20 hours ... and he will be HERE!

If the airlines keep their flight schedule as promised tomorrow, Dennis will be home in 20 hours! 1200 minutes.  72,000 seconds.  (not that I'm counting or anything)

The boys and I have been fervently praying that we would finish strong in these last few days.  And so far, the Lord has been gracious.  We are all tired (funny how working really hard to serve others rather than yourself can make a person weary) and we are all ready for our leader to be with us. Talking, laughing, smiling ... HERE.

But for now, it is still just us.  And we are doing okay!  Life goes on ...

* We woke up this morning to find maggots in our outdoor trash can, on the ground, and along the wall.  AAAHHH!  Thankfully, because this happened when Dennis was in the hospital after his surgery, I found out exactly what it takes to destroy the vermin. (I find them loathsome and am sure they will be part of the eternal darkness and gnashing of teeth)  There is literally ONE thing that kills them.  Boiling water.  (nope, not even bleach will kill them)  So, Luke rolled up his sleeves, swept them into a pile, and once the water was boiled, he found great pleasure in watching them melt.  

He missed breakfast (oatmeal) while he was working, so when he came in and cleaned up I said, "Hey, you need to eat!"  He looked at me and replied, with an appropriate level of disgust, "Do you think I can eat after what I just did?!?"  Sorry, dude.

* Last night I watched "Return to Cranford."  It is the perfect cap to the series, and gives a more complete sense of closure for the characters in the town.  Delightful!

* Ellie is holding the LAST DIAPER that will ever grace the backside of an Eastman child.  I vowed that when her current pack of diapers ran out, that would be IT!  She will be potty trained by the end of the weekend - even if I turn gray in the process!

*  A friend asked if she could bring dinner and her kids and hang out with my kids for an evening.  Normally I would offer a polite, "No thank you, we are okay" but the Lord continues to work on me in the area of accepting gifts/help from others.  So, I took a deep breath and replied, "YES! YES!"  There was only one rule – I had to LEAVE and do something just for myself.  I had a $50 gift card to TJ Maxx so that is where I spent the next two hours.  I was in a coma-like state as I meandered through the isles, looking at everything that interested me and everything that didn't.  I ended up with a new pair of patent leather black flats (a rarity in stores like these for a size 11 foot!), a box of stationary, and a Christmas gift for Ellie.  The amount of items I refused to put into my cart were quite numerous, so I was pleased with my self control!

*  Out of the 13 nights Dennis has been gone, I think I have put my pajamas on by 7 pm at least 10 of those nights!  I will admit, I could get used to this!  ( I LOVE pajamas)

* In His great wisdom and perfect timing, the Lord drew me and an older woman together "for such a time as this" and we have been meeting together once a month since the summer.  I prayed for a mentor/discipler for seven years and the Lord said, "No.  Not util I am enough."  I stopped asking, and seven years later, He provided! 

We met this week, and I was thrilled when she surprised me with gifts - BOOKS!  I have been craving a new study and a new read, and she provided both without even knowing this fact!

*  I must confess, the boys and I have watched quite a few movies together while Dennis has been away.  Our family loves sports movies ... true stories about overcoming obstacles, persevering, investing in the life of another, and the truth that nothing worthwhile is ever easy.  And no matter the bent of the film (secular, Christian) you can find Biblical application in them.  Our library is full of such films and they never fail to inspire and open up great opportunities for conversations with our boys.  (And thanks to Clear Play the entire family can watch them because they are C L E A N!)  Some of our favorites:  Miracle, The Greatest Game Ever Played, Remember the Titans, Facing the Giants, Pistol Pete, We are Marshall, Glory Road, Pride.  (Some of these deal with prejudice which is a wonderful teaching opportunity from a Biblical perspective.)

*  School has been going well and the older boys have worked really hard to do their studies without complaining or whining.  Actually, come to think of it, we have only had one round of yelling over writing class since Dennis left.  WOW!  Talk about God's grace!

I have been trying to do more interactive and fun activities for the little boys (I do not like messes) and they are happy campers!  They are very proud of their (painted) harvest pumpkins.

And now ... one more night alone as the seven of us.  Micah and Luke are at a youth group event, the littles are in bed, Caleb is watching a movie, and I am in my polka dot pajamas dreaming of what life will be like 20 hours from now.  Oh, what a happy day tomorrow will be, because Dennis will be with us!!

It is not me ~ it is Him.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  

Psalm 19:14

I love this verse.

Simple.

Clear.

Complete.

The words of my mouth ...

the meditations of my heart ...

It is all encompassing.

Everything I say.

Everything I do.

Every thought.

Every motive.

All of me ...

may I be acceptable in His sight.

At first glance it seems impossible ~ overwhelming even.  How can I ever be seen as acceptable to a holy, perfect, omnipotent God?  The words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will never be perfect or pure.  They will never completely please Him.  They will never be acceptable to a God who cannot look upon sin.

And that is the answer!

A holy God does not see ME when He looks at me.  He sees His Son.

Jesus Christ.  The one who gave up His right to the throne of heaven to come to earth.  Fully God, fully man.  Accused.  Insulted.  Betrayed.  And through it all, He kept silent.  Suffering to the point of death.  Death on a cross.

For me.
For you.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

On my own I will never meet the standard of the God of creation.  But I don't have to!  The only way I can be acceptable in His sight is to be covered with the blood of His Son ... which washes my sin away ... making me white as snow.

And because the old has passed away and new things have come,

because He has removed my filthy rags, and clothed me with a gleaming cloak of righteousness,

removed my sins as far as the east is from the west and remembers them no more,

calls me His child,

an heir to the throne,

and because He loves me with an everlasting love,

I AM acceptable in His sight.

Always, only, forever ... because of Jesus Christ.  I have access to the God of the universe, because I know His Son.  It is not my own merit that makes me an heir to the throne of heaven ~ it is Him.  

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, because You are ~ my Rock and my Redeemer.

An update from our fearless leader!

We presented today in Austria.  It went really well. This evening there is a "no talent talent show."  We are Act 7.  Somehow we got roped into spoofing the Director of the school.  He is a British man with a wonderful sense of humor.

Tomorrow is our last presentation and then we head for home.  The people are wonderful and so appreciative of what we have to share.  It has been a great conference.

In central Europe there are a lot of forests and mountains and tons of animals. On Friday, we drove into Romania and a shepherd was leading approximately 50 sheep across the road.  He had a staff and a sheep dog.  Though he was not dressed like a shepherd from the Bible it was still really cool.  Yesterday, Mr. Ramirez took a photo of me climbing up the original old city wall in Romania (dated 1400).  There are numerous Roman ruin sites, but nothing that I could touch (bummer). The Romanian people have suffered a lot over the past 40 years and are still in the midst of recovering from an evil dictatorship that had people standing in long food lines and having to ask permission before doing nearly anything. 

You would love some of the things I have been able to see in Austria, Hungary, and Romania.  These cultures love to celebrate their heroes from the past.  Austria is known for art and music.  There are famous statues everywhere. The music of Mozart and others are often played in the city squares and restaurants.  In Hungary, they have a huge open area with marble and bronze statues called Heroes Square.  In the very center of the square there are bronze statues nearly 8 feet tall which celebrate the seven kings representing the different tribes that first settled in Hungary.  They have powerful names like Argon and Timor.  Romania is a proud country that was ravaged by a dictator for almost 30 years. The people suffered in ways that are hard to understand for those who live in the United States of America.  The country is very beautiful but is still recovering from the years of abuse.  

Last week in Hungary, Mr. Ramirez and I saw the capital city of Budapest, Hungary and a few grand palaces and churches.  I picked up a stone from some ruins that dated back to the 1400’s.  We then went to some Roman ruins that dated back to 800 AD.  I picked up a stone that came from a merchant’s house.  Really cool.

Last night we had dinner with some people who hosted the conference.  We had a traditional Romanian feast.  They brought out a 3½ foot tray of food that fed nine people.  Ribs, pork chops, chicken legs, sausage - MEAT!  As the food was coming out, the waiters dimmed the lights and played fanfare music over the speakers (trumpets), and two additional waiters walked in front of the tray with torches.

We went on a walking tour of the city of Cluj, Romania after dinner. One of our hosts is a history teacher and she gave a guided tour of the walk. The city is nearly 2000 years old.  Unfortunately, war and the communist regime has taken away some of the remarkable artifacts and features of the city.

The guide then shared what it was like to grow up in a communist country.  She indicated that she did not have a banana until she was in sixth grade!  Her mom stood in line for 3 hours to get two bananas. A family was only allowed ½ loaf of bread per week and only a small amount of oil for cooking.  They stood in long lines for everything.

America has many great blessings and privileges that are easy to take for granted. Many of the countries here have been occupied by other countries, their rights limited or taken away, property lost.  America has never been occupied and we do not know the scars of 20^th century wars on our own soil, though many men and women gave their lives to the cause to insure the freedoms we now enjoy.

I can'wait to see all of you!  I am ready to be home! Love, D/Dad

I want us TOGETHER.

I learned a new lesson yesterday.

Though this is the third overseas trip Dennis has taken, it never occurred to me to have him write to our children while he is gone.  He sends e-mails (the places he visits are usually somewhat remote and not equipped for overseas calls, or they cost a fortune) but a few lines typed out in an e-mail are just not personal ~ and rarely intimate.  I asked him before he left if he would write to the boys so I could present them with words from their father at a time they needed them most.  And then a couple of days ago, he sent me a letter for each boy - from Austria!  I printed them out, stuck them in envelopes and waited until the house was quiet (which usually means the littles are asleep) before presenting them to Micah, Luke and Caleb.

They had no idea what was in the envelopes ... and the expressions on their faces when they saw the word 'Dad' at the bottom of the page ... fantastic!  I sat quietly watching them absorbed in their individual letters until I grabbed my camera to (hopefully) capture the intensity with which they read.  They all finished with big smiles on their faces and then read their letters to the rest of us.  It was fun listening to them ... it felt like we were part of the Pride & Prejudice days - just for a moment.

I loved watching them smile, I loved hearing them laugh when he said something funny, or used a Dennisism, and I loved seeing a change in their countenance and the set of their shoulders as they folded the letters and returned them to the envelopes.

We have done well on our own these past days, even with a few skirmishes here and there.  Micah, Luke, and Caleb have been very helpful, stepping up when I need extra hands or a few more minutes of sleep in the morning.  One morning, one of them leaned over me and whispered, "It's okay, Mom.  You can keep sleeping.  I am making eggs and muffins and the littles are okay."  That statement made my heart glad for so many reasons!  But more than anything, I was proud of my guys for putting their own desires aside and thinking of others first ... a lesson that is very hard to learn, and remember, for children.  They have been trying so hard to be on their best behavior and take over as men of the house - and I have to say - I am impressed with their efforts!

I know that two weeks is a ridiculously short time and I might sound silly to most.  There are families who live without a spouse/parent for months, or even years - especially those in the military.  But I can only speak of what I know, and what I know is this ... my guys love and adore their father, and they are better WITH him.  I can do a lot.  I can teach, discipline, encourage, train, and listen to my sons.  But there is one area in which I am sorely lacking ... I am not a man!!  They need his voice, his personality, his authority, his correction, his humor - they need HIM.

I love my husband.  I respect my husband.  I know how much he does around this house and for our family - every day.  But when he is gone ... when we cannot talk to him whenever we want to ... see his face ... hear his voice ... listen to him tell really long stories or make us laugh ...

Our home is just not the same.
We are not the same.
And I fully appreciate how blessed I am to have Dennis Eastman as my husband.
For better or for worse.
Until death do us part.

I learned a lesson yesterday.  Actually, two.

My boys need to hear from their father in a significant way when they do not have access to him. His words matter, and even from across the world they make a very big impact.

We are a team, Dennis and I.  We each bring something different to the table, different strengths and skills.  But the truth is - the only way our house works well and runs as it ought - is when we are TOGETHER.

And together is what I always want us to be!

If we love, the world will see HIM.

Our pastor shared a wonderful sermon Sunday morning, and while I was convicted and challenged during the service, it has taken me all week to sort out my thoughts, notes and search the Scriptures to support everything.  I love when the Lord makes me dig for His truth because it holds much better after all of the effort!  The following is a jumble of our pastor's words and my own thoughts and convictions as the Lord walked me through His Word.

The topic:   Affection between believers in the body of Christ

The text, and even more - The MODEL:  But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while - in person, not in spirit - were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you-I, Paul, more than once-and yet Satan hindered us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.  I Thes 2:17-20

There is a very simple truth about the body of Christ.  We are not just 'friends.' We are FAMILY.
And like any earthly family, we will have squabbles and disagreements, we will annoy each other, we will offend each other, and we will not click with every member.  But - at the end of the day - if we are seeking to be obedient to God's commands for the body of Christ so clearly laid out in Scripture ... we.will.die.for.one.another.  This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  I John 3:16

We are all EQUAL as believers.  There is no class system, fame does not matter, economic status is irrelevant, and race and color matter not.  "Groups are blasted to pieces when you enter the church body."

But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:25-28 

God CHOSE us for one another and expects us to love, encourage, weep, rejoice, exhort, rebuke, edify - as He clearly commands in His Word.

You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.  For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.  I Thessalonians 2:10-12

Honestly ask yourself ...

Are you sad, broken, and burdened when you cannot be with the body on Sunday morning?
Do you long for them?

If not, it may be that you are not looking at the people in the pew as you should - as family - and as VITAL.

There is only one reason we should miss weekly fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ ~ For we wanted to come to you - I, Paul, more than once - and yet Satan hindered us. 
I Thessalonians 2:18

Only satan should keep us from missing church, not serving, and not ministering.  It should take an act of SPIRITUAL BATTLE to keep us from worshiping with our spiritual family - not mere apathy or a better offer.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:24,25

There is no excuse that is valid other than the devil himself keeping us from worshiping in spirit and in truth.  And if he IS trying to keep you away from a Bible study, a small group, or a discipling appointment - that is EXACTLY where you need to be!  He knows the Lord has something for you and he will do anything to keep you from receiving it!

Satan wants to destroy the church and he is happy to do it one apathetic, annoyed, petty Christian at a time.

Take satan seriously - too many Christians don't!  "When God opens the doors of heaven to bless us, satan opens the doors of hell to blast us."

Don't be discouraged by opposition from the devil ... it means he is taking you seriously and wants to STOP you!  Rejoice in his attacks - it means you are doing something RIGHT!

Does your life ...

your prayer life
your time in the Word
your ministry
your words
your family
your attitude
your thought life
your activities

... do these things attract the attention of satan?  They better!!!  If he is not attacking you it means you look enough like the world, and like him, that he need not waste his time with you.  You WANT HIM to seek to devour you because it means you are following Christ!

Be aware of satan.  Understand his power and his hatred of Christians ... Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  I Peter 5:8 ... BUT do not become intrigued with him.

STAND FIRM.

Arm yourself with the perfect, protective armor the Lord has given you.  A new suit, fitted just for you, every single day!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  Ephesians 6:10-18

And then - LOVE THE BROTHERS and SISTERS in Christ with a fervent love, so when the world looks at us ~ the Family of God ~ they will know without a doubt that we are Christians, because they see our love for one another.  And in doing so, they will see HIM.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  John 13:34

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Ephesians 4:1-3

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,  I Peter 1:22

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.  I Peter 4:8

An update from the world traveler!

Hello My Bride and all my wonderful children (cue some music from Vienna, perhaps some Mozart),

Started the day at 9 am and it was cold and foggy ALL DAY. I under packed warm clothes as the weather has changed and it is quite cold. Well done, Well done!

We met some teachers who are acting as our hosts (former Biola students) for breakfast at a famous Cafe' that Adolph Hitler used to frequent. No kidding, Adolph Hitler.  It was beautiful. Cafe's here are an important part of the social life of Austria. People buy a cup of coffee and sit for hours and hours.

After breakfast we took the underground train into the very heart of Vienna. Once in the city there are famous statues (some with gold leaf and others in bronze) all over the place.  The cathedrals are amazing. The city is remarkably clean and well kept. Vienna has been called one of the safest cities in the world to live in.

We then went to eat at a local vendor outside (amazing sausage and hot dogs). Then went to church. The church service was in English and is a relatively new church plant. About 25 people at the service.  Very nice people.

Following church we went to another cafe' and spent about two hours eating the MOST AMAZING APPLE STRUDEL in the HISTORY of the WORLD!  With vanilla sauce. RIDICULOUSLY GOOD!

We then went back to touring the city. I saw some great stuff including where Mozart lived (hence cueing the music).  I also took a corner off the house of the apartment building Holocaust survivor - Viktor Frankel.

Are you getting the theme...walk, eat, walk, eat, walk, eat.  It is now 11:10p and we just got back. A long day to be sure.

Is everyone healthy?  Is everyone behaving and treating mom like the important, and incredibly essential to our family, person that she is?

Tell Micah I met some Florida Gator and North Carolina fans. We talked football and agreed we all hate Notre Dame.  When I told them my oldest son is a big fan they looked at me with shock and sympathy.  Poor Micah. 

Tell Luke:  In Vienna the builders and designers of great cathedrals had apprentices and when an apprentice was completed with his training he was invited to drive a nail into a post as a symbol of his completion of training before working on a project. There are posts in various spots throughout the city that have hundreds of nails in them (many are surrounded by a gate or glass and they are hundreds of years old. 

Tell Caleb: The train that runs on rails and underground in Vienna has automatic doors that sound like Darth Vader breathing when they open.  Mr. Ramirez and I continue to quote Star Wars every time the doors open. (never gets old...at least to us)

And now - we are off to Hungary!  I love you all!  D / Dad

Quote ~ on Motherhood.

I pray these words from Spurgeon will encourage your heart and press you to answer your sacred calling as a mother with passion and fervor as you seek to honor the Lord in every action with your children today.

It is one of the hardest things we will ever have to do ... raise these children in the ways of the Lord ... because it requires constant sacrifice, constant dying to self, constant surrender to a holy God to seek HIS way - and give up our own.  But remember ~ we are not alone ~ for He promises that if we abide in Him, He will abide with us ... and with Him we can do anything!

                                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"O dear mothers, you have a very sacred trust reposed in you by God!

He hath in effect said to you, "Take this child and nurse it for Me, and I will give thee thy wages." 

You are called to equip the future man of God that he may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. If God spares you, you may live to hear that pretty boy speak to thousands, and you will have the sweet reflection in your heart that the quiet teachings of the nursery led the man to love his God and serve Him. 

Those who think that a woman detained at home by her little family is doing nothing, think the reverse of what is true. Scarcely can the godly mother quit her home for a place of worship, but dream not that she is lost to the work of the church; far from it, she is doing the best possible service for her Lord. 

Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty. Christian women, by teaching children the Holy Scriptures, are as much fulfilling their part for the Lord, as Moses in judging Israel, or Solomon in building the temple." ~ Spurgeon

Her obedience stirred me up for love and good deeds.

I delight to do Your will, O my God;

    Your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 40:8

This verse was sent to me this morning with this note attached:

Hi Michelle!!

I found myself praying and thinking of you today as I hung out my washing.   I pray that the joy of the Lord will continue to strengthen you more and more, every day that your love is away.

My husband and my two oldest are in Tonga for a week.  I just wanted to share this verse with you, (the Lord put it on my heart, after humbling myself to my 4 year old, for losing my patience) :-)

I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 40:8

It left me feeling encouraged to "delight" myself in doing His will, which at the moment is for me to care for my lovely daughters, while their older siblings and loving father are away....what an awesome challenge!!

My love to you and the children,

I have never met this kind woman.  She is the wife of one of Dennis' high school friends - the two men just reunited about a year ago - and for some reason the Lord decided to burden her heart for me from the very beginning.  They are ministering in Australia, have seven children, homeschool, and have roots here in southern California - so we share much in common.  She is incredibly God-focused and finds great joy in being a wife and a mother ... and has a deep and urgent need to encourage and exhort the body of Christ.  I hope to meet her one day soon and enjoy a long and wonderful conversation about the Lord's dealings in each of our lives.

What about you?  When was the last time you sent a note of encouragement to someone the Lord placed on your heart?  Thinking about and praying for someone is one thing ... TELLING them is quite another!

My challenge this week ...

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24,25

Will you do it with me?  Will you make that call, write that note, schedule that meeting ... and be used by the Lord to bless someone?  Someone who desperately needs to know that - she matters.

Spur one another on toward love and good deeds

and

Encourage one another

Someone did that for me today ... a simple note after the Lord prompted her to pray for me while hanging her laundry on the line ... knowing nothing of my inner struggle today ... not even really knowing me at all ... and yet, the Lord used her to refresh my spirit and help me focus my eyes back on HIM - right where they belong.

Thank you, C.  You could have prayed for me and said nothing, but you took that extra step and told me of your obedience to the Lord ~ and I was blessed because of it.  Your words floated across the continents to land on my screen just when I needed them most - and it was no accident, though you had no idea where my mind and heart were at the time - the Lord knew.  And He used YOU to stir ME up for love and good deeds.  Thank you, friend.  Thank you.

We are better WITH him!

Last night we enjoyed Family Night as we prepared to say goodbye to our fearless leader.

Dennis is traveling to Europe to train teachers in Austria, Hungary and Romania and, teach them how to integrate Scripture and a Biblical worldview into their curriculum.  Very exciting and certainly an honor to be trusted with such a task!

We enjoyed a good dinner, played some games, (they) had a dish of D's favorite ice cream (double fudge brownie and mint chip) and the night ended with Dennis sharing Scripture with the boys and praying with each child. 

I am sure there are women who are much more creative in how they prepare for the father being gone for an extended time, but for me ... I want their last memory of their father to be happy and more importantly, godly.  If something were to happen to Dennis, I want each of our children to be able to say, "The last time I saw my dad, he read God's Word and prayed for me."  I think there could be no greater comfort than that image playing in their minds over and over again.

We will miss him very much and our home will not be the same without him.  

We are better WITH him.  

And all of us need him.

Please pray for me and the children ... we are already experiencing discord as each child seeks his own way, and what he/she wants, rather than thinking of others as more important than themselves.  We need the Lord to give us patience with one another, a desire to be long-suffering, and a sincere sense of duty and concern for each member of the family as we fill in the gaps felt by the absence of our leader.  I am humbled that anyone prays for us day by day, but I will be especially grateful to be covered these next two weeks as others take us before the throne.  With a truly grateful heart ~ thank you.

He is the One who will take me there.

The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein,

for He has founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

And who shall stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false

and does not swear deceitfully.

He will receive blessing from the LORD

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

Psalm 24

We had a guest pastor in church this past Sunday who chose this passage for his text. I was eager to hear him because this passage has always been difficult for me. I have read it literally hundreds of times and always close my Bible thinking (and sometimes believing) that I will never, ever make it up the hill. How in the world can any human every achieve such an impossible standard? I want to receive His blessings and His righteousness - but how will it ever happen?!?

There are three things seen in this Psalm ... let's take a look.

~ Lessons of true worship ~

God is not to be trifled with. He is a holy God and must be worshiped in holiness and truth.

We have all worshiped with insecurity and distraction ... praise God He is merciful and patient with us!

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
² Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

Psalm 29:1,2  (even the angels are commanded to worship the Lord!)

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22

~ Keep the Lord in His rightful place as King in our lives ~

Lifting up our souls to another = ANYTHING or ANYONE (including self) that is not God

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24

You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Deuteronomy 5:8-10

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:8-10

~ Jesus Christ is the justification for the sinner ~

* None of us are worthy to ascend the hill!

* This Psalm is a beautiful reminder of our need for Christ because no one BUT Christ can meet the criteria of God’s holy standard.

* Only ONE MAN is worthy – only one man has clean hands, a pure heart, and has never lifted His soul to another - Jesus Christ!

* Which means only those whose hands and hearts are washed in His blood can enter into the holy place. He is the Only Way!

How then can a man be righteous before God?

How can one born of woman be pure?

If even the moon is not bright

and the stars are not pure in his eyes,

how much less man, who is but a maggot -

a son of man, who is only a worm!”  Job 25:4-6

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

And who shall stand in His holy place?

This thought/question is echoed in Revelation 5 when John laments that there is no one worthy to open the scrolls ...

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”  Amen and A M E N!

My question has always been, “Lord? How will I ever be able to ascend Your hill and enter Your holy place? It seems impossible!”

And now - I know.

It IS impossible.

I can NOT achieve it.

I will never have clean hands or a pure heart.

I have put many things before God in my lifetime.

I have not always sought after Him.

I cannot ascend the hill

and

I cannot stand in the holy place.

BUT

I know the One who CAN - who DOES - and WILL forevermore.  And He is the one who will take me there.

Praying for our children ~ with purpose.

Of all the sweet, feminine and precious gifts that were given at the lovely Baby Shower I was privileged to attend last week, there was one gift that stood out from the rest.

Two of our young adult (and might I add Fabulous) women had printed out a list of the 16 things their mother had prayed for her own children ... three children who are now grown and walking with the Lord, and are a testament to the training and instruction of godly and God-fearing parents.

Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 12:28

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. III John 1:4

When the mother-to-be read these out loud I was in awe of the depth and passion and purpose in this woman's heart as she thought of what she truly desired for the children the Lord would bless her with and then ... was faithful to pray through these over and over again as she raised the three children the Lord entrusted to her, raising them in righteousness and truth. I think I waited all of 34 minutes before requesting a copy of the prayer list from one of the daughters, and I have permission from the woman who penned this prayer to share it as a source of challenge and encouragement for all of us as we continue to walk this road of motherhood, knowing we cannot do it alone, and ~ knowing we need the Lord every.minute.of.every.day.

If we were to pray these wonderful truths and Biblical mandates for our children every day ... imagine what the Lord would do in the hearts of our children ... and in our own.  And, oh, how it would change the world!

1.  Their Salvation

2.  Their mate

3.  That they would fall in love with God's Word.

4.  That God would keep them from the evil one.

5.  That they would have a conscience void of offence before God and man.

6.  That their character would be more valuable to them than their credentials.

7.  That they would stand up for what is right even if it means standing alone.

8.  That they would be kept from the love of money.

9.  That they would be kept morally pure.

10. That they would have the heart of a servant.

11. That eternity would burn in their hearts.

12. That sin would always be distasteful to them and that they would be easily broken over sin.

13. That they would love each other.

14. That they would trust God with their parents and not allow rebellion to set in.

15. Regardless of the hardships, that they may never become bitter against God.

16. That our boys would be glad to be boys and our girls would be glad to be girls.

#39 See STOMP in concert!

I LOVE percussion.  And when I say I love it I mean - I could listen to it

all
day
long

and never grow weary of the rhythmic thumping.

If I had time, and some more time after that, I would learn to play the drums.  I never learned how to dance (I am a born and bred Baptist after all) but when there is the slightest hint of a beat my toes are tappin' and I am enjoying every second of it!  I keep hoping one of my sons will learn to play ... then I can live vicariously through him.  (and sneak in to beat on his drum set when he is sleeping)

Because of my love for percussion, I have always been intrigued with the group STOMP and hoped I would be able to see them live one day.  And then, during the summer Olympics, they were highlighted during the ceremonies so I hopped on the internet to see if they would be in our area anytime soon and lo and behold - they were coming to town right around my birthday!  And only a 20 minute drive to boot!

The tickets were purchased in 10 minutes.

And today was the day!!  Dennis and I grabbed a quick bite at Chick-Fil-A and then we were off to the show.
  

The set was exactly as you would imagine it to be ... kettles, oil cans, trash can lids, hubcaps ... anything that will make noise when tapped (or banged) with a stick.  They moved and beat and spun for 90 minutes straight and every minute was - exhilarating.  They did an entire set with only a matchbox, another with grocery bags, lunch sacks and an empty takeout cup, and yet another with only newspapers and their mouths.  Crazy!  And wonderful.  I was surprised to see them add some comic relief and character development to the concert and these elements made it all the more enjoyable.  It was very well done and cheered for by all ages.  We were surrounded with senior citizens, families, couples and lots of children.  Clean, appropriate, and dynamic.  A definite thumbs up!  If you find any joy in percussion (and very loud noise) - I highly recommend this show!

Thanks for my birthday date, D!  It was a blast and I am so glad I went with YOU!