Coffee

Check it out:
Coffee with the editor

On the right track with Jesus

I'm an Isaiah girl these days.

After being prompted to start my personal Bible time there I am struck by the power of the Lord. Today I kept getting stopped at Isaiah 1:18 and prompted to just mediate on that on scripture all day.

"Come now, let us reason together..."

I looked up every translation I could find for that one.

God INVITES us to work out our salvation WITH Him, not against Him or on our own as in:

I must do good
I must do better
Man, I messed up

but rather walk WITH Him and work it out, reason it out, make our case (and our case be dashed in the power and admonition of the Lord but go ahead and make it anyway)

Ah, sweet sweet Jesus that allows us to come and reason together!

So of COURSE, because God wants to leave His non-carbon footprints all over our lives, when I checked in with Oswald who arguably is the BEST devotionalist of all time his devotion was in Isaiah. I cannot wait to see what else God has for me through Isaiah!

(Ironically the title "How could someone be so ignorant" goes along with my coffee blog this morning too in a way)

Anyway...here is Oswald Chambers for today. Read and be amazed! I am!

January 29, 2009

How Could Someone Be So Ignorant!

Who are You, Lord? —Acts 26:15

"The Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand . . ." (Isaiah 8:11).

There is no escape when our Lord speaks.

He always comes using His authority and taking hold of our understanding. Has the voice of God come to you directly? If it has, you cannot mistake the intimate insistence with which it has spoken to you. God speaks in the language you know best— not through your ears, but through your circumstances.


God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions. We say, "I know that this is what I should do"-and suddenly the voice of God speaks in a way that overwhelms us by revealing the depths of our ignorance.

We show our ignorance of Him in the very way we decide to serve Him. We serve Jesus in a spirit that is not His, and hurt Him by our defense of Him. We push His claims in the spirit of the devil; our words sound all right, but the spirit is that of an enemy. "He . . . rebuked them, and said, ’You do not know what manner of spirit you are of’ " (Luke 9:55). The spirit of our Lord in His followers is described in 1 Corinthians 13 .

Have I been persecuting Jesus by an eager determination to serve Him in my own way? If I feel I have done my duty, yet have hurt Him in the process, I can be sure that this was not my duty. My way will not be to foster a meek and quiet spirit, only the spirit of self-satisfaction. We presume that whatever is unpleasant is our duty! Is that anything like the spirit of our Lord— "I delight to do Your will, O my God . . ." (Psalm 40:8).

If you need to call me...(or Jeff)

the only way to now reach us is to use my cell 352-978-4206 (Steph) or 352-430-9709 (Jeff)
Please make a note.

Fantastic Personal Bible Time

January 28, 2009 Oswald Chambers

How Could Someone So Persecute Jesus!

Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? —Acts 26:14

Are you determined to have your own way in living for God?

We will never be free from this trap until we are brought into the experience of the baptism of "the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11).

Stubbornness and self-will will always stab Jesus Christ. It may hurt no one else, but it wounds His Spirit.

Whenever we are obstinate and self-willed and set on our own ambitions, we are hurting Jesus. Every time we stand on our own rights and insist that this is what we intend to do, we are persecuting Him. Whenever we rely on self-respect, we systematically disturb and grieve His Spirit. And when we finally understand that it is Jesus we have been persecuting all this time, it is the most crushing revelation ever.

Is the Word of God tremendously penetrating and sharp in me as I hand it on to you, or does my life betray the things I profess to teach? I may teach sanctification and yet exhibit the spirit of Satan, the very spirit that persecutes Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of Jesus is conscious of only one thing— a perfect oneness with the Father. And He tells us, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29 ).

All I do should be based on a perfect oneness with Him, not on a self-willed determination to be godly.

This will means that others may use me, go around me, or completely ignore me, but if I will submit to it for His sake, I will prevent Jesus Christ from being persecuted.
__________________________________________________________

I am not talking much anymore about all of my ups and downs with God and my consistent struggle with self reliance vs. reliance upon God as I am sure you are sick of hearing about it but I wanted to share this:

As I begin slowly to break free from the grips (again) of self reliance, I find that saturation with...nay, complete IMMERSION in God is the only thing that keeps one consistently and victoriously walking!
As I realized that pride keeps one's gaze not only upon one's self in constant sizing up, but also upon what others think...When I am concerned with what others think I constantly strive to be better, to be Godly-not in the Pharisaical outward appearance but for REAL. Trying to be sure you are doing God's Work FOR REAL but without God- is pointless. Futile. Kinda funny. Not-too-bright, as it were.

The problem with it is that when you fail, you feel defeated instead of drawn back toward your Dad for a good lesson and a hug.

The problem with that is that though you are trying to be sanctified, you cannot be- for the fact of your trying by 'self". Because sanctification requires failure and forgiveness, and without God, there is none of that. So your failure becomes a matter of pride as well, instead of learning.

You must cast your eyes...your steady gaze upon His face and never take your eyes off of Him, even for a second, lest you get caught in the net of others' scrutiny or worse, SELF scrutiny...where, try as you might, even if you are successful-in one way or the other, seeing it from anyone's perspective but God's, will still end you in failure!

ONLY His approval counts and so when you fail, you fail in forgiveness instead of in the gaze of the raised eyebrow.

We defeat our very purpose for living when we live, breath, or act out of any purpose but to please the Father.

In a life now bent on wanting to please, affect, make a difference in others, in a life now ministering in a medium that can change a lot of people's minds if not lives, and trying to "do good a work" there, I am reminded that I am not the one affecting, I am just the tool being held by the creator who flung the stars into place. A tool that is using a tool to do HIS work, not mine.

I will continue to recalibrate my gaze upon HIS so that my favor will be with HIM no matter what the cost in other's approval or opinion or even changed lives. And my own sanctification will continue, which is where God is most concerned. I mean, I cannot be effective at all unless my own sanctification continues.

Return to your first love daily!

Coffee with the Editor on WKIQ

Ok, Coffee it is! Thanks for all the input! :0)

It went well today...everyone is very excited! :)

It's official!

I should be:

but....(yep, insomnia got me good tonight/today, whatever)

So here I am blog buddies...this is the dish on my Tuesday.
Ta da!!!
I am going to a networking meeting and will announce with the GM of WKIQ 1240 AM our
PARTNERSHIP!
This little fledgling radio station is well, cute.
They have been on and off the air since 1955 but there's some new young blood in town!
The GM is a man all of, well, I don't know, maybe 25?
When did that become young to me? CHILDLIKE even?
Sheesh.

Anyway, little young GM and I will stand and present each other in a mutual admiration extravaganza! (no you, no really you, no you I insist)

Should be fun...I am actually looking forward to it. I can't help but feel, as usual, that attaching my "cofee with the editor" name to anything is a bit narcissistic...as in we may name the radio show "Coffee with the Editor" to keep the branding going...
I felt that way about naming the blog that too but Jeff was insistent and said it was a perfect fit...UGH.
but I have to have a name for this show by 7:45 am so unless you all are up and willing to brainstorm over diet cokes and left over tacos...I may have to go with it.

I like Saturday Morning Coffee too.... maybe I will laugh it off as in "We don't even have a name for the show yet!" hahahahahha and "Aren't we quaint just a wingin' it like this?"
Would love your thoughts on a name.

The idea behind Coffee with the Editor is that it keeps people recognizing LAKE FAMILY MAGAZINE which IS the entire point.

Anyway, we will stand up...I will talk show biz, he will talk biz, biz and won't-we-create-the-buzz...oh and did I tell you? He's a Christian!

The show airs for the first time on (gulp) Saturday Feb 21st!

I wish I was more nervous. I am worried that I will be too laid back and unprepared.
But I do best winging it. But prep is not to be underrated.

Did I Really commit to doing this every week?

Maybe someone will buy the magazine and I will go into radio!

Think: Howard Stern meets Rush Limbaugh. JUST kidding.
Think: Miss Patty Cake meets Dr. Laura (who I dislike immensely) but is likely closer to the truth.

And then again, maybe all the little dandelion fairies will come floating into my kitchen from my dreams that I should be dreaming and clean and make fresh blueberry scones for the morning...

But I digress...

Nah, it's all good. I'm excited and trying to figure out if I should be:

A. Mean! You know, like Judge Judy.
B. Sweet! You know, like syrup and warm hot cakes in an apron.
C. Myself! Slightly sarcastic but always loving and Jeff says (God love him) RIGHT! Hahahahah!

I knew I married well.

Come on peeps, gimme some thoughts on this. And please set aside this one hour and listen to yours truly dialogue (or monologue if no one calls, lol) on provocative parenting issues coming on Sat the 21st! 10:00 AM!

I want to get some people scheduled to call but I am concerned if you know, like Tiffany calls up, I won't be able to not admit that I know her. I mean, I just cannot help be like:

"TIF!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know this lady listeners- so it doesn't count."

I cannot fib I swear..not even when it just doesn't matter.

I remember once I went to see Emeril Lagasse in my old hometown right on the cusp of his fame. He cooked in the parking lot of our bookstore in Vero. The PR girl for the store and I were friends. I was her MASSAGE therapist and when he took questions I raised my hand. She pointed to me and was like: "There! The lady in the red!" Like she didn't know me. I thought, puhleeze. (His favorite meal is porkchops by the way..oh and once I got to ask Dave Letterman if he could spell Albuquerque when I was in his audience. He told me to shut up. Lol)

Anyway, so I don't want to be like THAT but also don't necessarily want people thinking I SET UP callers. Even though I did. I mean, I am pretty much responsible for getting this thing going at first so...you think that would be ok? That would be why I would try to first "create" the show until it kind of took off...can anything AM take off? I don't know!

We can't even advertise it in the Mag until March so the first few times will be a good warm up before we can LET THE MASSES know through advertising. (that should bring listenership to a total of about 14.)


So, what do you think? or do you care? Alright! Alright! I'm going, I'm going...

The market according to...well, no one of consequence actually.

To answer Leisa's question.

Jeff and I think it will be a very slow comeback for the market.

5 years...very possibly more. And it will come back very slowly, a little at a time.

But it will never be at the crazy height it was. That was a fluke.

And people will forget that. So YOU remember. It is extremely rare that it would shoot that high that fast and only happens under extreme circumstances. But the average Joe doesn't realize that, which is why speculators (people who buy for a quick buck) risk and often lose so mightily.

Real Estate cycles about every ten years. Up and down, up and down but not huge fluxes like this past one was.

It will return to its' OLD plateau or more likely even just below where the old base value was before the spike. The old adage that real estate always holds its' value is true. There is limited space on earth and real estate will continually be an increasingly limited resource. No matter what the fluxes are, it will always even out and always hold it's "real" value...eventually.

We believe that the spike pushed forward at an accelerated rate as a direct result of the hurricanes. There was already a trend of higher prices happening due to the increasing population of South Florida.

The prices get too high due to fewer houses/less space and so groups of people that still want to stay in Fl. move to the next lower priced area...usually just a county or two away....this pushes the population (in Fl) further North creating more jobs, need for housing, etc. etc.

This is a painfully slow effect but still gaining speed...not noticed by many but still there. California is an excellent example of this. There is no more land there and a 200,000 house here is a million there.

So take that trend here and add a few Cat Fives and you've got yourself a MARKET.

People fly high, go crazy and think it will last. But alas, it does NOT.

Jeff and I bought only TWO properties during this 2 year period. One solid investment, one at a riskier point.

The solid investment did not sell, did not sell, did not sell. It finally sold but at a low profit.

The riskier one was the one we had to auction and took a loss of $200,000. OUCH.

On a personal note, it is ironic that we moved here in semi-early retirement but now find ourselves practically starting over, but happier then I have ever been in my life. EVER. I LOVE it here.

This is also a thrilling time for people with a personality like mine. Back me into a corner, add some pressure and a challenge and I do my best work. I love the underdog. I root for the losers. I love being told "I can't." Because I know, that I CAN. Just watch me!

If you are an entrepreneur at heart as I was telling this lady today who was showing us a house, you BETTER be prepared for the downs as well as the ups!

You can play it safe and live safely and securely. Or you can risk it. There are all sorts of people. All sorts of benefits and deficits to both ways of living. You have to be willing to take the good and bad if you are the risk taker.

Anyway, so even though we may lose it all, we wouldn't have it any other way. We live our own lives. We are our own people and a small percentage of people like us make it all the way.

Many scoff at people like us...smugly talking about risk takers behind their backs...but we laugh in each other's arms! For we are happier, freer and way more in love. We live our lives rooting for everyone to win. Some cannot stand the success of others, and some feel others' success like it was their own. We are the latter. And we know how to be content on either side. Let me tell you how much easier that makes living life.

And we RUN into each others' arms every day and have done so since we met.

We BELIEVE in for better or worse for REAL. Which makes "worse" not all that bad!

And in the midst of all this, we buy a magazine, make a go of it, land a radio show...yep, it's a fun ride with the likes of us...if you like really scary rollercoasters!

So back to the market. Our advice? Stay put if you want to sell unless you really want to get out.
You know, there is just nothing wrong with letting the next person get the next bit of cream on the deal so if you want out, go.

But if you need the money out of the house/property, then you will have to wait.

Also, if you can buy, OMG, BUY! BUY BUY!

THIS is the moment to risk trying an investment property. Find the deal of the century because there are MANY. (we just looked at a 1881(yr) house today WAY bigger than ours, 3 car garage, on smaller property but almost 1/2 the cost of this one) So if you want to do it you should and you will make money if you can wait so if you are able now is the time to do it.

BUT! (yes, there is always a big fat one.) Here is the rule with investment property...if you cannot throw the money into the street, then do not do it. If you have trouble at ALL paying your monthly bills, do NOT do it. Too much risk.

So, that's about it. The market according to...well, no one of consequence actually.

Chapel Children's Chat

I am subbing for a teacher at church for 3 weeks so Chapel Chat will be my musings on the activities therewithfor. Yes, I just made that word up. And it was fun.

I have always dearly loved to teach and today was no exception. I am truly in love with children.

Their little personalities are so....cool.

We have the vast array of them in this class.

The pleaser.

The rebel.

The first born.

The shy one.

The girly girl.

Just like the breakfast club but minus a few years.

We did our bible lesson. Matthew 18:4 which surprise, surprise was our bible lesson in family bible time a few days ago too. God is so funny that way.

I brought little treats and we did our little craft and I promised them a prize if they could recite the memory verse to me next week by rote.

So fun. So easy to be loved by kids. Just be yourself. With a little goof thrown in.

They write down their prayer requests and turn them in. One little girl took the cake though with her's. It read:

"I wish you would remember my name is not Madison."

Ha ha! I think I shall not soon forget her name now!

These little kids are so full of life and promise and troubles already. They cannot hide their joy, their pain or their trouble.

They are just open little lives. I remember that they are entrusted to me by their families for this time and I am grateful.

It was fun to see these little beginning lives up close and personal.

And it makes our class memory verse all the more true.

Matthew 18:4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Cup of Coffee

Check it out:

Coffee with the Editor

Home again, Home again,

Lol, sorry guys. Shock effect and all that. Heehee, it's the little things in life after all.

We are officially house hunting! We can downsize to a larger property for 1/2 the money.

Crazy economy!

I am not really sure if you all are feeling the economy like Jeff and I are. We were in Real Estate before taking on LFM.

Not as speculators as I said in a prior blog post but as long term investors. I owned property before I met Jeff as did he.

Anyway, we are some of the ones that managed our money WELL but still got the hit being in real estate so we are reconsidering what we can do.

That equals getting our outgo down...this house, though a STEAL when we bought it (ugh, that is hard to bear!) is now our biggest source of outgo....

I do like it, though it has its' problems (can someone PLEASE tell me what the rule for its/its' is?)

But we are looking at property with a house, barn, 5-10 acres for HALF the price.
Chickens & horses is a life we always wanted to try...

The house isn't as big...but I have always been one of those that could live in a double wide.
Seriously. I do not need a big house.

This is my first big house actually.

But anyway, because we are insane, we think some chickens, a horse or two and a little less outgo might be the order of the day.

The problem? It takes us like 30 minutes away....a real dilemma for someone who is as busy as I am.

We found one in Umatilla in the FOREST but I mean, if I had to go to a meeting at night and Jeff was in Vero, how could I leave the girls?

Ironically, we have always felt so safe here....even me alone. Which is rare. Cuz I'm ascared of everything.

So yes, we are trying to get out of here unless something drastic happens...we will probably put this one back on the market here soon...so that is the move thing!
(NO VERO CHERYL!)

Ok, since no one asked about the radio thing (sniff sniff) I won't address it. Lol

We're home. WOOHOO!

P.S. AM---you are the winner!!! How did you know???

Helloooooooo Lake County!

Hey Guys!

Headed out of town just until tomorrow. I'll be back to teach on Sunday. Hope all is well with you! Please remember Tif, Doug, Lisa and Amy in your prayers as they are out of town!

Big news on my end? Crazy I know, but I just landed my own one hour radio show!
Yep, a parenting call in show. You call in, and I give you the tough answers to your tough questions. Lol
Should be fun.

Nothing big really...just a local am station (not the one I was on before)
This one is called WKIQ 1240...geared toward soccer Moms...

They are kind of in the same boat we are...fledgling business...so we are going to combine forces in a partnership with dual ad packages on both sides, promotion, and of course..YOURS TRULY on WKIQ Saturday mornings at 10! (help, mommy, help!)

I will do a lot of my own promoting and advertising and will be COUNTING on you (as in scheduling you to) to call in and let me do my thing the first few times...hope you will help!

I may see if they will go for more of a variety type show...I'm a little worried that with a fledgling radio station, the listeners won't be there yet.

But the GM is young and fresh and out there goin' and gettin' 'em. (Oy my English Teacher would smack me for that)

so should be a fun little ride for awhile.

God has been good enough to let us return to Him yet again, and I find that personal bible time and family bible time has lightened the load yet again. (no doy)

So, we are still seeing where this is taking us.

Oh, and did I tell you we were moving???

See ya' tomorrow Brethren!

Day 3

I would highly recommend this 100 days of prayer. They are really great! Here is today's!

For respect for the Office of the Presidency to remain highThis is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. —Romans 13:6-7

Awesome God, only You are worthy of praise, glory and honor! You reign over all things; You are exalted high and holy. Only You are lifted above all powers and principalities, and my heart rises to bless and praise you today.

God, our culture is sometimes brazen in our disrespect for those in authority over us. We criticize and bring down those who serve us or whose decisions do not serve our agendas. Lord, I ask today that You reverse this trend in our country, bringing a great sense of respect and honor to the Office of the President and all who work alongside him. May we learn again to respect and honor those who serve us, lifting them in heartfelt prayer daily. In Your holy name, amen.

100 day of prayer

To sign up to pray for the first 100 days Obama in office, click the pic below. You will receive a message in your inbox of what to pray for. Very cool for us to uphold the Lord's command to pray for our leaders. Taken from a new blog I came across called Prophecy of the Heir.

Here is today's. Jan 22nd

For the Spirit of Jesus Christ to dwell in the Oval Office
I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
—Proverbs 8:12

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the source of all wisdom, for You are truth the way, the truth and the life. You provide all that we need to make good decisions and sound judgments. As we listen to You, we are able to act with confidence, knowing that we are being led by Your wise and guiding hand.

We intercede today for President Obama, that You, Lord, would give him an increased sensitivity to Your voice. Let Your wisdom, which lives with prudence, impart the benefits of knowledge and the advantages of discretion to President Obama as he sits at his desk in the Oval Office and makes decisions that impact not only our nation, but the entire world. Be with him, O God, and empower him by Your Spirit. We thank You for hearing our prayer and moving on our behalf, amen.

Check this out.

Click here to see what is happening in the athiest movement.

http://crimsonmoonixoye.blogspot.com/2009/01/soldiers-of-god.html

Ok but...

Ok but did anyone notice, let alone report on the benediction? Let me see if I can get this racist quote right...

...we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right...

I may be the least prejudiced person you know, but I felt like WHITEY when I heard this.
EVERY minority was called as the victim with the white man as the victimizer. Am I nuts or does it not sound this way?

I have a lot more to say on this, but it will likely just be too inflammatory. So DON'T ask me.
I'm Mexican, not caucasian so I can say this. God forbid anyone who is actually WHITE say this. I am offended that I didn't get a call out. So I will add one of my own.
...when the Mexican can move to Lexington...Yeah! Mexican in Lexington! Tacos for everyone!

Salon Story

Well, I got myself into an uncomfortable situation at the nail salon the other day so I did what any self-respecting girl would do. Called my mother!

I made her talk to me for the entire time I was there and we were chatting, chatting and got talking about of course, CHURCH! She is not a big church person and does NOT care for pastors much.

I was telling her we could never go back to Vero for the main reason of there is not a church home for us there. That we were so blessed to have CC here and how great Doug was and how humble he was (rare for a pastor) and blah blah blah.

And as I am walking out a lady stops me and asks "What church do you go to?"

I am stammering around quickly replaying that conversation in my head. I was SO uncomfortable so I was only talking on the phone to ease my own pain and was just making small talk but you know, did I say anything that could be construed as a bad witness? Not about church of course...but about anything? I tend to talk pretty openly and one should always be careful when others are around but in this situation, I was just trying to keep breathing and I wasn't paying close attention. I didn't think I had. But you know...
I didn't think anyone was really listening to me!

Calvary Chapel I say. Where is that, she asks. In Tavares I say, come look us up sometime.
I will she says as I walk away still replaying the conversation. Not a very good invite to be sure.

So lo and behold, I am running some stuff to the car at church yesterday and run smack into her in the parking lot.

Hey! Aren't you the.....blah blah blah

Yes she says. So then I break into this Calvary Chapel diadribble about the verse by verse teaching, like I am some kind of personal PR rep for them. She says, yes, I know _______________ (insert famous CC pastor name in there of which I have no idea and can't remember since this is the first CC I have ever attended and the name meant nothing to me.)
and I am just staring at her trying to see why I should know this name.

She said, he is a Calvary Pastor... Oh...says I. Why don't you come on in and let me show you around....

Anyway, I thought it was cool and what was an uncomfortable situation for me resulted in something God used to bring someone to church!

Woohoo!

And for whomever wants to know what the situation was and you know who you are YMA, (I rearranged the letters in her name to protect her) I won't torture you: a business associate was in there who lied, cheated and stole from us professionally and personally. I am not the confrontational type. NO I'm really not. It is often misread. I stay QUIET on issues until I am PRESSED. Then I am not afraid to speak boldly. There is a profound difference but the two are always confused. ANYWAY, there I was with her in the same room and I could not get away so I hid behind the conversation with my Mom. She actualy waved to me when she walked out. I am not mad at her...just don't know what to say to her.

Wow, was this like the most boring post I ever wrote?

Chapel Chat

Holy-get-right-to-the-point-Bat-Pastor!

Aside from Doug's great metro-hair he has going on, (love it) he did not disappoint with today's message. I would say...homerun with the added pain of me catching that 100 mph ball....with my face.

He spoke in John 8: 31-32...

...if you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

If we do not abide in His word, then we risk being slaves to a second master. If we do not fellowship with our Father, then it should be no wonder that we fall apart. Fall away.

I confess I have not been abiding and that I KNOW that I have not. I am keenly aware of my shortcomings which keeps me ever-present in wretched man syndrome. I am not one of those who lies to myself. I know that which I do. God keeps me knowing my sin for some reason. If I didn't know better, I would think just to torture me. But I do know better so it keeps me on the road of constant confession, so that is likely why he does it. To keep my reliant. Is it not the BEST that He is SO faithful when we are SO faithless???

If God has given me much, then much will be expected of me and for me to have endeavored to do such a big thing while not abiding is not only wrong and the reason for much of my difficulty, but it is also SIN.

Sigh. Any of you that have followed along with me through this journey knows that I have put it down, picked it up, put it down. (the load) Given it to Him and taken it back, over and over.

I do not why this is my thorn. I could accomplish so much more if I could steady my hand a bit.
But I have fallen into not abiding which I always had been pretty consistent with. We of course, credit that very thing, (the Lord being the authority in the home & consistent bible teaching) with the girls coming out so well. I have long been worried about THEM and less been worried about ME. Silly I know.

But I stopped abiding and well, it has seeped into all sorts of other areas in my life as well.
It's really, well... stinktastic.

Freedom Doug said, depends on whether you abide in the word. Your very freedom.

I re-commit to abiding with alone time and family time. A family without regular bible time is risking much. Their very freedom even.

It is not a risk I wish to take.

I heard a great saying yesterday.

It is necessary, therefore it is possible.

Wow. I love that. It got me thinking that perhaps the magazine was not a mistake as I sometimes think, but that because it was prayed over, and we got the "go" we could if even just for argument's sake, assume that the Lord thought it necessary.

If He thought it necessary, then He definitely made it possible.

It so often seems IMPOSSIBLE but today I realize that the freedom it would come with would only be by regular abiding, which I had forsaken all for the ridiculous excuse of being BUSY?????

OUCH.

I will change this saying to the more aptly put:

It is necessary, therefore it is possible when you abide in His word.

Thanks P-Diddy.

We're gonna get what we asked for

Boy it's foggy out.

You know, I am knee deep in life right now in experiencing "in over your head" syndrome.

Do you ever wonder if maybe Barack Obama is experiencing the same thing?
I mean, his order is beyond tall, it's colossal.

I don't like political extremists on either side but this guy is being treated like a movie star and as I was watching the news this morning as "All of Hollywood travels to D.C. for the inauguration", I can't help but realize this new administration truly is a boon for immorality. Is there ANY more immoral group of people than the Hollywood elite? We have made a "deal with devil" by putting aside our moral and Godly beliefs just for the HOPE that MAYBE we'll get some financial relief.

I saw a blurb that was on Oprah where this minister claimed that being gay was a gift from God. That their church used the Bible to uplift not to hate. He claimed that he received many emails on it and the most hateful and mean spirited ones were from Christians.

I am sure some were but as we know, a true Christian is the furthest thing from mean spirited and hateful. But we WILL be persecuted as the worst for as long as we live and breathe. So we should never be surprised at such comments. As they went to commercial, they had a huge promo that looked like the debut of a mega superstar for Barack's inauguration. I couldn't help but connect the two.

Shame on Oprah for allowing that. Shame, shame on her. She needs a spanking from Big Daddy for allowing that to be said without rebuttal.

All things considered, and just being a realist NEVER a pessimist, I think we are all going to get what we asked for.

So put that in your STILL ILLEGAL pipe and smoke it.

Train of thought

BOY am I missing you guys! I was thinking about a re-gifter party. Maybe next Friday? How fun...everyone bring a dish and their best re-gift, wrapped. Chinese gift exchange with the hilarious re-gift. Anyway, if you are up for it, leave a comment.

Kate is the ultimate reflector of all of us. She told me today, "Give me a break Mom" and I thought I would fall over.

The really funny (though bad) one was in the car. I was SO mad at someone and almost said Shut up which NEVER is an utterance that I would put forth. I caught myself and at the last minute said Shut it!

Kate picked up on it and said Shut it out! Shout it out! (likely a miss speak of cut it out)
Now whenever someone gets loud she says "Shut it out! Shut it out!"

I am still missing Marissa pretty bad and there is nothing I can do.

Sometimes I think my intense love of people is a curse. Can't I just dislike SOMEBODY?
I mean, what is WRONG with me????

My teeth are DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won't be showing you, but all the silver fillings: GONE. Looks like I never had a cavity. NOW the fun part! The cosmetic stuff! 2 weeks to bling. Lol

Shepard's pie in the oven.

Sloan is taking over Lauren starting Monday. Wow. Scary and cool all at once. It is kind of like her final lesson in terms of well, everything. She will take over Lauren's school, personal hygeine and chores. We'll see how it goes.

Kate is the most to die for kid yet.She took my face in her little hands when she was on my lap and I was looking away. She turned my head to face her face and said, Mom, listen. Don't be difficult Mom, don't be difficult. I need a popsicle."

I am REALLY looking forward to teaching CC for 3 weeks. I do love to teach and loved teaching CC in our old church.

I am sad to miss the sermon. I am tired of purposely trying to say teaching instead of sermon. What EVER, you know what I mean.

Our new re-design is coming along swimmingly!

I always wanted to use swimmingly in a sentence.

I saw a funny politcal bumper sticker. I do not consider most political bumper stickers to be funny and rarely even nice. This one did not match either of those either. But I still thought it was funny.

It said:

I'll keep my guns, freedom and money, you can have the change.

Haha. Clever.

I have to admit, I will soon carry. I cannot help it. I love guns. I think they are a matter of self defense. I believe in guns. I believe in protecting your family.

My resolution went south but I am still trying to gear up. As I said, consistency right?

More later.

Well I Do have a lot to post but I just don't feel write about pushing the last post back...so more later perhaps.

The Voice of the Nature of God

I had the prompt to check out Oswald Chambers this morning and I can see why.

January 16, 2009

The Voice of the Nature of God

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ’Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ —Isaiah 6:8
When we talk about the call of God, we often forget the most important thing, namely, the nature of Him who calls. There are many things calling each of us today. Some of these calls will be answered, and others will not even be heard. The call is the expression of the nature of the One who calls, and we can only recognize the call if that same nature is in us. The call of God is the expression of God’s nature, not ours. God providentially weaves the threads of His call through our lives, and only we can distinguish them. It is the threading of God’s voice directly to us over a certain concern, and it is useless to seek another person’s opinion of it. Our dealings over the call of God should be kept exclusively between ourselves and Him.
The call of God is not a reflection of my nature; my personal desires and temperament are of no consideration. As long as I dwell on my own qualities and traits and think about what I am suited for, I will never hear the call of God. But when God brings me into the right relationship with Himself, I will be in the same condition Isaiah was. Isaiah was so attuned to God, because of the great crisis he had just endured, that the call of God penetrated his soul. The majority of us cannot hear anything but ourselves. And we cannot hear anything God says. But to be brought to the place where we can hear the call of God is to be profoundly changed.

Christian Text Abbreviations from Jon

So, a precursor to my own blogging extravaganza that I am hoping I make good on in the morning...I caught up on Jon's. OMG!!! Meaning: 'Oh my Gracious' as in: "Oh my gracious I can no longer say OMG because everyone will take it as me saying Oh My God) it's funny.

For some REAL hilarity..check it out!

#473. WOTAM baby, straight up WOTAM. (Christian Text Abbreviations).

Stay Tuned

for mass blogging on Love's Lessons tomorrow morning!

4 second laugh

Blonde goes back to work after many years...

Veggie TALES!

I joined a produce co op called Become-eco and WOW did we hit local pay dirt! For 35 bucks, you get enough veggies mostly ALL locally grown and picked within the last 2 days. Those strawberries were picked YESTERDAY. Lots of variety with a few "unique" items, with included descriptions and instructions on how to use/cook. No commitment and pay only ahead only one week. Can order anytime I run out, weekly, bi-weekly whatever!
This is just their "sample" basket. They bring what is in season locally. I will customize it closer to what we need. But this time will enjoy some new items like a "Pummelo" that big grapefruit looking thing. It is a biblical fruit though I have never heard of it and tastes much like an orange. There was SO MUCH in this basket I can see with a few tweaks that it will serve us well! They were wonderful people to boot, it is a brand new business for them.

What I can remember:

Watermelon

Green/Red Apples

flat of strawberries

Carrots

Two HUGE heads romaine lettuce

HUGE cabbage

Avocado

red/green peppers

radishes

bag of tomatoes

bag of cherry tomatoes

Jicama

Bag of potatoes

turnips

beets

corn on the cob (5 ears)

zucchini

yellow squash

cucumbers

green beans

2 eggplants

that white flower squash thingy called Patty Pan squash

I BELIEVE IN THE LORD'S GOODNESS!!!!! Do you?

Go get some coffee!

Check out: Coffee today!

yeah baby!

(Don't forget to check out today's post at: Coffee with the Editor!)


I think I was meant to be black, no-for real.
My dream: music like this, Calvary teaching, congregational reformed beliefs.
Ooh, Chills.

I like how he breaks it down in about the middle of it and how it escalates the way only good black gospel can. If you can't sit through it, at least scroll through to this side of half way and listen to the breakdown. sooo good.

Discipline

Tomorrow is our cover kid call out. 25 little darlings at Bonnie's house all vying for the cover. I sent out the info email today and Sloan said I was a tough cookie because of the line:
Please advise your little darling(s) to be patient and well behaved. I hear the editor of LFM is a stickler for that. ;)
She ALSO said that she was glad I was her mother.
Aha.

Tomorrow I will expound on a subject related to this at: http://www.coffeewiththeeditor.blogspot.com/
See you there!


But for now, the real deal.

This kid might be the most deviant of all undisciplined kids I know. I actually have a heart for misbehaving kids. I do. A kid attacked Sloan once in Kindergarten and became my personal heart throb throughout the rest of her public school experience.
If you have a kid who is unmanageable with a good heart, you can bet that I LOVE that kid.

But a disrespectful, hateful, spoiled brat is the kind of kid that I want to take on at: Clunn Boot Camp.
I swear, I bet I could really make some money changing lives by instituting simple truths like ultimate authority.

This kid who is OLD enough to way know better even without discipline, punched Kate in the stomach, knocked her down HARD (three different times that we caught her) hit her over the head with a big toy and hit her face on the ground after she knocked her down.

The mom was like, "Did you do this? Kid says, "No." Mom says, "Do you promise?" Kid says, "Yes."

We all stand there incredulously as the Mom says, "Well, she says she didn't do it."

Well, this is a little bit of only child syndrome and a lot "we don't have any idea how to parent syndrome" .


I had a chance to discipline her privately that night when I had to leave her and Kate in a room together. Kate was in her high chair. The other kid was at the living room table.

In my low, calm voice that freaks Sloan out I say:

Me: Do not touch Kate. Do you understand me?
Kid: Yes
Me: Yes ma'am.
Kid Yes Ma'am.
Me: Do not get near Kate. Do you understand me?
Kid: Yes.
Me: Yes Ma'am.
Kid: Yes Ma'am.
Me: Keep your hands to yourself. Do you understand me? We do not hit in this house.
Kid: Yes Ma'am.

That is exactly how it went.

The kid stopped eating and came into where the adults were to lament around the mother. The kid eyed me as if she were about to tell that I beat her but I eyed her right back as if to say GO AHEAD.

All kids learn that I am tough and fair and LOVING. That is why kids like me. Kids RESPECT and RESPOND to authority. They LIKE IT when someone notices and cares that they are doing something wrong. Even if they are not used to it. They get used to it quick because deep inside God planted in them the desire to know Him.

So she threatened me with her gaze for sometime while I remained unmoved.

Soon, we were all milling around and she wanted Kate to come play with her. (she is 5, Kate is 2)
I got down on my knee and looked her straight in the eye.
"Are you saying you want Kate to come play with you?" I ask in a tone that conveys our prior conversation.
And she responds: "Yes, I promise I won't hit anyone anymore. I will not hit."

So I let Kate go with a close eye.

Discipline works. The excuse that your line is different than mine will only work when it comes to superfluous things. If disrespect, bad attitude, hitting, sarcasm, being too big their breeches, or any other ungodly quality is allowed, then that ceases being an up for discussion line and becomes (let alone sin) a kid no one wants to be around.

The funny thing? The next day they had to drop by to pick something up that they forgot. Kate came running out again arms extended, ready to love, and stopped short of the kid, remembering all of a sudden, "is this kid safe?"

After the initial hello and some outside play, Kate ran back in and the kid followed her. Nary 2 minutes passed when the screaming ensued and Kate was found on the floor with the kid standing over her claiming innocence.

At some point, Mama Lion kicks in.

And that's it for me. While I won't give this kid another chance around my child, I am glad Jesus will. And I hope beyond hope, that her wonderful parents will see the terrible and foretelling error of their ways.

We all have discipline issues with our kids. But if yours get to the embarrassing, hurtful, disrespectful or dangerous side of it, there are ways to fix it. You must be consistent. You must be firm. You must be persistent. Yes, you MUST win this battle.

Here are just a few basic indicators that a child is sorely lacking discipline.

Your child dares to tell you "no".
Your child talks back to you.
Your child has no problem being rude to you or others.
Your child has no healthy fear (respect) of your authority. In other words, is not worried what might befall him for committing a punishable offense.
Your child throws a tantrum.
ESPECIALLY if your child throws a tantrum in front of others. (should not be throwing one either way but if they are able to comfortably do so in front of others, it shows a worse problem.)
Your child hits.
Your child won't mind you.
Your child raises their voice to you. Can you imagine a teen ager yelling at you? I think not.
Your child acts or speaks in too mature a fashion in a way that is not appropriate. (embarrassing you, calling you out, challenging you in front of others)
Your child feels comfortable speaking to another adult disrespectfully.(man, does that one continue to floor me.)


These are just some of the ways you can know that your child is headed toward becoming, or at least looking like, that thing we call "public schooled" kids.

Maturity means responsibility and respect, not acting 15 when their 8.

And hey- I am not eyeing your kid and sizing them up behaviorally speaking. I have enough to do. Trust me. I am just saying that if your kid is doing any or all of these things on a regular basis, then it IS noticeable to others and you likely have a discipline problem of one kind or another.

God's Word says that if you do not discipline your child, then you do not love them.

Take it up with Him, not me.

So much to say, so little time so I guess that means TRAIN OF THOUGHT POST

Each one of these could result in its' own blog post but I have no time, no time I say!
Funny to type them in "short form" because each one has much more thought behind it.

So here we go....

I was at the store and saw a Papa John's worker sitting on a bench outside. I went into the store and came out and someone pulled up to pick her up. Off she went. She could not have been more than 17 or 18. I realized how TRULY blessed I am that God decided to share with me the truth of being a keeper at home and turning a profit from home. Though I am dealing with other issues regarding this in my personal life, I realize that I am glad I am not dropping off and picking up Sloan from the local pizza shop. No offense to pizza workers but she is making more money with her jewelry and babysitting for like-minded families than any 6 buck/hr job would. Let alone the more important issues that you all can think of yourself!

I was IN THE MOOD for some secular music (rare) which really just means that I wanted to sing LOUD in the car. So I came across this station. First song playing was Give Me One Reason To Stay Here by Tracy Chapman. WOW. I can BELT that song. Little do you all know I am a belter. Yep, a true on belter. I tried UIP once but it wasn't a good fit...the music didn't fit my voice. I need to BELT with my true voice for it to work. Or at least for me to THINK it works. Lol
Anyway, then came Piano Man by Billy Joel...I know every song he's ever written and that one I can also sing. And I LOVE it. My favorite line is THE PIANO SOUNDS LIKE A CARNIVAL AND THE MICROPHONE SMELLS LIKE A BEER AND THEY SIT AT THE BAR AND PUT BREAD IN MY JAR AND SAY MAN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE.
I type it in caps because he kind of yells the beginning of this line. If you know this song, you know EXACTLY what I am saying.

Third one was "Call Me" by Blondie (I was REALLY having fun by now) But do you KNOW how nasty this song is? I never realized it until now. I always just SANG it but now I LISTENED to it and when the line came that said "I will be your lovah's lovah's alibi...call me."
I thought, yikes, SECULAR song. Lol

BUT then, JUST when I thought I had re-entered COOL land, the next song was: "Time in a Bottle".

Balloon deflated.

I realized that I was on an OLD station. We are now considered OLD music. OLD people and most definitely NOT cool. I guess a good indicator would be that if someone told me to name any three bands that had top hits in the last 5 years or they would kill my family, that I would be completely and utterly alone.

But anyway, the worse part? I ALSO know every word to Time in a Bottle.

Get my point?

We had some friends over last night. I LOVE them. I DESPISE their child. Yes, I admit it. And this one will appear as real blog post subsequently. It is tragic but true. More later, but for now I BEG of you, I mean, I REALLY beg you to discipline your children. Most of you do, but if you don't PLEASE DO.

Which leads me to the fact that I am convinced on some new directions I think I may be supposed to be going in post magazine. Some parenting seminars..speaking engagements...homeschooling conference...stuff like that. I can no longer ignore or deny the part of me that I try to ignore or deny. I am SERIOUS about parenting. Love and discipline. You cannot separate them.

Today was the first time I felt excitement in a near month. Whew. I am not dead.

I worked hard on a dinner for Jeff's BD with our friends....there were BBQ ribs and Terriyaki chicken kabobs involved but guess what? I had nary a napkin or paper towel in the house. Jeff had to go to his truck and get Dunkin Donuts napkins that he had extra of because I am one of THOSE women who take a few "extra napkins" for the car.
That's a whole lotta classy....your hubby truckin' in DD napkins from his truck for dinner because you forgot. We all had a GREAT laugh over that. Those are the kinds of friends we have, the ones who do not care if we gave them an extra shirt to wipe up with. We rarely have people over because these are the only ones we can tolerate or spare social time for; the one who just. don't.care.

We are changing layout guys for LFM. Yes, this is HUGE news and why I put it so far down. Because only the ones who REALLY read my blog in detail will hear that. This is a source of GREAT trepidation and excitement. THANKFULLY we ended on a great note and he (Bri) may even stay on as ad designer. He no longer is a reader on my blog so I can talk as much about this as I like. Ha ha. No really, didn't he do a GREAT job??????? But the job is too big for him now and he couldn't do it for the same price and I couldn't afford it so we hired a cool company out of VA called Picante Creative. How cool is that? Very Latin (like me!) and super professional and this is ALL they do. So while, we are still paying lots more, we are hopeful.
We will also be getting a new contemporary re-design. (my choice!) So you heard it here first, LFM will have a new look in Feb! It takes a few months to be totally redesigned but I imagine you will notice a difference right off. Poor things, here is an excerpt from what I wanted that I sent to her:

We are NOT trying to be trendy or worldly. Do not think Hannah Montana when you think of our design. We do not want to be like every other magazine. We want to be fresh and contemporary but not Disney-ish or too flaunty. Think: wholesome and pure with a cutting edge contemporary feel.

Yeah, good luck with that.

I have to go to Vero tomorrow for a meeting with my Dad. NOT fun.
Ann (Cheryl's daughter) may come back with us. FUN!

(Oh Cheryl, would that be ok with you? Lol I'll email you.)

Hmmm...anything else? Homemade pizzas and salad for dinner, I ran my car on empty with the gas light on for two days and nothing happened, Jeff and I are part of a weight loss class starting next week, remind me to tell you (in other words, future blog post and I am writing this to remember to write that) that I have discovered my deep seeded sin. It's called being an extremeaholic. I cannot wait to talk more about this as I have been thinking, examining, dealing with this new idea of my "stuff" and it seems to fit perfectly.

My LFM advisory board is growing and I am THRILLED with our newest addition. I hope that he/his wife does not mind me outing him but it is ERIC ANTHONY. My AB consists of Tif who is my "go to girl" whom I often consult for important issues like contextual stuff, the "feel" of something, moral issues, just about any and all. Doug for the obvious heavy spiritual stuff and now ERIC for business related stuff. I got a bit of a feel for his intelligence in a recent meeting we had and now we are all-about-Eric.
Yep, Professor Mouse turns out to be one-smart-cookie in all things business and I am EVER grateful to have a discerning mind of business around.

See me: The passionate go getter who thinks EVERYTHING could potentially be a good idea.
See Eric: The intelligent voice of reason trying to explain to me that no, the world is not ALWAYS round. The voice of reason. WOW. That goes right along with my future post about being an extremeaholic. Thanks Amy and Eric!

(Side Bar) I rarely call on my advisory board. I do not inundate them with requests, problems or ideas. But it sure is nice to have them in place when I need them!

Case in point: I stared a Family Health Page in Jan issue that an advertiser wanted to sponsor and was really pushing to do but I wasn't comfortable with it. I ask one of my Advisory Board Members and they quickly said, "Anyone who wants to sponsor this page should be a certified Health Professional." (which they were not)
Boys and Girls, can you say: DUH? (yeah, it was Eric)

I love the truth that you should surround yourself with people smarter than yourself. Passion can only carry you so far. A team is SO important.

I realize this is getting long so I will end now...

Happy New Year!

Don't forget to check out Coffee with the Editor and leave comments! Thanks to those that already have. REMEMBER that this is my private blog and I will continue to post my deepest thoughts here to YOU. That Coffee is supposed to be fun, true, sarcastic and mag related and I hope that you will enjoy it for what it is as well.

Enjoy some Tracy.