The Community Front Porch

If you're a Southern Hills member, then you know all about our new vision statement. It is pretty exciting - our staff seems VERY excited. I'm not making fun of anyone and I'm happy to be part of a church that cares about moving forward.

I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. Philippians 3:14

There's something to be said for having a goal. That being said - Donnie hit on the one thing that's been on my mind, yesterday, in our class. Our kids.

Kenny went to a birthday party on Saturday of one of his classmates - Jesus. Jesus (pronounced Hey-zeus) lives just around the corner from us and Kenny told me he was one of his good friends. So, off I went to get the Target gift card, and he and I walked to the party. Yep, it was different. There wasn't a cake or presents to open but there was a bounce house. I left him there worried about supervision. Kenny reported that he was glad he had gone to the party and had fun.

This is the heart of the missional church. Being in the community, being friends with our neighbors, being part of THEIR lives not waiting for them to walk in the big, beautiful building we've built. (Feel free to correct me if you know more than me - I know lots of you do.) For me, the grown-up, mature Christian, I can be Christ to the unchurched and still have a strong walk with Christ. But what about my children? They are babies in Christ, in maturity, in their emotions. I don't want to see them hurt or corrupted (Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." I Cor. 15:33.) I know that we all want to protect our children and I know that we want them to be God's people.

So, what do we do? How much is too much for our kids and how much isn't enough? How do I teach that unchurched isn't horrible just unchurched (maybe even seeking.) What happens when they get dirty?

I Have A Strong, A Perfect Plea

Before The Throne Of God

Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me
When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within Upward I look and see Him there, Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died my sinful soul is counted free For God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me
Before the throne of God, I come Before the throne of God, I come

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb my perfect spotless righteousness The great unchangeable I Am, the King of glory and of grace
My name is graven on His hands My name is written on His heart I know that while in Heaven, He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart
One with Himself I cannot die My soul is purchased with His blood My life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ my Savior and my God With Christ my Savior and my God

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This is one of my favorite songs that we sing. I love the theology taught and the beauty of the imagery. It touches me every time. One friend said she liked to sing songs "that made me do this" and she raised her hand. I like songs that can transport me the throne room of God - take me to the place where Isaiah stood.

Listen if you like My Rhapsody Playlist

It's In The Bag

Which is worse?
a) Going to the grocery store?
b) Paying at the grocery store?
c) Taking the groceries into the house?

Hard to decide?

Wednesday Ramblings

I know, I know - I'm posting! These are things that have been on my mind lately....

I'm in awe of anyone who understands how a computer works. Lately someone said "It's the server," when I mentioned a problem. What's a server? Of course, I don't understand TVs or electricity either.

When you tell me that your child wouldn't let you do something when they were an infant, I think you weren't in control of your infant.

Cooking for Manna & More is fun but alot of work and worry. The ladies (and sometimes gentlemen) make fun. Being able to tell somebody else what I cooked is fun, too.

I saw a show with a Playboy bunny and her mom. I can't imagine teaching your daughter that that lifestyle is okay. It occurred to me that it would be easier to teach that lifestyle than a Godly one. Any time Abbie wanted to wear a bikini, it would be okay. Any belly baring (in style) shirt Abbie wanted, is okay. All the glitter and flash that she loves would be okay. Bigger and bleachier is okay.

Halloween is fun but how many costumes can one child choose?!? Yes, I've outlawed witches, vampires, Grim Reapers, and monsters at my house. Abbie would love a glittery, flashy witch costume but I tell her no. She going to be Sandy with a poodle skirt, she says. You are supposed to understand that she's not Sandy at the end of the movie.

Spencer's (I will not provide a link!) is disgusting! I was looking for a beard for Kenny and I was sooooo happy Abbie couldn't read.

I really missed sewing. I made myself a poodle skirt and it was great fun! The fabric and thread feel good again.


I'm sure there's more but that's all for now.......

Hey, Hey, Hey Goodbye

Now, on to the Homecoming Football game! this is Abbie in the 3rd quarter - she fell asleep. All that back patting at YCW came in handy!
I'm not sure about this smile. I've said before that Kenny is fascinated by all things Asian - maybe this is an attempt to get some Chinese food. I've given up on trying to match his clothing. It's a free-for-all!

Here's Abbie with Joel. Joel came to visit for Homecoming and Doc Dubose's retirement celebration. Joel was Jim's roommate in college and the Best Man at our wedding. Kenny's middle name is Joel in his honor (and the minor prophet in the Bible!)



Other Interesting Stuff From the Game -

• It's the most integrated function in Abilene. There were more black faces there than any other place I go in town. I hope that doesn't sound racist - it was interesting.
• It was packed but I didn't see a sea of purple. Any game on TV has a sea of color - not this one.
• Where were the shakers??!! Again, most college games (well, SEC) have TONS of shakers! Not so here there were just a few. Also, for future reference, shakers go back and forth, back and forth, not side to side.
• The Big Purple (band) did a spy theme ( Kenny named it) and my kids loved it. The funniest thing was the flags. On the Mission Impossible theme, the flag girls struck poses like with guns. They all ended up on the ground (except the girl in the middle - what was her story?) The funny thing is they have a guy who spins (twirl is inappropriate) a flag and he stood with his arms crossed the entire time. He looked happy when everybody else went to the ground so he could, too.
• Overheard spoken by loud girl: "He's like 80. Really old. I'm thinking 29."
• Also overheard spoken by loud girl: "My neighbor is a real cowboy. You know, with a handlebar mustache and everything. But he looks really old from riding horses and everything." She was sitting next to Joel - big mustache and Wranglers.
• ACU won. All the people around us kept talking about when they were in school and ACU never won and they never went to the games. GO CATS!

The End

I had to include this shot because I like the way the mascot (you can click on any image to see it bigger) is telling us to "GO HOME." I didn't mention that my kids got tons of candy - there were several parade participants giving it away. The cheerleaders - nada.

I'm glad someone understood the nuances surrounding the floats. Sarah put the explanations in the comments section of the previous post. Be sure to read it - you will gain invaluable insights.
Note to self: Stand by the Stirmans at next year's parade.

Be sure to come back later for the "rest of the story."

Homecoming Saturday

Yall know I LOVE parades! The ACU Homecoming parade is no exception. The students do lots of funny stuff - especially the girl's clubs. ( Clubs facinate me. There's so much there to explore.)
These girls all had on pajamas. The one on the float had on Superman pjs. I just thought they were funny!
These were my favorite. They were Dr. Suess girls - a pack of Little CindyLou Whos! Loved them! I thought they had a spiritual meaning (Oh! The Places We'll Go!) but now I'm not sure.

This is Troy driving some cool car. One of the cars in front of him had driven a circle in the intersection - we wanted Troy to do it to! He couldn't hear us telling him to.

These folks are from the Christian Village (Where ACU Retires) and I just wonder who did up their stuff for them. There were two older gentlemen carrying their sign - walking!- in front of them. Several older ladies were handing out ACU paw prints to put on your car antenna - we got three!
I didn't know what this was about but I liked all the purple. The Dr. Pepper sign was turning, too. Impressive.

This is the winning float. I didn't understand it either but, hey, I'm not an alumni.

Torn Between Two Lovers

I've been sick so I'm asking that you talk among yourselves.
Who should Lorilei end up with: Luke or Christopher? Who will she end up with?

While we're on love triangles - what about Kate? Should it be Jack or Sawyer?

Discuss.

Free Indeed

I love my church! This picture was taken 2 weeks ago at our church picnic. That's Abbie and I going down the big inflatable slide. If you're still worshiping where folks make a list and check it twice, get out while you can! Christ saved us for freedom - not checklists!

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Goodnight Ladies

Back when I had my 2nd child, I was determined to have a co-sleeper. Number 1 had slept between Jim and I for 5 months and I really didn't want to roll over on this one. I thought I would sleep better if #2 wasn't in bed with us. So we got a co-sleeper and it was cool! I could nurse her and roll, put her in her own space and not worry about smothering her! I was very happy for a (short) while.

Kenny was quiet in bed with us and moved very little. Abbie, on the other hand, made all kinds of noises! It took very little of these noises to wake me up. I believe that if the Mommy is sleeping - the baby can be anywhere. In Mommy's bed, in baby's crib, on Daddy's chest - whatever works for your family. Well, I wasn't sleeping!

It wasn't long until the sweet baby went in her own crib (across the house) and her monitor had to be turned down L-O-W. When we moved here, Abbie was 16 months and I had to put her monitor outside her door or the noise would keep me awake.

Conclusion: Abbie is a noisy sleeper.

Now come to today - Abbie is 4 and sleeps in her bed with her door closed. She is afraid of the dark and has her closet light on and the door open. It works for our family for now. But lately ( you knew this was coming) she has been coming in our room at night. She has a pallet on the floor and she can just lie down if she likes. She talks. It wakes me up. Last night, after throwing up 3 or 4 times, Jim put her on her pallet. It was fine. She went right to sleep with her dishpan (that thing they give you in the hospital along with the cheap water pitcher) by her side. About 4:30 she screamed/yelled in her sleep, I sat straight up and yelled, too. It didn't wake her up but Jim rolled over. I'm trying to accept this as a small thing.

Conclusion: Abbie isn't ready for any sleep-overs.

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Do people say "pallet" anymore? Do you say "pallet?" Did your grandma?

Baby Got Back

There's a new "Activity Fee" at Young Children's World - it pays for Stretch and Grow. It's some kind of exercise, healthy eating, naming muscle thing that I think Sarah would be interested in.

Abbie came home on Thursday telling us she was sitting on her "Booty Maximus." Not just yet, sweetheart.

Alien song

It's an oldie but a goodie! We need a little disco on a Friday!

Friday Fun Zone

I'm posting two funnys I've been sent lately. Both of these crack me up! Enjoy a smile or a grin today!


The Alabama preacher said to his congregation, "Someone in this
congregation has spread a rumor that I belong to the Ku Klux Klan. This is a horrible lie and one which a Christian community cannot tolerate. I am embarrassed and do not intend to accept this.Now, I want the party who did this to stand and ask forgiveness from God
and this Christian family." No one moved. The preacher continued, "Do you have the nerve to face me and admit this is a falsehood? Remember, you will be forgiven and in your heart you will feel glory. Now stand and confess your transgression." Again all was quiet. Then slowly, a drop-dead gorgeous blonde with a body that would stop traffic rose from the third pew. Her head was bowed and her voice quivered as she spoke, "Reverend there
has been a terrible misunderstanding. I never said you were a member of
the Ku Klux Klan. I simply told a couple of my friends that you were a wizard under the sheets." The preacher fainted, and the congregation roared!

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A man walked into a very high-tech bar. As he sat down on a stool henoticed that the bartender was a robot. The robot clicked to attentionand asked, "Sir, what will you have?"
The man thought a moment then replied? "A martini please."The robot clicked a couple of times and mixed the best martini the manhad ever had. The robot then asked, "sir, what is your IQ?
"The man answered "oh, about 164." The robot then proceeded to
discuss the 'theory of relativity', 'inter-stellar space travel', 'the latest
medical break through, etc.......

The man was most impressed. He left the bar but thought he would try adifferent tact. He returned and took a seat. Again the robot clickedand asked what he would have? "A Martini please."& Again it was superb.The robot again asked "what is your IQ sir?"
This time the man answered , "Oh about 100". So the robot starteddiscussing NASCAR racing, the latest basketball scores, and what toexpect the Dodgers to do this week end.
The guy had to try it one more time. So he left, returned and took astool.... Again a martini, and the question, "What is your IQ?"??This time the man drawled out " Uh..... bout 50".The robot clicked then leaned close and very slowly asked ,

"A-r-e y-o-u-r p-e-o-p-l-e g-o-i-n-g t-o n-o-m-i-n-a-t-e H-i-l-l-a-r-y-?????

Just 15 Days

I mentioned the other day that I always liked to have a project to work on and I'm currently without. Blog writing usually doesn't count - it's so easy. It doesn't require too much thought (you're all thinking "Yeah, I've noticed.) So when I read that my old buddy, Amy, was embarking on 15 Days of Creativity - I decided to join up!

I'm not as artsy/crafty as Amy so I've changed up my personal challenge a little. I'm committing to work on a creative project for 30 minutes daily for the next 15 days. I'm excited about picking up my sewing again. I'm ready to see something come from my hands. I'm looking forward to writing something for the Coffee Group site. Maybe I'll try something new! Take some photographs, do some bead thingies at Friendize, try a new cooking technique, plant some flowers - anything to spark some creative juices!

I challenge you to try something creative! Make your own commitment in your own way. I challenge you to post in the comment section for accountability on your commitment (were you listening to Phil yesterday?)

How Beautiful

Last night was one of the sweetest weddings EVER! Jamie and Geoff Carroll are now married and they have truly dedicated themselves to the Lord. They have both been in Israel for Hebrew school (grad school?) and the wedding itself had some interesting Hebrew traditions included in it. I won't go into those here - just ask me when we have time.

I really wanted to tell yall about the purity rings. Both dads did the ceremony and first Jamie's dad talked about the purity ring that her parents had given her. How they had taken her out and given her this ring as a symbol of her promise to purity. Then the dad gave the ring to Geoff. I was so teary. Then Geoff's dad (Mr. Donnie our children's minister) talked about he and Lisa taking Geoff out and giving him a purity ring to remind him of HIS promise to remain pure for his future wife. Then Donnie gave Jamie Geoff's ring. Such a beautiful symbol of commitment to God and their future lives.

What a powerful testimony for all of us (me first) to raise our children with God at the center of their lives. To not bow to the world's view of normal and "okay." To seek God first and to follow His path for their lives.

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Psm. 34:11

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This photograph was taken by my very talented friend, Tammy Marcelian and I lifted it off her Photography Blog. Maybe that wasn't nice :-)