Archive for the ‘God's Word’ Category

Lilac Photography covered Heaven Fest!

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Ellie is just one of my favorites!

http://lilacphotography.com/

I don’t know anything about photography, except that I love good photographs and especially when you are allowed to SEE something in a way you’d have neglected to look. I love the photos that arrest me, cause my heart to beat faster, make me shake my head in wonder. Uh-huh. I do. And Ellie does those. I have some of the BEST photos of my family members from her work.

So, she roamed around and took pictures at HF this summer. I wanted to share them and I have also included a few of the stories of Heaven Fest. People have emailed us and Facebooked us and shared a little of their hearts. There are hundreds of stories, these are exceprts from a few…

Some Photos from Heaven Fest www.heavenfest.com & some great stories, too!

Hello to the HF Team,
I’m sorry I had to work & was unable to hel and volunteerp. However, want to thank you for the whatever you can afford tickets. My wife got hurt on her job and has been out of work for about 7 months now. I have a 15 year old son who wouldn’t have been able to go if it were not for this. My gratitude and thanks go out to ALL of you for what you do. Hopefully, next year, we will be doing better and I will be able to give more. I truly appreciate it! Thanks Again!
B. E. (& son)

JESUS! JESUS! JESUS! The might name of Jesus was all my family heard all day!!!!
I got the Whatever You Can Afford tickets because I have been jobless for 1yr and 8mo and I am going through a bankruptcy.
My 5-year old son made a friend in the ticket line and they shared a bag of chips, as they talked about how they were both (black and white) formed from the dirt that they were walking in. Jesus!
…I prayed with a father that was reaffirming his belief in Christ and prepared to baptize his son. My children joined me at the table (under the shade) and asked what they were doing and I explained what was being done, why it was being done and how it was done. My youngest said, “Alright Mom… lets go… I know Jesus… He died on the cross for me and you and brother.” I look at my oldest son, and he looked back at me. I was a little hesitant because we didn’t have extra clothes or towels… we didn’t have anything. The hesitation subsided and I signed all three of us up. I told the volunteer that we had been through a lot in the last two years: homelessness, no employment, no money…And to the water we went… !!!! I REAFFIRMED MY BELIEF IN CHRIST THROUGH BAPTISM, I BAPTIZED MY OLDEST SON AND MY YOUNGEST SON!!!
After the plunge in the lake my children and I were truly grateful and call it an added benefit because we were soaked from head to toe and no longer hot. We were definitely comforted by the water and the wet clothes!

Thank you Heaven Fest!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

This was my first year volunteering and I can truly say it was a blessing. Lifebridge Christian Church, leading up to Heavenfes,t had been preaching about 1 body 1 Christ and that is all I was thinking about on Saturday. It doesn’t matter what church you attend but to come together for one day as brothers and sisters of Christ and serve together and make Heavenfest a success was an unbelieveable experience I will never forget. God willing I will be there next year to help again. ~Ana

Thank God for your ministry and all the many people that worked so hard to make it happen. My wife and I were blessed beyond words to be able to volenteer to help with the prayer team. We live 150 miles away and had 23 from the church here in Yuma Colorado so we had limited ability to help. We were assigned to a team to pray in stations all around the campus for 4 hours. We took a couple of breaks to worship in the 24/7 worhsip and prayer tent. We finished with a half hour prayer in the tower. My wife is deathly afraid of heights and I was shocked that she would go up. It was the most wonderful day of prayer my wife and I ever experienced. I can not wait to come back and serve again. I was so amazed at the mulitiudes of servants that were willing to give their all so that God could minister to so many. A God work this awsome can not happen without prayer, great leadership and humble servents. Our part was so small compared to so many but It meant so much to our lives. D and L Smith

I decided to get my church, my youth group, and friends excited to go Heavenfest 2010. We all came out including two of my friends that really didn’t know about God one way or the other, but were excited to go to a massive concert with friends. We all had a great time… I convinced them to stay for the Sacred Assembly, and so we all settled down on the grass and waited for the sevice to begin. Not long into the service, both girls who didn’t know Jesus started crying and both looked and me and said “I didn’t know… I didn’t know that there was Someone out there that cared so much.” I smiled held them and said, well now you know. Both said afterward that for the first time they wanted to go to church, and they now understood why people got so ‘into’ worship services. They felt the power of Jesus. Thank you, thank you so much for this. I have tried for some time to get these girls to even want to talk about God, and in one night, they not only wanted to talk about God, they were believing in Him!” S.V.

heaven fest was awesome. at the hardcore stage…Chad Johnson of Come and Live (great guy get him for next year) asked us to raise our hands if we were dealing with depression so that we could be prayed over. i did this and found everyone around me had laid there hands on me and was praying for me. i had never felt this touched in my life i found myself weeping for joy. It ranks as one of the most life changing experiences of my life.

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to say what a blessing it was to serve at heavenfest!
I personally was the recipient of a miracle during heavenfest: I hadn’t felt well since the birth of my 6th child almost 2 years ago. I think that I have a calcium deficiency as a result of having a baby so late in life and I have a hernia, were my abdominal wall is weakened and tearing due to heavy lifting and childbirth . I had extreme weakness and pain in my joints and I was unable to lift or bend without experiencing a painfull tearing sensation in my stomach.

I felt exhausted and weak and had barely been able to function from day to day which had made me very irritable and hard to live with. When heavenfest contacted me and asked me to be a retail manager this year, I started praying for the strength to serve.

At the leadership meetings, which -by the way -were unlike any meeting I had ever attended, I felt the Lord strengthening my spirit and preparing me to be his hands and feet! I felt an energy welling up inside of me and a calming peace and confidence overwhelming me. During heavenfest I was completely pain free!!!! I carried heavy boxes, cases of water, and equipment up hills and painted and drilled signs in the hot sun and was on my feet for 19 hours and never felt stronger or more energetic!! I prayed for strangers and co-workers boldly and felt the presence of God all around us! I felt love toward all those I came into contact with and found myself praising and thanking God continually throughout the day. At about midnight I realized that I had been using my left arm all day without any pain!! God is so awesome and I know that he equipped me to serve him in a way and with a strength that was supernatural!!
“Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty” Zechariah 4:6
Annie Baker

I got healed at Heaven Fest last year in much the same way, Annie! Praising God with you! What an honor to serve alongside you.

How perfect is this for today?! God rocks!! Encouraging Word …For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it. ~ Habakkuk 1:5, NLT

Here’s some thoughts for you! Thank you and God bless you! Another amazing year….

Three years of Heavenfest, and three years of being in the presence of God surrounded by thousands. This year was no different. I think our Lord marks this day on his calendar just as we do now. We bring them together for his glory, and it makes him glad. [boldened by Jeanie...love this!] I saw God baptizing people in the lake, I saw God dancing to techno music, I saw God pumping his fist to hard rock, I saw God beating on drums, strumming on guitars, and walking through the front gates holding peoples hands. I saw God smudging chalk with his fingertips, telling jokes and reading psalms. He sat beside me and whispered words into my ear as I prayed at the front gates for all those who passed through. God was everywhere.

The best moment for me was as we knelt with thousands listening to his word during the Sacred Assembly. As we stood at one point with our hands raised and eyes closed hand were placed upon one another in ~ The body of Christ was united. That feeling of having the hands of others on your shoulders was only surpassed when after, bowed down in the dust I felt God’s arms around me in the most gentle and purest of love. It was at that moment that we were asked to raise our eyes to heaven and smile. I did so with tears streaming down. When you seek him – he is there. When you are with him- you know his love. I have been so blessed over the years to only begin a relationship with my father I knew never was possible. Each year at Heavenfest I pray for that for others, and I have seen the seeds be planted in the fields each year. Yes the music makes us rock out, and sometimes cry, the people you meet are amazing, but the time with God surrounded by the body of Christ is like no other.

This event has changed our lives and continues to help us grow in faith each year. Both of my sons made their decision to be baptized after the time they spent with God at Heavenfest. (’08 and ‘09) We have all grown in our convictions and calling to bring others to know Christ. Prayers and promises made in these fields each year have brought our family closer, helped us to forgive each other, ourselves and others we know, reach out to others, and to be better children of God. We were on Holy Ground in Longmont this year. We will never know the extend of all the miracles that happened there that day- but there is no doubt that they happened. One happened to me. I felt God touch me- something that has only happened several times in my life- and because of it, I am humbly and joyfully one step closer to him.

In his Grace, Let’s share our miracles!!!!! Smiles and blessings~ Alison

*Thanks for letting my boys help with clean-up!…. Can’t wait to help next year!!!!!!!!

This? Is my family!

Tags: heaven fest, HEAVEN FEST 2010, heaven fest reports, heaven fest stories
Posted in God's Word, Photos of the Fam, Prayers for a God-full life, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment, Worship | 1 Comment »

Westword’s Heaven Fest Slide Show

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

THE T-SHIRTS OF HEAVEN FEST: Actually one of the coolest bunch of photos I saw.

CLICK HERE to view 42 slides

Photographer, Eric Gruneisen for Westword, took these at Heaven Fest and I loved what he captured this way. These are the people who came: real, everyday people. Some normal, some maybe not-so-much. Some came for just the music and fellowship and fun. Some came to make the Name of Jesus glorious.

I smile at some of these t-shirt sentiments because I love the truth and the creative ways they found to share it and I cringe at others because, though this is my “family” – the whole, big crazy bunch of Jesus followers from every possible denomination and set of values, some of those shirts just won’t play well to others, they won’t know the wearer’s personality or what, in life and experience, has made them choose the shirt they wear. Like any fam, there are some crazy opinions and thoughts out there. You get 30,000 people together and there is bound to be some hilarious differences along with the familial similarities. But they are mine – these people, part of the household of faith.

Love IS the movement

Heaven Fest: Mostly Jesus lover/followers and passionate crusaders. They are people who are willing to live their lives for something other than themselves. And they don’t mind letting you know what they think. And it is too bad that often Christians are the only ones people want to censor.

Definitely register at the site and leave some comments for the slideshow. Tell them your favorites and support the fam, the Body! Someday we may have to do the same for you!

Galatians 6.10

“Therefore as we have opportunity,

let us do good to all,

especially those who are of

the household of faith.”

Tags: Body of Christ, Family of God, heaven fest, HEAVEN FEST 2010, household of faith, t-shirts, westword, witness tees
Posted in God's Word, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment, Worship | No Comments »

‘Bout Birthin’ Babies

Monday, August 9th, 2010

I will soon go a doula-ing (doula is Greek and means “a woman who serves”) for Stef and Wrex when Sawyer Joell is born. I’m not really a doula, I just get to play one with people I adore (Carol Ann is soon to do the same thing with Emma of Gospel Journey fame!).

“I don’t know nothin’ ’bout birthin’ no babies, Miss Scarlett…”

Actually, I do. I got to attend birthing class with the Phipps a few weeks back and recently checked out a few birthing books from the library. It is bringing back the memories, omygoodness! Because, you know, I had a few babies back in the day. And I was really good at it, if I do say so myself. Now-how will I be in this role? I am hoping not to faint or require constant fanning or smelling salts. I hope I don’t get too empathetic with Stef and start crying out to God for mercy in a loud voice. I just don’t think that will help.

The book.

Meanwhile I have been studying and researching and brushing up on my birthing knowledge. I have enlisted prayer support and continue to madly write in the litle journal I will leave with Stef and Wrex for Sawyer to enjoy someday. In it is advice on labor and delivery and some sound wisdom on raising kids. I have included lists of things I want to remember while at the hospital and signs to look for as labor progresses. There are make-you-sniffle baby quotes and prayers for Sawyer. I have given baby girl the inside scoop on who her parents really are and shared favorite scripture passages.

In short, I am hand-writing an entire book just for the occasion of the birth of Sawyer Joell Phipps.

It is good stuff! And yes…none of it is original, but I have collected it over the years and I am writing it in the book, so it is mine!

O Sawyer? Where are youoooo?

Now, truth to tell, we had actually sort of cleared our calendars for today seeing 8.9.10 as a wondrous day for a birth. But we know God has this thing all planned out and are just anxious for Him to let us in on His perfect plan. He seems to have us on a need-to-know basis for the moment. But we are ready, I tell ya!

Thoughts on the threat of C-Section during Labor

I do come across some very thought-provoking information these days. For instance, an article about the negative hormonal effect on a woman when she is laboring and is told “If you don’t start progressing/dilating/efacing (or whatever her shortcoming) soon, we’re going to have to do a C-Section” and how that actually is detrimental to her labor and begins to inhibit the process was explained thus:

If a man was told that he had to get an erection and ejaculate within a certain time or he’d be castrated, do you think it would be easy? To make it easier, perhaps he could have an IV put into his arm, be kept in one position, have straps placed around his penis, and be told not to move. He could be checked every few minutes; the sheet could be lifted to see if any “progress” had been made.

- Nancy Wainer Cohen & Lois J. Estner, Silent Knife, Bergin & Garvey, 1983

Hahhahahahha!

Certainly gives you something to think about. ;p

PREVIOUSLY…click here.

Posted in Birthdays/Anniversaries, God's Word, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Prayers for a God-full life, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment | No Comments »

HEAVEN Fest 2010 ~ It was crazy wonderful!

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Kari Jobe (one of my all-time favorites) leading worship at main stage near the end of the night, mixed with scenes from the day. This is just 4 minutes of over a week of cool stuff, because as soon as volunteers set foot on the property, the miracles and love started flowing! THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO, GREG “HD” VERSPOHL! Love ya! Seriously!

Photos soon!

There are so many great ones I just can’t decide!

www.heavenfest.com

Posted in God's Word, Sacred Romance, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment, Worship | 3 Comments »

The Crushing

Monday, July 26th, 2010

So I plopped a small flax seed plant, more as an herb addition than anything, into a bare spot a couple of months ago. Obviously I cannot get enough flax seed to actually harvest and use, but the blue flowers are delicate and very pretty and I wanted to see how how this mega-healthy seed grew.

I mean, come on. This seed is high in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and helps fight cancer, diabetes, heart disease and a myriad of other things that ail us.

So, after the bloom, a very small, maybe pea-size, pod appears. It drys and slightly browns. I stop by and help myself to a pod or two while gardening. I pinch and crush it open, whereupon the chaff disintegrates in my hand and amongst it I find plump, life-giving seeds.

As I place the little sphere in my hand, I realize it is, really, a very delicate little covering, this outer husk. It surrounds the true fruit of the plant, but can be crushed in a second, obliterated with hardly any thought or effort at all. And then it looks like an unusable mess in the palm of your hand – like who would ever even take the time to try to retrieve the revitalizing seed once protected and nurtured? The crushing. And now what?

Some days I am in too much of a hurry and waste it, but today, I realized, the slightest breeze, my soft breath blown on the mess of the crushed husk is all it took to reveal: 10 perfectly shiny, healthy life-giving flax seeds. And the sheer density of the life-potential within them keeps them there during the wind-storm of my breath. The crushing hurt the shell, but the crushing couldn’t take away the future of these tiny seeds. The pod-destroying blow didn’t negate the purpose for which they were created and it couldn’t stop the seeds’ destiny.

“The harvest is past,

the summer has ended,

and we are not saved.”

Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;

I mourn, and horror grips me.

Is there no balm in Gilead?

Is there no physician there?

Why then is there no healing

for the wound of my people? Jeremiah 8.20-22

Two realizations on an early summer morning…

1.

Same with us. God breathes in our direction on the most painful places, the most damaging situations, the most vanquished moment of our lives. My carefully fashioned defenses are obliterated. And? He breathes. And the force of His breath reveals – all has not been lost. The true thing remains. All I am and all He created me to be, the legacy I have to leave…there still as the chaff floats away on the breeze of His command.

Isaiah 53.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

2.

And we can do that for others. We can be the agent of grace who looks at how the enemy has tried to hurt some one irreparably, tried to destroy the hope and the future plans God has for them and we can breathe life. What the enemy means for harm, that thing that has cut so deep a person cannot even see the way out, we can walk in as an Ambassador for Christ and the blow away the mess, dust off the area, bind up the brokenhearted, bandage the wounds and tell them, “See? You were born to be a beautiful planting of the Lord. The devil may have taken some stuff, but he couldn’t take your purpose. All is well. You are not destroyed. Be at peace.”

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the LORD

for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61.1-3

Since I so need it, this cleansing breeze, I must so sow it.

Posted in God's Word, Health, LIST! I love lists!, Prayers for a God-full life, Stuff I actually think, Worship | 3 Comments »

Family Frolic, Merriment and Conviviality~

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

We have just emerged intact from our very own,

annual, familial FEU de JOIE

Father’s Day 2010, Dave and his family.

“Celebrate the little things in life, appreciate tomorrow, love your neighbor…never condemn yourself to a life without cause to celebrate and be thankful for what you have. Never forget the people you love and love them when you have an occasion to do so. Celebrate their life and celebrate yours.” ~Unknown

Feu de joie, a French term meaning “fire of joy,” is actually a gun salute, described as “a running of the guns” as they are fired on occasions of public rejoicing and celebration. It can also reference a large bonfire being lit as a token of national joy.

But we have just navigated our way through our very own rapid-fire of joy and celebration. For during a 12 week period between Dave’s birthday (March 23) and Father’s Day (3rd Sunday in June), we do a whole lotta shaking! There are 9 family birthdays during that time…no wait! Amelie was born a few days after Dave’s birthday, so now 10! This is immediate right-here-local family, people! Plus, there was a HF fundraiser, a big baby shower or two, the aforementioned birth of a new grandbebe, some travel among us, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, a couple of theater productions for the patriarch, a holiday, tax-day and some end-of-the-school-year plays and programs. Oh. And cakes.

I think I feel a summer cold coming on. A little worn out, but whew! Still, mostly intact.

Jubilate

Oh, how Averi loves her little Flintstone-esque car; Gemma said of her big sister, “Guini is so nice.” Hunter is a great big-cousin to the girls!

“That it will never come again

is what makes it so sweet.”

~Emily Dickinson

Dave with original 5, and with the 6 grandbebes. On Father’s Day.

Make merry

Scenes from good times: Jovan and Aunt Dessa with baby Amelie. Gemma and the cone.

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Dave with grandbebes, left-right: Hunter (5), Amelie Belle (almost 3 months), Gemma (3), Guinivere (almost 5), Averi (2), and Gavin (7)

Celebrate ~ a LIST of reasons:

Birthdays, anniversaries, firsts, promotions, making the yellow light, getting the good parking spot, your husband’s first novel getting published (buy here!), a moist spring, summer arriving, a full moon in an azure-blue sky, the first sip of amazing morning coffee, a grandbebe tying his own shoes and riding without training wheels, tomatoes ripening on the vine, and a new granddaughter. Also, achievement and success, failures we made it through together, a good movie, really green freshly-cut grass (that deserves an ice cream cone at the very least), a completed project, an upcoming festival, finding out some one is praying for you, healing for dad and brothers in light of heart junk, first teeth, first lost teeth, seeds that sprout, weeds that pull out easily. Moms. Dads. Brothers, sisters, neices, nephews and grandbebes. Aunts and Uncles and family in the faith. Growing love and re-ignited passion. Good times. And even hard times with people who won’t leave.

For these and many other reasons, throw a party. It can be filled with lavish decor and a seemingly endless buffet of tempting tidbits, or as simple as a blanket on the grass with milk and cookies as the stars come out to dance. Find your reason.

Can you over-do on celebrating?

I guess that remains to be seen. On our deathbeds, when total clarity and perspective comes to us, we may realize that some of the extra fancy cakes or over-the-top decor wasn’t themost important thing, but I doubt I will ever regret using every possible chance I could to show the people I love the most their great worth to me by planning, scheming and finding ways to celebrate their lives and existance. And if it should disrupt ”normality,” or be a little taxing, so be it. I’d rather know I did it because I loved them. And not regret missed chances to say so.

My family always complains that when I take pictures, I never count and give them warning. See left. Well, when I FINALLY did a one-two-three count, this is what I got (see right). Improvement? Not sure. My photographic philosophy: just snap away and hope for the best.

“Love your life and prove it.” ~You may quote me on this, actually

Nehemiah 12:43 (New Living Translation)

Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away.

I would say our neighbors, based on what has been “heard far away” would think we have!…Jeanie

Posted in Birthdays/Anniversaries, Garden/Food/Seasons, God's Word, Grandkids, LIST! I love lists!, Memories/Melancholy, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think | 1 Comment »

Happy Birthday, DP, extraordinary s-i-l

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Happy Birthday, to our very own Captain Picard

Mood music for reading about Dave!

Dave Powers? Oh, we adore him!

If you could dream the perfect man for a daughter you love, if you could order up qualities you’d want your daughter and the children they’d have to enjoy their whole lives through and a personality that was made to bless and challenge and delight the whole family, if you could choose a man of character and one with as much wit as wisdom, if God would have just written across the sky, “Oh yes. I created him to be in your family,” the choice could not be more perfect than Dave Powers.

[Picard, Data and Worf are attacked and pursued by Kolaran natives]

Picard: I think it’s time to try some unsafe velocities.

Dave Powers. I still remember the first time I heard your name. It echoed around in the halls of my heart along with a spark, me wondering, “Would Tara ever be interested in a guy like him?…” {WOULD SHE EVER!!! was the answer!} Before ever even meeting you, before ever even laying eyes on you, your name just sort of plopped into my mind and if wishing you’d love Tara could have had anything to do with it, then no wonder it happened. I still love that you were born the very day Dad was proposing to me. As you said yesterday, in the way only you can, “God was hookin’ a sister up!” He was. He was looking down the road, knowing what we’d need.

For I am of the persuasion that the children we get are as much used by God to form us and train us as we are in their lives, And you, son-of-my-heart, are a shining example of it. You are courageous and bold and have invited to me to go places I never would have gone, didn’t even think I wanted to go and sometimes have been crazy-uncomfortable. Most of it, I wouldn’t trade. Some of it I am waiting for the day I can say, “Oh we can laugh about that now…” Haha.

I wouldn’t trade you for anything, though, Dave and since the day I met you and for the months we spent getting to know you before you and Tara met and then after, I always knew you were meant for greatness and that I would one day say, “I knew Dave Powers when…” I just didn’t know I’d get to hang out near the path you are walking so closely. You were born to make an impact and you are blowing up the universe. You were born to terrorize the devil and you annihilating his strongholds. {throwing in some DP-talk there}

[In the attempt to find an alternative exit, Picard intends to blast with a shuttle through the inner shuttle bay doors and fly through the Scimitar]

Data: Do you think this is a wise course of action, sir?

Picard: We’re about to find out, Data

I love you fiercly. I chose that word very purposefully.

&

I believe in you to inifinity and beyond.

Picard: Captain’s personal log, supplemental. We’re heading toward Federation space at maximum warp. The crew has responded with the dedication I’ve come to expect of them. And like a thousand other commanders on a thousand other battlefields, I wait for the dawn…

I’d stand to the death with you. Because you have done that with me.

You are such a great daddy to our little Hunter Magoo!

Praetor Shinzon: Were we Picards always warriors?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think of myself as an explorer.

Praetor Shinzon: Well… were we always explorers?

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I was the first Picard to leave our solar system. It… caused quite a stir in the family. But… I’d spent my youth…

Praetor Shinzon: …looking up at the stars, dreaming about what was up there; about…

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: …new worlds…

And for all your giftings, for the strong anointing on your life, for your natural abiliies and Holy Spirit-empowered insight and works, for the sensitivity you have with people and your way with words, because you can capture a conversation with one or with hundreds, though you have a voice that does not quit and the power of God rides into a room on it, and you can lead and protect and empower thousands of people, and even because I believe God is calling you to not only bring the Church together in unity, but He is making a way for you to impact governments and jurisdictions, and because I will never ever forget 2 years ago when He told me He would not let your foot slip - for these and many other reason, I know you are a great man, destined for amazing opportunities.

But I am most thankful and love you best for loving my daughter, for raising Hunter to be what God has called him to and for joining this imperfect family and calling us your own. When you’re just “ours,” it is lovely.

Happy Birthday, Dave…Love, mom

photos by www.lilacphotography.com

Lt. Tasha Yar: Captain, so far we’ve obeyed every order, no matter how far-fetched it might have seemed. But if we’re to risk the safety of the ship and crew, I think we have to ask you for an explanation.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I understand your concerns, Lieutenant; and I know that if I were in your position, I would be doing the same thing – looking for answers. But you’re not gonna find any, because I don’t have any to give you.

I know it is difficult for you to understand, but we have to take the ship into the very center of the phenomenon and create a static warp shell. Now this will put the ship at risk.

Quite frankly, we may not survive. But I want you to believe that I am doing this for a greater purpose, and that what is at stake here, is more than any of you can possibly imagine.

I know you have your doubts about me, about each other, about this ship. All I can say is that although we have only been together for a short time, I know that you are the finest crew in the fleet; and I would trust each of you with my life.

So, I am asking you for a leap of faith – and to trust me.

NOTE TO HF LEADERSHIP: You can trust him, his heart. I do.

Posted in Birthdays/Anniversaries, God's Word, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment | 4 Comments »

Heaven FEST!

Monday, June 7th, 2010

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This was the countdown when I was ready to post this (see the REAL countdown at the site!):

Posted in God's Word, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think, TV, Movies, Books, and Entertainment, Worship | No Comments »

Happy Birthday, Stephanie

Friday, May 21st, 2010

It is your birthday, dazzling daughter~

Really? Is it possible that exactly 28 years ago today you were born? That 28 years ago this morning I awoke to the certainty of my baby arriving on. this. day. even though you weren’t due for at least 5 weeks and the whole sha-bang had been started on a ridiculous carnival ride where I taunted the operator for it being too tame and he, in turn, decided to show me how rough it could be and our course was set? Oh…I was young and stupid. Can you imagine, Stephanie? Can you forgive me from jolting you from the safe place too early? I was only 22, naive, untested, and very ill-equipped in my mind - and yet, God was about to place the most fragile, tiny amazing head-full-of-hair, cutie-patootie ever in my arms. He trusted me. With you! I am still awed.

I want you to be remembered as the girls who sang their songs for Jesus Christ

Who were willing to lay down their lives, And do His will no matter what the price

We celebrated both Tara and Stephanie’s birthdays just a few days ago…a picture of Steph by Stormie

You’ll be singing for the deaf man who will hear about salvation through your song

You’ll be singing for the blind man who will see the light in you and come along.

So, here you came: this itty-bitty thing with underdeveloped lungs and not an nth of fat under your skin. You arrived to a smashingly handsome and proud daddy and a big sister who’d just turned three and you were her utter delight and joy. She took to that role like bees to my flowers and referred to you as “my baby,” when she told people about anything you’d done or happy she was. During your extra-long 12-day stay in the hospital, we sewed and prepared and cushioned and made-ready. I wanted everything to be perfect when you came home. And even though they’d told me in the middle of the night, after you were born, to expect a 3-month stay in the hospital, 12 days later, we wrapped your 4 1/2 pound sweet self up and brought you to the charcoal-colored house on Armstrong Street in Kokomo. We brought you home praising God, grateful that He heard our prayers.

“For this child I prayed and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him.” 1 Samuel 1, an amazing chapter!

His.

And back when baby dedications were more personal, before the designated days of them, our home church allowed me the honor of singing to both you and Tara as we dedicated you to the Lord, His to use and live in and work through all the days of your lives. And we stood there, young and naive and full of hope for our two little girls and this tiny, tiny little thing we called Stephanie May (May for the beautiful month in which you came), and I sang Evie’s song, Live for Jesus over you.

Live for Jesus, that’s what matters

And when other houses crumble, ours is strong.

Live for Jesus, that’s what matters

That they’ll see the light in you and come along.

And whether God honored my prophetic words over your tiny self that day, or whether I had just unknowingly tapped into His heart for you already, you became, along with your sister, such a songstress. You started singing so early, I can hardly remember when or how. You started singing as a baby and you sang your way right into the funny, delightful little girl you became. You sang first thing in the morning and you sang while the rest of the household was going to sleep. You sang silly and you sang well.

Well, I know you’re not the only girls who can sing His melody

But He’s chosen you to bless you

And to bring you into all that you can be

And you never self-promoted. So when your song would go public, people were wowed (Remember high school? His eye is on the Sparrow!?). I can remember hearing you sing in your room and hitting those Mariah-highs and have heard you level those Kim Walker lows now and I have still never heard enough of your song.

I laugh now because I can actually remember, when you were supposed to be taking a nap as a youngster telling you, “Stephanie, quit singing-go to sleep,” because you’d sing ’til the cows came home if we’d let you. Well, I take that back. Don’t quit. Never stop singing, Stephanie. You are dazzling and deep. You are gifted and you are Miriam – singing the song of triumph. Your voice was meant to proclaim: in your face, devil! Your lungs were healed to give power to proclaim enemy defeat. So sing, Miriam, sing!

And sweet Stephanie?

Live for Jesus, that’s what matters

And when other houses crumble yours is strong

Live for Jesus, that’s what matters

That they’ll see the light in you and come along!

The family legend is true.

When you were 3 you’d fall asleep in the middle of singing a song and when you’d start to wake up, you’d pick that song up exactly in the place you’d left off. You are full of song. You are song. And I love you. Happy Birthday, Steph.

Love, Mom

SONG: Live for Jesus was an Evie Tornquist song waaaaaay back in the day. I adapted the actual lyrics for my purposes in singing it for the dedication in 1982.

Posted in Birthdays/Anniversaries, God's Word, Memories/Melancholy, Mi familia, My most unforgettable people, Photos of the Fam, Songs I am singing, Stuff I actually think | 7 Comments »

Brokenhearted

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

Monday April 26 – brother, Joe (age 49), has pacemaker updated/replaced/rebooted…whatever.

Monday May 3 – dad (who is as healthy as a horse at 71, or so we thought), has a heart attack and emergency surgery. Two stints put in place and he is recovering nicely.

Saturday May 15 – early morning. Brother Tim is airlifted to Missoula from Butte, MT (he just turned 47) having a heart attack. Two stints have been put in place and he is recovering in ICU.

The Mayo Clinic’s 5 Tips for Keeping Your Heart Healthy (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-prevention/wo00041):

1/ Don’t smoke or use tobacco products.

2/ Get active for 30-60 minutes every single day of the week.

3/ Eat well. Cut the crap and put in the good.

4/ Get your weight under control. Keep it there.

5/ Get regular health screenings, especially cholesteral and blood pressure.

Pray for my brother, Tim (the funny one), today, will you? The kid is trim and fit as far as we all knew. His and my dad’s heart attacks have been an absolutely unexpected “surprise”…in a bad way!

LEFT: Tim was 11, maybe, and I was 14 or 15; MIDDLE – “The Three Heart Guys”…Dad in his heavier days with Joe (who took 10 years getting all the way through college) and Tim; RIGHT: Tim and his wife, Julie, recently.

Guard your heart.

But before even getting the phone call this sunny/gorgeous/sweet morning, my heart was full/tender because people I love are going through things that hurt, because relational stuff takes effort and sometimes things just seem hard. So, word to the wise: guard your heart, both the physical one and the one from which everything in your life and world flow…

Proverbs 4.23

“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” AMP

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” NIV

Posted in God's Word, Health, LIST! I love lists!, Mi familia, Stuff I actually think | 3 Comments »