Reformation Day

Something happened a long time ago on this very day which should be remembered. Martin Luther obeyed the Lord.

btw....Joesph Feinnes did a great job in the 2003 version...Luther. P-G13.

Families should be watching this film together and talking about it around the dinner table.

Co-op History & Worldview classes should view it too.

I am thankful today for one obedient spitfire of a man who lived a long time ago.

Braverijah Sage Turns 18

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This young man is pure joy.

Pure pleasure.

Sensitive. Caring. Giving.

Thank You, Lord for this child.

D.F.A. repent.

He is faithful. He is trustworthy.

He is the Way, the Truth and The Life.

Again, please get help.

Slumdog Millionare

We all really really liked this film. Loved the way the story was structured. Loved the cinematography. B roll was excellent...what a fun job that must've been.

As you can probably tell by the glaring lack of currency in regards to this post....we don't see films in the theatre often these days. That's okay. Eventually, everything I see makes it's way onto the library's shelves.

In the cue....Into The Wild and The Wrestler.

Welcome To My Brain

Gotta send you to Christine's blog...first off...because I think she's cool and second off....because I think she's cool.

We seem to diverge on a few issues (ahem...mostly political. Oh yeah....and also her whacked idea regarding toilet paper is off the CHARTS!!!!!!!) but I really really think she is cool.

She makes me smile and she makes me think. Her post entitled Summer Does Not like Christians is the latest to get my wheels turning. Many.....those of us (maybe attempting to process and articulate our experiences??????????) would say.....

I don't like rock & rollers because all rock and roll is of the devil.

I don't like Muslims because they all blow up airplanes and plan mass transit bombings.

I don't like IV drug users because they all have AIDS anyways and deserve what they get.

I don't like homosexuals because they all have an agenda...which is sinister.

I don't like guys in jail because they are all incorrigible lawbreakers who deserve what they get.

I don't like pill poppers because they all brought it on themselves and deserve what they get.

I don't like meat eaters/vegetarians because they all have an agenda.

I don't like tax collectors because they are all pigs like (pre-Christ) Matthew.

I don't like home-school er moms because they all wear denim jumpers w/ Winnie the Pooh appliques.

I don't like Scientologists because like Tom Cruise....they are all maniacs.

I don't like Mormons because they are all infiltrating hocus pocus jammie wearing brain washers.

I don't like Democrats because they are all tax collecting baby killers.

I don't like Republicans because they all want to pray in schools, control by body, and Sarah Palin shoots a gun.

I don't like Jews because they all killed Christ.

I don't like Catholics because they all reject the finished work of Christ & Luther.

I don't like Protestants because they all reject the Pope & think Luther did great things at Wittenberg.

I don't like Christians because Hilter was a church goer.

I don't like conservatives because they are all intolerant.

I don't like liberals because they are all intolerant.

etc.... etc..... etc......

Obviously, when you follow the logic....it's ridiculous to think this way.

Do you have friends/web friends who challenge you?

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And, Summer.....know that I firsthand hear you in regards to the "Christian" disappointment thing.....

......my question though.... if I got to ask you one question...would be.... (insert drum roll here) how do you feel about Jesus? How do you feel about the Son of God?
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This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
John 3:19

Spiritual Gifts

My deep thoughts on Spiritual Gifts this week:

They are real. They are God given. They come w/salvation.

We have a child w/the discernment of a gnat. I am serious. Non-existent.

That is to say....this child's discernment skills were non-existent and were gnat-like.

After salvation...discernment has kicked in BIG time.

Mind blowing discernment...about spiritual matters.

We are shocked...Bradley and I ....looking at each other like where did this kid come from?????????????

We have a daughter who broke down during communion today. Conviction.


We have a son for whom it seems to be "coming in clear." Conviction.

Another daughter....told me that she stayed up till we got home from our date night last night (midnight) simply because she was worried and didn't want to go to bed until she was confident that we did not die in a car wreck...(not the first daughter of ours who might come to mind.)


I am humbled beyond belief. I am shaking. I have no words.

Other than this....


Lord, You are trustworthy.

All in Your timing.

Prayer Request

I have been angry with God. I have used his name in vain and I have mocked Him. I admit it was totally a bad example and not only that but it was also wrong. I was worried that He wouldn't forgive me for that, but my Mom explained that my version of God is obviously little. It hit me as true. I was making up a little God when the real God is so big. I am writing about this because I am a Christian who needs prayer about the Lord having Lordship over me. My understanding of the Lord is that he is a Saviour but I don't know if I understand the true meaning of Lordship. I have been angry with God for the last 10 years. I've been processing my history in a negative way instead of a positive way. I have been dwelling on the negatives and that has made me bitter. It is hard to allow the Lord to have Lordship over me when I haven't been trusting Him. I've realized that I haven't allowed Him to work through me. The bottom line is that I need to let the Lord renew my mind. Specifically, I need prayer for allowing myself to trust.
G

This is one of the most beautiful examples of storytelling I have ever come across.

Click PAUSE on my Music Player first.

A Letter from Eloise

Way back when we were in NY...we paid a visit to the Plaza Hotel. While there, Zion had a little tea party w/Eloise (life-sized stuffed doll) and wrote a very sweet note to her. She folded it...licked the envelope and placed it in the Plaza's mailbox (meant especially for notes to Eloise) and has been awaiting a reply ever since. The lady at the Plaza mentioned that it might take a few weeks to hear back.

It's been longer.

Each day...Zion would hope that a letter was in the mail. I could tell that she was disappointed...even though she hasn't been verbalizing it. Part of her, I'm sure...thought she might be very very silly to even think that Eloise might really and actually write back.

Last week, I phoned the manager on duty at the Plaza Hotel. I explained the situation and he was utterly mortified and apologetic over the fact that their public relations department had let so much time pass by.

Today...Zion had mail in the mailbox! A letter from Eloise!!!!!!!!!

Found this photo from 1978...during the filming of The Champ. I think our tutor's name was Marion...gotta ask Mom. She was very sweet...had a son named Robert?????? who had a bit of a crush on me as I remember...... and she taught me many embroidery stitches.

We still like "doing school" in our jammies around here.

Many lessons are FREE.

Youtube is a great place to find free music lessons, photography tutorials, home-decorating tutorials, sewing lessons, jewelry making lessons, cooking lessons...etc.

You name it and you can most likely find it for FREE!!!!!!!!!

http://etsy.com offers some wonderfully interesting turtorials on all sorts of artsy things.

Do you collect anything?


One thing I collect is Light of The World (Charles Bosseron Chambers) prints. I've got lots of them. Probably close to 50? Some, I display in our home...others are hung down at my parents.

The first one I remember noticing...watched over me from a calendar...or above a calendar??????

I didn't recall that until I started collecting them over 20 years ago. Then, it came back to me. I've seen this image before...in Grandma Alice's kitchen.

Grandpa Begay

A few weeks ago, I said "goodbye" to Pastor Begay. I knew I would not be seeing him again this side of the Jordan and I told him how honored I was to be "allowed" in to his family those ten years ago.

When he met Grandma Begay he already had 8 children and an alcohol addiction. The Lord saved her. Then the Lord saved him. They had four children together and ministered side by side for the next 30 some odd years. Today we celebrated his life and his legacy.

This shot is my favorite of our last time together. He and his bride...Grandma and Grandpa Begay together....yet individually..... contemplating the very real truth that this place is not our home.


A pine box. Gospel music. And purple all around...his favorite color.

Costa Rica

Bradley and Mcabe spent a few days in Costa Rica...mostly ministering to working girls and in a hospital. A few of the images Mcabe captured can be found here.


The older lady in b & w never ever allows anyone to leave her hospital without hearing the Gospel. Mcabe thought she was so cool.

I am so thankful that the Lord is developing his eye.... and presenting him with Photography opportunities.

What is Repentance?

True repentance is not the same thing as worldly sorrow.

True repentance leads to life and honors the Lord.

Worldly sorrow leads to death and mocks Him....especially when it is being called "true repentance."

Evidence of repentance?

A contrite and broken spirit.

A turning.

No more justifying. No more defending.

Columbus Day

In 1492.... Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

When most of His creation (man) thought the world was flat....the Lord had already spoken otherwise.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12

John Politan used a word picture during his sermon yesterday...that helped put a visual to the Lord's revelation.

If He had said, "as far as the north is from the south..."the whole idea would've collapsed. Eventually when we travel north we reach the highest point and then....must descend...traveling south. Then after a while...north again.

When we travel east....we can keep traveling east...forever. Forever. Forever. Never ending.

There is no end to the forgiveness available to us in Christ.

Jemima Bakytgul

Little Dove Happy Flower turned 12 today. This daughter of ours is a joy.

An absolute joy to her parents, siblings, grand-parents, and friends.


What a charming young lady.

My three favorite moments of the day...Nana and Papa's Birthday wishes. Mcabe swinging her in the hallway...and Bria's phone call to her from work.

Umbria

"Yes," that is a castle with what appears to be a floating cross above it.

Italian Door

Verona

Gelato in the town of Romeo and Juliette.

Milan

This sweet child will never ever leave my memory. We had eye contact and she waved. Her mother never knew. My exposure settings were way off....but I do not care one little bit. A favorite photo memory forever.

Victor-Emmanuel II Gallery. Breathtakingly lovely.



Duomo di Milano...like a huge sand dripped castle.



I really really like this city.





We may have a new production company name. Thumbs up? Thumbs down?


It was Fashion Week. We walked around in flip flops and had the best bread of the entire trip. The best bread in all of Italy. I ate 4 pieces.

I'm sure that has nothing to do with the 7 lbs. I gained.

Each one very well worth it btw.

Venice

Nothing quite like the night light on the canals.




What an odd and beautiful city built on water.