Color Commentary

Live Like That

I can not believe May is 1/2 over. I can't believe how far into 2012 I find myself. I also can not believe how living in the quiet and quaint of a small town is such a blessing in my life right now.  I need milk, orange juice, or toothpaste and in less than 10 minutes I can be having cereal or brushing my teeth. The birds sing all day long, and I can hear them. 

On the other hand, driving to Lafayette affords me some Julee time, K-Love, an unbelieveable farmer's market on Wed afternoon, and a plethora of churches ... I found these guys---Sidewalk Prophets--alongside US 231 & State Road 18.  You know what I mean.

Don't get me wrong, I'm achin' for a Max & Lilly fix. I long for a quiet evening laughing with family, talking of nothing in paticular, and everything important. I miss Michigan in the summer. I miss my porch. I miss the big lake. I miss the scent of pine trees and my neighbors. You know what I mean. 

But I have learned am learning, from Paul and Phillipians 4:11 (Sometimes the King James Version is the only way to go)

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

I wanna live like that.

Sew

Let the redeemed of the Lord, say so.  Psalm 107:3  or as the New International Version says; Let the redeemed of the Lord, tell their story ... that's all the prompting I needed.


So in my spare time, I'm going through pictures for a Melissa & Spencer wedding slide show.  


What can I say about this one, except they were pretty excited about these skirts in 2008. Alert: New blog, I'm following ~ Before And Africa 


Also keeping me entertained and living in the past these days, is whether to induldge in paying  a server which will let me one click my iWeb stories to yet another domain name.


Technology.


Do you have defining moments, I did last night. While sitting alone with the window's open and the fireplace going, I tuned into the Grand Ole Opry radio station (online, of couse), to hear Ricky Skaggs celebrate his 30 years as a G.O.O. member.  


Before Ricky and all the guests concluded their 2 hour bluegrassy, old-time country show, he preached.  He preached the gospel. Straight up, no chasers.  Then they (The Getty's, Josh Turner, Ricky Skaggs, and Alison Krause) sang. 


I fell on my knees in worship.

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Today I wanted to let the redeemed of the Lord say so. 

RSVP

Originally posted May 15, 2011

According to some, the world, as we know, it is going to end this Saturday.  5.21.11.  

"Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made." Genesis 7:4  

The “End Of The Worlder’s” loosely based theory is all about numbers and goes something like this:

#1. God referred to seven days, he meant both seven days and seven thousand years, because "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." The flood occurred in 4990 BC. Seven thousand years later is 2011.

#2. looks at the significance of the number of days between the Crucifixion and May 21, 2011.

There are 722,500 days between these dates. 722,500 is a significant number because it is composed of the significant numbers 5x10x17x5x10x17. Five signifies redemption; ten signifies completion; and 17 signifies heaven. The numbers represent the day of redemption (5) and the end of the Christian era (10) and the ascent to heaven (17) -- and these factors are doubled for added significance.

I know, confusing, right?  I’m not real worried about next Saturday, but they are right on one account: the world is gonna end.

In Jewish tradition, when a couple became engaged, the bridegroom’s family would give a gift to the bride’s family signifying the intent to marry.  Then, in essence, the marriage contract was signed at that point in time.

Then the bridegroom would go away for one year.  It gave the bride time to prepare, not only for the big day, but to fix her heart on her bridegroom.  She would concentrate on no one and nothing else, but making sure she was ready when the bridegroom came.  

The groom would work the whole year to build a house for his bride and keep working for his father in preparation for starting his own home.  

No one knew when the wedding would take place except the bridegrooms father.  When he deemed it appropriate he gathered his son and headed out on a wedding march to the bride’s  house, collecting family and friends along the way.  

And here-in lies the analogy. Jesus is the bridegroom. The church (body of believers) is the bride.  Jesus has gone away to prepare a place for us, if it wasn’t true, he would have told us.  “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. St. John 14.

The bride should be getting ready.  Not searching out other bridegrooms or wasting her time on other lovers (pursuits), but  preparing for her wedding day. Preparing her heart to meet her bridegroom.  Preparing a feast and inviting everyone to get ready themselves.  Inviting all to come and taste and see that the Lord is good.  It is he who love us.  It is he who made us, and not we ourselves. ~ The Psalms

And guess who knows when this great marriage feast will take place? 

God the (bridegroom’s) Father. 

Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids from St Matthew:

Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.  Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you! So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

Accept the invitation for the free gift of salvation ... or give your regrets. It’s your choice. And it IS a choice.  If you’ve already already responded (believed) then what are you doing as far as preparations go? 

 Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Annie, & Jen ... 3 of the best mom's I know!

And also Happy Mother's Day to some awesome "other mothers" in my life:

Joy, Ruth, Ardy, Deanna, Angela, Victoria, Ariel, Megan, Kate, Marti, Martha, Pam, Jodi, and Chelsea ...   I would also like to include here some I may have lost contact with but still think of often, my cousin and aunt moms, Patti, & Hilda,  ...  and I can't stop without mentioning my grandma's and my dear MIL, Frances who surely are celebrating together today. I pray blessings, joy, and happiness over you and your children, not just today but everyday.  I honor you and speak freedom, peace and contentment into your lives.  For with contentment comes great gain.   Even if you read here and you're not a mom, I insert your names as I pray John 10: 9 & 10 over you.

 "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. 

You will come in and go out, and find pasture. 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; 

I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full."

Love,

Jesus

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. 

The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, Amen.

Be blessed today,

Julee

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

 My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

 He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

 Behold, He who keeps Israel

Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

 The Lord is your keeper;

The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

 The sun shall not strike you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;

He shall preserve your soul.

 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in

From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121

Hokey Pete, we miss you guys.


Your parents are awesome at sending us photos and videos, sometimes almost as many as once or twice a day.


I'm not being ungrateful, but it's just not the same as hanging out with you in real time.


I already love your little personalities and how absolutely well-adjusted you are, whether it's out for dinner charming the wait staff or smiling and acting like Grandpa and I are all that and a bag of chips when we skype.


I was working on some wedding stuff for Aunt Melissa and Uncle Spencer the other day, and I became overwhelmed with the blessing of family.  By the way, do you know what you're wearing to the wedding, yet? Me neither.  I can't wait until the next time we're all together and I wanted you also to know I cherish each and every minute I get to hang out with you.


These are two of my favorite pictures of you guys, so far.  I love how  you adjust to being dressed up in clothes just for a photo shoot.  Lilly, I'm sorry grandma tried to grab a picture in my 1st birthday dress exactly at the same moment you would have rather just taken your nap.  Max, you can be thankful you'll never have to wear that itchy, stiff, pink dress.

Lilly, I love Elmo in the background and that your tutu matches the car. 


Max, I love how you went straight for the dirt and pinwheel seconds after the sit still moment.


I love how you both like the outdoors, playing, napping, eating and talking.


I love how you both love life.


So yeah, ring us up. Come over right away... and ask your mom and dad if this summer is too early to start our Grandma & Grandpa Wilke Adventure Camp?