Late Night TV...hmmm

'Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.' I Timothy 1:17

'The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teaching comes through..." I Timothy 4:1 & 2

I will not mis-represent this verse by filling in my own thoughts... the point, quickly made, is that the end is near...it has been for over 2,000 years. As Christians, though, we are to be expectant, even though we don't know the day or hour. We are to live lives worthy of the calling placed on us, as HIS! Quiet, holy, busy lives, lived for the Kingdom.

Lives that conform to sound doctrine, and truth. In these days, truth is valuable, but hard to find. It is a character trait in some, but a very foreign concept to others.

I was mortified this week as David Letterman made the statement on his late-night program that he had, in fact, had affairs with colleagues from his TV show. I wasn't so much mortified that he'd done it, or that he was talking about it on national TV. What mortified me was the reaction of his studio audience. It is sickening. Laughter fills the studio, and he's getting by with making a big joke out of his illicit behavior. He remains a hero to 1,000's of young men who champion such behavior. The guy who was trying to extort him loses his job. I know, I know, extortion is a really bad thing. But, do we see the double standard by this episode in the world in which we live? You can't hurt me, if I destroy you first...And, the really sickening thing is, in the enterainment business, it appears that it's expected and accepted.

(my stomach turns every time I go through a grocery store check out line and see another 'diva in detox' splashed across the page, compete with close ups of her emaciated little body--not a career path I would encourage for any one I know--looks fatal (think Marilyn Monroe/Michael Jackson, the list goes on and on).

Dear reader, as the Word of our God says: the end is coming soon. Our culture does nothing to prepare us for this truth, it's up to us. We are, if we choose to listen, led down a path that is pleasing to our enemy. And, our enemy is Satan, the one who hates us, the one who is out to seek, kill and destroy...using what ever means he can to lie to us...even about ourselves.

It might be because I'm in the midst of studying Daniel, but this keeps rolling through my mind: Babylon. We live in a place similar to Babylon. Items that God put in place for holy use are being used for unholy purposes.

As believers in the Lord Jesus, we house the mystery of God. We have the Holy Spirit in us. By this, we become the Temple of the God of the Universe.

Precious in His sight. Holy.

Consecrated. Set apart.

We are Not to bow down to the god(s) of this world.

(Mark this: Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord...

every one--even the pop-icons of our culture)

Holy and set apart.

As Children of God Most High. As Dearly LOVED.

As the Apple of His Eye!

Live like it: You are a Child of the King.

He knows everything about you...and loves you (and me) anyway.

He knows your fingerprints, and how many hairs are on your head.

He has a plan for YOU.

He wants to reveal that to you. Draw near to Him.

Delight yourself in Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Give Him honor and glory. He is worthy!

Worthy of All Our Praise.

Praise HIS HOLY NAME!

WOW! Where did September GO?

Ok, I know, it's October already. I'm not even sure any one is 'reading' this any more...sorry if you 'gave up on me'! September was a busy month in a lot of ways!

We started a new GriefShare cycle. That's always bitter sweet. I'm so sorry for the reason we gather, but I'm so delighted to hear other's insight and wisdom in to the things of grief. It always amazes me how each handle different events and emotions along this path we have not chosen for ourselves, but found ourselves traveling any way!

We're off to a new start for our fall women's Bible study, as well! We are studying Daniel. It's Beth Moore's video and work book series...so it is full of challenges and different angles...All I can say is: holy vessels being used for unholy things...truly an eye-opening lesson. (more about that later!)

Holly is having a great time working for 'a mouse', as she says. Thinking she might not come home at all...just stay. So, I'm adjusting. And realizing how truly blessed I am to have such bright and talented daughters--All of them are so precious to us!

And, so, because it was the first day of October yesterday, I took a little road trip to So. IL not only to help a friend but to re-visit some of the places of my childhood.

I got to have lunch with my lovely sister...see mom for just a minute. And, then a surprise visit with one of my cousins, Nadine. Her mom, my Aunt Mary, who just turned 85, reminds me so much of my great-grandpa when he was that age! I always looked forward to going to their house when I was growing up, Aunt Mary made the best sweet tea in the county! Nadine is so patient with her, and helps take really good care of her.

Driving around my home town before returning home was enlightening and a little disappointing!--I never in my life remember thinking 'it shrunk, it used to be SO big!'--However, yesterday, I kept having that thought over and over! Every house I thought was 'huge' when I was growing up looked so small! --My great-grandparents house was always small, and it still looks small...their yard somehow shrunk, though! --and her flowers are gone...so sad, she loved those flowers...She would say things like, 'Well, I'll swan'...I have no idea what that meant, but she said it anyway! --I heard Aunt Mary say 'Well, I'll Swan'...more than once yesterday during our little visit...hilarious!--
I hope when I'm 85, if the Lord tarries, and I'm still alive that I'll say things like:

"What was his name, again?"

---and

'Well, I'll Swan'!!!

--and

'It's really cold in here!'

---and

'Oh, the golden years!'

And, I hope, that as soon as I say them, I just laugh and remember some great family members--remaining thankful that I got a chance to know them, and laugh with them.

What Labor Day Means to ME!!!

Labor Day week end. It means different things to different people.

• Celebrate the workers of our great country.
• Traditionally the last official 'week end' to wear white (although I think this one is kind of a 'passed' tradition, many wear white year 'round')!
• The first three-day week end of the school year...
• The beginning of the school year for some.

For my family, this is a week end we look forward to the whole year. Labor Day for us means getting together with dear friends--all together in one place to laugh, visit, pray, laugh and eat together for as long as we can, from Friday evening to Sunday evening...sometimes lingering even to Monday. (not this year, though, we're getting older and we need a day to rest up before returning to real life!)

We started this tradition in 2003. We've moved the destination around a couple of times, bur for the most part, and as with this year, around 40 of us gathered at the Bopp's home in Wentzville, MO, to celebrate our friendship. At one point all of us had lived in the same town, and served at the same church, where some were in paid positions of ministry, and others were in volunteer positions in the same body.

Through a 'blessed tragedy' many had to move away and find positions in ministry in other places...far away places. It was truly one of those things that Satan had meant for bad, but God used for GOOD!!! And, as a way to fulfill His purpose, more than likely, in all our lives!

When this happened, we committed to get together 'officially' each year, and see each other through out the rest of the year as often as possible. Our 'official' time together would be Labor Day Week end. Through e-mails and phone calls, week ends here and there, we've remained close through the years, even though we're separated by miles, and all of us have busy lives with kids and jobs and ministry responsibilities...but there remains this commitment to our friendship, and an unexplainable love we have for each other. Picking up conversations where we left off.

We have raised our kids together and, they range in age from 8 to 25. (Now, Randy & I have grand kids and so, we're on to the 'next generation' of our gathering!) Four of us have had babies 'later in life'! --my husband & I have had three such babies as we 'stopped' having children twice but then, in God's timing, adopted twins, then had a very blessed pregnancy! (oh, what great memories we share--like when we 'first found out we were pregnant'...or 'told each other' we were expecting yet another child!) We've been such an encouragement to each other to depend on God for health and wisdom throughout this journey of parenthood.

These families were great support as we were going through the adoption process for our twins. And then we were able to rally again as one of the other families went through the adoption process for two little girls from Russia about four years ago. Such a bond we've formed throughout the years!

We've celebrated birthdays together, weddings, funerals, and church services together. These friends were among the first to arrive when we lost our Macy and then also among the first to arrive as we celebrated our oldest daughter's wedding a few months later.

This group of friends is founded on our mutual love for God, and a desire to serve Him well, and finish our lives strong in His strength. We've cried, prayed, studied, laughed and talked our way through personal crisis, natural disasters, political and economic mysteries, difficult passages of scripture, reasoning it all in light of God's Word. All of these are either in paid positions of ministry, or serve in their churches faithfully in some capacity. Their personal relationship with Jesus is evident in the way they live and relate to others. These are people that I truly look forward to spending eternity with in Heaven in the presence of our Savior.

We used to weep every time we'd leave each other, as if it would be the last time we'd see or speak to each other. Now, because our friendship has stood this test of time, we no longer weep. I think it's because we remain, thanks in part to the electronic age...but also, because we know that our future is secure. Here or There...we're good!

God is so good to me, to give me friends like these!

Our days...

Stay with me here, I've not been very faithful in writing to you...so...bear with me and take a listen to a short 'twin' story...and then I promise, we'll get down to business!!!

Official Twin story: We are officially in our second full week of school. It seems like things are extremely calm here...perhaps I don't know 'everything that's going on' but the girls are loving it! They laugh a lot, and play crazy music...and talk about clothes and make up and hair length and piercings...part of being 13...I suppose. I sometimes forget how OLD I am compared to how YOUNG they are!

I was abruptly reminded of the 'gap' this past week end when the girls were singing along to a popular song on the radio...lyrics went something like "swish, girl...do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips..."--they were just singing along...and I said..."Do you even know who Helen Keller is/was?"
"No," they said.
So, being the great and profound mother that I am, I proceeded to explain to them about her, and her life, and about how she couldn't hear, see or speak...and, of course, you are WAY ahead of me because one of the girls said, "Well, that can't be right, she had to be able to talk, because otherwise, who sang the song?"Oh, my. OH MY!

The reason I blog: My husband and I attended a couple of different celebrations last week end. One was an anniversary party, celebrating 50 years of marriage by some friends of ours from church. It was great to see them laughing and having fun with friends and family. 50 years is a long time to be married. But, at the same time, when I congratulated them, the wife said, it just doesn't seem like 'that long ago'...and I think she's right...time flies--doesn't it?
The next day, we were privileged to attend a wedding celebration for another couple that attends our church--just starting their journey together. Quite a contrast, but that's the way life is, isn't it?

I have friends who are celebrating new life with babies, and marriages, and I also have friends who have just lost loved ones and still others' whose marriages seem to be crumbling around them. That's the way this life on earth seems, isn't is...good/bad...hope/joy...highs/lows...we can learn from each moment, each experience...each celebration: Life is precious. It is a Gift. Celebrate it because NONE of these moments is a surprise to Our Great God...

I not only take great comfort in the following, I glean from it great hope about the character of a Holy, Great, Mighty God....take a listen...
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid you hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wins of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," event he darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.--Psalm 139:1-16

You can get the idea here...I read this and it brings me to tears...to think that in the very next verse, it says that the number of thoughts that God has concerning my life would outnumber the grains of sand...and HE is still with me...

I sit and think and

just in the quiet think about that...just quietly...without words...think...about...HIM...and HIS thoughts...and HIS Holiness...OK, now without words...you ... do..... the..... same...

We are God's Workmanship...

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions

--it is by grace you have been saved.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us

with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

--not by works; so that no one can boast.

For we are God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

--Ephesians 2:4-10

I find that I miss the mark in much of my life...wife, mom, sister, friend...but if I catch this right, God is rich in mercy...He made me alive...ALIVE...in Christ while I was dead in my own mess. He's saved me by His grace...so that I can be raised up with Christ...to show the coming age the incomparable (and incomprehensible for me) riches of His Grace...by saving even ME...even me in all my 'mark-missing'...in all my 'human-ness'...

As Christians we know that our 'works' don't save us...we say that out loud...but do we live like it? We look at this verse and get the sinking feeling that God does have a 'to do' list out there with our name on it. So we spend much time, on top of everything else we 'do' looking for our 'niche' in ministry...or questioning constanly our Great God about 'what to do next'...don't gem me wrong...much much time spent in prayer is a Good thing...Seeking God's face on all matters is foundational for our lives...but I seem to get bogged down in the 'day to day' things or the 'service-type things' that I feel compelled to do...

He does have a plan for our lives...He does love us...He does use us to further His kingdom. Our own 'To Do List' , I'm thinking, looks a lot different than God's 'To Do List' for us, remember: He prepared in advance for us to do.

Because we live in this era of history...our list gets long and cumbersome because we want to do it all, get it all done...and while there is nothing wrong with doing our part...we get those priorities SO out of whack sometimes that that list becomes our driving force for the day. We wake up, focused on the task at hand, and we're off to the races...not giving our King a thought...or a glance...or even an acknowledgement that He's still on His throne...whether we're too busy to talk to Him or not.

We are God's workmanship...

He's crafted us to do exactly what He intended us to do with our time. And, according to the writer of Psalm 139, none of our days is a surprise to Him, He thought of each day before one of them came to be! I am convinced that much of our stress in life comes from not living there...from living to please everyone, including ourselves, else but our God.

...created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Catch that 'to do'. Here's the to do: Bring Glory & Honor to His Name...in everything you do...attempt, feel, say and DO. Slow down...pray that He order your day first...to take away things that you've put there that don't need to be there...to put in things that He intends to use to 'Bring Glory & Honor to His Name'...

And, for those of us who like to write on our post-it notes exactly what we have "to do" today: He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God.--Micah 6:8

It all ties together to make our days honoring to our Father with our interactions with others, both those in the body of Christ and those that are not yet a part of that body. We do fall down...but sometimes, it's from exhaustion from trying to 'do enough' or 'be good enough'...remember the grace...remember the mercy...and remember that God loves you no matter what...He created you...and He has the plan to transform your life to transform YOU to His likeness...just slow down so you can hear Him...We are God's Workmanship...

Delight...got it?

Wow, did you hear me say in my last post: 'Busy August, So Far, But School is COMING?'...well, it did!

School started this week in our town. Our twins, 7th graders, are now attending a beautiful, newly remodeled building. 'Gorgeous' and 'Awesome' are the words I've heard all week to describe the space. Will they learn anything because the building has been completely remodeled? I don't know. Do Middle schoolers actually 'learn'!??!--We'll know in a few years! But, the girls are happy with the routine, and they are happy to be connected to their friends face to face every day...so: "It's gonna be the BEST year ever!"

Our oldest daughter is planning her little one's birthday parties...already...Will will turn 4 in October...Pirates...that's his chosen 'theme'! And, he'll be decked out in a Pirate costume, complete (which makes me laugh!) with a parrot on his shoulder, an eye patch and a hook for one of his hands!
Baby Ally, as Will calls her, "CoCo" to the rest of the family, will turn 1 in November!!! Pink with polka-dots is all I know, but I'm certain it will be cute, complete with a PINK Velcro-crown and she'll have fun eating cake!

Our second oldest daughter has, just this week, moved in to her 'dorm' at Disney World, where she'll be working until January as an intern. She already loves it. She assured me before she left that, although when she was younger she thought Goofy was 'real'...she knows they are just people dressed up as characters, playing a part now! What can I say? She's always loved the 'magic' there! And, so, probably upon arrival she loved it, even though she didn't really feel like she knew what to expect...she'll catch on quick, though! She'll be working at HollyWood Studios, in merchandise. She has three room mates, all from the north east, and all very fun. --wouldn't that sort of be a pre-requisite for working in a place like Disney World...a 'fun' personality? No worries, Holly certainly has that one!

Earlier this month Randy went with me to my 30th class reunion picnic. It was fun to see some of the people I hadn't see in such a long time! Great stories, and a little time to 'catch up' with different ones. Of course, Face Book helps with that, as well...it's amazing how much some have changed...and others look much the same as when we were in school together (this would NOT be me!--I look nothing like I did way back in the day!)

The women's ministry that I do at our church is 'gearing up' for some changes in approach, this is an exciting time. God is at work in the lives of the people...I'm eagerly waiting to see what happens 'next'! And, because He knows me best, all my failures, weaknesses, He really knows who He's working with in me, God continues to WOW me with His patience, grace and love for even me! And, I continue to trust His hand in these things, even though I may not see Him!

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Isn't that what we want? A Mighty God...one that delights in us...One that quiets us with His love...and Sings over us!?!??!--What a Mighty God we serve. How much He delights in us, and cares for us, quiets our fears, and calms our souls...even in the midst of a 'busy month' and starting of a new school year...time goes by so very fast...but Our God never changes...His Love is always there...
Go have a DElighTFUl week end!

Busy August so far, but, School is COMING!!!

August came in with a great celebration...it always does at our house...my birthday is the first day! And, the celebration continues! Amazingly, I don't feel today, some 10 days later, like I've rested up from that week end! Even more amazingly, it's FINE with me! Good things just keep coming!

My mom came to celebrate my birthday! Lots of fresh veggies and such...and, of course, birthday cake...then our neighbors, sweet ones they are, brought another birthday cake--and a gallon of milk--lots of insight these neighbors!

This past Friday and Saturday, was time spent in the presence of a few ladies from our church that are inspirational to me in ministry. It was time well spent, as we learned more about each other, and how to use our gifts in furthering the gospel to women in our area, and beyond. I'm very excited about the possibilities! But, mostly, I'm in awe and praying about 'the next step'!

Also this past week end was my class reunion. It was great fun...reconnecting with some of those that I hadn't seen since high school. We laughed a lot!

Then, as the Journey continues...I wanted to share this section of scripture and a one-liner from our Sunday school class:

II Corinthians 4:5-7
For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
--emphasis added by me.
But, one of the girls in my class read this and then said, "Isn't that pretty?"

I love it when people not only 'get the Word of God'...but also SEE the Beauty contained IN it!!!
Praising Our Glorious God because of His Mighty Power!!!