespan by as much as a few years. I’d say a 5 minute a day gratitude journal would be worth it just for this benefit.
5. Gratitude reduces materialism.
Materialism is strongly correlated with reduced well-being and increased rates of mental disorder. Materialism is that it makes people feel less competent, reduces feelings of relatedness and gratitude, reduces their ability to appreciate and enjoy the good in life, generates negative emotions, and makes them more self-centered.
6. Gratitude increases spiritualism.
(Remember these are reports from a nonchristian viewpoint.)
Gratitude spontaneously gives rise to spiritual attribution, helping one feel closer to God or other religious entities.
(The reality is that the God who created us made us so that we draw closer to Him when we are grateful)
7. Gratitude makes us less self-centered.
This is because the very nature of gratitude is to focus on others (on their acts of benevolence). In this regard, gratitude practice can be better than self-esteem therapy.
8. Gratitude helps us bounce back.
Those that have more gratitude have a more pro-active coping style, are more likely to have and seek out social support in times of need, are less likely to develop PTSD, and are more likely to grow in times of stress. In others words, they are more resilient.
(Remember these are reports from a nonchristian viewpoint.)
Gratitude spontaneously gives rise to spiritual attribution, helping one feel closer to God or other religious entities.
(The reality is that the God who created us made us so that we draw closer to Him when we are grateful)
7. Gratitude makes us less self-centered.
This is because the very nature of gratitude is to focus on others (on their acts of benevolence). In this regard, gratitude practice can be better than self-esteem therapy.
8. Gratitude helps us bounce back.
Those that have more gratitude have a more pro-active coping style, are more likely to have and seek out social support in times of need, are less likely to develop PTSD, and are more likely to grow in times of stress. In others words, they are more resilient.
9. Gratitude helps us relax. Gratitude and positive emotion in general are among the strongest relaxants known to man.
10. Gratitude makes you friendlier.
Multiple studies have shown that gratitude induces pro-social behavior. Keeping a gratitude journal is enough to make you more likely to help others with their problems and makes you more likely to offer them emotional support.
11. Gratitude helps your marriage.
Researchers have a complicated system to build a ratio between positive expressions and negative ones, and the impact on the marriage...end result was they found that being grateful boosts the happiness of marriage.
12. Gratitude makes you look good. Ingratitude is universally regarded with contempt. It’s opposite, gratitude, is considered a virtue in all major religions and most modern cultures.
13. Gratitude helps you make friends and makes friendships deeper.
The research on gratitude challenges the idea of a "set point" for happiness, a belief that, just as our body has a set point for weight, each person may have a genetically-determined level of happiness. The set point concept is supported by research that shows that people return to a characteristic level of happiness a short time after both unusually good and unusually bad events. But the research on gratitude suggests that people can move their set point upward to some degree, enough to have a measurable effect on both their outlook and their health.
Summarizing the findings from studies to date, Emmons says that those who practice grateful thinking "reap emotional, physical and interpersonal benefits." People who regularly keep a gratitude journal report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future. Emmons conclusion is that gratitude is a choice, one possible response to our life experiences.
Hopefully, you are convinced that having an attitude of gratitude is a good thing, but you may need a few tips on getting there. If you would like to increase the level of gratitude in your life, here are five suggestions for getting started.
10. Gratitude makes you friendlier.
Multiple studies have shown that gratitude induces pro-social behavior. Keeping a gratitude journal is enough to make you more likely to help others with their problems and makes you more likely to offer them emotional support.
11. Gratitude helps your marriage.
Researchers have a complicated system to build a ratio between positive expressions and negative ones, and the impact on the marriage...end result was they found that being grateful boosts the happiness of marriage.
12. Gratitude makes you look good. Ingratitude is universally regarded with contempt. It’s opposite, gratitude, is considered a virtue in all major religions and most modern cultures.
13. Gratitude helps you make friends and makes friendships deeper.
The research on gratitude challenges the idea of a "set point" for happiness, a belief that, just as our body has a set point for weight, each person may have a genetically-determined level of happiness. The set point concept is supported by research that shows that people return to a characteristic level of happiness a short time after both unusually good and unusually bad events. But the research on gratitude suggests that people can move their set point upward to some degree, enough to have a measurable effect on both their outlook and their health.
Summarizing the findings from studies to date, Emmons says that those who practice grateful thinking "reap emotional, physical and interpersonal benefits." People who regularly keep a gratitude journal report fewer illness symptoms, feel better about their lives as a whole, and are more optimistic about the future. Emmons conclusion is that gratitude is a choice, one possible response to our life experiences.
Hopefully, you are convinced that having an attitude of gratitude is a good thing, but you may need a few tips on getting there. If you would like to increase the level of gratitude in your life, here are five suggestions for getting started.
1) Keep a Daily Gratitude Journal
This is probably the most effective strategy for increasing your level of gratitude. Set aside time daily to record several things that you are grateful for. (Typically, people list three to five.) You can write when you get up or at the end of the day. Pick a time that you will consistently have available.
2) Use Visual Reminders
Two obstacles to being grateful are forgetfulness and lack of awareness. You can counter them by giving yourself visual cues that trigger thoughts of gratitude. Emmons says he puts Post-It notes listing his blessings in many places, including on his refrigerator, mirrors and the steering wheel of his car. Another strategy is to set a timer on your phone to go off as a reminder.
3) Have a Gratitude Partner
Social support encourages healthy behaviors, because we often lack the discipline to do things on our own. Just as you may be more likely to exercise if you have an exercise partner or participate in a class, you may be able to maintain the discipline of gratitude more easily if you have a partner with whom to share gratitude lists and to discuss the effects of gratitude in your life.
4) Make a Public Commitment
We feel accountable when we make commitments to others. Tell your friends, a class, Bible study group, or write it on facebook!
Friday, November 23, 2012
A Life of Thanksgiving
This month, as I have considered what it really means to be grateful, I understand that gratitude should be my lifestyle, a constant attitude. We have so much that we are
grateful for, so many reasons to give thanks. God tells us that we are to give
thanks to Him, but I wondered what specifically are some things we are to thank
Him for, and why is that important. I began to check some verses to find out
what the Bible says, some of the reasons we are to thank God, and how God wants
us to give thanks to Him.
-Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
-Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
-I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will
sing praise to your name, O Most High. Ps 9:1-2
-Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody
to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully
on the strings, with loud shouts.
-It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing
praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your
faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody
of the lyre.
-Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts
with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! ----For the Lord is good; his
steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
-Offer to God
a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
-I will praise the name of God with a song; I
will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an
ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
- I give thanks to my God always for you because of
the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus
-Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor
crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
-rooted and built up in him and established in the
faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
-foods that God created to be received with
thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created
by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with
thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
-giving
thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ
Eph 5:20
Sounds like God wants us to sing and shout in
our praise and thanksgiving to Him. He wants us to use our voice and any
instruments we may play, and put our whole hearts into thanking Him. Thanksgiving should overflow, be abounding in
our lives.
God wants us to thank Him for who He is and what He has
done, for His love, and faithfulness, for His great works. In our gratitude, He wants us to tell other
people of the things that God has done for us.
Based on these verses, we are to give thanks for other
Christians, for the food that God gives, actually, for everything that God has
made, and, finally, just for everything. God has given us so many good gifts,
such grace and mercy. He wants us to have hearts that are full of thanksgiving,
overflowing with gratitude to Him, as a sacrifice to Him, no matter what our
circumstances are.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Divine Accidents
It has seemed strange to me that for years, sometimes, not always, just sometimes, when someone calls the church office and no one is there to answer it, the call is forwarded to my cell phone. With no warning, I get a call that looks like is from the church office, I answer, and it is a stranger who was calling the church office and has no idea that he is reaching a personal cell phone of someone. Since it only happened occasionally, I assumed that everyone on staff was on some kind of rotation so that we all received some of the calls. Last week, I asked and found out that no one else gets those calls, only me. NO one confessed to having any knowledge of how this has happened.
So, anyway, I get calls sometimes, I say, "Hello", and after a moment of silence, someone will say, "Uh, is this the church?" and I change into my professional voice and say, "Oh, yes, this is Cottonwood, I'm Jeannette, How can I help you." Then, I answer whatever question the person has.
Last week, I received on of those calls. It was the middle of the afternoon on a Tuesday, so I was really surprised to get the call (it turns out MariLea had gone to the bank and set the phone to the recorder). The call turned out to be from a woman who recently began to visit Cottonwood. I met her the first day she came and she said that she felt accepted, she loved being there, and that she usually did not feel wanted in churches. That makes me very sad, but very happy that Cottonwood is the kind of place where everyone is welcome and wanted. The woman was very timid about calling the church, but had a specific need that we could easily help her with. I was so glad that somehow that call came to my cell phone. If she had reached a recorder, I don't think that she would have left a message and this simple need she had would have not been met. Because I was able to answer her call, and make her feel comfortable, her feeling of worth was increased.
This morning, I had another one of those calls. I was in the car and the phone rang. From the caller ID, I assumed it was MariLea calling from the church, but it wasn't. It was a long time member of Cottonwood, calling because she desperately needed to talk to someone. I listened to her, talked with her, and prayed with her. I could tell she felt better after we talked. She told me that she had been very nervous about making the call, and she told herself that if I didn't answer, that would mean she wasn't supposed to call me! O MY! To think that if the church phone had not mysteriously decided to forward the call to me, my friend would have spent the day struggling and hurting.
Thank God that he sometimes chooses to intervene in unusual ways in our lives, and, in my life, He sometimes uses a strange phone system!
So, anyway, I get calls sometimes, I say, "Hello", and after a moment of silence, someone will say, "Uh, is this the church?" and I change into my professional voice and say, "Oh, yes, this is Cottonwood, I'm Jeannette, How can I help you." Then, I answer whatever question the person has.
Last week, I received on of those calls. It was the middle of the afternoon on a Tuesday, so I was really surprised to get the call (it turns out MariLea had gone to the bank and set the phone to the recorder). The call turned out to be from a woman who recently began to visit Cottonwood. I met her the first day she came and she said that she felt accepted, she loved being there, and that she usually did not feel wanted in churches. That makes me very sad, but very happy that Cottonwood is the kind of place where everyone is welcome and wanted. The woman was very timid about calling the church, but had a specific need that we could easily help her with. I was so glad that somehow that call came to my cell phone. If she had reached a recorder, I don't think that she would have left a message and this simple need she had would have not been met. Because I was able to answer her call, and make her feel comfortable, her feeling of worth was increased.
This morning, I had another one of those calls. I was in the car and the phone rang. From the caller ID, I assumed it was MariLea calling from the church, but it wasn't. It was a long time member of Cottonwood, calling because she desperately needed to talk to someone. I listened to her, talked with her, and prayed with her. I could tell she felt better after we talked. She told me that she had been very nervous about making the call, and she told herself that if I didn't answer, that would mean she wasn't supposed to call me! O MY! To think that if the church phone had not mysteriously decided to forward the call to me, my friend would have spent the day struggling and hurting.
Thank God that he sometimes chooses to intervene in unusual ways in our lives, and, in my life, He sometimes uses a strange phone system!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Thanksgiving Meal Thoughts and Tips
Can you believe that this week is Thanksgiving? Not me, it really snuck up on me this year.
We are planning a much smaller celebration that usual. We normally have at least 30 people here, with my entire extended family and several "semi-family" type folks. This year the family is just not up to that, with my Mom now in a nursing home and not able to make the trip from Ft.Worth to Stephenville. So, our celebration will be just the girls and their families, and a few others, probably 22 in all. It will be sad to not have all my family here, but, we are also looking forward to a more relaxed day, to visit and play with the kids.
I love that we have a day set aside to remember to give thanks. That is awesome. (I know, it has become about football and shopping a lot, but don't remind me of that. Let me enjoy this thought.)
My mind is filled with thoughts of what I am thankful for, from the great mercy and grace of God down to the soft comfy tennis shoes on my feet, and a thousand things in between. I am truly grateful.
I also love all the traditions of Thanksgiving; turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes...
Now for tips. I am no Martha Stewart, not even a Paula Deen. But, I have hosted a bunch of Thanksgiving meals, and I will share a few things I have learned.
Turkey... there are a million ways to cook it, and I have tried a bunch...bake, brine, smoke, slow cook...but, the last few years I made it REALLY easy. I cook the turkey in the oven a couple of days early, just bake it according to any easy method, basically at 350 degrees for 3 to 4 hours.Let it cool a little bit, then take all the meat off the bone, put the meat in a large plastic bowl with a lid that seals. Mix some spices with chicken broth, whatever your taste is; cajun spices, mexican spices, traditional poultry seasoning, then cover the meat with chicken broth and refrigerate. Thanksgiving morning, put the turkey meat in a large pan (I use my roaster oven so that the oven is open to cook other food) and heat it slowly and thoroughly. This makes the most delicious and moist turkey.
Another benefit to this method is that I don't have a turkey carcass to deal with. All the mess was taken care of before Thanksgiving day. Of course, this means that I don't have that beautiful brown turkey sitting on the table with the head of the house carving it like on TV shows. Actually, this system ended a point of conflict at my house. My usual helpful husband refused to carve the turkey. I had to beg someone to do that and it caused stress right at the time I was trying to get the food ready to serve.
Sides...don't make food that noone likes because you think you should. One year, I made cooked fresh sweet potatoes, FOR 30 PEOPLE. I bought a huge bag of potatoes, peeled them, cut them, and steamed them because I thought they would be so much healthier and tastier. Most of the family prefered the mushy canned yams with brown sugar and marshmallows. OK, lesson learned, cook what the family likes. So what if it isn't as healthy, it's only one day.
Don't stress. For several years, my extended family has come to my house for Thanksgiving. My parents and sisters and their families live in the Fort Worth area and they only come to my house two times a year, for Thanksgiving and for Easter. Because of that, I really wanted the house to be perfect when they came. I would clean everything, floors, windows, even curtains, and expect that my husband and daughters help me do it. I was stressed and irritable by Thanksgiving morning. That's not the way to start a special family holiday.
So, let's relax, enjoy the day, don't try to make it the picture perfect.
We are planning a much smaller celebration that usual. We normally have at least 30 people here, with my entire extended family and several "semi-family" type folks. This year the family is just not up to that, with my Mom now in a nursing home and not able to make the trip from Ft.Worth to Stephenville. So, our celebration will be just the girls and their families, and a few others, probably 22 in all. It will be sad to not have all my family here, but, we are also looking forward to a more relaxed day, to visit and play with the kids.
I love that we have a day set aside to remember to give thanks. That is awesome. (I know, it has become about football and shopping a lot, but don't remind me of that. Let me enjoy this thought.)
My mind is filled with thoughts of what I am thankful for, from the great mercy and grace of God down to the soft comfy tennis shoes on my feet, and a thousand things in between. I am truly grateful.
I also love all the traditions of Thanksgiving; turkey and dressing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes...
Now for tips. I am no Martha Stewart, not even a Paula Deen. But, I have hosted a bunch of Thanksgiving meals, and I will share a few things I have learned.
Turkey... there are a million ways to cook it, and I have tried a bunch...bake, brine, smoke, slow cook...but, the last few years I made it REALLY easy. I cook the turkey in the oven a couple of days early, just bake it according to any easy method, basically at 350 degrees for 3 to 4 hours.Let it cool a little bit, then take all the meat off the bone, put the meat in a large plastic bowl with a lid that seals. Mix some spices with chicken broth, whatever your taste is; cajun spices, mexican spices, traditional poultry seasoning, then cover the meat with chicken broth and refrigerate. Thanksgiving morning, put the turkey meat in a large pan (I use my roaster oven so that the oven is open to cook other food) and heat it slowly and thoroughly. This makes the most delicious and moist turkey.
Another benefit to this method is that I don't have a turkey carcass to deal with. All the mess was taken care of before Thanksgiving day. Of course, this means that I don't have that beautiful brown turkey sitting on the table with the head of the house carving it like on TV shows. Actually, this system ended a point of conflict at my house. My usual helpful husband refused to carve the turkey. I had to beg someone to do that and it caused stress right at the time I was trying to get the food ready to serve.
Sides...don't make food that noone likes because you think you should. One year, I made cooked fresh sweet potatoes, FOR 30 PEOPLE. I bought a huge bag of potatoes, peeled them, cut them, and steamed them because I thought they would be so much healthier and tastier. Most of the family prefered the mushy canned yams with brown sugar and marshmallows. OK, lesson learned, cook what the family likes. So what if it isn't as healthy, it's only one day.
Don't stress. For several years, my extended family has come to my house for Thanksgiving. My parents and sisters and their families live in the Fort Worth area and they only come to my house two times a year, for Thanksgiving and for Easter. Because of that, I really wanted the house to be perfect when they came. I would clean everything, floors, windows, even curtains, and expect that my husband and daughters help me do it. I was stressed and irritable by Thanksgiving morning. That's not the way to start a special family holiday.
So, let's relax, enjoy the day, don't try to make it the picture perfect.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Respect our Leaders?
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men...Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:13-15,17
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Romans 13:1
Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:2
I believe that these verses are very clear. God says that our government leaders have their authority by God's own divine appointment, and we are to respect them and pray for them. Why does that seem to be so hard to do? I hear Christians complain, criticize, and insult our leaders. I am embarrassed by the language that I often hear, the crude jokes, the outlandish stories repeated, the false accusations.
Let me be clear. I voted this election, and the person I voted for was not elected.
So what is my response to be? I am to be respectful. I am to pray. I am to have faith. I can do this because of a few things that I know are true.
1. America is a democracy. The majority of our people have elected officials that they believe to be the best ones. I must accept that.
2. God is in control. God rules and reigns. He is the Lord of the Nations. He is the King of Kings. I can rest and be at peace because I know that He is still in control,
3. This world is not my home. This is a temporary dwelling place, I was made for eternity. Everything about this world system will end.
4. My hope is in Christ, not a political party or a politician. No matter what happens in the government or the economy, I have Jesus. I have the Holy Spirit of God living in me, giving me joy, peace, confidence, and hope.
So, we are to respect our leaders and pray for them. If you think that this is too hard to do now, it would have been MUCH harder when these verses were written.
Nero was emperor of Rome, and Rome ruled the entire middle east and Europe. In AD 54, when Nero was 17 years old, his mother had his father poisoned, and Nero was proclaimed emperor. Nero was selfish and calculating and incapable. He became paranoid of the rumors about plots to kill him. In AD 55, he had his brother killed, and in 59, he had his mother executed, and three years later, he had his wife killed.
In July 69, a fire blazed uncontrolled for days and destroyed much of Rome. Rumors spread that Nero started the fire because he wanted to rebuild a grander and better city. In order to turn attention away from himself, Nero charged that Christians had started the fire, and he began a time of terrible persecution, killing and torturing Christians by dreadfully creative means. Both Peter and Paul wrote letters during this time, both while expecting to be executed by this government. They wrote to respect and pray for their leader, who was an insanely wicked man with absolute power.
Does God expect any less of us? Our lives are not threatened. We are not hunted down and thrown to wild animals for entertainment. We are not covered with wax and set afire to light an emperor's garden. Being a Christian may have been more acceptable a few years ago, but it's not that hard now. No one is keeping me from praying in my home. I can spend as much time as I want to reading and studying the Bible. I can love my neighbor as commanded, and I have freedom to share the gospel any time I want to. I attend church without harassment several times a week.
I think God's command to respect and pray for my leaders is not too much to ask.
I think God's command to respect and pray for my leaders is not too much to ask.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Goodbye Korea
Today is our last day in Korea. We spent the day in a community center that serves Seniors, children, and adults with disabilities in a number of ways.
For senior citizens, they provide lunch, either in the cafeteria or in their home; they offer classes in computers, yoga, traditional dance, even job training. The center operates a beauty job and coffee job operated by senior citizens in training.
The center offers job training, social skills classes, counselling, and activities for adults with mental and emotional problems.
It has a preschool and after school programs for children.
Our group was divided into small groups. Libby, Abby, and I got to deliver meals. We walked a few blocks to a high rise apartment building and took meals to 5 households.
Finally, we helped with the after school program. We made halloween hats with the children.
This evening, we went to stage show, a sort of blue-man group in a kitchen setting, but not painted blue...extremely funny and entertaining, and we ended with a farewell dinner at a very nice Chinese restaurant.
The center offers job training, social skills classes, counselling, and activities for adults with mental and emotional problems.
It has a preschool and after school programs for children.
Our group was divided into small groups. Libby, Abby, and I got to deliver meals. We walked a few blocks to a high rise apartment building and took meals to 5 households.
After lunch, we cooked for a birthday party; chicken nuggets in a green salad, fried shrimp, and little pizzas on toast.
Finally, we helped with the after school program. We made halloween hats with the children.
This evening, we went to stage show, a sort of blue-man group in a kitchen setting, but not painted blue...extremely funny and entertaining, and we ended with a farewell dinner at a very nice Chinese restaurant.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Korea Trip; Wednesday
Wednesday started with a special ceremonial time. The Korean people are a very formal people who like ceremony. There are many social norms that we are expected to follow; call adults by their last name with the title Mr, Mrs, Dr, etc., bow when greeting another adult, give a small gift to everyone who helps you in any way, show a lot of respect to those in leadership. Wednesday morning we were honored to have a meeting with the Director of Eastern Welfare Society.
The organization was started in 1972 by a Dr. Kim, a Christian refugee from North Korea who loved children and was concerned about the welfare of the many orphans. He passed away just a few years ago, and his daughter is now the director, who is also Dr. Kim. On Wednesday morning, we gathered in the chapel of the Eastern Welfare building which houses the baby nursery, the baby clinic, Eastern offices, and the Eastern guest house we are staying in. First an assistant came and spoke, then showed us a video about the history of Eastern, then took us on a tour of the building. Then we sat together in family groups. Dr Kim came in and spoke about the organization and her father's heart in starting it and running it for so many years. After that, she went to each family group and gave each us us small gift. When she completed that and returned to the front, each of us went to her as a family group and gave a cash donation to her for Eastern, and a donation of goods that Eastern could use for their work.
Libby had an envelope with cash. I had a bag with Tshirts and socks that would be useful for the disabled children who are in their care in one of their homes. We were told to hold our gifts with two hands when we gave it to her, and bow. This kind of behavior is quite strange to casual, informal Americans, but it was a very nice time. We then had a formal lunch in the Eastern cafeteria.
In the afternoon, we broke into two groups. Libby went to the nursery to hold babies. I went to the home for single mom's which is next door to help out. I spend the next three hours sitting on the floor holding a 6 day old baby. I don't know why that was needed, but I sure enjoyed it.
Then, we gathered in the Cafeteria with the single expectant mom's, and some who are parenting their children and are still living in the home. The social worker had planned an ice-breaker "bingo" game that was difficult to explain and caused a lot of confusion, but in the end was fun. THEN we worked together on a craft. We could NOT understand what we were supposed to do. After 20 minutes of explanation, we finally possibly understood. We were to use construction paper to create a tree, put trees and flowers on it, then make "fruit" with our names, ages, our "babies" age, our wish for ourselves and our wish for them????
This is the tree we made.After making the trees, we were supposed to work together to make a spaghetti dinner. I can't describe the confusion and chaos that came from that. We did finally get dinner made and ate.
The purpose of all this was to help us all connect, but connecting young single expectant Korean women and a group of middle age American's was pretty hard. The fact that we could not communicate at all made it impossible.
This whole trip seems to be more of a cultural bridge building trip than anything else. Libby and I have decided that we just have to accept that fact, call it what it is, and not be disappointed about the shortage of true ministry.
The organization was started in 1972 by a Dr. Kim, a Christian refugee from North Korea who loved children and was concerned about the welfare of the many orphans. He passed away just a few years ago, and his daughter is now the director, who is also Dr. Kim. On Wednesday morning, we gathered in the chapel of the Eastern Welfare building which houses the baby nursery, the baby clinic, Eastern offices, and the Eastern guest house we are staying in. First an assistant came and spoke, then showed us a video about the history of Eastern, then took us on a tour of the building. Then we sat together in family groups. Dr Kim came in and spoke about the organization and her father's heart in starting it and running it for so many years. After that, she went to each family group and gave each us us small gift. When she completed that and returned to the front, each of us went to her as a family group and gave a cash donation to her for Eastern, and a donation of goods that Eastern could use for their work.
Libby had an envelope with cash. I had a bag with Tshirts and socks that would be useful for the disabled children who are in their care in one of their homes. We were told to hold our gifts with two hands when we gave it to her, and bow. This kind of behavior is quite strange to casual, informal Americans, but it was a very nice time. We then had a formal lunch in the Eastern cafeteria.
In the afternoon, we broke into two groups. Libby went to the nursery to hold babies. I went to the home for single mom's which is next door to help out. I spend the next three hours sitting on the floor holding a 6 day old baby. I don't know why that was needed, but I sure enjoyed it.
The purpose of all this was to help us all connect, but connecting young single expectant Korean women and a group of middle age American's was pretty hard. The fact that we could not communicate at all made it impossible.
This whole trip seems to be more of a cultural bridge building trip than anything else. Libby and I have decided that we just have to accept that fact, call it what it is, and not be disappointed about the shortage of true ministry.
I sure didn't expect THIS
Monday morning, we loaded up in a bus and drove 5 hours to a resort in southern Korea. A province (I won't even try the name) had invited all of our group, plus a number of domestic adoptive families to a special event.
The idea was to connect American adoptive families and Korean adoptive families to promote adoption in Korea, where it is still not well accepted.
Imagine 100 adults and 100 or so children, many of them toddlers wearing "squeaker shoes" in a large ballroom, a speaker speaking Korean with English translation. It was chaos. Eventually, we broke into small groups to discuss issues that we face in adoption. Each group had 2 Americans. Libby and I had a very sweet translator who was so moved by the adoption stories of the Korean parents that she was not able to translate. She said she would tell us later. The only issue they discussed was when and if to tell their children they were adopted. We don't have that issue, because it is usually obvious that our Korean children have been adopted into Caucasian American families. We did tell the group that the practice in America is to tell children they are adopted at a very early age, even if they look very much like their parents. In Korea, adoption is still not well accepted, and adopted children are often teased and shamed.
After the group meeting, we had a very nice dinner, then we went back to the ballroom and were dressed in the traditional Korean Hanbocks, and were taught how to bow.
After that, we went to our suites. Before you look at the pictures, I have to tell you that the province paid all the expenses for this conference.
This is the view from our balcony
This place was beautiful, not anything we expected.
The next day, we continued the conference, then we visited a home for single pregnant women that is owned by Eastern Welfare Society. We cooked lunch together (that was the plan, but the women did most of the cooking.) Then we cleaned the living room and the teaching areas and balcony. I am sure that they only let us do that to give us something to do.
We took a train back to Seoul, had pizza, and called it a night.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Pictures from the Children's Home
Sunday we played with children at a home children's home nearby ( for details see previous post). Thanks to Libby, I now have some pictures.
Here we are arriving at the school.
This is one of the outside play areas.
A very well equipped play therapy room.
An indoor play area next to the library.
Abby painted faces.
Even the little ones joined in. The little girl with girly hair really got into it. She did all of the steps just like the big kids. Later in the day, someone started the song, and she stopped what she was doing and started to dance all by herself.
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