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to remember our sister in Christ Meg. She is having some health issues with her eyes. God is of course The Master Physician. Over and over again in the Scriptures He tells his followers, "by your faith you are healed." Pray in Faith. You must not only believe in him, but you must Believe HIM!!
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October 24 W.A.I.T.T. "WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER" NOV 4th.It seems slightly ironic that as an acronym, that is how it spells out.. After all, it seems like forever ago we started dreaming / thinking / planning and talking about this thing called I-HEART. It was initially clear that we would need to take people on the journey with us, after all, we were on a journey ourselves. So we took the 'George Lucas' approach to story-telling and thought it best to unpack this thing in the form of a trilogy (of sorts) - and so was birthed 'the i-heart revolution'. The first installment launched last year as a CD+DVD; "With Hearts as One" was a cross-cultural snapshot of the scope and diversity that exists within the body of Christ. It captured the sound of our collective worship and our passion toward our Saviour, and at the same time helped reflect the inseparable union that must exist in loving others, seeking justice and making a difference in our world. It was carried by the songs. It was if anything; an introduction; a starting point. A beginning.. To be continued..... Which bring us to the now, and the imminent release of Part 2; "We're All in this Together"- Part apologetic, part documentary, part call to action, the film is a story made up of many stories, told by many voices, no individual voice any more or any less important than any other, yet every voice working together to ultimately tell the ONE story - A story that involves everyONE; that seeks to capture our collective and idiosyncratic purpose in ONE. And so... WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER will officially be launched this November. We're taking it into cinemas for ONE night only - our prayer; that the Church across the earth would rally together and do whatever it takes to see as many people as possible gather at the same time in cinemas everywhere and be stirred and inspired by the message of Christ, to ultimately work closer together in seeing the real needs of humanity collide with a love that can only be found in God who by definition - IS Love. Know someone that might want to read this? W.A.I.T.T. isn't for a second about Hillsong UNITED.. It doesn't serve to document the music and the adventurous nature of travel, nor has it been designed even to quench our thirst to be entertained.. This is a ultimately about YOU - It's about all of us.. And so our hope is that we would ALL get behind it.. We never had a big budget.. No corporate sponsorship or professional help.. It has been pulled together by a small team of incredibly selfless and dedicated people who have tirelessly given of themselves and persevered to make it a reality.. And our prayer is that we all as individuals would play our part and take it upon ourselves to see as many of our friends, youth, churches mobilised to be a part of this event.. It has the potential to be HUGE!! Over the comings days and weeks we will be doing what we can to help you spread the word, we NEED your help.. Screening times and locations will be announced shortly, how to get tickets and how to get it in a cinema near you. As well as pre-release featurettes and exclusives, so keep checkin in to the websites.. Be as creative as you like in getting the word out.. Share your ideas with us.. And let's together see the Church come together as ONE and the name of JESUS made famous. We thank God so much for all our friends around the world who have shared the UNITED journey with us over the last few years. We are living in amazing days, and we're only just getting started. I don't know where this is all headed.. But I'm convinced, that if we all choose to play our part and continue to work together in loving God and loving others with everything, that there is no end to what we can see established for the Kingdom and the glory of God in our lifetime. As for Part 3....?? Wooo!! LOVE. Jth. THIS IS FROM THE I-HEART WEBSITE. What an incredible opportunity for all of God people to be united!! When I got this notification in the mail I had to check it out. The US date is November 4th. Take a look at the site. http://www.theiheartfilm.com/ IN HIS SERVICE, Redeemed October 13 Youthquake 2009What an incredible experience!! Each time I attend one of these events I leave in awe after watching GOD work! It was cold, wet, and muddy, beyond belief, but this was no problem for the ALMIGHTY. The crowd was larger than ever and these kids were on fire! How many times I looked out over this crowd of easily 1000 or more kids and saw hands raised in praise to God I could not tell you. But each time all I could do was thank him over and over for reaching out to each one of them. And each time testimonies were given by these bands and speakers, the more they praised God, the more fired up these kids got! To hear the bands just stop playing because the voices of these young believers, in unison, singing praise to GOD were drowning them out! I am sure the Angels were rejoicing! There were hundreds in attendance that gave their life to Christ Saturday, and I have no doubt that no one left there unaffected by the power of God and the unity of HIS people. As always, AT HIS FEET, Redeemed October 10 Youthquake 2009!!!! Here we come! Well today is the day my daughter waits for! It is the day that we celebrate her birthday by going to the Youthquake Concert in the big city of Cullman, AL. She and her sister are both excited. I will be taking somewhere between 8 and 10 teenagers as I do each year!! The music is loud and rockin', but the best part is watching and being a part of all these kids worshipping God together!! It is awesome! I'll post pics and update after the concert!! Pray that lives are changed today as God moves these young people.
In Faith,
Rockin' Mom September 19 Christ's willingness to empower us should occassionally overwhelm us.This is a statement I read tonight in a devotional by Beth Moore, Jesus the one and only. It is a favorite of mine simply because it makes clear the obvious that sometimes is so simple we, I, overlook it. What I was reading tonight concerned Simon Peter. He knew Jesus! Can you imagine walking in His presence? Talking with Him? To have Him take time with you? What would you do if Jesus showed up in the midst of life, as you know it, right now today? What if He showed up at your job? What if you witnessed Him healing, say..your mother-in-law, like He did for Peter? Would it overwhelm you to have Him so close? I can tell you that I feel like I would be right there next to Peter, on my knees, exclaiming, "Go away from me Lord! I am a sinful man!" Luke 5: 8 Have you ever been under spiritual attack? If you read my last devotional on my recent divine appointment, then you know about how God used me, but let me tell you what happened afterwards. Within the hour of speaking with my lake loving neighbor, I had not even gotten home good, before the Devil began using what he thought would devastate me emotionally. He thought that if he pointed out, yet again, my sinful past that he could undo in me what God had just done. But let me tell you what he did not count on. He did not expect that I would already feel the unworthiness of God's call. You see, anytime you are touched by God's holiness, and He commissions you to what is so clearly His task for you it is a life altering, knock you to your knees, wake up call. Just like it was for Peter. When His holiness meets our unholiness it is truly overwhelming. It is not about what you've done, it was not about what I'd done, but more about how overwhelming the realization, of who I am... and who HE is. This sudden realization of one's own sin, no matter how long ago, is debilitating painful, the shame of how ungrateful I was for the sacrifice made for me mortifies me beyond anything I can explain to you. This was not the Devil's work however, it was the fact that anytime we get that close to God we can not help but get an inside look at ourselves. And when we are honest we realize as Beth Moore so grandly stated ,"..even if I could cease all sinful behavior, I would continue to battle sin throughout my life because I don't just commit sin. Apart from GOD, I am sinful." It is a painful, yet liberating experience seeing your true self. Liberating because in that moment of true honesty, we are closer to God than ever and so we are fueled by our own unworthiness! Isn't it just like God... to use the Devil's attempts to break us, to only make us stronger in our witness and in our desire to be closer to HIM! In Faith, Redeemed September 15 My appointment.Over the last month I have had very little time to post devotionals. It is a challenge for me, as it is for everyone else to spend the time needed in the Word of God. With life throwing things at you at warp speed it makes it difficult. And then there are those times when you are doing your time in His teahings, but He does not for whatever reason, tap you on the shoulder and say.."This needs to be posted." That is where I have been. Somewhere in the midst of both of these scenarios. So, I have been doing all I needed to with illness in my family and with myself and working diligently to get through my daily studies without pulling my hair out until finally I said I need a break. I made a few phone calls, nagged David all day, and then finally, purse on my shoulder, I was headed for a few hours break. Which translates to fishing at night, in the quiet with only God to keep me company. Although David would never let me go alone, for safety reasons, he doesn't care to fish and so he stays in the camper and gives me my needed space. I often refer to these stolen moments as a mental health break, my little joke. I had begun cooking up this plan earlier in the day. My son was much improved and so I was assured that these few hours would not be a problem. But all day I was sitting on ready. I wanted to go. I felt like I never felt...I needed to go. And naturally, it was all about me. So when I arrived it took me only moments to grab my gear and a large cup of coffee and I was out the door and on the dock. For the first hour or so I reflected on all that had transpired in the last month or so. I prayed, I recited verses I had been teaching my youngest daughter and sure enough, I felt myself begin to settle down. That anxiousness subside. Then, our neighbors came home. They are very nice people who are very careful when my children are around to not swear and the like. I had never seen them drink, and had never seen them in this condition. I said hello and the conversation began. Even though her husband and brother in law went inside, J decided to stay outside and talk to me. At first our conversation was the usual, how is work?, and we should all get together and go to dinner., type stuff. Then the conversation lulled and suddenly she says.. "I was raised Southern Baptist, you know." This one, out of place, simple statement almost knocked me out of my chair. Because I then knew where my unusual anxiousness came from. I knew why I was so determined to be there that night. I had a divine appointment. We talked for hours about why she ran from God. What it meant to be a Christian. We talked about what she believed and what it meant to live a life contrary to God's Word. We even talked about her husband and them starting a family. She is determined to put her life right before that happens. I honestly can not tell you if I helped her more or if she helped me more. As stressed out as I thought I was, I went looking only to appease myself, but God showed me, yet again, that in Him I serve a higher calling. At any time of day, anyone, anywhere, you may have a Divine appointment. At midnight, on Logan Martin Lake, with a woman I know only in passing, He had it all set up. All I had to do was be there. Lesson Learned...again. In HIS service, C. September 04 Teacher's beliefs should not effect their ability to teach or...sway them in their judgement toward the work of their students.
I have found myself in an interesting situation with my oldest daughter's new school. It appears that her English Lit. teacher has assigned them a book report. This in and of itself is not the issue. She told the children that no religious text would be allowed. and gave the example of the Bible and koran. Ok.. again... not a problem. FIrstly, because I can not imagine my fourteen year old being able to read the entire Bible in the short time allotted and then being able to sum it up, with all it's content and teachings in a 600 word essay. And secondly, I can imagine what it would be like to try and read, who knows how many, reports on the various religious text in a school as diverse as ASFA. So.. I was ok with this..... UNTIL.... Mackensie tried to do her report on the Left Behind book. Her teacher again said, no. She stated that it was Religious text. Hmm. now I have a problem. Before, the teacher's reasoning behind her request was understandable to me. Now, however, I can not say that. Left Behind, as far a literary work is concerned is considered to be fiction, after all the characters do not exist. Granted it is based on prophesy, but the authors were very creative in spinning it around an imagined group of people and speculated time frames.
As God would have it.....it just so happened that on this particular day I came across, as I was not looking for it, the US Supreme Court and the Dept of Education Guidlines for Freedom of RELIGIOUS expression in public school. They came up with these guidlines, in which the schools must abide, so as not to infringe upon the rights of any student. They are listed below.
READ THESE AND KNOW THE RIGHTS OF YOUR CHILDREN TO DEMONSTRATE AND VOICE THEIR BELIEFS AT SCHOOL!!!
Free Time: If students have free time during which they may engage in non-religious activities - recess, lunch-time, and so forth - then they may also use that time for religious activities such as prayer or Bible reading. Class Assignments: Students may express their religious beliefs in class assignments – written, oral, or art work - without discrimination because the work is religiously oriented. Teachers are to grade assignments based on their academic quality without penalty or reward for religious themes or content. Clubs: Students may form prayer groups or religious clubs "to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other non-curricular student activities groups." According to the Supreme Court in Good News Club v. Milford Central School (2001), that includes access to school facilities. If a school's policy only permits clubs directly related to the curriculum, like history or math groups but not jazz or sailing groups, then it could also prohibit a religious club that is not connected to school curriculum. Advertising: If schools allow non-religious school groups to promote their activities through posters or school newspapers, then religious groups, like Bible or prayer clubs, must also be allowed to promote their activities. Teachers: According to the Supreme Court in Engel v. Vitale (1962) and School Dist. of Abington Twp. v. Schempp,(1963), public school teachers represent the state and may not lead classes in prayer or Bible reading. Teachers also may not compel children to engage in religious activities. Yet, teachers do retain their First Amendment rights in the public schools. While teachers must remain neutral and neither encourage or discourage their students' religious expression, teachers may pray or study the Bible by themselves or with other teachers. Student Speeches: There has been a lot of controversy over how to handle student speeches that contain religious themes. The guidelines offer a position that might surprise a few people. They say:
In Lee v. Weisman (1992), the Supreme Court prohibited schools from specifically choosing somebody to pray at assemblies, and schools cannot pick students to speak because of religious or anti-religious motivation. However, as the Supreme Court explained in Board of Educ. v. Mergens (1990), "The proposition that schools do not endorse everything they fail to censor is not complicated." That applies even to public settings with public audiences. If it dares, a school can offer a neutral disclaimer saying that the content of student speeches is solely their own and not the school's, freeing students to speak about religious or non-religious or anti-religious themes as they choose. And if a school chooses strict pre-approval of all graduation speeches? Families and students may pray and talk about God freely at baccalaureate services. And so.. here we are. Now armed with the knowledge that she has the right infact to use this book if she chooses. Now the question becomes do I drop this now.. or let her assign Mac a book, see what it is and go from there. Either way...odds are good..I am headed into spiritual warfare. Armed with the TRUTH, Cyndi September 03 Time for a break.... or not......Well, the long awaited time has come for a much needed break. A vacation of sorts. To an overworked mother of four this does not necessrily mean a trip, just a break from a stressful office and if you are lucky a day or two with hearing "mommy" a thousand times a day. An opportunity to read more than two lines of anything written, to take a bath, eat a meal or do anything without the interruption of work must do's or arguing children. That may sound awful, but even us Supermom's need a break. Now don't misunderstand, about a day is all I'm good for without my kids before I am missing them and totally lost as to what to do without them. But for that day it's nice to be able to step back and consider all that is going on. To think, plan or ponder. Quiet moments like this for me are not easy to come by. Maybe that is why I am up late each nitght. I might still be doing laundry, checking school work, packing lunches or laying out their clothes, but it is quiet then and that is what each of us need a little of from time to time. So.. as I was saying.. today is the day. My plans were to leave the kids with MawMaw and PawPaw and head to the lake for the day with a good book, a bathing suit, and a fishing pole. It would be easy to throw in an overused quote here about the best laid plans, but I will spare you that. My morning began wih my oldest stressing over not being able to find papers she needed for school. Hmm. Well, when you leave them on the kitchen counter and think that they will be there a month later odds are good you are not going to find them. She needed one she had given to me. Naturally.. In my OCD for organization there could have only been 2 places it would be. In a folder with her name on it on my desk.. or in the trash. Lucky for her it was in the folder. So we are one down, one to go. The other paper I remember asking if she needed and handing back to her a month ago. She can't find it and she has torn the house apart. Ok..now.. in the midst of this treasure hunt, my 8 year old comes out of her room wearing, not the clothes laid out for her her, but a teal blue and white skirt, with a white st patrick's day t-shirt and pink converse. It takes me more than a minute to convince her she looks like a homeless child and to go back into that black hole and put clothes on that match. My 12 year old is meanwhile yelling from the kitchen that Matthew won't eat his breakfast. My son is insistant that he is not hungry and when he gets up out of his chair I notice he looks like he is waiting on a flood. His jeans look like capri pants because his sister, also ignoring the clothes laid out, dresses him in a pair of pants 2 sizes to small for him. So I ask her to change those and that wrestling match begins, just as my oldest says that she is not feeling very well. That sentiment is echoed by my son who has returned to me to seek refuge from his sister. As I respond to her and reach for him I realize that he is burning with fever. So after all that.. it is back in pajamas for the boy and into bed with a SpongeBob movie and large cup of lemonaid. Whle listening to my 8 year old, who has returned dressed in at least the shirt I laid out, whine and my attempting to explain to her that she can not stay out of school just becuse her brother is not going.. him being sick does not mean she is.. at last my Mother arrives and takes my only 2 who are going to school out the door. I watch proudly as they walk out, dressed like children to belong to me.. in matching clothes, with their hair and teeth brushed ( I spared you that morning adventure), backpacks and lunchboxes in tow. My mental list I am checking off.. dressed.check, socks and shoes..check, hair and teeth brushed..check, face and hands washed...check, papers signed...check, lunches and backpacks..check.
Since then I have been dosing my son, and assisting my 14 year old with lessons in organization, Geometry, and how to read a book that is boring for a grade.
Oh well... I guess, just like the last time, and the time before that, and the time before that.... my mental health break, my much looked forward to vacation will have to wait. I will spend the next few days reorganizing their closets and doing yard work. At least I don't have to go into the office.... I"ll be right back... my cell phone is ringing. Hmm... it's the office........................ August 29 Update on My GrandaddyOriginally posted to Christberry on 8/29/08.
Praying expectantly,
~Cyndi
Hello Family! I thought I would give you an update on my Grandaddy's condition. As of last night, with many transfusions, his oxygen levels have come up. He had a bit of his color back and seemed to follow our conversation better than he has in a long time. This is wonderful news, sadly, it is also only a short term solution. He is still not producing red blood cells of his own, so it likely that without the constant transfusion he will again become hypoxic and we will back where we began. He is still unable to return home. He doesn't have the ability any longer to walk and my Grandmother can not lift him. He will be in PT for the next 21 days, though the reason is more geared to buying time for the VA to complete his enrollment in the skilled nursing facility full time. My Grandmother is heartbroken at being without him. She is still independent and so does not qualify to go with him. Her van has recently died and so getting to him each day across town will now be a struggle in and of itself. I am trying to find her something to drive back and forth that is dependable. I know the prayer request here are many, but please take the time to place each one before God. Many times when I was young I would hear my Grandparents pray on behalf of someone else. I have seen them on their knees for hours, crying out to God for the sake of a soul lost or for a need to be met. Sometimes it was only the two of them, but at times someone would show up at their house with a burden on their heart and they would pray and sing, and praise God for His goodness and His grace. I have never seen them turn anyone away no matter the time of day and no matter what the need. I feel certain that my name was among those lifted up before God as it still is now. How blessed am I? Redeemed My GrandfatherThis is a copy of what I posted on Christberry's Prayer Forum earlier this week. Please Pray.
~Cyndi
It has been a rough morning around here. Last night my Grandfather was admitted at the local VA hospital. He has been suffering from Alzheimer's and since that diagnosis has been plagued with multiple other health issues he didn't have before. Diabetes, hypertension, and now colon cancer to name a few. They are now telling us that he has developed something along the lines of leukemia. The doctors are also telling us that he will not be coming home. This is a difficult thing to explain to my children. He has been a pastor for over 50 years. He has lived his life as designed by God and now will soon be going home. Please pray for him, my Grandmother, and the rest of my family. Bracing for his loss is bitter sweet. I have been so blessed to have them as a constant example and stronghold in my life. In HIS service, Redeemed **Please pray for David, that his walk be strengthened as he grows in God.**
For my friends on Christberry I praise God for your continued faithfulness to HIS calling, for healing in your homes and family, your friends and those on your own prayer lists. I pray that each petition and each person lifted up will be blessed not only in answer but also for the one asking. Ry I pray especially for this ministry. That God annoint it and give it usefulness in growing His kingdom. I pray that He will continue to fuel the burden in your heart which has led to this and to continue to give fuel to that fire that burns within you to see Christians unite and soul's saved. For all the ones who have silent prayers not posted and maybe not spoken I pray for your hearts to be heard in heaven and God bless you with his answer. For all the Pinstack prayer warriors and believers you have truly blessed me and continue to each day. I pray that God touch each of you in a special way. It is awesome to see how He has brought
It takes a special heart to be foster parents. Jeff and Heidi have had their foster daughter for 3 years. She is now being sent back to live with her father. Pray for her safety, for her natural father's salvation, and for Jeff and Heidi's heart to heal and for God to grant them peace in knowing that He is in control and has a plan.
Please also pray for Heidi. Pray that her health is restored. She is a child of the Master Physician. He can heal with only the will to do so. Pray for her strength. God has blessed them both in their dedication to HIM and each other. Lift them up!!
All to His Glory,
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:8
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My son who is 4 is an avid tv watcher. Although I monitor closely he does get to watch the occassional SpongeBob. This was the case last Tuesday night. He was playing in the living room, in front of the tv when one of those commercials came on with the teenager, where he is looking at the camera and says, "Mom, Dad, I know you want to talk to me about sex." My four year old looks him right in the eye and says, "I am not your mom and dad and I don't want to talk to you about sex, I just want to watch my TV!" He was very pleased when this teenager obviously understood him as evidence by him fading away and his cartoon coming back on. You gotta laugh....
Standing with Hope (Standingwithhope.com) is a non profit organization that gives prosthetic care to 3rd world countries. It is a wonderful group full of bible believing and teaching Christians who spread the message of Christ while meeting the needs of people in places like Uganda. Please pray for them. They have been consistently about our Father's business. And say a special prayer for Randy. He has been so blessed by being involved with this mission. As I said they are non profit, so please pray that God provide the financial assistance they need to continue to do His work. If you feel led the donation link is on the website, but check it out just the same.
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