Thought I would share............

This past Sunday our Youth Pastor (who just happens to be my nephew) preached. We have been going through a series called "Knowing the God of the Bible". Beginning with Genesis and going through the Old Testament, giving people a better idea of who God is, so they can know and love Him and give Him the glory he is so worthy of. Brandon spoke using Haggai as the text. It was a wonderful sermon all the way around, but one part just about made me jump out of my seat and yell WAA HOO! Here is the text that he read from at this point:

Haggai 2:

6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. ⁷ I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. ⁸ 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. ⁹ 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

Do you see it? Verse 9 just smacked me in the face. God asked them back in verse 3 - Ask them, 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?

The former temple was Solomon's temple, and it was something! This temple was rudimentary compared to the splendor of Solomon's temple. Why would this present house be greater then the former? Because this is the temple that Christ enters "I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty" . YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never put the pieces together before. The temple the remnant had built was the very temple that Christ walked into, that he chased the thieves from. This is the very temple that the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom! Oh it gave me goose bumps!!!!!!!!! I love what the Lord says next: "And in this place I will grant peace," declares the LORD Almighty!!!

YES!!! Thank you Father!! YES!! Thank you Jesus!!!

Oh how I love His word that teaches us about Him!! Glory! That is what God is do! Glory!!!!

Thanks for letting me share!! Looking forward to His 2nd coming!!

Random Dozen

1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?
Even though I don't see anyone, I am such a rule follower that I would probably wait.

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?
Yes, I would have said more about a certain situation. I would have called someone on how they were acting.

3. When you reply to someones comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)
I e-mail and then visit their blog.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is:
Since I can't remember every Disney movie right now I would say "UP". It was such a sweet movie. Our whole family liked it.

5. Do you recycle?
Yes, except on vacation. I'm vacationing so I don't want to think about it! I know that doesn't make me truly green!

6. Games of strategy or games of chance?
Game of chance. I'm not good with strategy. My son and I were just talking about this the other day.

7. Do you have any recurring dreams?
No, but I do dream about work alot. Don't like that very much!!!!

8. What did you learn from your first real job?
How to cut up food. I was a prep cook where my brother-in-law worked. Wolfgangs Just Breakfast in Easttown GR, for those around here. Anyway I prepared all the food that they used in the kitchen. I could chopp a 20lb bag of onions without crying! Soak them in water first! I meat some interesting people. This is a very eclectic part of Grand Rapids. You see some real characters. So I guess I learned to chop, mix, and how to crack an egg one handed.

9. Do you buy or borrow most books?
I go to the library for those I am just reading for enjoyment. If it's a devotional or other Biblical study book, I buy it because I like to highlight and underline ALOT!

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?
High waisted pants. I feel like I'm going cut right down the middle, and leg warmers!

11. When do you start Christmas shopping?
Right about now. I love going out the day after Thanksgiving though. I go by myself because of the weird way I shop.

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion?
O.K. I'm sure there are alot of times, but it was the first time my husband called me to ask me out. Two of my girlfriends where over at my apartment, and when he called they jumped to the middle of the couch and clapped, then we did the happy dance.

Thanks to Linda for hosting Random Dozen. I really enjoy doing this each week!

Marriage Monday - A letter to my gift from God

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On this Marriage Monday we were asked to write some type of love letter to our husbands. Since I am not a poet I am choosing to write my blessing a letter. Thanks to E-Mom over at Chrysalis for giving us a reason to show our thankfulness. Here goes"

To my gift from God Steve,

As I have thought of what I was going to write in this letter so much came to mind, that I thought it would be impossible to put it all into words. That still may be true, but I want you to know how you have made such an amazing difference in my life.

We have only known each other almost 16 years. If feels so much longer then that, and I mean that in a good way! I feel I have known you forever, and that I cannot imagine life without you. There was a time before I met you that I was unsure whether I would ever get married. I even had people tell me that I probably wouldn't be good married because I was to set in my ways. All around me I saw marriages that were not what they were meant to be. They seemed to be constantly at odds, and very, very unhappy. I knew that I did not want that for myself, so I prayed that if I was single until I was 50 or for the rest of my life God would be picking the next man I dated. Now there is absolutely no reason why God should have granted me a wonderful husband. This prayer is really one of the first acts of obedience I acted on. Before this I was living my life for myself and making decisions that were not pleasing to God. I broke off a relationship that was not of God a year before I met you and resolved myself to let God lead in whatever direction He would have me go.

Little did I know that just 3 short weeks after praying this prayer I would meet you! At first Marilyn wanted to set me up with you but because of past "blind" dates I said a big "NO THANKS!" As the Lord would have it though we got together anyway, all because Marilyn was late meeting up with us one night! I love how God works. It took you awhile to call, but after you did, everything seemed so natural and comfortable.

I remember the first time I realized that I loved you. It was sitting on your couch watching home movies of you and your family. I loved how you loved your family! I loved how you loved Repo (our dog). I loved your home movies where it was just you testing out the camera with your pet bird and repo, Marcia and Dean, and all the rest. My heart was drawn to you.

Now here we are, married 14 years, with 2 wonderful children, a weird dog, a hamster, and 2 chickens, and I glory in our life together! Even the mundane parts of our life. 9 times out of 10 I go to bed with a smile on my face because you are there next to me. You are exactly what I needed in a husband. You are the calm to my crazy. You are the adventurer and outdoorsy type to my recluse and bookworm type. You draw me out and make me do things I wouldn't normally do, and I thank you for that. You give me so much encouragement, and spur me on to do the things that God has called me to do.

One of the things I love the most about us, is when we pray together, or when you take me in your arms and pray for me. That means so much! You are a wonderful father! Our children know they are loved and appreciated! I love the way you desire to be with each of them separately as well as together. You again give them adventures they wouldn't have without you in their lives. I love our family trips! You are the wonderful provider that makes that all possible! Well God is the provider, but you are the tool, who always works so hard for his family.

You have sacrificed so much for us. Before us you used to hunt and scuba dive all the time. Now that doesn't happen to often. I wish for your sake it could happen more! I love that you put us above your extra curricular activities. The one time you left for hunting, then returned 1/2 hour later because you wanted to be with your family more then hunting, meant so much!

You are exactly what I needed in a husband, and I am so glad that God brought us together! I pray we have many years together! Only God knows! But know this my wonderful husband - I cherish you and thank God every day for you!

Love your grateful wife,

Kim

How is Marriage defined?

I don't mean how does the government define marriage, but how does scripture define marriage. I have been in a battle of late that has left me with many questions on how and what God views as a marriage relationship. I am asking this question here and may post it on my Facebook because I am wanting to get alot of feedback, and since I haven't blogged in a while, I'm not sure many people come by anymore (just you little ole' faithful ones, whom I adore!)

This morning I began my Bible study in Matthew 5. I stopped at Matthew 5:23-25, because this is the section where Christ is talking about divorce. I have been writing down scripture that pertains to marriage, so after I read that passage I went back to Malachi. In Malachi God is talking about "the wife of your youth". Here is the scripture, taken from the Amplified Bible:

Yet you ask, Why does He reject it? Because the Lord was witness [to the covenant made at your marriage] between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously and to whom you were faithless. Yet she is your companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your marriage vows].

And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth.

Notice the word "covenant". In marriage God is a witness to a covenant you are making to each other. He is there (at some type of ceremony, right) as a witness, and when God witnesses or is part of a covenant it is lasting.

So my question is (leaving the state you live in out of it), what in God's eyes is he a witness too? What is taking place that God would say "I am a witness"? Can two people in their hearts without representation covenant with God to be man and wife, or does more need to take place?

O.K. ladies and gentlemen (if men still read this blog), what say ye? If you have anyone that doesn't come to my blog that can give insight, please pass this on!!!

Random Dozen

I would like to thank Linda for keeping me blogging at least once a week!

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.

My favorite teacher was Mr. Clark, my accounting teacher. He was my favorite because he was COOL, and by the 3rd year of accounting we were pretty much left to ourselves. Teeangers!

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.

The death of my father almost 20 years ago. I say that and I still can't believe it has been that long! I still wish I could see him and talk to him. Especially right now when I need some really good, firm, biblical guidance. He never met my husband, or saw my children, and they never got to meet him. It still and will always bring tears to my eyes!

3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?

Yellow is my favorite. Not loud yellow, but a soft yellow. It is a calming color to me, and it is the color of my favorite flower - the daffodil. I love seeing fields of pretty yellow daffodils. Someday I also want a house by a lake that is pale yellow with white shutters.

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older?

The hairs growing out of my chin, and the one nasty black hair out the side of my neck!!! I have blonde hair for pete's sake, where did that black one come from???!!!!

5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you?

We were not allowed to do Halloween when I was growing up. We have allowed our kids to trick or treat, but no scary costumes or evil costumes. My son has gone as Psalty the singing song book, and Methusalah, amongst other things. This year his scary costume is Hillary Clinton. Bekah has been mostly dogs. This year she will be a pink poodle.

6. What's your favorite musical?

The Sond of Music. When I hear the father sing "Edelweiss" I get all misty. I love that song!

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?

Country definitely country. I grew up in the country and loved it. My husband wants to move into a development for the kids, but I would prefer moving further out!!!

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn.

I would like the money spent on something more worthwhile, like a date night! God's already given me the Sun, Moon and Stars!

"This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways.

9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't.Paula, you do know that this blog is rated G, right?

Sorry I don't text.

10. "It's not a party unless _______."

There's alot of great food!

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available.

Look through my purse, and if my memory verses are in there study those. Otherwise just clean the purse.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?

Probably. I would probably get tired of the way I cut myself down all the time though. Maybe check caller I.D., if I'm just not in the mood.

Just to show you I'm still here - A Random Dozen

Just to let you all know that I am alive and well I thought I would participate in Linda's Random Dozen. I'm thinking Facebook has ruined me for blogging!!! I find writing little snippets are easier then writing posts!!! Sad state of affairs!!!! Here goes! I don't know how well I did for my first one, but it helped to post something!!!!

1. I've always wondered why we were taught both printing and cursive. Do you prefer to print or write cursive?
I do a little bit of both. One work may have both printing and cursive in it. Is that a left brain, right brain thing???

2. Are you a dreamer or a realist?
Oh My a realist, definitely!!! I am about order and reality!

3. Billy Joel or Elton John?
Elton John. He definitely is a talented guy.

4. What is the scariest movie you've ever seen? Not limited to horror flicks but also includes ones where the tension or suspense is killer, for example, Flightplan (2005): A bereaved woman and her daughter are flying home from Berlin to America. At 30,000 feet the child vanishes and nobody admits she was ever on that plan.
Silence of the Lamb! "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti" SCARY!!!!

5. Now what is the scariest real-life moment you've had?
Boy when faced with a question I come up blank. The one thing that is coming to mind is the day my dad died. I know there have to be more, but right now I guess there is not enough coffee flowing through my brain to get it moving!!!

6. What word do you misspell without fail?
Oh bugger I can't think of one!!! I know there are many!!! I don't know how good I am at this Random dozen stuff! But it has been fun!!!

7. Name something you like to do but are not really talented or good at.
Fishing! I love to go out with my husband. I don't understand all there is to fishing: the bait for what fish, where to fish, etc.... I just love being out there with either my husband or our whole family.

8. Do you get your emotional/mental batteries recharged by being around people or by having alone time?
Being alone. My brain doesn't have to work hard then. When I'm around people I feel like I have to fill the void of silence and that my brain always has to be working. When I'm alone I can just relax.

9. Have you ever been on TV?
Hysterically yes! I was in a commercial for the Insurance company I worked for.

10. Apple or pumpkin pie? (Don't be greedy.)
Thats a hard one, but I guess I will say Apple, especially warm with ice cream

11. How many magazine subscriptions do you have?
None right now. Well except for a subscription to Marie Claire which I don't know how I got and it goes in the recycling as soon as I get it. Not one I would subscribe too. Sometimes I think of subscribing to Rachel Ray. I love her recipes.

12. What lesson do you have to keep re-learning?
WAIT ON THE LORD, BE STILL AND TAKE HEART AND WAIT ON THE LORD!!!

13 years ago today.....

My boy about 1 month before he showed his face. He was already packed in there!

13 years ago this morning Steve and I headed to the hospital for a planned C-section. We had been told by our doctor that because our baby was so big they would have to do a c-section so there would be no complications. My mom met us at the hospital, and things proceeded from there. My sister Kam showed up with Madeline, and my sister Rachel came. Steve got all dressed up in surgery scrubs and off we went. I still remember it being a surreal experience. Being fully awake, but having them cutting me open. My boy was a stubborn one from the beginning. Even with a C-section they had a hard time getting him out. The doctor that was holding the suction cup attached to Jeremiah's head lost her grip and ended up punching my doctor in the eye. Hence an HIV test needed to be done. Jeremiah was born at 12:30 pm and weighted in at 10lbs 1 oz, and was 21 inches long. When Steve saw his boy, he went a little green and had to be helped to the floor.

Our big bundle!

We didn't know it at the time, but Jeremiah's collar bone was broken during delivery. I still can't watch the video of the nurses handling him before we found out. His crying still hurts my heart!

Kam said I could have never given birth to that head!

Like every new mother I didn't have a clue of what lay ahead. There were nights of little sleep, colic, and having to stop breastfeeding because he was allergic to something in my milk. Because of that and other reasons I've often felt like a failure as a mother. Through the past 13 years this boy has taught me much, the main thing being how I must rely on the Lord for everything. When I tried to raise him in my own power I failed and ended up hurting him and me. For a long time satan used that against me, but through the mighty love of my Savior, he raised beauty from the ashes of my surrender! There have been many wonderful times of discovery and lessons learned, and I want my boy to know that I wouldn't trade a minute of my time with him! He is a wonderful young man, who loves the Lord, and who has a servant heart, even though he may argue he doesn't!

I LOVE YOU JEREMIAH, WITH ALL MY HEART, AND I AM SO GLAD GOD GAVE YOU TO YOUR DAD AND I TO RAISE!

Little did I know the awesome young man he would become!

And look at that red hair! Oh I always wanted a red head!