99 things

99 things
stole this from someone else. . .

Instructions:

Copy the list, bold the ones you've done (with explanations), share with friends.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars.. several times. the last one i remember was when we were engaged and we went on a trip with 3 other couples. we had a girls tent and a boys tent – but hubby and i slept under a tree in our sleeping bags so we could be together. :)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower. . . it was so awesome! i sat in a rocker on my front porch all wrapped up. must have been about 2 or 3 years ago i guess. i just kept thinking how awesome and loving God is/was to put up a firmament to protect us like that. it was really just amazing!
6. Given more than you can afford to charity. . . i was getting ready to go on a vacation with my kids to ohio – dad would join us by plane in a week. the oddest thing about the amount i gave is that i never missed it. but isn’t God just like that?
7. Been to Disneyland. . . when we got blessed with our van i talked about going to Ohio and hubby said when that van left for vacation it better head south. I had never been to his sisters house. in my life! they lived near orlando, so we combined a week’s vacation with a trip to disneyland. had 7 kids then too. It was good. I rode 3 rides all day I think – Zee was only like 1.5 so not much she could do. Dad took the kids on most of the rides. All had a good time and I felt like a good mom cuz I took my kids to disneyland. Personally it did not seem much different from carowinds to me. . . other than it cost waaaaaaay more! for everything!
8. Climbed a mountain. . . well, i climbed ON a mountain, does that count? i took 7 of my children – ages 15 to 1 hiking. it was one of those perfect days! most of them were too young to go all the way up the mountain, so we took an easier trail that wound around and around. it is one of my bestest memories!
9. Held a praying mantis. . . not saying i would do it now! i used to catch mice and snakes and all that yucky stuff. butcher chickens, etc. would not do a bit of it now! i grew up country. my kids are country. but i don’t touch icky things anymore. i barely touch dirt! roflmbo!
10. Sang a solo. . .i used to sing in church when i was a teen.
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm . . . i love to watch them now. i used to be terrified of them.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. . .i love to cross stitch! but my eyes just can’t handle it anymore. maybe if i did it in sunlight outside – it is on my list. i have a half finished something i am doing for my MIL – maybe i will get it done while she is still here. . . maybe!
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty. . . i did. it was so so so awesome! i also rode the ferry to ellis island and back. in the night. in the rain. and i HATE water – and boats – and hated dark then too. but our acapella choir sang on the boat and the people were so enthralled and appreciative. it was not a planned concert, we just did it because ~ it was one of those rare incredible moments when time stood still.
another day was the Statue of Liberty day. It was so incredible – we were allowed to go all the way up into the head then. i know later they stopped that and i do not know if you can now. the way to get up to the crown from the elevator is a spiral staircase. in addition to my fear of water and dark (i only had these 3 but somehow they all got triggered on one trip to NYC!) – i have terrible claustrophobia. the people were packed in so you could not move on that staircase. imagine yourself inside this giant head, you could reach out from the staircase and touch the side of the head in some places and all behind you are people as far as you can see and all ahead of you are people as far as you can see (which is not far either way – you know if you’ve ever climbed a spiral staircase) and noone is moving. You talk about yuck! I started getting lightheaded and it occurred to me that this would not be a good place to pass out! so i stopped and stood still until all the people in front of me were far enough ahead so i could not see them anymore, and then it eased up enough for me to continue. It was well worth it. I wish i had had a camera and taken pictures. but you know, they never do justice to it. it was one of the most memorable times in my life. I would LOVE to go back to NYC!
18. Grown your own vegetables. . . i had a little garden when my twins were 1. it was MY time. after supper the kids and daddy would clean up and watch the babies while mom got some alone time outside to putter in her garden and talk to her plants. IT WAS WONDERFUL! and probably kept me sane. I had 6 children 9 and under! I do regret that i did not teach my children to garden – but it is hard to have it all and i really needed that alone time in the dirt with my plants. we had a terrific harvest and the produce tasted just beyond good! only that one year – after that i got too busy, then we got sick. but it was so great to be able to do that!
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight. . . more times than i could count i reckon. kids still love them!
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort. . . but not enough of them. tho i grew up in ohio, i did not do near the winter sports i wish i had. i have never been skiing, rarely went sledding, went toboganning one time, and never been on a a snowmobile. perhaps because the cold literally hurts me i guess. i just could not take the cold much. i still don’t miss the cold!!
25. Held a lamb. . . i had my own lamb for almost a year. a story for another time.
26. Gone skinny dipping. . . it was awesome. there were no boys. i would do it again in a minute!
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse. . . i watched a lunar eclipse one time. it does not say what kind so i guess it counts. it was unbelievable! only caught one so far tho.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. . . i watch them as often as i possibly can and never take even ONE for granted! we are never guaranteed another one! and every one is so different – each one totally unique! what an incredible thought!
but my best ones are the ones over the ocean. myrtle beach was my sunrise. we took 6 kids and just went to myrtle beach two weeks before Christmas. because i wanted to. i just wanted to. so we did. on the wy there the older kids grumbled about “going to the beach in the winter . .. grr, grr” I informed them this was MY vacation and they were welcome to stay home! none did.
The hotel was $25/night. CAN YOU IMAGINE! off season! and there was no christmas stuff anywhere. it was SUCH a welcome relief from all the hustle and bustle. We got a room RIGHT by the ocean – as close as you are allowed to get. with a balcony. it was just incredible.
I snuck out the next morning while it was still dark. alone. me. but hubby woke up, found me missing and came to find me. so precious! then he went and found me coffee after giving some money to a drifter who needed it. and we sat snuggling and watched MY sun come up over the atlantic ocean!
yup – another one of those perfect times when heaven touches earth, time stops, and all the world is awash with beauty and rightness, love and realness.
wow.
God did that sunrise that morning JUST FOR ME!
i never knew it happened so fast!

The sunset was incredible too! Very unique! And no, not on the pacific ocean – have not been there yet – but on the gulf. Destin Fla. We went for 16 perfect days! I kept wanting to see a sunset, but everyday something else took precedence. Finally ONE night i was out at sunset – but it was cloudy! God gave me a SPECTACULAR sunset anyway! I have pictures of it that will blow you away. They are award winning pics, just unbelievable how beautiful with the sun just streaming brightly through the clouds and reflecting off the never still water. ripples and light and movement. just wow!
oh, i also had another sunset on another vacation to ohio – on lake erie
complete with a sailboat – just like you see in the movies! lol. the saddest part about that one is that my husband was not there to see it with me.
sometimes life is so beautiful it hurts!
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person. .. twice. once as a kid. mostly i was scared. of everything. again on our honeymoon tho just in passing really. i don’t think i would make the trip just for that again but i do think everyone should go see it. it is truly magnificent.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community. .. i grew up in Ohio so Amish were nothing unusual for us. I loved it when we got caught behind a buggy and i could hear the clop clop clop of the hooves through the open windows. so beautiful! got to ride in a buggy on our vacation in Ohio. the kids just loved it!
36. Taught yourself a new language . . . the kids and i have tried to learn spanish. some of us have been more successful than others.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. . . i have. what does it really take? i just want to be able to pay my bills and not worry. buy groceries and things we need. i would love to be rich so i could give it away – but if you give it away, how will you ever be rich? so i guess that is not going to happen!
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. . . on our trip to destin. i wish i had spent more time on the beach really. the kids kept me pretty busy. we had a pool out back and they stayed in it night and day and i kept the two year old. hubby went up on the third floor balcony with a franklin graham book and a bible and a notepad with pen. He NEVER gets to have time like that to himself with God, so i kept the baby and let the rest of the family have a very special vacation. I do not regret a minute of it. oh – i got time for me too. here and there. hot tub time at night was MY time. no babies! the older kids took turns with him. and i went out to waffle house with my dad. hubby and i went out a few times too. so we all worked together to make it a special time for everyone. so i did not do all i wanted, but we all remember a perfect vacation and that is even better than it just being perfect for me.
i am sure there will be other times for me to walk on a beach, but that was our last vacation with the whole family together. my son moved out the next year and now one daughter is out with another soon to follow ~ so i am so glad we took that vacation together and the kids had all the pool time they could stand and we all played on the beach, and we all laughed and we all shared the load and it stands out as a perfect vacation we will never forget!
46. Been transported in an ambulance. . . i was going to skip that. I was not transported in the back, but i was transported in the ambulance. My hubby was in the back in full grand mal seizure. with a stupid paramedic saying “just relax”. like you can do that in the middle of a seizure??? they could not even get an IV into him. oy!
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain. . . no special story, but i know we have.
53. Played in the mud. . . one of my favorite past times as a youngster! nothing feels quite like it! NOT the southern clay yucky orange stuff either! this was REAL MUD! black gooey dark ooie ohio mud! spring planting was always magical! spring rains w/o thunder were always a treat!
54. Gone to a drive-in theater . . . many memories of that. did yours have a playground in front of the screen for before the movie started? so many good memories! kids are missing out!!!
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business . . . hubby and i had a business when the twins were 2. hmmm. . . might be why i never gardened again! seriously! way too much work for way too little income BUT ask my son how he remembers it and he will tell you it shaped who he is today. he got to spend all day everyday working with his dad and there is NO substitute for turning a boy into a man like time with a quality Dad! sometimes we measure what we get out of something with the wrong ruler! we may not have gotten rich, or even broke even, but you cannot measure my son’s memories of that very special time with his dad and all the lessons he learned and the character that was built and the relationship that was cemented by that time with his dad. i would gladly do it again in a heartbeat!
58. Taken a martial arts class. . . i actually took karate when i was very young. maybe 3 lessons. lol. i do not remember learning a thing except discipline. it was totally boring. but i have found every lesson on every thing i have ever taken boring. just let me do it!
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason. . . just a few months ago my daughter brought me a beautiful rose in a gorgeous glass vase. baby’s breath with it and a stunning silver bow around the vase. she sprayed the flower with glitter spray and when i sniffed it – i glittered too! it was soooo pretty and i felt sooo special!
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check . . . oh good grief! and it was not always our fault! i just don’t even use banks anymore. when i found out they have conventions where they share new ways to get more out of their “customers” – spelled v-i-c-t-i-m-s. that was enough for me. whatever happened to the community bank where service was the goal? now it is pleasing shareholders. don’t get me started. . . lol
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. . . i kept my pink bear until after i got married. it got fleas so bad i finally tossed it. i regret it. if you manage to keep one - keep it!
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt . . . several with my mom lately. i started one the year my niece got married – for her. maybe she will get it by the time her kids are grown! her mom says she will still need one then!
73. Stood in Times Square. . . sure did. wish i could do it again! NYC is just so much, so much to take in even just standing there doing nothing! it has to take several trips to ever have your fill – or maybe you never do. . .
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job. . . not until last year. at age 45! amazing. the world has sure gotten weird! don’t get me started!
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone . . . my kids have broken my nose twice by jumping up suddenly. broke my big toe by something falling out of the fridge in the middle of the night when i was getting a bottle. children are dangerous!
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle . . . wish i had done that more! one long ride. perfect day!
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car . . . after the birth of our first. bought it with a dent in it. my motto is you can either buy it with one – or put one in it yourself. so far it has held totally true! we got a good chunk knocked off the price for it tho!
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. . . i was in a play both times.
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating . . . i used to help butcher chickens and watch my dad skin rabbits. never thought a thing about it, it was just the way it was. now i would never even watch from afar. isn’t life funny?
88. had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby. . . eight to be exact.
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee – oddly enough every time i remember being stung, i annoyed the bee! one time i sat on one, another time it landed on my finger but i did not know it was a bee. thought it was just something and went to brush it off. kind of irritated the bee!

i don't get it

You know what i don't get?
i don't get how you can say you love someone
and then treat someone they care about like crap
i don't get that

when you love someone it is supposed to be about them
not about you
love is NOT a feeling!
love is an action
a choice

it is not about what you get
or how they make you feel
it is a choice to care for someone else

how can people even say they "fall" in love
is that like falling in a lake?

and no - you cannot make someone happy
nor can someone else make you happy
happiness is a choice
you can do anything you want
but if a person does not choose to be happy
they are not going to be
and it doesn't matter how much chocolate you bring them!

some people are messed up!

from 2001

The Lesson of the Playpen

In our house, chores begin at 4. I'm not exactly sure why they got stuck at
that age, but that is how it is. Some children have moved into this routine
better than others - all of them have gone through a week or two of mild shock
at this crazy idea!

One child in particular thought it was about the stupidest idea she had ever
heard of and promptly decided she would simply not participate. I had already
decided she would. (I've been told God sends these children to "sanctify" us.)

One particularly trying day - we were cleaning our living room and this child,
as usual, was giving me great amounts of grief. Standard procedure is to have
them sit until they are ready to work - well, while she was sitting she would
play with our baby twins who were walking by this time. In order to keep them
from her so that the sitting would actually result in discipline and not just be
a time to get out of work and play with the babies - I decided to set her chair
squarely in the midst of the playpen. That took the fun out of it since the
boys could not reach her -she was facing the wall and they could not see each
other and so the babies quickly lost interest.

As she sat in the playpen pouting (I can still see this in my mind) and I swept
the living room (which SHE was supposed to be doing) - God said to me, "You are
just like that."

"What?" I said.

In the first place, the midst of the chaos of herding 6 children under 9 to do
chores is scarcely the place for deep talks with God. I was really taken aback.

But there it was again, over the noise of the vacuum and the babies running to
and fro - "You are just like her."

Ok - ever the curious one, I'll bite. "In what way God?"

He answered something to this effect, I remember impressions rather than actual
words. "You have purposed that your living room will get clean today. You
invited and even asked - demanded that she participate. But she will not.

Does that affect your plans?"

"Well, no - my living room will get clean."

"Exactly. And she can either participate and everyone can enjoy the day better
- or she can sit in the playpen. But YOU are going to accomplish what you set
out to do."

A great light dawned and I wondered how many days I had wasted sitting in the
playpen.

God WILL accomplish His purpose - with or without us. I have heard it put this
way - there are probably several ways for you to get from your house to the
nearest grocery. Some may be longer - but any will work and you will end up at
the same destination. God has any number of ways of accomplishing His purposes
- but be assured, He WILL accomplish what He sets out to do. Regardless of who
does or does not cooperate. This to me is quite a good thing as I stated
earlier.

In sending Christ it was NEVER God's intent that Israel be left out. They chose
that - and it broke His heart. He still has a plan for them. But noone - no
high priest, no soldier, no king - could thwart His plan for His Son. We humans
think we are so powerful - but we really are not. The only thing we have any
power over really is our attitude! Circumstances change, literally, in a
heartbeat.

Another great thought from Job is that NOTHING happens to us unless God allows
it. No - we aren't in control. But someone is! That is AWFULLY good news! I
would hate it if noone was in control - truly I would hate it if I were also. I
screw up too much!

These are just some thoughts and experiences I have had on my continuing journey
into knowing Him. I hope you have enjoyed the story and I hope it has helped
you think on this subject.

I hope to address the love issue in a later post.

He will pursue you!

Every now and then I get a little wrapped up in myself and I can't see you
clearly.
Every now and then I get a little overwhelmed by the world and I can't hear you
calling.
But you have always told me
You will always be there.
You are only one prayer away.

Every now and then
You whisper peace to me
With your tender words
Unexpectedly
When I'm at the end
Taking my last breath
Drowning in my pride
I've got nothing left
I can see it coming around the bend
Yeah, You're taking me
to that place again
Every now and then.

Every now and then I get a little tired of my reflection and I want to break the
mirror.
Every now and then I get blinded by my own perception and I need to see you
clearer.
But you have always told me
You will always be there.
You are only one prayer away.

Every now and then
You whisper peace to me
With your tender words
Unexpectedly
When I'm at the end
Taking my last breath
Drowning in my pride
I've got nothing left.
I can feel it coming around the bend
Yeah, You're taking me
to that place again.
Every now and then.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In my journal, I titled the page "Unfortunately, this one is all too true too".
I had written some other lyrics and talked to Him about those - some good - this
one I felt wasn't. I wrote the first verse and the chorus, and then I wrote:

"I say unfortunately cuz I ought to stay there - but I could also say
fortunately - because of YOU. Because YOU pursue me - cuz you break the puter,
or burn out the bulb, or change my ISP password. :) You do indeed come to me,
pursue me, love me - in spite of myself - my selfishness. So as sorry as I am
that the first verse is true - gladder am I that the chorus is also true. Thank
You!"

So - to Steve, yes, sometimes the passion we first feel fades. Most times I
guess - but it can return. One way is to find new believers, that will ignite
you! But another neat thing is HE is not content with that either, and He will
pursue you. Also - a dry time does not necessarily mean He isn't close. It
isn't Mt top all the time - and that is ok. No relationship is - He has his
purpose in the valleys too.

And to those of you who have been here several weeks (like since this group
started) you know how low I had been, and this song came so true. He came to me
where I was, He ministered to me - through this CD we really didn't have the $
for, through His Spirit, through this group, through my devotionals, through a
book - all drawing me to spend time with Him. He did make my computer quit
working at night so I had to shut it down. This isn't the first time. I have
been spending more regular time with Him - and the peace I have now is a feeling
I cannot describe. It is not every moment of every day - Sat. was incredible,
Sun. I was SO tense. Sun nite I prayed for the peace and today it was here - so
real. I need HIS peace, and He is SO faithful to hear our prayers and meet us
and minister to us just where we are.

So while the first verse is true - and maybe it is true of you too - the chorus
is true also. He loves you and He will not leave you alone - He will pursue
you!

Sonshyne

Prayer

Prayer is not a way to get what you want.
God is not a vending machine.
Although sometimes vending machines are nice.
I appreciated the one at the hospital ER when I needed it.
And God IS there when we need Him.
But we always need Him.

I believe prayer is actually meant to change us.
into His image
it is much more than a request list

more later

Legend of the Guardians

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

 From the outside, siblings Soren and Kludd don't appear to be all that different. They're both young barn owls who are just getting the hang of flying. On the inside, though, the two brothers couldn't be more distinct.

Soren loves listening to his dad's stories of the great Guardians of Ga'Hoole—noble owls who once beat back an evil band known as the Pure Ones. For Soren, there's nothing better than to aspire to the Guardians' lofty ideals.

Kludd, on the other hand, scoffs at that idea. No daydreaming on silly stories of make-believe legends for him. He'll simply hone his flying and hunting skills and grab the things of life that he wants—including his father's favor.

It's that super-competitiveness, however, that causes Kludd and Soren to end up tumbling out of their tree to the ground, which is a dangerous place to be for owlets. In fact, for a moment it looks like the only future the unlucky brothers will have is to be a wild boar's late-night snack. But before they can even hoot in horror, they're snatched up by none other than minions of the Pure Ones and swept off to a secret lair.

While Kludd is selected to be a future soldier, his brother ends up in the slave labor corner of the camp. Things aren't looking good for Soren. And it appears that owl genocide is being planned. There's only one hope left: Someone must escape and pull together a small band of resisters. Someone must soar across the seemingly endless miles of sea to the fabled tree of Ga'Hoole and warn the Guardians. Someone must believe it can be done. And Soren thinks he just might be that someone.

When the projectors started rolling at the screening I attended of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, several different things grabbed my attention in pretty short order. The first was just how gorgeous this animated film looks. Without question, the strikingly photo-realistic owls and colorful environments are a visual treat. The second thing, however, was how hard it is to keep track of, well, who's hoo.

Based on the first three books of the popular children's series by author Kathryn Lasky, this flick has a lot of story and a lot of characters to cover. And to my ornithologically untrained eye, one owl looks pretty much like another. These birds don't get easy cartoon names like Daffy or Woody, either. Instead, they're stuck with far less memorable monikers such as Kludd and Ezylryb.

That's almost beside the point, though, since kids—this movie's primary target—seem to be able to keep track of everything without even trying. And some of the things they'll be keeping track of while watching these birds is just how brave and heroic Soren is. Epic tales of great heroism and bravery may start to feel a bit familiar to those of us over, um, 30, but they're brand-new for 10-year-olds. And they're often worth retelling and rehearing because of how they lift us up and encourage us to make good choices in the face of difficult odds. They entertain while reminding us of where our hearts should be.

Those lessons might translate to facing down a scary test at school or standing by a friend in need. And that alone is something well worth hooting about.

But kids'll also be soaking up a surprising number of threatening and perilous moments along the way. They start when Soren and Kludd first tumble out of their nest sweet nest and don't stop till we reach the owl Armageddon ending. So don't be surprised if little ones choose dad's lap over their cold and uncuddly theater seat in the midst of battle.

I heard a fellow reviewer refer to the movie as Lord of the Rings with owls. And that might actually be a good guidepost for the kind of action to expect.

Does Your Marriage Matter?

"Why did God do it that way? Why create one being and then take a part of that being and create a second, differentiated yet complimentary being who is "bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh," a being who is sexually, emotionally and in other ways different, yet of his own substance? Upon seeing her, Adam could have observed, "It's me . . . but not me." Well, if you think about it, it does sound like the kind of thing you might expect a Trinity to do."

GREAT series on marriage - with lots of links.
I am finding it very helpful.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/gods_design_for_marriage.aspx

get involved

Planned Parenthood is under fire after two undercover videos were released that appear to show a New Jersey abortion clinic manager and a Virginia clinic employee supporting sex trafficking and underage abortions.
http://www.citizenlink.com/planned-parenthood/
Learn more at the link above and find out how you can get involved to stop this outrage.

Your Father runs

The UpWords Weekly Email Devotional
http://MaxLucado.com/email/
__________________________
WHEN GRACE GOES DEEP
by Max Lucado

The prodigal son trudges up the path. His pig stink makes passersby walk wide circles around him, but he doesn't notice. With eyes on the ground, he rehearses his speech: "Father"-his voice barely audible-"I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son." He rehashes the phrases, wondering if he should say more, less, or make a U-turn to the barnyard. After all, he cashed in the trust fund and trashed the family name. Over the last year, he'd awakened with more parched throats, headaches, women, and tattoos than a rock star. How could his father forgive him? "Maybe I could offer to pay off the credit cards." He's so focused on penance planning that he fails to hear the sound of his father.running!

The dad embraces the mud-layered boy as if he were a returning war hero. He commands the servants to bring a robe, ring, and sandals, as if to say, "No boy of mine is going to look like a pigpen peasant. Fire up the grill. Bring on the drinks. It's time for a party!"

Big brother meanwhile stands on the porch and sulks. "No one ever gave me a party," he mumbles, arms crossed.

The father tries to explain, but the jealous son won't listen. He huffs and shrugs and grumbles something about cheap grace, saddles his high horse, and rides off. But you knew that. You've read the parable of the gracious father and the hostile brother (see Luke 15:11-32).

But have you heard what happened next? Have you read the second chapter? It's a page-turner. The older brother resolves to rain on the forgiveness parade. "If Dad won't exact justice on the boy, I will."

"Nice robe there, little brother," he tells him one day. "Better keep it clean. One spot and Dad will send you to the cleaners with it."

The younger waves him away, but the next time he sees his father, he quickly checks his robe for stains.

A few days later big brother warns about the ring. "Quite a piece of jewelry Dad gave you. He prefers that you wear it on the thumb."
"The thumb? He didn't tell me that."
"Some things we're just supposed to know."
"But it won't fit my thumb."

"What's your goal-pleasing our father or your own personal comfort?" the spirituality monitor gibes, walking away.

Big brother isn't finished. With the pleasantness of a dyspeptic IRS auditor, he taunts, "If Dad sees you with loose laces, he'll take the sandals back."

"He will not. They were a gift. He wouldn't.would he?" The ex-prodigal then leans over to snug the strings. As he does, he spots a smudge on his robe. Trying to rub it off, he realizes the ring is on a finger, not his thumb. That's when he hears his father's voice. "Hello, Son."

There the boy sits, wearing a spotted robe, loose laces, and a misplaced ring. Overcome with fear, he reacts with a "Sorry, Dad" and turns and runs.

Too many tasks. Keeping the robe spotless, the ring positioned, the sandals snug-who could meet such standards? Gift preservation begins to wear on the young man. He avoids the father he feels he can't please. He quits wearing the gifts he can't maintain. And he even begins longing for the simpler days of the pigpen. "No one hounded me there."

That's the rest of the story. Wondering where I found it? On page 1,892 of my Bible, in the book of Galatians. Thanks to some legalistic big brothers, Paul's readers had gone from grace receiving to law keeping.

* * * * *
I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who in his love and mercy called you to share the eternal life he gives through Christ. You are already following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who twist and change the truth concerning Christ.. (Gal. 1:6-7)
* * * * *

Joy snatchers infiltrated the Roman church as well. Paul had to remind them, "But people are declared righteous because of their faith, not because of their work" (Rom. 4:5).

Philippian Christians heard the same foolishness. Big brothers weren't telling them to wear a ring on their thumb, but they were insisting "you must be circumcised to be saved" (Phil. 3:2).

Even the Jerusalem church, the flagship congregation, heard the solemn monotones of the Quality Control Board. Non-Jewish believers were being told, "You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised as Moses taught us" (Acts 15:1 NCV)

The churches suffered from the same malady: grace blockage. The Father might let you in the gate, but you have to earn your place at the table. God makes the down payment on your redemption, but you pay the monthly installments. Heaven gives the boat, but you have to row it if you ever want to see the other shore.

Your deeds don't save you. And your deeds don't keep you saved. Grace does. The next time big brother starts dispensing more snarls than twin Dobermans, loosen your sandals, set your ring on your finger, and quote the apostle of grace who said, "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10 NKJV)

__________________________
From Come Thirsty
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2004) Max Lucado
http://www.maxlucado.net/_product_30305/Come_Thirsty_(Paper)

1-2-3-4-5

1 recent wonderful day
2 things i would like to change about myself
3 ways to add more romance
4 decorations for a door
5 is my favorite number

One recent wonderful day was the other day when it was 50something and we
had an hour and a half to kill while Sarah got ready for work.  Ah, it was
Sunday. Because we were supposed to go to church - but noone but me got up.
(next week i will go anyway!) And Zee had been promised a Wendy's Frosty
after church because she had a coupon for a free one. So we all went out to
take Sarah to work so we could fulfill the Frosty pledge.  While Sarah got
ready we ran to the Dollar Store where the boys got munchies with the money
they had earned selling duct tape wallets and then we searched for a
playground.  We found ball fields but no playground.
Ball fields work.  We happened to have a football in the van - woot! The
fields had a set of bleachers for seats and they were empty - the fields and
the bleachers.  So we parked and got out.  We tossed the football. I even
felt good enough that day to play imaginary baseball with Roo and chase him
all the way around the bases. Roo style of course. LOL - had to redirect him
a few times.  Apparently his usual ballfield is a triangle.  roflmbo!
Andrew brought an airsoft gun and we decimated a foam cup. (great stress
reliever!)
Lots of laughter, lots of fun.  At some point one of the kids said, "This is
the best day."
And it was.  It was a great day!  Nothing really special.  No great amounts
of money.  Just family, and beautiful weather, and just enjoying being
together out in life.

Two things i would like to change about myself. . . hmmm, are these things I
CAN change or just things in general?  Well, the easier path has to be in
general - which of course would be that I am not sick and . . . that I could
see better.  or my hair.  or does that one fall under the second category???
I know, the deeper issue here would be like character issues huh?  I know I
need to work on the fact that it REALLY bothers me when people think I am
stupid.  I do not know why.  If i knew why I could probably fix it. Anyway -
I should not even bother about what others think and most of the time and on
most issues I really don't.  But it really does bother me when people think
I am stupid.
And - i would like to lose another 40#. It is on my list.

Three ways to add more romance.  First of all - DATE!  Make time for the
relationship!  I think dating should be for after the marriage - that is
when you NEED a break from all that reality and responsibility!  Second - be
honest.  I think honesty really adds romance to a relationship because you
are freer to be uninhibited.  Three - explore candles and quiet and music.

Four decorations for a door. I have no idea where this came from, but it
popped out.  Mom mom has a really neat string instrument on this door.
Three strings with 3 beads on strings that hit the other strings when you
close it.  Beautiful sound!
I like to put my kids artwork on our front door.  Ran out of room on the
fridge with eight kids!

Mom has a snowflake made of bells on her outside door so it jingles when
someone uses the door.  Very pretty and useful.

Five. I just like 5. I like the way it looks. I like the way it sounds.  I
was born on April 5.  My hubby was born on Oct 5. Is that too cool or what??
I like multiples of 5 too.

Simple Pleasures

~favorite simple pleasures

*Country magazine

*following my children around and letting them set the pace and the agenda

*a park on a pretty day

*flowers - any kind any where any time any reason - or no reason!

*a perfect cup of tea

*the ~ key on my computer. it is my favorite key. so pretty and it does not have an actual use so there are no rules for it. it is also in the top left corner under Esc

*my husband's shoulder. so nice to snuggle into!

*pretty sunny days. some days are just so beautiful it almost hurts!

*freedom. freedom to drive anywhere i want, watch anything i want, say anything i want. we are so blessed. so so so blessed!!

*a day with no have to's ~ no time constraints