It's the 31st again...

I am a "proverb of the day" person. I like the way it always gives me a starting point in the Word, or a nice end of the day moment. But eight times a year I am not so eager to just dive right in to my Proverb. I think "well, maybe a Psalm of the day would be nice!"

Why? you might ask?

It's just such a daunting thing to read the qualities that King Lemuel's mother thought were so very important in a woman of virtue! Virtue is what went out of Jesus when he healed people! According to Second Peter it is what we are called to- "glory and virtue". Pretty heady stuff!

Now I am not sure exactly who King Lemuel is. No cross references, no list of lineages with his name. This only makes it more applicable! By the sheer fact that an unknown king's mother received an entire chapter-31 verses- devoted to her wisdom imparted on her son THE KING, makes them both extremely important! Jabez got 3 verses stuck in Chronicles, and there are books and coins and legions of "claimers" asking for their coasts to be enlarged. This lady got an entire chapter in one of the most read books of the Bible! Talk about needing a little more attention!

Whew, I need a glass of water...

OK, I am back!

In the now dozens of times I have read this chapter, I am struck every time with a new point, a fresh perspective. This truly is a living Book! One fresh thought the Lord showed me was this verse. Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

I have two daughters, 16 and 4. The days they are living right now, are part of the "all the days of her life"!! I was so shocked when the thought fully hit! I would be remiss if I didn't teach all of my children-not just my girls- that their someday-spouse deserves their best, even before they meet them!

There is another whole part to this post, and sadly I don't have the time to get it all down right now. Little S. is in her jammies and a blankie swiveling on the rocker next to me, and it is very late! The little princess and her momma need to go for now! (And I happen to know from a reliable source that long posts often don't get read!)

Good night for now!

I am so Computer Challenged!

Quite a while ago we had a very computer savvy friend help us re-organize our hard drive. Our oldest child, bless her heart, wanted to spare me the trouble of her stuff being mixed with ours and created her own little user account...!!! Well, not happening yet, I'll tell you!

But...

Ever since then, I have had memories of amazing things that I simply cannot find any longer. Now I know they exist! They really do!!! When I have had a mental burst of recollection, I remember a portion of the name and my little 5+ year old memory challenged PC finds it for me!! The only problem is... my most recent "wanna find" is an adorable video file of my not-quite-3-yr.-old S. singing all of her most "favoritest Sunnay Kool Sawns" ( "favorite Sunday School Songs". I realize my two three faithful readers knew that, but you never know! I might pick up a stray!) It is 6 precious minutes of her little voice singing, and I simply want to e-mail it to her little friend! ( I actually flirted with you-tube and a blog post...) I can find it on real player! It is still there!!! But I cannot find the file list anywhere, so no "upload attatchment" option for me!

So sadly enough, I cannot do what I would like to do. I do have a CD burner which might have done the job for me long, long ago. It has since turned up its mega- byted out heels, too. Well, another day, perhaps!!!

Off to google "extract real player files"...

Mission Minded Monday on Tuesday!

To say the least, Monday was a little hectic and I never got to post. This is my first lesson in preparation to become a missionary, I am sure! Be ready to change up plans in a moments notice!

We have a few mentors in the Missions Ministry that we really look up to. Destination Zambia (Kevin Pestke) and Gospel to Italy (the Barone Family) are some links that will give you an in depth look into their ministry. While both are at different stages in the path to their respective fields, we are learning much from their experiences.

A huge blessing of late is Dan will have the opportunity to travel with Kevin to Savannah, Georgia for an I AM conference. While this is a Deputation Trip for Kevin, it is training ground for Dan! That is not to say we as the "family left at home" won't be learning some things, too. We had planned a mini camping trip the same weekend. Him leaving means we cut it short, or the kids and I learn how to tear down camp! My decision has still not been made!

We are so blessed to be surrounded by great friends who are taking us under their wing, praying for us, and giving us encouragement along the way. We completely recognize that without prayer, none of this is possible. As we seek the Lords direction in all things, we vividly see the power and provision that comes only by prayer.

Some prayer requests!!
~ Safety for Dan and Kevin. They will be driving there and flying home. Alot of miles to cover!
~ Wisdom for my husband as he leads our family, his job situation, institute
~ For me and the children to be a unified support for Dan

Would I be one?

As I sat in church at the park, I heard Pastor talking about how God would use simple things- even ugly or what we might consider useless things- to accomplish his goals. He was talking about crossing into the Promiseland, and how the Lord instructed Joshua to have men take 12 stones...we all know the story. For a memorial... that all who see will ask... to be able to tell our children... . I am not overlooking the importance of the message, but it got me thinking on a bunny trail. (It was very easy to do! A beautiful day, the kids were playing, comfortable chair. But this was a spiritual bunny trail. Really! )

Anyhow! He read Joshua 4:4 "Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:"

My thoughts went to the number 12 and how many times it is used in the Bible. This isn't about numerology or anything that deep! Hmmmm?... Would I have been one of only 12 called? Just like the twelve disciples, or the twelve spies sent to Canaan? What did Joshua do when it says "Whom he had prepared"? Did he know God would ask them to take the twelve stones from the Jordan? Was there an intensive "12 men to get the stones" training program that they had all attended? So how do I get to be one that God will choose? Prepare? Use?

These thoughts continued all through the picnic. Even after I got home, unloaded the car, did some laundry, and updated my calendar for the year (I got a great new organizational calendar... so awesome!), my brain wouldn't let it go. What must I do to be one God would choose? One of twelve, if that were all he needed? Enough already!! E-Sword here I come!!

Search 12

Only about 55 references- better than alot of bunny trails I've been on!

Did you know a ton of people had twelve sons? The measurements of the City of Jerusalem is all based on multiples of 12. There were 12 baskets of fragments of bread. Jesus was 12 when he stayed in the temple talking of His Fathers business. The woman had an issue of blood 12 years, and at the same time a child of 12 years old died. There could have been 12 legions of angels to assist Jesus at the time of his crucifiction. So many 12's!

Then I read John 11:9 "Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world."

BINGO!! That was my answer. Walk in the day, and I won't stumble. (I know... y'all knew that- my two faithful readers. Thanks for humoring me!) The light of this world, Jesus Christ. I don't think any of these groups of 12 felt like they were elite, better than anyone else, or really even ready for what they would be asked to do for the Lord.

They were just walking in the light.

Its Friday - One week down!

Well, I cut my own hair today. It surely beat ripping it all out.

Did I tell you we started school on Monday Tuesday?

Whew! One down... 39 left to go!

Laugh out Loud FUNNY!... if you are a mom that is!

Guidance

Have you ever gone to a wedding and seen a father and a little daughter dancing? There is the precious sight of her little feet on his, and his huge hands holding hers. Even though he is so much bigger, his tenderness is evident as she rests her head on his side in complete trust. She doesn't dare lean away from him- for sure she would fall! And while she feels like she is really dancing, it is Daddy that is doing all the work- making all of the decisions- guiding all the steps.

She holds his hands, leans on his side, and dances on his feet.

This is how I am to be with Jesus. I need to hold on, lean in, and stay close. If I don't- surely I will fall.

"The nails in your hands, the nails in your feet-
They tell me how much you love me..."


Guidance... G - U - I - Dance. "God, You and I ....dance"

Back to School!

Today marks the first day of school here at the "Jalowiec Academy of Excellence" for the 2007-2008 school year.

It is such a great thing to home school, because people will attach all kinds of SuperMom qualities to me and only I know they couldn't be further from the truth! I would love to be organized, have the unconditional respect and admiration from my children (which must be the case if they actually submit to my teaching them!), as well as an "always clean home" (due to the readily available child labor force I possess), and a divinely contented husband that has dinner waiting for him upon his return home from work served to him on china and crystal. To be sure, I have been meticulously groomed and primped for him, too!

NOT!!!

I sometimes think the real motivation for home schooling is to simply contain the chaos as much as possible. Could you imagine if I had to report to five teachers, three different principals, guidance counselors, bus drivers...! Yikes!

Truthfully, I would not trade these years for anything. There is an inexplainable joy in having my children with me all the time. I have an 12 year gap between my daughters, and even though one is 16 and the other 4, they really know each other! My sons' best play mates are each other- well, most of the time! (I have been told that physical violence play is a sign of affection...)

The kids benefit from being able to take advantage of Dad's free time, too. There are days he doesn't leave for work until 1:00, and the entire morning is spent with him. It totally wrecks the school day, but I need to look at the bigger picture! Dad is a vital part of our family, and he gets to have real quality time with them. If they were traditionally schooled, they would be gone when he is home, and I could have him all to myself... wait, that is supposed to say they wouldn't see him for the entire day!

That does bring up another point, though. We as parents need to be very creative when it comes to time with each other. Kids seem to have the ability to consume everything they possibly can- and I don't mean just the weeks groceries!

So, here we go plodding the course of another year of study. Another year of Biology labs, sentence diagramming, spelling tests, field trips, Algebra and multiplication tables. How the time flies! To think my O. has only two years until graduation! Class of 2009! She will share the pleasure with Dad, who will be graduating from NSBI. Not to let that give me much of a feeling of "I am getting done"- S. is only four... at least 13 more years to go!

p.s. Though the calendar said "First Day of School"- it was less than a successful day!

p.p.s. I don't even want to admit how many times I had to rely on spell checker for this post!

Broken and stretching

Last week I was talking to a friend about faith and completely trusting God. She felt so pressed in a specific circumstance, and kept saying she thought God was really stretching her. Then her thoughts wandered to why she felt like she was fighting it, and came to the conclusion maybe it was pride. (Big shocker, if we could all be meek and humble, how much easier would this life be!) This was my reply to her, and I haven't gotten it out of my head since.

A broken rubber band stretches twice as far as a whole one.

It was just a thought I had, but the applications are endless.

Just a blip on my new Profile Pic

My favorite flower has always been Lily of the Valley. Not because I like the song, I just like the way they look.

I have long thought I should rename myself Lily. Not because I particularly like the name, I just like what it makes me think.

Now why is any of this relevant? Stay with me just a few minutes- it will all be clear soon!

I long to trust wholly on God for everything- in everything. It is so easy and tempting to connive and manipulate circumstances, and yet so wrong to do it. God just asks us to come to him like children trusting his judgment, provision, timing, plans. I would never expect my children to question my motive or heart, and yet I do exactly that to God - more than I care to admit. So, I look to His Word for wisdom- ways to conquer my nagging flesh and silence my faulty thoughts. He keeps showing me so much of the same things all throughout His word. The verses in Matthew pretty much sum it all up.

Mat 6:25-34 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

(if you read that through, realize you read more Bible than many do in a year!)

I just want to trust Jesus.

So much changes, yet He never will. I can with absolute certainty rely, trust, rest and plan my life around that one simple yet life altering truth. He is immutable.

So, I like lilies. See, I told you you'd understand.

My Testimony

In answer to a request from my FIRL JulieMom, Here it is!

To begin- I feel like I need to tell about my parents a little because they had alot to do with who I am now!!!

Part I

My parents were married in 1961, in California. My father was the youngest child in a HUGE Mexican-Catholic, very poor family of 14 children. They lived in California in anything from a Railroad boxcar, to an actual home! While they had a religious background, nothing was really practiced, except "Do right or Dad will beat you!" Pretty clear! My mom was the farthest thing from my dad! She was the youngest of two children, born into a fairly well to do WASP family. I think they each got married as an escape from their current situations, seeing the other as the ticket out!
This isn't to say they didn't love each other- they just celebrated 46 years of marriage in April. That isn't to say it was all wedded bliss, either! ~ Anyhow!

I was the third born of four, and the first child to come after "The Move from CA to NY". Dad was a Sheet Rocker, and California just wasn't growing. (Remember, it was 1966!) My uncle said NY was booming, so here they came. My mom's family had a deep south heritage, with all the Baptist religion that comes with it, so we did attend church. Methodist, visit with friends to their churches, and then finally to FBBC. My father made a profession of faith, but there was never any fruit. Mom truly was saved, and the spiritual head of our home- made for some turbulent times, let me tell you! Needless to say, though, we did have a church upbringing. My siblings and I started to attend first as a result of the bus ministry. Yep, you betcha, I am a bus kid, and proud of it! Rode every week until my mom started to take us in a car- Major status elevation in my mind! (until, of course the VW bus got repo'd- another whole story there!) Moving on!

I really loved church. My two older sisters made a public re dedication to Jesus one Wednesday night in church, and that seemed like a huge thing to do. The next Wednesday night service, you better believe I was the first down the aisle during Invitation! I was 7 years old, and Mrs. Motley met me at the alter. I couldn't hear her with all the organ music piping out "Just as I am", so she took me to the back stairway, and went through the entire plan of salvation with me. I knew I loved Jesus, and then and there it all made sense to me! I trusted Christ as my savior, and knew what all the big deal was first hand! I faithfully attended church, AWANA, worked for three summers at Circle Seven Ranch, worked on the bus ministry, and so many other things a good church girl does.

Part II

I graduated in 1985, and went to College. I delineate Part I and II, because it is almost like the story of two different people! I went from a girl who loved church, and thought I knew all there was to know, to a person who never talked of Jesus or went to church. I knew I was saved- I understood I was a sinner and had repented of my sin- I just had no real affection for- or personal knowledge of- God, and it made obedience a very mechanical thing. When I was challenged- I caved!

Looking back, I see the first real step in the wrong direction was as a senior in High School (I went to public school). I got a job at Bells Grocery Store. I loved the early Sunday morning shift, and stopped going to church. Wednesday nights followed soon thereafter. After I graduated and went to college, the pattern was already set and I made no changes. I met a boy who was so very nice, handsome, considerate, catholic and unsaved (Cute College Boy AKA: CCB). It seemed just fine with me, because college was a two year plan. It was like a little two year bubble in my life into which I would cram all the junk I wanted, and when it was over I would move back home, get back into church and God, and it would be a neat little package that I could just file into my "Life Experiences" Folder! Well, when that nice CCB who was from central NY decided to move to Rochester to continue this "relationship" ...GULP...! I could no longer keep part I separate from part II- and I had a decision to make! After I returned home, my conscience (the Holy Spirit!!) would not let go of me. I knew I needed to repent of my "bubble years" and get right with God. He is so merciful!!! I was in conscious rebellion, and he was longsuffering, patient, loving, and welcomed me home! It was such a breath of cleansing to get that guilt off my heart and life. Only one problem- CCB expected to still be dating Cute College Girl, and she was gone! I introduced CCB to every Christian I knew. I saw church friends and the mall, at the Ice Cream Shop, at Red Wings Stadium - I attend a huge church and they were everywhere! CCB was getting very frustrated with this new-to-him person I was ( I was feeling so-o back to me!), and I could see no resolution to this. I DID NOT want to be in my mom's situation- forced to be the spiritual head- and CCB was not showing any indication he was warming up to getting saved. I finally broke up with him one night. (...Long pause and many tears here!!!...) During "The Break-up Night", however, God brought to mind every single AWANA verse on salvation, forgiveness, and eternal security, and let him have it both guns. I John 5:13 hit him square between the eyes! That night on his way home, he got saved in his car! In the next two years, CCB grew in the Lord by leaps and bounds! Talk about the spiritual fast track- God put him on the express train! Skipping all the sappy details - in 1989 we got married. We now have 5 amazing children, thoroughly love being a family, and are pursuing God in all we do. All in all, not a super interesting story- nothing like a persecutor of Christians becoming saved, but it's all mine!

God recently gave me a verse of scripture that I pray for my children that they can keep their testimony free from a "part II". In Isaiah 7:15 it says "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good." This is talking of Jesus himself as a child, how he will know only good, and that will cause him to also know to refuse evil. Children do not need to experience the world so they can then choose good over bad. They can refuse evil altogether! That is my prayer for my children!

Just a little fun...

O. has a great talent for picture taking, as well as taking others' pictures. She has a special fondness for crazy signs, and I happen to share the same feeling. Here are a few of her (and my!) favorites!!

This was a "loo" sign in England!

Are you able to read the small print!!! Tell me you don't love it!

This must be in the south.....

Notice the last line... the only real vital information!! It says "bridge out ahead"!

What?!

I think my friend K.P. just drove by in Erika's car...




Was my son J. here recently?

Well, they are good for a laugh!

Which Peter do I relate to?

Well, in preparation for my next semester at NSBI in hopes of earning my "PHT" (more on that later!), I am reading through the book of Acts in my KJV Bible. Written presumed by the Apostle Luke, it documents the beginnings of the New Testament Church. Great stuff for me!!

Now on to why the title of this particular post.

As a Fundamental Bible Believer subjected to so much good New Testament preaching,I have heard more times than I can count about how we are "all like Peter in so many ways".We can relate to him in a way we can't to Always-Right John, or Most Amazing Missionary Ever-On-The-Planet Paul. He is like us. A little too hasty to return to fishing, falling asleep when we should be praying, denying (well, at least not testifying of) Christ to our neighbors and co-workers; a general feeling of not quite up to par. BUT!! These were all things Peter did as an UNSAVED MAN!! While he did walk with Jesus, and lived more than three years of his life shoulder to shoulder with Him, he doesn't get saved until Acts 2:4!! He had faith unto salvation, but until the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, he struggled with the baggage of his flesh. After his quickening, he delivers one of the most amazing and evangelistic messages. Three thousand souls saved in one afternoon in Acts 2! Then he and John preach again and the Bible records another 5,000 conversions to Christ in Acts 4:4! Acts 4:12 spoken by Peter is one of the most effective and powerful Salvation Scriptures- rivaling John 3:16! (Can verses of scripture rival?...hmmmm)

Why have I always compared myself with pre-salvation Peter?!? Am I content to settle for failure and mediocrity? "Well, you know how Peter was...", and "At least I'm not hasty in my decisions...", or "I can at least hold my tongue and not slash off cutting words to others ears..." (A little 21st century rendition of the event with Malchus.) I have got to remember that I am Saved-Gloriously Saved!!! Indwelling within me is the Holy Spirit, an actual possession of part of the Godhead! Through Christ's victory over the grave, I have the power to resist the devil, to flee temptation, to crucify this flesh daily and live in the Spirit free from the weight of sin!

I dare say after Salvation, Peter is a pretty put-together, well spoken man! He has power in his words, and feet that are no longer swift to go back in the boat, but to instead bring the Gospel! I now understand a little better why he wrote II Peter 1:18-19 "And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:". He knew his human weakness even in the very presence of Jesus. It wasn't until after Christ left, and gave the Holy Spirit that Peter was truly free and victorious! Whew!!

In summary, I am a lot like Peter. Before Salvation I was full of good and lofty ideas, and even more of clumsy executions. But after, Christ-in and with and through me-I can live victorious!
"Oh Victory in Jesus!"

Check out my Slide Show!

Fall as a Soccer Mom!

So will soon begin another season of Soccer!
We are a very busy family come the fall, but I cannot say I don't love it! Between the "Rapids" and "Happy 5", I pretty much live on a grassy, wet, or muddy field for two months! Its great!
The kids are a fun bunch of players, and I really enjoy the few hours of down time for each game. I forget how much I really like to yell and root for the Home Team! We bought S. a set of pompoms, and she acts as the lone cheerleader. She takes the job very seriously and often continues the "Go Rapids" chant well and long after we are home... OK so there are some down points!

Just a thought about time...

I have for a long while now thought about time. The thought is that if we are to give God all of our first fruits, and no one would argue that our time is our most valuable commodity, should we tithe our time? That would mean at a minimum, if we use Abraham and all of our good teaching as an example, we would dedicate at least 2.4 hours per day wholly to God. Would that revolutionize the spiritual walk of most of us, or what? And what if we actually applied the principle of offerings to our time, and gave more? Could you only imagine?
How much more would we pray for the missionaries who are putting feet to the Gospel around the globe? How much more would we lift up our pastors who are dedicating their lives to encourage and exhort an apathetic and spiritually anemic flock? How many orphans and widows indeed would receive the blessing of us practicing true religion, and helping them out instead of just pretending we don't even see their need?
Please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying we do nothing in those few example areas. But do we all, or even a few of us dedicate close to 17 hours a week to reading, prayer, ministering? Would to the furthering of the Kingdom of God that we did!
Sometimes I wish I didn't have these kind of thoughts, because they are really convicting. Especially if I actually thought they were given to me from God, himself. That would be really tough to ignore...