Wow.
It's here.
It's really, truly, finally here!
One dress, one year. It's been wild. Tonight is the last night to donate before I disable the button, so get your money in soon if you're donating! At midnight, me and Nick along with our good friends, The Coles, will be burning the dress. Maggie Cole is going to film/photograph the event. I think I will save just one little piece of the dress to scrapbook. I will post it all for you to see tomorrow, but in the mean time, have a happy happy new year!
Let the festivities commence.
Making do with less, so that others can have more.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Thank You
My heart is filled with so much gratitude this morning. Yesterday I put up a post asking for readers to help us break the $2000 mark. People responded generously and now, we're even a little over that! Thank you so much to all of the people who have donated and followed this blog throughout the year. You don't know what your support has meant to me, and to so many others. I pray the Lord blesses all of you. Thank you so so much for helping us reach this goal!
7 Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock.9 --Matthew 7:7-9
12 Do for others what you want them to do for you: this is the meaning of the Law of Moses and of the teachings of the prophets. --Matthew 7:12
7 Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock.9 --Matthew 7:7-9
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Help me break $2000!
Hey, guys, guess what? We are a mere 100 smackers away from an even $2000. Get your give on and click the donate button in the side bar. I will be deactivating the donate button January 1, so time is running out. Do it for all the little cutie pies! Every bit is appreciated. :)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
A Charlie Brown Christmas Moment
Yikes!
Where does the time go? I cannot believe Christmas is this week! Now that I am almost finished with gifts and cards and scheduling and what not, I finally have time to be excited.
I remember as a child being so beyond pumped for christmas. Like, as a kid, you start gearing up for it right after Halloween. As the holiday approached, I can recall seeing the pinched faces of many adults each year, who had so lost themselves in the bustle that they had forgotten the real reason for the celebration.
This year, I am guilty of the same thing I said I could never possibly feel--stress over Christmas. Is this some awful rite of passage into adulthood? I admit, that for the first time in my life I have been running around like a crazy person, worrying about this and that, and losing Christ in the shuffle. (Yeah, Jesus, I know this is your birthday, but I've got stuff to do!) Now that I can slow down and reflect on the past couple of weeks, I feel that voice inside me saying, "What were you so worried about?"
None of the stuff I was doing in preparation for Christmas was worth my worry. It all gets done, it always does. And, I sacrificed several moments to feelings of anxiety, moments that could've been used joyfully contemplating all my blessings this past year, and the happy spirit of gift giving, which I am also happy to be blessed enough to do.
It is easier to say when you aren't caught up in the whirlwind of it all, but that's not going to be a reason for me to not try. From now on, I am going to try harder not to lose myself to those moments of chaos and to appreciate life for the unique and joyful blessing that it is.
Thank you, Father, for your Son.
P.S. Hear are some pics of me and my husband Nick at our church. We are supposed to be a '50's couple. Can you tell? I think the dress worked pretty well for this look, actually. Photos are compliments of Maggie Cole.
Where does the time go? I cannot believe Christmas is this week! Now that I am almost finished with gifts and cards and scheduling and what not, I finally have time to be excited.
I remember as a child being so beyond pumped for christmas. Like, as a kid, you start gearing up for it right after Halloween. As the holiday approached, I can recall seeing the pinched faces of many adults each year, who had so lost themselves in the bustle that they had forgotten the real reason for the celebration.
This year, I am guilty of the same thing I said I could never possibly feel--stress over Christmas. Is this some awful rite of passage into adulthood? I admit, that for the first time in my life I have been running around like a crazy person, worrying about this and that, and losing Christ in the shuffle. (Yeah, Jesus, I know this is your birthday, but I've got stuff to do!) Now that I can slow down and reflect on the past couple of weeks, I feel that voice inside me saying, "What were you so worried about?"
None of the stuff I was doing in preparation for Christmas was worth my worry. It all gets done, it always does. And, I sacrificed several moments to feelings of anxiety, moments that could've been used joyfully contemplating all my blessings this past year, and the happy spirit of gift giving, which I am also happy to be blessed enough to do.
It is easier to say when you aren't caught up in the whirlwind of it all, but that's not going to be a reason for me to not try. From now on, I am going to try harder not to lose myself to those moments of chaos and to appreciate life for the unique and joyful blessing that it is.
Thank you, Father, for your Son.
P.S. Hear are some pics of me and my husband Nick at our church. We are supposed to be a '50's couple. Can you tell? I think the dress worked pretty well for this look, actually. Photos are compliments of Maggie Cole.
Friday, December 16, 2011
A Little History
Have you ever wondered how the little black dress became such a huge fashion must have? Well, wonder no more! I have found a very interesting article on Real Simple Magazine's website about the history behind one of the world's biggest and most enduring trends. I am reposting it here, so enjoy!
A Short History of the Little Black Dress
Its silhouette has changed over the years, but the LBD remains supremely chic.
The Birth of the LBD
Perhaps more than any other piece of clothing, the little black dress is, women have been told, the essential, the one that will take you practically anywhere. And perhaps more than any other designer, Coco Chanel was the one who made it ubiquitous. She did not invent the concept, of course, but according to Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life (by Justine Picardine, $40, amazon.com), “the little black dress was not formally identified as the shape of the future until 1926, when American Vogue published a drawing of a Chanel design.… It was an apparently simple yet elegant sheath, in black crêpe de Chine, with long, narrow sleeves, worn with a string of white pearls; and Vogue proved to be correct in the prediction that it would become a uniform.…” Contrast that description with these more elaborate dresses from 1925.
1927
Note the narrowed silhouette and shorter hemline of this layered creation with a semi-sheer top.
1928
Actress Joan Bennett in a more stereotypical flapper ensemble, a tiered Charleston-style dress and cloche hat.
1928
An evening dress from that same year: handkerchief-hemmed, sleek, and modern.
1930
Renowned entertainer Josephine Baker wears a shorter skirt adorned with peacock feathers.
1935
The ’30s would bring a return to softer, feminine cuts. Full, flowing hems once again fell below the calf. That asymmetrical neckline still looks modern.
1936
This glamorous look may have been influenced by Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli, who loved embellishment as much as she did strong shoulders.
1939
A meticulously tailored LBD as worn by the Duchess of Windsor, as famous for her sense of style as she was infamous for her love life.
1943
Minimalism and practicality prevailed during the war years; silhouettes became simple, boxy, and functional, with a military feel to their squared shoulders.
1948
Postwar, the fashion world took a new turn with Christian Dior’s legendary New Look: wasp waist, lavishly full skirt, as with this knocked-off version.
1949
Two years after he introduced the New Look, Dior narrowed his skirts—like his velvet-and-satin cocktail dress here—hinting at the lean sheaths to come.
1951
The sleek sheath—this one by Dior again—would be one of the shapes that dominated the ’50s.
1951
A plunging neckline and a pencil-slim skirt combine for a dramatic cocktail dress.
1955
A graceful mid-decade dress harks back to the look that revolutionized fashion almost a decade before.
1956
Marilyn Monroe—hand in hand with new husband Arthur Miller—in a wool-crepe Galanos cocktail dress with a bare chiffon midriff.
1957
A gorgeous pouf of a dress from Paris.
1959
Mademoiselle Chanel, the celebrated couturier herself, puts the finishing touches on a late-’50s design.
1961
Audrey Hepburn in what might be filmdom’s most famous LBD, designed by Hubert de Givenchy for Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
1962
Chanel’s influence is seen in the multiple ropes of pearls piled atop a little black dress (the bouffant perhaps inspired by then–first lady Jacqueline Kennedy).
1965
Though the photograph is from the mid-’60s, Sophia Loren would be just as stylish wearing this outfit today: leopard-print hat, accessorizing brooch, timeless black dress.
1965
The 1960s also ushered in the era of the mini, like this beaded chiffon number. Eventually hems soared so high they had no place to go but down.
1970
Liza Minnelli attends the Academy Awards with her father wearing a simple, sexy wrap style that presages the slinky disco dresses in the offing.
1970
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis chooses a more elaborate black dress for dinner at the fashionable La Côte Basque. Mrs. Onassis would be seen in the dress on a number of occasions; she didn’t believe in retiring an outfit after being photographed in it once.
1977
Blondie’s Deborah Harry puts some rock spin on the little black dress—extra emphasis on the little.
1985
A bit of 1980s excess at the House of Chanel, under the direction of Karl Lagerfeld, who is widely credited with reinvigorating it.
1988
Almost 30 years after the release ofBreakfast at Tiffany’s, Iman elegantly updates the look with a sleek gown and an equally sleek up-do.
1994
Naomi Campbell on the catwalk for Chanel, modeling Lagerfeld’s brief take on the LBD. Mademoiselle herself resisted raising hemlines; in fact, she seemed to disapprove of miniskirts.
1994
Lagerfeld wasn’t the only one pushing limits. Here, Elizabeth Hurley wears—sort of—Gianni Versace’s notorious version of the fashion standard.
1994
Princess Diana raised eyebrows with this stunning LBD—her so-called revenge dress—but not for the first time. The low-cut black gown she’d worn in her public debut as Prince Charles’ fiancée verged on the scandalous for its serious décolletage.
1998
With her chic sensibility, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy epitomizes spare elegance.
1999
Calista Flockhart’s dress is a step back to another time, recalling the luxurious skirts and lowered hems of the New Look.
2002
At the other end of the LBD spectrum, Kate Moss’s minimalistic interpretation is nothing if not edgy.
2008
Madonna is almost demure in latter-day Christian Dior.
2009
Michelle Obama wears a lovely, ladylike Azzedine Alaia dress with a modernized ’50s silhouette.
2009
Penelope Cruz shows everything old is new again: a gorgeously simple sheath with a below-the-knee hem.
2010
One of the most talked about dresses of the year, Heidi Klum’s very little black dress.
Well, there you have it, folks! A little pictorial timeline of LBD fashion. :) All the credit and citations for the photographs are on the Real Simple website with the article. Thanks for reading! Stay stylish. ;)
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
An Answered Prayer!
Guess what? We have a new contact!!!! I am so excited! Our new contact has written a little introduction for the blog about herself and how she became involved with the orphanages. Enjoy!
I visited my first orphanage in 2002. I was 17. From that moment I knew I would give anything and do anything to better the lives of those less fortunate than me. Especially the orphans. As a believer I am called to "help the widows and orphans" (James 1:27.) According to James this is accepted by our Father as pure and faultless, undefiled religion. Since my first experience in a Ukrainian orphanage I have taken every opportunity to live this out. It is not important what or how I did, but that God has given me His heart for the children of the world and has prepared me for the place He has me in now. A place where I have weekly opportunities to care for orphans.
For the past year I have been longing for the chance to get over to this country and love on these children.I would read these articles about the children I was praying for and longing to care for and my heart just broke every time. It broke even more the day I actually walked into the orphanage.
I was seriously impressed with the facilities that are in my city here. This baby house did not smell horribly, the children were not screaming, and the workers were actually smiling. Most importantly the children were much cleaner and healthier looking than children I had cared for in other orphanages. I know much of this has to do with those who have gone before me, who have prayed, who have given money for clothes, food, toys and medication, and have given time out of their day to visit and love on the children. It has made a world of difference to these children and the workers. There is so much more that can improve and I look forward to being a part of helping meet the needs of these children and the workers who daily care for them.
The first day I visited the baby house we went outside and played with the children in the court yard. There were three of us volunteers and thirteen toddlers, and only one worker stayed outside. I did not once feel overwhelmed! I felt so blessed to have the chance to love on these children. They are so precious. So beautiful. For a moment, as I sat on a rusty bench building a tower with sticky, dirty blocks and a precious two year old princess, I felt like I was just caring for kids at a day care or mother's day out...for a moment...then their hard reality hit me. These children were where they LIVE, but they were not HOME. They lived day in and day out with each other. They were not waiting for their mom or dad to come pick them up after a long day of work or a short break to run errands. These children were abandoned by their parents, for many reasons, most of which we can't understand. I can't imagine giving up my little girl because of her gender, or my son because he was born with a physical deformity. I can't think of any reason I would give up my child, but these children were given up for many reasons. I wondered for what reasons these children were given up and how many of them were there because their parents were dead. These thoughts were flooding through my mind as I built this dirty, sticky tower with this precious princess and I just grabbed her up and hugged her tight. She relaxed in my arms and giggled. It was so precious and I enjoyed the rest of my time flying toddlers around the court yard, swinging them around, and holding them close. They called me momma and I called them cutie, precious, princess, handsome and a number of other endearing terms they did not understand. But they understood they were loved by me and they were delighted!
I want, more than anything, for everyone of these precious children to know how much they are loved by their creator. How He will NEVER leave them or forsake them. I pray one day they will all understand and I ask that you will pray for this too.
Pray also that more women will be able to volunteer. There are many orphanages in our region and we would love nothing more than to be able to go into everyone of them at least once a week. We are seeing opportunities open up to volunteer more often but we need more volunteers for the directors to make these opportunities available to us. When we volunteer, we not only love on these children, which would be enough for them and us, but we help feed them, give clothes to clothe them, give medication for colds, teach the babies how to walk and the toddlers how to feed themselves, we even have the chance to teach them English! There are many chances to help them improve the living conditions of the children, the moral of the workers and the children's chances of living a full life. The things we can do are numerous, but it will take time, volunteers, and money.
As you pray for the children and the workers at the baby house, pray for those families trying to adopt them. International adoption is still a long process with no guarantees, but there are many trying. Pray for the citizens of this country to be more open to the idea of adopting children. It is a much more accepted thing in America, but we have our misconceptions and hang-ups about it too. Imagine those amplified and you can imagine what it is like here. If they are unable to have their own children they might consider adopting, but then they must have a lot of money and they are not interested in toddlers, they want newborns only. That leaves many children with no hope of ever being adopted and in turn a seemingly hopeless future. I pray to be able to help in every way I can to help change both their hope of adoption and their hope for a future. In the meantime I'm going to keep picking them up, holding them close and soaking in their precious giggles. They're changing my life!
Monday, November 14, 2011
A Jumble of Feelings.
My dear readers,
Words cannot express how I have been feeling about this project lately. I'm hopeful, discouraged, nervous , and eager all rolled up into one big lump, which is currently residing in the pit of my stomach. I haven't had any orphanage updates in a while, and prospective contacts keep falling through. It is not anybody's fault of course, it's just the way the hands were dealt. Recently, there was an earthquake near the area of our orphanages' country (I dare not disclose the exact locale, for the safety of those still volunteering there, and for the safety of any future contact) and it was both scary and bizarre. It felt strange to have so much anxiety over a foreign calamity, somewhere I've never even been. My heart goes out to all people experiencing tragedy, but you understand how this feels more personal, more real to me. It was scary too, to not know anything about it for a while. I felt like my eyes and ears had been removed. In a sense, they had been, I guess. Luckily, the earthquake didn't hit the area of the country where the orphanages reside. Praise God! I felt relieved to know that our kiddos were safe, and heartbroken as I wondered how many new orphans that earthquake created.
My excitement does build, however, in anticipation of the holiday season. The time of year where people give thanks and show good will towards men and sing about the hope of peace on earth. As the holidays turn people's thoughts to giving, I am praying God will ask some to give to this cause. At the same time, it means that my year is almost up. Part of me feels like we're running out of time. I would be lying if I said I'm not also eager for it to end. On New Year's Day, when I can finally take this dress off for the last time, I will definitely be singing, "Hallelujah!" If my dress had feelings, I think it would feel the same way, judging by appearances.
I don't know where I will go from there. Things won't (in fact, they can't) be for me the way they were, and they can't stay as they are now. It may seem like a small thing, even irrelevant to some. But the experience has changed me, and as the end of the year draws closer, it has got me asking some questions.
pick a mood, any mood!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
--Philippians 4:6
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
--2 Corinthians 9:7
Words cannot express how I have been feeling about this project lately. I'm hopeful, discouraged, nervous , and eager all rolled up into one big lump, which is currently residing in the pit of my stomach. I haven't had any orphanage updates in a while, and prospective contacts keep falling through. It is not anybody's fault of course, it's just the way the hands were dealt. Recently, there was an earthquake near the area of our orphanages' country (I dare not disclose the exact locale, for the safety of those still volunteering there, and for the safety of any future contact) and it was both scary and bizarre. It felt strange to have so much anxiety over a foreign calamity, somewhere I've never even been. My heart goes out to all people experiencing tragedy, but you understand how this feels more personal, more real to me. It was scary too, to not know anything about it for a while. I felt like my eyes and ears had been removed. In a sense, they had been, I guess. Luckily, the earthquake didn't hit the area of the country where the orphanages reside. Praise God! I felt relieved to know that our kiddos were safe, and heartbroken as I wondered how many new orphans that earthquake created.
My excitement does build, however, in anticipation of the holiday season. The time of year where people give thanks and show good will towards men and sing about the hope of peace on earth. As the holidays turn people's thoughts to giving, I am praying God will ask some to give to this cause. At the same time, it means that my year is almost up. Part of me feels like we're running out of time. I would be lying if I said I'm not also eager for it to end. On New Year's Day, when I can finally take this dress off for the last time, I will definitely be singing, "Hallelujah!" If my dress had feelings, I think it would feel the same way, judging by appearances.
I don't know where I will go from there. Things won't (in fact, they can't) be for me the way they were, and they can't stay as they are now. It may seem like a small thing, even irrelevant to some. But the experience has changed me, and as the end of the year draws closer, it has got me asking some questions.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
--Philippians 4:6
"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
--2 Corinthians 9:7
Friday, November 4, 2011
Requests?
Good day everybody! I don't have anything specific that I would like to talk about today. Rather, I have a question for anyone who reads this. I just want to know, what do you need prayer for/about in your life? I want to pray for you. If you have a need or are troubled, I would like to take it to the Father and talk with Him about it. If you would like me to pray for you, you can email me at lindseytabor127@gmail.com or just shoot me a private message on Facebook. Whichever you prefer. :)
"Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ." --Galatians 6:2
<3
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Nephews
You know, the older I get, the more I appreciate how much little children have to teach us. I have no children of my own but I am the proud aunt of five precious nephews. Nothing thus far in life has brought Jesus' teaching about becoming like children closer to my heart and clearer to my mind than spending time with these boys. I could write a novel full of cute anecdotes but don't worry, I won't. I just want to introduce you to a few of the people I hold closest to my heart and some of the things they have shown me.
I'll start with this guy. His name is Easton and he is my older sister's first born and my first nephew by blood! This boy, no matter what he does, does it with his whole heart. His exuberance is especially apparent in his dancing. He LOVES music. When a catchy tune comes on, he starts moving his little body like he's not sure what's come over him but he can't stop. When he laughs, it is so perfectly joyous that you can't help laughing yourself. He doesn't worry about anything. He trusts fully that Mom and Dad will take care of him and this allows him to live fully in the moment. After all, you can only be in one moment at a time. Why not enjoy the place you're at now?
This is Jackson, the first child of my husband's brother Jason and his wife, Sarah. Jack is their little miracle baby. He was born a couple months premature and had to stay in the hospital for weeks. Even when he got to go home the little guy had to be hooked up to a heart monitor for a while. It was a real trial for Sarah especially, because Jason was (and still is) deployed in the Middle East. I cannot imagine what Jason went through either, being so far away from where his heart was at, living in an environment that demanded his whole focus. But Jack pulled through like a champ! He is now so huge and chubby no one would ever know he was a pre-me unless they were told. He is beautiful and whole and the most perfectly contented baby I have ever known. Seriously. He smiles all the time and only fusses when he needs something. Jackson is a reminder to me that we truly can be content no matter where we are in life, and that miracles still do happen every day.
The next three kiddos all belong to Aaron and Courtney, Nick's brother and his wife.
(Sorry for the bad quality of this one, but it's just so cute!) From left to right this is Elijah (5) Jonah (3) and Judah (1). This is truly an amazing brood of boys. They are all so unique and have their own personalities. Elijah is only five but already he is in love with the Lord. I think his prayer life is better than mine, and probably a lot of other adults too! And I'm not talking about just bed time prayers and meal prayers kids say with mom and dad. I mean, he prays on his own. And my favorite part is the way he talks about it. He'll say, "I been talkin' to God and Jesus..." and then he will tell you the things he learned in prayer. For sure, he has excellent christian parents as examples but I tell you that he is not pretending or merely parroting things he has heard in church. The kid says some deep stuff, but so matter of fact. He has real faith that God is listening to his prayers AND responding.
Jonah is the funniest little oddball around. He is so off the wall you're never quite sure what to expect from him. But the thing I admire most about him is his complete and total honesty. Jonah will always tell you the truth. Even if he did something wrong and you weren't there to see it, if you confront him about it he will tell you the truth! He will tell you the truth even if he feels ashamed of what the truth is. Recently, the boys went to the dentist and Elijah, as brothers often do, teased Jonah a little that Jonah had cried when they had to take x-rays of his teeth. When asked if it hurt or if he was just scared he hung his head in shame and said "I was 'cared". How heart breakingly sweet is that? He didn't lie to save face, even if it meant more ridicule. But we all reassured him of how brave and good he was. After all, the dentist IS scary. A boy with neither tact nor guile, he is as innocent as a dove.
And last but not least, is Judah. This chunk watches with obvious eagerness as his older brothers run around and play and he is just dying to get the hang of his legs so he can chase after them! He gets so excited when they're around and already he tries to play with them and copy what they do. Judah is an animated and poignant reminder to me that we should be so eager to learn how to walk with Jesus, and also, that little eyes are watching the way we walk too. I pray I have always been a good example to all of my nephews. I think of Jesus' dark warning that anyone who causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for him if he had tied a millstone around his neck and cast it into the sea. God places a great deal of importance on children, and as the beaming aunt of these boys, I know why, better now than ever before. :)
-Lindsey
I'll start with this guy. His name is Easton and he is my older sister's first born and my first nephew by blood! This boy, no matter what he does, does it with his whole heart. His exuberance is especially apparent in his dancing. He LOVES music. When a catchy tune comes on, he starts moving his little body like he's not sure what's come over him but he can't stop. When he laughs, it is so perfectly joyous that you can't help laughing yourself. He doesn't worry about anything. He trusts fully that Mom and Dad will take care of him and this allows him to live fully in the moment. After all, you can only be in one moment at a time. Why not enjoy the place you're at now?
This is Jackson, the first child of my husband's brother Jason and his wife, Sarah. Jack is their little miracle baby. He was born a couple months premature and had to stay in the hospital for weeks. Even when he got to go home the little guy had to be hooked up to a heart monitor for a while. It was a real trial for Sarah especially, because Jason was (and still is) deployed in the Middle East. I cannot imagine what Jason went through either, being so far away from where his heart was at, living in an environment that demanded his whole focus. But Jack pulled through like a champ! He is now so huge and chubby no one would ever know he was a pre-me unless they were told. He is beautiful and whole and the most perfectly contented baby I have ever known. Seriously. He smiles all the time and only fusses when he needs something. Jackson is a reminder to me that we truly can be content no matter where we are in life, and that miracles still do happen every day.
The next three kiddos all belong to Aaron and Courtney, Nick's brother and his wife.
(Sorry for the bad quality of this one, but it's just so cute!) From left to right this is Elijah (5) Jonah (3) and Judah (1). This is truly an amazing brood of boys. They are all so unique and have their own personalities. Elijah is only five but already he is in love with the Lord. I think his prayer life is better than mine, and probably a lot of other adults too! And I'm not talking about just bed time prayers and meal prayers kids say with mom and dad. I mean, he prays on his own. And my favorite part is the way he talks about it. He'll say, "I been talkin' to God and Jesus..." and then he will tell you the things he learned in prayer. For sure, he has excellent christian parents as examples but I tell you that he is not pretending or merely parroting things he has heard in church. The kid says some deep stuff, but so matter of fact. He has real faith that God is listening to his prayers AND responding.
Jonah is the funniest little oddball around. He is so off the wall you're never quite sure what to expect from him. But the thing I admire most about him is his complete and total honesty. Jonah will always tell you the truth. Even if he did something wrong and you weren't there to see it, if you confront him about it he will tell you the truth! He will tell you the truth even if he feels ashamed of what the truth is. Recently, the boys went to the dentist and Elijah, as brothers often do, teased Jonah a little that Jonah had cried when they had to take x-rays of his teeth. When asked if it hurt or if he was just scared he hung his head in shame and said "I was 'cared". How heart breakingly sweet is that? He didn't lie to save face, even if it meant more ridicule. But we all reassured him of how brave and good he was. After all, the dentist IS scary. A boy with neither tact nor guile, he is as innocent as a dove.
And last but not least, is Judah. This chunk watches with obvious eagerness as his older brothers run around and play and he is just dying to get the hang of his legs so he can chase after them! He gets so excited when they're around and already he tries to play with them and copy what they do. Judah is an animated and poignant reminder to me that we should be so eager to learn how to walk with Jesus, and also, that little eyes are watching the way we walk too. I pray I have always been a good example to all of my nephews. I think of Jesus' dark warning that anyone who causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for him if he had tied a millstone around his neck and cast it into the sea. God places a great deal of importance on children, and as the beaming aunt of these boys, I know why, better now than ever before. :)
-Lindsey
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Playing favorites
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Blessed?
So, it has been a while since my last post, and I apologize. The search for a new contact is still on. I ask readers to keep it in their prayers.
But I wanted to write a little something about what has been on my heart lately, which is a part of Jesus' sermon on the mount. We refer to it as the Beatitudes. You can find it in Matthew 5:1-12.
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
But I wanted to write a little something about what has been on my heart lately, which is a part of Jesus' sermon on the mount. We refer to it as the Beatitudes. You can find it in Matthew 5:1-12.
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The reason this has been on my mind lately, is because I feel that this is often an incredibly misunderstood passage. I've heard people say before that they can't be christians because they cannot be meek or poor in spirit etc. You know, they just aren't those things. And I think that that's a good thing sometimes. for example, nobody wants a meek soldier defending their country. And that is not what Jesus is trying to say.
There isn't some intrinsic spiritual merit in being miserable, that somehow makes you worthy to receive God's blessings. People who don't understand what Jesus is offering often try to put that spin on it. They think Jesus is teaching, "Become like this and you will be blessed." I think we'd all agree that we know some individuals who fit one of the 'blesseds' and are anything but. And likewise we all probably know someone who is of the opposite side whose life is incredibly blessed. When you take the Beatitudes out of context, it does kinda sound like Jesus is telling people to become wretched. But it's important to remember that the Beatitudes are only the beginning of an entire 'sermon' or lecture. In fact, all that Jesus taught us about always ties back in with his central theme--the kingdom of God.
Now, some will say the kingdom of God is where christians will go when we die. And once we stroll through those pearly gates the Lord is going to reward us for all of the hardships we endured in His name. In other words, you'll be blessed when you die. Awesome...but what about now?
The Kingdom of God is not merely a heavenly place we will live in at some unclear point in the future. The Kingdom of God is right here, right now.
The very word 'kingdom' implies that there is Someone reigning in our lives. Jesus spoke in parables, many of which began, "The kingdom of God is like..." Why would God be illustrating how to live in His kingdom if we weren't going to be living in it? Do you think the disciples and the believers heard these things and said, "Oh, thanks Jesus. This is good to know for when I die." No!
They knew that the coming of the Messiah meant the beginning of God's reign on earth. Only, they took it to be in every physical sense of the word. They thought Jesus was going to dethrone all the earthly kings and immediately bring in the new Jerusalem.
Jesus came to earth to dethrone a much more powerful ruler--Satan. If you don't believe that Satan had some kind of dominion over the earth, read the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. When Satan offered to give Jesus the entire world, if he would only bow down to him, Jesus didn't laugh and say, "Well, actually, it's already mine...duh." He has his rebuttal ready, and he says, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Matthew 4:10.
Notice how Satan shows Jesus all of the kingdoms of the earth and their splendor. It does not seem probable that the earth itself is the thing being offered up. Jesus didn't come here to save the mountains and the trees, or even to defend the political borders of His people. In fact, we are told in Revelation 21:1 That there will be a new heaven and a new earth because the old heaven and earth will have passed away. Was Jesus tempted by a fallen creation he knew would be destroyed in the end? No. He was tempted by the only things that will endure, which is us. Our hearts. Our souls.
So, it follows that every day, in every heart, someone is reigning. Your heart is either occupied by the powers of darkness, or by Jesus Christ. If you haven't received Jesus as Lord and you are thinking, 'I'm a good person. I'm not ruled by the powers of darkness,' know this; every person has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and a holy God cannot accept any sin, no matter how small. Because any sin is a little piece of hell, and an infiltration of the enemy.
Also, I feel the need to point out that we should be careful not to make the same mistake the disciples made, only in reverse. The Kingdom of God is not some vague ethereal sense of Him that exists in our minds and nowhere else. Those living in the eternal kingdom of God now are like salt to the world around them. It will manifest its goodness outside of a person's soul. Which brings us back to the Beatitudes. The meek, the merciful, the pure of heart, all of the people that this world spits on, can have a beautiful, refreshing life in Jesus Christ. All of the people and religious leaders of Jesus' time would have assumed that it were always the rich and the powerful whom God favored. But Christ flips our world on its axis when he proclaims, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (emphasis mine). If you are wretched and don't have the Holy Spirit, then you are just wretched. If you are rich but you don't have the Holy Spirit, then you are only rich in this life, and all that you have worked to acquire cannot go with you when you die.
Jesus is trying to get people to think outside of the box, to stop looking only at the way people look, so that they can see how they actually are. He is also painting a picture of his eternal, far reaching, unconditional love for all people. He loves the homeless drunk on the street as much as he loves Bill Gates. He loves Jeffery Dahmer as much as he loves Mother Theresa. He loves us all. There is a part of us that recoils at this, because we cannot believe that some people are worthy of God's love. And it's true. They aren't. And neither are we. Praise God that His love is not as conditional and dependent upon circumstances as our love is. And that is the kind of love that is signature of the kingdom of God. You might even call it otherworldly. People who have Jesus are blessed because they have already received the greatest gift that God can give them. Nothing else He could give you would matter much if in the end He didn't offer to save you from hell. Empowered with the love of Christ, we can live like Jesus lived, and love like He loved. The Beatitudes aren't merely some pretty sentiment that have no bearing on the way life 'really is'.
It is true that deeds will be rewarded or punished accordingly on the Judgement day. All accounts will be settled because though God is merciful, he is also just. But that is not why we live for Him. We are not like dogs doing tricks because we know we will get a treat if we do them. We do it because it is an outpouring of He who is in us. Because we love him back. Because we are so grateful and we want as many other people to know the kind of freedom that we know. And that, people, is what the Beatitudes are actually about. No matter how wretched, wicked, or far gone you think you are, God is still stretching out His hand for you. He came back for you. If you were the only person in the whole world who had sinned, God still would've sacrificed Himself for you. Do not underestimate your importance to God. The most fulfilling life awaits all who accept Jesus' offer...now.
If the topic of kingdom living has sparked your interest, I would suggest reading "The Divine Conspiracy". It explains deep, philosophical christian topics in a way that is accessible. Thanks for reading,
-Lindsey
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