Ernest is a man my husband and I met after a concert at the Tabernacle in Atlanta on Sunday night. We gave him a few dollars and prayed for him when he stopped us to ask us for help paying for a night at the shelter.
As we were walking out of the concert I looked over and noticed a man in the dumpster and then a lady talking to herself, or maybe she was talking to us but it didn't seem so.
My heart broke.
I can't imagine being so desperate for food or shelter that I had to jump into a dumpster. So many people with so many stories and we just pass them by without a second thought or a second look. Most people would rather ignore their existence than to take a moment to acknowledge that there is a life and that life has a purpose and that life has needs.
God loves Ernest and the others that we saw and didn't see. He loves them just as much as He loves us. "Red, yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world!" A child's song, but it's so true! No matter what differences we have from each other, be it skin color, background, jobs, homes sizes, or even our individual stories... He loves us all the same.
And we are commanded to love each other, to love all of God's children... The greatest commandment is to love. And Jesus also says that what we have done to the least of these we have done to Him. That's my challenge to everyone, and not just to the homeless but to all of God's children - Acknowledge that they are a life that is valuable to God, that they are to be loved and that they are precious in HIS sight! How do you think things would change if we all lived according to God's greatest commands? What can you do differently? Who can you be Jesus to?
Just some food for thought...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Marriage
Following this blog you will find the word "marriage" defined by the Bible and by Webster's Dictionary.
Something that has been on my heart a lot lately has been how society today treats marriage. You can't get married and just one day decide it's not "cutting it for ya" anymore and "break up" - Marriage is work and it's HARD work and it is not something that should be taken lightly, not in the least bit. It nauseates me to see how my generation, ones before and ones after, treat marriage. They/we treat it as something that can be fixed as easily as changing clothes and finding a new pair. Marriage is the model for Christ and the church and it should be treated as seriously as such. Too many people today think that the grass is greener on the other side only to find out that what they had was already God's best for them.
The Bible says "for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and the two shall become one" - How can you divide something that is one? If I have one dollar and I tear it in two, it loses it's value, I can't use one half of it... I have to repair it and make it "one" again... Making it whole. I can tape a dollar back together but you can't tape a marriage together, you have to super glue it together and enter the marriage with a third part, the tie that binds, the superglue that no one can separate, Christ. A cord of three is not easily broken and neither is a marriage that has Christ as the center. Marriage is a sacred covenant made to God and your spouse in front of friends and family and too many people overlook the part about it being a covenant to God.
I have a lot on my heart and my mind about this as you can understand. And maybe as you read through how marriage is defined you will understand more. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly... No commitment to God should be.
Marriage: (definition according to Bible) Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Genesis 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matthew 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Genesis 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Genesis 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosaic law and made the basis of legislation, and continued to be practised all down through the period of Jewish histroy to the Captivity, after which there is no instance of it on record.
Marriage: (definition according to Websters)] noun
1. State of being husband and wife; "a long and happy marriage"; "God bless this union".
2. Two people who are married to each other; "his second marriage was happier than the first"; "a married couple without love".
3. The act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony; "their marriage was conducted in the chapel".
4. A close and intimate union; "the marriage of music and dance"; "a marriage of ideas".
Something that has been on my heart a lot lately has been how society today treats marriage. You can't get married and just one day decide it's not "cutting it for ya" anymore and "break up" - Marriage is work and it's HARD work and it is not something that should be taken lightly, not in the least bit. It nauseates me to see how my generation, ones before and ones after, treat marriage. They/we treat it as something that can be fixed as easily as changing clothes and finding a new pair. Marriage is the model for Christ and the church and it should be treated as seriously as such. Too many people today think that the grass is greener on the other side only to find out that what they had was already God's best for them.
The Bible says "for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and cling to his wife and the two shall become one" - How can you divide something that is one? If I have one dollar and I tear it in two, it loses it's value, I can't use one half of it... I have to repair it and make it "one" again... Making it whole. I can tape a dollar back together but you can't tape a marriage together, you have to super glue it together and enter the marriage with a third part, the tie that binds, the superglue that no one can separate, Christ. A cord of three is not easily broken and neither is a marriage that has Christ as the center. Marriage is a sacred covenant made to God and your spouse in front of friends and family and too many people overlook the part about it being a covenant to God.
I have a lot on my heart and my mind about this as you can understand. And maybe as you read through how marriage is defined you will understand more. Marriage is not something to be taken lightly... No commitment to God should be.
Marriage: (definition according to Bible) Was instituted in Paradise when man was in innocence (Genesis 2:18-24). Here we have its original charter, which was confirmed by our Lord, as the basis on which all regulations are to be framed (Matthew 19:4, 5). It is evident that monogamy was the original law of marriage (Matthew 19:5; 1 Corinthians 6:16). This law was violated in after times, when corrupt usages began to be introduced (Genesis 4:19; 6:2). We meet with the prevalence of polygamy and concubinage in the patriarchal age (Genesis 16:1-4; 22:21-24; 28:8, 9; 29:23-30, etc.). Polygamy was acknowledged in the Mosaic law and made the basis of legislation, and continued to be practised all down through the period of Jewish histroy to the Captivity, after which there is no instance of it on record.
It seems to have been the practice from the beginning for fathers to select wives for their sons (Genesis 24:3; 38:6). Sometimes also proposals were initiated by the father of the maiden (Exodus 2:21). The brothers of the maiden were also sometimes consulted (Genesis 24:51; 34:11), but her own consent was not required. The young man was bound to give a price to the father of the maiden (31:15; 34:12; Exodus 22:16, 17; 1 Samuel 18:23, 25; Ruth 4:10; Hosea 3:2) On these patriarchal customs the Mosaic law made no change.
In the pre-Mosaic times, when the proposals were accepted and the marriage price given, the bridegroom could come at once and take away his bride to his own house (Genesis 24:63-67). But in general the marriage was celebrated by a feast in the house of the bride's parents, to which all friends were invited (29:22, 27); and on the day of the marriage the bride, concealed under a thick veil, was conducted to her future husband's home.
Our Lord corrected many false notions then existing on the subject of marriage (Matthew 22:23-30), and placed it as a divine institution on the highest grounds. The apostles state clearly and enforce the nuptial duties of husband and wife (Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18, 19; 1 Peter 3:1-7). Marriage is said to be "honourable" (Hebrews 13:4), and the prohibition of it is noted as one of the Marks of degenerate times (1 Timothy 4:3).
The marriage relation is used to represent the union between God and his people (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:1-14; Hosea 2:9, 20). In the New Testament the same figure is employed in representing the love of Christ to his saints (Ephesians 5:25-27). The Church of the redeemed is the "Bride, the Lamb's wife" (Revelation 19:7-9).
Marriage: (definition according to Websters)] noun
1. State of being husband and wife; "a long and happy marriage"; "God bless this union".
2. Two people who are married to each other; "his second marriage was happier than the first"; "a married couple without love".
3. The act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony; "their marriage was conducted in the chapel".
4. A close and intimate union; "the marriage of music and dance"; "a marriage of ideas".
Monday, September 21, 2009
More Creations... (2008 and older)
This is Kaeleigh's first birthday cake & destroy cake :) (Feb 2006)
This is Kenzie's 5th birthday cake (Jan 2007)
This is Kenzie's 5th birthday cake (Jan 2007)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My Creations :)
So I really love to decorate, bake, photograph, sew, paint, draw, sing, write, dance, etc... And I guess that makes me, well, me :). I'm not going to bog you all down in one blog with everything that I love to do... So... I will share them one at a time!
Here are some of my creations this year... Cake Creations that is.
These photos below, from this month, is my little girl, Addison's 1st birthday cake and her "destroy cake"
This is the cake I made for my sister's baby shower in August:
And this is the cake I made for a good friend's baby shower:
I always make my girls birthday cakes and I am sure that I have photos of them all somewhere, but these are just the most recent ones that I have done... And I have to say... They taste pretty yummy! :)
Here are some of my creations this year... Cake Creations that is.
These photos below, from this month, is my little girl, Addison's 1st birthday cake and her "destroy cake"
This is the cake I made for my sister's baby shower in August:
And this is the cake I made for a good friend's baby shower:
I always make my girls birthday cakes and I am sure that I have photos of them all somewhere, but these are just the most recent ones that I have done... And I have to say... They taste pretty yummy! :)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Please support me in the Huntingtons Disease 5k - Atlanta, GA
Hey guys!!
(If you get this twice I apologize in advance) The following link is for the Atlanta Huntington's Disease 5K Run/Walk, October 24, 2009 http://www.firstgiving.com/pamspeace . I am writing to you all to ask for support in this 2nd Annual Event. There are several ways that you can offer support, you can of course donate funds through that link, OR you can participate in the event and join my team though that link, OR you can simply pray for the event and those participating and those affected by HD. I'm terrible at writing to ask for money for fundraisers so I apologize for this being so short and to the point because I have no idea how to sugar coat it.
Huntington's Disease is what my mom had and was the cause of her death. My brother, sisters and I all have a 50/50 chance of carrying the HD gene, which is a dominant gene. I am doing this for my mom, my siblings and my children. HD has affected my family in many ways and my mom gave a lot of time to try to help in testing for a cure and for treatment. My goal is to continue her legacy, that's why I name my team Pam's Peace. Mom had peace in the midst of the storm because her Heavenly Father gave her peace while she battled this horrific disease. Mom never gave up and I'm not going to either... If I have HD and my efforts will benefit my children then they are all worth it, the time, the effort... all of it. That's the mentality my mom had and I'm adopting as my own... And letting the peace that passes all understanding comfort my past hurts from HD as I go the route to do what I can to fight to find a cure for HD and to continue my mom's legacy.
I hope that you will all prayerfully support me, my team and those out there dealing with HD. If you can financially support too, that is awesome, I would love to meet my goal of $5000 towards funding research for HD. Again the link is: http://www.firstgiving.com/pamspeace
Thank you so much!!
(If you get this twice I apologize in advance) The following link is for the Atlanta Huntington's Disease 5K Run/Walk, October 24, 2009 http://www.firstgiving.com/pamspeace . I am writing to you all to ask for support in this 2nd Annual Event. There are several ways that you can offer support, you can of course donate funds through that link, OR you can participate in the event and join my team though that link, OR you can simply pray for the event and those participating and those affected by HD. I'm terrible at writing to ask for money for fundraisers so I apologize for this being so short and to the point because I have no idea how to sugar coat it.
Huntington's Disease is what my mom had and was the cause of her death. My brother, sisters and I all have a 50/50 chance of carrying the HD gene, which is a dominant gene. I am doing this for my mom, my siblings and my children. HD has affected my family in many ways and my mom gave a lot of time to try to help in testing for a cure and for treatment. My goal is to continue her legacy, that's why I name my team Pam's Peace. Mom had peace in the midst of the storm because her Heavenly Father gave her peace while she battled this horrific disease. Mom never gave up and I'm not going to either... If I have HD and my efforts will benefit my children then they are all worth it, the time, the effort... all of it. That's the mentality my mom had and I'm adopting as my own... And letting the peace that passes all understanding comfort my past hurts from HD as I go the route to do what I can to fight to find a cure for HD and to continue my mom's legacy.
I hope that you will all prayerfully support me, my team and those out there dealing with HD. If you can financially support too, that is awesome, I would love to meet my goal of $5000 towards funding research for HD. Again the link is: http://www.firstgiving.com/pamspeace
Thank you so much!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Bad Company
I cannot believe it has been since April that I have blogged! Wow! I really am going to try to get better at this...
Okay so something that has been on my mind and heart a lot lately is the modern church and modern day Christians. I don't think everyone really *gets it* to be completely honest.
People were originally called Christians because they followed Christ and were Christ-like. Now days the church and "Christians" are so far from what Christ originally called us to its not even funny. Churches/Christians(C&C) are filled with "cliques" and we try to teach our kids to not leave people out... C&C is filled with judgmental attitudes but we try to teach others to be accepting... C&C are filled with hate but we try to teach others to love.
The Bible teaches that they will know us by our love and by our fruit... But yet we are not loving the least of these. We aren't reaching out to the prostitutes, to the gamblers, to the homeless... Not on the scale that we were commanded to do. We get so comfortable with our friends in our comfy homes that we forget what the others may feel or how they feel. We forget that there is hurt outside our little circle of friends, that we don't dare let anyone new into, unless they "fit in" with the friends that are already there. We talk about the other believers and say things like we can't believe that so-n-so acted a certain way or did a certain thing or has "those" friends.
You want the truth? Jesus would probably not hang out with most of us... He probably would not step foot in to most churches. Why? Because we are following His commands... We are so focused inward and He wants us to be focused outward. Get OUT of your comfort zone! Get out of your cozy circle of friends! Go where the others won't go! Love on the unlovable and unlovely! Why? Because that's what Jesus would do... It's not about a bracelet or a saying, it's about a lifestyle and making changes. Stop saying "I can't believe the friends that she/he keeps" and go be the friend to those, love on them, we ARE the only Jesus that some people see and meet. Love on that single mom, that alcoholic, that gambler, the homeless, the abused, the abuser, the drug dealer, the gangs... They will know us by our love and will be won for Christ by letting HIS love shine through us.
If Jesus walked in todays times most people would not want to be around Him because the company that He would keep and the people He would love on... And didn't He command us to do as He does? To love as He loves? We were, after all created in HIS image.
Okay so something that has been on my mind and heart a lot lately is the modern church and modern day Christians. I don't think everyone really *gets it* to be completely honest.
People were originally called Christians because they followed Christ and were Christ-like. Now days the church and "Christians" are so far from what Christ originally called us to its not even funny. Churches/Christians(C&C) are filled with "cliques" and we try to teach our kids to not leave people out... C&C is filled with judgmental attitudes but we try to teach others to be accepting... C&C are filled with hate but we try to teach others to love.
The Bible teaches that they will know us by our love and by our fruit... But yet we are not loving the least of these. We aren't reaching out to the prostitutes, to the gamblers, to the homeless... Not on the scale that we were commanded to do. We get so comfortable with our friends in our comfy homes that we forget what the others may feel or how they feel. We forget that there is hurt outside our little circle of friends, that we don't dare let anyone new into, unless they "fit in" with the friends that are already there. We talk about the other believers and say things like we can't believe that so-n-so acted a certain way or did a certain thing or has "those" friends.
You want the truth? Jesus would probably not hang out with most of us... He probably would not step foot in to most churches. Why? Because we are following His commands... We are so focused inward and He wants us to be focused outward. Get OUT of your comfort zone! Get out of your cozy circle of friends! Go where the others won't go! Love on the unlovable and unlovely! Why? Because that's what Jesus would do... It's not about a bracelet or a saying, it's about a lifestyle and making changes. Stop saying "I can't believe the friends that she/he keeps" and go be the friend to those, love on them, we ARE the only Jesus that some people see and meet. Love on that single mom, that alcoholic, that gambler, the homeless, the abused, the abuser, the drug dealer, the gangs... They will know us by our love and will be won for Christ by letting HIS love shine through us.
If Jesus walked in todays times most people would not want to be around Him because the company that He would keep and the people He would love on... And didn't He command us to do as He does? To love as He loves? We were, after all created in HIS image.
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